An underwater mine warfare countermeasure system is disclosed in which an air cushion vehicle carries an acoustic transmitter for sending out an acoustic wave pattern capable of exploding mines having acoustic responsive detonators. The vehicle includes a transmitter retraction apparatus for raising and lowering the transmitter between a storage position located just beneath the vehicle and an operative position spaced remotely from the vehicle, and also from raising the transmitter through an opening in the vehicle for placing it in an access position on the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an air seal or pressure boundary assembly which normally forms an air-tight cover for the aforementioned opening while still permitting the transmitter to be deployed to the operative position and retracted to the storage position while the vehicle is on cushion, but which opens to permit removal of the transmitter to the access position when the vehicle is off-cushion.

Underwater mine countermeasure warfare system

Apparatus for activating different types of magnetic trigger mechanism employed by different types of magnetic mine. The magnetic trigger activating apparatus includes apparatus for modifying the magnetic field sensed by each different type of magnetic trigger mechanism in a predetermined varying manner, thereby causing activation of each different type of magnetic trigger mechanism and thus detonation of each different type of magnetic mine when the apparatus for modifying is at least a predetermined minimum distance therefrom.

Magnetic mine detonation apparatus

A two-step process for clearing unexploded ordnance ("UXO") from the ground. First a high power electromagnetic transmitter sweeps the ground area to be decommissioned. Secondly a lower-power time-domain electromagnetic transmitter or metal detector sweeps the same area to locate UXO. The high power transmitter employs a waveform of having the same frequency and pulse duration as that of the metal detector but does so with at least twice the power, Firstly, when the higher power waveform is applied to the ground, UXO which does not trigger and detonate or "function" is proved as non-functioning at lower detection power. Subsequently, the ground area can then be safely scanned by human personnel with impunity, applying the more accurate, lower power metal detector. The detected locations of unexploded ordnance are recorded for subsequent manual removal.

Apparatus and process for clearance of unexploded ordinance

An arrangement for sweeping mines having firing systems which are sensitive to magnetic fields is disclosed which utilizes a remote control mobile floating body with a built-in propulsion system. A magnetic field is generated within a group of permanent magnets located within the floating body in such a manner that these permanent magnets are either individually controlled or controlled as a group so that various types of magnetic field mines can be detected.

Arrangement for remote sweeping of mines sensitive to magnetic fields

Assemblage magnetique se composant d'une pluralite d'aimants magnetiques (1) autour de chacun desquels est enroulee une bobine en forme de solenoide (4) laquelle, lors de l'utilisation, produit un champ qui force l'aimant permanent (1) dans un etat de saturation positive ou negative en fonction du sens du courant du solenoide. Magnetic assembly consisting of a plurality of permanent magnets (1) around each of which is wound a solenoid-shaped coil (4) which, in use, generates a field strength which the permanent magnet (1) in a state of positive or negative saturation according to the direction of the solenoid current. Il est ainsi possible de faire varier par pas le moment magnetique global de l'assemblage. It is thus possible to vary by not the overall magnetic moment of the assembly. Chaque aimant permanent (1) comprend un faisceau de câbles (2), en un materiau magnetique tel que de l'acier au chrome. Each permanent magnet (1) comprises a cable bundle (2), a magnetic material such as chromium steel. L'assemblage est renferme dans une enveloppe (3) en plastique renforcee par du verre de maniere a rendre flottant l'assemblage magnetique sans affecter les champs magnetiques produits. The assembly is enclosed in a casing (3) made of plastic reinforced with to render float glass of the magnetic assembly without affecting the magnetic fields produced. L'assemblage magnetique peut etre construit sous la forme d'un aimant a trois axes pour produire des champs magnetiques orthogonaux. The magnetic assembly may be constructed in the form of a magnet for generating three-axis orthogonal magnetic fields. Un certain nombre d'assemblages magnetiques peuvent etre connectes en serie pour former un systeme variable d'aimants permanents produisant un champ magnetique reglable. A number of magnetic assemblies can be serially connected to form a variable permanent magnet system producing an adjustable magnetic field.

Improvements in or relating to magnetic assemblies

A magnetic influence minesweeping system and a method are disclosed whereinhree large area air core solenoid coils are arranged with their planes in mutually orthogonal relation. A battery power supply and alternating current pulse generator are utilized to successively energize each coil and generate three magnetic fields having mutually perpendicular principal axes.

William A. Rhyne

Papers

Three axis coil magnetic minesweeping system