Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Trapezoid-shaped block
Patent
1987-05-12
1989-10-17
Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Trapezoid-shaped block
52574, 52806, 52808, 52809, 52DIG10, 109 1S, 109 80, 428117, E04B 162
Patent
active
048738107
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an element whose structure is strong in multiple directions, to methods of manufacturing it, and to applications of said element.
Constructions have been known for a long time, of which the commonest type is hexagonal in section and is called a "honeycomb".
They are widely used, in particular for building-panels, for sound-proofing panels, for spacecraft and for aircraft, and for structural reinforcements of shapes having exceptional mechanical properties, in general and when seeking the best possible weight/performance ratio for high dimensional stability in spite of various constraints, phenomena, or environments.
The generalization of applications of such structures is, however, limited by causes inherent to their design: their greater ultimate breaking strength is effective in one direction only (orthogonally to the parallel planes defined by their outside surfaces), and they have low shear strength along their planes of discontinuity.
They are incapable of supporting certain point compressive loads such as assembly rods or impacts.
They are unusable for thick structures which must withstand forces being applied in several directions.
The subject matter of the present invention is the construction of a self-supporting cellular body of great rigidity and capable of standing up to stresses exerted in many directions, either together or separately, to impacts, to pressures, to shock waves, and to acoustic and thermal phenomena, by using the available free volumes as assemblies of different characteristics or as shock absorbing means, and capable of varying the weight of the body by being filled with various fluids which may be static or flowing, at different pressures, and including permanent specialized agents or which may be put into action under certain constraints of pressure, temperature, etc.
This result is obtained, in accordance with the present invention, by an element whose structure has multi-directional strength, and which is characterized in that it is constituted by a superposition and a juxtaposition of layers of convex closed prismatic shells, with the cells in each layer having shapes which are determined by the intersections of series of the closed shells which are mutually parallel within each series and are the same size in the direction extending transversely to the layer.
In general, a construction including an element in accordance with the invention advantageously includes an envelope delimiting its volume. The envelope may constitute an integral portion of the structure.
All of the intersecting planes defining the cells are continuous along various axes up to the limits of the envelope. The envelope is divided into elements whose consecutive planes of similar or different thicknesses or natures are assembled in combinations capable of intercommunication or of isolation from one another and depending on the desired characteristics of the construction formed in this way.
In accordance with the invention, an element is thus constituted by assembling identical cells which are juxtaposed in repetitive manner in all three directions to constitute a cellular or honeycomb structure.
In one embodiment, the cells are square or rectangular in section in planes perpendicular to all three directions. In another embodiment, the cells are hexagonal in section in planes which are perpendicular to two of these directions and have a rhombus section in the third direction. A structure is thus obtained which is multi- (two- or three-) directional.
The cells may be closed or they may intercommunicate freely or else they may intercommunicate via non-return valves or via fuses in the form of weak zones which break on the application of heat, pressure, etc. . . .
The walls of the cells may be rigid or flexible.
When intercommunicating flexible cells are used, a flexible structure is obtained which can be inflated or deflated using air, water, or any other fluid.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an element of the above type. In one implementation of
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