Flyer Plate Armor Gap Dynamics Against EFP Threats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) pose a significant threat to armored vehicles by penetrating through thick armor, causing damage and injury due to their ability to behave like a fluid and maintain high velocity, leading to overweight vehicles when conventional armor is used to counter this threat.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight armor system incorporating a flyer plate detachably coupled to a first armor layer, with a gap between the plate and a second armor layer, increases the surface area and mass of the EFP tip upon impact, reducing its penetrating effectiveness by dissipating energy and slowing its velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional armor is used to protect against EFPs, then protection effectiveness is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system is divided into multiple layers including a first armor layer, a flyer plate, and a second armor layer with gaps between them. This segmented structure allows each layer to perform specific functions: the first armor layer provides base protection, the flyer plate adds variable mass and surface area to disrupt EFP penetration, and the second armor layer provides additional protection, collectively achieving effective EFP defense with reduced overall weight compared to conventional monolithic armor
Solution Approach 2:
The flyer plate is designed to be detachably coupled to the first armor layer, allowing it to be accelerated through the gap by the EFP's explosive force. This dynamic configuration enables the flyer plate to increase the EFP's mass and surface area during the penetration process, effectively disrupting the penetrator's ability to penetrate while minimizing the static weight penalty of traditional thick armor
2Reliability
If thicker armor is added to withstand EFP penetration, then protection against EFP is improved, but vehicle maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the armor into multiple layers with a flyer plate and gaps, the system achieves effective EFP protection without requiring a single thick armor layer that would hinder vehicle maneuverability. The distributed structure provides protection while maintaining vehicle agility
Solution Approach 2:
The flyer plate changes the mass and surface area parameters of the EFP dynamically during penetration, effectively disrupting its penetrating capability. This parameter change approach allows lighter armor construction while maintaining protection effectiveness, thereby preserving vehicle maneuverability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flyer plate is added to increase mass and surface area of EFP, then EFP penetration capability is reduced, but armor system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system is segmented into functional components (first armor layer, flyer plate, second armor layer) where each element has a specific purpose. The flyer plate is detachably coupled to simplify integration, and the gap configuration allows for straightforward assembly while achieving the goal of reducing EFP penetration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The flyer plate acts as an intermediary element between the first and second armor layers. It is detachably coupled to the first armor layer and positioned to be accelerated through the gap by the EFP's explosive force, mediating the interaction between the EFP and the armor system to effectively reduce penetration 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 system effectively protects against EFPs while maintaining a lighter weight, comparable to conventional armor systems, and also provides protection against other projectile threats like bullets, enhancing vehicle maneuverability and effectiveness on the battlefield.
Implementation Method 1
increases the surface area and mass of the EFP tip upon impact, reducing its penetrating effectiveness by dissipating energy and slowing its velocity
Implementation Method 2
When the plate is struck by a projectile, it may be operable to increase the surface area of the tip of the project as the projectile accelerates the plate through the gap
Implementation Method 3
the plate may be operable to increase the surface area of the tip of the project as the projectile accelerates the plate through the gap
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective armor system may include a first armor layer. The protective armor system may also include a plate that is detachably coupled to the first armor layer. The protective armor system may also have a second armor layer that is separated from the plate by a gap. When the plate is struck by a projectile, it may be operable to increase the surface area of the tip of the projectile as the projectile accelerates the plate through the gap.