# US 10,480,908 B2 · Energy absorption system and device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,908 B2 - Document ID: US10480908B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/546,635 - Filed: 2015-02-04 - Published: 2018-02-08 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-04 - Assignees: St Engineering Land Systems Ltd - Applicants: St Engineering Land Systems Ltd - Inventors: Junlin Huang; Chen Nam Sim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480908B2 ## CPC - F41H 7/046: {Shock resilient mounted seats for armoured or fighting vehicles} - B60N 2/01508: {using quick release attachments} - B60N 2/24: for particular purposes or particular vehicles - B60N 2/42: the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats (for protecting children B60N2/26; arm-rests B60N2/75; head-rests B60N2/888) - B60N 2/4242: {vertical} - B60N 2/42709: {involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure} - B60N 2/50: Seat suspension devices - B60R 22/26: secured to the seat - B60R 2022/027: {Four-point seat belt systems, e.g. with the two upper points connected together} - B64D 11/0619: {with energy absorbing means specially adapted for mitigating impact loads for passenger seats, e.g. at a crash} - B64D 11/062: {Belts or other passenger restraint means for passenger seats} - B64D 11/0649: {Seats characterised by special features for reducing weight} - B64D 25/04: Seat modifications - F41H 7/042: {Floors or base plates for increased land mine protection} - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT ## Abstract There is disclosed an energy absorption device comprising a plurality of pillars mountable to a ceiling of a hull, each pillar having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion slidable relative to the fixed portion; a deformable material disposed between the fixed portion and movable portion such that the deformable material resist the sliding movement of the movable portion in one direction; the deformable material further adapted to permanently deform when a blast energy is directed towards the ceiling; and a seat assembly attached to the movable portion, the seat assembly adapted for an occupant. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An energy absorption device comprising a plurality of pillars mountable to a ceiling of a hull, each pillar having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion housed within the fixed portion and slidable relative to the fixed portion; a deformable material housed within each pillar, the deformable material disposed between the fixed portion and movable portion such that the deformable material resist the sliding movement of the movable portion in one direction when no blast energy is present; the deformable material further adapted to permanently deform when a blast energy directed towards the ceiling is present; and a seat assembly attached to the movable portion of each pillar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein the seat assembly comprises a light weight fabric forming a seat for accommodating an occupant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The energy absorption device according to claim 2, wherein the seat assembly comprises a seat frame and the light weight fabric is in the form of a canvas cover stretchable over the seat frame to form the seat. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable material is shaped in the form of a tube, the tube is replaceable after permanent deformation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The energy absorption device according to claim 1 wherein the movable portion comprises a flange operable to crush and permanently deform the deformable material when a blast energy is present. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The energy absorption device according to claim 3, wherein there comprises an elastic strap for attaching the seat frame to the movable portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The energy absorption device according to claim 5 wherein the elastic strap comprises an energy attenuation means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein there comprises a side attachment attached to the fixed portions, the side attachment mountable onto a sponson. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The energy absorption device according to claim 8 wherein the side attachment is arch-shaped and arranged to constrain the seat assembly to the sponson in operation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The energy absorption device according to claim 9, wherein the side attachment comprises deformable material, the deformable material operable to plastically deform under a local blast (shock). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The energy absorption device according to claim 10, wherein the deformable material comprises aluminium alloy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is detachable from the ceiling via a quick-release mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The energy absorption device according to claim 12 wherein the quick release mechanism requires at least a dual action movement for release. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The energy absorption device according to claim 12, wherein the detachable fixed portion is foldable towards the seat and vice-versa via a pivoting mechanism. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The energy absorption device according to claim 8, wherein the fixed portion is detachable from the ceiling via a quick-release mechanism and wherein the energy absorption device is pivotable about the side attachment. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is a hollow tubular housing, the fixed portion further comprises at least one slot exposing a part of the movable portion housed within the fixed portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The energy absorption device according to claim 16, wherein the slidable movement of the movable portion within the fixed portion is constrained by a length of the slot. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An arrangement in a vehicle comprising an energy absorption device of claim 1; the energy absorption device capable of moving between a first position suitable for accommodating an occupant and a second position which is compact relative to the first position; a storage area not accessible when the energy absorption device is in the first position; the storage area accessible when the energy absorption device is in the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the first position comprises the energy absorption device mounted to the ceiling of the vehicle and the second position comprises the energy absorption device detached from the ceiling in a folded position.