Energy absorbing assembly and methods for operating the same
US6910714B2 · kind B2 · utility
58Cited by
12References
27Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F2224/0258
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy absorbing assembly includes a covering; and a shape memory material in operative communication with the covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is operative to change to a second shape in response to an activation signal. The second shape of the shape memory material can cause the covering to expand or expand and detach from a surrounding surface medium. The energy absorbing assembly is used to absorb kinetic energy of an object impacting the assembly. Methods of operating the assembly are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.