Systems and methods for joining node and tube structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11174884-B2
Application number	US-201916662666-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2019
Priority date	Aug 8, 2017
Publication date	Nov 16, 2021
Grant date	Nov 16, 2021

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

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.

Assignees

• Divergent Tech Inc

Inventors

• Czinger Kevin Robert
• Tenhouten Broc William
• Bucknell John Russell
• Martinez Antonio Bernerd
• El Naga Eahab Nagi
• Balzer William Bradley
• Omohundro Zachary Meyer
• Penmetsa Praveen Varma
• O'Brien Matthew Michael
• Dunham John Franklin

Classifications

• F16B11/006 Primary

  by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48) · CPC title

• F16B7/00 Primary

  Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections ({F16B11/008, F16B17/00 take precedence;} umbrella frames A45B25/02; welding or soldering of connections B23K; vehicle connections in general B60D; railway couplings B61G; bicycle frames B62K; couplings for transmitting rotation F16D; couplings for tubes conveying fluids F16L) · CPC title

• B62D29/04 Primary

  predominantly of synthetic material (working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29) · CPC title

• B62D27/026

  Connections by glue bonding (in general F16B11/00; processes C09J5/00) · CPC title

• B62D27/023

  Assembly of structural joints · CPC title