Lightweight composite armor
First Claim
1. A lightweight composite armor comprising:
- an integrally formed matrix block including a generally planar back and a plurality of intersecting ridges extending from a front side of said planar back and terminating in a top, said intersecting ridges forming a pattern of open-topped cells;
an energy absorbing ceramic body located in each cell which serves as a primary energy-absorbent of the armor as each said ceramic body is maintained in the associated cell, each said ceramic body being located below the tops of the surrounding ridges;
individual front plates sized to close only the open top of each associated cell, each said front plate being in mating contact with an associated said ceramic body and including at least a lower portion located below the tops of the surrounding ridges of the associated cell; and
an attaching means for attaching each said front plate to the tops of adjacent said ridges of the cells around the periphery of said plates whereby impact by a projectile on one said front plate substantially limits any damage to that one said front plate and the underlying ceramic body leaving the remaining armor substantially undamaged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lightweight composite armor including an integrally formed matrix block is disclosed. The matrix block includes a generally planar back, a plurality of intersecting ridges extending from the front of the planar back, and fillets provided at the junctures between the planar back and the ridges and at the juncture between the ridges. The matrix block thus forms a pattern of open topped cells. An energy absorbing ceramic body is located in each cell. Individual front plates sized to fit in the open top of each associated cell in mating contact with the ceramic body and provided with upstanding flanges around the periphery thereof are also provided. A weld around the periphery of the front plates between the flanges and associated tops of the ridges is provided. In this manner, impact by a projectile on one of these front plates substantially limits any damage to that one front plate and the underlying ceramic body leaving the remaining armor substantially undamaged. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, each ceramic body includes a concave surface adjacent the mating front plate. In addition, small gaps which exist between the cells and the ceramic bodies are filled with a ceramic-based grout. A polymer impregnated fabric is also provided at the rear of the planar back as desired. Ridges at the planar back can also be provided for stiffening the planar back.
98 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A lightweight composite armor comprising:
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an integrally formed matrix block including a generally planar back and a plurality of intersecting ridges extending from a front side of said planar back and terminating in a top, said intersecting ridges forming a pattern of open-topped cells; an energy absorbing ceramic body located in each cell which serves as a primary energy-absorbent of the armor as each said ceramic body is maintained in the associated cell, each said ceramic body being located below the tops of the surrounding ridges; individual front plates sized to close only the open top of each associated cell, each said front plate being in mating contact with an associated said ceramic body and including at least a lower portion located below the tops of the surrounding ridges of the associated cell; and an attaching means for attaching each said front plate to the tops of adjacent said ridges of the cells around the periphery of said plates whereby impact by a projectile on one said front plate substantially limits any damage to that one said front plate and the underlying ceramic body leaving the remaining armor substantially undamaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A lightweight composite armor comprising:
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an integrally formed matrix block including a generally planar back having a front and a rear, a plurality of intersecting ridges extending from the front of said planar back and terminating in a top, and fillets provided at the junctures between said planar back and said ridges and at the junctures between said ridges, said planar back and said ridges forming a pattern of open-topped cells; an energy absorbing ceramic body located in each cell which serves as a primary energy-absorbent of the armor as each said ceramic body is maintained in the associated cell, said ceramic body extending from said planar back to a position below the tops of adjacent said ridges in each cell; individual front plates sized to fit only in the open top of each associated cell in mating contact with said ceramic body, said front plates including a planar portion located below the tops of the surrounding ridges and an upstanding flange around the periphery thereof; and a weld around the periphery of said front plates between said flanges of said front plates and the associated tops of said ridges such that said front plates are individually attached to said matrix block and whereby impact by a projectile on one of said front plates substantially limits any damage to that one said front plate and the underlying ceramic body leaving the remaining armor substantially undamaged. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification