US 11,987,388 B2
Tensioning method for tensegrity keel
Wujun Chen, Shanghai (CN); Yibei Zhang, Shanghai (CN); Chengjun Gao, Shanghai (CN); Jianhui Hu, Shanghai (CN); Jiandong Xu, Changzhou (CN); Jing Liu, Changzhou (CN); and Haijun Xiang, Changzhou (CN)
Assigned to SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY, Shanghai (CN); and NEW UNITED GROUP CO., LTD., Changzhou (CN)
Filed by SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY, Shanghai (CN); and NEW UNITED GROUP CO., LTD., Changzhou (CN)
Filed on Mar. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/191,089.
Application 18/191,089 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/CN2021/097143, filed on May 31, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 202011061016.5 (CN), filed on Sep. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234721 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B64F 5/00 (2017.01)
CPC B64F 5/00 (2013.01) 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tensioning method for a tensegrity keel, comprising the steps of:
step 1: determining target values at an attainment of tensegrity, the target values including target tensile force values for longitudinal ties, first final coordinates for bisection points, a second final coordinate for a first end and a third final coordinate for a second end at the attainment of tensegrity;
step 2: successively placing a plurality of stiffening rings and a plurality of central trusses to form an outline of the keel and fixing bisection points of the individual stiffening rings, wherein each of the plurality of stiffening rings is provided with pre-tensioned radial spokes;
step 3: tensioning a first stiffening ring of the plurality of stiffening rings by stretching a first hub shaft, thereby attaining a self-equilibrium state;
step 4: providing telescopic rods between each of the plurality of stiffening rings and adjacent central trusses of the plurality of central trusses thereof so that the plurality of stiffening rings and the plurality of central trusses are connected together;
step 5: mounting the longitudinal ties by attachment following stretching or compression of the longitudinal ties, wherein the longitudinal ties are successively mounted in order from a middle to both ends, and the longitudinal ties are mounted in symmetry, so that the keel is formed;
step 6: releasing constraints on the bisection points and the central trusses and tensioning the keel through stretching the telescopic rods, thereby introducing tension to the longitudinal ties so that tensile forces on the longitudinal ties at the attainment of tensegrity will reach the target tensile force value;
step 7: tensioning the other stiffening rings than the first stiffening ring of the plurality of stiffening rings, thereby attaining a self-equilibrium state; and
step 8: adjusting initial position coordinates of the bisection points, the first end and the second end so that the bisection points will reach the first final coordinates, the first end will reach the second final coordinate and the second end will reach the third final coordinate, at the attainment of tensegrity.