Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140252674 | ARCHITECTED MATERIALS FOR ENHANCED ENERGY ABSORPTION - A three-dimensional lattice architecture with a thickness hierarchy includes a first surface and a second surface separated from each other with a distance therebetween defining a thickness of the three-dimensional lattice architecture; a plurality of angled struts extending along a plurality of directions between the first surface and the second surface; a plurality of nodes connecting the plurality of angled struts with one another forming a plurality of unit cells. At least a portion of the plurality of angled struts are internally terminated along the thickness direction of the lattice structure and providing a plurality of internal degrees of freedom towards the first or second surface of the lattice architecture. | 09-11-2014 |
20150111979 | METHOD FOR CURING STRUCTURES USING A DUAL PHOTOINITIATOR SYSTEM AND A STRUCTURE MADE USING THE SAME - A monomeric formulation for fabrication of microlattice structures, the monomeric formulation including a plurality of monomers, a first photoinitiator configured to substantially activate above a wavelength of light, and a second photoinitiator configured not to substantially activate above the wavelength of light and to substantially activate below the wavelength of light. | 04-23-2015 |
20150298443 | LOW ENERGY PROCESS FOR MAKING CURVED SANDWICH STRUCTURES WITH LITTLE OR NO RESIDUAL STRESS - A process for fabricating a curved beam including a micro-truss structure. In one embodiment, the process includes fabricating the micro-truss structure on a bottom facesheet, where the micro-truss structure is only partially cured so that it is readily bendable, and then forming the partially cured micro-truss structure and bottom facesheet over a curved fixture, where the partially cured micro-truss structure is then fully cured and hardened to its final curved state. A top facesheet is then adhered to a top surface of the micro-truss structure. In an alternate embodiment, a curved bottom facesheet is forced flat against a fixture and the micro-truss structure is formed while the bottom facesheet is secured to the fixture to a partially cured state. The bottom facesheet is then released from the fixture, which causes it to return to its curved configuration causing the micro-truss structure to bend. | 10-22-2015 |
20150307044 | ARCHITECTED AUTOMOTIVE IMPACT BEAM - A curved sandwich impact structure for a vehicle having a micro-truss core. In one embodiment, the sandwich impact structure includes a micro-truss layer sandwiched between two facesheets, a micro-truss layer designed for energy absorption on the outside of one of the facesheets, and a fascia panel in contact with the energy absorbing micro-truss layer. | 10-29-2015 |
20160039168 | DESIGN AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING LIGHT, STIFF AND STRONG STRUCTURES - A panel assembly including a panel having an outer show surface and an inner surface and at least one micro-truss reinforcement patch secured to the inner surface of the panel. The micro-truss patch includes a micro-truss structure having cured and interconnected. | 02-11-2016 |
20160039193 | PROCESS FOR SECURING A MICRO-TRUSS STRUCTURE TO A PANEL - A process for reinforcing a trim panel for a vehicle using one or more micro-truss reinforcement patches. Each micro-truss reinforcement patch is secured to an inner surface of a show surface panel of the trim panel while it is in a partially cured state and then fully cured. The micro-truss patch is fusion bonded to the panel. | 02-11-2016 |
20160089817 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING A SANDWICH BOX IMPACT BEAM - A method for fabricating a sandwich box impact beam for a vehicle. The method includes fabricating inner and outer facing sandwich structures each including an inner facesheet, an outer facesheet and a micro-truss core therebetween. The micro-truss cores are an ordered three-dimensional network of self-propagating polymer waveguides grown from a photo-monomer resin using a controlled exposure to collimated UV light sources at specified orientations through a plurality of apertures in a mask. The method includes mounting the inner and outer sandwich structures so that an open area is provided therebetween where the inner facesheets face each other across the open area. | 03-31-2016 |
20160090056 | HIERARCHICAL SANDWICH STRUCTURES - A hierarchical sandwich box impact beam for a vehicle that includes spaced apart micro-truss sandwich structures defining an open area therebetween. The impact beam includes an outer facing sandwich structure including an outer facesheet, an inner facesheet and a micro-truss core formed therebetween, and an inner facing sandwich structure including an outer facesheet, an inner facesheet and a micro-truss core formed therebetween. One or more structural connecting sections are coupled to the inner and outer facing sandwich structures so as to define the open area between the structures. | 03-31-2016 |