WO2008102183A1

WO2008102183A1 - Light weight electronic protective shield from rocket-propelled grenades

Info

Publication number: WO2008102183A1
Application number: PCT/GR2008/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Konstantinos Soukos
Original assignee: Soukos Robots S.A.
Priority date: 2007-02-22
Filing date: 2008-02-20
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Also published as: EP2113065A1; US8082835B2; US20100224055A1; GR1006044B

Abstract

The invention accomplishes the protection of vehicles, helicopters and other structures from attacks with rocket propelled grenades of the RPG 7 type, except of grenades of the NADER or other similar to that type. Compromising of several grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) that are placed one behind the other, of one mounting frame (4) where each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is fixed only from one of its sides, while the cross side from its fixed side is tied on the mounting frame (4) with special elastic canals (7), leaving all the other sides unfixed. The next grid (1, 2, 3) is fixed on the frame (4) from the side that the previous was tied with the special elastic canals (7) while it is tied with the special elastic canals (7) from the side that the previous was fixed on the frame (4). It is lightweight. During impact of the grenades on the shield, an electronic device (8) directs instantaneously modulated electronic pulses resulting in the instantaneous destruction of the grenades.

Description

LIGHT WEIGHT ELECTRONIC PROTECTIVE SHIELD FROM ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADES

The invention refers to a light weight electronic shield that protects vehicles, helicopters or any other fixed or movable constructions from attacks with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The protection of the abovementioned constructions is accomplished by the instantaneous electrical and mechanical destruction of all the grenades that hit the armour.

RPG 7 rocket-propelled grenades consist of three main parts. A trigger mechanism, which is usually a piezoelectric crystal, the warhead containing the main explosive charge and the hollow charge, and the rocket that propels the grenade towards the target. Due to the simple construction of a rocket- propelled grenade there are many different models each with distinct technical characteristics and abilities.

Construction materials of such weapons are cheap and widely accessible, further reducing their cost and eventually making them accessible and particularly popular even in the poorest and most underdeveloped countries. Therefore, it is common for anyone wishing to cause death, damage and destruction to use these weapons.

The abovementioned grenades are initially launched through a launcher and then propelled to the target aided by the rocket for a distance ranging approximately to 300m. At a distance from 50 to 110 metres from the exit of the launcher, grenades are exceptionally effective since they can reach their target and penetrate even 600 mm of armoured steel in certain cases. This potential classifies these weapons as exceptionally lethal.

Rocket-propelled grenades are low cost, low technology and easy-to-use man- portable weapons, used mainly against vehicles of all types, tanks and helicopters. They are very effective when used in operations in confined areas, e.g. within city limits, and this is why there are every day instances of destruction of targets with the use of such weapons.

This invention is aimed at creating a light electronic protective shield against rocket-propelled grenades, which can instantaneously destroy every incoming RPG 7 grenade except NADER or similar to that. At the same time is light- weight (up to 12kg/m²) so that its application and use is simple, is cost- effective and simple to construct, is durable so that it can sustain multiple hits, and its appearance is discrete so that it becomes difficult for the enemy to identify.

5

This invention refers to a light weight electronic shield, which protects all types of vehicles, tanks, helicopters or any other fixed and movable constructions from attacks by rocket propelled grenades, and consists of multiple, at least two, grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3). Moreover it consists of oneo exterior mounting frame (4) which supports the destruction surface, at least one electronic operation device (8) and at least two plugs (5) of connecting the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) with the electronic device (8). The electronic device (8) is supplied by either 12 or 24 VDC from common batteries. 5 On diagram 1 the present invention is presented only suggestively with three grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3).

The present invention is necessary for the protection, with a fast and convenient way, of various moving, static, self-propelled or remotely 0 controlled objects, installations, military and civilian equipment, which become targets of hostile attacks. It is necessary for the instantaneous and safe destruction of lethal RPG 7 grenades of any type launched against targets requiring protection. Its light weight, its ability to adjust to various shapes and dimensions, and the effective operation thereof make this invention ideal 5 for use in any application. In its more simplistic form, it can be a light protective shield, as illustrated in figure 1.

The above results are accomplished due to the following:

30 Firstly, in that the active destruction surface consists of at least one grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) placed one after the other keeping a distance between them, in such a manner so that they do not touch each other and they are electrically insulated from each other, and simultaneously being in exact alignment. These grids have openings (6), with dimensions varying between

35 30 and 80 mm height and 30 to 300mm length.

Secondly, in the special manner that the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) are attached on the mounting frame (4). Each grid of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) is fixed on the mounting frame (4) only from its one side, while the cross side from its fixed side is tied on the mounting frame (4) with special elastic canals (7), allowing it to move. All the other sides of the grid (1, 2, 3) remain unfixed. The next (adjacent) grid (1, 2, 3) is situated reversely, namely it is fixed on the mounting frame (4) from the side that the previous was tied with the special elastic canals (7) while it is tied with the special elastic canals (7) from the side the previous was fixed on the mounting frame (4). This arrangement is applied for all the grids (1, 2, 3) we use.

Thirdly, on the application of reversely polarized modulated electric signal in the adjacent grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) through one at least electronic operation device (8). During the impact of one or more grenades on the shield's energetic surfaces, the device (8) instantaneously directs modulated electronic pulses, which contribute to the destruction of the grenades.

The protective shield against rocket-propelled grenades, according to the present invention, holds many advantages.

The abovementioned shield does not use any explosives, chemical and toxic materials, laser, nuclear energy, and transmitted radiofrequencies or other form of electromagnetic radiation to reach the desired outcome. The use thereof is safe and there is no risk of injury or death from the use thereof both for individuals inside the construction under protection and for individuals around it.

The operation of the protective shield of the present invention is supported by at least one high standards electronic operation device (8), which is connected through at least two plugs (5) to the mounting frame(4), according to this invention. The operation of the shield is automated and does not require additional handling during its operation. Therefore, this invention is simple and easy to use and operate.

Having ensured the simple operation and function/handling of the protection system, according to this invention, total protection of human lives and tangibles protected by the electronic shield is provided against the highly destructive consequences of and casualties induced by RPG 7 rocket- propelled grenades, after they have collided with the desired target.

Provided that the operation of this invention is continuous, permanent protection of the target shielded by this invention is accomplished. Such targets can be vehicles, tanks, aircrafts, buildings, etc. This invention can also resist multiple hits from rocket-propelled grenades without losing the effectiveness thereof.

Furthermore, in the case that the openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3) are partially covered, the shield is transparent so that the individuals inside the construction protected by this shield e.g. vehicles, can see outside.

To further simplify the present invention, the design and construction thereof are such that enables the shield to acquire any shape and dimension, according to the application. The total weight of the shield, including the grids (1, 2, 3), the mounting frame (4) and a layer of insulating or elastic material, is very small and can reach 12 kg per m², it is possible to further decrease its weight.

The entire operation of the present invention is continuous and the effectiveness thereof is not affected by any external factor, since its compact and solid construction in combination with the high standard support thereof by at least one electronic support unit (8) do not allow any intervention.

The simple and flexible design of the shield allows its easy and fast installation and removal from the construction to be protected, without necessitating specialised and numerous personnel.

The construction and the way of operation of the present invention, along with its applications and advantages, will be more tangible with the following description with the help of the figures, which reflect the shield of the present invention with three grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3), that create a bronch, the number of electrodes (1, 2, 3) in the figures are only as an example:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the protective shield against rocket- propelled grenades, according to the present invention, consisting of three grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3), only as an example, and the mounting frame (4). Each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is firmly fixed on the mounting frame (4), only from one side, while it is tighten with special elastic canals (7) on the mounting frame (4) from the opposite site. The mounting frame (4) has two plugs (5) that connect the electrodes (1, 2, 3) to the electronic device (8).

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the protective shield from rocket propelled grenades, according to the present invention, at the instant that a branch is created by the adjacent grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) when the grenade enters in the protective shield.

The mounting frame (4) is necessary for the mounting of the destruction 5 surfaces on it so as to achieve the desired form and operation, moreover it is necessary for the installation of the shield in place where a particular construction is to be protected.

Figure 1 illustrates how each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is attached on theo mounting frame (4), in such a way as to have its one side firmly fixed on the frame (4), while its opposite side is not in contact with the frame (4) and is tighten with special elastic non-conductive canals (7), this allows each grid (1, 2, 3) to move in a particular distance in relation to the frame (4).

15 The mounting frame (4) is manufactured, preferably, with materials like metal or metallic alloys or synthetic materials (f.ex. carbon fibers or dyneema) of high endurance and has adequate thickness so it can support the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3). This mounting frame (4) constitutes the supporting fixture for all the grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) that are used. 0

Each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is manufactured with a material of high breaking force and flexibility with low weight , so as not to be destroyed while the grenade hits the shield, so that the grenade enters the grids (1, 2, 3), that create a branch at that instant and strangles the grenade. The grids (1, 2, 25 3) can have cross section from 2 to 10 mm.

The grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) are placed in a consecutive manner so as not to be in contact between them and their openings (6) are in total alignment. The openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3) can have width, from 30 to 30 80 mm and length from 30 to 300mm.

Each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is firmly fixed on one side of the mounting frame (4), so that its adjacent grid (1, 2, 3) is firmly fixed on the opposite - parallel side of the frame (4).

35

The grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) are attached on the sides of the frame (4) in a particular way, which is described analytically below. The grids (1, 2, 3) are attached in such a way as to have opposite polarity successively. In order to firmly fix the grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) on the sides of the frame (4), each side of the frame (4) has holes coated with insulators. These holes are situated in particular distances between them along every side of the frame (4), so that the electrodes can pass through them and create the grid (1, 2, 3).

All the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) can be covered with whichever insulating or plastic material, as long as it is easy to be perforated, material which can cover the total thickness of the frame (4), with the possibility of partial or complete covering of the openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3) according to the application.

On the mounting frame (4), in appropriate positions, two plugs (5) are placed so as to enable the connection of the grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) with the electronic device (8) (or devices in case we have more than one). The operation of the system can be accomplished with the use of a plug connector.

The electronic operation device (8) supplies momentarily modulated electronic pulses of high intensity in all the grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3), in such a way so that the grids (1, 2, 3) have different polarity successively, for that reason the grids (1, 2, 3) are electrically insulated with each other.

The reverse polarity of the grids (1, 2, 3) has as a result the instant that the grenade impacts and enters the openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3), that form a bronch, to create a short circuit on the metallic surface of the grenade and at the same time the electronic device (8) directs instantaneously electronic pulses of very high intensity at the points where the grenade touches the grids (1, 2, 3). This results in the tempering of the metallic surface of the grenade on the points of contact with the electric charged grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) and the destruction of the conductors that carry the detonation signal from the piezoelectric crystal to the detonation mechanism resulting in the prevention of the detonation of the hollow charge of the grenade.

On diagram 2 the method of attaching the grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) on the supporting frame (4) is illustrated, as it is described above, it is also illustrated that this method permits each grid (1, 2, 3) from one hand to have a degree of elasticity, on the other hand and because of the fact that the sequential grids (1, 2, 3) have apposite sides of fixation on the frame (4) they move on the opposite direction when the incoming grenade enters the openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3) creating a bronch. The momentum of the grenade during its entrance on the openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3) forces the grids (1, 2, 3) to move towards opposite directions resulting in the development of opposite forces on the metallic ogive of the grenade. These opposite forces are applied on the contact points of the grenade with the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) and result in the choking of the grenade.

These forces are applied on the spot of the metallic ogive of the grenade, which has been tempered, because it is in contact with the opposite polarized grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) at the same instant, as a result the grenade breaks in these spots. Consequently, the destruction of the main body of the grenades is achieved and in extension the destruction of the hollow charge and the conductors that transfer the detonation command, retaining in parallel untouched the piezoelectric crystal, which is situated in the front tip of the grenade, before the detonation command of the hollow charge is given.

Claims

1. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, compromising of: a. One active surface that destructs the grenades consisting of at least two grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3). b. One exterior mounting frame (4), which encloses the active destruction surface. c. One at least electronic operation device (8), which instantaneously directs modulated electronic pulses that contribute in the destruction of the grenades. d. Two at least connection plugs (5) of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) with the electronic operation device (8). e. A layer that covers the grid of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) made of an insulating or plastic material, that covers the total thickness of the frame (4)

and is characterized by the fact that each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is placed one behind the other, in such a manner so that the openings (6) of the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) are in total alignment, without coming in contact, furthermore by the fact that each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is fixed on the mounting frame (4) only from its one side, while the cross side from its fixed side is tied on the mounting frame (4) with special elastic canals (7) leaving all the other sides of the grids (1, 2, 3) unfixed, and is also characterized by the fact that the next of that grid (1, 2, 3) is fixed on the frame (4) from the side that the previous was tied with the special elastic canals (7) while it is tied with the special elastic canals (7) from the side the previous was fixed on the frame (4), is such a way so that the adjacent grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) have opposite sides of fixation on the frame (4).

2. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the openings (6) of the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) have dimensions 30 to 80 mm height and 30 to 300 mm length in order to achieve the destruction of the main body of the grenades and in extension the deactivation of the hollow charge and the conductors that transfer the detonation command, retaining untouched the piezoelectric crystal placed in the front tip of the grenade, averting the command for the detonation of the hollow charge.

3. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the adjacent - sequential grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) are reversely polarized.

4. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electronic operation device (8) is suitably connected to the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) so that during the contact of the metallic ogive of the grenade with at least two adjacent grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) to direct instantly very high power electronic pulses on the points of contact of the grenade with the grids (1, 2, 3).

5. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the momentum of the grenade during its entrance on the openings (6) of the grids (1, 2, 3) forces the adjacent grids (1, 2, 3) to move towards opposite directions in such a way as to develop opposite forces on the metallic ogive at the points where the grenade comes in contact with the electrodes of the grids (1, 2, 3) resulting in the creation of a bronch and the "choking" of the grenade.

6. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mounting frame (4) is manufactured with materials like metal or metallic alloys or any synthetic material (e.g. carbon fibers or/and dyneema) of high endurance and has adequate thickness so it can support the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3).

7. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each grid of electrodes (1, 2, 3) is manufactured with a material of high breaking force and flexibility with low weight, so as not to be destroyed while the grenade hits the shield, but the grenade to enter the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) that create a bronch that strangles the grenade at these points and by that the cross section of the grid can be from 2 to 10 mm.

8. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the layer that covers the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) is manufactured with whichever insulating or plastic material, as long as it is easy to be perforated by the grenades.

9. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claims 1 and 8, characterized by the fact that the covering layer of the grids of electrodes (1, 2, 3) covers partially or totally the openings (6) of the grids of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) depending on the application.

10. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the shields can be manufactured in several dimensions and shapes.

11. Light weight electronic shield that protects from rocket propelled grenades, according to claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that it is used to protect armored or not vehicles, airplanes, ships, any installation static or mobile from attacks with rocket propelled grenades of the RPG 7 type, except grenades of the NADER or similar to them type.