Self diagnostic armor structure
US8333140B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41H5/0442
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A unit of modular armor. The module has a box-like, optically opaque outer shell of ballistic-protection material enclosed to exclude light from the module's interior. The shell contains transparent armor plates and the shell contains a self-diagnostic system for ascertaining whether the plates have been damaged. The self-diagnostic system includes a first PC board disposed along first edges of the plates, the board being divided into strips on which are mounted rows of lights. The self-diagnostic system further includes a second PC board at second, opposed edges of the plates divided into strips on which are mounted rows of light receptors. The PC boards incorporate circuitry for illuminating the rows of the lights in a row-by-row sequence, and for allowing activation only of the receptors directly opposed to illuminated lights. This circuitry has an analysis means for determining the health of the plates in response to signals from the receptors. The armor module has a transparent, elastomeric, adhesive matrix within the shell in which each of the plates and boards are suspended and encapsulated, wherein the matrix occupies all space not occupied by other elements within the shel…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.