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US 7,114,934 B2Granted
Structure including a plurality of cells of cured resinous material, method of forming the structure and apparatus for forming the structure
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsPaul J. Biermann, Jack C. Roberts
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Abstract
A structure that includes a plurality of cells of a cured resinous material. Each cell is joined to at least one other cell.
Claims1
An apparatus for creating a structure comprising a plurality of cells of cured resinous material, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of resin flow apertures arranged to permit cells formed at one aperture to contact cells formed at directly adjacent apertures, wherein a position of the resin flow aperture is alterable;
- a resin flow control member arranged in each resin flow aperture and operable to control a flow of resin from the resin flow apertures, wherein the resin flow control member comprises a shutter valve;
- a liquid injection port arranged in each resin flow aperture for injecting liquid into a cell of uncured resin flowing out of the resin flow aperture to inflate the cell;
- a liquid flow control member operable to control a flow of liquid through the port;
- wherein the liquid comprises a gas or a fluid;
- a forming plate that the resin flow apertures are formed through;
- at least one cell-retaining member for retaining the cells after curing of the resinous material;
- and
- a source of energy for curing the uncured resin, wherein the energy source comprises at least one of a source of ultraviolet radiation, a heat source, a source of visible light, an electron beam source, and a source of microwave radiation,
- wherein the apparatus-formed cells have a substantially uniform size.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.