MOSAIC EXTREMITY PROTECTION SYSTEM WITH TRANSPORTABLE SOLID ELEMENTS

摘要

A method of protecting a user from a strike by a maximum threat includes adhesively bonding a plurality of solid elements to a support structure in a planar array, dimensions and material properties of the solid elements, support structure, and adhesive being selected to cause an impacted solid element to be dislodged by the maximum threat, and to combine its mass with the projectile for reduced velocity and increased impact area. The support structure is configured to fail in tensile and to allow the combined projectile and solid element to pass through the support structure. The solid elements can be ceramic, and can be commutated upon impact while remaining substantially intact. The solid elements can include titanium backing layers. After formation, ceramic cores can be compressed upon cooling by an outer ceramic layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, the outer layer being formed by glazing or doping.

主权项

1. A method for an armor system worn by a user to protect the user from a strike by a specified maximum projectile threat, said armor system including a plurality of solid elements bonded in a planar array to a flexible backer fabric layer of a supporting structure, said planar array having a strike side and a back side, the method including:
receiving an impact by the maximum projectile threat on an impacted solid element of the planar array; the impacted solid element dislodging as a whole from the planar array, the impacted solid element remaining substantially intact and combing substantially all of its mass with the mass of the maximum projectile threat, thereby providing a reduced velocity and an enlarged impact area of the combined solid element and projectile, as compared to a velocity and impact area of the maximum projectile threat alone; and the supporting structure failing in tensile and allowing the combined maximum projectile threat and impacted solid element to pass completely through the supporting structure before the maximum projectile threat has fully penetrated the impacted solid element.