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US 6,644,535 B2Granted
Truss core sandwich panels and methods for making same
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsJeremy C. Wallach, Lorna J. Gibson
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Abstract
A structural material includes a plurality of discrete, interwoven wires disposed between and fastened to two solid face sheets. Each of the plurality of wires further includes at least two points of contact with each of the two face sheets. Methods for fabricating the aforementioned structural material include an automated methodology for fabricating a relatively inexpensive truss core sandwich panel.
Claims32
A method for fabricating a truss core sandwich panel, said method comprising:
- advancing a plurality of wires into mutual engagement with at least two meshed gears of a wire bending machine;
- bending the plurality of wires using the wire bending machine, into a repeating oscillatory pattern;
- fastening the plurality of wires to a first face sheet;
- and
- fastening the plurality of wires to a second face sheet;
- wherein the plurality of wires are disposed between said first and said second face sheet.
3 more elements
A method for fabricating a truss core sandwich panel, said method comprising:
- (a) automatically advancing a plurality of wires into a wire bending machine;
- (b) continuously bending the wires into a repeating oscillatory pattern during said automatically advancing (a);
- (c) automatically advancing a first face sheet in superposition with the bent wires;
- (d) automatically advancing a second face sheet in superposition with the bent wires and with the first face sheet, wherein the bent wires are disposed between the first and second face sheets;
- (e) automatically fastening said plurality of wires to a first face sheet;
- and
- (f) automatically fastening said plurality of wires to a second face sheet;
- wherein said method is effected as a continuous process.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.