Energy absorber for high-performance blast barrier system

• US 9,417,038 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plaskolite Massachusetts, LLC
• Original Assignee: Covestro LLC (Covestro AG)
• Inventors: Lorenzo, James M., Pyles, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eldred, J. Woodrow
• Application Number:
  US14/424,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20150226529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 89/360.2, 89/360.4, 89/360.7, 89/360.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/12 using plastic deformation of members F16F9/30 takes precedence; yieldable means for mounting bumpers on vehicles B60R19/26; yieldable or collapsible steering columns B62D1/192
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/00 Armour; Armour plates processes for manufacturing or treating B21, C21, heat treatment C21D9/42; wall or panel structure for safes E05G1/024
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/0457 Metal layers in combination with additional layers made of fibres, fabrics or plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/045 Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means

Abstract

The present invention provides an energy absorber for a blast barrier system comprising a substantially tubular member extending longitudinally along an axis from a first end portion to a second end portion, each of the first end portion and the second end portion having a substantially similar geometric profile, wherein the energy absorber collapses under a predetermined load when compressed by a residual blast force. The energy absorber of the present invention may help minimize damage to people and structures by further dissipating force from a blast in a blast barrier system.

Claims

1. A blast barrier system comprising:

a thermoplastic polymeric blast panel attached to a first face of a beam;

a first end of a strut attached to a second face of the beam opposite the first face;

a second end of the strut attached to an energy absorber comprising a substantially tubular member extending longitudinally along an axis from a first end portion to a second end portion, each of the first end portion and the second end portion having a substantially similar geometric profile;

the energy absorber attached to a structure,

wherein the energy absorber extends substantially longitudinally and horizontally along a face of the structure, wherein the blast panel flexes when compressed by a blast force and wherein the energy absorber collapses under a predetermined load when compressed by a residual blast force.

2. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the geometric profile of the energy absorber is selected from the group consisting of hexagonal, square, circular and oval.

3. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is filled with an energy-absorbing foam.

4. The energy absorber according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is filled with an energy-absorbing malleable metal insert.

5. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is made from a metal.

6. The blast barrier system according to claim 5, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys.

7. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the beam is made from a metal.

8. The blast barrier system according to claim 7, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys.

9. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the strut is made from a metal.

10. The blast barrier system according to claim 9, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys.

11. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric blast panel is glass clad.

12. The blast barrier system according to claim 11, wherein the thermoplastic polymer blast panel has one of more bolt holes placed therethrough and wherein the glass cladding does not have one or more bolt holes therethrough.

13. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polycarbonate.

14. The blast barrier system according to claim 1, wherein the polycarbonate layers are held together with aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane.