Abstract: The subject of the invention is: the use for a transparent bullet-proof and/or splinter-proof laminate, of which at least part of the thickness consists of a mosaic comprising at least two transparent constituent elements, in order to limit deterioration of the laminate beyond one of said at least two constituent elements that receive an impact; such a laminate with dimensions greater than those that are the maximum possible for a plate of monocrystalline sapphire, of which at least part of the thickness consists of an at least partly transparent mosaic, and of which at least one of its outer faces consists of a continuous transparent sheet; glazing for a building or transport vehicle comprising this laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boron carbide composite material comprising diamond particles and boron carbide, the composite material having a porosity of less than 2 percent by volume. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such materials, the method including coating a plurality of diamond particles with boron carbide, combining the plurality of diamond particles to form a green body and subjecting the green body to a temperature in the range from about 1,200 degrees centigrade to about 2,000 degrees centigrade and pressure or vacuum not exceeding about 2,000 Mpa.

Abstract: A ceramic armoring is provided, comprising a first ceramic layer which has a plurality of segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers serve to prevent cracks propagating from one segment to another segment, at least one second ceramic layer which has a plurality of segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, and at least one bonding layer by means of which the first ceramic layer and the second ceramic layer are joined together, wherein the segments of the first ceramic layer are offset with respect to the segments of the second ceramic layer.

Abstract: A design for improvements to the prior art of armor design that incorporates a uniquely designed layer within a multilayered armor fabricated assembly which redirects the supersonic destructive forces entering the assembly to exit the assembly in directions parallel to the surface being protected.

Abstract: The armor system according to the present invention also exploits synergistic multi-layering to provide different properties as a function of depth within a sandwich panel. Various embodiments of the invention include a combination of composite sandwich topology concepts with hard, strong materials to provide structures that (i) efficiently support static and fatigue loads, (ii) mitigate the blast pressure transmitted to a system that they protect, (iii) provides very effective resistance to projectile penetration, and (iv) minimizes shock (stress wave) propagation within the multi-layered armor sandwich structure. By using small pieces of highly constrained ceramic, the concept has significant multi-hit potential.

Abstract: Lightweight, ballistic resistant articles are provided. More particularly, armor structures incorporating two or more spaced apart, ballistic resistant panels, having superior impact and ballistic performance at a light weight. The panels are spaced by air or by an intermediate material.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches the use of low density, “open”-structure glasses as backing glasses, behind glass-ceramic strike-faces, in transparent armor composite windows. These low density “open-structure’ glasses are sometimes referred to as “anomalous” glasses. For transparent armor applications both silica, including fused silica, and borosilicate glasses can be used as backing glass. These backing glasses provide improved ballistics performance over that of standard commercial soda lime backing glass. These glasses should be used either in their as-formed state (e.g. float surfaces) or should be finished using a process designed for minimizing sub-surface damage.

Abstract: A conformable self-healing ballistic armor protective structure has a shell formed of a laminated cloth material having outer and inner lamellae. The outer lamella of the laminated material is a ballistic cloth and the inner lamella is a soft, conformable self-healing, rubber compound. The shell is filled preferably with multiplicity of ceramic particles disposed in a fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a building opening, comprising, a first panel, having a first end and a second end, pivotably coupled to the building at the first end; at least one second panel, having a first end and a second end; a first hinge, coupled to the second end of the first panel and the first end of the at least one second panel, configured for folding the first panel parallel to the second panel; and at least one attachment means.

Abstract: A protective module (1) for the protection of an object, in particular against hollow charge projectiles, includes several sequentially or super-posed attached plates (P1 to Pn) for the formation of several capacitances (C1 to Cn), with preference given to dielectric ceramics (3) tied in between plates (P1 to Pn), whereby the protective module (1) can be formed by several protective part modules (10). Thus, the protective part modules (10) are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form the protective module (1).

Abstract: A hard armor composite includes a rigid facing and a ballistic fabric backing. The fabric backing is carried by the facing, and includes an array of bundled high-performance fibers. The fibers have a tensile strength greater than 7 grams per denier and a denier per filament ratio of less than 5.4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved protection armor for providing protection against high impact projectiles, said armor having improved resistance at a reduced overall weight. The invention further relates to methods of producing such armor and to objects protected by such armor.

Abstract: A flexible armor system adaptable to a garment suitable for extremity protection uses a planar array of polygon-shaped solid elements which detach upon projectile impact and combine their mass with the projectile for reduced velocity and increased impact area. The solid elements are bonded between an elastic strike-side spall cover and a high tensile strength flexible backer layer, and are further supported by a substantial fiber pack. In embodiments, the solid elements are ceramic, and are commutated but remain essentially intact after the projectile impact. Edge bars can cover junctures between solid elements, and center buttons can cover intersections between the junctures. Edge bars and center buttons can also be ceramic. The ceramic parts can include titanium backing layers. After formation, ceramic cores can be compressed upon cooling by an outer ceramic layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, the outer layer being formed by glazing or doping.

Abstract: A laminated, optically transparent, ballistic resistant structure is described as having a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer of ceramic tiles spread across the first layer, and a third transparent layer. The first and third layers are bonded to opposite sides of the second layer, respectively, by transparent adhesive. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An improved ceramic tile armor has a core of boron nitride and a polymer matrix composite (PMC) facing of carbon fibers fused directly to the impact face of the tile. A polyethylene fiber composite backing and spall cover are preferred. The carbon fiber layers are cured directly onto the tile, not adhered using a separate adhesive so that they are integral with the tile, not a separate layer.

Abstract: An armour panel provides a continuous armoured strike face defined within a periphery. The panel is manufactured from a composite material having a plurality of armour tiles embedded in a polymeric matrix that is structurally reinforced by a layer of fibre fabric. The armoured strike face may be contoured to accommodate the base upon which it will be mounted. In some applications, an armour system is assembled from at least two of the armour panels. In such a system, at least a portion of the periphery of each armour panel defines an internal seam edge of the armour system. Each such periphery portion is in a lapping relationship with the corresponding internal seam edge of another armour panel.

Abstract: An armor system for protecting an object from the impact of a projectile. A core layer of hardened metal or ceramic balls supported in a softer material, wherein the surfaces of the balls are in contact with adjacent ball surfaces and the sizes of the balls are selected with respect to the anticipated shape of the projectile being armored against. Inward and outward facing reinforced layers at the surfaces of the core layer. The reinforced layers including a resin base and fibers therein. A backing plate may back the core layer on the rear surface.

Abstract: A transparent armor laminate system includes a plurality of sub-stacks separated by an interlayer. The sub-stacks include a plurality of layers including a glass ceramic front strike-face layer, a backing layer comprising a spall-resistant material, and at least one glass layer laminated between the strike-face and backing layers. The interlayer isolates cracks between sub-stacks, and may include an isolating material such as a polymer, gas, or liquid. The laminate system offers improved performance with reduced weight over conventional all-glass or all-glass-ceramic transparent armors.

Abstract: A ceramic composite and method of making are provided. The ceramic composite may be transparent and may serve as transparent armor. The ceramic portion of the composite may be single crystal sapphire. The composite may provide adequate protection from projectiles while exhibiting large surface areas and relatively low areal densities.

Abstract: Lightweight, ballistic resistant articles are provided. More particularly, armor structures incorporating two or more spaced apart, ballistic resistant panels, having superior impact and ballistic performance at a light weight. The panels are spaced by air or by an intermediate material.

Abstract: Improved composite armor designs uses optimally shaped ceramic pellets, a specific stacking geometry and a web system for patterning the pellets, improving manufacturability, and providing additional structural reinforcement. Lightweight, composite ballistic armor according to the invention may comprise an array of ceramic pellets, each pellet having a front surface, a back surface and a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the front surface of each pellet is intentionally convex. The front surface of each pellet may be hemispherical, in which case the cross-section of the pellet taken perpendicular to the centerline may be oval-shaped. Alternatively, the front surface of each pellet may be elliptical, in which case the cross-section of the pellet taken perpendicular to the centerline may be circular. In the preferred embodiment, the back surface of each pellet is formed at the same angle relative to its centerline, with the pellets being arranged with the flat surfaces lying in a plane.

Abstract: An armor system and method for the interior of a structure to be protected wherein releasable fastener material is secured to an inside wall of the structure and at least a first armor panel includes, in one example, a spacer layer, a ceramic hard face layer behind the spacer layer, a ballistic material behind the ceramic energy absorber layer, an encapsulant about the spacer layer, the ceramic energy absorber layer, and the ballistic material. Releasable fastener material is on the encapsulant adjacent the spacer layer for mating the panel to the inside wall of the structure.

Abstract: A composite armor element for protection against projectiles. At least one layer of effective bodies is disposed in rows next to one another in the composite armor element, the effective bodies being embedded in a matrix material. The effective bodies of one row are fixedly interconnected at least partially by means of webs to form a chain which is a monolithic element. An effective body element for insertion in a composite armor element comprises at least two effective bodies fixedly interconnected by at least one web to form a chain. The effective body element is a monolithic element, and a plurality of effective body elements are embedded in a matrix material.

Abstract: A ceramic armoring is provided, comprising a first ceramic layer which has a plurality of segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers serve to prevent cracks propagating from one segment to another segment, at least one second ceramic layer which has a plurality of segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, and at least one bonding layer by means of which the first ceramic layer and the second ceramic layer are joined together, wherein the segments of the first ceramic layer are offset with respect to the segments of the second ceramic layer.

Abstract: A portable protection system including a selectively collapsible truss for supporting a protection member. The truss is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The protection member includes at least one layer of ballistic armor material for disrupting a projectile. The truss includes suitable connectors for releasably connecting the protection member to the truss, and also suitable connectors for releasably connecting the truss to an adjoining truss so as to form a protection wall.

Abstract: A composite armor panel and a method for making the armor is disclosed. In one embodiment the armor consists of a plurality of ceramic tiles (21) individually edge-wrapped (52) with fiber or edge-wrap fabric, which are further wrapped with a face-wrap fabric, and encapsulated in a hyperelastic polymer material (31) permeating the fabric and fibers, with a back plate (41) adhered to the encapsulated tiles. In one embodiment the hyperelastic polymer (31) is formed from a MDI-polyester or polyether prepolymer, at lease one long-chain polyester polyol comprising ethylene/butylene adipate diol, at least one short-chain diol comprising 1,4-butanediol, and a tin-based catalyst.

Abstract: A laminated, optically transparent, ballistic resistant structure is described as having a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer of ceramic tiles spread across the first layer, and a third transparent layer. The first and third layers are bonded to opposite sides of the second layer, respectively, by transparent adhesive. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.