Flexible penetration resistant composite materials structure with critical gap geometry in a solids layer

Abstract

A flexible, penetration resistant structure has a solids layer with a pattern of intersecting gap lines with critical gap cross section geometry, a flexible fiber or fabric layer backing, and a critical bonding layer attaching the solids layer to the flexible backing layer; where the gap geometry upon impact by a select penetrator type causes a controlled response and distributes impact energy in the structure, placing elements of the solids layer adjacent to the impact point mainly in vertical and lateral compression, the bonding layer mainly in shear, the fabric layer beneath the point of impact mainly in bending pressure, and the fibers within the fabric layer, particular those fibers perpendicular to the axis of the gap segment impacted, mainly in tension; and where the applicable class of penetrators is loosely defined as within a certain range of striking energy per unit area of penetrator contact area cross section.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications No. 60 / 515,194, filed 10 / 28 / 2003.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to protective systems for shielding human users from strikes by selected types of penetrators, and in particular to composite material structures providing adequate flexibility for average human anatomical proportions and ranges of motion, having penetration resistance qualities sufficient to protect against a class of penetrators loosely defined as being within a limited range of striking energy per unit area of penetrator contact area cross section as is further explained below.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]The use of solid inflexible materials for penetration-protective applications is well known. Many metallic and ceramic materials have been developed for these applications. Additional there are a wide range of fiber based flexible webs that have protective properties with respect to potential penetrators of all types. Woven an...

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Benefits of technology

[0006]The invention therefore addresses the integration of solids and fiber webs into a penetrator-protective composite material with useful properties. The structure disclosed allows for a composite structure that delivers both the flexibility of fiber-based materials and the protective performance of solid materials.

[0009]It is a further objective of the invention to provide a flexible composite material structure or system for protecting a generally soft bodied host such as a human being from penetration from a select class of penetrator threats, where the composite material has a pre-engineered energy absorption reaction to a penetrator strike. Accordingly, there is here disclosed a composite material structure comprising a solid component layer, a critical gap geometry and gap pattern in the solid component layer, a suitable fiber component layer inboard of the solid component layer where the fiber layer is arranged with a generally perpendicular threadline orientation to the gap axis, and where the solid component layer is adequately bonded to the fiber component layer so as to prevent or limit the destructive distortion of the gap during flexure and penetrator strikes and to promote the effective response of the structure during an actual penetrator strike.

Problems solved by technology

At the same time, it is this gap or break in continuity between the rigid elements that will be most vulnerable to strikes and penetration.

Too small a gap width provides too little flexibility, while too large a gap width creates too much vulnerability.

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