Active energy absorbing cellular metals and method of manufacturing and using the same
First Claim
1. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
- at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant;
at least one upper member disposed on said core member, said upper member including a plurality of upper protrusions, said protrusions generally protruding in the direction of said active core member; and
at least one lower member disposed on said core member opposite said upper member, said lower member including a plurality of lower protrusions, said protrusions generally protruding in the direction of said active core member;
said upper protrusions and lower protrusions being aligned relative to one another such that they will interpenetrate when subjected to the force, thereby deforming said active core member, and will return to non-interpenetrating positions upon removal of the force when said active core member is exposed to said stimulant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multifunctional cellular metals (or other materials) for structural applications that are capable of recovering their original (undeformed) shape and thickness after impact or crushing (i.e., self-healing). Alternatively, they may normally be stored or used in their compressed (i.e., crushed) state and deployed when needed to act as energy absorbing structure or packaging (i.e., deployable energy absorber). Additionally, the multifunctional structures may act as an actuator, capable of providing localized or distributed force and displacement, and related methods of using and manufacturing the same. These active cellular metals (or other materials) are composites consisting of conventional metal/alloy truss structures (or other material structures) in combination with shape memory metal/alloy components (or other material components) and offer high specific strength and stiffness, but which are also deployable energy absorbers or self-healing smart structures.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
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at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant; at least one upper member disposed on said core member, said upper member including a plurality of upper protrusions, said protrusions generally protruding in the direction of said active core member; and at least one lower member disposed on said core member opposite said upper member, said lower member including a plurality of lower protrusions, said protrusions generally protruding in the direction of said active core member; said upper protrusions and lower protrusions being aligned relative to one another such that they will interpenetrate when subjected to the force, thereby deforming said active core member, and will return to non-interpenetrating positions upon removal of the force when said active core member is exposed to said stimulant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
at least one active core member, said active cellular core member adapted to deform if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant; at least one upper three-dimensional space filling layer disposed on said core member, said upper three-dimensional space filling layer comprised of an array of out of plane truss units; at least one lower three-dimensional space filling layer disposed on said active core member opposite said upper space filling layer, said lower three-dimensional space filling layer comprised of an array of out of plane truss units;
said at least some of said upper and lower three-dimensional space filling layers are aligned relative to one another such that they will interpenetrate when subjected to the force.- View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
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at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform in tension if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant; at least one upper expandable layer disposed on said core member, said upper expandable layer comprising an array of expandable units, said upper expandable units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member; at least one lower expandable layer disposed on said active core member opposite said upper space filling layer, said lower expandable layer comprised of an array of expandable units, said lower expandable units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member, and said upper and lower expandable layers are adapted whereby when subject to the force the height dimensions of at least some of the upper and lower expandable units decrease thereby deforming the active core member in tension. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
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at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform in tension if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant; at least one upper three-dimensional space filling layer disposed on said core member, said upper three-dimensional space filling layer comprised of an array of out of plane truss units, said upper truss units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member; at least one lower three-dimensional space filling layer disposed on said active core member opposite said upper space filling layer, said lower three-dimensional space filling layer comprised of an array of out of plane truss units, said lower truss units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member, and said upper and lower three-dimensional space filling layers are adapted whereby when subject to the force the height dimensions of at least some of the upper and lower truss units decrease thereby deforming the active core member in tension. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation in response to an impact or crushing force and reformation upon removal of said impact or crushing force, the multifunctional member comprising:
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at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform if exposed to said impact or crushing force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant upon removal of said impact or crushing force; at least one upper exterior member disposed on said core member; and at least one lower exterior member disposed on said core member opposite said upper exterior member, wherein at least a portion of said at least one upper exterior member and at least a portion of said at least one lower member interpenetrate one another when subject to the force.
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33. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
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at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform in tension if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant; at least one upper expandable layer disposed on said core member, said upper expandable layer comprising an array of out of expandable units, said upper expandable units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member; at least one lower expandable layer disposed on said active core member opposite said upper space filling layer, said lower expandable layer comprised of an array of expandable units, said lower expandable units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member, and said upper and lower expandable layers are adapted whereby when subject to the force the base dimensions of at least some of the upper and lower expandable units increase thereby deforming the active core member in tension. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A multifunctional member adapted for structural deformation and reformation, the multifunctional member comprising:
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at least one active core member, said active core member adapted to deform in tension if exposed to an external force, and reform from a deformed state if exposed to a stimulant; at least one upper three-dimensional space filling layer disposed on said core member, said upper three-dimensional space filling layer comprised of an array of out of plane truss units, said upper truss units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member; at least one lower three-dimensional space filling layer disposed on said active core member opposite said upper space filling layer, said lower three-dimensional space filling layer comprised of an array of out of plane truss units, said lower truss units having a base dimension as defined by the dimension substantially parallel to said active core member, and a height dimension as defined by the dimension substantially perpendicular to said active core member, and said upper and lower three-dimensional space filling layers are adapted whereby when subject to the force the base dimensions of at least some of the upper and lower truss units increase thereby deforming the active core member in tension. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification