Blast energy absorption system

Abstract

Blast energy absorption system capable of being integrated into the structure of a vehicle having removable, interchangeable, and configurable components adaptable to configure the vehicle for varying mission threats. The blast energy absorption system has a plurality of independent energy absorbing systems including one or more in combination of the following: a floor structure, a housing, cross beam members, adjustable energy absorbing containers, and an understructure. Each component may be an independent reactant system. The integral relationship between the above mentioned components forms a system that absorbs and distributes blast energy to minimize energy transfer to the occupants of the vehicle. Blast energy absorption system is capable of many configurations depending on the threat level of a mission.

1 . A system comprising:
 at least first and second floor structures, wherein each floor structure is dimensioned for integration in a longitudinal-horizontal plane of a vehicle; and   a housing disposed between the at least first and second floor structures, wherein the housing comprises at least first and second vertical members, wherein a body portion of the first vertical member is connected to a first side of the first floor structure, and wherein a body portion of the second vertical member is connected to a first side of the second floor structure; and   wherein each of the floor structures and the housing is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of horizontal-longitudinal plane, longitudinal-vertical plane, and horizontal-vertical plane.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an understructure disposed underneath the at least first and second floor structures and the housing, wherein a first side of the understructure is connected to a second side of the first floor structure, wherein a second side of the understructure is connected to a second side of the second floor structure, wherein a first body portion of the understructure is connected to one end of the first vertical member, and wherein a second body portion of the understructure is connected to one end of the second vertical member; and   wherein the first floor structure, the first vertical member, and the understructure are configured to form a first compartment, wherein the second floor structure, the second vertical member, and the understructure are configured to form a second compartment, wherein the housing and the understructure are configured to form a third compartment, and wherein each of the compartments is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along a portion of at least one of the at least first and second floor structures, the at least first and second vertical members, the housing, and the understructure.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one cross beam member horizontally arranged on top of the understructure, wherein the at least one cross beam member is housed within the third compartment, and wherein the at least one cross beam member is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along a horizontal direction.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one of longitudinal and vertical blast energy absorbing members housed within the third compartment, wherein the at least one of longitudinal and vertical blast energy absorbing members is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of longitudinal and vertical directions.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one adjustable energy absorbing container disposed within each of the first and the second compartments, wherein the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of horizontal, longitudinal, and vertical directions.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 at least one of interior and exterior support structures housed within each of the first and second compartments, wherein the at least one of interior and exterior support structures is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of the at least one of interior and exterior support structures.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 at least one crush element disposed within the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container, wherein the at least one crush element is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along the at least one of horizontal-longitudinal plane, longitudinal-vertical plane, and horizontal-vertical plane.   
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 at least first and second floor structures, wherein each floor structure is dimensioned for integration in a longitudinal-horizontal plane of a vehicle;   a housing disposed between the at least first and second floor structures, wherein the housing comprises at least first and second vertical members, and wherein a body portion of the first vertical member is connected to a first side of the first floor structure, and wherein a body portion of the second vertical member is connected to a first side of the second floor structure; and   an understructure disposed underneath the at least first and second floor structures and the housing, wherein a first side of the understructure is connected to a second side of the first floor structure, wherein a second side of the understructure is connected to a second side of the second floor structure, wherein a first body portion of the understructure is connected to one end of the first vertical member, and wherein a second body portion of the understructure is connected to one end of the second vertical member; and   wherein the first floor structure, the first vertical member, and the understructure are configured to form a first compartment, wherein the second floor structure, the second vertical member, and the understructure are configured to form a second compartment, wherein the housing and the understructure are configured to form a third compartment, and wherein each of the compartments is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along a portion of at least one of the at least first and second floor structures, the at least first and second vertical members, the housing, and the understructure.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one cross beam member horizontally arranged on top of the understructure, wherein the at least one cross beam member is housed within the third compartment, and wherein the at least one cross beam member is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along a horizontal direction.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one adjustable energy absorbing container disposed within each of the first and the second compartments, wherein the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of horizontal, longitudinal, and vertical directions.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one of longitudinal and vertical blast energy absorbing members housed within the third compartment, wherein the at least one of longitudinal and vertical blast energy absorbing members is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along the at least one of longitudinal and vertical directions.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one adjustable energy absorbing container disposed within each of the first and the second compartments, wherein the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along the at least one of horizontal, longitudinal, and vertical directions.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one of interior and exterior support structures housed within each of the first and second compartments, wherein the at least one of interior and exterior support structures is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of the at least one of interior and exterior support structures.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one crush element disposed within the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container, wherein the at least one crush element is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of horizontal-longitudinal plane, longitudinal-vertical plane, and horizontal-vertical plane.   
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 at least first and second floor structures, wherein each floor structure is dimensioned for integration in a longitudinal-horizontal plane of a vehicle;   a housing disposed between the at least first and second floor structures, wherein the housing comprises at least first and second vertical members, and wherein a body portion of the first vertical member is connected to a first side of the first floor structure, and wherein a body portion of the second vertical member is connected to a first side of the second floor structure;   an understructure disposed underneath the at least first and second floor structures and the housing, wherein a first side of the understructure is connected to a second side of the first floor structure, wherein a second side of the understructure is connected to a second side of the second floor structure, wherein a first body portion of the understructure is connected to one end of the first vertical member, and wherein a second body portion of the understructure is connected to one end of the second vertical member; and   wherein the first floor structure, the first vertical member, and the understructure are configured to form a first compartment, wherein the second floor structure, the second vertical member, and the understructure are configured to form a second compartment, wherein the housing and the understructure are configured to form a third compartment, and wherein each of the compartments is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along a portion of at least one of the at least first and second floor structures, the at least first and second vertical members, the housing, and the understructure; and   at least one cross beam member horizontally arranged on top of the understructure, wherein the at least one cross beam member is housed within the third compartment, and wherein the at least one cross beam member is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along a horizontal direction.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 at least one of longitudinal and vertical blast energy absorbing members housed within the third compartment, wherein the at least one of longitudinal and vertical blast energy absorbing members is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of longitudinal and vertical directions.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 at least one adjustable energy absorbing container disposed within each of the first and the second compartments, wherein the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of horizontal, longitudinal, and vertical directions.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one of interior and exterior support structures housed within each of the first and second compartments, wherein the at least one of interior and exterior support structures is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of the at least one of interior and exterior support structures.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 at least one crush element disposed within the at least one adjustable energy absorbing container, wherein the at least one crush element is configured to absorb blast energy by dampening blast loads along at least one of horizontal-longitudinal plane, longitudinal-vertical plane, and horizontal-vertical plane.