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 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A ceramic armour system comprising:
 a ceramic plate having a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface;   a front spall layer bonded to said front surface of said ceramic plate;   a first support layer bonded to said ceramic plate;   a second support layer bonded to said first support layer,   at least one of said support layers being selected from the group consisting of: ceramic components having uninterrupted outer surfaces, polymer-ceramic fibre composite components, plastic components, and combinations thereof.   
   
   
       10 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the support layers includes a ceramic component having an uninterrupted outer surface. 
   
   
       11 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 9 , wherein a rear spall layer is bonded to the second support layer. 
   
   
       12 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 9 , wherein the ceramic plate includes a plurality of abutting ceramic components. 
   
   
       13 . A ceramic armour system comprising:
 an armour plate including a first layer formed from a first ceramic material and a second layer formed from a second ceramic material, wherein the first layer has a different resistance to penetration by a projectile than the second layer.   
   
   
       14 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 13 , further including a front spall layer. 
   
   
       15 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 13 , further including a shock absorbing layer. 
   
   
       16 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 13 , further including a front spall layer and a shock absorbing layer. 
   
   
       17 . A ceramic armour system, comprising in front to back order, at least one layer each of:
 a front polycarbonate spall layer;   a ceramic plate having a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface;   a rear polycarbonate spall layer; and,   a backing.   
   
   
       18 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 17 , wherein the ceramic plate has a plurality of nodes disposed on a front surface thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The ceramic armour system of  claim 17 , wherein the ceramic plate includes a plurality of abutting ceramic components.