US20150268005A1 - Louver armor - Google Patents
Louver armor Download PDFInfo
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- US20150268005A1 US20150268005A1 US14/220,797 US201414220797A US2015268005A1 US 20150268005 A1 US20150268005 A1 US 20150268005A1 US 201414220797 A US201414220797 A US 201414220797A US 2015268005 A1 US2015268005 A1 US 2015268005A1
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- armor
- slats
- low density
- arrangement
- module according
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
- F41H5/02—Plate construction
- F41H5/023—Armour plate, or auxiliary armour plate mounted at a distance of the main armour plate, having cavities at its outer impact surface, or holes, for deflecting the projectile
- F41H5/026—Slat armour; Nets
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
- F41H5/013—Mounting or securing armour plates
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- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
Abstract
An armor module for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction. The armor module comprising a ballistic armor unit, and a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water.
Description
- This application claims priority to Israel Application No. 225379 filed on 21 Mar. 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
- The subject matter of the present application is in the field of ballistic armor, in particular, in the field of slat armor.
- Armored vehicle protection systems include means for withstanding the impact of shrapnel, bullets, missiles, or shells, and/or for neutralizing the triggering mechanism of weapons, such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). These protection systems are implemented in vehicles, such as tanks, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), aircraft, and ships, however may also be utilized to protect any stationary structures, such as a guard towers deployed around military bases, and army post, etc.
- One example of a common weapon used against vehicles is an RPG, which is typically a shoulder-fired, anti-tank weapon system which fires rockets equipped with an explosive warhead.
- Slat armor is a type of armor designed to protect against the above threats. The slat armor includes a rigid grid deployed around the vehicle at a predetermined distance from the vehicle, so as to allow the slat armor to come in contact with the threat before its impact with the vehicle's body. The distance between the grid and the body of the vehicle is known as the standoff.
- According to a first aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided an armor module configured for providing ballistic protection against an incoming threat and comprising a ballistic armor unit, and a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water.
- In accordance with one design embodiment, the low density arrangement can be constituted by a material having a density lower than that of water (hereinafter ‘low density material’). In this case, the amount of material can be chosen such that it is sufficient for maintaining the entire armor module (including the ballistic armor unit) afloat in water. Examples of materials which can be used for the low density arrangement include, but are not limited to, Nomex™ honeycomb, polycarbonate, aluminum foam (e.g. closed-cell aluminum foam having a density ranging between 0.2-5 gr/cc) and even organic materials such as homogenous or porous wood (e.g. plywood).
- It should be understood that the above examples include both a material having, on its own, a low density (e.g. polycarbonate) and/or porous or foam structures (aluminum foam) having a low density but made of materials having, on their own, a density greater than that of water (e.g. aluminum). In particular, while the material itself has a density greater than water, its porous structure allows trapping a sufficient amount of air (or other light material) within the pours so as to provide it with an overall low density.
- Under various examples of the above arrangement, any combination of the following can be provided:
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- the low density arrangement can be constituted by a single block of low density material attached in front or behind the ballistic armor unit;
- the low density arrangement can comprise one or more layers of the low density material disposed between one or more ballistic layers of the ballistic armor unit; and
- the low density arrangement can comprise one or more low density members disposed within the armor module.
- According to another design embodiment, the low density arrangement can be constituted by a float module comprising a cavity filled with a fluid (gas or liquid) having a low density. It is understood that a fluid requires a closed container as it cannot be attached to the armor unit in the manner described above with respect to solid structures/materials.
- According to a specific example, the float module can be constituted by an empty container having, or constituted by, a sealing cover configured for hermetically sealing the cavity and containing therein, among others, air. Alternatively, it may be filled with any other suitable fluid material capable of maintaining the armor module afloat within water (e.g. oil, various gasses etc.).
- It is appreciated that filling the cavity with air may provide for the required functionality without increasing the cost of the armor module.
- The float module can be incorporated within the armor module in at least one of the two following ways:
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- an individual float module (containing only the low density fluid material) and externally attached to the ballistic armor unit; and
- a float module containing within its cavity both the ballistic armor unit and the low density material. In this case, the sealing cover is configured for hermetically encapsulating the entire armor module.
- It is appreciated that when the armor module is mounted onto a body protected thereby (e.g. vehicle), the low density characteristics of the armor module can facilitate supporting the weight of the body when the latter is immersed in water. In particular, for vehicles, and specifically amphibious vehicles, this can pose an advantage when crossing through ponds, deep puddles, trenches etc. filled with water.
- In addition, such an armor module can be particularly useful when being used to protect marine vessels, by similarly reducing their immersion in the water, which may also yield a reduction in drag forces.
- According to various examples, the ballistic armor unit can be constituted any of the following:
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- a single armor layer;
- a laminated armor panel comprising a plurality of armor layers;
- an armor arrangement comprising a plurality of armor members/elements (e.g. slats, pellets etc.); and
- any combination of the above.
- In the case that the low density arrangement is a solid structure/material, the arrangement can be used as a substrate for attachment thereto, or placing thereon, of the layers and/or members of the ballistic armor unit.
- In addition, if the armor layers of the ballistic armor unit are of a specific shape (e.g. not planar but corrugated, angled, wave-like etc.), the low density arrangement is such that at least one portion thereof can be cut, carved and/or shape to form a surface corresponding in shape and size to that of the armor layer/s.
- Furthermore, in the case of separate armor members (e.g. slats) which require a specific mounting/supporting arrangement within the armor module, the low density arrangement can have at least one portion that can be cut, carved and/or shaped so as to form a surface that mounting and/or placing of the armor members thereon meets the specific requirement of the special arrangement.
- Cutting, carving and/or shaping can be performed by a variety of operations, for example, laser cutting, water cutting, machine cutting (e.g. milling) and even initially casting or forming the material of the low density arrangement with the desired shape of the mounting surface (e.g. casting).
- The armor layer and/or armor member can be securely mounted onto the low density arrangement using a variety of securing mechanism e.g. bolting, adhesion, Velcro etc.
- In addition, the low density arrangement can be configured for convenient replacement of armor layers/members to provide a modular configuration, Specifically, the low density arrangement can comprise a first member having a first mounting surface and a second member having a second mounting surface, the arrangement being such that the armor layer and/or armor members are placed on the first mounting surface and then clamped between the first member and the second member.
- It is appreciated that the arrangement of armor layer/s and/or armor member/s being clamped between the two members of the low density arrangement provides for a modularity of the armor module allowing quick replacement of the armor layer/s and/or armor members simply by unclamping the low density arrangement.
- More specifically, if it is required, for example, to provide the armor module with a higher degree of ballistic protection, all that is required is merely unclamping the members of the low density arrangement, replacing the armor layer/s and/or armor member/s by ones having a higher ballistic protection and re-clamping the members of the low density arrangement.
- The first member and the second member can be clamped so as to securely retain therebetween the armor layer/s and/or armor member/s. When fixing elements (e.g. bolts, pins etc.) are used to clamp the members of the low density arrangement, according to one example, such fixing elements can either pass only through the members of the low density arrangement. According to another example, such fixing elements can also pass through the armor layer/s and/or armor members, thereby further securing their position within the armor module.
- It is to be understood that the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface can be shaped and sized to correspond to respective first and second surfaces of the armor layer/s and/or armor member/s, so that when the members of the low density arrangement are clamped to one another, the armor layer/s and/or armor member/s are retained within the low density arrangement without unnecessary air gaps/spaces.
- In accordance with a particular example in which the armor layer/s and/or armor member/s are of planar shape or in sheet form, the first and second mounting surfaces can be a mirror image of one another (since the respective first and second surfaces of the armor layer/s and/or armor member/s are also a mirror image of one another).
- In accordance with one design embodiment, when separate armor members are used (e.g. a slat armor), the first member of the low density arrangement can be constituted by a plurality of consecutive sub-surfaces angled to one another. In particular, the sub-surfaces can be cut to provide the first mounting surface with a saw-like configuration (i.e. having peaks and troughs).
- The armor members can be mounted onto the saw-like mounting surface in any of the following configurations:
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- an armor member is mounted onto each of the sub-surfaces;
- armor members are mounted only on a majority of the sub-surfaces;
- armor members are arranged alternately on the sub-surfaces so that each two neighboring armor members are separated by a sub-surface having no armor members mounted thereon; and
- any combination of the above.
- In accordance with another design embodiment, in the case of armor members (slats), the ballistic armor unit can comprise a plurality of longitudinal slats, being supported by two respective ends thereof by at least two support members.
- The slats may be detachably mounted onto the support members so that any individual slat can be removed from the ballistic armor unit for the purpose of maintenance, replacement, storage and transportation, and even simply for reducing the weight of the armor module itself. It is noted that replacement of the slat can be performed, for example, for the purpose of replacing a damaged/worn-out slat by a similar, new slat or for the purpose of replacing with a slat having different ballistic capabilities.
- Such an arrangement allows for a modular construction providing the user to modify the armor module according to ballistic requirements, transportation requirements, maintenance etc.
- According to one example, the support members can be formed with individual slots extending therealong allowing each of the slat to be slidingly received within the support members. Under this configuration, each of the slats can be slidingly removed, along the longitudinal direction thereof, from the armor module within affecting any of the other slats mounted therein.
- In the above example, armor slats can be slidingly inserted in a first mounting direction extending between the support members or alternatively, by slidingly inserted in a direction extending perpendicular to the first mounting direction. In the latter case, the slots formed in the support members can have an open end through which the armor slats are inserted.
- In addition, the armor slats can be formed with auxiliary slots configured for being interlaced with the slots of the support members when the armor slats are mounted thereon.
- According to another example, the support members can be formed with a longitudinal rail configured for receiving therein the ends of the slat so that the slats are subsequently slidingly mounted onto the support members. In this case, in order to remove a single slat, all the slats located above/below it should first be removed. Upon removal of the desired slat, the other slats can be placed back into the support members in the same manner.
- According to a specific design, the armor module can comprise a ballistic armor unit as described in one of the above two examples (i.e. slats spaced from one another and held by support members), wherein the spaces between the slats are filled with the low density arrangement (either by mounting or by injection). Under such an arrangement, in order to remove an individual slat, it is required to remove, together therewith, those portions of the low density arrangement immediately attached thereto.
- The mounting of the armor module onto a body to be protected can be performed by manner of suspension, as previously described in
FIGS. 2A to 2C and specification portions pertaining thereto of IL Patent Application 213972 to the Applicant, which is incorporated herein by reference. - In mounting of the armor module onto a body to be protected (not necessarily by the above mentioned arrangement), the stand-off distance between the armor module and the body to be protected can be modified in accordance with operational requirements.
- In particular, the stand-off distance between the armor module and the body to be protected can be modified at least by one of the following arrangements:
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- a telescopic and/or scissors pantograph arrangement configured for mechanically changing the distance of the armor module from the body to be protected;
- a pneumatic/hydraulic piston arrangements; and
- a tilting arrangement wherein displacement of the armor module towards the body to be protected also changes it vertical/horizontal position with respect thereto.
- In accordance with a particular design of the ballistic armor unit, the slats can be configured for being dynamically received within the armor unit so as to allow modification of the angle thereof with respect to an expected impact direction, in order to allow adjustment of the armor unit to meet ballistic threats of different characteristics.
- In addition, the arrangement can be such that, in operation, the slats assume a first angle with respect to the expected impact direction whereas during transportation of the armor module (e.g. shipping), the slats can assume a second, smaller angle facilitating a more compact configuration of the armor module.
- In general, since each threat requires a unique level of ballistic protection, the ballistic armor unit can be such that the angle of the slat with respect to the expected impact direction, the distance of the armor module from the body to be protected and the orientation of the module with respect to the body can all be modified in order to meet the unique ballistic requirements of the incoming threat.
- The armor slat can be in the form of a generally rectangular element of ballistic material and have a strike edge configure, when mounted onto the body, facing the expected impact direction and a rear edge facing the body to be protected.
- The strike edge of the armor slat can be shaped in order to provide better ballistic capability as well as reducing the weight of the armor slat. In particular, the strike edge can be formed with cut-outs providing the strike edge with a saw-like shape.
- The slats of the ballistic armor unit can be made of a ballistic material such steel. In particular, the slats of the presently disclosed subject matter can be made of any of the following:
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- HH+ steels having a Brinell hardness of 500-600;
- UHH steels having Brinell hardness of 580-680; and
- dual hardness (DH) steels or triple hardness (TH) steels.
- It is appreciated that some of the above materials, though having a high hardness, are also brittle. However, the design of the armor module and the support provided to the slats by the low density material allow the use of such materials for the slats, compensating for their high brittleness.
- Additional materials from which the slats may be made can be HHS steels (470-540 Brinell), Aluminum, magnesium, titanium, ceramic (tiles, pellets and monoliths) and any multi-layer combination of the above materials. In addition, when a laminated panel is produced from a combination of the above materials, additional materials can be introduced into the laminate such as plastic, polycarbonate, Perspex etc.
- The above described slats of the ballistic armor unit can be provided with multi-hit capabilities by at least the following features:
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- positioning the slats of the ballistic armor unit so as to be supported by the body to be protected or by a layer/s immediately adjacent the body to be protected. Under such a design, the deformation of the slats can be significantly reduced upon impact of the incoming threat;
- the slats can be coated with thermoplastic/thermoset polymers (e.g. polyurea, polyurethane etc.), ballistic fabrics (Aramid, fiberglass, polyethylene, polypropylene etc.) and/or covered by aluminum sheets;
- the spacing between the slats can be filled, at least partially, with the low density material (e.g. porous polymeric materials, rubber of different kinds, polyethylene, polycarbonate, honeycomb Nomex™ as previously discussed);
- the slats can be coated with copper in an electroplating process, to a copper thickness of up to 300μ based on the required ballistic protection; and
- the slats can be provided with holes or perforations preventing expansion and progression of micro-cracks within the material of the slat. This can be particularly useful when dealing with tungsten-carbide threats and the like.
- In accordance with another aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a slat armor module configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, comprising a plurality of armor slats extending along a first direction and spaced apart along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a low density arrangement comprising at least a first surface constituted by a plurality of consecutive sub-surfaces angled to one another, wherein each of said slats is attached to one of the sub-surfaces.
- In accordance with still another aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a method for the production of a slat armor module of the previous aspect, said method comprising the steps of:
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- providing a low density material;
- shaping said low density material to have a surface constituted by a plurality of consecutive sub-surfaces angled to one another; and
- attaching slats to said sub-surfaces so that the low density material serves as a substrate for the slats.
- According to yet another aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a slat armor module configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, said slat armor comprising a plurality of slat units, each extending along a first longitudinal direction, the units being spaced apart along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the armor module comprising at least one support arrangement wherein the each of the slats is individually detachable from the at least one support arrangement.
- According to still another aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a slat armor module configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, said slat armor comprising a plurality of slat units, each extending along a first longitudinal direction, the units being spaced apart along a second direction transverse to the first direction, each of a majority of slats being provided with a coating made of a polymeric material.
- The polymeric material of the coating can be made of thermoplastic/thermoset polymers such as polyurea, polyurethane, Nomex™ and/or ballistic fabrics such as Aramid, fiberglass, polyethylene, polypropylene.
- It is appreciated that the covering of the slats with the above material provide for an increase in the multi-hit capability of the slats, thereby increasing the efficiency of the slat armor.
- According to a further aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a slat armor module configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, said slat armor comprising a plurality of slat units, each extending along a first longitudinal direction, the units being spaced apart along a second direction transverse to the first direction, said armor module further comprising a ballistic protective layer interposed between the slats and the body to be protected, configured for serving as a spall liner.
- In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a slat armor; -
FIG. 2A is a schematic sectioned side view of an armor according to one example of the subject matter of the present application; -
FIG. 2B is a schematic sectioned side view of an armor according to another example of the subject matter of the present application; -
FIG. 2C is a schematic sectioned side view of the slat armor shown inFIG. 2B , with the cover thereof being removed; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section view of another example of the subject matter of the present application; -
FIG. 4A is a schematic isometric view of a slat armor of the present application showing a specific slat configuration; -
FIG. 4B is a schematic enlarged side view of the slat armor shown inFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 5A is a schematic isometric view of a slat armor assembly according to the present application; -
FIG. 5B is a schematic enlarged view of a detail of the slat armor shown inFIG. 5A ; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of a slat armor according to still another example of the subject matter of the present application; -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic isometric views of an adjustable slat armor according to one example of the subject matter of the present application, shown in two different positions thereof; -
FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic isometric views of an adjustable slat armor according to another example of the subject matter of the present application, shown in two different positions thereof; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-section view of one example of slats used in the slat armor of the present application; and -
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-section view of a slat armor according to another example of the subject matter of the present application. - Attention is first drawn to
FIG. 1 in which a basic slat armor of the present application is shown generally designated 1 and comprising twolongitudinal support member 20 supporting a plurality ofslats 10 extending therebetween. The slats are held in place within slots formed in thesupport members 20 and are oriented at a slope to an expected impact direction of a threat, the direction being denoted by arrow R. - Turning now to
FIGS. 2A and 2B , two examples of an armor module of the present application are shown, generally designated 1′ and 1″ respectively, when attached to a body to be protected, generally designated as B. - In the
armor module 1′ shown inFIG. 2A , the armor module is constituted by aslat armor unit 2 comprisingsupport members 20 andslats 10 suspended therebetween, similar to theslat armor 1 shown inFIG. 1 . However, thearmor module 1′ also comprises alow density arrangement 30 in the form of a stand-off layer made of light-weight material 32 having a density lower than that of water. Both theslat armor unit 2 and thelow density arrangement 30 are encapsulated within acover 40. - The arrangement is such that the volume of the
low density arrangement 30 is sufficient for providing theentire armor module 1′ with an average density which is lower than that of water. The low density material can be made of a variety of light-weight materials such as Nomex™ honeycomb, polycarbonate, aluminum foam and even organic materials such as homogenous or porous wood (e.g. plywood). - It should be understood that the above examples include both a material having, on its own, a low density (e.g. polycarbonate) and/or porous or foam structures (aluminum foam) having a low density but made of materials having, on their own, a density greater than that of water (e.g. aluminum).
- In connection with the above, it is appreciated that since what provides the armor module with the float characteristics is the light-
weight material 32, the encapsulation of thesupports 20 andslats 10 and the light-weight material 32 is optional, so long as they are attached to one another or at least held together in a certain manner to function as a single body. - With reference being made to
FIG. 2B , thearmor module 1″ is similar toarmor module 1′ with the only difference being that theexternal cover 40′ is a sealed container comprising therein theslat armor unit 2 and anair gap 30′. - The arrangement is such that the amount of air trapped within the cavity of the sealed
container 40′ is sufficient for maintaining theentire armor module 1″ afloat within water. In addition, it is noted that thecontainer 40′ should be hermetically sealed or provided with a sealing external layer, as opposed to the previous example in which thecover 40 is optional. - With additional reference to
FIG. 2C , thearmor module 1′ is shown with thecover 40 thereof being removed. This configuration, which is a variation on the example shown inFIG. 2A , is also possible since the light-weight material is a solid material and does not require a sealed containing cavity. - Turning now to
FIG. 3 , another example of an armor module is shown, generally designated as 1′″. Under this configuration, the slat armor unit still comprisesslats 10 extending betweensupport members 20. - However, the low density arrangement is in the form of a plurality of
filler members 30 interposed between two neighboringslats 10. Thefiller members 30 are also made of a light-weight material 32 having a density lower than that of water. - It is appreciated that the
filler members 30 can be formed individually and thereafter placed between theslats 10 during or after assembly of the armor module. Alternatively, theslat armor unit 2 can be assembled and thereafter, the filler material can be injected to fill the spaces between the neighboringslats 10. - Attention is now drawn to
FIGS. 4A and 4B , in which another example of an armor module is shown, generally designated as 101, and comprising acasing 120, a plurality offirst slats 112 extending within thecasing 120, spaced from one another and parallel to one another, and angled at a first angle with respect to the incoming direction R, and a plurality ofsecond slats 114 extending within thecasing 120, spaced from one another and parallel to one another and angled at a second angle with respect to the incoming direction R, different from the first angle. - It is observed that the
casing 120 is formed with twoside walls 122 supporting the slats. Theside walls 122 are formed with a plurality ofslots 124 configured for slidingly receiving therethrough thefirst slats 112 and thesecond slats 114. - The arrangement is such that in mounting, the
slats slots 124 into thecasing 120 so as to be supported between theside walls 122. Furthermore, in the event of damage to one of the slats, maintenance requirements, shipping requirements etc., any one of theslats casing 120 simply by sliding it out of the casing through theslots 124, along the direction of the slat. - Turning now to
FIGS. 5A and 5B , another example of a slat armor unit is shown, generally designated as 202 and comprising a plurality ofslats 210 supported byseveral support members 220. - Each
support member 220 is in the form of arectangular panel 222 formed with a plurality of open-endedslots 224 oriented at an angle to the expected incoming direction R and configured for receiving therein a portion of aslat 210. In addition, each of thesupport members 220 comprisesattachment portions 226 configured for attachment of thearmor module 202 to the body to be protected (not shown). - The
slats 210 are in the form ofrectangular panels 212, each being formed with several open-endedslots 214 configured for engaging thesupport members 220 so as to receive therein a portion of thesupport members 220. In this manner, when theslats 210 are mounted onto thesupport members 220, the two become interlaced, the slot of each receiving therein a portion of the other. - As in the previous example, in case it is required to remove any of the slats they can be simply slidingly detached from the support members, in a direction transverse to the vertical direction R and replaced/removed without affecting any of the other slats. In particular, and contrary to the example shown in
FIGS. 4A and 4B , theslats 210 in the present example are removed in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axis. - With particular reference being drawn to
FIG. 5B , theslat 210 comprises twolongitudinal edges 216 extending between thesupport members 220, one configured for facing the expected impact direction R and the other configured for facing the body to be protected B. - Each of the edges is formed with cut-outs to provide it with a saw-
like surface 218. The saw-like surface provides theslat 210 with increased ballistic capability as well as with reduced weight with respect to a rectangular panel. - It is observed that each of the
edges 216 is formed with the saw-like surface 218, wherein, upon damage to one of the edges, theslat 210 can be slidingly removed from thesupport members 210 and reversed so that the damaged strike edge becomes the rear edge and the intact rear edge now becomes the strike edge. - Turning now to
FIG. 6 , thearmor module 202 is shown mounted onto the body to be protected B so that arear edge 216 of the slats is mated against the body to be protected B. Under this arrangement, the body B itself provides support for theslats 210, increasing their resistance to bend and fracture. - It is appreciated that any other solid layer, having similar ballistic characteristics as those of the external wall of the body B may be interposed between the
armor module 202 and the body B. Examples can be a steel plate, a ceramic armor plate or panel etc. - Turning now to
FIGS. 7A and 7B , another example of a slat armor unit is shown, generally designated as 302 and comprising a plurality ofslats 310,support members 320 and a dynamicangular adjustment arrangement 360 configured for changing the orientation of theslats 310. - In particular, the
adjustment arrangement 360 is in the form of a parallelogram mechanism comprising a pair oflongitudinal rails longitudinal rails respective attachment ports - The ports are also used for articulation of the
mechanism 360 to theslats 310 such thatports 364 a of thefirst rail 362 a are configured for attachment to a rear portion of each of theslats 310 whereas theports 364 b of thefirst rail 362 b are configured for attachment to a front portion of each of theslats 310. - Thus, the
slat armor unit 302 can be interposed between a maximally open position shown inFIG. 7A in which theslats 310 are all parallel to one another and therails FIG. 7B in which theslats 310 are flush with one another and therails slat armor unit 302 can be configured for assuming a plurality of intermediate positions between the maximally open position and the closed position. - It is observed that in the maximally open position, there extends a maximal gap between the
slats 310 so that in view from the expected impact direction a maximal portion of the body to be protected can be seen through the slats, whereas in the closed position (FIG. 7B ), the surfaces of theslats 310 are flush with one another forming a continuous surface fully obscuring the body to be protected B. - Turning now to
FIGS. 8A and 8B in which another example of a slat armor unit is shown, generally designated 402 and comprising a plurality ofslats 410 associated with a mountingplate 470. The mountingplate 470 is articulated, via adistance adjustment mechanism 480 to an external wall of the body to be protected. - The
distance adjustment mechanism 480 is in the form of a pantograph mechanism having a plurality of scissor-hand pairs 482 & 482, 486 & 488, operating together to allow displacing the mountingplate 470 to and from the external wall of the body to be protected B. - In particular, each hand of such scissor-hand pair is articulated at one end thereof to the body to be protected B and at an opposite end thereof to the mounting
plate 470, and comprises ahinge 483, 487 configured for allowing the hands of the scissors to expand and retract. - It is observed that in the open position shown in
FIG. 8A , the mounting plate is spaced from the body to be protected creating a stand-off distance between theslat armor unit 402 and the body B, whereas in the closed position shown inFIG. 8B , the mountingplate 470 is nearly flush with the body to be protected. - It is appreciated that such a distance adjustment mechanism can be extremely useful during transportation of the
armor module 402 and also in operation, allowing greater maneuverability for vehicles on which the armor module is mounted (e.g. allowing them to pass in narrow places etc.). - Attention is now drawn to
FIG. 9 in which a specific design of slats is shown, generally designated as 510. Theslat 510 has abody 512 comprising astrike edge 514 and arear surface 516. It is observed that theslat 510 has a tapering shape so that therear surface 516 is considerably wider than thestrike edge 514. - Such a design of the slat, and specifically when combined with a dynamic angle adjustment system as shown in
FIGS. 7A , 7B, can provide an increased ballistic resistance to the slat armor unit employingsuch slats 510. - Finally, reference is now being made to
FIG. 10 , in which another example of a portion of a slat armor unit is shown, generally designated as 602. Theslat armor unit 602 comprises afirst substrate member 630 a formed with a saw-like surface constituted by a plurality offirst sub-surfaces 634 a and a plurality ofsecond sub-surfaces 636 a, alternately arranged to form the saw-like surface. - The
first substrate member 630 a is used for attachment thereto ofindividual slats 610, which are positioned on thefirst sub-surfaces 634 a. Thesub-surfaces 634 a are cut and shaped so as to meet the requirements of the special arrangement of theslats 610 so that, when positioned thereon, theslats 610 assume their required orientation. - The
slats 610 can be affixed to the first substrate member 630 by in various manners including adhesives, securing means, bolts etc. However, in the present example, in addition, the armor module comprises asecond substrate member 630 b formed with a saw-like surface which is a mirror image of the surface of thefirst substrate member 630 a. - Thus, once the
slats 610 are placed on thefirst sub-surfaces 634 a, thesecond substrate member 630 b can be clamped to the first substrate member 630 as, thereby securely clamping theslats 610 into place. - Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.
Claims (22)
1. An armor module for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, the armor module comprising:
a ballistic armor unit; and
a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water.
2. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement includes an amount of low density material sufficient for maintaining the entire armor module afloat in water.
3. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement is constituted by a float module including a cavity filled with a fluid having a density lower than that of water.
4. The armor module according to claim 3 , wherein the float module is constituted by an empty container having, or constituted by a sealing cover configured for hermetically sealing the cavity.
5. The armor module according to claim 3 , wherein the low density arrangement is constituted by a float module containing within its cavity both the ballistic armor unit and the low density material.
6. The armor module according to claim 5 , wherein the sealing cover is configured for hermetically encapsulating the entire armor module.
7. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein the ballistic armor unit is constituted by any combination of the following:
a single armor layer;
a laminated armor panel comprising a plurality of armor layers; or
an armor arrangement comprising a plurality of armor members/elements.
8. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement is a solid structure used as a substrate for attachment thereto, or placing thereon, of armor elements of the ballistic armor unit.
9. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement includes a first member having a first mounting surface and a second member having a second mounting surface, the arrangement being such that the armor elements of the ballistic armor unit are placed on the first mounting surface and then clamped between the first member and the second member.
10. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein the ballistic armor unit includes a plurality of armor slats.
11. The armor module according to claim 10 , wherein each of the slats is supported at each of two respective ends thereof by a support member.
12. The armor module according to claim 11 , wherein the slats are detachably mounted onto the support members so that any individual slat can be removed from the ballistic armor unit without affecting any of the other armor slats.
13. The armor module according to claim 12 , wherein the support members are formed with individual slots extending therealong allowing each of the slats to be slidingly received within the support members.
14. The armor module according to claim 13 , wherein spaces between two neighboring slats are filled with a low density material constituting the low density arrangement.
15. The armor module according to claim 1 , wherein a stand-off distance between the armor module and the body to be protected is configured to be modified in accordance with operational requirements.
16. The armor module according to claim 15 , wherein the stand-off is configured to be modified by at least one of the following arrangements: a pantograph arrangement, a piston arrangement, or a tilting arrangement.
17. The armor module according to claim 10 , wherein the slats are configured for being dynamically received within the armor unit so as to allow modification of the angle thereof with respect to an expected impact direction.
18. The armor module according to claim 17 , wherein, in operation, the slats are configured to assume a first angle with respect to the expected impact direction whereas during transportation of the armor module the slats are configured to assume a second, smaller angle facilitating a more compact configuration of the armor module.
19. The armor module according to claim 10 , wherein the armor slat has a strike edge configured, when mounted onto the body, for facing the expected impact direction and a rear edge facing the body to be protected, and wherein the strike edge is formed with cut-outs providing the strike edge with a saw-like shape.
20. The armor module according to claim 10 , wherein the slats are positioned so that a rear edge thereof is supported by the body to be protected itself.
21. A method for the production of a slat armor module including a ballistic armor unit and a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water, the method comprising:
providing a low density material;
shaping the low density material to have a surface constituted by a plurality of consecutive sub-surfaces angled to one another; and
attaching slats to said sub-surfaces so that the low density material serves as a substrate for the slats.
22. A slat armor module configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, the slat armor module comprising:
a plurality of slat units each of which extends along a first longitudinal direction, the plurality of slat units being spaced apart along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and
at least one support arrangement;
wherein each of the plurality of slats is slidingly mounted onto the at least one support arrangement and is individually slidingly detachable from the at least one support arrangement.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL225379 | 2013-03-21 | ||
IL225379A IL225379A (en) | 2013-03-21 | 2013-03-21 | Louver armor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20150268005A1 true US20150268005A1 (en) | 2015-09-24 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
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US14/220,797 Abandoned US20150268005A1 (en) | 2013-03-21 | 2014-03-20 | Louver armor |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20150268005A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2781876B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2014201720A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2846879A1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL225379A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2014111323A (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140137728A1 (en) * | 2012-05-03 | 2014-05-22 | Bae Systems Land & Armaments, L.P. | Buoyant armor applique system |
US20150354926A1 (en) * | 2014-06-09 | 2015-12-10 | Mgm Holdings, Llc | Ballistic wall structure |
US20160209178A1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-21 | Falcon Power, LLC | Ballistic armor |
US9482494B1 (en) * | 2015-06-11 | 2016-11-01 | Southern States, Llc | Bullet resistant shield for electric power equipment |
US20180156577A1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-07 | Ballistic Cordon Systems, LLC | Ballistic Curtain Cordon System |
US20180172406A1 (en) * | 2015-06-24 | 2018-06-21 | Bae Systems Plc | Armour |
US10012479B2 (en) * | 2016-02-22 | 2018-07-03 | Michael Boviall | Ballistic barrier |
US11624591B2 (en) * | 2016-03-09 | 2023-04-11 | Odin Target Ab | Frameless bullet trap |
US11702856B2 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2023-07-18 | Threatstop Llc | Multi-threat mitigation security apparatus for protecting personnel, assets and critical infrastructure |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9952021B2 (en) | 2015-07-29 | 2018-04-24 | Frontline Ballistic Barriers, LLC | Anti-ballistic barrier for high value facilities protection such as electrical grid equipment |
RU2621527C1 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2017-06-06 | Илья Валерьевич Соколов | Armored structure based on porous aluminium and method of its manufacture |
RU2680948C1 (en) * | 2018-04-04 | 2019-02-28 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение "Центральный научно-исследовательский испытательный институт инженерных войск" Министерства обороны Российской Федерации | Porous aluminum based armored protection structure with the localized hardening volume |
DE102019116363A1 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-12-17 | Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh | Method for the production of an armor component for motor vehicles |
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US5149910A (en) * | 1966-03-08 | 1992-09-22 | Fmc Corporation | Polyphase armor with spoiler plate |
US3765301A (en) | 1968-06-09 | 1973-10-16 | Us Army | Light weight ribbed composite armor |
US3765299A (en) | 1968-09-06 | 1973-10-16 | Us Army | Universal applique armor |
US5723807A (en) * | 1985-06-20 | 1998-03-03 | Fmc Corporation | Expanded metal armor |
US7210390B1 (en) * | 2005-02-23 | 2007-05-01 | Simula, Inc. | Buoyancy device for personnel protective plates |
-
2013
- 2013-03-21 IL IL225379A patent/IL225379A/en active IP Right Grant
-
2014
- 2014-03-20 CA CA2846879A patent/CA2846879A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-03-20 US US14/220,797 patent/US20150268005A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-03-21 AU AU2014201720A patent/AU2014201720A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-03-21 EP EP14161038.6A patent/EP2781876B1/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 RU RU2014111323/11A patent/RU2014111323A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140137728A1 (en) * | 2012-05-03 | 2014-05-22 | Bae Systems Land & Armaments, L.P. | Buoyant armor applique system |
US20150354926A1 (en) * | 2014-06-09 | 2015-12-10 | Mgm Holdings, Llc | Ballistic wall structure |
US20160209178A1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-21 | Falcon Power, LLC | Ballistic armor |
US9482494B1 (en) * | 2015-06-11 | 2016-11-01 | Southern States, Llc | Bullet resistant shield for electric power equipment |
US20180172406A1 (en) * | 2015-06-24 | 2018-06-21 | Bae Systems Plc | Armour |
US10473435B2 (en) * | 2015-06-24 | 2019-11-12 | Bae Systems Plc | Armour |
US10012479B2 (en) * | 2016-02-22 | 2018-07-03 | Michael Boviall | Ballistic barrier |
US11624591B2 (en) * | 2016-03-09 | 2023-04-11 | Odin Target Ab | Frameless bullet trap |
US20230228541A1 (en) * | 2016-03-09 | 2023-07-20 | Odin Target Ab | Frameless bullet trap |
US20180156577A1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-07 | Ballistic Cordon Systems, LLC | Ballistic Curtain Cordon System |
US11702856B2 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2023-07-18 | Threatstop Llc | Multi-threat mitigation security apparatus for protecting personnel, assets and critical infrastructure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2781876B1 (en) | 2018-01-03 |
IL225379A (en) | 2015-01-29 |
RU2014111323A (en) | 2015-09-27 |
EP2781876A2 (en) | 2014-09-24 |
CA2846879A1 (en) | 2014-09-21 |
IL225379A0 (en) | 2013-09-01 |
AU2014201720A1 (en) | 2014-10-09 |
EP2781876A3 (en) | 2014-11-26 |
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Legal Events
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