U.S. patent application number 10/832123 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for active armour protection system for armoured vehicles.
Invention is credited to Peter Gregory Lloyd.
Application Number | 20060225566 10/832123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32873339 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060225566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lloyd; Peter Gregory |
October 12, 2006 |
ACTIVE ARMOUR PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR ARMOURED VEHICLES
Abstract
A sensor system for defending armoured vehicles against
projectiles through the use of active armour. A thermal sensor
detects a projectile's presence, and a laser proximity sensor
determines its location. A doppler sensor distinguishes between
threatening and nonthreatening projectiles by measuring the
projectile's velocity. The sensors are positioned in a housing with
a segmented spherical window, wherein each sensor can detect the
projectile through a window segment having a filtering
characteristic which is matched to its associated sensor. An eyelid
shutter, which can open and close, protects the window from small
arms fire and shrapnel. A conical deflector protects the sensor
system from objects such as tree branches. Heater elements are used
to clear ice and snow from the window, and the eyelid shutter
removes other material through the use of a cleaning liquid
delivery system and rubber wipers.
Inventors: |
Lloyd; Peter Gregory;
(Hanwood, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
101 COLUMBIA ROAD
P O BOX 2245
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07962-2245
US
|
Family ID: |
32873339 |
Appl. No.: |
10/832123 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
07600478 |
Oct 19, 1990 |
6782793 |
|
|
10832123 |
Apr 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
089/036.17 |
International
Class: |
F41H 11/00 20060101
F41H011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 5, 1990 |
CA |
2027026 |
Claims
1. An active armour system having an array of explosive weapon
charges and including sensor means for detecting an incoming
missile and detonating means responsive to said sensor means for
detonating one or more of the explosive weapon charges to defend
against the incoming missile, said sensor means comprising: a
window divided into a plurality of segments, each window segment
having different electromagnetic filtering characteristics; and a
plurality of sensors, one sensor associated with each window
segment and matched with its filtering characteristics so as to
optimize the electromagnetic energy monitored.
2. The active armour system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
sensors includes a sensor that determines a position and measures a
velocity of a missile.
3. The active armour system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
sensors includes a first sensor for determining a position of a
missile and a second sensor for measuring a velocity of the
missile.
4. The active armour system of claim 3 including a third sensor for
sensing thermal radiation from the missile.
5. The active armour system of claim 1 including a first sensor for
determining a position of a missile and a second sensor for
detecting thermal radiation from the missile.
6. The active armour system of claim 1 further comprising means for
clearing material from an outer surface of said window.
7. The active armour system of claim 1 further comprising means for
heating said window and means for delivering a liquid to said outer
surface of said window.
8-33. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 07/600,478 filed Oct. 19, 1990 the entire
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to defending armoured vehicles against
projectiles, such as missiles or bombs, through the use of active
armour. More particularly, the invention relates to a sensor system
which is used to detect the attacking projectile. When an attacking
projectile is detected, the active armour thwarts the attack by
detonating a shaped charge which either destroys or diverts the
projectile.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] Active armour is comprised of an array of elements where
each element is a shaped charge. To defend against an approaching
projectile, the proper element must be chosen and detonated before
the projectile can strike the object being defended. A sensor is
used to determine the projectile's position, and then the element
with the highest probability of destroying the projectile is
detonated.
[0004] The effectiveness of active armour depends upon accurately
determining the position of the approaching projectile. Two
techniques which are used for determining the projectile's position
are contact sensing, and remote sensing. The aforementioned
techniques are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,148 and British
Patent 1,421,379. The contents of said patents are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0005] In a contact sensing system, the projectile's position is
not determined until it makes contact with the active armour array.
The elements contacted by the projectile are detonated, and thereby
destroy the projectile before the surface being defended can be
damaged. This type of system suffers from a shortcoming resulting
from the projectile's close proximity to the active armour array.
This close proximity can result in unintentional detonation or
damage to elements that are near the point of contact with the
projectile. This can result in several elements of the array being
detonated or damaged by a single projectile. This type of system
fails to minimize the number of elements depleted per projectile,
and therefore, will have a reduced capability for defending against
subsequent projectiles.
[0006] In an active armour system that uses remote sensing, an
array of light beams is used to determine the position of an
attacking projectile. The array of light beams is positioned so
that the projectile will penetrate the array of light before it
contacts the array of shaped charges.
[0007] The light array is composed of light beams arranged in rows
and columns. The rows and columns are perpenducular to each other,
and thereby form a grid of light beams. The projectile's position
is determined by sensing which row and column of light is disrupted
as the projectile penetrates the array. Based on this information,
the coordinates of the projectile are known, and the proper shaped
charge can be detonated prior to the projectile making contact with
the active armour array.
[0008] This type of sensor system avoids the unintentional
detonating and damaging of charges that occurs in contact sensor
systems, but it suffers from several drawbacks. The structures used
to support the elements of the light beam array are easily damaged,
and the system is sensitive to accumulations of ice, snow, or
mud.
[0009] The structural elements used to position the light array
away from the active armour array are vulnerable to things such as
tree branches, shrapnel, and stones. For example, as an armoured
personnel carrier travels through a wooded area, it is quite likely
that a tree branch would damage the supports used for positioning
the light array.
[0010] The many light emitters and detectors, which are used by
this type of system, are sensitive to accumulations of ice, snow,
or mud. This problem will result in the light array becoming
inoperative, and will require continuing a mission without the
benefit of the active armour, or it will require exposing personnel
to danger while the light emitters and detectors are cleaned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The problems of the aforementioned active armour sensor
systems are solved by the present invention wherein, a housing
supports a window which filters electromagnetic energy, a shutter
covers and uncovers the window, a sensor positioned behind the
window detects an approaching projectile, and a trigger circuit
responds to the sensor by detonating an explosive element to defend
against the projectile. The present invention minimizes the number
of elements detonated per projectile, and is less vulnerable to
hazards such as tree branches, shrapnel, and accumulations of ice,
snow, or mud.
[0012] The present invention is a sensor system which detects an
approaching projectile and determines its position, before the
projectile contacts the active armour array. This results in
protecting unused elements from accidental detonation or damage
caused by allowing the projectile to contact the array.
[0013] The sensor system also minimizes the unnecessary detonation
of shaped charges by distinguishing between threatening and
nonthreatening projectiles. The projectiles are distinguished
through the use of doppler or thermal sensing.
[0014] The sensor system is less vulnerable to hazards such as tree
branches, shrapnel and stones. It has a structure for deflecting
branches, and a shutter that can be closed to protect the system
from shrapnel and stones.
[0015] In addition, the sensor system is less vulnerable to
accumulations of ice, snow, or mud. It detects the accumulation of
material on its outer surface, and then removes the material
without exposing personnel to danger. The outer surface is heated
to melt ice or snow, and the shutter includes a wiper and cleaning
liquid delivery system for removing mud and other debris.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a rear view of an armoured vehicle showing the
sensor system's position and field shape.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the armoured vehicle shown in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates the sensor system's deflector and
cleaning liquid tank.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates the sensor system's housing and support
wall, with the deflector, the shutter, and the window removed for
clarity.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-section f the sensor system showing the
shutter, the window, and the cleaning system.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a view of the sensor system showing the shutter
and its actuation mechanism, with the window and the support wall
removed for clarity.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cylindrical embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The present invention relates to an armoured vehicle
utilizing a sensor system 1 which determines the position of an
approaching projectile, and sends a trigger signal to an active
armour array. The active armour then detonates a shaped charge to
thwart the projectile's attack. In addition, the sensor system 1
distinguishes threatening from nonthreatening objects through the
use of doppler and/or thermal sensing.
[0024] FIGS. 1 and 2 are rear and side views, respectively, of an
armoured vehicle 2 upon which the sensor system 1 of the present
invention is mounted. The sensor system 1 is mounted on the top
surface of the armoured vehicle 2. The sensor system 1 can be
mounted on any surface as long as the system's position provides it
with a clear view of an approaching projectile. It should be noted
that the sensor system 1 can be used to defend other types of
vehicles, or bunkers by positioning the system so that it will
sense an approaching projectile and trigger an active armour
array.
[0025] When the sensor system 1 detects an approaching projectile
3, the system determines the projectile's position and sends a
trigger signal to an active armour array 4. The active armour array
detonates a shaped charge to thwart the projectile's attack by
either destroying or diverting the projectile.
[0026] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the sensor system's field of view
7. The field of view 7 is fan shaped, and extends outwardly and
downwardly (or upwardly) from the sensor system 1; it is preferable
that the field of view forms a 45.degree. angle with respect to a
horizontal reference. The side view of the armoured vehicle 2 shows
that the field of view 7 is divided into several radially adjacent
sectors 9. The sectors 9 are divided into segments 11 which extend
radially outward from the sensor system 1. The position of the
projectile 3 can be ascertained by determining the sector and the
segment in which the projectile is sensed.
[0027] The sector 9 and the segment 11, in which the approaching
projectile 3 is positioned, can be determined by using sensors such
as laser proximity sensors or radar sensors. The aforementioned
sensors transmit a pulse of electromagnetic energy, and detect
reflections from the projectile. The sector, in which the
projectile is located, is determined by monitoring the
electromagnetic energy's direction of transmission or reception.
The segment, in which the projectile is located, is determined by
measuring the amount of time that it takes for the pulse of
electromagnetic energy to strike the projectile and then return to
the sensor system. Identifying the aforementioned sector and
segment determines the projectile's position, and thereby provides
the necessary information for detonating the proper shaped
charge.
[0028] In addition to containing laser or radar sensors, the sensor
system 1 can include doppler sensors and/or thermal sensors. These
additional sensors are used to distinguish between threatening and
nonthreatening objects, and thereby minimize the wasteful
detonation of shaped charges.
[0029] The sensor system 1 uses a doppler sensor 1 2 to distinguish
between threatening and nonthreatening objects. Threatening objects
have high velocities and nonthreatening objects have low
velocities, therefore the objects can be distinguished by the
doppler frequency measured by the doppler sensor 1 2. FIGS. 1 and 2
show the doppler sensor 12 mounted on the side of the armoured
vehicle; hut it is preferable t mount the doppler sensor within the
sensor system 1, and to transmit only when a projectile is
sensed.
[0030] The doppler sensor can use optical or other electromagnetic
energy, and it can be a pulsed or a continuous wave type sensor. A
pulse doppler sensor offers the advantage of measuring the
projectile's position and velocity with one sensor.
[0031] The sensor system can also use a thermal sensor to
distinguish between threatening and nonthreatening objects.
Threatening objects have a higher thermal output than
nonthreatening objects, therefore the objects can be distinguished
by the thermal energy measured by a thermal sensor.
[0032] Additionally, using a thermal sensor to detect the presence
of a projectile, minimizes the possibility of an enemy using the
electromagnetic transmissions from the other sensors to locate the
armoured vehicle. The thermal sensor is passive and does not
transmit electromagnetic energy, therefore the thermal sensor can
remain active without giving away the vehicle's location. The
probability of an enemy using the electromagnetic energy from the
other sensors is minimized by activating the other sensors after
the thermal sensor has detected the approaching projectile.
[0033] A wide variety of sensors can be used within the sensor
system 1. The only requirement is that either individually or as a
group, the sensors reliably sense the presence ad determine the
position of an approaching projectile.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates the overall structure of the sensor
system. The sensor system 1 is shown mounted on a top surface 21 of
the armoured vehicle 2. The figure shows a housing 23 which
supports a window 25. The sensors used by the sensor system 1 are
mounted behind the window 25. FIG. 3 also shows a shutter 27 which
is used for protecting and cleaning the window 25. Also shown in
FIG. 3 is a deflector 29 which is pointing toward the front of the
vehicle. The deflector 29 protects the sensor system 1 from objects
such as tree branches.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows the housing 23, with the window 25, the shutter
27, and the deflector 29 removed for clarity. The housing is used
to mount the sensor system 1 to the armoured vehicle 2, and also
provides the sensor system 1 with protection from hazards such as
small arms fire.
[0036] The housing 23 is comprised of a top 37, a rear 2 all 39, a
front wall 41, side walls 43 and 45, and a bottom 47. The rear wall
39 is higher than the front wall 41. This difference in height
results in the top 37 forming a sloped surface which is not
parallel to the bottom 47. In addition, the housing 23 has an
opening 48 in the top 37, and the front wall 41.
[0037] The housing 23 also includes a support 49 which is comprised
of a vertical wall 51, and a spherical wall 53. The vertical 2all
51 extends between the side walls 43 and 45, and extends from the
top 37 to the bottom 47. A center portion 54 of the vertical wall
51, does not contact the top 37. The center portion 54 is arched
downward and away from the top 37, and intersects the spherical
wall 53. The spherical wall 53 forms approximately a hollow
hemisphere. The hemisphere extends from the center portion 54 of
the vertical wall 51, up through the opening 48, to a point above
the top 37. The spherical wall 53 has its concave surface facing
the front wall 41, and has its convex surface facing the rear wall
39.
[0038] The opening 48, in the housing 23, is comprised of a larger
top section 55, a smaller top section 56, and a front section 57.
The top sections 55 and 56 are cut through the top 37, ad the front
section 57 is cut through the front wall 41. The larger top section
55 is generally semicircular, is arched toward the rear wall 39,
and has a radius greater than the radius of the spherical wall 53.
The smaller top section 56 is generally semicircular, and is arched
toward the front wall 41, but the apex of the semicircle is cut off
by the intersection of the top 37, and the front wall 41. The
smaller top section 56 has a radius which is approximately equal to
the radius of the spherical wall 53. The front section 57, which is
cut in the front wall 41, begins where the apex of the smaller top
section 56 was cut off by the intersection of the top 37, and the
front wall 41. The front section 57 is shaped in an arc, is arched
toward the bottom 47, and has a radius approximately equal to the
radius of the spherical wall 53.
[0039] The spherical wall 53 extends through only the larger top
section 55 of the opening 48 in the top 37. Since the radius of the
larger top section 55 is larger than the radius of the spherical
wall 53, there is a space 58 between the top 37 and the convex
surface of the spherical wall 53.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross section of the sensor system 1
illustrating the positioning of the window 25 and the shutter
27.
[0041] The window 25 is used to protect the sensors from the
elements and has an electromagnetic filtering characteristic that
makes it transparent to the wavelengths monitored by the sensors.
The window 25 can be used a s a filter to improve the signal to
noise ratio of the sensors. The signal to noise ratio is improved
by filtering out the wavelengths that are not monitored by the
sensors.
[0042] The window 25 can be divided into segments 67, 69, and 71,
where each segment has a different filtering characteristic. The
filtering characteristics are tailored to maximize the signal to
noise ratio for the sensor that is positioned behind segment 67,
69, or 71. For example, if the sensor positioned behind the window
segment 69 used a gallium arsenide laser, then the segmet 69 would
be a narrow band filter centered at 905 nm.
[0043] The window 25 is spherically curved and its concave surface
faces the concave surface of the spherical wall 53. The window 25
attaches to several surfaces: the portion of the spherical wall 53
that extends above the top 37, the top 37 along the smaller top
section 56, and the front wall 41 along the front section 57.
[0044] The sensors, as discussed earlier, detect a projectile's
presence and position, and distinguish the projectile from
nonthreatening objects. The sensors are mounted between the
spherical wall 53 and the window 25. The sensors are arranged to
that the window segment in front of each sensor is transparent to
the wavelengths monitored by that sensor. As an example, a thermal
sensor 73 can be mounted behind window segment 67, a laser
proximity sensor 75 can be mounted behind window segment 69, and a
microwave doppler sensor 76 can be mounted behind window segment
71.
[0045] The outputs of the sensors are received by a trigger circuit
79 which is centrally located between the spherical wall 53, and
the window 25. The trigger circuit 79 produces a trigger signal
which is sent to the active armour array through a cable 81. The
active armour array then uses the trigger signal to detonate one or
more of the array's shaped charges. The trigger circuit 79 can be
responsive to one or more of the sensor outputs, but it is
preferable that the circuit performs an "and" function of the
signals received from the sensors.
[0046] The shutter 27 is used to protect and clean the window 25.
The shutter can be opened and closed automatically, or on command,
depending on the mode of operation selected.
[0047] The shutter 27 is spherically curved, and operates like an
eyelid to cover and uncover the window 25. The shutter is mounted
in the space 58 behind the spherical wall 53 so that the concave
surface of the shutter faces the convex surface of the spherical
wall. When open, the shutter 27 extends from a position adjacent to
a rear surface of the vertical wall 51, to a position above the top
37. When closed, the shutter is positioned so that it completely
covers the window 25. The shutter has rollers 87 mounted on its
concave surface. The rollers 87 support the shutter and move
smoothly over the convex surfaces of the spherical wall 53 and the
window 25.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates the shutter 27, with the window 25 and
the support 49 removed for clarity. The shutter 27 is supported by
a gear mechanism 91 and a bearing assembly 93. The gear mechanism
91, and bearing assembly 93, are mounted on the underside of the
top 37 near the side walls 43 and 45, respectively. The shutter 27
rotates about an axis extending between the gear mechanism 91 and
the bearing assembly 93.
[0049] The shutter 27 is moved by a linear actuator 95 which is
pivotally mounted to the underside of the top 37. The linear
actuator 95 has an arm which moves linearly. A connecting rod 97
connects the arm of the linear actuator 95, to the gear mechanism
93, and thereby enables the linear actuator 95 to open and close
the shutter 27.
[0050] Referring back to FIG. 5, the opening and closing of the
shutter 27 is controlled by the switch contacts 99 and 101. The
switch contact 99 is positioned on the convex surface of the
spherical wall 53, and the switch contact 101 is mounted on the
concave surface of the shutter 27. The switch contacts are
positioned so that they make contact when the shutter 27 reaches
its fully closed position. Depending on the mode selected, the
shutter will automatically open once it has been fully closed, or
it will remain closed until commanded to open by the crew within
the armoured vehicle.
[0051] The shutter 27 also functions to clean the window 25 when a
sensor 1 05 detects an accumulation of material on the outer
surface of the window. The sensor 105 is mounted behind the window
25, and is comprised of a light emitter and a light detector. When
material accumulates on the surface of the window, the light from
the emitter is reflected back to the light detector, and thereby
indicates that the window must be cleaned or cleared.
[0052] The shutter 27 is used to remove material such as ice, snow,
or mud from the window 25. The shutter clears material from the
window by delivering a liquid, such as a water/glycol mixture, to
the surface of the window. After delivering the liquid, the shutter
wipes the window clean with rubber wipers 109 which are mounted on
the concave surface of the shutter.
[0053] FIGS. 3 and 5 show that the liquid is delivered to the
surface of the window 25 through a tube 111. The tube 111 extends
from an endpoint on the concave surface of the shutter 27, to a
tank 113 which is located inside the armoured vehicle. An electric
pump 115, which is positioned inside of the tank 113, pumps the
liquid through the tube 111, and thereby delivers the liquid to the
surface of the window 25. The liquid is returned to the tank 113
through a drain tube 117. The drain tube 117 extends from an
opening in the bottom 47 of the housing 23, to an opening in the
tank 11 3.
[0054] Heater elements 107 are also used to clear the window 25.
When ice, snow, or condensation are sensed by the sensor 105, the
window is cleared by heating it with warm air or with the heater
elements 107.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates the sensor system's deflector 29. The
function of the deflector is to prevent objects such as tree
branches from damaging the sensor system when the armoured vehicle
2 travels through a wooded area.
[0056] The deflector 29 is comprised of a conical section 121 and a
rail section 123. The conical section is used to deflect tree
branches away from the sensor system, and the rail section is used
to prevent the tree branches from returning to their original
position after they have passed over the conical section.
[0057] The conical section 191 has its base positioned adjacent to
the side wall nearest to the front of the vehicle, and has its
vertex pointing toward the front of the vehicle. The rail section
123 has a horizontal leg 125 and a vertical leg 127. The horizontal
leg 125 is positioned horizontally above the window 25, and extends
from the top of the base of the conical section 121, to a point
where it joins the vertical leg 127. The vertical leg 127 attaches
to the outside surface of the side wall nearest to the rear of the
vehicle, and extends vertically until it meets the horizontal leg
125.
[0058] The present invention may be embodied in a variety of
shapes. FIG. 7 shows a cylindrical embodiment which may be less
expensive to produce.
[0059] This cylindrical embodiment has a housing 131 which is
cylindrically shaped, and a window 133 which is comprised of
filtering segments 135, 137, and 139. These segments perform the
same function as the segments of the spherical embodiment. As in
the spherical embodiment, the sensors used in this emodiment are
mounted behind the window 133 and are matched to the filtering
characteristics of segments 135, 137 and 139. The cylindrical
embodiment has a shutter 141 which performs the same protection and
cleaning functions that were performed by the shutter in the
spherical embodiment. The shutter 141 is mounted for rotation about
an axis extending from a bearing assembly 143, to a gear mechanism
145. The shutter is opened and closed by an electric motor 147
acting through the gear assembly 145. This embodiment is similar to
the spherical embodiment in all aspects, except that the overall
shape of the sensor system is cylindrical rather than
spherical.
[0060] The housings and shutters of the aforementioned embodiments
are made of a material that can absorb the kinetic energy of
shrapnel or small arms fire. Materials such as steel and Spectra
2000 can be used to produce the housings and shutters.
* * * * *