Systems and methods for helmet liner evaluation

Abstract

A helmet testing apparatus includes a sensor configured to be selectively positionable within an interior head cavity of a helmet to acquire compliance data regarding a liner of the helmet and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

1 . A helmet testing apparatus comprising:
 a sensor configured to be selectively positionable within an interior head cavity of a helmet to acquire compliance data regarding a liner of the helmet; and   a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a non-contact sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the non-contact sensor includes a camera. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the non-contact sensor includes an optical profilometer. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the non-contact sensor includes a laser metrology sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interrogation sensor configured to read a data marking on the helmet, wherein the data marking comprises at least one of a prior rating for the helmet, information associated with the compliance data for the helmet, or an identification of the helmet. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the data marking includes at least one of text, a barcode, an RFID tag, an image, or an indicia. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the identification is associated with a remote device storing at least one of the prior rating or the information associated with the compliance data for the helmet. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to retrieve the at least one of the prior rating or the information associated with the compliance data for the helmet from the remote device. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a data recorder configured to write data on the helmet including at least one of the rating or information associated with the compliance data for the helmet. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compliance data provides an indication of acceleration dampening provided by the liner. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compliance data provides an indication of angular acceleration dampening provided by the liner. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine a degree of degradation of the liner relative to a predetermined degradation threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to schedule a future test for the helmet based on the compliance data. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a movable member, wherein the sensor is coupled to the movable member, and wherein the movable member is configured to move the sensor at least one of into or about the interior head cavity to acquire the compliance data. 
     
     
         16 . A helmet testing apparatus comprising:
 a movable member;   a sensor coupled to the movable member, wherein the movable member is configured to move the sensor at least one of into or about an interior head cavity of a helmet to acquire compliance data regarding a liner of the helmet; and   a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.   
     
     
         17 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor includes a non-contact sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the non-contact sensor includes at least one of a camera, an optical profilometer, or a laser metrology sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor includes a contact sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the movable member is configured to move the sensor into engagement with the liner such that the sensor acquires the compliance data. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the movable member is configured to move the sensor into engagement with the liner at a plurality of locations. 
     
     
         22 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is configured to apply a steady load to the liner to acquire the compliance data. 
     
     
         23 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is configured to apply a pulsed load to the liner to acquire the compliance data. 
     
     
         24 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising an interrogation sensor configured to read a data marking on the helmet, wherein the data marking comprises at least one of a prior rating for the helmet, information associated with the compliance data for the helmet, or an identification of the helmet. 
     
     
         25 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the data marking includes at least one of text, a barcode, an RFID tag, an image, or an indicia. 
     
     
         26 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the identification is associated with a remote device storing at least one of the prior rating or the information associated with the compliance data for the helmet. 
     
     
         27 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to retrieve the at least one of the prior rating or the information associated with the compliance data for the helmet from the remote device. 
     
     
         28 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a data recorder configured to write data on the helmet including at least one of the rating or information associated with the compliance data for the helmet. 
     
     
         29 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the compliance data provides an indication of at least one of acceleration dampening or angular acceleration dampening provided by the liner. 
     
     
         30 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine a degree of degradation of the liner relative to a predetermined degradation threshold. 
     
     
         31 . The helmet testing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to schedule a future test for the helmet based on the compliance data. 
     
     
         32 . A method for testing a helmet, the method comprising:
 placing a helmet onto a helmet testing apparatus;   acquiring, by a sensor of the helmet testing apparatus, compliance data regarding a liner of the helmet; and   determining, by a processing circuit, a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.