Flexible Reactive Armour with Explosive Powder Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reactive armour poses hazards due to fragment and plate movement during detonation and is not suited for protecting non-planar surfaces, leading to collateral damage and limited applicability.
Innovation Solution
A flexible reactive protection element comprising metallic or ceramic powder dispersed within a matrix of plastic explosive and binder, allowing for localized or full detonation, and capable of being applied to non-planar surfaces, with tungsten or tungsten carbide powders and specific binder compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional reactive armour uses flat metal plates with explosive layers, then protection efficacy against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy penetrators is achieved, but collateral damage to surroundings increases due to fragment and plate movement during detonation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the protective material from solid metal plates to a flexible composition containing dispersed metallic or ceramic powders in a plastic explosive matrix. This parameter change allows the material to deform and conform during detonation, reducing fragment formation and collateral damage while maintaining protection efficacy through controlled explosive expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system consisting of metallic or ceramic powders dispersed in a plastic explosive matrix with binder. This composite structure combines the protective qualities of metal/ceramic particles with the flexibility and controllable detonation characteristics of plastic explosives, achieving both protection efficacy and reduced collateral damage
2Reliability
If conventional reactive armour uses flat metal plates, then protection against anti-armour threats is provided, but applicability to non-planar surfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a flexible protective composition that can conform to non-planar surfaces. The plastic explosive matrix with dispersed powders creates a material that is inherently flexible and adaptable, allowing it to be applied to curved or irregular surfaces while maintaining its protective function against anti-armour threats
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the rigidity parameter of the protective material from rigid metal plates to a flexible plastic explosive composition. This parameter change enables the material to adapt to various surface geometries, significantly improving versatility and applicability to non-planar surfaces
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 protects against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles while minimizing collateral damage and enabling protection of complex surfaces, maintaining efficacy comparable to traditional reactive armour systems.
Implementation Method 1
When hit by anti-armour threat, either Shaped Charge warheads or Long Rod penetrators, the explosive detonates, forcibly driving the metal plates apart to damage the penetrator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A rigid or flexible protection element for reactive protection against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles comprises a metallic or ceramic powder dispersed within a matrix of plastic explosive and a binder.