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Reversibly expandable energy absorbing assembly and methods for operating the same

  • US 7,350,851 B2
  • Filed: 03/08/2005
  • Issued: 04/01/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
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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