Panel for absorbing mechanical impact energy and method of manufacturing
AssigneeUniversity of Massachusetts
InventorsArmand F. Lewis, Yong K. Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A panel for absorbing mechanical impact energy includes a substrate and a multiplicity of fibers attached, by one of their ends, to the substrate with their other ends extending away from the substrate. The panel may include a thin, porous covering layer that overlies the free ends of the fibers. The porosity of the cover and the fiber density of the fibers may allow for breathability of the panel. The panels may be flexible and may be used in body protection devices such as helmets, body armor as well as in other environments. Panels may be configured in a variety of energy absorbing arrangements for differing applications.
Claims20
A panel for absorbing energy from an impact load comprising:
- a substrate;
- a multiplicity of flocked monofilament flock fibers, each having first and second ends, the fibers being attached, at their first ends to a surface of the substrate with the second ends of the multiplicity of monofilament flock fibers extending away from the substrate;
- the multiplicity of monofilament flock fibers extending away substantially perpendicular to the substrate;
- the multiplicity of monofilament flock fibers being closely spaced to each other sufficiently to buckle resiliently and absorb a portion of the energy imparted to the panel by an impact load;
- wherein the multiplicity of monofilament flock fibers further comprises:
- a first group of fibers, each fiber having a first denier and a first fiber length and a second group of fibers, each fiber of the second group of fibers having a second denier lower than the first denier and a second length shorter than the first length;
- and
- wherein the second group of fibers are interspersed among the first group of fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.