Modular system of building with elastic material and potential applications

摘要

A system of construction that uses a discrete repertoire of elastic modular units that interconnect forming assemblies of diverse curved geometries applicable at any scale.;Each modular unit is formed with linear elements with less than infinite elastic modulus. The modular units connect to one another under tension creating structural networks that have stored elastic potential energy.;The linear elements may be formed of carbon based composite materials and their future permutations, including smart materials. The modular assemblies created using this system have application in terrestrial, space and aquatic environments and as an educational tool.

主权项

1. A modular unit comprising at least three one-piece elastic linear elements having a length, sides and ends, each of the linear elements coupled with an intramodular connector at two points along the length of the linear element to the sides of the other elements, said linear elements between the intramodular connectors forming a ring with each linear element being under tension and the ring under stress, said linear elements tangentially exiting the ring, said linear elements exiting the ring between adjacent intramodular connectors joined together with intermodular connectors whereby said modular unit has stored elastic energy, said intermodular connectors connecting the ends of the linear elements.