Method and apparatus for destroying or incapacitating improvised explosives, mines and other systems containing electronics or explosives

Abstract

A technique and apparatus for generating high voltage (100s-1000s kV) and supplying high current (fractional to many tens of kilo-amperes), projecting a parallel, two wire electrical transmission line over a large distance (10s-100s m), or a single conductor in which the return path is the earth, which is capable of sustaining high voltages and conducting high currents, and landing the terminating terminals of the transmission line across a pre-defined target zone resulting in a low impedance closure of the electrical circuit causing high electrical current to flow. The applications for the present invention, which falls into a class of directed energy and/or non-lethal device, include: suppression of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and landmines; halting motorized platforms, including two and four wheeled motor vehicles and boats; damage and destruction of electronic systems; and destruction or incapacitation of electronic systems at substantial distances from a high voltage device.

1 . An apparatus to destroy, disable or disrupt improvised explosive devices or landmines, the apparatus comprising:
 a platform comprising at least one high voltage generator and a transmission line delivery system; and   at least two electrically conducting channels comprising a transmission line electrically connected to the high voltage generator wherein the at least two electrically conducting channels comprises at least two contact points configured to traverse the improvised explosives or landmines.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transmission line comprises a liquid transmission line. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said liquid transmission line comprises a conductive liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transmission line delivery system comprises at least one electric cannon. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transmission line comprises a wired transmission line. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising at least one projectile affixed to the wired transmission line. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transmission line comprises an aerosol transmission line. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprises at least one sensor for providing data to energize the high voltage generator. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one of said electrically conducting channels is configured to comprises the earth. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transmission line comprises a predetermined distance between said platform and the at least two contact points. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said at least one high voltage generator comprises a voltage multiplier. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of claim one wherein said at least one high voltage generator comprises a positive voltage generator and a negative voltage generator. 
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said platform comprises a member from the group consisting of a mobile platform, an airborne platform, a sea borne platform and a man-borne platform. 
     
     
         14 . A method of disabling or disrupting an improvised explosive or land mine, the method comprising the steps of:
 delivering at least two electrically conducting channels comprising a transmission line to at least two contact points, the at least two contact points traversing the improvised explosive or land mine;   generating an electrical potential across the at least two contact points; and   injecting an electrical current into an area surrounding the at least two contact points.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of delivering comprises shooting at least one stream of conductive liquid to a target area. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of delivering comprises launching at least one conductive metal trailing a projectile to a target area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of generating an electrical potential comprises generating the electrical potential at a predetermined time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of sensing a predetermined event to discharge the electrical potential to the transmission line. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of generating an electrical potential comprises flowing high amplitude current between and near the two contact points. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of flowing high amplitude current comprises a member from the group consisting of detonating the improvised explosive or land mine, disabling electronic systems associated with the improvised explosive or land mine and discharging internal energy from the electronic systems of an improvised explosive device or land mine.