EP3019813B1 - Armor against laser radiation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a laser armor for protecting an object, in particular a vehicle, from laser weapons with an armor element. Another object of the invention is a method for protecting an object from laser weapons with a armor element having laser armor. Another object of the invention finally forms a vehicle, in particular a military vehicle, with a laser armor.

Increasingly, for example, in the field of air defense and also the fight against mobile and immobile targets on land different Types of laser weapons are used, in which a high-energy laser beam is focused on a target to be attacked.
Due to the energy introduced via the laser beam, the target is strongly locally heated in the region of the irradiation point of the laser radiation, which can lead to destruction or at least impairment of the object up to its complete destruction even after short irradiation times.
As problematic in this context, for example, has proven in military land vehicles that the armor elements provided on these, although, for example, against ballistic projectiles or explosives are able to develop a good protective effect, but in the case of a laser attack are largely ineffective. This is mainly due to the fact that large amounts of energy are introduced into the existing example of a steel armoring armor over the laser beam, which can lead to destruction of the armor element after a short Einstrahldauer due to the associated heat development. In this context proposes DE 10 2009 040 661 A1 as a countermeasure against laser irradiation, a laser protection module which consists of a hollow body connectable to an object to be protected, the cavity of which is filled with a material that vaporizes or smoke-forms when irradiated with laser light. The object of the invention is to provide a laser armor, in which the protective effect against laser bombardment compared to conventional armor is significantly improved.
This problem is solved in a laser armor of the type mentioned in that it has a cooling system for dissipating introduced by the laser weapons in the armor element heat and the laser radiation detecting sensor for activating the cooling system. About the cooling system, the introduced by the impinging laser beam into the armor element heat from Einstrahlpunkt the laser radiation be derived. As a result, a heat input lying above the damage threshold of the material of the armor element in the region of the irradiation point can be avoided. The risk of material failure due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced.

An advantageous embodiment with regard to their cooling capacity provides that the cooling system has a cooling fluid. About the cooling fluid and larger amounts of heat can be removed easily.

It is advantageous in this context, when the cooling fluid circulates in a cooling circuit, which is guided by the armor element. The cooling circuit may be a closed circuit to which heat introduced via the laser radiation is supplied in the region of the armor element, which heat is then transported away via the cooling fluid and delivered to a delivery point. For discharging large amounts of heat, it has proved to be advantageous if the cooling circuit is a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a throttle, a condenser and an evaporator. Because of the in such a refrigerant circuit of a constant phase transformation underlying, serving as a cooling fluid refrigerant comparatively large amounts of heat can be dissipated.

A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid is passed from a reservoir coming through the armor element. In the reservoir, a certain amount of cooling fluid can be stored. In the case of a laser shot, the cooling fluid can be removed from the reservoir and used to cool the armor element. When passing through the armor element, the cooling fluid can absorb heat and then heated flow out of the armor element, for example in the direction of the vehicle environment.

A further embodiment provides that the cooling fluid heated by the laser radiation is guided out of an outlet provided in the lower region of the armor element and that cooling fluid of lower temperature is guided via an inlet provided in the upper region of the armor element. Cooler cooling fluid can first be fed into the armor element via the inlet. By absorbing heat introduced via the laser radiation, the cooling fluid can flow through the armor element and subsequently leave the armor element heated over the outlet.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the cooling fluid is applied to the armor element via a spray device. About the sprayer, the cooling fluid can be applied in a feintropfig and targeted to the armor element in the manner of a spray.

In this context, an embodiment provides that the spray device is arranged on the threat side of the armor element, in the interior of the armor element or on the object side of the armor element.

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the armor element has a chamber in which the cooling fluid is circulated. The cooling fluid can enter the chamber via an inlet and exit via an outlet. In the region of the inlet, a spraying device can be arranged. There may be provided a closed circuit in which the cooling fluid is circulated. For this purpose, a circulation pump and a cooling fluid which removes heat from the heated cooling fluid can be provided.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that a victim plate filled with cooling fluid is arranged on the threat side of the armor element. When the laser radiation hits the sacrificial plate, it is first heated by the incident laser beam. In this case, the fluid arranged within the sacrificial plate also heats up. After a certain time, the sacrificial plate is destroyed and the cooling fluid provided within the sacrificial plate leaves the sacrificial plate via the irradiation point of the laser radiation. The cooling fluid flowing in from above under the influence of gravity further cools the irradiation area, resulting in a certain cooling effect, before the laser beam strikes the actual armor plate after destruction of the sacrificial plate.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that a liquid gas, in particular cooled nitrogen, water, glycol, refrigerant, a Instand cooling fluid, a gel or a foam is used as cooling fluid.

In addition, it is proposed that the armor element comprise a plurality of interconnectable chambers, wherein in each chamber is a component of a multi-component fluid which produces a cooling effect after mixing due to a chemical reaction. The individual chambers can be connected to each other by the bombardment of the laser radiation by partition walls are designed and arranged such that they are destroyed by the incident laser radiation. Alternatively it can be provided between the individual chambers controllable via a controller device for connecting the respective chambers. For example, this may be provided between the chambers a valve.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that several armor elements are provided. It can in particular a multiplicity of armor elements be distributed over the object to be protected, for example in the manner of a tiling arrangement.
According to a further embodiment, the armor elements can be equipped with separate cooling systems. In the case of destruction of an armor element this can be easily replaced with the associated cooling system against a new armor element. A structurally advantageous because simple design provides that several armor elements have a common cooling system. The result is a comparatively simple structure, since not every armor element must be equipped separately, for example, with a cooling unit for cooling the cooling fluid.
As an alternative or in addition to the cooling fluid, the cooling system can also have an electrical coolant, in particular a Peltier element. The Peltier element may for example be attached to the object-side rear side of the armor element and unfold there by energizing a cooling effect. The invention provides that a laser radiation detecting sensor is provided for triggering an armor element. The sensors detecting the laser radiation may be photosensitive sensors. As soon as they detect an incident laser radiation, the cooling system can be activated and the resulting heat dissipated. Although this is not part of the invention defined by the claims, it can be provided that the armor element has a plurality of optical active body for affecting the irradiated laser radiation. By impairing the irradiated laser radiation by means of a plurality of optical active body results in an improved protective effect. High intensities of the laser radiation, which occur in an undisturbed laser beam in a locally limited space, are avoided. The risk of destructive overstressing of the material due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced by the impairment of the radiation. Due to the large number of optical active bodies, the impairment can be largely independent of the angle of incidence of the laser radiation.

An advantageous embodiment provides in this context further, that the active body are designed to reflect the laser radiation as a reflection body. By reflecting the laser radiation, significant portions of the laser radiation from the object to be protected can be fended off.

In this context, it is advantageous if the reflection body has a reflective surface, in particular a mirror surface. The reflection body can be mirrored over the entire surface or only partially mirrored. The mirror surface may be provided with a highly reflective layer in accordance with the wavelength of the expected laser radiation.

Alternatively or additionally, it may further be provided that the active bodies are designed to break the laser radiation as a refractive body. Even by refraction of the laser radiation, this can be affected. For example, a laser beam can be widened by refraction effects, resulting in lower intensities in the Einstrahlpunkt.

In this context, it is advantageous if the refractive bodies consist of an optically transparent material. The refraction bodies themselves are therefore hardly affected by the laser radiation from the latter. The laser radiation penetrates the refractive bodies without heating them appreciably. By refraction at the edges of the refractive body there is a widening or scattering of the laser radiation, so that it impinges on the object lying behind it only with significantly lower intensity.

The refractive bodies advantageously have a curved surface for widening the laser radiation. The curved surface may be spherical, spherical or cylindrical, for example. Also, the active body or the refractive body may have a roughened surface to produce a scattering effect.

Alternatively or additionally, a further embodiment provides that the active bodies are designed to diffract the laser radiation as a diffraction body. Even by exploiting diffraction effects, the irradiated laser radiation can be impaired in such a way that lower intensities occur on the object to be protected.

A structurally advantageous embodiment provides in this context that the diffraction bodies have diffraction gaps. The diffraction gaps can be produced, for example, by a coating applied to the diffraction bodies, by material differences provided within the diffraction bodies or similar structures.

An advantageous embodiment which develops a particularly good protective effect provides that a plurality of active bodies are arranged one behind the other in the effective direction of the laser radiation. The result is a kind of stepped protection arrangement, in which after failure or after passing through a more active body located in front of the laser radiation then hits a further active body. Advantageously, the active bodies are arranged to each other such that a gradual deterioration of the laser radiation associated with a gradually reduced beam intensity results.
In order to obtain a uniform protective effect against laser radiation radiating from most different directions, it is proposed in a further embodiment that the active bodies are arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle of the armor element. Due to the arrangement of the active body as loose bulk material, these have no preferred orientation, but are stochastically distributed within the corresponding receptacle. In that regard, certain active bodies are always optimally aligned to different directions of irradiation.
It is advantageous in this context if the recording is optically transparent at least on the threat side in the wavelength range of the laser weapons. In this way, the incoming laser beam initially passes unhindered through the receptacle before it then enters the optically active body arranged in the receptacle. Destruction of the recording by the incoming laser radiation and thus, for example, a leakage of the arranged as a bulk active body is avoided.

An alternative or additional embodiment provides that the active bodies are arranged in the manner of a protective curtain. The active bodies can be arranged like a curtain around the object to be protected. The curtain can be opened or closed, depending on whether a laser threat is prevailing or not.
Another embodiment provides that the active bodies are embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threat side of the armor element. The carrier material may in particular be a act pasty material in which the active bodies are embedded. Similar to a sunscreen, the carrier material together with the active bodies in the case of a recognized laser radiation can then be applied to threatened areas, for example via a nozzle.

A further embodiment provides that the active bodies have a plurality of mutually angled surfaces running. The mutually angled surfaces can be used for example as a reflection, refraction or diffraction surfaces.

Another embodiment provides that the active bodies are spherical. For example, reflection effects or refraction effects for impairing the laser radiation can be used on the spherical surfaces. Although this is also not the subject of the invention defined by the claims, it can be provided that the armor element is arranged to be movable relative to the object. Due to the movable arrangement of the armor element relative to the object, the armor element can also be moved relative to the laser beam incident on the object. As a result, a locally limited to a single Einstrahlpunkt energy input is avoided. The energy of the laser beam is coupled in accordance with the movement of the armor element not locally in only one Einstrahlpunkt, but along the path of movement of the armor element over a larger area distributed in the armor element. The risk of material failure due to the heat introduced by the laser radiation is significantly reduced. With movable arrangement of the armor element is to ensure that the elements of the cooling system, such as pipes, nozzles, etc., are not affected by the movements.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged in front of a surface to be protected of the object and arranged to be movable in a direction parallel and / or transversely to the surface to be protected. By moving in parallel, the energy input of the laser beam can be distributed over the surface. By moving transversely to the surface to be protected, the protective element can be moved out of the focal position of the laser beam, whereby the energy density in the Einstrahlpunkt can also be lowered.

A further embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged to be movable in several directions. For example, the armor element can be moved in a substantially vertical and additionally in a substantially horizontal direction.
A further embodiment provides that the armor element is designed to be movable via a drive, in particular an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. The drive allows defined movement sequences to be transferred to the armor element.
A further advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is resiliently mounted. Due to the resilient mounting of the armor element, this can move automatically when mounted on a military vehicle due to the forces occurring during driving, for example.
A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that a privacy shield is provided, through which the movements of the armor element are covered. By arranged in the beam path of the laser beam sight protection, the movements of the armor element for the attacker are not visible. The privacy screen is located on the threat side of the armor element. It is therefore not possible for the attacker to anticipate the movements and to try to track the laser beam to the movements of the armor element, in order to deliberately take a certain point of the armor element under continuous firing.

It is advantageous in this context if the privacy shield covers at least the edges of the armor element. Covering the edges of the armor element is sufficient in most cases, since the movement of a particular plate-shaped armor element can usually only be seen at the edges.

A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the privacy shield is designed to be stationary and the armor element is movable in the visual shadow of the privacy screen.

Another structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is arranged in an intermediate region between an outer surface of the object to be protected and the privacy screen.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the privacy screen is designed to be optically transparent in a narrow-band wavelength range. The wavelength range in which the privacy screen is optically transparent may be adjusted according to the wavelength of the laser weapon. In this case, the screen is transparent to the laser beam, so that it is not affected by irradiation and the laser beam passes unhindered through the screen. This embodiment is particularly suitable for laser radiation in the UV or IR wavelength range, which lies outside of the visually perceptible by the human eye spectrum. In this case, the laser beam radiates unhindered through the privacy screen on the Armor element moving behind the screen, which is not visible to the attacker. The attacker sees the situation as if the laser beam were absorbed by the surface without any effect whatsoever.

For a planar protection even of larger-area objects, it is advantageous if the laser armor has a plurality of armor elements arranged movably, which are distributed in a tiling manner over the object to be protected. In this way, with armor elements designed essentially as identical parts, it is also possible to realize protection of larger objects. Should one of the armor elements, for example, be damaged by an enemy laser shot, this can be easily replaced with a new armor element. The armor elements may be designed as protection modules that attach to the object with a few simple steps or can be removed from this.

An advantageous for the protective effect of the laser armor embodiment provides that the armor elements are arranged in multiple layers. The result is a redundant arrangement of armor elements such that in case of failure of an outer layer of armor elements of the laser beam strikes a more inner layer.

In this context, it is advantageous if each layer has a plurality of armor elements, wherein the directions of movement of the armor elements are different in two adjacent layers.

Moreover, it has proven to be advantageous in connection with the laser armor if it has a sensor for detecting the laser radiation. In the case of laser beam detection by means of the sensors, the Armor elements are automatically set in motion. It is not necessary to constantly move the armor elements, but only in the case of a specific threat situation, which is reliably detected by the sensors.

Moreover, to solve the above object in a method of the type mentioned above, it is proposed that the heat introduced via the laser weapons into the armor element is dissipated via a cooling system and the cooling system is activated via a sensor which detects the laser radiation. It results in the already described in connection with the laser armor advantages.
Also in the method, it is advantageous if the armor element is designed according to one or more of the aforementioned features.

Finally, in order to achieve the aforementioned object in a vehicle, it is proposed that this be equipped with a laser armor of the type described above. Again, there are already described in connection with the laser armor advantages.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer, stark schematisierter Prinzipansicht ein zu schützendes Objekt mit einer mehrere Panzerungselemente aufweisenden Laserpanzerung,

Fig. 2-7

verschiedene Ausgestaltungen einer Laserpanzerung in schematischen Prinzipansichten und

Fig. 8

eine Laserpanzerung mit einer zusätzlich vorgesehenen Opferplatte,

Fig. 9 - 12

schematische Ansichten unterschiedlicher Ausführungen von Panzerungselementen mit optischen Wirkkörpern.

Fig. 13 - 18

schematische Ansichten unterschiedlicher Ausführungen einer Laserpanzerung mit einem bewegbaren Panzerungselement.

Further aspects, advantages and details of a laser armor according to the invention, a method for protecting an object from laser weapons as well as a vehicle equipped with a corresponding laser armor are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show:

Fig. 1

in a perspective, highly schematic principle view of an object to be protected with a laser armouring having several armor elements,

Fig. 2-7

various embodiments of a laser armor in schematic schematic views and

Fig. 8

a laser armor with an additionally provided sacrificial plate,

Fig. 9 - 12

schematic views of different versions of armor elements with optical active bodies.

FIGS. 13-18

schematic views of different versions of a laser armor with a movable armor element.

Fig. 1 shows in perspective, highly schematic view of an object 10, which is executed protected by a laser armor 1 against laser gun fire.

The object 10 may be an immobile object, such as a building or bunker, or a mobile destination, such as a military vehicle, and in particular a military land vehicle. The laser armor 1 serves to protect against laser weapons, which according to the invention are to be understood as all beam weapons operating by means of concentrated radiation.

Like the illustration in Fig. 1 reveals this, consists of the laser armor 1 of several tiled over the object 10 arranged armor elements arranged 2, which are arranged in front of a surface to be protected of the object 10. While the presentation in Fig. 1 an embodiment of the laser armor 1 can be seen, in which the armor elements 2 are arranged only on one side of the object 10, it is understood that the laser armor 1 may also include armor elements 2 on the other sides of the object, which mainly depends on which side of the threat is to be expected. In a military vehicle, it is advisable to provide all sides of the vehicle as well as the vehicle roof with armor elements 2 and not only to armor the vehicle floor against laser bombardment, since the firing by laser weapons usually takes place from the side or from above.

Like the illustration in Fig. 1 this illustrates, the individual armor elements 2 are provided by plate-shaped geometry and with a cooling system 3 for dissipating introduced by the laser radiation heat. In the cooling system 3 is an active cooling system 3, which is supplied for the purpose of cooling energy, for example, to operate a cooling unit or to operate pumps P.

In the execution according to Fig. 1 However, it is also conceivable that each armor element 2 is equipped with its own cooling system 3, see FIG. for example Fig. 5 ,

As shown in Fig. 1 The armor elements 2 each have a part of a cooling circuit 4. The armor elements 2 are distributed in a scale over a surface of the object 10 to be protected, and the cooling circuit 4 is guided meandering through several armor elements 2. The armor elements 2 have this each pipe pieces on, which can be connected to corresponding pipe sections of an adjacent armor element 2, for example by nesting, to form in this way a closed cooling circuit 4. Within the cooling circuit 4, a cooling fluid flows, which receives 2 heat when passing through the armor elements and this emits at another point as waste heat q _from .

In the execution according to Fig. 1 the cooling circuit 4 is connected via a type of refrigeration unit forming refrigerant circuit 8 with a waste heat circuit 9. The refrigerant circuit 8 consists in a conventional manner of an evaporator 8.1, in which the heated by the laser radiation cooling fluid with release of heat to vaporization of the flowing within the refrigerant circuit 8 refrigerant. The vaporized refrigerant is passed through a compressor 8.2 in a heat exchanger 8.3, in which the refrigerant emits its heat to the waste heat circuit 9. In this case, the refrigerant liquefies in parts, after which it is then returned via a throttle 8.4 in the evaporator 8.1, where it then evaporates with renewed absorption of the laser radiation introduced energy. This results in an arrangement in which due to the interposed refrigerant circuit 8 large amounts of heat can be dissipated. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable to dissipate the heat absorbed by the cooling fluid in another way and in particular without a refrigerant circuit 8.

While the presentation in Fig. 1 a laser armor 1 with a closed cooling circuit 4 showed, in which the cooling fluid circulates, show the illustrations in the Fig. 2 to 7 Embodiments in which the cooling fluid 11 does not necessarily circulate in a cooling circuit 4.

In the embodiments according to the Fig. 2 to 4 in each case a spray device 5 is provided. About this, the cooling fluid 11 is atomized under increased pressure and applied to a surface to be cooled of the armor element 2.

In the execution according to Fig. 2 the spraying devices 5 are arranged such that the threat side of the armor elements 2 is sprayed. By continuous spraying, the cooling fluid 11 absorbs heat during downflow and discharges it.

Of quite similar construction is the execution according to Fig. 4 in which the spray devices 5 are arranged not on the threat side but on the object side of the armor elements 2. The spray devices 5 are located in a gap between the armor elements 2 and the object 10 to be protected, so that they are not visible to an attacker from the outside.

In the execution according to Fig. 3 the spraying devices 5 are arranged inside the armor elements 2. The spray devices 5 are supplied with cooling fluid 11 via an inlet 2.2. About the spray devices 5, the cooling fluid 11 is sprayed into the interior of the armor elements 2 such that it is wetted over a large area with cooling fluid 11. The cooling fluid 3 flows down under the influence of gravity and finally leaves the armor element 2 via outlets 2.1. Subsequently, the cooling fluid 11 can either escape into the environment or be cooled in a cooling circuit 4 and then again guided over the inlet 2.2 in the interior of the armor element 2.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of an armor element 2, in which an armor element 2 is provided with a separate cooling system 3. The armor element 2 is assigned a separate cooling circuit 4. In the upper part of the armor element 2 is the inlet 2.2, or in the embodiment according to Fig. 5 two inlets 2.2. In the region of each inlet 2.2, a spraying device 5 is arranged, via which the cooling fluid 11 is sprayed into the interior of the armor element 2. The interior of the armor element 2 has a chamber 6. In the lower end region of the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 11 collects within the chamber 6 and leaves it via the outlet 2.1. After leaving the armor element 2, the cooling fluid 3 is driven via a pump P after flowing through the cooling circuit 4 again fed to the inlet 2.2. In this case, the cooling fluid 11 can first pass through a cooling before reaching the inlet 2.2, for example, by heat to a refrigerant circuit, as already described with reference to the illustration in FIG Fig. 1 was explained.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 5 in which a plurality of chambers 6 connected in series are provided, which contributes to a more uniform cooling effect. The individual chambers 6 are arranged cascaded to one another. The cooling fluid 11 collecting in a lower chamber 6 in a lower chamber is guided via a spray device 5 provided in the upper region of an underlying chamber 6, so that the cooling fluid 11 successively passes through a plurality of spray devices 5. This results in a kind of cascade with good cooling effect.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the armor element 2 is completely filled with cooling fluid 11. Via the inlet 2.2, the cooling fluid 3 enters the interior of the armor element 2 and leaves it via the outlet 2.1 with entrainment of the laser radiation in the armor element 2 coupled heat. Again, a cascaded arrangement with multiple chambers 6 improve the cooling effect.

Fig. 8 Finally, shows an embodiment in which the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 is preceded by a sacrificial plate 7. The sacrificial plate 7 is designed in the manner of a cooling fluid reservoir and acts as a kind of passive cooling system in which a certain cooling effect is generated even without the supply of external energy. When bombarded by laser radiation provided in the sacrificial plate 7 cooling fluid 11 is first heated, before then the sacrificial plate 7 is destroyed after a certain Einstrahlzeit. In the region of the destruction site, ie the Einstrahlpunkts the laser radiation, the provided within the sacrificial plate 3 cooling fluid 11 then exits under gravity then gradually, which also heat is dissipated. Also, the effluent from the sacrificial plate 7 cooling fluid 11 can also produce a wetting of the armor elements 2 arranged behind it with the application of a certain cooling effect.

In addition to a cooling system 3 of the type described above, the armor elements 2 can also be provided with a plurality of optical active bodies 13, 14, 15, which will be described below with reference to the illustrations in FIGS FIGS. 9 to 12 will be explained, in which details of the cooling system 3 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

As this is based on the comments in the Fig. 9 to 12 becomes clear, the armor elements 2 each have a plurality of optical active body 13, 14, 15 for affecting the irradiated laser radiation. As a result, a weakening of the intensity of the laser radiation and thus a reduction of the required cooling capacity of the cooling system 3 is achieved. It will prevents laser beams with an intensity above the damage threshold of the object 10 to be protected from acting thereon.

In the execution according to Fig. 9 a variety of different active bodies 13 is provided. The active bodies 13 are formed as a reflection body 13 and are located as loose bulk material in a box-shaped receptacle 2.3 of the armor element 2. The optical active body 13 have a surface 13.1 consisting of an optically reflecting layer. The reflective surface 13.1 may extend over the entire optical active body 13 or only over partial areas of the active body 13. The active body 13 according to the embodiment in Fig. 9 have a plurality of mutually angled extending surfaces 13.1, resulting in very different levels of reflection.

When a laser beam strikes it is reflected at the corresponding surface 13.1 of the active body 13. After reflection has taken place, the laser beam then possibly impinges on another active body 13 and is reflected again. With each reflection, the intensity of the laser beam acting on the object 10 decreases, so that - if the armor element 2 should be irradiated at all - it strikes the object 10 only with a significantly reduced intensity. Significant portions of the laser beam are also directed away from the object 10.

On another physical working principle is based in Fig. 10 illustrated armor element 2.

In this also a plurality of optical active body 14 is provided partly of different geometry. About the active body 14 is an incident laser beam, such as in Fig. 10 as an example in solid Plotted lines is affected by refraction, whereby the laser beam expands and thereby loses intensity. As the dotted lines illustrate this, the laser beam is affected not only by the refraction effects but also by reflections at the interfaces of the active bodies 14. The active bodies 14 are designed to break the laser radiation as optically transparent refractive body 14. Upon impact of a laser beam on a surface of the refractive body 14, a refraction of light takes place, whereby, after passing through a plurality of successively arranged refractive body, a weakening of the laser beam results in such that it has a significantly lower intensity when leaving the protective element 2. The risk of destruction of the object 10 is also significantly reduced by this active body 14. The diameter of the incident on the threat side of the armor element 2 laser beam is widened by passing through the refractive body 14 to a multiple, whereby the intensity of the laser radiation can be reduced to an uncritical level.

The active bodies 14 may have different geometries according to the schematic illustration. It is important that these have mutually angled running surfaces or round surfaces on which then the refraction of the light takes place.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be in the active bodies 14 as shown in FIG Fig. 10 also act as so-called. Steel divider, the parts of the laser radiation with a certain beam property and other parts of the laser radiation that do not have this beam property, reflect. For example, p- and s-polarized beam components can be separated from one another, as a result of which a marked reduction in the incident radiation is likewise evident Laser intensity results. For this purpose, for example, polarization filters can be provided on the active bodies 14.

On a further physical working principle is based in Fig. 11 shown active body 15th

Also this can according to the representations in the Fig. 9 or 10 may be introduced as loose bulk material in an armor element 2. At the in Fig. 11 The active body 15 shown is a diffraction body 15. This has a plurality of diffraction gaps 15. 1 at which the incident laser light is diffracted. This results in diffraction patterns with less intense laser radiation on the surface of the object 10 to be protected.

As shown in the FIGS. 9 and 10 can the active body 13, 14, 15 are always arranged as loose bulk material within a housing-like receptacle 2.3 of the armor element 2. Within an armor element 2, different active bodies 13, 14, 15 can be mixed with reflective, refractive and diffractive properties, preferably as loose bulk material.

It is advantageous in this context if the receptacle 2.3 is of box-shaped geometry and is provided on the threat side with an optically transparent cover in the manner of a lid. The cover may be formed in the region of the expected laser radiation in a narrow band wavelength range optically transparent. As a result, the incident laser beam passes unhindered through the cover and is impaired only by the active bodies 13, 14, 15 lying behind it. Destruction of the cover is avoided in this way. Another positive effect arises in such covers, which in an outside of the are visible to the human eye perceptible wavelength range are optically transparent. Because in these occurs, for example, a laser beam in the IR range through the cover, behind which he is then affected by the optical active body 13, 14, 15. Since this is imperceptible to the human eye, the attacker can not easily recognize these effects.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that a plurality of active bodies 13, 14, 15 is embedded in a carrier material which can be applied to the threat side of the armor element 2. Similar to a sunscreen cream, a multiplicity of smaller active bodies 13, 14, 15 can be embedded within the carrier material. Upon detection of a laser attack, the carrier material and with it the active bodies 13, 14, 15 can then be selectively applied to the threatened side of the object 10 to be protected. For this purpose, for example, a corresponding line system with a plurality of outlet nozzles for applying the arranged in the carrier material active body 13, 14, 15 may be provided on an endangered point of the object.

Another alternative arrangement of the active bodies 13, 14, 15 is in Fig. 12 shown. In this there are a plurality of active bodies 13, 14, 15 in a kind of curtain arrangement. This type of curtain can be placed on the threat side of an object 10.

By impairing the irradiated laser radiation by means of a plurality of optical active bodies 13, 14, 15, the incident laser radiation can be affected by reflection, refraction or diffraction such that regardless of the direction of incidence of the incident laser beam attenuation of the intensity of the laser radiation. The risk of material failure due to very intense radiation is significantly reduced.

In addition, the armor elements 2 can be arranged to be movable relative to the object 10, which is described below with reference to the illustrations in FIGS FIGS. 13 to 18 will be explained, which details of the cooling system 3 as well as the optical active body 13, 14, 15 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

Like the representation for example in Fig. 13 illustrates this, the armor elements 2 are arranged movable relative to the object 10. This ensures that an incident on the object 10 and the laser armor 1 laser beam acts for a long time on one and the same point and unfolds there after a certain Einstrahlzeit possibly a destructive effect.

In the execution according to Fig. 13 is the armor element 2 in front of the surface 12 to be protected of the object 10 in the vertical direction R ₁ as well as in the horizontal direction R ₂ movable. By moving the armor element 2 relative to the object 10, there is also a relative movement with respect to the impinging laser beam, which therefore does not strike one and the same point for longer periods of time, thus significantly reducing the local energy input, so that destruction of the armor element 2 is not to be feared stand.

While the presentation in Fig. 13 shows two directions of movement of the armor element 2 in a surface parallel to the surface 12 to be protected of the object 10, it is also conceivable, the armor element 2 additionally or alternatively to move transversely to the direction of the surface 12 to be protected. By such a movement, the armor element 2 is moved in the direction of the incident laser beam. Usually, that of the laser weapon outgoing laser beam is focused directly into the surface of the object 10 into it, since the intensity of the laser radiation in the focus is greatest. By a movement of the armor element 2 transversely to the surface 12 to be protected of the object 10, the armor element 2 can be moved out of this focus position, whereby the intensity of the laser radiation is lowered into its Einstrahlpunkt. This also reduces the risk of destruction of the armor element 2 by the impinging laser radiation.

Like the illustration in Fig. 16 shows, the movements of the armor element 2 can be initiated via a drive M. The drive M may be a motor drive, such as an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor. About the drive M armor element 2 can be defined defined in motion, for example via a kind of eccentric or similar devices. Since it is not necessary to keep the armor element 2 constantly in motion, a sensor S is also provided for detecting the incident laser radiation. These may be photosensitive sensors which detect the incident laser radiation. After detecting the laser radiation, the drive M can then be activated and the armor element 2 can be set in motion.

Alternatively or additionally, the armor element 2 may also be suspended resiliently, as in Fig. 17 is shown. It can be seen that the armor element 2 is coupled via a spring 24 to the object 10 to be protected. Such a resilient suspension is particularly suitable for mobile objects 10 and in particular for military land vehicles. Due to the forces occurring during driving, the armor element 2 is kept constantly in motion by deflecting the spring 24. Advantage of this suspension via springs 24 is also that the movement purely stochastic takes place, so that a tracking of the laser radiation according to the movements of the armor element 2 is not possible.

To avoid a target tracking of the laser radiation is in accordance with the representations in the FIGS. 14 and 15 In addition, a screen 23 is provided, which will be discussed in detail below.

Like the illustration in Fig. 14 can first be seen, is the screen 23 on the threat side of the armor elements 2 of the laser armor 1 and covers this to the threat side at least partially. The armor elements 2 are located in an intermediate region between the fixed object visually arranged against the object 10 screen 23 and the object 10. It results in a kind of gap in which the armor elements 2 can be moved. The purpose of the blinds 23 is to make the movements of the armor elements 2 invisible to the attacker.

According to the embodiment in Fig. 14 the screen 3 is designed so that it covers the edges 2.4 of the armor elements 2 such that they lie in the visual shadow of the screen 23, see. also the representation in Fig. 2 , The overlapping of the edges 2.4 of the armor element 2 is chosen such that they do not emerge from the visual shadow of the privacy screen 23 even with maximum movement of the armor element 2. For the attacker, the movement of the otherwise planar armor element 2 is therefore not visible and it is certainly not readily possible to track the laser beam these movements.

An alternative embodiment of the screen 23 is shown in FIG Fig. 15 shown. While the screen 23 in the FIGS. 13 and 14 only covers the edges of the armor element 2 and otherwise openings for the passage of the Laser radiation has, covered the screen protector 23 according to Fig. 15 the armor elements 2 full surface. The armor elements 2 are arranged in this arrangement tiled over the object and are completely in the visual shadow of the screen 23. The screen 23 is held in this embodiment in a narrow-band wavelength range, for example in the wavelength range of 1064 nm optically transparent. The optically transparent wavelength range is matched to the wavelength of the expected laser gun, continuing the above wavelength example to an Nd: YAG laser. The effect achieved by this is the following:

Since the privacy screen 23 is optically transparent to the incident laser beam, it passes through the privacy screen 23 virtually unhindered and strikes the armor element 2, which moves relative to the object 10. However, the movements of the armor element 2 are not visible to the attacker, since the wavelength of the laser radiation is often outside the range visible to the human eye or at least difficult to recognize due to the narrow band of optical transparency of the screen 23 for the attacker. The attacker therefore has an image in which the laser beam virtually disappears in the privacy screen 23 without causing a significant effect here. Because even with the destruction of one of the armor elements 2, this would not be visible to the attacker 2 due to the privacy screen 23.

An improved in terms of their protective effect embodiment finally shows the illustration in Fig. 18 , In this, the armor elements 2 in several layers L ₁ , L ₂ are arranged, resulting in a redundant arrangement such that in case of failure of one of the armor elements 2 an outer layer L _2, the laser radiation in a next step to a further Inner layer L ₁ meets. The movements of the armor elements 2 are advantageously oriented differently in the layers L ₁ , L ₂ .

The armor elements 2 may consist of armored steel and be formed by type ballistic armoring plates. Alternatively, the protective plates may also be composite armor plates in which a multiplicity of ballistically active active bodies, for example of a ceramic material, are embedded in a matrix material. Alternatively or additionally, a configuration with a plurality of optical active bodies 13, 14, 15 can also be provided.

Reference numerals:

1

laser armor

2

armor panel

2.1

outlet

2.2

inlet

2.3

admission

2.4

edge

3

cooling system

4

Cooling circuit

5

sprayer

6

chamber

7

sacrificial plate

8th

Refrigerant circuit

9

waste heat circle

10

object

11

cooling fluid

12

area

13

optical active body, reflection body

13.1

surface

14

optical active body, refractive body

15

optical active body, diffraction body

15.1

flexion gap

23

privacy

24

feather

q _down

waste heat

P

pump

R ₁

direction

R ₂

direction

L ₁

location

L ₂

location

M

drive

S

sensors

Claims (15)

1. Armour against laser radiation for protecting an object (10) against laser weapons, having an armour element (2),
   characterized by
   a cooling system (3) for dissipating heat introduced into the armour element (2) by the laser weapons, and a sensor system which detects the laser radiation and serves for activating the cooling system (3).
2. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cooling system (3) has a cooling fluid (11).
3. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cooling fluid (11), coming from a reservoir, is conducted through the armour element (2).
4. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cooling fluid (11) heated via the laser radiation is conducted out of an outlet (2.1) provided in the lower region of the armour element (2), and in that cooling fluid (11) of lower temperature is conducted via an inlet (2.2) provided in the upper region of the armour element (2).
5. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cooling fluid (11) is applied to the armour element (2) via a spray device (5).
6. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 5, characterized in that the spray device (5) is arranged on the threat side of the armour element (2), in the interior of the armour element (2) or on the object side of the armour element (2).
7. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the armour element (2) has a chamber (6) in which the cooling fluid (11) is circulated.
8. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the armour element (2) has multiple flow-connected chambers (6) in which the cooling fluid (11) is circulated.
9. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that a sacrificial plate (7) filled with cooling fluid (11) is arranged on the threat side of the armour element (2).
10. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the armour element (2) has multiple chambers (6) which are able to be connected to one another, wherein situated in each chamber (6) is one component of a multi-component fluid which, after mixing, generates a cooling effect as a result of a chemical reaction.
11. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that multiple armour elements (2) are provided.
12. Armour against laser radiation according to Claim 11, characterized in that the armour elements (2) are provided with separated cooling systems (3), or in that multiple armour elements (2) have a common cooling system (3).
13. Armour against laser radiation according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the cooling system (3) has an electrical cooling means, in particular a Peltier element.
14. Method for protecting an object (10) against laser weapons, having armour against laser radiation (1) having an armour element (2),
    characterized
    in that the heat introduced into the armour element (2) via the laser weapons is dissipated via a cooling system (3), and the cooling system (3) is activated via a sensor system which detects the laser radiation.
15. Vehicle, in particular military vehicle, characterized by armour against laser radiation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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