Amorphous Alloy Armor Segmentation for Lightweight Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional armor materials face challenges in providing effective protection against penetrators while being lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective, as they often compromise on mobility and durability due to added weight and rigidity from ceramic or metal plates, and lack the ability to withstand multiple impacts without shattering.

Innovation Solution

The use of bulk solidifying amorphous alloys, such as (Zr,Ti)a(Ni,Cu,Fe)b(Be,Al,Si,B)c, which are lightweight, flexible, and have high fracture toughness and elastic strain limits, allowing for the creation of armor with multiple thin layers bonded with an elastomeric material, providing enhanced resistance to impact and environmental effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If ceramic or metal plates are added to soft vests, then protection against knives, nails, ice-picks, and rifle shots is improved, but weight and rigidity increase making it difficult for the wearer to move

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidarmor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armor is divided into multiple thin layers of amorphous alloy material instead of using single thick plates. Each layer is approximately 0.003 inches thick, and multiple layers work together to provide protection while maintaining flexibility and reducing overall weight compared to conventional ceramic or metal plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses amorphous alloy material with unique atomic structure that combines properties of both metals and ceramics. This composite-like material provides high strength and protection capability while being lighter and more flexible than traditional ceramic or metal armor plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If ceramic or metal plates are added to soft vests, then protection against knives, nails, ice-picks, and rifle shots is improved, but rigidity increases making it difficult for the wearer to move

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The armor is divided into multiple thin layers of amorphous alloy material instead of using single thick plates. Each layer is approximately 0.003 inches thick, and multiple layers work together to provide protection while maintaining flexibility and reducing overall weight compared to conventional ceramic or metal plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The amorphous alloy armor layers are designed as thin, flexible structures that can bend and move with the wearer's body. The material's unique atomic structure allows it to maintain strength while providing flexibility, enabling the wearer to move freely without the rigidity constraints of traditional ceramic or metal plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If conventional armor materials are used, then protection is provided, but the armor cannot withstand multiple impacts without shattering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidmultiple hit capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses amorphous alloy material with unique atomic structure that combines properties of both metals and ceramics. This composite-like material provides high strength and protection capability while being lighter and more flexible than traditional ceramic or metal armor plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The multilayer structure of thin amorphous alloy layers provides energy dissipation through multiple interfaces. When impacted, the energy is distributed across multiple layers rather than concentrating in a single point, allowing the armor to withstand multiple impacts without shattering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9273931B2Amorphous alloys armor

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 CRUCIBLE INTPROP LLC

AI summary

Amorphous alloy armor made of at least one thin layer of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of forming such armor are provided. Forming the armor in accordance with the current invention provides ruggedness, a lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing.