Reversibly expandable energy absorbing assembly and methods for operating the same
First Claim
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1. An energy absorbing assembly, comprising:
- a rigid support structure having an inlet opening;
a flexible covering engaged with the rigid support structure to define an expandable interior region;
a fluid source in fluid communication with the inlet opening; and
a cellular lattice disposed in the expandable interior region, wherein the cellular lattice comprises a shape memory material adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to the fluid communication with the fluid source.
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Abstract
A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a cellular lattice comprising a shape memory material disposed within an expandable interior region of the assembly, wherein the shape memory material is adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory material can be thermally activated to restore the first configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.
109 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy absorbing assembly, comprising:
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a rigid support structure having an inlet opening; a flexible covering engaged with the rigid support structure to define an expandable interior region; a fluid source in fluid communication with the inlet opening; and a cellular lattice disposed in the expandable interior region, wherein the cellular lattice comprises a shape memory material adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to the fluid communication with the fluid source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An interior vehicle surface, comprising:
an energy absorbing assembly comprising a rigid support structure having an inlet opening;
a flexible covering engaged with the rigid support structure to define an expandable interior region;
a fluid source in fluid communication with the inlet opening; and
a cellular lattice disposed in the expandable interior region, wherein the cellular lattice comprises a shape memory material adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to the fluid communication with the fluid source.- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating an energy absorbing assembly, comprising:
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attaching the energy absorbing assembly to a rigid support structure having at least one inlet opening, wherein the energy absorbing assembly comprises a flexible covering engaged with the rigid support structure to define an expandable interior region, a fluid source in fluid communication with the inlet opening, and a cellular lattice disposed in the expandable interior region, wherein the cellular lattice consists of a shape memory material adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to the fluid communication with the fluid source; expanding the interior region including the cellular lattice from the first configuration to the expanded configuration with the fluid source at a temperature less than a transition temperature of the shape memory material; and thermally activating the shape memory material above the transition temperature causing the cellular lattice to revert back to the first configuration. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification