Patent Application
20090294218
The present invention relates to bomb disposal apparatuses and methods and, more particularly, to an improved bomb disposal robot having a forklift capability and method for utilizing such a robot.
Vehicle-borne IED's (VBIED's) and large vehicle-borne IED's (LVBIED's) are certainly generating a high level of concern for those involved in anti-terror and bomb-disposal efforts. Whether large or small, car bombs present a significant threat and a major challenge with respect to suitable render safe procedures and the safety, speed and accuracy with which they may be performed. Rapid and reliable deployment is critical.
A conventional method of dealing with a suspected VBIED or LVBIED is through the use of an explosive countermeasure, placed under or sometimes along the side of the suspect vehicle. Examples of commonly-used vehicle countermeasures include Bootbanger, MLVD, AquaRam, Trunk Trasher, and Big Mike.
Bomb disposal experts make use of robotic vehicles, such as the Remotec F6A manufactured by Northrop Grumman, for a variety of tasks related to bomb disposal. The F6A travels on four wheels, and also includes two sets of articulating tracks, one set projecting to the front and one set to the rear, which permit the vehicle to traverse ditches and other obstacles. However, the F6A does not have the capacity to grasp, transport or position countermeasures for a VBIED or LVBIED. That requires a manual approach to the suspect vehicle, where the charge is either positioned under or near the vehicle by a person or is left near the vehicle, before being nudged into position by a remote vehicle. These methods are relatively dangerous, slow and potentially unreliable.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a forklift assembly mountable to a bomb disposal robot is disclosed. The assembly comprises, in combination: at least one fork; wherein the at least one fork is mounted to a support bar; a tongue coupled to the support bar and extending in a direction opposite to that of the at least one fork; wherein the tongue is adapted to be inserted into a receiver hitch mounted on a robotic bomb disposal vehicle.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a robotic bomb disposal vehicle having a forklift is disclosed. The vehicle comprises, in combination: a robotic bomb disposal vehicle; a receiver hitch mounted on the robotic bomb disposal vehicle; at least one fork; wherein the at least one fork is mounted to a support bar; wherein the at least one fork is capable of supporting thereon at least one explosive countermeasure; and a tongue coupled to the support bar and extending in a direction opposite to that of the at least one fork; wherein the tongue is adapted to be inserted into the receiver hitch.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivering an explosive countermeasure to a vehicle suspected of having an explosive device therein is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a robotic bomb disposal vehicle having a receiver hitch mounted thereon; positioning a forklift assembly on the receiver hitch; wherein the forklift assembly comprises: at least one fork; wherein the at least one fork is mounted to a support bar; wherein the at least one fork is capable of supporting thereon at least one explosive countermeasure; and a tongue coupled to the support bar and extending in a direction opposite to that of the at least one fork; wherein the tongue is adapted to be inserted into the receiver hitch; positioning an explosive countermeasure on the at least one fork; causing the robotic bomb disposal vehicle to transport the explosive countermeasure to a desired position proximate a suspect vehicle; depositing the explosive countermeasure on a ground surface below the suspect v vehicle; and withdrawing the robotic bomb disposal vehicle, without the explosive countermeasure thereon, from the suspect vehicle.
Referring first to
In one embodiment, positioning of the forks 12 along the support bar 14 is adjustable and, indeed, the forks 12 may be entirely removable from the support bar 14. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, including by way of example only utilizing spring-loaded insertion pin 18 that may be inserted into a suitable opening (not shown) along a length of the support bar 14. The forks 12 could be flat, round, hexagonal, or in some other desired shape. It may also be desired to use only a single fork 12, or perhaps more than two forks 12.
Reference is now made to
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In this configuration, the robot 20 may then be sent in the direction of the suspect vehicle 40 having an IED therein. The robot 20 may be brought into sufficient proximity to the vehicle 40 to permit the countermeasure 30 to be placed thereunder at a desired location. It may be necessary, in order for the countermeasure 30 to pass underneath the vehicle 40, to lower the forks 12 by downward movement of the articulating arms 24. When the countermeasure 30 is in the desired position, the articulating arms 24 are moved downward until a front portion of the forks 12 touch the ground and the countermeasure 30 is able to slide off of the forks 12 and onto the ground below the vehicle 40. The robot 20 may then be backed up, and withdrawn from the location, leaving the countermeasure 30 in position.
An advantage of the configuration described herein is that it permits the forklift assembly to be positioned on the robot 20 when needed, and removed when not needed, so as to not interfere with other uses of the robot 20. However, it may be desired to provide a robot 20 having a forklift assembly 10 more permanently affixed thereto. In such a configuration, the tongue 16/receiver hitch 22 combination would not be needed. Moreover, while vertical movement of the forklift assembly 10 may, in one embodiment, be accomplished by movement of the articulating arms 24, it should be noted that a different lifting/lowering means may be utilized.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
