Triggering system for the plastic collapse of a metal structural element

• Main Authors: BERGAMELLI CARLO, AIROLDI ALESSANDRO, SANVITO MASSIMILIANO, GERARDUS JANSZEN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.09.2006
• Subjects: AEROPLANES; AIRCRAFT; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSIONTRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; BLASTING; COSMONAUTICS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLYING SUITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; HELICOPTERS; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PARACHUTES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; SPRINGS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

The present invention refers to an apparatus for absorbing energy attenuating a force caused by an impact. In particular it refers to a triggering system for the plastic collapse of a metal structural element, particularly suitable for attenuating forces generated by high-velocity impacts, such as in the case of aircraft accidents. In one embodiment the triggering system for the plastic collapse of a metal structural element comprises: an elongated tubular element; a fixed ring having a plurality of wedge-shaped flanges associated to said elongated tubular element; a mobile element sliding in the direction of said elongated tubular element and associated with said fixed ring; said mobile element, in response to its movement in the direction of said wedge-shaped flanges, interacts with said wedge-shaped flanges which in turn interact with said elongated tubular element so as to trigger a collapse of said elongated tubular element.