LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION HAVING A FRACTALLY STRUCTURED SUPPORTING STRUCTURE
A lightweight construction includes a superficial surface and a regularly, periodically configured supporting structure that mechanically reinforces the superficial surface. The supporting structure has fractal structuring into at least two fractal planes which have integrated fluid transitions therebetween.
1 - 16 . (canceled)
17 . A lightweight construction comprising:
a superficial surface; and
a regularly, periodically configured supporting structure that mechanically reinforces the superficial surface, the supporting structure having fractal structuring into at least two fractal planes having integrated fluid transitions therebetween.
18 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein the supporting structure is disposed on at least one of an outside and an inside of the superficial surface.
19 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein the supporting structure includes reinforcing ribs having a fractal form.
20 . The lightweight construction according to claim 19 , wherein the fractal form of the reinforcing ribs corresponds to at least one of a model of ammonites and a model of microalgae.
21 . The lightweight construction according to claim 19 , wherein the supporting structure includes a superposition of the fractally extending reinforcing ribs by a meander-shaped configuration of the reinforcing ribs.
22 . The lightweight construction according to claim 21 , wherein the reinforcing ribs have an asymmetrical, meander-shaped configuration.
23 . The lightweight construction according to claim 19 , wherein the reinforcing ribs have a closed configuration.
24 . The lightweight construction according to claim 23 , wherein the reinforcing ribs are configured in a honeycomb-shaped configuration.
25 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein the supporting structure has a combination of the fractal structuring with a non-fractally structured supporting structure.
26 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein at least one opening is disposed in the supporting structure so as to provide for a passage of fluids.
27 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein the superficial surface is configured as an outer skin.
28 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein a useful interior space is provided.
29 . The lightweight construction according to claim 27 , wherein the outer skin has a form of a tube.
30 . The lightweight construction according to claim 29 , wherein the supporting structure is disposed in the tube and includes a superposition of fractally extending reinforcing ribs having a configuration of at least one of an axially coiled radial plane and a plurality of planar radial planes.
31 . The lightweight construction according to claim 17 , wherein the lightweight construction has a plate-shaped formation.
32 . The lightweight construction according to claim 31 , wherein the plate shaped formation includes a pressure-resistant bulkhead.