US 5,921,048 AGranted

Three-dimensional iso-tross structure

AssigneeBrigham Young University

InventorsLarry R. Francom, David W. Jensen

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Abstract

A structural member having greatly enhanced load bearing capacity per unit weight has a plurality of helical components wrapped around a longitudinal axis. The helical components have straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration. In a basic repeating unit, three helical components have a common angular orientation, a common longitudinal axis, and are spaced apart from each other at equal distances. Another three reverse helical components also have a common angular orientation, a common longitudinal axis, and are spaced apart from each other at equal distances, but have an opposing angular orientation. These six helical components appear as a triangle when viewed along the axis due to the straight segments. An additional six helical are configured as above but rotated with respect to the first six components such that the member appears as a six-pointed star when viewed from the axis.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A structural member having greatly enhanced load bearing capacity per unit mass, the structural member comprising:

at least two helical components, each component having at least three elongate, straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration, the at least two helical components having a common angular orientation, a common longitudinal axis and being spaced from each other at approximately equal distances, the at least two helical components each having continuous strands of fiber;
at least one reverse helical component having at least three elongate, straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration similar to and having a common longitudinal axis with the at least two helical components, but in an opposing angular orientation, the at least one reverse helical component having continuous strands of fiber;
and
means for coupling the at least two helical components to the at least one reverse helical component at intersecting locations, the means for coupling the helix components and reverse helix components including overlapping the fibers of the helix components and the fibers of the reverse helix components in a matrix;
and
wherein the at least two helical components and the at least one reverse helical component define a hollow interior which is substantially void of material;
and
wherein the at least two helical components and the at least one reverse helical component define openings therebetween.

5 more elements

A structural member having greatly enhanced load bearing capacity per unit mass, the structural member comprising:

at least two helical components, each component having at least three elongate, straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration, the at least two helical components having a common angular orientation, a common longitudinal axis and being spaced from each other at approximately equal distances;
at least one reverse helical component having at least three elongate, straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration similar to and having a common longitudinal axis with the at least two helical components, but in an opposing angular orientation;
means for coupling the at least two helical components to the at least one reverse helical component at intersecting locations;
at least two rotated helical components, each component having at least three elongate, straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration, the at least two rotated helical components having a common angular orientation, a common rotated longitudinal axis and being spaced from each other at approximately equal distances, the segments of the at least two rotated helical components being rotated with respect to the segments of the at least two helical components;
at least one rotated reverse helical component having at least three elongate, straight segments rigidly connected end to end in a helical configuration similar to and having a common rotated longitudinal axis with the at least two rotated helical components, but in an opposing angular orientation, the segments of the at least one rotated reverse helical component being rotated with respect to the segments of the at least one reverse helical components;
and
means for coupling the at least two rotated helical components and the at least one rotated reverse helical component to the at least two helical components and the at least one reverse helical component at intersecting locations.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/838,599Filed 10 Apr 1997
Granted: 13 Jul 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

E04C 5/0618
Prismatic or cylindrical reinforcement cages composed of longitudinal bars and open or closed stirrup rods: closed cages with spiral- or…
E04C 3/08
Of metal: with apertured web, e.g. with a web consisting of bar-like components; Honeycomb girders
E04C 3/40
Arched girders or portal frames: of metal
E04C 5/07
Reinforcing elements, e.g. for concrete; Auxiliary elements therefor: reinforcing elements of material other than metal, e.g. of glass, of…