WO2014179865A1

WO2014179865A1 - Air pressurizable building or shelter

Info

Publication number: WO2014179865A1
Application number: PCT/CA2014/000405
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Wallace; Jay GODSALL
Original assignee: Solar Ship Inc.
Priority date: 2013-05-06
Filing date: 2014-05-06
Publication date: 2014-11-13

Abstract

The invention relates to a building, having an outer flexible membrane which is both supported by a frame and is air pressurizable. The frame may be of rigid construction or may be made of air inflated pressurized beams, and may be sealed by air locks. Upon activation, an air pressure generator pressurizes the interior space of the building to a desired internal pressure, providing resistance to external environmental stresses such as wind or snow loads. The desired internal pressure may vary according to the external wind stagnation pressure. The air pressure generator may be powered by an electricity supply, a battery pack, or directly powered by wind vanes. The electricity supply may driven by wind, solar power, or some other electricity source. The outer membrane may be solar cell fabric, providing the electricity source. Unused electricity from the electricity source may be stored in a battery pack.

Description

AIR PRESSURIZABLE BUILDING OR SHELTER TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention generally relates to a tarp barn or air cell type building. More particularly, this invention relates to a tarp barn or air cell type building which is air-pressurizable by an air pressure generator.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tarp barn type buildings are cost-effective open-span structures with many applications, including farm buildings, temporary warehouses or storage facilities, aircraft hangars and cold storage units. These buildings are made up of a series of arched frames made, for example, of Warren-type girders over which a textile cover is secured.

[0003] Air cell buildings are similar to tarp barns in that they are made up of a textile cover secured over a series of air-inflated beams, usually tubular in shape. The tubular beams may be integral to the textile cover or separate from it. These buildings may be more quickly erected than tarp barns, but require a pressurization system to maintain structural integrity, and therefore require an external power source.

[0004] Both tarp barns and air-cell buildings suffer from the drawback of being vulnerable to high wind and snow loads. Under such conditions, the integrity of these structures may be compromised, leading to ruptures and potentially to collapse of the entire structure.

[0005] Air-supported structures are generally single-skinned buildings made of a textile material which is pressurized by a fan system, the pressure providing structural integrity. These buildings are generally hemispherical in shape, or semi-cylindrical with hemispherical ends. These buildings are typically used in the sports field, for example as tennis domes or for use as so- called "radomes", domes used for sheltering radar communications towers.

[0006] A moderate degree of internal super-pressure (overpressure relative to the external ambient pressure) is maintained in air-supported structures, typically maintained at 1 to 3 inches of water gauge, providing a high degree of resistance to wind and snow loads. However, the need to constantly maintain air pressure by running the fan system results in noise, consumption of power, constant strain on the outer membrane of the structure, and the need for robust systems with built-in redundancies. Additionally, these structures require air locks at all access points in order to maintain pressurization. These requirements result in a structure which is relatively expensive to manufacture and to maintain. [0007] The present invention addresses at least some of these problems.

SUMMARY

[0008] An inventive aspect of the present disclosure is an air-pressurizable building comprising a support frame and a flexible membrane covering the support frame to enclose an interior space. The building includes an air pressure generator in fluid communication with the interior space and a power supply for providing power to the air pressure generator to cause the air pressure generator to pressurize the interior space, thereby inflating the membrane. The power supply may include at least one solar cell or windmill.

[0009] The building may be of a variety of suitable shapes, including a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, a cylindrical shape with hemispherical ends, or an elliptical shape. The building may have one or more air locks, to allow for sealing the doors and entryways of the building.

[0010] The support frame may be of rigid construction, and may comprise Warren-type girders. The support frame may also be constructed of inflatable beams, which may be integral to the flexible membrane itself. The inflatable beams may be inflated by the air-pressure generator. [0011] The flexible membrane may be made of a textile material, and may be a solar cell fabric, with the solar cells configured to provide electricity to the air pressure generator.

[0012] The air pressure generator may be a blower system, and may comprise one or more fans. The air pressure generator may be activated in response to an external wind load, an external snow load, or a combination thereof. A control system may be provided that receives a signal from one or more load-detecting sensors or transducers mounted to the membrane or frame that generate a signal in response to a load or pressure (e.g. wind or snow) being applied to the membrane or frame. The control system may also include a microprocessor or microcontroller to receive the signal(s) from the sensor(s) and to generate a control signal for controlling the air pressure generator in response to the load or pressure detected by the sensor(s) of the control system.

[0013] The power supply may also be powered by wind vanes configured to provide sufficient power to the air pressure generator to maintain a desired internal pressure in the interior space, which desired internal pressure varies according to varying external wind stagnation pressure.

[0014] Another inventive aspect of the disclosure is a method of increasing resistance of a flexible membrane building to an environmental stress, such as an external wind load or an external snow load. The method entails providing a support frame and a flexible membrane covering the support frame and enclosing an interior space to form the flexible membrane building, and pressurizing the interior space using an air pressure generator, thereby inflating the membrane and increasing the resistance of the flexible membrane building to environmental stress.

[0015] The interior space may be pressurized to a desired internal pressure, variable according to a varying external wind stagnation pressure. The method may additionally comprise providing a power source for supplying power for pressurizing the interior space. The power source may also provide power for inflating the inflatable beams.

[0016] The power source may be powered by wind vanes configured to provide sufficient power to maintain the desired internal pressure in response to the varying external wind stagnation pressure. The power source may be powered by an electricity supply comprising at least one solar cell and/or windmill.

[0017] The method may also comprise the step of sealing the flexible membrane building to maintain pressure within the interior space.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a portable building structure having a plurality of containers, an inflatable structure connected to the containers and a power supply for providing power to an air pressure generator to pressurize the inflatable structure. [0019] The summary is intended to present only the most significant inventive aspects that are now apparent to the inventor and is not intended to be an exhaustive or limiting recitation of all inventive aspects. Other inventive aspects of the disclosure may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a cutaway elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a top view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0022] Figure 3 is an elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is a cutaway elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is an elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 is a cutaway elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 is an elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0027] Figure 8 is an elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 is an elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 is an elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0030] Figure 11 is a cutaway elevational view of the air pressurizable building according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 12 is an isometric view of an inflatable hangar installed on top of ISO-type containers for added security and better ground anchoring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0032] With reference to Figure 1, the present invention is an air-pressurizable building (100) constructed of a support frame (110), a flexible membrane (120) covering the support frame (1 10) to enclose an interior space (130), and an air-pressure generator (140) in fluid communication with the interior space (130), which may be activated to pressurize the interior space and inflate the membrane (120). In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the support frame (1 10) is comprised of inflatable beams (112) and the flexible membrane (120) is made of a textile material. The building (100) may be sealed with an airtight door seal or airlock (150).

[0033] In one embodiment, as depicted in Figure 6, the inflatable beams (112) are integral to the flexible membrane (120). With reference to Figure 11, in other embodiments, the support frame (1 10) comprises rigid frame elements (1100). As shown in Figure 1 1 , in certain embodiments, the rigid frame elements (1100) are Warren-type girders.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the air pressure generator is powered by an electricity supply, such as a solar cell or windmill. In other embodiments, the air pressure generator (140) is powered by wind vanes (510). In still other embodiments, the air pressure generator (140) is a blower system. In further embodiments, the air pressure generator (140) is one or more fans.

[0035] The air pressurizable building (100) of the present invention provide the synergistic advantages of combining a frame structure, such as a tarp barn type building, with the advantages of an inflatable air supported structure or building, as follows.

[0036] Under conditions of external stress, such as high wind load, high wind stagnation pressure, high snow load, or a combination thereof, flexible membranes (120) may be subject to significant strain, and possibly even rupture. Under these conditions, the air-pressure generator (140) is activated for pressurizing (or "super-pressurizing or "over-pressurizing") the interior space (130) relative to the external ambient pressure to inflate the flexible membrane (120). In an inflated state, the flexible membrane (120) is more resistant to the external stress or stresses.

[0037] Under conditions of low or nil external wind stagnation pressure, external wind load, or external snow load, the air pressure generator (140) is not activated, and the interior space (130) is not pressurized. Under these conditions, the flexible membrane (120) is supported by the support frame (112), and no energy is used to power the air pressure generator (140), no noise is generated by the air pressure generator (140), and there is no requirement to seal the air pressurizable building (100). Also under these conditions, no stress due to pressurization is placed upon the flexible membrane (120), thus extending the longevity of the flexible membrane (120). The result is a building which combines positive attributes of a tarp barn or air cell structure, namely: being relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain; with the positive attributes of an air supported structure, namely: environmental stress resistance.

[0038] In certain embodiments of the present invention, upon activation, the air pressure generator (140) is configured to pressurize ("super-pressurize") the interior space (130) to a desired internal pressure, thereby inflating the membrane. The desired internal pressure will vary according to external wind stagnation pressure: under conditions of high wind stagnation pressure, the desired internal pressure will increase, and under conditions of low wind stagnation pressure, the desired internal pressure will decrease. This results in the advantage of reduced power use for powering the air pressure generator (140), and reduced pressurization strain on the flexible membrane (120), under conditions when a lower desired internal pressure is required in response to lower wind stagnation pressure.

[0039] In certain embodiments, some or all of the power for the air pressure generator (140) is provided by an electricity supply, which may consist of an existing AC grid, a battery pack, at least one solar cell, a windmill, or a combination thereof. With reference to Figure 7, in certain embodiments of the present invention, solar cells are incorporated into solar panels (710) on the surface of the air-pressurizable building (100). The electricity supply is operably coupled to the air-pressure generator (14), for example by a temporary or permanent electrical connection. In certain embodiments, the battery pack is configured to store any unused electricity generated by the electricity supply for later use. In embodiments where the electricity supply is a renewable supply such as a solar cell, a windmill,^" electricity generated during conditions of high sun and/or wind is stored in the battery pack for later use under conditions of low sun and/or wind.

[0040] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the electricity supply comprises one or more solar cells incorporated into the flexible membrane (120). In certain embodiments, the flexible membrane (120) is made of a solar cell fabric or "Powercloth", which comprises all or part of the electricity supply.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, in an embodiment of the present invention, the air pressure generator (140) is powered by wind vanes (510), either directly, or indirectly, through an intermediate step where the wind power is converted to electricity or some other usable form of energy. In a further embodiment, the wind vanes (510) are configured to provide sufficient power to the air pressure generator (140) to maintain the interior space at a variable desired internal pressure in response to varying external wind stagnation pressure. As wind stagnation pressure increases, the desired internal pressure will also increase, as the higher the wind stagnation pressure, the more internal pressure will be required to provide resistance to the environmental stresses. Accordingly, the wind vanes (510) will provide more power to the air pressure generator (140) under these circumstances as the wind stress increases. By contrast, as the external wind stagnation pressure drops, the desired internal pressure will also drop. Accordingly, under these conditions, the wind vanes (510) will provide less power to the air pressure generator (140) as the wind stress drops. [0042] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inflatable beams (112) are in fluid communication with the air pressure generator (140). Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the air pressure generator (140) may both: (i) inflate the inflatable beams (112) that provide the support frame (110); and (ii) pressurize the interior space (130) upon activation, to inflate the flexible membrane (120). Air pressurized buildings according to these embodiments will be particularly useful where deployed into remote environments, for example in the arctic or in other remote regions. For example, the air pressurizable building (100) may be deployed by aircraft into an area where no reliable pre-existing electricity source is present. Upon activation, the air pressure generator (140), which is powered by any combination of wind, solar, battery, or some other portable power source, will then inflate the inflatable beams (112), providing support to the air pressurizable building (100). Under circumstances where environmental stresses, such as wind or snow stress, require the building to be inflated, the air pressure generator (140) will be activated, pressurizing the interior space and inflating the flexible membrane (1 12). Once the environmental stress is reduced, the air pressure generator (140) will become deactivated, allowing the flexible membrane (1 12) to deflate, being supported in this state by the support frame (110).

[0043] As shown in Figure 7, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the air- pressurizable building (100) is manufactured with airlocks (520). In other embodiments, the air- pressurizable building (100) is manufactured without the inclusion of air locks (520), thereby reducing manufacturing cost. Air-pressurizable buildings (100) of the present invention that do not comprise air locks (520) will only be sealed, and the air-pressure generator (140) will only be useful, under circumstances where the building (100) is experiencing conditions of external wind stagnation pressure, wind load, snow load, or a combination thereof. Air-pressurizable buildings (100) of the present invention that do not comprise air locks (520) are particularly suited to applications where the use of the buildings (100) generally involves storage of items that would not be used under conditions of such environmental stresses. For example, with reference to Figure 2, when the air pressurizable building (100) is used as an airplane hangar, airplanes or other aircraft would be stored in the building (100) and the doors (210) of the building (100) would be sealed for the duration of the environmental stresses, eliminating the requirement for airlocks (520). Once the environmental stress has terminated, and the aircraft are once again useful, the air pressure generator (140) would be deactivated, and the interior space (130) is no longer pressurized, and the seal would be removed, allowing the door (210) to be opened and the aircraft to be removed from storage.

[0044] As shown in the figures, in certain embodiments, the air-pressurizable building (100) of the present invention is manufactured in a variety of suitable shapes, including a hemispherical shape, cylindrical shape with hemispherical ends, an elliptical shape, or any combination thereof.

[0045] The present invention also provides methods of increasing resistance of a flexible membrane building to an environmental stress. These methods comprise a step of providing a support frame and a flexible membrane covering the support frame and enclosing an interior space, to form the flexible membrane building, and comprise a step of pressurizing the interior space, thereby inflating the membrane.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the step of pressurizing the interior space is performed in response to an external wind load, an external snow load, or a combination thereof. [0047] In still further embodiments, the methods involve providing a power source for supplying power for pressurizing the interior space. In certain embodiments, the power source is an electricity supply, including one or more solar cell, windmill and/or a connection to an existing AC grid.

[0048] In still further embodiments, the space is pressurized to a desired internal pressure, which pressure will vary according to varying external wind stagnation pressure.

[0049] In certain embodiments, power for pressurizing the interior space is provided by wind vanes, configured to provide sufficient power to maintain the desired internal pressure, in response to varying external wind stagnation pressure. The wind vanes are configured to provide more power when wind stagnation pressure increases, corresponding with the need for a higher internal pressure. Conversely, the wind vanes provide less power when the wind stagnation pressure drops, corresponding with the need for lower internal pressure.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the support frame provided is in the form of rigid frame elements. In still further embodiments, the rigid frame elements may be Warren-type girders. In other embodiments, the support frame provided is in the form of inflatable beams. In still further embodiments, the inflatable beams are provided integrally to the flexible membrane itself. In still further embodiments, the methods involve the step of inflating the inflatable beams with power from the power source.

[0051] In still further embodiments, methods of the present invention involve the step of sealing the flexible membrane building to maintain pressure within the interior space, for example at times of high external stress.

[0052] In the embodiments described above, other power sources may be utilized. Although solar and wind are described above, other energy sources may include geothermal, hydro, or biomass-based alternatives. Also, in terms of energy storage, although batteries are described above, hydrogen tanks combined with fuel cells or bio fuels combined with generators could also be used.

[0053] Figure 12 is an isometric view of a portable building structure 200 which includes an inflatable hangar or inflatable shelter 100 installed on top of containers 900, e.g. ISO-type containers (e.g. containers compliant with ISO 6346) or any other intermodal containers, freight containers, shipping containers, or cargo containers typically used in the shipping, rail or trucking industry to carry products. The solid walls of the containers provide added security for occupants. The containers also provide better ground anchoring, i.e. the weight of the containers helps to hold the inflatable structure on the ground in windy conditions. These containers may be used for shelter, housing, work space, storage, etc. The containers may have doors for accessing the interior of the containers and/or the interior of the portable infrastructure. The containers may include wiring and cabling for electrical power (e.g. lighting, heating, air conditioning, etc.) and for data communications. The containers may be stackable to build a higher structure. As shown by way of example in Figure 12, the inflatable structure 100 may be anchored to the top of the containers 900 by any suitable tethers, clips, clasps, connectors, fasteners or anchors. A power supply provides power to an air pressure generator to pressurize the inflatable structure. The power supply for inflating and pressurizing the inflatable structure 100 may be a plurality of solar panels 710 attached or mounted to a membrane or exterior surface of the inflatable structure. The power supply may alternatively use wind, hydro, biomass or geothermal energy which can be stored in batteries, or as hydrogen, bio coal, or bio fuel before being turned into electricity via a fuel cell or generator. In another embodiment, the power supply may include two or more sources of power, e.g. any suitable combination of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen fuel cell, etc. [0054] In the specific embodiment depicted by way of example in Figure 12, the inflatable shelter 100 is composed of a plurality of curved semi-circular air-inflated beams, i.e. semicircular inflatable tubular beams that form a plurality of arches.

[0055] The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, to whom this specification is addressed, many obvious variations, modifications, and refinements can be made to the embodiments presented herein without departing from the inventive concept(s) disclosed in this specification. The scope of the exclusive right sought by the applicant is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

An air pressurizable building comprising:

a support frame;

a flexible membrane covering the support frame to enclose an interior space; an air pressure generator in fluid communication with the interior space; and a power supply for providing power to the air pressure generator to cause the air pressure generator to pressurize the interior space, thereby inflating the membrane.

The air pressurizable building of claim 1 comprising a control system for causing the air pressure generator to pressurize the interior space to a desired internal pressure in response to detecting a load imposed on the support frame or membrane.

The air pressurizable building of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the air-pressure generator is powered by one or more wind vanes, the one or more wind vanes configured to provide sufficient power to the air-pressure generator to maintain the desired internal pressure in response to a varying external wind stagnation pressure.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a battery pack operably coupled to the power supply, and wherein the air pressure generator is at least partly powered by the battery pack.

The air pressurizable building of claim 4 wherein the battery pack stores unused electricity generated by the power supply.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the power supply comprises at least one solar cell incorporated into the flexible membrane.

The air pressurizable building of claim 6 wherein the flexible membrane comprises a solar cell fabric.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the support frame comprises a series of rigid frame elements. The air pressurizable building of claim 8 wherein the rigid frame elements are Warren- type girders.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the support frame comprises inflatable beams.

The air pressurizable building of claim 10 wherein the inflatable beams are integral to the flexible membrane.

The air pressurizable building of claim 1 1 wherein the inflatable beams are in fluid communication with the air pressure generator.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising at least one air lock for sealing the interior space.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the flexible membrane comprises a textile material.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the air pressure generator comprises a blower system.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the air pressure generator comprises one or more fans.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the power supply comprises one of a geothermal, hydro, or biomass-based power generator.

The air pressurizable building of any one of claims 1 to 17 further comprising one or both of a hydrogen tank with a fuel cell or a bio fuel with a generator.

A method of increasing resistance of a flexible membrane building to environmental stress, the method comprising:

providing a support frame and a flexible membrane covering the support frame and enclosing an interior space to form the flexible membrane building; and pressurizing the interior space using an air pressure generator, thereby inflating the membrane and increasing the resistance of the flexible membrane building to environmental stress.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising:

detecting an external wind load; and

pressurizing the interior space in response to detecting the external wind load.

21. The method of claim 19 comprising:

detecting a varying external wind stagnation pressure;

pressurizing the interior space to a desired internal pressure in response to detecting the varying external wind stagnation pressure.

22. The method of any one of claims 17 to 21 further comprising providing an electrical power source for supplying power to the air pressure generator for pressurizing the interior space.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the electrical power source is powered by wind vanes or a windmill.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the electrical power source is powered by at least one solar cell.

25. The method of any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the support frame comprises inflatable beams.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the inflatable beams are integral to the flexible membrane.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising inflating the inflatable beams using the air pressure generator.

28. The method of any one of claims 19 to 27 further comprising sealing the flexible membrane building to maintain pressure within the interior space.

29. A portable building structure comprising:

a plurality of containers;

an inflatable structure connected to the containers; and

a power supply for providing power to an air pressure generator to pressurize the inflatable structure.

30. The portable building structure of claim 29 wherein the power supply comprises a plurality of solar panels affixed to a membrane of the inflatable structure.

31. The portable building structure of claim 29 or claim 30 wherein the power supply comprises a windmill.

32. The portable building structure of any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein the power supply comprises a geothermal, hydro, or biomass-based power generator.

33. The portable building structure of any one of claims 29 to 32 further comprising one or both of a hydrogen tank with a fuel cell or a bio fuel with a generator.