High-stiffness, lightweight beam structure
US7877937B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
10References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/52
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A lightweight, high-stiffness structural beam having a web and a chord, which features a cross-sectional geometry featuring a plurality of sides arranged in an asymmetrical, non-closed, convex polygon shape. At least three of the sides of the chord are substantially parallel to one another, and are substantially perpendicular to the web. The beam is easily manufactured using fully-automated fabrication machinery and may serve as the main, flexure-resistant structural component of a sunlight-concentrating photovoltaic module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.