Nov 4, 2025

US12460913 - Cut-and-capture systems for demilitarization of underwater munitions

Some variations provide a cut-and-capture system configured for demilitarization of an underwater munition, comprising: a docking platform that is sealably positionable onto an underwater munition; a first manipulator arm to manipulate the docking platform onto the munition; a high-pressure waterjet cutting tool configured to be reversibly sealably placed into the docking platform; a washout tool configured to be reversibly sealably placed in the docking platform, wherein the washout tool generates waste from the munition; a bladder that stores munition waste; a second manipulator arm to manipulate the cutting tool and the washout tool into the docking platform; an abrasive feed subsystem that delivers an abrasive to the cutting tool; and a system control module with electrical and hydraulic control hardware, to control the docking platform, cutting tool, abrasive feed subsystem, the washout tool. Other variations utilize a multifunctional device that contains the cutting tool, the washout tool, and other tools.

Assignee: GRADIENT TECHNOLOGY
Inventors: John T. Thomalla, John E. Herbert, Nathan F. Nodland, Drew A. Strombeck, Ryan M. Smith, Steve J. Schmit
Filing date: 2024-11-15

The patent describes a cut-and-capture system designed for the demilitarization of underwater munitions, featuring a docking platform, manipulator arms, a high-pressure waterjet cutting tool, and a waste management system. This innovative approach allows for the safe cutting and removal of munitions while managing the generated waste through a controlled process.

Claim 1

1 . A cut-and-capture system configured for demilitarization of an underwater munition, wherein said cut-and-capture system comprises: (a) a docking platform that is sealably positionable onto an underwater munition; (b) a first manipulator arm configured to manipulate said docking platform onto said underwater munition; (c) a high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool configured to be reversibly sealably placed into said docking platform when said docking platform is sealably positioned onto said underwater munition, wherein said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool is configured to apply high-pressure water and an abrasive to said underwater munition, to create a munition coupon and to provide a munition access hole; (d) a second manipulator arm configured to manipulate said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool into said docking platform; (e) an abrasive feed subsystem configured to controllably deliver said abrasive to said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool; (f) a washout tool configured to be reversibly sealably placed in said docking platform when said docking platform is sealably positioned onto said underwater munition, wherein said second manipulator arm, or a third manipulator arm, is configured to manipulate said washout tool into said docking platform, and wherein said washout tool is configured to generate munition waste derived from said underwater munition; (g) a munition-waste bladder configured to receive and store said munition waste when in flow connection, via a sealed bladder line, with said docking platform; and (h) at least a first system control module configured with electrical control hardware, wherein said system control module is configured to control said docking platform, said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool, said abrasive feed subsystem, and said washout tool. (a) a docking platform that is sealably positionable onto an underwater munition; (b) a first manipulator arm configured to manipulate said docking platform onto said underwater munition; (c) a high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool configured to be reversibly sealably placed into said docking platform when said docking platform is sealably positioned onto said underwater munition, wherein said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool is configured to apply high-pressure water and an abrasive to said underwater munition, to create a munition coupon and to provide a munition access hole; (d) a second manipulator arm configured to manipulate said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool into said docking platform; (e) an abrasive feed subsystem configured to controllably deliver said abrasive to said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool; (f) a washout tool configured to be reversibly sealably placed in said docking platform when said docking platform is sealably positioned onto said underwater munition, wherein said second manipulator arm, or a third manipulator arm, is configured to manipulate said washout tool into said docking platform, and wherein said washout tool is configured to generate munition waste derived from said underwater munition; (g) a munition-waste bladder configured to receive and store said munition waste when in flow connection, via a sealed bladder line, with said docking platform; and (h) at least a first system control module configured with electrical control hardware, wherein said system control module is configured to control said docking platform, said high-pressure entrainment-style waterjet cutting tool, said abrasive feed subsystem, and said washout tool.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12460913

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12460913