Patent Publication Number: US-2011048221-A1

Title: Protective module for an object against specifically hollow charge missiles

Description:
This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2009 038 630.0, filed Aug. 26, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns the design of electrical armor for a stationary or movable object as protection specifically against hollow charge missiles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hollow charges present a threat even for (wheeled) vehicles. A hollow charge is a specific arrangement of violent explosive (frequently on nitropenta, or hexogen/octogen-basis) around a cone-shaped or semi-spherical metal insert, and is particularly suitable for penetration of armor-plating. It is employed accordingly as reinforcement-breaking ammunition. The cone-shaped metal insert is surrounded by an explosive with an opening facing in the forward direction. If the charge is ignited, a spike is formed of cold-worked metal, starting from the tip of the metal core, which penetrates the target at very high velocity, followed by a slower ram or tappet, which forms the principal mass. 
     Simple known hollow charge protection devices are so-called SLATs, which are attached to the vehicles. A preferably detachable SLAT protective design is disclosed in DE 10 2007 036 393 A1. A protective screen of the same kind is also described in DE 10 2007 002 577A1. Another protective device is published in DE 103 10 952 A1. 
     Additional solutions are, for example, active reaction reinforcements, which are hurdled against different projectiles, such as is known, for example, from DE 10 2005 056 178 A1. The line-up of a multitude of reactive protective elements in water vehicles is the subject of DE 10 2007 022 767 A1. DE 10 2007 060 611 A1 deals with a fluid armor-plate arrangement. 
     A protective module is covered in DE 10 2005 021 348 B3 for the protection of objects with electricity against threats, specifically due to hollow charges. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0199701 A1 corresponds to DE 10 2005 021 348 B3, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0199701 A1 is incorporated herein in its entirety for all that it discloses. 
     In the meantime, other so-called electrical armor plates are also employed as a protective system. Due to this type of electrical reinforcement, the range of effectiveness of a hollow charge beam can clearly be reduced. This kind of concept consists of an arrangement of plates, an access line, and a loading device (See, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). If the hollow charge beam H reaches the reinforcement, it shorts out the condenser by contacting the upper and lower (anterior/posterior) plate. The condenser discharges the electric circuit, as a result of which, due to the high electricity, a strong magnetic field is formed around the hollow line beam (i.e., the beam of the hollow line, which is the width of the hollow line), which in turn has an effect on the charged particles of the hollow charge beam in the form of strong forces. This results in the enlargement of the diameter of the hollow charge beam, which consequently reduces the penetration performance of the hollow charge beam itself. Depending upon the type of design, the principle can be modified, for example, by means of a series connection of several plates, or by providing dielectric fluids between the plates, or by alternating dielectric fluids and ceramics between the plates. 
     It is important for the principle effectiveness of the electrical armor that the short-circuit between the two plates is created as quickly as possible with high electricity (i.e., a high voltage that leads to higher current and a faster short-circuit). The process is often slowed down based on the inductivity of the rise in electricity or current in the access line, so that the rise in electricity (current) may then require up to several  10  is to achieve. Another deficit is that the short-circuit will not start to flow until the two plates are connected via the hollow charge beam (i.e., the width of the hollow charge). This may lead to a situation where the anterior front of the hollow charge beam is not influenced by the short-circuit because the initial speed of the electricity (current flow) is not quick enough and the hollow charge missile continues to penetrate its target object. 
     It is the object of the invention to produce an earlier reaction on the hollow charge beam (i.e., an earlier reaction on the width of the hollow charge) by shorter/lower current velocity increases, thereby producing a more effective short-circuit). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above object is solved by the characteristics of a first embodiment of the invention, which pertains to a protective module ( 1 ) for the protection of objects, in particular against hollow charge missiles, wherein the protective module ( 1 ) comprises several sequentially arranged and/or super-posed plates (P 1  to P n ) for the formation of distributed and/or of several capacities (C 1  to C n . Other beneficial embodiments of the present invention are mentioned briefly as follows. 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment is modified so that dielectric ceramics ( 3 ) are tied in between the plates (P 1  to P n ). In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment or the second embodiment are further modified so that the protective module ( 1 ) is sub-divided into several protective part modules ( 10 ). In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment is further modified so that that the protective part modules ( 10 ) may be designed symmetrically as well as asymmetrically. In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment is further modified so that the number of plates (P 1  to P n  may vary per protective part module ( 10 ). 
     In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment are further modified so that the protective part modules ( 10 ) can be connected in such a fashion with each other that with detected attack, the condensers (C 1-n ) in the firing range can be provided with additional tension (U) in order to thus increase the current amplitude. In accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the eighth embodiment is further modified so that permissible tension is provided by a central condenser. In accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment are further modified so that for distribution of capacity, one condenser (C 1 ) is arranged in the protective module ( 1 ) and the other condenser (C 2 ) is arranged centrally. In accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment, are further modified so that for distribution of capacity, one condenser (C 1-n ) is respectively provided in the protective modules ( 10 ) and a central condenser. 
     The invention is based on the idea of dividing the capacity of an otherwise utilized central condenser over a multitude of plate condensers so that the capacity of the condenser is realized via a multitude of plate condensers, which are formed between the sequentially arranged protective plates. Each individual condenser is charged with a tension U o  (i.e., each individual condenser is charged to a voltage U 0 ). If the hollow charge beam now influences the protective plate (i.e., if the width of the hollow charge affects the protective plate), a quick electric rise is possible because of the short “access line” when the beam electrically connects the plates of the first condenser with each other and, thus, only the first condenser is short-circuited, as a result of which the hollow charge beam represents almost the only inductivity of the shorted circuit. A reaction can, thus, quickly take place in the front of the beam due to short circuit of the affected first condenser. Due to each further penetration of the protective element or protective module, successive additional condensers are shorted. The loading instrument preferably is located within the vehicles, or the object that is to be protected. The protective module, which is formed of many protective plates, is charged by means of a co-axial high voltage (HV) cable. Voltage division can take place in the loading device as well as in the protective module. 
     In refining the inventive concept, it has shown itself as beneficial for increasing the capacity if dielectric ceramics are tied-in between the individual plates of the condensers. 
     The electricity increase and the amplitude are now determined only by the parameters of the hollow charging beam, the first capacity or capacitance C and the loading tension U o . Because both the inductivity as well as the capacitance of the shorted circuit are lower than it is in the case with traditional applications, this small circuit presents a clearly lower increase in velocity (i.e., the affect of the short-circuit influences the hollow charge missile more quickly). The plate distance can also be selected smaller than traditional plates because several are arranged in sequence. This also contributes to an earlier influence on the tip of the hollow charge beam. Another not insignificant benefit is provided in that the central condenser is eliminated and no longer requires its own place in the vehicle. 
     The protective module may be constructed from several protective module components. This has the benefit that the less important areas that need to be protected can present fewer plates, so that the entire protective module becomes lighter in weight. Another benefit that can be achieved with part-modules is the ability of exchanging defective part-modules. 
     In another conceivable variation of the invention, the protective partial modules can be connected with each other in such a fashion that, with a detected attack, the condenser in the firing region can be supplied with additional voltage in order to, thus, increase the rise in velocity. The issue may remain unanswered as to whether the capacities (i.e., capacitances of the condensers) release their tension (i.e., stored voltage energy) outside the detected impact point of the hollow charge projectile or whether a central source assumes the task. 
    
    
     
       The invention will be explained in more detail by means of an exemplary embodiment and with drawings. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a basic electrical design of an electrical armor according to the state of the art. 
         FIG. 2  depicts the basic electrical design of a protective module according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts, in frontal view, a variation of the design of the protective module in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows the basic design of an electrical protective module  1 , according to the state of the art, which consists of several sequentially arranged plates P 1 , P 2  until P n , for the formation of several capacitances C 1  until C n . Electrical ceramics  3  are preferably inserted between the plates P 1-n . 
     Each of the capacities or capacitances C 1  until C n  is loaded up to a loading tension U o . 
     If the hollow charge beam or width H hits the first plate P 1 , it shorts the first condenser C 1  (i.e., P 1  and P 2 ). With each further penetration of the capacities or capacitances C 2-n  by the hollow charge beam H, the plates are successively shorted, the hollow charge beam H is weakened, and the principal mass is rendered ineffective. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the division of the protective module  1 , presented here as a sketched object  20 , in different or sub-divided protective areas  10  or protective part modules. Object  20  may be a stationary object, or it may be a moveable object such as a vehicle. The opportunity exists of designing the same symmetrically, which permits simple exchangeability in case of defect or, however, to also allow asymmetry in the design. The part modules  10 ′ may be constructed in their design in the most important areas to be protected, thicker at an object  20  than in other areas. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective part modules  10  can be connected in such a fashion with each other that, with detected attack, the condensers C 1-n  in the firing range  11  can be provided with additional tension U (i.e., more voltage) in order to thus increase the current amplitude at these condensers between the plates. 
     Also conceivable is another distribution of the capacitance to C 1(−n) , is wherein the protective module  1  is, or the protective modules  10  are (respectively), tied in and with a central condenser. The individual condenser, or individual condensers C  1(−n) , in this arrangement determines, or determine, the current increase in velocity at the start and is/are thereafter supplied by the central condenser with the main current. It goes without saying that combinations are possible of this variation, and also of the previously described variation of the present invention.