Ceramic Armor Plate, an Armor System, and a Method of Manufacturing a Ceramic Armor Plate

Abstract

A ceramic armor plate is proposed which is formed in one piece and which comprises a plurality of connected segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, whereby the crack stoppers serve to prevent the propagation of cracks from one segment to a neighboring segment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT / EP2005 / 005172, filed May 12, 2005, and also claims the benefit of German Application No. 10 2004 026 515.1, filed May 19, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a ceramic armor plate. Furthermore, the invention relates to an armor system. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic armor plate. [0003] An armor system is known from, for example, EP 0 810 415 B1 (DE 697 07 560 T2). An armor system may comprise a plurality of ceramic tiles arranged in a tile layer. The purpose of the ceramic tiles is to destroy the core of a striking projectile due to the hardness of the ceramic. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with the invention, a ceramic armor plate and an armor system that can be produced in a simple manner are provided. A c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] In accordance with the invention, a ceramic armor plate and an armor system that can be produced in a simple manner are provided. A ceramic armor plate is formed in one piece and comprises a plurality of connected segments which are functionally separated by crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers serve to prevent the propagation of cracks from one segment to a neighboring segment. In accordance with the invention, a one-piece armor plate incorporating integrally produced crack stoppers is provided. The manufacturing process is therefore considerable simplified since there is no need to manufacture a plurality of individual tiles which must then be joined together, but rather, a whole plate covering a larger surface area is manufactured in an integral manner. Since a joining process is not necessary, the problems associated therewith are also avoided. For example, deformation and a decrease in size can occur when manufacturing ceramic plates. If ceramic tiles are to be joined, then this requires a complex manufacturing process in order to join them such that the tiles match precisely with only small width gaps between the tiles. In the case of the ceramic armor plate in accordance with the invention, however, such a joining process is not necessary and, thus, the manufacturing process is less complex.

[0005] The crack stoppers can be formed in a simple manner during the manufacturing process; for example, by means of cracks produced in a defined manner or by means of grooves which are formed before the ceramicization process. It is thereby possible to produce the functional segments such that they are defined for the desired field of application.

Problems solved by technology

For example, deformation and a decrease in size can occur when manufacturing ceramic plates.

If individual tiles are joined, then it is considerably more difficulty to produce such a curved arrangement since the tiles in the composite tile structure may be of different curvature.

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