Energy absorbing device forces torus elements to revolve annularly between two concentric tubes when a load is applied to one tube. Interference forces can be varied by using torus elements of different thicknesses. The device operates repeatedly in compression or tension, and under problems of large onset rate tolerance or structural overload

Cunningham, P.

Platus, D. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

July 1966	 Brief 66-10318 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Torus Elements Used in Effective Shock Absorber 
Force
er 
The problem: 
To design a high rate energy absorption device that 
will operate equally well in tension or compression 
with repeatability. 
The solution: 
An energy absorbing device that forces torus ele-
ments to revolve annularly between two concentric 
tubes when a load is applied to one of the tubes.
How it's done:. 
The device consists of two concentric tubes between 
which a varying number of torus elements can be 
mounted. The torus elements are loops of ductile ma-
terial either in the form of rings or a continuous spiral. 
As illustrated, with a load imposed on one of the 
tubes, the torus elements are forced to revolve be-
tween the tubes, introducing cyclic tension and corn-
(continued overleaf) 
AdEkk 
Now
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000317 2020-03-11T17:40:32+00:00Z
	pression on the fibers or crystals, and thus absorb 	 Patent status: 
energy.	 Title to this invention, covered by U.S. Patent No. 
Notes:	 3231049, has been waived under the provisions of the 
1. Interference forces can be varied by using torus
	
National Aeronautics and Space Act (42 U.S.C. 2457 
elements of different thicknesses. 	 (f)) to Aerospace Research Associates, 2017 West 
2. The device is well suited to shock attenuation prob-	 Garvey Avenue, West Covina, California. 
	
lems in which large onset rates can be tolerated,	 Source: David L. Platus 
	
and is also ideally suited to structural overload 	 and Patrick Cunningham 
	
problems. In the latter application, the device 	 of Aerospace Research Associates 
	
would undergo negligible deformation (creep)
	 under contract to 
	
under normal service loads, but would yield at a
	 Western Operations Office 
preselected overload.	 (WOO-114) 
3. The negligible maintenance requirement and rug-
ged, weatherproof character of this device, plus low 
cost of manufacture suggest vehicle and highway 
safety applications. 
Brief 66-10318	 Category 05


Torus elements used in effective shock absorber

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