EP3019813B2 - Armor against laser radiation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to laser armor for protecting an object, in particular a vehicle, from laser weapons with an armor element. Another subject matter of the invention is a method for protecting an object from laser weapons with a laser armor having an armor element. Finally, another subject matter of the invention is a vehicle, in particular a military vehicle, with laser armor.

Increasingly, for example, in the field of air defense and also the fight against mobile and immobile targets on land, different types of laser weapons are used, in which a high-energy laser beam is focused on a target to be fought. Due to the energy introduced by the laser beam, the target is locally strongly heated in the area of the point of irradiation of the laser radiation, which can result in destruction or at least impairment of the object or even its complete destruction after short irradiation times. In this context, it has proven to be problematic in the case of military land vehicles, for example, that the armor elements provided on them are able to develop a good protective effect, for example against ballistic projectiles or explosive devices, but are largely ineffective in the event of a laser attack. This is mainly due to the fact that the laser beam introduces large amounts of energy into the armor element, which is made of armored steel, for example, which, due to the associated heat development, can destroy the armor element even after a short period of irradiation. In this regard, suggests DE 10 2009 040 661 A1 as a countermeasure against laser irradiation, a laser protection module consists of a hollow body that can be connected to an object to be protected, the hollow space of which is filled with a material which forms vapor or smoke when irradiated with laser light. The object of the invention is to provide a laser armor in which the protective effect against laser fire is significantly improved compared to conventional armor. This object is achieved in laser armor of the type mentioned at the outset in that it has a cooling system for dissipating heat introduced into the armoring element by the laser weapons and a sensor system that detects the laser radiation with light-sensitive sensors for activating the cooling system. The heat introduced into the armoring element by the incident laser beam can be dissipated from the point of incidence of the laser radiation via the cooling system. In this way, a heat input in the region of the irradiation point that is above the damage threshold of the material of the armoring element can be avoided. The risk of material failure as a result of the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced.

A configuration which is advantageous with regard to their cooling performance provides that the cooling system has a cooling fluid. Larger amounts of heat can also be removed in a simple manner via the cooling fluid.

In this context, it is advantageous if the cooling fluid circulates in a cooling circuit which is passed through the armoring element. The cooling circuit can be a closed circuit to which heat introduced by the laser radiation in the area of the armor element is supplied, which heat is then transported away via the cooling fluid and given off at a delivery point. To dissipate large amounts of heat, it has proven to be advantageous if the cooling circuit is a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a throttle, a condenser and an evaporator. This is because the refrigerant, which is subject to constant phase transformation in such a refrigerant circuit and serves as a cooling fluid, allows comparatively large amounts of heat to be dissipated.

A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid, coming from a reservoir, is passed through the armor element. A certain amount of cooling fluid can be stored in the reservoir. In the event of laser bombardment, the cooling fluid can be removed from the reservoir and used to cool the armor element. When passing through the armor element, the cooling fluid can absorb heat and then flow out of the armor element in a heated state, for example in the direction of the vehicle surroundings.

A further embodiment provides that the cooling fluid heated by the laser radiation is guided out of an outlet provided in the lower area of the armor element and that cooling fluid of lower temperature is guided via an inlet provided in the upper region of the armor element. Initially, cooler cooling fluid can be fed into the armor element via the inlet. While absorbing heat introduced via the laser radiation, the cooling fluid can flow through the armor element and then leave the armor element in a heated state via the outlet.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid is applied to the armor element via a spray device. The cooling fluid can be applied in fine droplets and in a targeted manner to the armoring element in the manner of a spray via the spray device.

In this context, one embodiment provides that the spray device is arranged on the threat side of the armor element, in the interior of the armor element or on the object side of the armor element.

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the armoring element be a chamber has, in which the cooling fluid is circulated. The cooling fluid can enter the chamber via an inlet and leave it via an outlet. A spray device can be arranged in the area of the inlet. A closed circuit can be provided in which the cooling fluid is circulated. For this purpose, a circulating pump and a cooling unit that extracts heat from the heated cooling fluid can be provided.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that a sacrificial plate filled with cooling fluid is arranged on the threat side of the armor element. When the laser radiation strikes the sacrificial plate, it is first heated by the incident laser beam. The fluid arranged inside the sacrificial plate is also heated in the process. After a certain time, the sacrificial plate is destroyed and the cooling fluid provided within the sacrificial plate leaves the sacrificial plate via the point of irradiation of the laser radiation. The cooling fluid flowing in from above under the influence of gravity further cools the irradiation area, which results in a certain cooling effect before the laser beam hits the actual armor plate after the sacrificial plate has been destroyed.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that a liquid gas, in particular cooled nitrogen, water, glycol, refrigerant, an instant cooling fluid, a gel or a foam be used as the cooling fluid.

In addition, it is proposed that the armor element has several interconnectable chambers, each chamber containing a component of a multicomponent fluid which, after mixing, produces a cooling effect as a result of a chemical reaction. The individual chambers can be connected to one another by the bombardment of the laser radiation, in that partition walls are designed and arranged in such a way that they are destroyed by the incident laser radiation. Alternatively, a device for connecting the respective chambers that can be controlled via a controller can be provided between the individual chambers. For example, a valve can be provided between the chambers for this purpose.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that several armor elements are provided. In particular, it can cover a large number of armor elements the object to be protected can be arranged in a distributed manner, for example in the manner of a tile-like arrangement. According to a further embodiment, the armor elements can be equipped with separate cooling systems. If an armor element is destroyed, it can easily be replaced with a new armor element together with the associated cooling system. A structurally advantageous and simple embodiment provides that several armor elements have a common cooling system. The result is a comparatively simple structure, since each armoring element does not have to be equipped separately, for example with a cooling unit for cooling the cooling fluid. As an alternative or in addition to the cooling fluid, the cooling system can also have an electrical coolant, in particular a Peltier element. The Peltier element can, for example, be attached to the object-side rear side of the armoring element and develop a cooling effect there by being energized. The invention provides that a sensor system which detects the laser radiation is provided for triggering an armoring element. The sensors that detect the laser radiation are light-sensitive sensors. As soon as they detect incident laser radiation, the cooling system can be activated and the heat generated can be dissipated. Although this does not belong to the subject matter of the invention defined by the patent claims, it can be provided that the armoring element has a large number of optical active bodies for impairing the radiated laser radiation. By impairing the incident laser radiation by means of a large number of optical active bodies, an improved protective effect results. High intensities of the laser radiation, such as those that occur with an undisturbed laser beam in a locally limited space, are avoided. The risk of destructive overstressing of the material due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced by the impairment of the radiation. Due to the large number of active optical bodies, the impairment can occur largely independently of the angle of incidence of the laser radiation.

In this context, an advantageous embodiment further provides that the active bodies for reflecting the laser radiation are designed as reflection bodies. By reflecting the laser radiation, substantial portions of the laser radiation can be repelled by the object to be protected.

In this context it is advantageous if the reflection bodies have a reflective surface, in particular a mirror surface. The reflection bodies can be mirrored over the entire surface or only partially mirrored. The mirror surface can be provided with a highly reflective layer corresponding to the wavelength of the expected laser radiation.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the active bodies for breaking the laser radiation are designed as refractive bodies. This can also be impaired by refraction of the laser radiation. For example, a laser beam can be widened by refraction effects, which results in lower intensities at the point of irradiation.

In this context it is advantageous if the refractive bodies consist of an optically transparent material. The refractive bodies themselves are therefore when the laser radiation hits this hardly affected. The laser radiation penetrates the refractive bodies without heating them appreciably. By refraction at the edges of the refractive bodies, the laser radiation is widened or scattered, so that it strikes the object located behind it only with a significantly lower intensity.

The refractive bodies advantageously have a curved surface for expanding the laser radiation. The curved surface can, for example, be spherical, spherical or cylindrical. The active bodies or the refractive bodies can also have a roughened surface in order to generate a scattering effect.

Alternatively or additionally, a further embodiment provides that the active bodies for diffracting the laser radiation are designed as diffraction bodies. By utilizing diffraction effects, the irradiated laser radiation can also be impaired in such a way that lower intensities occur on the object to be protected.

A structurally advantageous embodiment provides in this context that the diffraction bodies have diffraction gaps. The diffraction gaps can be produced, for example, by a coating applied to the diffraction bodies, by material differences provided within the diffraction bodies, or similar structures.

An advantageous embodiment that develops a particularly good protective effect provides that several active bodies are arranged one behind the other in the direction of action of the laser radiation. The result is a kind of stepped protective arrangement in which, after failure or after passing through an active body located further forward, the laser radiation subsequently strikes a further active body. The active bodies are advantageously arranged with respect to one another in such a way that there is a gradual impairment of the laser radiation combined with a gradually reduced beam intensity.
In order to obtain a uniform protective effect against laser radiation radiating in from the most varied of directions, it is proposed in a further embodiment that the active bodies are arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle of the armoring element. Due to the arrangement of the active bodies as loose bulk material, they do not have a preferred orientation, but are stochastically distributed within the corresponding receptacle. In this respect, certain active bodies are always optimally aligned to different radiation directions.
It is advantageous in this context if the receptacle is designed to be optically transparent at least on the threat side in the wavelength range of the laser weapons. In this way, the incident laser beam initially passes through the receptacle unhindered before it then strikes the active optical bodies arranged in the receptacle. Destruction of the receptacle by the incident laser radiation and thus, for example, escape of the active bodies arranged as bulk material, is avoided.

An alternative or additional embodiment provides that the active bodies are arranged in the manner of a protective curtain. The active bodies can be arranged like a curtain around the object to be protected. The curtain can be opened or closed depending on whether there is a laser threat or not.
Another embodiment provides that the active bodies are embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threatening side of the armor element. The carrier material can in particular be a pasty material in which the active bodies are embedded. Similar to a sun cream, the carrier material together with the active bodies can then be applied to endangered areas in the event of a detected laser radiation, for example via a nozzle.

Another embodiment provides that the active bodies have a plurality of surfaces that run at an angle to one another. The surfaces that run at an angle to one another can be used, for example, as reflection, refraction or diffraction surfaces.

Another embodiment provides that the active bodies are spherical. For example, reflection or refraction effects can be used on the spherical surfaces to impair the laser radiation. Although this is also not part of the subject matter of the invention defined by the patent claims, it can be provided that the armor element is arranged to be movable relative to the object. Due to the movable arrangement of the armoring element relative to the object, the armoring element can also be moved relative to the laser beam striking the object. This avoids an energy input that is locally limited to a single irradiation point. In accordance with the movement of the armor element, the energy of the laser beam is coupled into the armor element not locally in just one irradiation point, but distributed along the path of movement of the armor element over a larger area. The risk of material failure as a result of the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced. In the case of a movable arrangement of the armor element, care must be taken that the elements of the cooling system, such as pipes, nozzles, etc., are not impaired by the movements.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the armoring element is arranged in front of a surface of the object to be protected and is arranged to be movable in a direction parallel and / or transverse to the surface to be protected. The energy input of the laser beam can be distributed over the surface by moving in parallel. By moving transversely to the surface to be protected, the protective element can move out of the focus position of the Laser beam can be moved out, whereby the energy density at the point of irradiation can also be reduced.

Another embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged to be movable in several directions. For example, the armor element can be moved in a substantially vertical and additionally in a substantially horizontal direction.
Another embodiment provides that the armoring element is designed to be movable via a drive, in particular an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. Defined movements can be transferred to the armor element via the drive.
Another advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is resiliently mounted. Due to the resilient mounting of the armor element, it can move automatically, for example when it is attached to a military vehicle, as a result of the forces occurring during driving.
A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that a privacy screen is provided by which the movements of the armoring element are covered. Due to the visual protection arranged in the path of the laser beam, the movements of the armor element are not visible to the attacker. The privacy screen is arranged on the threat side of the armor element. It is therefore not possible for the attacker to anticipate the movements and try to track the laser beam to the movements of the armor element in order to target a specific point of the armor element under continuous fire.

It is advantageous in this context if the privacy screen covers at least the edges of the armoring element. Covering the edges of the armor element is sufficient in most cases, since the movement of an armor element, in particular a plate-shaped element, can usually only be recognized at its edges.

A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the privacy screen is designed to be stationary and the armor element can be moved in the visual shadow of the privacy screen.

Another embodiment, which is advantageous from a structural point of view, provides that the armor element is arranged in an intermediate area between an outer surface of the object to be protected and the privacy screen.

In a further refinement, it is proposed that the privacy screen be designed to be optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range. The wavelength range in which the privacy screen is optically transparent can be set according to the wavelength of the laser weapon. In this case, the privacy screen is transparent to the laser beam, so that it is not impaired when it is irradiated and the laser beam passes through the privacy screen unhindered. This embodiment is particularly suitable for laser radiation in the UV or IR wavelength range, which lies outside the spectrum that can be optically perceived by the human eye. In this case, the laser beam shines unhindered through the screen onto the armor element moving behind the screen, but this cannot be seen by the attacker. The attacker sees the situation as if the laser beam were being absorbed by the surface without this having any effect whatsoever.

For extensive protection of larger-area objects, it is advantageous if the laser armor has a plurality of movably arranged armor elements, which are arranged in a tile-like manner over the object to be protected. In this way, protection of larger objects can also be implemented with armor elements that are essentially designed as identical parts. Should one of the armor elements be damaged, for example by enemy laser fire, it can easily be exchanged for a new armor element. The armor elements can be designed as protective modules that can be attached to the object or removed from it in just a few simple steps.

A configuration that is advantageous for the protective effect of the laser armor provides that the armor elements are arranged in several layers. The result is a redundant arrangement of the armor elements in such a way that if an outer layer of armor elements fails, the laser beam strikes a layer further inside.

In this context it is advantageous if each layer has several armor elements, the directions of movement of the armor elements being different in two adjacent layers.

In addition, it has proven to be advantageous in connection with the laser armoring if this has a sensor system for detecting the laser radiation. In the case of a laser beam detection by means of the sensor system, the armoring elements can be set in motion automatically. It is not necessary to move the armor elements constantly, but only in the case of a specific threat situation, which is reliably detected by the sensors.

In addition, it is proposed to solve the above-mentioned object in a method of the type mentioned that the heat introduced into the armor element via the laser weapons is dissipated via a cooling system and the cooling system is activated via a sensor system with light-sensitive sensors that detects the laser radiation. The advantages already outlined in connection with laser armor result. In the method, too, it is advantageous if the armor element is designed in accordance with one or more of the features mentioned above.

Finally, to resolve the above Task proposed in a vehicle that this is equipped with a laser armor of the type described above. Here, too, the advantages already described in connection with laser armoring arise.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer, stark schematisierter Prinzipansicht ein zu schützendes Objekt mit einer mehrere Panzerungselemente aufweisenden Laserpanzerung,

Fig. 2-7

verschiedene Ausgestaltungen einer Laserpanzerung in schematischen Prinzipansichten und

Fig. 8

eine Laserpanzerung mit einer zusätzlich vorgesehenen Opferplatte,

Fig. 9 - 12

schematische Ansichten unterschiedlicher Ausführungen von Panzerungselementen mit optischen Wirkkörpern.

Fig. 13 - 18

schematische Ansichten unterschiedlicher Ausführungen einer Laserpanzerung mit einem bewegbaren Panzerungselement.

Further aspects, advantages and details of a laser armor according to the invention, a method for protecting an object from laser weapons and a vehicle equipped with a corresponding laser armor are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show in it:

Fig. 1

in a perspective, highly schematic view of the principle of an object to be protected with laser armor comprising several armor elements,

Fig. 2-7

various designs of laser armor in schematic principle views and

Fig. 8

a laser armor with an additional sacrificial plate,

Figures 9-12

schematic views of different designs of armor elements with optical active bodies.

Figures 13-18

schematic views of different designs of laser armor with a movable armor element.

Fig. 1 shows, in a perspective, highly schematic view, an object 10 which is designed to be protected against fire from laser weapons by means of laser armor 1.

The object 10 can be an immobile object such as a building or a bunker or a mobile target such as a military vehicle and in particular a military land vehicle. The laser armor 1 serves to protect against laser weapons, which according to the invention is to be understood as meaning all radiation weapons operating by means of bundled radiation.

As shown in Fig. 1 As can be seen, the laser armor 1 consists of several armor elements 2, which are arranged in a tile-like manner and distributed over the object 10 and which are arranged in front of a surface of the object 10 to be protected. While the representation in Fig. 1 a configuration of the laser armor 1 can be seen in which the armor elements 2 are only arranged on one side of the object 10, it goes without saying that the laser armor 1 can also include armor elements 2 on the other sides of the object, which depends primarily on which side the threat is to be expected from. In a military vehicle, it is advisable to provide all sides of the vehicle as well as the vehicle roof with armor elements 2 and only not to armor the vehicle floor against laser fire, since laser weapons are usually fired from the side or from above.

As shown in Fig. 1 This illustrates that the individual armor elements 2 are of plate-shaped geometry and are provided with a cooling system 3 for dissipating heat introduced by the laser radiation. The cooling system 3 is an active cooling system 3, which is supplied with energy for cooling purposes, for example to operate a cooling unit or to operate pumps P.

When executing according to Fig. 1 several armor elements 2 have a common cooling system 3. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that each armor element 2 is equipped with its own cooling system 3, see for example Fig. 5 .

As shown in Fig. 1 the armor elements 2 each have a part of a cooling circuit 4. The armor elements 2 are distributed like scales over an area of the object 10 to be protected, and the cooling circuit 4 is guided in a meandering manner through a plurality of armor elements 2. For this purpose, the armor elements 2 each have pipe sections which can be connected to corresponding pipe sections of an adjacent armor element 2, for example by being plugged into one another, in order to form a closed cooling circuit 4 in this way. Within the cooling circuit 4, a cooling fluid, which receives heat 2 when passing through the armor elements, and these q elsewhere as waste heat _from emits flows.

When executing according to Fig. 1 the cooling circuit 4 is connected to a waste heat circuit 9 via a refrigerant circuit 8 which forms a type of cooling unit. The refrigerant circuit 8 consists in the usual way of an evaporator 8.1, in which the cooling fluid heated by the laser radiation provides for evaporation of the refrigerant flowing within the refrigerant circuit 8 while releasing heat. The evaporated refrigerant is fed via a compressor 8.2 into a heat exchanger 8.3, in which the refrigerant gives off its heat to the waste heat circuit 9. In this case, the refrigerant liquefies in parts, after which it is then returned to the evaporator 8.1 via a throttle 8.4, where it then evaporates with renewed absorption of energy introduced by the laser radiation. The result is an arrangement in which large amounts of heat can be dissipated due to the interposed refrigerant circuit 8. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable to dissipate the heat absorbed by the cooling fluid in a different manner and in particular without a refrigerant circuit 8.

While the representation in Fig. 1 a laser armor 1 with a closed cooling circuit 4 in which the cooling fluid circulates is shown by the representations in FIGS Figures 2 to 7 Refinements in which the cooling fluid 11 does not necessarily circulate in a cooling circuit 4.

In the case of the executions according to Figs. 2 to 4 a spray device 5 is provided in each case. The cooling fluid 11 is atomized via this under increased pressure and applied to a surface of the armor element 2 to be cooled.

When executing according to Fig. 2 the spray devices 5 are arranged in such a way that the threatening side of the armor elements 2 is sprayed. As a result of continuous spraying, the cooling fluid 11 absorbs heat as it gutters down and removes it.

The execution according to is of a very similar construction Fig. 4 , in which the spray devices 5 are not arranged on the threat side, but on the object side of the armor elements 2. The spray devices 5 are located in a gap between the armor elements 2 and the object 10 to be protected, so that they are not visible to an attacker from the outside.

When executing according to Fig. 3 the spray devices 5 are arranged in the interior of the armor elements 2. The spray devices 5 are supplied with cooling fluid 11 via an inlet 2.2. The cooling fluid 11 is sprayed into the interior of the armoring elements 2 via the spray devices 5 in such a way that the latter is wetted with cooling fluid 11 over a large area. The cooling fluid 3 flows downward under the influence of gravity and finally leaves the armor element 2 via outlets 2.1. The cooling fluid 11 can then either escape into the environment or be cooled in a cooling circuit 4 and then fed again into the interior of the armor element 2 via the inlet 2.2.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of an armor element 2 in which an armor element 2 is provided with a separate cooling system 3. A separate cooling circuit 4 is assigned to the armor element 2. In the upper area of the armor element 2 is the inlet 2.2, or in the embodiment according to FIG Fig. 5 two inlets 2.2. In the area of each inlet 2.2, a spray device 5 is arranged, via which the cooling fluid 11 is sprayed into the interior of the armor element 2. The interior of the armor element 2 has a chamber 6. In the lower end area of the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 11 collects within the chamber 6 and leaves it via the outlet 2.1. After leaving the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 3 is driven by a pump P after flowing through the cooling circuit 4 and fed back to the inlet 2.2. In this case, the cooling fluid 11 can first undergo a cooling process before it reaches the inlet 2.2, for example by releasing heat to a refrigerant circuit, as has already been done with the aid of the illustration in FIG Fig. 1 was explained.

Fig. 7 shows a configuration similar to that of FIG Fig. 5 , in which several series-connected chambers 6 are provided, which contributes to a more uniform cooling effect. The individual chambers 6 are cascaded to one another. The cooling fluid 11 that collects in a higher chamber 6 in its lower area is guided over a spray device 5 provided in the upper area of a chamber 6 below, so that the cooling fluid 11 successively passes through several spray devices 5. The result is a kind of cascade with a good cooling effect.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the armor element 2 is completely filled with cooling fluid 11. The cooling fluid 3 enters the interior of the armor element 2 via the inlet 2.2 and leaves it via the outlet 2.1, taking the heat coupled into the armor element 2 via the laser radiation with it. Here, too, a cascaded arrangement with several chambers 6 can improve the cooling effect.

Fig. 8 Finally, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 are preceded by a sacrificial plate 7. The sacrificial plate 7 is designed in the manner of a cooling fluid reservoir and acts as a type of passive cooling system in which a certain cooling effect is generated even without the supply of external energy. When bombarded with laser radiation, the cooling fluid 11 provided in the sacrificial plate 7 is first heated before the sacrificial plate 7 is then destroyed after a certain irradiation time. In the area of the point of destruction, ie the point of irradiation of the laser radiation, the cooling fluid 11 provided within the sacrificial plate 3 then gradually emerges under the effect of gravity, with heat likewise being dissipated. The cooling fluid 11 flowing out of the sacrificial plate 7 can also produce a certain cooling effect to wet the armor elements 2 arranged behind it.

In addition to a cooling system 3 of the type described above, the armor elements 2 can also be provided with several optical active bodies 13, 14, 15, which is shown below with reference to the illustrations in FIGS Figures 9 to 12 will be explained in which details of the cooling system 3 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

How this is based on the explanations in the Figures 9 to 12 It becomes clear that the armoring elements 2 can each have a multiplicity of optical active bodies 13, 14, 15 for impairing the radiated laser radiation. This results in a weakening of the intensity of the laser radiation and thus a reduction in the required cooling capacity of the cooling system 3. It is prevented that laser beams act on the object 10 to be protected with an intensity above the damage threshold.

When executing according to Fig. 9 A large number of different active bodies 13 are provided. The active bodies 13 are designed as reflection bodies 13 and are located as loose bulk material in a box-shaped receptacle 2.3 of the armoring element 2. The Optical active bodies 13 have a surface 13.1 consisting of an optically reflective layer. The reflective surface 13.1 can extend over the entire optical active body 13 or only over partial areas of the active body 13. The active body 13 according to the embodiment in Fig. 9 have several surfaces 13.1 extending at an angle to one another, which results in very different planes of reflection.

When a laser beam strikes, it is reflected on the corresponding surface 13.1 of the active body 13. After the reflection has taken place, the laser beam then hits a further active body 13 and is reflected again. With each reflection, the intensity of the laser beam acting on the object 10 decreases, so that - if the armoring element 2 should be irradiated at all, it only hits the object 10 with a significantly reduced intensity. Substantial portions of the laser beam are also directed away from the object 10.

This is based on a different physical principle of action in Fig. 10 armor element 2 shown.

In this case, too, a large number of optical active bodies 14, some of which have different geometries, are provided. An impinging laser beam, such as one in FIG Fig. 10 is shown by way of example in solid lines, impaired by refraction, as a result of which the laser beam expands and thereby loses its intensity. As the dotted lines are intended to illustrate, the laser beam is affected not only by the refraction effects but also by reflections at the interfaces of the active bodies 14. The active bodies 14 are designed as optically transparent refractive bodies 14 for breaking the laser radiation. When a laser beam strikes a surface of the refractive body 14, light is refracted, so that after passing through several consecutive refractive bodies, the laser beam is weakened in such a way that it has a significantly lower intensity when it leaves the protective element 2. The risk of the object 10 being destroyed is also significantly reduced by these active bodies 14. The diameter of the laser beam impinging on the threatening side of the armor element 2 is widened to a multiple by passing through the refractive body 14, whereby the intensity of the laser radiation can be reduced to a non-critical level.

The active bodies 14 can have different geometries according to the schematic representation. It is important that these have surfaces that run at an angle to one another or have round surfaces on which the light is then refracted.

Alternatively or additionally, the active bodies 14 according to the representation in FIG Fig. 10 It is also a matter of so-called steel splitters, which allow parts of the laser radiation with a certain beam property to pass through and reflect other parts of the laser radiation that do not have this beam property. For example, p- and s-polarized beam components can be separated from one another, which also results in a significant reduction in the irradiated laser intensity. For this purpose, polarization filters can be provided on the active bodies 14, for example.

The in Fig. 11 active body 15 shown.

This, too, can according to the representations in the Fig. 9 or 10 can be introduced into an armor element 2 as loose bulk material. The in Fig. 11 The active body 15 shown is a diffraction body 15. This has several diffraction gaps 15.1 at which the incident laser light is diffracted. Diffraction patterns with less intense laser radiation result on the surface of the object 10 to be protected.

As shown in the Figures 9 and 10 the active bodies 13, 14, 15 can always be arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle 2.3 of the armoring element 2. Different active bodies 13, 14, 15 with reflective, refractive and diffractive properties can be arranged in a mixed manner within an armor element 2, preferably as loose bulk material.

It is advantageous in this context if the receptacle 2.3 has a box-shaped geometry and is provided on the threat side with an optically transparent cover in the manner of a lid. The cover can be designed to be optically transparent in the area of the expected laser radiation in a narrow-band wavelength range. This leads to the incident laser beam passing through the cover unhindered and only being impaired by the active bodies 13, 14, 15 located behind it. Destruction of the cover is avoided in this way. Another positive effect occurs in the case of covers that are optically transparent in a wavelength range that can be perceived by the human eye. Because in these, for example, a laser beam in the IR range passes through the cover, behind which it is then impaired by the optical active bodies 13, 14, 15. Since this is imperceptible to the human eye, the attacker cannot easily recognize these effects.

As an alternative or in addition, it is also conceivable that a large number of active bodies 13, 14, 15 are embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threatening side of the armor element 2. Similar to a sun protection cream, a large number of smaller active bodies 13, 14, 15 can be embedded within the carrier material. When a laser attack is detected, the carrier material, and with it the active bodies 13, 14, 15, can then be applied in a targeted manner to the endangered side of the object 10 to be protected. For this purpose, for example, a corresponding line system with several outlet nozzles for applying the in The active body 13, 14, 15 arranged on the carrier material can be provided on a threatened location of the object.

Another alternative arrangement of the active bodies 13, 14, 15 is shown in FIG Fig. 12 shown. In this there are a plurality of active bodies 13, 14, 15 in a kind of curtain arrangement. This type of curtain can be placed on the threat side of an object 10.

By impairing the incident laser radiation by means of a large number of optical active bodies 13, 14, 15, the incident laser radiation can be impaired by reflection, refraction or diffraction in such a way that the intensity of the laser radiation is weakened regardless of the direction of incidence of the incident laser beam. The risk of material failure as a result of very intense radiation is significantly reduced.

In addition, the armor elements 2 can be arranged to be movable with respect to the object 10, which is shown below with reference to the representations in FIGS Figures 13 to 18 will be explained which details of the cooling system 3 as well as the optical active body 13, 14, 15 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

Like the representation in, for example Fig. 13 This illustrates that the armor elements 2 are arranged to be movable with respect to the object 10. This ensures that a laser beam striking the object 10 or the laser armor 1 acts on one and the same point over a longer period of time and, after a certain irradiation time, may have a destructive effect there.

When executing according to Fig. 13 the armor element 2 can be moved in front of the surface 12 of the object 10 to be protected in the vertical direction R ₁ as well as in the horizontal direction R ₂ . Moving the armoring element 2 with respect to the object 10 also results in a relative movement with respect to the incident laser beam, which is why it does not hit the same point for longer periods of time, which significantly reduces the local energy input so that damage to the armoring element 2 is not to be feared stand.

While the representation in Fig. 13 shows two directions of movement of the armor element 2 in an area parallel to the surface 12 of the object 10 to be protected, it is also conceivable to move the armor element 2 additionally or alternatively also transversely to the direction of the surface 12 to be protected. Such a movement moves the armor element 2 in the direction of the incident laser beam. The laser beam emanating from the laser weapon is usually focused directly into the surface of the object 10, since the intensity of the laser radiation is greatest in the focus. By moving the armoring element 2 transversely to the surface 12 of the object 10 to be protected, the armoring element 2 can be moved out of this focal position, as a result of which the intensity of the laser radiation at its point of irradiation is reduced. This also makes it possible to reduce the risk of the armoring element 2 being destroyed by the incident laser radiation.

As shown in Fig. 16 shows, the movements of the armoring element 2 can be initiated via a drive M. The drive M can be a motor drive, such as an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor. The armoring element 2 can be set in motion in a defined manner via the drive M, for example via a type of eccentric gear or similar devices. Since it is not necessary to keep the armoring element 2 constantly in motion, a sensor system S is also provided for detecting the incident laser radiation. These can be light-sensitive sensors that recognize the incident laser radiation. After the laser radiation has been detected, the drive M can then be activated and the armoring element 2 set in motion.

Alternatively or in addition, the armor element 2 can also be resiliently suspended, as shown in FIG Fig. 17 is shown. It can be seen that the armor element 2 is coupled to the object 10 to be protected via a spring 24. Such a resilient suspension is particularly suitable for mobile objects 10 and in particular for military land vehicles. Due to the forces occurring during driving, the armor element 2 is kept in constant motion by deflecting the spring 24. Another advantage of this suspension via springs 24 is that the movement takes place purely stochastically, so that tracking of the laser radiation in accordance with the movements of the armoring element 2 is not possible.

To avoid target tracking of the laser radiation, according to the representations in Figures 14 and 15 a privacy screen 23 is also provided, which will be discussed in detail below.

As shown in Fig. 14 first of all, the visual protection 23 is located on the threat side of the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 and covers this at least partially on the threat side thereof. The armor elements 2 are located in an intermediate area between the privacy screen 23, which is fixedly arranged opposite the object 10, and the object 10. A type of gap results in which the armor elements 2 can be moved. The purpose of the privacy screen 23 is to make the movements of the armor elements 2 invisible to the attacker.

According to the configuration in Fig. 14 the privacy screen 3 is designed in such a way that it covers the edges 2.4 of the armor elements 2 in such a way that they lie in the visual shadow of the privacy screen 23, see also the illustration in FIG Fig. 2 . The overlap of the edges 2.4 of the armor element 2 is selected in such a way that this even with maximum movement of the armor element 2 do not step out of the visual shadow of the screen 23. For the attacker, the movement of the otherwise flat armoring element 2 is therefore not visible and in any case it is not easily possible to track these movements with the laser beam.

An alternative embodiment of the privacy screen 23 is shown in FIG Fig. 15 shown. While the privacy screen 23 in the Figures 13 and 14 covers only the edges of the armor element 2 and otherwise has openings for the laser radiation to pass through, the privacy screen 23 according to FIG Fig. 15 the armor elements 2 over the entire surface. In this arrangement, the armor elements 2 are distributed over the object like tiles and lie completely in the visual shadow of the privacy screen 23. In this embodiment, the privacy screen 23 is kept optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range, for example in the wavelength range of 1064 nm. The optically transparent wavelength range is adapted to the wavelength of the expected laser weapon, in continuation of the above wavelength example to an Nd: YAG laser. The effect achieved by this is the following:

Since the privacy screen 23 is optically transparent for the incident laser beam, it passes through the privacy screen 23 more or less unimpeded and strikes the armor element 2, which moves relative to the object 10. The movements of the armor element 2 are not visible to the attacker, however, since the wavelength of the laser radiation is often outside the range visible to the human eye or at least difficult to see for the attacker due to the narrow band of the optical transparency of the privacy screen 23. The attacker is therefore presented with an image in which the laser beam virtually disappears into the privacy screen 23 without causing any noticeable effect here. Even if one of the armor elements 2 were destroyed, this would not be visible to the attacker 2 due to the privacy screen 23.

Finally, an embodiment which has been improved with regard to its protective effect is shown in FIG Fig. 18 . In this case, the armor _{elements 2 are arranged in several layers L 1} , L 2, which results in a redundant arrangement such that if one of the armor elements 2 of an outer layer L ₂ fails, the laser radiation in a next step to a further inner layer L ₁ meets. The movements of the armor elements 2 are advantageously oriented differently _{in the layers L 1} , L _2.

The armor elements 2 can consist of armor steel and be designed in the manner of ballistically effective armor plates. Alternatively, the protective plates can also be composite armor plates in which a large number of ballistically effective active bodies, for example made of a ceramic material, are embedded in a matrix material. Alternatively or additionally, a configuration with a plurality of optical active bodies 13, 14, 15 can also be provided.

Reference number:

1

Laser armor

2

Armor element

2.1

Outlet

2.2

inlet

2.3

recording

2.4

Edge

3

Cooling system

4th

Cooling circuit

5

Spray device

6th

chamber

7th

Sacrificial plate

8th

Refrigerant circuit

9

Waste heat circuit

10

object

11

Cooling fluid

12th

area

13th

optical active body, reflection body

13.1

surface

14th

optical active body, refractive body

15th

optical active body, diffraction body

15.1

Diffraction slit

23

Privacy screen

24

feather

qab

Waste heat

P.

pump

R1

direction

R2

direction

L1

location

L2

location

M.

drive

S.

Sensors

Claims (15)

1. Armour against laser radiation for protecting an object (10) against laser weapons, having an armour element (2),

   characterized by

   a cooling system (3) for dissipating heat introduced into the armour element (2) by the laser weapons, and a sensor system with light-sensitive sensors which detects the laser radiation and serves for activating the cooling system (3).
2. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cooling system (3) has a cooling fluid (11).
3. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cooling fluid (11), coming from a reservoir, is conducted through the armour element (2).
4. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling fluid (11) heated via the laser radiation is conducted out of an outlet (2.1) provided in the lower region of the armour element (2), and in that cooling fluid (11) of lower temperature is conducted via an inlet (2.2) provided in the upper region of the armour element (2).
5. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling fluid (11) is applied to the armour element (2) via a spray device (5).
6. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 5, characterized in that the spray device (5) is arranged on the threat side of the armour element (2), in the interior of the armour element (2) or on the object side of the armour element (2).
7. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the armour element (2) has a chamber (6) in which the cooling fluid (11) is circulated.
8. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the armour element (2) has multiple flow-connected chambers (6) in which the cooling fluid (11) is circulated.
9. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sacrificial plate (7) filled with cooling fluid (11) is arranged on the threat side of the armour element (2).
10. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the armour element (2) has multiple chambers (6) which are able to be connected to one another, wherein situated in each chamber (6) is one component of a multi-component fluid which, after mixing, generates a cooling effect as a result of a chemical reaction.
11. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that multiple armour elements (2) are provided.
12. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 11, characterized in that the armour elements (2) are provided with separated cooling systems (3), or in that multiple armour elements (2) have a common cooling system (3).
13. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling system (3) has an electrical cooling means, in particular a Peltier element.
14. Method for protecting an object (10) against laser weapons, having armour against laser radiation (1) having an armour element (2),

    characterized

    in that the heat introduced into the armour element (2) via the laser weapons is dissipated via a cooling system (3), and the cooling system (3) is activated via a sensor system with light-sensitive sensors which detects the laser radiation.
15. Vehicle, in particular military vehicle, characterized by armour against laser radiation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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