EP0792435A1

EP0792435A1 - Aggregate for obstacle removal

Info

Publication number: EP0792435A1
Application number: EP95938101A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lars Nylin; Arne Bergsman; Gunnar Tallberg
Original assignee: Battlefield Ordnance and Defence AB
Current assignee: Battlefield Ordnance and Defence AB
Priority date: 1994-11-09
Filing date: 1995-11-07
Publication date: 1997-09-03
Also published as: WO1996015418A1; SE9403847L; AU3885895A; SE503649C2; SE9403847D0

Abstract

The invention refers to an aggregate (1) with the primary objective of clearing surface-laid or down to a specific depth under the surface laid unexploded munitions, with a saw-like energy-effective working technology, preferably with quick-connection of drive and holding-organs intended to be connected to a prime mover (15) and so designed that the width of the aggregate in the cleared direction with good margin conducts clearance of an area wider than the prime mover's path. The invention's central organs for clearance consists of toolsectors (2) that via in radial direction fixating guiding organs and when connected to a rotation-driven central axle (6) construed circular disks on whose peripheral outer boundary exchangeable and directed soil-cultivating toolbits (12) are positioned, which is a solution that makes it possible for quick and easy exchange of damaged toolsectors (2) and worn toolbits (12).

Description

Aggregate for obstacle removal

This presented invention decπbes an aggregate for removal of obstacles on and under the surface of the ground whereas its design is also directed to include buried mines and other unexploded munitions, what professionals referres to as UXO's (unexploded ordnance), by using exchangeable toolsectors that when assembled forms circular discs that are in parallel arranged on a, with known technology dnven, central axle in a way that the ground penetrating toolbits working grip concurrently relives each other giving a high working speed and stress loads will be dampened for the purpose of increasing the aggregates reliability and effectiveness

Background of the invention

Devices for penetration of soil, asphalt and similar requirements of to a certain depth unwanted appearances of treestumps, root's, stones and different soil's have throughout the years been developed focused on specific clearance requirements Tests with applications of such technology has been conducted with expectations of that the technology also should be useful for clearance of mines but so far not being able to solve the problem with satisfactory requirements on reliability, durability and simplicity for maintenability and repairability The extensive humanitanan unacceptable minefields that still exist in a large number of countries are cleared with manual methods when lacking mechanised minecleaπng machinery, using different types of search probes and explosive methods

Characteristically according to professional expertise is so far tested and used aggregates for mechanical mineclearance of landmines either is the mmecleanng tool damaged by detonating mines, which will lead to the equipment being functionally disengaged or mines can be uncleared and therefor continuing to endanger the cleared area, or the cost for the equipment is too high

Conducting mmecleanng with manual methods or with existing designs of vehicle mounted mmecleanng devices has for above-mentioned reasons shown and lead to time-consuming clearance per area that has to a large extent limited the possibilities to reach cheaper and more effective clearance per area These applied methods can also cause a large risk for injuries of the involved personnel Preferred embodiment

The reason for making the invention is to design an aggregate that makes if possible to penetrate the groundsurface and to a certain depth underneath it with the objective to destroy obstacles preferably mines and other munitions. A determining precondition for the inventions design was to reach a technical solution that firstly shall be able to withstand the extensive stress forces in the aggregate when resisting a blast from exploding ammunition. And secondly, if damage occurs that makes the aggregate unusable shall the aggregate with limited transportation being able to quickly repair without the use of more advanced special tools or other resources.

The invention is characterised by its method of working on a saw-like way effective in comparison to an aggregate with a milling roller, giving a energy saving penetration of the ground, which leads to the working speed can be increased considerably and the power consumption for the tooldrive decreases.

The invention is characterised by only penetrating the ground to the necessary depth required to affect obstacles with a predetermined smallest size leaving surrounding soil untouched between the soil sawing circular discs differing from a milling tool where all soil must pass through the milling tool.

The invention is characterised by the soil cultivating components being shaped like circular discs construed of toolsector segments, and by its wedge shape regardless of the cause of the damage easily can be removed and replaced by a new toolsector.

It is also characterised by the guiding joints between the toolsector segments being arranged in a way that forces from detonations can't be distributed in the same way between two and more in parallel arranged toolsectors, which will reduce the risk for more far-reaching deformations on more toolsectors simultaneous.

The invention is also characterised by the ground working toolbits, which are arranged on the toolsectors peripheral outer boundary, that during its impact against the ground are hitting with the most favourable angle of impact in relation to the nature of the soil.

The invention is also characterised by the soil cultivating toolbits, which are attached on the toolsectors, are impacting against the ground with certain time delay between the toolsectors that lie near at hand that reduces stress forces and the risk for vibrations in to the aggregate and by that contributes to increased reliability and reduces the need for repair.

Further characteristics for the invention is the device for on and off coupling of the aggregate's central axle by using known technology for coordination of hydraulic or mechanical drive of the central axle and the movement organs on the vehicle mounted carrying arm system, which by parallel movements in side direction in or out from the central axle bearing organ and drive system giving the possibility for quick exchange of the central axle in the frame of the vehicles own resources.

As a complementary characteristic for dampening impact on vibrations and stress forces from detonations, characterises the invention by the central axle can be filled with dampening and cooling liquid via a device for level adjustment of the liquid in the central axle's chamber.

Description of drawings

Figure. 1 show's arrangement of toolsectors on the central axle.

Figure. 2 show's example of phase differences between toolbits on in parallel close lying toolsectors.

Figure. 3 show's the principle for the function of on and off coupling of the central axle and level adjustment for liquid.

Figure. 4 show's the principe for ground penetrating toolbits.

Figure. 5 show's example of the inventions application when attached to a carrying vehicle for terrain. Summary of the invention

An obstacle removal aggregate 1 according to the invention is of the required number of toolsectors 2 that is required to achieve a cleared path wider than required by the prime movers width and therefor getting protection for the prime mover and its personnel. The toolsectors 2 are joint together via i.e. triangular shaped point 4 and notch 5 to a circular disc 3 and with preferably attachment elements 16 mounted to for all circular discs common central axle 6. The guiding joints 4 and 5 in the radial direction is not coinciding in parallel with guiding joint 4 and 5 on next in parallel mounted toolsectors 2 but with the intention to more favourable distribute detonation forces between circular discs 3 an thereby reduces the risk for functionally disturbing damage.

The central axle 6 according to the invention supported and driven of a carrying arm system 7 construed partly of preferably one with known technology arranged drive motor 8 and mechanical coupling 9 for driving the central axle 6, partly with known technology designed movement organ 10, that makes it possible with the central axle's 6 centerline via a fully or partly conical shape of the bearing organs in the central axle's 6 outer ends and the supporting axletap's 17 on the carrying arm system 7 in parallel in and out going motion of the carrying arm system 7 to achieve the possibility for quick and easy exchange of the central axle 6.

The toolsectors 2 has according to the invention on its peripheral outer boundary with known technology attached holder 11 for attachment of exchangeable toolbits 12 equipped with hard metal edges 13 or equivalent material with satisfactory resistance against wear of actual causes whereas preferably a group of tree holders 11 with toolbits 12 are placed in axial parallel close lying within the toolsector's 2 peripheral outer boundary and longitudinal on the peripheral outer boundary with the required number of groups equalling the need for penetrating depth and considering prime mover 15 wanted driving speed in the clearing direction with the prerequisites set by the ground conditions.

Mentioned holders' 11 is attached to the toolsectors 2 in a way that the most favourable angle of attack is achieved in comparison to ground conditions and point of time for respective toolbits 12 penetration against the groundsurface is distributed between close by lying toolsectors 2 and by that counteracting the generation of interacting stress forces and risk for material fatiguing vibrations. The invention has a variant of the central axle 6 with a closed liquid chamber in the longitudinal direction of the axle accessable via a device for filling/emptying and level adjustment 14 of liquid for dampening of vibrations or detonation forces and with organs with known technology for cooling of liquid.

The complete central axle 6 construed of circular discs 3, bearing organs and drive system that is on and off detachable coupled to a carrying arm system 7 via on the carrying arm systems 7 existing in horizontal axis movable organs that supports fully or partly conical shaped axletap's 17 adapted to corresponding bearing organs in the central axle 6 and with known technology arranged drive motor and coupling for power transmission to the central axle 6.

Carrying arm system 7 is capable of lifting and lowering of its components for supporting, coupling and drive systems for the central axle 6 which together with mentioned technology for on and off coupling of the central axle 6 gives the possibilities for quick and easy exchange of central axle 6.

Carrying arm system 7 is equipped with protective coating surrounding the organs that can be functionally damaged from detonation forces and splinter. The carrying arm system 7 is with known technology arranged with quick coupling system regarding necessary attachments to the prime mover 15 for easy on and off coupling of the aggregate 1.

Claims

We claim:

1. An aggregate for clearance of on and down to a limited depth under groundsurface located obstacles, preferably unexploded munitions, consisting of a, preferably in vertical axis for lifting and lowering, carrying arm system (7) intended for connection to a carrying vehicle (15), an undivided or in the longitudinal direction radial sectional divided central axle (6), in its ends fixated with organs for drive (8,9), centred bearing and connected to the carrying arm system (7), forming mounting for ground penetrating components in the shape of circular discs (3), in parallel arranged with a certain specific distance along the central axle's (6) length c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y that the circular discs composed of individual detachable, identically shaped, segment formed toolsectors (2) that in sidewise direction has fixating and stabilizing guiding organs (4,5) via its against each other turned edges therefore even an individual toolsector (2) easily can be removed and replaced by a new in case of a damage.

2. An aggregate according to claim 1 c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y that the toolsectors (2) by its attachment to the central axle (6) compose in parallel arranged circular discs (3) whose mutual distances between each other along the central axle (6) are not bigger than that a reliable effectiveness of clearance is achieved and whose diameter is harmonized for the actual required mineclearance depth under the ground surface and so attached to the central axle (6) that the fixating and stabilizing guiding organs (4,5) between toolsectors (2) by nearby discs (3) not are mutually in parallel for the intention of most favourable distribution of deformation forces between close by circular discs (3).

3. An aggregate according to claim 1 c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y that the toolsectors (2) are on its peripheral outer boundary equipped with holders (11) with exchangeable, ground penetrating toolbits (12) positioned in groups, in close conjunction to each other and number of groups consecutively per toolsector (2) and are adapted to working conditions in the ground and clearance depth.

4. An aggregate according to claim 1 characterized by that the central axle (6) in its outer ends are equipped with bearing organs and drive system relating to the central axle's (6) attachment to and drive from the carrying arm system (7) by the means of bearing organs attached in the diametrical axis of the central axle (6), fully or partly conical shaped and adapted too on the carrying arm system (7) existing correspondingly designed supporting axletap's (17) arranged on in horizontally axis in and out movable carrying arms on the carrying arm system (7) and that organ for mechanically in and out coupling (9) of the central axle's drive organ is integrated, vertically arranged at the central axle's (6) outer ends and by the carrying arm system's (7) supporting axletap's (17) with the intention to enable quickly and simple exchange of a complete central axle (6) i.e., when maintenance or repair is needed.

5. An aggregate according to claim 1 characterized by that the carrying arm system (7) is capable of tilting, lifting and lowering with limitations to the movement spectrum and equipped with protective coating surrounding all organs, which can be disturbed functionally from detonation forces and splinter and from the point of view of the carrying arm system's (7) attachment to the prime mover (15) is equipped with a quick connection coupling system for its attachment and drive system.

6. An aggregate according to claim 1 characterized by that the central axle (6) contains liquid for cooling and/or dampening of shocks and vibrations. On the central axle (6) is devices for filling/emptying and levelling adjustment (14) of liquid detached. The liquid can be transported via known technology to organs for cooling of liquid.