( 1 2 ) United S ta tes Pa tent

Cohen
US 007383762 B2
US 7, 383, 762 B2
J u n. 1 0, 2 008
( 1 0) Pa tent N 0. :
( 4 5 ) Da te of Pa tent:
( 5 4 ) CERAMIC PELLETS AN D COMPOS ITE
ARMOR PAN EL CON TAIN IN G THE S AME
( 76) Inv entor : Mic ha el Cohen, K ib b u tZ K f a r EtZ ion,
Mob il e Pos t N or th Yehu da 902 00 ( IL)
( * ) N otic e: S u b j ec t to a ny dis c l a im er , the ter m of this
p a tent is ex tended or a dj u s ted u nder 35
U. S . C. 1 5 4 ( b ) b y 1 1 4 da y s .
( 2 1 ) Ap p 1 . N o. : 1 1 / 32 7, 5 2 s
( 2 2 ) F il ed: J a n. 5 , 2 006
( 65 ) Pr ior Pu b l ic a tion Da ta
US 2 006/ 02 4 31 2 7 A1 N ov . 2 , 2 006
( 30) F or eig n Ap p l ic a tion Pr ior ity Da ta
Ap r . 3, 2 005 ( IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6782 5
Ap r . 1 4 , 2 005 ( IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6802 9
( 5 1 ) Int. Cl .
F 4 1 H 5 / 007 ( 2 006. 01 )
( 5 2 ) US . Cl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89/ 3602 ; 89/ 3601 ; 4 2 8/ 91 1
( 5 8) F iel d of Cl a s s i?c a tion S ea r c h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89/ 3601 ,
89/ 3602 ; 4 2 8/ 91 1 ; 1 09/ 82 * 84
S ee a p p l ic a tion ?l e f or c om p l ete s ea r c h his tor y .
( 5 6) Ref er enc es Cited
U. S . PATEN T DOCUMEN TS
3, 705 , 5 5 8 A 1 2 / 1 972 Mc Dou g a l et a 1 .
( Continu ed)
F OREIGN PATEN T DOCUMEN TS
EP 084 31 4 9 A1 1 1 / 1 996
EP 094 2 2 5 5 A1 3/ 1 998
F R 2 71 1 782 7/ 1 991
GB 1 081 4 64 8/ 1 964
GB 1 35 2 4 1 8 5 / 1 974
GB 2 2 72 2 72 1 1 / 1 992
W0 WO 98/ 1 5 796 1 0/ 1 997
W0 WO 99/ 6032 7 5 / 1 999
Pr im a r y Ex a m iner iBr et Ha y es
( 74 ) Attor ney , Ag ent, or F ir m iBil l y A. Rob b ins ; Connol l y
Bov e Lodg e & Hu tZ LLP
( 5 7) ABS TRACT
The inv ention p r ov ides a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b
ing a nd dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or
p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r oj ec til es ,
the p l a te c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h
a r e b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a n el a s tic m a ter ia l ,
s u b s ta ntia l l y inter na l l y Within the el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u c h tha t
the p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of r oWs a nd c ol u m ns
p r ov iding m u tu a l l a ter a l s u p p or t, the p el l ets b eing m a de of
c er a m ic m a ter ia l , Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of the p el l ets
is s u b s ta ntia l l y in c onta c t With a t l ea s t thr ee a dj a c ent p el l ets
a nd a t l ea s t a m a j or ity of the p el l ets a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y
c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end
f a c e, f u r ther c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s p a c es f or m ed b etween the
a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a r e onl y p a r tia l l y ?l l ed With a
m a ter ia l f or p r ev enting the How of s of t m eta l f r om im p a c t
ing p r oj ec til es thr ou g h the s p a c es , the ?ow- p r ev enting m a te
r ia l b eing in the f or m of a n ins er t Whic h is in c onta c t With
a t m os t onl y one of the s ides of thr ee a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l
p el l ets , or b eing integ r a l l y f or m ed a s p a r t of a s p ec ia l ins er t
p el l et, the ins er t p el l et b eing in the f or m of a c y l inder
p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions ex tending onl y p a r tia l l y into the
s p a c es f or m ed b etween the s ides of s ix a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l
p el l ets , a nd b l oc k ing a m a j or c r os s - s ec tiona l p or tion of the
s p a c es , ea c h of the p r oj ec tions b eing in s p a c ed- a p a r t r el a
tions hip to a t l ea s t one of the tWo a dj a c ent c y l inder s toWa r ds
Whic h it p r oj ec ts , the p el l ets a nd the ?ow- p r ev enting m a te
r ia l b eing b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l , Wher ein the s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l a nd the p l a te a r e
el a s tic .
1 8 Cl a im s , 7 Dr a wing S heets
US 7, 383, 762 B2
Pa g e 2
US . PATEN T DOCUMEN TS 5 , 91 5 , 5 2 8 A * 6/ 1 999 S hm u el ov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 / 2 5
5 , 972 , 81 9 A 1 0/ 1 999 Cohen
4 , 061 , 81 5 A 1 2 / 1 977 Pool e, J r . 6, 1 1 2 , 635 A 9/ 2 000 Cohen
4 , 5 2 9, 64 0 A 7/ 1 985 Br own et a l . 6, 2 03, 908 B1 3/ 2 001 Cohen
4 , 5 34 , 2 66 A 8/ 1 985 Hu e 6, 2 89, 781 B1 9/ 2 001 Cohen
2 , 2 2 3, 82 3 2 $ 1 32 3 g of l el l es a nj 6 a l ' 6, 4 08, 734 B1 6/ 2 002 Cohen
a 1 et ' 6, 4 97, 966 B2 1 2 / 2 002 Cohen
4 , 94 5 , 81 4 A 8/ 1 990 Hu et *
5 1 2 04 83 A * 6/ 1 992 Ca m er on et a l 2 64 / 65 8 6, 5 75 , 075 B2 6/ 2 003 Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89/ 36. 02
, , . . . . . . . . . . . . * .
5 , 361 , 678 A 1 1 / 1 994 Roop c ha n d et a 1 2 004 / 002 035 3 A1 2 / 2 004 Ra v l d et a 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89/ 36. 02
5 , 738, 92 5 A * 4 / 1 998 Cha p u t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 8/ 1 01
5 , 763, 81 3 A 6/ 1 998 Cohen et a 1 . * c ited b y ex a m iner
U. S . Pa tent J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 1 0f 7 US 7, 383, 762 B2
1 6 2 o
2 2
US 7, 383, 762 B2
U. S . Pa tent J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 2 0f 7
U. S . Pa tent J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 3 0f 7 US 7, 383, 762 B2
62
64
1 6
5 2
64
US 7, 383, 762 B2
J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 4 0f 7 U. S . Pa tent
U. S . Pa tent J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 5 0f 7 US 7, 383, 762 B2
F HGURE 7
U. S . Pa tent J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 6 0f 7 US 7, 383, 762 B2
F IGURE 8
H. P. White La b or a tor y , Inc . c hem : MOF ET ETZ ION
BALLIS TIC RES IS TAN CE TES T J ob N u . ; 975 1 . 01 Tes t on: : 3/ 3/ 05
ES LBAN EL
hm : MOF ET EIZ ION S a m p l e N 0. = S TAR
El l i 1 c m : in. WQHN IBDB l b s . 98' ' Mi 1 2 / 2 5 8- 3/ 2 1 05
Tu b a l - UN A MIN A WIF OdEXEHAN DCARF
Av Thb u N A Pl - l Ll nha h?' qA RIM- 1 . 1 2 M
Du a ip b nr S TAR + 1 3m m DYN EEMA
5 m m m wetS a m - r wnm z u on. "MW- = 1
S im - 8M1 PER CUS TOMER REQUES T PMIYVII- I- HIIMI 1 5 . 0 R. F r c m Mu z z l e TIW- r 69 F
M1 . M1 0. 02 0". 2 02 4 - 1 ' 3 ALUMIN UM WVII- s wl ?l : N A 5 91 2 9. 93 In. Hg
onu qwy z qdeg , WVu LLwI?wnN A iii- 1 : 2 4 9,
m il - MIR N A l u m hl ' m : 2 5 . 0 f t. WN W/ 6w TES T BARREL
MW1 AMBIEN T Twin Wk r 5 . 0 in. 5 w": IN GRAM
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( 2 ) 1 Ln! N o. 1
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APPLICAB T A P
( 1 ) 1 PER CUS TOMER REQUES T
Am m n. Tm ! Va l ndty l Tin- 2 v u a dx y z Au g v u Va nna s wu v el .
( m e: I' m ( III) ( M) ( M) ( M)
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N o.
1 1 35 2 0 2 762 362 1 2 762 2 75 2 B 2 75 4 Bu l l et/ S p el l
2 1 35 98 2 779 35 99 2 779 2 779 8 2 1 71 N one
3 1 35 03 2 775 3603 2 775 2 775 B 2 75 8 Ma nn
4 1 35 1 2 2 769 361 4 2 75 7 2 768 8 2 760 N one
5 1 35 93 2 783 35 95 2 782 2 782 B 2 775 N one
6 I 382 0 2 762 362 2 2 75 1 2 762 B 2 75 4 N one
7 1 35 94 2 782 35 96 2 781 2 782 8 2 774 N one
U. S . Pa tent J u n. 1 0, 2 008 S heet 7 0f 7 US 7, 383, 762 B2
F IGURE 9
HP. White La b or a tor y , Inc . c nem : MOF ET ETZ ION
BALLIS TIC RES IS TAN CE TES T J ob 1 4 01 975 1 01 Tm on. : 3, 31 05
wit.
W1 MOF ET ETZ ION W"4 1 CROWN S
s u 1 1 OX1 2 l l 1 . W: 7. 68 l b s . Dl b m l ?iv l 5 ?|3?l ?5
Tl idr na a u s tm "MIN A VIIF edEx / HAN DCARF
Av g f l ' hb LiN A Ma nn- N A Rnu u m N A
MM: CROWN S 4 - 1 3m m DYN EEMA
S E [- UP PF UI' IIYVU. S UIOIBT1 0_ O 1 1 " 2 00 it Ra m N o. : 1
S im 5 m m : PER CUS TOMER REQUES T PM"! WI m i 1 5 . 0 f t. F r om Mm e Tm I 69 F
Wl m PM! " 0. 02 0 2 02 4 - 1 ' 3 ALUMIN UM m V= L m r N A 5 "; 2 9. 93 In. Hg
ou m wdeg Res hu l l Vtl . I- a ?ia n: _ N A M1 2 4 5 ;
61 m wil l N A W' 9 Tm : 2 5 . 0 f t. 5 " WI TES T BARREL
WIAMBIEN T "' 9' ", M I 6. 0 In. WWII! IN GRAM
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( 1 ) : Lu ! N o. 1
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( a .
( 3| 1
S im Anu m l Hm . I Vdou ty ! Tl m a l Yiodty Z F Av m Vd. V1 L- l S wim
N o. ( a nd ( In) F _ _ m _ h M) _ _ ( MI M) M]
1 1 35 80 2 793 35 81 2 793 2 793 8 2 785 N one
2 1 35 79 2 75 4 35 8 I 2 793 2 793 B 2 786 N one
3 1 3601 2 777 35 02 2 776 2 777 8 2 789 N one
4 1 35 78 2 795 35 80 2 75 3 2 794 B 2 75 6 N one
5 1 35 78 2 795 35 75 2 795 2 795 B 2 787 N one
6 1 35 73 2 799 35 74 2 798 2 798 8 2 791 N 008
7 1 3600 2 778 3601 2 777 2 777 8 2 770 N OM
B 1 35 85 2 789 35 88 2 787 2 75 8 8 2 781 N one
9 1 35 99 2 779 3601 2 777 2 778 8 2 770 N O"!
1 0 1 35 98 2 779 3600 2 778 2 779 8 2 771 N one
US 7, 383, 762 B2
1
CERAMIC PELLETS AN D COMPOS ITE
ARMOR PAN EL CON TAIN IN G THE S AME
The p r es ent inv ention r el a tes to a c er a m ic b ody f or
dep l oy m ent in a c om p os ite a r m or p a nel , f or a b s or b ing a nd
dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om p r oj ec til es a nd to b a l l is tic
a r m or p a nel s inc or p or a ting the s a m e. Mor e p a r tic u l a r l y , the
inv ention r el a tes to im p r ov ed c er a m ic b odies f or u s e in
a r m or ed p l a tes f or p r ov iding b a l l is tic p r otec tion f or l ig ht a nd
hea v y m ob il e equ ip m ent a nd f or v ehic l es a g a ins t hig h
v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec til es or f r a g m ents a s Wel l a s
f r om s of t nos ed p r oj ec til es .
The p r es ent inv ention is a m odi?c a tion of the inv entions
des c r ib ed in Us . Pa t. N os . 5 , 763, 81 3; 5 , 972 , 81 9; 6, 2 89,
781 ; 6, 1 1 2 , 635 ; 6, 2 03, 908; a nd 6, 4 08, 734 a nd in WO- A
981 5 796 the r el ev a nt tea c hing s of Whic h a r e inc or p or a ted
her ein b y r ef er enc e.
In Us . Pa t. N o. 5 , 763, 81 3 ther e is des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed
a c om p os ite a r m or m a ter ia l f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec
til es , c om p r is ing a p a nel c ons is ting es s entia l l y of a s ing l e
inter na l l a y er of hig h dens ity c er a m ic p el l ets s a id p el l ets
ha v ing a n A1 2 03 c ontent of a t l ea s t 93% a nd a s p ec i?c
g r a v ity of a t l ea s t 2 . 5 a nd r eta ined in p a nel f or m b y a
s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l Whic h is el a s tic a t a tem p er a tu r e b el ow
2 5 00 C. ; the m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets ea c h ha v ing a p a r t of a
m a j or a x is of a l eng th of in the r a ng e of a b ou t 3- 1 2 m m , a nd
b eing b ou nd b y s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l in p l u r a l ity of
s u p er p os ed r oWs , Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets
is in c onta c t With a t l ea s t 4 a dj a c ent p el l ets , the Weig ht of
s a id p a nel does not ex c eed 4 5 k g / m 2 .
In U. S . Pa t. N o. 6, 1 1 2 , 635 ther e is des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed
a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec
til es , s a id p l a te c ons is ting es s entia l l y of a s ing l e inter na l
l a y er of hig h dens ity c er a m ic p el l ets Whic h a r e dir ec tl y
b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l
s u c h tha t the p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of a dj a c ent
r oWs , Wher ein the p el l ets ha v e a n A1 2 03 c ontent of a t l ea s t
93% a nd a s p ec i?c g r a v ity of a t l ea s t 2 . 5 , the m a j or ity of the
p el l ets ea c h ha v e a t l ea s t one a x is of a t l ea s t 1 2 m m l eng th
s a id one a x is of s u b s ta ntia l l y a l l of s a id p el l ets b eing in
s u b s ta ntia l p a r a l l el or ienta tion With ea c h other a nd s u b s ta n
tia l l y p er p endic u l a r to a n a dj a c ent s u r f a c e of s a id p l a te a nd
Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets is in dir ec t c onta c t
With 6 a dj a c ent p el l ets , a nd s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l a nd s a id
p l a te a r e el a s tic .
In WO- A- 981 5 796 c or r es p onding to Us . Pa t. N o. 5 , 972 ,
81 9, ther e is des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed a c er a m ic b ody f or
dep l oy m ent in a c om p os ite a r m or p a nel , s a id b ody b eing
s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e, With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c e, Wher ein the r a tio D/ R b etWeen the dia m eter
D of s a id c y l indr ic a l b ody a nd the r a diu s R of c u r v a tu r e of
s a id a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e is a t l ea s t 0. 64 : 1 .
In Us . Pa t. N o. 6, 2 89, 781 ther e is des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed
a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity p r oj ec til es , s a id p l a te
c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h a r e
dir ec tl y b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l s u c h tha t the p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of
a dj a c ent r oWs , c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t the p el l ets ha v e a
s p ec i?c g r a v ity of a t l ea s t 2 a nd a r e m a de of a m a ter ia l
s el ec ted f r om the g r ou p c ons is ting of g l a s s , s inter ed r ef r a c
tor y m a ter ia l , c er a m ic m a ter ia l Whic h does not c onta in
a l u m inu m ox ide a nd c er a m ic m a ter ia l ha v ing a n a l u m inu m
ox ide c ontent of not m or e tha n 80%, the m a j or ity of the
p el l ets ea c h ha v e a t l ea s t one a x is of a t l ea s t 3 m m l eng th a nd
2 0
2 5
30
35
4 0
4 5
5 0
5 5
60
65
2
a r e b ou nd b y s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l in s a id s ing l e inter na l
l a y er of a dj a c ent r oWs s u c h tha t ea c h of a m a j or ity of s a id
p el l ets is in dir ec t c onta c t With a t l ea s t s ix a dj a c ent p el l ets in
the s a m e l a y er to p r ov ide m u tu a l l a ter a l c on?nem ent ther
eb etWeen, s a id p el l ets ea c h ha v e a s u b s ta ntia l l y r eg u l a r
g eom etr ic f or m a nd s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l a nd s a id p l a te
a r e el a s tic .
In Us . Pa t. N o. 6, 4 08, 734 ther e is des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed
a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec
til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r oj ec til es , s a id p l a te
c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of hig h dens ity c er a m ic
p el l ets , c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s a id p el l ets a r e a r r a ng ed in a
s ing l e l a y er of a dj a c ent r oWs a nd c ol u m ns , Wher ein a
m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets is in dir ec t c onta c t With a t
l ea s t f ou r a dj a c ent p el l ets a nd ea c h of s a id p el l ets a r e
s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c e, f u r ther c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s p a c es f or m ed
b etWeen s a id a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a r e ?l l ed With a
m a ter ia l f or p r ev enting the How of s of t m eta l f r om im p a c t
ing p r oj ec til es thr ou g h s a id s p a c es , s a id m a ter ia l b eing in the
f or m of a tr ia ng u l a r ins er t ha v ing c onc a v e s ides c om p l im en
ta r y to the c onv ex c u r v a tu r e of the s ides of thr ee a dj a c ent
c y l indr ic a l p el l ets , or b eing integ r a l l y f or m ed a s p a r t of a
s p ec ia l inter s tic es - ?l l ing p el l et, s a id p el l et b eing in the f or m
of a s ix s ided s ta r With c onc a v e s ides c om p l im enta r y to the
c onv ex c u r v a tu r e of the s ides of s ix a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l
p el l ets , s a id p el l ets a nd m a ter ia l b eing b ou nd a nd r eta ined in
p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , Wher ein s a id s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l a nd s a id p l a te m a ter ia l a r e el a s tic .
The tea c hing s of a l l of thes e s p ec i?c a tions a r e inc or p o
r a ted her ein b y r ef er enc e.
As des c r ib ed a nd ex p l a ined ther ein, a n inc om ing p r oj ec
til e m a y c onta c t the p el l et a r r a y in one of thr ee Wa y s :
1 . Center c onta c t. The im p a c t a l l oWs the f u l l v ol u m e of the
p el l et to p a r tic ip a te in s top p ing the p r oj ec til e, Whic h
c a nnot p enetr a te Withou t p u l v er iz ing the Whol e p el l et, a n
ener g y - intens iv e ta s k .
2 . F l a nk c onta c t. The im p a c t c a u s es p r oj ec til e y a W, thu s
m a k ing p r oj ec til e a r r es t ea s ier , a s a l a r g er f r onta l a r ea is
c onta c ted, a nd not onl y the s ha r p nos e of the p r oj ec til e.
The p r oj ec til e is de?ec ted s ideWa y s a nd needs to f or m f or
its el f a l a r g e a p er tu r e to p enetr a te, thu s a l l oWing the a r m or
to a b s or b the p r oj ec til e ener g y .
3. Va l l ey c onta c t. The p r oj ec til e is j a m m ed, u s u a l l y b etWeen
the ?a nk s of thr ee p el l ets , a l l of Whic h p a r tic ip a te in
p r oj ec til e a r r es t. The hig h s ide f or c es a p p l ied to the p el l ets
a r e r es is ted b y the p el l ets a dj a c ent ther eto a s hel d b y the
s u b s tr a te or p l a te, a nd p enetr a tion is p r ev ented.
Ther e a r e f ou r m a in c ons ider a tions c onc er ning p r otec tiv e
a r m or p a nel s . The ?r s t c ons ider a tion is Weig ht. Pr otec tiv e
a r m or f or hea v y b u t m ob il e m il ita r y equ ip m ent, s u c h a s
ta nk s a nd l a r g e s hip s , is k noWn. S u c h a r m or u s u a l l y c om
p r is es a thic k l a y er of a l l oy s teel , Whic h is intended to
p r ov ide p r otec tion a g a ins t hea v y a nd ex p l os iv e p r oj ec til es .
HoWev er , r edu c tion of Weig ht of a r m or , ev en in hea v y
equ ip m ent, is a n a dv a nta g e s inc e it r edu c es the s tr a in on a l l
the c om p onents of the v ehic l e. F u r ther m or e, s u c h a r m or is
qu ite u ns u ita b l e f or l ig ht v ehic l es s u c h a s a u tom ob il es ,
j eep s , l ig ht b oa ts , or a ir c r a f t, Whos e p er f or m a nc e is c om
p r om is ed b y s teel p a nel s ha v ing a thic k nes s of m or e tha n a
f eWm il l im eter s , s inc e ea c h m il l im eter of s teel a dds a Weig ht
f a c tor of 7. 8 k g / m 2 .
Ar m or f or l ig ht v ehic l es is ex p ec ted to p r ev ent p enetr a
tion of b u l l ets of a ny ty p e, ev en When im p a c ting a t a s p eed
in the r a ng e of 700 to 1 000 m eter s p er s ec ond. HoWev er , du e
to Weig ht c ons tr a ints it is dif ?c u l t to p r otec t l ig ht v ehic l es
US 7, 383, 762 B2
3
f r om hig h c a l ib er a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , e. g . of 1 2 . 7 a nd
1 4 . 5 m m a nd a b ov e, s inc e the Weig ht of s ta nda r d a r m or to
Withs ta nd s u c h p r oj ec til e is s u c h a s to im p ede the m ob il ity
a nd p er f or m a nc e of s u c h v ehic l es .
A s ec ond c ons ider a tion is c os t. Ov er l y c om p l ex a r m or
a r r a ng em ents , p a r tic u l a r l y thos e dep ending entir el y on c om
p os ite m a ter ia l s , c a n b e r es p ons ib l e f or a nota b l e p r op or tion
of the tota l v ehic l e c os t, a nd c a n m a k e its m a nu f a c tu r e
non- p r o?ta b l e.
A thir d c ons ider a tion in a r m or des ig n is c om p a c tnes s . A
thic k a r m or p a nel , inc l u ding a ir s p a c es b etWeen its v a r iou s
l a y er s , inc r ea s es the ta r g et p r o?l e of the v ehic l e. In the c a s e
of c iv il ia n r etr o?tted a r m or ed a u tom ob il es Whic h a r e ou t
?tted With inter na l a r m or , ther e is s im p l y no r oom f or a thic k
p a nel in m os t of the a r ea s r equ ir ing p r otec tion.
A f ou r th c ons ider a tion r el a tes to c er a m ic p l a tes u s ed f or
p er s ona l a nd l ig ht v ehic l e a r m or , Whic h p l a tes ha v e b een
f ou nd to b e v u l ner a b l e to da m a g e f r om m ec ha nic a l im p a c ts
c a u s ed b y r oc k s , f a l l s , etc .
F a ir l y r ec ent ex a m p l es of a r m or s y s tem s a r e des c r ib ed in
Us . Pa t. N o. 4 , 836, 084 , dis c l os ing a n a r m or p l a te c om p os
ite inc l u ding a s u p p or ting p l a te c ons is ting of a n op en
honey c om b s tr u c tu r e of a l u m inu m ; a nd Us . Pa t. N o. 4 , 868,
04 0, dis c l os ing a n a ntib a l l is tic c om p os ite a r m or inc l u ding a
s hoc k - a b s or b ing l a y er . Al s o of inter es t is U. S . Pa t. N o.
4 , 5 2 9, 64 0, dis c l os ing s p a c ed a r m or inc l u ding a hex a g ona l
honey c om b c or e m em b er .
Other a r m or p l a te p a nel s a r e dis c l os ed in Br itis h Pa tents
1 , 081 , 4 64 ; 1 , 35 2 , 4 1 8; 2 , 2 72 , 2 72 , a nd in Us . Pa t. N o. 4 , 061 ,
81 5 Wher ein the u s e of s inter ed r ef r a c tor y m a ter ia l , a s Wel l
a s the u s e of c er a m ic m a ter ia l s , a r e des c r ib ed.
In the m a j or ity of the p a tents b y the p r es ent inv entor , the
p r ef er r ed em b odim ents a r e p el l ets ha v ing a c y l indr ic a l b ody
a nd a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e a nd the es p ec ia l l y
p r ef er r ed em b odim ent is tha t des c r ib ed in Us . Pa t. N o.
5 , 972 , 81 9 Wher ein the b ody is s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l in
s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e, a nd
p r ef er a b l y tWo identic a l c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c es , Wher ein
the r a tio D/ R b etWeen the dia m eter D of s a id c y l indr ic a l
b ody a nd the r a diu s R of c u r v a tu r e of s a id c onv ex l y c u r v ed
end f a c es is a t l ea s t 0. 64 : 1 .
Other es p ec ia l l y p r ef er r ed em b odim ents a r e des c r ib ed
a nd c l a im ed in Us . Pa t. N o. 6, 4 08, 734 in Whic h ther e is
des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b
ing a nd dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or
p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r oj ec til es ,
s a id p l a te c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of hig h dens ity
c er a m ic p el l ets , c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s a id p el l ets a r e
a r r a ng ed in a s ing l e l a y er of a dj a c ent r oWs a nd c ol u m ns ,
Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets is in dir ec t c onta c t
With a t l ea s t f ou r a dj a c ent p el l ets a nd ea c h of s a id p el l ets a r e
s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c e, f u r ther c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s p a c es f or m ed
b etWeen s a id a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a r e ?l l ed With a
m a ter ia l f or p r ev enting the How of s of t m eta l f r om im p a c t
ing p r oj ec til es thr ou g h s a id s p a c es , s a id m a ter ia l b eing in the
f or m of a tr ia ng u l a r ins er t ha v ing c onc a v e s ides c om p l im en
ta r y to the c onv ex c u r v a tu r e of the s ides of thr ee a dj a c ent
c y l indr ic a l p el l ets , or b eing integ r a l l y f or m ed a s p a r t of a
s p ec ia l inter s tic es - ?l l ing p el l et, s a id p el l et b eing in the f or m
of a s ix s ided s ta r With c onc a v e s ides c om p l im enta r y to the
c onv ex c u r v a tu r e of the s ides of s ix a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l
p el l ets , s a id p el l ets a nd m a ter ia l b eing b ou nd a nd r eta ined in
p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , Wher ein s a id s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l a nd s a id p l a te m a ter ia l a r e el a s tic .
Whil e this em b odim ent ha s b een f ou nd to b e es p ec ia l l y
ef f ec tiv e a g a ins t hig h s p eed a r m or p ier c ing p r oj ec til es or
1 0
2 0
2 5
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35
4 0
4 5
5 0
5 5
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f r a g m ents a s Wel l a s f r om s of t nos ed p r oj ec til es , it ha s noW
s u r p r is ing l y a nd c ou nter intu itiv el y b een dis c ov er ed tha t
u nex p ec tedl y s u p er ior m u l ti- hit c a p a b il ity is a c hiev ed With
m or e s p a c es r a ther tha n l es s s p a c es b etWeen the p el l ets .
Thu s a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention, ther e is noW
p r ov ided a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s i
p a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing
p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r oj ec til es , s a id p l a te
c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h a r e b ou nd
a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a n el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u b s ta n
tia l l y inter na l l y Within s a id el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u c h tha t the
p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of r oWs a nd c ol u m ns p r o
v iding m u tu a l l a ter a l s u p p or t, s a id p el l ets b eing m a de of
c er a m ic m a ter ia l , Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets
is s u b s ta ntia l l y in c onta c t With a t l ea s t thr ee a dj a c ent p el l ets
a nd a t l ea s t a m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y
c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end
f a c e, f u r ther c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s p a c es f or m ed b etWeen
s a id a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a r e onl y p a r tia l l y ?l l ed With
a m a ter ia l f or p r ev enting the How of s of t m eta l f r om
im p a c ting p r oj ec til es thr ou g h s a id s p a c es , s a id ?oW- p r e
v enting m a ter ia l b eing in the f or m of a n ins er t Whic h is in
c onta c t With a t m os t onl y one of the s ides of thr ee a dj a c ent
c y l indr ic a l p el l ets , or b eing integ r a l l y f or m ed a s p a r t of a
s p ec ia l ins er t p el l et, s a id ins er t p el l et b eing in the f or m of a
c y l inder p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions ex tending onl y p a r tia l l y
into the s p a c es f or m ed b etWeen the s ides of s ix a dj a c ent
c y l indr ic a l p el l ets , a nd b l oc k ing a m a j or c r os s - s ec tiona l
p or tion of s a id s p a c es , ea c h of s a id p r oj ec tions b eing in
s p a c ed- a p a r t r el a tions hip to a t l ea s t one of the tWo a dj a c ent
c y l inder s toWa r ds Whic h it p r oj ec ts , s a id p el l ets a nd s a id
?ow- p r ev enting m a ter ia l b eing b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te
f or m b y a s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , Wher ein s a id s ol idi?ed m a te
r ia l a nd s a id p l a te a r e el a s tic .
In the em b odim ents Wher ein s a id ?oW- p r ev enting m a te
r ia l is in the f or m of a n ins er t Whic h is in c onta c t With a t m os t
onl y one of the s ides of thr ee a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets ,
s a id ins er ts c a n b e m a de of a ny s u ita b l e m a ter ia l . Es p ec ia l l y
p r ef er r ed a r e ins er ts m a de f r om m a ter ia l s el ec ted f r om the
g r ou p c ons is ting of c er a m ic m a ter ia l , or a ny other s u ita b l e
b a l l is tic s m a ter ia l s u c h a s ha r d m eta l s l ik e s teel a nd tita
niu m .
It is to b e r ea l iz ed tha t a s the dia m eter of the a dj a c ent
c y l indr ic a l p el l ets inc r ea s es , the s p a c e b etWeen the p el l ets
a l s o inc r ea s es a nd the f u nc tion of the p r otr u s ions a s s u m es
g r ea ter s ig ni?c a nc e.
In es p ec ia l l y p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv en
tion ther e is p r ov ided a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing
a nd dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or
p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r oj ec til es ,
s a id p l a te c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h
a r e b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a n el a s tic m a ter ia l ,
s u b s ta ntia l l y inter na l l y Within s a id el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u c h tha t
the p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of r oWs a nd c ol u m ns
p r ov iding m u tu a l l a ter a l s u p p or t, s a id p el l ets b eing m a de of
c er a m ic m a ter ia l , Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets
is s u b s ta ntia l l y in c onta c t With a t l ea s t thr ee a dj a c ent p el l ets
a nd a t l ea s t a m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y
c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end
f a c e, f u r ther c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s p a c es f or m ed b etWeen
s a id a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a r e onl y p a r tia l l y ?l l ed With
a m a ter ia l f or p r ev enting the How of s of t m eta l f r om
im p a c ting p r oj ec til es thr ou g h s a id s p a c es , s a id ?oW- p r e
v enting m a ter ia l b eing integ r a l l y f or m ed a s p a r t of a s p ec ia l
ins er t p el l et, s a id ins er t p el l et b eing in the f or m of a c y l inder
p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions ex tending onl y p a r tia l l y into the
s p a c es f or m ed b etWeen the s ides of s ix a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l
US 7, 383, 762 B2
5
p el l ets , a nd b l oc k ing a m a j or c r os s - s ec tiona l p or tion of s a id
s p a c es , ea c h of s a id p r oj ec tions b eing in s p a c ed- a p a r t r el a
tions hip to a t l ea s t one of the tWo a dj a c ent c y l inder s toWa r ds
Whic h it p r oj ec ts , s a id p el l ets b eing b ou nd a nd r eta ined in
p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , Wher ein s a id s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l a nd s a id p l a te a r e el a s tic .
In p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention ther e is
p r ov ided a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a s de?ned a b ov e, Wher ein
s a id p r oj ec tions a r e in the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions f r om
s u b s ta ntia l l y v er tic a l s u r f a c es of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr i
c a l ins er t p el l et s a id p r otr u s ions b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h
other b y c onv ex l y c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s of s a id ins er t p el l et.
In p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention the
heig ht of s a id p r oj ec tions is l es s tha n the heig ht of the
c y l indr ic a l b odies f r om Whic h they p r oj ec t.
In ?r s t em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention s a id p r o
j ec tions a r e p r ov ided With s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c y l indr ic a l
s u r f a c es .
In other p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention,
s a id p r oj ec tions a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y in the f or m of ou tWa r dl y
ta p er ed tr ia ng u l a r p r is m s .
In y et other p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv en
tion Wher ein s a id p r oj ec tions em er g e s l a nting l y f r om s a id
c y l indr ic a l p el l et, ha v e s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c ir c u l a r s u r f a c es ,
a nd end f a c e tha t m er g es With a c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e of
s a id c y l indr ic a l p el l et.
In a p r ef er r ed a s p ec t of the p r es ent inv ention, ther e is
p r ov ided a n ins er t p el l et f or u s e in a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te
f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h
v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t
nos ed p r oj ec til es s a id ins er t p el l et b eing in the f or m of a
c y l inder p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions in the f or m of l a ter a l
p r otr u s ions f r om s u b s ta ntia l l y v er tic a l s u r f a c es of s a id s u b
s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l ins er t p el l et s a id p r otr u s ions b eing
s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h other b y c onv ex l y c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s
of s a id ins er t p el l et.
The f u nc tion of s a id p r ef er r ed ins er t p el l et ha v ing l a ter a l
p r otr u s ions on its v er tic a l s u r f a c es is to hel p s top , s l oW,
a r r es t or other Wis e deg r a de the ef f ec tiv enes s of p r oj ec til es
With s m a l l dia m eter s s u c h a s a r e u s e in the S S 1 09 b u l l et,
Whic h m ig ht im p a c t in a n a r ea f ou nd in the inter s ec tion
b etWeen 3 c er a m ic b odies of a c er a m ic p l a te, a s des c r ib ed
her einb ef or e. This f u nc tion of the ins er t p el l et ha v ing l a ter a l
p r otr u s ions on its v er tic a l s u r f a c e in s top p ing , a r r es ting ,
s l oWing or other Wis e deg r a ding the ef f ec tiv enes s of p r oj ec
til es , is a l s o to r edu c e da m a g e to b a c k ing l a y er s u s ed With
c om p os ite a r m or p l a tes in Whic h thes e ins er t p el l ets a r e
inc or p or a ted, a nd a s r es u l t a l l oWs f or a r edu c tion in the
thic k nes s of the b a c k ing m a ter ia l .
S im il a r l y , When def ea ting a s ta nda r d l ea d- c or e p r oj ec til e,
s a id p r ef er r ed ins er t p el l ets ha v ing l a ter a l p r otr u s ions on
their v er tic a l s u r f a c es , the da m a g e to b a c k ing l a y er s , is
s ig ni?c a ntl y r edu c ed in c om p a r is on to a p a nel Withou t s u c h
a n ins er t p el l et inc or p or a ted ther ein, a nd a s a r es u l t, a
s ig ni?c a nt r edu c tion in the thic k nes s , c os t a nd Weig ht of the
b a c k ing l a y er s is ena b l ed.
In a nother a s p ec t of the p r es ent inv ention, ther e is noW
p r ov ided a n ins er t p el l et f or u s e in a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te
f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h
v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t
nos ed p r oj ec til es , s a id p l a te b eing of the ty p e c om p r is ing a
s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h a r e b ou nd a nd r eta ined
in p l a te f or m b y a n el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u b s ta ntia l l y inter na l l y
Within s a id el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u c h tha t the p el l ets a r e b ou nd
in a p l u r a l ity of r oWs a nd c ol u m ns p r ov iding m u tu a l l a ter a l
s u p p or t, s a id p el l ets b eing m a de of c er a m ic m a ter ia l ,
Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets is s u b s ta ntia l l y in
2 0
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4 5
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c onta c t With a t l ea s t thr ee a dj a c ent p el l ets a nd a t l ea s t a
m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e
With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end f a c e, s a id ins er t p el l et
b eing in the f or m of a c y l inder p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions in
the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions f r om s u b s ta ntia l l y v er tic a l
s u r f a c es of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l ins er t p el l et s a id
p r otr u s ions b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h other b y c onv ex l y
c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s of s a id ins er t p el l et.
The heig ht of the l a ter a l p r otr u s ions a l ong the v er tic a l
s u r f a c e of the c er a m ic b ody f r om Whic h they dep end c a n b e
f r om 1 0- 1 00% of the v er tic a l a x is . As s ta ted, u nl ik e the
s ta r - s ha p ed ins er t p el l et des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed in Us . Pa t.
N o. 6, 4 08, 734 , s a id p r otr u s ions do not c om p l etel y ?l l the
s p a c e f ou nd in the inter s ec tion b etWeen 3 c er a m ic b odies ,
b u t c a n f u nc tion in the s a m e Wa y Withou t tou c hing a ny of the
a dj a c ent p el l ets .
Thu s in p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention,
ther e is p r ov ided a n ins er t p el l et a s de?ned a b ov e Wher ein
the heig ht of s a id p r oj ec tions is l es s tha n the heig ht of the
c y l indr ic a l b ody f r om Whic h they p r oj ec t.
In other p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention,
ther e is p r ov ided a n ins er t p el l et a s de?ned a b ov e, Wher ein
s a id p r oj ec tions a r e p r ov ided With s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c y l in
dr ic a l s u r f a c es .
In y et other p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv en
tion, ther e is p r ov ided a n ins er t p el l et a s de?ned a b ov e
Wher ein s a id p r oj ec tions a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y in the f or m of
ou tWa r dl y ta p er ed tr ia ng u l a r p r is m s .
The ins er t p el l ets of the p r es ent inv ention c a n a l s o b e u s ed
in c onj u nc tion With the c er a m ic b odies des c r ib ed a nd
c l a im ed in Is r a el Pa tent Ap p l ic a tion 1 5 8, 2 37 Whic h p el l ets
a r e de?ned a s b eing m a de of a c er a m ic m a ter ia l a nd b eing
c ha r a c ter iz ed b y a s u b s ta ntia l l y r eg u l a r g eom etr ic c r os s
s ec tiona l a r ea , s a id c r os s - s ec tiona l a r ea b eing s u b s ta ntia l l y
p ol y g ona l With r ou nded c or ner s .
S im il a r l y the ins er t p el l ets of the p r es ent inv ention c a n b e
u s ed in c onj u nc tion With the c er a m ic p l a tes a nd p a nel s
des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed in Is r a el Pa tent Ap p l ic a tion 1 66, 1 4 7
Whic h p l a tes a r e de?ned a s ha v ing a p l u r a l ity of c onv ex l y
c u r v ed u p p er s u r f a c e a r ea s Wher ein the c u r v a tu r e of 3 of
s u c h c u r v ed s u r f a c es c onv er g ed tog ether to f or m a v a l l ey
b ou nded onl y b y s a id 3 s u r f a c es .
In f a c t, the ins er t p el l ets of the p r es ent inv ention c a n b e
u s ed in c onj u nc tion With p el l ets of a ny g eom etr ic s ha p e
Whic h When p l a c ed s ide b y s ide in a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te
ha v e s u b s ta ntia l l y thr ou g h- g oing s p a c es a t the j u nc tu r e of
v a l l ey c onta c t b etWeen the p el l ets .
The ter m el a s tic ity a s u s ed her ein r el a tes to the f a c t tha t
the p l a tes a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention a r e b ent When
a l oa d is a p p l ied ther eto hoWev er u p on r el ea s e of s a id l oa d
the p l a te tends to r etu r n to its or ig ina l s ha p e, or c l os e to its
or ig ina l s ha p e.
Whil e the c y l indr ic a l p el l ets of the p r es ent inv ention a r e
de?ned a s b eing s u b s ta ntia l l y in c onta c t With a t l ea s t thr ee
a dj a c ent p el l ets , it is k noWn tha t a c er a m ic b ody Whic h ha s
b een p r es s ed, b y it s na tu r e, ha s a n ex ter na l s u r f a c e a r ea
Whic h is not s m ooth a nd ha s l a c k of c ons is tenc y in its
dia m eter a l ong the m a in a x is , a nd it is b ec a u s e of this tha t
When c a s ting the p a nel With the s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , the
c a s ting m a ter ia l ( s ) ( r es in, m ol ten a l u m ina , ep ox y , a nd s o on)
s eep s into s p a c es b etWeen the c er a m ic b odies ( f or ins ta nc e,
c y l inder s a nd s p her es a nd s o on) , inc l u ding the v er y s m a l l
s p a c es f ou nd b etWeen the Wa l l s of tWo or m or e a dj oining
c y l inder s , f or m ing a na tu r a l r eta ining s u b s ta nc e in Whic h the
c er a m ic b odies a r e c on?ned. Thu s ev en When the c er a m ic
b odies a r e c l os el y p a c k ed, the c a s ting m a ter ia l Wil l a t l ea s t
p a r tia l l y p enetr a te b etWeen them . This is du e to the f a c t tha t
US 7, 383, 762 B2
7
du r ing the p r es s ing p r oc es s , the c er a m ic m a ter ia l is c om
p a c ted in the die a nd When the m a ter ia l is r el ea s ed f r om the
die the m a ter ia l ha s a tendenc y to tr y a nd s p r ing b a c k to a
l es s c om p a c t f or m . This g ener a l l y oc c u r s in the top p a r t of
the m a ter ia l s o p r es s ed, Whic h is the ?r s t p a r t of the b ody
r el ea s ed f r om the die. Thu s , in this c a s e, ther e Wil l b e a s m a l l
dif f er enc e in the dia m eter of the b ody a l ong the v er tic a l a x is .
S ec ondl y , it is Wel l k noWn tha t du r ing the p r es s ing p r oc es s
ther e a r e s om etim es dif f er enc es in dens i?c a tion of the
p oWder in dif f er ent a r ea s of the c er a m ic b ody . When s inter
ing the c er a m ic b ody , thes e s m a l l dif f er enc es Wil l c a u s e the
b ody to s hr ink in a c c or da nc e With the dif f er ent c om p r es s ions
f ou nd in v a r iou s a r ea s of the b ody , r es u l ting in a nother
r ea s on f or a s m a l l l a c k of hom og eneity in the dia m eter a l ong
the v er tic a l a x is of the b ody . Thu s ther e is r a r el y a s itu a tion
in Whic h one c er a m ic b ody is p er f ec tl y in dir ec t c onta c t With
a s ec ond c er a m ic b ody in the p a nel , r a ther , the c a s ting
m a ter ia l Wil l s eep b etWeen the tWo b odies , a t l ea s t p a r tia l l y
enc a s ing ea c h of s a id b odies a nd the ter m s u b s ta ntia l l y in
c onta c t is intended to a l s o denote this p os s ib il ity .
F u r ther m or e, When the c a s ting m a ter ia l of the p l a te is a
l iqu e?ed s ol id m a ter ia l , if one Wer e to x - r a y the p a nel , one
Wou l d s ee tha t the p a nel s hoWs a honey - c om b ed s ha p ed
c a s ting , Whic h a t l ea s t p a r tia l l y enc l os es the c er a m ic b odies .
S inc e this is the c a s e, it is p os s ib l e a l s o to ?r s t c a s t s u c h a
p a r tia l honey - c om b - l ik e s ha p e a nd then to p l a c e the s p ec ia l
ins er t p el l ets a nd the other p el l ets in the p r op er c on?g u r a tion
ther ein a s s een With r ef er enc e to a p p ended F IGS . 6 a nd 7.
The a r m or p l a tes des c r ib ed in EP- A- 084 31 4 9 a nd Eu r o
p ea n Pa tent Ap p l ic a tion 98301 7690 a r e m a de u s ing c er a m ic
p el l ets m a de s u b s ta ntia l l y entir el y of a l u m inu m ox ide. In
WO- A- 981 5 796 the c er a m ic b odies a r e of s u b s ta ntia l l y
c y l indr ic a l s ha p e ha v ing a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end
f a c e, a nd a r e p r ef er a b l y m a de of a l u m inu m ox ide.
In W0 99/ 6032 7 it Wa s des c r ib ed tha t the im p r ov ed
p r op er ties of the p l a tes des c r ib ed in the ea r l ier p a tent
a p p l ic a tions of this s er ies is a s m u c h a f u nc tion of the
c on?g u r a tion of the p el l ets , Whic h a r e of r eg u l a r g eom etr ic
f or m With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end f a c e ( f or
ex a m p l e, the p el l ets m a y b e s p her ic a l or ov oida l , or of
r eg u l a r g eom etr ic c r os s - s ec tion, s u c h a s hex a g ona l , With a t
l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end f a c e) , s a id p a nel s a nd their
a r r a ng em ent a s a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets b ou nd b y a n
el a s tic s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , Wher ein ea c h of a m a j or ity of s a id
p el l ets is in dir ec t c onta c t With a t l ea s t f ou r a dj a c ent p el l ets
a nd s a id c u r v ed end f a c e of ea c h p el l et is or iented to
s u b s ta ntia l l y f a c e in the dir ec tion of a n ou ter im p a c t- r ec eiv
ing m a j or s u r f a c e of the p l a te. As a r es u l t, s a id s p ec i?c a tion
tea c hes tha t c om p os ite a r m or p l a tes s u p er ior to thos e a v a il
a b l e in the p r ior a r t c a n b e m a nu f a c tu r ed u s ing p el l ets m a de
of s inter ed r ef r a c tor y m a ter ia l s or c er a m ic m a ter ia l s ha v ing
a s p ec i?c g r a v ity b el oWtha t of a l u m inu m ox ide, e. g . , b or on
c a r b ide With a s p ec i?c g r a v ity of 2 . 4 5 , s il ic on c a r b ide With
a s p ec i?c g r a v ity of 3. 2 a nd s il ic on a l u m inu m ox y nitr ide
With a s p ec i?c g r a v ity of a b ou t 3. 2 .
Thu s , it Wa s des c r ib ed in s a id p u b l ic a tion tha t s inter ed
ox ides , nitr ides , c a r b ides a nd b or ides of m a g nes iu m , Z ir c o
niu m , tu ng s ten, m ol y b denu m , tita niu m a nd s il ic a c a n b e
u s ed. Es p ec ia l l y p r ef er r ed f or u s e in s a id p u b l ic a tion a nd
a l s o f or u s e in the c er a m ic ins er t b odies of the p r es ent
inv ention, is a c er a m ic m a ter ia l s el ec ted f r om the g r ou p
c ons is ting of s inter ed ox ide, nitr ides , c a r b ides a nd b or ides of
a l u m ina , m a g nes iu m , Z ir c oniu m , tu ng s ten, m ol y b denu m ,
tita niu m a nd s il ic a a l thou g h a ny s u ita b l e or neWl y dis c ov
er ed c er a m ic m a ter ia l c a n b e u s ed f or f or m ing the ins er ts a nd
ins er t p el l ets of the p r es ent inv ention.
2 0
2 5
30
35
4 0
4 5
5 0
5 5
60
65
8
Al l of thes e f ea tu r es a r e inc or p or a ted her ein a s p r ef er r ed
em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention.
Mor e p a r tic u l a r l y , the p r es ent inv ention r el a tes to a
c er a m ic b ody a s de?ned f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity a r m or p ier c ing p r oj ec til es ,
Wher ein s a id b ody is m a de of a m a ter ia l s el ec ted f r om the
g r ou p c ons is ting of a l u m ina , b or on c a r b ide, b or on nitr ide,
tita niu m dib or ide, s il ic on c a r b ide, s il ic on ox ide, s il ic on
nitr ide, m a g nes iu m ox ide, s il ic on a l u m inu m ox y nitr ide a nd
m ix tu r es ther eof .
In p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention s a id
p el l ets ea c h ha v e a m a j or a x is a nd s a id p el l ets a r e a r r a ng ed
With their m a j or a x es s u b s ta ntia l l y p a r a l l el to ea c h other a nd
or iented s u b s ta ntia l l y p er p endic u l a r l y r el a tiv e to s a id ou ter
im p a c t- r ec eiv ing m a j or s u r f a c e of s a id p a nel .
Thu s , in p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention
ther e is p r ov ided a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a s her ein de?ned,
Wher ein a m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets ha v e a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c e or iented to s u b s ta ntia l l y f a c e in the dir ec tion
of a n ou ter im p a c t r ec eiv ing m a j or s u r f a c e of s a id p l a te.
The s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l c a n b e a ny s u ita b l e m a ter ia l , s u c h
a s a l u m inu m , a ther m op l a s tic p ol y m er s u c h a s p ol y c a r b on
a te, or a ther m os et p l a s tic s u c h a s ep ox y or p ol y u r etha ne.
When a l u m inu m is u s ed a s s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l a n
x - r a y of the p l a te s hoWs the f or m a tion of a honey c om b
s tr u c tu r e a r ou nd the p el l ets .
In F r enc h Pa tent 2 , 71 1 , 782 , ther e is des c r ib ed a s teel
p a nel r einf or c ed With c er a m ic m a ter ia l s ; hoWev er s a id p a nel
does not ha v e the a b il ity to de?ec t a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec til es
u nl es s a thic k nes s of a b ou t 8- 9 m m of s teel is u s ed, Whic h
a dds u ndes ir a b l e ex c es s iv e Weig ht to the p a nel a nd f u r ther
b a c k ing is a l s o nec es s a r y ther eb y f u r ther inc r ea s ing the
Weig ht ther eof .
The c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to the p r es ent
inv ention c a n b e u s ed in c onj u nc tion With a nd a s a n a ddition
to the s ta nda r d s teel p l a tes p r ov ided on a r m or ed v ehic l es or
a s a dd on a r m or f or a r m or ed v ehic l es ha v ing a l u m inu m or
tita niu m c onta ining r ig id s u r f a c es , a s Wel l a s in c onj u nc tion
With the l a m ina ted a r m or des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed in US . Pa t.
N o. 6, 4 97, 966 the tea c hing s of Whic h a r e inc or p or a ted
her ein b y r ef er enc e.
Ac c or ding to a f u r ther a s p ec t of the inv ention, ther e is
p r ov ided a m u l ti- l a y er ed a r m or p a nel , c om p r is ing a n ou ter ,
im p a c t- r ec eiv ing l a y er f or m ed b y a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a s
her einb ef or e de?ned f or def or m ing a nd s ha tter ing a n
im p a c ting hig h v el oc ity p r oj ec til e; a nd a n inner l a y er a dj a
c ent to s a id ou ter l a y er a nd, c om p r is ing a b a l l is tic m a ter ia l
f or a b s or b ing the r em a ining k inetic ener g y f r om s a id f r a g
m ents . S a id b a l l is tic m a ter ia l Wil l b e c hos en a c c or ding to
c os t a nd Weig ht c ons ider a tions a nd c a n b e m a de of a ny
s u ita b l e m a ter ia l s u c h a s Dy neem a , K ev l a r , a l u m inu m , s teel ,
tita niu m , or S 2 .
As des c r ib ed, e. g . , in US . Pa t. N o. 5 , 361 , 678, c om p os ite
a r m or p l a te c om p r is ing a m a s s of s p her ic a l c er a m ic b a l l s
dis tr ib u ted in a n a l u m inu m a l l oy m a tr ix is k noWn in the p r ior
a r t. HoWev er , s u c h p r ior a r t c om p os ite a r m or p l a te s u f f er s
f r om one or m or e s er iou s dis a dv a nta g es , m a k ing it di?ic u l t
to m a nu f a c tu r e a nd l es s tha n entir el y s u ita b l e f or the p u r p os e
of def ea ting m eta l p r oj ec til es . Mor e p a r tic u l a r l y , in the
a r m or p l a te des c r ib ed in s a id p a tent, the c er a m ic b a l l s a r e
c oa ted With a b inder m a ter ia l c onta ining c er a m ic p a r tic l es ,
the c oa ting ha v ing a thic k nes s of b etWeen 0. 76 a nd 1 . 5 m m
a nd b eing p r ov ided to hel p p r otec t the c er a m ic c or es f r om
da m a g e du e to ther m a l s hoc k When p ou r ing the m ol ten
m a tr ix m a ter ia l du r ing m a nu f a c tu r e of the p l a te. HoWev er ,
the c oa ting s er v es to s ep a r a te the ha r der c er a m ic c or es of the
b a l l s f r om ea c h other , a nd Wil l a c t to da m p en the m om ent of
US 7, 383, 762 B2
9
ener g y Whic h is tr a ns f er r ed a nd henc e s ha r ed b etween the
b a l l s in r es p ons e to a n im p a c t f r om a b u l l et or other
p r oj ec til e. Bec a u s e of this a nd a l s o b ec a u s e the m a ter ia l of
the c oa ting is inher entl y l es s ha r d tha n tha t of the c er a m ic
c or es , the s top p ing p oWer of a p l a te c ons tr u c ted a s des c r ib ed
in s a id p a tent is not a s g ood, Weig ht f or Weig ht, a s tha t of a
p l a te in a c c or da nc e With the p r es ent inv ention.
U. S . Pa t. N o. 3, 705 , 5 5 8 dis c l os es a l ig htWeig ht a r m or
p l a te c om p r is ing a l a y er of c er a m ic b a l l s . The c er a m ic b a l l s
a r e in c onta c t With ea c h other a nd l ea v e s m a l l g a p s f or entr y
of m ol ten m eta l . In one em b odim ent, the c er a m ic b a l l s a r e
enc a s ed in a s ta inl es s s teel Wir e s c r een; a nd in a nother
em b odim ent, the c om p os ite a r m or is m a nu f a c tu r ed b y
a dher ing nic k el - c oa ted a l u m ina s p her es to a n a l u m inu m
a l l oy p l a te b y m ea ns of a p ol y s u l ?de a dhes iv e. A c om p os ite
a r m or p l a te a s des c r ib ed in this p a tent is dif ?c u l t to m a nu
f a c tu r e b ec a u s e the c er a m ic s p her es m a y b e da m a g ed b y
ther m a l s hoc k a r is ing f r om m ol ten m eta l c onta c t. The
c er a m ic s p her es a r e a l s o s om etim es dis p l a c ed du r ing c a s ting
of m ol ten m eta l into inter s tic es b etWeen the s p her es .
In or der to m inim iZ e s u c h dis p l a c em ent, U. S . Pa t. N os .
4 , 5 34 , 2 66 a nd 4 , 94 5 , 81 4 p r op os e a netWor k of inter l ink ed
m eta l s hel l s to enc a s e c er a m ic ins er ts du r ing c a s ting of
m ol ten m eta l . Af ter the m eta l s ol idi?es , the m eta l s hel l s a r e
inc or p or a ted into the c om p os ite a r m or . It ha s b een deter
m ined, hoWev er , tha t s u c h a netWor k of inter l ink ed m eta l
s hel l s s u b s ta ntia l l y inc r ea s es the ov er a l l Weig ht of the
a r m or ed p a nel a nd dec r ea s es the s top p ing p oWer ther eof .
It is f u r ther to b e noted tha t U. S . Pa t. N o. 3, 705 , 5 5 8
s u g g es ts a nd tea c hes a n a r r a y of c er a m ic b a l l s dis p os ed in
c onta c ting p y r a m ida l r el a tions hip , Whic h a r r a ng em ent a l s o
s u b s ta ntia l l y inc r ea s es the ov er a l l Weig ht of the a r m or ed
p a nel a nd dec r ea s es the s top p ing p oWer ther eof , du e to a
b il l ia r d- l ik e ef f ec t u p on im p a c t.
As Wil l b e r ea l iZ ed, When p r ep a r ing the c om p os ite a r m or
p l a te of the p r es ent inv ention, s a id p el l ets do not nec es s a r il y
ha v e to b e c om p l etel y c ov er ed on b oth s ides b y s a id s ol idi
?ed m a ter ia l , a nd the ter m inter na l l a y er a s u s ed her ein is
intended to denote tha t the p el l ets a r e either c om p l etel y or
a l m os t c om p l etel y c ov er ed b y s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l ,
Wher ein ou ter f a c e s u r f a c es of the p l a te a r e f or m ed f r om the
s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , the p l a te ha v ing a n ou ter im p a c t r ec eiv
ing f a c e, a t Whic h f a c e ea c h p el l et is either c ov er ed b y the
s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , tou c hes s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l Whic h
f or m s s u r f a c es of s a id ou ter im p a c t r ec eiv ing f a c e or , not
b eing c om p l etel y c ov er ed b y s a id s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l Whic h
c ons titu tes s u r f a c es of s a id ou ter im p a c t r ec eiv ing f a c e,
b u l g es ther ef r om , the s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l a nd henc e the p l a te
b eing el a s tic .
In Us . S er . N o. 09/ 92 4 74 5 ther e is des c r ib ed a nd c l a im ed
a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity p r oj ec til es , s a id p l a te
c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h a r e
dir ec tl y b ou nd a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l s u c h tha t the p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of
a dj a c ent r oWs , s a id p el l ets ha v ing a s p ec i?c g r a v ity of a t
l ea s t 2 a nd b eing m a de of a m a ter ia l s el ec ted f r om the g r ou p
c ons is ting of g l a s s , s inter ed r ef r a c tor y m a ter ia l a nd c er a m ic
m a ter ia l , the m a j or ity of the p el l ets ea c h ha v ing a t l ea s t one
a x is of a t l ea s t 3 m m l eng th a nd b eing b ou nd b y s a id
s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l in s a id s ing l e inter na l l a y er of a dj a c ent
r oWs s u c h tha t ea c h of a m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets is in dir ec t
c onta c t With s ix a dj a c ent p el l ets in the s a m e l a y er to p r ov ide
m u tu a l l a ter a l c on?nem ent ther eb etWeen, s a id p el l ets ea c h
ha v ing a s u b s ta ntia l l y r eg u l a r g eom etr ic f or m , Wher ein s a id
s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l a nd s a id p l a te a r e el a s tic , c ha r a c ter iz ed in
tha t a c ha nnel is p r ov ided in ea c h of a p l u r a l ity of s a id
2 0
2 5
30
35
4 0
4 5
5 0
5 5
60
65
1 0
p el l ets , s u b s ta ntia l l y op p os ite to a n ou ter im p a c t- r ec eiv ing
m a j or s u r f a c e of s a id p l a te, ther eb y r edu c ing the Weig ht p er
a r ea of ea c h of s a id p el l ets .
In p r ef er r ed em b odim ents des c r ib ed ther ein ea c h of s a id
c ha nnel s oc c u p ies a v ol u m e of u p to 2 5 % Within its r es p ec
tiv e p el l et.
S a id c ha nnel s c a n b e b or ed into p r ef or m ed p el l ets or the
p el l ets them s el v es c a n b e p r es s ed With s a id c ha nnel a l r ea dy
inc or p or a ted ther ein.
The tea c hing s of s a id s p ec i?c a tion a r e a l s o inc or p or a ted
her ein b y r ef er enc e.
Thu s , in p r ef er r ed em b odim ents of the p r es ent inv ention
a c ha nnel is p r ov ided in the p el l ets of the a r m or of the
p r es ent inv ention to f u r ther r edu c e the Weig ht p er a r ea
ther eof a nd p r ef er a b l y s a id c ha nnel oc c u p ies a v ol u m e of u p
to 2 5 % of s a id b ody .
In a c c or da nc e With the p r es ent inv ention s a id c ha nnel s a r e
p r ef er a b l y of a s ha p e s el ec ted f r om the g r ou p c ons is ting of
c y l indr ic a l , p y r a m ida l , hem is p her ic a l a nd qu a dr a tic , hex
a g ona l p r is m a nd c om b ina tions ther eof .
As is k noWn, ther e ex is ts a b a l l is tic ef f ec t k noWn in the a r t
in Whic h a p r oj ec til e s tr ik ing a c y l inder a t a n a ng l e ha s a
tendenc y to m ov e this c y l inder ou t of a l ig nm ent c a u s ing a
theor etic a l p os s ib il ity tha t a s ec ond s hot Wou l d ha v e m or e
p enetr a tion ef f ec t on a p a nel .
As Wil l b e r ea l iZ ed, s inc e m a ter ia l is r em ov ed f r om the
p el l ets of the p r es ent inv ention their Weig ht is dec r ea s ed, a s
is the ov er a l l Weig ht of the entir e c om p os ite a r m or p l a te
f r om Whic h they a r e f or m ed, ther eb y p r ov iding the u nex
p ec ted im p r ov em ent of r edu c ed Weig ht of p r otec tiv e a r m or
p a nel s Withou t l os s of s top p ing p oWer .
The inv ention Wil l noWb e des c r ib ed in c onnec tion With
c er ta in p r ef er r ed em b odim ents With r ef er enc e to the f ol l oW
ing il l u s tr a tiv e ?g u r es s o tha t it m a y b e m or e f u l l y u nder
s tood.
With r ef er enc e noWto the ?g u r es in deta il , it is s tr es s ed
tha t the p a r tic u l a r s s hoWn a r e b y Wa y of ex a m p l e a nd f or
p u r p os es of il l u s tr a tiv e dis c u s s ion of the p r ef er r ed em b odi
m ents of the p r es ent inv ention onl y , a nd a r e p r es ented in the
c a u s e of p r ov iding Wha t is b el iev ed to b e the m os t u s ef u l a nd
r ea dil y u nder s tood des c r ip tion of the p r inc ip l es a nd c onc ep
tu a l a s p ec ts of the inv ention. In this r eg a r d, no a ttem p t is
m a de to s hoW s tr u c tu r a l deta il s of the inv ention in m or e
deta il tha n is nec es s a r y f or a f u nda m enta l u nder s ta nding of
the inv ention, the des c r ip tion ta k en With the dr a Wing s m a k
ing a p p a r ent to thos e s k il l ed in the a r t hoWthe s ev er a l f or m s
of the inv ention m a y b e em b odied in p r a c tic e.
In the dr a Wing s :
F IG. 1 is a p er s p ec tiv e v ieW of a ?r s t p r ef er r ed p el l et
a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention;
F IG. 2 is a p er s p ec tiv e v ieWof a s ec ond p r ef er r ed p el l et
a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention;
F IG. 3 is a p er s p ec tiv e v ieW of a thir d p r ef er r ed p el l et
a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention;
F IG. 4 is a p r es enta tion of 4 p hotog r a p hs of a p l a te
p r ep a r ed a c c or ding to Us . Pa t. N o. 6, 4 08, 734 , tha t Wa s
s u b m itted to a b a l l is tic r es is ta nc e tes t, the ?r s t p hotog r a p h
b eing b ef or e s hooting a nd the other thr ee p hotog r a p hs b eing
a f ter s hooting ;
F IG. 5 is a p r es enta tion of tWo p hotog r a p hs of a p l a te
p r ep a r ed a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention Wher ein in the
?r s t p hotog r a p h the ins er t p el l et is r a is ed to s hoW its
c on?g u r a tion, a nd in the s ec ond p hotog r a p h ther e is s een the
dis tr ib u tion of the ins er t p el l ets in c om b ina tion With c y l in
dr ic a l p el l ets in a p l a te tha t Wa s s u b m itted to a b a l l is tic
r es is ta nc e tes t;
US 7, 383, 762 B2
1 1
F IG. 6 is a top v ieW of a s eg m ent of a honey c om b - l ik e
s tr u c tu r e p r ef or m ed f or the ins er tion of s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l in
dr ic a l p el l ets a nd ins er t p el l ets a c c or ding to the p r es ent
inv ention ther ein; a nd
F IG. 7 is a top v ieWof a s eg m ent of the honey c om b - l ik e
s tr u c tu r e of F IG. 6 With s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a nd
ins er t p el l ets a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention ins er ted
ther ein.
Ref er r ing to F IG. 1 ther e is s een a p er s p ec tiv e v ieWof a
p r ef er r ed ins er t p el l et 2 a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention
ha v ing a s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l b ody 4 a nd tWo c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c es 6 a nd 8. As c a n b e s een, s a id c y l indr ic a l
b ody 4 is p r ov ided With a p l u r a l ity of p r oj ec tions 1 0 Whic h
a r e in the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions 1 0 f r om s u b s ta ntia l l y
v er tic a l s u r f a c es 1 2 of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l ins er t
p el l et 2 s a id p r otr u s ions 1 0 b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h other
b y c onv ex l y c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s 1 4 of s a id ins er t p el l et 2 .
As Wil l b e noted the heig ht H of s a id p r otr u s ions 1 0 is l es s
tha n the heig ht h of the c y l indr ic a l b odies f r om Whic h they
p r oj ec t.
In this em b odim ent, s a id p r oj ec tions 1 0 a r e p r ov ided With
s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c y l indr ic a l s u r f a c es 1 6 a nd p r ef er a b l y
b oth the u p p er 1 8 a nd l oWer 2 0 f a c es of s a id p r otr u s ions 1 0
a r e b ev el ed.
Ref er r ing to F IG. 2 ther e is s een a p er s p ec tiv e v ieWof a
f u r ther p r ef er r ed p el l et 2 2 a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention
ha v ing a s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l b ody 2 4 a nd tWo c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c es 2 6 a nd 2 8. As c a n b e s een, s a id c y l indr ic a l
b ody 2 4 is p r ov ided With a p l u r a l ity of p r oj ec tions 30 Whic h
a r e in the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions 30 f r om s u b s ta ntia l l y
v er tic a l s u r f a c es 32 of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l ins er t
p el l et 2 2 s a id p r otr u s ions 30 b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h other
b y c onv ex l y c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s 34 of s a id ins er t p el l et 2 2 .
As Wil l b e noted the heig ht H of s a id p r otr u s ions 30 is l es s
tha n the heig ht h of the c y l indr ic a l b odies f r om Whic h they
p r oj ec t.
In this em b odim ent, s a id p r otr u s ions 30 em er g e s l a nting l y
f r om s a id c y l indr ic a l p el l et 2 2 , ha v e s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i
c ir c u l a r s u r f a c es 36, a nd a n end f a c e 38 tha t m er g es With a
c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e 2 6 of s a id c y l indr ic a l p el l et 2 2 .
The p r otr u s ions 30 ha v e a b a s e 4 0 of dim inis hing c r os s
s ec tion tha t m er g es into v er tic a l s u r f a c es 32 of s a id p el l et 2 2 .
Ref er r ing to F IG. 3 ther e is s een a p er s p ec tiv e v ieWof a
f u r ther p r ef er r ed p el l et 4 2 a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention
ha v ing a s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l b ody 4 4 a nd tWo c onv ex l y
c u r v ed end f a c es 4 6 a nd 4 8. As c a n b e s een, s a id c y l indr ic a l
b ody 4 4 is p r ov ided With a p l u r a l ity of p r oj ec tions 5 0 Whic h
a r e in the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions 5 0 f r om s u b s ta ntia l l y
v er tic a l s u r f a c es 5 2 of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l ins er t
p el l et 4 2 s a id p r otr u s ions 5 0 b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h other
b y c onv ex l y c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s 5 4 of s a id ins er t p el l et 4 2 .
As Wil l b e noted the heig ht H of s a id p r otr u s ions 5 0 is l es s
tha n the heig ht h of the c y l indr ic a l b odies f r om Whic h they
p r oj ec t.
In this em b odim ent, s a id p r oj ec tions 5 0 a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y
in the f or m of ou tWa r dl y ta p er ed tr ia ng u l a r p r is m s 5 6 With
a b ev el ed end f a c es 5 8 a nd 60 r es p ec tiv el y m er g ing into a n
a dj a c ent c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e 4 6 a nd 4 8 of s a id
c y l indr ic a l p el l et 4 2 .
Ref er r ing to F IG. 4 a , ther e is s een a ?r s t p ic tu r e of a p a nel
61 a c c or ding to Us . Pa t. N o. 6, 4 08, 734 , ha v ing s p ec ia l
inter s tic es - ?l l ing p el l ets 62 in the f or m of a s ix - s ided s ta r
With c onc a v e s ides , c om p l im enta r y to the c onv ex c u r v a tu r e
of the s ides of 6 a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets 64 , b ef or e b eing
s u b j ec ted to a b a l l is tic r es is ta nc e tes t.
2 0
2 5
30
35
4 0
4 5
5 0
5 5
60
65
1 2
The s ec ond p ic tu r e 4 b s hoWs the p a nel 61 a f ter b a l l is tic
tes ting a nd the thir d a nd f ou r th p ic tu r es 4 0 a nd 4 d r es p ec
tiv el y a r e enl a r g ed p ic tu r es of s a id p a nel 61 a f ter b a l l is tic
tes ting .
This p a nel Wa s ha nd c a r r ied f or b a l l is tic tes ting to HP.
White La b or a tor y , Inc . , Whic h is r ec og niz ed a s the l ea ding
b a l l is tic tes ting l a b or a tor y in the Us .
The b a l l is tic r es is ta nc e tes t r ep or t of s a id p a nel is s hoWn
in F IG. 8.
As Wil l b e noted, onl y 1 ou t of 7 p r oj ec til es p enetr a ted
s a id p l a te, Whic h ev idenc ed ex c el l ent m u l ti- hit c a p a b il ity .
N ev er thel es s , a n ex a m ina tion of the enl a r g ed thir d a nd
f ou r th p hotog r a p hs of F IG. 4 s hoWtha t p el l ets a dj a c ent a nd
ev en r em ov ed f r om the p oint of p r oj ec til e im p a c t ex hib ited
c r a c k ing Whic h Wou l d indic a te a r edu c ed a b il ity to Withs ta nd
f u r ther p r oj ec til es .
Ref er r ing to F IG. 5 , ther e is s een a ?r s t enl a r g ed p ic tu r e
of a s m a l l p or tion of p a nel 63 p r ep a r ed a c c or ding to the
p r es ent inv ention a nd ha v ing a n ins er t p el l et 2 a s s een a nd
des c r ib ed With r ef er enc e to F IG. 1 . In the s ec ond p hotog r a p h
ther e is s een the s a m e p a nel 63 With s a id ins er t p el l ets 2
inter dis p er s ed ther eb etWeen. It is to b e noted tha t Whil e not
tota l l y a p p a r ent f r om s a id p ic tu r e, tha t the p r oj ec tions 1 0
ex tend onl y p a r tia l l y into the s p a c es 68 f or m ed b etWeen the
s ides of s ix a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets 66, Whil e b l oc k ing a
m a j or c r os s - s ec tiona l p or tion of s a id s p a c es 64 , ea c h of s a id
p r oj ec tions 1 0 b eing in s p a c ed- a p a r t r el a tions hip to a t l ea s t
one of the tWo a dj a c ent c y l inder s 66 toWa r ds Whic h it
p r oj ec ts , This p a nel Wa s ha nd c a r r ied f or b a l l is tic tes ting to
HP. White La b or a tor y , Inc . , Whic h is r ec og niZ ed a s the
l ea ding b a l l is tic tes ting l a b or a tor y in the Us .
The b a l l is tic r es is ta nc e tes t r ep or t of s a id p a nel is s hoWn
ini F IG. 9.
As Wil l b e noted, not a s ing l e one of the ten p r oj ec til es
?r ed p enetr a ted s a id p l a te, ev idenc ing its s u p er ior m u l ti- hit
c a p a b il ity v is - a - v is the p a nel of Us . Pa t. N o. 6, 4 08, 734 .
The p el l ets 2 , 2 2 a nd 4 2 ' a r e a l l f or m ed of a c er a m ic
m a ter ia l . Pr ef er r ed c er a m ic s a r e s inter ed ox ide, nitr ides ,
c a r b ides a nd b or ides of a l u m ina , m a g nes iu m , Z ir c oniu m ,
tu ng s ten, m ol y b denu m , tita niu m a nd s il ic a .
Pr ef er r ed m a ter ia l s a r e ty p ic a l l y a l u m ina , b or on c a r b ide,
b or on nitr ide, tita niu m dib or ide, s il ic on c a r b ide, s il ic on
ox ide, s il ic on nitr ide, m a g nes iu m ox ide, s il ic on a l u m inu m
ox y nitr ide a nd m ix tu r es ther eof .
Ref er r ing to F IG. 6 ther e is s een a top v ieWof a honey
c om b - l ik e s tr u c tu r e 70 p r ef or m ed With op ening s 72 s iZ ed to
a c c om m oda te c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a nd op ening s 74 s iZ ed to
a c c om m oda te ins er t p el l ets a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv en
tion a nd es p ec ia l l y the ins er t p el l et 2 2 of F IG. 2 .
Ref er r ing to F IG. 7 ther e is s een a top v ieW of the
honey c om b - l ik e s tr u c tu r e 70 p r ef or m ed With op ening s 72
ha v ing c y l indr ic a l p el l ets 75 ins er ted ther ein a nd op ening s
74 ha v ing ins er t p el l ets 2 2 a c c or ding to the p r es ent inv ention
ins er ted ther ein.
It Wil l b e ev ident to thos e s k il l ed in the a r t tha t the
inv ention is not l im ited to the deta il s of the f or eg oing
il l u s tr a tiv e em b odim ents a nd tha t the p r es ent inv ention m a y
b e em b odied in other s p ec i?c f or m s Withou t dep a r ting f r om
the s p ir it or es s entia l a ttr ib u tes ther eof . The p r es ent em b odi
m ents a r e ther ef or e to b e c ons ider ed in a l l r es p ec ts a s
il l u s tr a tiv e a nd not r es tr ic tiv e, the s c op e of the inv ention
b eing indic a ted b y the a p p ended c l a im s r a ther tha n b y the
f or eg oing des c r ip tion, a nd a l l c ha ng es Whic h c om e Within
the m ea ning a nd r a ng e of equ iv a l enc y of the c l a im s a r e
ther ef or e intended to b e em b r a c ed ther ein.
US 7, 383, 762 B2
1 3
Wha t is c l a im ed is :
1 . A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting
k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity , a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec
til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r oj ec til es , s a id p l a te
c om p r is ing a s ing l e inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h a r e b ou nd
a nd r eta ined in p l a te f or m b y a n el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u b s ta n
tia l l y inter na l l y Within s a id el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u c h tha t the
p el l ets a r e b ou nd in a p l u r a l ity of r oWs a nd c ol u m ns p r o
v iding m u tu a l l a ter a l s u p p or t, s a id p el l ets b eing m a de of
c er a m ic m a ter ia l , Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets
is s u b s ta ntia l l y in c onta c t With a t l es t thr ee a dj a c ent p el l ets
a nd a t l ea s t a m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y
c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end
f a c e, f u r ther c ha r a c ter iz ed in tha t s p a c es f or m ed b etWeen
s a id a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l p el l ets a r e onl y p a r tia l ?l l ed With a
m a ter ia l f or p r ev enting the How of s of t m eta l f r om im p a c t
ing p r oj ec til es thr ou g h s a id s p a c es , s a id ?oW- p r ev enting
m a ter ia l b eing integ r a l l y f or m ed a s p a r t of a s p ec ia l ins er t
p el l et, s a id ins er t p el l et b eing in the f or m of a c y l inder
p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions ex tending onl y p a r tia l l y into the
s p a c es f or m ed b etWeen the s ides of s ix a dj a c ent c y l indr ic a l
p el l ets , a nd b l oc k ing a m a j or c r os s - s ec tiona l p or tion of s a id
s p a c es , ea c h of s a id p r oj ec tions b eing in s p a c ed- a p a r t r el a
tions hip to a t l es t one of the tWo a dj a c ent c y l inder s toWa r ds
Whic h it p r oj ec ts , s a id p el l ets b eing b ou nd a nd r eta ined in
p l a te f or m b y a s ol idi?ed m a ter ia l , Wher ein s a id s ol idi?ed
m a ter ia l a nd s a id p l a te a r e el a s tic .
2 . A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
s a id p r oj ec tions a r e in the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions f r om
s u b s ta ntia l l y v er tic a l s u r f a c es of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr i
c a l ins er t p el l et s a id p r otr u s ions b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h
other b y c onv ex l y c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s of s a id ins er t p el l et.
3. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
the heig ht of s a id p r oj ec tions is l es s tha n the heig ht of the
c y l indr ic a l b odies f r om Whic h they p r oj ec t.
4 . A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
s a id p r oj ec tions a r e p r ov ided With s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c y l in
dr ic a l s u r f a c es .
5 . A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
s a id p r oj ec tions a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y in the f or m of ou tWa r dl y
ta p er ed tr ia ng u l a r p r is m s .
6. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
s a id p r oj ec tions em er g e s l a nting l y f r om s a id c y l indr ic a l
p el l et, ha v e s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c ir c u l a r s u r f a c es , a nd a n end
f a c e tha t m er g es With a c onv ex l y c u r v ed end f a c e of s a id
c y l indr ic a l p el l et.
7. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
a t l ea s t one of the u p p er a nd l oWer f a c es of s a id p r oj ec tions
a r e b ev el ed.
8. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
a m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets ha v e a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed
end f a c e or iented to s u b s ta ntia l l y f a c e in the dir ec tion of a n
ou ter im p a c t r ec eiv ing m a j or s u r f a c e of s a id p l a te.
2 0
2 5
30
35
4 0
4 5
5 0
1 4
9. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
s a id p el l ets ha v e a t l ea s t one a x is of a t l ea s t 9 m m .
1 0. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 ,
Wher ein s a id p el l ets ha v e a t l ea s t one a x is of a t l ea s t 2 0 m m .
1 1 . Ac om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , Wher ein
s a id p el l ets is f or m ed of a c er a m ic m a ter ia l s el ec ted f r om the
g r ou p c ons is ting of s inter ed ox ide, nitr ides , c a r b ides a nd
b or ides of a l u m ina , m a g nes iu m , Z ir c oniu m , tu ng s ten,
m ol y b denu m , tita niu m a nd s il ic a .
1 2 . A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 ,
Wher ein ea c h of s a id p el l ets is f or m ed of a m a ter ia l s el ec ted
f r om the g r ou p c ons is ting of a l u m ina , b or on c a r b ide, b or on
nitr ide, tita niu m dib or ide, s il ic on c a r b ide, s il ic on ox ide,
s il ic on nitr ide, m a g nes iu m ox ide, s il ic on a l u m inu m ox y ni
tr ide a nd m ix tu r es ther eof .
1 3. A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 , c ha r
a c ter iZ ed in tha t a c ha nnel is p r ov ided in a p l u r a l ity of s a id
p el l ets to r edu c e the Weig ht p er a r ea ther eof .
1 4 . A c om p os ite a r m or p l a te a c c or ding to c l a im 1 3,
Wher ein s a id c ha nnel oc c u p ies a v ol u m e of u p to 2 5 % of s a id
p el l et.
1 5 . An ins er t p el l et f or u s e in a c om p os ite a r m or p l a te f or
a b s or b ing a nd dis s ip a ting k inetic ener g y f r om hig h v el oc ity ,
a r m or - p ier c ing p r oj ec til es , a s Wel l a s f r om s of t- nos ed p r o
j ec til es , s a id p l a te b eing of the ty p e c om p r is ing a s ing l e
inter na l l a y er of p el l ets Whic h a r e b ou nd a nd r eta ined in
p l a te f or m b y a n el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u b s ta ntia l l y inter na l l y
Within s a id el a s tic m a ter ia l , s u c h tha t the p el l ets a r e b ou nd
in a p l u r a l ity of r oWs a nd c ol u m ns p r ov iding m u tu a l l a ter a l
s u p p or t, s a id p el l ets b eing m a de of c er a m ic m a ter ia l ,
Wher ein a m a j or ity of ea c h of s a id p el l ets is s u b s ta ntia l l y in
c onta c t With a t l ea s t thr ee a dj a c ent p el l ets a nd a t l ea s t a
m a j or ity of s a id p el l ets a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l in s ha p e
With a t l ea s t one c onv ex l y - c u r v ed end f a c e, s a id ins er t p el l et
b eing in the f or m of a c y l inder p r ov ided With p r oj ec tions in
the f or m of l a ter a l p r otr u s ions f r om s u b s ta ntia l l y v er tic a l
s u r f a c es of s a id s u b s ta ntia l l y c y l indr ic a l ins er t p el l et s a id
p r otr u s ions b eing s ep a r a ted f r om ea c h other b y c onv ex l y
c u r v ed s u r f a c e a r ea s of s a id ins er t p el l et.
1 6. An ins er t p el l et a c c or ding to c l a im 1 5 Wher ein the
heig ht of s a id p r oj ec tions is l es s tha n the heig ht of the
c y l indr ic a l b ody f r om Whic h they p r oj ec t.
1 7. An ins er t p el l et a c c or ding to c l a im 1 5 , Wher ein s a id
p r oj ec tions a r e p r ov ided With s u b s ta ntia l l y s em i- c y l indr ic a l
s u r f a c es .
1 8. An ins er t p el l et a c c or ding to c l a im 1 5 Wher ein s a id
p r oj ec tions a r e s u b s ta ntia l l y in the f or m of ou tWa r dl y
ta p er ed tr ia ng u l a r p r is m s .