Inflatable Structures with Controlled Release of Pressure for Adaptive Impact Absorption

The paper presents the concept of inflatable structures with controlled release of pressure and its application for adaptive impact absorption. Modelling of adaptive inflatable structure subjected to impact loading is introduced and pressure release strategies providing adjustment to various impact scenarios are developed. The paper describes briefly three impact related applications of inflatable structures. The first one is pneumatic landing gear for small unmanned aerial vehicle which adapts itself for various landing conditions. Another application is smart road barrier which internal chambers are inflated with gas under pressure adjusted to actual impact loading. Finally the paper introduces the concept of ‘flow control – based ’ external airbags which can be used for improving safety of docking operations and helicopter emergency landings