Forced premature detonation of improvised explosive devices via heavy vibration

Abstract

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) defense system is described that forces premature detonation of IEDs by creating kinetic energy vibrations from a stationary or mobile platform within a stationary or mobile “IED detonation zone.” IEDs within the IED detonation zone that are triggered by kinetic energy vibrations will receive the vibrations, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

1 . An IED defense system for forcing premature detonation of IEDs triggered by kinetic energy vibrations, the IED defense system comprising:
 one or more kinetic energy platforms having means for pounding a surface in the vicinity of the platforms to create kinetic energy vibrations; and   one or more controllers for activating the platforms to pound the surface in the vicinity of the platforms to create kinetic energy vibrations within a zone defining an IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs triggered by kinetic energy vibrations within the IED detonation zone.   
     
     
         2 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the platforms are adapted to create kinetic energy vibrations defining a characteristic pattern of a prospective target. 
     
     
         3 . The IED defense system of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the platforms are adapted to create kinetic energy vibrations simulating operation of a heavy vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the platforms define stationary platforms adapted to create kinetic energy vibrations within a geographic zone defining a stationary IED detonation zone. 
     
     
         5 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the platforms define mobile platforms adapted to traverse a transportation path, the mobile platforms adapted to create kinetic energy vibrations while advancing along the transportation path defining a mobile IED detonation zone. 
     
     
         6 . The IED defense system of  claim 5 , wherein the mobile platform comprises a terrestrial vehicle adapted to traverse a terrestrial path, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the terrestrial path. 
     
     
         7 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers include a system controller for activating a plurality of platforms to create kinetic energy vibrations within the IED detonation zone. 
     
     
         8 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more controllers define independent controllers for independently activating respective platforms to create kinetic energy vibrations within the IED detonation zone. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for implementing an IED defense system comprising:
 deploying one or more stationary platforms about a designated geographic area defining a stationary IED detonation zone, the stationary platforms having means for pounding a surface in the vicinity of the platforms to create create kinetic energy vibrations within the stationary IED detonation zone; and   activating the platforms to pound the surface in the vicinity of the platforms to create kinetic energy vibrations within the stationary IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs triggered by kinetic energy vibrations within the stationary IED detonation zone.   
     
     
         11 . A method for implementing an IED defense system comprising:
 deploying one or more mobile platforms adapted to traverse a transportation path, the mobile platforms adapted to create kinetic energy vibrations along at least a portion of the path thereby defining a mobile IED detonation zone; and   activating the sources to create kinetic energy vibrations within the mobile IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs triggered by kinetic energy vibrations within the mobile IED detonation zone.   
     
     
         12 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for pounding a surface include one or more pistons operable for driving in a reciprocating vertical motion to strike the surface and yield kinetic energy vibrations in the IED detonation zone. 
     
     
         13 . The IED defense system of  claim 12 , wherein the pistons are operable for driving in a reciprocating vertical motion by operation of one or more pneumatic cylinders. 
     
     
         14 . The IED defense system of  claim 12 , wherein the pistons are operable for driving in a reciprocating vertical motion by operation of one or more hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         15 . The IED defense system of  claim 12 , wherein the pistons are operable for driving in a reciprocating vertical motion by operation of a crankshaft.