IP Library Granted Patent US 11,174,884
Granted Patent B2
US 11,174,884 · App. 16/662,666 · Granted Nov 16, 2021

Systems and methods for joining node and tube structures

Inventors: Kevin Robert Czinger (Los Angeles, CA); Broc William TenHouten (Los Angeles, CA); John Russell Bucknell (Los Angeles, CA); Antonio Bernerd Martinez (Los Angeles, CA); Eahab Nagi El Naga (Los Angeles, CA); William Bradley Balzer (Los Angeles, CA); Zachary Meyer Omohundro (Los Angeles, CA); Praveen Varma Penmetsa (Los Angeles, CA); Matthew Michael O'Brien (Los Angeles, CA); John Franklin Dunham (Los Angeles, CA)
Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES. INC.
F16B11/006B62D21/02B62D23/005B62D27/023B62D27/026B62D29/04E04B1/1903B62D21/183E04B2001/1927E04B2001/1972
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,174,884
App. No.
16/662,666
Granted
Nov 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Connections between nodes and tubes are provided. An apparatus can include additively manufactured first and second nodes, a tube, and an interconnect connecting the tube to the first and second nodes. An apparatus can include a node having an end portion with inner and outer concentric portions forming an annular gap therebetween, and a tube having an end portion extending into the gap.

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a node having an end portion with inner and outer concentric portions forming an annular gap therebetween; and

a tube having an end portion extending into the annular gap, the annular gap having a depth from a surface of the end portion of the node and a diameter of the annular gap increases with distance from the surface of the end portion over at least a portion of the depth, wherein a section of the end portion of the tube flares outward along the annular gap over said at least the portion of the depth.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the section of the end portion of the tube that flares outward comprises dry carbon fiber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the node comprises a channel extending from an exterior surface of the node to the annular gap for resin injection.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the section of the end portion of the tube that flares outward comprises carbon fiber and resin from the channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the node further comprises a second channel extending from an exterior of the node to the annular gap for applying a vacuum during resin injection.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a spacer structure arranged between the node and the tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the spacer structure includes a seal.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2025
From: ROCHEFORT MANAGEMENT LLC
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 073006/0590 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2025
From: WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK
To: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 070048/0543 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2024
From: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK
Reel/Frame 067569/0171 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK
Reel/Frame 062152/0613 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2019
From: CZINGER, KEVIN ROBERT; TENHOUTEN, BROC WILLIAM; BUCKNELL, JOHN RUSSELL; MARTINEZ, ANTONIO BERNERD; EL NAGA, EAHAB NAGI; OMOHUNDRO, ZACHARY MEYER; PENMETSA, PRAVEEN VARMA; O'BRIEN, MATTHEW MICHAEL; DUNHAM, JOHN FRANKLIN; BALZER, WILLIAM BRADLEY
To: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 050818/0195 →
Continuity (2)
Division 15671894 · Aug 8, 2017
Related Publication 20200056645A1 · Feb 20, 2020