Methods and apparatus are provided for a shock attenuation device configured to operate between a structure and a mass that is supported by and moveable relative to the structure in a guided manner along a stroking direction. In one embodiment, a notch load portion is configured to provide a resisting force to relative displacement of the supported mass over a first stage stroking distance according to a predefined load profile that includes a spike load peaking at a first threshold load value at the onset of relative displacement, and a substantially constant notch load for a remainder of the first stage stroking distance. A constant load portion arranged serially with the notch load portion is configured to provide a substantially constant resisting force to displacement of the supported mass at a second threshold load value over a second stage stroking distance, wherein the second threshold load value is higher than the first threshold load value.

A collision energy absorption apparatus for a rail vehicle, including a connection member, a base, and an energy-absorption splitting tube provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the connection member. The inner wall and outer wall of the energy-absorption splitting tube includes one or more pairs of slits having radial positions corresponding to each other. Each pair of slits includes an inner slit and an outer slit. Each slit is a non-closed linear slit. The slit has a width of 0.05-0.8 mm. The sum of the depths of each pair of slits is less than the wall thickness of the energy-absorption splitting tube.

The present invention relates to an shock absorber based on the cutting, inward-folding and crushing of composite tube, comprising a destructing cap, a flat-pressing cap, a cutter and a positioning tube. The cutter is positioned in the destructing cap, and has a lower end connected to an inner flange of the destructing cap and an upper end connected to the positioning tube. The positioning tube is positioned in the destructing cap and closely connected to the inner wall of the destructing cap, and has a lower surface in contact with the cutter. The destructing cap, the positioning tube and the composite tube are respectively provided with aligned pin holes, and bound together with a pin. Energy is absorbed through destruction generated due to cutting and inward-folding of the composition tube. Energy can also be absorbed through destruction generated due to the inward-folding of the composite tube, without using the cutter. Compared to existing technology, the device may be used as a structural component in a normal working state. In the colliding and crushing state, the device fully destructs the composite. The present invention has the following advantages: the energy-absorption ratio is high; and the energy absorbing device only bears an axial force in the process that the composite is being destroyed, does not bend or rupture, keeps the structure stable, and avoids spattering of scraps.

An energy absorbing device has a rod with a part, suitable for cutting by means of surrounding cutting tools mounted in a body sleeve and oriented to the inside. In addition, the rod has an angular guiding part passing into the part suitable for cutting and is pivoted in a support, wherein the body sleeve with the attached cutting tools is connected by breakable elements with the support.

An energy absorbing device has a rod with a part, suitable for cutting by surrounding cutting tools mounted in a body sleeve and oriented to the inside. In addition, the rod has an angular guiding part passing into the part suitable for cutting and is pivoted in a support, wherein the body sleeve with the attached cutting tools is connected by breakable elements with the support.

A collision energy absorption apparatus for a rail vehicle, including a connection member, a base, and an energy-absorption splitting tube provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the connection member. The inner wall and outer wall of the energy-absorption splitting tube includes one or more pairs of slits having radial positions corresponding to each other. Each pair of slits includes an inner slit and an outer slit. Each slit is a non-closed linear slit. The slit has a width of 0.05-0.8 mm. The sum of the depths of each pair of slits is less than the wall thickness of the energy-absorption splitting tube.

Various techniques are provided for an expandable energy absorbing fluid bladder. In one example, the fluid bladder includes a primary portion and a secondary portion. The secondary portion can be configured to expand or increase in volume when the fluid bladder is subjected to a pulse greater than a threshold pulse. Expansion of the secondary portion can allow fluid or additional fluid to flow into the secondary portion and thus decrease a peak pulse and, thus, avoid rupture of the fluid bladder.

The present invention relates to an shock absorber based on the cutting, inward-folding and crushing of composite tube, comprising a destructing cap, a flat-pressing cap, a cutter and a positioning tube. The cutter is positioned in the destructing cap, and has a lower end connected to an inner flange of the destructing cap and an upper end connected to the positioning tube. The positioning tube is positioned in the destructing cap and closely connected to the inner wall of the destructing cap, and has a lower surface in contact with the cutter. The destructing cap, the positioning tube and the composite tube are respectively provided with aligned pin holes, and bound together with a pin. Energy is absorbed through destruction generated due to cutting and inward-folding of the composition tube. Energy can also be absorbed through destruction generated due to the inward-folding of the composite tube, without using the cutter. Compared to existing technology, the device may be used as a structural component in a normal working state. In the colliding and crushing state, the device fully destructs the composite. The present invention has the following advantages: the energy-absorption ratio is high; and the energy absorbing device only bears an axial force in the process that the composite is being destroyed, does not bend or rupture, keeps the structure stable, and avoids spattering of scraps.

A method and an assembly for absorbing energy during an overload event. An energy absorber reduces loads on an object being transported on a loading unit during a single overload event, which introduces such a high degree of energy that there is an overwhelming likelihood the object would be damaged without an energy absorber. Measurement values on the current state of the loading unit are sensed. A control device determines an overload event and a damping of the energy absorber is set to a high value after the detection of the overload event. The damping is maintained for a specified prolonged time period and controlled dependent on the measurement values during the overload event to increase the load for objects during the specified time period initially to a specified threshold load and after the specified time dependent on the measurement values detected during the overload event.

An energy absorber is controlled in an overload event to absorb potentially damaging energy. The energy absorber acts between a receiving unit for receiving objects for transporting and a carrier device that connects to a transporter. An absorber force can be influenced by an electrically controlled magnetic field unit. Measurement values of loads acting on the loading unit are captured sequentially and an overload event is determined if a measure derived from the measurement values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. After the onset of an overload event a prognosticated load curve of the loading unit is assessed from a multitude of measurement values captured from the onset of the overload event. A planned power flow curve for the magnetic field unit is determined and the load curve is damped time-dependent so that a planned load curve ensues which remains beneath a predetermined load limit.