UMCP Techno-Sciences Researchers Awarded US Patent

The University of Maryland (UMD and Techno-Sciences Inc. (TSi) were awarded a utility patent October 28, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, entitled “Adaptive Energy Absorption System for a Vehicle Seat,” as U.S. Patent Number 7,822,522 with inventors Prof. Norman M. Wereley, Dr. Gregory J. Hiemenz (Ph.D.'07), Dr. Young-Tai Choi, Dr. Gang Wang (Ph.D.'01) and Dr. Peter Chen (Ph.D.'96). Of the five inventors, three are Ph.D. graduates of the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, and two are Aerospace Engineering faculty. The abstract for the patent is as follows.

"An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses that enable both shock mitigation and vibration are disclosed."

This patent serves as the cornerstone of a joint portfolio of intellectual property for myriad shock, vibration and motion control products developed by Techno-Sciences Inc. and the University of Maryland's Smart Structures Laboratory.

Published October 28, 2010