EP1015717A1 - Inflatable, deployable, and collapsible arch - Google Patents

Inflatable, deployable, and collapsible arch

Info

Publication number
EP1015717A1
EP1015717A1 EP98917290A EP98917290A EP1015717A1 EP 1015717 A1 EP1015717 A1 EP 1015717A1 EP 98917290 A EP98917290 A EP 98917290A EP 98917290 A EP98917290 A EP 98917290A EP 1015717 A1 EP1015717 A1 EP 1015717A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inflatable
beams
envelope
arch
foundation
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98917290A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Guy Robert Delamare
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.)
Sa Spironef Technologies
Original Assignee
Sa Spironef Technologies
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 Sa Spironef Technologies filed Critical Sa Spironef Technologies
Publication of EP1015717A1 publication Critical patent/EP1015717A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • E04H2015/202—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework
    • E04H2015/204—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework made from contiguous inflatable tubes
    • 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
    • E04H2015/206—Details of inflation devices, e.g. valves, connections to fluid pressure source
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S135/00—Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
    • Y10S135/906—Arched structure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inflatable arch, deployable and retractable by inflation and deflation respectively.
  • the inflatable arches comprise a plurality of longitudinal beams arranged side by side, means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, at least one deployment or folding path for said beams and foundation means or ballasting said vault.
  • This type of vaults is designed, among other things, to allow its deployment by simple inflation as well as its retraction by deflation which allows at will to cover a space in order to protect it from bad weather and to discover it in good weather.
  • Such a vault can be used to temporarily cover large installations, such as stadiums or grandstands reserved for spectators.
  • each beam is formed by a flexible envelope which incorporates means ensuring the continuity of the tightness of the volume which it confines and which mainly comprises four longitudinal panels whose edges intersect along four edges longitudinal to the right of which these panels are
  • the object of the invention is to propose an inflatable vault which is simple to implement and which makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the subject of the invention is therefore an inflatable arch, deployable and retractable, respectively by inflation and deflation, of the type comprising: a plurality of longitudinal inflatable beams and arranged side by side, means for supplying the inflatable beams with fluid under pressure,
  • each of the inflatable beams is formed by a tubular envelope closed at its two ends by mechanical means of sealed confinement.
  • the inflatable beams are independent of one another or connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means,
  • the inflatable beams are connected, at at least one of their ends, by means of foundation or ballasting by said mechanical means of sealed confinement,
  • each tubular casing is formed by a section of cylindrical sheath, of plastic material
  • Each tubular envelope is made from a width of coated fabric whose warp threads are arranged substantially in the longitudinal direction of this envelope and the weft threads substantially in the transverse direction of said envelope, the mechanical tight confinement means are formed, for each inflatable beam, by two bars connected to each other by at least one fixing element by pinching the corresponding end of 1 ' tubular envelope of said beam, the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for all or part of the inflatable beams, by two bars, connected, on the one hand, to one another by at least one fixing element by pinching the corresponding ends of the tubular casings of all or part of said beam and, on the other hand, to said foundation or ballasting means, the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for each beam, by a flange provided with a central orifice and connected to said foundation or ballasting means, said flange comprising a first part fixed to the external face of the envelope of the corresponding beam and a second part ie fixed on the internal face of said envelope and connected to said first part by at least one
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an inflatable vault according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an inflatable vault according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of a portion of the inflatable vault according to the invention
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the inflatable arch showing a communication opening
  • - Fig.5 is a schematic view of one end of a portion of the inflatable beams of the arch connected to the foundation or ballasting means
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the mechanical means for sealingly confining an inflatable beam
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the mechanical means for tightly confining the inflatable beams
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view in cross section of a first embodiment of the foundation and ballasting means
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view in cross section of a second embodiment of the foundation or ballasting means
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the means for connecting the inflatable beams together
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic view in cross section of a second embodiment of the means for connecting the inflatable beams to one another
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view in cross section of a variant of an inflatable vault according to the invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection and sealing means of the inflatable arch shown in FIG. 13 with a deployment or folding path
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the means for supplying the inflatable beams with fluid under pressure
  • Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of another variant of an inflatable vault according to the invention.
  • FIGs. 1 and 2 there is shown schematically an inflatable arch made up of a plurality of inflatable longitudinal beams A, B, C ... M, N, which are arranged side by side to form the arch 1.
  • the beams A, B, C ... are independent of each other or are connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means which will be mentioned later.
  • the inflatable beams can move on at least one deployment or folding path 3 formed for example by a rigid beam (fig.2).
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected to means 4 for supplying said inflatable beams with pressurized fluid constituted for example by a generator of pressurized fluid.
  • the inflatable arch 1 also comprises at least one support 5 in the form of a hoop extending parallel to the beam with which said support 5 is in contact.
  • the vault 1 has two supports 5 and these supports 5 are arranged at a determined distance from the ground to provide on either side of the vault 1 of the openings. These supports 5 can also be arranged at ground level.
  • the supports 5 each form a support and a receptacle for inflatable beams A, B, C ... and are of triangular section, formed by the three-dimensional assembly of welded tubes, for example made of steel.
  • Each support 5 is connected by yokes, not shown in FIG. 2, on the one hand, to the path 3 of deployment or folding, and on the other hand, to the means 2 of foundation or ballasting.
  • each beam A, B, C ... is made up of a tubular casing 6 ensuring the continuity of the tightness of the volume which it confines and composed of four zones of which two lateral zones form the cores 7 and 8 and of which two upper and lower zones respectively form an outer sole 9 and an inner sole 10.
  • Each tubular casing 6 constituting an inflatable beam A, B, C ... is formed by a cylindrical sheath section, made of plastic material, produced by continuous hot extrusion and extension by internal pressurization at the outlet of a die extrusion ring.
  • each tubular casing 6 is produced from a width of coated fabric whose warp threads are arranged -sensibly in the longitudinal direction of this casing 6 and the weft threads substantially in the transverse direction of said casing 6 .
  • the inflatable beams constituting the arch 1 can be formed by beams of different lengths.
  • the arch 1 is formed of beams C, D ... of great length and of beams Al, Bl; A2, B2 ... of shorter length.
  • the assembly or a part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... is connected to the means 2 of ballast foundation by at least one strap 13 extending the corresponding beam and fixed to it at the level of the mechanical means of tight confinement, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • these mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for each inflatable beam A, B, C ..., by two bars, respectively 20 and 21 connected to each other by fastening elements 22, such as for example bolts, by pinching the corresponding end of the tubular casing 6 of said inflatable beam A, B, C ... with the insertion of a seal 22a.
  • the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for all or part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., by two bars, respectively 23 and 24 connected, on the one hand, one to the other by at least one fixing element 25 constituted for example by a screw, by pinching the ends of the tubular casings 6 of all or part of said inflatable beams and, on the other hand, by means 2 of foundation or ballasting.
  • the supports 5 have their ends hinged along a common axis using yokes 26 connected to the means 2 of foundation or ballasting.
  • the mechanical means of tight confinement of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... are formed, for each of these inflatable beams, by a flange 30 provided with a central orifice 31 and connected to said foundation means 2 or ballasting.
  • Each flange 30 comprises a first part 32 fixed on the external face of the envelope 6 of the corresponding beam A, B, C and a second part 33 fixed on the internal face of said envelope 6.
  • the ends of one envelope 6 of the corresponding beam A, B, C ... are pinched between the two parts 32 and 33 of the flange 30 and a seal 34 is interposed between these parts.
  • the two parts 32 and 33 of the flange 30 are interconnected by at least one element of
  • each flange 30 communicates with the means 4 for supplying pressurized fluid by the means 2 for foundation and ballasting.
  • the means 2 for foundation or ballasting are formed by a box divided by partitions vertical 37 in compartments 36 each communicating with an inflatable beam A, B, C ... through a central orifice 31 and with the means 2 for supplying fluid under pressure.
  • each compartment 36 has a lateral orifice 38 connected by a flexible pipe 39 to selective means for distributing the pressurized fluid, not shown, which are themselves connected to the means 4 for supplying the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in pressurized fluid.
  • the foundation or ballasting means 2 comprise in particular a box 40 communicating with the inflatable beams A, B, C ... by the central orifice 31 formed in each flange 30 and with the means 4 for supplying fluid under pressure by a lateral orifice 40a.
  • each central orifice 31 is provided with a shutter member 41 which can be moved between an open position shown in phantom in FIG. 10 and a closed position of the central orifice 31 shown in solid lines in this figure.
  • Each shutter member is formed by a butterfly 41 rotating around an axis 42 and which comprises at its periphery an inflatable seal 43 intended to cooperate with the edge of the central orifice 31 when " the butterfly 41 is in the position of shutter.
  • This seal 43 is inflated to obtain perfect sealing when the butterfly 41 is in the closed position and deflated to allow the opening operation by a quarter-turn rotation of this butterfly 41.
  • the flow rate of pressurized fluid can thus be adjusted by positioning the butterfly valve in an intermediate position.
  • the connecting means of the inflatable beams A, B, C, between them are arranged substantially halfway up the radial sections of the envelopes 6 of said inflatable beams.
  • FIG. 11 there is shown a first embodiment of these connecting means of two inflatable beams A and B adjacent, the connecting means of the other inflatable beams being identical.
  • the connecting means are formed by a first T-shaped section 50a of flexible material, fixed to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam A and by a second T-shaped section 50b, fixed to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam B, facing the first profile 50a.
  • the first section 50a has two lateral branches 51a and 52a fixed for example by bonding to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam A and a central branch 53a forming at its free end a loop 54a.
  • the central branch 53a is provided with transverse notches 55a regularly spaced to form a series of separate flaps 56a.
  • the T-shaped section 50b has two lateral branches 51b and 52b, fixed for example by gluing to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam B and a central branch 53b forming at its free end a loop 54b.
  • the central branch 53b is provided with transverse notches 55b regularly spaced to form a series of separate flaps 56b.
  • connection means also comprise at least one flexible rod 57 intended to be threaded in the loop 54a or 54b of one flap 56a or 56b in two.
  • first rod 57a is threaded into the loop 54a of the first flap 56a, then into the loop 54b of the second flap 56b and so on and the second rod 57b is threaded into the loop 54b of the first flap 56b, then in the loop 54a of the second flap 56a and so on to form at least one hinge.
  • the means for connecting the inflatable beams A, B, C ... to each other are formed by a fixing fitting 60 provided with a central orifice 61 for interconnecting the internal spaces of the envelopes 6 of two beams A, B, C ... contiguous.
  • Each fixing fitting 60 is formed of two parts, respectively 60a and 60b, intended to cooperate with each other, for example by screwing, "by inserting between them a portion of the casings 6 of the beams A, B, C.
  • a seal 62 is interposed between the external faces of the envelopes 6 of the beams A, B, C ... contiguous.
  • the path 3 for deploying or folding the inflatable beams A, B, C ... is formed by at least one rigid beam located substantially in the central area of said inflatable beams A, B, C ...
  • the rigid beam 3 is triangular section and formed by three-dimensional assembly of welded tubes.
  • each rigid beam 3 is formed of longitudinal members 3a, for example three in number, and transverse members 3b connecting together said longitudinal members 3a.
  • the rigid beam 3 is arranged outside the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., as shown in Figs. 2 and 16 or passes through said inflatable beams A, B, C, etc. in a sealed manner, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
  • the outer sole 9 or the inner sole 10 of said inflatable beams comprises, at the level contact with the rigid beam 3, a patch 63 bonded to said outer sole 9 or said inner sole 10 of each inflatable beam A, B, C ...
  • These pads 63 form sliding and wear reinforcement zones which rub on at least one longitudinal member 3a of the rigid beam
  • the rigid beam 3 of triangular section can be faired by a plurality of curved panels 65 fixed to the longitudinal members 3a of said rigid beam 3 to form a rigid beam of circular section, as shown in FIG. 14.
  • the rigid beam 3 sealingly crosses the inflatable beams A, B, C ... by means of a flexible and flattenable conduit 66 formed of several sections 66a, 66b, 66c ... (Fig. 13) connecting each two opposite orifices 67 formed in the envelope 6 of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... (Fig. 14).
  • each orifice 67 comprises:
  • the sealed connection means between the envelopes 6 of two adjacent inflatable beams A and B are formed by a flange 70 comprising two parts, respectively 70a and 70b fixed to each other by a plurality of fixing elements 71 , such as bolts, by pinching the ends of the casings 6 with the interposition of an O-ring 72 disposed in an annular groove 73 formed in the first part 70a of the flange 70.
  • the sealed connection means between the edge of each orifice 67 and the corresponding section of the conduit 66 comprise a collar 74 consisting of an open ring, for example in round wire, ending at each of its ends by a tab 75.
  • the other sections constituting the flexible conduit 66 are fixed in the same way.
  • inflatable beams A, B, C ... during the deployment or the folding of the inflatable arch 1 are formed, for each orifice 67, by a sliding ring 77 secured to the edge of said orifice 67.
  • the sliding ring 77 is arranged on the internal wall of the flange 70 and this sliding ring 77 is intended to rub on the rigid beam 3 during deployment or folding of the beams inflatable A, B, C ...
  • the means for maintaining the tightness of the internal space of the flexible conduit 66 at each orifice 67 are formed by an annular seal 78 secured to the edge of this orifice 67.
  • this annular seal 78 is fixed by fastening elements 79 on a crown 80 integral with the first part 70a of the flange 70.
  • This annular seal 78 rubs on the curved panels 65 of the rigid beam 3 during the deployment or folding of the inflatable beams A, B, C ...
  • part or all of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... has, on its inner sole 10, a flap 81 for example made of suitable fabric and which hangs freely in curtain or festoon inside the inflatable arch 1 to modify the acoustic qualities of the internal space covered by said inflatable arch 1.
  • the assembly of the inflatable arch 1 is carried out as follows.
  • the supports 5 are assembled at ground level and the path 3 for deployment or folding is mounted.
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C, etc. are installed above these supports 5, deflated and superimposed on each other.
  • These inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected at their ends to the means 2 for foundation or ballasting. Then, the supports 5 raise all of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... so that these supports 5 pivot about their axis "of articulation to take the angular position chosen from which said arch inflatable 1 is deployed, this position can be the horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4 or a determined angular position, as shown in Figs 2 and 13.
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are inflated one after the other using the means 4 for supplying pressurized fluid.
  • the pivoting operation of the supports 5 can be obtained by inflating or deflating at least part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... constituting the inflatable arch 1.
  • FIG. 15 a particular embodiment of the inflatable arch 1 will be described.
  • a plurality of inflatable beams joined A, B, C and D forms a group of inflatable beams whose internal spaces formed by the envelopes 6 communicate with each other through the orifices of intercommunication 61 which are located alternately near one or the other of the ends of said inflatable beams A, B, C and D.
  • intercommunication orifices 61 are each formed in a flange 60, as shown in FIG. 12.
  • each group of beams A, B, C and D is firstly inflated or deflated successively using flexible tubing 85 connected to one of the beams of the corresponding group and connected to the means 4 of pressurized fluid supply.
  • each group of beams A, 13, C and D is connected in closed circuit by a pipeline 86 to an installation 87 maintaining the flow of fluid at a pressure, a temperature and a controlled humidity to cool the covered space.
  • arch 1 using one or more groups of inflatable beams such as a heat exchanger.
  • the deployment or folding path 3 comprises at least two pairs of rigid arch-shaped beams, respectively 90a, 91a and
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C move by sliding between the rigid beams 90a, 91a and 90b and 91b when they are inflatable or deflated.

Abstract

The invention relates to a arch (1) that can be inflated, deployed, and stored away respectively, of the type comprising a series of inflatable longitudinal beams (A, B, C,...) disposed side by side, means (4) of supplying said inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, as well as foundation and ballasting elements (2) for said arch (1). Each of the inflatable beams is comprised of a tubular envelope (6), sealed at both ends by watertight mechanical means of containment.

Description

" Voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable". "Inflatable, deployable and retractable arch".
La présente invention a pour objet une voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable par gonflage et dégonflage respectivement.The present invention relates to an inflatable arch, deployable and retractable by inflation and deflation respectively.
D'une manière générale, les voûtes gonflables comprennent une pluralité de poutres longitudinales disposées côte à côte, des moyens d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression, au moins un chemin de déploiement ou de repliage desdites poutres et des moyens de fondation ou de lestage de ladite voûte.In general, the inflatable arches comprise a plurality of longitudinal beams arranged side by side, means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, at least one deployment or folding path for said beams and foundation means or ballasting said vault.
Ce type de voûtes est conçu, entre autres, pour permettre son déploiement par simple gonflage ainsi que son escamotage par dégonflage ce qui permet à volonté de recouvrir un espace dans le but de le protéger des intempéries et de le découvrir par beau temps .This type of vaults is designed, among other things, to allow its deployment by simple inflation as well as its retraction by deflation which allows at will to cover a space in order to protect it from bad weather and to discover it in good weather.
Une telle voûte peut être utilisée pour recouvrir de façon temporaire des installations de grandes dimensions, comme des stades ou des tribunes dévolues aux spectateurs.Such a vault can be used to temporarily cover large installations, such as stadiums or grandstands reserved for spectators.
On connaît déjà des voûtes de ce type dans lesquelles chaque poutre est formée par une enveloppe souple qui intègre des moyens assurant la continuité de 1 ' étanchéité du volume qu'elle confine et qui comprend principalement quatre panneaux longitudinaux dont les arrêtes sont sécantes selon quatre arrêtes longitudinales au droit desquelles ces panneaux sontThere are already known arches of this type in which each beam is formed by a flexible envelope which incorporates means ensuring the continuity of the tightness of the volume which it confines and which mainly comprises four longitudinal panels whose edges intersect along four edges longitudinal to the right of which these panels are
-non seulement reliés entre eux, mais aussi reliés aux panneaux homologues des poutres adjacentes, à l'aide de moyens mécaniques discontinus de liaison.-not only connected together, but also connected to the homologous panels of the adjacent beams, using discontinuous mechanical means of connection.
Mais, une telle structure pose des problèmes d'étancheite et est complexe du fait de la conception de chacune des poutres gonflables. L'invention a pour but de proposer une voûte gonflable simple à mettre en œuvre et qui permet d'éviter les inconvénients précédemment mentionnés.However, such a structure poses sealing problems and is complex due to the design of each of the inflatable beams. The object of the invention is to propose an inflatable vault which is simple to implement and which makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks mentioned above.
L'invention a donc pour objet une voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable, respectivement par gonflage et dégonflage, du type comprenant : une pluralité de poutres gonflables longitudinales et disposées côte à côte, des moyens d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression,The subject of the invention is therefore an inflatable arch, deployable and retractable, respectively by inflation and deflation, of the type comprising: a plurality of longitudinal inflatable beams and arranged side by side, means for supplying the inflatable beams with fluid under pressure,
- des moyens de fondation ou de lestage de ladite voûte, caractérisée en ce que chacune des poutres gonflables est formée par une enveloppe tubulaire fermée à ses deux extrémités par des moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche.- Means for foundation or ballasting of said vault, characterized in that each of the inflatable beams is formed by a tubular envelope closed at its two ends by mechanical means of sealed confinement.
Selon d'autres caractéristiques de 1 ' invention :According to other characteristics of the invention:
- les poutres gonflables sont indépendantes les unes des autres ou reliées les unes aux autres longitudinalement par des moyens de liaison,the inflatable beams are independent of one another or connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means,
- les poutres gonflables sont reliées, à au moins une de leurs extrémités, au moyen de fondation ou de lestage par lesdits moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche,- the inflatable beams are connected, at at least one of their ends, by means of foundation or ballasting by said mechanical means of sealed confinement,
- chaque enveloppe tubulaire est formée par un tronçon de gaine cylindrique, en matière plastique,- each tubular casing is formed by a section of cylindrical sheath, of plastic material,
-réalisée par extrusion,- made by extrusion,
- chaque enveloppe tubulaire est réalisée à partir d'une laize de tissu enduit dont les fils de chaîne sont disposés sensiblement dans le sens longitudinal de cette enveloppe et les fils de trame sensiblement dans le sens transversal de ladite enveloppe, les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour chaque poutre gonflable, par deux barrettes reliées l'une à l'autre par au moins un élément de fixation en pinçant l'extrémité correspondante de 1 ' enveloppe tubulaire de ladite poutre, les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanches sont formés, pour tout ou partie des poutres gonflables, par deux barrettes, reliées, d'une part, l'une à l'autre par au moins un élément de fixation en pinçant les extrémités correspondantes des enveloppes tubulaires de tout ou partie desdites poutre et, d'autre part, auxdits moyens de fondation ou de lestage, les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour chaque poutre, par une bride munie d'un orifice central et reliée auxdits moyens de fondation ou de lestage, ladite bride comportant une première partie fixée sur la face externe de 1 ' enveloppe de la poutre correspondante et une seconde partie fixée sur la face interne de ladite enveloppe et reliée à ladite première partie par au moins un élément de fixation et ledit orifice central communiquant avec les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression par les moyens de fondation ou de lestage, les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables entre elles sont formés, d'une part, par un profilé en T en matériau souple fixé sur l'enveloppe de chaque poutre gonflable et comportant deux branches latérales fixées sur ladite enveloppe et une branche centrale formant à son extrémité libre une boucle et étant munie d'encoches transversales régulièrement espacées pour former une série de bavettes distinctes et, d'autre part, par au moins un jonc souple destiné à être enfilé dans la boucle d'une bavette sur deux de deux profilés contigus pour former au moins une charnière, les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables entre elles sont formés par une ferrure de fixation munie d'un orifice central d ' intercommunication des espaces internes des enveloppes de deux poutres contiguës et comportant deux parties destinées à coopérer l'une avec l'autre en insérant entre elles une portion desdites enveloppes.- Each tubular envelope is made from a width of coated fabric whose warp threads are arranged substantially in the longitudinal direction of this envelope and the weft threads substantially in the transverse direction of said envelope, the mechanical tight confinement means are formed, for each inflatable beam, by two bars connected to each other by at least one fixing element by pinching the corresponding end of 1 ' tubular envelope of said beam, the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for all or part of the inflatable beams, by two bars, connected, on the one hand, to one another by at least one fixing element by pinching the corresponding ends of the tubular casings of all or part of said beam and, on the other hand, to said foundation or ballasting means, the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for each beam, by a flange provided with a central orifice and connected to said foundation or ballasting means, said flange comprising a first part fixed to the external face of the envelope of the corresponding beam and a second part ie fixed on the internal face of said envelope and connected to said first part by at least one fixing element and said central orifice communicating with the means for supplying pressurized fluid by the foundation or ballasting means, the connecting means inflatable beams between them are formed, on the one hand, by a T-shaped piece of flexible material fixed on the envelope of each inflatable beam and comprising two lateral branches fixed on said envelope and a central branch forming at its free end a loop and being provided with regularly spaced transverse notches to form a series of separate flaps and, on the other hand, by at least one flexible rod intended to be threaded in the loop of a flap on two of two contiguous sections to form at least one hinge, the means for connecting the inflatable beams to each other are formed by a fixing fitting provided with a central orifice for interconnecting the internal spaces of the envelopes of two contiguous beams and comprising two parts intended to cooperate with each other by inserting between them a portion of said envelopes.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels : la Fig. 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'une voûte gonflable conforme à l'invention, la Fig. 2 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'une voûte gonflable conforme à l'invention, la Fig. 3 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une portion de la voûte gonflable conforme à l'invention,The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an inflatable vault according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an inflatable vault according to the invention, FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of a portion of the inflatable vault according to the invention,
- la Fig. 4 est une vue schématique d'une portion de la voûte gonflable montrant une ouverture de communication, - la Fig.5 est une vue schématique d'une extrémité d'une partie des poutres gonflables de la voûte reliée aux moyens de fondation ou de lestage, la Fig. 6 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation des moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche d'une poutre gonflable, la Fig. 7 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un second mode de réalisation des moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche des poutres gonflables , la Fig. 8 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un premier mode de réalisation des moyens de fondation et de lestage,- Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the inflatable arch showing a communication opening, - Fig.5 is a schematic view of one end of a portion of the inflatable beams of the arch connected to the foundation or ballasting means , Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the mechanical means for sealingly confining an inflatable beam, FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the mechanical means for tightly confining the inflatable beams, FIG. 8 is a schematic view in cross section of a first embodiment of the foundation and ballasting means,
- la Fig. 9 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 9-9 de la Fig. 8,- Fig. 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8
- la Fig. 10 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un second mode de réalisation des moyens de fondation ou de lestage,- Fig. 10 is a schematic view in cross section of a second embodiment of the foundation or ballasting means,
- la Fig. 11 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation des moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables entre elles, - la Fig. 12 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un second mode de réalisation des moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables entre elles,- Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the means for connecting the inflatable beams together, - FIG. 12 is a schematic view in cross section of a second embodiment of the means for connecting the inflatable beams to one another,
- la Fig. 13 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une variante d'une voûte gonflable conforme à l'invention,- Fig. 13 is a schematic view in cross section of a variant of an inflatable vault according to the invention,
- la Fig. 14 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale des moyens de liaison et d'étancheite de la voûte gonflable représentée à la Fig. 13 avec un chemin de déploiement ou de repliage, - la Fig. 15 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un mode de réalisation des moyens d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression, la Fig. 16 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une autre variante d'une voûte gonflable conforme à l'invention.- Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection and sealing means of the inflatable arch shown in FIG. 13 with a deployment or folding path, - FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the means for supplying the inflatable beams with fluid under pressure, Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of another variant of an inflatable vault according to the invention.
Sur les Figs . 1 et 2 , on a représenté schématiquement une voûte gonflable constituée d'une pluralité de poutres gonflables A, B, C...M, N longitudinales et étanches et qui sont disposées côte à côte pour former la voûte 1.In Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown schematically an inflatable arch made up of a plurality of inflatable longitudinal beams A, B, C ... M, N, which are arranged side by side to form the arch 1.
Les poutres A, B, C... sont indépendantes les unes des autres ou sont reliées les unes aux autres longitudinalement par des moyens de liaison qui seront mentionnés ultérieurement.The beams A, B, C ... are independent of each other or are connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means which will be mentioned later.
Ces poutres A, B, C... sont reliées à au moins une extrémité à des moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage fixés sur le sol. Selon une variante, les poutres gonflables peuvent se déplacer sur au moins un chemin 3 de déploiement ou de repliage formé par exemple par une poutre rigide (fig.2) .These beams A, B, C ... are connected at at least one end to means 2 for foundation or ballasting fixed to the ground. According to a variant, the inflatable beams can move on at least one deployment or folding path 3 formed for example by a rigid beam (fig.2).
D'autre part, les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont reliées à des moyens 4 d'alimentation desdites poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression constitués par exemple par un générateur de fluide sous pression.On the other hand, the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected to means 4 for supplying said inflatable beams with pressurized fluid constituted for example by a generator of pressurized fluid.
Selon une variante représentée à la Fig. 2, la voûte gonflable 1 comporte également au moins un support 5 en forme d'arceau s ' étendant parallèlement à la poutre avec laquelle ledit support 5 est en contact. Dans l'exemple de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 2, la voûte 1 comporte deux supports 5 et ces supports 5 sont disposés à une distance déterminée du sol pour ménager de part et d'autre de la voûte 1 des ouvertures . Ces supports 5 peuvent être également disposés au niveau du sol.According to a variant shown in FIG. 2, the inflatable arch 1 also comprises at least one support 5 in the form of a hoop extending parallel to the beam with which said support 5 is in contact. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the vault 1 has two supports 5 and these supports 5 are arranged at a determined distance from the ground to provide on either side of the vault 1 of the openings. These supports 5 can also be arranged at ground level.
Les supports 5 forment chacun un appui et un réceptacle des poutres gonflables A, B, C... et sont de section triangulaire, formés pas l'assemblage tridimensionnel de tubes soudés par exemple en acier.The supports 5 each form a support and a receptacle for inflatable beams A, B, C ... and are of triangular section, formed by the three-dimensional assembly of welded tubes, for example made of steel.
Chaque support 5 est relié par des chapes, non représentées sur la Fig. 2, d'une part, au chemin 3 de déploiement ou de repliage, et d'autre part, aux moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage.Each support 5 is connected by yokes, not shown in FIG. 2, on the one hand, to the path 3 of deployment or folding, and on the other hand, to the means 2 of foundation or ballasting.
Ainsi que représenté à la Fig. 3, chaque poutre A, B, C... est constituée d'une enveloppe tubulaire 6 assurant la continuité de 1 ' étanchéité du volume qu'elle confine et composée de quatre zones dont deux zones latérales forment les âmes 7 et 8 et dont deux zones supérieure et inférieure forment respectivement une semelle extérieure 9 et une semelle intérieure 10.As shown in FIG. 3, each beam A, B, C ... is made up of a tubular casing 6 ensuring the continuity of the tightness of the volume which it confines and composed of four zones of which two lateral zones form the cores 7 and 8 and of which two upper and lower zones respectively form an outer sole 9 and an inner sole 10.
Chaque enveloppe tubulaire 6 constituant une poutre gonflable A, B, C... est formée par un tronçon de gaine cylindrique, en matière plastique, réalisé par extrusion en continu à chaud et extension par mise en pression interne à la sortie d'une filière annulaire d' extrusion. Selon une variante, chaque enveloppe tubulaire 6 est réalisée à partir d'une laize de tissu enduit dont les fils de chaîne sont disposés -sensiblement dans le sens longitudinal de cette enveloppe 6 et les fils de trame sensiblement dans le sens transversal de ladite enveloppe 6.Each tubular casing 6 constituting an inflatable beam A, B, C ... is formed by a cylindrical sheath section, made of plastic material, produced by continuous hot extrusion and extension by internal pressurization at the outlet of a die extrusion ring. According to a variant, each tubular casing 6 is produced from a width of coated fabric whose warp threads are arranged -sensibly in the longitudinal direction of this casing 6 and the weft threads substantially in the transverse direction of said casing 6 .
Par ailleurs, les poutres gonflables constituant la voûte 1 peuvent être formées par des poutres de longueurs différentes . Selon un mode de réalisation particulier représenté à la Fig.4, la voûte 1 est formée de poutres C, D... de grande longueur et de poutres Al, Bl ; A2 , B2... de plus petite longueur. Les extrémités des poutres Al, Bl ; A2 ,Furthermore, the inflatable beams constituting the arch 1 can be formed by beams of different lengths. According to a particular embodiment shown in Fig.4, the arch 1 is formed of beams C, D ... of great length and of beams Al, Bl; A2, B2 ... of shorter length. The ends of the beams Al, Bl; A2,
B2... sont reliées par des organes de fixation 11 pour former, après gonflage des poutres, au moins une ouverture 12 de communication ou d'accès entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de la voûte gonflable 1. L'ensemble ou une partie des poutres gonflables A, B, C... est relié aux moyens 2 de fondation de lestage par au moins une sangle 13 prolongeant la poutre correspondante et fixée à celle- ci au niveau des moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche, ainsi que représenté à la Fig.5.B2 ... are connected by fixing members 11 to form, after inflation of the beams, at least one opening 12 for communication or access between the interior and the exterior of the inflatable arch 1. The assembly or a part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... is connected to the means 2 of ballast foundation by at least one strap 13 extending the corresponding beam and fixed to it at the level of the mechanical means of tight confinement, as shown in Fig. 5.
En se reportant maintenant aux figures 6 et 7, on va décrire deux modes de réalisation des moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche des poutres gonflables A, B, C... Selon un premier mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 6, ces moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C..., par deux barrettes, respectivement 20 et 21 reliées l'une à l'autre par des éléments de fixation 22, comme par exemple des boulons, en pinçant 1 ' extrémité correspondante de 1 ' enveloppe tubulaire 6 de ladite poutre gonflable A, B, C... avec nterposition d'un joint d'étancheite 22a.Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, two embodiments of the mechanical means for the tight confinement of the inflatable beams A, B, C will be described. According to a first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, these mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for each inflatable beam A, B, C ..., by two bars, respectively 20 and 21 connected to each other by fastening elements 22, such as for example bolts, by pinching the corresponding end of the tubular casing 6 of said inflatable beam A, B, C ... with the insertion of a seal 22a.
Selon un second mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 7, les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour tout ou partie des poutres gonflables A, B, C..., par deux barrettes, respectivement 23 et 24 reliées, d'une part, l'une à l'autre par au moins un élément de fixation 25 constitué par exemple par une vis, en pinçant les extrémités des enveloppes tubulaires 6 de tout ou partie desdites poutres gonflables et, d'autre part, aux moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage.According to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for all or part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., by two bars, respectively 23 and 24 connected, on the one hand, one to the other by at least one fixing element 25 constituted for example by a screw, by pinching the ends of the tubular casings 6 of all or part of said inflatable beams and, on the other hand, by means 2 of foundation or ballasting.
Comme cela apparaît sur les figures 5 et 7 , les supports 5 ont leurs extrémités articulées selon un axe commun à l'aide de chapes 26 reliées aux moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage. Selon un autre mode de réalisation représenté sur les Figs . 8 et 9, les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... sont formés, pour chacune de ces poutres gonflables, par une bride 30 munie d'un orifice central 31 et reliée auxdits moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage .As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the supports 5 have their ends hinged along a common axis using yokes 26 connected to the means 2 of foundation or ballasting. According to another embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the mechanical means of tight confinement of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... are formed, for each of these inflatable beams, by a flange 30 provided with a central orifice 31 and connected to said foundation means 2 or ballasting.
Chaque bride 30 comporte une première partie 32 fixée sur la face externe de l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre A, B, C correspondante et une seconde partie 33 fixée sur la face interne de ladite enveloppe 6.Each flange 30 comprises a first part 32 fixed on the external face of the envelope 6 of the corresponding beam A, B, C and a second part 33 fixed on the internal face of said envelope 6.
Les extrémités de 1 ' enveloppe 6 de la poutre A, B, C... correspondante sont pincées entre les deux parties 32 et 33 de la bride 30 et un joint d'étancheite 34 est interposé entre ces parties. Les deux parties 32 et 33 de la bride 30 sont reliées entre elles par au moins un élément deThe ends of one envelope 6 of the corresponding beam A, B, C ... are pinched between the two parts 32 and 33 of the flange 30 and a seal 34 is interposed between these parts. The two parts 32 and 33 of the flange 30 are interconnected by at least one element of
-fixation 35 et l'orifice central 31 de chaque bride 30 communique avec les moyens 4 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression par les moyens 2 de fondation et de lestage.attachment 35 and the central orifice 31 of each flange 30 communicates with the means 4 for supplying pressurized fluid by the means 2 for foundation and ballasting.
Selon un mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 8, les moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage sont formés par un caisson divisé par des cloisons verticales 37 en compartiments 36 communiquant chacun avec une poutre gonflable A, B, C... par un orifice central 31 et avec les moyens 2 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression. Pour cela, chaque compartiment 36 comporte un orifice latéral 38 relié par une tuyauterie souple 39 à des moyens sélectifs de distribution du fluide sous pression, non représentés, qui sont eux-mêmes reliés aux moyens 4 d'alimentation des poutres gonflables A, B, C... en fluide sous pression.According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the means 2 for foundation or ballasting are formed by a box divided by partitions vertical 37 in compartments 36 each communicating with an inflatable beam A, B, C ... through a central orifice 31 and with the means 2 for supplying fluid under pressure. For this, each compartment 36 has a lateral orifice 38 connected by a flexible pipe 39 to selective means for distributing the pressurized fluid, not shown, which are themselves connected to the means 4 for supplying the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in pressurized fluid.
Selon un autre mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 10, les moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage comportent notamment un caisson 40 communiquant avec les poutres gonflables A, B, C... par l'orifice central 31 ménagé dans chaque bride 30 et avec les moyens 4 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression par un orifice latéral 40a.According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the foundation or ballasting means 2 comprise in particular a box 40 communicating with the inflatable beams A, B, C ... by the central orifice 31 formed in each flange 30 and with the means 4 for supplying fluid under pressure by a lateral orifice 40a.
Dans ce mode de réalisation, chaque orifice central 31 est muni d'un organe d'obturation 41 déplaçable entre une position d'ouverture représentée en traits mixtes sur la Fig. 10 et une position de fermeture de l'orifice central 31 représentée en trait plein sur cette figure.In this embodiment, each central orifice 31 is provided with a shutter member 41 which can be moved between an open position shown in phantom in FIG. 10 and a closed position of the central orifice 31 shown in solid lines in this figure.
Chaque organe d'obturation est formé par un papillon 41 tournant autour d'un axe 42 et qui comporte à sa périphérie un joint gonflable 43 destiné à coopérer avec le bord de l'orifice central 31 lorsque "le papillon 41 est en position d'obturation.Each shutter member is formed by a butterfly 41 rotating around an axis 42 and which comprises at its periphery an inflatable seal 43 intended to cooperate with the edge of the central orifice 31 when " the butterfly 41 is in the position of shutter.
Ce joint d'étancheite 43 est gonflé pour obtenir l'étanchéité parfaite quand le papillon 41 est en position fermée et dégonflé pour permettre la manoeuvre d'ouverture par une rotation d'un quart de tour de ce papillon 41. Le débit de fluide sous pression peut ainsi être réglé en positionnant le papillon 41 dans une position intermédiaire.This seal 43 is inflated to obtain perfect sealing when the butterfly 41 is in the closed position and deflated to allow the opening operation by a quarter-turn rotation of this butterfly 41. The flow rate of pressurized fluid can thus be adjusted by positioning the butterfly valve in an intermediate position.
En se reportant maintenant aux Figs . 11 et 12, on va décrire les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables A, B, C... entre elles.Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12, we will describe the connection means of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... between them.
Les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables A, B, C, entre elles sont disposés sensiblement à mi-hauteur des sections radiales des enveloppes 6 desdites poutres gonflables.The connecting means of the inflatable beams A, B, C, between them are arranged substantially halfway up the radial sections of the envelopes 6 of said inflatable beams.
Sur la Fig. 11, on a représenté un premier mode de réalisation de ces moyens de liaison de deux poutres gonflables A et B adjacentes, les moyens de liaison des autres poutres gonflables étant identiques.In Fig. 11, there is shown a first embodiment of these connecting means of two inflatable beams A and B adjacent, the connecting means of the other inflatable beams being identical.
Comme représenté sur cette figure, les moyens de liaison sont formés par un premier profilé en T 50a en matériau souple, fixé sur l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre gonflable A et par un second profilé en T 50b, fixé sur l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre gonflable B, en vis à vis du premier profilé 50a.As shown in this figure, the connecting means are formed by a first T-shaped section 50a of flexible material, fixed to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam A and by a second T-shaped section 50b, fixed to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam B, facing the first profile 50a.
Le premier profilé 50a comporte deux branches latérales 51a et 52a fixées par exemple par collage sur l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre gonflable A et une branche centrale 53a formant à son extrémité libre une boucle 54a.The first section 50a has two lateral branches 51a and 52a fixed for example by bonding to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam A and a central branch 53a forming at its free end a loop 54a.
La branche centrale 53a est munie d'encoches transversales 55a régulièrement espacées pour former une série de bavettes 56a distinctes. De même, le profilé en T 50b comporte deux branches latérales 51b et 52b, fixées par exemple par collage sur l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre gonflable B et une branche centrale 53b formant à son extrémité libre une boucle 54b.The central branch 53a is provided with transverse notches 55a regularly spaced to form a series of separate flaps 56a. Likewise, the T-shaped section 50b has two lateral branches 51b and 52b, fixed for example by gluing to the casing 6 of the inflatable beam B and a central branch 53b forming at its free end a loop 54b.
La branche centrale 53b est munie d'encoches transversales 55b régulièrement espacées pour former une série de bavettes 56b distinctes.The central branch 53b is provided with transverse notches 55b regularly spaced to form a series of separate flaps 56b.
Les moyens de liaison comprennent également au moins un jonc souple 57 destiné à être enfilé dans la boucle 54a ou 54b d'une bavette 56a ou 56b sur deux.The connection means also comprise at least one flexible rod 57 intended to be threaded in the loop 54a or 54b of one flap 56a or 56b in two.
Dans l'exemple de réalisation représenté sur la Fig. 11, deux joncs respectivement 57a et 57b sont prévus .In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, two rods 57a and 57b respectively are provided.
Ainsi, le premier jonc 57a est enfilé dans la boucle 54a de la première bavette 56a, puis dans la boucle 54b de la seconde bavette 56b et ainsi de suite et le second jonc 57b est enfilé dans la boucle 54b de la première bavette 56b, puis dans la boucle 54a de la seconde bavette 56a et ainsi de suite pour former au moins une charnière.Thus, the first rod 57a is threaded into the loop 54a of the first flap 56a, then into the loop 54b of the second flap 56b and so on and the second rod 57b is threaded into the loop 54b of the first flap 56b, then in the loop 54a of the second flap 56a and so on to form at least one hinge.
Selon un second mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 12, les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables A, B, C... entre elles sont formés par une ferrure de fixation 60 munie d'un orifice central 61 d' intercommunication des espaces internes des enveloppes 6 de deux poutres A, B, C... contiguës . Chaque ferrure de fixation 60 est formée de deux parties, respectivement 60a et 60b, destinées à coopérer l'une avec l'autre, par exemple par vissage, "en insérant entre elles une portion des enveloppes 6 des poutres A, B, C... contiguës. Comme représenté à la Fig. 12, un joint d'étancheite 62 est interposé entre les faces externes des enveloppes 6 des poutres A, B, C... contiguës. Le chemin 3 de déploiement ou de repliage des poutres gonflables A, B, C... est formé par au moins une poutre rigide située sensiblement dans la zone centrale desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C... La poutre rigide 3 est de section triangulaire et formée par assemblage tridimensionnel de tubes soudés .According to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the means for connecting the inflatable beams A, B, C ... to each other are formed by a fixing fitting 60 provided with a central orifice 61 for interconnecting the internal spaces of the envelopes 6 of two beams A, B, C ... contiguous. Each fixing fitting 60 is formed of two parts, respectively 60a and 60b, intended to cooperate with each other, for example by screwing, "by inserting between them a portion of the casings 6 of the beams A, B, C. As shown in Fig. 12, a seal 62 is interposed between the external faces of the envelopes 6 of the beams A, B, C ... contiguous. The path 3 for deploying or folding the inflatable beams A, B, C ... is formed by at least one rigid beam located substantially in the central area of said inflatable beams A, B, C ... The rigid beam 3 is triangular section and formed by three-dimensional assembly of welded tubes.
Ainsi que représenté à la Fig.14, chaque poutre rigide 3 est formée de membrures longitudinales 3a, par exemple au nombre de trois, et de membrures transversales 3b reliant entre elles lesdites membrures longitudinales 3a.As shown in Fig.14, each rigid beam 3 is formed of longitudinal members 3a, for example three in number, and transverse members 3b connecting together said longitudinal members 3a.
La poutre rigide 3 est disposée à l'extérieur des poutres gonflables A, B, C..., comme représenté sur les Figs . 2 et 16 ou traverse de manière étanche lesdites poutres gonflables A, B, C..., comme représenté sur les Figs . 13 et 14.The rigid beam 3 is arranged outside the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., as shown in Figs. 2 and 16 or passes through said inflatable beams A, B, C, etc. in a sealed manner, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
Dans le cas où la poutre rigide 3 formant le chemin de déploiement ou de repliage est disposée à l'extérieur des poutres gonflables A, B, C...,la semelle extérieure 9 ou la semelle intérieure 10 desdites poutres gonflables comporte, au niveau du contact avec la poutre rigide 3, une pastille 63 collée sur ladite semelle extérieure 9 ou ladite semelle intérieure 10 de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C...In the case where the rigid beam 3 forming the deployment or folding path is arranged outside the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., the outer sole 9 or the inner sole 10 of said inflatable beams comprises, at the level contact with the rigid beam 3, a patch 63 bonded to said outer sole 9 or said inner sole 10 of each inflatable beam A, B, C ...
Ces pastilles 63 forment des zones de glissement et de renfort d'usure qui frottent sur au moins une membrure longitudinale 3a de la poutre rigideThese pads 63 form sliding and wear reinforcement zones which rub on at least one longitudinal member 3a of the rigid beam
3 au cours du déploiement ou du repliage de la voûte gonflable 1.3 during deployment or folding of the inflatable arch 1.
Dans le cas où la poutre rigide 3 traverse de manière étanche les poutres gonflables A, B, C ... , la poutre rigide 3 de section triangulaire peut être carénée par une pluralité de panneaux courbes 65 fixés sur les membrures longitudinales 3a de ladite poutre rigide 3 pour former une poutre rigide de section circulaire, comme représenté à la Fig. 14. La poutre rigide 3 traverse de manière étanche les poutres gonflables A, B, C... au moyen d'un conduit 66 souple et aplatissable formé de plusieurs tronçons 66a, 66b, 66c... (Fig. 13) reliant chacun deux orifices opposés 67 ménagés dans l'enveloppe 6 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... (Fig. 14).In the case where the rigid beam 3 crosses the inflatable beams A, B, C in a sealed manner, the rigid beam 3 of triangular section can be faired by a plurality of curved panels 65 fixed to the longitudinal members 3a of said rigid beam 3 to form a rigid beam of circular section, as shown in FIG. 14. The rigid beam 3 sealingly crosses the inflatable beams A, B, C ... by means of a flexible and flattenable conduit 66 formed of several sections 66a, 66b, 66c ... (Fig. 13) connecting each two opposite orifices 67 formed in the envelope 6 of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... (Fig. 14).
Ainsi que représenté sur cette figure, le bord de chaque orifice 67 comporte :As shown in this figure, the edge of each orifice 67 comprises:
- des moyens de liaison étanche avec, d'une part, l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre gonflable correspondante et, d'autre part, l'enveloppe 6 de la poutre gonflable adjacente,sealing means with, on the one hand, the envelope 6 of the corresponding inflatable beam and, on the other hand, the envelope 6 of the adjacent inflatable beam,
- des moyens de liaison étanche avec le conduit 66, des moyens de guidage sur la poutre rigide 3 ,means for leaktight connection with the conduit 66, means for guiding the rigid beam 3,
- et des moyens de maintien de l'étanchéité de l'espace interne du conduit souple 66 au cours du déploiement ou du repliage des poutres gonflables A, B, C... Ainsi que représenté sur la Fig. 14, les moyens de liaison étanche entre les enveloppes 6 de deux poutres gonflables A et B adjacentes sont formés par une bride 70 comportant deux parties, respectivement 70a et 70b fixées l'une à l'autre par une pluralité d'éléments de fixation 71, comme par exemple des boulons, en pinçant les extrémités des enveloppes 6 avec interposition d'un joint torique 72 disposé dans une gorge annulaire 73 ménagée dans la première partie 70a de la bride 70.- And means for maintaining the tightness of the internal space of the flexible conduit 66 during the deployment or folding of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... As shown in FIG. 14, the sealed connection means between the envelopes 6 of two adjacent inflatable beams A and B are formed by a flange 70 comprising two parts, respectively 70a and 70b fixed to each other by a plurality of fixing elements 71 , such as bolts, by pinching the ends of the casings 6 with the interposition of an O-ring 72 disposed in an annular groove 73 formed in the first part 70a of the flange 70.
Les moyens de liaison étanche entre le bord de chaque orifice 67 et le tronçon correspondant du conduit 66 comprennent un collier 74 constitué d'un anneau ouvert, par exemple en fil rond, se terminant à chacune de ses extrémités par une patte 75.The sealed connection means between the edge of each orifice 67 and the corresponding section of the conduit 66 comprise a collar 74 consisting of an open ring, for example in round wire, ending at each of its ends by a tab 75.
Ces pattes 75 peuvent être éloignées ou rapprochées l'une de l'autre par un élément de fixation, non représenté, permettant le serrage de la paroi souple du tronçon par exemple 66a correspondant, à l'intérieur d'une gorge annulaire 76 ménagée sur la face périphérique de la bride 70.These legs 75 can be moved away from or brought closer to each other by a fixing element, not shown, allowing the flexible wall of the corresponding section, for example 66a, to be clamped, inside an annular groove 76 formed on the peripheral face of the flange 70.
Les autres tronçons constituant le conduit souple 66 sont fixés de la même manière.The other sections constituting the flexible conduit 66 are fixed in the same way.
Les moyens de guidage sur la poutre rigideGuiding means on the rigid beam
3 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... lors du déploiement ou du repliage de la voûte gonflable 1 sont formés, pour chaque orifice 67, par une bague de glissement 77 solidaire du bord dudit orifice 67.3 inflatable beams A, B, C ... during the deployment or the folding of the inflatable arch 1 are formed, for each orifice 67, by a sliding ring 77 secured to the edge of said orifice 67.
Selon un mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig.14, la bague de glissement 77 est disposée sur la paroi interne de la bride 70 et cette bague de glissement 77 est destinée à frotter sur la poutre rigide 3 lors du déploiement ou du repliage des poutres gonflables A, B, C...According to an embodiment shown in Fig. 14, the sliding ring 77 is arranged on the internal wall of the flange 70 and this sliding ring 77 is intended to rub on the rigid beam 3 during deployment or folding of the beams inflatable A, B, C ...
Les moyens de maintien de l'étanchéité de -l'espace interne du conduit souple 66 au niveau de chaque orifice 67 sont formés par un joint annulaire 78 solidaire du bord de cet orifice 67.The means for maintaining the tightness of the internal space of the flexible conduit 66 at each orifice 67 are formed by an annular seal 78 secured to the edge of this orifice 67.
Dans 1 ' exemple de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 14, ce joint annulaire 78 est fixé par des éléments de fixation 79 sur une couronne 80 solidaire de la première partie 70a de la bride 70.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14, this annular seal 78 is fixed by fastening elements 79 on a crown 80 integral with the first part 70a of the flange 70.
Ce joint annulaire 78 frotte sur les panneaux courbes 65 de la poutre rigide 3 lors du déploiement ou du repliage des poutres gonflables A, B, C...This annular seal 78 rubs on the curved panels 65 of the rigid beam 3 during the deployment or folding of the inflatable beams A, B, C ...
Comme représenté à la Fig.13, une partie ou l'ensemble des poutres gonflables A, B, C... comporte, sur sa semelle interne 10, une bavette 81 par exemple en tissu approprié et qui pend librement en rideau ou en feston à l'intérieur de la voûte gonflable 1 pour modifier les qualités acoustiques de l'espace interne couvert par ladite voûte gonflable 1.As shown in Fig. 13, part or all of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... has, on its inner sole 10, a flap 81 for example made of suitable fabric and which hangs freely in curtain or festoon inside the inflatable arch 1 to modify the acoustic qualities of the internal space covered by said inflatable arch 1.
L'assemblage de la voûte gonflable 1 est réalisé de la façon suivante.The assembly of the inflatable arch 1 is carried out as follows.
Tout d'abord, on assemble au niveau du sol les supports 5 et on monte le chemin 3 de déploiement ou de repliage.First of all, the supports 5 are assembled at ground level and the path 3 for deployment or folding is mounted.
Puis, on installe au-dessus de ces supports 5 les poutres gonflables A, B, C..., dégonflées et superposées les unes sur les autres .Then, the inflatable beams A, B, C, etc. are installed above these supports 5, deflated and superimposed on each other.
Ces poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont reliées à leurs extrémités aux moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage. Ensuite, on relève par les supports 5 l'ensemble des poutres gonflables A, B, C... de telle manière que ces supports 5 pivotent autour de leur axe "d'articulation pour prendre la position angulaire choisie à partir de laquelle ladite voûte gonflable 1 est déployée. Cette position peut être la position horizontale, comme représentée à la Fig.4 ou une position angulaire déterminée, comme représentée sur les Figs 2 et 13. Les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont gonflées les unes après les autres à l'aide des moyens 4 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression.These inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected at their ends to the means 2 for foundation or ballasting. Then, the supports 5 raise all of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... so that these supports 5 pivot about their axis "of articulation to take the angular position chosen from which said arch inflatable 1 is deployed, this position can be the horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4 or a determined angular position, as shown in Figs 2 and 13. The inflatable beams A, B, C ... are inflated one after the other using the means 4 for supplying pressurized fluid.
La manoeuvre de pivotement des supports 5 peut être obtenue par gonflage ou dégonflage d'au moins une partie des poutres gonflables A, B, C... constituant la voûte gonflable 1.The pivoting operation of the supports 5 can be obtained by inflating or deflating at least part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... constituting the inflatable arch 1.
En se reportant maintenant à la Fig.15, on va décrire un mode de réalisation particulier de la voûte gonflable 1.Referring now to FIG. 15, a particular embodiment of the inflatable arch 1 will be described.
Dans ce mode de réalisation, une pluralité de poutres gonflables accolées A, B, C et D, par exemple au nombre de quatre, forme un groupe de poutres gonflables dont les espaces internes formés par les enveloppes 6 communiquent entre eux par les orifices d' intercommunication 61 qui sont situés alternativement à proximité de l'une ou de l'autre des extrémités desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C et D.In this embodiment, a plurality of inflatable beams joined A, B, C and D, for example four in number, forms a group of inflatable beams whose internal spaces formed by the envelopes 6 communicate with each other through the orifices of intercommunication 61 which are located alternately near one or the other of the ends of said inflatable beams A, B, C and D.
Ces orifices d' intercommunication 61 sont ménagés chacun dans une bride 60, comme représenté à la Fig. 12.These intercommunication orifices 61 are each formed in a flange 60, as shown in FIG. 12.
Ainsi, chaque groupe de poutres A, B, C et D est d'une part, gonflé ou dégonflé successivement à l'aide d'une tuyauterie souple 85 connectée à l'une des poutres du groupe correspondant et reliée aux moyens 4 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression.Thus, each group of beams A, B, C and D is firstly inflated or deflated successively using flexible tubing 85 connected to one of the beams of the corresponding group and connected to the means 4 of pressurized fluid supply.
D'autre part, chaque groupe de poutres A, 13, C et D est relié en circuit fermé par une canalisation 86 à une installation 87 maintenant le débit de fluide à une pression, une température et une hygrométrie contrôlées pour climatiser l'espace recouvert par la voûte 1 en utilisant un ou plusieurs groupes de poutres gonflables comme un echangeur de chaleur .On the other hand, each group of beams A, 13, C and D is connected in closed circuit by a pipeline 86 to an installation 87 maintaining the flow of fluid at a pressure, a temperature and a controlled humidity to cool the covered space. by arch 1 using one or more groups of inflatable beams such as a heat exchanger.
Selon un autre mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 16, le chemin 3 de déploiement ou de repliage comprend au moins deux paires de poutres rigides en forme d'arceau, respectivement 90a, 91a etAccording to another embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the deployment or folding path 3 comprises at least two pairs of rigid arch-shaped beams, respectively 90a, 91a and
90b et 91b.90b and 91b.
Ces poutres rigides sont parallèles les unes aux autres et sont reliées aux moyens 2 de fondation ou de lestage.These rigid beams are parallel to each other and are connected to the means 2 for foundation or ballasting.
Comme représenté sur cette figure, les poutres gonflables A, B, C... se déplacent par coulissement entre les poutres rigides 90a, 91a et 90b et 91b lors de leur gonflable ou de leur dégonflage. As shown in this figure, the inflatable beams A, B, C ... move by sliding between the rigid beams 90a, 91a and 90b and 91b when they are inflatable or deflated.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS 1. Voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable respectivement par gonflage et dégonflage, du type comprenant : - une pluralité de poutres gonflables A, B,CLAIMS 1. Inflatable arch, deployable and retractable respectively by inflation and deflation, of the type comprising: - a plurality of inflatable beams A, B,
C...M, N, longitudinales et disposées côte à côte,C ... M, N, longitudinal and arranged side by side,
- des moyens (4) d'alimentation des poutres gonflables A, B, C... en fluide sous pression,- means (4) for supplying the inflatable beams A, B, C ... with pressurized fluid,
- des moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage de ladite voûte (1), caractérisée en ce que chacune des poutres gonflables A, B, C... est formée par une enveloppe tubulaire (6) fermée à ses deux extrémités par des moyens (20, 21, 22; 23, 24, 25 ; 30) mécaniques de confinement étanche. - Means (2) for foundation or ballasting of said vault (1), characterized in that each of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... is formed by a tubular envelope (6) closed at its two ends by mechanical means (20, 21, 22; 23, 24, 25; 30) for tight containment.
2. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication2. Inflatable arch according to claim
1, caractérisée en ce que les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont indépendantes les unes des autres.1, characterized in that the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are independent of each other.
3. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont reliées les unes aux autres longitudinalement par des moyens (50a, 50b ; 60) de liaison.3. Inflatable arch according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means (50a, 50b; 60).
4. Voûte gonflable selon 1 ' une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3 , caractérisée en ce que les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont reliées, à au moins une de leurs extrémités, aux moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage par lesdits moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche .4. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected, at at least one of their ends, to the means (2) of foundation or ballasting by said mechanical sealed containment means.
5. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chaque enveloppe tubulaire (6) est formée par un tronçon de gaine cylindrique, en matière plastique, réalisée par extrusion.5. Inflatable vault according to claim 1, characterized in that each tubular envelope (6) is formed by a section of cylindrical sheath, of plastic material, produced by extrusion.
6. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chaque enveloppe tubulaire (10) est réalisée à partir d'une laize de tissu enduit dont les fils de chaîne sont disposés sensiblement dans le sens longitudinal de cette enveloppe (6) et les fils de trame sensiblement dans le sens transversal de ladite enveloppe (6) .6. Inflatable vault according to claim 1, characterized in that each tubular envelope (10) is produced from a width of coated fabric, the warp threads of which are arranged substantially in the longitudinal direction of this envelope (6) and the weft threads substantially in the transverse direction of said envelope (6).
7. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les poutres gonflables A, B, C... ont des longueurs différentes, pour après gonflage de ces poutres, former une ouverture de communication (12) entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de ladite voûte 1 , les poutres les plus longues étant en appui sur les poutres les plus courtes .7. Inflatable arch according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflatable beams A, B, C ... have different lengths, for after inflation of these beams, form a communication opening (12) between the interior and the exterior of said arch 1, the longest beams being supported on the shortest beams.
8. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont reliées aux moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage par au moins une sangle (13) prolongeant la poutre correspondante et fixée à celle-ci au niveau desdits moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche.8. Inflatable vault according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the inflatable beams A, B, C ... are connected to the means (2) for foundation or ballasting by at least one strap (13) extending the corresponding beam and attached thereto at said mechanical sealed containment means.
9. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour chaque poutre gonflables A, B, C..., par des barrettes (20, 21) reliées l'une à l'autre par au moins un élément de fixation (22) en pinçant l'extrémité correspondante de l'enveloppe tubulaire (6) de ladite poutre avec interposition d'un joint d'étancheite (22a).9. Inflatable vault according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for each inflatable beam A, B, C ..., by bars (20, 21) connected to one another by at least one fixing element (22) by pinching the corresponding end of the tubular casing (6) of said beam with the interposition of a seal (22a).
10. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1. ou 4 , caractérisée en ce que les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour tout ou partie des poutres gonflables A, B, C..., par deux barrettes10. Inflatable vault according to claim 1. or 4, characterized in that the mechanical means of sealed confinement are formed, for all or part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., by two bars
(23, 24) reliées, d'une part, l'une à l'autre par au moins un élément de fixation (25) en pinçant les extrémités correspondantes des enveloppes tubulaires (6) de tout ou partie des poutres A, B, C... et, d'autre part, auxdits moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage .(23, 24) connected, on the one hand, to one another by at least one fixing element (25) by pinching the corresponding ends of the tubular casings (6) of all or part of the beams A, B, C ... and, on the other hand, to said means (2) for foundation or ballasting.
11. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 4 , caractérisée en ce que les moyens mécaniques de confinement étanche sont formés, pour chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C..., par une bride (30) munie d'un orifice central (31) et reliée auxdits moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage, ladite bride (30) comportant une première partie (32) fixée sur la face externe de l'enveloppe (6) de la poutre correspondante et une seconde partie (33) fixée sur la face interne de ladite enveloppe (6) et reliée à ladite première partie (32) par au moins un élément de fixation (35) et ledit orifice central (31) communiquant avec les moyens (4) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression par les moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage.11. Inflatable vault according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the mechanical sealed confinement means are formed, for each inflatable beam A, B, C ..., by a flange (30) provided with a central orifice ( 31) and connected to said means (2) for foundation or ballasting, said flange (30) comprising a first part (32) fixed on the external face of the envelope (6) of the corresponding beam and a second part (33) fixed on the internal face of said envelope (6) and connected to said first part (32) by at least one fixing element (35) and said central orifice (31) communicating with the means (4) for supplying fluid under pressure by means (2) of foundation or ballasting.
12. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 11, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage sont formés par un caisson (36) divisés en compartiments communiquant chacun avec une poutre gonflable A, B, C... par ledit orifice central12. Inflatable vault according to claim 1 or 11, characterized in that the means (2) for foundation or ballasting are formed by a box (36) divided into compartments each communicating with an inflatable beam A, B, C ... through said central opening
(31) et avec les moyens (4) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression. (31) and with the means (4) for supplying pressurized fluid.
13. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication13. Inflatable vault according to claim
1 ou 11, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage sont formés par un caisson (40)1 or 11, characterized in that the means (2) for foundation or ballasting are formed by a box (40)
-communiquant avec les voûtes gonflables A, B, C... par lesdits orifices centraux (31) et avec les moyens (4) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression, chaque orifice central (31) étant muni d'un organe d'obturation (41) deplaçable entre une position d'ouverture et une position de fermeture de l'orifice central (31) correspondant .-communicating with the inflatable arches A, B, C ... by said central orifices (31) and with the means (4) for supplying pressurized fluid, each central orifice (31) being provided with a shutter (41) movable between an open position and a closing position of the corresponding central opening (31).
14. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 13, caractérisée en ce que l'organe d'obturation (41) est formé par un papillon tournant associé à un joint gonflable (43) .14. Inflatable vault according to claim 13, characterized in that the shutter member (41) is formed by a rotary butterfly associated with an inflatable seal (43).
15. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 3 , caractérisée en ce que les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables A, B, C... entre elles sont formées, d'une part, par un profilé en T (50a, 50b) en matériau souple fixé sur l'enveloppe (6) de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... et comportant deux branches latérales (51a, 52a ; 51b, 52b) fixées sur ladite enveloppe (6) et une branche centrale (53a ; 53b) formant à son extrémité libre une boucle (54a, 54b) et étant munie d'encoches transversales (55a ; 55b) régulièrement espacées pour former une série de bavettes distinctes (56a ; 56b) et, d'autre part, par un jonc souple (57) destiné à être enfilé dans la boucle d'une barrette sur deux de deux profilés contigus pour former au moins une charnière.15. Inflatable arch according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the connecting means of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... between them are formed, on the one hand, by a T-shaped section (50a, 50b) made of flexible material fixed on the envelope (6) of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... and comprising two lateral branches (51a, 52a; 51b, 52b) fixed on said envelope (6) and a central branch (53a ; 53b) forming at its free end a loop (54a, 54b) and being provided with transverse notches (55a; 55b) regularly spaced to form a series of separate flaps (56a; 56b) and, on the other hand, by a flexible rod (57) intended to be threaded into the loop of a bar on two of two contiguous sections to form at least one hinge.
16. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 3 , caractérisée en ce que les moyens de liaison des voûtes gonflables A, B, C... entre elles sont formées par une ferrure de fixation (60) munie d'un orifice central (61) d' intercommunication des espaces internes des enveloppes (6) de deux poutres contiguës16. Inflatable vault according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the means for connecting the inflatable vaults A, B, C ... to each other are formed by a fixing fitting (60) provided with a central orifice (61 ) of intercommunication of the internal spaces of the envelopes (6) of two contiguous beams
-et comportant deux parties (60a, 60b) destinées à coopérer l'une avec l'autre en insérant entre elles une portion desdites enveloppes (6) .-and comprising two parts (60a, 60b) intended to cooperate with each other by inserting between them a portion of said envelopes (6).
17. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 15 ou 16, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de liaison des poutres gonflables A, B, C, .... entre elles sont disposés sensiblement à mi-hauteur des sections radiales des enveloppes (6) desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C....17. Inflatable arch according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the means of connection of the inflatable beams A, B, C, .... between them are arranged substantially halfway up the radial sections of the envelopes (6) of said inflatable beams A, B, C ...
18. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un chemin (3) de déploiement ou de repliage est formé par au moins une poutre rigide située sensiblement dans la zone centrale desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C...18. Inflatable arch according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a path (3) for deployment or folding is formed by at least one rigid beam located substantially in the central area of said inflatable beams A, B, C .. .
19. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que ladite poutre rigide (3) est disposée à l'extérieur des poutres gonflables A, B, C....19. Inflatable arch according to claim 18, characterized in that said rigid beam (3) is disposed outside of the inflatable beams A, B, C ....
20. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que ladite poutre rigide (3) traverse de manière étanche lesdites poutres gonflables A, B, C....20. Inflatable vault according to claim 18, characterized in that said rigid beam (3) passes through said inflatable beams A, B, C in a sealed manner.
21. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 18 à 20, caractérisée en ce que ladite poutre rigide (3) est de section triangulaire et formée par l'assemblage de tubes soudés (3a, 3b) .21. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that said rigid beam (3) is of triangular section and formed by the assembly of welded tubes (3a, 3b).
22. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 21, caractérisée en ce que ladite poutre rigide (3) de section triangulaire est carénée par une pluralité de panneaux courbes (65) fixés sur ladite poutre pour former une poutre rigide de section circulaire.22. Inflatable vault according to claim 21, characterized in that said rigid beam (3) of triangular section is faired by a plurality of curved panels (65) fixed on said beam to form a rigid beam of circular section.
23. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication _ 1 ou 20, caractérisée en ce que la poutre rigide (3) traverse de manière étanche lesdites poutres gonflables A, B, C... au moyen d'un conduit (66) souple et aplatissable, formé de plusieurs tronçons (66a, 66b...) reliant chacun deux orifices opposés (67) ménagés dans l'enveloppe (6) desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C..., le bord de chaque orifice (67) comportant : - des moyens de liaison étanche avec, d'une part, l'enveloppe (6) de la poutre correspondante et, d'autre part, l'enveloppe (6) de la poutre adjacente,23. Inflatable vault according to claim _ 1 or 20, characterized in that the rigid beam (3) passes through said inflatable beams A, B, C in a sealed manner by means of a flexible and flattenable conduit (66), formed of several sections (66a, 66b ...) each connecting two opposite orifices (67) formed in the envelope (6) of said inflatable beams A, B, C ..., the edge of each orifice (67) comprising: sealing means with, on the one hand, the envelope (6) of the corresponding beam and, on the other hand, the envelope (6) of the adjacent beam,
- des moyens de liaison étanche avec ledit conduit ( 66 ) ,- sealed connection means with said conduit (66),
- des moyens de guidage sur ladite poutre rigide ( 3 ) ,- guide means on said rigid beam (3),
- et des moyens de maintien de l'étanchéité de l'espace interne dudit conduit souple (66) au cours du déploiement ou du repliage desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C...- And means for maintaining the tightness of the internal space of said flexible conduit (66) during the deployment or folding of said inflatable beams A, B, C ...
24. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 23, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de liaison étanche entre lesdites enveloppes (6) sont formés par une bride (70) comportant deux parties (70a, 70b) fixées l'une à l'autre par des éléments de fixation (71) en pinçant les enveloppes (6) de deux poutres adjacentes avec interposition d'un joint torique (72) d'étancheite entre les enveloppes (6) et la bride (70) . 24. Inflatable vault according to claim 23, characterized in that the sealed connection means between said envelopes (6) are formed by a flange (70) comprising two parts (70a, 70b) fixed to each other by fixing elements (71) by pinching the envelopes (6) of two adjacent beams with the interposition of an O-ring (72) sealing between the envelopes (6) and the flange (70).
25. Voûte gonflable selon les revendications 23 et 24, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de liaison étanche entre le bord de chaque orifice (67) et le tronçon (66a, 66b...) dudit conduit25. Inflatable arch according to claims 23 and 24, characterized in that the sealed connection means between the edge of each orifice (67) and the section (66a, 66b ...) of said conduit
(66) comprennent un collier (74) formé d'un anneau ouvert de section circulaire et muni à chacune de ses extrémités d'une patte (75), lesdites pattes (75) étant rapprochables l'une de l'autre par un élément de(66) comprise a collar (74) formed of an open ring of circular section and provided at each of its ends with a lug (75), said lugs (75) being brought closer to one another by an element of
"fixation pour serrer la paroi du tronçon (66a, 66b...) correspondant dans une gorge annulaire (76) ménagée dans ladite bride (70) . " Fixing to tighten the wall of the corresponding section (66a, 66b ...) in an annular groove (76) formed in said flange (70).
26. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 22 ou 23, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de guidage sur la poutre rigide (3) sont formés, pour chaque orifice (67) , par une bague de glissement (77) solidaire du bord dudit orifice (67) et destinée à frotter lors du déploiement ou du repliage des poutres gonflables A, B, C... sur ladite poutre rigide (3) . 26. Inflatable arch according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the guide means on the rigid beam (3) are formed, for each orifice (67), by a sliding ring (77) integral with the edge of said orifice (67) and intended to rub when deploying or folding inflatable beams A, B, C ... on said rigid beam (3).
27. Voûte gonflable selon les revendications 22 et 23, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de maintien de l'étanchéité au niveau de chaque orifice (67) sont formés par un joint annulaire (78) solidaire du bord dudit orifice (67) et destiné à frotter lors du déploiement ou du repliage des poutres gonflables A, B, C ... sur les panneaux (65) de ladite poutre rigide (3) .27. Inflatable arch according to claims 22 and 23, characterized in that the means for maintaining the seal at each orifice (67) are formed by an annular seal (78) integral with the edge of said orifice (67) and intended to rub during deployment or folding of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... on the panels (65) of said rigid beam (3).
28. Voûte gonflable selon les revendications 1 et 18, caractérisée en ce que l'enveloppe (6) de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... comporte, sur sa semelle extérieure (9) ou sur sa semelle intérieure (10) au niveau du contact avec ledit chemin (3) de déploiement ou de repliage, une pastille (63) collée, de glissement et de renfort d'usure. 28. Inflatable arch according to claims 1 and 18, characterized in that the envelope (6) of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... comprises, on its outer sole (9) or on its inner sole (10) at the contact with said path (3) for deployment or folding, a pastille (63) glued, sliding and reinforcing wear.
29. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que tout ou partie desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C... comporte sur sa semelle interne (10) une bavette (81) par exemple en tissu s ' étendant vers 1 ' intérieur de la voûte (1) .29. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of said inflatable beams A, B, C ... comprises on its internal sole (10) a flap (81) for example of fabric s' extending towards the interior of the vault (1).
30. Voûte gonflable selon les revendications 1 et 16, caractérisée en ce que une pluralité de poutres gonflables A, B, C... accolées forment un groupe de poutres gonflables dont les espaces internes formés par les enveloppes (6) communiquent entre eux par les orifices d1 intercommunication (61) situés alternativement à proximité de l'une ou de l'autre des extrémités desdites poutres gonflables A, B, C...30. Inflatable arch according to claims 1 and 16, characterized in that a plurality of inflatable beams A, B, C ... joined together form a group of inflatable beams whose internal spaces formed by the envelopes (6) communicate with each other by the intercommunication holes 1 (61) located alternately at proximity of one or the other of the ends of said inflatable beams A, B, C ...
31. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 30, caractérisée en ce que chaque groupe de poutres A, B, C... est, d'une part, gonflée ou dégonflée successivement à l'aide d'une tuyauterie souple (85) connectée à l'une des poutres du groupe correspondant et reliée au moyen (4) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression et, d'autre part, relié en circuit fermé (86) à une installation (87) maintenant le débit de fluide à une pression, une température et une hygrométrie contrôlées pour climatiser l'espace recouvert par la voûte ( 1) .31. Inflatable arch according to claim 30, characterized in that each group of beams A, B, C ... is, on the one hand, successively inflated or deflated using a flexible pipe (85) connected to one of the beams of the corresponding group and connected to the means (4) for supplying pressurized fluid and, on the other hand, connected in closed circuit (86) to an installation (87) maintaining the flow of fluid at a pressure , a controlled temperature and humidity to cool the space covered by the roof (1).
32. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte au moins un support (5) en forme d'arceau s ' étendant parallèlement à la poutre gonflable avec laquelle ledit support (5) est en contact.32. Inflatable arch according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one support (5) in the form of a hoop extending parallel to the inflatable beam with which said support (5) is in contact.
33. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 32, caractérisée en ce que chaque support (5) est de section triangulaire, formé par l'assemblage de tubes soudés et est relié par des chapes, d'une part, audit chemin (3) de déploiement ou de repliage et d'autre part, auxdits moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage. 33. Inflatable arch according to claim 32, characterized in that each support (5) is of triangular section, formed by the assembly of welded tubes and is connected by yokes, on the one hand, to said path (3) of deployment or folding and secondly, to said means (2) for foundation or ballasting.
34. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication34. Inflatable arch according to claim
1, caractérisée en ce que ledit chemin (3) de déploiement ou de repliage comprend au moins deux paires de poutres rigides (90a, 91a ; 90b, 91b) parallèles en forme d'arceau, reliées aux moyens (2) de fondation ou de lestage et entre lesquelles les poutres A, B, C... se déplacent par coulissement. 1, characterized in that said deployment or folding path (3) comprises at least two pairs of rigid beams (90a, 91a; 90b, 91b) parallel in the form of a hoop, connected to the means (2) of foundation or ballasting and between which the beams A, B, C ... move by sliding.
EP98917290A 1997-04-02 1998-04-01 Inflatable, deployable, and collapsible arch Withdrawn EP1015717A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9704010 1997-04-02
FR9704010A FR2761707B1 (en) 1997-04-02 1997-04-02 INFLATABLE, DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE
PCT/FR1998/000664 WO1998044222A1 (en) 1997-04-02 1998-04-01 Inflatable, deployable, and collapsible arch

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EP1015717A1 true EP1015717A1 (en) 2000-07-05

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US (1) US6332290B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1015717A1 (en)
CN (1) CN1255180A (en)
AU (1) AU726991B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9808460A (en)
FR (1) FR2761707B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998044222A1 (en)

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AU7054398A (en) 1998-10-22
WO1998044222A1 (en) 1998-10-08
FR2761707B1 (en) 1999-06-04
CN1255180A (en) 2000-05-31
FR2761707A1 (en) 1998-10-09
AU726991B2 (en) 2000-11-30
US6332290B1 (en) 2001-12-25
BR9808460A (en) 2000-05-23

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