FERROMAGNETIC POWDER ELECTROMAGNETICALY REINFORCED

This invention regards an armor system with the use of compressed powder (Figl.l) (granules or particles) consist of magnetic or non-magnetic pulverized material (Fe, Ni, Co,) or other similar synthetic material (non-magnetic core in a magnetic casing) enhancing or increasing the requisite

& Figl.3) under the influence of an assisting electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic reinforcement is achieved by means of a device comprising electromagnets or coils (Figl.4) in sufficient layers and numbers, at the internal passive armor plate or any other possible conformation. The electromagnets or coils are connected electrically with a battery or generator (Figl.5) that provides the energy required and supplied from the electric power unit of the vehicle. These electromagnets or coils are activated instantly from a group of impact sensors, wired or wireless positioned at the passive armor plate.

Modern armor of main battle tanks features the use of very sophisticated materials and composites, in order to prevent the penetration from the anti-tank projectiles (rounds and missiles). The most effective and dangerous class of modern anti-tank warheads is based on the application of high kinetic energy penetrators (e.g. APFSDS) are made of appropriately shaped (usually like an arrow) materials of extremely high hardness and specific weight (e.g. depleted uranium or tungsten carbide). In an attempt to achieve a reliable defense against this class of anti-tank warheads are developed deferent types of reactive armor (explosive and non-explosive). The latest generations of these warheads makes the actual armor of modern battle tanks and armor vehicles probably inadequate as presumed from the experience of the battlefield.

The present invention has the goal of reinforcing the armor of main battle tanks and other armored vehicles increasing dramatically its resistance to penetration. This happens because the mass of powder (granules or particles) of ferromagnetic or composite materials compressed between the two passive armor plates has a totally different behavior than any compact homogeneous material. The anti-tank warhead due to the extremely high kinetic energy and the high specific weight of the core penetrates any type of compact - homogeneous armor. In the case of compressed pulverized granular material (ferromagnetic or composite), the penetrator doesn't encounter a compact material structure as the granules, during the penetration, have the tendency to retreat due to the high pressure applied from the penetrator (Fig2.7) compressing the granules located around it and make them move in the infinitely small spaces between them. In this way is achieved a very important diffusion of the kinetic energy of the penetrator from the tip area to the surrounding area towards all directions. The result of this procedure is that the velocity of the penetrator dramatically slowing.

At the moment of the impact of the penetrator at the external passive homogeneous armor plate are activated suitable sensors (Figl.6) (wired or wireless) located at the internal homogeneous armor plate (Figl.3) (or optionally at the external plate (Figl.2) if there is also reactive armor). From these sensors is given the command to a layout of electromagnets or coils (Figl.4), located at the internal passive armor plate, to create instantly a very strong magnetic field (Fig2.10) magnetizing the ferromagnetic (or composite) powder (Figl.l) (granules or particles) and make them further compressed offering in zero time additional dynamical reinforcement of the armor.

The invention is represented in the figures Fig.l and Fig.2: in an exemplary and schematic way. The figures are representing the following: Fig.l: A transverse section of the dynamic armor system of main battle tanks and armored vehicles. Fig.2: A transverse magnified section of the dynamic armor system at the moment of the intrusion of the penetrator.

The figure one (Figl) represented the structure of the dynamic armor system of main battle tanks or armored vehicles. Between the two plates of homogeneous armor (Figl.2 & Figl.3) there is a suitably configured closed space that is filled with pulverized compressed material (like powder, granules or particles) of ferromagnetic (Fe,Ni,Co etc.) or other composite materials (e.g. synthetic core within ferromagnetic casing) enhancing or increasing the requisite mechanical properties (Figl.l). At the internal armor plate there is a suitably configured layout of electromagnets or coils (Figl.4) connected electrically with a source of DC power (Figl.5) capable to supply instantly high voltage and sufficient current intensity in order to create, for an instant, a strong magnetic field. The electrical activation of electromagnets and coils is achieved with a command from an appropriate layout of impact sensors (Figl.6) (wired or wireless). These sensors, instantly, perceive the impact of the penetrator on the armor of the vehicle. The power supply of the DC source comes from the batteries or the electric generator of the vehicle or any other known technical solution. The energy requirements of the system are not very high due to the infinitesimal small time of operation of the system.

The figure two (Fig.2) represented the structure of the armor system, in magnification, at the moment the penetrator (Fig2.7) has penetrated the external homogeneous armor plate (Fig2.2) and is moving in the space of the compressed magnetized (or non-magnetized) ferromagnetic (or composite) pulverized material (Fig2.1) and at the same time is activated the dynamic magnetic field created from the electromagnets or coils (Fig2.4). The penetrator has a high kinetic energy and high specific weight and so exerts force (Fig2.8) compressing the already compressed ferromagnetic or composite pulverized material. The compressed pulverized material reacts exerting equal force

(Fig2.9) to the penetrator dramatically slowing its course. With this dynamic armor system the impact force of the penetrator is diffusing from the tip of the «arrow» to all directions of the surrounding wide area of pulverized material. At the same time the phenomenon of continuous diffusion of the impact force of the penetrator is reinforced dynamically from the magnetic field lines

(Fig2.10) appropriately directed. The magnetic field is attracting and compressing more the pulverized material towards the area of the internal plate increasing exponentially the resistance at the force of the penetrator and reducing greatly the probability of perforation of the internal homogeneous armor plate.