U.S. patent application number 11/861422 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for method and apparatus for changing the trajectory of a projectile.
Invention is credited to John D. Eisenhut, Raymond F. Williams.
Application Number | 20100212484 11/861422 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42629771 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100212484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Raymond F. ; et
al. |
August 26, 2010 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING THE TRAJECTORY OF A
PROJECTILE
Abstract
An armor system comprising an armor base, an armor face on the
armor base positioned as to be the first impact point of an
incoming projectile, and a plurality of protrusions that extend
outwardly away from the armor face. The protrusions act to affect
the trajectory of an incoming projectile and divert it away from
the optimum angle of attack.
Inventors: |
Williams; Raymond F.;
(Massillon, OH) ; Eisenhut; John D.; (Canton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
42629771 |
Appl. No.: |
11/861422 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 ;
89/36.07; 89/902; 89/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/0421 20130101;
F41H 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 ;
89/36.07; 89/904; 89/902 |
International
Class: |
F41H 5/007 20060101
F41H005/007; F41H 5/04 20060101 F41H005/04; F41H 7/04 20060101
F41H007/04 |
Claims
1. An armor system for a vehicle comprising: an armor base, adapted
to be applied to an exterior surface of the vehicle; an armor face
on the base, positioned as to be the first impact point for an
incoming projectile; and at least one arcuate surface extending
outwardly away from said armor face, said arcuate surface being
adapted to change the trajectory of the incoming projectile upon
impact.
2. The armor system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
protrusion extending outwardly away from the armor face, and
wherein the arcuate surface comprises a curved sidewall of the
protrusion.
3. The armor system as defined in claim 2 wherein the protrusion
further includes a base proximate to the armor face and a tip
remote from the armor face, and wherein the curved sidewall extends
between the base and tip.
4. The armor system as defined in claim 3 wherein the sidewall has
a radius of curvature that is between 0.5'' and 2.0''.
5. The armor system as defined in claim 3 wherein the base of the
protrusion is one of integrally formed and secured to the armor
face.
6. The armor system as defined in claim 3 wherein the tip of the
protrusion is one of rounded, pointed, and planar in shape.
7. The armor system as defined in claim 3 wherein the protrusion is
conical in shape; and wherein the protrusion includes a wider base
proximate the armor face and a narrower tip remote from the armor
face and said sidewall radiates outwardly from said tip to said
base and is concave in cross-sectional shape.
8. The armor system as defined in claim 7 further comprising a
plurality of substantially identical conical protrusions extending
outwardly away from the armor face.
9. The armor system as defined in claim 8 wherein the protrusions
are spaced equidistant from each other.
10. The armor system as defined in claim 8 wherein the tips of the
protrusions are disposed equidistant from the armor face.
11. The armor system as defined in claim 8 wherein the sidewall of
a first protrusion is substantially continuous with the sidewall of
an adjacent second protrusion.
12. The armor system as defined in claim 8 wherein adjacent
protrusions are separated from each other by "U" shaped
channels.
13. The armor system as defined in claim 1 wherein the armor base
comprises a first outer layer of a first material and a second
inner layer of a second material.
14. The armor system as defined in claim 13 wherein the base
further comprises a third innermost layer of one of the first and a
third material.
15. The armor system as defined in claim 14 wherein the second
layer comprises a plurality of discrete pockets of the second
material interspersed in the first layer.
16. The armor system as defined in claim 13 wherein the armor
system further comprises at least one hollow cavern defined in one
of the first and second layers.
17. The armor system as defined in claim 16 wherein the cavern
includes at least one interior sidewall that is arcuate, and
wherein said arcuate cavern sidewall is disposed so as to change
the trajectory of the incoming projectile upon impact
therewith.
18. The armor system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a
lubricating material applied over an exterior surface of the
arcuate surface and the armor face.
19. The armor system as defined in claim 18 wherein the lubricating
material comprises one of a wet and dry lubricant.
20. A defensive armor plate for a vehicle, said plate comprising: a
base affixed to an exterior surface of the vehicle; and a plurality
of protrusions extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the
base.
21. The defensive armor plate for a vehicle, wherein each
protrusion is conical in shape and is wider proximate the base and
tapers to a narrower tip, and wherein an arcuate sidewall extends
from the tip to the base; and wherein said protrusions are adapted
to alter the trajectory of an incoming projectile upon impact.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to defensive shielding. More
particularly, the invention relates to a defeat mechanism for
projectile rounds. Specifically, the invention provides a
deflection mechanism to affect the trajectory of a projectile such
that it is diverted away from an optimum angle of attack.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Known defeat mechanisms (armor) for projectile rounds
(bullets) have traditionally relied on hardness, tackiness,
elongation, weave or other material characteristics for energy
absorption. Military vehicles are armored to withstand the impact
of shrapnel, bullets, missiles, or shells, protecting the personnel
inside from enemy fire. Such vehicles include tanks, aircraft, and
ships.
[0005] Through the end of World War II, the type of armor used on
almost all tanks and other armored vehicles was a sheet of steel.
Increasing the protection on a vehicle meant adding thicker steel
sheets. This increased the vehicle's weight, which in turn reduced
its mobility. This weight/mobility problem has led to changes in
armor design. One form of armor that has been developed uses
materials such as ceramics or depleted uranium in addition to
steel. These materials are lighter than steel while still being
relatively strong and increasing protection while maintaining
mobility of the vehicle.
[0006] Another type of armor is composite armor, which is created
from layers of two or more materials with significantly different
chemical properties. Steel and ceramics are the most common types
of materials used in composite armor. Composite armor's
effectiveness depends on its composition and this type of armor
tends to be effective against kinetic energy penetrators such as
bullets.
[0007] Yet another type of armor is spaced armor, which is created
from two or more plates spaced a distance apart. Spaced armor
reduces the penetrating power of bullets and solid shot. After
penetrating each plate, projectiles tend to tumble, deflect,
deform, or disintegrate. This minimizes the damage and contains the
projectile before it reaches the core of the armored vehicle.
[0008] Given a fixed thickness of armor plate, a projectile
striking at an angle must penetrate more armor than a projectile
that impacts perpendicularly. For example, if armor is 5'' thick
and a projectile hits at a 45.degree. angle, the bullet has to
travel through 8'' of armor to reach the core of the vehicle, as
opposed to 5'' if the projectile were to strike at a perpendicular
angle. Thus, types of armor have been developed which incorporate
planar, angled surfaces. The vehicle receives "thicker" armor, but
with no weight penalty. These planar, angled surfaces also increase
the chance of deflecting a projectile, which happens when the
bullet is traveling at a trajectory close to the slope of the
planar surface.
[0009] The major drawback with this type of angle-armor technology
is that at certain angles, the impact of some projectile hits will
not be affected by sloping, such as a "direct hit" at a
substantially perpendicular angle. A cost/benefit analysis must
therefore be done to determine whether the armor thickness should
be increased to account for this type of impact. If the thickness
is increased, the weight of the vehicle increases, therefore the
costs involved increase. However, the safety of the personnel also
increases. If the thickness is not increased to a degree sufficient
for impacts at these angles, personnel are left at a greater risk
of injury.
[0010] The various types of armor have been moderately effective in
stopping traditional projectiles in the past. However, the impact
tip of the bullet is so important that many are now tipped with
ultra hardened materials such as ceramic silicon carbide and
depleted uranium. This helps the bullet retain its shape and
kinetic energy when penetrating armor. This increases the
probability that the previously known armor technologies will be
less capable of stopping modern projectiles.
[0011] Thus, the need exists for a new armor technology that can
defeat modern projectiles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a protrusion armor system which
combines the best features of composite, spaced armor and sloping
armor technologies, but also adds a new and novel approach to
reducing the effectiveness of impacts. This new invention relies on
deflection to affect the trajectory of a projectile such that it is
diverted away from the optimum angle of attack. The deflection
changes the impact point of the projectile from the projectile's
tip, where all the mass-energy is concentrated into the smallest
possible area, to a region on the projectile having a greater
surface area such as the shoulder or side wall of the
projectile.
[0013] The armor in accordance with the present invention is a
plate having a surface area that includes a plurality of smooth,
raised, pointed, or rounded protrusions extending outwardly
therefrom. The protrusions are generally conical in shape having a
wider base and a narrower tip with an arcuate sidewall extending
therebetween. The sidewall preferably is concave. The sidewalls of
these protrusions are shaped so that, on impact, the projectile's
tip is diverted from its original trajectory to a path where the
projectile is induced to travel in a direction less lethal. Thus,
if the projectile strikes the armor, a region other than the tip is
the most likely impact point. This invention increases the
available impact surface area on the projectile. At thousands of
feet per second there is little time to control the trajectory, but
little force or resistance is needed to change the path of the
projectile if the armor catches the projectile at an appropriate
angle of inducement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best modes in which Applicant has contemplated applying the
principals of the invention, are set forth in the following
description and are shown in the drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tank incorporating the armor of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an armored plate in
accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the armored plate of
FIG. 2 showing the plurality of protrusions useful for deflecting
the trajectory of projectiles and showing composite layers and
empty caverns within the plate;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing a projectile approaching the armor;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the projectile striking a first protrusion;
[0020] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the trajectory of the projectile after impact:
[0021] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing a projectile approaching the armor at a slightly
different trajectory to that shown in FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate and a projectile impacting a first protrusion and being
deflected by the slope of the sidewall of the protrusion;
[0023] FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the projectile penetrating the armor at a less than
optimum angle because of the change in trajectory;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate and a projectile approaching the armor on a trajectory that
will cause it to strike intermediate two protrusions;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the projectile penetrating the armor.
[0026] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the projectile penetrating the second layer of
material;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate and a projectile approaching the armor along a first
trajectory;
[0028] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate where the projectile has penetrated the armor through to a
cavern and has impacted the sidewall which defines the cavern;
[0029] FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the projectile traveling along its altered
trajectory;
[0030] FIG. 7C is a partial cross-sectional view of the armored
plate showing the projectile diverted by the second sidewall and
beginning to exit the armor; and
[0031] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second
embodiment of the armor of the present invention, showing armor
that includes composite layers, with a second material being
disposed in discrete pockets within the interior of the armor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an armored
vehicle that includes the protrusion armor system in accordance
with the present invention and generally indicated at 1. Protrusion
armor system 1 is applied to the outside of armored vehicle 3 to
create a protective layer for personnel or sensitive equipment
inside vehicle 3. Protrusion armor system 1 can be applied to
various types of armored vehicles such as tanks, armored personnel
carriers, ships, missile batteries, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Protrusion armor system 1 comprises an armored plate comprising an
armor base 2 and an armor face 4 having a plurality of protrusions
6 in accordance with the present invention extending outwardly away
therefrom.
[0033] Armor face 4 is the external edge of armor base 2, which
faces outward from the armored vehicle. Armor base 2, armor face 4,
and protrusions 6 are preferably composed of steel, but can be
fabricated from any appropriate shielding material. Armor base 2
provides a desired thickness to the armor system. Protrusions 6 are
provided on armor face 4, either through fabrication from a single
block of shielding material or through welding or other means of
attachment. Protrusions 6 may be lubricated with a dry or wetted
lubricant 21, such as a polymer lubricant manufactured by E.I. du
Pont de Nemours and Company.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a first embodiment of
armor 1 wherein the armor base 2 is a composite armor being made
from at least two materials, such as steel and ceramic. The steel
and ceramic are disposed in layers, such as in an exterior layer
8a, a middle layer 10 and an interior layer 8b. So, for example, in
FIG. 3, exterior and interior layers 8a, 8b may be steel layers and
middle layer 10 may be a ceramic layer. Layers 8a, 8b, and 10 are
secured together in any manner known in the art. It will be
understood that a plurality of layers of each of the two materials
may be integrated into armor base 2. It will further be understood
that additional layers of other materials, such as rubber or
polymers, may also be incorporated therein.
[0035] Armor base 2 preferably further defines one or more caverns
14 spaced a distance inwardly from armor face 4. Caverns 14 are
shown defined in interior layer 8b, but may alternatively or
additionally be formed in any of the other layers. Each cavern 14
consists of an empty space defined by the surrounding material.
Each cavern has an arcuate cavern sidewall 24 that has a generally
parabolic slope, beginning in a generally vertical slope 24a and
ending in a generally horizontal slope 24b at cavern base 26. A
radius of curvature in the range of 0.05'' to 1.05'' and of
preferably 0.08'' has been used in experiments in involving the
present invention and has been found to produce the desired change
in trajectory of a projectile.
[0036] In accordance with a specific feature of the present
invention, the plurality of protrusions 6 extend upwardly and
outwardly away from outermost surface 5 of armor face 4. Each
protrusion 6 preferably is generally conical in shape with a wider
base 22 and a narrower tip 23 with an arcuate sidewall 18 extending
therebetween. The word conical in the context of this description
is used to describe a shape that resembles a chocolate candy kiss,
such as those manufactured by The Hershey Company of Hershey, Pa.
Protrusions 6 have a generally circular base 22, a pointed tip 23
and a concavely shaped sidewall 18 extending between base 22 and
tip 23.
[0037] The base 22 of each protrusion preferably is integrally
formed with exterior layer 8a and is flush with outermost surface
5. Base 22 is of a larger diameter than is tip 23. Protrusion 6
tapers radially from base 22 to tip 23 and tip 23 is spaced a
distance 16 from outermost surface 5. Tip 23 may be a rounded `U`
shape, an inverted "V" shape, or may be truncated so that it
presents a planar surface. The planar surface may be oriented
substantially parallel to the surface 5 of armor face 4. In the
latter instance the diameter 19 of tip 23 preferably is
approximately 0.064'' to 0.128''. Tips 23 of protrusions 6
preferably are spaced equidistant from each other. Preferably, the
distance 17 between adjacent tips is 0.8625''. Every tip 23
preferably is also disposed at substantially the same distance 16
away from outermost surface 5. Distance 16 is between 0.7'' to
1.2'' and preferably is 0.812''.
[0038] The tapered sidewall 18 between base 22 and tip 23 is
arcuate in cross-sectional profile, and preferably is concave.
Sidewall 18 has a radius of curvature from base 22 to tip 23 of
between 0.5'' to 2.0'' and preferably between 0.812'' to 1.835'' in
experiments involving the present invention. The radius of
curvature preferably varies from a large radius of curvature
proximate base 22 and a small radius of curvature proximate tip 23.
Furthermore, the bases 22 and side walls 18 of adjacent protrusions
6 are substantially continuous with each other so that a
substantially U-shaped channel 27 is formed around each protrusion
6. Lubrication 21 preferably coats tip 23, sidewall 18, base 22 and
channels 27 of protrusions 6. It will be understood that while
adjacent protrusions 6 are shown to be substantially continuous and
separated by channels 27, protrusions 6 may, alternatively, be
spaced sufficiently far apart that a flatter section of outermost
surface 5 extends for a distance between sidewalls 18 of adjacent
protrusions 6.
[0039] FIGS. 4-7C show armor 1 in use changing the trajectory of a
projectile 30 upon impact. Protrusions 6 alter the trajectory of an
incoming projectile, thereby forcing the projectile to strike the
vehicle at a less than optimum angle. Projectile 30 has a tip 30a,
a shoulder 30b and a sidewall 30c. When projectile 30 comes into
contact with curved sidewall 18, the side 30c and shoulder 30b of
the projectile 30 impact sidewall 18. Sidewall 18 dissipates some
of the kinetic energy of projectile 30, and the curvature of
sidewall 18 pushes projectile 30 off its original trajectory and
onto a less lethal path. The new trajectory will cause the
projectile 30 to travel away from armor system 1 completely, or
increase the distance projectile 30 will have to travel through the
armor base 2 to reach the core of the vehicle. A projectile
approach vector that results in minimal contact with arcuate
protrusion sidewall 18 will undergo minimal redirection.
[0040] In FIG. 4, projectile 30 is shown approaching protrusion
armor system 1 along a trajectory indicated by arrow A. Projectile
30 contacts arcuate sidewall 18 on first protrusion 6a in FIG. 4A.
From the contact with sidewall 18 projectile 30 is deformed and its
trajectory A is changed by the arcuate sidewall 18 to a trajectory
indicated by arrow B. During the deflection, kinetic energy of
projectile 30 is dissipated. Projectile 30 slides along base 22 and
encounters arcuate sidewall 18 of 2.sup.nd protrusion 6b. Once
again, the trajectory of projectile 30 is altered from B to C.
Arrow C in FIG. 4B shows projectile 30 fully redirected by sidewall
18 and base 22 and now traveling outwardly away from protrusion 6b
and away from protrusion armor system 1. The friction between armor
1 and projectile 30 is lowered by lubrication 21 and this helps in
the redirection of projectile 30. This scenario represents a full
redirection where the entire protrusion armor system 1 is still
intact after an encounter with projectile 30.
[0041] As seen in FIG. 5, 5A, 5B, projectile 30 may strike
protrusion 6a at a second angle. Arrow D shows the trajectory of
projectile 30 approaching protrusion armor system 1. When
projectile 30 contacts arcuate sidewall 18, projectile 30 deforms
and changes trajectory to that indicated by arrow E. While
projectile 30 has deformed and changed direction, lessening the
kinetic energy, there is still sufficient kinetic energy for
projectile 30 to enter material 8a along a trajectory indicated by
arrow F. The direction projectile 30 is traveling has been affected
by contact with arcuate protrusion sidewall 18 leaving projectile
30 traveling in a less critical trajectory. The redirection results
in projectile 30 proceeding at an angle that requires projectile 30
to travel through a greater distance within material 8 to reach the
core of vehicle 3, thus lessening the severity of the impact.
[0042] As seen in FIG. 6, 6A, 6B, protrusion armor system 1 is
still able to defend against projectiles that do not encounter
arcuate sidewalls 18 and therefore do not undergo redirection. In
FIG. 6, projectile 30 approaches protrusion armor system 1 at a
perpendicular to protrusion base 22, as indicated by arrow G. In
FIG. 6A, when projectile 30 contacts protrusion base 22, it
undergoes some deformation and enters first layer of material 8a
with little to no redirection. Material 8 is sufficiently strong
and thick to dissipate some of the kinetic energy from projectile
30 as it continues material 8, shown at arrow H. Composite armor is
made of materials with different properties to act on a projectile
30 in different ways and increases the ability to dissipate much to
all of the kinetic energy of projectile 30. In FIG. 6B, projectile
30 has traveled through first layer 8a and entered into second
layer material 10 finally coming to rest within material 10 and
outside of the core of vehicle 3.
[0043] As seen in FIG. 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, armor 1 is designed so that
the trajectory of projectile 30 can undergo redirection even after
projectile 30 enters protrusion armor system 1. In FIG. 7,
projectile 30 approaches protrusion armor system 1 along a
trajectory indicated by arrow I. In FIG. 7A, projectile 30
penetrates through first and second material layers 8a and 10,
losing some of its kinetic energy. When finally breaching cavern
14, projectile 30 has undergone significant kinetic energy
dissipation. As previously indicated, cavern 14 is an empty space
defined by the surrounding material layers 8a and 10. This empty
space within system 1 facilitates deforming and tumbling of the
projectile. Arcuate cavern sidewall 24 affects a projectile's
trajectory using the same technique as the protrusions 6 on armor
face 4. Once inside cavern 14, the projectile may contact arcuate
cavern sidewall 24. The arcuate sidewall changes the projectile's
trajectory from "I" to "J" and causes the projectile to slide onto
cavern base 26. The encounter with sidewall 24 causes projectile 30
to undergo further trajectory changes, deformation, and energy
dissipation. Projectile 30 follows the arcuate of sidewall 24a and
is directed along cavern base 26 within cavern 14, shown in FIG. 7B
following a trajectory indicated by arrow K. Shown in FIG. 7C, the
trajectory is changed from "K" to "L", when projectile 30
encounters arcuate cavern sidewall 24b. This change causes
projectile 30 to enter layer 8a in an outward trajectory away from
the core of vehicle 3.
[0044] A second embodiment of protrusion armor system is shown in
FIG. 8 and generally indicated at 100. Armor 100 comprises a first
layer 108a and a second layer 108b made from the same material. A
second material 110 is provided in discrete pockets 110a and 110b
within material 108. Armor 100 includes protrusions 106 that
provide a similar type of protection as armor 1, but in addition to
this pockets 110a and 110b include arcuate interior sidewalls 124.
These arcuate sidewalls 124 aid in deflecting projectiles 30 in
much the same way as the sidewalls 118 of protrusions 106, except
that a projectile would be forced to travel through the material
within pocket 110a and 110b whereby the kinetic energy of the
projectile will therefore be greatly dissipated.
[0045] Operationally, the second embodiment of the present
invention deflects projectiles in the same method as the first
embodiment. The second embodiment of protrusion armor system 110
deflects projectiles using a plurality of a protrusion 106 on an
armor face 104. However, in armor system 100, a projectile 30
encounters more material 110 before it can reach the inner core of
the vehicle.
[0046] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0047] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *