The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2003
Michael L. Hand, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Edward E. Cook, Orange, CA (US);
Samuel S. Yao, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for a tubular composite structure with particular application to the design and assembly of space vehicles. The apparatus, designated herein as an X-strut, comprises alternately crossing tow-placed layers of parallel strands of a composite material, to form top and bottom intersecting faces. Alternately crossing strand layers are built up from the bottom faces to form the side walls of the tubular composite structure. The top and bottom faces and the side walls are configured to form intersecting tubular members in an X-shape. The layers of strands run continuously through the intersecting tubular members to form an integral joint, without the need for adhesive bonding or mechanical fasteners.