Embedding particle armor for vehicles

Abstract

An armor package in which RPGs, shaped charges, EFPs, other jets, and small arms threats are defeated using a layered solution incorporating particles designed to embed themselves in the incoming threat, thereby disrupting and diminishing the effectiveness of the threat. Additional components of the armor are designed to work in conjunction with this effect to completely defeat the incoming threat. This armor construction can provide alternatively a higher level of protection for either a given weight or space presently required by a conventional armor solution or an equivalent level of protection in reduced space or at reduced weight than is presently achievable with conventional armor solutions.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . Embedding particle armor, comprising
 a thin-walled cavity; and   a plurality of particles contained inside the thin-walled cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 19 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a longest linear dimension that is less than any longest linear dimension of an expected threat. 
     
     
         21 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 19 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a density greater than that of an expected threat. 
     
     
         22 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 19 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles is configured such that discrete particles embed on an expected threat rather than act homogenously. 
     
     
         23 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 19 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a longest linear dimension that is less than or equal to three fourths of an inch. 
     
     
         24 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 19 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a density that is less than or equal to 1,500 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         25 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 19 , wherein the thin-walled cavity has a thickness that is less than or equal to one and a half inches. 
     
     
         26 . Embedding particle armor, comprising
 a thin-walled cavity;   a plurality of particles contained inside the thin-walled cavity; and   a matrix that suspends the plurality of particles within the thin-walled cavity.   
     
     
         27 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 26 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a longest linear dimension that is less than any longest linear dimension of an expected threat. 
     
     
         28 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 26 , wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a density greater than that of an expected threat. 
     
     
         29 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of particles is configured such that discrete particles embed on an expected threat rather than act homogenously. 
     
     
         30 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 26 , wherein the matrix is passive. 
     
     
         31 . The embedding particle armor of  claim 26 , wherein the matrix is energetic. 
     
     
         32 . An armor system, comprising
 one or more thin-walled cavities;   a plurality of particles contained inside the one or more thin-walled cavities; and   two or more solid armor layers.   
     
     
         33 . The armor system of  claim 32 , further comprising a matrix that suspends the plurality of particles within the thin-walled cavity. 
     
     
         34 . The armor system of  claim 32 , wherein the solid armor layers further comprise a strike face that is closest to an expected threat;
 a base armor that is furthest from the expected threat;   one or more front layers arranged between the strike face and a first thin-walled cavity;   one or more intermediate layers arranged between the first thin-walled cavity and a second thin-walled cavity; and   one or more rear layers arranged between the second thin-walled cavity and the base armor.   
     
     
         35 . The armor system of  claim 32 , wherein the solid armor layers comprise a strike face that is closest to an expected threat and a base armor that is furthest from the expected threat;
 wherein at least one of the one or more thin-walled cavities is located between the strike face and the base armor; and   wherein at least one of the solid armor layers further comprises a front layer arranged between the strike face and the thin-walled cavity and having a thickness that is less than or equal to two and a half inches.   
     
     
         36 . The armor system of  claim 32 , wherein the solid armor layers comprise a strike face that is closest to an expected threat and a base armor that is furthest from the expected threat;
 wherein at least one of the one or more thin-walled cavities is located between the strike face and the base armor; and   wherein at least one of the solid armor layers further comprises a front layer arranged between the strike face and the thin-walled cavity having a sub-layer of ceramic material with a smallest dimension that is less than or equal to three fourths of an inch.   
     
     
         37 . The armor system of  claim 32 , wherein the solid armor layers comprise a strike face that is closest to the source of an expected threat and a base armor that is furthest from the source of the expected threat;
 wherein at least one of the one or more thin-walled cavities is located between the strike face and the base armor; and   wherein at least one of the solid armor layers further comprises a front layer arranged between the strike face and the thin-walled cavity with one face contiguous with the strike face and the opposite face contiguous with the thin-walled cavity.   
     
     
         38 . The armor system of  claim 32 , wherein the solid armor layers further comprise a strike face that is closest to an expected threat;
 a base armor that is furthest from the expected threat;   one or more front layers arranged between the strike face and a first thin-walled cavity; and   one or more intermediate layers arranged between a first thin-walled cavity and a second thin-walled cavity, wherein the width between a face of the first thin-walled cavity that is furthest from the expected threat and a face of the second thin-walled cavity that is closest to the expected threat is less than or equal to eight inches.