6 results about "Impact attenuator" patented technology

The aircraft can include: an airframe, a tilt mechanism, a payload housing, and can optionally include an impact attenuator, a set of ground support members (e.g., struts), a set of power sources, and a set of control elements. The airframe can include: a set of rotors and a set of support members. By utilizing a larger rotor blade area (and / or larger rotor disc area) and adjusting the blade pitch and RPM, the rotors can augment the lift generated by the aerodynamic profile of the aircraft in the forward flight mode in addition to providing forward thrust. Variants generating lift with the rotors can reduce or eliminate additional control surfaces (e.g., wing flaps, ailerons, ruddervators, elevators, rudder, etc.) on the aircraft since the thrust and motor torque is controllable (thereby indirectly controlling lift) at each rotor, thereby enabling pitch, yaw, and / or roll control during forward flight.

A crash cushion includes a first barrier frame and a second barrier frame, each having laterally spaced first and second sides defining first and second planes that slope inwardly from a top to a bottom of each side of the first and second barrier frames. The first barrier frame is movable relative to the second barrier frame in response to a head-on impact. First and second side panels are attached to the first and second sides of the first and second barrier frames, respectively, wherein the first and second side panels are movable relative to the second barrier frame in response to the head-on impact. In one embodiment, the side panels can have a variable cross-sectional shape along their length. Further, each frame can include a plurality of longitudinally spaced guides for engaging a rail.

A crash impact attenuator system for deployment in front of a structure includes a rail and a plurality of diaphragms initially disposed in spaced relation along the length of the rail. Each of the plurality of diaphragms moves along the rail, so that when a front end of the crash attenuator system receives an impact force from a vehicle, a first one of the diaphragms moves rearwardly along the rail and impacts a second one of the diaphragms so that both the first and second diaphragms move further rearwardly along the rail, this process continuing with additional ones of the diaphragms until the impact forces have been fully attenuated. A tearing member on the crash attenuator system engages material forming a side or fender panel of the crash attenuator system, the tearing member tearing material forming the side panel to attenuate the impact force.

An emergency response barrier is shown and described, the barrier having a frame with reinforcing bracing; two axles coupled to the frame with wheels attached thereto; a king pin coupled to the frame; wherein the frame is covered with a substantially planar skin that extends along the right and left sides of the frame, from a top of the frame down to a lower edge and covers a majority of the wheels on each side of the barrier; an impact attenuator coupling on the frame, having a vertical pin received in a bore disposed on an impact attenuator, and configured for rotation about the vertical axis of the pin; and a hydraulic cylinder connected between the frame and the impact attenuator, wherein retraction and extension of the hydraulic cylinder moves the impact attenuator through an arc of rotation about the vertical pin.

A reusable vehicle occupant protection system that includes a reusable housing member and one or more reusable impact attenuator members, disposed in a cavity of the reusable housing member. The reusable housing member has at least one moveable wall having one or more openings. The one or more reusable impact attenuator members are moveable from a storage operating state to a deployed operating state in response to receipt of a compressive force by the at least one moveable wall. In the deployed state, at least a portion of the one or more reusable impact attenuator members are extruded through the one or more openings to form an array of impact bubbles which cushions a vehicle occupant against an impact force to the vehicle.

A safety helmet, for example, usable in sports such as football, is shown and described. The safety helmet includes an outer shell and an inner shell. The latter encircles a head of a wearer of the safety helmet. The outer shell is coupled in spaced apart relation to the inner shell by impact attenuators that include in one variation elastically deformable pins. The pins protrude through the inner shell to the inner head seating structure, and outside the inner shell to the outer shell. In another version of the impact attenuators, the pins are bound to a lattice construction providing openings further accommodating deformation responsive to impact forces. Inner and outer shells may have holes to accept ends of the pins. The number of holes may exceed those actually occupied by ends of pins, thereby providing adjustability in number and location of either version of impact attenuator.