Patent ID: 8871338
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: B32B,B81B,F16L,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lattice structure comprising: a plurality of unit cells, each comprising a base, of a first material type and associated first thermal expansion coefficient, having at least three radially-positioned base cavities which are open in a radially outward direction at respective cavity openings, and for each base cavity: a flexible bridge connected to the base across the cavity opening; a tab connected to the flexible bridge so as to be guided thereby in a direction into or out of the base cavity; and an actuator, of a second material type and associated second thermal expansion coefficient greater than the first thermal expansion coefficient, operably connected to the tab and the base so that thermal expansion of the actuator inwardly displaces the tab into the base cavity along a tab displacement axis, wherein a tab of one unit cell is connected to a tab of an adjacent unit cell so that void spaces are formed between adjacent unit cells to accommodate thermal expansion of individual unit cells while maintaining a desired bulk thermal expansion coefficient of the lattice structure as a whole.