Rotary joint, framework construction kit and method for constructing a framework

A rotary joint, comprising:

• an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface;
• an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment with a compensation gap being formed between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment substantially in a region below the plurality of openings;
• and
• a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion,
• wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case,
• wherein the outer shape of the outer shell segment and the inner shell segment is the shape of a spheroid.

A rotary joint, comprising:

• an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface;
• an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment with a compensation gap being formed between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment substantially in a region below the plurality of openings;
• and
• a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion,
• wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case,
• wherein the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment and the plurality of strut holding fixtures are formed as an integral assembly by an additive layer manufacturing, ALM, technique.

A rotary joint, comprising:

• an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface;
• an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment with a compensation gap being formed between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment substantially in a region below the plurality of openings;
• and
• a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion,
• wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case,
• wherein the diameter of the strut holding fixtures is lower than the diameter of the openings by a predefined clearance value.

A framework construction kit, comprising:

• at least one rotary joint comprising
• an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface;
• an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment with a compensation gap being formed between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment substantially in a region below the plurality of openings;
• and
• a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion,
• wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case;
• and
• a plurality of interconnection struts comprising engaging members at the respective end portions for insertion into the strut holding fixtures of the at least one rotary joint.

A framework, comprising:

• a plurality of rotary joints comprising
• an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface;
• an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment with a compensation gap being formed between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment substantially in a region below the plurality of openings;
• and
• a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion,
• wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case;
• and
• a plurality of interconnection struts comprising engaging members at the respective end portions which are inserted into strut holding fixtures of the plurality of rotary joints.

A method for constructing a framework, the method comprising:

• engaging a plurality of interconnection struts comprising engaging members at the respective end portions with respective strut holding fixtures of a plurality of rotary joints, each of the plurality of rotary joints comprising:
• an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface;
• an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment with a compensation gap being formed between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment substantially in a region below the plurality of openings;
• and
• a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion,
• wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case;
• and
• adjusting the length of the interconnection struts to form an outer profile of the framework formed by the interconnection struts and the rotary joints.