Hard Point Net for RPG Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current countermeasures against 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 military vehicles and structures.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, inexpensive, and easily installable and removable shielding system featuring a fabric net with hexagonal cells and hard points spaced to reduce the likelihood of direct impact, designed to dud RPGs by angling hard points inwardly upon impact, preventing detonation and penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static armor is added to vehicles, then protection against RPG is improved, but vehicle weight increases and maneuverability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against RPGVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible net made of thin fabric material instead of rigid armor plates. The net is stretched across the vehicle and secured to create a protective barrier that is both lightweight and effective at stopping RPG projectiles, directly resolving the contradiction between protection and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If bar/slat armor is installed to prevent RPG detonation, then protection effectiveness is improved, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of RPG detonationVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective system is divided into separate modular components: the net material, the hard points, and the mounting brackets. These segments can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled on the vehicle, dramatically reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining the ability to prevent RPG detonation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The net and hard points are designed as inexpensive, easily replaceable components. If damaged or worn, the entire net assembly can be quickly removed and replaced without complex tools or procedures, making the system both easy to manufacture and maintain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If chain link fencing is added as a shield, then protection is improved, but weight increases and installation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible fabric net instead of rigid chain link fencing. This flexible material is lighter, easier to manipulate during installation, and can be quickly stretched and secured to the vehicle frame, resolving both the weight and installation ease contradictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If heavy armor is installed on vehicles, then protection against RPG is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against RPGVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing heavy rigid armor with a lightweight flexible net, the vehicle's overall weight is significantly reduced. This weight reduction directly decreases the energy required for movement, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining effective RPG protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10215536B2Hard point net

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 FOSTER MILLER INC

AI summary

An improved hard point net wherein a fabric net has hexagonal net line cells with six nodes. Hard points are attached to the net lines, three per hexagonal cell at every other node thereof such that in each cell there is a node without a hard point between two nodes with hard points and interior cells sharing hard points with all the cells surrounding it. A frame for the net spaces the net and the hard points from a target such as a vehicle.