Device for Mitigating the Effects of Explosive Events

Abstract

An explosive mitigation apparatus for use in mitigating the effect of an explosive event, the apparatus comprises blast detection means which is capable of detecting an approaching shock wave or electromagnetic wave, caused by the explosion of an explosive device or other ordnance and which produces an output signal indicative of an explosive event, a countermeasure device comprising a shaped explosive charge and a load in which the explosive charge, when detonated, causes the load to be ejected from the device as a high velocity jet at least partially in a direction towards the approaching fireball, blastwave(s) and/or fragments, and an initiator which causes the detonation of the countermeasure in response to the output signal from the blast detection means, the apparatus can be used to protect a vehicle or other object, or as a protective barrier around an explosive device that is being disarmed.

1 . An explosive mitigation apparatus for use in mitigating the effect of an explosive event, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) blast detection means which is arranged to detect an approaching shock wave or electromagnetic wave, caused by the explosion of an explosive device or other ordnance and produce an output signal indicative of an explosive event,   (b) a countermeasure device comprising a shaped explosive charge and a load in which the explosive charge, when detonated, causes the load to be ejected from the device as a high velocity jet at least partially in a direction towards the approaching fireball, blastwave(s) and/or fragments, and   (c) an initiator which causes the detonation of the countermeasure in response to the output signal from the blast detection means.   
     
     
         2 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the blast detection means comprises a radio frequency receiver arranged to identify a signature radio frequency signal associated with an explosion. 
     
     
         3 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  in which the blast detection means is sensitive to the signature IR (Infra red) spectrum of radiation associated with an explosion of an explosive device. 
     
     
         4 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the blast detection means comprises a Doppler radar or other range and/or velocity detecting apparatus which is arranged to detect the presence and/or velocity and/or direction of motion of the shock wave associated with the explosive event. 
     
     
         5 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the countermeasure device comprises an open ended concave liner housed within a substantially rigid casing, explosive charge (the ‘driver’ explosive') located around the liner within the casing, and a load located within the liner, the device being so arranged that upon detonation of the charge a detonation wave is created which causes the concave liner to be compressed and squeezed towards the open end of the liner causing the load to be ejected as a high velocity jet. 
     
     
         6 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to  claim 5  in which the load comprises a fluid such as water, which optionally contains one or more additives either in solution or suspension or both, which is retained in the liner by a cap across the otherwise open end of the liner. 
     
     
         7 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to any preceding claim which includes more than one countermeasure device, each being initiated in response to the signal from the blast detection means. 
     
     
         8 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to any preceding claim in which more than one blast detection means is provided with each one producing an output signal, and each of multiple initiators are adapted to respond to selected one or ones of the output signals, and further in which each blast detection means is tailored to detect shockwaves whose source is located at a predetermined angle, and the countermeasures are arranged to produce jets at those different angles. 
     
     
         9 . An explosive mitigation apparatus according to  claim 7  or  8  in which a processing apparatus is provided which analyses the radiation detected by the blast detection devices, and determines which of the one or more countermeasures are to be detonated to give an optimum mitigation of the incoming blast. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to any preceding claim which includes means for securing the apparatus to the outside of a vehicle such as a tank or personnel carrier or other land vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to any preceding claim which is self contained within a housing, which includes a battery source of electrical power or which draws power from a remote battery located close to the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . A vehicle fitted with at least one apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle according to  claim 12  which includes two explosive mitigation apparatuses, one on each side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle according to  claim 11  or  claim 12  which includes two explosive mitigation apparatuses, one located at the front and the other at the back of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . A protective barrier for use in at least partially surrounding an item of unexploded ordinance or an improvised explosive device to mitigate the effects of an inadvertent detonation which includes an apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  11 . 
     
     
         16 . An explosion mitigation apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle fitted with at least one explosion mitigation device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.