EP3019817B1 - Anti-laser armor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to laser armor for protecting an object, in particular a vehicle, against laser weapons a vehicle, in particular a military vehicle, with laser armor. Increasingly, for example, in the field of air defense and combating mobile and immobile targets on land different Types of laser weapons used that focus a high-energy laser beam on a target to be engaged.

Due to the energy introduced via the laser beam, the target in the area of the point of incidence of the laser radiation is locally strongly heated, which can lead to impairment of the object up to its complete destruction after only a short irradiation time.

In this context, it has proven to be problematic in military land vehicles, for example, that the armor elements provided on these are able to develop a good protective effect against ballistic projectiles or explosive devices, for example, but are largely ineffective in the event of a laser attack. This is mainly due to the fact that large amounts of energy are introduced via the laser beam into the armored element, which consists for example of armored steel, in a locally limited space, which can lead to destruction of the armored element after only a short exposure time.

the FR2 860 065 A1 relates to a system for protecting an object against a threat with a moveable shield, where the shield can be moved to protect the object at the point where the threat impacts the object.

the EP 1 959 222 A1 relates to a device for protecting a window of a vehicle by means of an armor plate which is designed to be movable relative to the window to provide different levels of protection.

The object of the invention is to specify laser armor in which the protective effect against laser fire is significantly improved compared to conventional armor.

This problem is solved by a laser armor that has the features of patent claim 1 .

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 impinging on the object. This avoids an energy input that is locally limited to a single irradiation point. Depending on the movement of the armor element, the energy of the laser beam is coupled into the armor element not locally at just one irradiation point, but distributed over a larger area along the path of movement of the armor element. The risk of material failure as a result of the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced.

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 parallel movement. By moving transversely to the area to be protected, the protective element can be moved out of the focus position of the laser beam, as a result of which the energy density at the point of incidence can also be reduced.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the armor element is arranged to be movable in several directions. For example, can the armor element can be moved in a substantially vertical and additionally in a substantially horizontal direction.

A further embodiment provides that the armoring element is designed to be movable via a drive, in particular an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. Defined movement sequences can be transferred to the armored element via the drive.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the armoring 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.

According to the invention, a privacy screen is provided, through which the movements of the armor element are hidden. The movements of the armor element are not visible to the attacker due to the protective shield arranged in the path of the laser beam. The protection is placed on the threat side of the armor element. It is therefore not possible for the attacker to anticipate the movements and to try to track the laser beam to the movements of the armored element in order in this way to target a specific point of the armored element under constant fire.

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

A constructively advantageous embodiment provides that the helmet is designed to be fixed and the armored element is movable in the shadow of the helmet.

A further configuration that is advantageous in terms of construction provides that the armoring element is arranged in an intermediate area between an outer surface of the object to be protected and the protective shield.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the protective shield be designed to be optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range. The wavelength range in which the shield is optically transparent can be adjusted according to the wavelength of the laser weapon. In this case, the protective shield is transparent for the laser beam, so that it is not affected by irradiation and the laser beam passes through the protective shield unhindered. This configuration is particularly useful for laser radiation in the UV or IR wavelength range, which is outside the spectrum that can be optically perceived by the human eye. In this case, the laser beam shines unhindered through the armor onto the armor element moving behind the armor, but this cannot be seen by the attacker. To the attacker, the statation appears as if the laser beam was being absorbed by the area, without having any effect at all.

For extensive protection of large-area objects, it is advantageous if the laser armor has a plurality of armor-plating elements arranged in a movable manner, which are arranged in a tile-like manner distributed over the object to be protected. In this way, protection of larger objects can also be realized with armor-plating elements designed essentially as identical parts. Should one of the armor elements, for example, be damaged by the enemy Damaged by laser fire, it can be easily swapped out for a new piece of armor. The armor elements can be designed as protective modules that can be attached to or removed from the object in 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. A redundant arrangement of the armoring elements results in such a way that if an outer layer of armoring elements fails, the laser beam strikes a layer lying further inside.

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

According to the invention, it is provided that the laser armor has a sensor system for detecting the laser radiation. In the case of laser beam detection by means of the sensors, the armored elements can be set in motion automatically. It is not necessary to constantly move the armor elements, but only in the event of a specific threat situation, which is reliably detected by the sensors.

A further advantageous embodiment of the laser armor provides that it has a cooling system for dissipating heat introduced into the armor element by the laser weapons. The heat introduced into the armored 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, an input of heat in the area of the irradiation point that is above the destruction 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 again significantly reduced.

A configuration that is advantageous with regard to its cooling capacity provides that the cooling system has a cooling fluid. Larger amounts of heat can also be transported away in a simple manner via the cooling fluid.

In this context, it is advantageous if the cooling fluid circulates in a cooling circuit that is routed through the armored element. The cooling circuit can be a closed circuit to which heat introduced via the laser radiation is supplied in the area of the armored element, which heat is then transported away via the cooling fluid and released at a delivery point. In order 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. Comparatively large amounts of heat can be dissipated by the refrigerant used as cooling fluid, which is subject to constant phase transformation in such a refrigerant circuit.

A constructively advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid coming from a reservoir is guided through the armored element. A certain amount of cooling fluid can be stored in the reservoir. In the event of a laser bombardment, the cooling fluid can be taken 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 heated form, for example in the direction of the vehicle environment.

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

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

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

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the armoring element has a chamber 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 hits the sacrificial plate, it is first heated by the impinging laser beam. The fluid arranged inside the sacrificial plate also heats up 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 incidence of the laser radiation. The cooling fluid flowing from above under the influence of gravity continues to cool the irradiation area, which results in a certain cooling effect before the laser beam hits the actual armor plate after destroying the sacrificial plate.

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 a plurality of chambers that can be connected to one another, with each chamber containing one component of a multi-component 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 by constructing and arranging partition walls in such a way that they are destroyed by the impinging laser radiation. Alternatively, a controllable device for connecting the respective chambers can be provided between the individual chambers. For example, a valve can be provided between the chambers for this purpose.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that several armoring elements are provided. In particular, it can have a variety of armor elements distributed over the object to be protected, 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 configuration that is advantageous in terms of construction because it is simple provides that several armoring elements have a common cooling system. A comparatively simple structure results, since not every armor element has 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 be attached, for example, to the object-side rear side of the armoring element and develop a cooling effect there by being energized.

An advantageous embodiment provides that a sensor system recognizing the laser radiation is provided for triggering an armoring element. The sensors detecting the laser radiation can be light-sensitive sensors. As soon as they detect an impinging laser radiation, the cooling system can be activated and the resulting heat dissipated and/or the movement of the armored element can be initiated.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the armoring element has a multiplicity of optical active bodies for impairing the irradiated laser radiation. By impairment of the irradiated laser radiation an improved protective effect is achieved by means of a large number of optical active bodies. 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 further reduced by the impairment of the radiation. Due to the large number of optical active bodies, the impairment can occur largely independently of the angle of incidence of the laser radiation.

In this context, an advantageous embodiment provides that the active bodies for reflecting the laser radiation are designed as reflection bodies. By reflecting the laser radiation, significant parts of the laser radiation can be repelled from 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 their 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 up the laser radiation are designed as refraction bodies. Refraction of the laser radiation can also affect it. For example, a laser beam can be widened by refraction effects, resulting in lower intensities at the point of incidence.

In this context, it is advantageous if the refractive bodies consist of an optically transparent material. The refractive bodies themselves are therefore hardly affected by the laser radiation when they strike them. The laser radiation penetrates the refractive bodies without significantly heating them up. Refraction at the edges of the refraction bodies causes the laser radiation to expand or scatter, so that it only hits the object located behind it with a significantly lower intensity.

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

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

In this context, a constructively advantageous embodiment provides 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 effective direction of the laser radiation. This results in a type of stepped protection arrangement in which, after failure or after passing through an active body located further ahead, the laser radiation then hits another active body. The active bodies are advantageously arranged to each other that a gradual impairment of the laser radiation combined with a gradual reduced beam intensity.

In order to obtain a uniform protective effect against laser radiation radiating in from a wide variety of directions, it is proposed in a further embodiment of the invention that the submunitions are arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle of the armor element. Due to the arrangement of the submunitions as loose bulk material, they do not have a preferred orientation, but are stochastically distributed within the corresponding receptacle. In this respect, certain submunitions are always optimally aligned with different irradiation directions.

In this context, it is advantageous if the recording is designed to be optically transparent, at least on the threat side, in the wavelength range of the laser weapons. In this way, the incoming laser beam initially passes unhindered through the receptacle before it then strikes the optical active bodies arranged in the receptacle. A destruction of the recording by the incoming laser radiation and thus, for example, an escape of the active body arranged as bulk material is avoided.

An alternative or additional embodiment provides that the submunitions are arranged in the manner of a protective curtain. The submunitions can be arranged like a curtain around the object to be protected. The curtain can be opened or closed depending on whether a laser threat is present or not.

A further embodiment provides that the submunitions are embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threat side of the armor element. The carrier material can in particular be pasty Act material in which the submunitions are embedded. Similar to sun cream, the carrier material together with the active bodies can then be applied to threatened areas, for example via a nozzle, if laser radiation is detected.

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

A further embodiment provides that the submunitions are spherical. For example, reflection or refraction effects can be used on the spherical surfaces to impair the laser radiation.

According to the invention, all of the previously described configurations of armor elements with a plurality of optical active bodies can also be implemented in the previously described configurations of armor elements with a cooling system.

In addition, a method according to claim 11 is proposed to solve the above problem.

The laser armouring for carrying out the method is advantageously designed in accordance with one or more of the features described above.

According to the invention, it is provided that the laser radiation is detected via the sensor system and the armouring element is automatically set in motion when the laser radiation is detected. It is therefore not necessary to use the armor element constantly in motion, but the armor element can be set in motion in a targeted manner in the event of a threat situation.

According to the invention, it is provided that the movements of the armoring element are covered by a protective shield in such a way that they are not visible. In any case, it is not easily possible for an attacker to track the laser beam to the movements of the armor element in order to achieve a local energy input in this way.

Finally, to solve the above-mentioned problem, a vehicle is proposed which is characterized by laser armor of the type described above. The advantages mentioned in connection with the laser armor also result from such a vehicle.

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

eine Detailansicht der Laserpanzerung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine seitliche Schnittansicht einer Ausgestaltung der Laserpanzerung,

Fig. 4

eine seitliche Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausgestaltung der Laserpanzerung,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Laserpanzerung,

Fig. 6

eine weitere seitliche Schemaansicht einer Laserpanzerung und

Fig. 7

eine weitere seitliche Schnittansicht auf ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Laserpanzerung.

Fig. 8 -13

in schematischer Ansicht verschiedene Ausgestaltungen einer Laserpanzerung, bei welcher die Panzerungselemente mit einem Kühlsystem versehen sind,

Fig. 14

eine Laserpanzerung mit einer zusätzlich vorgesehenen Opferplatte,

Fig. 15 - 18

schematische Ansichten unterschiedlicher Ausführungen von Panzerungselementen mit optischen Wirkkörpern.

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 laser armor are explained below with reference to the attached drawing of exemplary embodiments. Show in it:

1

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

2

a detailed view of the laser armor according to 1 ,

3

a side sectional view of an embodiment of the laser armor,

4

a side sectional view of a further embodiment of the laser armor,

figure 5

a schematic side view of a laser armor,

6

another schematic side view of a laser armor and

7

another side sectional view of another embodiment of a laser armor.

Figures 8-13

a schematic view of various configurations of laser armor, in which the armor elements are provided with a cooling system,

14

a laser armor with an additionally provided sacrificial plate,

15 - 18

schematic views of different designs of armor elements with optical missiles.

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

The object 10 can be an immobile object, such as a building, 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, including according to the invention all beam weapons working by means of bundled radiation are to be understood.

As already shown in 1 can be seen, the laser armor 1 consists of several tile-like armor elements 2 distributed over the object, which are arranged in front of a surface 11 of the object 10 to be protected. While the representation in 1 an embodiment of the protective arrangement 1 can be seen in which the armoring elements are only arranged on one side of the object 10, it goes without saying that the laser armoring 1 can also comprise armoring elements 2 on the other sides of the object 10, which primarily depends on from which side the threat is to be expected. In the case of a military vehicle, it makes sense to provide all sides of the vehicle as well as the vehicle roof with armoring elements 2 and not to armor the vehicle floor against laser bombardment, since the bombardment using laser weapons usually takes place from the side or from above.

As shown, for example, in 2 This illustrates the armor elements 2 are arranged relative to the object 10 movable. This ensures that a laser beam impinging on 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, possibly has a destructive effect.

When executing according to 2 the armor element 2 is movable in front of the surface 11 of the object 10 to be protected in the vertical direction R ₁ as well as in the horizontal direction R ₂ . The movement of the armor element 2 in relation to the object 10 also results in a relative movement in relation to the impinging laser beam, which is why it does not hit one and the same point over longer periods of time, with the result that the local energy input becomes clear is reduced, so that destruction of the armor element 2 is not to be feared.

While the representation in 2 shows two directions of movement of the armoring element 2 in a surface parallel to the surface 11 of the object 10 to be protected, it is also conceivable to move the armoring element 2 additionally or alternatively transversely to the direction of the surface 11 to be protected. Such a movement moves the armor element 2 in the direction of the impinging 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 11 of the object 10 to be protected, the armoring element 2 can be moved out of this focus position, as a result of which the intensity of the laser radiation is reduced at its point of incidence. This also makes it possible to reduce the risk of armor-plating element 2 being destroyed by the impinging laser radiation.

As shown in figure 5 shows, the movements of the armor 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 armor 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 armored 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 detect the incident laser radiation. After detecting the laser radiation, the drive M can then be controlled and the armored element 2 can be set in motion.

According to an embodiment not covered by the independent patent claims, the armor element 2 can alternatively or additionally also be resiliently suspended, as is shown in 6 is shown. It can be seen that the armor element 2 is coupled to the object 10 to be protected via a spring 4 . 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 constantly kept in motion by deflecting the spring 4 . Another advantage of this suspension via springs 4 is that the movement occurs purely stochastically, so that it is not possible to track the laser radiation in accordance with the movements of the armor element 2 .

To avoid a target tracking of the laser radiation is according to the illustrations in the Figures 3 and 4 also provided a Schtschutz 3, which will be discussed in detail below.

As shown in 3 can initially be seen, the Schtschutz 3 is on the threat side of the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 and covers them to the threat side at least partially. The armoring elements 2 are located in an intermediate area between the protective device 3, which is arranged in a fixed position opposite the object 10, and the object 10. A kind of gap results, in which the armoring elements 2 can be moved. The purpose of the Schtschutz 3 is to make the movements of the armor elements 2 invisible to the attacker.

According to the design in 3 the protection 3 is designed in such a way that it covers the edges 2.1 of the armor elements 2 in such a way that they lie in the shadow of the protection 3, see also the illustration in FIG 2 .

The overlapping of the edges 2.1 of the armoring element 2 is selected in such a way that they do not protrude from the shadow of the armoring element 3 even with maximum movement of the armoring element 2. For the attacker, the movement of the otherwise flat armor element 2 cannot be recognized and it is in any case not easily possible to follow these movements with the laser beam.

An alternative embodiment of the Schtschutz 3 is in 4 shown. While Schtschutz 3 in the 2 and 3 in each case only covers the edges of the armor element 2 and otherwise has openings for the passage of the laser radiation, covers the protective shield 3 according to FIG 4 the armor elements 2 over the entire surface. In this arrangement, the armor elements 2 are distributed in tiles over the object and lie completely in the shadow of the protective shield 3. In this embodiment, the protective shield 3 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 matched to the wavelength of the expected laser weapon, continuing the wavelength example above to an Nd:YAG laser. The effect achieved by this is the following:

Since the protective shield 3 is optically transparent to the impinging laser beam, the laser beam passes through the protective shield 3 almost unhindered and hits the armored element 2 , which moves relative to the object 10 . However, the movements of the armor element 2 are not visible to the attacker since the wavelength of the laser radiation is often outside the range visible to the human eye or at least difficult for the attacker to see due to the narrow band of the optical transparency of the armor 3 . The attacker is therefore presented with an image in which the laser beam virtually disappears into the protective shield 3 without here produce a significant effect. Because even if one of the armor elements 2 were to be destroyed, the attacker 2 would not be able to see this because of the armor protection 3 .

Finally, the representation in FIG 7 . In this case, the protective elements ₂ are arranged in several layers _L1 , L2, resulting in a redundant arrangement such that if one of the armored elements ₂ of an outer layer L2 fails, in a next step the laser radiation is directed to a further inner layer _L1 meets. The movements of the protective elements 2 are advantageously aligned differently in the positions L ₁ , L ₂ .

In the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 7 the armor elements 2 consist of armor steel and are designed in the manner of ballistically effective armor plates. Alternatively, the armor elements 2 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.

Two further, particularly advantageous configurations of the armor elements 2, which are equipped with a cooling system 13 and/or optical active bodies 23, 24, 25 to improve the protective effect against laser radiation, will be discussed below.

First, based on the representations in the Figures 8 to 14 an embodiment of the armoring elements 2 will be discussed, which is characterized in that the armoring elements 2 have a cooling system 13 for dissipating heat introduced into the armoring element 2 by the laser weapons. Details of the movement of the armor elements 2 opposite the object 10 are in the Figures 8 to 14 not shown for reasons of clarity.

The cooling system 13 is an active cooling system 13 to which energy is supplied for the purpose of cooling, for example to operate a cooling unit or to operate pumps P.

Several armor elements 2 can have a common cooling system 13 or, alternatively, each armor element 2 can be equipped with its own cooling system 13, see example 11 .

The armor elements 2 can each have a part of a cooling circuit 14 . The armoring elements 2 can be distributed in a scale-like manner over a surface of the object 10 to be protected and the cooling circuit 4 can be routed in a meandering manner through several armoring elements 2, care being taken to ensure that the movements of the armoring elements 2 relative to the object are not impaired by the cooling circuit 14 .

The armor elements 2 each have pipe sections that can be connected to corresponding pipe sections of an adjacent armor element 2 so that they can move relative to one another, in order to form a closed cooling circuit 14 in this way. A cooling fluid 18 flows within the cooling circuit 14, which absorbs heat as it passes through the armored elements 2 and emits it elsewhere as waste heat.

The cooling circuit 4 can, for example, be connected to a waste heat circuit via a refrigerant circuit forming a type of cooling unit. Such refrigerant circuits usually consist of an evaporator, in which the cooling fluid heated by the laser radiation, releasing heat evaporation of the refrigerant flowing within the refrigerant circuit. The vaporized refrigerant is fed via a compressor into a heat exchanger, in which the refrigerant releases its heat to the waste heat circuit. Here, the refrigerant liquefies in parts, after which it is then returned to the evaporator via a throttle, where it then evaporates while again absorbing energy introduced via the laser radiation. The result is an arrangement in which large amounts of heat can be dissipated due to the intermediate refrigerant circuit. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable to dissipate the heat absorbed by the cooling fluid 18 in a different way and in particular without a refrigerant circuit.

While a laser armor 1 with a closed cooling circuit 14 was described above, configurations are also conceivable in which the cooling fluid 18 does not necessarily circulate in a closed cooling circuit 14 .

In the statements according to the Figures 8 to 10 a spray device 15 is provided in each case. Via this, the cooling fluid 18 is atomized under increased pressure and applied to a surface of the armored element 2 that is to be cooled.

When executing according to 8 the spray devices 15 are arranged in such a way that the threat side of the armor elements 2 is sprayed. Through continuous spraying, the cooling fluid 18 absorbs and dissipates heat as it flows down.

The design according to is of a very similar construction 10 , in which the spray devices 15 are not on the threat side but on the object side the armor elements 2 are arranged. The spray devices 15 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 9 the spray devices 15 are arranged inside the armor elements 2. The spray devices 15 are supplied with cooling fluid 18 via an inlet 2.2. The cooling fluid 18 is sprayed into the interior of the armoring elements 2 via the spray devices 15 in such a way that the latter is wetted with cooling fluid 18 over a large area. The cooling fluid 18 flows downwards under the influence of gravity and finally leaves the armor element 2 via outlets 2.3. The cooling fluid 18 can then either escape into the environment or be cooled in a cooling circuit 14 and then fed back into the interior of the armored element 2 via the inlet 2.2.

11 shows an embodiment of an armor element 2 in which an armor element 2 is provided with a separate cooling system 13 . A separate cooling circuit 14 is assigned to the armor element 2 . The inlet 2.2 is located in the upper area of the armor element 2, or in the embodiment according to FIG 11 two inlets 2.2. A spray device 15 is arranged in the area of each inlet 2.2, via which the cooling fluid 18 is sprayed into the interior of the armored element 2. The interior of the armor element 2 has a chamber 16 . In the lower end area of the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 18 collects within the chamber 16 and leaves it via the outlet 2.3. After leaving the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 18 is driven by a pump P after flowing through the cooling circuit 14 and fed back to the inlet 2.2. The cooling fluid 18 can first go through a cooling before reaching the inlet 2.2, for example by giving off heat to a refrigerant circuit, as has already been explained.

12 shows an embodiment similar to that of 11 , in which several chambers 16 connected in series are provided, which contributes to a more even cooling effect. The individual chambers 16 are arranged in cascade with one another. The cooling fluid 18 that collects in the lower area of a higher chamber 16 is guided over a spray device 15 provided in the upper area of a chamber 16 below, so that the cooling fluid 18 successively runs through several spray devices 15 . A kind of cascade results with a good cooling effect.

13 shows an embodiment in which the armoring element 2 is completely filled with cooling fluid 18 . The cooling fluid 3 enters the interior of the armoring element 2 via the inlet 2.2 and leaves it via the outlet 2.3, taking with it the heat coupled into the armoring element 2 via the laser radiation. Here, too, a cascaded arrangement with a plurality of chambers 16 can improve the cooling effect.

14 finally shows an embodiment in which the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 are preceded by a sacrificial plate 17 . The sacrificial plate 17 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 by laser radiation, the cooling fluid 18 provided in the sacrificial plate 17 is first heated before the sacrificial plate 17 is then destroyed after a certain irradiation time. In the area of the destruction point, ie the point of a beam of the laser radiation, the cooling fluid 18 provided within the sacrificial plate 17 then gradually escapes under the action of gravity, with heat also being dissipated. Even the cooling fluid 18 flowing out of the sacrificial plate 17 can produce a wetting of the armor-plating elements 2 arranged behind it, likewise with application of a certain cooling effect.

As an alternative or in addition to the cooling system 13, the armor elements 2 can also have optical active bodies 23, 24, 25 for impairing the irradiated laser radiation, which is explained below using the illustrations in FIGS Figures 15 to 18 will be received. Details of the movement of the armor elements 2 and the cooling system 13 are in the Figures 15 to 18 not shown for reasons of clarity.

The armor elements 2 each have a multiplicity of optical active bodies 23, 24, 25 for impairing the incident 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 13 . Laser beams with an intensity above the damage threshold of the object 10 to be protected are prevented from affecting the latter.

When executing according to 15 a large number of different submunitions 23 are provided. The active bodies 23 are designed as reflection bodies 23 and are located as loose bulk material in a box-shaped receptacle 2.4 of the armor element 2. The optical active bodies 23 have a surface 23.1 consisting of an optically reflecting layer. The reflecting surface 23.1 can extend over the entire optical active body 23 or only over partial areas of the active body 23. The submunitions 23 according to the embodiment in 15 have several surfaces 23.1 extending at an angle to one another, resulting in very different reflection planes.

When a laser beam hits it, it is reflected on the corresponding surface 23.1 of the active body 23. After the reflection has taken place, the laser beam then hits another submunition 23 and is reflected again. With each reflection, the intensity of the laser beam acting on the object 10 decreases, so that it—if the armor element 2 should be penetrated at all—impinges on the object 10 only with a significantly reduced intensity. In addition, significant parts of the laser beam are deflected away from the object 10 .

The in is based on a different physical operating principle 16 shown armor element 2.

In this case, a multiplicity of optical active bodies 24, some of which have different geometries, are also provided. An impinging laser beam, such as one in 16 is shown as an example in solid lines, affected by refraction, whereby the laser beam widens and thereby loses intensity. As the dotted lines are intended to illustrate, the laser beam is not only impaired by the refraction effects but also by reflections at the boundary surfaces of the active bodies 24. The active bodies 24 are designed as optically transparent refracting bodies 24 for refracting the laser radiation. When a laser beam hits a surface of the refractive body 24, light is refracted, which, after passing through several refractive bodies 24 arranged one behind the other, weakens the laser beam such 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 this submunition 24 . The diameter of the laser beam impinging on the threat side of the armor element 2 is expanded many times over by passing through the refractive bodies 24, whereby the intensity of the laser radiation can be reduced to an uncritical level.

According to the schematic illustration, the active bodies 24 can have different geometries. It is important that these have surfaces angled towards one another or round surfaces on which the light is then refracted.

Alternatively or additionally, the submunitions 24 as shown in 16 also be so-called beam splitters, which let through parts of the laser radiation with a specific beam property and reflect other parts of the laser radiation that do not have these beam properties. For example, p- and s-polarized beam components can be separated from one another, which also results in a significant reduction in the incident laser intensity. For this purpose, for example, polarization filters can be provided on the active bodies 24 .

The in 17 shown submunitions 25.

This can also according to the illustrations in the 15 or 16 can be introduced into an armor element 2 as loose bulk material. At the in 4 active body 25 shown is a diffraction body 25. This has several diffraction gaps 25.1, at which the incident laser light is diffracted. Diffraction patterns result with a less intense laser radiation on the surface of the object 10 to be protected.

As shown in the 15 and 16 the submunitions 23, 24, 25 can always be stored as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle 2.4 of the Armor element 2 are arranged. Within an armor element 2, different active bodies 23, 24, 25 with reflective, refractive and diffractive properties can be arranged mixed, preferably as loose bulk material.

It is advantageous in this connection if the receptacle 2.4 has a box-shaped geometry and is provided with an optically transparent cover in the manner of a lid on the threat side. The cover can be designed to be optically transparent in the area of the expected laser radiation in a narrow-band wavelength range. This means that the impinging laser beam passes unhindered through the cover and is only impaired by the submunitions 23, 24, 25 behind it. Destruction of the cover is avoided in this way. Another positive effect occurs with covers that are optically transparent in a wavelength range that is outside the range of wavelengths that can be perceived by the human eye. Because with 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 23, 24, 25. Since this is imperceptible to the human eye, the attacker cannot easily recognize these effects.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that a large number of submunitions 23, 24, 25 are embedded in a carrier material, which can be applied to the threat side of the armor element 2. Similar to sunscreen cream, a large number of smaller active bodies 23, 24, 25 can be embedded within the carrier material. When a laser attack is detected, the carrier material and with it the submunitions 23, 24, 25 can then be deployed in a targeted manner on 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 active bodies 23, 24, 25 arranged in the carrier material to a threatened area of the object.

Another alternative arrangement of the submunitions 23, 24, 25 is in 18 shown. In this there are a variety of submunitions 23, 24, 25 in a kind of curtain arrangement. This type of curtain can be placed on the threat side of an object 10.

By impairing the irradiated laser radiation by means of a large number of optical active bodies 23, 24, 25, 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.

References:

1

laser armor

2

armor element

2.1

edge

2.2

inlet

2.3

outlet

2.4

admission

3

protection

4

feather

10

object

11

surface

13

cooling system

14

cooling circuit

15

spray device

16

chamber

17

sacrificial plate

18

cooling fluid

23

optical active body, reflection body

23.1

surface

24

optical active body, refractive body

25

optical active body, diffraction body

25.1

diffraction slit

R1

direction

R2

direction

L1

position

L2

position

M

drive

S

sensors

P

pump

Claims (12)

1. Anti-laser armour for protecting an object (10), in particular a vehicle, from laser weapons, having an armour element (2) that can be arranged on the object (10), wherein the armour element (2) can be arranged so as to be movable in respect of the object (10), having a sensor (S) for identifying laser radiation,
   characterized by
   a screen (3) concealing the movements of the armour element (2), wherein the laser armour is configured in such a manner that the laser radiation is detected by means of the sensor (S) and when laser radiation is detected, the armour element (2) is automatically set in relative motion with respect to the detected laser radiation, the laser radiation does not act on one and the same point over a prolonged period of time.
2. Anti-laser armour according to Claim 1, characterized in that the armour element (2) is arranged in front of a surface (11) of the object (10) which is to be protected and is arranged so as to be movable in a direction parallel to, or transverse to, the surface (11) being protected.
3. Anti-laser armour according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the armour element (2) is arranged so as to be movable in multiple directions (R₁, R₂).
4. Anti-laser armour according to Claim 1, characterized in that the screen (3) at least covers the edges (2.1) of the armour element (2).
5. Anti-laser armour according to Claim 1 or Claim 4, characterized in that the screen (3) is stationary and the armour element (2) is movable in the area of obstructed view of the screen (3).
6. Anti-laser armour according to one of Claims 1, 4 or Claim 5, characterized in that the armour element (2) is arranged in an intermediate region between an outer surface of the object (10) being protected and the screen (3).
7. Anti-laser armour according to one of Claims 1 or 5 to 6, characterized in that the screen (3) is optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range.
8. Anti-laser armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by multiple armour elements (2) arranged so as to be movable, which are distributed over the object (1) in a tile-like manner.
9. Anti-laser armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by armour elements (2) arranged in multiple layers (L₁, L₂).
10. Anti-laser armour according to Claim 9, characterized in that each layer (L₁, L₂) comprises multiple armour elements (2), wherein the movement directions of the armour elements (2) in two adjacent layers (L₁, L₂) are different.
11. Method for protecting an object from laser weapons by means of anti-laser armour (1) having an armour element (2) arranged on the object (10), wherein the armour element (2) is moved with respect to the object (10), wherein laser radiation is detected by means of a sensor (S),
    characterized in that
    the movements of the armour element (2) are concealed by a screen in such a manner that said movements are not visible, wherein when laser radiation is detected, the armour element (2) is automatically set in relative motion with respect to the detected laser radiation that is occurring, and the laser radiation does not act on one and the same point over a prolonged period.
12. Vehicle, in particular military vehicle, characterized by laser armour according to one of Claims 1 to 10.

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