TRUSS STRUCTURE
A truss structure may include a plurality of load bearing members, or force members, that are joined at a plurality of nodes to define a load bearing structure. The truss structure may include a plurality of longitudinal members extending in parallel along a longitudinal length of the truss structure, and a plurality of transverse members, joined to the plurality of longitudinal members at nodes, and extending between the plurality of longitudinal members. The plurality of transverse members may provide buckling support to the plurality of longitudinal members, so that an axial load, or compressive load, or buckling load, may be effectively carried by the truss structure.
1 . A three-dimensional (3D) load bearing structure, comprising:
a longitudinal frame, the longitudinal frame including a plurality of longitudinal members extending in a longitudinal direction along a length of the load bearing structure; and
a transverse frame integrally coupled with the longitudinal frame, the transverse frame including a plurality of transverse members defining a plurality of 3D polyhedral structures incrementally positioned along the longitudinal length of the load bearing structure, wherein
a cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of longitudinal members is triangular, and
a cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of transverse members is triangular.
2 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the transverse frame is integrally coupled with the longitudinal frame at each of a plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes defining a respective plurality of points of intersection between the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame.
3 . The structure of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal members includes a plurality of longitudinal fibers, and each of the plurality of transverse members includes a plurality of transverse fibers.
4 . The structure of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal fibers and the plurality of transverse fibers are pre-impregnated carbon fibers.
5 . The structure of claim 3 , wherein, at each of the plurality of points of intersection between the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame, the plurality of longitudinal fibers of the respective longitudinal member and the plurality of transverse fibers of the respective transverse member are interwoven so as to integrally couple the longitudinal frame and the transverse frame.
6 . The structure of claim 5 , wherein a fiber pattern at each of the plurality of points of intersection between the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame includes:
a first portion including an interweaving of approximately 50% of the transverse fibers of the respective transverse member and approximately 25% of the longitudinal fibers of the respective longitudinal member;
a second portion adjacent to the first portion, the second portion including an interweaving of approximately 50% of the longitudinal fibers of the respective longitudinal member; and
a third portion adjacent to the second portion, the third portion including an interweaving of approximately 50% of the transverse fibers of the respective transverse member and approximately 25% of the longitudinal fibers of the respective longitudinal member.
7 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal members extend in the longitudinal direction along the length of the load bearing structure, and in parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure.
8 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal members are arranged symmetrically about a central longitudinal plane of the load bearing structure.
9 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the 3D polyhedral structures is formed by a series of transverse members connected end-to-end, the series of transverse members being arranged in a helical pattern with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure.
10 . The structure of claim 9 , wherein each 3D polyhedral structure includes a plurality of triangular structures connected end-to-end to form a helical pattern arranged along the longitudinal length of the load bearing structure, each of the triangular structures being formed by a series of three transverse members connected end-to-end.
11 . The structure of claim 10 , wherein
the longitudinal frame includes six longitudinal members extending along the longitudinal length of the load bearing structure, and in parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure, and
the longitudinal frame intersects each of the triangular structures of each of the 3D polyhedral structures at six intersection points, each of the six intersection points being at an intersection of a straight portion of the respective longitudinal member and a straight portion of the respective transverse member.
12 . The structure of claim 9 , wherein each 3D polyhedral structure includes a plurality of rectangular structures connected end-to-end in a helical pattern arranged along the longitudinal length of the load bearing structure, each of the rectangular structures being formed by a series of four transverse members connected end-to-end.
13 . The structure of claim 12 , wherein
the longitudinal frame includes eight longitudinal members extending along the longitudinal length of the load bearing structure, and in parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure, and
the longitudinal frame intersects each of the rectangular structures of each of the 3D polyhedral structures at eight intersection points, each of the eight intersection points being at an intersection of a straight portion of the respective longitudinal member and a straight portion of the respective transverse member.
14 . The structure of claim 9 , wherein
the longitudinal frame includes at least 8 longitudinal members extending along the longitudinal length of the load bearing structure, and in parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure, and
the longitudinal frame intersects each of the 3D polyhedral structures at at least eight intersection points, each of the at least eight intersection points being at an intersection of a straight portion of the respective longitudinal member and a straight portion of the respective transverse member.
15 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein a polygonal contour of each of the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures is substantially the same.
16 . The structure of claim 15 , wherein each 3D polyhedral structure of the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures has the same orientation about a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure.