Mini-truss thin-sheet panel assembly
AssigneeGossamer Space Frames
InventorsGlenn Alan Reynolds, Dean Robert Hackbarth, Gary Noble Curtis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mini-truss thin-sheet panel assembly, in one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a hacker having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component.
Claims18
A thin-sheet panel assembly comprising:
- a panel comprising a first sheet and a second sheet attached to the first sheet, the panel having a curvature such that the first sheet is substantially under compression and the second sheet is substantially under tension;
- and
- a truss having the curvature and comprising a backer and a plurality of risers formed in one piece with the backer and configured in an array and projecting from the backer, each riser comprising a tab extending transversely from the riser and being attached to the second sheet to maintain the curvature of the panel and the truss.
A method of manufacturing a curved thin-sheet panel assembly comprising:
- forming a panel comprising attaching a first sheet to a second sheet;
- forming a truss comprising a backer and a plurality of risers formed in one piece with the back and configured in an array and projecting from the backer, each riser comprising a tab extending transversely from the riser;
- bending the panel to form a curved panel having a curvature such that the first sheet is substantially under compression and the second sheet is substantially under tension;
- bending the truss to form a curved truss having the curvature;
- and
- attaching the tabs of the risers of the second sheet to maintain the curvature of the panel and the truss.
A method of manufacturing a curved thin-sheet panel assembly comprising:
- forming a panel comprising attaching a first sheet to a second sheet;
- forming a truss comprising a backer and a plurality of risers by cutting the plurality of risers from the backer sheet and bending the plurality of risers relative to the back sheet with a progressive die;
- bending the panel to form a curved panel having a curvature such that the first sheet is substantially under compression and the second sheet is substantially under tension;
- bending the truss to form a curved truss having the curvature;
- and
- attaching the tabs of the risers of the second sheet to maintain the curvature of the panel and the truss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.