Phase-changing Blast Shield for Vehicle Underbody
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs face limitations in effectively mitigating blast effects from land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as existing solutions like the V-hull cannot be applied to all vehicles, and some vehicles cannot be equipped with heavy armor, necessitating a lightweight and versatile blast mitigation solution.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight blast shield utilizing phase-changing materials, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), which transitions from a solid to a viscous fluid state under stress, combined with a plunger plate with blades to absorb and deflect blast energy, is integrated into the vehicle underbody to mitigate blast impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy armor is used to protect against blast effects, then vehicle protection is improved, but vehicle mobility and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The damping material undergoes a parameter change from solid state to viscous fluid state when stressed by blast forces. This phase transition allows the material to absorb blast energy effectively while maintaining a lightweight, non-restrictive structure that does not impede vehicle mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The shield uses composite construction with multiple layers of damping material (such as UHMW-PE) combined with a plunger plate structure. This composite approach provides effective blast mitigation through energy absorption and deflection mechanisms without requiring heavy armor, thus preserving vehicle speed and mobility
2Force
If V-hull design is used to deflect blast forces, then blast deflection is improved, but vehicle design flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly with phase-changing damping material serves as a universal solution that can be adapted to various vehicle types and underbody configurations. Unlike V-hull designs that require specific vehicle architectures, this shield can be equipped on any vehicle platform, providing blast deflection capability while maintaining design flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary component between the blast source and the vehicle hull. It provides blast deflection and energy absorption functions without requiring modification to the vehicle's fundamental structure, thus enabling adaptability across different vehicle designs
3Loss of energy
If thicker damping material is used to absorb more blast energy, then energy absorption is improved, but shield weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-changing damping material absorbs blast energy through a solid-to-viscous fluid transition that occurs at specific stress thresholds. This mechanism allows thin layers of material to absorb significant energy without requiring increased thickness, thereby avoiding additional weight and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical energy absorption mechanisms (which would require thick, heavy layers) with a phase transition mechanism. The material's ability to change state under stress provides efficient energy dissipation in a lightweight configuration
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 significantly reduces the vertical upward force and acceleration experienced by the vehicle during a blast, effectively absorbing and dissipating blast energy, thereby enhancing occupant safety without compromising vehicle mobility or requiring heavy armor.
Implementation Method 1
a first body including a damping material in a solid state and which transitions to a viscous fluid state when stressed
Implementation Method 2
A plunger plate has blades extending outwardly therefrom is between the first and second bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A blast/impact mitigation shield includes, in one example, a first body including a damping material in a solid state and which transitions to a viscous fluid state when stressed beyond a critical stress and a second body including damping material in a solid state and which transitions to a viscous fluid state when stressed. A plunger plate has blades extending outwardly therefrom and is located between the first and second bodies.