Glass-Ceramic Transparent Armor with UV-Resistant Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transparent armor systems face challenges in achieving lightweight, effective protection against ballistic projectiles while maintaining transparency, as they require high mass and bulk due to the use of non-transparent materials, and are prone to degradation from ultraviolet radiation and thermal expansion issues.
Innovation Solution
A transparent armor system utilizing a glass-ceramic hard face with a resilient polymer layer, designed to absorb impact and distribute stress, along with reinforcing layers to enhance durability and maintain transparency, and a bonding layer to protect against ultraviolet radiation and thermal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional transparent armor materials (borosilicate float glass or soda lime glass) are used for the hard face, then transparency is maintained, but the material lacks sufficient hardness and toughness, requiring greatly increased aerial mass and bulk to preserve effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses glass-ceramic composite material for the hard face that combines the transparency of glass with the enhanced hardness and toughness of ceramic crystalline structures. This composite material provides both optical clarity and ballistic performance without requiring excessive mass and bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the material properties by transforming regular glass into glass-ceramic through controlled crystallization processes. This parameter change in the material structure (from amorphous glass to crystalline glass-ceramic) fundamentally improves hardness and toughness while maintaining transparency and reducing the mass required for effective protection
2Reliability
If conventional transparent adhesive is used to bond layers, then transparency is maintained, but the adhesive degrades from ultraviolet radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bonding layer that acts as an intermediary between the hard face and backing layers. This bonding layer is specifically designed to be resistant to ultraviolet radiation degradation while maintaining bonding functionality, protecting the overall armor structure from UV-induced delamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ultraviolet radiation into a beneficial selection criterion by choosing a bonding layer material that not only resists UV degradation but also potentially utilizes UV exposure to enhance its bonding properties or maintain structural integrity under environmental stress
3Strength
If high-strength hard ceramics are used for the hard face, then ballistic protection is improved, but transparency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a glass-ceramic composite that combines the transparent amorphous glass matrix with crystalline ceramic phases. This composite structure provides the hardness and ballistic protection of ceramics while the glass matrix maintains optical transparency, solving the contradiction between protection and visibility
4Reliability
If increased mass and bulk are used to compensate for material limitations, then ballistic effectiveness is maintained, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameters by using glass-ceramic with superior mechanical properties. This parameter change in material composition and structure allows for thinner, lighter armor panels that achieve the same or better ballistic effectiveness compared to conventional glass-based transparent armor
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 provides enhanced ballistic protection with reduced weight, improved multi-hit performance, and resistance to ultraviolet radiation and thermal variations, maintaining transparency and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a layer fabricated from a glass-ceramic substance having a hardness and compressive strength, both in dynamic conditions and standard temperature and pressure conditions, sufficient to substantially absorb at least a portion of the impact from an incoming projectile
Implementation Method 2
The resilient layer is a layer selected to have a sufficient thickness and strength to withstand stresses imparted to the resilient layer under ballistic impact of the hard face
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.