# US 7,465,500 B2 · Lightweight protector against micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) impact using foam substances

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- Number: US 7,465,500 B2
- Document ID: US7465500B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/977,188
- Filed: 2004-10-28
- Published: 2006-05-04
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2004-10-28
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Sherwin Yang; Nathan J. Hoffman; Adon Delgado, Jr.; Alan V. Von Arx; Michael P. Moriarty; Kathleen M. Sevener; Gerard D. Pelletier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465500B2

## CPC

- B64G 1/56: Protection against meteoroids or space debris
- B64G 1/226: {Special coatings for spacecraft}
- Y10S 428/911: Penetration resistant layer
- Y10T 428/12021: having composition or density gradient or differential porosity
- Y10T 428/12042: Porous component
- Y10T 428/12479: Porous [e.g., foamed, spongy, cracked, etc.]
- Y10T 428/249953: Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
- Y10T 428/249957: Inorganic impregnant
- B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for a shield to protect a surface from the impact of hyper-velocity projectiles. The apparatus comprises a foam material that is configured to cover the surface to be protected and is attached directly to that surface. A coating material is typically disposed on the outer surface of the foam material and may penetrate the foam material to a predetermined depth. The foam material and the coating material are selected to form a composite having predetermined values of sonic velocity, toughness, and thermal conductivity. The composite of foam material and coating material can be significantly lighter in weight than a metal shield having equivalent protective characteristics.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A shield for protecting a surface from the impact of hyper-velocity projectiles, comprising:
an aluminum foam having a bulk density of approximately 5% and a porosity of approximately 40 pores per inch, and configured to cover the surface;
a copper coating disposed on the outer surface of the aluminum foam and penetrating the aluminum foam to an approximate depth of 0.3 cm from the surface to form a composite, wherein the composite is attached directly to the surface to be protected by brazing.