EARLY WARNING PROJECTILE PENETRATION SYSTEM

Abstract

An early warning projectile penetration system includes a shoot house including a wall constructed of at least one inner layer of a ballistic penetration-resistant material, an outer layer of construction material, and a penetration detection system disposed intermediate the at least one inner layer and the outer layer. The penetration detection system is operative to provide an indication if a projectile has passed through the ballistic penetration-resistant material.

Claims

1. An early warning projectile penetration system comprising: a shoot house comprising a wall constructed of at least one inner layer of a ballistic penetration-resistant material, an outer layer of construction material, and a penetration detection system disposed intermediate said at least one inner layer and said outer layer, wherein said penetration detection system is operative to provide an indication if a projectile has passed through said ballistic penetration-resistant material.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one inner layer comprises a metal layer.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one inner layer further comprises a ballistic elastomeric or fiber material inwards of said metal layer.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said penetration detection system is operative to provide an indication when said projectile passed through said ballistic penetration-resistant material.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said penetration detection system is operative to provide spatial information where said projectile passed through said ballistic penetration-resistant material.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter in communication with said penetration detection system for transmitting a warning of said projectile having passed through said ballistic penetration-resistant material.

7. A method for early warning projectile penetration comprising: providing a shoot house comprising a wall constructed of at least one inner layer of a ballistic penetration-resistant material, an outer layer of construction material, and a penetration detection system disposed intermediate said at least one inner layer and said outer layer, and using said penetration detection system to provide an indication if a projectile has passed through said ballistic penetration-resistant material.

8. The method according to claim 7, using the shoot house for an exercise, and stopping the exercise if said penetration detection system indicates a projectile has passed through said ballistic penetration-resistant material.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising performing self-diagnostics of said penetration detection system.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising storing operational history of status and past events.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of an early warning projectile penetration system installed in a shoot house, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of the construction of the early warning projectile penetration system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates an early warning projectile penetration system 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The early warning projectile penetration system 10 is shown in FIG. 1 installed in a shoot house 12, which includes a wall 14. The system 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, installed in all outer walls of the shoot house and may be installed in the inner walls as well.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of the early warning projectile penetration system. The wall 14 is constructed of at least one inner layer of a ballistic penetration-resistant material 16, an outer layer 18 of a construction material (such as, but not limited to, concrete), and a penetration detection system 20 disposed intermediate the at least one inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18. The penetration detection system 20 provides an indication if a projectile has passed through the ballistic penetration-resistant material 16.

[0023] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the at least one inner layer includes a metal layer 17 (such as, but not limited to, steel) and a ballistic elastomeric or fiber material 19 inwards of the metal layer 17. Without limitation, material 19 may include thin, alternating layers of certain aramid and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, or other ballistic fabric, and/or a synthetic viscoelastic polymer, such as polyisobutene or butyl rubber.

[0024] The penetration detection system 20 may include a short circuit type of detection system, which includes copper wires embedded in a substrate such as a fiber substrate. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,763, which includes two layers of electrically conductive material, a dielectric separating said layers, a first resistor having one end electrically connected to one layer and the other end electrically connected to the other layer, and a second resistor having one end connected to one layer and the other end electrically connected to ground. U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,579 describes another example, which includes target elements mounted one behind the other, each element including at least two electrically insulated parallel sheets of electrically conductive material, each conductive sheet being connected to a terminal included in an electric circuit. The two conductive sheets of each target element are temporarily electrically connected when a projectile penetrates the two sheets and the respective circuit is closed. At least two of the target elements are situated in planes inclined with respect one another, whereby the relatively inclined target elements, when traversed by a projectile, produce pulses in timed sequence, the time interval between the pulses being dependent on the position of the hit point of the projectile on the target.

[0025] WO1982004476 describes another example of a suitable detecting device, which may be used as the penetration detection system 20. In this example, a multi-layer sheet structure is made of interconnected rubber-based layers; there are one or more separating insulating layers between the electrically conductive layers. When a projectile penetrates, electrical contact is established between the conductive layers insulated from each other and this contact is detected by electric detecting units.

[0026] Other systems use pressure or motion sensors for detecting penetration of the projectile, and these systems may also be utilized as the penetration detection system 20.

[0027] The penetration detection system can provide an indication when the projectile passed through the ballistic penetration-resistant material. In addition, it can provide spatial information where the projectile passed through the ballistic penetration-resistant material.

[0028] A transmitter 22 (wired or wireless) may be in communication with the penetration detection system 20 for transmitting a warning of the projectile having passed through the ballistic penetration-resistant material. For example, the early warning projectile penetration system 10 is capable of transmitting status, data and events over wireless, Bluetooth and cellular networks.

[0029] With the present invention, the shoot house may be used for an exercise, and the exercise may be stopped if the penetration detection system indicates a projectile has passed through the ballistic penetration-resistant material. The early warning projectile penetration system 10 can detect penetration of projectiles, secondary projectiles and fragmentation. The wall in the shoot house can then be repaired for further safe exercises.

[0030] The early warning projectile penetration system 10 is capable of performing various functions (for example, by means of a processor incorporated in the penetration detection system 20 or a remote processor in wired or wireless communication with penetration detection system 20). For example, system 10 performs self-diagnostics upon operation, which checks the integrity of the system. Examples of self-diagnostics include, without limitation, testing if the projectile penetration detectors are operating correctly, testing if the transmitters that send warnings of penetration are operating correctly, and testing the functionality of other components of the system.

[0031] In another example, the early warning projectile penetration system 10 can store operational history of status and past events. This helps personnel evaluate and analyze the integrity of the shoot house and enhance safety measures.