US 8,683,697 B2Granted

Large scale structures

AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation

InventorsRandy L. Gaigler, Kishan L. Goel, Tushar K. Shah

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Abstract

A large scale structure includes a plurality of panels, wherein each panel has at least one opening therethrough. And each panel has opposed edge profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels and opposed end profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels. A plurality of rods extend through aligned openings so as to interconnect the plurality of panels to one another. And a plurality of coupling nuts, each coupling nut attachable to an end of one of the rods, wherein the coupling nuts secure the panels to one another. An insert with apertures aligned with the openings allows a rod to extend through the insert and facilitate securement of the insert to the plurality of panels so as to form a section. Additional sections can be assembled as needed to form the structure.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A large scale structure comprising:

a plurality of panels, each said panel of said plurality of panels having opposed edge profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels of said plurality of panels, and each said panel of said plurality of panels having opposed end profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels of said plurality of panels, and each said panel of said plurality of panels having at least one panel opening therethrough extending from one said end profile to the other said end profile, and wherein adjacent panel openings are aligned with each other;
a plurality of rods extendable through said aligned panel openings;
a plurality of coupling nuts, each said coupling nut attachable to an end of one of said rods so as to secure said plurality of panels to one another;
and
a plurality of inserts, each said insert of said plurality of inserts having an internal eyelet at one end and an extending eyelet at an opposite end, wherein said extending eyelet overlaps said internal eyelet of an adjacent insert such that one of said plurality of rods is receivable through said overlapping eyelets and said aligned panel openings.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/767,165Filed 26 Apr 2010
Published: US 2011/0259462 A127 Oct 2011
Granted: 1 Apr 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

E04H 7/02
Construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil engineering techniques in situ or off the site: containers for fluids or…
E04H 7/28
Mainly of concrete, e.g. reinforced concrete or other stone-like materials: composed of special building elements
F03G 7/05
Using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature: ocean thermal energy conversion, i.e. OTEC
F16L 9/22
Rigid pipes: pipes composed of a plurality of segments