U.S. patent application number 12/822806 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for belly armor.
This patent application is currently assigned to PLASAN SASA LTD.. Invention is credited to Zvi Asaf, Itzhak Kuchuk Katalan, Dmitry NARODITSKY, Eylam Ran.
Application Number | 20110017054 12/822806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42799679 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110017054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NARODITSKY; Dmitry ; et
al. |
January 27, 2011 |
BELLY ARMOR
Abstract
An add-on armor adapted for protecting a belly of a vehicle, the
add-on armor comprising a base plate and a plurality of energy
absorbing modules fitted to the base plate. The arrangement is such
that at least a majority of a surface of each energy absorbing
module facing the base plate overlaps with the base plate at an
area thereof constituting a module zone. The module zones are
associated with different modules being spaced from one another by
vacancy zones.
Inventors: |
NARODITSKY; Dmitry; (Kefar
Sava, IL) ; Asaf; Zvi; (Kibbutz Afek, IL) ;
Katalan; Itzhak Kuchuk; (Kibutz Dafna, IL) ; Ran;
Eylam; (Kiryat Tivon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE NATH LAW GROUP
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
PLASAN SASA LTD.
M.P. Marom Hagalil
IL
|
Family ID: |
42799679 |
Appl. No.: |
12/822806 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 ;
89/903; 89/904; 89/930 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 7/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 ;
89/903; 89/930; 89/904 |
International
Class: |
F41H 7/04 20060101
F41H007/04; F41H 5/04 20060101 F41H005/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 25, 2009 |
IL |
199559 |
Claims
1. An add-on armor adapted for protecting a belly of a vehicle,
said add-on armor comprising a base plate and a plurality of energy
absorbing modules fitted to said base plate so that at least a
majority of a surface of each energy absorbing module facing said
base plate overlaps with the base plate at an area thereof
constituting a module zone, the module zones associated with
different modules being spaced from one another by vacancy
zones.
2. An add-on armor according to claim 1, wherein the vacancy zones
of the base plate are disposed at locations corresponding to
locations of automotive components of the vehicle, such that when
the add-on armor is mounted onto the belly of the vehicle, the
energy absorbing modules are located between the automotive
components.
3. An add-on armor according to claim 2, wherein said energy
absorbing modules are disposed so that, when the add-on armor is
mounted onto the vehicle, no automotive component of the vehicle is
disposed between each of said energy absorbing modules and the
belly of the vehicle.
4. An add-on armor according to claim 1, wherein the energy
absorbing module is adapted for undergoing progressive deformation
at least under the application of a load in a direction
perpendicular to its surface facing said base plate.
5. An add-on armor according to claim 4, wherein said energy
absorbing module is in the form of an energy absorbing structure
collapsible for providing said progressive deformation.
6. An add-on armor according to claim 4, wherein said energy
absorbing module is made of a material capable of undergoing said
progressive deformation.
7. An add-on armor according to claim 6, wherein said material is a
metallic foam.
8. An add-on armor according to claim 7, wherein said energy
absorbing module comprises several layers, one of which is
constituted by said energy absorbing material.
9. An add-on armor according to claim 7, wherein said energy
absorbing module comprises an intermediate layer constituted by
said material and two cover layers disposed on opposite sides
thereof, wherein at least one of said cover layers is made of
fibrous material capable of undergoing deformation when a load is
applied thereto, which is localized to an area essentially less
than the area of said surface of the module, without influencing
the remainder of the cover layer.
10. An add-on armor according to claim 9, wherein at least one of
said cover layers are made of fiberglass.
11. An add-on armor according to claim 9, wherein at least one of
said cover layers are made of Basalt sheet.
12. An add-on armor according to claim 1, wherein the base plate
has side portions adapted to extend generally parallel to the side
walls of the vehicle, when the armor is mounted thereon, and formed
with attachment ports associated with attachment ports located on
the side walls of the vehicle.
13. An add-on armor according to claim 12, wherein said base plate
is fitted with securing elements adapted for preventing the side
portions from detaching from the side walls of the vehicle under
application of corresponding moment thereto.
14. An add-on armor according to claim 1, wherein said base plate
comprises a central portion and two peripheral portions, the
central portion having a ballistic resistance greater than the
peripheral portions.
15. An add-on armor according to claim 14, wherein said central
portion has a greater thickness than the peripheral portions.
16. An add-on armor according to claim 14, wherein said central
portion is fitted with an auxiliary armor sheet.
17. An add-on armor according to claim 16, wherein said auxiliary
armor sheet is separated from the central portion by an
intermediate layer.
18. An add-on armor according to claim 17, wherein said
intermediate layer is made of fiberglass.
19. An add-on armor according to claim 1, wherein said base plate
is fitted with an internal energy absorbing member which is
attached to an inner side thereof, having a similar design to said
energy absorbing module.
20. An armored vehicle comprising a hull and an add-on armor
according to claim 1, said add-on armor being attached to said hull
such that the energy absorbing modules are disposed between the
base plate of said add-on armor and said hull.
21. An armored vehicle according to claim 20, having a ground
clearance which does not exceed 50 cm.
22. An add-on armor for a vehicle comprising a hull having
sidewalls and a belly extending therebetween at a bottom side of
said vehicle, said add-on armor comprising a base plate adapted for
being externally mounted onto said belly and at least one energy
absorbing module adapted for undergoing progressive deformation
under application of a load thereto, and for being disposed between
said base plate and said belly, when the add-one armor is mounted
onto said vehicle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to add-on armors adapted for
protecting a belly of a vehicle, in particular, add-on armors
comprising energy absorbing mechanisms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Vehicles, in particular military vehicles, require armor in
order to protect them from incoming threats such as projectiles,
bombs, missiles, mines etc. For this purpose, a variety of armors
have been contemplated adapted for covering portions of the vehicle
in order to provide the desired protection.
[0003] In general, armor may be divided into two types--integral
armor and add-on armor. The integral armor is integrally formed
with the vehicle to be protected, while an add-on armor is usually
attachable to the vehicle in a detachable manner, and may be
mounted onto an existing vehicle and be removed therefrom if so
desired.
[0004] Specific add-on armors have been designed for specific
portions of vehicles, e.g. door armor, hull armor, belly armor etc.
One such example of a belly armor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,905,225.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided an
add-on armor adapted for protecting a belly of a vehicle, said
add-on armor comprising a base plate and a plurality of energy
absorbing modules fitted to said base plate so that at least a
majority of a surface of each energy absorbing module facing said
base plate overlaps with the base plate at an area thereof
constituting a module zone, the module zones associated with
different modules being spaced from one another by vacancy
zones.
[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided an armored vehicle comprising a hull and an add-on
armor of the first aspect of the present invention, said add-on
armor being attached to the belly of the vehicle such that the
energy absorbing modules are disposed between their respective
module zoned and the belly of said vehicle.
[0007] Said vehicle may be driven either by wheels (conventional
vehicle) or by endless traction belt (e.g. tank, armored troop
carrier).
[0008] The add-on armor may be adapted to protect passengers
located within the vehicle from an external force applied to the
belly of the vehicle, e.g. a force caused by an explosion.
Preferably, the add-on armor is adapted to absorb the majority of
energy conveyed by the force of the explosion and the belly of the
vehicle itself is adapted to absorb at least part of the remainder
of said energy.
[0009] It should be noted that the add-on armor is designed
according to the specific shape and dimensions of the vehicle. Said
vehicle may comprise a plurality of automotive components, e.g.
drive shaft etc., some of which are externally located beneath the
belly of the vehicle. The energy absorbing modules may be arranged
along the base plate at predetermined locations such that when the
add-on armor is mounted onto the belly of the vehicle, the energy
absorbing modules are located between the automotive components.
More specifically, the arrangement may be such that no automotive
component of the vehicle is disposed between the energy absorbing
module and the belly of the vehicle.
[0010] Several advantages may arise from the above design, two of
which are load distribution and automotive protection: [0011] load
distribution--In the event of an explosion, loads applied by the
explosion on the base plate at a local area (hereinafter `explosion
zone`) may be distributed to all the energy absorbing modules
located in the vicinity of the explosion zone. It is appreciated
that in the absence of a base plate as described above, the only
energy absorbing module/s to absorb the energy of the explosion
would be those located at the explosion zone itself; and [0012]
automotive protection--since no automotive components are located
between the energy absorbing module and the belly of the vehicle,
and since most of the loads are taken on by the modules, in the
event of an explosion the chances of an automotive component to
take on loads is reduced, making it less prone to damage due to the
explosion. It should also be noted that while local structural
damage to the hull of the vehicle may be acceptable, damage to one
of the automotive components may cause immobilization of the entire
vehicle.
[0013] It is appreciated that in the absence of a base plate as
described above (i.e. in a design in which the energy absorbing
modules are attached to the belly), the only energy absorbing
modules to absorb the energy of the explosion would be those
located at the explosion zone itself.
[0014] The energy absorbing module may have a thickness T measured
between the face of the energy absorbing module facing the base
plate and a face opposite thereto. Thus, the minimal distance
required between the base plate and the belly of the vehicle when
the add-on armor is mounted onto the belly, should be at least
equal to the thickness T of the energy absorbing module.
[0015] Said energy absorbing module may me adapted for undergoing
progressive deformation under the application of the load of the
explosion. By progressive deformation, a deformation is meant
which, contrary to regular plastic deformation, does not lead to
simultaneous crushing of the entire mechanism, but rather
successively compresses it, such that uncompressed portions of the
mechanism maintain their integrity until they are compressed.
[0016] The arrangement may be such that under the application of
the above mentioned force, the energy absorbing module is pressed
upon from one side by the base plate and from the other side by the
belly, applying a load to the module which entails its
deformation.
[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided an add-on armor for a vehicle comprising a hull having
sidewalls and a belly extending therebetween at a bottom side of
said vehicle, said add-on armor comprising a base plate adapted for
being externally mounted onto said belly and at least one energy
absorbing module, which, when the base plate is mounted onto said
belly is located between said base plate and belly said, wherein
said energy absorbing module is adapted for undergoing progressive
deformation under application of a load thereto.
[0018] One advantage of an energy absorbing module which is adapted
for undergoing progressive deformation is that during this
deformation, loads applied to the energy absorbing module are not
immediately transferred to the belly of the vehicle located above
it. Thus, the energy absorbing module may absorb a considerable
amount of energy before loads are transferred to the belly of the
vehicle.
[0019] The energy absorbing module may comprise at least any one of
the following: [0020] a structure adapted for progressive
deformation; and [0021] at least one layer of energy absorbing
material adapted for progressive deformation, e.g. metallic foam,
for example, Aluminum foam.
[0022] In the latter case, said energy absorbing module may
comprise a plurality of layers, at least one of which is made of
said energy absorbing material. In particular, said energy
absorbing material may constitute an intermediate layer and be
positioned between two cover layers. The cover layers and the
energy absorbing material may be attached to one another to form
the energy absorbing module by gluing, pressing and the like.
1. The cover layers may be made of a material which is, on the one
hand, adapted for undergoing local fracture under application of a
predetermined load and on the other hand, is relatively
light-weight and high durability to environmental conditions (wind,
water etc.). Such a material may be chosen from a family of fibrous
materials capable of undergoing deformation when a load is applied
thereto, which is localized to an area essentially less than the
area of said surface of the module, without influencing the
remainder of the cover layer. Examples of such a material may be
fiberglass or basalt sheets. It is noted that for the present
invention, fibrous materials such as Aramid will not suffice due to
their lack of durability to environmental conditions, and lack of
ability to undergo localized deformation as defined above.
[0023] The tendency of the energy absorbing material to undergo
local deformation, demonstrates another advantage of the add-one
armor, which is uniform application of load. More particularly, in
the event of an explosion, in the absence of a base plate, the
loads applied to the energy absorbing module may be very local, and
thus entail only local deformation in the module, leading to a low
absorption of energy. To the contrary, in the present invention,
the explosion applies loads first to the base plate, which then
uniformly transfers the loads through the module zone to the entire
face of the energy absorbing module, thereby increasing its ability
to absorb energy.
[0024] The base plate may be formed with a plurality of attachment
ports, associated with corresponding attachment ports of the belly
of the vehicle. In particular, the base plate may have belly
portions extending generally parallel to the belly of the vehicle
and side portions extending generally parallel to the side walls of
the vehicle such that the attachment ports located on the belly
portions are associated with attachment ports located on the belly
of the vehicle, and the attachment ports located on the side
portions are associated with attachment ports located on the side
walls of the vehicle. Attachment between the attachment ports of
the base plate and the attachment ports of the belly may be
performed by bolts, welding etc.
[0025] The add-on armor may also comprise securing elements adapted
for preventing the side portions of the base plate from detaching
from the side walls of the vehicle under the impact of the force of
the explosion on the belly portion of the base plate. Such securing
elements may be adapted to be fitted between the base plate and the
belly of the vehicle. According to a particular example, such a
securing element may be a metal box having side faces attached to
the vehicle belly and to a side portion and a belly portion of the
base plate.
[0026] The base plate itself may be in the form of ballistic armor
(referred herein as `belly armor`), e.g. having a construction
and/or made of a material providing ballistic protection against
the expected force of the explosion against which protection of the
passengers of the vehicle is sought.
[0027] According to a particular example, the belly armor may
extend generally parallel to the belly of the vehicle and adapted
for providing additional ballistic protection to the belly of the
vehicle. The belly armor may be made of a material providing
ballistic protection, e.g. steel.
[0028] In order to increase its ballistic protection, the belly
armor may have a special anti-ballistic design, for example, a
V-shaped design. The base plate may be mounted onto the vehicle
such that the apex of the V shape is the most remote point of the
belly armor from the belly of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the term
`central portion` will refer to the area of the apex of the belly
armor, while the term `peripheral portion` will refer to areas of
the belly armor surrounding the central portion. Such a V-shaped
design may be adapted for diverting the energy of an explosion from
the central portion towards the peripheral portion of the belly
armor, and consequently towards the portions of the belly of the
vehicle adjacent the side walls thereof.
[0029] The belly armor may be designed so as to have an increased
ballistic protection at the central portion thereof than at the
peripheral portion. Such an increase may be provided, for example,
by the belly armor having an increased thickness at the central
portion. According to a particular design, the central portion may
be provided with an auxiliary armor sheet attached thereto at an
external side thereof, i.e. such that, when the add-on armor is
mounted onto the belly, the belly armor is disposed between the
auxiliary sheet and the vehicle belly.
[0030] The auxiliary armor sheet may be made of a material similar
to the material of the belly armor in its ballistic
characteristics. According to a particular example, the belly armor
and the auxiliary armor sheet may be separated therebetween by an
intermediate layer adapted for interrupting energy dissipation
between the auxiliary armor sheet and the belly armor itself. Such
a material may be, for example, ballistic fabric, fiberglass,
basalt sheet etc.
[0031] The belly armor may further be fitted with an internal
energy absorbing member which is attached to an inner side of the
belly armor and extending along the ridge formed by the V-shaped
design of the base plate. Such an energy absorbing member may be
generally similar in construction to the previously described
energy absorbing module, i.e. it may also be adapted for performing
progressive deformation. However, it should be noted that it is not
restricted to the exact construction previously described, i.e. an
intermediate layer and two cover layers.
[0032] The above described arrangement and manner of operation may
allow the majority of energy of the explosion to be absorbed by the
add-on armor (i.e. the belly armor and the energy absorbing
modules), leaving only a minor amount of energy to be absorbed by
the belly of the vehicle itself. Thus, passengers located within
the vehicle are not subjected to considerable loads due to an
explosion and remain generally protected.
[0033] The add-on armor according to the present invention may be
particularly useful for vehicles having a low ground clearance. By
`ground clearance` a vertical distance is meant which, when the
vehicle is positioned on a reference surface, is measured between
the lowermost point of the belly of the vehicle and the reference
surface. In general, for energy conveyed by the same explosion, an
armor of a vehicle having a low ground clearance will require to
absorb substantially more energy than an armor of a vehicle with
high ground clearance for providing a similar level of protection
to the vehicle. The term `low` with respect to ground clearance
refers to a ground clearance which is not greater than 50 mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by
way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle
adapted for mounting thereon the add-on armor of the present
invention, the cross-section being taken along a plane extending
between side walls of the vehicle;
[0036] FIG. 2A is a schematic front isometric view of an add-on
armor according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-section view of the add-on
armor shown in FIG. 2A, taken along a plane perpendicular to a base
plate of the add-on armor as shown by line I-I FIG. 2A;
[0038] FIG. 2C is a schematic enlarged view of the detail A shown
in FIG. 2B;
[0039] FIG. 2D is a schematic rear isometric view of the add-on
armor shown in FIG. 2A;
[0040] FIG. 2E is a schematic bottom isometric view of the add-on
armor shown in FIG. 2A; and
[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of an energy absorbing
module used in the add-on armor shown in FIG. 2A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0042] With reference to FIG. 1, a vehicle, generally designated as
1 is shown comprising a hull having side walls 2 extending in a
generally vertical direction and a belly 3 extending between the
side walls 2 at the bottom of the vehicle 1 (i.e. generally
parallel to the ground). The vehicle 1 further comprises a wheel
base having an axle 4 with two wheels 5 mounted thereon. Inside the
hull of the vehicle there are positioned two seats 6.
[0043] The vehicle 1 may be a military vehicle, in which case
protection thereof against various threats may be sought. For this
purpose, attention is drawn to FIGS. 2A to 2E in which an add-on
armor generally designated 10 is shown comprising a base plate 20
and six energy absorbing modules 30.
[0044] The energy absorbing modules 30 are disposed along
predetermined locations of the base plate 20 (hereinafter referred
to as `module zones` MZ) leaving vacant spaces between the modules
30 (hereinafter referred to as `vacant zones` VZ). The modules 30
are oriented so with respect to the base plate 20 that a face
thereof facing the base plate 20 is almost fully covered by it.
[0045] In assembly, the add-on armor 10 is adapted to be mounted
onto the belly 3 of the vehicle 1 as seen in FIG. 2B. The add-on
armor is adapted to protect passengers located within the vehicle 1
(e.g. sitting on the seats 6) from an external force applied to the
belly 3 of the vehicle 1, e.g. a force caused by an explosion. The
add-on armor 10 is designed to absorb the majority of energy
conveyed by the force of the explosion so that the belly 3 of the
vehicle 1 itself absorbs only a part of the remainder of this
energy.
[0046] It should be noted that the add-on armor 10 is designed
according to the specific shape and dimensions of the vehicle 1.
Thus, the module zones MZ are chosen such that when the add-on
armor 10 is mounted onto the vehicle 1, no automotive components of
the vehicle 1, e.g. the axle 4, are disposed between the energy
absorbing modules 30 and the belly 3, i.e. passing only above the
vacant zones VZ of the base plate 20.
[0047] Several advantages may arise from the above design, two of
which are load distribution and automotive protection: [0048] load
distribution--In the event of an explosion, loads applied by the
explosion on the base plate 20 at a local area (hereinafter
`explosion zone` EZ) will be distributed to all the energy
absorbing modules 30 located in the vicinity of the explosion zone
EZ. It is appreciated that in the absence of a base plate 20 as
described above, the only energy absorbing modules 30 to absorb the
energy of the explosion would be those located at the explosion
zone itself; and [0049] automotive protection--since no automotive
components are located between the energy absorbing module 30 and
the belly 3 of the vehicle 1, and since most of the loads are taken
on by the modules 30, in the event of an explosion the chances of
the automotive component/s to take on loads is reduced, making it
less prone to damage. It should also be noted that while local
structural damage to the hull of the vehicle 1 may be acceptable,
damage to one of the automotive components may cause immobilization
of the entire vehicle 1.
[0050] The energy absorbing module 30 has a thickness T measured
between the face of the energy absorbing module 30 facing the base
plate 20 and a face opposite thereto. Thus, the minimal distance
required between the base plate 20 and the belly 3 of the vehicle 1
when the add-on armor 10 is mounted onto the belly 3, should be at
least equal to the thickness T of the energy absorbing module
30.
[0051] The energy absorbing module 30 is adapted for undergoing
progressive deformation under the application of the load of the
explosion. By progressive deformation, a deformation is meant
which, contrary to regular plastic deformation, does not lead to
simultaneous crushing of the entire mechanism, but rather
successively compresses it, such that uncompressed portions of the
mechanism maintain their integrity until they are compressed.
[0052] The arrangement is such that under the application of the
above mentioned force, the energy absorbing module 30 is pressed
upon from one side by the base plate 20 and from the other side by
the belly 3, applying a load to the module 30 which entails its
deformation.
[0053] One advantage of such an energy absorbing module is that
loads applied to the energy absorbing module 30 are not immediately
transferred to the belly 3 of the vehicle 1 located above it.
Rather, the energy absorbing module 30 absorbs a considerable
amount of energy before loads are transferred to the belly 3 of the
vehicle 1.
[0054] With particular reference to FIG. 3, the energy absorbing
module 30 comprises an intermediate layer 32 and two cover layers
34 confining the intermediate layer 32 from opposite sides thereof.
The cover layers 34 and the intermediate layer 32 can be attached
to one another by any conventional means such as gluing, pressing
and the like. Reverting momentarily to FIGS. 2A to 2E, the modules
30 are mounted on the base plate 20 such that one cover layer 34
faces the base plate 20 and the other cover layer 34 faces the
belly 3 of the vehicle 1. Due to a curved shape of the base plate
20, the energy absorbing module 30 is provided with a support 36
located between a bottom cover layer 34 thereof and the base plate
20, adapted for firmer positioning thereof on the base plate
20.
[0055] The intermediate layer is made of a material adapted for
performing progressive deformation, e.g. Aluminum foam. Such a
material is adapted, under the application of a load, to become
compressed (on account of its porous structure) and thereby absorb
energy. Upon complete compression thereof, the material continues
to absorb energy in a manner similar to regular metal (in this case
Aluminum).
[0056] The cover layers 34 may be made of fibrous brittle
materials, having the advantage, on the one hand, of being adapted
for undergoing local fracture under application of a predetermined
load and on the other hand, being light-weight and high durability
to external conditions (wind, water etc.). In the present example,
the cover layers are made of fiberglass. However, other materials
chosen from a family of fibrous brittle materials may be used as
cover layers, e.g. basalt sheet.
[0057] The tendency of the energy absorbing material to undergo
local deformation, demonstrates another advantage of the add-one
armor 10, which is uniform application of load. More particularly,
in the event of an explosion, in the absence of a base plate 20,
the loads applied to the energy absorbing module 30 may be very
local, and thus entail only local deformation in the module,
leading to a low absorption of energy. To the contrary, when using
a base plate 20, the explosion applies loads first to the base
plate 20, which then uniformly transfers the loads through the
module zone MZ to the entire face (cover layer 34) of the energy
absorbing module 30, thereby increasing its ability to absorb
energy.
[0058] The base plate 20 has a central portion 22 and two
peripheral portions 24, arranged such that when mounted onto the
vehicle 1, the portions 22, 24 extend along the longitudinal
direction of the vehicle 1, i.e. between a front end thereof and a
rear end thereof. Each portion 22, 24 has a respective top face
22T, 24T and a respective bottom face 22B, 24B, such that the
energy absorbing modules 30 are mounted on the top faces 22T, 24T,
and when the add-on armor 10 is mounted onto the vehicle 1, the top
faces 22T, 24T face the belly 3 of the vehicle 1 and the bottom
faces 22B, 24B face the ground (assuming the vehicle 1 is
positioned on the ground it in its upright position). Thus, the
energy absorbing modules 30 are confined between the top faces 22T,
24T of the base plate 20 and the belly 3 of the vehicle 1.
[0059] The central portion 22 of the base plate 20 is formed with
several attachment ports 26 adapted for attachment of the add-on
armor 10 to the belly 3 of the vehicle 1. In addition, the
peripheral portions 24 of the base plate 20 are each fitted with
three side extensions 40 and the central portion is fitted at one
side thereof with a rear extension. The extensions 40, 50 are each
formed with a respective base portion 42, 52 adapted for attachment
to their respective central/peripheral portion 22, 24 (e.g. by
welding), and a respective vehicle portion 44, 54 extending
generally perpendicular to the base portion 43, 52 and formed with
respective attachment ports 46, 56 adapted for attachment to the
side walls 2 and rear wall (not shown) of the vehicle 1.
[0060] The base plate 20 is further fitted with six structural
integrity devices 60 located on the peripheral portions 24 of the
base plate 20 adjacent the side extensions 40. Each structural
integrity device 60 comprises a bottom face 62 attached to the base
portion 42 of the extension 40, a side face extending
perpendicularly thereto, and a top face 66 extending along the
belly 3 of the vehicle 1. The purpose of the structural integrity
devices 60 will be explained in detail later with respect to the
operation of the add-on armor 10.
[0061] The base plate 20 is designed to function as a ballistic
armor, and as such, has a construction and/or is made of a material
providing ballistic protection against the expected force of the
explosion against which protection of the passengers of the vehicle
is sought.
[0062] In particular, both central portion 22 and peripheral
portion 24 of the base plate 20 are made of High Hardness (HH)
steel about 10 mm thick, thus being adapted to protect the belly of
the vehicle against various ballistic threats. In addition, the
central portion 22 of the base plate 20 has a V-shaped, such that
the apex 27 of the V-shape is the remote most point from the belly
3 when the add-on armor 10 is mounted onto the vehicle 1. Such a
V-shaped design is adapted for diverting the energy of an explosion
from the central portion 22 towards the peripheral portions 24 of
the base plate 20, and consequently towards portions of the belly 3
of the vehicle 1 adjacent the side walls 2 thereof.
[0063] The central portion 22 of the base plate 20 is formed fitted
with an auxiliary sheet 70 adapted to provide the central portion
with increased thickness, and consequently with increased ballistic
characteristics. The auxiliary sheet 70 is made of HH steel about 8
mm thick. The auxiliary sheet 70 may be attached to the central
portion 22 by bolts 73. The auxiliary sheet 70 is separated from
the central portion 22 by a buffer sheet 72 adapted for
interrupting energy dissipation between the auxiliary sheet 70 and
the central portion 22. It is appreciated that were the auxiliary
sheet 70 be attached directly to the central portion 22, the energy
dissipation therethrough would be almost equivalent to dissipation
through 18 mm of steel. The buffer sheet 72 is made of fiberglass
material and is about 5 mm thick.
[0064] In addition, the central portion 22 is fitted with an
internal energy absorbing member 76 attached to the top face 22T of
the central portion 22 and extending along the ridge formed by the
V-shaped of the central portion 22. The energy absorbing member 76
is also adapted for progressive deformation, and is also made of
Aluminum foam adapted for progressive deformation. The energy
absorbing member 76 is held in place by a curved frame 74 attached
to the central portion 22 on both sides 75 of the member 76. The
energy absorbing member is adapted to further absorb energy in the
event of an explosion as will now be described.
[0065] In operation of the add-on armor 10, in the event of an
explosion in the vicinity of the belly of the vehicle, the energy
of the explosion will first be absorbed by the base plate 20, in
particular by the central portion 22 thereof. Such absorption may
cause deformation of the central portion 22 towards the belly 3 of
the vehicle 1. In this case, upward deformation of the central
portion 22 will urge the V-shape to straighten, entailing pressing
on the energy absorbing member 76 by the central portion 22 on one
side and by the curved frame 74 on the other side. The energy
absorbing member 76 will then progressively deform, absorbing some
of the energy of the explosion.
[0066] Simultaneously, energy is diverted by the V-shape design of
the central portion 22 to the peripheral portions 24, also urging
them to deform in an upward direction towards the belly 3 of the
vehicle 1.
[0067] Upon sufficient deformation of the central portion 22 and
peripheral portions 24, i.e. when the they reach a distance from
the belly 3 of the vehicle 1 which is equal to thickness T of the
energy absorbing module 30, a load will be applied to the energy
absorbing module 30, due to it being pressed upon by the belly 3 of
the vehicle 1 on one side and by the base plate 20 on the other
side. Due to this load, the intermediate layer 32 of the energy
absorbing module 30, will begin to progressively deform, thereby
absorbing and additional amount of energy of the explosion.
[0068] It should be understood that the upwards deformation of the
central portion 22 of the base plate 20 causes a moment M to be
applied to the vehicle portions 44 of the extensions 40, causing
them to detach from the side walls 2 of the vehicle 1. However, due
to the presence of the integrity devices 60, the vehicle portion 44
of the extension 40 is prevented from detaching from the side wall
2 of the vehicle 1.
[0069] Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains
will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and
modification can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention, mutatis mutandis.
* * * * *