GB2494643A

GB2494643A - Modular armour assembly unit

Info

Publication number: GB2494643A
Application number: GB1115806.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon James Hurst
Original assignee: MTL GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: MTL GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-13
Filing date: 2011-09-13
Publication date: 2013-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-13
Also published as: GB201115806D0; GB2494643B

Abstract

A modular armour assembly unit 10 for attachment to an armoured vehicle, comprises a solid back plate 12 and a front plate 14 having a plurality of apertures 14a. The front plate 14 is spaced from the back plate 12. The back plate 12 and the front plate 14 are arranged substantially parallel to one another and are connected to each other by connecting means. A cover plate 16 covers the apertures 14a on the front plate 14 on the opposite side of the front plate 14 to the back plate 12. Side plates 17 extend between edges of the front plate 14 and back plate 12 and oriented substantially perpendicular to the planes of the front plate 14 and back plate 12. Mounting means 18 mount the modular armour assembly unit 10 to a vehicle in a spaced arrangement so that the back plate 12 is disposed between the vehicle and the front plate 14.

Description

Modular Armour Assembly Unit [0001] This invention relates to an armour assembly unit, and, more specifically, to a modular armour assembly unit for mounting to an armoured vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002J Vehicles, such as military vehicles, sometimes require armour to protect the vehicle and its occupants from harm when the vehicle is in a hostile environment, for example. The type of armour used on a vehicle will primarily depend on the type of anticipated threat, but consideration will also need to be given to the effect of the armour on the vehicle's performance (e.g. the effect on speed and/or manoeuvrability due to the weight of the armour).

[0003 It is known to use perforated armour plates to protect against kinetic energy projectites such as ballistic firearm ammunition. Perforated armour comprises a sheet of armour, such as hardened steel, with a plurality of holes therethrough. In addition to being less heavy than solid armour (due to the presence of the holes), perforated armour can provide improved protection against ballistic projectiles. This improved protection at least partly arises from the increase in edged surfaces (i.e. around each hole) that are presented to an incoming ballistic projectile.

With an increase in edged surfaces, an incoming ballistic projectile is statistically more likely to impact (or, at least, partially impact) on one of the edged surfaces and thereby experience a higher pressure than it would if it was to impact on a flat surface (such as unperforated armour).

The increase of pressure increases the likelihood of the ballistic projectile disintegrating on impact or being deflected and thereby reducing its energy, and thus its ability to penetrate the armour. Perforated armour can provide an effective defense that is light weight and cheap to manufacture in comparison to some solid armour plates.

[0004] An example of a perforated armour assembly is shown in EP-A-0209221 (The State of Israel Ministry of Defence Rafael -Armament Development Authority) where a perforated armour wall is mounted in a spaced arrangement to the conventional armoured wall of a vehicle.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention, to provide an armour assembly that improves

over known prior art arrangements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular armour assembly unit for attachment to an armoured vehicle, comprising: a solid back plate; a front plate comprising a plurality of apertures therethrough, the front plate being spaced from the back plate and connected thereto by connecting means, wherein the back plate and the front plate are arranged substantially parallel to one another; a cover plate covering the perforations of the front plate on the opposite side of the front plate to the back plate; side plates extending between edges of the front plate and back plate and oriented substantially perpendicular to the planes of the front plate and back plate; and mounting means for mounting the modular armour assembly unit to a vehicle in a spaced arrangement so that the back plate is disposed between the vehicle and the front plate.

[0007] The modular armour assembly unit comprises a front plate that comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough, and may therefore be referred to as "perforated". The apertures (or perforations) reduce the overall weight of the armour assembly unit which therefore minimizes the effect on a vehicle's maneuverability when the unit is mounted thereon. In preferable embodiments, the presence of the apertures reduces the weight of the unit by up to 40%, when compared with an identical assembly that does not have any apertures.

[00081 The cover plate is not necessarily intended to provide any protection from incoming projectiles, although arrangements where the cover plate does provide additional protection are not necessarily outside the scope of the present invention. The cover plate prevents dirt, sand, and other unwanted material from entering and clogging the apertures of the front plate.

Additionally, the cover plate conceals the presence of the apertures to an observer. This is beneficial in theatre where an enemy may choose a particular type of weapon depending on what armour he sees his target is using. Preventing an enemy from knowing that perforated armour is being used will prevent the most effective weapon being deliberately chosen by the enemy. Similarly, the side plates conceal the presence of the apertures and prevent the ingress of dirt, sand and other unwanted material from entering the apertures or the space between the front plate and the back plate.

[0009] As known in the art, perforated armour has the effect of changing the path of an incoming projectile, thereby reducing its kinetic energy. In some instances, a projectile striking an edge of an aperture of the perforated armour may break or disintegrate on impact. In the presently claimed arrangement, the front plate acts to reduce the kinetic energy of incoming projectiles and potentially damage them. The projectiles, having less kinetic energy, are then less likely to penetrate the back plate. However, in some cases, the projectiles may indeed penetrate the back plate, despite having a reduced kinetic energy due to impact with the front plate. Nevertheless, the modular armour assembly unit is configured to be mounted to an armoured vehicle in a spaced arrangement so that the back plate is disposed between the vehicle and the front plate. Therefore, in the event that the projectile penetrates the back plate, the further reduction in kinetic energy due to impact with the back plate means that the projectile will be unable to penetrate the armour of the armoured vehicle, spaced beyond the back plate.

The spacing between the back plate and the armoured vehicle ensures that the kinetic energy absorbed by the back plate is not transferred to the armoured vehicle.

[0010] Being modular, the armour assembly of the present invention can be mounted and unmounted to a vehicle when required, meaning that the vehicle's speed and maneuverability is not unnecessarily compromised when traveling through known safe areas.

(0011] In a preferable embodiment, the side plates and cover plate comprise a single component, making manufacturing simpler and faster.

10012] The connecting means are preferably also the mounting means, and further preferably comprise a plurality of bolts that pass through the front plate and back plate. In some preferable embodiments, the bolts additionally pass through the cover plate.

(0013] The modular armour assembly unit preferably further comprises spacing means for maintaining relative spacing and limiting relative movement between the front plate and back plate. The spacing means preferably comprise a plurality of plate spacing bushes disposed between the front plate and the back plate. In one preferable embodiment, the plate spacing bushes are made of nylon.

(0014] In a particularly preferable embodiment, each of the plate spacing bushes comprises a cylindrical element with a bore, wherein one of the bolts is disposed through the bore of each plate spacing bush.

(0015] In a further or alternative preferable embodiment, the mounting means includes a plurality of unit spacing bushes for maintaining relative spacing and limiting relative movement between the modular armour assembly unit and a vehicle when mounted thereto. The plate spacing bushes are preferably made of nylon. In one embodiment, each of the unit spacing bushes comprises a cylindrical element with a bore, wherein one of the bolts is disposed through the bore of each unit spacing bush.

(0016] In a particularly preferable embodiment, the unit spacing bushes are sized so as to maintain a relative spacing between the back plate and an armoured vehicle of between 20 and mm, and preferably 25mm, when the modular armour assembly unit is mounted to the armoured vehicle. Spacings within this range mean that the modular armour assembly unit is not mounted too far away from the surface of the armoured vehicle, which may affect maneuverability, nor too close so as to transfer kinetic energy of incoming projectiles.

(0017] In particularly preferable embodiments, the back plate has a thickness of between 2 and 4 mm, and is preferably 3 mm thick; and/or the front plate has a thickness of between 4 and 6 mm, and is preferably 5 mm thick; and/or the cover plate has a thickness of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and is preferably 1 mm thick.

[0018] The spacing between the front plate and the back plate is preferably between 30 and 50 mm, and is preferably 40 mm. This preferable range is ideal since a spacing too small will result in a higher percentage of projectiles penetrating the back plate, thereby increasing the likelihood of projectiles penetrating the armour of the armoured vehicle, and a spacing too large would increase the size of the unit on the side of a vehicle beyond an acceptable amount, thereby inhibiting maneuverability.

(0019] In one preferable embodiment, the plurality of apertures of the front plate are circular holes each having a diameter of between 4 and 6 mm, and preferably 5 mm. Further preferably, the holes are arranged on a triangular pitch of between 6 and 10 mm, and preferably 8 mm. These parameters result in a particularly effective armour system. However, depending on the type of anticipated threat, different parameters may be chosen within the scope of the present invention.

[0020] The front plate is preferably made of a harder material than the back plate to improve the effectiveness of the unit. In preferable embodiments, the front plate comprises ultra high hard (UHH) steel, and/or the back plate comprises high hard (HH) steel. In a particularly preferable embodiment, the front plate has a Brinell hardness number of between 575 and 625 HB, preferably 600 HB, and the back plate has a Brinell hardness number of between 475 and 525 HB, preferably 500 HB.

(0021] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an armoured vehicle comprising an armoured wall and a modular armour assembly unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the modular armour assembly unit is mounted to the armoured wall such that the back plate is spaced from the armoured wall and is disposed between the armoured wall and the front plate.

(0022] As described above with reference to the first aspect of the present invention, the spacing between the armoured wall and the back plate is preferably between 20 and 30 mm, and is preferably 25 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a modular armour assembly unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, without a cover plate; and Figure 2 is a side view of the modular armour assembly unit of Figure 1, including a cover plate and side plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show a front view and a side view, respectively, of a modular armour assembly unit 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The armour unit assembly 10 comprises a solid back plate 12 and a front plate 14 comprising a plurality of apertures 14a therethrough. The front plate 14 is mounted to the back plate 12 by a plurality of bolts 18 that extend through the front plate 14 and into the back plate 12. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the bolts 18 also extend through the back plate so as to provide mounting means for mounting the modular armour assembly unit 10 to an armoured vehicle (not shown). In other embodiments, the mounting means may be separate from the connecting means that hold the front plate 14 and back plate 12 together, which may comprise something other than bolts 18.

[0025] The front plate 14 is mounted to the back plate 12 in a spaced arrangement. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the spaced arrangement is maintained by plate spacing bushes 20a that are disposed between the front plate 14 and the back plate 12 around the bolt 18. Additionally, unit spacing bushes 20b are disposed on the portion of the bolts 18 that protrudes through the back plate 12, on the opposite side to the front plate 14. The unit spacing bushes 20b are intended to maintain a predetermined spacing between the back plate 12 and the armoured wall of an armoured vehicle when the unit 10 is mounted thereto. The plate spacing bushes 20a and the unit spacing bushes 20b may be made of nylon or another suitable material.

[0026] The unit 10 is covered by a cover plate 16 over the front plate 14 and at sides by side plates 17. The side plates 17 are orientated perpendicularly with respect to the cover plate 16 and extend across the gap between the front plate 14 and the back plate 12 in proximity to the edges of the front plate 14 and back plate 12. The cover plate 16 is omitted from the view shown in Figure 1. In preferable embodiments, like the one shown in Figure 2, the cover plate 16 and the side plates 17 are one integral component that is formed into the required shape.

[0027] The cover plate 16 covers the apertures 14a of the front plate to prevent any unwanted material, such as sand and dirt, from entering the apertures, and the cavity between the front plate 14 and the back plate 12. Indeed, the side plates 17 also serve this purpose. Additionally, the cover plate 16 and the side plates 17 conceal the existence of the apertures 14a from an outside observer, thereby hiding crucial information regarding the specific type of armour from a potential enemy.

[0028] The back plate 12 may be larger in area than the front plate 14 so that when the cover plate 16 and side plates 17 are assembled, a small flange 12a of the back plate 12 is defined around the edge of the back plate 12. The side plates 17 (and cover plate 16 if integral to the side plates 17) may attach to the back plate by a dovetail or alternative suitable connection.

[0029] The front plate 14 shown in Figure 1 includes circular apertures 14a arranged in a triangularformation. A non-perforated region 14b surrounds the apertures in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Alternative embodiments may include non-circular apertures arranged in any suitable pattern, and the front plate 14 may not necessarily include a non-perforated region 14b. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the bolts 18 pass through the non-perforated region 14b as this is a particularly effective arrangement.

[0030] In a particularly preferable embodiment, the unit spacing bushes 20a are sized so as to maintain a relative spacing between the back plate 12 and an armoured wall of an armoured vehicle of between 20 and 30 mm, and preferably 25mm, when the modular armour assembly unit 10 is mounted to the armoured vehicle.

[0031] In particularly preferable embodiments, the back plate 12 has a thickness of between 2 and 4 mm, and is preferably 3 mm thick; and/or the front plate 14 has a thickness of between 4 and 6 mm, and is preferably 5 mm thick; and/or the cover plate 16 (and/or side plates 17) has a thickness of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and is preferably 1 mm thick.

[0032] The spacing between the front plate 14 and the back plate 12 is preferably between 30 and 50 mm, and is preferably 40 mm.

[0033] In one preferable embodiment, the plurality of apertures 14a of the front plate 14 are circular holes each having a diameter of between 4 and 6 mm, and preferably 5 mm. Further preferably, the holes are arranged on a triangular pitch of between 6 and 10 mm, and preferably 8mm.

[0034] The front plate 14 is preferably made of a harder material than the back plate 12 to improve the effectiveness of the unit. In preferable embodiments, the front plate 14 comprises ultra high hard (UHH) steel, and/or the back plate 12 comprises high hard (HH) steel. In a particularly preferable embodiment, the front plate 14 has a BrineD hardness number of between 575 and 625 HB, preferably 600 HB, and the back plate 12 has a Brinell hardness number of between 475 and 525 HB, preferably 500 HB.

[0035] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words comprise" and contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0036] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0037] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A modular armour assembly unit for attachment to an armoured vehicle, comprising: a solid back plate; a front plate comprising a plurality of apertures therethrough, the front plate being spaced from the back plate and connected thereto by connecting means, wherein the back plate and the front plate are arranged substantially parallel to one another; a cover plate covering the perforations of the front plate on the opposite side of the front plate to the back plate; side plates extending between edges of the front plate and back plate and oriented substantially perpendicular to the planes of the front plate and back plate; and mounting means for mounting the modular armour assembly unit to a vehicle in a spaced arrangement so that the back plate is disposed between the vehicle and the front plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 1, wherein the side plates and cover plate comprise a single component.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting means are also the mounting means.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 3, wherein the connecting means and mounting means comprise a plurality of bolts that pass through the front plate and back plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 4, wherein the bolts additionally pass through the cover plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, further comprising spacing means for maintaining relative spacing and limiting relative movement between the front plate and back plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 6, wherein the spacing means comprise a plurality of plate spacing bushes disposed between the front plate and the back plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein the plate spacing bushes are made of nylon.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 7 or 8 when dependent on claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the plate spacing bushes comprises a cylindrical element with a bore, wherein one of the bolts is disposed through the bore of each plate spacing bush.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means includes a plurality of unit spacing bushes for maintaining relative spacing and limiting relative movement between the modular armour assembly unit and a vehicle when mounted thereto.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 10, wherein the plate spacing bushes are made of nylon.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 10 or 11 when dependent on claim 4 015, wherein each of the unit spacing bushes comprises a cylindrical element with a bore, wherein one of the bolts is disposed through the bore of each unit spacing bush.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A modular armour assembly unit according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the unit spacing bushes are sized so as to maintain a relative spacing between the back plate and an armoured vehicle of between 20 and 30 mm, and preferably 25mm, when the modular armour assembly unit is mounted to the armoured vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the back plate has a thickness of between 2 and 4 mm, and is preferably 3 mm thick.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the front plate has a thickness of between 4 and 6 mm, and is preferably 5 mm thick.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover plate has a thickness of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and is preferably 1 mm thick.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing between the front plate and the back plate is between 30 and 50 mm, and is preferably 40 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of apertures of the front plate are circular holes each having a diameter of between 4 and 6 mm, and preferably 5 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 18, wherein the holes are arranged on a triangular pitch of between 6 and 10 mm, and preferably 8 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the front plate is made of a harder material than the back plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 20, wherein the front plate comprises ultra high hard (UHH) steel.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A modular armour assembly unit according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the back plate comprises high hard (HH) steel.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A modular armour assembly unit according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the front plate has a Brinell hardness number of between 575 and 625 HB, preferably 600 HB, and the back plate has a Brinell hardness number of between 475 and 525 HB, preferably 500 HB.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A modular armour assembly unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover plate comprises steel, and preferably a low carbon steel.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. An armoured vehicle comprising an armoured wall and a modular armour assembly unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the modular armour assembly unit is mounted to the armoured wall such that the back plate is spaced from the armoured wall and is disposed between the armoured wall and the front plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. An armoured vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the spacing between the armoured wall and the back plate is between 20 and 30 mm, and is preferably 25 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A modular armour assembly unit for attachment to an armoured vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>