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US 5,655,756 AGranted
Energy absorbers and methods of manufacture
AssigneeDamping Systems Limited
InventorWilliam Henry Robinson
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AssigneeDamping Systems Limited
InventorWilliam Henry Robinson
Estimating the term…
An energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members includes a core (3) of a plastically deformable energy absorbing material such as lead and structure surrounding the core such as layers of steel plates (2) and rubber (1) in a sandwich-like arrangement structure. The end plates (4) are formed with holes (5), into which the ends of the core (3) project. During construction, the support structure (1, 2) is stretched, allowing end caps (6) to be fitted. The support structure (1, 2) is then relaxed, which applies approximately hydrostatic pressure to the core (3). Induced motion is transferred as shear forces across the core (3). The hydrostatic pressure applied to the core (3) preferably exceeds the shear yield stress of the energy absorbing material of the core (3).
An energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members, comprising a core of a plastically deformable energy absorbing material and means surrounding the core which applies approximately hydrostatic pressure at least approaching the shear yield stress of the energy absorbing material to the core and which during such induced motion transfers motion between said members as shear forces across the core.
An energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members, comprising a core of a plastically deformable energy absorbing material, a unitary structure surrounding the core comprising a series of spaced parallel plates with layers of an elastic material extending between the plates and fixed to the plates with the core being subject to approximately hydrostatic pressure at least approaching the shear yield stress of the energy absorbing material by elastic retraction of the layers of elastic material between the plates which are extended during manufacture of the energy absorber.
An energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members, comprising a core of a plastically deformable energy absorbing material, a unitary structure surrounding the core comprising a series of spaced parallel first plates with layers of an elastic material bonded between the first plates with the core being subject to approximately hydrostatic pressure at least approaching the shear yield stress of the energy absorbing material by elastic retraction of the layers of said unitary structure which are extended during manufacture of the energy absorber, and a second structure surrounding said unitary structure, said second structure comprising a series of spaced parallel second plates and elastic material extending between and bonded to said second plates with a greater spacing between said second plates than between said first plates.
A method of manufacturing an energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members comprising a core of a plastically deformable energy absorbing material and means surrounding the core which transfers motion between said members as shear forces across the core, the method including the step of applying approximately hydrostatic pressure at least approaching the shear yield stress of the energy absorber material to the core.
A method of manufacturing an energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members, comprising forming a unitary structure comprising a number of plates separated by layers of an elastic material extending between adjacent plates and fixed to the plates and comprising a hollow cavity through the plates and layers of elastic material between the plates, applying a stretching force to stretch said unitary structure to slightly expand said cavity, filling said cavity with a plastically deformable energy absorbing material through an opening through the unitary structure into said cavity to form a core of the energy absorber, fitting an end cap to close said opening, and removing said stretching force to allow the unitary structure to retract and apply a hydrostatic pressure to the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.