Lightweight armor plates with a ceramic component, systems including same and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A lightweight opaque armor plate, systems including same and methods of use thereof. Disclosed is a lightweight opaque armor plate, which includes a ceramic layer designed and constructed to absorb and disperse energy from a projectile and a hardened metal layer designed and constructed to prevent penetration by the projectile projectile. A total weight of the plate is less about 43 kg/M 2 of the plate. Systems including the disclosed plate and a positioning device are further disclosed. Methods which employ the disclosed plate, preferably as part of the disclosed system, to provide projection from projectile impact are further disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lightweight opaque armor plate, the plate comprising: 
 (a) a ceramic layer, said ceramic being designed and constructed to absorb and disperse energy from a projectile, and    (b) a hardened metal layer, said hardened metal layer situated behind said ceramic layer and being designed and constructed to prevent penetration by said projectile;    wherein a total weight of the plate is less than approximately exactly 43 kg/M 2  of the plate.    
     
     
         2 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , wherein a total thickness of said hardened metal layer and said ceramic layer is in the range of approximately 12 to approximately 18 mm.  
     
     
         3 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , wherein a total thickness of said hardened metal layer and said ceramic layer is in the range of approximately 22 to approximately 32 mm.  
     
     
         4 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , wherein said hardened metal layer is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of heat treated aluminum and a heat-treated alloy.  
     
     
         5 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , wherein said hardened metal layer contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon, titanium, copper, manganese and chromium.  
     
     
         6 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , further comprising a reversible attachment device.  
     
     
         7 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , wherein said ceramic layer includes primarily at least one material material selected from the group consisting of Alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) and Magnesia (MgO).  
     
     
         8 . The opaque plate of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating.  
     
     
         9 . A system for protecting a target from impact by a projectile, the system comprising: 
 (a) at least one lightweight opaque armor plate comprising: 
 (i) a ceramic layer, said ceramic layer being designed and constructed to absorb and disperse energy from a projectile,  
 (ii) a hardened metal layer, said hardened metal layer situated behind said ceramic layer and being designed and constructed to prevent penetration by said projectile; and  
   (b) a positioning device designed and constructed to engage and retain said at least one lightweight opaque armor plate in a position between the target and the projectile;    wherein a total weight of said armor plate is less than approximately exactly 43 kg/M 2 .    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one item selected from the group consisting of: 
 (c) a transparent armor plate comprising; 
 (i) at least one glass layer placed to receive an initial impact from a projectile;  
 (ii) at least one plastic layer, said plastic layer situated behind said glass layer and designed and constructed to be impenetrable by said projectile, said plastic layer comprising at least approximately 50% of said total weight of the plate.  
 (iii) at least one adhesive, said adhesive bonding two of said layers together;  
   wherein a degree of transparency thereof permits visibility therethrough by a user thereof; and    (d) an opaque armor plate comprising: 
 (i) a first hardened metal layer, said first hardened metal layer placed to receive an initial impact from a projectile;  
 (ii) a force dissipating layer, said force dissipating layer situated behind said first hardened metal layer and being designed and constructed to absorb and disperse energy from said projectile,  
 (iii) a second hardened metal layer, said second hardened metal layer situated behind said force dissipating layer and being designed and constructed to prevent penetration by said projectile.  
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said positioning device includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of a reversible attachment device, a permanent attachment device, a base and an article of clothing modified to accommodate said at least one lightweight armor plate.  
     
     
         12 . A method of protecting a target from impact by a projectile, the method comprising: 
 (a) ascertaining at least one source from which a projectile is likely to emanate; and    (b) employing a positioning device to engage and retain at least one lightweight opaque armor plate in a position between the target and said at least one source from which a projectile is likely to emanate; wherein said lightweight opaque armor plate comprises: 
 (i) a ceramic layer, said ceramic being designed and constructed to absorb and disperse energy from the projectile,  
 (ii) a hardened metal layer, said hardened metal layer situated behind said ceramic layer and being designed and constructed to prevent penetration by the projectile; and  
   wherein a total weight of the plate is less than approximately exactly 43 kg/M 2  of the plate    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing at least one additional lightweight armor plate, wherein said additional lightweight armor plate includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) a transparent armor plate comprising; 
 (1) at least one glass layer placed to receive an initial impact from a projectile;  
 (2) at least one plastic layer, said plastic layer situated behind said glass layer and designed and constructed to be impenetrable by said projectile, said plastic layer comprising at least approximately 50% of said total weight of the plate.  
 (3) at least one adhesive, said adhesive bonding two of said layers together;  
   wherein a degree of transparency thereof permits visibility therethrough by a user thereof; and    (ii) an opaque armor plate comprising: 
 (1) a first hardened metal layer, said first hardened metal layer placed to receive an initial impact from a projectile;  
 (2) a force dissipating layer, said force dissipating layer situated behind said first hardened metal layer and being designed and constructed to absorb and disperse energy from said projectile,  
 (3) a second hardened metal layer, said second hardened metal layer situated behind said force dissipating layer and being designed and constructed to prevent penetration by said projectile.  
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said employing a positioning device includes employing at least one item selected from the group consisting of a reversible attachment device, a permanent attachment device, a base and an article of clothing modified to accommodate said at least one lightweight armor plate