Panel configuration composite armor
OwnerMurray L. Nealinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus comprising combining ballistic and fragment resistant fabrics in multiple layers with a central geometrically shaped composite core in a resin forming a composite armor panel, wherein the multiple layers present a fragment projectile with alternating tougher and softer resistances to penetration to enhance the stopping power of the composite armor while retaining a lightweight configuration is disclosed. The panel allows the fabric layers and geometric core to interact in such a manner as to function as a drumskin, flexing and elastically deforming to absorb and attenuate the energy of a forced entry attack.
Claims38
A composite armor comprising:
- a first layer comprising a plurality of closely packed geometric cells of a first material wherein a major axis of the cells is normal to a plane in which the first layer lies, the first layer impregnated with a resin;
- a second and third layer each having a substantially equal plurality of plys of a second material impregnated with a resin, the second layer coupled to a front side of the first layer and the third layer coupled to a back side of the first layer;
- a fourth and fifth layer each having a substantially equal plurality of plys of a third material coupled to opposing sides of the first layer, the fourth and fifth layers impregnated with a resin;
- wherein the composite armor weighs less than 3.3 pounds per square foot of protected area, is less than 1.3 inches in thickness, and exceeds requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials F 1233-93 class III sequence 16 standard for forced entry.
A composite armor comprising:
- a first layer of fabric,
- a second layer of fabric coupled to the first layer being different than the first layer,
- a third layer having a plurality of closely packed geometric cells of a first material wherein a major axis of the cells is normal to a plane in which the first layer lies, the third layer impregnated with a resin and coupled to the second layer,
- a fourth layer of fabric coupled to the third layer,
- a fifth layer of fabric coupled to the fourth layer being different than the fourth layer,
- wherein the fabric layers provide flexural rigidity to the armor and combine with an ability to flex and absorb and dissipate energy from a forced entry attack provided by the third layer and the composite armor weights less than 3.3 pounds per square foot of protected area, is less than 1.3 inches in thickness, exceeds the requirements of American Society for Testing and Materials F 1233-93 class III sequence 16 standard for forced entry.
A method of making a composite armor panel comprising:
- providing a center layer of a panel having a plurality of closely packed hexagonal cells of a first material wherein a major axis of the cells is normal to a plane in which the first layer lies, the layer impregnated with a resin,
- encasing the center layer in a first fabric layer having a plurality of plys of a first fabric in a balanced manner so there are a substantially equal number of plys of the first fabric on the front and back of the center layer, the fabric impregnated with a resin,
- encasing the combination of the center layer and the first fabric layer in a second fabric layer having a plurality of plys of a second fabric being different from the first fabric in a balanced manner so there are a substantially equal number of plys of the second fabric on the front and back of the center layer, the second fabric impregnated with a resin,
- placing the panel into a mold,
- placing the mold in an autoclave and heating and pressurizing the panel until the resin turns into a low viscosity liquid combining with the ply above and below it and forming a bond between the plurality of plys and the center layer and sealing the panel from the environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.