| WO2003085352A1 | 2003-10-16 |
| US2283484A | 1942-05-19 | |||
| US3590685A | 1971-07-06 | |||
| US5402704A | 1995-04-04 | |||
| DE2409876A1 | 1975-09-04 |
| Patent claims
1. The moving armour, characterised in that it is yielding armour which means that it yields when exposed to missile impact and is not subject to damage, consists of a stationary plate I]I and overlapping flat rectangular elements 121, each of which is connected with the stationary plate /1/ by means of at least two springs /3/.
2. The armour according to the claim 1, characterised in that the stationary plate I]] is provided with an articulated element IVI at its end.
3. The armour according to the claim 1, characterised in that it consists of two double walls provided with internal springs where one spring is lifted upward, Fig. 3 and 4, by the articulated element /P/. |
The invention concerns moving armour.
It may provide lateral protection for tanks and additionally, mounted rotationally, for such elements as wheels with caterpillars, gun turret and stationary lateral armour.
The moving armour according to the invention consists of a stationary panel and overlapping flat rectangular elements, each of which is connected with the stationary panel by means of at least two springs, where the stationary panel is provided with an articulated element at its end.
Advantageously, the stationary panel is provided with an articulated element at its end.
The moving armour according to the invention effectively absorbs the energy of a missile blow as it is elastic armour. Its elements can be easily replaced after they are damaged by a missile.
The embodiment of the invention is presented by way of drawings where Fig. 1 shows the cross-section of the moving armour, Fig. 2 shows this armour as stationary lateral armour, Fig. 3 shows this armour in a position where it protects the tank's wheels and caterpillar, and Fig. 4 shows this armour in a position where it protects the tank's gun turret.
The moving armour consists of a stationary panel 1 and overlapping flat rectangular elements 2. These can be plates or flat bars. Each such plate is fastened to the stationary plate 1 with at least two springs 3. Usually there are three or four such springs. The stationary plate may have an articulated element P at its end. By means of this element, the armour can be fastened to a specific lateral element of the tank, depending on the region which is to be protected. Thus, the moving armour according to the invention is elastic armour which may undergo deformation under the missile energy which is partially absorbed during the deformation of the springs and rectangular plates.
The armour according to the invention may be used as tank's lateral armour (instead of the previously used armour of large thickness). To protect wheels and caterpillars, the armour is placed on the articulated joint in the lower part of the tank's lateral armour. Then, this armour may take the position, in which, when rotated downward, it protects wheels and caterpillar, or upward, when it is to protect the tank's lateral armour. In this position the armour protects also the soldiers conducting operations from the tank.
The moving armour may also protect the tank at the level of the gun turret. Then it is placed rotationally by means of an articulated joint at the level of the gun turret base, protecting also the crew coming out of the tank.