Simulating an explosion of an improvised explosive device

According to one embodiment, a system for simulating an actual explosion of an explosive device includes one or more firing devices and a control module. A firing device comprises a pyrotechnic device operable to direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction to simulate the actual explosion of the explosive device. The control module receives a trigger signal from a trigger device, which is operable to send the trigger signal in response to a trigger event. The control module detonates the firing devices in response to the trigger signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of explosion simulation and more specifically to simulating an explosion of an improvised explosive device.

BACKGROUND

Enemy combatants often use explosive devices such as improvised explosive devices to cause damage, injury, and death. Accordingly, military personnel are trained to deal with explosive devices. During training, military personnel may use simulators that simulate the explosions caused by explosive devices.

Explosive device simulators that provide realistic simulations better train military personnel to deal with explosive devices. Moreover, the simulations should be safe in order to avoid harming military personnel. Accordingly, it is desirable to have explosive device simulators that provide realistic, yet safe, simulations of explosions.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the present invention, disadvantages and problems associated with previous techniques for simulating explosive devices may be reduced or eliminated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for simulating an actual explosion of an explosive device includes one or more firing devices and a control module. A firing device comprises a pyrotechnic device operable to direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction to simulate the actual explosion of the explosive device. The control module receives a trigger signal from a trigger device, which is operable to send the trigger signal in response to a trigger event. The control module detonates the firing devices in response to the trigger signal.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technical advantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may be that an explosion simulator may utilize pyrotechnic firing devices that fire pyrotechnic cartridges. The pyrotechnic firing devices may yield a more realistic simulation of an explosion.

Another technical advantage of one embodiment may be that firing devices of an explosion simulator may be designed to direct an explosion in a predetermined direction. For example, the explosion may be directed in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the earth, while projectiles in a horizontal direction parallel to the surface of the earth are minimized. Directing the explosion in this manner may reduce risk of injury to participants.

Yet another technical advantage of one embodiment may be that an explosion simulator may include one or more ports operable to couple external devices to the simulator. The external devices may include any of a variety of external trigger devices. The ports may allow for different types of trigger devices to be used in a simulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system10for simulating an explosive device. According to the embodiment, system10simulates the distinctive signature of an explosive device. For example, system10may simulate the visual and audio signatures of an improvised explosive device (IED). System10may be referred to as a self contained portable IED simulator (SCoPIS), or a “six-pack.”

According to one embodiment, system10may utilize pyrotechnic firing devices that fire pyrotechnic cartridges. The pyrotechnic firing devices may yield a more realistic simulation of an explosion. According to another embodiment, firing devices of system10may be designed to direct an explosion in a predetermined direction. For example, the explosion may be directed in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the earth, while projectiles in a horizontal direction parallel to the surface of the earth are minimized. Directing the explosion in this manner may reduce risk of injury to participants. According to yet another embodiment, system10may include one or more ports operable to couple external devices to the simulator. The external devices may include any of a variety of external trigger devices. The ports may allow for different types of trigger devices to be used in a simulation.

An improvised explosive device may refer to any suitable explosive device that typically includes an initiation system, explosive material, a detonator, a power supply, or any suitable combination of the preceding. The explosive material may include commercial, military, or homemade explosives, and may be used alone or in combination with other substances such as toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radioactive material.

An IED may be of any suitable size, and may be delivered by any suitable delivery method. For example, a smaller-sized device may be carried by a person, a medium-sized device may be tossed or thrown by one or more people, and a larger-sized device may be transported by a vehicle.

An IED may typically be regarded as a “homemade” device. An IED, however, need not necessarily be homemade. An IED may be a factory or mass-produced device that is used by an enemy combatant to create an explosion.

In general, system10may include any suitable arrangement of components operable to perform the operations of system10, and may comprise logic, an interface, memory, other component, or any suitable combination of the preceding. “Logic” may refer to hardware, software, other logic, or any suitable combination of the preceding that may be used to provide information or instructions. Certain logic may manage the operation of a device, and may comprise, for example, a processor. “Processor” may refer to any suitable device operable to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform operations.

“Interface” may refer to logic of a device operable to receive input for the device, send output from the device, perform suitable processing of the input or output or both, or any combination of the preceding, and may comprise one or more ports, conversion software, or both. “Memory” may refer to logic operable to store and facilitate retrieval of information, and may comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic drive, a disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) drive, removable media storage, any other suitable data storage medium, or a combination of any of the preceding.

According to the illustrated embodiment, system10includes one or more firing devices20, a control module24, a transceiver28, a power supply32, a remote control36, and one or more interfaces40. One or more components of system10may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. If any components are separated, the separated components may communicate using a bus, a cable such as a dual in-line banana cable, an air interface, a network, or any other appropriate wired, wireless, or other link.

A firing device20represents a device operable to simulate one or more distinctive signatures, for example, the visual, audio, or both visual and audio signatures, of an explosive device. According to one embodiment, a firing device20comprises a pyrotechnic device that fires pyrotechnic cartridges to simulate the signatures. Any suitable pyrotechnic cartridge may be used, for example, M30 or M31A1 cartridges.

According to one embodiment, a firing device20may receive a detonation signal from control module24and transmit the signal to a pyrotechnic cartridge. A pyrotechnic cartridge includes pyrotechnic material. Pyrotechnic material comprises a chemical mixture that can be used to generate an exothermic reaction by combustion, deflagration, or detonation to produce visual and audio effects. The material may include an oxidizing agent (oxidant) and a fuel that produces the reaction when heated to its ignition temperature. The cartridge may have electrical contacts operable to receive a detonation signal to heat the fuel.

According to one embodiment, firing device20may be operable to fire a cartridge in a predetermined direction. Firing device20may be arranged and mounted in housing50such that device20fires in the predetermined direction when housing50is placed in a stable position on the ground. In one embodiment, firing device20may be configured to fire the cartridge in a direction that minimizes the hazards of the simulation, maximizes the accuracy of the simulation, or both minimizes the hazards and maximizes the accuracy. For example, firing device20may be configured to fire a cartridge in a substantially vertical direction away from the surface of the earth, while minimizing projectiles traveling in a direction horizontal to the surface of the earth. Firing device20may have any suitable safety radius that designates a region safe from the hazards of an explosion of firing device20. For example, firing device20may be have a safety radius of less than 100, 50, or 20 feet.

Control module24represents a module operable to control the operation of system10. According to one embodiment, control module24initiates detonation of firing devices20by sending a detonation signal to firing devices20. In one embodiment, control module24initiates detonation in accordance with a trigger event. For example, control module24may initiate detonation in response to receiving a trigger signal from a trigger device that detects a trigger event.

Any suitable trigger device operable to detect a trigger event and send a trigger signal in response to detecting the event may be used. As a first example, a remote control36or command wire may detect a user inputting a command, such as pressing a button. As a second example, a motion sensor may detect motion. As a third example, a photoelectric beam detector may detect disruption of a photoelectric beam. As a fourth example, a trip wire detector may detect movement of a wire. As a fifth example, a vibration sensor may detect the vibration of vehicle movement. As a sixth example, a passive infrared detector may detect a change in infrared radiation. As a seventh example, a pressure plate may detect a change in pressure on a plate.

Control module24may include user controls54. A user control may allow a user to provide commands to control module24. User controls may include an arming delay selector58. An arming delay selector58may be used to select a delay in between arming and detonation of firing devices20. The delay may be used as a safety feature to provide for time prior to detonation.

Transceiver28represents a device operable to communicate signals with remote36. For example, transceiver28may transmit, receive, or both transmit and receive signals over an air interface. Transceiver28may be used to receive signals from remote36to trigger detonation of firing devices20. Any suitable transceiver28may be used. For example, transceiver28may comprise a 315 MHz wireless transceiver operable to initiate the operation of system10from 250-350 meters, for example, approximately 300 meters.

Power supply32represents a device operable to provide power for the operation of system10. Power supply32may be selected to provide a suitable amount of power over a suitable period of time without requiring recharging. For example, power supply32may comprise a 12 volt rechargeable battery that can operate for two to four weeks before requiring recharging.

Remote control36represents a device operable to communicate with system10over a wireless link, and may communicate signals to, from, or both to and from transceiver28. Remote control36may include user controls38that a user may use to send commands to system10. For example, user controls38may include a button that may be used to create a trigger event to initiate detonation.

One or more interfaces40may be used to couple external devices to system10. According to the illustrated embodiment, interfaces40include a trigger device port60, a battery charger port62, and an other external device port64. Trigger device port60may be used to couple a trigger device to system10. Trigger device port60may comprise a normally open circuit that fires when closed. External trigger port60may allow for the use of any suitable plug and play trigger device. Charger interface62may be used to couple a power supply charger to power supply32.

Other external device interface64may be used to couple any suitable external device to system10. An exemplary external device may comprise a hit simulator that simulates projectiles resulting from the detonation. As an example, a laser source may be used to generate laser beams that simulate projectiles of the blast. A detector proximate to system10may record a hit if it detects a laser beam. Other exemplary external devices may include smoke pots, rockets, or other devices.

One or more interfaces40may be used to perform other suitable operations, such as receive commands or provide information. For example, interfaces40may include an arming switch70and a detonation indicator72. Arming switch70may be used to arm system10. Firing devices20may not be operable to detonate unless arming switch70is selected to arm system10. Detonation indicator72may indicate when a detonation is about to occur. Detonation indicator72may include, for example, a visual or audio signal such as a light or a buzzer.

Housing50may be used to house one or more components of system10. As an example, housing50may house firing devices20, control module24, transceiver28, power supply32, and remote control36. One or more components of system10may be readily removed from housing50. For example, remote control36may be readily removed from housing50.

Housing50may be used to transport and protect components of system10. The components may be, for example, carried by hand in housing50. According to one embodiment, housing50may comprise a case with a lid that may be opened and closed. Housing50may allow for firing devices20to detonate with the lid closed. For example, the lid may have openings through which each firing device20may fire.

System10may include other features, for example, safety features that reduce the hazards of detonation. As an example, system10may include an electromagnetic discharge filter that may prevent static electricity discharges. As another example, system10may include a loose latch feature that provides for quick disconnection and reconfiguration. The loose latch feature may allow system10to be repackaged into configurations replicating the tactics, techniques, and procedures of terrorists, insurgents, and enemy forces.

As another example, system10may include a buzzer to check set-up distances. As another example, system10may include a safety cover that may be placed over firing devices20. The safety cover may prevent injury in the event of, for example, unintended detonation of firing devices20.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system10without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of system10may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. Moreover, the operations of system10may be performed by more, fewer, or other modules. For example, the operations of control module24may be performed by more than one module. Additionally, operations of system10may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, other logic, or any suitable combination of the preceding. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an example of the embodiment of system10ofFIG. 1. According to the example, system10includes firing devices20, control module24, transceiver28, power supply32, remote36, and interfaces40. Control module24includes user controls54such as arming delay selector58. Interfaces include a charger port62, an external trigger port60, other external device port64, arming switch70, and detonation indicator72.

According to the example, system10may have any suitable weight, for example, less than 50, 25, or 10 pounds. System10may have any suitable volume, for example, less than 5, 3, or 2 cubic feet.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technical advantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may be that an explosion simulator may utilize pyrotechnic firing devices that fire pyrotechnic cartridges. The pyrotechnic firing devices may yield a more realistic simulation of an explosion.

Another technical advantage of one embodiment may be that firing devices of an explosion simulator may be designed to direct an explosion in a predetermined direction. For example, the explosion may be directed in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the earth, while projectiles in a horizontal direction parallel to the surface of the earth are minimized. Directing the explosion in this manner may reduce risk of injury to participants.

Yet another technical advantage of one embodiment may be that an explosion simulator may include one or more ports operable to couple external devices to the simulator. The external devices may include any of a variety of external trigger devices. The ports may allow for different types of trigger devices to be used in a simulation.

While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of the embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.