Interior Armor Panel with Releasable Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armor systems for structures, such as vehicles, often fail to provide sufficient protection from various threats when installed on the inside, are difficult to install and remove, and are costly to manufacture and transport.
Innovation Solution
An armor system featuring ceramic and ballistic layers spaced by a spacer layer and encapsulated in a polyurea/polyurethane coating, with hook and loop fasteners for easy installation and removal, and a joint design between panels for enhanced protection and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If armor panels are installed on the inside of a structure, then protection against threats is provided, but installation and removal become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system is divided into multiple separate panels that can be independently installed and removed. Each panel is a discrete unit with ceramic hard face layer, ballistic material, and encapsulant, allowing modular installation without modifying the parent structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable fastener material changes the attachment parameter from permanent to temporary, enabling easy installation and removal while maintaining protection during use. The fastener material allows the panels to be securely attached when needed and easily removed when not needed.
2Reliability
If traditional armor materials are used, then protection is provided, but handling and transport become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulant merges the ceramic hard face layer, ballistic material, and spacer layer into a single integrated panel assembly. This combination maintains the protective functions of each material while creating a unified structure that is easier to handle and transport as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The armor system transitions from individual loose armor materials to panelized two-dimensional units. This dimensional change makes the armor easier to handle, transport, and install by converting three-dimensional material stacks into flat, manageable panels.
3Reliability
If armor is installed on the outside of a structure, then protection is provided, but modification of the structure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system uses separate, discrete panels that can be installed on the inside surface without modifying the structure. Each panel is an independent unit that attaches to the interior surface, eliminating the need for structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of installing armor on the outside of the structure, the system inverts the approach by installing armor panels on the inside surface. This inversion eliminates the need for external modifications while still providing protection against threats.
4Reliability
If multiple armor layers are used, then protection against multiple threats is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate panels with different material compositions to protect against different threats. Each panel can be optimized for specific threat types, and the modular approach allows selective installation based on threat assessment, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulant serves multiple functions: it bonds the ceramic hard face layer and ballistic material together, provides structural integrity to the panel, and enables attachment to the structure via releasable fasteners. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and manufacturing steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
An armor system and method for the interior of a structure to be protected wherein releasable fastener material is secured to an inside wall of the structure and at least a first armor panel includes, in one example, a spacer layer, a ceramic hard face layer behind the spacer layer, a ballistic material behind the ceramic energy absorber layer, an encapsulant about the spacer layer, the ceramic energy absorber layer, and the ballistic material. Releasable fastener material is on the encapsulant adjacent the spacer layer for mating the panel to the inside wall of the structure.