Abstract: A plural-panel, plural-layer armoring system including (a) an outer layer of elongate, side-by-side adjacent, laterally-interlocking, hardened-material armor panels having long axes substantially paralleling one another, and (b) a contacting, but not bonded-to, inner layer of elongate, side-by-side adjacent, closed-cell foam panels having long axes substantially paralleling one another and disposed at angles relative to the long axes of the armor panels.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a reconfigurable armored unit for use in training exercises. In one aspect, a reconfigurable training facility is provided. The reconfigurable training facility includes a first modular unit. The reconfigurable training facility further includes a second modular unit, wherein each modular unit includes a frame with corner connection members and a grid system, whereby the corner connection members are used to connect the modular units together and whereby the grid system is used to selectively support a plurality of panels. In another aspect, a modular unit for use in a reconfigurable training facility is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of forming a reconfigurable training facility is provided.

Abstract: A ballistic protection shelter includes a soft-walled shelter structure wherein soft wall and soft roof portions are supported on at least one rigid support member, and an internal shelter structure for disposition within the soft-walled shelter structure. The internal shelter structure includes at least rigid side wall panels connectable to each other to form an enclosure. The panels are of a ballistic protective material adapted to provide protection to shelter occupants against explosive detonations and shrapnel.

Abstract: Ballistic resistant composites and articles formed therefrom for use in airplanes and other vehicles which meets particular structural, impact and ballistic requirements. An aerospace-specification grade honeycomb is positioned between panels comprising non-woven ballistic resistant fibrous layers, and optionally one or more fire resistant layers. The composites and the articles formed therefrom have superior structural, impact, fire resistance and ballistic performance at a light weight.

Abstract: A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of a rigid inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorption elements are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: The proposed new structure, Anti-penetrating Sandwich Structure, can protect the building underground.

Abstract: A protective structure for protecting buildings, bridges, roads and other areas from explosive devices such as car bombs and the like comprises: (a) a mesh structure having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an annular space; (b) a plurality of structural steel cables in contact with the mesh structure; (c) a composite fill material which resides within the annular space of the mesh structure and within the mesh structure; (d) at least one reinforcement member which resides within the composite fill material; and (e) a composite face material which resides upon the outer surface of the mesh structure. The mesh structure may be made up of, for example, steel wire.

Abstract: A covering of the kind serving for bulletproof armoring of a wall and including a number of bulletproof plates. The covering furthermore includes a support having a base for mounting on the wall, and a number of pockets arranged to keep the plate in positions, in which they overlap or adjoin each other in twos. This advantageously results in the fact that the walls of a container can be covered with bulletproof plates easily and quickly without leaving a space through which shots can be fired.

Abstract: A modular construction system that can be used to construct a variety of structural units including armor shields for vehicles or personnel, energy generating grids, thermal insulating or transmitting structures, acoustic insulating or reflecting structures, electromagnetic shields, etc. The modular construction system uses modular discs which are configured to be coupled or connected together to form or develop any desired structure. The modular discs include substantially circular base portions, star-shaped projections extending from the upper surface of the substantially circular base portion, and cooperating connecting structures that allow for the plurality of modular discs to be connected to one another.

Abstract: An interface includes a blast plate having plate structure, the plate structure being formed to substantially conform to a certain portion of an exterior margin of a hull of a certain vehicle and being semi-permanently mounted to the hull by mounting to certain mounting devices present on the exterior margin of the hull and having mounting structure for supportively mounting a standardized add-on device, the mounting structure being designed to facilitate the add-on device being readily mountable on and demountable from the plate structure, the plate structure having structural characteristics for acting to protect the hull from effects of a blast directed at the hull. A modular assembly and a blast plate are further included.

Abstract: A perforating gun loading bay includes a loading area and a separate gun component storage area. The perforating gun loading area also includes racks and a table that permit an in-line loading operation such that the gun housing and loaded gun need not be moved out of a linear path from introduction to the bay to unloading from the bay. The racks and the table may be position in axial alignment and may include low friction members to permit axial sliding motion along the racks and the table. A method for using the loading bay permits in-line handling. A perforating gun loading table includes low friction members permitting axial movement of perforating gun components therealong and low friction members permitting rotational movement of perforating gun components along their long axis. The perforating gun loading table includes a control system for selecting the low friction member that is positioned to engage the perforating gun component on the table.

Abstract: A blast shockwave shield including an upright, monolithic body having a lateral center, and front and back sides, and a blast-facing, curved strike face formed on the upright, front side of the body, including a pair of companion, laterally spaced, laterally symmetric, non-coextensive, curved, strike-face portions, each of which defines a blast shockwave-deflection vector that is aimed upwardly, and laterally outwardly away from the shield's lateral center. This structure implements a method for blast shockwave deflection which includes the steps of engaging and intercepting such a shockwave with an upright, monolithic, solid-resistance instrumentality having a pair of laterally spaced, curved, non-coextensive strike-face portions, and, by those acts of engaging and intercepting, reversely deflecting an impinging shockwave.

Abstract: The invention in various embodiments is directed to systems and methods for mitigating damage from a shock wave using a gas having a specific impedance less than air.

Abstract: A modular ballistic abatement barrier system (10) includes a first corrugated panel (12) having at least one aperture (13), a second corrugated panel (16) having at least one aperture (17), and a ballistic cloth (14) placed between the first corrugated panel and the second corrugated panel. The ballistic cloth can also include at least one aperture (15). The first corrugated panel and the second corrugated panel are coupled using at least one among a mechanical bond and a chemical bond. For example, the ballistic cloth can be laminated between the first corrugated panel and the second corrugated panel to form a multi-layered panel. Alternatively, the first corrugated panel, the ballistic cloth, and the second corrugated panel can be coupled together using a fastener that compresses the ballistic cloth between the first corrugated panel and the second corrugated panel.

Abstract: A ballistic blanket is provided and includes a pliable outer shell or housing that encompasses an inner ballistic core which is housed or contained within an inner shell or housing. Secured to exterior portions of the ballistic blanket are a series of handles and one or more attaching straps or buckles that facilitate the securement of devices such as a carrier panel. In one design, the interior ballistic core comprises a high performance fiber such as an aramid fiber, high molecular weight polyethylene, a combination of high performance fiber types, or a non-woven thermoplastic composite.

Abstract: A shielding construction for houses, including a plurality of abutting and bolted together “c” metal profiles, forming a layer of adjacent profiles. Bolts join each of the mutually abutting profiles, and metal plate overlays provide cover over the abutment zones between each two adjacent profiles. The metal “C” metal profiles may be humped.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: A blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of cured elastomeric material.

Abstract: An armor structure includes first and second layers individually containing a plurality of i-beams. Individual i-beams have a pair of longitudinal flanges interconnected by a longitudinal crosspiece and defining opposing longitudinal channels between the pair of flanges. The i-beams within individual of the first and second layers run parallel. The laterally outermost faces of the flanges of adjacent i-beams face one another. One of the longitudinal channels in each of the first and second layers faces one of the longitudinal channels in the other of the first and second layers. The channels of the first layer run parallel with the channels of the second layer. The flanges of the first and second layers overlap with the crosspieces of the other of the first and second layers, and portions of said flanges are received within the facing channels of the i-beams of the other of the first and second layers.

Abstract: An improved joint utilizes a facing strip which is configured to extend away from a pair of plates held by the facing strip as one moves toward the middle of the facing strip. When the steel plates are disposed at an angle to one another, the facing strip is preferably straight. When the steel plates are parallel, the facing strip is preferably bent to extend toward the plates as one moves out from the middle of the facing strip and toward the lateral edges.

Abstract: A structure for protecting pipeline sections has a base, a housing affixed to the top surface of the base and having a plurality of side walls extending at an acute angle with respect to a top surface of the base, and an accessing door connected to the housing in a position above the base. The interior of the housing is vented to the atmosphere. The plurality of side walls includes a pair of triangularly-shaped walls and a pair of trapezoidally-shaped walls.

Abstract: A ballistic and blast protective composite panel includes a first composite layer and a second composite layer.

Abstract: An improved joint utilizes a facing strip which is configured to extend away from a pair of plates held by the facing strip as one moves toward the middle of the facing strip. When the steel plates are disposed at an angle to one another, the facing strip is preferably straight. When the steel plates are parallel, the facing strip is preferably bent to extend toward the plates as one moves out from the middle of the facing strip and toward the lateral edges.

Abstract: A blast protection structure is formed of one or more bags, generally shown as (1) in FIG. 2. Such bags comprise an upper and lower compartment, with the lower compartment having a reinforcing layer (2), preferably formed of an impact reactant structure such as Kevlar®. The upper surface (3) of the upper compartment, has a non-slip coating to provide improved stacking of bags. Such bags can be used to provide blast protection structures to minimize the risk of damage from an explosion.

Abstract: An explosion protective shelter apparatus comprises a pair of spaced apart upright parallel walls without rigid structural interconnection. The walls supported by the ground surface so as to define a vehicular space between them. The walls are joined by elastic members or secured against shock absorbers. The walls are easily erected on site and placed in service where personnel may be sheltered from an exploding vehicle that is being inspected between the walls.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite armor plate for absorbing and dissipating kinetic energy from high-velocity projectiles, the plate comprising a single internal layer of pellets which are bound and retained in plate form by an elastic material, substantially internally within the elastic material, such that the pellets are bound in a plurality of spaced-apart rows and columns, the pellets being made of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramic material glass and sintered refractory material, and the pellets being substantially fully embedded in the elastic material so that the pellets form an internal layer, characterized in that a majority of each of the pellets in direct contact with four diagonally-adjacent pellets in the same layer to provide mutual lateral confinement therebetween and is retained in spaced-apart relationship relative to pellets in the same row and pellets in the same column by the elastic material.

Abstract: A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four sets of ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over them. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A stiffening plate and a ceramic tile or plate are placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride, Aluminum Oxide or Aluminum Nitride.

Abstract: The invention relates to the area of armor and in particular to multilayer armor having a composite layer containing a first material made of a metal or an alloy and a second material where the second material is porous and in that the metal or metal alloy is infiltrated into some or all of the pores of the second material and characterized in that a cage made of plates having openings contains the first and second materials and in that the cage is itself coated, at least partly, with the infiltration metal or alloy, the melting point of the cage material being higher than that of the infiltration metal or alloy.

Abstract: A multi-hit transparent armor system is described and claimed herein for improving the resistance of transparent armor to incoming projectiles. Typically, the transparent armor is framed within a window opening of a security structure. An exemplary, contemplated structure is an armored combat vehicle. My system includes a sheet of tempered glass that is also positioned within said window, but is deployed outboard of said transparent armor and is also parallel planar thereto. Positioned below said sheet of tempered glass, and coaxial thereto, is an opaque armor panel that is more efficient and effective against multiple projectiles than either the tempered glass or transparent armor alone. The tempered glass sheet and the opaque armor are typically loaded under compression by a spring assembly. An incoming projectile, launched from a position outboard and also remote from said structure, will first strike the tempered glass before hitting my transparent armor.

Abstract: A composite armor structure for ballistically protecting a gap from an impacting projectile threat and for use with at least one ballistic armor module. The gap extends along a margin of the module. The structure comprises a body having a protection portion with at least a single layer of ceramic bodies. The structure further comprises a carrier portion supporting the protection portion and being made of a material different from the ceramic bodies. The protection portion is designed to span the gap. The carrier portion is designed to extend beyond the gap to overlap with the margin when viewed from a perspective of the impacting projectile threat.

Abstract: Several ceramic armour systems are provided herein. One such system is a ceramic armour system for personnel. Such system includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of ceramic plate. A backing is bonded to the exposed face of the shock-absorbing layer. A second such system is a ceramic armour system for vehicles. Such system also includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic plate has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate.

Abstract: A ballistic armor panel for attaching to an object, the panel comprising a carrying board made of a hard material and formed with a plurality of adjoining through-going apertures, each aperture receiving a body made of a hard material and having a longitudinal axis coaxial with an axis of the respective aperture.

Abstract: A blast fragment and oxygen fire safety barrier comprising a corrugated impact panel connected to and spanning a pair of columns designed by directly impacting the barrier with a fragment of specified weight at a specified velocity to obtain test values for use in determining whether the barrier is capable of absorbing impact kinetic energy (KE) without exceeding predetermined maximum allowable ductability and maximum allowable deflection to span ratios, and dissipating strain energy at such maximum allowable deflection, and whether connectors have sufficient shear strength considering the lesser of maximum dynamic shear capacity of said column and a maximum dynamic shear force based on measured peak reaction during direct fragment impact on the column, includes an oxygen fire resistant panel on the non-blast side of the impact panel spaced from said impact panel a distance in excess of the maximum allowable deflection of said impact panel.

Abstract: A composite armor 10 and method for making it. The armor 10 has a honeycomb core 12 that is provided with polygonal openings 14 and oppositely facing sides 16, 18. Inserts 20 are placed within at least some of the openings. A pair of sheets 22, 24 are respectively secured to the oppositely facing sides of the honeycomb core to close the openings, thereby containing fracture debris after impact, and to provide reinforcement. One method of making the composite armor includes: providing a honeycomb core having polygonal openings; adhering a sheet to cover the polygonal openings that are located on one side of the honeycomb core; at least partially filling at least some of the openings with a resin; placing one or more inserts within at least some of the openings; and adhering a front sheet to the oppositely facing side of the honeycomb core. A preferred manufacturing practice involves resin infusion.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor structure for use in a vehicle includes a first sheet of transparent armor composite comprising at least one layer of polymeric material and at least one layer of tempered silica glass bonded to form a laminated bullet resisting structure and also having a bracket member adapted to hold a second transparent spall resisting layer parallel to and slightly spaced from the inner surface of the first transparent composite layer. A spacing means between the first and second layers forms a chamber between the first and second panels and a desiccant is located within the chamber to minimize the amount of condensation on the surface of the transparent armor surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: A reinforced window system for mounting within an opening in a wall, the window system comprising a first frame corresponding with an out-side of the wall and a second frame fixed behind the first frame and corresponding with an in-side of the wall. At least the first frame supports a reinforced window pane. The first frame bears against the second frame such that forces applied to the first frame in a direction normal to the pane are at least partially absorbed and dampened by the second frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising combining ballistic and fragment resistant fabrics in multiple layers with a central geometrically shaped composite core in a resin forming a composite armor panel, wherein the multiple layers present a fragment projectile with alternating tougher and softer resistances to penetration to enhance the stopping power of the composite armor while retaining a lightweight configuration is disclosed. The panel allows the fabric layers and geometric core to interact in such a manner as to function as a drumskin, flexing and elastically deforming to absorb and attenuate the energy of a forced entry attack.

Abstract: In a multi-layer armor system (10), useful for military vehicles, a metallic foam is provided as the shock energy-absorbing element. In a typical arrangement, the metallic foam shock-absorbing element (12) is sandwiched between a high strength strike plate (11) and a backing plate (13). Typically, the backing plate is a highly deforming metal, such as titanium, aluminum, or steel. However, the backing plate may comprise one or more layers of metal, ceramic or polymer-based composites. The high strength strike plate may be ceramic or metal. The shock-absorbing element is preferably a closed-cell metal foam with a high porosity that is effective in containing rearward deformation of the strike plate from a projectile strike. In a preferred embodiment, the shock-absorbing element is an aluminum foam with a porosity of 80 percent by volume.

Abstract: A ballistic vent apparatus for use in a cockpit door of an aircraft to provide venting and communication between the cockpit and the cabin of an aircraft while preventing bullets and/or splinters from passing through the ballistic vent apparatus. The present invention provides a frame having a U-shaped cross-section adaptable to receive a cross-section of the cockpit door of the aircraft. A pair of opposing and substantially similar supports are connected to the frame, and each of the supports has a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots formed therein in a substantially parallel manner. A plurality of ballistic vent angles extend through the slots of the supports and are connected to the supports. A ballistic panel is connected to the frame and extends along a back side of the ballistic vent angles to prevent bullets and/or splinters from passing through the ballistic vent angles. The entire ballistic vent apparatus is fabricated from a ballistic material such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A light-weight armor hard-face component with elastomer encapsulation and lateral confinement to effectively improve multi-hit performance. The preferred embodiment is an integrated package consisting of a large elastomer plate, which contains confined, shock isolated ceramic tiles. This plate can be formed to a variety of sizes and shapes by cutting the elastomer along the gap between ceramic tiles. The attachment of this integrated package to a vehicle structure can be easily accomplished by bolting or adhesive bonding. Elastomer encapsulation limits lateral damage, increases ballistic efficiency and allows multiple impacts without ballistic performance degradation. The armor component is an integrated package, containing a continuous elastomer phase around segmented ceramic tiles. The elastomer is used to (1) attenuate stress waves, (2) accommodate the lateral displacement of ceramic fracturing, and (3) isolate adjacent tiles during the backing vibration stage.

Abstract: A projectile stopping device is proposed for the purpose of damping the noise propagation linked to the striking of projectiles, for the purpose of braking the projectiles and for easier recovery thereof, the individual stopping curtains (27 to 29) of which projectile stopping device, which are spaced apart from each other in the firing direction (1), consist of suspended steel cables. The stopping cables (26) are received in receiving devices which are identically formed at the top and bottom, and are thereby connected to guides (32) which are also formed in an identical manner to each other. The attachment of the stopping cables to these guides and their arrangement within a curtain are arranged in such a way that each stopping cable, when deflected, is always subject to a return force bringing it back into its original position.

Abstract: A reinforced window system for mounting within an opening in a wall, the window system comprising a first frame corresponding with an out-side of the wall and a second fame fixed behind the first frame and corresponding with an in-side of the wall. At least the first frame supports a reinforced window pane. The first frame bears against the second frame such that forces applied to the first fame in a direction normal to the pane are at least partially absorbed and dampened by the second frame.

Abstract: A reactive armor structure having an outer layer and a reactive element adjacent to and integral with the outer layer is provided. The reactive element provides an amount of support to the outer layer effective to restrain movement of the outer layer and to delay fracture of the outer layer when the outer layer is impacted by a projectile.

Abstract: A bulletproof equipment for protecting personnel against a projectile fired from a gun or the like. The equipment includes a inflatable bulletproof air bag for protecting a targeted individual from fire of a weapon; an air tank for ejecting compressed gas or air into the air bag; a high speed fan for feeding air into the air bag when the air bag is punctured; a controller for controlling the associated components; and a power supply for applying electric current.

Abstract: A barrier to penetration by a foreign object includes a rigid housing and a mechanism, enclosed within the housing, for mechanically trapping the foreign object, for example by exerting a lateral compressional force on the foreign object. The mechanism may include one or more longitudinally compressed elements such as elastomeric blocks or springs, and folded strip of shape memory material that straightens when heated.