PAD INCORPORATING SHEAR-THICKENING MATERIAL
First Claim
1. A pad comprising:
- first and second outer layers each including shear-thickening fluid; and
a shear layer positioned between the first and second outer layers.
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Abstract
A pad is disclosed that includes first and second outer layers. The outer layers include a plurality of channels at least partially filled with shear-thickening fluid. A shear layer is positioned between the first and second outer layers. The first and second outer layers may include first and second sheets that are bonded to one another in bonded portions and not bonded to one another in non-bonded portions such that the channels are defined by the non-bonded portions. The bonded portions may be perforated to facilitate air flow. The shear layer includes a lattice structure such as a plurality of rods extending between the first and second outer layers and oriented at a non-perpendicular angle to the outer layers. The rods themselves may be filled with shear-thickening fluid. The channels in the outer layers are criss-crossed to form a lattice or network in the plane of the outer layers.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pad comprising:
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first and second outer layers each including shear-thickening fluid; and a shear layer positioned between the first and second outer layers. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. The pad of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers each define a plurality of channels, the shear thickening fluid being contained in the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including first channels oriented at one of 45 degrees and −
- 45 degrees with respect to a common reference direction in a plane.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15-1. A method for manufacturing a pad, the method comprising:
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forming at least one outer layer by securing a first sheet to a second sheet at a plurality of bonded areas and leaving a plurality of unbonded areas of the first sheet that are not bonded to the second sheet; placing shear-thickening fluid between the first and second sheets in channels defined by the unbonded areas of the first sheet and the second sheet; and securing a shear layer to the at least one outer layer.
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16-2. The method of claim 15, wherein placing the shear-thickening fluid between the first and second sheets further comprises pumping the shear-thickening fluid into the channels through a port defined by one or both of the first and second sheets.
Specification