Mechanical support structure with alternative modes of high stability and low thermal conductivity, and a connecting strut

Abstract

A mechanical support structure has at least one molded component made of a shape memory alloy, which in a first operating mode of the support structure yields an increase in the stability of the support structure and in a second operating mode yields a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the support structure. A strut structure is enclosed by a tubular structure which possesses a higher level of mechanical stability than the strut structure. The strut structure s permanently fastened to the tubular structure at a first end. The strut structure is connected to a mounting element. The tubular structure is separably connected to the mounting element and the strut structure at a second end of the strut structure via the at least one molded component.

1 . Mechanical support structure with at least one molded component made of a shape memory alloy, which in a first operating mode of the support structure yields an increase in stability of the support structure, and in a second operating mode yields a reduction in thermal conductivity of the support structure, 
 wherein a strut structure is enclosed by a tubular structure, which has a higher mechanical stability as compared with the strut structure;    wherein the strut structure is permanently fastened at a first end to the tubular structure, an opposite second end of the strut structure being connected to a mounting element, and    wherein the tubular structure is separably connected at the second end of the strut structure to the mounting element via the at least one molded component.    
     
     
         2 . Support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular structure is separably connected at the second end of the strut structure via an interlocking clamping joint to the mounting element and the strut structure.  
     
     
         3 . Support structure according to  claim 2 , in which at least one clamping element that can shift lengthwise along the tubular structure is positioned at the second end of the strut structure; this at least one clamping element being connected to the at least one molded component, and, when the shape memory alloy of the molded component is in a first state, the clamping element operates in conjunction with the clamping joint to release the clamping joint, and when the shape memory alloy of the molded component is in a second state, the clamping element operates in conjunction with the clamping joint to engage the clamping joint in an interlocking connection.  
     
     
         4 . Support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the clamping element is designed as a cup-shaped sleeve, and the strut structure is equipped with extensions, which protrude through openings in the sleeve and which are inseparably fastened to the mounting element.  
     
     
         5 . Support structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the clamping joint is formed by at least one flexible extension of the mounting element, which is engaged in at least one recess in the tubular structure in an interlocking connection.  
     
     
         6 . Support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the clamping joint is formed by at least one flexible extension of the mounting element, which is engaged in at least one recess in the tubular structure in an interlocking connection.  
     
     
         7 . Support structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the clamping joint is formed by at least one flexible extension of the mounting element, which is engaged in at least one recess in the tubular structure in an interlocking connection.  
     
     
         8 . Support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the strut structure is designed at least in sections as a hollow strut, which at least partially encloses the at least one molded component.  
     
     
         9 . Support structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the strut structure is designed at least in sections as a hollow strut, which at least partially encloses the at least one molded component.  
     
     
         10 . Support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the strut structure is designed at least in sections as a hollow strut, which at least partially encloses the at least one molded component.  
     
     
         11 . Support structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the strut structure is designed at least in sections as a hollow strut, which at least partially encloses the at least one molded component.  
     
     
         12 . Support structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the strut structure is designed at least in sections as a hollow strut, which at least partially encloses the at least one molded component.  
     
     
         13 . Support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said first end of the structure is permanently fastened to a connecting strut structure which has a mounting element to thereby form a connecting strut.  
     
     
         14 . A support structure comprising: 
 a first strut member,    a second strut member extending adjacent the first strut member and having a first section and a second section spaced from one another along a length of the second strut member, said first section being fixed to the first strut member, and    a clamping assembly operable to selectively clamp said second section to the first strut member,    wherein said clamping assembly includes a thermally responsive shape memory member which selectively operates the clamping assembly as a function of temperature to thereby selectively change the rigidity and thermal conductivity of the support structure.    
     
     
         15 . A support structure according to  claim 14 , wherein said first strut member is a tubular member which surrounds the second strut member.  
     
     
         16 . A support structure according to  claim 15 , wherein said shape memory member is carried by the second strut member.  
     
     
         17 . A support structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said shape memory member is connected with a clamp member having conical clamping surfaces operable to fit the first and second strut members together at the second section when in a first thermally induced position and to release the first strut member from the second strut member at the second section when in a second thermally induced position.  
     
     
         18 . A support structure according to  claim 14 , comprising a mounting element connected to the second strut member for mounting the support structure to a cryogenic device used in a space environment.