U.S. patent application number 11/554607 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-01 for in flight ied mitigation.
Invention is credited to John William Parkes.
Application Number | 20080098879 11/554607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39328584 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080098879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parkes; John William |
May 1, 2008 |
IN FLIGHT IED MITIGATION
Abstract
The invention relates to the use of a number of fluid filled
compartments constructed in such a manner to mitigate the explosive
effects of a small improvised explosive device (IED). This IED
constructed to resemble an everyday electronic device such as a
mobile phone. These fluids will be generally be but not limited to
water and air. The invention known as IFIM will provide a
scientific approach to the rendering safe of an IED by non
explosively trained personnel. It will replace or support the
current Least Risk Option which requires a level of technical skill
and expertise to deal with an IED threat effectively. It will
provide a quicker and more practical solution to the rendering safe
of an IED threat till Bomb Disposal personnel can attend. The IFIM
will be particularly effective when dealing with an IED threat on
domestic aircraft.
Inventors: |
Parkes; John William;
(Peniculk, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN WILLIAM PARKES
2 EASTFIELD PARK ROAD, MIDLOTHIAN (SCOTLAND)
PENICUIK
EH26 8EX
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39328584 |
Appl. No.: |
11/554607 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
86/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 33/06 20130101;
F42D 5/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
86/50 |
International
Class: |
F42B 33/06 20060101
F42B033/06 |
Claims
1. An explosive mitigating device employing the use of a layered
construction of a fluid and a gas.
2. An explosive mitigating device as claim 1 and being of a nominal
spherical shape with the layers being concentric with the suspected
IED.
3. An explosive mitigating device as claim 2 the spherical nature
of the invention maintained by a triangular mesh or net.
4. An explosive mitigating device as claim 3 the vertical dimension
of the device controlled by the use of a rectangular mesh. This
mesh not restricting the horizontal movement within the
invention.
5. An explosive mitigating device as claim 4 the device having a
pocket or sleeve to accommodate the suspected item.
6. An explosive mitigating device as claim 5 where the pocked maybe
opened by way of compressed gas.
7. An explosive mitigating device as claim 6 the device designed to
mitigate the effects of 31/2 oz of high performance explosives.
8. An explosive mitigating device as claim 7 the detail of which is
described herein and by way of FIG. 1.
Description
FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to Counter Terrorism measures and
Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD. The invention will
supplement or replace the Least Risk Option (LRO) currently
employed to reduce the risk from the detonation of Improvised
Explosive Devices (IED's) aboard in- flight civil Aircraft. Such
IED's are commonly integrated into everyday personal electronic
equipment such as mobile phones, PDA's, laptop computers & etc.
Footwear, such as shoes, can also be used to secrete IED's aboard
civil aircraft and the effects from said devices can also be
mitigated by the use of this invention.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the mitigation of the effects of an
explosive event occurring onboard an aircraft or within an
environment which is not accessible by Explosive Ordnance Disposal
(E.O.D) operatives.
[0003] The deployment of the invention could replace and or enhance
the Least Risk Option (LRO). The invention will allow a more
scientific response to the effects of an explosive device secreted
aboard an aircraft or within a restricted environment. The
invention will also provide quantifiable results from explosive
events within the pressurised cabin of an aircraft. The confidence
provided by the inventions deployment can if so desired be
communicated to the passengers thus alleviating some of the stress
encountered in such situations.
THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention employs the use of water (or a chosen fluid)
and air in a specifically layered construction and is employed to
mitigate the effects of an explosive event emanating from small
Improvised Explosives Devices secreted aboard civil aircraft. The
invention is nominally spherically in shape and will attenuate the
effects of 31/2 oz of high performance explosives. Said Explosive
quantity being that considered feasible to be malevolently
introduced into every day electronic devices without said
explosives material being detected.
[0005] The invention will allow documented trials data in relation
to the mitigating effects of the invention. The results of the
experiments will be 100% repeatable within any situation. This data
can be considered in as far as the effects on the aircraft and
persons on board. This in turn will allow the aircraft to proceed
to an airport suitable for landing and will increase the confidence
of personnel who are obliged to deal with this type of emergency.
The use of the invention will allow such emergency situations to be
dealt within a controlled and pre-designated manner.
DETAILS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention by
way of a section through the center line of the approximately
spherical shape. It shows the critical elements required for the
invention to function correctly that being three concentric spheres
the inner and outer being completely fluid filled and the
sandwiched central layer filled with a gas by way of a spirally
wound length of tubing. It shows the positing of the IED as well as
the means of locating the IED in the center of the spherical shape
by way of a reinforced tube that also controls the pole to pole
distance (i.e. top to bottom).
[0007] The invention includes a pocket or sleeve (1) to accommodate
the potential IED (2). Said pocket may if desired be opened and
closed by the used of a compressed gas. The source of the gas
inflation will be remote from the deployment site of the invention.
This pocket (1) will allow access to the central section for
insertion of the suspect item. This will aid the positioning of the
object within the center section of the invention when filled with
water. The pocket will be deformable to accommodate the shape of
the suspect item. The pocket or sleeve will also increase the
effectiveness of the ability of the device to mitigate explosives
effects by allowing the water (or chosen fluid) to become `close
coupled` with the suspect device.
[0008] The invention will include loops (3) to suspend the
invention from either a pre-installed anchorage mechanism or
bespoke poles placed through the loops. The bespoke poles would be
supported, for example, by spanning between two adjoining aircraft
seats. The supporting poles will also allow the eventual EOD
operatives to remove the invention and the enclosed suspect device
from the aircraft or other restricted site to a safe disposal
area.
[0009] The main body of water (4&5)(or chosen fluid) will be
maintained in a spherical shape by a non stretch triangular mesh or
spherical net (6). This mesh will retain the water or fluid filled
components providing a uniform thickness of water or fluid around
the suspect device.
[0010] The spherical shape of the invention will be further
maintained by a cylindrical or tube-like section of rectangular
mesh (7). This mesh will maintain and determine the diameter of the
invention in the vertical plane and assist in the securing of the
suspect device within the central section of the invention. The
nature of the mesh will not limit its movement in the horizontal
direction.
[0011] The main body of the invention will comprise of three fluid
filled cavities (4,5&8). The first cavity (4) being in intimate
contact with suspect device, the next cavity (5) forms the
outermost section of the invention and is bounded by a plastic skin
and the remaining cavity (8) is sandwiched between the two.
[0012] The outer (5) and inner cavities(4) will be filled with an
aqueous liquid. It is assumed this liquid will be water although
other fluids would also be effective.
[0013] The cavity (8) formed between the inner and outer cavities
would be filled with a gas. It is assumed this gas would be air but
any other inert non volatile gas would be effective. This gas
filled cavity would be formed by a helically wound soft walled tube
(9) around the inner cavity (4). This tubing terminating in the
bottom of the invention to allow ingress of air during deployment.
This will also reduce the waters ability to penetrate into the
tubing. Alternatively this cavity can be formed by `bubble pack`--a
commercially available packaging--said material incorporating
pre-sealed pockets or cells of air held at atmospheric pressure.
The use of soft walled tubing will allow the invention to be flat
packed within in a suitable container by the process of vacuum
packaging thus making for easier storage aboard an aircraft. On
removal from the hermetically sealed container the ends of the
tubing terminating at the bottom of the invention will allow for
natural re-inflation of said tubing with air.
[0014] The gas filled cavity (8) due to it obvious buoyancy in a
aqueous environment will be maintained in situ by an elasticized
supporting structure (10). This supporting structure is formed to
oppose the buoyancy force within the invention. This will also
maintain the gas filled cavity concentric with the two water (or
fluid) filled cavities as well as the suspect device.
* * * * *