Elongate structures, structural assemblies with elongate structures, and methods for supporting a structural load
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKenneth H. Griess, Karen D. MacKenzie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structural assembly includes a support structure and an elongate structure intersecting the support structure. The elongate structure has a length and a mass. The mass of the elongate structure varies along the length of the elongate structure. A localized mass of the elongate structure decreases toward the support structure and increases away from the support structure.
Claims20
A structural assembly comprising:
- a support structure;
- and
- an elongate structure intersecting the support structure, the elongate structure having a length and a mass;
- and wherein:
- the mass of the elongate structure varies along the length of the elongate structure;
- and
- a localized mass of the elongate structure decreases toward the support structure and increases away from the support structure.
An elongate structure for a structural assembly, the elongate structure having a length and a mass and comprising:
- a web extending the length of the elongate structure;
- and
- a lower flange extending from the web;
- and wherein:
- the elongate structure is configured to intersect a support structure of the structural assembly;
- the mass of the elongate structure varies along the length of the elongate structure;
- a localized mass of the elongate structure is decreased along at least one portion of the length of the elongate structure is increased along at least one other portion of the length of the elongate structure.
A method for supporting a structural load in a structural assembly comprising a support structure and an elongate structure intersecting the support structure, the method comprising steps of:
- loading the structural load onto the elongate structure, the elongate structure having a mass that varies along at least a portion of a length of the elongate structure, wherein a localized mass of the elongate structure decreases toward the support structure and increases away from the support structure;
- reacting the structural load to resist a bending moment;
- and
- unloading the structural load on the elongate structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.