Synetic structural forms and systems comprising same

• US 6,418,673 B1
• Filed: 09/03/1999
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward H. Green, III, Steven J. Hultquist
• Original Assignee: Edward H. Greene III, Steven J. Hultquist
• Inventors: Flowerday, Frederick G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US09/390,109
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 52/811, 52/812, 52/813, 52/814, 52/815, 527/201, 52/801
• US Class Current: 52/81.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3211 Structures with a vertical rotation axis or the like, e.g. semi-spherical structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3223 Theorical polygonal geometry therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3235 having a grid frame
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3288 Panel frame details, e.g. flanges of steel sheet panels
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3294 with a faceted surface
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/102 Shell structures

Abstract

A strong, lightweight structural system wherein curved structural elements are tangentially joined. Compressive forces are distributed in a near continuous manner throughout the matrix, and tensile forces are present primarily to brace, support and pre-stress the compression net. The system is scalable from molecular through architectural levels, and finds many applications in dome shaped and spherical structures. The structural system also provides a force interaction model that is applicable to a broad array of real and theoretical problems.

Claims

1. A structural assembly in the shape of at least a partial sphere, comprising a plurality of curvate structural members, wherein the shape of each curvate structural member is at least part of a circular arc, wherein each curvate structural member is tangently secured to at least one other curvate structural member, wherein each curvate structural member is formed of solid material, and wherein at least some of the curvate structural members comprise circular ring members.

2. A structural assembly, comprising:

a plurality of curvate structural members, each comprising at least part of a circular arc and each being tangently secured to at least one other curvate structural member, wherein each curvate structural member is formed of solid material, and

force sensing means and computational means,

wherein each curvate structural member is tangently secured to another via a displacement means under operative control of said computational means, whereby dynamic alterations in compressive and tensile forces induced in said assembly are sensed, and interconnection position of structural members of the assembly are responsively altered to achieve desired allocation of compressive and tensile forces throughout the assembly.

5. The structural assembly of claim 2, wherein the curvate structural members are tubular members.

6. The structural assembly of claim 2, wherein the curvate structural members are solid rod members.

3. A structural assembly in the shape of at least a partial sphere, comprising a plurality of curvate structural members, wherein the shape of each curvate structural member is at least part of a circular arc, wherein each curvate structural member is tangently secured to at least one other curvate structural member, wherein each curvate structural member is formed of solid material, and wherein the curvate structural members are tubular members.

4. A structural assembly in the shape of at least a partial sphere, comprising a plurality of curvate structural members, wherein the shape of each curvate structural member is at least part of a circular arc, wherein each curvate structural member is tangently secured to at least one other curvate structural member, wherein each curvate structural member is formed of solid material, and wherein the curvate structural members are solid rod members.

7. A structural assembly, comprising a plurality of curvate structural members, wherein the shape of each curvate structural member is at least part of a circular arc and each curvate structural member is tangently secured to at least one other curvate structural member, and where each curvate structural member is either a tubular member or a solid rod member.

8. A structural assembly, comprising a plurality of curvate structural members, wherein the shape of each curvate structural member is at least part of a circular arc and each curvate structural member is tangently secured to at least one other curvate structural member, wherein each curvate structural member is formed of compressible solid material and selected from a group consisting of:

stiff arcuate tubular members;

springy arcuate tubular members;

stiff elongated arcuated members;

springy elongated arcuate members; and

solid rod members, and wherein at least some of the curvate structural members comprise circular ring members.