Back to results
US 6,192,634 B1Granted
Dual network dome structure
AssigneeTemcor
InventorAlfonso E. Lopez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeTemcor
InventorAlfonso E. Lopez
Estimating the term…
A reticulated dome structure (20) has an inner structural network (24) and an outer structural network (26). Each network has structural members (34, 38) connected at junctions (36, 40) to form various shapes of dome structures including: vault, vault with rounded ends, triangular, stadium, intersecting vault, and spherical. The junctions have two plates (54, 56) with the structural members fastened (68) therebetween to form moment bearing junctions. Tubular braces (32) are connected according to a desired plan between outer network junctions and inner network junctions to establish a desired substantially parallel spacing between the networks and to transfer loads locally between the networks. The network members subdivide outer and inner surfaces into polygonal areas which are of a uniform kind in the outer network. The outer network openings can be closed by closure panels (29, 170) which laterally stabilize the outer network members to which they are connected and structurally enhance that network.
A reticulated dome structure supportable on a foundation and comprising:
A structure according to clam 1 in which the cross sectional areas and dimensions of the external and internal struts are the same.
A structure according to any one of the preceding claims in which the braces are defined by aluminum tubular elements.
A reticulated dome structural network substantially defining an outer surface of the dome, an internal structural network inwardly of the dome from the external network, and a plurality of linear spacing braces interconnected between the external and internal networks, each of the external and internal networks including a plurality of struts having flanges along strut sides which are adjacent to the other network, the struts in each network being interconnected at junctions where ends of struts are bolted to gusset plates via the strut flanges, the spacing braces being connected between selected external network junctions and selected internal network junctions via brace end flanges bolted to respective junction gusset plates, the bolts securing a brace end to a gusset plate sharing the bolts associated with two adjacent strut members at the respective junction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.