Reactive protection arrangement

Abstract

The invention describes a rigid or flexible pyrotechnic protection surface which is free or integrated into a housing, for medium-heavily and lightly armored vehicles, protection arrangements and surfaces to be protected, corresponding to FIG. 1 , with a single-layer or multi-layer carrier ( 4 ) of any configuration which is inclined in the region of action of the threat and pyrotechnic layers ( 2, 3 ) mounted on the carrier on both sides. Shock waves and reaction gases are formed by the firing of both layers and are accelerated both in opposite relationship to and also in the direction of the penetrating hollow charge threat ( 1 ). In that way both the front powerful blast elements and also a great blast length are disrupted and thus lose their penetration capability or are at least greatly diminished in respect of their residual power. The pyrotechnic protection surface is disposed in a condition of dynamic equilibrium over the entire period of action. No influences which are destructive or relevant in terms of terminal ballistics are exerted on the external region or on the structure to be protected. To increase the overall effect selected explosive surfaces are covered on the inside and/or outside with non-metallic materials which do not form ballistic fragments so that they are set in motion at different speeds upon being blasted with a hollow charge. For practical use it is particularly advantageous if the wall of the housing is incorporated as one or more of the inert materials into the structure of the armoring arrangement. The combination of inert and pyrotechnic materials which are operative to afford protection, in conjunction with a suitable layering arrangement, means that the response time can be reduced in relation to known armoring arrangements to such an extent that only a very small part of the hollow charge blast can still penetrate the armoring. With such arrangements, the weight in relation to surface area which is necessary to afford protection can be markedly reduced in comparison with known reactive armoring arrangements without requiring a high-mass disruption layer which flies towards the vehicle. In that way only comparatively light structures are required on the vehicle side in contrast to known reactive protection systems.

1 . A reactive protection arrangement without fragment formation which is relevant in terms of terminal ballistics for an object to be protected, 
 characterized in that    two pyrotechnic layers which are inclined in the region of action of the threat are arranged on both sides on a rigid or flexible, single-layer or multi-layer carrier of any configuration, in such a way that after firing of the two layers shock waves and reaction gases are formed and are accelerated at an angle at very high speed both in opposite relationship to and also in the direction of the penetrating threat in such a way that the pyrotechnic protection surface is disposed almost over the entire period of action in a condition of dynamic equilibrium.    
   
   
       2 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the pyrotechnic layers has a free surface or is only slightly tamped at one or both sides, such as for example by foam or a thin metallic or non-metallic layer.  
   
   
       3 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the pyrotechnic layers are embedded in one or metallic or non-metallic materials of very low density and high compressibility as a matrix.  
   
   
       4 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the matrix is entirely or partially filled with materials such as for example fluids, gels or loose material.  
   
   
       5 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  wherein two or more structures are arranged one behind the other with or without a spacing in parallel relationship or at an angle relative to each other on the object to be protected.  
   
   
       6 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  wherein two or more pyrotechnic layers are arranged freely or in a housing in fixed, movable or releasable relationship.  
   
   
       7 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the housing comprises a material which does not form ballistically effective fragments.  
   
   
       8 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 6  wherein one or more chambers which are separated from each other and which are empty or which are filled with substances not forming fragments are arranged in the housing.  
   
   
       9 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 8  wherein one or more chambers with filling substances which break up and which do not form effective fragments such as gases, solids, liquids, gels, crystals, fibers or loose material are filled in the housing.  
   
   
       10 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the housing can be reduced or increased in respect of thickness by a reduced pressure or an increased pressure, by means of mechanical devices, gases or liquids, manually or controlled by way of sensors.  
   
   
       11 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the pyrotechnic layer at the vehicle side is backed by a buckling arrangement directly or at a spacing.  
   
   
       12 . A reactive protection arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the protection modules are integrated into an active armoring arrangement.