Method of Layering Composite Sheets to Improve Armor Capabilities

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an armor system comprises a plurality of polylithic composite armor panels. Each of the polylithic composite armor panels comprising a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers comprise at least two layers having a different Young's modulus. Each of the plurality of layers comprising a plurality of sheets. The plurality of sheets comprise one or more fibers. The plurality of sheets have one or more respective weave characteristics.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates generally to the field of armor systems and more particular to a layering of composite sheets to improve armor protection.BACKGROUND[0002]Shape charges such as Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) have accounted for a large number of combat casualties. Lethality of EFPs comes in part from the shape and arrangement of a concave copper cone, called the liner, which transforms into a forceful jet of fluidic metal which easily perforates armor. Despite focused efforts on armor development, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other armored vehicles still cannot defend against these threats. More recently, armor solutions such as the FRAG Kit 5 have been used to protect military vehicles such as Humvees. However, these armor solutions typically weigh around 200 lb / ft2. Since nearly all army vehicles are thousands of pounds overweight, even without any additional armor protection solution, most of these approaches have proved imp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]According to some embodiments, having a more flexible composite panel toward the outer side of an armor system may provide an ability to bend or flex backwards slightly following an impact thereby causing a longer dwell time. Increasing the impact time may advantageously decrease the amount of force exerted by a projectile upon an armor panel at any given point of time.

[0017]Flexibility of an armor panel may be controlled in part by the nature of fibers, thickness of fibers, directionality of weave and / or mesh size as described in certain embodiments. A very flexible panel may not be able to sustain a very larger impact force. Also over flexing may cause a deformation of the armor and injure occupants on the inner side. Accordingly, teachings recognize that a balance between hardness of a panel and flexibility of a panel may provide the best ballistic protection.

[0018]Certain embodiments recognize optimal use of delamination, i.e. peeling away of a sheet from an adjacent sheet, to dissipate energy of an incoming projectile. Teachings of certain embodiments recognize improving energy absorption of an armor system through physically breaking glass threads. For example, certain embodiments recognize that an armor system having sheets with a finer mesh has more bonds that must be broken. In another example, certain embodiments recognize that an armor system having sheets with more complex weave directionality (e.g., a [0° / +45° / −45° / 90°]s weave), the presence of a larger number of angles in the sheets increase the energy absorbing capacity of the armor system.

[0019]Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technical advantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may include the capability to increase the dwell time of a projectile thereby reducing the force exerted force by a projectile device. A technical advantage of one embodiment may include the capability to change the trajectory of a projectile device. A technical advantage of one embodiment may also include the capability to increase impact time. A technical advantage of one embodiment may also include the capability to lowering the force exerted on one or more armor layers of an armor system. A technical advantage of one embodiment may also include the capability to decrease the overall impact of a projectile.

[0020]According to some embodiments, armor systems having layers of different composite panel compositions as set forth above may results in slowing the penetrating tip located on the front of an EFP such that rear portions (or particles) of the EFP re-collide with front portion. As rear EFP particles pushes forward on the front part the penetrating tip of an EFP gets pushed towards the sides and the front of the EFP becomes flattened. This significantly reduces the missile shape reformation ability of an EFP which is responsible for its superior penetrating ability. Accordingly, a technical advantage of one embodiment may also include the capability to decrease the shape change ability of a projectile.

[0021]Further technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present disclosure may include an armor system that is lighter weight than conventional armor. A lightweight armor system of the present disclosure may be capable of protecting against a similar threat as a heavier conventional armor system. Yet another technical advantage of one embodiment may be a relatively low cost solution to provide protection against a variety of projectiles and high velocity impacts. In particular, armor systems comprising polylithic composite panels or monolithic composite panels in accordance with the present disclosure may protect against an shape charge such as an EFP, other explosive devices such as IED's, other projectile threats, bullets, ballistic threats and / or forms of hypervelocity impact.

Problems solved by technology

Shape charges such as Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) have accounted for a large number of combat casualties.

Despite focused efforts on armor development, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other armored vehicles still cannot defend against these threats.

However, these armor solutions typically weigh around 200 lb / ft2.

Since nearly all army vehicles are thousands of pounds overweight, even without any additional armor protection solution, most of these approaches have proved impractical.

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