US3675376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal compensating structural member
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-02-12
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A structural member that remains near a constant length when subjected to varying thermal loads. The structure includes an outer bi-metallic housing composed of inner and outer concentrically spaced casings attached to one another at one of their ends and left free to expand and contract at the other of their ends. The casings are made of materials having different coefficients of expansion and therefore their lengths will vary with respect to one another as their thermal environment changes. A compensator strut is slidably mounted in the outer housing. A compensating drive linkage mounted on the free ends of the inner and outer casings so as to be rotated by relative movement between the casings is connected to the strut and causes sliding movement thereof to maintain the structure at a constant length when the components thereof change lengths due to expansion and contraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R Belew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/02; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/46; B64G1/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A near constant length thermal expansion structure comprising: an elongated hollow body having one end thereof adapted to be attached to an associated structure and supporting means mounted on the other end thereof; an elongated compensator strut slidably mounted in said hollow body, said compensator strut including an end connector mounted on end thereof that is slidably supported in said supporting means, said end connector being adapted for connection to an associated structure; said elongated hollow body including an outer casing and an inner casing mounted in said outer casing in spaced and concentric relation with respect thereto, said inner and outer casings being composed of materials having different coefficients of expansion so that thermal changes will result in the inner and outer casings achieving different lengths due to contraction and expansion; and linkage means mounted on said hollow body and actuated by relative movement between said inner and outer casings, said linkage means being connected to the other end of said compensator strut opposite the slidably supported end to move said strut relative to said hollow body an amount determined by the relative amounts of movement between said inner and outer casings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A near constant length thermal expansion structure comprising: an elongated hollow body having one end thereof adapted to be attached to an associated structure and supporting means mounted on the other end thereof; an elongated compensator strut slidably mounted in said hollow body, said compensator strut including an end connector mounted on end thereof that is slidably supported in said supporting means, said end connector being adapted for connection to an associated structure; said elongated hollow body including an outer casing and an inner casing mounted in said outer casing in spaced and concentric relation with respect thereto, said inner and outer casings being composed of materials having different coefficients of expansion so that thermal changes will result in the inner and outer casings achieving different lengths due to contraction and expansion; and linkage means mounted on said hollow body and actuated by relative movement between said inner and outer casings, said linkage means being connected to the other end of said compensator strut opposite the slidably supported end to move said strut relative to said hollow body an amount determined by the relative amounts of movement between said inner and outer casings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said inner and outer casings are attached to one another at one of their ends so as to remain fixed relative to one another and the other ends of said casings are left free to expand and contract to different lengths when subjected to thermal changes, the free ends of said casings being connected to said linkage means for imparting movement thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said linkage means comprises: a first hinge mounted on the free end of said outer casing, a second hinge mounted on the free end of said inner casing in radial alignment with respect to said first hinge and spaced therefrom; and a lever having one end thereof pivotally mounted in said first hinge, the other end pivotally mounted to said compensator strut and intermediate the ends thereof said lever being pivotally mounted to said second hinge; whereby, relative movement of said inner and outer casings will cause said lever to pivot and thereby move said compensator strut relative to said hollow body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said inner casing is aluminum and said outer casing is titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said compensator strut is an elongated tubular body and further comprises bracket means mounted on said other end of said compensator strut for pivotally mounting said other end of said lever to the compensator strut; whereby, pivotal movement of said link means will slide said compensator strut relative to said inner and outer casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure recited in claim 5 which further includes heat conducting means connected between said inner and outer casing to facilitate heat transfer therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure recited in claim 6 wherein said heat conducting means are foil strips fastened to said inner and outer casing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |