Composite Armor Panel Blast Mitigation via Segmented Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective armor for temporary or semi-permanent structures, such as tents, faces challenges in providing lightweight, cost-effective ballistic and blast protection while maintaining structural integrity and adhering to weight constraints for manual installation and avoiding overstress on the structure's frame.

Innovation Solution

A composite panel design comprising a core, a strike face with high-performance fibers and thermoplastic resin, a backing layer of aramid material, and an encapsulation layer, connected via a connection system that allows for rapid attachment to existing structures, reducing blast pressure and enhancing durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy materials like metals and ceramics are used for blast and ballistic protection in vehicles and structures, then protection effectiveness is improved, but weight per unit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblast and ballistic protection effectivenessVSAvoidweight per unit area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite panel structure combining multiple materials: metal layers (steel or aluminum) for ballistic resistance, plastic layers for blast pressure absorption, and honeycomb core structures for structural integrity. This composite approach achieves superior blast and ballistic protection while maintaining lower weight compared to traditional solid metal or ceramic armor, directly resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high-performance materials are used for personal protective armor, then ballistic protection is improved, but cost per unit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic protectionVSAvoidcost per unit area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The composite panel structure combines expensive high-performance materials (metal face layers, aramid backing) with more cost-effective materials (plastic layers, honeycomb cores). This stratified composite approach distributes the cost across different functional layers, achieving superior ballistic protection at a lower overall cost per unit area compared to using uniformly expensive materials throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The armor panel is segmented into multiple layers with distinct functions: strike face for ballistic impact, core for blast pressure absorption, and backing for structural support. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer's material selection and thickness, reducing overall cost while maintaining protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If thick armor panels are used for superior ballistic and blast protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic and blast protectionVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thick armor panel is segmented into thinner sub-layers (metal face, plastic layers, honeycomb core, backing layer) that can be manufactured and handled more easily. These segmented layers are then assembled into the complete protective panel, maintaining superior protection while improving manufacturability and installation ease compared to a single thick panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7685921B2Composite panels for blast and ballistic protection

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

AI summary

A ballistic and blast protective composite panel includes a first composite layer and a second composite layer.