Systems and methods for blast impulse reduction

Abstract

A method includes providing an article having an impact side and an asset side and exposing the impact side of the article to a plurality of pressure waves, the pressure waves having a plurality of pressure wave frequencies. The method also includes reflecting at least one composite harmonic of a portion of the pressure wave frequencies and reducing an amplitude of a portion of the pressure waves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 providing an article having an impact side and an asset side;   exposing the impact side of the article to a plurality of pressure waves, the pressure waves having a plurality of pressure wave frequencies;   reflecting at least one composite harmonic of a portion of the pressure wave frequencies; and   reducing an amplitude of a portion of the pressure waves.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one composite harmonic comprises a plurality of harmonics, the plurality of harmonics comprising a first through eighth harmonic. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of harmonics comprise a third and fourth harmonic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pressure wave frequencies are between 0.1 Hz and 10,000 Hz. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pressure wave frequencies are between 1 Hz and 1000 Hz. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pressure waves comprise a shockwave, a fireball, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising exposing the article to the fireball, the fireball comprising at least one fireball wave. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reflecting a plurality of harmonics of the at least one fireball wave. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising cancelling a portion of the at least one fireball wave by reducing an amplitude of the at least one fireball wave. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising absorbing a portion of the at least one fireball wave. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising quenching the fireball by reflecting oxygen depleted air into the fireball. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising retarding the fireball from reaching its maximum brisance value. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising generating at least one shockwave, wherein the at least one shockwave has less energy than a shockwave wherein the fireball had not impacted the article. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an asset is located on the asset side of the article. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a blast impulse on the asset is less than wherein the fireball had not impacted the article. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a load on the asset is less than wherein the fireball had not impacted the article. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a peak load on the asset is less than wherein the fireball had not impacted the article. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some energy of the plurality of pressure waves is dissipated within the article. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising changing a velocity of a ballistic projectile with the article, capturing a ballistic projectile with the article, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises multiple layers. 
     
     
         22 . A multilayer article having an impact side and an asset side, the multilayer article comprising layers arranged successively comprising:
 a first layer, the first layer of the article having a density ranging from 0.02 g/cc to 0.05 g/cc, the first layer comprising a rubber;   a second layer, the second layer having a density higher than the first layer, the density of the second layer ranging from 0.25 g/cc to 0.43 g/cc, the second layer being an insulator; and   a third layer, the third layer having a density higher than the first layer and the second layer, the density of the third layer ranging from 0.4 g/cc to 0.5, the third layer comprising concrete.   
     
     
         23 . The multilayer article of  claim 22 , wherein from the impact side to the asset side, each successive layer of the multiple layers reflects and absorbs frequencies that are higher than frequencies reflected and absorbed by the adjacent layer that is closer to the impact side. 
     
     
         24 . The multilayer article of  claim 23 , wherein the first through third layers are adapted to reflect frequencies of ranging from 0.1 Hz to 175 Hz. 
     
     
         25 . The multilayer article of  claim 24 , wherein the first layer is neoprene. 
     
     
         26 . The multilayer article of  claim 24 , wherein the second layer is a foamed metal. 
     
     
         27 . The multilayer article of  claim 22 , further comprising a fourth layer, the fourth layer having a density greater than the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer, the fourth layer being a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         28 . The multilayer article of  claim 27 , wherein the fourth layer is polypropylene thermoplastic composite. 
     
     
         29 . The multilayer article of  claim 27 , further comprising a fifth layer, the fifth layer having a density greater than the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the fourth layer, the fifth layer being a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         30 . The multilayer article of  claim 29 , wherein the fifth layer is a polyethylene thermoplastic composite. 
     
     
         31 . The multilayer article of  claim 29 , further comprising a sixth layer, the sixth layer having a density of greater than the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, the fourth layer, and the fifth layer, the sixth layer being a fiber composite. 
     
     
         32 . The multilayer article of  claim 31 , wherein the first through sixth layers are mechanically coupled together with an adhesive. 
     
     
         33 . A method comprising:
 providing an article comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer is mechanically coupled with adjacent layers of the article, wherein the article has an impact side and an asset side that is opposite the impact side, and wherein, from the impact side to the asset side, each successive layer has a density that is greater than a density of the adjacent layer that is closer to the impact side;   receiving at least one pressure wave on the impact side of the article, wherein the at least one pressure wave comprises of a plurality of frequencies;   reflecting at least one harmonic with the article, thereby reducing an amplitude of the at least one pressure wave; and   absorbing at least a portion of the at least one pressure wave with the article.   
     
     
         34 . An article comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer is mechanically coupled with adjacent layers of the article, wherein the article has an impact side and an asset side that is opposite the impact side, and wherein, from the impact side to the asset side, each successive layer has a density that is greater than a density of the adjacent layer that is closer to the impact side. 
     
     
         35 . The article of  claim 34 , wherein the article is a laminate. 
     
     
         36 . The article of  claim 35 , further comprising adhesive, wherein the adhesive mechanically couples adjacent layers of the article. 
     
     
         37 . The article of  claim 34 , further comprising a frame mechanically coupled with the multiple layers. 
     
     
         38 . The article of  claim 34 , wherein the article comprises at least three layers. 
     
     
         39 . The article of  claim 38 , wherein the article comprises one or more layers comprising neoprene, one or more layers comprising metal foam, and one or more layers comprising concrete. 
     
     
         40 . The article of  claim 39 , wherein the article comprises one or more layers comprising polyolefin, and one or more layers comprising a fiber composite. 
     
     
         41 . The article of  claim 34 , wherein the article is a panel, a door, or a wall.