Barrier

Abstract

A passive barrier ( 10, 10′, 10″ ) configured to mitigate blast waves and decelerate incident material to reduce the risk of a sympathetic explosion of a nearby explosive and/or damage to nearby objects. The barrier redirects the force of an incident blast wave and the incident materials. The barrier can be erected near to explosive devices, inside vehicles transporting such devices or even exterior to the vehicle to protect it or personnel. The barrier can be configured to interlock with one or more barriers and can be formed with a foot or placed in a holder to increase its stability.

1 . A passive barrier for mitigating blast waves and decelerating incident material to reduce the risk of sympathetic explosions, wherein the barrier is configured to redirect the force of an incident blast wave, reduce the momentum of any incident material such that the mitigation of the effect of the blast wave and/or incident material causes the barrier to fragment thus rendering itself innocuous. 
   
   
       2 . A barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the barrier comprises at least one layer of a shock absorbing material covered on at least two opposing faces by a material which is capable of fragmenting. 
   
   
       3 . A barrier according to  claim 2  wherein the shock absorbing material is a foam. 
   
   
       4 . A barrier according to  claim 3  wherein the foam is a polyethylene foam. 
   
   
       5 . A barrier according to  claim 4  wherein the foam is expandable polyethylene foam. 
   
   
       6 . A barrier according to  claim 2  wherein the material which is capable of disintegrating is fibre glass. 
   
   
       7 . A barrier according to  claim 1  comprising one or more layers of a polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       8 . A barrier according to  claim 7  wherein the polyurethane foam is an impact resistant polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       9 . A barrier according to  claim 7  wherein there is a layer of fibre glass on or between the one or more layers of foam. 
   
   
       10 . A barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the barrier is further configured to interlock with one or more barriers. 
   
   
       11 . A barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the barrier is substantially planar. 
   
   
       12 . A barrier according to  claim 1  wherein at least part of the barrier is curved. 
   
   
       13 . A barrier according to any  claim 1  wherein the barrier is retained in position by means of a foot, holder or by suspension. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A plurality of barriers according to  claim 1  wherein the passage of all fragments is prevented. 
   
   
       16 . A barrier comprising an aluminum honeycomb structure for decelerating fragments of a detonated device to reduce the risk of sympathetic explosions and which is configured to have minimal mass which is not adequate to detonate a nearby explosive device. 
   
   
       17 . An explosive device comprising a barrier according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       18 . A vehicle comprising a barrier according to  claim 1 .