Composite layer material for dampening external load, obtaining process, and uses thereof

• US 10,443,678 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2015
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universidade D.O. Porto
• Original Assignee: Universidade D.O. Porto
• Inventors: Galindo Rosales, Francisco Jose, Campo Deano, Laura
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Hern, Brent T
• Application Number:
  US15/514,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20170211654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 428188
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/121 with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/02 Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems F16F15/005 takes precedence ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/023 using fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/08 with rubber springs grommet- or bushing-type resilient mountings F16F1/3732, F16F1/38; with springs made of rubber and metal arrangement of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units B60K5/12; mounting of propulsion plants on vessels B63H21/30; mounting of vehicle drivers' cabs B62D33/0604
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2224/04 Fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2224/041 Dilatant
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/003 Dampers characterised by having pressure absorbing means other than gas, e.g. sponge rubber
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/30 with solid or semi-solid material, e.g. pasty masses, as damping medium in devices where rotary elements are damped by viscous shear effect only, any throttling effect being immaterial F16F9/12; where members moving with a rotating system are being damped F16F15/16

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the customization of a composite layer material for absorbing or dissipating mechanical energy under impacts or vibrations. The composite layer material comprises at least a support layer of a resilient material, said support layer having recessed fluid-tight microchannels comprising a fluid, wherein the channel section and fluid viscosity is such to dampen the external load by the constricted fluid flow through said microchannels. Therefore, the present disclosure relates to a maximization of safety and/or comfort.

Claims

1. A composite layer material for dampening external dynamic load, comprising:

at least a support layer of a resilient material, the support layer having recessed fluid-tight microchannels comprising a fluid, wherein the microchannel section and fluid viscosity dampens the external dynamic load by constricted fluid flow through the microchannels, wherein the at least one support layer comprises an impermeable resilient solid material selected from the group consisting of;

cork, expanded polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

2. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is a shear thickening fluid, a viscoelastic fluid, or a combination thereof.

3. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the microchannels are interconnected.

4. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the support layer further comprises recessed fluid-tight pockets interconnected with the microchannels.

5. The composite layer material according to claim 4, further comprising a second layer over the microchannels and/or pockets for retention of the fluid.

6. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the microchannels extend in two planar directions of the support layer.

7. The composite layer material according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of support layers.

8. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the microchannels are either engraved microchannels, carved microchannels, or stamped microchannels.

9. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the microchannels comprise a depth between 0.01 a 10 mm.

10. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the microchannels comprise a width between 0.01 a 10 mm.

11. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the fluid has a viscosity is between 10⁻

3 and 10⁴ Pa s at 20°

C.

12. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the fluid has a density between 800 and 2000 kg/m³ at 20°

C.

13. The composite layer material according claim 1, wherein the fluid is a shear thickening fluid and wherein the shear thickening fluid is selected from the group of:

concentrated dispersions of;

corn starch, precipitated calcium carbonate, aerosil, fumed silica, silica, and mixtures thereof.

14. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is a viscoelastic fluid and wherein the viscoelastic fluid is selected from the group of:

concentrated solutions of;

polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide, polyisobutylene, and mixtures thereof.

15. The composite layer material according to claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises a thickness between 1 a 10 mm.

16. The composite layer material according to claim 1, further comprising a second layer having a thickness between 0.1 a 10 mm.

17. The composite layer material according to claim 1, further comprising a second layer over the support layer, wherein the second layer comprises an adhesive.

18. A composite layer material for dampening external dynamic load, comprising:

at least a support layer of a resilient material, the support layer having recessed fluid-tight microchannels comprising a fluid, wherein the microchannel section and fluid viscosity dampens the external dynamic load by constricted fluid flow through the microchannels, wherein the resilient material is an agglomerated material.

19. The composite layer material according to claim 18, wherein the agglomerated material comprises cork having a granule size between 0.1 a 5 mm.