Abstract: Typical composite panels are brittle and unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the panels. For example, the use of typical panels around fuel tanks of a vehicle are unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the fuel tanks during a crash of the vehicle or a ballistic impact to the fuel tanks. In the embodiments described herein, panels include face sheets that are bonded to a foam core. The foam core includes a corrugated core sheet that is formed from a highly ductile material, such as Polyethylene or Aluminum. When a transverse pressure load is imposed on the panel, core crush of the foam occurs as the core sheet elongates from its original corrugated shape to a curve shape during deformation. This allows the panel to dissipate the energy of the transverse pressure load applied to the panel.

Abstract: Typical composite panels are brittle and unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the panels. For example, the use of typical panels around fuel tanks of a vehicle are unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the fuel tanks during a crash of the vehicle or a ballistic impact to the fuel tanks. In the embodiments described herein, panels include face sheets that are bonded to a foam core. The foam core includes a corrugated core sheet that is formed from a highly ductile material, such as Polyethylene or Aluminum. When a transverse pressure load is imposed on the panel, core crush of the foam occurs as the core sheet elongates from its original corrugated shape to a curve shape during deformation. This allows the panel to dissipate the energy of the transverse pressure load applied to the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle load-limiting suspension apparatus comprises at least one shear tab for controlling an amount of impact load applied to a vehicle structure when a vehicle impact event occurs. The vehicle load-limiting suspension apparatus further comprises at least one crush tube for limiting the amount of impact load applied to the vehicle structure after the at least one shear tab shears in response to occurrence of the vehicle impact event.

Abstract: A vehicle load-limiting suspension apparatus comprises at least one shear tab for controlling an amount of impact load applied to a vehicle structure when a vehicle impact event occurs. The vehicle load-limiting suspension apparatus further comprises at least one crush tube for limiting the amount of impact load applied to the vehicle structure after the at least one shear tab shears in response to occurrence of the vehicle impact event.