Helicoidal Fiber Composite Shock Wave Deflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current shock and impact resistant materials lack effective mechanisms to prevent or arrest catastrophic fractures from blunt or sharp impacts, and fail to efficiently reflect or deflect shock waves such as those from explosions.

Innovation Solution

Fiber reinforced elastic composite materials are developed, featuring stacked fiber ply layers with fibers rotated at predefined angles, typically helicoidal, within a matrix of lower elastic modulus material, and filled with microspheres to introduce micropores, which absorb energy and control fracture propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional shock and impact resistant materials are used, then basic protection is provided, but they lack effective mechanisms to prevent or arrest catastrophic fractures and fail to efficiently reflect or deflect shock waves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture resistanceVSAvoidmaterial structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The material is segmented into multiple fiber ply layers with different orientations, where each layer is rotated at a predefined angle relative to adjacent layers. This segmentation creates a helicoidal structure that divides the shock wave energy across multiple interfaces, preventing catastrophic fracture propagation through the entire material thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite material system combining fibers with a matrix having lower elastic modulus, where the matrix fills interstitial spaces between fibers. This composite structure exploits the elastic modulus difference between fibers and matrix to arrest fracture propagation while maintaining overall structural integrity and shock resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fibers are arranged in traditional parallel or cross-ply configurations, then manufacturing is simple, but shock wave reflection and fracture arrest efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock wave deflection efficiencyVSAvoidfiber layer stacking complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber ply layers are arranged with periodic angular rotation, where each layer is rotated at a predefined angle relative to the previous layer. This periodic angular arrangement creates a helicoidal structure that systematically deflects shock waves through repeated refraction and reflection at angled interfaces, enhancing shock wave deflection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional 2D parallel or cross-ply fiber arrangements to a 3D helicoidal configuration by rotating each fiber ply layer at a predefined angle relative to adjacent layers. This dimensional transformation creates additional deflection pathways for shock waves, improving shock wave deflection efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through systematic layer stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the matrix has high elastic modulus to provide strength, then structural integrity is improved, but shock and impact resistance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the elastic modulus parameter of the matrix material, selecting a matrix with lower elastic modulus compared to the fibers. This parameter change allows the matrix to deform more readily under impact, absorbing shock energy while the high-strength fibers maintain structural integrity, achieving both strength and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different material properties to different components: fibers provide high strength and stiffness to maintain structural integrity, while the matrix with lower elastic modulus provides shock absorption and impact resistance. This local differentiation of material qualities optimizes both structural integrity and impact resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 composite materials exhibit enhanced toughness and shock resistance by tuning the pitch of fibers, exploiting elastic modulus differences, and incorporating micropores to prevent fracture propagation, effectively reflecting or deflecting shock waves and absorbing impact energy.

Implementation Method 1

the composite materials disclosed herein can reflect or deflect shock waves, such as those created by explosions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock wave reflection/deflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the microspheres can introduce micropores throughout the matrix... providing micropores to prevent or arrest propagation of catastrophic fractures... and absorbing impact energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (physical)