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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsKerry T. Slattery, Roger M. Crane, Kathleen A. Corona-Bittick, Donald James Dorr
Estimating the term…
An energy-absorbing bumper system features a variably controllable valve which is responsive to impact conditions. The initially closed valve opens upon maximization of the pressure reading upon the bumper, and maintains the same open setting (in other words, the same valve area) during such period of pressure maximization. During the succeeding period of pressure declination from maximum, the valve undergoes ongoing adjustment of its open setting (in other words, ongoing adjustment of its valve area) so that the reaction force of the bumper remains constant. The valve closes (in other words, the valve area becomes zero) when the pressure falls abruptly toward zero (an occurrence which correlates with a similar plummet in reaction force, as well as with near or approximate motionlessness of the impacting body), thereby avoiding or curtailing an unwanted rebound effect. Conventional bumper systems are dependent upon adaptation of size and/or number of fenders in order to suit different marine vessels in terms of energy absorption; by comparison, the inventively “smart” bumper system is readily adaptable to diverse marine vessels.
An energy-absorbing system comprising a structure, fluid contained by said structure, situation means for movement-restrictively situating said structure, valvular means for permitting escape of said fluid, actuator means for effecting adjustment of said valvular means, control means for controlling said actuator means, and pressure-sensing means for informing said control means regarding said pressure, wherein said energy-absorbing system is characterized by the capability of at least substantially regulating the deceleration of a body which engages in a collision with said structure, wherein said collision has associated therewith said pressure and a force, wherein said at least substantially regulated deceleration of said body is characterized by an approximate gradualness of said deceleration, wherein said approximate gradualness is at least substantially determined by said adjustment of said valvular means, wherein said approximate gradualness has associated therewith an interval of approximate constancy of said pressure approximately followed by an interval of approximate constancy of said force, and wherein said adjustment of said valvular means is capable of at least substantially causing said interval of approximate constancy of said pressure approximately followed by said interval of approximate constancy of said force.
A system for absorbing impact by an object, said system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.