Composite containment of high energy debris and pressure
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJonathan W. Gabrys
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of a rigid inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorption elements are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.
Claims22
A composite armor panel configured to absorb energy to protect a body from the impact of a high energy event, the panel comprising:
- a rigid inner sheet defining opposite inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface directed toward the body;
- a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on the outer surface of the inner sheet, each energy absorption element formed of a laminate composite material configured with a terminating end attached to the inner sheet and at least a first portion, not attached to the inner sheet, extending from the terminating end generally outward from the inner sheet such that each energy absorption element is configured to be deformed inwardly by the impact and thereby at least partially delaminate the laminate composite material of the energy absorbing element, wherein each energy absorption element is distinct from each other energy absorption element, and wherein a tangent to the first portion of each energy absorption element intersects the inner sheet;
- and
- an outer sheet defining opposite interior and exterior surfaces, the interior surface directed toward the body, the inner sheet, and the plurality of energy absorption elements.
A body armor system for protecting a body from the impact of a high energy event, the system comprising:
- at least one panel comprising a rigid inner sheet defining opposite inner and outer surfaces;
- a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on the outer surface of the inner sheet, each energy absorption element formed of a laminate composite material configured with a terminating end attached to the inner sheet and at least a first portion, not attached to the inner sheet, extending from the terminating end generally outward from the inner sheet such that each energy absorption element is configured to be deformed inwardly by the impact and thereby at least partially delaminate the laminate composite material of the energy absorbing element, wherein each energy absorption element is distinct from each other energy absorption element, and wherein a tangent to the first portion of each energy absorption element intersects the inner sheet,
- wherein the at least one panel is configured to be disposed on the outer surface of the body with the outer surfaces of the inner sheet directed away from the body such that at least one panel is disposed between the body and the impact;
- and
- an outer sheet defining opposite interior and exterior surfaces, the interior surface directed toward the body, the inner sheet, and the plurality of energy absorption elements.
A method of protecting a body from the impact of a high energy event, comprising:
- providing a rigid inner sheet defining opposite inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface directed toward the body;
- providing a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on the outer surface of the inner sheet, each energy absorption element formed of a laminate composite material configured with a terminating end attached to the inner sheet and at least a first portion, not attached to the inner sheet, extending from the terminating end generally outward from the inner sheet such that each energy absorption element is configured to be deformed inwardly by the impact and thereby at least partially delaminate the laminate composite material of the energy absorbing element, wherein each energy absorption element is distinct from each other energy absorption element, and wherein a tangent to the first portion of each energy absorption element intersects the inner sheet;
- and
- providing an outer sheet defining opposite interior and exterior surfaces, the interior surface directed toward the body, the inner sheet, and the plurality of energy absorption elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.