Energy absorbing system for safeguarding structures from disruptive forces
First Claim
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1. An energy absorbing apparatus for protecting a structure from disruptive forces, comprising:
- a base comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to a lower load-bearing member of a structure;
a multi-layer cover attached to the base in a manner to form an enclosed cavity, the multi-layer cover comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to an upper load-bearing member of the structure, wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a rigid layer and a resilient layer; and
an energy absorbing material situated within said cavity;
wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a plurality of side plates that are coupled to each other via an adjustable bolt mechanism extending through the energy absorbing material of the multi-layer cover.
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Abstract
The invention is an energy absorbing system for safeguarding structures from disruptive forces, which may be implemented into structures or devices to provide protection from seismic motion, blasts or other disruptive forces, due to the system'"'"'s displacement and damping characteristics. The system'"'"'s performance can be better molded analytically to predict performance of the structure under earthquake and wind motions, for example. By utilizing cost effective materials and a simple design, the present invention provides a more efficient cost-effective system for absorbing unwanted energy, for example, a base isolation system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy absorbing apparatus for protecting a structure from disruptive forces, comprising:
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a base comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to a lower load-bearing member of a structure; a multi-layer cover attached to the base in a manner to form an enclosed cavity, the multi-layer cover comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to an upper load-bearing member of the structure, wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a rigid layer and a resilient layer; and an energy absorbing material situated within said cavity; wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a plurality of side plates that are coupled to each other via an adjustable bolt mechanism extending through the energy absorbing material of the multi-layer cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An energy absorbing configuration, comprising:
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a lower-load bearing member of a structure; an upper-load bearing member of said structure; and at least one energy absorbing apparatus, wherein said energy absorbing apparatus further comprises; a base comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to the lower-load bearing member of said structure; a multi-layer cover attached to the base in a manner to form an enclosed cavity, the multi-layer cover comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to the upper load-bearing member of the structure, wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a rigid layer and a resilient layer; and an energy absorbing material situated within said cavity; wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a plurality of side plates that are coupled to each other via an adjustable bolt mechanism extending through the energy absorbing material of the multi-layer cover. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An energy absorbing apparatus for protecting a structure from disruptive forces, comprising:
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a base comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to a lower-load bearing member of a structure; a multi-layer cover attached to the base in a manner to form an enclosed cavity, the multi-layer cover comprising a connection mechanism for secure attachment therethrough to an upper load-bearing member of the structure, said multi-layer cover further comprising; a resilient layer, and a rigid layer securely sandwiched between a plurality of side plates to create a frictional force that is damping when a disruptive force occurs, wherein said rigid layer and said resilient layer are substantially semicircular in shape, having substantially the same center and having respective ends configured to attach to said base, and wherein said rigid layer acts as a restraining material for said resilient layer when a disruptive force is applied to said multi-layer cover, said multi-layer cover being coupled to said structure near a top portion of said semicircular shape and said respective ends of said multi-layer cover being coupled to said foundation of said structure to provide a constant factor of initial and sliding friction between said rigid layer and said resilient layer, for transferring tension and shear forces away from said structure; and an energy absorbing material within said cavity which provides vertical strength and allows for sideways slip when said disruptive force is applied, wherein said energy absorbing material further comprises a granular material, which provides vertical strength and allows for sideways slip when said disruptive force is applied; wherein said multi-layer cover further comprises a plurality of side plates that are coupled to each other via an adjustable bolt mechanism extending through the energy absorbing material of the multi-layer cover.
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Specification