Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 BACKGROU~D OF THE INVENTION
2 ~l) FIELD OF THE INVE~TION
3 ¦ The present invention relates to a structural element
4 and more particularly to a load-bearing structural element
useful, for instance, as wall element, for structures,
6 supports, bridges, vehic'es, and others.
7 . ~.
8 (2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
9 Structural elements which consist of two or more
structural shells or panels of at least one sealing packing
11 lying between the edges of the shells or panels, and a cavity
12 hermetically enclosed by thqmhave been described heretoforeO
13 1 -In the cavity of said elements pressing means, for instance, ~-
14 honeycomb plates with interposed solid plates, for instance,
metal plates and associated sealing plates, for instance,
16 ¦ foam-plastic plates which can be covered with vapor-proof
I? sheets, for instance, aluminum foils, are provided and at ;
1~ least one of the structural shells or panels is arranged so
19 ~ that it can shift its position flexibly, or can be bent,
¦ for instance, concavely against the seal, and a vacuum is
21 produced within the cavity.
22 . As a result of the elimination of air counter-
23 pressure or back pressure within the structural element,
24 the externa~ air pressure causes at least bending or sagging
of the flexible structural shells or panels and/or in
26 ¦ particular a change in place of the structural shells in
27 ¦ direction towards each other by compression of the seal and
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1 I the cavity inserts. As a result of said atmospheric
2 1I pressure, the inserts in the cavity, particularly the honey-
3 ¦! comb webs or straps, are placed under tension and press
4 I with this force against the interposed metal plates and
i the inner sides of the structural shellsO This results
6 1 in increased resistance to bending of the inner plates and
7 intermediate panels or sheets supported in this manner, as
8 well as of the outer structural shells or panels, in the
9 j event that they are acted on by load in the direction of
their planes. In the case of a vacuum, this amounts,
11 ¦ perpendicular to the outer shells or panels and the honey-
12 ¦I comb plates on the surfaces of the metal plates arranged -
13 ,! in the cavity and other intermediate plates, to about
14 11 lO tons per sq.m.
1I This atmospheric pressure is of randomly caused
16 j order of magnitude. It is determined by the gravitational
17 1 force of the earth on the atmosphere, the composition of
18 the air as a mixed gas, and the height of the atmosphere.
19
20 SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION :
21 ¦ It is one object of the~present invention to provide
22 1a structural elem~nt, preferably of metal or plastic, and in
23 ¦particular a load-bearing structural element, the use of
24 which is of great advantage especially in the following fieldc :
1I Construction engineering, vault construction, dome
26 ¦¦construction, tunnel construction, underground installations,
27 1underwater structures, formation of supports, piles, girders,
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1 1l frameworks, masts, chimneys, also in the form of load-
2 ¦¦ bearing pipes and pressure pipes, furthermore bridge
3 ¦ construction, vehicle construction, for instance of land,
4 Ij sea, air, and space vehicles, container construction, and as ~ -
1 load-bearing foundation construction also for machines and
6 ¦ objects, as well as for supporting walls, water-retaining
7 ¦ dams, breakwaters, and the like, This enumeration is not
8 1 exhaustive~
9 Other objects of the present invention will become
apparent as the description proceeds.
11 1 The present invention is based on the concept to
12 1' produce the compressive forces as required independently
13 j! f the above-explained compressive force caused by the
14 1l earth and thus to obtain pressure differences either with
. ,.. .. I . . . - . . - - . . ...... . . . . - .... .. .. , , . .,
¦ respect to a vacuum or with respect to a partial vacuum or
16 1I some other lower degree of pressure. In this connection
17 I the extraordinary increase in the action of the pressure
18 by con~entrating a given pressure force on a few places of
19 ¦linear pressure contact is of considerable importance for
1the pressure action on solid surfaces to be supported, by
21 providing, for instance, very narrow, flexure-resistant,
22 1 low honeycomb webs of, for instance, steel, with honeycomb
23 sizes which are relatively large as compared with the webs
24 11l or bridges of the webs. In this way the result is achieved
¦I that the pressing force, instead of being transmitted from
26 1one surface to the other surface, is - corresponding to the
27 1honeycomb structure - transferred only in honeycomb-like
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¦ fashion linearly to the surface to be supported. The
2 pressing force acts only on tnese structured lines of
3 contact which are distributed in a network-like fashion
4 11 over the entire surface. If the structural shells or
~ ~¦ panels are pressed together with a vacuum in the cavity,
6 for instance, with the atmospheric pressure of about lO
7 tons, then the linear surface parts contacted directly in
8 net-like manner by the honeycomb webs, bridges or ribs
9 and constituting about 1% of the total surface of the
solid-surface intermediate plate are pressed together
11 with a force of about lO0 x lO tons = lO00 tons. This
12 pressure, if necessary, can be increased as desi~ed by
13 1 alr-pressure pumps and apparatus" With a:pressure, for
14 instance, of lO0 atmospheres, there is obtained an in-
1~ I crease in pressure to lO0,000 tons of pressure, with re- .
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16 I spect to the direct linear net-like contact points on the
17 supporting plates which are to be pressed. The load-
18 1 carrying capacity of the supporting plates pressed in
19 ¦ this manner is of about the same value insofar as the
1 intermediate spaces of the area not contacted by the
21 ~ honeycomb webs, bridges or ribs are resistant to bending
22 ¦ - under said load.
23 1 The resistance to bending of each individual
24 1 portion of the surface is caused by the resistance to
I bending of the supporting plate itself with due con-
26 ¦ sideration of the size of the partial surface,
27 Since, however, the individual partial surfaces
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1 take up a relatively small percentage of the total
2 1 surface, their resistance to bending is correspondingly
3 ¦ high. Thus the honeycomb widths can be maintained
4 ¦ approximately large enough so that the partial surfaces
S of the supporting plates which are defined by them, still
6 have the necessary resistance to bending. In this way it
7 is possible to increase the ratio of the net-like contact
8 by means of the honeycomb webs, bridges, or ribs as com-
9 pared with the total area of the inner supporting plate
for maximum concentration of the pressure force on the
11 smallest possible proportion of the surface of the plates
12 1 to be supported. On the other hand, the resistance to
13 bending of the supporting plates to be supported can be
14 1 increased in advance by developing them as composite
. . - l -
~ plates in multiple compound fashion by the use of plastic
16 ¦ material of the highest binding power, and particularly
17 ¦ by the use of solid plastic material specifically suited
18 1 therefor as center of the composite structure, by which
19 ¦ the thrust forces are prevented from loosening the outer
plates of the composite plates.
21 I There can thus be obtained honeycomb widths
22 which produce a maximum multiplication of the pressing
23 ¦ forces by even further concentration on a few honeycomb
24 ¦ webs, bridges, or ribs or on pressing surfaces taken up
¦ by them.
26 ¦ Another possibility of increasing the resist-
27 ¦ ance to bending resides in the development of structural
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1 shapes, for instance, of trapezoidal profiles or channels
2 ¦ in compound construction with solid plastic materials and
3 ¦ in the combination of such ~omno.site proiles or shapes
4 with each other. They can be covered on the outside by
S flat composite plates, having a real contact with the
6 ¦ pressing means, for instance, the honeycomb plates.
7 ¦ It is advisable to support the honeycomb
8 ¦ bridges or ribs, for instance, by partially introducing
9 ¦ foam into the honeycomb in situ by means of firmly ad-
1~ ¦ hering rigid foam. No evacuation of the cavities is re-
11 ¦ quired. The decisive factor is the pressure difference
12 between the pressures in adjacent cavities which are
13 j separated hermetically from one another by a movable
14 ~ structural shell or plate. -
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15 ¦ In the same way as in the case of vacuum or
16 1 reduced pressure, it is necessary, for reasons of safety,
17 ¦ also to dïvide the cavity in which a pressure greater than
18 ¦ atmospheric is present, into a large number of small
19 1 partial spaces, for instance, by honeycombs or grids, so
that they are closed off hermetically from each other and
21 ¦ from the entire cavity. In case of a partial destruction
22 1 of the outer parts of the cavity and of the corresponding
23 1 inner parts, the parts which are still not destroyed can
24 l still exert excess pressure without change. Furthermore,
¦ by the finest possible subdivision, the amount of possible
26 damage can be restricted to a minimum. Since the excess
27 ~ pressure tends to increase the volume taken up, the
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1 ¦ hermetic closing off of such honeycomb spaces which are
2 1 under pressure is only possible if, as the result of an
3 ¦ even greater outer pressure, the sealing plates arranged
4 ~ on the inside for sealing off of the honeycombs are
5 ~ pressed from the outside into the honeycombs by said
6 ¦ correspondingly higher pressure.
7 ¦ The movable structural shells or panels of dis-
8 placeable position must be locked in this condition of
9 their smallest distance from each other in order to de-
10 ¦ finitely maintain the compressive stress produced by the
11 I position assumed by them. For this purpose, various means
12 ~I can be provided which will be described hereinafter.
13 ! ~ ` P; t: - -~;,, '~; , ;, ., ,. . , I
- . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
15 1 Various illustrative embodiments of the present
16 1 invention are shown in the drawings,without, of course,
17 ~ limiting the same thereto. Thereby reference will be had
18 ~ to producing a vacuum or partial vacuum and to producing
19 excess pressure in the structural element by introduction
20 I into an evacuation or pressure housing as well as to safe-
21 ¦ ty measures for maintaining said pressure conditions.
22 In said drawings,
23 ¦ Fig. l is a vertical section through an evacua-
U tor housing with composite structural-element parts
arranged vertically therein.
26 Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the right-
27 ~ hand portion of an evacuator housing showing the righthand
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1 parts of part of a composite structural element provided
2 horizontally in the housing on supporting means.
3 Fib. 3 is a cross section through a pressure
4 1 housing with a composite structural element arranged
¦ therein with pressure within the cavity.
6 ~ Fig. 3a shows engagement means for connecting ~
7 1 the structural-shell surfaces which together with packings :
8 ¦ define a cavity of the composite structural element which
9 ¦ is under pressureO
10 ¦ Fig. 3b shows a bolt which is fastened on the
11 ¦ inside of one of the two facing structural shells or
12 panels and which, in the condition in which the shells or
13 paneis are at the slightest distance apart is locked in
14 ¦ said position by pressure in the pressure housing with
. ,. . . . ,........ ., .... - .
I associated machines which effect screwing.
16 1
17 ¦ DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMæ~TS
18 ¦ Fig. l shows in cross section a pressure-re-
19 ¦ sistant vacuum housing l adapted to receive a composite
¦ structural element in vertical arrangement of its indivi-
21 ~ dual parts and groups of partsO
22 Housing l is closed on all sides, except for a
23 ¦ front opening which serves for the introduction of the
24 ~ individual parts and groups of parts of the composite
structural element. The opening can be hermetically
26 ¦ closed. Pipe 2 for establishing a vacuum or partial
27 ¦ vacuum extends through the upper housing wall la, said
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1 ¦ pipe having an outlet valve 3 and a branch connecting it
2 to an air pumpO Pipe branch 4 containing valve 5 serves
3 ¦ for re-introducing air.
4 Compressed-air cylinders 6 having pistons and
piston rods 7 are arranged on side walls lb. The piston
6 rods are movable in airtight fashion through the walls and
7 serve to actuate reciprocatable vertical pressure plates 8
8 ¦ on slide bottom 9 of housing 1.
9 The parts and groups of parts of the composite
¦ structural element are arranged symmetrically in the
11 following manner.
12 ¦ The outer structural shells 10 are formed of
composite plates consisting, for instance, of two metal
14 plates lOa having a solid plastic intermediate layer lOb,
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I for instance, of polyethylene (sandwich shape). The inner
16 sides of these composite plates 10 are connected with
17 boards ll of compressible material, such as plastic foam
18 boards, felt boards, rubber boards, or asbestos fiber
19 boards, for instance, by means of layers of adhesive. The
free surface of these boards or plates 11 can be coated
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21 ¦ with layer 12 which is 1r~er~q~impervious to vapor.
~! ~ 22 This layer can be, for instance, a metal foil, a vapor-
23 impervious plastic foil, a layer of plastic applied in
24 liquid form, or the like. These parts form a compact
single composite group.
26 Between said layer 12 and a following honey-
27 ¦ omb plate 13 ~here ia an open air gap 14. The honeycomb
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1 ~ plate 13 can consist of any suitable material, for in-
2 ¦ stance, of metal, particularly steel or aluminum, or ;~
3 I plastic, or of cardboardO Instead of a honeycomb plate,
4 ¦ some other pressure-resistant plate having suitable per-
5 ¦ forations and correspondingly remaining narrow webs can
6 ¦ be used. This honeycomb plate 13 is followed by another
7 ¦ open air gap 15. In order to assure and/or maintain a
8 ¦ narrow air gap, compressible inserts 13a can be inserted
9 ¦ in individual honeycombs, protruding slightly towards
both sides. Furthermore, there is provided a composite
l1 ¦ group consisting of a central load-bearing supporting
12 ~ plate 16 in the composite form metal-plastic-metal-plastic
13 ¦ metal (16a, b, c, d, and e) and on both sides of said
14 plate 16 and firmly applied thereto compressible plates or
15 1 boards 17~corresponding to those described hereinabove
16 with respect to boards llland coatings 18~corresponding
17 to those described hereinabove with respect to layer 12.
18 All the above described parts are then again provided in
19 symmetrical sequence.
Fig. 1 shows a circumferentially arranged
21 elastically compressible packing 20, for instance, of
22 - synthetic rubber, between the edge portions of the two
23 outer plates 10, The upper part of the circumferential
24 ¦ packing is provided with pipes 21 with valves 22 through
25 1 which the air which is present at atmospheric pressure in
26 ¦ the structural element can flow out into the evacuated
27 vacuum space. On the other hand, no air can pass from
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1 1 outward to inward into the structural element~ A pipe
2 ¦ or a hose connecting the structural element with an eva-
3 I cuating device and extending outward through a wall of va-
4 I cuum housing 1 in hermetic fashion can also be provided.
S Packing 20 can consist of several layers, particularly of
6 ¦ layers of different elasticity, for instance, formed in
7 ¦ transverse direction. The upper part of the packing can
8 ¦ be provided with horizontally extending insert strips of
9 ¦ rigid material to take up pressure, said strips being in-
1~ ¦ serted, for instance, in recesses of the packingO On
Il I both sides of the two outer structural plates 10, the
12 .! movable pressure plates 8 are provided as described herein _
I above. With these pressure plates, the structurai shells
14 ¦¦ or panels can be replaced in vertical arrangement with
15 I respect to each other whereby the circumferential packing
16 I and the described inserts are compressed D The air gaps
17 ! 14, 15 which previously served for evacuating the air from
18 ¦ out of the composite element are eliminated. Under the
19 I high pressure applied by pressure plates 8, the elastic
inserts 13a are forced back. The plastic foam boards with
21 1 their vapor-impervious surface coatings are pressed her-
22 l¦ metically into the honeycombs. In this way there is pro-
23 1l duced a firm connection between the honeycombs and the
24 l plastic foam boards. When the two outer pressure plates
¦ have reached their end position, this is also at the same
26 ¦ time the predetermined end position of the outer structural
27 ¦ shells and of the inserts compressed between them. If the~
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1 ¦ air is then let into the vacuum housing, the atmospheric
2 ¦ pressure will exert its action, The structural element
¦ can then be removed from the vacuum housing.
4 As a result of eliminating the inner pressure
¦ of the air, the structural shells are moved towards each
6 1 other and thus press the pressure-resistant honeycombs
7 ¦ against the surfaces of the bearing supporting-composite
8 ¦ plates which thus, corresponding to said pressure, are
9 ¦ held additionally in flexure-resistant fashion in vertical
¦ position. By the back-pressure of equal value acting on
11 1 the inner surface of the structural shells or panels, said¦
12 structural shells or panels are also supported on both
13 I sides in flexure-resistant manner in addition~as load-
14 I bearing elements. As a result of pressing the narrow
. .. .. j:..... ..... , ,,,,: ...... ,, , ,,
honeycomb ribs into the elastically compressible vapor-
16 impervious coated sealing plates of plastic foam, each
17 individual honeycomb is closed off in an air- and vapor-
18 tight fashion. In this way the load-bearing, flexure~re-
19 sistant condition of the composite element is assured.
¦ Even in the event of partial destruction of a structural
21 I shell or panel or of the edge seal, the vacuum remains in
22 ¦ all the uninjulred honeycombs and thus there also remains
23 the support for the load-bearing composite plates. The
24 packing can therefore be completely dispensed with. The
honeycomb webs or ribs can in addition be connected by
26 adhesive with the compressible means which close off the
27 honeycomb openings. All composite groups and elements are
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1 combined by the atmospheric pressure into a compact ten-
2 sion- und shear-resistant composite unit of increased re-
3 sistance to bending.
4 Supplementing the foregoing description, it
may be pointed out that the individual groups and indivi-
6 dual elements within the structural element can be
7 arranged in an asymmetrical fashion, for instance, from
8 one side to the other one, depending on varying require-
9 1 ments. Reasons of fire protection may also make the pro-
¦ vision of other structural materials necessary.
lI ¦ Instead of providing merely one central group
12 of load-be;aring composite plates, a plura1lty of such o;r ~ :
13 I similar groups consisting of, for instance, vertically
14 l load-bearing composite elements and resilient plates
~ connected firmly to them and inserted in the honeycombs
16 can be provided following each other at small intervals
17 thus having a high load-bearing capacity.
18 The composite structural element can also be
19 made without packing 20 and such an element can then be
1 introduced into the cavity of a larger structural element.
21 ¦ The structural plates or shells of the inner structural
22 1 element can thus be connected with those of the outer
23 1 element, for instance, by adhesive plastic foils or by
24 layers of adhesive. The hollow space which then still -
¦ remains free between the inner structural element and the
26 ¦ outer structural element can then be evacuated individual-
27 ~ ly. Assurance of the load-bearing strength of such a
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1 structural element is then provided by the inner structur-
¦ al element.
3 Fig. 2 shows, in a vacuum housing 1, the
4 assembly of such a structural element in horizontal
5 ¦ arrangement of its parts and groups of parts. Said
6 ¦ structural element consists of two outer composite struc-
7 ¦ tural plates, for instance, of two metal sheets with
8 layers of plastic arranged therebetween in composite
9 fashion and consisting, for instance, of polyethylene.
10 ¦ The inner surfaces of the shells or panels are firmly and
11 hermetically connected with honeycomb plates 13 by means
12 ,1 of an adhesive 13b, for instance, of a polyuretkane foam
13 ¦ developed for this purpose. Instead of an adhesive
14 1 plastic foam, any other connecting means can be used, for
-, 1 .-. --~. - - -- . -
instance, liquid, subsequently polymerizing, sealing
16 plastics. The honeycomb plates 13 are each followed by
17 an air gap 14. Thereafter, a composite group is arranged,
18 said composite group consisting of a composite sheet
¦ (sandwich type) 25a, 25b with, on both sides thereof pro-
vided with compressible sealing plates 11, for instance,
21 of plastic foam, felt, asbestos, glass fibers, or rubber.
22 ¦ The surfaces~of these sealing plates bear preferably vapor-
23 proof foils 12, for instance, of polyethylene or metal,
24 ¦ such as aluminum. Between these parts, at a distance
established by an air gap 15, there is provided a single
26 honeycomb plate 13, for instance, of metal, plastic, or
27 ¦ cardboard. A plurality of honeycomb plates 13 can also
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1 be combined into a sandwich with the interposition of
2 other plates, such as, sealing plates ll, for instance,
3 by means of adhesive plastic foam. The individual struc-
4 tural element parts and groups of parts are held, if re-
quired, at a distance apart of air gaps 14, 15 on the
6 edges of fork-shaped supporting means 26 which are ar-
7 ranged movably on supporting ledges 27 of a supporting
8 frame'27~ When the air is evacuated from the vacuum
9 housing via pipe 2 with valve 3, it is then removed in
the same manner from all parts of the structural element~
11 Thereupon, the movable supporting means 26 can be pulled
12 ¦ out of the air gaps 14, 15 by means of electromagnets 28
" ' ~: '' and' us'sai'd' r s-'can~ ovë ~ ly o e'' on't 'è; he
14 in the position arranged precisely, for instance, on stops
15 '' to their intended'final'position. Compressing of the , ,
16 parts of the composite structural element can be effected
17 ¦ by means of pressure plate 29 which is arranged on upper
18 structural shell or panel lO, for instance, by their -
19 weight, or by a compressed-air cylinder with piston and ~,
piston rod 7 which moves in airtight fashion through the ,
21 ¦ lid la of the vacuum housing. In this way the individual
22 honeycombs aie hermetically sealed by the adjoining foam
23 plates ll being pressed thereinto. If the air is then
24 again let into vacuum housing l through pipe 31, the parts~
will be further pressed together by the atmospheric pres-
26 ¦ sure and thus all parts of the composite structrual ele-
27 ¦ ment will be combined to form a compact unit.
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1038,..,27
1 Of course, it is possible also to provide a
2 packing between the edges of the shells or panels, In
3 this case the parts of the structural element can be
4 ¦ placed loosely one on top of the other up to the upper-
most composite part which is borne by the packing, said
6 packing, in turn, being received or carried at the bottom
7 by supporting means with the formation of an air gapO
8 Since the air in the interior of the structural element
9 is of higher pressure than the vacuum in the housing, it
flows almost completely out. For this purpose special
1l evacuating tubes or hoses can also be arranged above or
12 below the packing or therethrough preferably provided with
13 valves. The packing can also be applied subsequently and he
14 space between it and the core of the structural element 1 1~
,... I - , . -- -~ .- ;........ , ., .,...... ,. ,,, -. .-
1 can additionally be evacuated. Such an element can be
16 used in various manner as insert in correspondingly larger
17 composite structural elements. It can furthermore be
18 combined in sandwich fashion with the inner surfaces of
19 larger structural shells or panels of such larger composit
structural elements, for instance, by means of adhesive
21 intermediate layers, and particularly by means of adhesive
22 foils Gr adhesive solid plastic plates. Insofar as the
23 arrangement of an elastic circumferential packing between
24 the edge parts either of the larger composite structural
element or of the smaller composite structural element to
26 be introduced is necessary, evacuation of the intermediate
27 space can be effected via pipes with valves between the
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1 ~ packings and the parts of the structural element.
2 ~ Provision of the air gaps 14, 15 and/or the
3 1 arrangement of supporting means 26 and electromagnets 28
4 ¦ are unnecessary in the case of the use of lighter materials ,
S ¦ for instance, of aluminum and cardboard honeycombing.
6 ¦ The air present in the element parts, except for a very -
7 small amount, is forced to the outside during evacuation
8 1 of the vacuum housing. If a circumferential packing is
9 ¦ provided, it may then be necessary to produce a connection
¦ to the vacuum space l via a pipe with valve (see Fig. l,
11 ¦ reference numerals 21, 22). This pipe can also be
12 connected with an evacuating device by passing it through
13 the vacuum housing wall and thus will render possible
14 l evacuation of the composite structural element. Thus in ¦
.. . . ... . I , ., ,.... , . , - .... , . .: . ....... ... . -,1~ case of lightweight construction, it may be sufficient to
16 1 introduce a composite structural element - also with
17 circumferuntial packing - provided with an evacuator pipe
18 and valve mounted into a vacuum housing in order to
19 1 evacuate it by elimination of the atmospheric pressure.
¦ Thus composite structural elements of heavy individual
21 j composite elements and groups of elements can be evacuated
22 ¦ in this way vialpipes with valves, When using packings,
23 ¦ pressure plate 29 may also be dispensed with upon
24 l insertion or interspersing of pipes with valves. In all
cases the means described permit complete or practically
26 complete evacuation of the air, as required.
27 The introduction of evacuated smaller structural
elements achieves its importance through the possibility
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1 l of imparting to the load bearing supporting elements
2 ¦ contained in the evacuated structural element especially
3 ~ if thev are formed of composite plates in a single or
4 ¦ multiple bonded arrangement (multi-sandwich type) or in
¦ multiple group arrangement, a practically unlimited
6 ¦ increase in resistance to flexure on the structural shells
7 or panels of the inner smaller structural element due to
8 the positive pressure that can be produced in the larger
9 structural element. In this connection the outer ~ -
I structural shells or panels of at least the smaller
11 j structural element can also be developed as load-bearing
12 ¦ support1ng ~1ates.. Under the posit1ve pressure which is
13 I exerted on their outer surfaces on the one hand, and the -
14 i correspondingly high back pressure which is exerted on
1 their inner sides, said shells or panels are supported
16 1 with corresponding flexural resistance to receive the
17 supporting ledges or other pressures in the direction of
18 ! their plane. For this purpose the outer structural shells
19 ¦ or panels of the larger surrounding composite structural
element must be able to take up, with resistance to
21 compression and bending, by suitable structural develop-
22 ~ ment, the excess pressure present in the cavities. This
23 can be effected, for instance, by the provision of inter-
24 1 secting profiled sheets, and particularly of trapezoidal
1 sheets, the contacting points of intersection of which are
26 ¦ welded together in multiple layer. A further increase
27 l in the bending strength of such combined shaped, and
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I ¦ particularly trapezoidal, structural shells and panels
2 ¦ can be obtained in a manner that profiling is effected on
3 ¦ composite sheets, consisting, for instance, of metal-
4 ¦ plastic-metal (sandwich-shape) Or the trapezoidally
5 ¦ shaped or differently shaped sheets are first of all . :
6 I connected in this form with solid plastics of corresponding
7 ¦ shape to form profiled composite sheets (sandwich-type) .. -.
8 I which are then firmly connected with each other in a ~ -
9 singly or, respectively, multiply intersecting sequence.
¦ Such profiled structural shells or panels can be developed
lI ¦ by means of sheets which are closed on all sides to form
12 ¦ an airtight and liquid-tight hollow body which, for
I3 1 nstance, can recelve plastlc foams-or any other substances
14 I liquids, or gases serving the purposes of the structural
1l element.
16 ¦ Fig. 3 refers to the advantages of the use of
17 I positive pr.essure in a composite structural element.
18 ¦ Fig. 3 showsdiagrammatically in cross-sectional view a
19 1 composite structural element with horizontal arrangement
of the individual pàrts which are inserted in a pressure-
21 I proof pressure housing 40a, 40b, 40c.
22 ¦ . Thelcomposite structural element consists of
23 ¦ outer structural shells or panels 41 which are made from .. ..
U ~ intercombined, connected trapezoidal sheets 41a, 41b, and
25 ¦ of circumferentially extending side walls 42 and 43 .
26 ¦ arranged hermetically sealed thereon and parallel to each
27 I other, said side walls being of lesser width than the
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¦ distance between the structural shells or panelsO The
2 I edges of these side walls are pressed into circumferentiai
3 ¦ elastic packings 44 and 45 associated therewith. In this
4 way the hollow space between the structural shells
is closed off elastically with variable air-tightness
6 and imperviousness to vapor. So as to further assure air-
7 tightness, a third circumferential packing 46 can be
8 provided between the edge parts 47 and 48 of the two
9 structural shells or panels 41.
Within the hollow space, approximately in the
11 center, there is provided a pre-evacuated composite
12 structural element consisting of at least two structural
I shells or panels 51,-52, preferably of compo'site sheets, ~ -
14 ¦ and of one or more honeycomb plates 53, and load-supporting
15 ¦ flexure-resistant composite supporting plates 54 arranged
16 1 between the latter. This inner structural element which
1; .~17 ~ is pre-evacuated ~ on the outer surfaces of its
18 1 structural shells or panels a compressible layer 55, for
19 ¦ instance, of rubber, plastic, or plastic foam. On both
sides of these surfaces 55 there are arranged honeycomb pla :es
21 ¦ 56, for instance, of steel plate, which before assembling
22 the outer structural element have been fastened hermeti-
23 ¦ cally to the inner sides of its structural shells or
24 I panels 41, for instance, by means of adhesive polyurethane
25 ¦ foam 56a or liquid plastic adhesive. Thus the air can
26 possibly enter the honeycon~b plates only along the outer
27 ¦ surfaces 55 of the inner wall element.
10381Z7
1 ¦ Pipe 57 or the like having a valve 57a is
2 ¦ arranged towards the cavity of the composite structural
3 element. Via said pipe 57 it is possible to introduce
4 I compressed air through a compressed air device into said
1 hollow space with any required degree of pressure. The
6 ¦ outer structural shells or panels 41 are pressed by means
7 1 of said compressed air so far apart against stops (not
8 shown) that between the inner structural element and the
9 ~ adjoining honeycomb plates there is formed a fine air
gap 58 by which each individual honeycomb is provided
11 ~ with compressed air to the extent contemplated. Thereupon
12 ¦ compressed air of a higher pressure than the positive
13 1 pressure in the inner structural element is introduced
14 1 into the hollow space of the pressure housing 40 by means
¦ of an air compression device via pipe 60 with valve 61.
16 ¦ Thereby the structural shells or panels 41 of the outer
17 ¦ element are pressed against each other so that the air
18 ¦ gaps 58 are closed and the webs or ribs of the steel
19 ~ honeycombs 56 are pressed into the compressible layers 55
20 or plates on the outer surfaces of the structural shells ~ -
21 ¦ or panels of the inner element in an air-tight and vapor-
22 ~ -tight manner. ~hus there prevails within the hollow space
23 I of the composite structural element a counter-pressure
24 ~ which corresponds to the positive pressure exerted in the
¦ hollow space of the pressure housing. In order to main-
26 ¦ tain this desired pressure condition, by which the sur-
27 ¦ faces of the bearing supporting means 51, 52, 55 are
. ....... ...................................................... .......... ,'
-23-
l l .
, '
, ~ , .
.
' ':
. . ,1 .
l 1038127
1 ¦ propped or braced, in particular by the honeycomb plates
2 ¦ 53, 56, up to the increased bending strength corresponding
- 3 ¦ to the positive pressure~ after elimination of the
4 pressure in the pressure housing 40, there are arranged
along the narrow sides of the outer structural element
6 means for fixing the minimum distance between the outer
7 composite structural shells or panels 41 as it is obtained
8 by the external positive pressure. Fig. 3 shows detent
g or stop means, i.e. engagement means for this purpose,
on the structural shells or panels, such as protruding
Il ledge-shaped parts 66 of the upper structural shell or
12 1 panel 41, and other associated parts as well as the detent
~: s~ or op ~e ~es 67 with sprlng oa ed ov 1 detè t or
14 l stop elements 68 which can be inserted into the detent or
stop strips 67 and which snap behind the mating ledges 66
16 protruding on the upper structural shell or panel when
17 said structural shells or panels 41 are moved towards each
18 ¦ other. In this way the intended position of the structural
19 shells with respect to each other which is thus obtained
I is fixed or locked in position and secured permanently.
21 I In this connection the lower part of the detent
22 ¦ or stop strip~is in engagement with a rectangular strip-
23 ¦ shaped bend 69 of the lower outer structural shell or
24 i panel and thus prevents the detent or stop strip 67 from
I changing the compressed position of the upper structural
26 ¦ shell or panel 41 secured by its detent or stop element
27 ¦ 68 by engagement after elimination of the outer positive
10a81Z7
1 1 pressure. In order to prevent lateral forcing away of
2 ¦ the detent or stop ledges 67, said ledges are pressed
3 1 movably by strong tension springs 70 in the direction
4 ¦ towards the detent or stop ledges 66. Of course, means
¦ by which it is possible, if necessary, to effect a
6 ¦ disengagement can also be provided, for instance, by
7 1 drawing back the detent or stop ledges 67 by means of
8 an electromagnet. The detent or stop means described are
9 merely one technical possibility among many others of
achieving the same goal.
11 ~ Fig. 3a shows schematically in cross section,
12 supplementing Fig. 3, one possibility of connecting the two
13 I structural shells or panels 41 via the surfaces of their I ;
14 ~ inner sides, for instance, by detent or stop means in the
end position imparted to them in the pressure housing, for
16 an unlimited period of time. For this purpose there are we] ded
17 onto the inner side of the lower structural shell or panel
18 41 two correspondingly large square pipes 75. Detent or
19 ¦ stop elements 76 are inserted against the action of
1 compression springs 77 between universal guides 78 in
21 said pipes. Said detent or stop elements 76 propel and
22 can be pushed in to an extent which is limited by stops.
23 ¦ They are provided with backwardly extending bevels. The
24 distance between the two detent or stop element carriers75
1 is such that said elements snap and engage into solid
26 ¦ body 79 which is welded to the inside of the opposite
27 ¦ structural shell or panel 41 and which is provided with
:.. ..
. ~
~038~Z
1 ¦ incisions 80 corresponding to the triangular shape of the
2 ¦ detent or stop elements 76 and their distances apart from
3 each other, under spring pressure 77 upon a corresponding
4 change in position, i.e. reduction of the distance bet-
ween the structural shells or panels. Thus they permit
further movement up to the end position only in direction
7 ¦ towards a reduction of the distance between the structural
8 shells or panels.
9 Such means which connect the inner surfaces
permanently against the inner positive pressure can be
lI ¦ arranged in any required number a~ suitable places of
12 ~ the surfaces 41. They can also be provided in the form
13 il of ger st s. T e lnsérts and supporting pi tes a
14 ¦¦ to be recessed at the respective places or they are to be
i,¦ provided with slits or interposed slot spacings.
16 ¦ Fig. 3b shows another embodiment for connecting
17 f the composite structural surfaces 41 with each other at the
18 I minimum distance attained by the positive pressure. For
19 this purpose bolt 81 is welded onto the inner side of the
¦ cavity of the one structural shell or panel 41, said bolt
21 passing through a hermetically closed bore hole 82 in the
22 1 opposite struct~ral shell or panel 41 and being adapted
23 to be tightened by nut 83 on the outer side thereof. Said
24 l tightening must be effected in the pressure space at the
1 maximum pressure established. For this purpose screwing
26 machines 84 connected to be operated electrically from
27 ¦ the outside are arranged precisely with respect to the
:. , ' ~ '. ', ' ,' '
1038127
1 ¦ position of the nuts. In this way the structural shells
2 ¦ or panels are connected with each other at a minimum
3 ¦ distance apart attained by the positive pressure, i.e.
4 I under the condition of the highest pressing tension of
¦ the pressing means 51, 52, 53 with respect to the load-
6 ¦ bearing supporting plates 54, so that after releasing the
7 ¦ positive pressure air from pressure housing 41, the con-
8 ¦ dition of stress in the evacuated structural element
9 remains unchanged. ,
¦ The described inner connecting means of the
11 ¦ outer structural shells or panels exert an opposing pull
12 I or countermove with respect to the compressive forces which
- 13 ¦ otherwlse would cause bulging' the outer st'ructural'shells
14 ¦ or panels towards the outside and bending in of the same. '
- - ;t c.rl~ 5~0~n~ t-
¦ These connecting means thus render~possible to ~ =`
16 ¦ ingly increase the bending strength of the inner bearing
17 ¦ supporting elements.
18 ¦ The invention can also be made use of in a
19 ¦ multi-shell or multi-panel composite element in such a , ,
¦ manner that the outer structural shells or panels are
21 ¦ fixed in position and the inner: intermediate shells or
22 ¦ panels are arran~ed movable. Every two movable inner
23 ¦ intermediate structural shells or panels define a cavity
24 into which compressed air is introduced. In this way
¦ the distance between the two displaceable structural
26 ¦ shells or panels is increased and the pressure on the
27 cavity inserts which are placed under tension, is
.. ' ~.
.. ~ ~ ' ' .
1 10381Z7
1 ¦ correspondingly increased. In order to maintain this
2 ¦ pressure, after the intended maximum distance of said two
3 movable structural shells or panels has been obtained, a
4 rapidly hardening liquid structural material can be
¦ introduced into said pressure space under an even greater
6 I pressure. In order to be able to introduce the compressed
7 ~ air which is to be displaced by this liquid structural
8 ¦ material without loss of pressure, an outlet valve can be
9 arranged in the upper air-space part, said valve making it
possible that when a predetermined pressure is exceeded,
11 1 the compressed air is allowed to flow out as from said
12 ¦ predetermined degree of pressure. In this way it is also
1 ' ¦ ' possibie përmanent y to f1x the prëdëter lned optimum
14 pressure-tension condition.
¦ At the same time it is possible to span with
16 ¦ great forces ceiling and floor parts (or upper and lower r
17 ¦ parts) of s~ructural elements, for instance, for bridges
18 ¦ with such displaceable structural shells or panels and
19 1 non-displaceable outer shells or panels facing each other
¦ in a pressure cavity. For this purpose a movable
21 ¦ structural shell or panel can then be arranged against
22 following press~re means and load-bearing supporting means
23 ¦ on each of the two non-displaceable outer shells or panels
24 1 at a slight distance so as to form a pressure cavity.
~ This arrangement can be effected, for instance, for
26 bridges in recurring sequence as necessary for increased
27 tension or span of upper and lower part. ¦
I -2~
.. . .
: . . :
- : . . ' ' ., , ' ,: ~ .
- . . . . . ..
~ 10381Z7
1 ¦ It is also conceivable to provide in a pressure
2 ¦ cavity, for subdividing thereof, a plurality of air hoses
3 ¦ with individual valves to establish the intended pressure
4 ¦ in them. Upon damage to the pressure cavity, the un-
¦ damaged hoses continue to exert their pressure action.
6 ¦ Extremely high compressive stresses can be exerted by
7 ¦ applying a corresponding positive pressure within such a
8 ¦ constructed structural element having non-shiftable outer
9 structural shells at least on both sides via one or more
¦ hermetically arranged structural shells or panels arranged
11 shiftable in the inside, on the load-beariny supporting
12 means associated with them, and at the same time by tautly I -
13 tensioning the connecting upper cover or ceiling part and
14 lower bottom or floor parts.
The composite structural element forms a single
16 composite unit from a static standpoint. For this reason,
17 the connections between the core and the outer plates and a1 .
18 least the intermediate shells or panels must be so firm tha~:
19 the shear stresses transmitted to the boundary surfaces
are taken up by the outer plates or intermediate shells
21 ¦ or panels without said plates and panels becoming loose.
22 ¦ Por this purpose the outer plates and/or shells or panels
23 are to be constructed with a sufficient minimum strength
24 ¦ as well as a sufficient minimum flexural strength.
The load-bearing supporting plates can be placed
26 ~ under compressive stress in various manners. Thus the
27 co ressive stress can be also produced by li~uids which
-29-
. .
,
''', '' , '''. - ~' ~ ~ .
,
~ 1038127
1 ~ are placed under compressive stress. water of high
2 ¦ pressure can be introduced into a hollow chamber and a
3 ¦ vacuum can be present in an adjoining hollow chamber,
4 ¦ or wate~ with the normal pressure determined by the
¦ atmospheric pressure can be introduced. Such pressures
6 ¦ can be exerted also purely mechanically, for instance, by
7 ¦ lever actions against a plate o~ shell (panel) to be dis-
8 1 placed, or, for instance, via/compressed air cylinder with
9 ¦ piston rods against a displaceable shell (panel).
¦ It is sufficient to effect this pressure action
11 ¦ only from one side and to have the counter-pressure which
12 ¦ is exerted via a stationary shell (panel) on the load-
13 ¦ bearing support, act on the other surface of the load-
14 ¦ bearing supporting means. Nevertheless it is advantageous
¦ for reasons of safety to have the pressure action exerted
16 ¦ from both sides should the pressing force fail to act
17 ¦ on one of the two shells (panels). To achieve this
1~ 1 result, it is advisable to keep as small as possible the
19 ¦ distance between the movable shell (panel) exerting the
pressing force and a pressure-resistant stationary wall
21 associated with it. Should then a failure occur, the
22 required pressure will be produced by the other movable
23 displaceable shell (panel) and the full bending strength of
2~ the load-bearing supporting means will be retained by the
opposite force of the stationary wall, without any re-
26 duction in force. It is furthermore advisable to fill the
27 hollow space between said shells or panels with honeycomb ~ -
28 plates up to a minimum gap of less than one millimeter;
1 1038127
1 ¦ The use of honeycomb plates for use in the
2 ¦ pressing step differs from the use of flat plates. In the
3 ¦ case of flat plates, the pressing pressure is distributed
4 ¦ uniformly over the entire area of the pressing plate.
In the case of a honeycomb plate, however, only the very
6 narrow ribs of the honeycombs transmit the entire pressure.
7 These ribs as a rule take up less than l % of the surface
8 to be pressed. This means that the total pressure which
9 is exerted on the honeycomb plate is transmitted by these
ribs with more than hundred times the force to the lines
11 of the surfaces to be pressed which are contacted by them.
12 It follows that a corresponding stress structure results fr~ m
13 said pressing lines. The free space between the ribs of
14 the honeycombs is subjected, on the other hand, to flexural
forces.
16 Therefore, the honeycomb surfaces must be in a
17 specific, not to be exceeded, size ratio with respect to
18 the bending strength of the plate to be supported, on the
19 one hand, and to the load borne by the load-bearing
supporting plate, on the other hand~ in order to prevent
21 bulging or bending in or kinking of the load-bearing
22 supporting plate. It is advantageous to provide for
23 optimum widths of the honeycombs with the smallest possible
24 size of the honeycomb ribs in order to increase as much as
possible concentration of the energy of the respective
26 lines corresponding to the honeycomb structure. In combi-
27 nation with the small height of the honeycomb ribs they
10381Z7
1 should also be made as resistant as possible to bending,
2 for instance, by the use of steel sheets.
3 The honeycombs in the stress cavity which
4 receives the load-bearing supports can be filled, for
instance, with plastic foam for reasons of insulation as
6 well as to support the honeycomb ribs against bending in
7 or kinking. In this connection, however, said fillings
8 should not rest - or they should rest without pressure -
9 against the surfaces of the supporting plates.
Instead of honeycombs, it is also possible to
11 use grids which are subdivided in the corresponding
-. ,, . ~.............. .. , .~ .. , ....... ,
12 optimum grid fields and which have knife-thin edges at the
: - piace of contact with the load-bearing supporting platës.
14 On the other hand, it is advantageous to provide a flat
shape on the presslng side. :
16 The use of the composite structural elements
17 in the building of houses requires the construction of
18 multi-shell (multi-panel) composite structural elements,
19 and at least a three-shell (three-panel) structural element. -
The third shell (panel) of such an element at the same
21 time forms the inner wall of a room of the building. A
22 hollow space which in particular must satisfy the fire
23 protection requirements should be provided between said
24 third shell (panel) and the central intermediate structural
shell (panel) arranged in front thereof.
26 In order to exclude collection of water of con-
27 densation as a result of the penetrat~on of water vapor,
. .,
,, ................... .., , ~ . . .. .
,........ - , ... ..
1038127
1 the hollow space must be closed off in vapor-tight fashion
2 on all sides. This can be done in the manner that all
3 non-metallic wall parts of the hollow space are covered,
4 for instance, with a~uminum foil or a vapor-impervious
polyethylene plastic foil. However, in addition thereto
6 there is the further problem of preventing the stresses on
7 the hollow space walls resulting from variations in
8 pressure caused by temperature variations in the hollow
9 ¦ space, For this purpose the invention contemplates
connecting the hollow space by a pipe with the atmosphere.
11 In this way the result is obtained that the pressure in
12 the hollow space always agrees with *he variations of
pressure in the atmosphere. In order to prevent penetra-
14 tion of atmospheric moisture into the hollow space, the
- pipe can be hermetically provided towards the hoIlow space
16 with a flexible air bag formed, for instance, of plastic
17 foil. This air bag can be provided with spring spreading
18 means by which a necessary minimum of its fillable volume
19 is filled with outer air. If the pressure of the atmospher, ,
increases, then this air bag is additionally filled with
21 air, while if the pressure of the atmosphere decreases,
22 air is given off to the outside by the air bag. In this
23 way the hollow space remains closed in vapor-tight fashion
24 from the outside without it being possible for pressure
variations to occur.
26 Particularly when the inner wall of the room
27 consists of a thin shell or panel of structural material,
l~ilZ7
1 for instance, a plaster wall or a ceramic wall, it is
2 necessary to support said wall. This can be done by a
3 sheet metal wall which at the same time forms the structural
4 shell or panel towards the inner room. Such a sheet metal
shell or panel can hermetically close off a hollow space in
6 trapezoid-like fashion, if necessary~ by two intersecting
7 trapezoidal sheets or panels and can be constructed in the
8 other direction so as to enclose the plaster wall on all
9 sides. The hollow spaces resulting from the trapezoidal
profiles towards the plaster wall can also be constructed
11 in an air-tight and liquid-tight fashion and can be filled
12 with fire-retarding materials, for instance, with a ~ -
13 -suitable form of asbestos. Other agents, for instance,
14 rock wool, glass, fibers, and the like can also be used for
this purpose. Above these trapezoidal intermediate spaces
16 and the plaster wall there is arranged a water-bearing pipe
17 with thermostatically controlled openings directed towards
18 the rear surface of the plaster wall. If the heat of the
19 fire reaches in case of a fire the thermostats at a pre-
determined temperature, for instance, through small
21 openings in the upper part of the plaster wall, then the
22 water pours out ~gainst the rear of the plaster wall and
23 at the same time enters the said cavities which are formed
24 by the trapezoidal depressions. Thereby it permeates the
asbestos filling and/or the other solid fillings, for
26 instance, rock wool, which are provided therein~and wets :
27 the absorptive rear side of the plaster wall.
- . . : .
ll 10381;2'7 1 .
1 The latter can be provided with bore holes
2 through which the water passes to the front side and
3 trickles down in the form of a curtain of water. In this
4 way the plaster wall will be cooled continuously and the
heat of the fire will be reduced by the conversion of the
6 water into steam. The steam displaces to an extent
7 corresponding to its generation the oxygen-containing air ~ -
8 and can thus increasingly exert an extinguishing action on
9 the source of the fire. A water pipe having openings
directed towards the front surface of the plaster wall
11 and-controlled by thermostats can also be provided on the
12 front surface of the plaster wall. Such a water curtain
13 prevents the heat of the fire penetrating via the plaster
14 wall into the composite structural element. In this way
considerable conventional fire-protection structural measur~ ~s
16 can be eliminated and saved. A further increased fire
17 protection can be effected by applying to the front plaster
18 wall a readily soluble layer of a carbonate and the water,
19 before it flows into the perforated pipes forming the
water curtain, is conducted through a container in which
21 there are contained soluble agents or solutions thereof
22 which react chemically with the carbonates on the plaster
23 wall so as to liberate carbon dioxide therefrom. Providing
24 such containers of the aforementioned pipes is possible
above the customarily suspended ceilings without great
26 expense. The carbon dioxide also displaces the oxygen-
27 containing air and extinguishes the flames.
Il 103~127
1 The liquid-proof depressions in the trapezoidal
2 structural shells or panels can be filled with hot water
3 from a heating system for room heating or cooling. The fire .
4 protection described can be obtained in the same manner
through openings towards the plaster wall
6 If a flat structural shell or panel is used, a
7 correspondingly thicker plaster wall can be provided on
8 its rear, for instance, with vertical, undulated profilings
9 to form hollow spaces. This rear side, for instance, can
have pasted on a plastic foil, such as a polyethylene foil,
11 so as to achieve a water-proof and steam-proof closure. In
. casë of fire, this foil melts at about ï50c. a~d, when
. .. . .,- : . : - .,
13 molten, allows the water to penetrate into the absorbent .
14 plaster wall. All the other protective measures described . .
hereinabove can also be provided.
i 16 The supporting elements produced in accordance
17 with the present invention may be of any suitable shape,
18 Such supports can consist, for instance, of
19 longitudinally slit pipes which are arranged concentrically
3 20 in an unslit pipe. The pipes or, respectively, the pipe
21 intermediate spaces can be closed at their ends in an air- .. . . :.
22 tight and/or vapbr-tight manner and can be sealed elas-
23 tically. Thereby the sealings are effected in such a
24 manner that changes in the diameter of the concentrically
arranged slit pipes which occur when the pipes are under
26 pressure, are taken into account and the seals are not
27 endangered thereby. Furthermore, all seals can be re-
. - ' . - - ~
ll 10381'~
1 inforced and secured by elastic plastic foams The inner
2 equipment of the pipes for their construction as supports
3 is in principle)aside from their round shape, the same as
4 in the case of the square composite structural element.
In order to effect compressive stresses, a change in
6 position of the slotted pipes is necessary in the same
7 way as a change in position of the structural shells or
8 panels is required in the case of the structural elements.
9 The longitudinal slits in the pipes are responsible for
said change in position. Due to said slits a change in
11 the diameter of the individual slit pipes takes place under
- the prëssure of intermedia'tei'y 'arranged pressure mèans,'for
13 instance, by means of compressed air or liquid under
14 pressure on the inside or the outside of the intermediate
.. ~ .... .. - ....... .. . . .
load-bearing supporting pipe.
16 First of all it is necessary to seal the slits
17 elastically so as to prevent the compressed air penetrating
18 into adjacent concentric spaces. Such seals can be
19 effected, for instance, by elastic packing inserts in the
slit perpendicular to the pipe surfaces. If a higher press re
21 is exerted on the slit pipe in the direction from the out-
22 side, the edges df the slits will be pressed against the
23 elastic packing and thus will reinforce the seal. Pre-
24 ferably, however, the entire region of the slitting of a
pipe is supported and sealed with elastic sealing means
26 in addition to the two other opposite pipes.
27 ~he edges of the slits themselves can be de-
10381'~7
1 formed. Thus, they can be pressed flat for sealing, for
2 instance, by rectangular bending, against the sealing ~-
3 means provided between them.
4 They can also be bent by 180C, The bend can
be provided with elastic sealing means and can be in
6 engagement with each other.
7 They can also engage with clamping action into
8 recesses with elastic means. Many other possibilities
9 exist.
The intermediate spaces between every two pipes -
11 can, for instance, be formed as follows:
12 Air-tight sealing strips, for instance, rubber
13 strips can be bonded over the pipe slits on one or both
14 sides so as to cover the slit. Thereupon pressing means,
in particular, for instance, circular honeycomb plates, -
16 preferably also slit, consisting, for instance, of metal,
17 plastic, or cardboard, can be arranged in one or more
18 layers so as to fill up the intermediate space approximatel .
19 It is advantageous to use honeycomb plates having low ribs
in order to achieve the best possible flexural strength of
21 the ribs. Otherwise all that has already been stated with
22 regard to the hdneycomb plates, applies to the structural
23 elements. In the case of a plurality of honeycomb plates,
24 for instance, lighter slit pipes of the same or different
material can be arranged behind every honeycomb plate in
26 order to air-tightly subdivide the space and to transmit
27 pressure to the next following honeycomb plate. For static
-
'
1 10381Z7
1 1 reasons, it is necessary to connect all inserts firmly to
2 ¦ each other in order to be able to expose them to tension,
3 ¦ compression, and shear load.
4 ¦ - The spaces between two concentric pipes
5 ¦ correspond in their function to the hollow spaces of the ~ -
6 ¦ composite structural element. As in that case, the ad-
7 1 joining structural shells or panels are partly non-
8 1 displaceable in position and partly displaceable. The
slit pipes correspond to the displaceable structural shells
10 ¦ or panels of the structural element. Thus numerous
11 different possible combinations are available.
12 All the spaces can be provided with pipelines
13 with valves so as to apply in each case in accordance with
14 the desired combination, for instance, a vacuum to the one
hermetically closed space and pressure to the two adjacent
16 spaces, In this example, the two pipes which limit the
17 vacuum space are slit and these slit pipes are pressed
18 together or, respectively, reduced in diameter b ~ he
19 compressed air in the adjacent spaces. In this manner ther~
is achieved a change in position by which increased
21 resistance to bending and thus increased load-bearing
22 capacity is impalrted thereto by pressure and counter-
23 pressure from the inside. Instead of producing a vacuum
24 . in the intermediate space in this example, atmospheric
pressure can, for instance, prevail therein and the excess
26 pressure in the adjacent spaces can be maintained one
27 atmosphere higher, whereby the same supporting effect is
28 obtained.
10381Z7
Preferably all pipes, with the exception of
the outer pipe, are slit pipes which are concentrically
3 ¦ arranged one within the other with intermediate spaces.
4 In this example, compressed air can be introduced into
S the cylindrical space to the innermost slit pipe. In this
6 way the diameter of this pipe is increased, whereby a
7 corresponding pressure is exerted on the pressing means,
8 for instance, on circular honeycomb plates (which are also
slit) in the direction towards the outer pipe over all
intermediate slit pipes and pressing plates. The outer
11 pipe, as a solid pipe, must take up the entire pressure
12 which is exerted on its inner wall and must be able to ~ :
13 respond as counter-pressure. For this purpose, pressure-
14 resistant rings can be placed at suitable distances around
t5 the outer pipe. In the latter case, the outer pipe can
16 appropriately be constructed as slit pipe,
17 According to another example, the excess
18 pressure can originate from the intermediate space which
19 i8 defined by the outer pipe, on the one hand, and from
the cylindrical cavity of the innermost slit pipe, on the
21 other hand, so that all pipes lying concentrically there-
22 between are supported in flexure-resistant fashion from
23 both sides by the pressing means.
24 By an annular reinforcement of the outermost
pipe, it represents also a load-bearing supporting pipe
26 which is propped or braced with increased resistance to
27 bending from the inside, on the one hand, by the pressing
_40_
., .::~ ,
.
- -; ~
~03812 ~
1 means acting thereon and, on the other hand, by the
2 counter-pressure originating from the rings.
3 ¦ In the same way as in the case of a structural
4 element, it is of advantage to hermetically seal at least
each of the honeycombs, chambers~or the lime of the
6 pressing means in order not to impair the flexural strength
7 of the pipe supports in case one pipe is damaged. To
8 achieve this result, the procedure is the same as described
9 hereinabove with respect to the composite structural
elements.
11 The grid-like pressing by means of the honeycomb
12 ribs produces the same result of concentrating the pressing
1j forces on the lines on contact. It follows that such pipe
14 supports differ only in shape from the rectangular com-
,. .. , . . . .. . ,... . . ,. . ~:...... . , .. , . . .. . , . . -., , . . .. .
posite structural elements or supports. The pipes can be
16 constructed in sandwich fashion in order to increase their
17 resistance to bending. In place of circular honeycombs,
18 there can be arranged corrugated plates as pressing means
19 in the intermediate spaces. Said corrugated plates are
preferably subdivided in transverse direction into a large
21 number of small compartments each of which can be
22 hermetically seaied off. The connecting means and other
23 means for maintaining an optimum supporting pressure
24 produced by temporary excess pressure can be employed in
a fashion similar to that described with respect to the
26 structural elements. Furthermore, for instance, a pre-
27 determined excess pressure in the cylindrical hollow space
~038127
defined by the innermost slit pipe can be maintained
2 permanently and thus without change by the introduction of
3 a hardenable liquid structural material, for instance,
of concrete. The compressed air should also preferably
be dehumidified by means of drying agents to such an extent
that water of condensation cannot form in the hollow spaces
of the pipes. . .
8 The present invention makes ~t possible to
9 take up or absorb extremely high loads by using very little
material so as to support loads up to the limit of the
11 strength of the material.
12 : .
14 . . - . ~.
. . .
16 . r
23
7 ¦ ¦ ¦
-42-
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