U.S. patent application number 12/308453 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for apparatus and method for the protection of a vehicle from rocket-propelled grenades.
Invention is credited to Yeshayahu Goldstein, William Kellner, Todd David Lockwood, Peter J. Lohr, Stuart N. Rosenwasser, Arie Zigler.
Application Number | 20110113952 12/308453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40639362 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110113952 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosenwasser; Stuart N. ; et
al. |
May 19, 2011 |
Apparatus and method for the protection of a vehicle from
rocket-propelled grenades
Abstract
An apparatus for protecting a vehicle having a body from a
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), comprising a panel comprised of a
plurality of spaced, generally parallel bars positioned in spaced
outward relation to said body of said vehicle.
Inventors: |
Rosenwasser; Stuart N.;
(Washington, DC) ; Zigler; Arie; (Washington,
DC) ; Goldstein; Yeshayahu; (Gaithersburg, MD)
; Lockwood; Todd David; (Alexandria, VA) ;
Kellner; William; (Lovettsville, VA) ; Lohr; Peter
J.; (Morganton, VA) |
Family ID: |
40639362 |
Appl. No.: |
12/308453 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2007/017108 |
371 Date: |
January 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60834389 |
Jul 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 ;
89/903; 89/930; 89/937 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/026 20130101;
F41H 5/023 20130101; F41H 7/04 20130101; F41H 5/013 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 ;
89/930; 89/903; 89/937 |
International
Class: |
F41H 7/04 20060101
F41H007/04; F41H 5/02 20060101 F41H005/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for protecting a vehicle having a body from a
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), comprising: a panel comprised of a
plurality of spaced, generally parallel bars positioned in spaced
outward relation to said body of said vehicle.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes means
for suspending the panel in spaced outward relation to said body of
said vehicle.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for suspending the
panel in spaced outward relation to said body of said vehicle
comprises at least one post extending outwardly from said
vehicle.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein means are provided to pivot the
post from a first horizontal position to a second canted
position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein when the post is in the first
horizontal position the panel is in a deployed position wherein the
entire panel is in spaced outward adjacent relation to the body of
the vehicle, and when the post is in the second canted position the
panel is in a collapsed position wherein at least part of the panel
is not positioned in spaced outward adjacent relation to the body
of the vehicle.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the deployed position adjacent
the body is a lower position and the collapsed position is an upper
position.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the vehicle has a front side
door and said panel is positioned adjacent said front door.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vehicle also has a rear
side door and there is a panel comprised of a plurality of spaced
bars outwardly adjacent the rear door.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the vehicle has a second pair
of front and rear side doors and there are a pair of panels
comprised of a plurality of spaced bars outwardly adjacent the rear
door in said second pair of front and rear side doors.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the bars has an angled
feature.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the bars are
cross-sectionally rectangular.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bars are
cross-sectionally square.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the RPG has a transverse
dimension and the bars are spaced at a distance of less than said
transverse dimension.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bars are horizontal.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each of the horizontal bars
is attached to at least one vertical bar.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein there are a pair of parallel
vertical bars and each of the horizontal bars is attached to both
of said pair of vertical bars.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an attenuator and armor is
interposed between the panel and the body of the vehicle.
18. A method for protecting a vehicle having a body from a
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) comprising the step of: positioning
a panel composed of a plurality of spaced generally parallel bars
in spaced outward relation to said vehicle.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the rocket-propelled grenade
(RPG) has a front piezoelectric element, an inner and outer ogive,
an interior shaped explosive and a rearward detonator and the front
piezoelectric element extends between two adjacent bars and at
least one of said bars bends the outer ogive to contact the inner
ogive to prevent detonation of the shaped explosive.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the bars have at least one
angled feature.
21. An apparatus for protecting a vehicle, comprising: horizontal
members having; vertical members capable of being secured to a
vehicle; bushings capable of securing the horizontal members to the
vertical members; wherein the bushings are designed to break away
upon impact by an armament and be sufficiently rigid to ensure
detonation of the armament upon impact and to reduce transfer of
impact loads to the vertical members and reduce the deformation of
the vertical members.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the horizontal
members have at least three angular edges and wherein the bushings
reduce rotation of the horizontal members.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the horizontal and
vertical members are comprised of a high strength aluminum
alloy.
24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the horizontal
members are comprised of a carbon fiber reinforced composite.
25. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the horizontal and
vertical members comprise a modular fencing system capable of being
attached to the vehicle.
26. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a shock
attenuating layer that is capable of attachment to the vehicle to
attenuate peak pressure in an explosion caused by collision of a
rocket propelled grenade with the vehicle surface.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the shock
attenuating layer comprises at least one of a metal honeycomb, a
composite honeycomb, and multi-layer fiber reinforced polymer
matrix composites.
28. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising hinges
capable of attachment to the vehicle and at least two vertical
members to permit moving the horizontal and vertical members closer
to the vehicle surface when required.
29. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising
mounting hardware for affixing the vertical members to the
vehicle.
30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the mounting
hardware and vertical members are attached to the vehicle using at
least one of bolts and screws.
31. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the bushings
include an internal hole that accommodates one of the horizontal
members.
32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the bushings
include an external flat surface that facilitates securing to one
of the vertical members.
33. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the bushing is
comprised of a molded polymer material.
34. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the mounting
hardware includes clamps.
35. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising hinges
to rotatably secure modular sections to the vehicle to permit a
section to operate as a door.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE
[0001] The present invention is related to and claims the benefit
of PCT/US2007/17108 filed Jul. 31, 2007 and of U.S. Provisional
patent application No. 60/834,389, filed on Jul. 31, 2006, and
entitled "Apparatus And Method For The Protection Of A Vehicle From
Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs)."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field Of The Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to armaments and more
particularly to apparatus and methods for the protection of a
vehicle from a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
[0004] 2. Brief Description Of Prior Developments
[0005] RPGs are a class of generally shoulder-fired weapons having
a shaped explosive charge and which are propelled by a rocket
against heavily armored, lightly armored, and unarmored vehicles,
bunkers or other fortified positions, and other targets.
[0006] Because the shaped explosive charge concentrates the force
of the detonated explosive, RPGs are a serious threat to both
armored and unarmored vehicles. The prior art suggests a number of
methods and apparatus, either active of passive, which may be
effective in providing protection for vehicles from RPGs. Several
previous passive methods have utilized arrays of round steel bars
or slats. However these apparatus are too heavy for many vehicles,
do not achieve full effectiveness in protecting the vehicle and its
occupants, suffer extensive damage after an encounter, and are
difficult to repair and maintain.
[0007] A need, therefore, still exists for an improved highly
effective, light weight, low cost apparatus and method for the
protection for vehicles from RPGs.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is an apparatus for protecting a
vehicle having a body from a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG),
comprising one or more panels comprised of a plurality of spaced,
generally parallel bars positioned in spaced outward relation to
said body of said vehicle.
[0009] The present invention also encompasses a method for
protecting a vehicle having a body from a rocket-propelled grenade
(RPG) comprising the step of positioning one or more panels
composed of a plurality of spaced generally parallel bars in spaced
outward relation to said vehicle. The panels are designed to
achieve maximum theoretical effectiveness while minimizing weight,
damage to the adjacent structure, and operational interferences
while simplifying repair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention is further described with reference to
the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with the
RPG defense system of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of a vehicle equipped with
the RPG defense system shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b are views of the vehicle shown in FIG. 2
in which the RPG defense system is shown respectively in its
deployed and its collapsed position; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing the operation of the
system of the present invention to cause the shaped explosive
charge in an RPG to be disabled from detonating.
[0015] FIGS. 5A-5D depict illustrative embodiments of a bushing
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 6A depicts an illustrative embodiment of fencing
employing multiple panels to completely surround a vehicle
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6B depicts an illustrative embodiment of fencing
employing multiple panels to completely surround a vehicle
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a hinge according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a vehicle 10 with
a body 12. The vehicle 10 shown is a military Humvee utility
vehicle, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
the system of this invention may be adapted for use on military
engineering vehicles as well as on many other types of heavily or
lightly armored military vehicles or unarmored military vehicles or
on civilian vehicles. On one side of the vehicle there is a front
door 14 and a rear door 16. On the opposed side of the vehicle 10
there is also a front door 18 and a side door 20. Spaced outwardly
from the doors 14, 16, 18 and 20 there are respectively panels 22,
24, 26 and 28.
[0020] Referring, for example, to panel 22, each of the panels
includes a plurality of spaced, parallel horizontal bars as at
horizontal bars 30 and 32. As will be described in greater detail
below, each of these horizontal bars, as at bars 30 and 32, is
preferably cross sectionally square or otherwise cross sectionally
rectangular or otherwise has at least one angular feature on its
outer side, including a triangular or other polygonal shape.
According to one embodiment, the horizontal bars are implemented as
1/2 inch square high strength aluminum alloy bars with a 23/4 inch
spacing between horizontal bars, although other sizes and spacings
may be used, including a 3'' spacing. Additionally, other materials
may be used, such as steel, carbon fiber, and/or high strength
aluminum alloys, including 7075-T6 aluminum.
[0021] Each of the horizontal bars is attached to two spaced
parallel vertical bars 34 and 36, which may be spaced at apart at
regular or irregular amounts. According to one embodiment, the
spacing may be in the range of 16 inches to 36 inches, though
smaller or larger spacings may be used. The panels are each also
suspended from four horizontal posts as at posts 36, 40, 42 and 44
in the case of panel 22. The panel 22 is also pivotally attached to
the posts. For example, post 38 is attached to the body 12 at pivot
46 and is attached to the panel 22 at pivot 48. The horizontal bars
may be deployed at a distance from the vehicle to permit sufficient
breakup of the RPG prior to impact with the vehicle. The range of
spacing from the outside of the vehicle can be a long as desired.
In general it should not be too close to the vehicle. According to
one embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the horizontal
bars and the vehicle is between 8-12 inches. A larger spacing may
be used.
[0022] In addition to the protection provided by the horizontal and
vertical bar modular fencing sections, further protection may be
provided by providing a shock attenuating backup layer on the
outside of the vehicle. The layer may be comprised of metal or a
composite honeycomb, multi-layer fiber reinforced polymer matrix
composites, such as Kevlar (Aramid fibers), Spectra or Dyneema
(polyethelyne fibers). This attenuation layer may be used to
attenuate peak pressure in the explosive caused by collision of an
RPG with the vehicle surface, which decreases the probability of
initiation of a high order rapid deflagration of the residual
explosive. The shock attenuating backup layer may not be required
on vehicles already equipped with heavy armor plates.
[0023] As is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the panels as, for example,
panels 22 and 24 may be pivotable upwardly and inwardly from the
lower deployed position, respectively at 50 and 52 to upper
collapsed positions 54 and 56, respectively. It will be understood
that the upper collapsed positions 54 and 56 provided a reduced
transverse dimension to allow easier maneuvering of the vehicle 10
in, for example, tight spaces. The collapsible feature of the
invention also allows for easier stage and transport of the vehicle
with which the system is used. There is also a one-inch aluminum
honeycomb attenuator 58 over the armored vehicle doors. This
additional attenuator and the armor works with the system of this
invention to protect the vehicle occupants from the duded RPG
impact and blast effects.
[0024] The vertical members may also be secured to a horizontal
portion of the vehicle, or other portions of the vehicle, without a
pivotal connection. This may be particularly useful for portions of
the vehicle that do not need to be accessed regularly, such as the
front or rear portions of the vehicle or non-doored side portions
of the vehicle.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the horizontal
bars are secured to the vertical bars using bushings. The bushings
help to prevent or minimize rotation of the horizontal bars upon
RPG impact and permit deformation and movement of a horizontal bar
through the vertical support upon impact with a RPG, blast debris,
or fragments. This serves to minimize transfer of load and
subsequent deformation and damage of the vertical support members
and overall structure. According to one embodiment, the bushings
are designed to break away, during impact, to further reduce
transfer of impact loads to support structure. This may be
accomplished by using a material that is strong enough to withstand
vehicle operation loads but less strong than the vertical and
horizontal members. Examples include polymer materials such as
Delrin, Nylon, or other injection moldable or castable
plastics.
[0026] One embodiment of a bushing is shown in FIGS. 5A-5D.
Referring to FIG. 5A, the bushing 500 includes an inner cavity that
fits around a horizontal bar. The inner cavity accommodates the
shape of the horizontal bar to facilitate attachment to it. In
addition, the vertical bars may include features to facilitate
attachment of the bushings, including holes, including D shaped
holes. According to one embodiment, the inner cavity is a 1/2 inch
square and fits around 1/2 inch square horizontal bars. Each
horizontal bar is inserted through the inner hole in the bushing
and is secured only by friction. In one embodiment stop screws
(ADD-FIG. 3a and 3b, ##) inserted near the ends of each horizontal
bar are employed to prevent the bars from shifting horizontally
during operation and to secure the bushings to the vertical member.
In another embodiment, clamps on the protuding length of selected
horizontal bars, adjacent to and outside the vertical member, may
be used to stabilize the assembly.
[0027] To facilitate deployment, according to one embodiment of the
invention, sets of the horizontal and vertical bars may be made to
accommodate particular vehicles or multiple vehicles. The sets may
be configured to have the same cross sections, so that multiple
horizontal and vertical members and bushings may be stocked in
predetermined lengths so that when they break as a result of a RPG
or other incident, the broken pieces may be removed and new pieces
put in place. This allows for 80-90% commonality of hardware and
assemblies between different vehicles. Each vehicle may require
different attachment members to pivotally connect modular fencing
sections of horizontal and vertical bars to the vehicle or to
secure the modular fencing sections without a pivotal connection to
other parts of a vehicle. Additional sections may be attached with
hinged sections to permit the effective width of the vehicle to be
reduced when maneuvering in tight quarters. This also facilitates
crew ingress and egress and access to parts of the vehicle that
need frequent access.
[0028] FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a hinge according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the hinge
includes hinges 700, a hinge spring plate 710, a pin hinge 720, a
cotter pin 730, a flat washer 740, a hinge spring 750 and bolts and
nuts 760. The hinges 700 are U shaped and attach to one another via
the pin hinge 720 and cotter pin. A pair of hinge spring plates
attach to the hinges and are used to secure the hinge spring 750.
The bolts and nuts are used to secure the hinge spring plate to the
hinges. The hinges themselves attach to the vehicle and to
horizontal or vertical bars to facilitate opening and closing of
sections of fencing. The hinges may be attached using any of the
techniques referenced herein. It will be understood that beyond
pins and nuts and bolts, other fasteners and fastening techniques
and pivotal connections may be used. For example, detents, rivets,
welding, adhesive, screws and/or other techniques may be used.
[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the modular
fencing system is mechanically assembled and does not require any
welding, thus eliminating softening of a heat treated vehicle hull
and/ or armor plates, which tends to reduce blast protection
capability of a hull. Rather, the fencing sections are secured to a
vehicle using bolts. Beyond bolts, other fasteners or fastening
techniques may be used, including clamps, removable pins, utilizing
either ball dentents or cotter pins, allow easy securing of the
fencing sections to the vehicle and release of hinged doors or
total removal of selected sections where required.
[0030] FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrative views of additional
vehicles with modular fencing systems according to embodiments of
the present invention.
Operation
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the operation of the RPG defense system
of the present invention is shown. An RPG is shown generally at 60
and includes a piezoelectric nose initiator 62, an outer ogive 64,
an inner ogive 66, a shaped charge cone 68, a shaped explosive
charge 70, and a base detonator 72. The system of the present
invention which interacts with the PRG includes a horizontal bar 74
which is cross sectionally square and which has consequently outer
angular features 76 and 78. As described above the system also
includes other spaced, parallel horizontal bars as at bar 80 which
is also cross sectionally square and which consequently has outer
angular features 82 and 84.
[0032] As is conventional, when an RPG hits a target (not shown)
the piezoelectric nose initiator 62 would produce an electric
current which would be transmitted to the detonator 72 which
detonates the explosive charge 70. In the case shown in FIG. 4,
however, the outer ogive 64 contacts angular feature 82 of
horizontal bar 80 so as to deform the outer ogive 64 to cause it to
contact inner ogive 66 to short-circuit current produced at
piezoelectric nose initiator 62 and thereby disable the means for
detonating the explosive 70.
[0033] It will be appreciated that a lightweight, low-cost and
effective RPG defense system for lightly armored and engineering
vehicles as well as other vehicles which operates by disabling the
RPG shaped charge electronic fusing circuit has been described.
This system also works with the existing vehicle armor and optional
attenuation to protect occupants from RPG impact and blast effects.
The system is also field installable and maintainable. The system
may also be made removal or collapsible. The system will also have
a minimal effect on driver visibility.
[0034] While the present invention has been described in connection
with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be
understood that other similar embodiments may be used or
modifications or additions may be made to the described embodiment
for performing the same function of the present invention without
deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be
limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth
and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended
claims.
* * * * *