Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for transferring a rotational force. Apparatus include a shaft member that has a first end configured to receive a rotational force from a first mechanical component, and configured to receive a torsional load in response to receiving the rotational force. The shaft member also includes a second end configured to provide the rotational force to a second mechanical component. Apparatus also include a support member that includes a plurality of lobes coupled to the shaft member and configured to transmit the torsional load of the shaft member, where the plurality of lobes is coupled to each other along a central coupling and extend radially from the central coupling, where the plurality of lobes has a spiral geometry along a length of the support member such that an orientation of the plurality of lobes rotates along the length of the support member.

Abstract: An impact-energy tolerant method and structures for impact-energy absorption and penetration resistance are disclosed. A body comprising a body end, and a fiber band comprising supplemental attachment sites located between an inner wall and an outer wall of the body end.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for transferring a rotational force. Apparatus include a shaft member that has a first end configured to receive a rotational force from a first mechanical component, and configured to receive a torsional load in response to receiving the rotational force. The shaft member also includes a second end configured to provide the rotational force to a second mechanical component. Apparatus also include a support member that includes a plurality of lobes coupled to the shaft member and configured to transmit the torsional load of the shaft member, where the plurality of lobes is coupled to each other along a central coupling and extend radially from the central coupling, where the plurality of lobes has a spiral geometry along a length of the support member such that an orientation of the plurality of lobes rotates along the length of the support member.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for transferring a rotational force. For example, apparatus may include a shaft member that may include a first end configured to receive the rotational force from a first mechanical component. The shaft member may be configured to receive a torque in response to receiving the rotational force at the first end. The shaft member may also include a second end that may be configured to provide the rotational force to a second mechanical component. The shaft member may further include an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an internal volume of the shaft member. The apparatus may also include a support member that may be configured to transmit the torque. The support member may include a plurality of lobes that have a spiraled geometry. The support member may be coupled to the shaft member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods described herein provide for a structural armor configured to provide load-bearing capabilities to a structure, as well as to provide protection from hypervelocity impacts. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, the structural armor may include two armor facesheets, with an angular member core disposed between. The angular member core may include a number of nodes abutting the armor facesheets, with angular members intersecting at the nodes at acute node angles from the armor facesheets and extending between the armor facesheets. The acute node angles correspond with estimated spread angles of a debris field resulting from an impact of an object with an armor facesheet while moving at hypervelocity speed.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise an outer skin having an exterior side and an interior side, an internal structure positioned relative to the interior side of the outer skin, and an inner skin. The internal structure may be capable of absorbing a blast load applied to the exterior side of the outer skin. The internal structure may be located between the outer skin and the inner skin.

Abstract: A blast diffuser for a structure may include a diffuser assembly. The diffuser assembly may include a plurality of vanes arranged in spaced relation to one anther. The vanes may be configured to redirect airflow of an overpressure wave from a first direction toward the diffuser assembly to a second direction generally parallel to the structure. The vanes may be offset from the structure by an offset distance forming a gap for the airflow between the vanes and the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise an outer skin having an exterior side and an interior side, an internal structure positioned relative to the interior side of the outer skin, and an inner skin. The internal structure may be capable of absorbing a blast load applied to the exterior side of the outer skin. The internal structure may be located between the outer skin and the inner skin.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system may include a structure formed of an inner face sheet and an outer face sheet and having a core positioned therebetween. The structure may have a leading edge. An impact member formed of a plastically deformable material may be positioned with the inner face sheet within an area of the leading edge. The impact member may absorb energy from an impact of a projectile with the leading edge and redistributing the energy of the impact to the structure.

Abstract: A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of an inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorbing elements are configured with a base and a cap and are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system may include a structure formed of an inner face sheet and an outer face sheet and having a core positioned therebetween. The structure may have a leading edge. An impact member formed of a plastically deformable material may be positioned with the inner face sheet within an area of the leading edge. The impact member may absorb energy from an impact of a projectile with the leading edge and redistributing the energy of the impact to the structure.

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus and system for leading edge structures includes an impact member, such as a “bird-band”, of a plastically deformable material of a predetermined configuration positioned with the structure in an area of the leading edge of the structure to absorb energy of an impact of a projectile with the leading edge of the structure, and to redistribute the energy of the impact to the structure, and can break up the projectile, and can increase the impact area. The structure can have one or more sheet members, such as a single sheet, or an inner face sheet and an outer face sheet with a core positioned between the inner face sheet and the outer face sheet. One or more impact members of the plastically deformable material can be positioned with one or more of the single sheet, the inner face sheet, the outer face sheet or the core.

Abstract: A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of an inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorbing elements are configured with a base and a cap and are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.

Abstract: A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of a rigid inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorption elements are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.

Abstract: A wheel including an annular hub and a plurality of curved spokes extending radially outward from the hub. Each spoke has an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base. The wheel further includes an annular rim concentric with the hub and connected to the spokes adjacent their tips.

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus and system for leading edge structures includes an impact member, such as a “bird-band”, of a plastically deformable material of a predetermined configuration positioned with the structure in an area of the leading edge of the structure to absorb energy of an impact of a projectile with the leading edge of the structure, and to redistribute the energy of the impact to the structure, and can break up the projectile, and can increase the impact area. The structure can have one or more sheet members, such as a single sheet, or an inner face sheet and an outer face sheet with a core positioned between the inner face sheet and the outer face sheet. One or more impact members of the plastically deformable material can be positioned with one or more of the single sheet, the inner face sheet, the outer face sheet or the core.

Abstract: A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of a rigid inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorption elements are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.

Abstract: A containment device for use in retaining debris material traveling radially outward in a rotary device is provided as is a turbine having a containment device. The containment device includes an outer ring that extends generally circumferentially and defines an inner surface directed radially inward. A plurality of energy absorption elements are disposed on the inner surface of the outer ring. Each absorption element extends both radially inward and circumferentially so that each absorption element is configured to be plastically deformed radially outward by debris material impacting the absorption element. Each absorption element can include a base and a cap, the base extending in a generally radial direction and the cap being connected to the radially inward end of the respective base and defining an angle therewith.

Abstract: A containment vessel (10) or retaining projected high energy material fragments produced during the catastrophic failure of a high energy rotary mechanism, such as a composite flywheel (20), includes a continuous outer ring (30) and a plurality of inner shaped elements (40) that produce an inner ring layer. The outer ring (30) is approximately circular in shape and is designed to be unyielding during a flywheel failure. The inner shaped elements (40) are juxtapositioned axially along the inner periphery of the outer ring (30) and are configured and positioned to produce hollow cells (60). These shaped inner elements (40) are adapted of a material and are configured and positioned in such a way as to possess sufficient ductility so that the elements adequately flatten through non-destructive plastic deformation and contain the high energy material fragments (50) of a failed flywheel (20).