ANALYSIS, OPTIMIZATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIALIZED PASSIVE SHOCK ISOLATION SYSTEM FOR HIGH SPEED PLANING BOAT SEATS

摘要

The Mk V Special Operations Craft (SOC) is used to carry Special Operations Forces (SOF) into and out of combat operations. Previous experience and research has demonstrated that during operation, particularly during extended training missions, the passengers and crew have reported numerous cases of musculoskeletal injuries from operation in high sea states. Analytical research is presented here that employs guidelines as set forth in previous research performed for the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL. This previous research is used for quantifying human exposure to multiple shock inputs and in part is currently being proposed as an International Standard as DRAFT ISO/DIS 2631. For the current research, a parametric optimization study was conducted that evaluated potential suspension system concepts utilizing actual field generated forcing functions. As a result, a highly specialized, non-linear, passive shock isolation system was developed. This isolation system has been integrated within the suspended seats of the Mk V SOC. Initial sea trial testing and deployment of the isolation system has resulted in positive operator feedback that correlated well with the actual field measurements, thereby validating the predictions of the analytical efforts.