Multi-Functional Hybrid Panel For Blast and Impact Mitigation and Method of Manufacture

Abstract

This invention relates to a multifunctional structure for mitigating the effects of explosions and impeding the penetration of projectiles that is also highly effective at supporting structural (i.e. static) loads. By wrapping a tile in multiple layers of high-performance fabric, upon impact by a projectile additional tensile forces are created, aiding in the deceleration of the projectile. With added layers the tensile forces aiding projectile deceleration increase, resulting in a ballistic panel for use in multifunctional structural/armor systems having a lighter weight and greater stopping power than conventional armor systems in addition to functioning as part of a structure for supporting static loads.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a ballistic tile, comprising:
 wrapping a base the in high-performance fabric, yielding a wrapped tile; and   consolidating the wrapped panel to yield the ballistic tile.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein consolidating the wrapped tile further comprises using at least one of a hot press and an autoclave. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base the comprises at least one of a metallic tile, a ceramic tile, and a composite tile. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the composite tile further comprises a metallic frame with ceramic inserts. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises at least one of Kevlar®, Twaron®, Dyneema®, Spectra®, Zylon®, M5®, Nylon® and IM- and T-series carbon fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein wrapping the base the comprises at least two separate units of fabric wrapped in unique directions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least two separate units of fabric wrapped in unique directions alternate wrapping the base panel sequentially. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein wrapping the base panel in fabric comprises creation of multiple layers of wrapped fabric covering the base panel. 
     
     
         9 . A ballistic tile, comprising:
 a base the wrapped in at least two layers of high-performance fabric that have been consolidated, yielding a ballistic tile.   
     
     
         10 . The ballistic the of  claim 9 , wherein the high-performance fabric has been previously woven or layered into a ballistic fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The ballistic the of  claim 9 , the wrapped tile further comprising multiple layers of high-performance fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The ballistic the of  claim 9 , wherein the base the comprises at least one of aluminum, steel, magnesium, titanium, boron carbide, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide and cermets (metal matrix composites). 
     
     
         13 . The ballistic the of  claim 9 , wherein the base the comprises at least one of a metal, a ceramic, and a polymer composite. 
     
     
         14 . A multifunctional system for resisting ballistic projectiles and/or mitigating blast effects of explosions, comprising:
 a multi-tiered lattice structure with a top, a top cavity, a bottom cavity, a gap between the top cavity and the bottom cavity, and a bottom;   a blast mitigation material attached to the multi-tiered lattice structure in the bottom cavity; and   a ballistic panel wrapped in high-specific strength consolidated fabric attached to the multi-tiered lattice structure in the top cavity.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 at least one of a strike plate attached to the top of the multi-tiered lattice structure and a spall shield attached to the bottom or top of the multi-tiered lattice structure.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the ballistic panel further comprises at least one of a metal, a ceramic, and a metal-ceramic composite and fiber reinforced composites. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the high-specific strength consolidated fabric comprises at least one of Kevlar®, Twaron®, Dyneema®, Spectra®, Zylon®, M5®, Nylon® and IM- and T-series carbon fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the ballistic panel is wrapped by at least two rolls of high-specific strength fabric, sequentially alternating layers of fabric from the at least two rolls of high-specific strength fabric. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the at least two rolls of high-specific strength fabric wraps around the ballistic panel at least twice. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the gap between the top cavity and the bottom cavity has a depth associated with a dimension of the ballistic tile, the tensile strength of the fabric and the elongation to failure of the fabric. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the system is part of a static load bearing member of any one of:
 an architectural structure, a civil engineering structure, a military security/protection/defense structure, a machine structure, an automobile structure, a ship structure, a freight car structure, an aircraft structure, a spacecraft structure, a space station structure, and a submarine, structure.