Patent ID: 7472637
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: F41H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A hierarchical composite armor for protection against projectile impact comprising a plurality of plates used to define a plurality of platelets distributed in at least a first layer and in a second layer parallel to the first layer wherein the distribution of the platelets in the second layer is at least slightly offset from and overlaps the distribution of platelets in the first layer, said plates comprising two amorphous polymers that exhibit significantly contrasting deformation and failure behavior, wherein the platelets are less thick than the overall thickness of the composite armor and wherein the platelets and a matrix substrate comprise of different materials; and said matrix substrate encapsulating the platelets; wherein the first material and the matrix substrate have different mechanical properties; wherein the platelets and matrix substrate form an interactive network that dissipates a projectile's impact energy over an area much greater than the size of the projectile by transmitting the impact energy from platelets close to an impact location to platelets away from the impact location by arranging in an alternating fashion said plates having two amorphous polymers where the platelets of one of the first set of alternating plates are positioned centrally and the platelets of the second set of alternating plates are positioned along one or more circles, each of said platelets are offset from a center such that they partially overlap with another of said platelets; and wherein the geometry and distribution of the platelets is tailored to optimize the kinetic energy absorption by the composite armor.