WO2015003689A1

WO2015003689A1 - Armor against laser radiation

Info

Publication number: WO2015003689A1
Application number: PCT/DE2014/100236
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Weber; Norbert Keil
Original assignee: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2013-07-11
Filing date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2015-01-15
Also published as: DE102013107370A1; ES2658038T3; EP3019816B1; EP3019816A1; DE102013107370B4

Abstract

The invention relates to an armor against laser radiation for protecting an object (10), in particular a vehicle, against laser weapons, comprising an armor element (2) that can be arranged onto the object (10), said armor element (2) comprising a plurality of optical active bodies (3, 4, 5) for the impairment of the incident laser radiation. The invention further relates to a method for protecting an object (10), in particular a vehicle, against laser weapons and to a vehicle protected against laser weapons.

Description

laser armor

The invention relates to a laser armor for protecting an object, in particular a vehicle, against laser weapons with an armor element which can be arranged on the object. Further objects of the invention are a method for protecting an object from laser weapons and a vehicle, in particular a military vehicle, with a laser armor.

Increasingly, for example, in the field of air defense and also the fight against mobile and immobile targets on land, various ner types of laser weapons used in which a high-energy laser beam is focused on a target to be attacked.

Due to the energy introduced via the laser beam, the target is strongly locally heated in the region of the irradiation point of the laser radiation, which can lead to impairments of the object even to its complete destruction even after short irradiation times.

In this context, it has proven to be problematic, for example, in military land vehicles, that the armor elements provided on these armaments, for example, are able to develop a good protective effect against ballistic projectiles or explosive devices, but are largely ineffective in the case of a laser attack. This is mainly due to the fact that large quantities of energy are applied to the locally limited space in the existing example of a steel armor armoring element over the laser beam, which can lead to destruction of the armor element after a short Einstrahldauer.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a laser armor in which the protective effect against laser bombardment is markedly improved in comparison with conventional armor.

This object is achieved in the case of a laser armor of the type mentioned at the outset in that the armor element has a large number of optical active bodies for impairing the irradiated laser radiation.

By impairing the irradiated laser radiation by means of a plurality of optical active body results in an improved protective effect. High intensities of laser radiation, such as those in an undisturbed laser beam occur in a localized space are avoided. The risk of destructive overstressing of the material due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced by the impairment of the radiation. Due to the large number of optical active bodies, the impairment can be largely independent of the angle of incidence of the laser radiation.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the active bodies are designed to reflect the laser radiation as a reflection body. By reflecting the laser radiation, significant portions of the laser radiation can be repelled by the object to be protected.

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

Alternatively or additionally, it may further be provided that the active bodies are designed to break the laser radiation as a bruising body. Even by refraction of the laser radiation, this can be affected. For example, a laser beam can be widened by refraction effects, resulting in lower intensities in the Einstrahlpunkt. In this context, it is advantageous if the refractive bodies consist of an optically transparent material. The refraction bodies themselves are therefore hardly affected by the laser radiation from the latter. The laser radiation penetrates the refractive bodies without heating them appreciably. By refraction at the edges of the refractive body takes place an expansion or scattering of the laser radiation, so that it impinges on the underlying lying object only with significantly lower intensity.

Advantageously, the bruising bodies have a curved surface for widening the laser radiation. The curved surface may be spherical, spherical or cylindrical, for example. The active bodies or the refractive bodies can also have a roughened surface in order to produce a scattering effect. Alternatively or additionally, a further embodiment provides that the active bodies are designed to diffract the laser radiation as a diffraction body. Even by exploiting diffraction effects, the irradiated laser radiation can be impaired in such a way that lower intensities occur on the object to be protected.

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

An advantageous embodiment which develops a particularly good protective effect provides that a plurality of active bodies are arranged one behind the other in the effective direction of the laser radiation. The result is a kind of stepped protection arrangement, in which after failure or after passing through a more active body located in front of the laser radiation then hits a further active body. Advantageously, the active bodies are arranged relative to one another in such a way that there is a stepwise impairment of the laser radiation associated with a stepwise reduced beam intensity. In order to obtain a uniform protective effect against radiating from different directions laser radiation is proposed in a further embodiment of the invention that the active bodies are arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle of the armor element. Due to the arrangement of the active body as loose bulk material, these have no preferred orientation, but are stochastically distributed within the corresponding receptacle. In that regard, certain active bodies are always optimally aligned to different directions of irradiation.

It is advantageous in this context if the recording is optically transparent at least on the threat side in the wavelength range of the laser weapons. In this way, the incoming laser beam initially passes unhindered through the receptacle before it then enters the optically active body arranged in the receptacle. Destruction of the recording by the incoming laser radiation and thus, for example, a leakage of the arranged as a bulk active body is avoided.

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

A further embodiment provides that the active bodies have a plurality of mutually angled surfaces running against each other. The mutually angled surfaces can be used, for example, as reflection, refraction or diffraction surfaces.

Another embodiment provides that the active bodies are spherical. For example, reflection effects or refraction effects for impairing the laser radiation can be used on the spherical surfaces.

In a further embodiment of the laser armor, it is proposed that it has a cooling system for dissipating heat introduced by the laser weapons into the armor element. About the cooling system, the heat introduced by the impinging laser beam in the armor element heat can be derived from the Einstrahlpunkt the laser radiation. As a result, a heat input lying above the damage threshold of the material of the armor element in the region of the irradiation point can be avoided. The risk of material failure due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced.

An advantageous embodiment with regard to their cooling capacity provides that the cooling system has a cooling fluid. About the cooling fluid and larger amounts of heat can be removed easily.

It is advantageous in this context, when the cooling fluid circulates in a cooling circuit, which is guided by the armor element. The cooling circuit may be a closed circuit, which is in the Area of the armor element is supplied via the laser radiation introduced heat, which is then transported away via the cooling fluid and discharged at a delivery point. For discharging large amounts of heat, it has proved to be advantageous if the cooling circuit is a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a throttle, a condenser and an evaporator. Because of the in such a refrigerant circuit of a constant phase transformation underlying, serving as a cooling fluid refrigerant comparatively large amounts of heat can be dissipated. A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid is passed from a reservoir coming through the armor element. In the reservoir, a certain amount of cooling fluid can be stored. In the case of a laser shot, the cooling fluid can be removed from the reservoir and used to cool the armor element. When passing through the armor element, the cooling fluid can absorb heat and then heated flow out of the armor element, for example in the direction of the vehicle environment.

A further embodiment provides that the cooling fluid heated by the laser radiation is guided out of an outlet provided in the lower region of the armor element and that cooling fluid of lower temperature is guided via an inlet provided in the upper region of the armor element. Cooler cooling fluid can first be fed into the armor element via the inlet. By absorbing heat introduced via the laser radiation, the cooling fluid can flow through the armor element and subsequently leave the armor element heated by the outlet.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid is applied to the armor element via a spray device. About the spray direction, the cooling fluid can be applied in a fine droplet manner and targeted to the armor element in the manner of a spray.

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

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the Panze- tion element has a chamber in which the cooling fluid is circulated. The cooling fluid can enter the chamber via an inlet and exit via an outlet. In the region of the inlet, a spraying device can be arranged. There may be provided a closed circuit in which the cooling fluid is circulated. For this purpose, a circulation pump and a cooling fluid which removes heat from the heated cooling fluid can be provided.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that a victim plate filled with cooling fluid is arranged on the threat side of the armor element. When the laser radiation hits the sacrificial plate, it is first heated by the incident laser beam. In this case, the fluid arranged within the sacrificial plate also heats up. After a certain time, the sacrificial plate is destroyed and the cooling fluid provided within the sacrificial plate leaves the sacrificial plate via the irradiation point of the laser radiation. The cooling fluid flowing in from above under the influence of gravity further cools the irradiation area, which results in a certain cooling effect, before the laser beam strikes the actual armor plate after destruction of the sacrificial plate. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that a liquid gas, in particular cooled nitrogen, water, glycol, refrigerant, a repair cooling fluid, a gel or a foam is used as the cooling fluid. In addition, it is proposed that the armor element comprise a plurality of interconnectable chambers, wherein in each chamber is a component of a multi-component fluid which produces a cooling effect after mixing due to a chemical reaction. The individual chambers can be connected to each other by the bombardment of the laser radiation by partition walls are designed and arranged such that they are destroyed by the incident laser radiation. Alternatively it can be provided between the individual chambers controllable via a controller device for connecting the respective chambers. For example, this may be provided between the chambers a valve.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that several armor elements are provided. In particular, a multiplicity of armor elements can be distributed over the object to be protected, for example in the manner of a tiling-like arrangement.

According to a further embodiment, the armor elements can be equipped with separate cooling systems. In the case of destruction of an armor element this can be easily replaced with the associated cooling system against a new armor element. A structurally advantageous because simple design provides that several armor elements have a common cooling system. The result is a comparatively simple structure, since not every armor element must be equipped separately, for example, with a cooling unit for cooling the cooling fluid. As an alternative or in addition to the cooling fluid, the cooling system can also have an electrical coolant, in particular a Peltier element. The peltier element can, for example, be attached to the object-side rear side of the plying element and unfold a cooling effect there by supplying current.

An advantageous embodiment provides that a laser radiation detecting sensor is provided for triggering an armor element. The sensors detecting the laser radiation may be photosensitive sensors. As soon as they detect an incident laser radiation, the cooling system can be activated and the resulting heat dissipated. A further advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged to be movable relative to the object. Due to the movable arrangement of the armor element relative to the object, the armor element can also be moved relative to the laser beam incident on the object. As a result, a locally limited to a single Einstrahlpunkt energy input is avoided. The energy of the laser beam is coupled in accordance with the movement of the armor element not locally in only one Einstrahlpunkt, but along the path of movement of the armor element over a larger area distributed in the armor element. The risk of material failure due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged in front of a surface to be protected of the object and arranged to be movable in a direction parallel and / or transversely to the surface to be protected. By moving in parallel, the energy input of the laser beam can be distributed over the surface. By a movement transversely to the surface to be protected, the protective element can be moved out of the focus position of the laser beam, whereby the energy density in the Einstrahlpunkt can also be lowered.

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

A further embodiment provides that the armor element is designed to be movable via a drive, in particular an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. The drive can be used to transfer defined movement sequences to the armor element.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is resiliently mounted. As a result of the resilient mounting of the armor element, it can move automatically when mounted on a military vehicle, for example, as a result of the forces occurring during driving operation.

A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that a privacy shield is provided, through which the movements of the armor element are covered. By arranged in the beam path of the laser beam sight protection, the movements of the armor element for the attacker are not visible. The privacy screen is located on the threat side of the armor element. It is therefore not possible for the attacker to anticipate the movements and to try the laser beam to move the armor element track in order to take in this way a specific point of the armor element targeted under continuous fire.

It is advantageous in this context if the privacy shield covers at least the edges of the armor element. Covering the edges of the armor element is sufficient in most cases, since the movement of a particular plate-shaped armor element can usually only be seen at the edges. A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the privacy shield is designed to be stationary and the armor element is movable in the visual shadow of the privacy screen.

Another structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged in an intermediate region between an outer surface of the object to be protected and the privacy screen.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the privacy screen is designed to be optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range. The wavelength range in which the privacy screen is optically transparent may be adjusted according to the wavelength of the laser weapon. In this case, the screen is transparent to the laser beam, so that it is not affected by irradiation and the laser beam passes unhindered through the screen. This embodiment is particularly suitable for laser radiation in the UV or IR wavelength range, which lies outside of the visually perceptible by the human eye spectrum. In this case, the laser beam radiates unhindered through the privacy screen onto the armor element moving behind the privacy screen, which, however, can not be recognized by the attacker. The attacker faces the situation like this as if the laser beam were absorbed by the surface without any effect whatsoever.

For a planar protection even of larger-area objects, it is advantageous if the laser armor has a plurality of armor elements arranged movably, which are distributed in a tiling manner over the object to be protected. In this way, with armor elements designed essentially as identical parts, it is also possible to realize protection of larger objects. Should one of the armor elements, for example, be damaged by an enemy laser shot, this can be easily replaced with a new armor element. The armor elements may be designed as protection modules that attach to the object with a few simple steps or can be removed from this. An advantageous for the protective effect of the laser armor embodiment provides that the armor elements are arranged in multiple layers. The result is a redundant arrangement of armor elements such that in case of failure of an outer layer of armor elements of the laser beam strikes a more inner layer.

In this context, it is advantageous if each layer has a plurality of armor elements, wherein the directions of movement of the armor elements are different in two adjacent layers. Moreover, it has proven to be advantageous in connection with the laser armor if it has a sensor for detecting the laser radiation. In the case of laser beam detection by means of the sensor, the armor elements can be automatically set in motion. It is not necessary to constantly move the armor elements, but only in the case of le a specific threat situation, which is reliably detected by the sensors.

In a method of the type mentioned above, it is proposed to solve the above problem that the irradiated laser radiation is impaired by a large number of optical active bodies. It results in the already described in connection with the laser armor advantages.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the laser armor is formed according to one or more of the features described above.

Finally, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is proposed in a vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset that this has a laser armor according to one or more of the features described above. Even with such a vehicle, the already described in connection with the laser armor advantages arise.

Further advantages and details of a laser armor according to the invention, a method for protecting an object with a laser armor as well as a military vehicle equipped with a laser armor are explained below with the aid of the attached drawing of exemplary embodiments. Show:

1 is a perspective, highly schematic view of an object to be protected with a multi-armor elements having laser armor, Fig. 2 to 5 are schematic views of different versions of armor elements.

Fig. 6-12 different embodiments of a laser armor with a

Cooling system in schematic schematic views and

FIGS. 13-18 illustrate various embodiments of a laser armor with an armor element movably arranged in relation to the object to be protected, in schematic principle views.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an object 10, which is executed protected by a laser armor 1 against bombardment against laser weapons. The object 10 may be an immobile object, such as a building, a bunker, or a mobile object, such as a military vehicle, and particularly a military land vehicle. The laser armor 1 serves to protect against laser weapons which, according to the invention, are to be understood to mean all beam weapons operating by means of concentrated radiation.

As already shown in the illustration in FIG. 1, the laser armor 1 consists of several tiling-like elements distributed over the object 10 arranged armor elements 2, which are arranged in front of a surface to be protected of the object 10. While the illustration in FIG. 1 reveals a design of the protective arrangement 1 in which the armor elements 2 are arranged only on one side of the object 10, it is understood that the laser armor 1 can also comprise armor elements 2 at the remaining locations of the object 10 , which mainly depends on which side the threat is to be expected. In a military vehicle, it is advisable to provide all sides of the vehicle as well as the vehicle roof with armor elements 2 and not only to armor the vehicle floor against laser bombardment, since the firing by laser weapons usually does not take place from below.

As will be explained below with reference to the embodiments in FIGS. 2 to 5, the armor elements 2 each have a plurality of optical active bodies 3, 4, 5 for the impairment of the irradiated laser radiation. As a result, a weakening of the intensity of the laser radiation is achieved and prevents laser beams with an intensity above the damage threshold of the object 10 to be protected from acting thereon.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, a multiplicity of different active bodies 3 are provided. The active bodies 3 are formed as a reflection body 3 and are in the form of loose bulk material in a box-shaped receptacle 2.1 of the armor element 2. The optical active bodies 3 have a surface 3.1 consisting of an optically reflecting layer. The reflective surface 3.1 can extend over the entire optical active body 3 or only over partial areas of the active body 3. The active bodies 3 according to the embodiment in Fig. 2 have a plurality of mutually angled extending surfaces 3.1, resulting in very different levels of reflection. Upon impact of a laser beam, this is reflected at the corresponding surface 3.1 of the active body 3. After reflection has taken place, the laser beam then possibly strikes another active body 3 and is reflected again. With each reflection, the intensity of the laser beam acting on the object 10 decreases, so that the latter, if the armor element 2 at all passes through, should be radiated, only with significantly reduced intensity hits the object 10. Significant portions of the laser beam are also directed away from the object 10. The armor element 2 shown in FIG. 3 is based on another physical working principle.

In this also a plurality of optical active body 4 is provided partly of different geometry. By way of the active bodies 4, an incident laser beam, such as is shown by way of example in FIG. 3 in solid lines, is impaired by refraction, whereby the laser beam expands and thereby loses intensity. As the dotted lines illustrate this, the laser beam is affected not only by the refraction effects but also by reflections at the interfaces of the active bodies 4. The active bodies 4 are designed to break the laser radiation as optically transparent refractive body 4. Upon impact of a laser beam on a surface of the refractive body 4, a refraction of light takes place, whereby a weakening of the laser beam results after passing through several successively arranged refractive body such that it has a significantly lower intensity when leaving the protective element 2. The risk of destruction of the object 10 is also significantly reduced by this active body 4. The diameter of the laser beam impinging on the threat side of the armor element 2 is widened to a multiple by passing through the refractive bodies 4, as a result of which the intensity of the laser radiation can be reduced to an uncritical level.

The active bodies 4 can have different geometries according to the schematic illustration. It is important that these are angled against each other. have running surfaces or round surfaces, at which then the refraction of the light takes place.

As an alternative or in addition, the active bodies 4 according to the illustration in FIG. 4 may also be so-called steel dividers, which transmit portions of the laser radiation with a specific beam property and reflect other parts of the laser radiation which do not have this beam property. For example, p- and s-polarized beam portions can be separated from each other, which also results in a significant reduction of the irradiated laser intensity. For this purpose, for example, polarization filters can be provided on the active bodies 4.

The active body 5 shown in FIG. 4 is based on a further physical mode of action.

Also this can be introduced as a loose bulk material in an armor element 2 according to the illustrations in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. The active body 5 shown in FIG. 4 is a diffractive body 5. It has a plurality of diffraction gaps 5.1 at which the incident laser light is diffracted. This results in diffraction patterns with less intense laser radiation on the surface of the object 10 to be protected.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the active bodies 3, 4, 5 can always be arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle 2.1 of the fragmentation element 2. Within an armor element 2, different active bodies 3, 4, 5 can be mixed with reflective, refractive and diffractive properties, preferably as loose bulk material. It is advantageous in this context if the recording is 2.1 of box-shaped geometry and threat side is provided with an optically transparent cover in the manner of a lid. The cover can be made optically transparent in the region of the expected laser radiation in a narrow-band wavelength range. As a result, the incident laser beam passes unhindered through the cover and is impaired only by the active bodies 3, 4, 5 lying behind. Destruction of the cover is avoided in this way. Another positive effect occurs in those covers that are optically transparent in a wavelength range that is perceivable by the human eye. Because in these occurs, for example, a laser beam in the IR range through the cover, behind which he is then affected by the optical active body 3, 4, 5. Since this is imperceptible to the human eye, the attacker can not easily recognize these effects.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that a plurality of active bodies 3, 4, 5 is embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threat side of the armor element 2. Similar to a sunscreen cream, a multiplicity of smaller active bodies 3, 4, 5 can be embedded within the carrier material. Upon detection of a laser attack, the carrier material and with it the active bodies 3, 4, 5 can then be applied selectively to the threatened side of the object 10 to be protected. For this purpose, for example, a corresponding line system with a plurality of outlet nozzles for applying the active bodies 3, 4, 5 arranged in the carrier material to an endangered point of the object can be provided.

A further alternative arrangement of the active bodies 3, 4, 5 is shown in FIG. 5. In this are a variety of active bodies 3, 4, 5 in one Type curtain arrangement. This type of curtain can be placed on the threat side of an object 10.

By impairing the irradiated laser radiation by means of a multiplicity of optical active bodies 3, 4, 5, the incident laser radiation can be impaired by reflection, refraction or diffraction in such a way that the intensity of the laser radiation is attenuated independently of the direction of incidence of the incident laser beam. The risk of material failure due to very intense radiation is significantly reduced.

As will be explained below with reference to the illustrations in FIGS. 6 to 12, the armor elements 2 can be provided with a cooling system 13 for dissipating energy introduced via the laser radiation. For the sake of clarity, the details of the optically active bodies described above are not shown graphically in FIGS. 6 to 12.

As can be seen in the illustrations in FIGS. 6 to 12, the individual armor elements 2 are provided with plate-shaped geometry and with a cooling system 13 for dissipating heat introduced by the laser radiation. In the cooling system 13 is an active cooling system 13, which is supplied for the purpose of cooling energy, for example, to operate a cooling unit or to operate pumps P.

There may be several armor elements 2 via a common cooling system 13. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that each armor element 2 is equipped with its own cooling system 13, cf. For example, Fig. 9. The armor elements 2 may each have a part of a cooling circuit 14. The armor elements 2 can be distributed in a scale over a surface of the object 10 to be protected and the cooling circuit 14 is meander-shaped to be passed through several armor elements 2. For this purpose, the armor elements 2 each have pipe sections that can be connected to corresponding pipe sections of an adjacent armor element 2, for example by nesting, so as to form a closed cooling circuit 14 in this way. Inside the cooling circuit 14, a cooling fluid flows, which absorbs heat as it passes through the panning elements 2 and releases them elsewhere as waste heat.

The cooling circuit 4 may be connected via a type of refrigeration unit forming refrigerant circuit with a waste heat. The refrigerant circuit consists in the usual way of an evaporator, in which the heated by the laser radiation cooling fluid with release of heat to an evaporation of the refrigerant flowing within the refrigerant circuit ensures. The vaporized refrigerant is passed through a compressor in a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant gives off its heat to the waste heat. In this case, the refrigerant liquefies in parts, after which it is then returned via a throttle in the evaporator, where it then evaporates with renewed absorption of energy introduced via the laser radiation. This results in an arrangement in which due to the intermediate refrigerant circuit large amounts of heat can be dissipated. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable to dissipate the heat absorbed by the cooling fluid in another way and in particular without a refrigerant circuit. In addition to such embodiments with a closed cooling circuit 14, embodiments in which the cooling fluid 11 does not necessarily circulate in a cooling circuit 14 may also be advantageous. In the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 8, a spraying device 15 is provided in each case. About this, the cooling fluid 11 is atomized under increased pressure and applied to a surface to be cooled of the armor element 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the spray devices 15 are arranged such that the threat side of the armor elements 2 is sprayed. By continuous spraying, the cooling fluid 11 absorbs heat at the bottom of the runner and discharges it. Of quite similar construction is the embodiment of FIG. 8, in which the spraying devices 15 are arranged not on the threat side, but on the object side of the armor elements 2. The spray devices 15 are located in a gap between the armor elements 2 and the object 10 to be protected, so that they are not visible to an attacker from the outside.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the spraying devices 15 are arranged in the interior of the armor elements 2. The spraying devices 15 are supplied with cooling fluid 11 via an inlet 2.2. About the spray devices 15, the cooling fluid 11 is sprayed into the interior of the armor elements 2 such that it is wetted over a large area with cooling fluid 11. The cooling fluid 11 flows down under the influence of gravity and finally leaves the armor element 2 via outlets 2.3. Subsequently, the cooling fluid 11 can either escape into the environment or be discharged in a cooling circuit 14. cooled and then again over the inlet 2.2 into the interior of the armor element 2 are performed.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an armor element 2, in which an armor element 2 is provided with a separate cooling system 13. The armor element 2 is assigned a separate cooling circuit 14. In the upper part of the armor element 2 is the inlet 2.2, or in the embodiment of FIG. 9, two inlets 2.2. In the region of each inlet 2.2, a spraying device 15 is arranged, via which the cooling fluid 11 is sprayed into the interior of the armor element 2. The interior of the armor element 2 has a chamber 16. In the lower end region of the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 11 collects within the chamber 16 and leaves it via the outlet 2.3. After leaving the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 11 is fed again via a pump P after flowing through the cooling circuit 14 to the inlet 2.2. In this case, the cooling fluid 11 can first pass through a cooling before reaching the inlet 2.2, for example, by heat to a refrigerant circuit, as already explained. Fig. 11 shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 9, in which a plurality of chambers 16 connected in series are provided, which contributes to a more uniform cooling effect. The individual chambers 16 are arranged cascaded to one another. The cooling fluid 11 collecting in a lower chamber 16 in a higher-lying chamber 16 is guided via a spray device 15 provided in the upper region of an underlying chamber 16, so that the cooling fluid 11 successively passes through a plurality of spray devices 15. This results in a kind of cascade with good cooling effect. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment in which the armor element 2 is completely filled with cooling fluid 11. The cooling fluid 11 enters the interior of the armor element 2 via the inlet 2.2 and leaves it via the outlet 2.3, taking along the heat coupled into the armor element 2 via the laser radiation. Again, a cascaded arrangement with multiple chambers 16 can improve the cooling effect.

Finally, FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 are preceded by a sacrificial plate 17. The sacrifice plate 7 is designed in the manner of a cooling fluid reservoir and acts as a kind of passive cooling system in which a certain cooling effect is generated even without the supply of external energy. When bombarded by laser radiation provided in the sacrificial plate 17 cooling fluid 11 is first heated before the sacrificial plate 17 is then destroyed after a certain Einstrahlzeit. In the area of the destruction site, d. H. of the irradiation point of the laser radiation, the cooling fluid 11 provided inside the sacrificial plate 17 then gradually emerges under the action of gravity, whereby heat is also dissipated. Also, the cooling fluid 11 flowing out of the sacrificial plate 17 can also cause wetting of the armor elements 2 arranged in the back, likewise with application of a certain cooling effect.

In addition, the armor elements 2 can be arranged movable relative to the object 10, which will be explained below with reference to the illustrations in Figures 13 to 18, which details of the cooling system 13 as well as the optical active body 3, 4, 5 not for reasons of clarity are shown.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, the armor elements 2 are arranged movable relative to the object 10. Here- it is achieved that a laser beam incident on the object 10 or the laser armor 1 acts on one and the same point for a prolonged period of time and if necessary unfolds a destructive effect there after a certain irradiation time.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 13, the armor element 2 is movable in front of the surface 12 to be protected of the object 10 in the vertical direction Ri as well as in the horizontal direction R2. Moving the armor element 2 relative to the object 10 also results in a relative movement with respect to the incident laser beam, which therefore does not strike one and the same point for longer periods of time, thus significantly reducing the local energy input, so that destruction of the armor element 2 does not occur to be feared. While the illustration in FIG. 13 shows two directions of movement of the armor element 2 in a surface parallel to the surface 12 of the object 10 to be protected, it is also conceivable to move the armor element 2 additionally or alternatively transversely to the direction of the surface 12 to be protected. By such a movement, the armor element 2 is moved in the direction of the incident laser beam. Usually, the laser beam emanating from the laser beam is focused directly into the surface of the object 10, since the intensity of the laser radiation in the focus is greatest. By a movement of the armor element 2 transversely to the surface 12 to be protected of the object 10, the armor element 2 can be moved out of this focus position, whereby the intensity of the laser radiation is lowered into its Einstrahlpunkt. This also reduces the risk of destruction of the armor element 2 by the impinging laser radiation. As the illustration in FIG. 16 shows, the movements of the armor element 2 can be initiated via a drive M. The drive M may be a motor drive, such as an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor. About the drive M, the armor element 2 defined can be set in motion, for example via a kind of eccentric or similar devices. Since it is not necessary to keep the armor element 2 in constant motion, a sensor S is also provided for detecting the laser radiation impinging. These may be photosensitive sensors which detect the incident laser radiation. After detecting the laser radiation, the drive M can then be activated and the armor element 2 can be set in motion.

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

In order to avoid target tracking of the laser radiation, according to the illustrations in FIGS. 14 and 15 there is also provided a privacy screen 23 which will be discussed in detail below. As the illustration in FIG. 14 initially shows, the privacy screen 23 is located on the threat side of the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 and at least partly covers it to its threat side. The armor elements 2 are located in an intermediate region between the fixed object visually arranged against the object 10 screen 23 and the object 10. It results in a kind of gap in which the armor elements 2 can be moved. The purpose of the blinds 23 is to make the movements of the armor elements 2 invisible to the attacker. According to the embodiment in FIG. 14, the privacy screen 3 is designed such that it covers the edges 2.4 of the armor elements 2 in such a way that they lie in the visible shadow of the privacy screen 23, cf. The overlapping of the edges 2.4 of the armor element 2 is chosen such that they do not emerge from the visual shadow of the privacy screen 23 even with maximum movement of the armor element 2. For the attacker, the movement of the otherwise planar armor element 2 is therefore not visible and it is certainly not readily possible to track the laser beam these movements. An alternative embodiment of the privacy screen 23 is shown in FIG. While the blinds 23 in FIGS. 13 and 14 only cover the edges of the armor element 2 and otherwise have openings for the passage of the laser radiation, the blinds 23 according to FIG. 15 cover the armor elements 2 over the whole area. In this arrangement, the armor elements 2 are arranged tiled over the object and lie completely within the visual shadow of the privacy screen 23. The privacy screen 23 is optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range, for example in the wavelength range of 1064 nm. The optically transparent wavelength range is related to the wavelength of the expected laser wavelengths. adapted from the above-mentioned wavelength example to a Nd: YAG laser. The effect achieved by this is the following:

Since the privacy screen 23 is optically transparent to the incident laser beam, it passes through the privacy screen 23 virtually unhindered and strikes the armor element 2, which moves relative to the object 10. However, the movements of the armor element 2 are not visible to the attacker, since the wavelength of the laser radiation is often outside the range visible to the human eye or due to the narrow band keke the optical transparency of the screen 23 at least difficult to recognize for the attacker. The attacker therefore has an image in which the laser beam virtually disappears in the privacy screen 23 without causing a significant effect here. Because even with the destruction of one of the armor elements 2, this would not be visible to the attacker due to the screen 23.

An embodiment which has been improved in terms of its protective effect finally shows the illustration in FIG. 18. In this case, the armor elements ₂ are arranged in several layers Li, L ₂ , resulting in a redundant arrangement such that if one of the armor elements ₂ fails outer layer L _2, the laser radiation strikes in a next step on a further inner layer. The movements of the armor elements 2 are advantageously oriented differently in the layers Li, L ₂ . Reference numerals:

1 laser armor

2 armor element

2.1 Recording

2.2 inlet

2.3 outlet

2.4 edge

3 Optical active body, reflection body 3.1 Surface

4 Optical active body, refractive body

5 Optical active body, diffraction body 5.1 Diffraction gap

10 object

11 cooling fluid

12 area

13 cooling system

14 cooling circuit

15 spray device

16 chamber

17 sacrificial plate Ri direction

R ₂ direction

L2 location

M drive Sensor pump

Claims

claims:

Laser armor for protecting an object (10), in particular a vehicle, against laser weapons with an armor element (2) which can be arranged on the object (10),

characterized ,

the armor element (2) has a plurality of optical active bodies (3, 4, 5) for impairing the incident laser radiation.

Laser armor according to claim 1, characterized in that the active bodies (3) are designed to reflect the laser radiation as a reflection body (3).

Laser armor according to claim 2, characterized in that the reflection body (3) has a reflective surface (3.1), in particular a mirror surface.

Laser armor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active bodies (4) are designed to break the laser radiation as a refractive body (4).

Laser armor according to claim 4, characterized in that the refractive body (4) consist of an optically transparent material.

Laser armor according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the refractive bodies (4) have a curved surface for expanding the laser radiation. Laser armor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active bodies (5) are designed to diffract the laser radiation as a diffraction body (5).

Laser armor according to claim 6, characterized in that the diffraction bodies (5) have diffraction gaps (5.1).

Laser armor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the effective direction of the laser radiation a plurality of active bodies (3, 4, 5) are arranged one behind the other.

Laser armor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active bodies (3, 4, 5) are arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle (2.1) of the armor element (2).

Laser armor according to claim 10, characterized in that the receptacle (2.1) is at least on the threat side in the wavelength range of the laser weapons optically transparent.

Laser armor according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the active bodies (3, 4, 5) are arranged in the manner of a protective curtain (2.2).

Laser armor according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the active bodies (3, 4, 5) are embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threat side of the armor element (2).

Laser armor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active bodies (3, 4, 5) have a plurality of mutually angled surfaces extending. Laser armor according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the active bodies (3, 4) are spherical.

Laser armor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cooling system (13) is provided for deriving introduced by the laser radiation heat and / or that the armor element (2) relative to the object (10) is arranged movable.

Method for protecting an object (10), in particular a vehicle, from laser weapons with a laser armor (1) having an armor element (2),

characterized,

the irradiated laser radiation is impaired by a multiplicity of optical active bodies (3, 4, 5).

A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the laser armor (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 16.

19. Vehicle, in particular military vehicle, characterized by a laser armor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16.