Protection of Military Vehicle Occupants from Mine Blast Using an Air Bladder Seat Shock Isolation System
Dr. Douglas Reynolds, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Dr. Brian Landsberger, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Mr. Chris Ransel, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Mr. Tarek Deeb, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Abstract:
Landmines are a great threat to military vehicles and their occupants.  Mine blasts can completely destroy vehicles and kill all the occupants or disable the vehicle and leave the occupants severely injured.  Mitigating the high acceleration amplitudes experienced by vehicle occupants during survivable mine blasts is the focus of the research being jointly conducted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Center for Mechanical and Environmental Technology (CMEST) and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). The focus of this research is to investigate the feasibility of using a pneumatic air bladder concept in a seat system that is designed to protect vehicle occupants for the injurious effects of mine blasts. Preliminary models have been developed to help understand the dynamic characteristics of a seat shock isolation systems using pneumatic air bladders, and an air gun test system has been designed and built to obtain test results associated with low-level shock excitation. Preliminary model and test results indicate this concept holds promise in being able to protect military vehicle occupants from the injurious effects of mine blasts.

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