EP1042573A1 - Deployable and storable inflatable building - Google Patents

Deployable and storable inflatable building

Info

Publication number
EP1042573A1
EP1042573A1 EP98959938A EP98959938A EP1042573A1 EP 1042573 A1 EP1042573 A1 EP 1042573A1 EP 98959938 A EP98959938 A EP 98959938A EP 98959938 A EP98959938 A EP 98959938A EP 1042573 A1 EP1042573 A1 EP 1042573A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inflatable
beams
orifice
arch according
rigid
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Withdrawn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
EP98959938A
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 EP1042573A1 publication Critical patent/EP1042573A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a qonflable vault, deployable and retractable respectively by inflation and deflation.
  • the inflatable arches comprise a plurality of longitudinal beams arranged side by side, means for sliding at least one end of the beams along at least one deployment and folding path and means for supply of said beams with pressurized fluid.
  • This type of arch is designed, among other things, to allow its deployment by simple inflation, as well as its retraction by deflation, which allows at will to recou : screw a space in order to protect it from bad weather and to discover it by beautiful time .
  • T j ne such vault can be used to temporarily cover various facilities, such as a stadium or a swimming pool.
  • each beam comprises two opposite panels forming the sole and each constituting one of the lobes of the inner and outer wall of the arch and two lateral panels forming the core of beam.
  • the means of supplying each beam with inflation fluid are formed by at least one conduit passing through said beams and being extensible in its length, its stretching and its retraction being controlled by the deployment and retraction of the vault respectively.
  • the supply conduit is common to all the beams and communicates with each of said beams by a closable orifice controlled by shutter means and the supply conduit passes through a sealed opening arranged in each of the panels of the beams.
  • FR-A-2 734 856 is an inflatable arch in which the beams sliding means are formed by a pipeline for transporting the pressurized fluid for inflating or deflating the beams communicating, on the one hand, at at least one of its ends with the means for supplying pressurized fluid and, on the other hand, with the interior of at least one beam inflatable by at least one orifice formed in the wall of the pipe and provided with sealing means.
  • the sealing means are formed by watertight doors associated with means for controlling their opening or closing.
  • the subject of the invention is therefore an inflatable arch, deployable and retractable respectively by inflation and deflation, of the type comprising:
  • - means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid - means for sliding the beams along at least one deployment or folding path formed by a rigid beam sealingly passing through these beams and constituting a pipe for transport of the fluid connected to the means for supplying pressurized fluid, - at least one orifice formed in the wall of the rigid beam putting the means for supplying pressurized fluid into communication with the internal space of the inflatable beams,
  • the vault comprises means for successively positioning the internal space of each beam inflatable opposite said orifice of the rigid beam to ensure the inflation of the beams by the pressurized fluid from the upper beam to the lower beam and their deflation from the lower beam to the upper beam.
  • said means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam opposite said orifice are actuated automatically by the flow of fluid under supply pressure of said inflatable beams
  • the orifice of the rigid beam is situated opposite the internal space of the upper beam in the deflated state of the inflatable beams and opposite the internal space of the lower beam in the inflated state of the said beams inflatable, the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam are formed by at least one wedge associated with the stacking of said inflatable beams and disposed near the rigid beam,
  • the wedge is formed by an inflatable and retractable cushion by deflation, communicating with the means for supplying pressurized fluid or to the open air by a three-way valve, - the means for supplying pressurized fluid to the cushion are formed by the means for supplying pressurized fluid to the inflatable beams,
  • the wedge is formed by a superposition of inflatable and retractable cushions by deflation, each cushion being connected separately, via a valve, to a source of supply of pressurized fluid
  • the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam are formed by at least one jack arranged between the lower beam and the corresponding support element and below the sealed connection means of the lower wall of said beam around the rigid beam
  • the positioning means also comprise at least one auxiliary wedge disposed in the internal space of an inflatable beam and close to the rigid beam, said auxiliary wedge being formed by an inflatable cushion and retractable by deflation, communicating with the space internal of the inflatable beam located above,
  • At least one communication orifice is formed between two contiguous inflatable beams, provided with a non-return valve disposed above this orifice and movable between an open position communicating the internal spaces of said contiguous inflatable beams and a closed position closing said orifice,
  • the means for supplying pressurized fluid are formed by a fan comprising a discharge orifice and a suction orifice and by a member for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe intended to be connected to the one of said orifices and comprising a non-return valve,
  • the vault comprises at least one cushion for lifting the upper beam during the folding of said vault, said cushion being inflatable and retractable by deflation and being disposed between the upper inflatable beam and the corresponding support element.
  • - Fig.l is a schematic perspective view of a folding and retractable vault, according to the invention
  • - Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflatable arch, in accordance with the invention
  • - Figs.3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam
  • - Fig. 5 is a schematic view in cross section showing a variant of the positioning means successive ment of the internal space of each inflatable beam
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the sealed connection means of the adjacent walls of an inflatable beam
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6,
  • FIG. 8 and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of the means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a deployable and retractable arch, in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the connection between the supply means and the upper inflatable beam
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the lifting cushions of the upper beam during the folding of the arch
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view in cross section showing a third embodiment of a deployable and retractable arch, in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic view in cross section showing a fourth embodiment of a deployable and retractable arch, in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic half-view in cross section of a variant of the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam
  • FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic half-view in cross section of another variant of the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam
  • - Figs. 17 and 18 are schematic cross-sectional views of a variant of the means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid
  • - Fig. 19 is a partial schematic view of a variant of a support element for the beams.
  • FIGs. 1 and 2 there is shown schematically an inflatable arch 1 consisting of a plurality of inflatable beams A, B, C ... M, N longitudinal and waterproof and which are arranged side by side to form said arch 1 .
  • This arch 1 can be made up of a series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... which alone covers the space to be protected or by two series of inflatable beams
  • the beams A, B, C ... are connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means which are described later.
  • each beam A, B, C ... is made up of a tubular casing 2 ensuring the continuity of the tightness of the volume which it confines and composed of four zones including two lateral zones forming the cores 3 and 4 and of which two upper and lower zones respectively form an outer sole 5 and an inner sole 6.
  • These beams A, B, C ... are connected at least one end to means 7 for foundation or ballast fixed to the ground.
  • the vault 1 comprises means for sliding the beams A, B, C ... along at least one deployment or folding path formed by a rigid beam 8 sealingly passing through these beams and constituting a pipeline for transporting the fluid connected to means 9 for supplying fluid under pressure.
  • the arch 1 also comprises two support elements 10, one for the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in the inflated state and in contact with the lower inflatable beam N and the another opposite in contact with the upper inflatable beam A when said beams are in the inflated state.
  • These support elements 10 are formed for example each by a support in the form of a hoop extending parallel to the beam with which it is in contact.
  • Each support element 10 is, on the one hand, fixed at its two ends to the ground and, on the other hand, supported in its central part by the rigid beam 8.
  • the vault According to the structure of the vault 1, it can only have one support element 10.
  • the wall of the rigid beam 8 comprises at least one orifice 11 putting the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid into communication with the internal space 2a of said inflatable beams one after the other.
  • the wall of the rigid beam 8 has an orifice 11 disposed above the support element 10 of the beams inflatable A, B, C ... in the deflated state and in the case where the roof is made up of two series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B',
  • the wall of the rigid beam 8 has two orifices 11 each arranged above the support element 10 of these beams of each series in the deflated state.
  • the orifice 11 of the rigid beam 8 is located opposite the internal space 2a of the upper beam A in the deflated state of the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., as shown in Fig. 3, and facing the internal space 2a of the lower beam N in the inflated state of said inflatable beams.
  • the sealing means of the adjacent walls of the adjacent inflatable beams A, B, C ... are formed for example by plates 12 which hold the side walls 3 and 4 of the beams A, B, C ... contiguous and which slide in leaktight manner on the rigid beam 8 during inflation or deflation of beams A, B, C ...
  • the upper beam A comprises spacing means around the rigid beam 8 of the side walls 3 and 4 of this upper beam A.
  • spacing means are formed for example by spacers 13 disposed between the plates 12 and now separated respectively the side walls 3 and 4 of said upper beam A.
  • the spacers 13 keep the side walls 3 and 4 of the upper beam A apart so that the internal space 2a of said upper beam A is opposite the orifice 11 when the inflatable beams A, B , C ... are in the deflated state, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the vault 1 comprises means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite the orifice 11 of the rigid beam 8 for inflating the beams A , B, C ... by the inflation fluid from the upper beam A to the lower beam N and their deflation from the lower beam N to the upper beam A.
  • the means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... facing the orifice 11 can be actuated automatically by the flow of fluid under supply pressure to these inflatable beams.
  • These positioning means 20 are formed by at least one wedge 21 associated with the stacking of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and arranged near the rigid beam 8.
  • the wedge 21 is disposed either inside the lower inflatable beam N, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 or either between the lower beam N and the support element 10 of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in the deflated state.
  • the wedge 21 is constituted for example by a single wedge arranged on one side of the rigid beam 8 or by two independent wedges and arranged on either side of this rigid beam 8 or by a single ring-shaped wedge disposed around said rigid beam 8.
  • the wedge 21 is formed by an inflatable and retractable cushion by deflation, communicating with the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid.
  • the cushion 21 is connected to a three-way valve 22 by a conduit 23 and this three-way valve 22 communicates, on the one hand, with the rigid beam 8 by a conduit 24 or, on the other hand, with a conduit 25 venting, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
  • Each orifice 15 is provided with a non-return valve 16 constituted for example by a flexible membrane displaceable between an open position connecting the internal spaces 2a of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... contiguous and a closed position closing the corresponding port 15.
  • the non-return valve 16 is disposed above the orifice 15, that is to say on the upper face of the corresponding plate 12.
  • the means for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite the orifice 11 of the rigid beam 8 also comprise at least one auxiliary wedge 26 disposed in the space internal 2a of at least one inflatable beam A, B, C ... and close to the rigid beam 8.
  • the auxiliary wedge 26 is positioned above the wedge 21.
  • the auxiliary wedge 26 is disposed in the internal space 2a of the inflatable beam B contiguous to the upper inflatable beam A.
  • the auxiliary wedge 26 can be arranged in the internal space 2a of another inflatable beam A, B, C ... or in the internal space 2a of each of said inflatable beams.
  • the auxiliary wedge 26 is formed by an inflatable and retractable cushion by deflation, communicating with the internal space 2a of the inflatable beam located above, by an orifice 27.
  • the airbags constituting the wedge 21 or the auxiliary wedge 26 have an oblong cross section and are formed from a coated double ply fabric woven together from the same threads and joined by a multitude of strands of threads of same length common to both tablecloths.
  • the positioning means 20 may comprise only the shims 21 or the shims 26 or even the two shims 21 and 26 arranged one above the other so as to compensate for the deformation of the beams A, B, C ...
  • the sealed connection means of the adjacent walls of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... comprise a seal 28, one end 28a of which is fixed on the corresponding plate 12 and the other end of which 28b is in sliding support around the rigid beam 8.
  • this seal 28 includes a flexible membrane
  • the seal 28 and the membrane 28c are made in a single piece molded from elastomer.
  • the rigid beam 8 is formed by a cylindrical tube and the orifice 11 formed in its wall preferably comprises two diametrically opposite openings 11a, as shown in FIG. 7.
  • the openings 11a are provided substantially at their central part with a transverse reinforcement plate 11b. dirty, substantially parallel to the axis of the tube forming the rigid beam 8.
  • centrifugal fan 30 comprising a impeller 31 driven in rotation by a motor 32 and the axis of rotation of which is, for example, arranged substantially vertically.
  • the centrifugal fan 30 also comprises a member for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe 33 bent in an S shape.
  • This piping 33 has a first end 33a pivotally mounted on a connecting duct 34 with the rigid beam 8 by a rotating joint 35.
  • the bent piping 33 is movable, for example by means of a motor 36, between a first low position (Fig. 8) in which the second end 33b of said piping 33 is located opposite a discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 and a high position (FIG. 9) in which said second end 33b is situated opposite a suction orifice 38 of this fan 30.
  • the bent piping 33 is internally provided with a non-return valve 40 displaceable by gravity.
  • This non-return valve 40 is constituted for example by a ball which is movable between a first position (Fig. 8) in which the valve 40 is applied to a seat 41 formed inside the bent piping 33 and a second position (Fig. 9) in which the valve 40 is spaced from the seat 41.
  • the first position of the valve 40 corresponds to the position of the bent piping 33 in which the end 33b is opposite the discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 and the second position of the valve 40 corresponds to the high position of the bent piping 33 in which end 33b of this pipe 33 is situated opposite the suction orifice 38 of this fan 30.
  • the inflatable arch designated as a whole by the reference 1 is formed of two series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B', C '... respectively.
  • a part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and a part of the inflatable beams A ', B', C ... exceeds the top position S of the corresponding rigid beam 8 when each series of inflatable beams is at the deployed state.
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B' and C ... first follow an upward movement to this summit position S, then a downward movement beyond from this position to close the vault 1.
  • the arch comprises at least one cushion 45 for lifting the upper beam A or A 'during the folding of each series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B', C ....
  • the cushion 45 is inflatable and retractable by deflation and for this it is connected by a flexible pipe 46 " directly and permanently to the discharge orifice 37 of the centrifugal fan 30.
  • the lifting cushion 45 is disposed between at least one of the ends of the upper inflatable beam A or A 'and the corresponding support element 10.
  • the lifting cushion 45 can be placed at the level of the rigid beam 8 and in this case it can be crossed by said rigid beam 8.
  • each of the lifting cushions 45 has one end fixed to the same foundation or ballasting means 7 connected to the ground as the ends of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... In the embodiment shown in the
  • the lifting cushion 45 is formed by several cushions 45 superimposed and connected together as well as to the upper beam A or A 'by orifices 47 each provided with a non-return valve 48 ensuring the passage of the fluid from the lower lifting cushion 45 to the other lifting cushions and the upper inflatable beam A or A '.
  • the lower lifting cushion 45 is directly and permanently connected to the discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 by the flexible tubing 46.
  • the upper beam A of the inflatable arch 1 is directly and permanently connected to the discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 by means of a flexible pipe 49, the end of which opens into said upper beam A and is provided with a non-return valve 50.
  • the rigid beam 8 which is formed by a curved beam is fixed to one of its ends 8a by a removable mechanical connection 51 on a fixed support while its other end 8b is pivotally mounted, for example on the corresponding support element 10.
  • the rigid beam 8 is tilted around its end 8b and the highly inflatable bags A, B, C ... are threaded on the end 8a of the rigid beam 8, as shown dashed in Fig. 13.
  • the rigid beam 8 is tilted in the opposite direction and its end 8a is fixed by the mechanical link 51.
  • the support elements 10 have the form of a gutter 52 whose concave face follows the shape of the lower half of the inflatable beam with which it is in contact.
  • each gutter 52 forms a receptacle for receiving the beams A, B, C ... in the deflated state.
  • the deployment of the beam 1 is carried out as follows.
  • the beams A, B, C ... are deflated and resting on each other and the end 33b of the bent piping 33 is arranged opposite the discharge port
  • the internal space 2a of the upper beam A is arranged opposite the orifice 11 by virtue of the spacers 13 for spacing the side walls 3 and 4 of said upper beam A.
  • the fan 30 is started and the pressurized air enters, through the rigid beam 8 and the orifice 11, into the internal space 2a of the upper beam A which inflates at the same time as the cushions 21 through the intermediate of the conduits 23 and 24 and of the three-way valve 22 which connects these conduits 23 and 24.
  • the upper beam A deploys and stiffens by taking the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and by pressing on the cushions 21.
  • the orifice 11 formed in the rigid beam 8 is then located opposite the internal space 2a of the beam B which, in turn, swells under the effect of the air under pressure.
  • the other beams C ... M, N inflate one after the other in the same way and at the end of the inflation of these beams, the orifice 11 is opposite the internal space 2a of the lower beam N.
  • the cumulative weight of these beams linked to their flexibility can cause the supports on the cushions 21 to not allow their displacement above the orifice 11 so that the deployment of the roof 1 is interrupted.
  • auxiliary cushions 26 which communicate with the beam located above that in which these auxiliary cushions 26 are installed (Fig. 5), are inflated and provide the complement of wedging necessary for the completion of the deployment of the entire arch 1.
  • the fan 30 is stopped and the valve 40 closes automatically thus isolating all of the beams A, B, C ... from the roof 1. If as a result of various leaks, the pressure inside the beams A, B, C ... drops slightly and must be restored, the fan 30 which has remained in the inflation configuration shown in FIG. 8 is returned to operation. The air is blown into the lower beam N, then through the orifices 15 successively in the beams M ... C, B, A.
  • the valves 16 open automatically as soon as the pressure in the lower beam N is greater than that of the beam located above and so on.
  • the folding of the beams A, B, C ... of the arch 1 is carried out as follows.
  • the motor 36 for controlling the pivoting of the bent piping 33 is put into operation which causes the rotation of this bent piping 33 around its end 33a so as to position the end 33b opposite the orifice 38 of the fan 30, as shown in FIG. 9.
  • the ball constituting the valve 40 falls by gravity into the bottom of the bent piping 33 and this valve 40 can no longer come back into contact with its seat 41 so that air can be freely sucked from the lower beam N by means of the orifice 11, the rigid beam 8 and the conduit 34.
  • the three-way valve 22 being maintained in the position where it puts the cushions 21 into communication with the fan 30, the beam N gradually deflates in same time as the cushions 21.
  • the beams M ..., C, B and A disposed above the lower beam N lose their support on this lower beam N and on the cushions 21 so that these beams descend by gravity and are deflated one after the other when each internal space 2a of said beams M ..., C, B and A arrives opposite the orifice 11.
  • each beam remains perfectly inflated since the valves 16 close automatically and prevent the passage of the fluid between these beams.
  • the non-deflated part of the arch retains its rigidity and therefore can pivot in one piece while continuing, for example, to resist gusts of wind or to support snow.
  • the upper beam A can be supplied continuously during this retraction via the flexible piping 46 connected with the discharge port 37 of the fan 30.
  • the lifting cushions 45 are inflated to assist the retraction of the beams of the roof.
  • the same fan 30 is used and this fan 30 simultaneously ensures the deflation of the beams via its suction port 38 and the inflation of the lifting cushions 45 which are in communication with the discharge port 37 of fan 30 through piping 46.
  • the fan 30 is stopped when, for example, the first three beams A, B, C are inflated.
  • the valve 40 closes automatically on its seat 41 and isolates these three beams.
  • the three-way valve 22 is tilted to the position where it puts the cushions 21 into communication with the open air.
  • the beams A, B, C previously deployed therefore no longer bear on these cushions 21 which are retracted by deflation, and can no longer rise to bring the orifice 11 opposite the internal space of the next beam and the deployment is stopped.
  • the resumption of operation of the fan 30 then only has the effect of restoring the pressure required in the beams A, B and C previously deployed.
  • Figs. 15 and 16 two variants of the means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C are shown, opposite the orifice 11 formed in the rigid beam 8.
  • the wedge 21 associated with the stacking of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and disposed near the rigid beam 8, is formed by a superposition of inflatable cushions 60 and retractable by deflation.
  • each cushion 60 is connected separately via a valve, not shown, to a source of supply of pressurized fluid.
  • the means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite the orifice 11, are formed by at least one jack 61 disposed between the lower beam N and l 'supporting element 10 corresponding to and below the plate 12 for sealingly connecting the lower wall of the beam N around the rigid beam 8 and the supporting element 10 of the inflatable beams A, B, C .. in the deflated state.
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C ... N are deflated and the plates 12 are stacked on top of each other.
  • the inflatable beams A, B, C comprise, around the rigid beam 8, means 13 for spacing the walls of each of said inflatable beams.
  • spacing means 13 are constituted by spacers 65 fixed on the upper face of each plate 12 and making it possible to separate the upper and lower walls of each beam from a height substantially equal to that of the orifice 11.
  • the orifice 11 is then opposite the internal space 2a of the beam A and the latter can be inflated by the pressurized fluid blown into the rigid beam 8.
  • the successive inflation of these cushions 60 separately using a source of pressurized fluid which may be the main source serving to supply the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in pressurized fluid or an additional source at higher pressure than the main source, produces a translation of the stack of plates 12 of a height necessary to bring the spaces 2a of the beams B, C ... N opposite hole 11.
  • the total stroke of this jack 61 is equal to the translational stroke necessary to successively bring the spaces 2a of the beams B, C ... N next to hole 11.
  • the rigid beam 8 is formed by a cylindrical tube and the orifice 11 formed in its wall is formed by a light linking the said tube into two sections, respectively 62a and 62b.
  • the first section 62a is connected to the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid to successively inflate the beams A, B, C ... and the second section 62b is closed by a plate 63 placed above said lumen 11b and connected in the first section 62a by radial ribs 64.
  • radial ribs 64 also make it possible to channel the fluid under pressure into the internal space 2a of the inflatable beam placed opposite the light connected.
  • Figs. 17 and 18 we will describe a variant of the means 9 for supplying the inflatable beams A, B, C ... with pressurized fluid.
  • the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid are formed by a fan 70 comprising a discharge port 71 and a suction port 72 and by a member for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe 73 at the end of which is mounted a nozzle 73a intended to be connected to one of said orifices 71 or 72 using appropriate connection means.
  • the piping 73 preferably made of a flexible material comprises a non-return valve 74 integral with a rod 75 slidingly mounted on two opposite supports 76a and 76b and fixed inside the end piece 73a of said piping 73. These supports 76a and 76b are constituted by radial spacers providing between them passages for the circulation of the pressurized fluid.
  • the non-return valve 74 is movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the fluid and in which it is spaced from a valve seat 77 formed in the end piece 73a and a closed position in which it is applied against said valve seat 77 to prevent circulation of pressurized fluid.
  • the non-return valve 77 In the open position, that is to say during the inflation of the beams A, B, C ..., the non-return valve 77 is in abutment against the support 76a.
  • the non-return valve 74 is in the open position during the inflation of the beams A, B, C ..., as shown in dashed in Fig. 17 or in the closed position applied against the valve seat 77 by the back pressure after the inflation of these beams A, B and C ..., as shown in solid lines in FIG. 17.
  • the piping 73 is connected to the suction orifice 72, as shown in FIG. 18.
  • the normal direction of flow of the fluid sucked by the fan 70 should keep the non-return valve 74 applied against the valve seat 77.
  • this non-return valve 74 is held in the open position by a stop 78 mounted on the orifice 72 and on which the end of the rod 75 rests, as shown in FIG. 18. Thanks to this arrangement, the fluid sucked by the fan 70 flows into the pipe 73 and into the suction port 72.
  • each support element 52 in the form of a gutter is constituted by a stretched fabric 80 bearing on a series of arches 81 carried by at least one beam 82 extending parallel to the inflatable beams A, B, C ...
  • At least one of the support elements 10 of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... can only extend over a part of the length of said beams.

Abstract

The invention concerns a building which is inflatable, deployable and storable by being respectively inflated and deflated, comprising a plurality of beams A, B, C... arranged side by side, means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurised fluid, means for sliding the beams along a rigid beam, and at least one orifice (11) provided in the rigid beam (8) wall communicating the pressurised fluid supplying means with the inner volume of the inflatable beams. The building also comprises means for successively positioning the internal volume of each inflatable beam opposite the rigid beam (8) orifice for the beams to be inflated by the pressurised fluid from the top beam to the bottom beam and to be deflated from the bottom beam to the top beam.

Description

" Voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable""Vou t e inflatable deployable and retractable"
La présente invention a pour objet une voûte qonflable, déployable et escamotable respectivement par gonflage et dégonflage.The present invention relates to a qonflable vault, deployable and retractable respectively by inflation and deflation.
D'une manière générale, les voûtes gonflables comprennent une pluralité de poutres longitudinales disposées côte à côte, des moyens de coulissement d'au moins une extrémité des poutres le long d'au moins un chemin de déploiement et de repliage et des moyens d'alimentation desdites poutres en fluide sous pression. Ce type de voûte est conçu, entre autres, pour permettre son déploiement par simple gonflage, ainsi que son escamotage par dégonflage, ce qui permet à volonté de recou: vrir un espace dans le but de le protéger des intempéries et de le découvrir par beau temps . Tjne telle voûte peut être utilisée pour recouvrir de façon temporaire des installations diverses, comme par exemple un stade ou une piscine.In general, the inflatable arches comprise a plurality of longitudinal beams arranged side by side, means for sliding at least one end of the beams along at least one deployment and folding path and means for supply of said beams with pressurized fluid. This type of arch is designed, among other things, to allow its deployment by simple inflation, as well as its retraction by deflation, which allows at will to recou : screw a space in order to protect it from bad weather and to discover it by beautiful time . T j ne such vault can be used to temporarily cover various facilities, such as a stadium or a swimming pool.
On connaît plus particulièrement dans le FR-A-2 621 944 une voûte gonflable dans laquelle chaque poutre com- porte deux panneaux opposés formant semelle et constituant chacun un des lobes de la paroi intérieure et extérieure de la voûte et deux panneaux latéraux formant âme de la poutre. Les moyens d'alimentation de chaque poutre en fluide de gonflage sont formés par au moins un conduit tra- versant lesdites poutres et étant extensible dans sa longueur, son étirement et sa rétraction étant commandés par le déploiement et l'escamotage de la voûte respectivement.There is more particularly known in FR-A-2 621 944 an inflatable arch in which each beam comprises two opposite panels forming the sole and each constituting one of the lobes of the inner and outer wall of the arch and two lateral panels forming the core of beam. The means of supplying each beam with inflation fluid are formed by at least one conduit passing through said beams and being extensible in its length, its stretching and its retraction being controlled by the deployment and retraction of the vault respectively.
Dans cette voûte, le conduit d'alimentation est commun à toutes les poutres et communique avec chacune desdites poutres par un orifice obturable commandé par des moyens d'obturation et le conduit d'alimentation traverse de manière etanche une ouverture agencée dans chacun des panneaux des poutres .In this vault, the supply conduit is common to all the beams and communicates with each of said beams by a closable orifice controlled by shutter means and the supply conduit passes through a sealed opening arranged in each of the panels of the beams.
On connaît également dans le FR-A-2 734 856 une voûte gonflable dans laquelle les moyens de coulissement des poutres sont formés par une canalisation de transport du fluide sous pression pour le gonflage ou le dégonflage des poutres communiquant, d'une part, à au moins une de ses extrémités avec les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression et, d'autre part, avec l'intérieur d'au moins une poutre gonflable par au moins un orifice ménagé dans la paroi de la canalisation et muni de moyens d'obturation.Also known in FR-A-2 734 856 is an inflatable arch in which the beams sliding means are formed by a pipeline for transporting the pressurized fluid for inflating or deflating the beams communicating, on the one hand, at at least one of its ends with the means for supplying pressurized fluid and, on the other hand, with the interior of at least one beam inflatable by at least one orifice formed in the wall of the pipe and provided with sealing means.
Les moyens d'obturation sont formés par des portes étanches associées à des moyens de commande de leur ouverture ou de leur fermeture .The sealing means are formed by watertight doors associated with means for controlling their opening or closing.
Mais, une telle structure pose des problèmes d'étanchéité et est complexe du fait de la conception des moyens de gonflage ou de dégonflage et des moyens d'obturation.However, such a structure poses sealing problems and is complex due to the design of the inflation or deflation means and the sealing means.
L'invention a donc pour objet une voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable respectivement par gonflage et dégonflage, du type comprenant :The subject of the invention is therefore an inflatable arch, deployable and retractable respectively by inflation and deflation, of the type comprising:
- une pluralité de poutres gonflables disposées côte à côte,- a plurality of inflatable beams arranged side by side,
- des moyens d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression, - des moyens de coulissement des poutres le long d'au moins un chemin de déploiement ou de repliage formé par une poutre rigide traversant de manière étanche ces poutres et constituant une canalisation de transport du fluide reliée aux moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression, - au moins un orifice ménagé dans la paroi de la poutre rigide mettant en communication les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression avec l'espace interne des poutres gonflables,- means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, - means for sliding the beams along at least one deployment or folding path formed by a rigid beam sealingly passing through these beams and constituting a pipe for transport of the fluid connected to the means for supplying pressurized fluid, - at least one orifice formed in the wall of the rigid beam putting the means for supplying pressurized fluid into communication with the internal space of the inflatable beams,
- des moyens de liaison étanche des parois adja- centes des poutres gonflables contiguës autour de la poutre rigide,means of tight connection of the adjacent walls of the contiguous inflatable beams around the rigid beam,
- des moyens d' écartement , autour de la poutre rigide, des parois des la poutre gonflable supérieure,means of spacing, around the rigid beam, the walls of the upper inflatable beam,
- au moins un élément d'appui des poutres gon- fiables, caractérisée en ce que la voûte comporte des moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable en regard dudit orifice de la poutre rigide pour assurer le gonflage des poutres par le fluide sous pression depuis la poutre supérieure jusqu'à la poutre inférieure et leur dégonflage depuis la poutre inférieure jusqu'à la pou- tre supérieure.- at least one support element for the inflatable beams, characterized in that the vault comprises means for successively positioning the internal space of each beam inflatable opposite said orifice of the rigid beam to ensure the inflation of the beams by the pressurized fluid from the upper beam to the lower beam and their deflation from the lower beam to the upper beam.
Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :According to other characteristics of the invention:
- lesdits moyens de positionnement successif de 1 ' espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable en regard dudit orifice sont actionnés automatiquement par le débit de fluide sous pression d'alimentation desdites poutres gonflables,said means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam opposite said orifice are actuated automatically by the flow of fluid under supply pressure of said inflatable beams,
- l'orifice de la poutre rigide est situé en regard de 1 ' espace interne de la poutre supérieure à 1 ' état dégonflé des poutres gonflables et en regard de l'espace in- terne de la poutre inférieure à l'état gonflé desdites poutres gonflables, les moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable sont formés par au moins une cale associée à l'empilage desdites poutres gonflables et disposée à proximité de la poutre rigide,the orifice of the rigid beam is situated opposite the internal space of the upper beam in the deflated state of the inflatable beams and opposite the internal space of the lower beam in the inflated state of the said beams inflatable, the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam are formed by at least one wedge associated with the stacking of said inflatable beams and disposed near the rigid beam,
- la cale est formée par un coussin gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage, communiquant avec les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression ou à l'air libre par une vanne trois voies, - les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression du coussin sont formés par les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression des poutres gonflables,- the wedge is formed by an inflatable and retractable cushion by deflation, communicating with the means for supplying pressurized fluid or to the open air by a three-way valve, - the means for supplying pressurized fluid to the cushion are formed by the means for supplying pressurized fluid to the inflatable beams,
- la cale est formée par une superposition de coussins gonflables et escamotables par dégonflage, chaque coussin étant relié séparément, par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne, à une source d'alimentation en fluide sous pression, les moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable sont formés par au moins un vérin disposé entre la poutre inférieure et l'élément d'appui correspondant et au-dessous des moyens de liaison étanche de la paroi inférieure de ladite poutre autour de la poutre rigide, - les moyens de positionnement comprennent également au moins une cale auxiliaire disposée dans l'espace interne d'une poutre gonflable et à proximité de la poutre rigide, ladite cale auxiliaire étant formée par un coussin gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage, communiquant avec l'espace interne de la poutre gonflable située au-dessus,- the wedge is formed by a superposition of inflatable and retractable cushions by deflation, each cushion being connected separately, via a valve, to a source of supply of pressurized fluid, the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam are formed by at least one jack arranged between the lower beam and the corresponding support element and below the sealed connection means of the lower wall of said beam around the rigid beam, the positioning means also comprise at least one auxiliary wedge disposed in the internal space of an inflatable beam and close to the rigid beam, said auxiliary wedge being formed by an inflatable cushion and retractable by deflation, communicating with the space internal of the inflatable beam located above,
- au moins un orifice de communication est ménagé entre deux poutres gonflables contiguës, muni d'un clapet anti-retour disposé au-dessus de cet orifice et déplaçable entre une position ouverte mettant en communication les espaces internes desdites poutres gonflables contiguës et une position fermée obturant ledit orifice,- At least one communication orifice is formed between two contiguous inflatable beams, provided with a non-return valve disposed above this orifice and movable between an open position communicating the internal spaces of said contiguous inflatable beams and a closed position closing said orifice,
- les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression sont formés par un ventilateur comportant un orifice de refoulement et un orifice d'aspiration et par un organe d'inversion du sens d'écoulement du fluide formé par une tuyauterie destinée à être connectée sur l'un desdits orifices et comportant un clapet anti-retour,the means for supplying pressurized fluid are formed by a fan comprising a discharge orifice and a suction orifice and by a member for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe intended to be connected to the one of said orifices and comprising a non-return valve,
- la voûte comporte au moins un coussin de rele- vage de la poutre supérieure lors du repliage de ladite voûte, ledit coussin étant gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage et étant disposé entre la poutre gonflable supérieure et l'élément d'appui correspondant.the vault comprises at least one cushion for lifting the upper beam during the folding of said vault, said cushion being inflatable and retractable by deflation and being disposed between the upper inflatable beam and the corresponding support element.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de 1 ' in- vention apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels:Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the description which follows and which is given with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- la Fig.l est une vue schématique en perspective d'une voûte déployage et escamotable, conforme à l'invention, - la Fig. 2 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale de la voûte gonflable, conforme à l'invention,- Fig.l is a schematic perspective view of a folding and retractable vault, according to the invention, - Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflatable arch, in accordance with the invention,
- les Figs.3 et 4 sont des vues schématiques en coupe transversale montrant les moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable, - la Fig. 5 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale montrant une variante des moyens de positionne- ment successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable,- Figs.3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam, - Fig. 5 is a schematic view in cross section showing a variant of the positioning means successive ment of the internal space of each inflatable beam,
- la Fig. 6 est une vue en coupe transversale montrant les moyens de liaison étanche des parois adjacentes d'une poutre gonflable,- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the sealed connection means of the adjacent walls of an inflatable beam,
- la Fig. 7 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 7-7 de la Fig.6,- Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6,
- les Figs . 8 et 9 sont des vues schématiques en coupe transversale des moyens d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression,- Figs. 8 and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of the means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid,
- la Fig. 10 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un second mode de réalisation d'une voûte déployable et escamotable, conforme à l'invention,- Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a deployable and retractable arch, in accordance with the invention,
- la Fig. 11 est une vue schématique montrant la liaison entre les moyens d'alimentation et la poutre gonflable supérieure,- Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing the connection between the supply means and the upper inflatable beam,
- la Fig. 12 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale montrant les coussins de relevage de la poutre supérieure lors du repliage de la voûte, - la Fig. 13 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale montrant un troisième mode de réalisation d'une voûte déployable et escamotable, conforme à l'invention,- Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the lifting cushions of the upper beam during the folding of the arch, - FIG. 13 is a schematic view in cross section showing a third embodiment of a deployable and retractable arch, in accordance with the invention,
- la Fig. 14 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale montrant un quatrième mode de réalisation d'une voûte déployable et escamotable, conforme à l'invention,- Fig. 14 is a schematic view in cross section showing a fourth embodiment of a deployable and retractable arch, in accordance with the invention,
- la Fig. 15 est une demi-vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une variante des moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable, - la Fig. 16 est une demi-vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une autre variante des moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne de chaque poutre gonflable,- Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic half-view in cross section of a variant of the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam, - FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic half-view in cross section of another variant of the means for successively positioning the internal space of each inflatable beam,
- les Figs. 17 et 18 sont des vues schématiques en coupe transversale d'une variante des moyens d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression, - la Fig. 19 est une vue schématique partielle d'une variante d'un élément d'appui des poutres.- Figs. 17 and 18 are schematic cross-sectional views of a variant of the means for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, - Fig. 19 is a partial schematic view of a variant of a support element for the beams.
Sur les Figs. 1 et 2 , on a représenté schémati- quement une voûte gonflable 1 constituée d'une pluralité de poutres gonflables A, B, C... M, N longitudinales et étan- ches et qui sont disposées côte à côte pour former ladite voûte 1.In Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown schematically an inflatable arch 1 consisting of a plurality of inflatable beams A, B, C ... M, N longitudinal and waterproof and which are arranged side by side to form said arch 1 .
Cette voûte 1 peut être constituée d'une série de poutres gonflables A, B, C... recouvrant à elle seule l'espace à protéger ou par deux séries de poutres gonflablesThis arch 1 can be made up of a series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... which alone covers the space to be protected or by two series of inflatable beams
A, B, C... symétriques recouvrant l'ensemble de l'espace à protéger.A, B, C ... symmetrical covering the entire space to be protected.
Les poutres A, B, C... sont reliées les unes aux autres longitudinalement par des moyens de liaison qui sont décrits ultérieurement.The beams A, B, C ... are connected to each other longitudinally by connecting means which are described later.
Ainsi que représenté à la Fig. 2, chaque poutre A, B, C... est constituée d'une enveloppe tubulaire 2 assurant la continuité de 1 ' étanchéité du volume qu'elle confine et composée de quatre zones dont deux zones latérales for- ment les âmes 3 et 4 et dont deux zones supérieure et inférieure forment respectivement une semelle extérieure 5 et une semelle intérieure 6.As shown in FIG. 2, each beam A, B, C ... is made up of a tubular casing 2 ensuring the continuity of the tightness of the volume which it confines and composed of four zones including two lateral zones forming the cores 3 and 4 and of which two upper and lower zones respectively form an outer sole 5 and an inner sole 6.
Ces poutres A, B, C...sont reliées à au moins une extrémité à des moyens 7 de fondation ou de lestage fixés sur le sol.These beams A, B, C ... are connected at least one end to means 7 for foundation or ballast fixed to the ground.
La voûte 1 comporte des moyens de coulissement des poutres A, B, C... le long d'au moins un chemin de déploiement ou de repliage formé par une poutre rigide 8 traversant de manière étanche ces poutres et constituant une canalisation de transport du fluide reliée à des moyens 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression.The vault 1 comprises means for sliding the beams A, B, C ... along at least one deployment or folding path formed by a rigid beam 8 sealingly passing through these beams and constituting a pipeline for transporting the fluid connected to means 9 for supplying fluid under pressure.
Dans le mode de réalisation représenté aux Figs. 1 et 2, la voûte 1 comporte également deux éléments d'appui 10, l'un pour les poutres gonflables A, B, C... à l^état dé- gonflé et en contact avec la poutre gonflable inférieure N et l'autre opposé en contact avec la poutre gonflable supérieure A lorsque lesdites poutres sont à l'état gonflé. Ces éléments d'appui 10 sont formés par exemple chacun par un support en forme d'arceau s ' étendant parallèlement à la poutre avec laquelle il est en contact. Chaque élément d'appui 10 est, d'une part, fixé à ses deux extrémi- tés au sol et, d'autre part, supporté dans sa partie centrale par la poutre rigide 8.In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the arch 1 also comprises two support elements 10, one for the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in the inflated state and in contact with the lower inflatable beam N and the another opposite in contact with the upper inflatable beam A when said beams are in the inflated state. These support elements 10 are formed for example each by a support in the form of a hoop extending parallel to the beam with which it is in contact. Each support element 10 is, on the one hand, fixed at its two ends to the ground and, on the other hand, supported in its central part by the rigid beam 8.
Selon la structure de la voûte 1, celle-ci ne peut comporter qu'un seul élément d'appui 10.According to the structure of the vault 1, it can only have one support element 10.
Pour permettre le gonflage des poutres A, B, C... ou le dégonflage de ces poutres, la paroi de la poutre rigide 8 comporte au moins un orifice 11 mettant en communication les moyens 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression avec l'espace interne 2a desdites poutres gonflables les unes après les autres. Dans le cas où la voûte 1 est constituée d'une série de poutres gonflables A, B, C..., la paroi de la poutre rigide 8 comporte un orifice 11 disposé au-dessus de l'élément d'appui 10 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... à l'état dégonflé et dans le cas où la voûte est constituée de deux séries de poutres gonflables A, B, C...et A', B',To allow the inflation of the beams A, B, C ... or the deflation of these beams, the wall of the rigid beam 8 comprises at least one orifice 11 putting the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid into communication with the internal space 2a of said inflatable beams one after the other. In the case where the vault 1 is made up of a series of inflatable beams A, B, C ..., the wall of the rigid beam 8 has an orifice 11 disposed above the support element 10 of the beams inflatable A, B, C ... in the deflated state and in the case where the roof is made up of two series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B',
C'..., la paroi de la poutre rigide 8 comporte deux orifices 11 disposés chacun au-dessus de l'élément d'appui 10 de ces poutres de chaque série à l'état dégonflé.C '..., the wall of the rigid beam 8 has two orifices 11 each arranged above the support element 10 of these beams of each series in the deflated state.
D'une manière générale, l'orifice 11 de la pou- tre rigide 8 est situé en regard de l'espace interne 2a de la poutre supérieure A à l'état dégonflé des poutres gonflables A, B, C..., comme représenté à la Fig. 3, et en regard de l'espace interne 2a de la poutre inférieure N à l'état gonflé desdites poutres gonflables. Ainsi que représenté plus particulièrement sur les Figs.3 et 4, les moyens de liaison étanche des parois adjacentes des poutres gonflables A, B, C... contiguës sont formés par exemple par des platines 12 qui maintiennent les parois latérales 3 et 4 des poutres A, B, C... contiguës et qui coulissent de manière étanche sur la poutre rigide 8 lors du gonflage ou de dégonflage des poutres A, B, C.... La poutre supérieure A comporte des moyens d'écartement autour de la poutre rigide 8 des parois latérales 3 et 4 de cette poutre supérieure A.In general, the orifice 11 of the rigid beam 8 is located opposite the internal space 2a of the upper beam A in the deflated state of the inflatable beams A, B, C ..., as shown in Fig. 3, and facing the internal space 2a of the lower beam N in the inflated state of said inflatable beams. As shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the sealing means of the adjacent walls of the adjacent inflatable beams A, B, C ... are formed for example by plates 12 which hold the side walls 3 and 4 of the beams A, B, C ... contiguous and which slide in leaktight manner on the rigid beam 8 during inflation or deflation of beams A, B, C ... The upper beam A comprises spacing means around the rigid beam 8 of the side walls 3 and 4 of this upper beam A.
Ces moyens d'écartement sont formés par exemple par des entretoises 13 disposées entre les platines 12 et maintenant écartées respectivement les parois latérales 3 et 4 de ladite poutre supérieure A.These spacing means are formed for example by spacers 13 disposed between the plates 12 and now separated respectively the side walls 3 and 4 of said upper beam A.
Ainsi, les entretoises 13 permettent de maintenir les parois latérales 3 et 4 de la poutre supérieure A écartées de telle façon que l'espace interne 2a de ladite poutre supérieure A se trouve en regard de l'orifice 11 lorsque les poutres gonflables A, B, C... sont à l'état dégonflé, comme représenté sur la Fig. 3.Thus, the spacers 13 keep the side walls 3 and 4 of the upper beam A apart so that the internal space 2a of said upper beam A is opposite the orifice 11 when the inflatable beams A, B , C ... are in the deflated state, as shown in FIG. 3.
Enfin, la voûte 1 comporte des moyens 20 de po- sitionnement successif de l'espace interne 2a de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... en regard de l'orifice 11 de la poutre rigide 8 pour le gonflage des poutres A, B, C... par le fluide de gonflage depuis la poutre supérieure A jusqu'à la poutre inférieure N et leur dégonflage depuis la poutre inférieure N jusqu'à la poutre supérieure A.Finally, the vault 1 comprises means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite the orifice 11 of the rigid beam 8 for inflating the beams A , B, C ... by the inflation fluid from the upper beam A to the lower beam N and their deflation from the lower beam N to the upper beam A.
Les moyens 20 de positionnement successif de l'espace interne 2a de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C...en regard de l'orifice 11 peuvent être actionnés automatiquement par le débit de fluide sous pression d'alimentation de ces poutres gonflables.The means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... facing the orifice 11 can be actuated automatically by the flow of fluid under supply pressure to these inflatable beams.
Ces moyens 20 de positionnement sont formés par au moins une cale 21 associée à l'empilage des poutres gonflables A, B, C... et disposée à proximité de la poutre rigide 8. La cale 21 est disposée soit à l'intérieur de la poutre gonflable inférieure N, comme représenté sur les Figs. 3 et 4 ou soit entre la poutre inférieure N et l'élément d'appui 10 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... à l'état dégonflé . La cale 21 est constituée par exemple par une cale unique disposée d'un côté de la poutre rigide 8 ou par deux cales indépendantes et disposées de part et d'autre de cette poutre rigide 8 ou par une cale unique en forme d'anneau disposée autour de ladite poutre rigide 8.These positioning means 20 are formed by at least one wedge 21 associated with the stacking of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and arranged near the rigid beam 8. The wedge 21 is disposed either inside the lower inflatable beam N, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 or either between the lower beam N and the support element 10 of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in the deflated state. The wedge 21 is constituted for example by a single wedge arranged on one side of the rigid beam 8 or by two independent wedges and arranged on either side of this rigid beam 8 or by a single ring-shaped wedge disposed around said rigid beam 8.
De préférence, la cale 21 est formée par un coussin gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage, communicant avec les moyens 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression.Preferably, the wedge 21 is formed by an inflatable and retractable cushion by deflation, communicating with the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid.
Pour cela, le coussin 21 est relié à une vanne trois voies 22 par un conduit 23 et cette vanne trois voies 22 communique, d'une part, avec la poutre rigide 8 par un conduit 24 ou, d'autre part, avec un conduit 25 de mise à l'air libre, comme représenté aux Figs. 3 et 4.For this, the cushion 21 is connected to a three-way valve 22 by a conduit 23 and this three-way valve 22 communicates, on the one hand, with the rigid beam 8 by a conduit 24 or, on the other hand, with a conduit 25 venting, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Les poutres gonflables A, B, C... contiguës communiquent entre elles par un orifice 15 ménagé dans les platines 12 reliant les parois latérales 3 et 4 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... contiguës. Chaque orifice 15 est muni d'un clapet antiretour 16 constitué par exemple par une membrane souple dé- plaçable entre une position ouverte mettant en communication les espaces internes 2a des poutres gonflables A, B, C... contiguës et une position fermée obturant l'orifice 15 cor- respondant. Le clapet anti-retour 16 est disposé au-dessus de l'orifice 15, c'est à dire sur la face supérieure de la platine 12 correspondante.The contiguous inflatable beams A, B, C ... communicate with each other through an orifice 15 formed in the plates 12 connecting the side walls 3 and 4 of the contiguous inflatable beams A, B, C ... Each orifice 15 is provided with a non-return valve 16 constituted for example by a flexible membrane displaceable between an open position connecting the internal spaces 2a of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... contiguous and a closed position closing the corresponding port 15. The non-return valve 16 is disposed above the orifice 15, that is to say on the upper face of the corresponding plate 12.
Selon une variante représentée à la Fig. 5, les moyens de positionnement successif de l'espace interne 2a de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... en regard de l'orifice 11 de la poutre rigide 8 comprennent également au moins une cale auxiliaire 26 disposée dans l'espace interne 2a d'au moins une poutre gonflable A, B, C... et à proximité de la poutre rigide 8. De préférence, la cale auxiliaire 26 est positionnée au-dessus de la cale 21.According to a variant shown in FIG. 5, the means for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite the orifice 11 of the rigid beam 8 also comprise at least one auxiliary wedge 26 disposed in the space internal 2a of at least one inflatable beam A, B, C ... and close to the rigid beam 8. Preferably, the auxiliary wedge 26 is positioned above the wedge 21.
Dans l'exemple de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 5, la cale auxiliaire 26 est disposée dans l'espace interne 2a de la poutre gonflable B contiguë à la poutre gon- fiable supérieure A.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary wedge 26 is disposed in the internal space 2a of the inflatable beam B contiguous to the upper inflatable beam A.
La cale auxiliaire 26 peut être disposée dans l'espace interne 2a d'une autre poutre gonflable A, B, C... ou dans l'espace interne 2a de chacune desdites poutres gonflables .The auxiliary wedge 26 can be arranged in the internal space 2a of another inflatable beam A, B, C ... or in the internal space 2a of each of said inflatable beams.
La cale auxiliaire 26 est formée par un coussin gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage, communicant avec l'espace interne 2a de la poutre gonflable située au-dessus, par un orifice 27.The auxiliary wedge 26 is formed by an inflatable and retractable cushion by deflation, communicating with the internal space 2a of the inflatable beam located above, by an orifice 27.
De préférence, les coussins gonflables constituant la cale 21 ou la cale auxiliaire 26 présentent une section transversale oblongue et sont formés d'un tissu en- duit à double nappe tissée ensemble à partir des mêmes fils et réunie par une multitude de brins de fils de même longueur communs au deux nappes .Preferably, the airbags constituting the wedge 21 or the auxiliary wedge 26 have an oblong cross section and are formed from a coated double ply fabric woven together from the same threads and joined by a multitude of strands of threads of same length common to both tablecloths.
Selon d'autres variantes, les moyens 20 de positionnement peuvent comporter uniquement les cales 21 ou les cales 26 ou encore les deux cales 21 et 26 disposées les unes au-dessus des autres de façon à compenser la déformation des poutres A, B, C...According to other variants, the positioning means 20 may comprise only the shims 21 or the shims 26 or even the two shims 21 and 26 arranged one above the other so as to compensate for the deformation of the beams A, B, C ...
Comme représenté à la Fig. 6, les moyens de liaison étanche des parois adjacentes des poutres gonflables A, B, C... comprennent un joint d'étanchéité 28 dont une extrémité 28a est fixée sur la platine 12 correspondante et dont l'autre extrémité 28b est en appui coulissant autour de la poutre rigide 8.As shown in Fig. 6, the sealed connection means of the adjacent walls of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... comprise a seal 28, one end 28a of which is fixed on the corresponding plate 12 and the other end of which 28b is in sliding support around the rigid beam 8.
Dans le cas où le joint d'étanchéité 28 est dis- posé sur une platine 12 munie d'un orifice de communicationIn the case where the seal 28 is disposed on a plate 12 provided with a communication orifice
15, ce joint d'étanchéité 28 comporte une membrane souple15, this seal 28 includes a flexible membrane
28c qui forme le clapet anti-retour 16 d'obturation de l'orifice 15.28c which forms the non-return valve 16 for closing the orifice 15.
Le joint d'étanchéité 28 et la membrane 28c sont réalisés en une seule pièce moulée en élastomère.The seal 28 and the membrane 28c are made in a single piece molded from elastomer.
La poutre rigide 8 est formée par un tube cylindrique et l'orifice 11 ménagé dans sa paroi comporte, de préférence, deux ouvertures lia diamétralement opposées, comme représentées à la Fig. 7. Les ouvertures lia sont munies sensiblement à leur partie centrale d'une plaque de renfort 11b transver- sale, sensiblement parallèle à l'axe du tube formant la poutre rigide 8.The rigid beam 8 is formed by a cylindrical tube and the orifice 11 formed in its wall preferably comprises two diametrically opposite openings 11a, as shown in FIG. 7. The openings 11a are provided substantially at their central part with a transverse reinforcement plate 11b. dirty, substantially parallel to the axis of the tube forming the rigid beam 8.
En se reportant maintenant aux Figs. 8 et 9, on va décrire les moyens 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pres- sion.Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, we will describe the means 9 for supplying fluid under pressure.
Ces moyens 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression sont formés par un ventilateur centrifuge 30 comportant un rouet 31 entraîné en rotation par un moteur 32 et dont l'axe de rotation est par exemple disposé sensiblement ver- ticalement.These means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid are formed by a centrifugal fan 30 comprising a impeller 31 driven in rotation by a motor 32 and the axis of rotation of which is, for example, arranged substantially vertically.
Le ventilateur centrifuge 30 comporte également un organe d'inversion du sens d'écoulement du fluide formé par une tuyauterie 33 coudée en S .The centrifugal fan 30 also comprises a member for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe 33 bent in an S shape.
Cette tuyauterie 33 comporte une première extré- mité 33a montée pivotante sur un conduit de liaison 34 avec la poutre rigide 8 par un joint tournant 35.This piping 33 has a first end 33a pivotally mounted on a connecting duct 34 with the rigid beam 8 by a rotating joint 35.
La tuyauterie coudée 33 est déplaçable, au moyen par exemple d'un moteur 36, entre une première position basse (Fig. 8) dans laquelle la seconde extrémité 33b de la- dite tuyauterie 33 est située en regard d'un orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur 30 et une position haute (Fig.9) dans laquelle ladite seconde extrémité 33b est située en regard d'un orifice d'aspiration 38 de ce ventilateur 30.The bent piping 33 is movable, for example by means of a motor 36, between a first low position (Fig. 8) in which the second end 33b of said piping 33 is located opposite a discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 and a high position (FIG. 9) in which said second end 33b is situated opposite a suction orifice 38 of this fan 30.
La tuyauterie coudée 33 est munie intérieurement d'un clapet anti-retour 40 déplaçable par gravité.The bent piping 33 is internally provided with a non-return valve 40 displaceable by gravity.
Ce clapet anti-retour 40 est constitué par exemple par une bille qui est déplaçable entre une première position (Fig. 8) dans laquelle le clapet 40 est appliqué sur un siège 41 ménagé à l'intérieur de la tuyauterie coudée 33 et une seconde position (Fig. 9) dans laquelle le clapet 40 est écarté du siège 41.This non-return valve 40 is constituted for example by a ball which is movable between a first position (Fig. 8) in which the valve 40 is applied to a seat 41 formed inside the bent piping 33 and a second position (Fig. 9) in which the valve 40 is spaced from the seat 41.
La première position du clapet 40 correspond à la position de la tuyauterie coudée 33 dans laquelle l'extrémité 33b est en regard de l'orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur 30 et la seconde position du clapet 40 correspond à la position haute de la tuyauterie coudée 33 dans laquelle l'extrémité 33b de cette tuyauterie 33 est située en regard de l'orifice d'aspiration 38 de ce ventilateur 30.The first position of the valve 40 corresponds to the position of the bent piping 33 in which the end 33b is opposite the discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 and the second position of the valve 40 corresponds to the high position of the bent piping 33 in which end 33b of this pipe 33 is situated opposite the suction orifice 38 of this fan 30.
Dans cette seconde position, la gravité interdit la fermeture du clapet 40 sur le siège 41. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig.In this second position, gravity prohibits the closing of the valve 40 on the seat 41. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
10, la voûte gonflable désignée dans son ensemble par la référence 1 est formée de deux séries de poutres gonflables respectivement A, B, C... et A' , B', C'....10, the inflatable arch designated as a whole by the reference 1 is formed of two series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B', C '... respectively.
Chaque série de poutres gonflables est identi- que à celle des précédents modes de réalisation.Each series of inflatable beams is identical to that of the previous embodiments.
Ainsi que représenté à la Fig. 10, une partie des poutres gonflables A, B, C... et une partie des poutres gonflables A', B', C... dépasse la position sommitale S de la poutre rigide 8 correspondante lorsque chaque série de poutres gonflables est à l'état déployé.As shown in FIG. 10, a part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and a part of the inflatable beams A ', B', C ... exceeds the top position S of the corresponding rigid beam 8 when each series of inflatable beams is at the deployed state.
Ainsi, pendant leur déplacement, les poutres gonflables A, B, C... et A', B' et C... suivent d'abord un mouvement ascendant jusqu'à cette position sommitale S, puis un mouvement descendant au-delà de cette position pour fer- mer la voûte 1.Thus, during their movement, the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B' and C ... first follow an upward movement to this summit position S, then a downward movement beyond from this position to close the vault 1.
Pour aider l'ouverture de chaque série de poutres gonflables s ' opposant à la gravité, la voûte comporte au moins un coussin 45 de relevage de la poutre supérieure A ou A' lors du repliage de chaque série de poutres gonflables A, B, C...et A' , B' , C ....To assist the opening of each series of inflatable beams opposing gravity, the arch comprises at least one cushion 45 for lifting the upper beam A or A 'during the folding of each series of inflatable beams A, B, C ... and A ', B', C ....
Le coussin 45 est gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage et pour cela il est relié par une tuyauterie souple 46 "directement et en permanence à l'orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur centrifuge 30. De préférence, le coussin de relevage 45 est disposé entre au moins une des extrémités de la poutre gonflable supérieure A ou A' et l'élément d'appui 10 correspondant .The cushion 45 is inflatable and retractable by deflation and for this it is connected by a flexible pipe 46 " directly and permanently to the discharge orifice 37 of the centrifugal fan 30. Preferably, the lifting cushion 45 is disposed between at least one of the ends of the upper inflatable beam A or A 'and the corresponding support element 10.
Selon une variante, le coussin de relevage 45 peut être disposé au niveau de la poutre rigide 8 et dans ce cas il peut être traversé par ladite poutre rigide 8. Selon une autre variante, chacun des coussins de relevage 45 a une extrémité fixée aux mêmes moyens 7 de fondation ou de lestage reliés au sol que les extrémités des poutres gonflables A,B, C... Dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur lesAccording to a variant, the lifting cushion 45 can be placed at the level of the rigid beam 8 and in this case it can be crossed by said rigid beam 8. According to another variant, each of the lifting cushions 45 has one end fixed to the same foundation or ballasting means 7 connected to the ground as the ends of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... In the embodiment shown in the
Figs. 10 et 12, le coussin de relevage 45 est formé par plusieurs coussins 45 superposés et reliés entre eux ainsi qu'à la poutre supérieure A ou A' par des orifices 47 munis chacun d'un clapet anti-retour 48 assurant le passage du fluide du coussin de relevage 45 inférieur vers les autres coussins de relevage et la poutre gonflable supérieure A ou A' .Figs. 10 and 12, the lifting cushion 45 is formed by several cushions 45 superimposed and connected together as well as to the upper beam A or A 'by orifices 47 each provided with a non-return valve 48 ensuring the passage of the fluid from the lower lifting cushion 45 to the other lifting cushions and the upper inflatable beam A or A '.
Le coussin de relevage inférieur 45 est relié directement et en permanence à l'orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur 30 par la tuyauterie souple 46. Selon un mode de réalisation particulier représenté à la Fig.11, la poutre supérieure A de la voûte gonflable 1 est reliée directement et en permanence à l'orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur 30 par l'intermédiaire d'une tuyauterie souple 49 dont l'extrémité débouche dans ladite poutre supérieure A et est munie d'un clapet anti- retour 50.The lower lifting cushion 45 is directly and permanently connected to the discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 by the flexible tubing 46. According to a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the upper beam A of the inflatable arch 1 is directly and permanently connected to the discharge orifice 37 of the fan 30 by means of a flexible pipe 49, the end of which opens into said upper beam A and is provided with a non-return valve 50.
Selon un mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 13, la poutre rigide 8 qui est formée par une poutre cintrée est fixée à l'une de ses extrémités 8a par une liai- son mécanique démontable 51 sur un support fixe tandis que son autre extrémité 8b est montée articulée de façon pivotante par exemple sur l'élément d'appui 10 correspondant.According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the rigid beam 8 which is formed by a curved beam is fixed to one of its ends 8a by a removable mechanical connection 51 on a fixed support while its other end 8b is pivotally mounted, for example on the corresponding support element 10.
Lors de l'assemblage de la voûte 1, la poutre rigide 8 est basculée autour de son extrémité 8b et les pou- très gonflables A, B, C... sont enfilées sur l'extrémité 8a de la poutre rigide 8, comme représenté en pointillé sur la Fig. 13.During the assembly of the arch 1, the rigid beam 8 is tilted around its end 8b and the highly inflatable bags A, B, C ... are threaded on the end 8a of the rigid beam 8, as shown dashed in Fig. 13.
Ensuite, la poutre rigide 8 est basculée en sens inverse et son extrémité 8a est fixée par la liaison mécani- que 51.Then, the rigid beam 8 is tilted in the opposite direction and its end 8a is fixed by the mechanical link 51.
Selon un dernier mode de réalisation représenté à la Fig. 14, les éléments d'appui 10 ont la forme d'une gouttière 52 dont la face concave épouse la forme de la moitié inférieure de la poutre gonflable avec laquelle il est en contact .According to a last embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the support elements 10 have the form of a gutter 52 whose concave face follows the shape of the lower half of the inflatable beam with which it is in contact.
Dans le cas de deux séries de poutres gonflables symétriques, chaque gouttière 52 forme un réceptacle de réception des poutres A, B, C... à l'état dégonflé.In the case of two series of symmetrical inflatable beams, each gutter 52 forms a receptacle for receiving the beams A, B, C ... in the deflated state.
Le déploiement de la poutre 1 est réalisé de la façon suivante .The deployment of the beam 1 is carried out as follows.
Comme représenté sur les Figs .3 et 8 , à l'état replié, les poutres A, B, C... sont dégonflées et en appui les unes sur les autres et l'extrémité 33b de la tuyauterie coudée 33 est disposée en regard de l'orifice de refoulementAs shown in Figs. 3 and 8, in the folded state, the beams A, B, C ... are deflated and resting on each other and the end 33b of the bent piping 33 is arranged opposite the discharge port
37 du ventilateur 30.37 of fan 30.
Dans cette position, l'espace interne 2a de la poutre supérieure A est disposée en face de l'orifice 11 grâce aux entretoises 13 d'écartement des parois latérales 3 et 4 de ladite poutre supérieure A.In this position, the internal space 2a of the upper beam A is arranged opposite the orifice 11 by virtue of the spacers 13 for spacing the side walls 3 and 4 of said upper beam A.
Le ventilateur 30 est mis en marche et l'air sous pression pénètre, par la poutre rigide 8 et l'orifice 11, dans l'espace interne 2a de la poutre supérieure A qui se gonfle en même temps que les coussins 21 par l'intermédiaire des conduits 23 et 24 et de la vanne trois voies 22 qui met en communication ces conduits 23 et 24.The fan 30 is started and the pressurized air enters, through the rigid beam 8 and the orifice 11, into the internal space 2a of the upper beam A which inflates at the same time as the cushions 21 through the intermediate of the conduits 23 and 24 and of the three-way valve 22 which connects these conduits 23 and 24.
La poutre supérieure A se déploie et se rigidi- fie en prenant la configuration représentée à la Fig. 4 et en s ' appuyant sur les coussins 21.The upper beam A deploys and stiffens by taking the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and by pressing on the cushions 21.
L'orifice 11 ménagé dans la poutre rigide 8 se trouve alors en regard de l'espace interne 2a de la poutre B qui, à son tour, se gonfle sous l'effet de l'air sous pres- sion.The orifice 11 formed in the rigid beam 8 is then located opposite the internal space 2a of the beam B which, in turn, swells under the effect of the air under pressure.
Ensuite, les autres poutres C...M, N se gonflent les unes après les autres de la même façon et à la fin du gonflage de ces poutres, l'orifice 11 est en regard de l'espace interne 2a de la poutre inférieure N. Ainsi, l'ensemble des poutres gonflables A, B,Then, the other beams C ... M, N inflate one after the other in the same way and at the end of the inflation of these beams, the orifice 11 is opposite the internal space 2a of the lower beam N. Thus, the set of inflatable beams A, B,
C... de la voûte 1 est gonflé et cette voûte est déployée. Si au cours ou à la fin de ce déploiement, les poutres A, B, C... et M subissent une ascension trop rapide et ne sont pas parfaitement gonflées à la pression requise, leur pressurisation se poursuit à partir de la poutre infé- rieure N par les orifices 15 ménagés dans les platines 12, les clapets 16 s ' ouvrant automatiquement sous l'effet de la pression du fluide.C ... of vault 1 is inflated and this vault is deployed. If during or at the end of this deployment, the beams A, B, C ... and M undergo too rapid an ascension and are not perfectly inflated to the required pressure, their pressurization continues from the lower beam. lower N by the orifices 15 formed in the plates 12, the valves 16 opening automatically under the effect of the pressure of the fluid.
Pour une voûte 1 comportant un nombre important de poutres gonflables A, B, C..., le poids cumulé de ces poutres lié à leur flexibilité peut faire que les appuis sur les coussins 21 ne permettent leur déplacement au-dessus de l'orifice 11 si bien que le déploiement de la voûte 1 est interrompu.For a vault 1 comprising a large number of inflatable beams A, B, C, etc., the cumulative weight of these beams linked to their flexibility can cause the supports on the cushions 21 to not allow their displacement above the orifice 11 so that the deployment of the roof 1 is interrupted.
Pour éviter cette interruption et pour permettre le déploiement complet de la voûte 1, les coussins auxiliaires 26 qui communiquent avec la poutre située au-dessus de celle dans laquelle ces coussins auxiliaires 26 sont installés (Fig. 5) , sont gonflés et apportent le complément de calage nécessaire à 1 ' achèvement du déploiement de 1 ' ensemble de la voûte 1.To avoid this interruption and to allow the complete deployment of the roof 1, the auxiliary cushions 26 which communicate with the beam located above that in which these auxiliary cushions 26 are installed (Fig. 5), are inflated and provide the complement of wedging necessary for the completion of the deployment of the entire arch 1.
Une fois le déploiement de la voûte 1 terminée, le ventilateur 30 est arrêté et le clapet 40 se ferme automatiquement isolant ainsi l'ensemble des poutres A, B, C... de la voûte 1. Si par suite de fuites diverses, la pression à l'intérieur des poutres A, B, C... chute légèrement et doit être rétablie, le ventilateur 30 qui est resté dans la configuration gonflage représenté à la Fig. 8 est remis en fonctionnement . L'air est insufflé dans la poutre inférieure N, puis par les orifices 15 successivement dans les poutres M...C, B, A.Once the deployment of the roof 1 is finished, the fan 30 is stopped and the valve 40 closes automatically thus isolating all of the beams A, B, C ... from the roof 1. If as a result of various leaks, the pressure inside the beams A, B, C ... drops slightly and must be restored, the fan 30 which has remained in the inflation configuration shown in FIG. 8 is returned to operation. The air is blown into the lower beam N, then through the orifices 15 successively in the beams M ... C, B, A.
Les clapets 16 s'ouvrent automatiquement dès lors que la pression dans la poutre inférieure N est supé- rieure à celle de la poutre située au-dessus et ainsi de suite . Le repliage des poutres A, B, C... de la voûte 1 est réalisé de la façon suivante.The valves 16 open automatically as soon as the pressure in the lower beam N is greater than that of the beam located above and so on. The folding of the beams A, B, C ... of the arch 1 is carried out as follows.
Tout d'abord, le moteur 36 de commande du pivotement de la tuyauterie coudée 33 est mis en fonctionnement ce qui provoque la rotation de cette tuyauterie coudée 33 autour de son extrémité 33a de manière à positionner l'extrémité 33b en regard de l'orifice d'aspiration 38 du ventilateur 30, comme représenté à la Fig. 9.Firstly, the motor 36 for controlling the pivoting of the bent piping 33 is put into operation which causes the rotation of this bent piping 33 around its end 33a so as to position the end 33b opposite the orifice 38 of the fan 30, as shown in FIG. 9.
Dans cette position, la bille constituant le clapet 40 tombe par gravité dans le fond de la tuyauterie coudée 33 et ce clapet 40 ne peut plus revenir en contact de son siège 41 si bien que l'air peut librement être aspiré de la poutre inférieure N par l'intermédiaire de l'orifice 11, de la poutre rigide 8 et du conduit 34. La vanne trois voies 22 étant maintenue dans la position où elle met en communication les coussins 21 avec le ventilateur 30, la poutre N se dégonfle progressivement en même temps que les coussins 21.In this position, the ball constituting the valve 40 falls by gravity into the bottom of the bent piping 33 and this valve 40 can no longer come back into contact with its seat 41 so that air can be freely sucked from the lower beam N by means of the orifice 11, the rigid beam 8 and the conduit 34. The three-way valve 22 being maintained in the position where it puts the cushions 21 into communication with the fan 30, the beam N gradually deflates in same time as the cushions 21.
Les poutres M..., C, B et A disposées au-dessus de la poutre inférieure N perdent leur appui sur cette poutre inférieure N et sur les coussins 21 si bien que ces poutres descendent par gravité et sont dégonflées les unes après les autres lorsque chaque espace interne 2a desdites poutres M..., C, B et A arrive en regard de l'orifice 11. Tant que chaque espace interne 2a de ces poutres n'est pas en regard de l'orifice 11, chaque poutre reste parfaitement gonflée étant donné que les clapets 16 se ferment automatiquement et interdisent le passage du fluide entre ces poutres. La partie non dégonflée de la voûte garde sa rigidité et de ce fait peut pivoter d'un seul bloc en continuant, par exemple, à résister aux rafales de vent ou à supporter la neige.The beams M ..., C, B and A disposed above the lower beam N lose their support on this lower beam N and on the cushions 21 so that these beams descend by gravity and are deflated one after the other when each internal space 2a of said beams M ..., C, B and A arrives opposite the orifice 11. As long as each internal space 2a of these beams is not opposite the orifice 11, each beam remains perfectly inflated since the valves 16 close automatically and prevent the passage of the fluid between these beams. The non-deflated part of the arch retains its rigidity and therefore can pivot in one piece while continuing, for example, to resist gusts of wind or to support snow.
Dans le soucis d'améliorer cette rigidité de la poutre non dégonflée durant l'escamotage, la poutre supérieure A peut être alimentée en permanence au cours de cet escamotage par l'intermédiaire de la tuyauterie souple 46 connectée avec l'orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur 30.In order to improve this rigidity of the non-deflated beam during the retraction, the upper beam A can be supplied continuously during this retraction via the flexible piping 46 connected with the discharge port 37 of the fan 30.
Si les espaces internes 2a des poutres A, B, C... sont descendus au-dessous de l'orifice 11 avant qu'el- les soient totalement dégonflées, ces poutres peuvent continuer leur dégonflage par les orifices 15, la dépression engendrée par l'aspiration du ventilateur 30 ouvrant les clapets 16.If the internal spaces 2a of the beams A, B, C ... have descended below the orifice 11 before they are completely deflated, these beams can continue their deflation by the orifices 15, the depression generated by the suction of the fan 30 opening the valves 16.
Pour une voûte dont le déploiement dépasse la position sommitale de la poutre rigide 8, comme représenté par exemple à la Fig. 10, les coussins de relevage 45 sont gonflés pour aider l'escamotage des poutres de la voûte.For a vault whose deployment exceeds the top position of the rigid beam 8, as shown for example in FIG. 10, the lifting cushions 45 are inflated to assist the retraction of the beams of the roof.
A cet effet, le même ventilateur 30 est utilise et ce ventilateur 30 assure simultanément le dégonflage des poutres par l'intermédiaire de son orifice d'aspiration 38 et le gonflage des coussins de relevage 45 qui sont en communication avec l'orifice de refoulement 37 du ventilateur 30 par la tuyauterie 46.For this purpose, the same fan 30 is used and this fan 30 simultaneously ensures the deflation of the beams via its suction port 38 and the inflation of the lifting cushions 45 which are in communication with the discharge port 37 of fan 30 through piping 46.
Dans certains cas, il est intéressant de pouvoir déployer la voûte 1 de façon partielle, par exemple pour se protéger du vent en profitant du soleil.In some cases, it is advantageous to be able to deploy the arch 1 partially, for example to protect yourself from the wind while taking advantage of the sun.
Pour cela, le ventilateur 30 est arrêté lorsque, par exemple, les trois premières poutres A, B, C sont gonflées . Le clapet 40 se ferme automatiquement sur son siège 41 et isole ces trois poutres.For this, the fan 30 is stopped when, for example, the first three beams A, B, C are inflated. The valve 40 closes automatically on its seat 41 and isolates these three beams.
Au bout d'un certain temps, à cause de fuites diverses, la pression de ces poutres baisse légèrement et il faut les regonfler. Si l'installation demeure en l'état, le regonflage produit non seulement le regonflage de ces trois poutres, mais aussi de façon automatique, le déploiement des autres poutres pour fermer entièrement la voûte.After a certain time, due to various leaks, the pressure of these beams drops slightly and they must be re-inflated. If the installation remains as it is, re-inflation produces not only the re-inflation of these three beams, but also automatically, the deployment of the other beams to completely close the arch.
Pour éviter cela, la vanne trois voies 22 est basculée dans la position où elle met en communication les coussins 21 avec l'air libre. Les poutres A, B, C précédemment déployées ne prennent donc plus appui sur ces coussins 21 qui sont escamotés par dégonflage, et ne peuvent plus s'élever pour amener l'orifice 11 en regard de l'espace interne de la poutre suivante et le déploiement est stoppé.To avoid this, the three-way valve 22 is tilted to the position where it puts the cushions 21 into communication with the open air. The beams A, B, C previously deployed therefore no longer bear on these cushions 21 which are retracted by deflation, and can no longer rise to bring the orifice 11 opposite the internal space of the next beam and the deployment is stopped.
La remise en fonctionnement du ventilateur 30 n'a alors pour seul effet le rétablissement de la pression requise dans les poutres A, B et C précédemment déployées.The resumption of operation of the fan 30 then only has the effect of restoring the pressure required in the beams A, B and C previously deployed.
Sur les Figs. 15 et 16, on a représenté deux variantes des moyens 20 de positionnement successif de l'espace interne 2a de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... en regard de l'orifice 11 ménagé dans la poutre rigide 8.In Figs. 15 and 16, two variants of the means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C are shown, opposite the orifice 11 formed in the rigid beam 8.
Selon le mode de réalisation représenté à la fig. 15, la cale 21 associée à l'empilage des poutres gon- fiables A, B, C... et disposée à proximité de la poutre rigide 8, est formée par une superposition de coussins 60 gonflables et escamotables par dégonflage.According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the wedge 21 associated with the stacking of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and disposed near the rigid beam 8, is formed by a superposition of inflatable cushions 60 and retractable by deflation.
Ces coussins 60 sont interposés entre la platine 12 de liaison étanche de la paroi inférieure de la poutre N et le premier élément d'appui 10.These cushions 60 are interposed between the sealed connection plate 12 of the lower wall of the beam N and the first support element 10.
Par ailleurs, chaque coussin 60 est relié séparément par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne non représentée, à une source d'alimentation en fluide sous pression.Furthermore, each cushion 60 is connected separately via a valve, not shown, to a source of supply of pressurized fluid.
Selon une autre variante représentée à la Fig. 16, les moyens 20 de positionnement successif de l'espace interne 2a de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... en regard de l'orifice 11, sont formés par au moins un vérin 61 disposé entre la poutre inférieure N et l'élément d'appui 10 correspondant et au-dessous de la platine 12 de liaison étanche de la paroi inférieure de la poutre N autour de la poutre rigide 8 et l'élément d'appui 10 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... à l'état dégonflé.According to another variant shown in FIG. 16, the means 20 for successively positioning the internal space 2a of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite the orifice 11, are formed by at least one jack 61 disposed between the lower beam N and l 'supporting element 10 corresponding to and below the plate 12 for sealingly connecting the lower wall of the beam N around the rigid beam 8 and the supporting element 10 of the inflatable beams A, B, C .. in the deflated state.
Lorsque la voûte 1 est escamotée, les poutres gonflables A, B, C...N sont dégonflées et les platines 12 sont empilées les unes sur les autres.When the roof 1 is retracted, the inflatable beams A, B, C ... N are deflated and the plates 12 are stacked on top of each other.
Dans ces modes de réalisation, les poutres gonflables A, B, C... comportent, autour de la poutre rigide 8, des moyens 13 d'écartement des parois de chacune desdites poutres gonflables.In these embodiments, the inflatable beams A, B, C ... comprise, around the rigid beam 8, means 13 for spacing the walls of each of said inflatable beams.
Ces moyens 13 d'écartement sont constitués par des entretoises 65 fixées sur la face supérieure de chaque platine 12 et permettant d'écarter les parois supérieure et inférieure de chaque poutre d'une hauteur sensiblement égale à celle de l'orifice 11.These spacing means 13 are constituted by spacers 65 fixed on the upper face of each plate 12 and making it possible to separate the upper and lower walls of each beam from a height substantially equal to that of the orifice 11.
A l'état dégonflé des poutres A, B, C..., l'orifice 11 se trouve alors en regard de l'espace interne 2a de la poutre A et celle-ci peut être gonflée par le fluide sous pression insufflé dans la poutre rigide 8.In the deflated state of the beams A, B, C ..., the orifice 11 is then opposite the internal space 2a of the beam A and the latter can be inflated by the pressurized fluid blown into the rigid beam 8.
Dans le cas des coussins 60 gonflables et apla- tissables par dégonflage, le gonflage successif de ces coussins 60 séparément à l'aide d'une source de fluide sous pression qui peut être la source principale servant à alimenter les poutres gonflables A, B, C... en fluide sous pression ou une source annexe à plus forte pression que la source principale, produit une translation de l'empilage des platines 12 d'une hauteur nécessaire pour amener les espaces 2a des poutres B, C...N en regard de l'orifice 11.In the case of inflatable cushions 60 which can be flattened by deflation, the successive inflation of these cushions 60 separately using a source of pressurized fluid which may be the main source serving to supply the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in pressurized fluid or an additional source at higher pressure than the main source, produces a translation of the stack of plates 12 of a height necessary to bring the spaces 2a of the beams B, C ... N opposite hole 11.
Dans le cas où les moyens 20 de positionnement sont constitués par un vérin 61 par exemple électrique et actionné par un moteur pas à pas, la course totale de ce vérin 61 est égale à la course de translation nécessaire pour amener successivement les espaces 2a des poutres B, C...N en regard de l'orifice 11.In the case where the positioning means 20 are constituted by a jack 61 for example electric and actuated by a stepping motor, the total stroke of this jack 61 is equal to the translational stroke necessary to successively bring the spaces 2a of the beams B, C ... N next to hole 11.
Selon une variante représentée sur les Figs. 15 et 16, la poutre rigide 8 est formée par un tube cylindrique et l'orifice 11 ménagé dans sa paroi est formé par une lu- mière lie séparant ledit tube en deux tronçons, respectivement 62a et 62b.According to a variant shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the rigid beam 8 is formed by a cylindrical tube and the orifice 11 formed in its wall is formed by a light linking the said tube into two sections, respectively 62a and 62b.
Le premier tronçon 62a est relié au moyen 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression pour gonfler successivement les poutres A, B, C... et le second tronçon 62b est obturé par une plaque 63 disposée au-dessus de ladite lumière 11b et reliée au premier tronçon 62a par des nervures radiales 64. Ces nervures radiales 64 permettent également de canaliser le fluide sous pression dans l'espace interne 2a de la poutre gonflable placée en regard de la lumière lie.The first section 62a is connected to the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid to successively inflate the beams A, B, C ... and the second section 62b is closed by a plate 63 placed above said lumen 11b and connected in the first section 62a by radial ribs 64. These radial ribs 64 also make it possible to channel the fluid under pressure into the internal space 2a of the inflatable beam placed opposite the light connected.
En se reportant maintenant aux Figs. 17 et 18, on va décrire une variante des moyens 9 d'alimentation des poutres gonflables A, B, C... en fluide sous pression.Referring now to Figs. 17 and 18, we will describe a variant of the means 9 for supplying the inflatable beams A, B, C ... with pressurized fluid.
Dans ce mode de réalisation, les moyens 9 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression sont formés par un ventilateur 70 comportant un orifice de refoulement 71 et un ori- fice d'aspiration 72 et par un organe d'inversion du sens d'écoulement du fluide formé par une tuyauterie 73 à l'extrémité de laquelle est monté un embout 73a destiné à être connecté sur l'un desdits orifices 71 ou 72 à l'aide de moyens de liaison appropriés. La tuyauterie 73 de préférence réalisée en un matériau souple comporte un clapet anti-retour 74 solidaire d'une tige 75 montée coulissante sur deux supports 76a et 76b opposés et fixés à l'intérieur de l'embout 73a de ladite tuyauterie 73. Ces supports 76a et 76b sont constitués par des entretoises radiales ménageant entre elles des passages pour la circulation du fluide sous pression.In this embodiment, the means 9 for supplying pressurized fluid are formed by a fan 70 comprising a discharge port 71 and a suction port 72 and by a member for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe 73 at the end of which is mounted a nozzle 73a intended to be connected to one of said orifices 71 or 72 using appropriate connection means. The piping 73 preferably made of a flexible material comprises a non-return valve 74 integral with a rod 75 slidingly mounted on two opposite supports 76a and 76b and fixed inside the end piece 73a of said piping 73. These supports 76a and 76b are constituted by radial spacers providing between them passages for the circulation of the pressurized fluid.
Le clapet anti-retour 74 est déplaçable entre une position d'ouverture permettant la circulation du fluide et dans laquelle il est écarté d'un siège de clapet 77 ménagé dans l'embout 73a et une position de fermeture dans laquelle il est appliqué contre ledit siège de clapet 77 pour empêcher la circulation du fluide sous pression.The non-return valve 74 is movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the fluid and in which it is spaced from a valve seat 77 formed in the end piece 73a and a closed position in which it is applied against said valve seat 77 to prevent circulation of pressurized fluid.
Dans la position d'ouverture, c'est à dire lors du gonflage des poutres A, B, C... , le clapet anti-retour 77 est en appui contre le support 76a.In the open position, that is to say during the inflation of the beams A, B, C ..., the non-return valve 77 is in abutment against the support 76a.
Dans le cas où la tuyauterie 73 est connectée sur l'orifice 71 de refoulement du fluide sous pression, le clapet anti-retour 74 est en position d'ouverture lors du gonflage des poutres A, B, C..., comme représentée en pointillés sur la Fig. 17 ou en position d'obturation appliquée contre le siège de clapet 77 par la contre pression après le gonflage de ces poutres A, B et C..., ainsi que représentée en trait plein sur la Fig. 17.In the case where the piping 73 is connected to the orifice 71 for discharging the pressurized fluid, the non-return valve 74 is in the open position during the inflation of the beams A, B, C ..., as shown in dashed in Fig. 17 or in the closed position applied against the valve seat 77 by the back pressure after the inflation of these beams A, B and C ..., as shown in solid lines in FIG. 17.
Pour le dégonflage des poutres A, B, C... afin d'escamoter la voûte 1, la tuyauterie 73 est connectée à l'orifice d'aspiration 72, comme représenté à la Fig. 18.For deflating the beams A, B, C ... in order to retract the roof 1, the piping 73 is connected to the suction orifice 72, as shown in FIG. 18.
Le sens normal de l'écoulement du fluide aspiré par le ventilateur 70 devrait maintenir le clapet anti- retour 74 appliqué contre le siège de clapet 77.The normal direction of flow of the fluid sucked by the fan 70 should keep the non-return valve 74 applied against the valve seat 77.
Mais, pour éviter la fermeture du clapet anti- retour 74 et permettre le dégonflage des poutres A, B, C..., ce clapet anti-retour 74 est maintenu dans la position d'ouverture par une butée 78 montée sur l'orifice d'aspiration 72 et sur laquelle s'appuie l'extrémité de la tige 75, comme représenté à la Fig. 18. Grâce à cette disposition, le fluide aspiré par le ventilateur 70 s'écoule dans la tuyauterie 73 et dans l'orifice d'aspiration 72.But, to avoid closing the non-return valve 74 and allow deflation of the beams A, B, C ..., this non-return valve 74 is held in the open position by a stop 78 mounted on the orifice 72 and on which the end of the rod 75 rests, as shown in FIG. 18. Thanks to this arrangement, the fluid sucked by the fan 70 flows into the pipe 73 and into the suction port 72.
Selon un mode de réalisation particulier représenté à la Fig. 19, chaque élément d'appui 52 en forme de gouttière est constitué par une toile tendue 80 en appui sur une série d'arceaux 81 portée par au moins une poutre 82 s ' étendant parallèlement aux poutres gonflables A, B, C...According to a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 19, each support element 52 in the form of a gutter is constituted by a stretched fabric 80 bearing on a series of arches 81 carried by at least one beam 82 extending parallel to the inflatable beams A, B, C ...
Enfin, au moins l'un des éléments d'appui 10 des poutres gonflables A, B, C... ne peut s'étendre que seule- ment sur une partie de la longueur desdites poutres. Finally, at least one of the support elements 10 of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... can only extend over a part of the length of said beams.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Voûte gonflable, déployable et escamotable respectivement par gonflage et dégonflage, du type comprenant : - une pluralité de poutres gonflables A, B,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 disposées côte à côte,C ... M, N arranged side by side,
- des moyens (9) d'alimentation des poutres gonflables en fluide sous pression,- means (9) for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid,
- des moyens de coulissement des poutres A, B, C... le long d'au moins un chemin de déploiement ou de repliage formé par une poutre rigide (8) traversant de manière étanche ces poutres et constituant une canalisation de transport du fluide reliée aux moyens (9) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression, - au moins un orifice (11) ménagé dans la paroi de la poutre rigide (8) mettant en communication les moyens (9) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression avec l'espace interne (2a) des poutres gonflables A, B, C...,- means for sliding the beams A, B, C ... along at least one deployment or folding path formed by a rigid beam (8) sealingly passing through these beams and constituting a fluid transport pipe connected to the means (9) for supplying pressurized fluid, - at least one orifice (11) formed in the wall of the rigid beam (8) putting the means (9) for supplying pressurized fluid into communication with the internal space (2a) of the inflatable beams A, B, C ...,
- des moyens (12) de liaison étanche des parois adjacentes des poutres gonflables A, B, C... contiguës autour de la poutre rigide (8) ,- means (12) of tight connection of the adjacent walls of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... contiguous around the rigid beam (8),
- des moyens (13) d'écartement, autour de la poutre rigide (8) , des parois de la poutre gonflable A supérieure, - au moins un élément d'appui (10) des poutres gonflables A, B, C..., caractérisée en ce que la voûte (1) comporte des moyens (20) de positionnement successif de l'espace interne (2a) de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... en regard dudit orifice (11) de la poutre rigide (8) pour assurer le gonflage des poutres par le fluide sous pression depuis la poutre supérieure A jusqu'à la poutre inférieure N et leur dégonflage depuis la poutre inférieure N jusqu'à la poutre supérieure A.- means (13) for spacing, around the rigid beam (8), the walls of the inflatable beam A upper, - at least one support element (10) of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... , characterized in that the vault (1) comprises means (20) for successively positioning the internal space (2a) of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... opposite said orifice (11) of the rigid beam (8) to ensure the inflation of the beams by the pressurized fluid from the upper beam A to the lower beam N and their deflation from the lower beam N to the upper beam A.
2. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1, ca- ractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens (20) de positionnement successif de l'espace interne (2a) de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C...en regard dudit orifice (11) sont actionnés automatiquement par le débit de fluide sous pression d'alimentation desdites poutres gonflables.2. Inflatable arch according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (20) for successively positioning the internal space (2a) of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... facing said orifice (11) are operated automatically by the flow of fluid under supply pressure of said inflatable beams.
3. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit orifice (11) de la poutre rigide (8) est situé en regard de l'espace interne (2a) de la poutre supérieure A à l'état dégonflé des poutres gonflables A, B, C... et en regard de l'espace interne (2a) de la poutre inférieure N à l'état gonflé desdites poutres gonflables . 3. Inflatable arch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said orifice (11) of the rigid beam (8) is located opposite the internal space (2a) of the upper beam A in the deflated state of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and facing the internal space (2a) of the lower beam N in the inflated state of said inflatable beams.
4. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (20) de positionnement successif de l'espace interne (2a) de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... sont formés par au moins une cale (21) associée à l'empilage desdites poutres gonflables et disposée à proximité de la poutre rigide (8) .4. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (20) for successively positioning the internal space (2a) of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... are formed by at least one wedge (21) associated with the stack of said inflatable beams and disposed near the rigid beam (8).
5. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que ladite cale (21) est disposée entre la poutre gonflable inférieure N et l'élément d'appui (10) des poutres gonflables A, B, C... à l'état dégonflé.5. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said shim (21) is disposed between the lower inflatable beam N and the support element (10) of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... in the deflated state.
6. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que ladite cale (21) est disposée à l'intérieur de la poutre gonflable inférieure N. 6. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said wedge (21) is disposed inside the lower inflatable beam N.
7. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisée en ce que ladite cale est formée par un coussin (21) gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage, communiquant avec des moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression ou à l'air libre par une vanne trois voies (22) .7. inflatable arch according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said wedge is formed by a cushion (21) inflatable and retractable by deflation, communicating with means for supplying fluid under pressure or free air through a three-way valve (22).
8. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que les moyens d'alimentation en fluide sous pression du coussin (21) sont formés par les moyens (9) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression des poutres gonfla- blés A, B, C...8. Inflatable arch according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for supplying pressurized fluid to the cushion (21) are formed by the means (9) for supplying pressurized fluid to the inflated beams A, B , VS...
9. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (20) de positionnement comprennent une cale auxiliaire (26) disposée dans l'espace interne d'au moins une poutre gonflable B, C... et à proximité de la poutre rigide (8) , ladite cale auxiliaire (26) étant formée par un coussin gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage, communiquant avec l'espace interne de la poutre gonflable située au-dessus.9. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning means (20) comprise an auxiliary wedge (26) disposed in the internal space of at least one inflatable beam B, C ... and close to the rigid beam (8), said auxiliary wedge (26) being formed by an inflatable cushion and retractable by deflation, communicating with the internal space of the inflatable beam located above.
10. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisée en ce que ladite cale (21) est formée par une superposition de coussins (60) gonflables et escamota- blés par dégonflage, chaque coussin (60) étant relié séparément, par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne, à une source d'alimentation en fluide sous pression.10. Inflatable vault according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said shim (21) is formed by a superposition of cushions (60) inflatable and retractable by deflation, each cushion (60) being connected separately, by the through a valve, to a source of pressurized fluid supply.
11. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7, 9 ou 10, caractérisée en ce que chaque coussin gonflable (21,26, 60) présente une section transversale oblongue et est formé d'un tissu enduit à double nappe tissée ensemble à partir des mêmes fils et réunie par une multitude de brins de fils de même longueur commun aux deux nappes . 11. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 7, 9 or 10, characterized in that each inflatable cushion (21, 26, 60) has an oblong cross section and is formed from a coated double ply fabric woven together with starting from the same threads and joined by a multitude of strands of threads of the same length common to the two layers.
12. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (20) de positionnement successif de l'espace interne (2a) de chaque poutre gonflable A, B, C... sont formés par au moins un vérin (61) disposé entre la poutre inférieure N et l'élément d'appui (10) correspondant et au-dessous des moyens (12) de liaison étanche de la paroi inférieure de ladite poutre N autour de la poutre rigide (8) .12. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (20) for successively positioning the internal space (2a) of each inflatable beam A, B, C ... are formed by at least one jack (61) disposed between the lower beam N and the corresponding support element (10) and below the means (12) for sealingly connecting the lower wall of said beam N around the rigid beam ( 8).
13. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins un orifice de communication (15) est ménagé entre deux poutres gonflables contiguës, muni d'un clapet anti-retour (16) disposé au-dessus de cet orifice (15) et déplaçable entre une position d'ouverture mettant en communication les espaces internes (2a) desdites poutres gonflables contiguës et une position de fermeture obturant ledit orifice (15) .13. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one communication orifice (15) is formed between two contiguous inflatable beams, provided with a non-return valve (16) disposed at -above this orifice (15) and movable between an open position communicating the internal spaces (2a) of said contiguous inflatable beams and a closed position closing said orifice (15).
14. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 1 ou 13, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (12) de liaison étan- che de la paroi adjacente d'au moins une partie des poutres gonflables A, B, C... comprennent, d'une part, un joint d'étanchéité (28) en appui coulissant autour de la poutre rigide (8) et, d'autre part, une membrane souple (28c) for- mant le clapet anti-retour (16) , ledit joint (28) et ladite membrane (28c) étant réalisés en une seule pièce moulée en élastomère .14. Inflatable vault according to claim 1 or 13, characterized in that the means (12) for tight connection che of the adjacent wall of at least part of the inflatable beams A, B, C ... comprise, on the one hand, a seal (28) slidingly resting around the rigid beam (8) and, on the other hand, a flexible membrane (28c) forming the non-return valve (16), said seal (28) and said membrane (28c) being made in one piece molded from elastomer.
15. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que la poutre ri- gide (8) est formée par un tube cylindrique et l'orifice (11) ménagé dans sa paroi comporte deux ouvertures (lia) diamétralement opposées .15. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rigid beam (8) is formed by a cylindrical tube and the orifice (11) formed in its wall has two openings (lia) diametrically opposite.
16. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce que les ouvertures (lia) sont munies, sensiblement dans leur partie centrale, d'une plaque de renfort (11b) transversale, sensiblement parallèle à l'axe dudit tube .16. Inflatable arch according to claim 15, characterized in that the openings (11a) are provided, substantially in their central part, with a transverse reinforcement plate (11b), substantially parallel to the axis of said tube.
17. Voûte gonflable selon les revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que la poutre rigide (8) est formée par une tube cylindrique et l'orifice (11) ménagé dans sa paroi est formé par une lumière (lia) séparant ledit tube en deux tronçons (62a ; 62b) , le premier tronçon (62a) étant relié aux moyens (9) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression et le second tronçon (62b) étant obturé par une plaque (63) disposée au-dessus de ladite lumière (11b) et reliée au premier tronçon (62a) par des nervures radiales (64) .17. Inflatable arch according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rigid beam (8) is formed by a cylindrical tube and the orifice (11) formed in its wall is formed by a lumen (lia) separating said tube in two sections (62a; 62b), the first section (62a) being connected to the means (9) for supplying pressurized fluid and the second section (62b) being closed by a plate (63) disposed above said lumen (11b) and connected to the first section (62a) by radial ribs (64).
18. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la poutre rigide (8) est formée par une poutre cintrée fixée à l'une (8a) de ses extrémités par une liaison mécanique (51) démontable et montée articulée de façon pivotante à l'autre de ses extrémités (8b) sur un élément d'appui (10) .18. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid beam (8) is formed by a curved beam fixed to one (8a) of its ends by a mechanical connection (51) removable and mounted pivotally articulated at the other of its ends (8b) on a support element (10).
19. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 18, caractérisée en ce que les moyens (9) d'alimentation en fluide sous pression sont formés par un ventilateur (70) comportant un orifice de refoulement (71) et un orifice d'aspiration (72) et par un organe d'inversion du sens d'écoulement du fluide formé par une tuyauterie (73) destinée à être connectée sur l'un desdits orifices et comportant un clapet anti-retour (74) .19. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the means (9) for supplying pressurized fluid are formed by a fan (70) comprising a discharge orifice (71) and an orifice suction (72) and by an inverting member the direction of flow of the fluid formed by a pipe (73) intended to be connected to one of said orifices and comprising a non-return valve (74).
20. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 19, caractérisée en ce que le clapet anti-retour (74) est, dans la position de raccordement de la tuyauterie (73) sur l'orifice de refoulement (71) , déplaçable par le fluide sous pression, entre une position d'ouverture et une position de fermeture et, dans la position de raccordement de ladite tuyauterie (73) sur l'orifice d'aspiration (72), maintenu en position d'ouverture par une butée (78) montée sur cet orifice d'aspiration (72).20. Inflatable vault according to claim 19, characterized in that the non-return valve (74) is, in the position of connection of the piping (73) on the discharge orifice (71), displaceable by the pressurized fluid , between an open position and a closed position and, in the connection position of said piping (73) on the suction port (72), held in the open position by a stop (78) mounted on this suction port (72).
21. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10, 12, 15 ou 17, caractérisée en ce que les poutres gonflables A, B, C... comportent, autour de la poutre rigide (8), des entretoises (65) d'écartement des parois supérieure et inférieure de chaque poutre d'une hauteur sensiblement égale à celle de l'orifice (11).21. Inflatable arch according to any one of claims 10, 12, 15 or 17, characterized in that the inflatable beams A, B, C ... comprise, around the rigid beam (8), spacers (65) spacing the upper and lower walls of each beam of a height substantially equal to that of the orifice (11).
22. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte au moins un coussin de relevage (45) de la poutre supérieure A lors du repliage de ladite voûte (1) , ledit coussin (45) étant gonflable et escamotable par dégonflage et étant disposé entre la poutre gonflable supérieure A et l'élément d'appui (10) correspondant.22. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one lifting cushion (45) of the upper beam A during the folding of said arch (1), said cushion (45) being inflatable and retractable by deflation and being disposed between the upper inflatable beam A and the corresponding support element (10).
23. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la poutre gonflable supérieure A est reliée directement et en permanence à l'orifice de refoulement (37 ; 71) du ventilateur (30 ; 70) au moyen d'une tuyauterie souple (49) et d'un clapet anti-retour (50) .23. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper inflatable beam A is directly and permanently connected to the discharge orifice (37; 71) of the fan (30; 70) by means of flexible piping (49) and a non-return valve (50).
24. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 22, caractérisée en ce que ledit coussin de relevage (45) est formé par plusieurs coussins superposés et reliés entre eux et à la poutre supérieure A par des orifices (47) munies chacun d'un clapet anti-retour (48) assurant le passage du fluide du coussin de relevage (45) inférieur vers les autres coussins de relevage et la poutre gonflable A, ledit coussin de relevage (45) inférieur étant relié directement et en permanence à l'orifice de refoulement (37) du ventilateur (30) par une tuyauterie souple (46) . 24. Inflatable vault according to claim 22, characterized in that said lifting cushion (45) is formed by several superimposed cushions and connected to each other and to the upper beam A by orifices (47) each provided with a check valve return (48) ensuring the passage of the fluid from the lower lifting cushion (45) to the others lifting cushions and the inflatable beam A, said lower lifting cushion (45) being directly and permanently connected to the discharge orifice (37) of the fan (30) by a flexible pipe (46).
25. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les éléments d'appui (10) ont la forme d'une gouttière (52) dont la face concave épouse la forme de la moitié inférieure d'une poutre gonflable, au moins l'une des gouttières (52) formant un réceptacle de réception desdites poutres à l'état dégonflé.25. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support elements (10) have the shape of a gutter (52) whose concave face follows the shape of the lower half of a beam inflatable, at least one of the gutters (52) forming a receptacle for receiving said beams in the deflated state.
26. Voûte gonflable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que chaque élément d'appui (10) a la forme d'un arceau s ' étendant pa- rallèlement aux poutres gonflables A, B, C... et étant, d'une part, fixé à ses deux extrémités au sol et, d'autre part, supporté par la poutre rigide (8) .26. Inflatable arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each support element (10) has the shape of a hoop extending parallel to the inflatable beams A, B, C ... and being, on the one hand, fixed at its two ends to the ground and, on the other hand, supported by the rigid beam (8).
27. Voûte gonflable selon la revendication 26, caractérisée en ce que chaque élément d'appui (52) en forme de gouttière est formé par une toile tendue (80) en appui sur une série d'arceaux (81) portés par au moins une poutre (82) s ' étendant parallèlement aux poutres gonflables A, B, C... 27. Inflatable vault according to claim 26, characterized in that each support element (52) in the form of a gutter is formed by a stretched fabric (80) bearing on a series of arches (81) carried by at least one beam (82) extending parallel to the inflatable beams A, B, C ...
EP98959938A 1997-12-24 1998-12-09 Deployable and storable inflatable building Withdrawn EP1042573A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9716525 1997-12-24
FR9716525A FR2772814B1 (en) 1997-12-24 1997-12-24 INFLATABLE, DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE
PCT/FR1998/002675 WO1999034078A1 (en) 1997-12-24 1998-12-09 Deployable and storable inflatable building

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1042573A1 true EP1042573A1 (en) 2000-10-11

Family

ID=9515149

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98959938A Withdrawn EP1042573A1 (en) 1997-12-24 1998-12-09 Deployable and storable inflatable building

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US6453619B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1042573A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002500294A (en)
CN (1) CN1284149A (en)
AU (1) AU1566299A (en)
BR (1) BR9814481A (en)
CA (1) CA2316268A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2772814B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999034078A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2801622B1 (en) * 1999-11-25 2002-02-08 Tec Di INSULATED INFLATED TENSILE TEXTILE STRUCTURE FOR DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE COVER
US8578657B2 (en) * 2005-07-29 2013-11-12 The Elumenati, Llc Dual pressure inflatable structure and method
FR2889547B1 (en) * 2005-08-05 2009-02-13 Laporte Renaud De MODULAR SHELTER
CA2569819A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Jean-Marc D. Turcot Air distribution system for inflating pneumatic structures
US8572911B1 (en) 2006-02-13 2013-11-05 University Of Akron Research Foundation Inflatable structure with internal support
US20070220817A1 (en) * 2006-03-20 2007-09-27 Bonds Ronald S Storm shield
US20120186166A1 (en) * 2011-01-21 2012-07-26 Thomas Castro Foldable structure
US8763309B2 (en) * 2012-06-05 2014-07-01 Walter P. Moore & Associates Deployable and inflatable roof, wall, or other structure for stadiums and other venues
CN102808539A (en) * 2012-09-10 2012-12-05 中国人民解放军总后勤部建筑工程研究所 General tent structure
CN103938917A (en) * 2014-04-16 2014-07-23 深圳市利源水务设计咨询有限公司 Gas film building and buildings with same
DE202016102713U1 (en) * 2016-05-20 2017-08-24 Vector Foiltec Gmbh Valve for a building cladding element as well as building cladding element with a valve
US20190376310A1 (en) * 2017-02-03 2019-12-12 Dynamic Shelters Inc. Multi-layered pneumatically supported structures
WO2019136235A1 (en) * 2018-01-05 2019-07-11 Rowan University Inflatable impact shield system
US11118455B2 (en) 2020-01-10 2021-09-14 Scherba Industries, Inc. Night vision tunnel

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2070982A5 (en) * 1969-12-12 1971-09-17 Marseille Grands Travaux
FR2621944A1 (en) 1987-10-15 1989-04-21 Delamare Guy INFLATABLE DOUBLE WALL WITH POLYLOBEE
GB8916988D0 (en) * 1989-07-25 1989-09-13 Goddard David L Inflatable housing
FR2677394B1 (en) * 1991-06-04 1993-09-24 Spironef Ind INFLATABLE, DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE.
FR2684408B1 (en) * 1991-11-29 1996-09-27 Spironef Ind INFLATABLE VOUTE.
AU6741694A (en) * 1993-07-16 1995-01-27 Albany International Corp. Braided airbeams and method of making the same
FR2734856B1 (en) 1995-05-31 1997-07-25 Spironef Societe Civile DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE INFLATABLE VOUTE
US6065252A (en) * 1995-10-20 2000-05-23 Norsen; Robert A. Pneumatically convertible roof
US5675938A (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-14 Fabric Enclosures, Inc. Desert envitalization system with variable volume pneumatic polydome enclosure

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9934078A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999034078A1 (en) 1999-07-08
US6453619B1 (en) 2002-09-24
CN1284149A (en) 2001-02-14
FR2772814A1 (en) 1999-06-25
CA2316268A1 (en) 1999-07-08
AU1566299A (en) 1999-07-19
JP2002500294A (en) 2002-01-08
BR9814481A (en) 2002-03-12
FR2772814B1 (en) 2000-03-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1042573A1 (en) Deployable and storable inflatable building
EP0312429B1 (en) Inflatable double-walled multiple vaulted structure
FR2761707A1 (en) INFLATABLE, DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE
FR2577882A1 (en) PNEUMATIC LIFE RAFT
EP0118343A2 (en) Inflatable structure for use as a shelter
CA2069187C (en) Inflatable, expandable, retractable arch
EP0828910B1 (en) Deployable and collapsible inflatable dome
FR2621638A1 (en) INFLATABLE RIGIDIFIABLE SUPERSTRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR COVERING SPORTS GROUNDS
FR2789107A1 (en) FOLDABLE SHELTER WITH ELASTICALLY DEFORMABLE CARRIER STRUCTURE
CA2713905C (en) Shutter having a swellable peripheral seal, and shutting system comprising it for a multiple-chamber furnace port
CA2069529A1 (en) Deployable mobile construction
EP0043762B1 (en) Inflatable structure with opening
BE1001496A7 (en) Prefabricated buildings.
FR2761712A1 (en) DEVICE FOR INFLATING AND DEFLATING A DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE VAULT
FR2662207A1 (en) Device for casing a borehole and casing method resulting therefrom
CH424843A (en) Support device for a flying bridge
BE832075A (en) TRIBUNE A GRADINS.
EP1439272A1 (en) Element to be provided on the edge of a sheet in order to attach it to a rigid frame and a sheet equipped with such an element
FR2750089A1 (en) Trailer equipped with logistics support
FR2523917A1 (en) INFLATABLE CRAFT WITH A TENT
BE724849A (en)
BE520714A (en)
FR3031540A1 (en) BOX FOR BOXING CONCRETE SLAB
FR2744160A1 (en) Tensioner for flexible cover, e.g. for transport vehicle cover made from PVC, coated polyester, etc.
FR2725747A1 (en) Inflatable cover for swimming pool or sports hall

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000624

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES GB IT LI NL PT SE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20040319