Taper and flare energy absorption system
US6523873B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R19/34
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy absorption system and method comprised of a crush tube, a taper component, and a flare component. The crush tube is inserted into a matching hole in the taper component. As the taper and flare components are moved down over the crush tube, the taper component decreases the diameter of the crush tube and the flare component splits the crush tube in a plurality of petals. The crush tube may include a plurality of initiator slits to aid in the flaring process. When mounted with the longitudinal axis of the crush tube parallel to an axis of an impact, the present invention is capable of absorbing some or all of the crash event by dissipating energy by the tapering, flaring, friction, and other methods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.