EP4634603A1 - Machinery for opening a route in a degraded urban area - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to machinery (1) for travelling through a degraded urban area, comprising a bulldozer-type supporting structure (2) with a longitudinal axis (X'X) extending in a median plane (P) from the front (AV) to the rear (AR) in the direction of travel, the supporting structure (2) being equipped with a traction unit (3). Moreover, the machinery (1) is fitted with a convex front blade (7), kept at a predetermined height off the ground (S) and intended to discharge the debris laterally. The blade (7) is connected to the supporting structure (2) by actuators (V1, V2) and holding arms (B1 to B4), and to at least one train of demining rollers (10) which extends, orthogonally to the median plane (P), between the front blade (7) and the supporting structure (2) while being kept under pressure on the ground (S), the supporting structure (2) being at least partially covered with an armoured shell (11).

Description

DESCRIPTION

ROUTE OPENING VEHICLE IN DEGRADED URBANIZED AREA

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a bulldozer type machine capable of progressing in an urban or urbanized area - including peri-urbanized areas - the area being degraded and potentially trapped by mines or other concealed weapons (improvised explosive devices or IEDs), in order to open a secure route. The invention applies to so-called degraded zones, that is to say conflict environments or hostile environments which can shelter active forces and equipped with threat means (mortars, rockets, etc.), and which can be inspire terrorist actions.

The progression of vehicles in the face of a partially concealed threat, even in relatively open terrain, is a complex issue: It is a question of responding to visible and invisible attacks, even in the event of a strong asymmetry of the forces present, and this despite a generally open environment, for example in a partially destroyed town or village.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Advancing in a more or less degraded and potentially trapped urbanized area remains extremely perilous with the equipment currently available which consists of decoy means and detection means.

The decoy means consist of having countermeasure devices at a safe distance from the means of progression, for example devices emitting a strong infrared signature. Hostile weaponry, guided by the thermal signature of the targets, is then diverted. However, such lures significantly slow down progress and remain ineffective for operating on contact. In the field of mechanically triggered threats (by wire, pressurization or equivalent), roller-type pushed systems are rendered inoperative by the first explosive found, which can intervene quickly in the case of relatively dense trapping in an area. urban (several units of explosives per hundred meters). This type of means is in fact intended for clear routes, with low threat density (a few units per hundred kilometers). In addition, repairing the decoy at the site of the first explosion has been ruled out due to the presence of a strong risk of attack.

In addition, “breaching” lures, such as a plow or flail, pushed by a heavy and powerful tank or armored vehicle, are rendered ineffective by the ground covered at least with a thick crust of tar or concrete. And an armored vehicle can be stopped by destroying its tracks or its wheels by paralyzing threats (anti-tank mine or other explosive) placed under the spoil or in the immediate surroundings.

Patent document US 20110232468 relates to such an armored vehicle equipped with a supporting structure with a transverse beam provided with means for triggering decoys, in particular IED weapons: mass, mechanical and thermal electric decoys, activated respectively by sensors pressure, wires and antennas, and infrared sensors. But this type of armored vehicle remains totally vulnerable in degraded urban or peri-urban areas for the reasons explained above.

Furthermore, the detection means aim to acquire the probability of the presence of a buried or hidden threat, without triggering it, using a sensor. Detection uses various types of sensors: radar sensors, metal sensors, electronic material sensors by junction noise detection, video sensors. These sensors are specialized on different critical components of a threat.

However, in a degraded urban or peri-urban environment, the multitude of objects buried or present in the debris hinders the use of sensors: detection by ground penetrating radar (GPR system acronym for “ground penetrating radar”, ie “ground penetration radar”) is saturated by the detection of too many varied objects buried or on the surface. Likewise, the large quantity of metal wires on the ground or buried also saturates the detection of wires by radar: numerous cables present in urban areas (telephone and electrical networks, signaling and lighting, etc.), and in the debris resulting from destruction ( telephony, computing, domestic and industrial electricity, etc.).

In addition, the detection of metallic objects by magnetic field antennas raises an unmanageable quantity of echoes due to the numerous metallic objects of all kinds present in the ground or debris (pipes, various industrial objects, etc.) .

In addition, the strong heterogeneity of the appearance of the ground makes the detection of threats possible by the analysis of multi-spectral video images and detection of changes made in a given area ineffective: the detection of changes is handicapped by the high variability destruction, and cannot be carried out in areas where the mission intervenes for the first time, which is the general case.

Thus, the different sensors available are generally saturated with multiple detections without it being possible to differentiate between real threats and objects that do not present a danger: the sensors are quickly blinded.

Furthermore, heavy tracked bulldozers, taken from the civil engineering industry and equipped with an armored cabin to protect against active attacks such as mortar fire, are also known to make progress. These machines, whether remotely operated or piloted, have major limitations: the tracks are easily immobilized by the destruction of a track link by a mine or a trap (IED), or by an aggressive shot . Indeed, the protection of the undercarriage and the cabin is weak in the face of such threats. In addition, the machine can only push the spoil, then lift it and maneuver it to deposit it elsewhere to gradually clear a path: these operations are long and demanding, and this then exposes the machine to attacks. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to resolve the problems of the state of the art in order to be able to have a machine which can progress and clear a safe passage zone in a degraded environment harboring possible residual threats, while protecting its mobility and its structure.

In order to solve these problems, the present invention plans to combine safe clearance of debris around a protected machine, with means of preventive triggering of possible explosions.

More precisely, the present invention relates to a vehicle for advancing in a degraded urbanized area comprising a ground covered with debris and potentially integrating threats buried in the ground such as anti-tank mines. This machine comprises a bulldozer-type supporting structure with a longitudinal axis extending in a median plane from front to rear in the direction of progression, the supporting structure being equipped with a power unit. Such a machine is equipped with a convex front blade, maintained at a determined height from the ground and intended to evacuate the debris laterally, the blade being connected to the supporting structure by cylinders and holding arms, and to at least one train demining rollers. This train of demining rollers extends, orthogonal to the median plane, between the front blade and the supporting structure, while being maintained under pressure on the ground. In addition, the supporting structure is covered at least partially by an armored shell.

Advantageously, the demining rollers press on the ground permanently so as to trigger a flush or slightly buried threat placed in a damaged area of a road surface. The rollers are preferably formed of metal rollers with a smooth rolling belt, and/or metal knurled wheels, and/or wheels made of elastomeric material.

In addition, the machine is protected from infantry threats fired from the roofs by the hull armor.

The combination of means according to the invention can advantageously be supplemented by means of decoying residual threats, of jamming these threats, and/or of observing the evolution of the area crossed and responding to attacks. According to preferred embodiments:

- the blade has an inverted “V” shape towards the front, like a snow plow blade;

- the extended front blade of a cap has a height at least equal to that of the shell;

- ground support pads extend parallel to the longitudinal axis at the front of the front blade in the direction of progression and are mounted under this blade to maintain this blade at a determined height from the ground, alternatively or in combination with ground support rollers, the pads and/or rollers then providing additional clearance of the spoil while ensuring mass and mechanical decoy of mines or pressure or trigger IEDs;

- the mass and mechanical decoy of the pads and/or circular support means is supplemented by infrared decoy means generated by at least one infrared emitter and/or magnetic decoy generated by at least one magnetic field emitter , the emitters being arranged in the upper part of the blade and/or the hull;

- at least one camera is arranged in the upper part of the front blade and/or the hull, in order to provide a visualization of the situation in the damaged zone to remote observers, and/or to identify the actions to be carried out, in particular to trigger response fire to observed threats;

- the armor of the hull can be composed of armor steel plates advantageously supplemented by ceramic plates, preferably arranged in the lower part of the hull, on the ground side;

- overprotection of the hull can be achieved by a cage constituted by additional elements arranged around the hull, advantageously comprising a latticework of bars, this overprotection making it possible to protect the hull from rocket-type projectiles;

- the armored hull stops laterally in the lower part in an optimized interval of distances from the ground, this optimization being adjusted in order to maintain sufficient mobility with regard to its weight and its bulk - ensuring its mission of progression - while achieving a sufficient protection of the machine; - the hull is completed laterally in the lower part by a movable plate that can reach the ground in order to protect the tracks, according to a vertical movement parallel to the median plane and guided by a mechanical articulation system. This mechanical system can for example be arranged by connecting rods, slides or axes of rotation, and be motorized by actuators, for example hydraulic or electric. Maintaining these plates in the low position can advantageously be obtained by springs of all types combined with shock absorbers so as to allow the plates to follow the profile of the ground and avoid obstacles. It is also interesting to be able to remotely activate the lowering or raising of these plates;

- a telescopic armored mast is mounted on the armored hull and carries observation means, in particular in visible, near infrared and/or infrared spectral ranges;

- the supporting structure is equipped with a power unit equipped with a tracked train;

- the machine is controlled in mobility by a robotic unit, remotely controlled by waves hardened against electromagnetic interception emissions;

- the machine has a rear blade connected to the hull on the side opposite its front in the lower position when the vehicle is reversing and in the raised position when moving forward, this rear blade allowing the machine to clear debris while moving reverse;

- the rear blade extends transversely in a shape chosen between flat, convex and “V” shaped in the direction of progression.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the following example of a detailed embodiment without limiting its scope, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively:

- Figure 1, a side perspective view of an example of a moving machine according to the invention; - Figure 2, a longitudinal sectional view along the median plane of the example of machine according to Figure 1 which shows the anchoring of the roller demining train;

- Figure 3, an upper perspective view of the front assembly of the machine according to Figure 1, comprising the front blade in an inverted “V” in the direction of progression and the train of demining rollers mounted on the front blade ;

- Figure 4, a side perspective view of the demining train provided with ground pressure means and mounting means on the blade;

- Figure 5a and Figure 5b, perspective views respectively of a metal roller and a metal wheel which can be fitted to the rollers of a demining train of a moving machine according to the invention;

- Figure 6, a side view of the machine according to Figure 1 equipped with additional luring, jamming and defense equipment, as well as a rear blade for clearing debris in reverse, and

- Figure 7, a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a supporting structure of a machine according to the invention comprising movable lower lateral protection plates capable of reaching the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Identical references indicated in different figures relate to the same object. The indications “forward” and “rear” mean respectively in the forward direction of progression and in the opposite direction, and the indications “up” and “down” respectively on the side furthest away and the side closest to the ground in reference to a given object or part of an object, for example the supporting structure. Furthermore, progression is forwards unless otherwise indicated, and forward or backward inclinations are defined from top to bottom. In addition, the qualification "lateral" means in a plane perpendicular to the ground and parallel to a median plane of longitudinal symmetry of the machine according to the invention, and the qualifier "transverse" refers to a direction or a plane perpendicular to the median plane . With reference to the side perspective view of Figure 1 and the sectional view along the longitudinal median plane of Figure 2, an example of progression machine 1 according to the invention comprises a basic mechanical supporting structure 2 of type bulldozer, advantageously equipped with known remote control means and a manual control station (not shown). The mechanical movement means are provided by a conventional drive system with two lateral tracks 3. The supporting structure 2 extends along a longitudinal axis X'X, located in the longitudinal median plane "P" and defining opposite directions of progression, forward forward and backward reverse.

The supporting structure 2 is covered by an armored hull 11 with a profile advantageously inclined more towards the front than towards the rear, and connected to a front assembly 6 comprising:

- a front blade 7, of the snow plow type with an inverted "V" shaped profile (point of the "V" towards the front in the direction of progression) inclined towards the front, the blade 7 being articulated on the structure 2 by lateral thrust bars B1 to B4 and held in position by cylinders V1, V2 articulated on axes parallel to the transverse axis Y'Y;

- the blade 7 is advantageously covered with a cap 71 inclined in the opposite direction to the lower part of the blade 7 in order to prevent the overflow of spoil onto the supporting structure 2;

- support pads 8 extending mainly at the front of the blade 7 and parallel to the longitudinal axis X'X, supplemented by rollers 9 in the exemplary embodiment arranged in rotation at the rear of the pads 8, the shoes 8 and the rollers 9 holding the blade 7 at a determined height from the ground “S”; And

- a train 10 of rollers R2 of the demining roller type supported on the ground "S" by the permanent pressure of springs "R1", arranged between the supporting structure 2 and the blade 7. In the example, the train of rollers 10 is attached to the blade 7. Alternatively, this train 10 can be attached to the supporting structure 2.

Thus, the blade 7 remains at a constant height from the ground by the thickness of the shoes 8 and the rollers 9 and evacuates to the sides or triggers buried residual threats such as pressure mines or IEDs. The rollers 9 contribute in particular to the calibration of the height of the blade relative to the ground. The runners and rollers then constitute a mass and mechanical decoy. The roller train 10 can complete this action by activating potential threats which could have been placed in defects in the roadway (potholes, etc.).

Under these conditions, the machine 1 shelters itself from attacks on the front frontal arc behind its blade 7 and the lateral cuttings that it creates, thus making itself capable of resisting high-power frontal attacks. With reference to the convex shape, here "V", and the mode of support of the blade 7 at a distance from the ground "S" by the shoes 8 and the rollers 9, the lateral clearance of debris and spoil leaves the surface visible initial, generally that of a street or a road.

The blade 7 can also trigger buried residual threats of the pressure mine or IED type, in order to no longer constitute potential threats for the undercarriage 10 of the structure 2. And the roller train completes this action by activating other threats that could have been placed in defects in the roadway (potholes, for example) so as to impact a flush or slightly buried threat that would have been placed in a damaged area of the road surface

The machine 1 is protected from infantry threats fired from the roofs by the armored hull 11 secured to the supporting structure 2. The armored hull 11 is composed of steel armor plates supplemented, in the lower part, by ceramic plates 12 and reinforced, in the upper part, by “bar armor” type overprotection (“bar armor” in English) formed by a latticework of bars 13 placed at a distance from the hull 11.

Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of the front assembly 6. Such an assembly comprises the front blade 7 surmounted by its cap 71 and the train of demining rollers 10 mounted on the blade 7 via a coupling system 20. Also shown in this figure are: pads 8 and rollers 9 of the blade 7, the cylinders V1, V2 and the upper retaining bars B1, B3, as well as the support springs R1 of the train 10 of rollers R2.

The perspective view of the demining train in Figure 4 makes it possible to detail the coupling system 20 of the roller train 10 of the front crew 6. This system is composed of arms 21 coming in parallel to be secured on a transverse beam 22 hooking to the front blade 7 (see Figure 3), and aligned support springs R1, each spring R1 being mounted between the transverse structure 22 and one of said arms 21.

These R2 rollers are conventionally formed of rubber wheels. Alternatively, they can be made of metal rollers or metal knobs. Figure 5a and Figure 5b show perspective views respectively of such a roller 4 with a smooth metallic rolling strip 41 and a wheel 4' with a metallic rolling strip 42 formed of identical parallel rings 42a bristling with radial metal knobs 42b . Each wheel 42b consists of a “V”-shaped metal plate erected perpendicular to the surface of the rings 42a. These smooth rollers 41 and rollers 42 have the advantage of being significantly more resilient than rubber wheels.

The side view in Figure 6 illustrates the installation of additional equipment arranged on the decoy, jamming and defense machine 1. Thus, the front crew 6 can advantageously be supplemented by decoys adapted to operating conditions in a degraded urban environment, and advantageously triggered permanently on mission:

- an infrared transmitter 25 responsible for triggering off-road threats;

- a magnetic field transmitter 26 responsible for triggering threats with a sensor sensitive to strong magnetic fields, such as for example anti-tank mines;

- a camera 31 with an armored sub-envelope, placed on the front blade cap 71, to observe and/or analyze the area to be crossed.

More generally, an observation assembly with several cameras or consisting of a multiple detection camera (in visual mode, in amplified light, in infrared light, etc.) can be arranged in the upper part of the front blade and/or shell. This assembly or this camera, advantageously protected under an armored envelope, makes it possible to provide a visualization of the situation in the degraded zone to remote observers, and/or to identify the actions to be carried out, in particular to trigger response fire to threats. observed.

The hull 11 of the machine 1, due to its carrying capacity, also carries additional equipment, namely: - a telescopic armored mast 28 allowing installation and protection at height (more than 5 m) incorporating an observation telescope 29 and a jammer 27 intended to inactivate radio-controlled threats;

- a smoke grenade launcher 30 allowing the device 1 to be shielded from direct sight of attackers;

- a cupola 32, remotely controlled by known means, of small or medium caliber, installed on the armored mast 28, this cupola providing a firing capacity in response to attacks. Alternatively, the cupola 32 can be installed on the hull 11.

In addition, a rear blade 36, straight or "V" shaped in the direction of progression and advantageously covered with a cap 37 as illustrated, allows the machine 1 to ensure, in reverse operation, the clearance of debris which may be created after his passage. This blade 36 can be actuated by a hydraulic, electric or pneumatic type mechanism, provided with articulation arms 60 connected to the rear blade 36. This mechanism makes it possible to position the rear blade 36 in the high position 36a as illustrated in solid lines when machine 1 advances forward AV, and in low position 36b (dotted lines) when the machine moves backwards AR.

To maintain strong traction in soft ground and be able to transmit significant power to the ground to move debris, the machine according to the invention is equipped with tracks. To protect the tracks 3 and rollers 9 (see Figures 1 and 2) from external attacks (projectiles, rockets, etc.) without harming mobility, the machine 1 is advantageously equipped with movable plates as illustrated by the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 7.

In this figure 7, the armored hull 11 of the machine 1 is provided laterally with two movable protective plates 35 in the lower part, these plates being movable until they can reach the ground “S”.

- The armored hull 11 is stopped laterally at a determined distance D1 from the ground "S", to remain compatible with the mobility of the machine 1, and is completed by the two movable plates 35 according to a vertical movement organized by a system of classic articulation 33 making it possible to drive a plate vertically, for example a system based on connecting rods, slides, pinions and levers. This mechanical system can be motorized by actuators, for example hydraulic or electrical. Maintaining these plates in the low position can advantageously be obtained by springs of any type combined with shock absorbers so as to allow the plates to follow the profile of the ground and avoid obstacles. This system is advantageously controlled remotely to activate the descent or rise of the plates 35 and stop them at a determined distance from the ground “S” or to let them freely reach this ground.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and represented. For example, instead of the mesh of bars, it is possible to attach panels using technology containing spaced punches in a composite matrix. Furthermore, other equipment can be added to the front and rear blades as well as to the hull, for example offensive counter-attack weapons. In addition, the front blade can be flat in transverse extension.

Claims

1. Progress machine (1) in a degraded urbanized area comprising a ground (S) covered with rubble and potentially integrating threats buried in the ground, this machine (1) comprises a supporting structure (2) of the bulldozer type with a longitudinal axis (X'X) extending in a median plane (P) from front (AV) to rear (AR) in the direction of progression, the supporting structure (2) being equipped with a motor unit, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a convex front blade (7), maintained at a determined height from the ground (S), the blade (7) being connected to the supporting structure (2) by jacks (V1, V2) and holding arms (B1 to B4), and at least one train of demining rollers (10) which extends, orthogonal to the median plane (P), between the front blade (7) and the supporting structure (2) while being maintained under pressure on the ground (S), the supporting structure (2) being covered at least partially with an armored shell (11) supplemented laterally in the lower part by a movable plate (35) capable of reaching the ground (S ), according to a vertical movement parallel to the median plane (P) guided by a mechanical articulation system (33). 2. Progress machine according to claim 1, in which the front blade (7) has an inverted “V” shape towards the front (AV). 3. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the front blade (7) extended by a cap (71) has a height at least equal to that of the shell (11). 4. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the rollers (R2) are preferably formed of metal rollers (4) with a smooth tread (41) and/or wheels (4') with metal wheels (42). 5. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which pads (8) supporting the ground (S) extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X'X) at the front of the front blade (7) in the direction of progression and are mounted under this blade (7), and/or ground support rollers (9) maintain this blade (7) at the determined height from the ground (S). 6. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which means of infrared decoy generated by at least one infrared emitter (25) and/or magnetic decoy generated by at least one transmitter of magnetic field (26), the emitters (25, 26) being arranged in the upper part of the front blade (7) and/or the shell (11). 7. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which at least one camera (31) is arranged in the upper part of the front blade (7) and/or the hull (11). 8. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the armor of the hull (11) is composed of steel armor plates supplemented by ceramic plates (12). 9. Progress machine according to claim 8, in which the ceramic plates (12) are arranged in the lower part of the hull, on the ground side (S). 10. Progress machine according to any one of claims 8 or 9, in which overprotection of the hull is provided by a cage (13) constituted by additional elements arranged around the hull (11). 11. Progress machine according to claim 10, in which the cage (13) comprises a latticework of bars. 12. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which a telescopic armored mast is mounted on the armored hull and carries observation means. 13. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supporting structure (2) is equipped with a power unit provided with a tracked train (3). 14. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is controlled in mobility by a robotic unit, remotely controlled by waves hardened against electromagnetic interception emissions. 15. Progress machine according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it has a rear blade (36) connected to the hull (11) on the side opposite the front blade (7), the rear blade (36) being in the low position (36b) when the machine (1) is moving backwards and in the high position (36a) in a forward progression situation. 16. Progress machine according to claim 15, in which the rear blade (36) extends transversely in a shape chosen between flat, convex and “V” shaped in the direction of progression.