Road barrier energy absorber mechanism

Abstract

A road barrier energy absorber system, comprising: an energy absorber unit comprising outer walls with a stiffening element located between the outer walls; wherein the energy absorber unit has a size and shape to be located on at least one side of a road barrier; and wherein upon an impact, the energy absorber unit will absorb, e.g., up to 300 kJ of energy.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A road barrier energy absorber system, comprising:
 a barrier; and   an energy absorber unit;   wherein the energy absorber unit is located on at least one side of the barrier, and   wherein the energy absorber unit comprises outer walls with a stiffening element located between the outer walls.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit is 50 to 150 mm thick. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer walls each independently have a wall thickness and the stiffening element has a stiffening element thickness and the wall thickness and/or the stiffening element thickness is 2 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer walls each independently have a wall thickness and the stiffening element has a stiffening element thickness and the wall thickness is greater than or equal to the stiffening element thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a transverse stiffening element, a perpendicular stiffening element, a parallel stiffening element, a hexagonal stiffening element, or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the transverse stiffening element comprises a diagonal stiffening element, a wavy stiffening element, a curvy stiffening element, or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein energy absorber unit comprises an opening between the outer walls and the stiffening element, and wherein said opening is filled with a filler material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises concrete, metal, polymer, or a combination comprising one or both of the foregoing. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit comprises a weatherable coating comprising a UV absorber. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber system inhibits a vehicle from passing off the road or across the barrier, without rupture, at an impact energy of 300 kiloJoules. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the impact speed to crush the energy absorber unit is greater than or equal to 40 to 50 kilometers per hour for a car weighing 2,500 kilograms. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the force to crush the energy absorber unit is greater than or equal to 500 kiloNewton. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit is formed by molding, extrusion, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing processes. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit comprises one or both of a handle and a reflector. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit covers more than one side of the barrier. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the energy absorber unit is a single piece. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the energy absorber unit is modular comprising more than one piece. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the energy absorber unit comprises a first unit, a second unit, and a connector piece. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the connector piece is attached to the first unit and the second unit with a mechanical element comprising a connector pin, a lock and key mechanism, a tongue and groove mechanism, a bolt, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy absorber unit is gangable. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is a curb. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber unit can be attached to the barrier, mechanically and/or chemically. 
     
     
         24 . A road barrier energy absorber system, comprising:
 an energy absorber unit comprising outer walls with a stiffening element located between the outer walls;   wherein the energy absorber unit has a size and shape to be located on at least one side of a road barrier.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the energy absorber unit has a size and shape to be located over a road barrier.