Laser Armor Cooling System for Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional armor elements, such as those used in military vehicles, are ineffective against laser weapons due to the high energy density of laser beams causing heat-induced destruction, as they lack effective heat dissipation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a cooling system with a laser radiation-detecting sensor system and a refrigerant circuit that circulates through the armor element to dissipate heat, combined with optical active bodies for impairing laser radiation, such as reflection, refraction, or diffraction bodies, to reduce the intensity of the laser beam.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional armor elements are used to protect against ballistic projectiles, then protection against projectiles is improved, but protection against laser radiation deteriorates due to heat-induced destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidheat-induced destruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cooling fluid serves as an intermediary substance between the laser radiation and the armor element. The fluid absorbs laser energy and transports it away from the armor, preventing direct heat transfer to the armor material and avoiding heat-induced destruction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a hydraulic cooling system where a liquid cooling fluid circulates through channels in the armor element. This hydraulic system efficiently transports thermal energy away from the laser impact point, solving the heat dissipation problem that conventional solid armor cannot address

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Strength

If armor element thickness is increased to resist laser energy, then protection capability is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates leading to faster material failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cooling system provides an active heat dissipation mechanism that works independently of armor thickness. The cooling fluid circulates through internal channels, continuously removing heat from the armor element regardless of its thickness, thus maintaining both protection capability and heat dissipation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thermal parameters of the armor system by introducing a cooling fluid with specific thermal properties (high specific heat capacity, good thermal conductivity). This allows the armor to withstand higher temperatures and laser energy exposure without material failure, effectively decoupling protection capability from heat dissipation limitations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cooling system is added to dissipate laser heat, then protection against laser fire is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is merged with the armor element structure itself. The cooling channels are integrated into the armor element's internal structure, and the cooling fluid serves multiple functions including heat dissipation and potential laser energy absorption. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to adding separate cooling components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fluid performs multiple functions: it absorbs laser radiation energy, transports heat away from the armor element, and can be part of a closed-loop refrigeration system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall complexity of the laser protection system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Significantly enhances the protective effect against laser fire by preventing heat buildup and distributing the energy input over a larger area, reducing the risk of material failure and extending the armor's durability against laser attacks.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling fluid can absorb heat and then flow out of the armor element, heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the refrigerant, which undergoes a constant phase change in such a circuit, can dissipate comparatively large amounts of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

a sensor system with light-sensitive sensors that detect the laser radiation and activate the cooling system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

optical active bodies for impairing laser radiation, such as reflection, refraction, or diffraction bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 5

optical active bodies for impairing laser radiation, such as reflection, refraction, or diffraction bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 6

optical active bodies for impairing laser radiation, such as reflection, refraction, or diffraction bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3019813B2Armor against laser radiation
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 KRAUSS MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3019813B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3019813B2 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3019813B2 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to an armor against laser radiation for protecting an object (10) against laser weapons by means of an armor element (2), a cooling system (3) being provided for dissipating the heat that has been introduced into the armor element (2) by the laser weapons. The invention further relates to a method for protecting an object (10) against laser weapons and to a vehicle having an armor against laser radiation.