Smart Blast Sensing

Abstract

An automated smart system for forming a blast resistant structure comprises one or more remote blast sensors connected to at least one actuator arranged to actively deform a panel of the structure from an initial configuration to a curved configuration in response to sensing a blast.

1 . An automated system for forming a blast resistant structure, comprising one or more remote blast sensors connected to at least one actuator arranged to actively deform a panel or wall of the structure from an initial configuration to a curved configuration in response to sensing a blast. 
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more remote blast sensors are arranged to detect an approaching blast and the at least one actuator is arranged to actively deform a panel or wall of the structure into a curved configuration before the blast arrives. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the direction of curvature of the panel or wall is convex towards a source of a blast. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to actively deform the panel or wall by changing the geometry of the panel or wall. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the remote blast sensor(s) comprise one or more pressure or sound sensors to measure shock wave pressure or sound associated with an explosion. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the remote blast sensor(s) communicate wirelessly with the at least one actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel or wall is permanently deformed into a curved configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel or wall is elastically deformed into a curved configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blast resistant structure is formed of one or more panels or walls that are arranged to be actively deformed to a curved configuration having a curvature that can resist blast forces. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the panel(s) or wall(s) have a two-dimensional projection defined by a height L and a curvature defined by a maximum lateral displacement x in a direction perpendicular to the projection and towards a source of a blast, wherein 0.001≦x/L≦0.5. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein x=0 in the initial configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the two-dimensional projection is rectangular. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the curvature is defined by x/L being about 0.015. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the degree of curvature is defined by: (i) 0.001≦x/L≦0.4; (ii) 0.001≦x/L≦0.3; (iii) 0.001≦x/L≦0.2; (iv) 0.001≦x/L≦0.1; (vi) 0.001≦x/L≦0.09; (vii) 0.001≦x/L≦0.08; (viii) 0.001≦x/L≦0.07; or (ix) 0.001≦x/L≦0.06. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the degree of curvature is defined by: (i) 0.001≦x/L≦0.05; (ii) 0.001≦x/L≦0.04; (iii) 0.001≦x/L≦0.03; (iv) 0.001≦x/L≦0.02; (v) 0.001≦x/L≦0.01; (vi) 0.002≦x/L≦0.05; (vii) 0.002≦x/L≦0.04; (viii) 0.002≦x/L≦0.03; (ix) 0.002≦x/L≦0.02; (x) 0.002≦x/L≦0.01; (xi) 0.003≦x/L≦0.05; (xii) 0.003≦x/L≦0.04; (xiii) 0.003≦x/L≦0.03; (xiv) 0.003≦x/L≦0.02; (xv) 0.003≦x/L≦0.01; (xvi) 0.004≦x/L≦0.05; (xvii) 0.004≦x/L≦0.04; (xviii) 0.004≦x/L≦0.03; (xix) 0.004≦x/L≦0.02; (xx) 0.004≦x/L≦0.01; (xxi) 0.005≦x/L≦0.05; (xxii) 0.005≦x/L≦0.04; xxiii) 0.005≦x/L≦0.03; (xxiv) 0.005≦x/L≦0.02; (xxv) 0.005≦x/L≦0.01; or (xxvi) 0.005≦x/L≦0.025. 
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the degree of curvature is defined by: (i) 0.01≦x/L≦0.02; (ii) 0.012≦x/L≦0.02; (iii) 0.014≦x/L≦0.02; (iv) 0.01≦x/L≦0.018; (v) 0.01≦x/L≦0.016; (vi) 0.011≦x/L≦0.019; (vii) 0.012≦x/L≦0.018; (viii) 0.013≦x/L≦0.017; or (ix) 0.014≦x/L≦0.016. 
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blast resistant structure is formed of one or more panels fitted in a supporting frame. 
     
     
         18 . A surface protection system comprising one or more blast resistant panels fitted in a supporting frame and at least one actuator arranged to actively deform the panel(s) from an initial configuration to a curved configuration in response to sensing a blast. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising one or more remote blast sensors connected to the at least one actuator and arranged to detect an approaching blast. 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the frame comprises a female connection arrangement designed to mate with a male profile of the panel(s). 
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the male profile is provided by a male frame, e.g. fitted to one face of the panel(s), that connects with the female frame. 
     
     
         22 . The system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the female connection arrangement comprises snap-fit means for fixedly connecting a panel to the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the frame or the panel(s) are provided with one or more shock absorbing means. 
     
     
         24 . A method of forming a blast resistant structure, comprising:
 sensing a blast in advance; and   actively deforming a panel or wall of the structure from an initial configuration to a curved configuration in response to sensing a blast.   
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: using one or more remote blast sensors to detect an approaching blast. 
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: actively deforming a panel or wall of the structure into a curved configuration before the blast arrives. 
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: actively deforming a panel or wall of the structure into a curved configuration having a curvature that is convex towards a source of the blast. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: using one or more witness screens to detect a blast. 
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: using video surveillance to detect a blast. 
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: wirelessly communicating with the blast resistant structure when a blast is sensed. 
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: permanently deforming the panel or wall into a curved configuration. 
     
     
         32 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: elastically deforming the panel or wall into a curved configuration. 
     
     
         33 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising: fitting one or more panels fitted in a supporting frame to form the blast resistant structure. 
     
     
         34 . The method as claimed in  claim 33 , comprising: removing a panel from the supporting frame after it has been deformed and replacing the panel. 
     
     
         35 . A method of protecting a surface, comprising:
 fitting one or more blast resistant panels in a supporting frame on the surface; and   actively deforming the panel(s) from an initial configuration to a curved configuration in response to sensing a blast.   
     
     
         36 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , comprising: sensing a blast in advance. 
     
     
         37 . A method as claimed in  claim 36 , comprising: using one or more remote blast sensors to detect an approaching blast. 
     
     
         38 . A method as claimed in  claim 36 , comprising: actively deforming the panel(s) into a curved configuration before the blast arrives. 
     
     
         39 . A method as claimed in  claim 36 , comprising: actively deforming the panel(s) into a curved configuration having a curvature that is convex towards a source of the blast. 
     
     
         40 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the panel(s) or wall(s) have a thickness in the range of: (i) 5-25 mm; (ii) 10-25 mm; or (iii) 10-20 mm. 
     
     
         41 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the panel(s) or wall(s) comprise a polymeric, concrete, metallic or composite material. 
     
     
         42 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the panel(s) or wall(s) are formed of a composite material comprising concrete or mortar. 
     
     
         43 . The system as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the composite material comprises metal fibres. 
     
     
         44 . The system as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the concrete or mortar composite material comprises: (i) 1-3 wt %; (ii) 1-4 wt %; (iii) 1-5 wt %; (iv) 1-6 wt %; (v) 1-7 wt %; (vi) 1-8 wt %; (vii) 1-9 wt %; (viii) 1-10 wt %; (ix) 1-11 wt %; (x) 1-12 wt %; (xi) 1-13 wt %; (xii) 1-14 wt %; or (xiii) 1-15 wt % of metal fibres. 
     
     
         45 . The system as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the concrete or mortar composite material comprises: (i) 3-4 wt %; (ii) 3-5 wt %; (iii) 3-6 wt %; (iv) 3-7 wt %; (v) 3-8 wt %; (vi) 3-9 wt %; (vii) 3-10 wt %; (viii) 3-11 wt %; (ix) 3-12 wt %; (x) 3-13 wt %; (xi) 3-14 wt %; or (xii) 3-15 wt % of metal fibres. 
     
     
         46 . The system as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the panel(s) or wall(s) comprise a core volume reinforced by a 3D network of wire cells. 
     
     
         47 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the panel(s) or wall(s) are formed of a mortar-based material comprising mortar containing metal fibres and a core reinforcement consisting of a 3D network of wire cells that is impregnated with the mortar. 
     
     
         48 . The system as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the mortar contains: (i) 5-20 wt %; (ii) 10-20 wt %; (iii) 10-15 wt %; or (iv) 15-20 wt % of metal fibres. 
     
     
         49 . The panel, wall, system as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the metal fibres are steel fibres.