Dynamic Armor Ballistic Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armor technologies are inadequate in providing comprehensive protection against multiple strikes in the same zone, as they often rely on excessive weight, undersized or under-strengthened materials, and limited capabilities against various threats, including projectiles and explosive charges.
Innovation Solution
The development of dynamic armor systems that incorporate a first surface layer, an absorbing filler layer, and a force-absorbing material, which can move and deform upon impact to dissipate and redirect projectile forces, utilizing segmented zones and deflection materials to enhance protection and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel is used in traditional armor applications to provide protection, then protection capability is improved, but weight increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of a flexible substrate with distributed ballistic particles and a binder system. This composite structure provides protection against projectiles while maintaining significantly reduced weight compared to traditional solid steel armor, as the distributed particle structure offers ballistic resistance without requiring the mass of solid metal plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials with variable properties that change in response to impact. The binder system and flexible substrate are designed to deform and absorb impact energy dynamically, changing their mechanical properties during the impact event to optimize protection while maintaining flexibility and weight efficiency in the non-impact state.
2Strength
If armor is designed to withstand a single strike in a particular region, then protection against single strike is improved, but multiple strikes in the same zone represent an unprotected threat
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system divides the protective structure into numerous small ballistic particles distributed across the flexible substrate. This segmentation allows each particle to independently absorb and dissipate impact energy, and after impact, the flexible substrate enables particles to return to their original positions, providing reliable protection against multiple strikes in the same zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic system where the flexible substrate and binder allow ballistic particles to move and deform during impact, then return to their original configuration. This dynamic response enables the armor to reset after each impact event, maintaining protection capability against multiple strikes without the degradation seen in static armor systems.
3Strength
If explosive charges and smart armor techniques are employed to engage anticipated projectile, then protection against anticipated threat is improved, but multiple strike capabilities are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system is passive and self-serviceing, requiring no external power sources, sensors, or active control systems. The ballistic particles and flexible substrate automatically respond to any impact regardless of whether it was anticipated, providing reliable protection against multiple strikes without the complexity and limitations of active smart armor systems.
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 dynamic armor system effectively absorbs and redirects projectile forces, providing enhanced protection against multiple strikes while minimizing weight and maintaining functionality, thus addressing the limitations of conventional armor technologies.
Implementation Method 1
incorporate a first surface layer, an absorbing filler layer, and a force-absorbing material, which can move and deform upon impact to dissipate and redirect projectile forces
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for ballistic shielding and protective armor; and more particularly, representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to improved methods and systems for ballistic deflection and protection through dynamic armor and/or the like.