Patent ID: 9567749
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: B29C,B29D,B29K,B29L,E04C,F03D,F05B,F05C,Y02E,Y02P,Y10T

Claim:
1. A structural composite beam comprising: two modular bodies each formed of a plurality of pre-cured elongate elements each formed from a composite material, the plurality of elongate elements extending longitudinally the length of the beam, the plurality of elongate elements being arranged side-by-side, on top of one another, or side-by-side and on top of one another in an array such that the longitudinal axes of the plurality of elongate elements are parallel to one another, wherein the dimensions of each modular body are substantially determined by the number and arrangement of the plurality of elongate elements in the array; a first modular skin member and a second modular skin member respectively surrounding the array of each body, each modular skin member being configurable to accommodate a variable number or arrangement, or a variable number and arrangement, of elongate elements in the respective array, and each modular skin member extending longitudinally along a substantial portion of the length of a plurality of elongate elements in the respective array, wherein the first modular skin member comprises sides that extend along opposing edges of the respective bodies, the opposing edges being perpendicular to the length of the plurality of elongate elements, wherein the second modular skin member comprises projections that define a socket, and wherein the sides of the first modular skin member at least partially overlap the projections of the second modular skin member; and a shear web inserted and fixed into the respective socket on each of the two modular bodies to form the complete beam.