Reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly and methods for operating the same

US8047572B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• William B. Carter · Santa Monica, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Guillermo A. Herrera · Calabasas, US
• Geoffrey P. McKnight · Los Angeles, US
• Cameron Massey · Hawthorne, US
• Alan J. Jacobsen · Santa Monica, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/0407
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.