Capacitive Reactive Armor Using Stored Electrical Charge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional explosive reactive armor poses logistical challenges due to its hazardous nature, requiring specialized manufacturing facilities and restrictive handling and transportation, limiting its use in training and civilian applications.

Innovation Solution

A capacitive reactive armor assembly that uses a capacitor instead of explosive material, which can be charged and discharged to control its explosive capability, allowing for safer manufacturing, transportation, and deployment, and can be rendered inert for non-explosive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional explosive reactive armor is used, then protective capability against penetrating ordnance is improved, but manufacturing, transportation, and handling become restricted due to hazardous nature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical-chemical state of the energy storage medium from explosive material to electrical charge in a capacitor. This parameter change allows the armor to maintain protective capability while eliminating the hazards associated with explosive manufacturing, storage, and transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical energy release mechanism of explosive reactive armor with an electrical energy release mechanism using a capacitor. This substitution maintains the reactive armor function while avoiding the regulatory and logistical constraints associated with explosive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If conventional explosive reactive armor is used, then protective capability is improved, but transportation and deployment flexibility deteriorate due to severe restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective capabilityVSAvoidtransportation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the energy storage medium from explosive to electrical charge, the invention enables the armor to be transported and deployed without the severe restrictions that apply to explosive materials, thereby improving transportation flexibility and deployment versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional explosive reactive armor is used, then combat protection is improved, but training realism deteriorates due to inability to use in civilian areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombat protectionVSAvoidtraining applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the energy storage from explosive to electrical charge, allowing the armor to be used in training exercises in civilian areas and on public roads, thereby significantly improving training realism and applicability while maintaining protective capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If conventional explosive reactive armor is used, then protective capability is improved, but safety hazards increase for civilians and personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective capabilityVSAvoidsafety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the energy storage medium from explosive material to electrical charge in a capacitor, eliminating the inherent safety hazards associated with explosive reactive armor while maintaining the protective capability against penetrating ordnance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the capacitive reactive armor to be manufactured, transported, and used without extensive precautions, providing a realistic training experience for military personnel and offering protective capabilities for vehicles and structures without the risks associated with explosive materials.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor that is positioned between the first flyer plate and the second flyer plate. The capacitor is configured to store an electric charge and to explosively rupture when the capacitor is penetrated while the capacitor is electrically charged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive energy storage and discharge: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

to explosively rupture when the capacitor is penetrated while the capacitor is electrically charged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosive rupture: Explosion

Data Source

PatentEP2764321B1Capacitive reactive armor assembly

Publication Date: 2016.11.30 GENERAL DYNAMICS ORDNANCE & TACTICAL SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

A capacitive reactive armor assembly for shielding a vehicle is disclosed herein. The capacitive reactive armor includes, but is not limited to, a first flyer plate, a second flyer plate, and a capacitor positioned between the first flyer plate and the second flyer plate. The capacitor is configured to store an electric charge and to explosively short circuit when the capacitor is penetrated while the capacitor is electrically charged. The explosive release of energy from the capacitor pushes the first and second flyer plates apart interfering with the penetration of a shaped charge jet or ballistic penetrator.