FR2594746A1 - Flexible structure withstanding pressures and heat exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible structure formed from two outer layers 1, 2 connected together by means of walls 3 and closed at their edges by means of walls 6, 6a. This structure may be inflated by means of a valve 9, holes 8 being provided in the internal walls 3. Applications: all structures having to withstand high pressures or heat exchanges, such as insoles (inner shoes), vamps, artificial roads, airfields, insulating shuttering (casing).

Description

FLEXIBLE PRESSURE-RESISTANT STRUCTURE
AND THERMAL EXCHANGES.

The invention relates to a flexible structure capable of withstanding great efforts, or to significant thermal stresses. Attempts have often been made in the industry to produce structures which can withstand large mechanical forces or significant pressures. This is particularly the case when it is desired to absorb high loads, for example for the movement of rolling stock. We tried to solve this problem by means of deformable structures, generally metallic, or by means of my composite materials of the honeycomb type. We also resorted to plastic materials of cellular structure, thus making it possible to solve the problem. energy restitution in the event of an abrupt change in the mechanical stresses applied, or good insulation in the event of thermal variations. However, these different products must be produced by complex means using complex manufacturing procedures, from chemicals which must be manufactured for this need.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, we had the idea of making a flexible structure absorbing pressure variations due to mechanical loads, and this from a single material available commercially. To achieve this result, a product such as an inextensible fabric is used. To obtain a thin structure, a large series of threads, preferably non-stretchable, are used, passing through the two layers of superimposed fabric. To obtain the structure according to the invention, it consists of two layers of fabric, separated by walls formed of fabric or wire.

To obtain structures of greater thickness, internal walls are used to separate the two layers of fabric.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the walls separating the two outer layers of the structure have a core substantially prependicular to the two layers, this core being extended by two wings located either on the same side, or on either side of the 'soul.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the wings will be supported and fixed on the internal face of the two external layers forming the structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wings of these walls will be fixed to these outer layers by sewing, but they can also be fixed by gluing, or by any other known means.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the edges of the structure thus formed can be obtained by bringing the external walls together and assembling them, or by fixing a wall identical to that separating the two external layers of the structure.

In this case, and to withstand the horizontal forces due to the pressures transmitted, perpendicular walls will be assembled between the two external layers, so that their wings are secured to the wings of the wall forming the end of the structure.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the thin structures will be simply produced by joining together the outer layers by sewing, the thickness of the wire serving to create the inter-radiator walls.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the fabric used will be waterproof, either original, or by rubberizing, polyzErisation or any other known means, allowing subsequent inflation. This sealing will be carried out after the sewing or fixing operation of the walls and the internal walls, in order to guarantee the general sealing.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the structure will either be maintained at atmospheric pressure, or at a slightly higher pressure and in this case could be inflated. To allow the circulation of air between the different volumes formed by the external layers and the intermediate walls, these will have sufficient holes.

These will be of suitable diameter or section to slow the passage of air or gas, and thus play the role of pneumatic shock absorbers.

If the walls are made of fabric, these holes can be reinforced with eyelets of known type.

In the case where the structure is inflated to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, sealed orifices (valves) allow inflation.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, in order to multiply the resistance to external pressure, the number of intermediate walls is increased, playing on the stiffeners, and improving the planimetry of the structure. The structure thus obtained behaves exactly like a flat surface tire, in which the intermediate walls are in number proportional to the pressure applied.

The advantages of the structure according to the invention are thus easily understood.

These are obviously very low in cost from commercial products, without the use of special tools.

The new product thus obtained can be used for a large number of uses: - insoles for shoes, boots, slippers, shock absorbing and limiting heat exchange - shoe uppers known as safety shoes - artificial roads for the passage of vehicles on difficult soils, which can be transported in a small volume and which can be inflated at the time of use.

- temporary airfields for planes or helicopters, with the addition of metal panels to its upper part - insulating formwork for buildings, houses ...

The appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example, will allow a better understanding of the characteristics of the structure according to the invention.

Figure I is a sectional view of the structure according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of a structure according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view in section of the structure formed by an upper layer (I) of fabric and a lower layer (2).

Between these two layers (I) and (2) are disposed walls (3) comprising a core (4) perpendicular to the layers (I) and (2), and two wings (() placed on the internal faces of the layers (I ) and (2) external. These wings (5) can be arranged on the same side of the friend (4) of a wall (3) or on either side without modifying the invention. the structure is formed by a stiffener playing the role of external wall (6). To take up the forces due to the internal pressure of the stiffeners (7) are arranged perpendicular to this external wall (6) so that their wings (5) We can also find the same design on the side walls (6a) as seen in Figure 2 (top view).

There are shown the holes (8) arranged in the webs (4) of the walls (3) as well as the valve (9) arranged in the external wall (6) to allow the inflation of the structure.

There is shown in Figure (2) a top view of the structure shown in Figure I. The walls (3) are arranged parallel between them and preferably perpendicular (but not necessarily) to the side walls (6a). Stiffeners (7) are also arranged perpendicular to the end wall (6) to resume. the forces due to internal pressure, so that the wings (5) overlap.

Claims (9)

 CLAIMS.  (3) internal fixed on these layers (I) and (2).  (2) of flexible material, closed at their edges and separated by walls  separate laughers, characterized in that it is formed by two layers (I) and  I- Flexible structure resistant to pressure, with internal volumes  2- flexible structure according to any one of claims I and 2 charac  terized in that the layers (I and (2) are connected at their edges by  walls (6) (6a) of the same structure as the internal walls (3).  3- flexible structure according to claim I characterized in that the walls  (3) comprise a gme (4) and two wings (5) fixed on the internal faces  layers (I) (2).  4- flexible structure according to any one of claims I and 2 character  in that the wings (5) of the internal walls (3) are fixed by custom  re on the layers (I) (2).  5- Structure according to one. any of claims I and 2 characterized  in that the internal walls (3) are fixed over the entire width of the  structure.  6- Structure according to any one of claims I, 2 and 5 character  in that the internal walls (3) are parallel to each other.  7- Structure according to any one of claims I, 2 and 3 character  in that wall elements (3) are fixed to the outer wall  (6) transversely thereto, so as to cover it, so as to cover  its wings (5) to take up the internal forces on this wall (6).  8- Structure according to any one of claims I and 2, character  laughing at the fact that holes (8) are provided in the webs (4) of these walls  internal (3).  9- Structure according to any one of claims I and 3 characterized  in that at least one valve (9) is provided in a wall (6) for the in  pressure gas production. IO- Structure according to any one of claims I to 9 characterized in that the layers (I) (2), the walls (6) (6a) and the walls (3) are formed of an inextensible product. II- Structure according to any one of claims I and IO, characterized in that the layers (I) (2) and the walls (6) (6a) are waterproofed over all their external surfaces, after fixing the interior walls (3).