Systems and methods for joining space frame structures
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsMichael R. Eller, Darren Andrew Kearney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A strut-and-node truss design that is applicable to all space frame structure designs can be made with using robotic (semi-autonomous and/or fully autonomous) or telerobotic assembly/joining. Nodes can include a 2-dimensional weld path in an effort to reduce the complexity of having to weld in 3-dimensions. Furthermore, each strut to node connection can be concentrated in a small area where each weld can be performed robotically from a fixed position that only requires the robotic weld head to swivel in a small operating window to reach each joint.
Claims19
A truss structure comprising:
- a node member comprising:
- a main body;
- a channel extending from a periphery of the main body;
- and
- a node member engagement element biased to protrude into the channel;
- and
- a strut comprising:
- a terminal end within the channel;
- an outer strut engagement element for engaging with the node member engagement element while the strut is at a first position within the channel;
- and
- an inner strut engagement element for engaging with the node member engagement element while the strut is at a second position within the channel, wherein the strut is coupled to the main body with an annular bond element radially between the strut and the main body.
A node member for a truss structure, the node member comprising:
- a main body;
- a channel extending from a periphery of the main body, the channel being configured to receive a strut;
- a node member engagement element biased to protrude into the channel and engage the strut;
- and
- a bond element disposed in an annular recess of the main body radially adjacent to the channel, the bond element being configured to bond to the strut when heat is applied.
A method comprising:
- inserting a first end of a strut into a first node member until:
- a first end outer engagement element of the strut moves past a first node member engagement element of the first node member;
- and
- a first end inner engagement element of the strut engages with the first node member engagement element;
- aligning a second node member with a second end of the strut;
- retracting the strut until:
- the first end outer engagement element of the strut engages with the first node member engagement element;
- and
- a second end outer engagement element of the strut engages with a second node member engagement element of the second node member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.