U.S. patent application number 10/819602 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for blast protection system.
Invention is credited to John S. Swinson.
Application Number | 20070214951 10/819602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38516381 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070214951 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Swinson; John S. |
September 20, 2007 |
BLAST PROTECTION SYSTEM
Abstract
A blast protection barrier system to protect structures from
blast shock waves initiated by detonation of a large bomb at ground
level adjacent the structure, and in particular a bomb transported
by a land vehicle, having an outer perimeter wall retaining a large
quantity of loose particulate matter, the wall having multiple
horizontally extending folds, each fold having an outwardly facing
inclined, preferably concave, segment joined to a generally
horizontal segment, such that the blast shock wave causes the wall
to extend or expand in a generally vertical direction to dissipate
and divert the destructive energy of the bomb and minimize damage
to the structure.
Inventors: |
Swinson; John S.;
(Brunswick, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROGERS TOWERS, P.A.
1301 RIVERPLACE BOULEVARD, SUITE 1500
JACKSONVILLE
FL
32207
US
|
Family ID: |
38516381 |
Appl. No.: |
10/819602 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.04 ;
89/36.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 9/10 20130101; F41H
5/0457 20130101; F41H 5/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
089/036.04 ;
089/036.02 |
International
Class: |
F41H 5/04 20060101
F41H005/04; F41H 5/02 20060101 F41H005/02; F41H 5/24 20060101
F41H005/24 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. A blast protection system for protecting structures from damage
from blast shock waves created by an explosion said system
comprising: at least one wall formed of a sheet metal and
comprising multiple horizontal folds, said folds comprising a
generally horizontal segment and an outwardly facing concave
inclined segment, wherein the configuration of said folds is such
that said wall expands in a generally upward direction when
impacted by a horizontal blast shock wave; and particulate matter
disposed behind and abutting said wall, whereby said particulate
matter absorbs and dissipates energy transferred through said wall;
wherein said concave inclined segments have a lower edge and an
upper edge, and wherein said horizontal segments have a forward
edge and a rear edge, and wherein said lower edge of said concave
inclined segment is connected to said rear edge of said horizontal
segment, and wherein said upper edge of said concave inclined
segment is connected to said forward edge of said horizontal
segment.
5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a footing member
extending inwardly from said lower edge of the lowermost of said
concave inclined segments.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein said folds further comprise a
generally vertically disposed extension segment disposed between
said horizontal segments and said concave inclined segments.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein said particulate matter is chosen
from the group of particulate matter consisting of sand, rubber
particles and plastic beads.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one second
wall disposed internally to said at least one wall, wherein said
particulate matter is disposed between said at least one wall and
said at least one second wall.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one third
wall disposed internally to said at least one second wall, wherein
said particulate matter is disposed between said at least one
second wall and said at least one third wall.
10. The system of claim 3, wherein said concave inclined segments
are each configured as a segment of a circle.
11. A blast protection system for protecting structures from damage
from blast shock waves created by an explosion, said system
comprising: at least one wall formed of a sheet metal and
comprising multiple horizontal folds said folds comprising a
generally horizontal segment and an outwardly facing inclined
segment wherein the configuration of said folds is such that said
wall expands in a generally upward direction when impacted by a
horizontal blast shock wave; and particulate matter disposed behind
and abutting said wall, whereby said particulate matter absorbs and
dissipates energy transferred through said wall; wherein said
inclined segments have a lower edge and an upper edge, and wherein
said horizontal segments have a forward edge and a rear edge, and
wherein said lower edge of said inclined segment is connected to
said rear edge of said horizontal segment, and wherein said upper
edge of said inclined segment is connected to said forward edge of
said horizontal segment.
12. A blast protection system comprising: multiple walls formed of
a folded sheet metal and comprising multiple horizontal folds, said
folds each comprising an exterior fold joining an upper edge of an
outwardly facing inclined segment to a forward edge of a horizontal
segment, and further comprising an interior junction joining a
lower edge of an outwardly facing inclined segment to a rear edge
of a horizontal segment; said walls joined to form an external
perimeter to retain particulate matter; and loose particulate
matter disposed behind and abutting said walls; whereby said walls
extend in a generally vertical direction when impacted by a
horizontal blast shock wave.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said particulate matter is
chosen from the group of particulate matter consisting of sand,
rubber particles and plastic beads.
14. The system of claim 12, further comprising footing members
disposed at the bottom of said walls.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein said walls are composed of
folded steel plates having a thickness of approximately 3/8 to 5/8
inches.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein said inclined segments are
concave inclined segments.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said folds further comprise a
generally vertically disposed extension segment disposed between
said horizontal segments and said concave inclined segments.
18. The system of claim 12, wherein said walls form a perimeter
with an open top.
19. The system of claim 12, wherein said walls forming a perimeter
define a set of exterior walls, and further comprising a set of
interior walls of the same construction as said walls, wherein said
particulate matter is disposed between said exterior walls and said
interior walls.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a set of rear walls
of the same construction as said walls, wherein said particulate
matter is also disposed between said interior walls and said rear
walls.
21. The system of claim 16, wherein said concave inclined segments
are segments of a circle.
22. The system of claim 11, further comprising a footing member
extending inwardly from said lower edge of the lowermost of said
inclined segments.
23. The system of claim 11, wherein said folds further comprise a
generally vertically disposed extension segment disposed between
said horizontal segments and said inclined segments.
24. The system of claim 11, wherein said particulate matter is
chosen from the group of particulate matter consisting of sand,
rubber particles and plastic beads.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates most generally to devices, structures,
apparatuses and systems designed to protect structures from
explosive blast effects, and more particularly to such devices,
etc., that are designed to protect against explosions from large
bombs detonated adjacent the structure being protected. Even more
particularly, the invention relates to such devices, etc., that
incorporate protective barriers erected externally to or adjacent
the structure being protected.
[0002] An increasingly common terrorist tactic is the detonation of
large portable bombs, usually transported within a car or truck, to
destroy or severely damage large buildings or similar fixed
structures. Delivering the bombs to the target can be relatively
easy, as the transport vehicle is simply driven to a location
adjacent the building and the explosives are detonated. Many
important buildings are now protected by exclusionary barriers that
prevent a vehicle from being brought near the building, but it is
not possible to protect all vulnerable structures in this manner
due to economic and physical space considerations, as most
buildings front on a public street open to all vehicular traffic.
In such a circumstance, providing an exclusionary safety buffer of
sufficient area may be possible only by closing the street--an
impractical solution. In addition, buildings previously considered
to be outside the list of potential targets may become targets if
temporarily occupied by targeted personnel, such as is the case for
example of buildings now occupied in Iraq by U.S. personnel.
Furthermore, structures other than buildings may be possible
targets, such as for example bridge support towers, especially on
suspension bridges, television towers, gas storage tanks, etc.
Bridges columns are especially vulnerable as the columns are always
positioned adjacent the roadway, and the columns are the sole
supports for the roadway. Destruction of bridges disrupts vehicular
travel and may simultaneously block waterways or ports.
[0003] Detonation of an explosive produces a shock wave of
dramatically increased pressure and thermal energy, which if
unmitigated is often sufficient to cause massive destruction of
fixed structures within effective range of the explosion. If
directed at a vulnerable area of a tall or large structure, such as
a high-rise tower or a suspension bridge, the direct blast damage
may instigate indirect structural failure of a magnitude sufficient
to destroy the entire structure through collapse. One approach to
protect structures from attack involves the use of mechanical or
physical barrier structures to absorb, deflect or otherwise
mitigate the blast effects. These barriers are wall-like structures
that are constructed to absorb the blast shock wave, to divert or
vent the shock wave away from the structure, or a combination of
both. A simple form of blast protection barrier is a large earthen
berm or a thick concrete wall that is erected a short distance from
the structure being protected. Another type of blast protection
barrier is represented by shock wave absorbing pads or curtains
that are mounted on the exterior walls of the structure. A third
type of blast protection device involves blanket or containers
built to suppress an explosion occurring beneath the blanket or
within the container.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,522, issued to Yerushalmi on Feb. 28,
1984, describes a protective barrier of the first type. The barrier
is a protective wall structure having two spaced groups of sheet
metal panels connected in interlocking manner to define two
opposing faces and a large number of diagonally positioned panels
extending between the two faces in a saw tooth orientation. The
vertical channels formed by the diagonal panels are filled with
concrete or asphalt. Another example of a wall barrier is shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,622, issued to Gettle et al. on Jul. 6, 1993,
which shows a specialized assembly of porous screens containing
shock wave attenuating material having fluid characteristics. An
example of the second type of blast protection device is shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,511, issued to Alhamad on Nov. 19, 1996. The
Alhamad device is a pad composed of multiple sheets of expanded
metal net separated by core layers of porous material comprising
fiberglass, cotton batting or small balls of expanded metal net.
The third type of device, the blast suppressing blanket or
container, is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,416, issued to
Gulbierz on Apr. 2, 1974, U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,649, issued to Szego
on Apr. 17, 1979, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,789, issued to Katsanis
et al. Mar. 1, 1998.
[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide a blast
protection system of the barrier or shield type, wherein the
barrier can be constructed or assembled about the perimeter of a
structure to be protected, with the barrier mitigating the shock
wave of an explosive detonated near or adjacent the barrier such
that the structure is minimally or not damaged. It is a further
object to provide such a blast protection system where the blast
force is absorbed and diverted from the structure being protected.
It is a further object to provide such a blast protection system
that is relatively economical in material and installation costs,
can be installed quickly, and is simple to construct. Additional
intended objects of the invention will be discemable from the
disclosure to follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is a blast protection system to protect
buildings, bridge columns and other fixed structures from shock
wave effects of explosives detonated adjacent the structures, and
in particular to protect structures susceptible to attack by large
amounts of explosives transported in vehicles, commonly referred to
as a car bomb or truck bomb. The invention is designed to absorb
and divert the blast energy in order to minimize damage to the
structure, and is particularly adapted to be used in circumstances
where positioning of the explosive adjacent the structure is
relatively easy, due to the fact that the structure lies adjacent a
public roadway. The invention is composed of material that is
relatively low cost, and installation of the invention is also at
relatively low cost.
[0007] The blast protection barrier system comprises in general a
wall composed of a sheet metal, preferably steel plate, that is
arranged as a perimeter to retain a large amount of loose
particulate matter. The wall is formed with multiple horizontal
folds of particular configuration such that the blast shock wave
from a bomb explosion causes the wall to unfold or expand in a
generally vertical or upward direction, rather than collapsing
generally horizontally inward or downward. Each fold configuration
comprises a generally horizontal flat segment and an outwardly
facing inclined segment, most preferably a concave or radiused
segment, with the lower end of the inclined segment joined to the
rear edge of the horizontal segment along an interior junction and
with the upper end of the inclined segment joined to the forward
edge of the horizontal segment along an exterior fold or junction.
This pattern is repeated vertically to obtain a desired height for
the wall. A footing member or base extends to the rear of the
wall.
[0008] The particulate matter comprises a large amount of relative
small and relatively lightweight particles that absorb and
dissipate the energy from the blast shock wave, and preferably
consists of sand or similar inorganic or inert matter. The
particulate matter may be an aggregate or mixture of particles of
differing physical properties, such as for example sand, rubber,
plastic beads or the like.
[0009] The blast protection system is positioned so as to abut or
reside a short distance from the structure to be protected. The
wall members are joined by welding, mechanical fasteners or similar
means to create an extended or multi-directional perimeter, and are
preferably secured to the ground surface by connecting mechanical
fasteners to the footing members. The particulate matter is placed
within the interior of the perimeter formed by the wall members. In
the event that an explosive is detonated in close proximity to the
blast protection system, the blast shock wave causes the folds of
the wall to unfold and extend in an upward direction, thereby
initiating a diversion of the blast energy away from the structure
being protected. This upward motion is likewise transferred to at
least a portion of the particulate matter, such that the horizontal
energy of the blast is dissipated through absorption by the loose
particles and diverted into a generally vertical direction by
upward expulsion of the particles as well, thereby minimizing the
amount of energy that impacts the structure directly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention as positioned to
protect a bridge column.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention
taken on line III-III of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing the reaction of the folds
in the wall portion of the invention in response to the horizontal
shock wave of an explosion.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
invention showing the use of multiple folded walls arranged in a
staggered fashion.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative
configuration for the folds in the wall of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative
configuration for the folds in the wall of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative
configuration for the folds in the wall of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be
described in detail with regard for the best mode and the preferred
embodiment. In general, the invention is a blast protection barrier
system 10 comprising horizontally folded wall members 20 and energy
dissipating particulate matter 30 used to protect a structure 99
from a blast shock wave resulting from detonation of an explosive
adjacent the blast protection system 10. The system 10 will
typically comprise multiple linear wall members 20 joined as
required to shield the structure 99 from multiple directions by
forming a perimeter. The protected structures 99 may consist of
buildings, towers, storage tanks, or any other structure or object
requiring protection of the type described herein. For purposes of
illustration, the invention is herein shown as protecting the three
sides of a bridge column facing a roadway, but it is to be
understood that the invention may be constructed to face any number
of directions and may be constructed to completely encircle a
structure 99 if required.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blast protection system
10 comprises at least one wall member 20 and a relatively large
amount of particulate matter 30 disposed directly behind and
abutting the walls 20. The walls 20 are preferably connected to
each other in known modular manner by welding, mechanical fasteners
or the like to form a perimeter to contain the particulate matter
30. The walls 20 are the outer barrier members that receive the
initial blast shock wave from a detonated explosive or bomb, and
thus are assembled to present a continuous front in each direction
from which an explosive blast may occur. As shown in these figures,
the structure 99 being protected is a bridge support column that
faces a roadway on three sides with the fourth side facing away
from the roadway over the water. In this situation, only the three
sides facing the roadway need protection. The particulate matter 30
is disposed between the wall members 10 and the protected structure
99 with its top surface exposed or, if covered in any manner for
protection from the environment, covered only with a lightweight
tarp, fabric or similar material such that upward movement of the
particulate matter 30 is minimally impeded. As shown in FIG. 1, the
particulate matter abuts the structure 99, but alternatively as
shown in FIG. 5 a space may be included between the blast
protection system 10 and the structure 99.
[0020] The particulate matter 10 comprises generally small
particles of inorganic and inert matter, and preferably comprises
sand or a mixture of sand and other particles, such as plastic
beads, rubber particles or similar articles. The particulate matter
10 is a loose distribution of particles, which serve to absorb and
dissipate some of the horizontal energy of a blast shock wave. The
size and weight of the individual particles of the particulate
matter 10 may vary, but should be kept sufficiently small such that
the particulate matter 10 does not itself become damaging
projectiles when ejected upward. A sufficient quantity of
particulate matter 10 is provided so that the surface of the
particulate matter 10 is generally level with the top of the walls
20. Preferably, the particulate matter should extend at least
approximately five feet behind the wall 20.
[0021] The walls 20 are composed of a sheet metal material of
relatively high strength, such as preferably steel plate. A
preferable thickness for the wall 10 when composed of steel plate
is from about 3/8 to 5/8 inches, which is sufficient to insure that
the steel plate is deformed in response to a blast shock wave but
is not destroyed so as to result in projectiles or shrapnel. The
wall 20 is formed with multiple horizontal folds 40 manufactured
from a single plate, as shown in FIG. 3. Each fold 40 comprises an
outwardly facing inclined segment 21, most preferably a concave
segment as shown in the figure, a horizontal segment 22, an
exterior fold 23 and an interior junction 24. The concave inclined
segment 21 as shown is a curved portion that is concave to the
exterior of the wall 20, and is preferably configured as an arc
segment of a circle. The horizontal segment 22 is a longitudinally
extending, generally horizontally disposed, general flat or planar
segment of the wall 20. The longitudinal junction of the upper edge
of the concave segment 21 and the forward edge of the horizontal
segment 22 defines an exterior fold 23, which most preferably
comprises a full 180 bend of the material in order to provide a
well-defined exterior fold 23. Such a fully folded configuration
increases the beam-like strengthening effects of the exterior fold
relative to forces encountered in the horizontal direction. The
longitudinal junction of the lower edge of the concave inclined
segment 21 and the rear edge of a different horizontal segment 22
defines an interior junction 24, preferably at an angle of 90
degrees. This pattern is repeated in the vertical direction until
the desired height for wall 20 is attained. The upper edge of the
wall 20 is formed by the upper edge of the uppermost concave
inclined segment 21. The longitudinal lower edge of the wall 20 is
bent inwardly to define a footing or base member 26 that extends
inwardly from wall 20. This footing member 26 may be formed as a
flange member only several inches in depth, or may be extended to
form a full bottom for the blast protection system 10. Preferably,
the footing member 26 is secured to the ground surface 98 by
mechanical fasteners or like means.
[0022] The height and length of the wall 20 may vary as needed.
Representative dimensions for the configuration of the folds 40
comprise concave inclined segments 21 having a curve with a
centered radius of one foot and horizontal segments approximately
eight to twelve inches deep. The walls 20 will have a height
sufficient to extend above most common trucks, and preferably
extend at least fourteen feet in height. An alternative
configuration for the folds 40 of wall 20 is shown in FIG. 6, where
the lower edge of the concave inclined segment 21 transitions into
a preferably vertical, generally planar extension segment 25, the
lower edge of which is joined to the rear edge of a horizontal
segment 22. Other configurations for folds 40 are also possible
within the scope of the invention, provided that the configuration
is such that shape of the folds 40 translates a horizontal blast
shock wave into an upward direction, as shown in FIG. 4. For
example, as shown in FIG. 7, the inclined segment 21 may be
relatively planar rather than concave. A more preferred embodiment
of the planar inclined segment 21 is shown in FIG. 8, wherein the
exterior folds 23 are crimped to extend a short distance inward.
This configuration increases the beam strengthening effects of the
exterior folds 23.
[0023] As seen in FIG. 4, the longitudinally extensive exterior
folds 23 create a multiple beam effect such that the wall 20 is
highly resistant to inward flexing when exposed to the horizontal
forces from the explosive shock wave direction 97. The energy
impinging on wall 20 in the horizontal blast shock wave direction
97 thus passes the exterior folds 23 and is received by the concave
inclined segments 21. The wall 20 expands or unfolds in a generally
upward energy dissipation direction 96 because of the energy
received by the folds 40, in particular because of the specialized
configuration. The angle of the interior junctions 24 increases,
the curvature of the concave inclined segments 21 is reduced or
flattened, and the horizontal segments 22 are pulled into an
inclined orientation. This upward expansion redirects the shock
wave energy as it passes through the wall 20 and into the
particulate matter 30, which absorbs some of the energy due to its
loosely packed structure and where some of the particulate matter
30 is ejected upward in response to the upward expansion of the
wall 20 and the fact that the top surface of the particulate matter
30 is uncovered and unrestricted. In this manner the destructive
energy from the bomb detonation is dissipated and diverted away
from the structure 99 being protected, thereby minimizing the
damage to the structure 99.
[0024] As a contrasting example, walls composed of folded pleats
having flat segments joined at angular junctions without horizontal
segments or with inclined segments facing inward would not function
in the manner of the invention, as the horizontal energy from the
blast shock wave would cause the wall to collapse inwardly or
downward, with no resulting diversion of energy from the horizontal
to the vertical direction.
[0025] An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.
5, where a series of walls 20 are incorporated into the blast
protection system 10 in a staggered or generally concentric manner
with multiple areas of particulate matter 30 between each of the
series of walls 20. In the embodiment shown, there is a first set
of connected exterior walls 20', a second set of connected internal
walls 20'' and a third set of rear walls 20'''. In this embodiment,
any horizontal energy passing through the exterior walls 20' and
the outermost mass of particulate matter 30 encounters the second
set of walls 20'', where the energy is again diverted through
vertical expansion of the second walls 20'' and dispersion of the
secondary mass of particulate matter 30 disposed behind the second
set of walls 20'' in the same manner as before.
[0026] It is understood that equivalents and substitutions for
certain elements set forth above may be obvious to those skilled in
the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the
invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *