A downhole perforation system includes a ballistic device having an first end and a second end, the ballistic device carrying an explosive material. The system further includes a shock absorption device coupled to at least one of the first or second end of the ballistic device and configured to absorb at least a portion of impact energy produced from detonation of the explosive material. The shock absorption device includes a shock absorption module which includes a viscoelastic body and a rigid structure molded within the viscoelastic body. The rigid structure is configured to break or deform when impacted by a threshold amount of impact energy. Broken or deformed portions of the rigid structure are contained within the viscoelastic body.

A crash box may include one or more layers arranged to absorb crash energy. In some embodiments, the crash box includes a first layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the first layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the second layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy.

A brake plate of a fall arrest system is provided for protecting users during a fall. The brake plate comprises a body having a central opening. The central opening defines an inner circumference of the body. The brake plate comprises a plurality of ratchet gear teeth disposed along the inner circumference of the body. Further, the brake plate comprises at least two slots on the body, wherein the at least two slots are disposed diametrically opposite to each other. Each of the at least two slots is curved and extends along a portion of an outer circumference of the body.

A composite tie bar assembly for distributing loads to a support frame of an automotive vehicle. The tie bar assembly includes a pair of spaced apart. reinforcement bars extending longitudinally between opposing ends. A tie bar shell is supported by the reinforcement bars and extends between opposite first and second distal cods. The tie bar shell has a first support plate extending between the reinforcement bars adjacent the first distal end and a second support plate extending between the reinforcement bars adjacent the second distal end. Bach of the support plates includes a plurality of structural ribs formed Integral therewith for distributing loads from the reinforcement bars to the support frame of the vehicle.

Apparatus and methods for additively manufactured structures with augmented energy absorption properties are presented herein. Three dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing structures may be constructed with spatially dependent features to create crash components. When used in the construction of a transport vehicle, the crash components with spatially dependent additively manufactured features may enhance and augment crash energy absorption. This in turn absorbs and re-distributes more crash energy away from the vehicle's occupant(s), thereby improving the occupants' safety.

A crash box may include one or more layers arranged to absorb crash energy. In some embodiments, the crash box includes a first layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the first layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the second layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy.

A brake assembly comprises a brake plate including a plurality of radially-extending brake tabs, and an extension member extending at least partially through the brake plate. The extension member is movable relative to the brake plate such that the extension member is configured to successively engage the brake tabs. The brake assembly enables one or more forces to be managed or controlled throughout a braking event, such as a fall arrest event.

An impact mitigating assembly includes an elongate member formed from a plurality of triangulated cylindrical origami (TCO) unit cells that exhibit coupled rotational and axial motion. The unit cells include an end portion and a tubular member fixed to the end portion. The tubular member has a plurality of concave sides. Each side has a first triangular portion and a second triangular portion sharing an elastic connecting edge with the second triangular portion. The first triangular portion also shares an angled upright edge with the second triangular portion of an adjacent side. Compressing the tubular member longitudinally causes the connecting edge and the angled upright edge to elastically deform, for example by stretching, and causes the second end of the tubular member to rotate with respect to the first end of the tubular member.

A method of manufacturing an energy-absorbing structure according to various aspects of the present disclosure via a two-step molding process includes molding first and second portion precursors including thermoset polymers (e.g., thermoset polymer composites) to a first degree of cure (DOC) less than one so that the portion precursors are in a gelled glass state. The method further includes joining the first and second portion precursors by applying heat and pressure in a joining region such that the thermoset polymers have a second DOC greater than the first DOC and are cross-linked in the joining region. The energy-absorbing component therefore has a unitary structure. The method may further include coupling the energy-absorbing structure to a housing. In certain aspects, energy-absorbing structures may have tailored stiffness and/or tailored crush initiation.

A vehicle body includes a structural member having an inner surface defining an elongated cavity. The structural member includes an outer panel member joined to an inner panel member. A tension web secured in the cavity separates the outer and inner panel members. A reinforcement member is positioned in the cavity of the structural member. The reinforcement member contacts the transverse web and a gap is provided between the reinforcement member and the inner surface of the structural member. The reinforcement member including a base member having a plurality of bumpers extended in a width direction of the reinforcement member. The plurality of bumpers face one of the inner surface and the tension web. An adhesive secured to the reinforcement member is activatable to expand toward the inner surface to define a joint between the reinforcement member and the structural member and to at least partially fill the gap.