Accession Number:

ADA505766

Title:

Innovative Energy Absorbing Mounting Systems for High Mass Rotorcraft Payloads

Descriptive Note:

Conference paper

Corporate Author:

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV UNIVERSITY PARK

Personal Author(s):

• Kong, William
• Tiwari, Chandrashekhar
• Hagon, Matthew J.
• Bakis, Charles E.
• Smith, Edward C.
• Yukish, Michael A.

Report Date:

2008-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

This paper presents recent developments on two innovative types of crashworthy cargo restraints for high mass rotorcraft payloads textile-based devices and flexible matrix composite devices. Each type of device employs energy dissipation mechanisms to arrest the motion of payloads and limit the maximum load transmitted to tie-down points, thereby maintaining control over payload motion and improving crew survivability in the event of a crash or hard landing. The benefit of these devices over traditional devices is in their several-fold improvement in specific energy absorption capability, which leads to less parasitic mass and, therefore, facilitates the process of restraining cargo for cargo handling crews. Progress to-date includes the development of analytical models of both types of devices and experimental validation of the model for textile devices. A system model is also being developed to allow for the future specification of crashworthy restraint approaches for high mass payloads in rotorcraft.

Descriptors:

• *ENERGY ABSORBERS
• *SURVIVABILITY
• *CRASHWORTHINESS
• *ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT
• DISSIPATION
• CARGO
• FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES
• MOUNTING BRACKETS
• MASS
• COMPOSITE MATERIALS
• PAYLOAD
• SYMPOSIA
• MATRIX MATERIALS

Subject Categories:

• VSTOL

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE