JPH0217780B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to architectural structures, and more particularly to canopy systems for forming the roof of a structure. The canopy has one or more panels, each panel having a top layer and a bottom layer that are impermeable to water and air, and the pressure within the panel is controlled.

Buildings with flexible roof canopies have been built in the past. Most of these buildings are
The canopy is supported by pressure within the building or structure. Other canopies include awnings and tents that can be extended over a frame or structure. Transparent roof canopies were considered for buildings such as greenhouses, but,
These are usually temporary structures or, like greenhouses, relatively small structures designed to admit light or ultraviolet light emitted by the sun into the building.

The invention consists of two layers or sheets, a top outdoor sheet and a bottom indoor sheet spread between two elements of the building structure and then controlling the atmosphere inside these two layers. This provides a new concept of This is accomplished by molding the hollow sleeve in two layers, the sides sealed and each side supported by a structure.

Each end of the sleeve forming a closed air circuit is provided with a manifold device including a fan, a condenser, and a heat exchanger for controlling the air circulating within the sleeve. Control pressure, temperature and humidity. To help control the atmosphere within the sleeve, water and other liquids can also be sprayed into the sleeve and allowed to evaporate and cool within the panel. Atmosphere control within the panel can also be linked to climate control equipment within the building.

The device conserves energy and utilizes waste heat obtained from industrial processes to improve the natural environment. The canopy according to the invention can be used in combination with a device for controlling the environment inside a building for summer and winter operations.

Although canopies are lightweight and economical, especially when made from waterproof fabric, they are subject to certain limitations. Such canopies do not have the same strength as rigid materials and must also be stable against other factors such as wind and snow loads.
The difficulty in constructing large-scale canopies is the need to make sections, precisely cut, sew, and seal the joints. A large amount of material is required to complete the canopy. For use as a typical tent or dome canopy, the curvature of the canopy should be doubled to prevent it from spreading horizontally to the floor when folded or rolled for shipping. There is a need. A further problem is that devices constructed using many relatively small panels must be closely related to the local climate.

In the canopy according to the present invention, a cylindrical panel can be made into a continuous sleeve shape, cut to a predetermined length on site, and attached to a structure. There is no need to sew or seal the seams, and the sleeve can be rolled up and transported to the site.

The material used in the sleeve of the present invention can be either a flexible impermeable membrane or a woven fabric. The membrane can be extruded into a sleeve or tube, and the fabric can be woven into the sleeve or tube.

The present invention provides a canopy for an architectural structure using at least one cylindrical panel made of a sheet material that is flexible and impermeable to water and air, the panel having an open end. a hollow sleeve having two side walls;
The top outdoor sheet and the bottom indoor sheet are connected and sealed, the joints between the side walls and the top and bottom sheets are provided with support means, and the top and bottom sheets are stretched and constructed. It is supported separately by support means on each side of the panel in the vicinity of the object, with one supported side of the panel being at a higher level than the other supported side of the panel; A pressure manifold device is connected to each end of the open-ended hollow sleeve through which air is circulated to control the pressure within the panel, and on the supported side of the panel. The liquid supply means carrying the liquid is located at a higher level so that the liquid flows across the circulating air stream.

In another embodiment of the invention, a manifold device disposed at each end of the hollow sleeve forms part of a closed air circuit, the device including air moving means such as a fan, heat exchanger means, etc. and a built-in condenser. The top outdoor sheet of the hollow sleeve is formed from a material that is capable of transmitting solar energy to the panel, and in other embodiments of the invention the bottom indoor sheet also transmits solar energy into the building through the panel. It is made from a material that can pass through.

In yet another embodiment, the light from the indoor sheet at the bottom is selected and transmitted according to the lighting conditions inside the building.

In still other embodiments, the hollow sleeve of the canopy is formed from a tubular membrane of thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polyester. Alternatively, it can be made from a synthetic resin with a water- and air-impermeable coating on the surface, such as a soft silicone coating on an open weave polyester fabric. In one embodiment of the invention, a longitudinally perforated hose is connected to a tubular sleeve fabric on the side of the elevated panel.

The support means supports the panel side walls by the structure, and at the joints, strings are woven into the fabric forming a tubular sleeve, each string being part of the building structure. and are sequentially supported within slots having longitudinally elongated dovetail grooves.
In embodiments where liquid drainage is required,
Locate the liquid drain pipe in the lowest panel.

Either positive or negative pressure can be maintained within the panel, and if necessary an additional sheet can be placed between the top outdoor sheet and the bottom indoor sheet to form two hollow sleeves. It is also possible to form and thus provide two pressurized spaces within the same panel.

A canopy can also be formed by a plurality of tubular panels arranged side by side and supported by a building structure.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sides of adjacent panels in higher positions are connected together, and the sides of lower positions in adjacent panels are also connected together. The building structure has elements supporting the sides at higher points of adjacent panels and other elements supporting the sides at lower points of adjacent panels, forming a roof with peaks and valleys. ing.

In another embodiment, the raised side of one panel is attached to the lowered side of the adjacent panel. The building structure has elements each supporting the high side of one panel and the low side of an adjacent panel, forming a roof with a constant slope, and is across the slope.

The following will explain the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a building, in which a column 10 with a foundation 11 supports beam members 12, which have a cylindrical shape between each beam member 12 as shown. It has a connecting part 13 for supporting the panel 14, which will be described later.

Each support beam member 12 of the pillar 10 is arranged at a higher position than the other intermediate beam members, and the roof is thus formed with peaks and valleys. A hose 15 is provided at the ridge within each panel 14, and the hose is provided with a plurality of holes in the longitudinal direction to supply liquid to the inside of each panel. The liquid, preferably water, enters the panels and evaporates within the panels, or alternatively flows to the lower side of each panel and drains into a manifold located at the end of the cylindrical panel. , the exhaust pipe can also be provided at the lowest position inside the panel 14.

FIG. 2 shows another shape of a building structure in which the pillars 10 increase in height and supporting beam members 12 are provided at the high places where the height increases, the roof has a constant slope, A panel is placed across this slope. A hose 15 for supplying liquid to the inside of the panel 14 is arranged at a high position on the side of the panel so that the liquid flows to the lowest position of each panel 14. 1 and 2 do not show the building structure in its completed state, but require members such as trusses and reinforcing materials. Building structures include steel, concrete, wood, etc. The building structure itself does not form part of the invention; however, the particular beam member 12 with the connections 13 for supporting the panels 14 is integral to the invention, and details thereof are provided below. This will be explained later.

The tubular panel may be formed from a tubular thin film molded from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polyester, and may be transparent. Other materials include copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene (FEP), chlorotrifluoroethylene polymers, and other suitable fluorocarbon polymers and copolymers. If the building is to be used as a greenhouse, both the outdoor sheet at the top of the panel and the indoor sheet at the bottom can be transparent, allowing light and UV light to enter the building. Another use is to make the top outdoor layer of the panel transparent and cover the bottom indoor layer to make it semi-transparent, allowing UV and light to work only for the atmosphere inside the panel and not to enter the building. You can also do this.

Also, depending on the lighting conditions required within the building,
The degree of transmission of light and UV rays through the bottom indoor sheet can be varied. The method and thickness of covering this bottom indoor sheet can also be changed according to requirements.

In another embodiment, the tubular panels are made from synthetic fibers, woven into a continuous tube, and then coated to prevent deterioration from weather and ultraviolet light. The tube consists of two side walls, an outdoor surface at the top and an indoor surface at the bottom, and the height of the side walls is 8.
18" to 18" (203 to 457mm), panel width 10
ft (3.05m) or more. The tube is made in continuous length. The tubes are rolled up to avoid restrictions when shipping, but weight is also a factor.

Other suitable fiber materials for producing hollow sleeves can also be made from glass fibers, metal fibers, fluorocarbon fibers, graphite fibers and Saran fibers. Other suitable coating materials include fluorocarbons and saran.

The transmission of light into the building may be increased by making the shiny polyester yarn into a scrim or coarsely knitted polyester cloth and applying a transparent resin coating, preferably a silicone resin coating. If it is desired to reduce the natural lighting level slightly, the lower indoor sheeting can be coated with a light absorbing material. For work or recreational environments, 8 to 16% of the sun's light needs to be transmitted as natural light, while for food production up to 80% needs to be transmitted.

The impermeable coating provides a weather-resistant finish for outdoor use and an evaporation barrier for indoor use. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a building panel 14 with a top outdoor sheet 20, two side walls 21, and a bottom indoor sheet 22.

The panel 14 is supported by fixing the beam member 12 at four points. That is, each beam member is supported at two points by joints between the side wall 21 and the top sheet 20 and bottom sheet 22, respectively.

In the case of a cylindrical membrane, the so-called "joints" represent the four positions at which the panel 14 is supported by the beam member 12.

Since a seam is not normally formed in a tubular film, the "joint" is not defined when the tubular film is formed.

The "joints" are revealed by the shaping and attachment of the side walls 21, top sheet 20 and bottom sheet 22. Figure 3 shows a bar 2 whose corners are at right angles.
3, the rods extend within the top and bottom flanges of the channels 24, each end being rigidly supported in place, and extending between the two beams 12.
The panel 14 is supported at two "joints".
Hose 15 is shown on the side of the highest panel. Nozzles or holes (not shown) are provided along the hose 15 to allow liquid to be sprayed into the interior of the panel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pressure condition within the panel, i.e., above atmospheric pressure, so that the walls 21, top sheet 20, and bottom sheet 22 are bulging outwardly. On the other hand, FIG. 4 illustrates the panel at negative pressure, ie, below atmospheric pressure, in the panel, with walls 21, top sheet 20, and bottom sheet 22 recessed inwardly. However, the sheets have sufficient tension so that they do not touch each other or restrict flow within the panel.

The panel 14 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has an intermediate sheet 30 which divides the panel into two sealed compartments or hollow sleeves or upper sleeves 30.
1 and a bottom sleeve 32. FIG. 5 shows that both sleeves are under pressure inside. FIG. 6 shows that the inside of the top sleeve 31 is under pressure and the inside of the bottom sleeve 32 is under negative pressure. FIG. 5 shows a case where the liquid supply hose 15 is provided only in the bottom sleeve 32. FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of liquid supply hoses 15 in both hollow sleeves.

The atmosphere inside the panels is controlled according to the requirements inside the building. Pressure, temperature and humidity are all factors that can be controlled. Provides heat to the panels in winter. In summer, heat is removed from the hollow sleeve. liquid,
Heat is preferably removed by evaporating the water within the hollow sleeve. Depending on the required humidity conditions, it evaporates either under pressure or under negative pressure conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, foam is injected from one end of the panel. Foam can also be created by spraying a liquid under pressure through a nozzle or hole in a hose 15 in the panel.

The foam improves the insulation of the panels. If the panel has two hollow sleeves, inject foam into one sleeve to improve insulation;
Other sleeves can circulate air inside to control heat within the building.

An embodiment of the connection state between the panel 14 and the building connection beam member 12 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows the connection of the peaks of the structure shown in FIG. , and the string is attached to the upper outdoor sheet 2
0 and the side wall 21 and between the bottom sheet 22 and the side wall 2
1, it is sewn into the fabric or knitted into the fabric. These strings 4
0 slides in a groove 41 having an opening in the vertical direction. The groove extends along the connecting beam member 12,
It holds the panel 14 to the building structure.
The inside of the groove 41 is smooth so that the string 40 can slide and be held in the correct position. The material surrounding the groove 41 may be plastic or metal, but it should have sharp edges so that the panel material can move freely within the groove without getting caught or torn. Must not be doing so. cap 42
are installed on the mountain part of the building structure to drain rain and other water. Similarly, a groove 43 with a drain port 44 is provided in the valley shown in FIG. 8, and a water channel 45 is provided below the valley to receive water from the roof. A hose 15 for spraying liquid such as water into the panel is provided on the side at a higher location. hose 15
is connected to the side wall 21 and is provided with a plurality of nozzles or holes 46 in the longitudinal direction. Figure 8 shows drainage hole 48.
A drain pipe 47 is shown with a drain pipe 47 provided therein. This drainage pipe is not a critical feature of the canopy and may be allowed to drain naturally to each end of the panel. However,
For long panels, drain pipes are used in conjunction with siphon pumps to siphon liquid along the length of the panel. Moreover, by setting the pressure inside the panel to a pressure state, the liquid can be forcibly discharged through the drain port.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the panels connected as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the string 40 is attached to the side wall 2.
1 and the top sheet 20 and bottom sheet 22 are woven into the fabric of the sleeve. The hose 15 is provided with a connector 49 to the side wall 21 made of cloth.

Four panels 14 are illustrated in FIG. 10, which is identical to the roof configuration shown in FIG. 1 and includes an inlet manifold 50 for two panels 14.
and an outlet manifold 51 for the two panels 14. A closed circuit air system is one in which air is supplied to a first inlet manifold 50, passes through two panels 14, and enters a first outlet manifold 51, from where it is equipped with a fan, a heat exchanger and a condenser. The air passes through a closed circuit air circulation device 52.

The desired air temperature, pressure,
Air is routed to a second inlet manifold 50 on the same side of the first outlet manifold 50 to ensure humidity and to the second outlet manifold 5 through the panel 14.
1 and again to another closed circuit air circulation device 5
2, which provides temperature, pressure, and humidity control before the air is supplied to the first inlet manifold 50 in the device 52. In this manner, the closed circuit air system allows the pressure of the air entering the panel, the humidity of the air within the panel, and the temperature of the air within the panel to be controlled. Instead of the liquid being sprayed into the panel through the hose 15 to cool the inside of the panel, it generates bubbles that are carried by the air inside the panel to fill the canopy panel and are sprayed from the hose 15 or at the end of the inlet manifold. You can also spray liquid from any nearby panel. Once the foam no longer needs to be created, it can be destroyed by blowing air through the panel from the inlet manifold or by spraying a foam-disintegrating liquid from hose 15. Controlling the temperature, controlling the humidity, controlling the foam insulation, and controlling the pressure of the device are not part of this invention.

Various changes can be made in the details of the connections between the panels and the joints of the connecting beams of the building structure. Because the panel is supported at its four corners, the top and bottom sheets do not touch each other even if there is negative pressure inside the panel, or prevent air from moving through the panel from edge to edge. There is no hindrance.

The pressure must be regulated so that the panel can be operated with either negative or positive pressure.
If the pressure is too high, leakage may occur,
This will result in a drop in pressure.

Other changes may be made to the canopy without departing from the scope of the invention, which is limited by the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing one embodiment of the canopy according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing another embodiment of the canopy for a building structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an interior view. is a cross-sectional view of a panel with positive pressure inside, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a panel with internal negative pressure, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a panel with additional seats forming two hollow sleeves with positive pressure inside one sleeve and negative pressure inside the other sleeve; FIG. 7 is a sectional view of two panels; A partial cross-sectional view of the building structure shown in Figure 1 showing the peaks of the roof supporting the high side parts of the roof, and Figure 8 showing the roof peaks supporting the low side parts of the two panels. FIG. 9 is an isometric view showing a partial cross section of a cylindrical panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing a closed air circuit with a manifold device disposed at the end of a cylindrical panel on the roof. 10... Column, 12... Beam member, 14... Cylindrical panel, 20... Upper outdoor sheet, 21... Side wall,
22... Sheet inside the bottom chamber, 40... String, 50...
...Inlet manifold, 51 ...Outlet manifold, 5
2...Closed circuit air circulation device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A canopy for a building comprising at least one cylindrical panel formed from a sheet material that is flexible and impermeable to water and air, the panel being open at the end. The sleeve comprises a hollow sleeve in which two side walls, a top outdoor sheet and a bottom indoor sheet are connected and sealed, with support means at the joints between the side walls and the top and bottom sheets. , the top and bottom sheets are spread out and supported separately in the construction by means of support on each side of the panel, with one supported side of the panel being more secure than the other supported side. is also located in an elevated position, and a pressure manifold arrangement is connected to each end of the open-ended hollow sleeve through which air is circulated to control the pressure within the panel. a canopy having liquid supply means on the higher supported side of the panel for supplying liquid to the panel so that the liquid flows across the circulating air stream. 2. The manifold arrangement provided at each end of the hollow sleeve forms part of a closed air circuit and incorporates means for moving the air, means for heat exchange and a condenser. canopy. 3. The canopy according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor sheet above the hollow sleeve is made of a material capable of transmitting solar energy to the panel. 4. The canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outdoor sheet at the top of the hollow sleeve and the indoor sheet at the bottom are made of a material capable of transmitting solar energy into the panel and into the building structure. 5. The canopy according to claim 4, wherein the indoor sheet at the bottom of the hollow sleeve is made of a material that can selectively transmit light to meet lighting conditions inside the building structure. 6. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hollow sleeve is formed from a cylindrical thin film of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyester, and fluorocarbon polymers and copolymers. A canopy described as a crab. 7. The canopy according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material is a synthetic fabric whose surface is covered with a coating that does not allow water or air to pass through. 8. The canopy according to claim 7, wherein the synthetic fabric is a polyester fabric in a coarse plain weave, and a flexible silicone coating is applied to the surface. 9. The liquid supply means is a hose having a plurality of holes in the longitudinal direction, and is connected to the fabric on the side of the panel on the high side.
Canopies listed in section. 10 The support means at the joints between the side walls and the top and bottom sheets consist of strings woven into the fabric at each joint, which strings are part of the building structure and are dovetail-shaped. 9. The canopy according to claim 7 or 8, which is fitted into a groove having an opening in the longitudinal direction. 11. The canopy according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 7, wherein a liquid discharge pipe is provided at the lowest position within the panel. 12. The canopy according to claim 1, 2, or 7, wherein the interior of the panel is maintained under pressure. 13. The canopy according to claim 1, 2, or 7, wherein the inside of the panel is maintained at negative pressure. 14 including at least one additional sheet between the top outdoor sheet and the bottom indoor sheet;
the sheet is connected to the panel side and sealed;
2. A canopy as claimed in claim 1, forming at least two hollow sleeves. 15. The canopy according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cylindrical panels are supported alongside a building structure. 16 The elevated sides of adjacent panels are connected to each other, and the building structure includes elements that support adjacent panels on their elevated sides and elements that support adjacent panels on their lower sides. 16. The canopy according to claim 15, wherein the canopy has a roof having peaks and valleys and supporting other elements. 17 The raised side of one panel is connected to the lowered side of an adjacent panel, and the building structure connects the raised side of one panel with the lowered side of an adjacent panel. having lateral supporting elements;
Claim 15 Forming a roof with a constant slope, within which the panels traverse the slope.
Canopies listed in section.