Ceramic components, ceramic component systems, and ceramic armour systems

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. The assembly of the front spall layer, the ceramic plate, and the shock-absorbing layer is bolted to the hull of a vehicle, preferably with an air gap, or alternatively without an air gap.

1 . An armour plate for use in personal or vehicular armour, said plate having an inner surface which, in use, faces a person or vehicle to be protected and an outer face, which, in use, faces a threat source, said inner and outer faces being substantially parallel in a flat or curved plane, wherein said outer face has a series of projections formed thereon extending outwardly from the surface of said outer face, each said projection being substantially hemispherically shaped.  
   
   
       2 . The armour plate of  claim 1 , wherein said armour plate is comprised of ceramic.  
   
   
       3 . The armour plate of  claim 1 , wherein said projection includes a longitudal channel therein.  
   
   
       4 . The armour plate of  claim 1 , wherein said projections all have the same size.  
   
   
       5 . The armour plate of  claim 4 , wherein the projections are of different sizes.  
   
   
       6 . The armour plate of  claim 5 , wherein the projections form a regular pattern of high density.  
   
   
       7 . The armour plate of  claim 1 , wherein the projections are distributed in a regular pattern.  
   
   
       8 . The armour system of  claim 1 , wherein the projections are distributed in a random pattern.