Device for clearing landmines

Abstract

The invention concerns a device mounted on a carrier vehicle equipped with at least a support ( 4 ) whereon a frame ( 6 ) is mounted in articulation, with interposed a pressure actuator ( 8 ), the frame being equipped at its bottom end with a plurality of vertical bars ( 24 ) whereof the lower ends ( 26 ) are provided with feet ( 28 ) and whereof the upper ends are provided each with a piston ( 15 ) mounted sliding into a cylinder ( 13 ). A mechanical component ( 10 ) called a proportioning unit, wherein are arranged the cylinders ( 13 ) used for fixing the pistons ( 15 ) disposed at the upper ends of the bars ( 24 ), and comprising a chamber ( 14 ) communicating said cylinders, is mounted sliding between stop elements ( 12, 13 ) in the frame, parallel to the axes of the cylinders ( 13 ), the mechanical component forming a proportioning unit ( 10 ) is directly subjected to the action of the thrust forces of the actuator ( 8 ) via the frame stops ( 12 ).

1 . A device for neutralizing a minefield, of the type mounted on a carrier vehicle equipped with at least one support ( 4 ) to which a chassis ( 6 ) is articulated with the interposition of a pressure actuator ( 8 ), the chassis being equipped at its lower end with a plurality of vertical bars ( 24 ) the lower ends ( 26 ) of which are provided with feet ( 28 ) and the upper ends of which are each provided with a piston ( 15 ) mounted to slide in a cylinder ( 13 ), the various cylinders communicating and being filled with an incompressible fluid subjected to the action of a vibration generator ( 22 ) contained in the chassis, characterized in that a mechanical part ( 10 ) known as a proportioning device, in which the cylinders ( 13 ) used for mounting the pistons ( 15 ) arranged at the upper ends of the bars ( 24 ) are formed and which incorporates a chamber ( 14 ) for placing these cylinders in communication, is mounted to slide between stops ( 11 ,  12 ) in the chassis, parallel to the axes of the cylinders ( 13 ), the mechanical part forming a proportioning device ( 10 ) being subjected directly to the action of the pressing forces of the actuator ( 8 ), via the stops ( 12 ) of the chassis.  
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the proportioning device ( 10 ) is in direct contact with the vibration generator ( 22 ) which transmits vibration parallel to the axis of the cylinders.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in one of claims  1  and  2 , characterized in that each piston rod ( 16 ) is articulated via a universal joint ( 23 ) to the upper end of a bar ( 24 ), longitudinal spring leaves ( 25 ) fitted to the rod ( 16 ) bearing on the bar ( 24 ) to keep it aligned with the rod ( 16 ) in the absence of external influences.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that each piston rod ( 16 ) is prevented from rotating with respect to the cylinder ( 13 ) in which the piston ( 15 ) it bears is moveably mounted.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that each piston rod ( 16 ) is subjected to the action of a spring ( 20 ) exerting, on the rod, an upward vertical action so as to align the feet ( 28 ) of the various bars ( 24 ,  26 ) when no influence is exerted on the bars.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that each bar ( 24 ,  26 ) bearing a foot ( 28 ) is made as two rigid parts, that is to say an upper part ( 24 ) mounted on the piston rod ( 16 ) and a lower part ( 26 ) or rod which, fixed rigidly and removably in line with the upper part, is made of a readily-breakable and low-cost material.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that the feet ( 28 ) are joined to one another by flexible links ( 30 ), the feet ( 28 ) arranged at the periphery themselves being connected by such links ( 32 ) to a frame ( 33 ) or casing that extends the chassis ( 6 ) downward.