Phase transforming cellular matrix (PXCM) based tile design for a lightweight runway mat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12338588-B2
Application number	US-202117382039-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2021
Priority date	Jul 1, 2020
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A flexible mat system, including a plurality of base platforms, each respective base platform having a first pattern of phase transforming columns and voids extending from a respective flat member, and a plurality of plane-engaging runway platforms, each respective plane-engaging runway platform having a second, reversed pattern of phase transforming columns and voids extending from a respective flat member such that each respective plane-engaging runway platform is lockingly engagable to a respective base platform to yield a landing segment with parallel top and bottom flat members. Each respective base platform is an aluminum/steel composite. Each respective phase transforming column is further comprised of a plurality of stacked operationally connected phase transforming cellular members. Each respective cell further comprises six hexagonally spaced support members defining six hexagonally arrayed sides, with two opposing sides define x-shaped struts extending between adjacent support members. Remaining sides define parallel struts extending between adjacent support members. Each respective phase transforming cellular member can shift from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration in response to an applied load.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An airplane runway mat, comprising:
a base portion having a first plurality of spaced columns extending therefrom;

a loading platform portion having a second plurality of spaced columns extending therefrom;
wherein the base portion and loading platform portion are matably interconnectible;

wherein each respective column defines a plurality of operationally connected phase transforming cells;
wherein each respective cell has a first and a second stable geometry; and

wherein energy transfer is required to shift from one stable geometric configuration to the other;
wherein each respective phase transforming cell is steel and wherein each respective base plate is a steel/aluminum composite.

2. The mat of claim 1 wherein the mat is flexible.

3. The mat of claim 1 wherein each respective spaced column is a steel hexagonal PXMC column.

4. The mat of claim 1 wherein each respective spaced column is metastable.

5. The mat of claim 1 wherein each respective cell further comprises six hexagonally spaced support members defining six hexagonally arrayed sides; wherein two opposing sides define x-shaped struts extending between adjacent support members; wherein the remaining sides define parallel struts extending between adjacent support members.

6. The mat of claim 5 wherein all six sides define parallel struts extending between adjacent support members.

7. The mat of claim 1 wherein the mat can withstand a compressive load of at least 40 kN without yielding.

8. The mat of claim 1 wherein each respective spaced column is bistable.

9. The flexible mat of claim 8 wherein the mat can withstand a compressive load of at least 40 kN.

10. A flexible mat system, comprising:
a plurality of base platforms, each respective base platform having a first pattern of phase transforming columns and voids extending from a respective flat member;
a plurality of plane-engaging composite runway platforms, each respective plane-engaging composite runway platform having a second, reversed pattern of phase transforming columns and voids extending from a respective flat member such that each respective plane-engaging runway platform is lockingly engagable to a respective base platform to yield a landing segment with parallel top and bottom flat members;
wherein each respective phase transforming column is further comprised of a plurality of stacked operationally connected phase transforming cellular members;
wherein each respective phase transforming cellular member can shift from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration in response to an applied load;
wherein each respective cell further comprises six hexagonally spaced support members defining six hexagonally arrayed sides;
wherein two opposing sides define x-shaped struts extending between adjacent support members;
wherein the remaining sides define parallel struts extending between adjacent support members; and
wherein each respective phase transforming column is a steel hexagonal PXMC column.

11. The flexible mat system of claim 10 wherein each respective phase transforming cellular member can shift from the second stable configuration to the first stable configuration in response to removal of the applied load.

12. The flexible mat system of claim 10 wherein each respective phase transforming column is a steel hexagonal PXMC column.

13. The flexible mat of claim 10 wherein the mat can withstand a compressive load of at least 2.5 kN.

14. The flexible mat of claim 10 wherein the mat can withstand a compressive load of at least 5 kN.

15. The flexible mat of claim 10 wherein the mat can withstand a compressive load of at least 9.5 kN.

16. An energy absorbing mat, comprising:
a first elongated plate member portion having a first plurality of spaced columns extending therefrom;
a second elongated plate member portion;
wherein the respective first and second elongated plate member portions are matably interconnectible;
wherein each respective column defines a plurality of operationally connected phase transforming cells;
wherein each respective spaced column is a steel hexagonal PXMC column;
wherein each respective cell has a first and a second stable geometry; and
wherein energy transfer is required to shift from one stable geometric configuration to the other.

17. The energy absorbing mat of claim 16 wherein the energy absorbing mat can withstand a compressive load of at least 9.5 kN.

18. The energy absorbing mat of claim 16 wherein the second elongated plate member portion has a second plurality of spaced columns extending therefrom.

Assignees

• Purdue Research Foundation

Inventors

• Zavattieri Pablo
• Hartford Scott
• Hector Kristiaan

Classifications

• E01C11/02

  Arrangement or construction of joints {(for pavings consisting of prefabricated units E01C5/00)}; Methods of making joints {(machines therefor E01C23/02, E01C23/09; removable joint shutterings E01C23/021)}; Packing for joints (sealing joints not restricted to road or airfield paving E04B1/68) · CPC title

• E01C3/006

  made of prefabricated single units (E01C3/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E01C9/00

  Special pavings (specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds E01C13/00, for footpaths, sidewalks or cycle tracks E01C15/00); Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields (pavement lights E01C17/00; manholes or like covers or frames E02D29/14) · CPC title

• E01C5/22

  made of units composed of a mixture of materials covered by two or more of groups {E01C5/008} , E01C5/02 - E01C5/20 {except embedded reinforcing materials} · CPC title

• B32B2307/56

  Damping, energy absorption · CPC title