Abstract

A blast countermeasure for a vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle, is provided. The blast countermeasure comprises: at least one explosive; a detonator for detonating the explosive; and at least one reflector, located at least partially above the at least one explosive, for reflecting a shock wave generated by detonation of the at least one explosive groundwards in order to apply a groundwards force to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise: control circuitry configured to respond to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle by activating an actuator to generate a groundwards force and cause a cabin floor of the vehicle to move groundwards.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction

Abstract

A blast countermeasure (200a) for a vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle, is provided. The blast countermeasure comprises: at least one explosive (202); a detonator (203) for detonating the explosive; and at least one reflector (218), located at least partially above the at least one explosive, for reflecting a shock wave generated by detonation of the at least one explosive groundwards in order to apply a groundwards force to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise: control circuitry configured to respond to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle by activating an actuator to generate a groundwards force and cause a cabin floor of the vehicle to move groundwards.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41H 5/007 - Reactive armourDynamic armour
• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction

Abstract

An armoured vehicle undershield for a land-based armoured vehicle, comprising: an underside guard; one or more casings coupled to the underside guard; and a fibre reinforced composite material encased by the one or more casings.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction

Abstract

A vehicle, comprising: pressure detection means; vehicle stabilizing means; means for receiving an input from the pressure detection means, in response to the pressure detection means detecting an increase in pressure caused by an explosion; and control means for controlling, in response to reception of the input from the pressure detecting means, the vehicle stabilizing means to apply a force to the vehicle, in order to stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41H 7/00 - Armoured or armed vehicles
• F41H 7/02 - Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks
• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction
• F41H 5/007 - Reactive armourDynamic armour

Abstract

A vehicle and a sensor for use in the vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes: a sensor array configured to detect an explosion by sensing, at different heights within a base of the vehicle, mechanical deformation of the base of the vehicle caused by the explosion; and control circuitry configured to respond to detection of the explosion by causing a groundwards force to be applied to the vehicle that depends upon inputs, characterizing the explosion, provided by the sensor array. The sensor includes: at least one support; a first frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a first height; and a second frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a second height different from the first height.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41H 5/007 - Reactive armourDynamic armour
• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction
• H01H 35/14 - Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
• B62D 37/04 - Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements by means of movable masses

Abstract

A vehicle and a sensor for use in the vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises: a sensor array configured to detect an explosion by sensing, at different heights within a base of the vehicle, mechanical deformation of the base of the vehicle caused by the explosion; and control circuitry configured to respond to detection of the explosion by causing a groundwards force to be applied to the vehicle that depends upon inputs, characterising the explosion, provided by the sensor array. The sensor comprises: at least one support; a first frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a first height and configured to enable a force to be detected via breakage of the first frangible electrical connection; and a second frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a second height different from the first height and configured to enable a force to be detected via breakage of the second frangible electrical connection.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41H 5/007 - Reactive armourDynamic armour
• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction
• B60R 21/0136 - Electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over responsive to actual contact with an obstacle
• H01H 35/14 - Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
• G01P 15/06 - Measuring accelerationMeasuring decelerationMeasuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces for indicating maximum value using members subjected to a permanent deformation

Abstract

A vehicle (2), comprising: pressure detection means (16), vehicle stabilizing means (18); means (14) for receiving an input from the pressure detection means (16), in response to the pressure detection means (16) detecting an increase in pressure caused by an explosion; and control means (12) for controlling, in response to reception of the input from the pressure detecting means (16), the vehicle stabilizing means (18) to apply a force to the vehicle (2), in order to stabilize the vehicle (2) in response to the explosion.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60W 30/00 - Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• B60S 11/00 - Vehicle modifications for receiving separate lifting, supporting, or manoeuvring devices
• F41H 5/007 - Reactive armourDynamic armour
• F41H 7/00 - Armoured or armed vehicles
• F41H 7/02 - Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks
• F41H 11/16 - Self-propelled mine-clearing vehiclesMine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles