Geometrically tailored pyramidal lattice structures with i-shaped struts

Abstract

Geometrically tailored pyramidal lattice structures including inclined struts with I-shaped cross-sections can effectively support loads. For example, a truss system described herein can include a plurality of cells. Each of the cells can include a base plate. Additionally, each of the cells can include a plurality of struts. Each strut can include an I-shaped cross-section. Each strut can be attached at one end to the base plate. Each of the cells can also include a top plate. Each strut can be attached to the top plate at an opposite end. Additionally, each strut can extend at an inclined angle between the base plate and the top plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A truss system comprising:
 a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell comprising:
 a base plate; 
 a plurality of struts, each strut comprising an I-shaped cross-section and each strut attached at one end to the base plate; and 
 a top plate, each strut attached to the top plate at an opposite end and extending at an inclined angle between the base plate and the top plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The truss system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of struts comprises four struts and wherein the base plate and the four struts form a pyramid or a truncated pyramid. 
     
     
         3 . The truss system of  claim 1 , wherein the I-shaped cross-section comprises:
 two parallel bars; and   a link that extends perpendicularly between and connects the two parallel bars.   
     
     
         4 . The truss system of  claim 3 , wherein each bar has a thickness that is less than or equivalent to a width of the link. 
     
     
         5 . The truss system of  claim 3 , wherein the I-shaped cross-section further comprises a plurality of triangles affixed to the link, each triangle providing a transition between the link and one bar of the two parallel bars. 
     
     
         6 . The truss system of  claim 5 , wherein each bar has a thickness that is less than or equivalent to a width of the link. 
     
     
         7 . The truss system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cells is formed by repeatedly copying a single unit cell and translating each copy along an x direction, a y direction, or both. 
     
     
         8 . A unit cell of a truss system comprising:
 a base plate;   a plurality of struts, each strut comprising an I-shaped cross-section and each strut attached at one end to the base plate; and   a top plate, each strut attached to the top plate at an opposite end and extending at an inclined angle between the base plate and the top plate.   
     
     
         9 . The unit cell of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of struts comprises four struts and wherein the base plate and the four struts form a pyramid or a truncated pyramid. 
     
     
         10 . The unit cell of  claim 8 , wherein the I-shaped cross-section comprises:
 two parallel bars; and   a link that extends perpendicularly between and connects the two parallel bars.   
     
     
         11 . The unit cell of  claim 10 , wherein each bar has a thickness that is less than or equivalent to a width of the link. 
     
     
         12 . The unit cell of  claim 10 , wherein the I-shaped cross-section further comprises a plurality of triangles affixed to the link, each triangle providing a transition between the link and one bar of the two parallel bars. 
     
     
         13 . The unit cell of  claim 12 , wherein each bar has a thickness that is less than or equivalent to a width of the link. 
     
     
         14 . The unit cell of  claim 8 , wherein the truss system is formed by repeatedly copying the unit cell and translating each copy along an x direction, a y direction, or both. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making a unit cell for a truss system, the method comprising:
 forming a base plate;   forming a plurality of struts, each strut comprising an I-shaped cross section;   attaching one end of each strut to the base plate;   forming a top plate; and   attaching an opposite end of each strut to the top plate by extending an inclined angle of each strut between the base plate and the top plate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of struts comprises four struts, the method further comprising forming a pyramid or a truncated pyramid from the base plate and the four struts. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the I-shaped cross-section comprises:
 two parallel bars; and   a link that extends perpendicularly between and connects the two parallel bars.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each bar has a thickness that is less than or equivalent to a width of the link. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the I-shaped cross-section further comprises a plurality of triangles affixed to the link, each triangle providing a transition between the link and one bar of the two parallel bars. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each bar has a thickness that is less than or equivalent to a width of the link.