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US 2012/0266548 A1Published application
Self-centering energy dissipative brace apparatus with tensioning elements
OwnerRobert TREMBLAY, Constantin CHRISTOPOULOSinventors
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a self-centering energy dissipative brace apparatus. A bracing system is often needed to stabilize, strengthen or stiffen structures such as buildings which are subjected to severe or extreme conditions. The brace apparatus may be installed in a structure to dissipate input energy and minimize residual deformations related to exceptional loading imposed on the structure by winds, earthquakes, impacts or explosions. The apparatus integrates self-centering properties and energy dissipative capacities which help minimize structural damage.
Claims35
A brace apparatus to be mounted between two portions of a structure subjected to a loading force to limit movements due to the loading force, said brace apparatus comprising:
- a fixed portion having a first end to be fixedly mounted to one of the two portions of the structure;
- said first end of said fixed portion defining a first fixed portion abutting surface, said fixed portion having a second end defining a second fixed portion abutting surface, said second end of said fixed portion being a free end positioned on a side opposite said first end of said fixed portion in a direction of movement;
- a movable portion having a first end to be fixedly mounted to another one of the two portions of the structure;
- said first end of said movable portion defining a first movable portion abutting surface, said movable portion having a second end defining a second movable portion abutting surface, said second end of said movable portion being a free end positioned on a side opposite of said first end of said movable portion in the direction of movement;
- a tensionable assembly mounting said movable portion to said fixed portion so that a) said first movable portion abutting surface is in proximity of the second fixed portion abutting surface, and b) said first fixed portion abutting surface is in proximity of the second movable portion abutting surface;
- said tensionable assembly including a first abutting element in the proximity of the first end of the fixed portion and a second abutting element in the proximity of the first end of the movable portion;
- said first and second abutting elements being interconnected by an adjustable tensioning element;
- wherein, i) when a loading force moves the movable portion away from the fixed portion, said first abutting element abuts the first fixed portion abutting surface and said second abutting element abuts the first movable portion abutting surface to thereby limit the movement of the movable portion away from the fixed portion and ii) when a loading force moves the movable portion towards the fixed portion, said first abutting element abuts the second movable portion abutting surface and said second abutting element abuts the second fixed portion abutting surface to thereby limit the movement of the movable portion towards the fixed portion.
5 more elements
A brace apparatus mountable between two portions of a structure subjected to a loading force, said brace apparatus comprising:
- a) a first bracing member having a first end fixedly mountable to one of the two portions and a second end, each having an abutting surface, said second end being a free end positioned on a side opposite said first end in a direction of movement;
- b) a second bracing member having a third end fixedly mountable to another one of the two portions and a fourth end, each of the third end and fourth end having an abutting surface, said fourth end being a free end positioned on a side opposite said third end in the direction of movement, said first and second bracing members being movably operatable between a rest position and a transitional position such that:
- i. said first end is in proximity of said third end so as to define a first proximity end pair and said second end is in proximity of said fourth end so as to define a second proximity end pair;
- ii. said first end is opposed to said fourth end so as to define a first opposed end pair and said second end is opposed to said third end so as to define a second opposed end pair;
- c) a tensionable assembly including abutting elements in the proximity of said first and second proximity end pairs, said abutting elements being interconnected by a tensioning element;
- whereby said first and second bracing members are movable apart when the loading force applied to said first opposed end pairs i) tensions said apparatus such that respective abutting surfaces of said first opposed end pair abuts on respective abutting elements;
- ii) compresses said apparatus such that respective abutting surfaces of said second opposed end pair abuts on respective abutting elements;
- said tensioning element being tensionable under the loading force such as to alternatively move said first and second bracing members from said rest position to said transitional position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.