Patent · US Expired

Crash attenuator utilizing fibrous honeycomb material

US5052732A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 2, 1990
Grant dateOct 1, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 2, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24149
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A crash attenuator (10) includes a plurality of layers (22) of fibrous cellular material. Each of the layers is comprised of a plurality of hexagonal elongate cells fabricated of a fibrous cellulose material that has a longitudinal axis that is disposed horizontal to the ground such that the edge of the cell is directed toward the impacting vehicle. A flat sheet of fibrous material (24) is disposed between each of the layers to provide an energy dispersing surface. A rear impact plate (18) is disposed on the impacting end of the crash attenuator (10) and is fabricated from a soft metal. A front mounting plate (20) is disposed on the opposite end thereof and the two secured by tension cables (42). The exterior of the layers (22) is covered by sheets (26) and (46). Thereafter, a layer of moisture proof material (78) is disposed over the surface of the crash attenuator (10) to prevent moisture from entering the interior.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.