Composite Armor with Grooved Plate and Geometric Solids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite armor solutions are inadequate in effectively preventing penetration by AP-type projectiles and projectile fragments, and they often compromise on weight, which affects mobility and fuel efficiency in protected vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A composite passive armor design featuring grooves in the upper plate for geometric solids (spheres or truncated pyramids) embedded in a light alloy matrix, creating an energy gap and dissipating kinetic energy, with a bottom plate to arrest projectiles, and a light alloy matrix for reduced weight and enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional composite armor structures are used, then protection against projectiles is provided, but the armor weight increases, reducing mobility and increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a grooved metal plate, geometric solids (spheres or truncated pyramids), a light alloy matrix, and a bottom plate. This multi-material composite approach provides effective projectile protection while the light alloy matrix specifically addresses weight reduction, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and armor weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The armor is divided into distinct functional segments: the grooved upper plate for initial projectile interaction, geometric solids for energy dissipation, the light alloy matrix for structural support and weight reduction, and the bottom plate for final projectile arrest. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving protection with reduced overall weight.
2Strength
If heavier armor materials are used to stop projectiles, then penetration prevention is improved, but vehicle mobility decreases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure uses a light alloy matrix as the primary structural material, significantly reducing weight compared to traditional heavy armor materials. The geometric solids and grooved plate provide the necessary penetration resistance through kinetic energy dissipation, while the light alloy maintains structural integrity, achieving both strength and mobility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional heavy armor to light alloy, fundamentally altering the weight-strength balance. The light alloy provides sufficient strength for vehicle mobility while the geometric solid configuration compensates for the lower density, maintaining penetration resistance without the weight penalty of conventional armor materials.
3Reliability
If thicker armor layers are used to arrest projectiles, then protection effectiveness increases, but the armor becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The armor structure is segmented into four distinct layers, each performing a specific function in the projectile arrest process: grooved plate for initial deflection, geometric solids for energy dissipation, light alloy matrix for structural support, and bottom plate for final arrest. This functional segmentation achieves effective projectile stopping without requiring excessive thickness, reducing overall structural complexity compared to monolithic thick armor.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction allows each layer to be optimized for its specific arrest function rather than requiring a single thick layer. The geometric solids provide efficient energy dissipation in a compact form, the light alloy matrix provides structural integrity with minimal thickness, and the grooved plate and bottom plate provide boundary conditions for projectile deflection and arrest, achieving effective protection with reduced complexity.
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
The solution effectively prevents AP projectile penetration, reduces weight, and enhances mobility by dissipating kinetic energy, providing protection against projectiles up to 12.6 mm while minimizing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The layer between the plates, filled with the light alloy matrix material, forms an energy gap limiting crack propagation and resulting in dissipation of the kinetic energy of the projectile
Implementation Method 2
The protruding part of geometric solids prevents the penetration of AP-type projectiles, projectile fragments, and small arms projectiles. The mere shape and very hard material of the geometric solids cause distortion in the projectile flight path, or ricochet and weakening of the projectile kinetic energy
Implementation Method 3
The layer between the plates, filled with the light alloy matrix material, forms an energy gap limiting crack propagation and resulting in dissipation of the kinetic energy of the projectile
Implementation Method 4
The grooves in the upper plate prevent movement of the geometric solids in respect of the plate surface
Implementation Method 5
The task of the bottom plate is to completely arrest the projectile, the energy of which was reduced on the layer of the geometric solids resting on the grooved upper plate and in the energy gap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A composite passive armor protection having geometric solids embedded in a matrix, characterized in that it consists of the parallel non- adjacent plates (1, 2), wherein the upper plate (2) has grooves (3), in which are resting the geometric solids (4) embedded in a light alloy matrix (5), preferably to a level above one half of their total height, while the space between the parallel plates is a layer of light alloy (6).