The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behavior; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behavior; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

A wire rope includes a strand that is formed by winding a plurality of metal wires. The strand includes a core wire and side wires. Each of the side wires is arranged on an outer periphery of the core wire. In a transverse section of the strand, each of the side wires includes end portions positioned at opposite ends in a circumferential direction of the core wire. Each of the end portions includes a contact portion in contact with an end portion of an adjacent side wire, and a non-contact portion not in contact with the adjacent side wire. A Vickers hardness of the contact portion is higher by 1% or more than a Vickers hardness of the non-contact portion. A surface roughness Ra of an outer peripheral surface of each of the side wires is 0.10 ?m or less.

A mooring member comprises a rope configured for extending between a vessel floating in a body of water and an anchoring device. The mooring member comprises a plurality of functional elements, wherein a first functional element is wound onto at least a portion of the rope, a second functional element is wound onto the first functional element, and so on, until an outermost functional element is wound onto a second-to-outermost functional element. The functional elements are wound in a helical configuration, and are configured to provide at least one of the following functions: damage protection, buoyancy, optical detection, sonar detection, stiffness control, and anti-fouling.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a stranded conductor is formed in which the occurrence of defects, such as strand unevenness of filaments and outward protrusion of filaments, is inhibited. According to embodiments of the present invention, a stranded conductor (1a) includes soft filaments (2a) stranded together. The soft filaments (2a) include a soft filament made of an aluminum material, disposed along a center (101), and include six soft filaments, twelve soft filaments, and eighteen soft filaments made of an aluminum material, disposed around and concentrically with the center. The filaments are softened filaments that are softened. A lay length (Pa) is from 6.2 times to 15.7 times a conductor diameter of the stranded conductor.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a stranded conductor is formed in which the occurrence of defects, such as strand unevenness of filaments and outward protrusion of filaments, is inhibited. According to embodiments of the present invention, a stranded conductor (1a) includes soft filaments (2a) stranded together. The soft filaments (2a) include a soft filament made of an aluminum material, disposed along a center (101), and include six soft filaments, twelve soft filaments, and eighteen soft filaments made of an aluminum material, disposed around and concentrically with the center. The filaments are softened filaments that are softened. A lay length (Pa) is from 6.2 times to 15.7 times a conductor diameter of the stranded conductor.

The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behaviour; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behaviour; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

A linear member for medical use having stretchability and flexibility while maintaining sufficient strength includes: an inner helical body including a plurality of helically wound wires, the inner helical body including a space portion inside, gap portions being provided in an axial direction between each wire; and an outer helical body provided outside of the inner helical body including a plurality of wires helically wound in such a manner as to form a layer along an axis of the helical body and a helical direction of the outer helical body is opposite to that of the inner helical body with gap portions being provided between each of the wires, the outer helical body being disposed to provide a multilayer structure.

A linear member for medical use having stretchability and flexibility while maintaining sufficient strength includes: an inner helical body including a plurality of helically wound wires, the inner helical body including a space portion inside, gap portions being provided in an axial direction between each wire; and an outer helical body provided outside of the inner helical body including a plurality of wires helically wound in such a manner as to form a layer along an axis of the helical body and a helical direction of the outer helical body is opposite to that of the inner helical body with gap portions being provided between each of the wires, the outer helical body being disposed to provide a multilayer structure.