MX2012010595A

MX2012010595A - Energy-dissipating articles, materials and fibers.

Info

Publication number: MX2012010595A
Application number: MX2012010595A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Gerrad Stephen Allison
Original assignee: Protective Products Entpr Inc
Priority date: 2011-09-15
Filing date: 2012-09-13
Publication date: 2013-03-18
Also published as: US20130160638A1; EP2570764A1; CA2789604A1; BR102012023005A2

Abstract

A fiber (1, 1a) includes at least a first portion (2, 2a) extending axially and including a shear thickening fluid. The fiber (1, 1a) further includes at least a second portion (4, 4a) extending radially outwardly from the first portion (2, 2a). The second portion (2, 2a) extends axially and radially encompasses the first portion (2, 2a) over a length thereof. The shear thickening fluid may, for example, include particles suspended in a liquid phase. The second portion (4, 4a) may, for example, include an abrasion resistant material. The fiber (1, 1a) may further include at least a third portion (8a) extending axially and positioned radially inward of the first portion (2a). The third portion (8a) may, for example, include a material having a higher strength than the second portion (4a).

Description

ARTICLES, MATERIALS AND FIBERS DISSIPATORS OF ENERGY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The fibers and structures formed therefrom have proven to be acceptable for various applications. However, these fibers and structures formed therefrom are susceptible to improvements that can increase the overall performance of the fiber and structure formed therefrom. Therefore, there is a need in the field for improved fibers and structures formed therefrom that progress in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, a fiber includes at least a first portion extending axially and including a re-steaming fluid. The fiber further includes at least a second portion radially outwardly of the first portion. The second portion extends axially and radially comprises the first portion over the length thereof. The re-steaming fluid may include, for example, particles suspended in a liquid phase. In a variety of embodiments, the particles include at least one of an oxide, calcium carbonate or a polymer. For example, the particles may be In a variety of embodiments, the second portion includes at least one polymer. At least the polymer of the second portion may be processable, for example, from a molten phase. In a variety of embodiments, at least the polymer of the second portion is a nylon, a polyester, a polypropylene or a polyethylene.

The second portion may include, for example, an abrasion resistant material. In a variety of embodiments, the abrasion resistant material is an abrasion resistant polymer. The fiber may further include a third axially extending portion that is positioned radially inward of the first portion. The third portion may include, for example, a material having a higher strength than the second portion. The third portion may include, for example, at least one of a high strength polymeric material or a metallic material.

In another aspect, a material includes a plurality of fibers. As described above, each of the plurality of fibers includes at least a first portion extending axially and including a re-steaming fluid. Each of the plurality of fibers further includes at least a second portion radially outwardly of the first portion. The second portion extends axially and radially comprises the first portion over a length thereof.

In a further aspect, a fabric includes a plurality of fibers. As described above, each of the plurality of fibers includes at least a first portion extending axially and including a re-steaming fluid. Each of the plurality of fibers further includes at least a second portion radially outwardly of the first portion. The second portion extends axially and radially comprises the first portion over a length thereof. For example, the plurality of fibers can be woven into the fabric. The plurality of fibers can also be non-woven. For example, the plurality of fibers may be disposed in a unidirectional manner or in a random manner.

In yet a further aspect, a ballistic panel includes at least one layer of a material that includes a plurality of fibers. As described above, each of the plurality of fibers includes at least a first portion extending axially and including a re-steaming fluid. Each of the plurality of fibers further includes at least a second portion radially outwardly of the first portion. The second portion extends axially and radially comprises the first portion over a length thereof.

The present invention, together with the related attributes and advantages thereof, will be better appreciated and understood by considering the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a fiber of the subassembly of Figure IB along the line 1A-1A thereof including a cover or polymeric outer portion enclosing a core or inner portion of a fluid of reoespesamiento.

Figure IB illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of fibers of this document generally oriented parallel to each other, wherein the ends of the fibers are cut to expose the inner core.

Figure 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fiber of the subassembly of Figure ID along the line 1C-1C thereof including a first portion of a re-weighing fluid contained by a second portion of a material polymeric and a third portion radially inward of the first portion.

Figure ID illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of fibers of this document oriented generally parallel to each other, wherein the ends of the fibers are cut to expose the inner core.

Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of the front of an embodiment of a bulletproof vest article including a fabric as illustrated in Figures 1A and IB, wherein an internal front ballistic panel assembly with respect to a carrier Vest is shown in broken lines.

Figure 3 illustrates a top plan view of the back of the bulletproof vest article of Figure 2, wherein the rear closure sections of the opposing closure mechanisms are folded back, wherein an internal rear ballistic panel assembly Regarding the vest carrier it is shown in dashed lines.

Figure 4A illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a subassembly for use in forming a front ballistic panel assembly of the bulletproof vest article of Figure 2.

Figure 4B illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a sub-assembly for use in the formation of a rear ballistic panel assembly of the bulletproof vest article of Figure 2.

Figure 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the subassembly of Figure 4A along the line A-A thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used in this document and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the reference to "a fiber" includes a plurality of these fibers and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the field, and so on, and the reference to "the fiber" is a reference to one or more of these fibers and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the field, and so on.

In a variety of fiber modalities of this document, a fiber 1 includes at least a first portion or a layer 2 of a re-healing fluid as illustrated in Figures 1A and IB. The first portion or layer 2 extends axially through at least a portion of the fiber 1 and typically through the entire fiber. The fiber 1 further includes at least a second axially extending second portion or layer 4 (e.g., formed of a polymeric material) which is positioned radially outwardly of the. first portion 2 and radially comprises the first portion 2 for retaining the re-weighing fluid within the fiber 1 in the manner of, for example, a cover.

In a variety of embodiments, a cover fiber (second portion 4) and core (first portion 2) is extruded where the cover of the second layer 4 is formed of one or more polymers such as nylon 6, nylon 6 polyester, 6, polypropylene, polyethylene (for example, an extremely high molecular weight polyethylene such as DYNEEMAMR, available from DSM, Heelen, The Netherlands) SPECTRAMR, available from Honeywell, Inc.) and / or other polymers and the fiber core It is a dilatant fluid or reoespesamiento (STF, for its acronym in English). In a variety of embodiments, the polymer or polymers of the second portion 4 is processed / extruded from a molten phase.

The fibers of this document may include other portions or layers. For example, the multiple layers of re-healing fluids contained by, for example, layers of polymers in a concentrically generally alternating form. Figure 1C illustrates another embodiment of a fiber which includes at least a first axially extending portion or layer 2a that includes a re-weighing fluid. As in the case of the fiber 1, the fiber also includes at least a second axially extending second portion or layer 4a (for example formed of a polymeric material) which is positioned radially outwardly of the first portion 2a and radially comprises the first portion 2a for retaining the re-steaming fluid within the fiber la. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1C, the fiber further includes a third axially extending portion 8a contained by the second portion 4a. The second portion 4a can be formed, for example, of an abrasion resistant material such as an abrasion resistant polymer. In a variety of embodiments, the abrasion resistant materials used in this document have, for example, an abrasion value of at least 1000 cycles, at least 1500 cycles or at least 1900 cycles when subjected to test in accordance with the ASTM 3884 standard. The third portion 8a can be formed, for example, of a high strength material (for example, a high strength polymer such as DYNEEMAMR or SPECTRAMR) or of a metallic, conductive material. In a variety of embodiments, the high materials used in this document have, for example, a tensile strength of at least 0.25 gigapascals, (GPa), at least 0.75 GPa, at least 1.5 GPa or at least 2.25. GPa.

The STF suitable for use in this document can be formed, for example, as particles suspended in a liquid / solvent phase (for example, an organic solvent or an aqueous solvent). The particles used can be made from various materials including, but not limited to, Si02 (silica) or other oxides, Si02 or other oxides with a polymer (eg, polyethylene glycol), calcium carbonate, or polymers, such as polystyrene , polymethylmethacrylate, polyisobutenes (for example, OPPA OLMR, available from BASF Aktiengesellschaft of Ludwigshafen, Germany) or other polymers of an emulsion polymerization. The particles can be stabilized in solution or dispersed by charge, Brownian motion, adsorbed surfactants and adsorbed or grafted polymers, polyelectrolytes, polyanfolites or oligomers. The shapes of the particles include spherical particles, elliptical particles or disc-like or clay-like particles. The particles can be synthetic minerals and / or of natural origin. Also, the particles may be either monodisperse, bidisperse or polydisperse in shape and size. In a variety of embodiments, particles having a particle size smaller than, for example, 100 microns can be used in the formation of STFs for use in this document.

The solvents or liquid phases used to form the STFs may be, for example, aqueous in nature (ie, water with or without added salts, such as sodium chloride, and buffers to control pH) for particles electrostatically stabilized or stabilized with polymers, or organic (such as ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, ethanol, etc.) or can be based on silicon (such as silicon oils, phenyltrimethicone). The liquid phase can also be composed of compatible mixtures of liquids and can include, for example, free surfactants, polymers and oligomers. The liquids must be environmentally stable so that they remain integrated to the fabric and suspended particles during the service.

The particles are suspended in the liquid to produce a fluid that has re-weating properties. The reoespesamiento does not require a dilatante answer, that is to say, can not be associated with an increase in the volume as it is observed frequently in dry powders or sometimes in suspensions of bigger particles (bigger than 100 micrometers).

Fibers, yarns, fabrics (e.g., woven fabrics or non-woven fabrics), materials and / or articles herein provide a variety of advantages over fibers coated or impregnated with a dilatant fluid or STF. For example, the STF is contained in fluid form in the core of the fibers in this document. The STF applied in a secondary operation such as coating or impregnation is not contained. By containing the STF in the fibers of this document, the STF is much more robust and stable and is less likely to evaporate and / or degrade under higher temperature conditions (eg at summer ambient temperatures or higher temperatures) . Containing the STF in the fiber also provides more uniformity and consistency of the STF than in the current methods which involve application processes such as coating and / or impregnation. The coating and impregnation methods are susceptible, for example, to variations in the uniformity of thickness and coverage. Containing the STF in the fiber will also improve the overall durability of the STF, including its resistance to abrasion, compared to STFs applied to fibers in a secondary operation. However, the energy dissipation can be further improved by coating or impregnation of the outer part of the fabrics of this document with an STF to increase the friction between fibers.

The fabrics formed of fibers of this document can be used, for example, to mitigate a traumatism by forceful force in a ballistic vest when it is hit by a projectile (bullet, point, blade, etc.). The fibers in this document can also be used to mitigate impact damage in other applications (for example, helmets, developed combat helmets (ACH), machine armor, etc.).

Figure 2 illustrates a representative embodiment of a bullet-proof vest article 10 in which a bullet-proof vest carrier is in the form of a vest 20. The vest 20 can be used alone or in operative connection with a connected garment such as a shirt (which is not shown). For example, an outer covering fabric of the bulletproof vest can be sewn to the shirt. A user of the bulletproof vest 10 first puts on the bulletproof vest 10 and then adjusts the bulletproof vest 20 fit using one or more side closure mechanisms. The lightweight, outer carriers in the form of vest-like vests 20 are available from the Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the trademark PARACLETEMR. The vest 20 is provided as a representative example of the use of a fiber fabric of this document in a ballistic panel. A person skilled in the art appreciates that the fibers of this document are suitable · for use in many different uses.

As described above, the bulletproof vest 10 includes ballistic panel assemblies or ballistic resistant panel assemblies that provide resistance to, for example, sharp weapons, sharp objects and ballistic threats. As illustrated by dashed lines in, for example, Figure 2, the vest 20 includes a front, flexible, generally contiguous (hedged) ballistic panel assembly 200. The ballistic panel assembly 200 can be formed as an integral section or an assembly or as a plurality of separate sections or assemblies. However, the coverage provided by the ballistic panel assembly 200 is preferably continuous. The front ballistic panel assembly 200 includes the side sections 210a and 210b adapted to extend around the side of a user. The ballistic panel assembly 200, which includes the side sections 210a and 210b, is enclosed within an outer fabric covering that forms the front portion of the carrier or vest 20. As illustrated by dotted lines in FIG., for example, Figure 3, the vest 20 also includes a ballistic panel assembly, rear, flexible, generally contiguous (in coverage) 300. Like the front ballistic panel assembly 200, the rear ballistic panel assembly 300 is it can form as a section or assembly or as a plurality of separate sections or assemblies. The rear ballistic panel assembly 300 includes side sections 310a and 310b adapted to extend around a user's side. Like the ballistic panel assembly 200, the ballistic panel assembly 300, which includes the side sections 310a and 310b, is enclosed within an outer fabric covering that forms the back of the carrier or vest 20.

Figures 4A through 4C illustrate one embodiment of a ballistic panel assembly or ballistic package of the present invention. Figure 4A illustrates a flexible subassembly 230 for use in the formation of the front ballistic panel assembly 200, while Figure 4B illustrates a flexible subassembly 330 'for use in the formation of the rear ballistic panel assembly 300. The subassemblies 230 and 330 may be designed, for example, for the Type II level of ballistic performance as set forth in Section 2.2 of the Standard of NIJ-0101.06. Performance standards for ballistic panels are discussed, for example, in National Institute of Justice (NU) Standard-0101.06, "Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor". The NIJ-0101-06 standard is a technical document that specifies the minimum performance requirements that the team must meet to meet the requirements of criminal justice agencies and the methods that should be used to test this performance. This standard is used to determine which models of bulletproof vests meet the minimum performance requirements for inclusion in the NIJ Compatible Products List.

In the embodiment of Figures 4A through 4B, each of the front ballistic panel assembly 200 and the rear ballistic panel assembly 300 can be manufactured, for example, using generally the same materials and methods and differing generally only in shape. Figure 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of subassembly 230 along line A-A of Figure 4A. A cross section of subassembly 330 along line A-A of Figure 4B (which is not shown) is identical to that of subassembly 230.

As illustrated in Figure 4C, the subassembly 230 (as well as the subassembly 330) includes, for example, a layer of multiple sheets (eg, 2 sheets) 232 of an aramid fabric on the front, exterior or impact of it. The term "aramid" is an abbreviation of aromatic polyamide. In one embodiment, layer 232 included two sheets of GOLD FLEXMR material available from Honeywell. No adhesive was placed between the sheets of GOLD FLEXMR material. Without limitation to any particular operating mechanism, it is believed that the layer 232 operates, at least in part to alter the shape, deform or flatten a projectile or bullet that impacts the layer 232 so that it has less potential to penetrate any adjacent layer. .

Adjacent the layer 232 is a layer 234 which includes, for example, a plurality of sheets of, for example, an aramid fabric. In one embodiment, layer 234 included, for example, multiple sheets of a TWARONM® woven fabric available from Teijin Aramid BV of Amhem, The Netherlands. The T ARONMR material is a light, very strong para-aramid (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide), which has a high tensile strength and is thermally stable. TWARONMR fabrics also exhibit high chemical and impact resistance. No adhesive was used between the T AR0NMR fabric sheets in layer 234. Without limitation to any particular operating mechanism, it is believed that the projectile or bullet is stopped within layer 234 as a result of, at least in part, the lengthening and breaking of fibers with high tensile strength of the TWARONMR fabric.

Adjacent to the layer 234 is a layer 236 which includes, for example, a fabric formed of fibers 1 forming a rear, interior or dressing face of the sub-assembly 230. The layer 236 may be, for example, a layer of a single sheet metal or a layer of multiple sheets of this cloth material without adhesive between the sheets of the same. The diameter and / or other parameter of the fibers can be varied or optimized to achieve desired results via the application of established engineering principles. The layer 236 may operate, at least in part, to limit the deformation of the wearing face of the subassembly 230 with a ballistic attack thereon to limit the amount of trauma by a forceful force experienced by a wearer of the vest 20. In this respect (and, once again, without limitation to any particular operating mechanism), layer 236 may operate, for example, to distribute the backward propagation of the force of the projectile or bullet over the surface area of the same and assist in limiting deformation of the posterior face or exclusive characteristic of the posterior face (BFS) defined in Section 3.8 of Standard NIJ-0101.06. In this respect, acceptable BFS is the highest degree of indentation in a backing material caused by a non-penetrating impact on the vest under test. As discussed in Section 3.9 of NIJ-0101.06 Standard, the backing material is a homogenous block of oil-based modeling clay that does not harden placed in contact with the back of the vest panel during the ballistic test.

The foregoing description and the associated drawings set forth the preferred embodiments of the invention at present. Of course, various modifications, additions and alternative designs will become apparent to those skilled in the art considering the above teachings without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims must be included within its scope.

Claims

1. A fiber (1, la), characterized in that it comprises: at least a first portion (2, 2a) extending axially and comprising a re-stepping fluid and at least a second portion (4, 4a) that extends radially outside the first portion (2, 2a), the second portion (4, 4a) extends axially and radially comprises the first portion (2, 2a).

2. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 1, characterized in that the re-steaming fluid comprises: particles suspended in a liquid phase.

3. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 2, characterized in that the particles comprise: at least one of an oxide, calcium carbonate or a polymer.

4. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 3, characterized in that the oxide is SiO2.

5. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 3, characterized in that the polymer is a polystyrene, a polymethylmethacrylate or a polyisobutene.

6. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion (4, 4a) comprises: at least one polymer.

7. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 6, characterized in that the polymer of the second portion (4, 4a) is a nylon, a polyester, a polypropylene or a polyethylene.

8. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 6, characterized in that the polymer of the second portion (4, 4a) is processed from a molten phase.

9. The fiber (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion (4, 4a) comprises an abrasion resistant material.

10. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 9, characterized in that the abrasion-resistant material is an abrasion-resistant polymer.

11. The fiber (la) according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises: at least a third portion (8a) that extends axially and that is positioned radially inward of the first portion (2a), the third portion (8a) ) includes a material that has a higher strength than the second portion (4a).

12. The fiber (la) according to claim 11, characterized in that the third portion (8a) comprises: at least one of a high-strength polymeric material or a metallic material.

13. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a flexible subassembly (230, 330) that includes a layer of multiple external impact face plates (232) and a multi-layer intermediate layer ( 234), wherein an outward facing surface of the multi-layered intermediate layer (234) is disposed adjacent the multi-face layer of external impact face (232), wherein an inward facing surface of the multiple layer intermediate sheets (234) are disposed adjacent a fabric layer (236), wherein the fabric layer (236) includes the fiber (1, la).

14. The fiber (1, la) according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: a ballistic panel assembly (200, 300), wherein the ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) includes the flexible subassembly (230, 330) ).

15. A fabric layer (236), characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of fibers (1, la), wherein each of the plurality of fibers (1, la) includes, at least a first portion (2, 2a) that it extends axially and comprising a re-stepping fluid, and at least a second portion (4, 4a) extending radially outwardly of the first portion (2, 2a), the second portion (4, 4a) extending axially and radially comprising the first portion (2, 2a).

16. The fabric layer (236) according to claim 15, characterized in that the plurality of fibers (1, la) is woven.

17. The fabric layer (236) according to claim 15, characterized in that the plurality of fibers (1, la) is not woven.

18. The fabric layer (236) according to claim 15, characterized in that the plurality of fibers (1, la) is disposed in a unidirectional manner or in a random manner.

19. The fabric layer (236) according to claim 15, characterized in that the fabric layer (236) is an inner layer of a flexible subassembly (230, 330), wherein the flexible subassembly (230, 330) comprises : a multi-face layer of external impact face (232) including a first aramid fabric, a middle multiple layer layer (234) including a second aramid fabric, wherein an outward facing surface of the aramid layer multiple intermediate plates (234) is disposed adjacent to the layer of multiple outer impact facing plates (232), wherein an inward facing surface of the intermediate multi-layer layer (234) is disposed adjacent to the fabric layer ( 236).

20. The fabric layer (236) according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises: a ballistic panel assembly (200, 300), wherein the ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) includes the flexible sub-assembly (230, 330).

21. The fabric layer (236) according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the plurality of fibers (1, la) further comprises: at least a third portion (8a) that extends axially and that is positioned radially towards inside the first portion (2a), the third portion (8a) includes a material having a higher resistance than the second portion (4a).

22. A ballistic panel assembly (200, 300), characterized in that it comprises: at least one layer (236) of a material including a plurality of fibers (1, la), each of the plurality of fibers (1, la) includes at least a first portion (2, 2a) extending axially and comprising a re-stepping fluid, and at least a second portion (4, 4a) extending radially outwardly of the first portion (2, 2a) ), the second portion (4, 4a) extends axially and radially comprises the first portion (2, 2a).

23. The ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) according to claim 22, characterized in that at least the layer (236) of the material including the plurality of fibers (1, la) is in the form of a fabric.

24. The ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) according to claim 23, characterized in that the plurality of fibers (1, la) forming the fabric is woven.

25. The ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) according to claim 23, characterized in that the plurality of fibers (1, la) forming the fabric is not woven.

26. The ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) according to claim 23, characterized in that the plurality of fibers (1, la) forming the fabric is disposed in a unidirectional manner or in a random manner.

27. The ballistic panel assembly (200, 300) according to claim 22, characterized in that each of the plurality of fibers (1, la) further comprises: at least a third portion (8a) that extends axially and that is positioned radially inwardly of the first portion (2a), the third portion (8a) includes a material having a higher strength than the second portion (4a).