Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Malcolm H Ray

Chuck A Plaxico

John F Carney, Iii

Tunable pull-through energy attenuator and decelerator devices is disclosed which provide for variable force-time profiles, deceleration and kinetic energy attenuation of moving objects so as to prevent damage or injury to impacting objects, vehicles or persons. The device employs either consumable inelastic or reusable, viscoelastic deforming elements, such as tubes, rods, plates or strips, which absorb substantial amounts of energy through repeated inelastic or viscoelastic deformation when the deforming element is pulled-through a tunable array of rigid pins having a variety of configurations and settings. The disclosed devices provide for variable force-time profiles which control the cumulative deformation and thereby the amount of energy absorbed and rate of deceleration of impacting objects. The device may be readily adapted and deployed as highway vehicle guardrails, road barriers or crash cushions for frontal and side impacts and as load attenuators for crash-resistant aircraft seats, spacecraft landing pods, crash-resistant aircraft landing gear, aircraft and vehicle passenger restraint harnesses, cargo tie-downs, vehicle bumpers and collapsible vehicle steering columns.

Variable force energy dissipater and decelerator

The present invention provides a reusable high molecular weight, high density polyethylene guardrail designed for economical construction and rapid replacement of the elements comprising the guardrail system. This guardrail system is energy absorbing and comprises a plurality of stanchions, a plurality of connector sleeves, a horizontal barrier engaging the connector sleeves, and a plurality of location devices containing a contact surface used to support the connector sleeves. In the guardrail system, the stanchions engage the ground while the connector sleeves encompass a portion of the stanchion protruding from the ground. The horizontal barrier traverses consecutive connector sleeves by passing through from the exterior to the interior and back to the exterior of a connector sleeve. The location devices support the connector sleeves, which in turn locate the horizontal barrier, on stanchions at the proper height to engage vehicles alighting from the driving surface, yet enable, the sleeve to move up along the stanchion upon impact of a vehicle with the barrier.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, ME, United States of America

Malcolm H Ray