U.S. patent application number 11/614360 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for armored vehicle with blast deflecting hull.
This patent application is currently assigned to BLACKWATER LODGE AND TRAINING CENTER LLC. Invention is credited to James Dehart, Lon Dykes, Dave Williams.
Application Number | 20070186762 11/614360 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38366980 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070186762 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dehart; James ; et
al. |
August 16, 2007 |
ARMORED VEHICLE WITH BLAST DEFLECTING HULL
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an armored vehicle that includes a frame
supported by one or more wheels, a hull affixed to the frame having
a generally diamond shaped vertical cross section, the hull
including: a plurality of armored panels; one or more bullet proof
windows; and an air intake designed to prevent debris from entering
an engine compartment, wherein the generally diamond shape of the
hull deflects energy from sources that are not normal to a hull
surface away from the hull to minimize damage to the hull.
Inventors: |
Dehart; James; (Camden,
NC) ; Williams; Dave; (Chesapeake, VA) ;
Dykes; Lon; (Elizabeth City, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROUTMAN SANDERS LLP
600 PEACHTREE STREET , NE
ATLANTA
GA
30308
US
|
Assignee: |
BLACKWATER LODGE AND TRAINING
CENTER LLC
Moyock
NC
|
Family ID: |
38366980 |
Appl. No.: |
11/614360 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60753000 |
Dec 22, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.09 ;
89/904; 89/912; 89/914; 89/929 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/26 20130101; F41H
5/023 20130101; F41H 7/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
089/036.09 |
International
Class: |
F41H 5/14 20060101
F41H005/14 |
Claims
1. An armored vehicle comprising: a hull having a generally diamond
shaped vertical cross section, the hull comprising a plurality of
armored panels; and one or more blast plates affixed to an exterior
of the hull, wherein the generally diamond shape of the hull
deflects energy from sources that are not perpendicular to a hull
surface away from the hull to minimize damage to the hull.
2. The armored vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of armored
panels have a multi-layered construction.
3. The armored vehicle of claim 2, wherein a first layer of the
armored panel is steel or a suitable metal alloy and a second layer
of the armored panel is a textile designed to prevent the sprawling
of the first layer resulting from an impact.
4. The armored vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the plurality of armored panels are disposed on an undercarriage of
the armored vehicle.
5. The armored vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an air intake
designed to prevent debris from entering an engine compartment of
the armored vehicle.
6. The armored vehicle of claim 5, wherein the air intake includes
an exterior layer and an interior layer each comprising a plurality
of armored cross bars and a plurality of horizontal openings,
wherein the armored cross bars on the exterior layer are disposed
in front of the horizontal openings on the interior layer and the
horizontal openings on the outer layer are disposed in front of the
armored cross bars on the interior layer.
7. The armored vehicle of claim 1, wherein a gap is disposed
between the one or more blast plates and the hull of the armored
vehicle, the gap sufficient for venting blast forces emanating from
beneath the hull.
8. An armored vehicle hull comprising: a lower portion including a
first and second lower armored panel, wherein the first and second
lower armored panels are disposed at an angle ranging from
approximately twenty-five degrees to seventy-five degrees from
vertical; and a upper portion including a first and second upper
armored panel, wherein the first and second upper armored panel are
disposed at an angle ranging from approximately twenty-five degrees
to seventy-five degrees from vertical.
9. The armored vehicle of claim 8, further comprising an air intake
located on a front of the armored vehicle designed to prevent
debris from entering an engine compartment of the armored vehicle,
wherein a shape of the armored hull deflects energy from sources
that are not normal to a hull surface away from the hull to
minimize damage to the hull.
10. The armored vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first and second
lower and upper armored panels have a multi-layered
construction.
11. The armored vehicle of claim 10, wherein a first layer of the
armored panels are steel or a suitable metal alloy and a second
layer of the armored panels are a textile designed to prevent the
sprawling of the first layer resulting from an impact.
12. The armored vehicle of claim 8, wherein the air intake includes
an exterior layer and an interior layer each comprising a plurality
of armored cross bars and a plurality of horizontal openings,
wherein the armored cross bars on the exterior layer are disposed
in front of the horizontal openings on the interior layer and the
horizontal openings on the outer layer are disposed in front of the
armored cross bars on the interior layer.
13. The armored vehicle of claim 8, further comprising one or more
blast plates mounted on an exterior surface of the armored hull,
wherein the blast plates at least partially cover at least a
portion of the plurality of the wheels.
14. The armored vehicle of claim 13, wherein the one or more blast
plates are mounted on the exterior surface of the armored hull such
that a gap exists between the one or more blast plates and the
exterior surface.
15. The armored vehicle of claim 13, wherein the one or more blast
plates are mounted on the exterior surface of the armored hull with
a plurality of blast-away bolts that are designed to allow the one
or more blast plates to separate from the armored hull as a result
of sufficient blast forces.
16. A multi-layered armored panel comprising: a first layer
constructed of steel; a second layer disposed on an interior
surface of the first layer, the second layer constructed of an
textiles suitable to prevent spalling of the first layer; and a
third layer disposed on an interior surface of the second layer,
the third layer constructed of a ceramic material.
17. The multi-layered armored panel of claim 16, wherein the second
layer is directly disposed on the first layer.
18. The multi-layered armored panel of claim 17, wherein an open
space layer is provided between the second layer and the third
layer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/753,000 filed 22 Dec. 2005, the entire contents
of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to armored
personnel carriers, and, more particularly, to an armored personnel
carrier with a generally diamond shaped hull.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Armored personnel carriers or armored vehicles are used in a
wide variety of applications that require the safe and secure
transportation of one or more individuals through dangerous
environments. For example, armored SWAT vehicles may be used to
transport police officers in tactical situations or armored
vehicles may be used to transport individuals in need of high
security through dangerous environments. The most common use of
armored vehicles, often referred to as an Armored Personnel Carrier
or APC, is in military applications. Throughout this description,
the APC will largely be discussed in terms of military
applications, however, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that APC's may be utilized in a variety of scenarios.
APCs are employed by the military to transport infantry and
supplies to and from the battlefield. APCs are generally light
armoured vehicles that have little firepower and are designed to
move troops quickly and safely.
[0004] Various APCs have been used to transport infantry since
World War I, but changing battle environments demand an updated APC
design. The first APC, the British Mark V, was developed during
World War I was essentially a tank with a small passenger
compartment. As the APC evolved from a tank design, most APCs
designs were designed as tracked vehicles. After the conclusion of
World War II various specialized APCs were designed, including the
US M-113 and the Soviet BTR-40, which was a wheeled design.
[0005] Traditionally, APCs have been designed to withstand small
arms fire and shell fragments. Accordingly, the armour on APCs is
usually composed of simple steel or aluminium, sufficient only for
protection against small arms fire and most shell fragments. The
armour of a typical APC will not withstand an attack by most types
of anti-tank weapons; in fact, just about any type of anti-tank
weapon can defeat the armour of a typical APC.
[0006] While current APC armourments are sufficent for traditional
uses of the APCs, design changes are needed to adapt the APC for
use in current war environments, such as in Iraq. One of the
greatest threats to APCs in Iraq are the roadside bombs which are
being encountered in large numbers. Roadside bombs are typically
detonated by a pressure switch that is activated when ran over by
an APC or the roadside bombs are remotely detonated when an APC is
close to the bomb. Current APCs are not built specifically to
withstand attacks by roadside bombs and perform poorly in response
to such attacks for several reasons. Current designs of typical APC
are particularly vulnerable to bombs that are detonated below the
hull of the APC because the APCs were primarily designed to defend
against lateral small arms fire. Detonations under the hull can
cause serious damage to the undercarriage of the APC, which may
have less armourment than the sides of the APC. Additionally,
detonations of bombs below the APC may cause the APC to flip over
and become immobile.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an APC that is
able to withstand roadside bombs and other challenges present in
today's war environment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Disclosed herein in an improved armored vehicle that has a
generally diamonded shaped hull. The sides of the diamonded shaped
hull are substantially non-vertical surfaces that are designed to
minimize the impact of lateral fire on the hull. Additionally, the
diamonded shaped hull directs blast forces emanating from beneath
the hull away from the hull of the armored personnel carrier. The
deflection of blast forces minimizes the impact that roadside bombs
have on the APC and prevent the APC from flipping over from a
roadside bomb. Furthermore, the improved personnel carrier includes
one or more blast plates that are mounted on the exterior of the
hull of the APC which provide an additional layer of protection for
the APC.
[0009] In one embodiment the armored vehicle includes a hull having
a generally diamond shaped vertical cross section, the hull
comprising a plurality of armored panels and one or more blast
plates affixed to an exterior of the hull, wherein the generally
diamond shape of the hull deflects energy from sources that are not
perpendicular to a hull surface away from the hull to minimize
damage to the hull.
[0010] In another embodiment the armored vehicle includes a lower
portion including a first and second lower armored panel, wherein
the first and second lower armored panels are disposed at an angle
ranging from approximately twenty-five degrees to seventy-five
degrees from vertical and a upper portion including a first and
second upper armored panel, wherein the first and second upper
armored panel are disposed at an angle ranging from approximately
twenty-five degrees to seventy-five degrees from vertical.
[0011] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading the
following specification in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an improved armored
personnel carrier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates another side view of the improved armored
personnel carrier in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the improved armored
personnel carrier of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the improved armored
personnel carrier of FIG. 2 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an air-intake of the
improved armored personnel carrier in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the air-intake
of FIG. 5 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an side view of an improved armored
personnel carrier in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the improved
armored personnel carrier of FIG. 7 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an armored
panel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments
of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of
example with reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention is an improved armored personnel
carrier that is designed to better handle the challenges presented
in a variety of hazardous conditions. Such conditions may relate to
unsafe urban situations, police actions, military activities, and
battlefields, such as the current situation in Iraq. While much of
the present disclosure describes challenges faced in war
environments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
scope of the present invention is not so limited.
[0024] The APC described herein has a generally diamonded shaped
hull, e.g., the sides of the hull are substantially non-vertical
surfaces. The angled sides of the hull are designed to minimize the
impact of lateral fire on the hull and to reduce the impact of a
roadside bomb on the APC. For example, the diamonded shaped hull
deflects lateral fire impacting the sides of the APC and also
directs blast forces emanating from beneath the hull away from the
hull of the armored personnel carrier. By deflecting blast forces
emanating from beneath the hull the diamond shaped design minimizes
the impact that roadside bombs have on the APC and reduces the
chances that the APC will flip over from a roadside bomb
attack.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view of an improved armored
personnel carrier 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated. The APC 100 includes a hull
102 mounted on a frame 104 that is supported by wheels 106. The
hull 102 includes several armored panels 108 that completely encase
the APC 100. In exemplary embodiments, the armored panels 108 are
designed to encase the engine compartment, the passenger
compartment, and the undercarriage of the APC 100. The front of the
APC 100 includes an air intake 110 that is designed to allow air
into the engine compartment while preventing ammunition and other
debris from entering the engine compartment.
[0026] In exemplary embodiments, the hull 102 may include a
plurality of windows 112 that are made of a suitably durable
material to withstand impact from munitions and other projectiles.
Such suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, bullet
proof glass, plexiglass, and the like. In addition, the wheels 106
may be filled with a gel, foam, or other material that prevents the
wheel from going flat upon being punctured. Suitable materials may
include, but are not limited to, 3/8'' AR5-500 Brinnell; 1/4''
AR5-500 Brinnell; 7/16'' spall liner, air gaps, tactical paint
coating, other composite materials, and the like. The APC 100 may
include one more rear doors 114 and one or more side doors to allow
personnel to enter and exit the APC 100. FIG. 2 illustrates the APC
100 with the rear door 114 in its open position. In alternative
exemplary embodiments, the rear door 114 may be a vertical hinge
door rather than the horizontal hinging door as shown.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the APC 100 in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown,
the hull 102 of the APC 100 has a generally diamond shaped
cross-section. The diamond shape of the hull 102 is constructed
with sloped or angled sides and is structurally sound to withstand
blast forces and arms fire received from a variety of sources. The
sloped sides may reduce the likelihood of the APC 100 experiencing
direct, close to perpendicular, or ninety degree, impact from
incoming fire. Such sloped sides may deflect arms fire and blast
forces and reduce the impact on the APC 100. The sloped sides are
implemented in a diamond shape that is integrated throughout the
APC 100 including, but not limited to the undercarriage, sides,
top, front, and rear of the APC. Alternatively, other shapes are
available that include sloped sides throughout a cross section of
the APC. Such alternative shapes may be used and are consistent
with the scope of the present invention. FIG. 4, illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of the APC 100 with the rear door 114 in the
open position.
[0028] When a road side bomb is detonated beneath a standard APC,
the blast forces act against the bottom of the APC and stress the
APC hull. Often, these blast forces are trapped in various cavities
under the APC, which place great forces on the hull and may create
rollover problems. In exemplary embodiments, the diamond shape of
the hull 102, specifically the lower portion of the hull 102, is
designed to deflect blast forces away from the hull 102 of the APC
100. Additionally, the hull 102 minimizes horizontal surfaces and
covers cavities that may catch blast forces that come from beneath
the hull 102. In exemplary embodiment, armored plates are placed
over any cavities or protrusions that otherwise may catch blast
forces emanating from below the hull 102.
[0029] In one example, if a roadside bomb was detonated under the
hull 102, the shape of the hull 102 would deflect the majority of
the force from the blast away from the hull 102 such that the
damage to the hull 102 would be minimal. The diamond shaped
undercarriage slopes upward toward the sides of the APC and directs
the blast forces out from under the APC. Additionally, armored
plates on the bottom of the hull prevent blast forces from being
caught by cavities in, or protrusions extending, from the hull.
These design elements combine to reduce both the damage to the APC
from a roadside bomb and the probability that the APC will be
overturned by a roadside bomb.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 5, the air intake 110 in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
The air intake 110 is designed to reduce the effectiveness of a
frontal attack on the engine compartment of the APC by preventing
munitions and other projectiles from reaching the engine of the
APC. The air intake 110 includes a plurality of horizontal openings
116 and a plurality of armored cross bars 118. The armored cross
bars 118 are constructed of a durable material designed to
withstand small arms fire. The horizontal openings 116 are large
enough to enable a sufficient amount of air to pass through to
effectively support the operation of the engine. In one embodiment,
the air intake 110 is sloped to minimize the risk of a direct, or
ninety degree, impact on the air intake 110.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the air intake 110 shown
in FIG. 5 taken along line I. The air intake 110 includes a second
protective layer 120 that includes another plurality of armored
cross bars 122 which are disposed such that debris that passes
through the opening of the outer layer of the air intake 110 will
impact the armored cross bars 122. Additionally, the second
protective layer 120 includes a plurality of horizontal openings
124 sufficient to enable a suitable amount of air to pass through
to effectively support the operation of the engine. The horizontal
openings 124 are located on the second protective layer 120 such
that they are behind the armored cross bars 118 on the outer layer
of the air intake 110. The use of the two layers of armored cross
bar 118 and 122 in the air intake 110 prevent ammunition and debris
from entering the engine compartment and interfering with the
operation of the engine of the APC 100.
[0032] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another exemplary embodiment
of an armored personnel carrier 200 is illustrated. In one
embodiment, a wheel 202 on the side of the APC 200 may have one or
more side blast plates 204 that are designed to provide further
protection for the wheels 202 of the armored personnel carrier 200.
For example, the side blast plates 204 may be provided to defend
against lateral arms fire. The blast plates 204 may be effective in
stopping arms fire from reaching the hull 206 of the APC 200 and
incoming explosive rounds may detonate upon contact with the blast
plate 204 thereby preventing detonation in contact with the hull
206. Such premature detonation may reduce the impact on the hull
206 and may help prevent projectiles from penetrating the hull 206
of the APC 200. In exemplary embodiments, ore or more blast plates
204 may be used to cover a portion of or an entire side of the hull
206. For example, the blast plates 204 may be used to cover only
the portion of the hull 206 that includes the wheels 202. The blast
plates 204 are affixed to the hull 206 such that the surface of the
blast plates 204 are not parallel with the surface of the hull 206,
which further reduces the chances of a direct impact with both the
outer layer of armor, blast plate 204, and the inner layer of
armor, hull 206.
[0033] In order to avoid creating a cavity in the APC 200 that is
susceptible to trapping blast forces, a gap 208 may be provided
between the hull 206 and the blast plates 204. As discussed above,
blast forces from explosives detonated below the APC 200 present a
great threat, especially if the blast forces are trapped under the
APC 200. In order to avoid trapping these forces, an egress for
blast forces to escape from under the APC 200 with minimum damage
to the APC 200 may be provided. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the egress may be provided by
leaving gap 208 between the sloped sides of the hull 206 and the
blast plates 204. In such an embodiment, when a bomb detonates
below the APC 200, the blast forces are directed up the sloped side
of the hull 206 and through the gap 208. Preferrably, the gap is of
sufficient width to allow the blast force to escape easily. Such a
gap may preferrably be one to four inches in width. Additionally,
the blast plates 204 may be mounted to the hull 206 with one or
more blast-away bolts 210 that are designed to allow the blast
plate 204 to separate from the hull 206 of the APC 200 in the event
that the gap 208 does not provide sufficient egress for blast
forces.
[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, the blast plates 204 may be
affixed to the bull 206 by a hinge, which allows the blast plate
204 to swing open to vent blast forces emanating from beneath the
hull 206. Additionally, the APC may also include one or more
horizontal stabilization bars that are affixed to the hull 206,
which prevent the blast plates from impacting the hull 206. For
example, the blast plates 204 may be affixed to the hull 206 with a
hinge extending along the top horizontal edge of the blast plate
204 and the horizontal stabilization bars may be affixed to the
hull 206 such that during normal operation an interior surface the
blast plates 204 rests against the horizontal stabilization bars.
During a roadside bomb attack, the blast forces force the blast
plate 204 to pivot away from the vehicle and vent the blast forces,
however, during lateral fire the horizontal stabilization bars
prevent the blast plate 204 from impacting the hull 206. In
exemplary embodiments, to further stabilize the hull 206, vertical
stabilization plates 210 may be disposed inside the hull 206 to
reinforce the joint of a lower armored panel and an upper armored
panel.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 9, a cross sectional view of the
armored panel 108 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention is illustrated. In exemplary embodiments, the armored
panels 108 are multi-layered and the various layers are constructed
of different materials. In one embodiment, a first layer 126 of the
armored panel 108 is constructed of steel or another suitable metal
alloy material. A second layer 128 of the multi-layered armored
panel 108 is textile designed to prevent spalling of the steel or
metal alloy that may occur as a result of an impact to the armored
panel. In addition to metal alloys and textiles, the armored panels
may include a third layer 130 that is constructed of suitable a
ceramic material. In one exemplary embodiment, the armored panel
108 may also include a fourth layer 132 that is constructed of
steel or another suitable metal alloy material. The fourth layer
132 may be the constructed of the same or different material as the
first layer 126. Likewise, the fourth layer 132 may have the same
or different thickness that the first layer 126. In other exemplary
embodiments the armored panel 108 may also include additional
layers of metal, textiles, ceramics, and open space, or air, layers
to provide additional protection.
[0036] Whereas the present invention has been described in detail
it is understood that variations and modifications can be effected
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as described herein
before and as defined in the appended claims. The corresponding
structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all
mean-plus-function elements, if any, in the claims below are
intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing
the functions in combination with other claimed elements as
specifically claimed.
* * * * *