Slotted Viscoelastic Receiver for Soft-to-Hard Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soft-to-hard goods connections fail to adequately dissipate dynamic energies and mitigate reaction forces under sea-state motions, wave slap, wind, and blast loading events due to insufficient energy dissipation capacities of polymer skin materials, necessitating additional damping mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A structurally robust connection system using receivers with viscoelastic materials and nested designs that incorporate chords and mounting tracks to secure inflatable structures to rigid hosts, featuring viscoelastic receivers with slotted apertures for enhanced energy dissipation and shock isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If polymer skin materials are used for inflatable structures, then the structure provides basic damping, but the energy dissipation capacity is insufficient for dynamic loading events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy dissipation capacityVSAvoidconnection integrity under dynamic loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polymer skin materials with viscoelastic damping layers to create a composite connection system. The viscoelastic layer is integrated between the inflatable structure and rigid host, working synergistically with the polymer skin to provide enhanced energy dissipation during dynamic loading events while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the connection system by introducing viscoelastic materials with specific damping parameters tailored for dynamic loading conditions. The viscoelastic layer's material properties are selected to optimize energy dissipation across the operational frequency range (0.0 Hz to 5.0 KHz) and strain range (0.01%-50.0%), transforming the connection from insufficient damping to adequate shock mitigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If additional damping mechanisms are added to increase energy dissipation, then dynamic energy attenuation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic energy dissipationVSAvoidconnection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the damping function directly into the connection structure by integrating the viscoelastic layer between the inflatable structure and rigid host. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate localized damping devices, achieving enhanced energy dissipation while maintaining connection simplicity and avoiding additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The viscoelastic layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides energy dissipation during dynamic loading, maintains connection integrity, and accommodates relative motion between soft and rigid components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate damping mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If viscoelastic receivers with slotted apertures are used, then friction-based energy dissipation is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction-based energy dissipationVSAvoidreceiver manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs slotted apertures in the viscoelastic receiver that create controlled porosity and surface irregularities. These slots increase the friction interface area between moving components and the viscoelastic material, enhancing energy dissipation through friction while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process suitable for integrating into the connection system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 system effectively mitigates reaction forces and dissipates dynamic energies through viscoelastic damping and friction, ensuring the integrity of soft-to-hard connections under various loading conditions while allowing easy removal and compact storage of inflatable structures.

Implementation Method 1

The material of the receiver can be selected to create additional damping beyond that achieved by the inflatable fabric structure material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelastic damping: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

produce contacting surfaces within the viscoelastic material in order to maximize energy dissipation through friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12601383B1Enhanced dynamic energy dissipation by slotted apertures of soft-to-hard goods connections

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A soft-to-hard goods connector is provided which includes an elastomeric bladder having a preform layer and an outer textile layer enclosing the preform layer. The outer textile layer has at least one skin extension layer extending beyond a periphery of the elastomeric bladder. The skin extension layer has a chord attached at a distal end with the chord being perpendicular to the skin extension layer. The connector includes a host rigid structure with a receiving component. The receiving component has a mounting track with the chord mounted in the mounting track. The receiving component permits the chord to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the chord with a limited range of motion.