Southwest Research Institute

Kirk A Marchand

David J Stevens

Thomas J Warnagiris

Joseph B Mayer, Jr

A counter-terrorism, reactive personnel protection system which detects the presence of a destructive object as it approaches a designated personnel target along an intersecting path. Before impact, an air bag is rapidly inflated and interposed between the destructive object and the target so as to provide a protective barrier. The air bag is constructed from polyethylene material or other anti-ballistic materials, and serves to halt or redirect the detected destructive force of the object and thereby protect the designated target from attack.

Reactive personnel protection system and method

A counter-terrorism, reactive personnel protection system which detects the presence of a concussive shock wave or ballistic projectile as it approaches a designated personnel target. Before impact, an air bag is rapidly inflated and interposed between the destructive force and the target so as to provide a protective barrier. The air bag is constructed from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material, and serves to halt or redirect the detected destructive force and thereby protect the designated target from attack.

Reactive personnel protection system

The present invention is directed to a quick release coupling, a displacement sensor, and an electronic monitoring unit. The displacement sensor is mounted near the end of the guardrail for measuring the force of a vehicle impact. The electronic monitoring unit is connected to the sensor and measures the acceleration of the impact and provides an actuation signal when the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value. The quick release coupling forms a connection between two separated portions of the guard rail and includes an explosively actuated release mechanism actuated by the monitoring unit.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Kirk A Marchand