Stabilized aggregates and other materials and structures for energy absorption
AssigneeEngineered Arresting Systems Corporation
InventorsSilvia C. Valentini, Shawn Patrick Doherty, Youhong Li
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Materials and structures for absorbing energy. The materials and structures are well suited for arresting aircraft and other vehicles, although their purposes need not be so limited. Also detailed are packaging and other solutions for maintaining system integrity, especially (but not exclusively) when foam glass or other aggregate is employed and stabilizing the location of the aggregate is desired.
Claims16
Energy-absorbing material for arresting an aircraft travelling along a surface of a runway, comprising:
- a. loose aggregate (i) structured to deform so as to absorb energy and (ii) extending both above and below the surface of the runway;
- b. means for stabilizing location of the loose aggregate so as to form a bed extending both above and below the surface of the runway, the stabilizing means comprising (i) an anchor assembly comprising at least one anchor extending at least partly through the bed and (ii) a plastic net (A) covering the loose aggregate, (B) being attached or adhered to the at least one anchor, and (C) having mesh smaller than a size of a majority of particles of the loose aggregate;
- and
- c. means, positioned within or below the bed, for heating the loose aggregate.
Energy-absorbing material for arresting an aircraft travelling along a surface of a runway, comprising:
- a. loose aggregate structured to deform so as to absorb energy;
- b. means for stabilizing location of the loose aggregate so as to form a bed, the stabilizing means comprising (i) an anchor assembly comprising at least one anchor extending at least partly through the bed, (ii) a plastic net (A) covering the loose aggregate, (B) being attached or adhered to the at least one anchor, and (C) having mesh smaller than a size of a majority of particles of the loose aggregate, (iii) a plurality of bags or boxes in which particles of the loose aggregate are placed;
- and
- c. means, positioned within or below the bed, for forcing hot air upward through at least part of the bed so as to heat the loose aggregate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.