U.S. patent application number 11/104332 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for body armor structure, method and performance.
This patent application is currently assigned to MJD Innovations, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Michael R. Dennis, Thomas S. Ohnstad.
Application Number | 20100005955 11/104332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37115444 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100005955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ohnstad; Thomas S. ; et
al. |
January 14, 2010 |
Body armor structure, method and performance
Abstract
Body armor structure including a unitary material body having
strike and opposite faces, and an internal structure disposed
between these faces which progresses from shatter-prone to ductile.
The methodology of the invention includes the steps of responding
to a projectile impact first with a fragmentation
energy-dissipating mechanism, and thereafter augmenting such
responding with a ductile elastic yield mechanism. The methodology
further includes the step of telegraphing the responding action
through a brittle/ductile transition region in the structure of the
invention to engage the ductile elastic yield mechanism.
Inventors: |
Ohnstad; Thomas S.;
(Scappoose, OR) ; Dennis; Michael R.; (Scappoose,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT D. VARITZ, P.C.
4915 SE 33RD PLACE
PORTLAND
OR
97202
US
|
Assignee: |
MJD Innovations, L.L.C.
|
Family ID: |
37115444 |
Appl. No.: |
11/104332 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/0421
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 |
International
Class: |
F41H 5/04 20060101
F41H005/04; F41H 5/08 20060101 F41H005/08 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A method of forming an anti-projectile armoring element
consisting entirely of a single oxidizable ductile metal and an
oxide of that metal, and having opposite faces comprising providing
a precursor element consisting of an oxidizable, ductile metal and
possessing both (a) such opposite faces, and (b) a defined
thickness profile between such faces, such element having a
capability for processing to create, within the element, and
adjacent one only of its opposite faces which is to become a
projectile strike face, an oxidized, brittle ceramic region formed
of an oxide of the mentioned metal which, progressing through the
element's thickness profile to its opposite face, transitions
continuously through a brittle/ductile transition region to a
non-oxidized, metal, ductile region which is adjacent the opposite
face, and so processing the element.
11-12. (canceled)
13. A method of forming an anti-projectile armoring element
consisting entirely of titanium and an oxide of titanium, and
having opposite faces comprising providing a ductile-quality
precursor element consisting of titanium and possessing both (a)
such faces, and (b) a defined thickness profile between such faces,
such element having a capability for processing to create, within
the element, and adjacent only one of its faces which is to become
a projectile strike face, an oxidized, brittle ceramic region
formed of an oxide of titanium which, progressing through the
element's thickness profile to its opposite face, transitions
continuously through a brittle/ductile transition region to a
non-oxidized, metal, ductile region which is adjacent the opposite
face, and so processing the element.
14. A method of forming an anti-projectile armoring component
having opposite faces comprising providing a ductile-quality,
precursor component formed oxidizable elemental metal, and
possessing both (a) such faces, and (b) a defined thickness profile
between such faces, the metal in such component having a capability
for processing to create, within the component, and adjacent one
only of its faces which is to become a projectile strike face, an
oxidized, brittle ceramic region formed of an oxide of the metal
which, progressing through the component's thickness profile to its
opposite face, transitions continuously through a brittle/ductile
transition region to a non-oxidized, metal, ductile region which is
adjacent the opposite face, and so processing the component
whereby, following processing, it consists solely of the elemental
metal and its formed oxide.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to body armor structure, to
methodology associated with this structure, and to performance
characteristics of the structure. According to the invention, armor
is formed utilizing thin-plate-like elements each having (a) a
projectile strike face which, along with the integrated structure
immediately adjacent it, is a hardened ceramic material, (b) an
opposite face which, along with the integrated structure
immediately adjacent it, is ductile in character, and (c)
intermediate these ceramic and ductile materials, a continuous,
brittle/ductile interface, or transition, zone. Thus, and
especially to be noted about the structure of the invention, the
opposite faces of the invention plate-like elements are
dramatically different in character, and include (a) hardened,
brittle ceramic, (b) ductile, and (c) brittle/ductile transition,
regions. For purposes of illustration herein, the armor elements of
this invention are presented as being tile-like in form. Though
this is a preferable form of the invention, it is not a necessary
form.
[0002] Preferably, the basic substance forming the armor structure
just briefly outlined is titanium. With respect to the "elements"
proposed by the invention, these can be thought of as taking the
form of tiles which may have various different perimeter outlines,
such as square, circular, hexagonal, and many others, etc.
Dimensions associated with this perimeter can be varied to suit
different applications, but typical might be that a
square-perimeter tile has a side length of about 3-inches, with the
same being the case for the diameter of a circular-perimeter
tile.
[0003] Thickness can be different, and can be varied within the
structure of a particular tile to suit different applications. So
also choosable and selectively variable are the depth/thickness
configurations of the mentioned brittle, transitional, and ductile
regions within a tile.
[0004] A very suitable base material for the armor structure of
this invention is an initally ductile titanium product called
Tiadyne.TM. 3510 manufactured by ATI Wah Chang which is based in
Albany, Oreg.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Generally speaking, FIGS. 1-8, inclusive, illustrate various
forms, and in FIG. 2, their armor-performance behaviors, of body
armor tiles made in accordance with this invention.
[0006] FIGS. 9 and 10 generally show use of armor tiles
collectively to form a protective armor fabric.
[0007] FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, show a method for forming the
tile structures of FIGS. 1-8, inclusive, and the operating response
behaviors of these formed structures.
[0008] In particular, FIG. 1 provides a simplified, isometric view
of a thin, square-perimeter, armor tile made in accordance with the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of one side of the tile of FIG. 1
generally illustrating the armoring response of this tile to a
projectile impact on its strike face.
[0010] FIGS. 3-8, inclusive, illustrate cross-sectional profiles of
modified forms of the tile of FIG. 1. Cross-sectional hatch lines
are omitted from these figures for clarity purposes.
[0011] FIG. 9 shows, fragmentarily, a fabric made of armor tiles
like the tile shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012] FIG. 10 shown, fragmentarily, another fabric made of armor
tiles made in accordance with the invention, with these tiles each
having a hexagonal perimetral configuration.
[0013] FIG. 11 is a block/schematic diagram of a preferred method
for building the tile structure of this invention.
[0014] FIG. 12 is a block/schematic diagram illustrating the
armoring performance of the structure of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 9 shows a basic square (or
rectangular) cross section, armor tile, or body armor structure,
10. This tile, which is also referred to herein as a
tile-configured element, as a unitary material body, and as a
unitary armor structure, has a projectile strike face 10a, an
opposite side, or differentiated-character opposite face, 10b (see
FIG. 2 especially), and intermediate these faces, a hardened,
brittle shatter-prone ceramic-layer region 10c a ductile layer
region 10d, and a bridging brittle/ductile interface, or
transition, or shatter-prone, layer region 10e. The overall
thickness of tile 10 is about 3/8- to about 1/2-inches. Brittle
ceramic region 10c has a thickness herein of about 1/3 of the total
tile thickness. Transition region 10e has a thickness also of about
1/3 of this total thickness, and ductile region 10d has a thickness
of about 1/3 of the same total thickness. The side dimension of
tile 10 is about 1- to about 2-inches. It should be appreciated
that these dimensions are matters of user/designer choice.
[0016] A double-headed arrow 12 illustrates the recognition that
transition region 10e can have different, basic, overall positional
dispositions (placements) within the thickness of tile 10 relative
to opposite faces 10a, 10b. Two double-headed arrows 14, 16
illustrate the further recognition that one side or the other, or
both, of region 10e can be positioned variously (by user choice)
within the thickness of tile 10. The internal interfaces between
these three layer regions, which regions collectively form what is
referred to herein as a unitary material body, are continuous, in
the sense that there is no sharp material discontinuity between
next-adjacent regions. The internal structure of tile 10 is thus
seen to progress from shatter-prone (face 10a, region 10c) to
ductile (face 10b, region 10d).
[0017] Beginning with the above-mentioned ductile titanium material
as a precursor material, tiles of this material having the
thickness and perimetral outline decided upon by the user/designer
are initially formed in any suitable, conventional manner.
[0018] Following this formation, one face only of a thus pre-formed
tile structure is unconventionally (from one aide only) processed,
as by heating in a controlled, oxidizing environment, to form in
each tile the desired depth/configuration brittle ceramic region
(herein titanium oxide) which is purposely developed, as just
suggested above, on one side, and from one face, only, of the
precursor tile. This is an important practice of the present
invention, which practice yields a unique armor tile structure,
wherein one side is a hardened, brittle ceramic material, the
opposite side remains as a ductile material, and there is a
continuous, brittle/ductile, interfacial transition region between
these two other, very different regions. As will be seen, this
formation practice, and the end-result structure which it produces,
avoids the presence of any material characteristic other than
ductility to exist on that side of a tile which is opposite its
brittle ceramic side. Conventional, allover surface oxidizing would
not accomplish this important end result.
[0019] FIG. 11 in the drawings provides a schematic, block-diagram
illustration of this processing approach of the invention.
[0020] The armoring behavior which results from this processing
approach will now be described.
[0021] FIG. 2 pictures schematically the response behavior of tile
10 when its strike face is hit by a projectile, such as a bullet,
traveling toward the tile as indicated by an arrow 18 in FIGS. 1
and 2. FIG. 12 offers a block-diagram outline of the invention's
impact response behavior. As a first response action, the brittle
ceramic region 10c in the tile fragments to dissipate bullet energy
quickly, utilizing a mechanism referred to herein as a
fragmentation energy-dissipating mechanism. Additionally, and as
will be discussed more fully later herein, the chosen configuration
of strike face 10a may initially function to change the course of
bullet (and/or bullet fragments) travel.
[0022] Fragmentation of region 10c is telegraphed through the
brittle/ductile transition region 10e to ductile region 10d which
deflects and deforms, yieldingly and elastically, further to
dissipate bullet energy. This action is referred to herein as one
utilizing a ductile elastic yield mechanism. The elastic yield
response of region 10d is not hampered in any way by the presence
of any other internal region "beyond" it as defined by tile face
10b. In other words, no material back-up is required to be placed
adjacent tile face 10b.
[0023] By using different opposing facial characteristics in the
tile structure of this invention, it is possible to employ the
armoring qualities of the structure of the invention to design the
specific manner in which a projectile's attack may be foiled. These
possibilities include shaping the manner in which impact energy is
addressed, and deflecting a projectile's post-initial-impact
trajectory significantly. FIG. 3-8, inclusive, provide several
modified-surface-profile alternative configurations for a tile, or
the like, made in accordance with the invention. Such alternative
surface configurations may be employed, as was suggested earlier
herein, to control post-impact projectile (and fragments thereof)
trajectory(ies). In FIGS. 3-8, inclusive, dash-dot lines are
employed to illustrate the internal juxtapositions of the
above-discussed brittle, brittle/ductile transition, and ductile
regions in each illustrated tile element structure.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a tile 20 which has one concave side 20a
(the strike face side) and one opposite planar side 20b, as shown.
The central depth of this concave side, shown at A, might typically
be about 1/16- to about 1/8-inches. This also is a matter of
designer/user choice.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a double-symmetrical-concave-side tile 22
with a strike face 22a, and an opposite face 22b.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a planar-side/convex-side tile 24. The
dome 14a which forms the convex strike-face side of this tile may
have a crown height B relative to the thickness of the tile at its
perimeter, of about 1/16- to about 1/8-inches. The opposite face of
tile 24 is shown at 24b
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a convex-side (26a)/concave-side (26b) tile
26.
[0028] FIG. 7 pictures a double-convex-side tile 28. In this tile,
side 26a is the strike face side, and side 26b the opposite
side.
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a tapered-cross-section tile 30 with a
strike face side 30a, and an opposite side 30b.
[0030] FIGS. 9 and 10, fragmentarily, illustrate portions of two,
different body armor fabrics 32, 34, respectively. Fabric 32 is
formed with square-perimetered tiles 32a which are suitably
attached, edge-to-edge, to a backing material 32b which might
typically be made of a suitable woven ballistic material made of
aramid fibers, such as Kevlar.RTM.. Fabric 34 is formed with
hexagonal-perimetered tiles 34a which are similarly suitably
attached to a backing material 34b which may be the same as
material 32b.
[0031] These fabrics are merely suggestive of the many ways in
which the structure of the present invention may easily and
conveniently be deployed to form large body-armor expanses.
[0032] Thus, a novel body armor element structure (preferably,
though not necessarily, in a tile form), methodology, and
performance have been illustrated and described. A key feature in
the structure of the invention is that armor elements made
according to it are characterized by a unique through-element
transitioning characteristic, including a hardened ceramic strike
side, a ductile opposite side, and a brittle/ductile transition
zone bridging these two sides.
[0033] The methodology of the invention features the steps of
responding to a projectile impact first with a fragmentation
energy-dissipating mechanism, and thereafter augmenting such
responding with a ductile elastic yield mechanism. This methodology
further includes the step of telegraphing the responding action
through a brittle/ductile transition region in the structure of the
invention to engage the ductile elastic yield mechanism.
[0034] Those skilled in the art may well determine that variations
and modifications of the invention beyond those specifically
presented herein may be made fully within the scope of the
invention, and the claims herein are intended to encompass all such
variations and modifications.
* * * * *