Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Department of
Date of this Version
10-30-2001
Citation
United States Patent Reid et al. Patent No.: US 6,308,809 B1
Abstract
A crash attenuation system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for rupturing thin-walled tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators may be incorporated into the tubes and the mandrels to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation.
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