Iso-truss structure and coupling mechanism for iso-truss structure

Abstract

A three-dimensional load bearing 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 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 coupling mechanism, comprising:
 a first plate configured to be positioned on a first surface of a band of a first three-dimensional (3D) load bearing structure and a corresponding first surface of a band of a second 3D load bearing structure;   a second plate configured to be positioned on a second surface of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure opposite the first surface thereof and a corresponding second surface of the band of a second 3D load bearing structure;   a first plurality of openings extending from the first plate, through the band of the first 3D load bearing structure, and into the second plate;   a second plurality of openings extending from the first plate, through the band of the second 3D load bearing structure, and into the second plate;   a first plurality of fasteners respectively received in the first plurality of openings to secure the first 3D load bearing structure between the first and second plates; and   a second plurality of fasteners respectively received in the second plurality of openings to secure the second 3D load bearing structure between the first and second plates.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 a contour of the first plate corresponds to a contour of the first surface of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and to the contour of the first surface of the band of the second 3D load bearing structure, and   a contour of the second plate corresponds to a contour of the second surface of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and to the contour of the second surface of the band of the second 3D load bearing structure,   such that the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and the band of the second 3D load bearing structure are secured between the first and second plates.   
     
     
         3 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first plurality of fasteners includes one of:
 a plurality of bolts extending through the first plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of dowels extending through the first plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of rivets extending through the first plurality of openings; or 
 a plurality of pultruded pins extending through the first plurality of openings; and 
   the second plurality of fasteners includes one of:
 a plurality of bolts extending through the second plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of dowels extending through the second plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of rivets extending through the second plurality of openings; or 
 a plurality of pultruded pins extending through the second plurality of openings. 
   
     
     
         4 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to be coupled on a mating section of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure that is positioned between two longitudinal members of the first 3D load bearing structure, and on a mating section of the band of the second 3D load bearing structure that is between two longitudinal members of the second 3D load bearing structure. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the mating section of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure is arcuate, and the mating section of the band of the second 3D load bearing structure is arcuate. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the mating section of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure is substantially planar, and the mating section of the band of the second 3D load bearing structure is substantially planar. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and the band of the second 3D load bearing structure to which the first plate and the second plate are to be coupled are one of an annular flange, an annular collar or a polyhedral collar integrally formed at an end portion of the respective 3D load bearing structure. 
     
     
         8 . A coupling mechanism, comprising:
 a first plate configured to be positioned at an inner lateral end portion of a band of a first three-dimensional (3D) load bearing structure;   a second plate configured to be positioned at an inner lateral end portion of a band of a second 3D load bearing structure;   a first fastener extending from a first end portion of the first plate to a first end portion of the second plate, at an outer side of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and an outer side of the second load bearing structure; and   a second fastener extending from a second end portion of the first plate to a second end portion of the second plate, at an inner side of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and an inner side of the second load bearing structure,   wherein the first and second fasteners are configured to couple the first and second plates so as to secure the band of the first 3D load bearing structure and the band of the second 3D load bearing structure between the first and second plates.   
     
     
         9 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein an inner facing surface of the first plate abuts the inner lateral end portion of the band of the first 3D load bearing structure, and an inner facing surface of the second plate abuts the inner lateral end portion of the band of the second 3D load bearing structure. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein
 the first fastener includes a bolt that extends through a first opening in the first plate and through a first opening in the second plate, with a head portion of the first fastener positioned on an outer facing surface of the first plate, and a nut securing the bolt relative to the first and second plates abutting an outer facing surface of the second plate, and   the second fastener includes a bolt that extends through a second opening in the first plate and through a second opening in the second plate, with a head portion of the second fastener positioned on the outer facing surface of the first plate, and a nut securing the bolt relative to the first and second plates abutting the outer facing surface of the second plate.   
     
     
         11 . A three-dimensional (3D) load bearing structure, comprising:
 a longitudinal frame including six longitudinal members arranged in parallel with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure, and extending longitudinally along a length of the load bearing structure;   a transverse frame integrally coupled with the longitudinal frame at a respective plurality of nodes, the transverse frame including a plurality of 3D polyhedral structures sequentially arranged along the central longitudinal axis of the load bearing structure,   wherein the plurality of nodes are respectively defined at a plurality of points of intersection between the plurality of longitudinal members and the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures, at points of the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures at which a contour of the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures forms an apex such that each apex of each of the plurality of polyhedral structures is coupled to a corresponding longitudinal member; and   at least one band formed at a longitudinal end portion of the integrally coupled longitudinal frame and transverse frame, wherein the at least one band is configured to interface with a coupling mechanism to provide for coupling of the 3D load bearing structure to an adjacent structure.   
     
     
         12 . The 3D load bearing structure of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one band is integrally coupled with the integrally coupled longitudinal frame and transverse frame. 
     
     
         13 . The 3D load bearing structure of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one band includes a first band integrally formed at a first longitudinal end portion and a second band integrally formed at a second longitudinal end portion of the integrally coupled longitudinal frame and transverse frame. 
     
     
         14 . The 3D load bearing structure of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one band is one of an annular flange, an annular collar, or a polyhedral collar. 
     
     
         15 . The 3D load bearing structure of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures follows a helical pattern relative to the central longitudinal axis, with straight portions of the plurality of polyhedral structures extending between adjacent nodes of the plurality of nodes such that a cross-sectional contour of the load bearing structure is substantially hexagonal. 
     
     
         16 . The 3D load bearing structure of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of nodes includes an interweaving of longitudinal fibers of a longitudinal member of the plurality of longitudinal members, with transverse fibers of a transverse member of a polyhedral structure of the plurality of 3D polyhedral structures. 
     
     
         17 . A three-dimensional (3D) load bearing structure, comprising:
 a longitudinal frame including a plurality of longitudinal members arranged in parallel with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the 3D load bearing structure;   a transverse frame integrally coupled with the longitudinal frame, the transverse frame including a plurality of sequentially arranged 3D polyhedral structures each following a helical pattern with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the 3D load bearing structure;   a band integrally coupled to a first end portion of the integrally coupled transverse frame and longitudinal frame; and   a plurality of mating sections defined on the band, at portions of the band positioned between two adjacent longitudinal members, wherein the plurality of mating sections are configured to be coupled to a coupling mechanism for coupling the 3D load bearing structure to an adjacent structure.