The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 10, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 04, 1998
Mark W. Decker, Ridgecrest, CA (US);
Therese M. Atienzamoore, Ridgecrest, CA (US);
Robert L. Gerber, Ridgecrest, CA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
Provided is an automated case cutting device that may be remotely controlled to rotate and cut an outer case of an object. It can be applied to the disassembly and disposal, testing, or inspection of munitions. In one application, the device cradles a generally cylindrical munition of a length much greater than its diameter on two rollers attached to a bed or plate comprising a support frame. One of the rollers is rotated by a transmission mechanism powered by an electrical motor, while the other roller may also be turned by the same transmission mechanism via a sprocket and chain set. The munition may be further held in place by one or a set of holding rollers attached to a frame hinged to the support frame, so that the holding roller(s) swing onto the top of the munition after the munition is placed on the cradling rollers. The holding roller(s) may also be turned via a second sprocket and chain set, driven off the same drive shaft as the first roller. This arrangement, together with end pads affixed between the support frame and each end of the munition, provides a secure fixture for holding the munition as it is rotated on the rollers. The rollers also have a covering that provides greater friction between the rollers and the munition, thus insuring a smooth rotation on the rollers. This covering can be applied to the roller to provide slots for fitting the device to any protuberances from the otherwise cylindrical case of the munition. A cutting fixture, attached to the side of the device's support frame, is moved inward toward the munition as it is turned in the fixture, cutting through the circumference of the munition's case in at least one location in one to two minutes. The whole procedure may be controlled remotely to insure safety of operating personnel. A method for disassembling the munition using the device is also disclosed.