ORIGINAL CONCEPTS

Magnet Fragment Collector

Development responsibility: UWA

Origin of concept

Test model 1

Demonstration prototype

We used a set of four pairs of ferrite permanent magnets, side by side, enclosed within a stainless steel sheath running over the ground on two wooden skids. The magnets were arranged as follows to maximise local field gradients:

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The sheath makes it easier to brush off pieces of metal after they have been attracted to the magnet. The device sits about 50mm above the ground surface.

Simulated field demonstrations

We tested this device at Toodyay in December 1996. We showed that it could attract surface fragments, and sub-surface fragments in loose earth to a depth of about 5 cm.

We scattered a large number of small steel fragments over an area of hard ground, and then collected all of them with the magnet at a rate of about 0.5 sq m per second. We also collected magnetic stones (the ground in Toodyay is highly mineralized with iron which makes it an ideal site for demanding metal detector testing). After clearing the ground, the performance of the Quantum 2020 metal detector was enhanced because the magnetic stones caused noticeable background noise. (An improved model of the detector (2020A) is now available with more immunity to this effect.)

magnet-electro-1-s
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Status (July 1997)

Device has been retained for demonstration purposes.

 

Minefield sweeper (concept)

We devised a machine (see sketch) for clearing along the edges of a minefield. This may be particularly useful for roads where AP mines have been laid along the verges. Initial road clearance may be restricted to AT mines in the road pavement, but the shoulders and verges may still be mined.

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magnet/magnet-clearance-1-s.jpg

magnetic-clearance-2-s
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Heavy duty electromagnet (concept)

This was a variation to the concept of the minefield sweeper.

magnet-electro-2-s
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We would welcome collaborators to work on related devices.

We will supply you with reports and working drawings, papers etc., provided you agree to joint publications arising from this.
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All graphics by Demining Research Team. Aug 1998.
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