Encapsulated ballistic structure
OwnerJohn Carberry, John Garnier +1inventors
InventorsJohn Carberry, John Garnier, Katherine Leighton
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Abstract
An encapsulated ballistic structure for limiting the transfer of impact force from a projectile. An encapsulant substantially encases and confines a core material. The core material absorbs a part of the compressive stress of a projectile impact. The encapsulant absorbs a part of the tensile stress of a projectile impact. The encapsulant is fabricated from an organic compound having a greater tensile strength than the tensile strength of the core material.
Claims15
A ballistic structure for absorbing a portion of the impact force from a projectile, said ballistic structure comprising:
- a core material for absorbing the impact of the projectile;
- and
- an encapsulant substantially encasing said core material, said encapsulant being fabricated from an organic compound having a greater tensile strength than the tensile strength of said core material, said encapsulant being configured to compress said core material to increase the penetration resistance of said core material during impact by the projectile.
A method for constructing ballistic armor for limiting the transfer of impact force from a projectile, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a core material for absorbing the impact of the projectile, and providing an organic compound having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of said core material;
- (b) heating said core material and said organic compound to a first defined temperature;
- (c) substantially enclosing said core material within said organic compound;
- and
- (d) allowing said core material and said organic compound to cool to a second defined temperature, such that said core material is subjected to compression as said organic compound thermally contracts in response to cooling.
A ballistic structure for limiting the transfer of impact force from a projectile, said ballistic structure comprising:
- a core material for absorbing the impact of the projectile;
- an encapsulant substantially encasing said core material, said encapsulant being fabricated from an organic compound having a greater tensile strength than the tensile strength of said core material;
- and
- a plurality of fibers dispersed throughout said encapsulant, said plurality of fibers having a greater tensile strength than the tensile strength of said encapsulant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.