F41H7/042

Vehicular external force absorption systems and methods
10612893 · 2020-04-07 · ·

The systems and methods described herein provide a vehicular force absorption system that includes an interference damper that couples a vehicle external hull with a vehicle floor that is spaced apart from the vehicle external hull. The interference damper includes a common member having a first breakaway member coupled or connected to a second breakaway member. The coupling or connection between the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member may have a defined yield point at which the first breakaway member separates from the second breakaway member when subjected to a tensile force. The interference damper further includes a plurality of curved members that provide a resistive force against the separation of the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member. The resistive force provided by the interference damper beneficially reduces the force exerted on personnel and/or cargo in contact with the vehicle floor.

Suspended floor assembly

A vehicle has improved energy absorbing capability and occupants have increased blast survivability. The vehicle includes a suspended floor assembly. The floor assembly may be suspended by, at least in part, one or more suspensions arms that have an extendable portion. The floor assembly may also have a yaw plane energy absorber between the floor assembly and a wall of the vehicle.

Mine-Blast impact shield and methods for use thereof
10571226 · 2020-02-25 · ·

Apparatus and methods for reducing injury or damage from an explosive device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and at least one inflator coupled to the housing. The apparatus also includes a shield coupled to the housing. The shield has a plurality of channels coupled to the at least one inflator. The shield also has a compact position and an expanded position. The plurality of channels are configured to receive a fluid from the at least one inflator and thereby at least partially advance the shield from the compact position to the expanded position.

Blast mat configuration
10545010 · 2020-01-28 · ·

A vehicle includes a frame, multiple tractive assemblies engaging the frame, a cabin coupled to the frame, and a blast mat. The cabin includes a seat configured to support an occupant and multiple walls at least partially defining a footwell configured to receive the feet of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the seat. The blast mat is positioned within the footwell and configured to absorb energy from an explosion, thereby reducing energy transferred into the feet of the occupant due to the explosion. The blast mat has a top surface and a bottom surface. At least a portion of the bottom surface of the blast mat engages at least one of the walls. A thickness of the blast mat is defined between the top surface and the portion of the bottom surface engaging at least one of the walls. The thickness varies throughout the blast mat.

Impulse and momentum transfer devise

This invention concerns a device for the transmission of impulse and momentum, e.g. from a shock wave from an explosion or momentum from objects impacting the device, from one location to another, and is primarily used to protect vehicles, ships, aircrafts and buildings against impulse and/or momentum, for instance in regards to attacks on those with grenades, bombs, mines and the like. The governing physical principles are those of conservation of momentum and energy, and Newton's 3rd Law, claiming that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. When the receiver 1 is accelerated by the incoming shock wave 9 it collides with the transmitter 2, connected to an emitter 3, momentum is transferred to the emitter 3. If the transfer is in itself not sufficient to bring the receiver's 1 velocity to an acceptable level, additional energy and momentum is added through the transmitter 2.

Modular armored components for vehicles

The present disclosure provides a modular armored vehicle system that includes a plurality of armored components removably affixed to a vehicle frame, wherein the plurality of armored components includes an armored roof component comprising a forward roof section, a middle roof section, and a rear roof section, wherein each of the plurality of armored components comprise a plurality of bends to form-fit onto the vehicle frame. The modular armored vehicle system further includes a first side armored component of the plurality of armored components removably affixed to the vehicle frame, wherein the first side armored component comprises a flange portion to overlap the armored roof component. Further, the modular armored vehicle component further includes a side pillar armored component of the plurality of armored components removably affixed to the vehicle frame.

Vehicle armor systems and methods

A vehicle includes a frame, front cabin, and an armor component. The vehicle is reconfigurable between a B-kit configuration where the armor component is coupled to the vehicle, and an A-kit configuration where the armor component is removed. The armor component is configured to be coupled to at least one of a plurality of bosses disposed on a front wall or a side wall of the vehicle. A vehicle may also include at least two frame rails, a support, and a spacer that is coupled to at least one of the frame rails and the support. The armor component may replace the spacer in the B-kit configuration. The armor component may be an underbody armor panel. The vehicle may further include a retainer to simplify the conversion between the A-kit and a B-kit configurations and a step.

VEHICULAR EXTERNAL FORCE ABSORPTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
20190353466 · 2019-11-21 ·

The systems and methods described herein provide a vehicular force absorption system that includes an interference damper that couples a vehicle external hull with a vehicle floor that is spaced apart from the vehicle external hull. The interference damper includes a common member having a first breakaway member coupled or connected to a second breakaway member. The coupling or connection between the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member may have a defined yield point at which the first breakaway member separates from the second breakaway member when subjected to a tensile force. The interference damper further includes a plurality of curved members that provide a resistive force against the separation of the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member. The resistive force provided by the interference damper beneficially reduces the force exerted on personnel and/or cargo in contact with the vehicle floor.

Energy absorption system and device

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.

Responding to an explosion local to an armoured vehicle

A blast countermeasure for a vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle, is provided. The blast countermeasure comprises: at least one explosive; a detonator for detonating the explosive; and at least one reflector, located at least partially above the at least one explosive, for reflecting a shock wave generated by detonation of the at least one explosive groundwards in order to apply a groundwards force to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise: control circuitry configured to respond to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle by activating an actuator to generate a groundwards force and cause a cabin floor of the vehicle to move groundwards.