Abstract:
A system of active ballistic protection formed by at least a panel ( 1 ) comprising at least two external metallic layers ( 2,3 ) between which a layer of energetic material ( 4 ) is inserted, characterized in that said energetic material is obtained from a weakened detonating material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of earlier filed Italian Patent Application No. TO2009A000458, filed Jun. 16, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention refers to a system of active ballistic protection. In particular, the present invention refers to a system of active ballistic protection, also called active armour usable for the protection of armored vehicles or for fixed stations which can be subject to attacks with firearms. 
         [0004]    2. Relevant Technology 
         [0005]    The typical configuration of reactive armors is constituted by front and rear stratifications which have the purpose of mechanically opposing to the menace and by an intermediate stratification which has the purpose of accelerating the most external screen. The energy characterization of the intermediate stratification can be subdivided into three main categories. 
         [0006]    In a first category, the energetic layer is constituted by an explosive. This configuration is the most efficient reactive armor. 
         [0007]    In a second category, the intermediate energetic layer is constituted by an energetic material which lacks the capacity of detonating. This category has an efficacy lower than the first category. 
         [0008]    In the third category, the intermediate layer is constituted by non-energetic material which, depending on its chemical-physical characteristics, is able to accelerate the most external layer of the reactive sandwich, but has less efficiency than the first and second categories. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention proposes to achieve a system of active ballistic protection formed by at least two external metallic layers between which is inserted at least one reactive layer which, when reached by metal or other material that penetrates into one of the external metallic layers, reacts by increasing its thickness in the direction of advancement of the penetrating material, thus increasing the protective capacity of the external metallic layers. 
         [0010]    The behavior of the reactive layer is obtained through the use of a weakened detonating material. 
         [0011]    An aspect of the present invention refers to a system of active ballistic protection having the characteristics of the attached claim  1 . 
         [0012]    Other embodiments of the panel are exemplified by the subsequent dependent claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  schematically shows an exploded view of a panel of the system of active ballistic protection according to the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the system according to the present invention provided with two panels parallel to each other and inclined with respect to the incoming direction of a menace, such as a projectile. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    With reference to the abovementioned figures, the system according to the present invention can be used as reinforcement and armour-plating panel for vehicles or for fixed stations. 
         [0017]    The kind of menace for which the system gives protection is a menace brought by material which is sent or projected at high speed in the direction of the station to be protected. For example, the menace may be a melted or semi-melted metallic material constituted by one or more projectiles fired by rocket launchers or similar firearms, or shaped charge jets, generated by static blasts. 
         [0018]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system according to the present invention comprises at least one panel  1  formed by at least two external metallic layers  2  and  3  between which a layer of energetic material  4  is inserted. Energetic material  4  may comprise, for example, a weakened detonating material. The weakened detonating material has the characteristic of “reacting” by expanding once the menace, for example the projectile, has perforated an external metallic layer  2  or  3 . 
         [0019]    The two metallic layers  2  and  3  of the sandwich are preferably comprised of two plates having a lateral size and thickness of about  2  mm. 
         [0020]    For containing the sheet of energetic material, the two metallic layers or plates  2  and  3  are preferably separated by a frame  5 , which may comprise for example nylon, along the entire rim. The assembly may be provided with passing holes to facilitate assembly. 
         [0021]    A suitable energetic material that may be used according to the present invention is the explosive PBX N109, as basic energetic material from which it is possible to obtain the weakening by partially or entirely eliminating the content of aluminum normally contained in PBX N109 and by diminishing the weight percentage of RDX with respect to the inert ligands normally contained in PBX N109, which ligands may comprise for example polyurethanic ligands. A suitable percentage of RDX of diminished content comprises between about 30% and about 50%, preferably about 40% with respect to the ligands contained in PBX N109. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary system comprising two panels arranged parallel to each other and separated one from the other by means of a spacer element  6 . According to one embodiment, the panels can be inclined with respect to the incoming direction of the menace and arranged inside a metallic box body  7 . A suitable inclination angle of the panels is between about 20° and about 40°, preferably about 30°. 
         [0023]    It will be appreciated that different numbers of panels can be used with different geometric arrangements, and furthermore there can be present other passive elements. 
         [0024]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.