Robotic Excavation of Unexploded Ordnance for the US Air Force.

Overall system picture
Equipment skid towed by Deere excavator
Digging boom assembly mounted to stroke of Deere excavator

In 1997 CEG completed construction of an unexploded ordnance excavating system for safely uncovering buried artillery shells and aerial bombs at military firing ranges. Built for Tyndall Air Force Base, this system is in two parts to be used with a primary, remotely controlled, mechanical excavator. The mechanical excavator will dig to within one foot of a suspected UXO. The vacuum excavation equipment will then be used to carefully remove the remaining material around the UXO.

Tyndall Equipment Skid Specifications

Engine Cummins 6 cyl 5.9 L diesel 115 hp
Fuel tank 30 US gal
Air Compressor Sullair 185 cfm, 150 psig
Vacuum MD Pneumatics 1000 cfm, 6 in Hg
Tracks ASV unpowered 18in wide rubber
Instrumentation Air pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, filter pressure drop gauge, tachometer, hour meter, compressed air temperature gauge, oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel gauge, ammeter
Controls Key ignition switch, engine throttle, and air pressure regulator
Size 63 in wide by 104 in long by 84 in high with 40 in tongue
Weight 6200 lbs

Tyndall Boom Digging Unit Specifications

Boom Two section telescoping 4 in min diameter fiberglass epoxy tubes
Head Fixed, non-magnetic with 3 CEG supersonic nozzles
Depth 7 feet below excavator main bucket
Rate _ to 1 cubic feet per minute
Separator Patented CEG rotary valve and primary separator
Filters 4 10 in diameter polyester cartridge washable filters
Blowback system
Goyen valves controlled on time or pressure drop
Weight 1200 lbs empty, 2100 lbs full

To see video of the Tyndall system in action, please see our reference library.