Automated Fragment Collection Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting fragments from a substrate subjected to an exploded munition, including a predetection element for removing large fragments from a sheet of the substrate; a detection and removal element for locating fragments embedded within the sheet and for removing located fragments from the sheet; and a capture element for capturing removed fragments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of collecting fragments comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a sheet of a substrate having been exposed to an explosion of a munition;   b) placing the sheet on a detection and removal element having a detection component and a removal component;   c) advancing the sheet through the detection component to find a location of embedded fragments;   d) communicating the location of embedded fragments to the removal element for the removal of the embedded fragments; and   e) removing the embedded fragments from the sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step b) further comprises:
 b1) placing the sheet on a predetection element having a table and locating large embedded fragments; and 
 b2) placing the sheet on a detection and removal element having a detection component and a removal component. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 f) printing the location of each removed embedded fragment on an individual strip. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 g) collecting the fragments into containers. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein step g) further comprises:
 g1) landing the removed fragments on a cross conveyor; 
 g2) conveying the fragments to a distal end of the cross conveyor; and 
 g3) catching each fragment into an individual container. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein step g3) further comprises:
 g3) collecting each fragment into an individual container from the cross conveyor and also collecting a printed location of the fragment into the container. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising developing a model of the test arena which includes fragment energy based on the mass of the fragments and locations within the sheets. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step e) further comprises removing the embedded fragments from the sheet with a removal component with at least one punching head. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein step e) further comprises removing the embedded fragments from the sheet with a removal component with at least one punching head opposite a hardened material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a control unit for coordinated the movement of the punching head for removing a located fragment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the at least one punching head comprises mechanically, hydraulically, or pneumatically operable punching head. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetection element further comprises a projector. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprises projecting a grid and the table further comprises indices corresponding to the grid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the detection and removal element comprises a detection component with at least one metal detection head. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the detection component comprises at least two metal detection heads. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step c) further comprises advancing the sheet through the detection component and the removal component through use of a drive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein step c) further comprises advancing the sheet through the detection component and the removal component through use of a drive, the drive being a servo-powered drive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising remotely operating the method of collecting fragments. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating an image of the location of the embedded fragments. 
     
     
         20 . A method of collecting fragments comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a sheet of a substrate exposed to an explosion of a munition;   b) placing the sheet on a detection and removal element having a detection component and a removal component;   c) advancing the sheet through the detection component to find a location of embedded fragments; and   d) generating an image of the location of the embedded fragments.