Patent ID: 8739676

Claim:
A vehicle occupant blast isolation system for use with a vehicle, said vehicle having a body structure, an occupant seat and a seat support structure that supports the seat on the body structure, said system comprising: one or more blast sensors positioned on the body structure to detect a blast wave of an explosive event proximate the vehicle; one or more explosive charges positioned on the seat support structure; a first circuit coupled to the one or more sensors to initiate the explosive charges in response to a detected blast wave, said initiation of the explosive charges severing the mechanical linkage between the seat and body structure placing the seat and occupant in free-fall for a period of time spanning the coupling of the shock from the blast wave to the body structure; a plurality of rocket motors positioned about the vehicle's body structure; one or more rotation sensors positioned on the body structure to measure rotation of the body structure; and a second circuit coupled to the one or more blast sensors and one or more rotation sensors to initiate one or more of the rocket motors in response to the detected blast wave and the measured rotation of the body structure to counter said rotation.