Armour

Abstract

Armour ( 10 ) for dissipating energy associated with an impacting projectile, the armour ( 10 ) including an impact absorption layer ( 12 ) supported by a backing ( 14 ), the impact absorption layer including a plurality of macroscopic particles ( 16 ) and a plurality of microscopic particles ( 20 ) which are substantially encapsulated by an at least partially flexible matrix ( 18 ), the microscopic particles ( 20 ) and macroscopic particles ( 16 ) being arranged to interact with one another such that when at least one of the macroscopic particles ( 16 ) is moved during an impact, the movement is at least partially transferred to the microscopic particles ( 20 ) thereby assisting to dissipate the impact energy.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . Armour for dissipating energy associated with an impacting projectile, the armour including an impact absorption layer supported by a backing, the impact absorption layer including:
 a plurality of macroscopic particles arranged in a spaced relationship relative to one another; and   an at least partially flexible matrix interposed between the plurality of macroscopic particles;   wherein the matrix is impregnated with substantially rigid microscopic particles so as to flexibly locate the microscopic particles between the macroscopic particles such that movement of at least one of the macroscopic particles by the impacting projectile is at least partially transferred to an adjacent at least one of the macroscopic particles by the microscopic particles thereby assisting to dissipate the impact energy.   
     
     
         3 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the microscopic particles are spherical. 
     
     
         4 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the microscopic particles have a diameter in the range of about 5 nm to 1 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the microscopic particles are formed from a ceramic material. 
     
     
         6 . The armour according to  claim 5 , wherein the ceramic materials include at least one of glass, silicon, fumed silica, alumina and kaolin clay. 
     
     
         7 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the matrix is composed of between about 10% and 100% microscopic particles. 
     
     
         8 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the matrix includes a polymer material impregnated with the microscopic particles. 
     
     
         9 . The armour according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymer material is at least one of a flexible or semi-flexible polymer adapted to retain the macroscopic particles and the microscopic particles. 
     
     
         10 . The armour according to  claim 9 , wherein the polymer material is at least one of flexible epoxy resin, polyethylene, polypropylene and silicon rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The armour according  claim 2 , wherein the macroscopic particles are spherical. 
     
     
         12 . The armour according to  claim 11 , wherein the diameter of the macroscopic particles is between about 1 mm and 100 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The armour according to  claim 11 , wherein the spacing between the macroscopic particles in the between about 0.5 mm and 20 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein multiple layers of macroscopic particles are provided, each layer being spaced apart from one another and being substantially encapsulated by the matrix. 
     
     
         15 . The armour according to  claim 14 , wherein the size of the macroscopic particles in each layer is substantially similar. 
     
     
         16 . The armour according to  claim 14 , wherein the sizes of the macroscopic particles in adjacent layers are of a different size. 
     
     
         17 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein an outermost layer of the macroscopic particles is partially exposed from the matrix. 
     
     
         18 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the backing includes side walls thereby bounding the impact absorption layer. 
     
     
         19 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the backing is formed from at least one of a metal such as titanium or aluminium, a composite plate of fibre cloth set in a rigid or flexible binder or a highly resistant material and a semi-flexible polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the backing is formed as a composite panel including a polymer material sandwiched between substantially rigid or semi-flexible sheets. 
     
     
         21 . The armour according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of macroscopic particles are arranged in a regular grid and held substantially in place by the matrix. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)