Affixable armor tiles

Abstract

Affixable armor that can be used to provide additional protection for a surface is described. The affixable armor includes polygonal ceramic tiles that can be attached directly to a surface, or first attached to a carrier sheet which is then attached to a surface. A visco-elastic polymer can be used to help absorb projectile impact. The ceramic tiles include a substantially conical or pyramidal deflecting front surface to provide additional protection. The ceramic tiles can be placed so that they are spaced to provide a gap with a width that is less than the diameter of an expected ballistic threat in order to provide additional projection. The affixable armor can be configured for rapid removal and replacement, or it may be permanently affixed to the surface.

1 . An affixable armor sheet, comprising:
 a plurality of adjacent polygonal ceramic tiles comprising a base, sides, and a substantially conical or pyramidal deflecting front surface;   a carrier sheet with a front side and a back side; and   attachment means for attaching the base of the polygonal ceramic tiles to the front side of the flexible carrier sheet.   
   
   
       2 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the back side of the carrier sheet includes an adhesive. 
   
   
       3 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprise an adhesive. 
   
   
       4 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprise a mechanical fastener. 
   
   
       5 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic tiles are encased in a retaining polymer. 
   
   
       6 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic tiles include a cavity containing a fire-retarding material. 
   
   
       7 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein a shock absorbing material is provided on the base of the ceramic tiles. 
   
   
       8 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the deflecting front surface of the ceramic tiles includes a ridge that flares upwards above the sides of the ceramic tiles. 
   
   
       9 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic tiles are spaced apart by a gap with a width that is substantially less than the diameter of an expected ballistic threat. 
   
   
       10 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 9 , wherein the gap has a width of less than 2 millimeters. 
   
   
       11 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 9 , wherein the gap has a width of less than or equal to 0.25 millimeters. 
   
   
       12 . The affixable armor sheet of  claim 1 , wherein an affixable armor sheet is placed on each of two surfaces that meet at an angle, and one or more gap-filling ceramic tiles are positioned between the two affixable armor sheets and over the intersection of the two surfaces. 
   
   
       13 . A composite armor sheet comprising:
 a layer of adjacent polygonal ceramic tiles comprising a base, sides, and a front surface encased in a retaining polymer positioned over a carrier sheet, wherein the ceramic tiles are spaced apart by a gap with a width that is less than the diameter of an expected ballistic threat.   
   
   
       14 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the gap has a width that is less than half the diameter of the expected ballistic threat. 
   
   
       15 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the gap has a width of less than 2 millimeters. 
   
   
       16 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 13 , wherein gap has a width of less than or equal to 0.25 millimeters. 
   
   
       17 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the ceramic tiles have a non-spherical deflecting front surface to shatter and disrupt hardened and explosively formed projectiles earlier in impact than flat tiles further from vehicle in same or less weight than competitive flat tiles. 
   
   
       18 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the deflecting front surface of the ceramic tiles is substantially conical or pyramidal. 
   
   
       19 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 17 , wherein the deflecting front surface of the ceramic tiles includes a ridge that flares upwards above the sides of the ceramic tiles to deflect shattered particles away from the armor and the vehicle. 
   
   
       20 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 19 , wherein the ridge increases the strength of the sides of the ceramic tiles. 
   
   
       21 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the ceramic tiles include a cavity positioned on the back of the ceramic tile that deforms upon projectile impact to decrease damage to the vehicle and/or adjacent ceramic tiles. 
   
   
       22 . The composite armor sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the ceramic tiles include a cavity containing a fire-retarding material.