Flexible Net RPG Shield with Hard Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current countermeasures for Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) are ineffective, expensive, complex, and unreliable, and existing armor systems are heavy, difficult to install, and do not prevent detonation, posing a persistent threat to vehicles and structures.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, flexible net subsystem with spaced rods or hard points is designed to impact and dud the RPG nose cone, featuring a frame with mounting brackets and releasable fasteners for easy installation and removal, and a fabric border with hook and loop fasteners for secure attachment to vehicles or structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static armor such as bar/slat armor is used to protect against RPGs, then protection effectiveness is improved, but vehicle weight increases significantly making it difficult to maneuver and excessive fuel consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible net subsystem with embedded hard points instead of rigid bar/slat armor. The net material (flexible shell) combined with distributed hard points creates a lightweight protective system that deflects RPG warheads while maintaining vehicle maneuverability and avoiding excessive weight gain associated with traditional static armor
Solution Approach 2:
The protective system combines multiple materials with complementary functions: flexible net material for overall structure and compliance, embedded hard points for localized penetration resistance, and compliant materials for energy absorption. This composite approach achieves RPG protection with significantly reduced weight compared to monolithic steel armor
2Reliability
If bar/slat armor is installed to prevent RPG detonation, then protection effectiveness is improved, but installation complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into modular components: a frame structure, a net subsystem with embedded hard points, and mounting brackets. This segmentation allows for simplified installation compared to monolithic bar/slat armor, enabling quick deployment and removal while maintaining protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible net material inherently simplifies installation compared to rigid armor plates, as it can be draped and secured to various vehicle configurations without requiring precise alignment or complex assembly procedures, reducing installation time and complexity
3Weight of moving object
If chain link fence type shields are added to vehicles, then weight is reduced compared to bar/slat armor, but the shields are not sufficiently compliant to prevent RPG detonation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the weight advantage of flexible materials with the protection capability of hard points. The net material provides compliance and lightweight construction, while the embedded hard points ensure sufficient compliance to prevent RPG detonation, overcoming the limitations of chain link fences that lack this composite structure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using uniformly heavy material throughout, the system places hard points at specific locations within the net structure where RPG impact is most likely to occur. This local concentration of protective material provides effective RPG deflection while keeping the overall shield weight low, unlike chain link fences that distribute mass uniformly but lack sufficient local compliance
4Reliability
If static armor is used to protect against RPGs, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the armor becomes top heavy and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible net subsystem distributes protective material evenly across the vehicle surface rather than concentrating it in heavy rigid plates. This flexible distribution maintains a low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution, preserving vehicle maneuverability while providing effective RPG protection
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction combines lightweight flexible net material with small, distributed hard points, creating a protective system that maintains favorable weight distribution. This avoids the top-heavy problem of traditional static armor while preserving protection effectiveness, enabling better vehicle maneuverability
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 system effectively duds RPGs by angling hard points into the nose cone, preventing detonation and providing 60-70% effectiveness, while being inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install and remove, exceeding the performance of traditional armor systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net
Data Source
AI summary
A rocket propelled grenade shield including a flexible net and a frame secured to the flexible net supporting the flexible net. Spaced hard points are attached to the net, the hard points including a base portion with a cavity therein and a plug received in said cavity locking each hard point to the flexible net.