Energy absorbing composite panels
US10773821B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Typical composite panels are brittle and unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the panels. For example, the use of typical panels around fuel tanks of a vehicle are unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the fuel tanks during a crash of the vehicle or a ballistic impact to the fuel tanks. In the embodiments described herein, panels include face sheets that are bonded to a foam core. The foam core includes a corrugated core sheet that is formed from a highly ductile material, such as Polyethylene or Aluminum. When a transverse pressure load is imposed on the panel, core crush of the foam occurs as the core sheet elongates from its original corrugated shape to a curve shape during deformation. This allows the panel to dissipate the energy of the transverse pressure load applied to the panel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.