Abstract:
A resiliently deformable containment structure having an open bottom end and a raised center portion. A central hub, situated centrally in a textile containment sheet, is provided. A plurality of elongate inflatable beam members are arranged circumferentially around the central hub, each extending radially outwardly and in a downwardly-extending manner therefrom and each underlying or overlying the textile containment sheet to support, when inflated, the textile containment sheet in a downwardly-extending shape to form an enclosure having an open bottom end. Distal ends of the inflatable beam members are tethered to one or more anchor members situated below the open bottom end of the dome structure. The structure is suited for placement above and over a compromised sub-sea structure for collecting and recovering to surface fluids which may be leaking therefrom. A method for containing and recovering such fluids from a compromised sub-sea structure is further disclosed.
Abstract:
A collapsible canopy system comprises an inflatable canopy cover, which may itself comprise a plurality of inflatable frame members, the frame members forming a top frame having a first end and a second end, and a back frame having a first end and a second end, the first end of the top frame being attached to the first end of the back frame and one or more flexible shade panels, wherein at least one of the flexible shade panels is disposed between the plurality of frame members forming the top frame. The system may comprise a canopy housing itself comprising an air pump configured to pump air into at least a portion of the inflatable canopy cover, a mechanism for attaching the canopy housing to another object, and a storage compartment configured to retain the inflatable canopy cover when it is in a deflated state.
Abstract:
An automobile tent apparatus includes a body member that includes an inflatable framework having opposed front and back support members each having opposed proximal and distal ends and a first dome support member extending between opposed proximal ends of the front and back support members, respectively, the front, back, and first dome support members having a tubular construction in fluid communication with one other and are selectively inflatable with air. The first dome support member has an upwardly arching configuration relative to the front and back support members. A plurality of housing panels is attached to respective support members of the inflatable framework and each extends downwardly therefrom so as to define an interior area within the body member. A first upper panel is positioned atop the first dome support member that covers an upper extent of the interior area proximate the first dome support member.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention comprise woven multilayer textiles having shaped, enclosed, inflatable pockets, where the inflated textile carries tension, compression, torsion and/or bending loads. Composite structures incorporating such inflatable members or spars are also described and claimed.
Abstract:
A tethermast and frag wall includes a fabric device having a fill volume fillable with a fill material on a flexible or compliant mast system. The fill volume may be a chambered curtain. The tethermast and frag wall is self supporting, easily deployed, and may be used in connection with a structure or may be deployed stand-alone. A tether system for an air beam structure utilizing a flexible tethermast, an external frag wall or frag curtain, soft couplings, air beam slings, or combinations thereof to reduce the effects of pressure waves, such as blast waves, onto and into an air beam structure and any inhabitants.
Abstract:
An inflatable structure and in particular, although not exclusively, a device such as an inflatable water craft, a kite or a shelter. Also an inflatable tube for an inflatable structure.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tent (1) with at least one pole (2) extending in final assembly position vertically from the mounting surface (8) and a dome-shaped tent cover (3) extending over the self-supporting pole (2) which is locked and tensioned with locking means (4) in relation to the mounting surface (8), wherein the pole (2) containing a pressurized filling gas is constructed as single or multiple layered and includes a controllable or adjustable illumination device (5) that is placed inside the pole (2).
Abstract:
A refuge shelter includes a container. The shelter includes a tent that is disposed in the container in an undeployed state. The tent includes an inflatable support structure which is inflatable from an undeployed state in the container to a deployed state, and a seal which seals the tent to the container in a deployed state. The support structure has a plurality of hoses interconnected by couplers. The hoses have an inside diameter of less than 5 inches. A gas flow apparatus. A refuge shelter for miners in a mine includes a container and a tent that is disposed in the container. The tent has a test support to which a sample of the external environment can be obtained from inside the tent when the tent is deployed. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine.
Abstract:
An adapter plate for a container unit that can be coupled to at an additional container unit to form an intermodal container having the approximate dimensions of a standard ISO container. The intermodal container can be handled by a medium tactical vehicle with a load handling system. The container unit has first and second substantially parallel corner posts, an upper frame support extending between first ends of the corner posts, a lower frame support extending between second ends of the corner posts, and a connection block disposed adjacent the second ends of the corner posts. The adapter plate is disposed adjacent the connection block. A proximal end of the adapter plate is connected to the connection block and positioned generally flush with an outer facing surface of the connection block. A distal end of the adapter is angled to connect to an outer surface of the lower frame support.
Abstract:
A structure which is transformable by inflation from a collapsed condition for storage to an erect condition for use has an inflatable tubular framework and at least one flexible web attached to and extending between two or more regions of the framework. The inflatable framework is formed by at least one inner inflatable tubular element (A, B) of flexible, elastic, air-impermeable material and having an inflation valve (13,15) accommodated within an outer sleeve arrangement of a material which is flexible but substantially non-elastic and restrained therein upon inflation. The outer sleeve arrangement is configured to include at least one branch point and/or at least one abrupt bend and the configuration of the inner tubular element or elements (A, B) corresponds to that (branch points (a, b) and abrupt bends (z)) so that the inner tube or tubes will substantially fill the outer sleeve arrangement upon inflation. Each inner tube (A, B) is formed by cutting and bonding of the air-impermeable material to provide a continuous inflatable compartment of relevant configuration and is inserted through an opening in the outer sleeve arrangement and fed through so as to fill it when later inflated in use.