Method and apparatus for changing the trajectory of a projectile

Abstract

An armor system comprising an armor base, an armor face on the armor base positioned as to be the first impact point of an incoming projectile, and a plurality of protrusions that extend outwardly away from the armor face. The protrusions act to affect the trajectory of an incoming projectile and divert it away from the optimum angle of attack.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The invention relates to defensive shielding. More particularly, the invention relates to a defeat mechanism for projectile rounds. Specifically, the invention provides a deflection mechanism to affect the trajectory of a projectile such that it is diverted away from an optimum angle of attack.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Known defeat mechanisms (armor) for projectile rounds (bullets) have traditionally relied on hardness, tackiness, elongation, weave or other material characteristics for energy absorption. Military vehicles are armored to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets, missiles, or shells, protecting the personnel inside from enemy fire. Such vehicles include tanks, aircraft, and ships.[0005]Through the end of World War II, the type of armor used on almost all tanks and other armored vehicles was a sheet of steel. Increasing the protection on a vehicle meant adding thicker steel sheets. This increased the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention is a protrusion armor system which combines the best features of composite, spaced armor and sloping armor technologies, but also adds a new and novel approach to reducing the effectiveness of impacts. This new invention relies on deflection to affect the trajectory of a projectile such that it is diverted away from the optimum angle of attack. The deflection changes the impact point of the projectile from the projectile's tip, where all the mass-energy is concentrated into the smallest possible area, to a region on the projectile having a greater surface area such as the shoulder or side wall of the projectile.

[0013]The armor in accordance with the present invention is a plate having a surface area that includes a plurality of smooth, raised, pointed, or rounded protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The protrusions are generally conical in shape having a wider base and a narrower tip with an arcuate sidewall extending therebetween. The sidewall preferably is concave. The sidewalls of these protrusions are shaped so that, on impact, the projectile's tip is diverted from its original trajectory to a path where the projectile is induced to travel in a direction less lethal. Thus, if the projectile strikes the armor, a region other than the tip is the most likely impact point. This invention increases the available impact surface area on the projectile. At thousands of feet per second there is little time to control the trajectory, but little force or resistance is needed to change the path of the projectile if the armor catches the projectile at an appropriate angle of inducement.

Problems solved by technology

This increased the vehicle's weight, which in turn reduced its mobility.

This weight / mobility problem has led to changes in armor design.

Spaced armor reduces the penetrating power of bullets and solid shot.

After penetrating each plate, projectiles tend to tumble, deflect, deform, or disintegrate.

These planar, angled surfaces also increase the chance of deflecting a projectile, which happens when the bullet is traveling at a trajectory close to the slope of the planar surface.

The major drawback with this type of angle-armor technology is that at certain angles, the impact of some projectile hits will not be affected by sloping, such as a “direct hit” at a substantially perpendicular angle.

If the thickness is increased, the weight of the vehicle increases, therefore the costs involved increase.

If the thickness is not increased to a degree sufficient for impacts at these angles, personnel are left at a greater risk of injury.

This increases the probability that the previously known armor technologies will be less capable of stopping modern projectiles.

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