Composite grille louvers

Abstract

A grille having a plurality of s-louvers shaped to increase the efficiency of air flow through the grille without decreasing the effectiveness of the louvers at stopping or deflecting projectiles. Each louver has a hooked portion at the end of the louver to present a ballistic hook for stopping projectiles ricocheting through the circuitous path defined between the louvers. An insert having a closeout for covering the ballistic hook is positioned within each hooked shape portion to eliminate the eddy or stall created at the end of the circuitous path by ballistic hook. The closeout can be penetrated by projectiles ricocheting through the circuitous path such that the ballistic hook can still capture projectiles within the inlet.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 467,605 entitled “COMPOSITE GRILLE LOUVERS, filed Mar. 25, 2011, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is generally directed to ballistic louvers permitting the flow of air through a vent while preventing projectiles from entering the vent. Specifically, the present invention is directed to ballistic louvers for improving air flow through the vent while maintaining ballistic projection.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Armored vehicles often have intake exhaust vents for supplying air to engine components and other systems. However, if a projectile enters the vent, the projectile can damage the engine or other components. A grille having a plurality of louvers is commonly fitted to the intake exhaust vents to prevent projectiles from entering the engine compartment while permitting air to flow between the louv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a grille with louvers that improve air flow without affecting the grille's ability to stop or deflect projectiles. The louvers have a hooked shape at one end to capture projectiles that may ricochet through the grille. An insert made of foam core and closeout covers the inlet to create a smooth air flow. The grille can also have hardened bars or an open honeycomb mesh to fragment or capture remaining projectile fragments. The louvers are made of a low weight composite material to offset the increased weight from the bars and mesh. The grille can be used in a vent to prevent projectiles from entering. The technical effects of the invention are improved air flow and effective protection against projectiles."

Problems solved by technology

However, if a projectile enters the vent, the projectile can damage the engine or other components.

Although the projectiles cannot easily navigate the non-linear paths defined by the louvers, air can easily flow through the non-linear paths.

The inherent tradeoff with a louver protected vent is that improving protection for the vent typically worsens the air flow through the vent.

The slowed air supply can hinder the performance of the engine components supplied by the vent.

However, reducing the number of louvers to increase the cross-sectional area of the circuitous paths increases the likelihood that a projectile will penetrate the grille and enter the engine compartment.

However, the inlet and ballistic hook defined by the hooked shaped portion can create a stall or eddy in the air flow through the circuitous path upsetting the smooth air flow through the grille and creating a large pressure drop across the vent.

A similar tradeoff is that increasing the size or number of louvers can increase the weight and profile of the grille.

However, the drawback of the bars is that the bars significantly increase the weight and profile of the grill.

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