Method and system for neutralization of buried mines
US7752953B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41H13/0062
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for neutralizing a buried mine includes a laser that is configured to generate laser energy that communicates through the covering ground material and accesses the mine in a manner sufficient to neutralize the mine. Neutralization can occur by deflagration or detonation. The laser includes a solid-state lasing medium that is run substantially uncooled during the lasing run. Namely, the lasing medium is operated without cooling until the lasing medium reaches a temperature where thermal population in a lower laser level begins to significantly lower inversion density. Following completion of the lasing run, the lasing medium is cooled at a rate limited only by a thermal stress fracture level of the lasing medium. Operation of the laser in this manner permits the laser to deliver high-irradiance, high-repetition rate pulses according to a burst mode operation that successfully accomplishes neutralization in a desired time period. The burst mode also facilitates preferential selection of the mechanism of laser energy-material interaction to promote rapid penetration rates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.