Density Gradient Appliqué for Blast Wave Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armor systems reflect blast waves due to hard front surfaces, leading to significant kinetic energy and momentum transfer, which can cause harm to personnel and equipment, and previous solutions like layered structures are optimized for specific wavelengths and angles, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A density gradient appliqué is affixed to the armor plate, increasing density towards the plate to minimize blast wave reflection, utilizing materials like polyvinylchloride and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and structured surfaces such as spire-like arrays to couple and dissipate blast energy effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hard front surface is used for armor protection, then strength and protection capability are improved, but blast wave reflection and kinetic energy transfer increase causing harm to personnel and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a density gradient to the appliqué material, transitioning from lower density at the exterior surface to higher density near the armor plate. This parameter change in density distribution allows the material to progressively couple with the blast wave while minimizing reflection, thereby reducing harmful kinetic energy transfer to the armor and personnel behind it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite appliqué materials with varying density compositions. The composite structure combines materials of different densities in a gradient arrangement, enabling both blast wave coupling and energy dissipation while maintaining protection capability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing the front surface to be softer for reduced reflection while the rear portion maintains strength for protection.
2Loss of energy
If layered structures are used to mitigate blast waves, then energy absorption is improved, but effectiveness is limited because they are optimized for specific wavelengths and angles only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a continuous density gradient rather than discrete layered structures. This parameter change from step-function density variations to continuous gradients allows the appliqué to interact with blast waves across a broader range of wavelengths and incident angles, significantly improving adaptability and versatility while maintaining energy absorption capability.
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 significantly reduces blast wave reflection and kinetic energy transfer, demonstrated by 31.1% impulse and 54.3% energy reduction in blast tests, providing enhanced protection for both vehicles and personnel.
Implementation Method 1
Material and process for coupling impulses and shockwaves into solids
Implementation Method 2
the appliqué has a density increasing in a direction towards the armor plate and configured to minimize reflection of a blast wave from the armor plate
Implementation Method 3
structured surfaces such as spire-like arrays to couple and dissipate blast energy effectively
Data Source
AI summary
An armor system includes an armor plate, and an appliqué affixed to an exterior of the armor plate, wherein the appliqué has a density increasing in a direction towards the armor plate and configured to minimize reflection of a blast wave from the armor plate. Also disclosed are method of making such an armor system.