Multi-layer armor having lateral shock transfer

Abstract

Armor includes a projectile impermeable material layer and a shock stiffening layer. The shock stiffening layer has opposing shock stiffening sublayers wherein each shock stiffening sublayer has a plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements. The plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers are interdigitated. The armor includes a foam layer wherein the shock stiffening layer is positioned between the foam layer and the projectile impermeable material layer. The plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers may momentarily or permanently fuse in response to a projectile's impact. The shock stiffening layer spreads the energy laterally, thereby effectively mitigating the transfer of kinetic energy from a ballistic projectile directly to a region to be protected.

1 . A vesture comprising:
 a projectile impermeable material layer; and   an energy transfer layer positioned between said projectile impermeable material layer and a region of tissue to be protected;   said energy transfer layer spreading kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer substantially parallel to the region of tissue to be protected.   
   
   
       2 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said energy transfer layer is comprised of titanium. 
   
   
       3 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said energy transfer layer has a thickness conversion factor of about 5. 
   
   
       4 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said energy transfer layer has a thickness conversion factor of about 20. 
   
   
       5 . A vesture comprising:
 a projectile impermeable material layer;   a shock stiffening layer having opposed shock stiffening sublayers, each shock stiffening sublayer having a plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements, said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers being interdigitated; and   a foam layer;   said shock stiffening layer being positioned between said foam layer and said projectile impermeable material layer.   
   
   
       6 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements are tapered with straight sides. 
   
   
       7 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements are substantially convex shaped. 
   
   
       8 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said shock stiffening layer is comprised of titanium. 
   
   
       9 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers momentarily fuse in response to a projectile impact with said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       10 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers permanently fuse in response to a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       11 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a projectile impermeable material foam layer located between said projectile impermeable material layer and said shock stiffening layer. 
   
   
       12 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said shock stiffening layer is relatively flexible before a projectile impacts said projectile impermeable material layer and becomes relatively rigid in response to a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       13 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said shock stiffening layer absorbs a portion of the kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       14 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said shock stiffening layer converts a portion of the kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer to heat. 
   
   
       15 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said shock stiffening layer converts a portion of the kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer to heat. 
   
   
       16 . The vesture as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said shock stiffening layer slows a speed of a pressure wave, created by a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer, impinging on underlying tissue. 
   
   
       17 . Armor comprising:
 a projectile impermeable material layer; and   an energy transfer layer positioned between said projectile impermeable material layer and a region to be protected;   said energy transfer layer spreading kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer substantially parallel to the region to be protected.   
   
   
       18 . The armor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said energy transfer layer is comprised of titanium. 
   
   
       19 . The armor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said energy transfer layer has a thickness conversion factor of about 5. 
   
   
       20 . The armor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said energy transfer layer has a thickness conversion factor of about 20. 
   
   
       21 . The armor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said region to be protected is a region of a vehicle. 
   
   
       22 . The armor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said region to be protected is equipment. 
   
   
       23 . Armor comprising:
 a projectile impermeable material layer;   a shock stiffening layer having opposed shock stiffening sublayers, each shock stiffening sublayer having a plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements, said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers being interdigitated; and   a foam layer;   said shock stiffening layer being positioned between said foam layer and said projectile impermeable material layer.   
   
   
       24 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements are tapered with straight sides. 
   
   
       25 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements are substantially convex shaped. 
   
   
       26 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said shock stiffening layer is comprised of titanium. 
   
   
       27 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers momentarily fuse in response to a projectile impact with said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       28 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers permanently fuse in response to a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       29 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising a projectile impermeable material foam layer located between said projectile impermeable material layer and said shock stiffening layer. 
   
   
       30 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said shock stiffening layer is relatively flexible before a projectile impacts said projectile impermeable material layer and becomes relatively rigid in response to a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       31 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said shock stiffening layer absorbs a portion of the kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer. 
   
   
       32 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said shock stiffening layer converts a portion of the kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer to heat. 
   
   
       33 . The armor as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said shock stiffening layer converts a portion of the kinetic energy from a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer to heat. 
   
   
       34 . The armor as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said shock stiffening layer slows a speed of a pressure wave, created by a projectile impacting said projectile impermeable material layer, impinging on an underlying region to be protected. 
   
   
       35 . The armor as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said underlying region to be protected is a region of a vehicle. 
   
   
       36 . The armor as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said underlying region to be protected is equipment.