Flexible Blast Surface for Impact Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armor solutions are heavy and inflexible, failing to effectively disperse the momentum and energy from high-speed projectiles and blast waves, leading to potential harm to the wearer and inadequate protection against low-to-moderate direct-fire threats and shrapnel, while also lacking protection against blast waves and traumatic brain injuries.
Innovation Solution
The development of a flexible planar or nonplanar blast surface using layers of materials that morph in response to rapid impacts and high-speed collisions, dissipating energy by altering the velocity and direction of projectile sections and redirecting momentum and blast energy away from the protected entity, utilizing high tensile yarns like KEVLAR and SPECTRA fibers, and incorporating a unique stitching pattern to enhance structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heavy armor solutions are used, then protection against projectiles and blast waves is improved, but weight increases and mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into multiple functional layers: a flexible outer shell, an energy-absorbing intermediate layer with cellular structure, and an inner protective layer. Each layer performs a specific function in dissipating impact energy, replacing the need for a single heavy solid barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties: flexible polymers for the outer shell, energy-absorbing foams or honeycomb structures for the intermediate layer, and rigid protective materials for the inner layer. This composite approach achieves superior protection-to-weight ratio compared to traditional homogeneous armor.
2Reliability
If armor thickness is increased to protect against direct-fire threats, then protection capability is improved, but maneuverability and ease of movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system incorporates dynamic elements including flexible materials that can deform under impact to absorb energy, and adjustable components that allow the wearer to adapt the protection level to different threat scenarios. The flexible outer shell conforms to body movements while maintaining protective integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials and structures whose protective parameters change in response to impact conditions. The energy-absorbing intermediate layer exhibits nonlinear mechanical properties, providing high stiffness during impact events for protection while remaining flexible during normal movement, thus adapting protection level to operational needs.
3Reliability
If multilayered structures with sliding discs are used, then projectile energy dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system employs passive energy dissipation mechanisms where the layered structure automatically responds to impact without requiring active control systems. The sliding discs or cellular structures self-adjust under impact forces to optimize energy absorption, eliminating the need for sensors, actuators, or control electronics that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible thin-film structures and layered composites that provide protection through their inherent material properties and geometric configuration rather than complex mechanical mechanisms. The flexible outer shell and intermediate layers work together to dissipate energy through deformation and friction, achieving effective protection with minimal structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides effective protection against high-speed projectiles and blast waves by dispersing energy and momentum, reducing the impact on protected entities, and allowing for lightweight, mobile structures that maintain mobility and safety in threatened areas.
Implementation Method 1
dissipating the momentum and energy from high-speed projectiles and blast waves
Implementation Method 2
dissipating energy by altering the velocity and direction of projectile sections and redirecting momentum and blast energy
Implementation Method 3
utilizing high tensile yarns like KEVLAR and SPECTRA fibers
Implementation Method 4
incorporating a unique stitching pattern to enhance structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
The invented device forms a flexible planar or nonplanar blast surface that is oriented to receive and dissipate energy and restrict penetrations received from objects, projectiles and/or blast waves received from and along a vector path. A flexible assembly forms a blast surface having a multitude of pinned or semi-pinned elongate entangled staples, wherein a multiplicity of the staples extend at least partially along a vector path, wherein the vector path is oriented perpendicularly relative to the blast surface. A flexible particulate assembly comprising a multitude of adjoining pinned, semi-pinned and/or semi-static particles assembled together to present interstitial areas no larger than the diameter of a selected projectile; and a flexible binding medium integrated with the multitude of adjoining particles and adapted to maintain the multitude of adjoining particles in a flexible semi-pinned semi-static array.