USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Kerry T Slattery

Roger M Crane

Donald James Dorr

Kathleen A Corona-Bittick

An energy-absorbing &ldquo;smart&rdquo; 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.

High energy impact absorption fender system using valvular control logic

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 &ldquo;smart&rdquo; bumper system is readily adaptable to diverse marine vessels.

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O'Fallon, MO, United States of America

Kerry T Slattery