WIRE STABILIZATION AND CUTTING SYSTEM

[0001]Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.78(a)(4), this application claims the benefit of and priority to prior filed co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/745,071, filed Jan. 14, 2025, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT

[0002]The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]The present invention relates generally to electromechanical systems and, more particularly, to electromechanical systems for remotely stabilizing and cutting a wire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004]Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) can cause serious harm and even death or disfunction for personnel and equipment. IEDs tend to proliferate and cause the most damage in austere environments where resources mountable and solutions possible against their use may be scarce. Once identified, IEDs must be quickly and surely neutralized and dismantled. One option for neutralizing IEDs is simply triggering and exploding them in a controlled atmosphere. However, this option may also extinguish any opportunity for evidence and intelligence gathering, which can be useful to prevent future instances of IED utilization. A more beneficial alternative to detonation is defusing and disassembly of the device, which can render valuable information about the device (and hence potentially other similar instances) and its creator. Hence, new systems and methods for rendering IEDs safe may be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and other shortcomings, drawbacks, and challenges of safely and efficiently cutting wires, especially wires in improvised explosive devices. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0006]According to one embodiment of the present invention a system for stabilizing and cutting a wire includes: a base portion, a stabilizing portion comprising a first linear actuator, a linear rail and carriage, and a proximal stabilizer and a distal stabilizer forming a wire gap between the proximal stabilizer and the distal stabilizer; and a cutting portion comprising a second linear actuator and a blade. The first linear actuator is operable to move the distal stabilizer proximally and distally with respect to the base portion to stabilize the wire within the wire gap, the second linear actuator is operable to move the blade proximally and distally with respect to the base portion such that an operable edge of the blade contacts and severs the wire stabilized within the wire gap.

[0007]According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for stabilizing and cutting a wire includes: a base portion, a stabilizing portion comprising a first linear actuator, a linear rail and carriage, and a proximal stabilizer and a distal stabilizer forming a wire gap between the proximal stabilizer and the distal stabilizer; and a cutting portion comprising a second linear actuator and a blade. The first linear actuator is operable to move one or more of the proximal stabilizer and the distal stabilizer proximally and distally with respect to the base portion to stabilize the wire within the wire gap, the second linear actuator is operable to move the blade proximally and distally with respect to the base portion such that an operable edge of the blade contacts and severs the wire stabilized within the wire gap.

[0008]According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for stabilizing and cutting a wire includes positioning a base portion relative to a wire to be cut; stabilizing the wire within a wire gap by moving one or more of a proximal stabilizer and a distal stabilizer, which are part of a stabilizing portion, proximally and/or distally with respect to the base portion using a first linear actuator, such that the wire is held within the wire gap; and cutting the wire by moving a blade of a cutting portion proximally and/or distally with respect to the base portion using a second linear actuator, such that an operable edge of the blade contacts and severs the wire held within the wire gap.

[0009]Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a system for stabilizing and cutting a wire, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0012]FIG. 2 shows additional aspects of the system of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows additional aspects of the system of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 shows additional aspects of the system of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 5 shows additional aspects of the system of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 6 shows additional aspects of the system of FIG. 1.

[0017]It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the sequence of operations as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of various illustrated components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a system 100 for stabilizing and cutting a wire, for example, for cutting a wire of an improvised explosive device (IED) is shown. The system 100 includes a base portion 102, a stabilizing portion 104, and a cutting portion 106. The base portion 102, stabilizing portion 104, and the cutting portion 106 operate together to stabilize and cut a wire, such as the example wire 108 using a blade 110 with an operable edge 111(FIG. 4). The system 100 includes additional aspects as explained in greater detail herein.

[0019]The base portion 102 can include additional aspects to provide additional functionality to the system 100 or information to a user of the system 100. For example, the base portion can include a support 112, one or more visual indicators (e.g., one or more RGB LEDs) such as, for example, a first LED 114, a second LED 116, and a third LED 118, and one or more mounting devices, such as, for example, a picatinny rail 120.

[0020]The stabilizing portion 104 can include one or more aspects for moving components of the stabilizing portion 104 with respect to the base portion 102 and for operating features of the stabilizing portion 104. For example, the stabilizing portion 104 can include a first linear actuator 122, a stabilizing bus 124, a proximal stabilizer 126, a distal stabilizer 128, and a linear rail and carriage 130.

[0021]The cutting portion 106 can include various systems, operable with the base portion 102 and with the stabilizing portion 104 to stabilize and cut a wire. For example, the cutting portion 106 can include the blade 110 (best seen in FIG. 4), a blade mount 132, and a second linear actuator 123 for moving the blade 110 with respect to the base portion 102 and the stabilizing portion 106 as will be explained in greater detail herein. The blade 110 may made from, for example, stainless steel, carbon steel, tool steel, ceramic, or other material. The picatinny rail 120 can be used to mount the system 100 to, for example, a remotely-controlled robot or other system to increase a distance between a user of the system 100 and device targeted for its application (e.g., an improvised explosive device, etc.)

[0022]FIGS. 2 and 3 show additional aspects of the system 100 of FIG. 1 with a bottom-facing view of the system 100, in particular additional aspects of the stabilizing portion 104 and the cutting portion 106. In embodiments, the distal stabilizer 128 of the stabilizing portion 104 can include a pair of stabilizing arms including a first stabilizing arm 128a and a second stabilizing arm 128b. Each of the first stabilizing arm 128a and the second stabilizing arm 128b can include a pad 134. In some embodiments, the blade 110 may extend distally from the base portion 102 between the first stabilizing arm 128a and the second stabilizing arm 128b. The first stabilizing arm 128a and the second stabilizing arm 128b form a common distal stabilizing plane (not explicitly depicted but is generally colinear with the right side of the wire 108 in FIG. 2) for pulling the wire 108 as will be described in greater detail herein. The blade 110 may pull through this stabilizing plane to cut the wire 108.

[0023]FIG. 4 shows additional aspects of the system 100. FIG. 4 shows the first linear actuator 122 coupled to the stabilizing bus 124. Also depicted is a cutting bus 138 that can couple the second linear actuator 123 to a blade base 140.

[0024]Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 with reference to the components described in FIGS. 1-4, operation of the system 100 will now be described. In use, a user or operator may extend or move one or more of the moveable portions of the system 100 to create a wire gap 136. More specifically, a user may extend the first linear actuator 122 coupled to the distal stabilizing portion 128 and the second linear 123 actuator coupled to the blade 110 to extend the distal stabilizing portion 128 and the blade 110 to create the wire gap 136. The operator may then position the system 100 such that the wire 108 is within the wire gap 136 (generally between the distal stabilizer 128 and the proximal stabilizer 126). Once the wire 108 is in the wire gap 136, the operator may activate the first linear actuator 122 to pull the distal stabilizing portion 128 in, shortening the first linear actuator 122 and squeezing the wire 108 between the distal stabilizer 128 and the proximal stabilizer 126. Because the distal stabilizer 128 includes two arms 128a, 128b, the wire 108 may be physically secured between the proximal stabilizer 126 and the distal stabilizer 128 on opposing sides of the blade 110 with respect to a longitudinal aspect of the wire 108.

[0025]Once the wire 108 is secured between the distal stabilizer 128 and the proximal stabilizer 126, the operator may activate the second linear actuator 123 causing the blade 110 to move toward the base portion 102 (not shown). The blade 110 contacts the wire 108 and cuts the wire 108 as it continues its inward motion. In embodiments, the position of the second linear actuator 123 can be measured and provide an indication to the operator of whether the wire 108 is cut (e.g., if the second linear actuator 123 is in a fully retracted position a cut of the wire 108 is indicated). In other embodiments, the blade 110 may move distally from the base portion 102, pushing outward to cut the wire 108. In such embodiments, an operable surface (i.e., edge) of the blade 110 could be facing opposite that depicted in the figures such that the sharp edge generally faces away from the base portion 102. As such, in some embodiments, the blade 110 could move generally opposite a direction of the base portion 102 as it is pushed outward by the second linear actuator 123.

[0026]In some embodiments, one or more of the LEDs could indicate one or more positions of the first or second linear actuators. For example, a visual indication could be used to indicate a linear actuator with its piston completely inserted into a cylinder of the linear actuator, indicating an apparent cut of the wire 108 in the wire gap 136. Additionally, a visual indication could be used to display a fully extended linear actuator or some spectrum of positions of a linear actuator. In other embodiments, a visual indication may indicate a linear actuator under strain. So, for example, as the blade 110 cuts the wire 108 and the force acting against the motion of the linear actuator is greater than that force it would experience if traveling unimpeded, the visual indication may indicate the increased force. Each of the LEDs could be any color or sequence or combination of colors to indicate various statuses of the system 100.

[0027]It should now be understood that a system for stabilizing and cutting a wire can be used to neutralize an IED without detonating the device. Embodiments of the system can include, for example, a base portion, a stabilizing portion comprising a first linear actuator, a linear rail and carriage, and a proximal stabilizer and a distal stabilizer forming a wire gap between the proximal stabilizer and the distal stabilizer; and a cutting portion comprising a second linear actuator and a blade. The first linear actuator can be operable to move the distal stabilizer proximally and distally with respect to the base portion to stabilize the wire within the wire gap, the second linear actuator can be operable to move the blade proximally and distally with respect to the base portion such that an operable edge of the blade contacts and severs the wire stabilized within the wire gap.

[0028]The following examples illustrate particular properties and advantages of some of the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, these are examples of reduction to practice of the present invention and confirmation that the principles described in the present invention are therefore valid but should not be construed as in any way limiting the scope of the invention.

[0029]While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of one or more embodiments thereof and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.