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US3663346A
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Honeycomb core structures of minimal surface tubule sections
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-07-22
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-07-22
Abstract
Abstract Honeycomb cores formed of tubule sections bounded orthogonally by plane facings are described. The tubule sections are defined as being formed of minimal surface elements that orthogonally intersect all of the surfaces of an imaginary kaleidoscopic cell at least once. In other words, the tubule sections are broken into elements for definition purposes. The elements are defined as minimal surface elements, i.e., elements that have a mean curvature that is equal to zero at all points on their surface. These elements are further defined inside of an imaginary kaleidoscopic cell in that they orthogonally intersect all surfaces of an imaginary kaleidoscopic cell at least once. Moreover, the tubule sections are smoothly interconnected to form honeycomb core structures that have no internal discontinuities.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan H Schoen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:26
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F1/00; B; B64; B64C; B64C3/00; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/18; E04B1/19; E04B7/00; E04B7/08; E04B7/10; E04B7/105; E04C; E04C2/00; E04C2/30; E04C2/40; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/0041; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A honeycomb core structure comprising at least one tubule section, said tubule section comprising a plurality of approximately minimal surface elements formed in a smooth continuous manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A honeycomb core structure comprising at least one tubule section, said tubule section comprising a plurality of approximately minimal surface elements formed in a smooth continuous manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said honeycomb core structure comprises an array of said tubule sections joined in a smooth continuous manner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of minimal surface elements is definable within an imaginary kaleidoscopic cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said minimal surface elements intersect each surface of said kaleidoscopic cell at least once and each intersection is substantially orthogonal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said imaginary kaleidoscopic cell is either a rectangular parallelopiped, a tetragonal disphenoid, a trirectangular tetrahedron, a quadrirectangular tetrahedron, an equilateral triangular prism, a 45* triangular prism, or a 30*-60* triangular prism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said tubule sections terminates in a least one simple closed plane curve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein said honeycomb core structure intersects at least one boundary plane with all of said tubule sections that adjoin said boundary plane being substantially orthogonal therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein said all of said tubule sections that adjoin said boundary plane terminate in simple closed curves in said boundary plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said kaleidoscopic cell is a rectangular parallelopiped
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said kaleidoscopic cell is a trirectangular tetrahedron.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said kaleidoscopic cell is a quadrirectangular tetrahedron.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said kaleidoscopic cell is an equilateral triangular prism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said kaleidoscopic cell is a 45* triangular prism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A honeycomb core structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said kaleidoscopic cell is a 30*-60* triangular prism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A honeycomb core structure formed of tubule sections selected from anyone of the tubule sections illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 12, 17, 22, 27 or 32.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A honeycomb core structure formed of tubule sections selected from anyone of the tubule sections illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 12, 17, 22, 27 or 32.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A honeycomb core structure formed of tubule sections formed of minimal surface elements selected from anyone of the minimal surface elements illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 19, 21, 24, 26, 29 or 31.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A honeycomb core structure formed of tubule sections formed of minimal surface elements selected from anyone of the minimal surface elements illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 19, 21, 24, 26, 29 or 31.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |