Cellular Core Armor Plate

Abstract

Armor plate is formed of a cellular substrate surrounded by alternating layers of fabric substrates and metallic substrates and contained in a box. The cellular substrate defines cells containing energy absorbing granular material and/or a shear thickening fluid, and the cells may be oriented perpendicular or parallel to the plane of the armor plate. Fabric substrates may be formed of woven para-aramid yarns and infused with shear thickening fluid, and the metallic substrates may be formed of titanium. The box may be formed of graphite epoxy composite or fiber glass reinforced resin. Armor plate according to the invention may be bolted in the field and fitted to vehicles, aircraft and naval vessels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Armor plate, comprising:
 a cellular substrate defining a plurality of cells arranged adjacent to one another, said cellular substrate having first and second faces oppositely disposed from one another;   a granular material positioned within at least some of said cells;   a first fabric substrate attached to said first face of said cellular substrate in overlying relation;   a second fabric substrate attached to said second face of said cellular substrate in overlying relation;   a first metallic substrate attached to said first fabric substrate in overlying relation;   a second metallic substrate attached to said second fabric substrate in overlying relation.   
     
     
         2 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , wherein said granular material is selected from the group consisting of S2 glass, graphite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising a shear thickening fluid contained within at least some of said cells. 
     
     
         4 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second fabric substrates comprise woven para-aramid yarns. 
     
     
         5 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second fabric substrates are infused with a shear thickening fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second metallic substrates comprise titanium. 
     
     
         7 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first panel attached to said first metallic substrate;   a second panel attached to said second metallic substrate; and   a plurality of side panels attached to said first and second panels and surrounding said cellular substrate.   
     
     
         8 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third fabric substrate attached to said first metallic substrate in overlying relation;   a fourth fabric substrate attached to said second metallic substrate in overlying relation.   
     
     
         9 . The armor plate according to  claim 8 , wherein said third and fourth fabric substrates comprise woven para-aramid yarns. 
     
     
         10 . The armor plate according to  claim 8 , wherein said third and fourth fabric substrates are infused with a shear thickening fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The armor plate according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first panel attached to said third fabric substrate;   a second panel attached to said fourth fabric substrate; and   a plurality of side panels attached to said first and second panels and surrounding said cellular substrate.   
     
     
         12 . The armor plate according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a third metallic substrate attached to said third fabric substrate in overlying relation;   a fourth metallic substrate attached to said fourth fabric substrate in overlying relation.   
     
     
         13 . The armor plate according to  claim 12 , wherein said third and fourth metallic substrates comprise titanium. 
     
     
         14 . The armor plate according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a fifth fabric substrate attached to said third metallic substrate in overlying relation;   a sixth fabric substrate attached to said fourth metallic substrate in overlying relation.   
     
     
         15 . The armor plate according to  claim 14 , wherein said fifth and sixth fabric substrates comprise woven para-aramid yarns. 
     
     
         16 . The armor plate according to  claim 14 , wherein said fifth and sixth fabric substrates are infused with a shear thickening fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The armor plate according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a first panel attached to said fifth fabric substrate;   a second panel attached to said sixth fabric substrate; and   a plurality of side panels attached to said first and second panels and surrounding said first cellular substrate.   
     
     
         18 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of said cells has a first and a second end oppositely disposed, said first ends of said first cells being attached to said first fabric substrate, said second ends of said cells being attached to said second fabric substrate, said granular material being captured within said at least some of said cells between said first and second fabric substrates. 
     
     
         19 . The armor plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side having a first side panel positioned between said first and second fabric substrates;   a second side arranged opposite to said first side and having a second side panel positioned between said first and second substrates; and   wherein each one of said cells has a first and a second end oppositely disposed, said first ends of said first cells being attached to said first side panel, said second ends of said cells being attached to said second side panel, said granular material being captured within said at least some of said cells between said first and second side panels.   
     
     
         20 . Armor plate, comprising:
 a cellular substrate defining a plurality of cells arranged adjacent to one another, said cellular substrate having first and second faces oppositely disposed from one another;   a granular material positioned within at least some of said cells;   a first fabric substrate attached to said first face of said cellular substrate in overlying relation;   a second fabric substrate attached to said second face of said cellular substrate in overlying relation;   a first metallic substrate attached to said first fabric substrate in overlying relation;   a second metallic substrate attached to said second fabric substrate in overlying relation;   a third fabric substrate attached to said first metallic substrate in overlying relation;   a fourth fabric substrate attached to said second metallic substrate in overlying relation;   a first panel attached to said third fabric substrate;   a second panel attached to said fourth fabric substrate; and   a plurality of side panels attached to said first and second panels and surrounding said first cellular substrate.