EP0345600B1 - Improvements to an emergency shelter - Google Patents

Improvements to an emergency shelter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0345600B1
EP0345600B1 EP89109700A EP89109700A EP0345600B1 EP 0345600 B1 EP0345600 B1 EP 0345600B1 EP 89109700 A EP89109700 A EP 89109700A EP 89109700 A EP89109700 A EP 89109700A EP 0345600 B1 EP0345600 B1 EP 0345600B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shelter
base
fact
envelope
superimposed sheets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP89109700A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0345600A1 (en
Inventor
Fulvio Colombo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MOLDIP SpA
Original Assignee
MOLDIP SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MOLDIP SpA filed Critical MOLDIP SpA
Publication of EP0345600A1 publication Critical patent/EP0345600A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0345600B1 publication Critical patent/EP0345600B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
    • E04H1/1277—Shelters for decontamination
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/20—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/20—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure
    • E04H2015/201—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable tubular framework, with or without tent cover
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/20—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure
    • E04H2015/202—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to an emergency shelter for use in an ambient polluted by gases, noxious substances dispersed in the atmosphere and the like comprising: a base; a deformable envelope of impermeable plastic or elastomeric material sealed to the base and forming the walls of the shelter, said envelope being inflatable from a first configuration according to which it results to be folded upon itself to a second configuration corresponding to a space closed among the base and the walls for lodging a plurality of persons, said envelope being formed by superimposed sheets sealed to each other along two pairs of tubular inflatable elements of impermeable material, the sides of the tubular elements being substantially transversal to one another, said superimposed sheets originating a closed air space inflatable with a fluid under pressure; means for closing, in a tight manner, an opening carried out in the walls of the shelter; feeding means for feeding fluid into the air space between the superimposed sheets; means for regulating the overpressure of the fluid in said air space with respect to the ambient outside the shelter.
  • the known device comprises a base and an impermeable envelope variously folded upon itself in rest condition and then spread out upward by an inflatable element to delimit an air-tight room inside of which a plurality of persons can be lodged.
  • the device avails itself of suitable means to permit the breathing, for example breathing masks distributed inside the shelter associated by two corrugated hoses to the inhalation and exhalation valves applied on their turn to the envelope walls.
  • the device comprises also special means to establish an overpressure inside the shelter, for instance a pedal bellows or a fan or a compressed air bottle connected by the ducts to the inhalation filters associated to the envelope walls.
  • This device is intended to constitute an emergency shelter, easily transportable with a helicopter into a polluted zone, where after having been let down with a rope is automatically inflated and becomes a temporary shelter for safeguarding a plurality of persons.
  • the known emergency shelter is satisfactory, of simple and prompt utilization and generally suitable for civil and/or military uses.
  • each unit cell comprises a cushion connected to tubes arranged around and welded to the cushion.
  • the cushions and the tubes are communicating with each other and are inflated with a fluid.
  • This kind of structure is used for carrying out air-supported inflatable shelters.
  • Such structures are of special interest for providing, for example, emergency accomodation and sport halls.
  • DE-U-8627453 it is known a shelter where people or objects can be decontaminated by means of chemical substances.
  • This shelter comprises a base and an envelope inflated with a fluid, defining a space enclosed between them.
  • the envelope is formed by superimposed sheets creating an inner chamber.
  • the present invention aims at providing an emergency shelter devoid of the previously cited drawback which is contemporaneously of simple manoeuvrability and rapid use.
  • the object of the present invention is an emergency shelter for use in an ambient polluted by gas, noxious substances dispersed in the atmosphere and the like, according to the preamble of claim 1 characterized by the fact that said feeding means comprises a compressor connected to a filter, associated to the walls of the shelter, to depurate the air outside the shelter before its introduction into said air space between the superimposed sheets.
  • the shelter supporting structure can be formed by any whatsoever number of inflatable tubular elements and assume shapes and dimensions as desired, for example the shelter could have a half-circle cross section with supporting elements extending circumferentially between the opposite sides of the base or a polygonal section with supporting elements formed by a plurality of consecutive rectilinear portions extending between the opposite sides of the base or a rectangular section with the supporting elements perpendicular to one another forming the lateral walls and the roof or in general other shapes, such as a pyramid, conic or truncated-cone shape.
  • reference numeral 1 represents an emergency shelter for use in ambients polluted by gases, such as yperite or poison and pollutant gases, substances injurious to breathing or aggressive to skin dispersed in the atmosphere or gas exhalations caused by fires and working irregularities in a production cycle near a factory.
  • gases such as yperite or poison and pollutant gases
  • the emergency shelter 1 is apt to lodge a plurality of persons protecting their safety from the pollutant effects of the outer ambient.
  • the shelter 1 comprises a base 2 and an envelope 3 sealed at the base.
  • the envelope is of impermeable plastic or elastomeric material to be inflated from a first configuration where it results to be folded upon itself to a further configuration corresponding to a space closed between the base and the wall for lodging a plurality of persons.
  • the envelope 3 is made of rubberized fabric, in particular a fabric comprising synthetic fibers of nylon or polyester or aramidic fibers associated to synthetic elastomers, in general rubber materials impermeable to particular gases depending on the ambient conditions that it is wished to face.
  • the base 2 could be formed by a rigid layer made impermeable by means of a suitable covering or, according to other solutions, the base could be formed by inflatable elements, as for instance a pneumatic bottom.
  • the envelope 3 comprises a suitable opening (not shown) and means for closing in a tight manner the opening, both explained hereinafter.
  • the envelope 3 comprises a supporting structure formed by a first plurality of inflatable tubular supporting elements or pillars 4 distanced from one another and extended circumferentially and by a second plurality of inflatable tubular supporting elements 5 disposed both in central position and at the sides of the envelope on the base 2.
  • the tubular elements have the double function of forming the supporting structure and spreading out the envelope 3 according to its final shape when a fluid under pressure is supplied inside them.
  • the inflatable tubular supporting elements 4 protrude from the lateral ones 5 on the base and converge on the supporting elements 5 arranged in central position.
  • the various supporting elements forming the supporting structure have independent chambers and are then connected to one another at the relative crossing zones through jointing means or adhesives of known type, as the dashed line of figure 4 shows.
  • One essential characteristic of the present invention consists of arranging at least two sheets of rubberized fabric 6 and 7 superimposed one upon another (figure 3) and sealed at the ends between pairs of opposite sides.
  • the first pair of sides is constituted by adjacent tubular elements 4 and the second pair is constituted by tubular elements 5, central and lower on the base 2, respectively.
  • the two sheets 6 and 7 are joined in such a way as to originate an air space or bag 8, delimited by substantially transversal sealing lines; the air space is inflatable by supplying its inside with a suitable fluid under pressure, for instance air.
  • the areas 9, 10, 11, 12 delimited by tubular elements perpendicular to one another are formed by superimposing two sheets which give rise to a number of air spaces equal to the cited areas or a single air space if the outer sheet is sealed only at the ends reducing the four areas to only one area.
  • the envelope comprises front parts 13 and 14, each of which can be formed by at least two superimposed sheets originating an air space filled with a fluid under pressure likewise what already described and shown in figure 3.
  • the two parts 13 and 14 can be approached or moved away through a zip-fastener or by making recourse to the adhesive operation of the lips with known systems.
  • the emergency shelter 1 comprises means for feeding fluid under pressure, for instance air, either at the tubular elements 4 and 5 and the envelope 3 and also at the various air spaces 8 between the superimposed sheets 6 and 7.
  • means are provided to regulate the pressure of the fluid in the air spaces 8 with respect to the ambient outside the shelter.
  • the means for feeding the fluid are realized through a compressor 13′ arranged on the base 2 and a generating set (not shown) arranged outside the shelter and connected to the compressor through a suitable circuit.
  • the compressor could be placed outside the shelter.
  • the compressor 13′ is connected by means of a hose 14′ to a suitable filter 15 associated to the envelope walls to inhale air from the outer ambient.
  • the compressor 13′ through the hoses 16 sends air already filtered to the envelope inside and through the hoses 17, 18, 19 sends air both to the inflatable tubular elements 4 and 5 and to the air space 8.
  • hoses for the tubular elements and the air spaces are in a number corresponding to the various independent chambers to be inflated.
  • the means for regulating the air overpressure in the various air spaces 8 are constituted by valves 20 and 21, inlet valve and air valve, of known type, suitably calibrated to permit the air to escape outwards or to get into the air space so as to have always an overpressure with respect to the outer ambient, preferably of 0.01 atm.
  • breathing masks provided with inhalation and exhalation hoses; the ends of said hoses are associated either to an inhalation valve unit and relative filter or to the exhalation valve.
  • the valves of the masks are applied to the walls of the envelope.
  • the envelope inside can be provided with a plurality of zones independent of one another used for the decontamination of suits used by the staff for various interventions outside the shelter.
  • the invention achieves the aimed purposes.
  • the principle of the invention is based on the contemporaneous presence of a plurality of barriers of different type, each one opposing any possible penetration of gas or other pollutant substances from outside to inside of the envelope.
  • a first barrier of mechanical type is constituted by the outermost sheet.
  • a second barrier this of pneumatic type, is formed by an air breath under overpressure towards the outer ambient.
  • This pneumatic barrier is determined by the two sheets 6, 7 filled with a fluid maintained by the calibration of the inlet and air valves at an air pressure sufficient to push back the gases and the pollutant substances at room pressure.
  • a third barrier is of fluid-mechanics type and is originated by the fact that the volumes involved in the air spaces between the superimposed sheets are small, so that through small inlet and air valves in each air space it is possible to make a frequent change of air. In practice there is a continuous air washing inside the air spaces, with the advantage of expelling constantly possible small pollutant traces which have overcome the first and second barriers.
  • a four barrier, of mechanical type is then represented by the innermost sheet of each air space.
  • the invention permits to have a considerable increasing of the resistance of the envelope walls so that they can support the possible accessories present inside the shelter, as for example high capacity filters for a fan, valves for different breathing masks, suction hoses, electric parts for the connection with the outer generating set.
  • the cited optimal result is due to the fact that the overpressure inside each air space 8 places under tension the various fabrics originating in practice a kind of stiffening useful to the just cited purposes.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
EP89109700A 1988-06-07 1989-05-30 Improvements to an emergency shelter Expired EP0345600B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT20875/88A IT1217792B (it) 1988-06-07 1988-06-07 Miglioramenti in un rifugio d,emergenza
IT2087588 1988-06-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0345600A1 EP0345600A1 (en) 1989-12-13
EP0345600B1 true EP0345600B1 (en) 1991-09-11

Family

ID=11173394

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89109700A Expired EP0345600B1 (en) 1988-06-07 1989-05-30 Improvements to an emergency shelter

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0345600B1 (it)
DE (1) DE68900256D1 (it)
IT (1) IT1217792B (it)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012147080A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2012-11-01 S Y S Technologies Ltd Clean air structure

Families Citing this family (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8916988D0 (en) * 1989-07-25 1989-09-13 Goddard David L Inflatable housing
SE468775B (sv) * 1991-11-15 1993-03-15 Ventilatorverken Ab Ventilationsfoerfarande foer taelt eller liknande, t ex mobila sjukvaardsenheter, samt medel haerfoer
DE19525374A1 (de) * 1995-07-12 1997-01-16 Festo Kg Dach eines Bauwerkes
DE29613200U1 (de) * 1996-07-30 1996-10-10 Liu Chang Hsiung Schutzvorrichtung mit aufblasbarer Rahmenstruktur
GB9702904D0 (en) * 1997-02-13 1997-04-02 Page George Storage chamber
ITPI20020042A1 (it) * 2002-08-02 2002-10-31 Edy S N C Di Pantani Ottavio & "struttura abitativa a sostenimento pneumatico con riciclo d'aria e pareti impermeabili".
GB0319312D0 (en) * 2003-08-15 2003-09-17 Pre Con Structures Ltd Structural arrangement
US9410342B2 (en) 2003-11-15 2016-08-09 Outdoor Advantage Connection LLC Climate controlled portable dwelling and method of use
DE102004025308A1 (de) * 2004-05-19 2005-12-15 Georg Andreas Huber Membranbauwerk
EP1923530A1 (de) 2006-11-15 2008-05-21 Federspiel Ökotechnology Consulting GmbH Dach- und Fassadenkonstruktion für Gebäude sowie Wellness- und Freizeitanlagen
GB0624437D0 (en) * 2006-12-06 2007-01-17 Arup Group Ltd Inflatable canopy structures
NL1035186C1 (nl) * 2008-03-18 2008-06-30 Mahasti Tafahomi Een ruimtelijk object te gebruiken als shelter/noodwoning met een geheel of gedeeltelijke schil van photovoltaisch zonnecellen, als bovenlaag van een samengestelde huid, bevestigd door middel van klemming of andere middelen aan buizen, al dan niet voorzien van electrisch, ventilatie, water aansluitpunten die die door al dan niet klemmende koppelstukken aan elkaar verbonden zijn en de werkwijze.
CN103883157A (zh) * 2014-04-13 2014-06-25 顾晓烨 便携式一体化电动充气帐篷箱包
FR3066519A1 (fr) * 2017-05-17 2018-11-23 Eder Numero 1 Dispositif permettant la creation d'un environnement de travail sous atmosphere controlee
WO2019136235A1 (en) * 2018-01-05 2019-07-11 Rowan University Inflatable impact shield system
SI25923A (sl) * 2019-11-04 2021-05-31 DUOL d.o.o. Zračno podprta konstrukcija
US11761221B2 (en) * 2021-03-18 2023-09-19 Integrated Systems for Solutions, Inc. Chemical and biohazard vehicle survivability barrier systems and methods
FR3133630A1 (fr) * 2022-03-20 2023-09-22 Di'tec structure gonflable de couverture à double pression membranaire

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7623114U1 (de) * 1976-07-22 1976-12-09 Hochstein, Alfred, 4150 Krefeld Aufblasbares bauwerk
DE2634873A1 (de) * 1976-08-03 1978-02-09 Heinz Joachim Dipl Ing Notter Selbsttragende halle mit ueberdruckfreiem raum
GB2106160A (en) * 1981-09-22 1983-04-07 Airborne Ind Collapsible anti contamination shelter
US4736762A (en) * 1985-12-16 1988-04-12 Wayman Joseph R Anti-contamination means
DE8627545U1 (it) * 1986-10-15 1988-01-28 Alfred Kaercher Gmbh & Co, 7057 Winnenden, De

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012147080A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2012-11-01 S Y S Technologies Ltd Clean air structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0345600A1 (en) 1989-12-13
IT8820875A0 (it) 1988-06-07
IT1217792B (it) 1990-03-30
DE68900256D1 (de) 1991-10-17

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