Abstract:
A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle including a frame adapted to be hitched to a vehicle. At least one wheel supports the frame while a bottom of the wheel rolls over terrain having buried wires. The system also includes a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel, such that the blade plows through the terrain to disable buried wires when in the deployed position.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention was made with government support under contract number W56HZV-08-C-0525 awarded by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center. The United States government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a wire neutralization system, and more specifically to a wire neutralization system for buried wires used to detonate explosive devices. 
     Military convoys occasionally travel through areas which may have explosive devices. These explosive devices may be triggered by a target presence sensor, a timer, or by a user controlled detonator. Examples of target presence sensors are trip wires, pressure plates, tilt sensors, and motion detectors, all of which infer the presence of a target from an input signal and automatically send a detonation signal, often through a control wire, to detonate the explosive device. Timers detonate an explosive device, usually by sending a detonation signal through a control wire, at a preselected time or within a preselected passage of time from a start time. User controlled detonators are operated by a human operator and may send the detonation signal via a control wire connected to the explosive device. The present invention is concerned with any type of explosive device that uses a buried wire of any kind to transmit a detonation signal or otherwise trigger the detonation of the explosive device. The buried wire may be buried in the terrain to mask the presence of the explosive device. 
     It would be useful to have a wire neutralization system that could neutralize buried wires. It would further be useful to be able to operate such a wire neutralization system while driving a vehicle designed to protect a driver from explosions. Such a vehicle could, for example, lead a military convoy to reduce the likelihood that the personnel and contents of the convoy will be harmed by an explosive device that uses a buried wire. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle, the wire neutralization system comprising: a frame adapted to be hitched to the vehicle; at least one wheel supporting the frame, a bottom of the wheel rolling over terrain having buried wires; and a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel; wherein the blade plows through the terrain to disable the buried wires when in the deployed position. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a wheel suspension unit permitting vertical travel of the wheel with respect to the frame in response to rough terrain. In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a suspension lockout feature that prevents relative vertical travel of the wheel with respect to the frame while the blade is deployed. In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a hydraulic system for moving the blade between the stowed and deployed positions. In some aspects of the invention, the blade comprises a plurality of blades; the wire neutralization system further comprising a hydraulic system for simultaneously moving the plurality of blades between the stowed and deployed positions. In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a blade trip biasing member biasing the blade toward the deployed position and accommodating movement of the blade toward a tripped position upon the blade meeting a tripping resistance while in the deployed position. In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a blade lift biasing member biasing the blade toward the deployed position and accommodating movement of the blade toward a lifted position upon the blade meeting a lifting resistance while in the deployed position. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a blade plate moveable mounted to the frame; and a blade station attached to the blade plate, the blade station including: a blade arm mounted to the blade plate; and a blade holder mounted to the blade arm and supporting the blade. In some aspects of the invention, the blade is movable between the stowed position and the deployed position by moving the blade plate with respect to the frame. In some aspects of the invention, the blade plate is pivotably interconnected to the frame and the blade arm is pivotably interconnected to the blade plate such that the blade moves between the stowed and deployed positions in response to the blade plate being pivoted relative to the frame. In some aspects of the invention, the blade plate further includes a blade station mounting tab to mount the blade station to the blade plate. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle, the wire neutralization system comprising: a frame adapted to be hitched to the vehicle; at least one wheel supporting the frame, a bottom of the wheel rolling over terrain having buried wires; a blade plate movably mounted to the frame; and a blade station attached to the blade plate including: an blade arm mounted to the blade plate; a blade holder mounted to the blade arm; and a blade supported by the blade holder; wherein the blade is movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel by moving the blade plate with respect to the frame; wherein the blade plows through the terrain to disable the buried wires when in the deployed position. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a wheel suspension unit permitting vertical travel of the wheel with respect to the frame in response to rough terrain; and a suspension lockout feature that prevents relative vertical travel of the wheel with respect to the frame while the blade is deployed. In some aspects of the invention, the suspension lockout feature includes a lockout engagement groove, the lockout engagement groove engageable by the blade plate such that a force pathway is created between the wheel and the frame through the blade plate. In some aspects of the invention, the blade plate is movable relative to the frame via a hydraulic system. In some aspects of the invention, the blade plate is pivotably interconnected to the frame and the blade arm is pivotably interconnected to the blade plate such that the blade moves between the stowed and deployed positions in response to the blade plate being pivoted relative to the frame. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the blade plate includes a blade station mounting tab to mount the blade station to the blade plate. In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a blade lift biasing member connected to the blade station mounting tab and the blade arm to bias the blade toward the deployed position and accommodating movement of the blade toward a lifted position upon the blade meeting a lifting resistance while in the deployed position. In some aspects of the invention, the blade arm includes a stop member that engages a portion of the blade station mounting tab to prevent further movement of the blade while in the lifted position. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the wire neutralization system further comprises a blade trip biasing member connected to the blade holder and the blade arm to bias the blade toward the deployed position and accommodating movement of the blade toward a tripped position upon the blade meeting a tripping resistance while in the deployed position. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wire neutralization system of the present invention attached to a military vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a bank assembly from the wire neutralization system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2  without a cover plate. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2  illustrating the trailing arms. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a blade station from the bank assembly of  FIG. 2   
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2  with the blade in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2  with the blade in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2  with the blade in a lifted position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of the bank assembly of  FIG. 2  illustrating an engagement bar in a lockout groove. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a wire neutralization system  100  configured to be attached to a vehicle  104 . Generally, the wire neutralization system  100  is configured to roll over rough terrain that may contain buried wires  108  ( FIG. 7 ) attaching one or more explosive devices to a respective detonator. The term “wire” refers to any wire of any kind that can transmit a detonation signal or otherwise trigger the detonation of the explosive device. The system  100  is attached to the front of the vehicle  104 , such that as the vehicle  104  is driven over the terrain, the system  100  is pushed along the terrain in front of the vehicle  104 . Alternative, the system  100  may be pulled along the terrain by the vehicle  104  (e.g., towed behind the vehicle  104 ). The wire neutralization system  100  includes one or more blades  112  that may be deployed into the ground to plow through the terrain and neutralize the buried wires  108 . The term “neutralize” and its variants will be used herein to mean uprooting, cutting, or otherwise deactivating or rendering inoperable a wire for its intended purpose, and to mean exposing a wire or a portion of a wire to make the wire more easily detectable. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle  104  is a military vehicle  104  designed to protect a user or driver from harm in the event that a close proximity explosion is triggered while neutralizing the wires  108  coupled to any explosive devices. Alternatively, other vehicles  104  that are sufficient for a desired application may be used in conjunction with the wire neutralization system  100 . 
     The wire neutralization system  100  includes an attachment base  116  that hitches one or more bank assemblies  120  to the front of the vehicle  104 . Each of the bank assemblies  120  attaches to the base  116  via a caster pin  124 . The bank assemblies  120  are able to freely rotate about the caster pins  124  with respect to the base  116 , such that bank assemblies  120  are able to pivot in the desired direction when the vehicle  104  turns or the landscape slopes. Additionally, the attachment base  116  and the bank assemblies  120  each have a rolling degree of freedom that allows for rotation about a horizontal axis. The rolling degree of freedom allows the system  100  to balance or adjust to laterally undulating terrain. 
       FIGS. 2-4  illustrate one bank assembly  120  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated bank assembly  120  includes a bank frame  128 , a plurality of trailing arms  132  supporting one or more wheels  134 , a blade plate  136 , and one more blade stations  140  attached to the blade plate  136 . The bank assembly  120  also includes a plurality of bank roll shocks  122 , which may stabilize bank flutter at high speeds (e.g., speed greater than 20 mph). In the illustrated embodiment, the bank assembly  120  includes two trailing arms  132  and two wheels  134 , but in alternative constructions the bank assembly  120  may include more or fewer than two trailing arms  132  and wheels  134 . The blade plate  136  is moved relative to the bank frame  128  by hydraulically moving or operating a hydraulic actuator  142  (i.e., extending and retracting the actuator&#39;s piston relative to its cylinder) attached to both the blade plate  136  and the bank frame  128 . As a result, the blade stations  140  are also moved relative to the bank frame  128  when the hydraulic actuator  142  is moved. The bank assembly  120  also includes a cover  144  ( FIG. 1 ) attached to the bank frame  128  that prevents dirt and debris being kicked-up from the wheels  134  from obscuring the view of the vehicle operator. Additionally, the cover  144  ( FIG. 1 ) may also be formed of a material that helps protect the driver from harm in the event of a triggered explosion. 
     The bank frame  128  of the bank assembly  120  includes a substantially planar bank plate  148  supporting a plurality of blade plate pivot mounts  152  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) on a top surface and a plurality of trailing arm mounts  156  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) on a bottom surface. As mentioned earlier, the bank frame  128  is attached to the base  116  via the caster pin  124 , which hitches the bank frame  128  to the vehicle  104 . Specifically, the caster pin  124  is attached to the plate  148  via gussets  160 . The gussets  160  also support a plurality of suspension mounts  164 . Further, a cylinder mount  166  ( FIG. 5 ) extends from the bottom surface of the plate  148  for attachment to the hydraulic actuator  142 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 5  illustrate the trailing arms  132  of the bank assembly  120 . The trailing arms  132  have a first end supporting the attached wheels  134  for rotational movement and a second end that is pivotally attached to the bank frame  128  at the trailing arm mounts  156 . The trailing arms  132 , including the wheels  134 , are also connected to the bank frame  128  through multiple suspension units  168  to further support the bank frame  128  and for permitting vertical travel of the wheels  134  with respect to the bank frame  128  in response to rough terrain. As the bank assembly  120  encounters rough terrain, the trailing arms  132  are able to pivot relative to the bank frame  128  about the mounts  156  when a force exerted on the wheels  134  overcomes the biasing force of the suspension units  168 . The suspension units  168  include various energy absorbing features (e.g., a spring, viscous fluid, etc.) that enable the suspension units  168  to help dissipate the force exerted on the wheels  134  as a result of the rough terrain. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2 , the blade plate  136  includes a plurality of attachment arms  172  extending toward the bank frame  128 . The attachment arms  172  pivotally connect the blade plate  136  to the blade plate pivot mounts  152  of the bank frame  128 . The blade plate  136  is then connected to the hydraulic actuator  142  by a pair of mounting tabs  176  so that the blade plate  136  is raised when the hydraulic actuator  142  is extended and the blade plate  136  is lowered when the hydraulic actuator  142  is refracted. The hydraulic actuator  142  is fluidly coupled to the remainder of a hydraulic system by hydraulic lines and actuated by a control panel mounted within the vehicle  104  for manipulation by a user. In reference to  FIG. 10 , when the hydraulic actuator  142  is fully retracted, and the blade plate  136  is fully lowered or deployed, an engagement bar or portion  232  of the blade plate  136  engages a suspension lockout feature or groove  180  ( FIGS. 5 and 10 ) formed in the trailing arms  132 . The engagement of the blade plate  136  with the lockout groove  180  prevents substantially vertical travel of the wheels  134  relative to the bank frame  128 . When the blade plate  136  is engaged with the lockout groove  180 , a force pathway is created between the wheel  134  and bank frame  128  that is primarily directed through the blade plate  136 , and not the suspension units  168 . The alternative force pathway prevents the suspension units  168  from compressing, thereby assisting in the wire neutralizing capabilities of the system  100 , as will be described below. Although the lockout feature  180  is illustrated as a groove  180 , it is to be understood that the lockout feature  180  could be any other structure or feature that is capable of preventing the full use of the suspension units  168 . The blade plate  136  additionally includes a plurality of blade station mounting tabs  184 , which are used to attach the blade stations  140 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a single blade station  140  according to an embodiment of the present invention with portions removed to illustrate various enclosed features. The blade station  140  includes a blade arm  188  pivotally connected to the blade station mounting tab  184  and a blade holder  192  pivotally connected to the blade arm  188 . The blade holder  192  supports a blade  112 , which extends past the blade holder  192  to expose a cutting edge  204  for insertion into the terrain to neutralize the buried wires  108 . The blade station  140  also includes an overload trip biasing member  208  coupled to both the blade holder  192  and the blade arm  188 . Additionally, the blade station  140  includes an overload lift biasing member  212  coupled to both the blade arm  188  and the blade station mounting tab  184 . The purpose of the biasing members  208 ,  212  will be described in detail below. 
     In continued reference to  FIG. 6 , the blade  112  includes two sets of cutting edges  204  (i.e., first and second cutting edges  204  at opposite ends of the blade  112 ) such that the blade  112  can be oriented in two positions. The double-edged blade  112  allows the user to change the orientation of the blade  112  between first and second orientations. In the first orientation, the first cutting edge  204  is use while the second cutting edge  204  is in reserve within the blade holder  192 . The operator may switch to the second orientation of the blade  112  when the first cutting edge  204  becomes dull or damaged. In the second orientation, the second cutting edge is placed into use and the first cutting edge is in reserve. The cutting edge  204  that is in use extends beyond the blade holder  192  so it can engage and cut through the terrain. While in either the first or second orientation, the position of the blade  112  is fixed relative to the blade holder  192 . Specifically, the blade  112  is attached to the blade holder  192  by a mount or fastener  216  while two blocks  220  prevent rotation of the blade  112  about the fastener  216 . Further, the cutting edges  204  are made from a carbide material to help prevent excessive wear of the cutting edges  204  and extend the lifetime of the blade  112 . Alternatively, or in addition, other types of blades  112  not illustrated (e.g., singled-edged blades, etc.) may be used with the wire neutralization system  100 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the wire neutralization system  100  with the blade  112  in a retracted or stowed position. To move the blade  112  into the stowed position, the hydraulic actuator  142  is extended, causing the blade plate  136  and the blade station  140  to be lifted relative to the bank frame  128  so that the blade  112  is above the bottom of the wheel  134 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the wire neutralization system  100  with the blade  112  in the deployed position. The blade  112  is moved from the stowed position ( FIG. 7 ) into the deployed position ( FIG. 8 ) by retracting the hydraulic actuator  142 , which lowers the blade plate  136  and the blade station  140  relative to the bank frame  128 . The illustrated wire neutralization system  100  fails into the deployed position because if hydraulic fluid is lost the hydraulic actuator  142  will retract under the weight of the assembly it supports. In other configurations, the wire neutralization system  100  can be made to fail into the stowed position as a matter of design preference. 
     When the blade station  140  is lowered, a portion of the blade  112 , including the cutting edge  204 , is inserted into the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade  112  extends below the bottom of the wheel  134  by approximately two inches while in the deployed position. In other embodiment, the blade  112  may extend more or less than two inches below the bottom of the wheel  134 . While the blade  112  is extended into the ground and the vehicle  104  is moving, the blade  112  is subjected to drag loads. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the drag loads cause the blade  112  to pivot relative to the blade arm  188  into an operating position (shown with solid lines) from a non-operating position (shown with phantom lines). During typical operation, the blade  112  and blade holder  192  are pushed back to a position in a range from 90 degrees to 135 degrees in relation to the blade arm  188 , depending on the drag load exerted on the blade  112  by the terrain or ground. This may result in a forward sweeping motion of the blade  112  toward the non-operating position when the blade  112  transitions from hard terrain to soft terrain or a hole. 
     Additionally, the blade  112  may encounter hard objects (e.g., rocks) while it is extended into the ground that may exert a large impact force or resistance on the blade  112 . A large impact force may cause damage to the blades  112 . Therefore, the plurality of overload biasing members  208 ,  212  are provided to allow controlled movement of the blade  112  relative to the bank frame  128  during such an impact force. The impact force may have a horizontal force component, or tripping resistance, that causes the blade  112  and blade holder  192  to rotate relative to the blade arm  188  into a tripped position (rotated further than the operating position) causing the overload trip biasing member  208  to compress and absorb some of the impact. After impact, the biasing force of the trip biasing member  208  forces the blade  112  back into the typical deployed or operating position. 
     Similarly, the impact force caused by a hard or dense objet may have an upward force component, or lifting resistance, on the blade  112 . The upward force causes the blade arm  188  to rotate relative to the blade station mounting tab  184  into a lifted position ( FIG. 9 ) causing the overload lift biasing member  212  to compress and absorb some of the impact. The blade arm  188  includes a stop member or cylindrical stop  224  that engages with an arcuate groove  228  formed in the blade station mounting tab  184  to prevent further vertical movement of the blade  112  past the lifted position. After the impact, the biasing force of the lift biasing member  212  forces the blade  112  back into the deployed or operating position. The impact force acting on the blade  112  may also cause both the biasing members  208 ,  212  to be compressed, allowing the blade  112  to move vertically and horizontally in relation to the bank frame  128 . 
     In operation, the blades  112  of the bank assemblies  120  are positioned in the deployed position. While the blades  112  are in the deployed position, the blade plate  136  engages with the lockout groove  180  (i.e., the engagement bar  232  is received by the lockout groove  180 ) to provide constant engagement of the blades  112  with the ground or terrain, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As such, the suspension units  168  are prohibited from compressing such that wheel  134  will not move vertically relative to the bank frame  128  and the blades  112 , keeping the blade  112  deployed at the intended depth, which may be approximately two inches. Once the blades  112  are deployed, the vehicle  104  may drive along a desired route to neutralize wires  108  attached to explosive devices that are buried in the ground. While driving, the blades  112  are able to move relative to the bank frame  128  in response to varied terrain density or in reaction to hard objects, as described above. Once the vehicle  104  has arrived at its destination, and the plowing of terrain is no longer necessary, the blades  112  are lifted into the stowed position, the engagement bar  232  is removed from the lockout groove  180 , and the suspension units  168  are operational. While the blades  112  are in the stowed position, the vehicle  104  may drive on any type of road (e.g., paved, gravel, etc.) without causing damage to the road as a result of the blades  112 . It is to be understood that the wire neutralization system  100  of the present invention is capable of being pushed, pulled, or moved at high speeds while attached to the vehicle  104 . In some embodiment, the wire neutralization system  100  may be driven at a speed in excess of 20 mph (miles per hour). In other embodiments, the system  100  may be driven at a speed in excess of 45 mph. In yet another embodiment, the system  100  may be driven at a speed in excess of 60 mph. 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.