Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~5~56
FIELD OF Tl-IE INVENTION
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This invention is directed generally to a protective
environment for protection of a work site and the occupants
and/or equipment present at the work site from any hostile
effects within an atmospheric environment. More specifically,
the invention is directed to the provision of a lightweight
building structure adapted for provision of a controlled
environment for the work site, occupants and equipment, etc.
and which building structure may be controllably movab:Le
relative to a work site. It may be desirable to provide
protective environments for protection of large or small
equipment from adverse weather conditions. It may also be
desirable to provide protection for large work sites, such
as might be involved in the erec~ion of large building
structures in areas where weather causes substantial inter- ~ -
ference, thereby achieving greater efficiency during con-
struction operations.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Çompanies that are in the business of heavy,
relatively continuously moving construction operations,
such as pipeline construction, roadway construction, and the
like historically have been required to function during
adverse weather conditions. It is well known that adverse
weather conditions such as rain, snow, blowing sand, etc.
add to the cost of construction operations and can easily
cause severe delays in completion of construction operations.
Moreover, many outdoor construction operations, such as
pipeline construction, for example, are typically limited to
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daylight construction operations because it is unfeasible
to provide adequate external lighting along right of ways
during construction operations. In some cases it is
desirable to accelerate progress of the construction work
in order to limit the amount of time the workmen are subjected
to severe weather conditions and to meet tight construction
deadlines. It is therefore desirable to provide a means for
substantially limiting the adverse effects of hostile weather
environments that might reduce the effectiveness of con-
struction crews and add severely to the cost of construction.
It is also desirable to provide means for conveniently
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~ extenaing the working period as long as practical to limit
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overall construction time. With extended work periods,
construction operations might be conducted by alternating crews
, that keep construction operations functioning from two to
three eight hour shifts~ effectively reducing the number of
days necessary for completion of construction operations.
Where pipelines, roads or the like are being
constructed in severely hostile environments, such as extremely
cold climates, in tropical areas where rain may reduce the
effectiveness o work operations or in the areas where dust
or sand storms might severely interfere with construction
operations, it is desirable to provide a controlled environ-
ment in which workmen may function efficiently and in which
construction operations may be conducted regardless of
external weather conditions.
;' Since pipeline construction operations or operations
utilized in construction of roadways and the like are ~-
` continuously moving operations or at least have increments of
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linear movement as the work progresses, i-t is desirable to
provide a controlled environmen-t -that is also movable as the
construction operation progresses. I-t is also desirable that
the controlled environment be of sufficient size -that
construction operations may be carried on without being
restricted by the physical size of the controlled environment.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present
invention to provide a controlled environment protection of a
work site including equipment and occupants and wherein a
controlled environment is movable in its erect or substantially
erect condition as construction or other work is extended along
an elongated right of way or work site.
Among the several objects of the present invention is
noted the contemplation of a novel lightweight movable building
structure that provides a controlled environment for protection
of a work site and which includes in one preferred aspect, means
for varying the height-to-width ratio of the buil~ing structure
in order that the stability of the building structure be
controlled in accordance with weather conditions.
It is also an important ob~ect of the present
invention to provide a novel lightweight building structure
providing a controlled environment wherein the building
structure incorporates in another preferred embodiment, means
for varying the effective weight of the building structure on
the work site, to allow the stability of the building structure
to be controlled as desired and to facilitate movement of the
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building structure when such movement is desired.
Another object of the present inven-tion contemplates
the provision of a novel building structure that is movable and
provides the controlled environmen-t for the occupants thereof
and which building structure is composed of flexible material
and includes accordian folds therein that allow considerable
movement of the building structure while traversing undulating
terrain without causing the thin fle~ible material of the
building structure to become overstressed at any localized area.
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It is also an object of the present invention to
provide a lightweight building structure wi~hin which may be
developed a controlled working environment, wherein a major
I portion of the covering structure of the building may be
; composed of thin and flexible sheet material which is supported
by means of tuhular air inflatable support ribs secured to or
formed integrally with the sheet material.
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Other and further objects, advantages and eatures of
the present invention will become apparent to ones skilled in
the art upon consideration of this disclosure. The form of the
invention, which will now be described in detail, illustrates -`;
the general principles of the invention, but it is to be
understood that this detailed description is not to be taken as
limiting the scope of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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The invention in one of its broader aspects
comprehends a controlled environment for protection of a work
area from any hostile effects of the atmospheric environment,
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the controlled env.ironment being movable to selected positions
along a moving work site and including platform means having
site engaging means and a lightweight building structure
attached to the platform means and providing a protective
enclosure. The enclosure substantially contains the controlled
environment, and the lightweight building structure is formed of
a thin, flexible material maintained in erect condition
responsive to maintenance of a superatmospheric pressure ~ . :
condition therein. Preferably the controlled environment
includes means for controllably adjusting the height-to-width -~
ratio of the lightweight building structure. Air supply means
provided for in the controlled environment maintain a regulated
superatmospheric pressure within the lightweight building
structure at all times, the superatmospheric pressure being
controllably regulatable for stabilization of the building
.~ structure relative to wind velocity at the work site. Motive
~ means are provided for the platform means and cause desired .~-
.~ movement of the platform means and the lightweight building .
- structure relative to the moving work site.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method
of providing a controlled environment for protection of a work
area and in which a construction, inspection or repair operation
- may be conducted and which controlled environment may be moved
relative to a work site. The method includes providing a
~;: plurality of movable platform means adapted to rest upon ground
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surface adjacent the work site, providing a lightweight
collapsible building structure that can be supported by the
plurality of platform means and in which building st~ucture the
operation may take place, the lightweight building structure
being formed of a thin flexible material, and erec-ting the
lightweight collapsible building structure on the platform means
and maintaining the erect condition. This includes pxoviding
air supply means in the building strueture for maintaining a
regulated superatmospherie pressure within the building
structure, the superatmospherie pressure being eontrollably
regulatable for stabilization of the building strueture relative
to wind veloeity at the wa~k site. The method further provides
for moving the plurality of platform means and the lightweight
building structure along the surface of the work site to a
desired loeation, modifying the height-to-width ratio of the
lightweight building structure to inerease the stability of the
building structure, to provide an ade~uately high ceiling for
working operations and to allow passage of the building
strueture through work sites that are more narrow than the
normal width of the building strueture and adjusting the spacing
of the plurality of platform means disposed in spaeed relation
with the building strueture.
A still further aspeet of the invention comprehends a
eontrolled environment in whieh eonstruction, inspeetion or
repair operation may be eonduete~ and whieh controlled
.environment is movable to seleeted portians along a moving work
site. The environment includes platform means having site
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; engaging means, a lightweight collapsible pressure inflated
building structure attached to and supported by the pla-tform
means and in which building structure the operation may take
place, and motive means for the platform means and Eor causing
desired movement of the lightweight building structure along the
surface as the work site also moves along the surface. Means
are provided to modify the effective weight of the platorm
means to control the stability of the building structure, the
effective weight being determined responsive to forces tending
to impart undesirable movement to the building structure. The
effective weight modifying means include means to controllably
alter pressure conditions within the building structure.
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A preferred embodiment of the present invention may
conveniently take the form of an inflatable or air supported
building structure that is maintained erect by maintenance of a
condition of superatmospheric pressure therein or maintained in
its erect condition by air inflated tubular structural support
ribs. The major portion of the side walls and roof of the
building structure may be composed of lightweight relatively air
20 impervious sheet material against which the superatmospheric
pressure reacts. Where air pressure differential support is
not desired, the sheet material of the side walls and roof
portion of the collapsible building structure may be effectively
' supported by means of tubular air inflated ribs that become
sufficiently rigid upon being inflated to provide structural
support ~or the sheet material.
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At the lower extremity of the building structure, ~`
when air pressure differential support is provided, structure
may be provided to maintain a substantial seal between the
work site and building structure to allow the developm~nt of
a ground effect air cushion that has the effect of reducing
the effective weight of the building structure and renders
it readily movable while maintaining sufficient effective
weight to stabilize the building structure and prevent it
from moving responsive to high velocity wind. A motive means
is provided for imparting movement to the building structure
when movement is desired and such motive means may be
external or self contained as desired.
A number of movable supports~ such as platforms~
trailers, or sleds may be provided that may be connected in
linear manner on either side of the building structure~
which movable supports are of sufficient weight for maintenance
of the total perimeter of the building structure in close ~ `
proximity to the work site. The movable supports may also
be transporting devices for fuel and equipment for the
`A~ 20 various work operations that may be conducted within the
controlled environment and additionally may transport air
flowing devices that serve to force air into the building
structure and maintain the superatmospheric pressure condi-
tion required for stability of the same. Additionally,
the air blowing devices may be capable of directing air into
a chamber defined beneath thé sled devices when the mouement
of the sled devices is desired, thereby creating a cushion
of air for at least partial support of the sled devices to
reduce the effectlve wei~ht thereof and enable motive meaDs
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1~J55356
to move the entire building structure. The air blowing
devices may also be utilized in such manner as to develop
a subatmospheric pressure condition within a chamber
beneath the sled devices, thereby creating holddown forces
that serve to increase the effective weight of the sled
devices and improve the resistance of th~e entire lightweight `~
building structure to the effects of high winds. The air
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blowing devices may also be equipped with heat exchanger
mechanisms for providing either cool or warm air for the
environment within the building structure as desired.
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Filters for removing particulate material such as sand and
dust may also be incorporated into the air blowing aevices.
To prevent the platforms, trailers or sleds from
i drifting sideways under the influence of wind or because of
the slope of the terrain on which the building structure
rests, while the platforms, trailers or sleds are maintained
in the reduced weight condition ~hereof by the ground effect
cushion of air, one or more keels, runners or other site -~
contacting devices may be provided that will be in contact
with the work site at all times and will effectively resist
undesirable drifting of the building structure. Movement
of the building structure is thereby directionally controlled.
The keels, runners or other drift preventing devices may
be formed integral with the sled structures or may be
ad~ustably carried thereby as desir~d.
To facilitate traverse of undulating terrain, ` ,~
, the inflatable building structure may be provided with a
plurality of sections having accordian like folds that enable
the materials from which the building structure is composed
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to have substantial movement without developing any local
stresses that might have an adverse affect on the building
structure.
The lightweight building structure of the present
invention may comprise flexible side walls and a roof that ;
may be composed of lightweight sheet material, the sheet `~
matexial being supported in the erect condition of the
structure by a plurality of spaced rib elements. The
supporting rib elements may conveniently take the form of
tubular elements composed of sheet material which may be
rigidified by air pressure.
Because of the necessity for entry to and exit
from the building structure while it is maintained in erect
condition, the extremities of the buildings may be provided
with rather stiff flexible sections defining openings,
which rather stiff sections may be provided by a plurality
of pressure tube elements that are maintained at higher
air pressure than the air pressure necessary for maintaining
. . .
the building structure in its erect condition. The doors of s
~ the building structure may be defined as flaps as having
holding devices such as magnets that maintain the flaps in a
~1 closed condition to prevent leakage of air from t~e building
; structure when closure of the flaps is desired. The flaps
may be flexible and may accommodate uneven terrain in the
i area of the work site such as might be defined by a ditch,
-, a spoil pile or the like, as is typically the case when
pipelines and roads are being constructed.
To assist in stabilizing the building structure
against sidewise drift at all times but especially when the ~i
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platform, trailer or sled devices are partially supported
by the ground effect cushion of air developed by the air
blower systems to facilitate movement of the building
structure, each of the platforms or sleds may be provided
with one or more low pressure large foot print wheels such
; as are typically utilized on marsh buggies and other soft
terrain vehicles. The wheels serve to control the dixection
of travel of the building structure and tv~ facilitate at
least partial support of the building structure while
; 10 movement of the building structure is underway. Motor
devices, such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, and the
like may be utilized in connection with the support wheels
to provide self contained motive means for the building ?
structure if desired. In the alternative, external towing
devices such as conventional tractors may be connected to
the leading sleds or at intervals between sleds or trailers
- for towing of the building structure. The towing operation
may be conducted either with or without the benefit of
effective weight reduction by ground effect air cushion ;s
2d support, as desired.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- :
So that the manner in which the recited features,
advantages and objects of the present invention as well as
others, which will become apparent, are obtained and can be
understood in detail, more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by -~
reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated
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in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of
this specification.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended
drawings illustrate only a few of numerous types of light-
weight movable building structures that are made possible
by employment of the method and apparatus set forth herein
and the embodiments illustrated in the drawings are not
to be considered limiting of the scope of the invention,
for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope
of this invention.
,;
In the Drawings: ,
Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation in section
of a lightweight movable air pressure differential supported
building structure constructed in accordance with the J
present invention and illustrating the building structure
being controllably moved by means of tractors connecting
to the sled, trailer or platform mechanisms of the building
structures. The left hand portion of Fig. 1 illustrates
the provision of air supported tubular support ribs, which
form a modified embod1ment of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the building
structure of Fig. 1 illustrating the relationship of the
sled, trailer or platform devices to the building structure
and also illustrating tractor type towing mechanisms that
are connected to the building structure for movement for
the same.
12
Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the light-
weight movable building structure depicting an end view
configuration such as might be employed in building struc-
tures specifically designed for use in connection with
construction of pipe lines.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of
a portion of the building structure of Fig. 1, illustrating
one of the platform, trailer or sled devices that may be
utilized in combination with the building structure; appearing
with Figs. 7 and 8.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion
of the building structure constructed in accordance with the
present invention illustrating a portion of the wall structure
of the building in detail and showing in broken line the
fully extended position of the ground effect skirt of the
sled mechanism and showing in full line the typical partially
collapsed position of the ground effect skirt.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a build-
ing structure constructed in accordance with the present
invention, depicting a portion of the wall structure of the
building in detail, illustrating means for effectively
reducing the height-to-width ratio of the flexible inflatable
portion of the building structure and further depicting a
receptacle for containing loose folds of sheet material
that develop as the height of the building structure is
reduced and for directing the loose folds to enter the
receptacle for protective storage.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the lower
portion of a sled or platform structure representing a
modified embodiment of the present invention, depicting
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ground engaging keel~ that may be employed instead of
or in addition to wheel structures for preventing lateral
movement of the sled structure at all times but especially
when the effective weight of the sled structure is reduced
responsive to the presence of a ground effect cushion of
air.
Fig. 8 is an elevational pictorial representation
of an inflatable building structure constructed in accordance
with the prèsent invention and representing a modified
embodiment, which is specifically designed to prevent
overstressing of the thin flexible sheet material of the
building structure as the building structure is moved
relative to undulating terrain. .,
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although a lightweight movable building structure
in accordance with the present invention may take many other
suitable forms as explained abovel for the purpose of
simplicity, the building structure of the present invention
is illustrated and~discussed as it might apply in connection
with construction of pipelines, roadways and the like.
Also, it is not intended in any way to limit the size and ~ -
configuration of the building structure, it being obvious
that building structures in accordance with the present
invention may take many different forms and sizes without
departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
For example, such building structures may be of sufficiently
small size to cover or protect any type of vehicle or personnel
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1~55356 ~ ~
activity outdoors ranging from the smallest vehicle which
will transport one person or the smallest practical piece
of industrial or commercial equipment to the moderately
large range which might provide protection for several dozen
pieces of industrial equipment commonly utilized in
construction, repair, inspection or operation of pipelines
and or roads.
It is also within the concept of this invention
to provide extremely large movable building structures for ;
construction or other operations related to extremely
large structures and for moving the erected building
structures from place to place while erected or inflated
in accordance with the fundamental concept of the present
invention. For example, the present basic concepts may be
employed for utilization of an inflatable building structure
and for moving the same while still inflated over and
covering many dozens or hundreds of acres or even several ~ ,
square miles such as an area wherein an entire subdivision ;
of a city might be under construction, then permitting s
uninterrupted construction operations as well as other
desirable operations to continue to progress in adjacent
.,
axeas by simply moving the inflated building structure as
construction continues. `~ ~-
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At least two basic concepts of accomplishing
movement of an inflated building structure will be evident
as detail discussion of the present invention continues ;
and each of these particular methods may be suited to
different type situations or environments. Exten~ions and/or
combinations of these two basic methods are rendered
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available in accordance with ti-le scope of the present inven-
tion. The first method may involve erec-ting the building
structures in seyments, each segment except the first being
initially inflated in par-t within the confines of another
fully erected building structure and then gradually moving
the newly completed segment out of the erected building
structure while under partially inflated conditions. After
complete removal from the erected building structuret the
building s-tructure can be fully erected and connected to
the previous completed building structure as desired. This
procedure, as will be more fully explained hereinbelow,
avoids -the very major difficulty of attempting to erect an
inflatable building under windy conditions, which conditions
render erection of inflatable buildings very difficult,
dangerous and in some cases practically impossible.
The second general method for achieving movement
of an inflated or erected building structure may be accomplished
by moving the inflated building in a desired direction while
maintaining the building structure fully inflated and
~0 pressurized, wherein the moving operations includes means
for controllably moving hold-down weight devices that are
essential to any inflatable building in order to prevent
it from being blown out of control by external winds and/or
by the action of the superatmospheric pressure utilized
to maintain the building in erect condition. In accordance
with this method, the infla-ted building could be moved
forward or backward either continuously or at intervals as
required for efficient utilization of personnel and equipment
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working in the protective environment provided by the
building structure. Furthermore, the terrain itself may
be protected from adverse weather such as rainstorms,
snow storms, and the like which can severely hamper con-
struction operations as are typically accomplished out of
doors. While either of the above general methods of erection
and movement of portable building structures may be suited
to a particular requirement or situation, it will be seen
from the detailed description set forth below that these
general methods when properly implemented will be of
great usefulness to all types of outdoor commercial or
industrial activity. The present invention may be employed
effectively with either of these two general methods.
Referring now to ~he drawings and first to Fig. l,
there is depicted a movable lightweight building structure,
illustrated generally at 10, having a wall structure 12
composed of relatively air impervious thin flexible material
such as plastic sealed or rubberized fabric material and `~,!"
which wall structure is maintained in a suitable controlled i~
configuration by a plurality of restraining elements 14
that may conveniently take the form of cables, ropes,
strong fabric tapes and the like that may be connected to
the fabric material in any desired manner. The extremities
of the restraining devices 14 may be suitably connected to
support devices that cause the building structure to be
retained in the desired erect condition thereof reyardless
of the external forces to whlch the structure is subjected,
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such as the force developed on the build:Lng structure by
wind, or example. Part of the support devices located
at the extremities of the building structure may be
defined by rather rigid end support structures 16 and 18
that may in turn be supported by the end ones of the
plurality of sleds, trailers or platform devices such as
shown at 20a and 20b. In the vicinity of the platform
devices the restraining devices 14 may be secured directly
to connecting elements provided on the platform devices. ~
Between each of the platform devices 20a and 20b ~ '
may be provided a connecting element 22 which connecting
element may be in the form of a rigid ramework simply serving
as a rigid spacer between the platform devices. Pivot means
such as shown at 24 and 26 may provide the connection
between the extremities of the framework and the individual
platform devices and may allow articulation between the rigid
framework and each of the platform devices facilitating
' traverse of undulating terrain. The spacer framework may also
be provided with a~ air-cushion type skirt similar to that
provided on the platforms~ if additional lift or hold-down
force is desired.
With reference to Fig. 3, an end view of a light-
weight movable building structure desi~ned particularly for
utilization in connection with construction with pipelines
may take the form shown, wherein doors may be provided for
entry and exit of construction equipment. These doors may
take the form of air locks to mini~ize air loss. For
example, one o the particular pieces of construction
equipment typically utilized in connection with cons~ruction
~ of pipelines is a side boom tractor which employs a rather
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tall support boom struc~ure tllat functions in connection
with lifting and transporting of pipe. It is obvious
that side boom tractors carrying sections of pipe will be
required to transport pipe from a pipe storage facility
to the vicinity of the pipeline being constructed and will
need to enter and exit the portable building structure. To
facilitate such operations the building structure will be
provided with a rather large door opening 28 of considerable
height. The frame for this door may be composed of the same
air impervious ~lexible material from which the flexible
portion of the building structure is formed, but the material
may be constructed in tubular form. Air may be retained ,
within the tubular form o~ the ramework 30 at suEficient:Ly
higher pressure as compared to the superatmospheric pressure
contained within the building structure, to maintain the
framework structure of the door in substantially rigid
condition. The restraining devices extending to the
vicinity of the door 28 may be secured to connectors 32
and restraint connector devices 34 may also be secured to
2~ the connectors 32 in order to maintain the structural
integrity of the building structure whiie the door is closed.
The restraining devices 34 may be disconnected when it is
desired to open the doorway for entry or exit of construc-
tion equipment. It has also been envisioned that provision
of a rather rigid complete end wall structure of the inflated
building can eliminate the necessity for providing additional
removable restraining elements, such as those shown at 3~.
In this case, substantially all of the end wall structure
of the flexible building may be composed of tubular elements
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that are maintained at substantially higher pressure than
the internal pressure of the building. For example, the
internal pressure maintaining the building structure in an
erect condition may be in the order of a few ounces in
excess of atmospheric pressure while pressure within the `
tubular elements defining the end wall structure may be in :
the order of 5 to 30 psi.
The door opening 28 may be provided with a pair
of closure flap elements 27 and ~9 that are also composed
of flexible alr impervious material and which may be held
together in any suitable fashion to prevent leakage of . ; :
air through the doorway. For example, the doorway opening
33 may be provided with a plurality of magnetic elements
35 that engage ferrous metal members on the opposite flap ` :
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structure in order to provide a substantial seal between ~ ~ `
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the two flaps. When entry of equipment through the doorway
is desired, it is simply necessary to provide a force that ~ .
is sufficiently great to overcome the magnetic attraction
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of the maynetic elements 35 to the ferrous metal elements.
In the alternative, each of the flaps 27 and 29 may be
provided with strips of material that adhere to one another
tightly when brought into contact. One example of such
material is that sold under the registered trademark VELCRO.
In the construction of a pipeline a trench or ditch -
such as shown at 36 is typically formed by conventional
ditching e~uipment and formation of the ditch typically
results in the formation of an elongated spoil pile such as : -
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shown at 38. It is desirable that the building structure
be capable of negotiating the ditch and spoil pile without
allowing excess amounts of air to be exhausted therefrom.
Additionally, i~ is desirable that the building structure
; be capable of negotiating pipe such as shown at 40 that might
be disposed adjacent the ditch 36. Accordingly, the build- -
ing structure may be provided with a flap element 42 that
extends downwardly into the ditch 36 and functions to provide
a sea~ to prevent air from being exhausted ~rom the ditch
structure. The flap 42 may be composed of any suitable
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;` flexible material, but it must have good wear characteristics
because it is dragged along the wall structure of the ditch -~
, as the building is moved. A rather heavy but flexible ~ ;~
j, rubberized fabric material will function ~uite efficiently
to define the flap 42. :
The building structure may also be constructed
with a generally triangular opening, such as shown in 44, ;
that is of a size and shape to receive the spoil pile 38.
Within the opening 44 may be provided a quantity of loose
material 46, defining a sealing element that engages the
spoil pile and prevents unnecessary leakage of air through
the triangular opening 44. Additionally, an air inflated
, tubular structure 48 may be employed to reinforce the build-
; ing structure in the vicinity of the opening 44 to prevent
any localized portion of the building structure from being
excessively stressed. A similar tubular reinforcing element
50 may be employed to receive the pipe 40 within a generally
rectangular opening 52. The opening 52 may also be lined
with a quantity of flexible material 54 that is adapted to
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fit rather closely about the pipe and provide a seal to
prevent excessive leakage of air. It may also be necessary
to prevent leakage through the pipe and this can be
accomplished simply by placing any suitable sealing element
over the upstream extremity of the pipe, thereby causing
the air pressure within the building structure to maintain~
the sealing element in sealed engagement with the pipe.
While particular structure has been sho~n for the building
structure that has been designed for utilization in connection
with construction of pipelines, other building structures
having other end designs may be employed within the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
When utilizing lightweight air supported building
structures or air tube supported building structures it is
necessary to provide sufficient "hold-down" weight that will
prevent the building from moving undesirably responsive to
internal and external forces, such as the force of air
pressure within the building or the force developed by wind.
The amount of hold-down weight required is quite large :
- because it is necessary to counteract the lifting force of
the pressure differential internally and externally of the
bui~ding structure, which lifting force can be as much as
2000 to 4000 pounds per 10 feet of length in a building
structure having a width in the order of 100 feet. For a
building structure 1000 feet in length for example, hold- `
down weights of 300,000 to 400,000 pounds may be required
on each side of the building structure to overcome the
lifting force developed by the pressure differential. The
effective weight of the building structure is even more
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critical when considerin~ movement of the building, because
it may be necessary to reduce the effective weight of the
building structure substantially while accomplishing such
movement. Moreover, it will be typical for the building to
yield under circumstances where wind is blowing and it will
be necessary to maintain the building in a sufficiently
rigidly inflated condition to withstand the forces of winds,
which may be in the order of 50 miles per hour or greater.
It is considered appropriate therefore to provide
hold-down forces that may be adjusted in accordance with
the activity that is involved with the building structure
and one suitable means of achieving controlled variation
of the hold-down forces may conveniently take the form
illustrated in the drawings and shown particularly in Figs.
4 and 5 where each of the sleds or platforms 20a and 20b may
be constructed to be at least partially supported by a
ground effect cushion of air provided in a chamber between
the sled or platform mechanism and the surface of the site on
which the platform rests. The cushion of air may be controlled
in such a manner that it will reduce the eective weight o
the platform to any suficient degree, thereby allowing the
platform to be readily movable along with portions of the
building structure. Each of the sleds or platforms may be
in the order of 30 to 50 feet in length and between 4 to 10
feet in width an~ may be composed of steel or other strong
and heavy material The platform or sled structure, together
with any apparatus mounted thereon, such as electrical
generator equipmentt batteries, inflation fans and other
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mechanisms for control of the environment within the building
structure, may constitute the normal hold-down weight, but
the effective weight of the platfoxm or sled mechanisms may
be controlled in the manner discussed hereinbelow.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 as well as in other
figures of the drawings, each of the sled or platform
structures, illustrated generally at 20, may include a rather
rigid base s~ructure 56 that may be secured in any suitable
manner to the balloon and skirt portion 58 of a ground
effect lifting structure shown generally at 59. A skirt 64
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is provided on the balloon portion 58 and is composed of a
plurality of adjacent flexible fingers that cooperate to
provide an effective air seal. The balloon and skirt portion
define a generally rectangular shell having a cavity
beneath the shell that cooperates with the surface 60 of the
site to define a chamber 62 within which may be contained
a cushion of air. Contact of the flexible skirt 64 with
the ground surface will cause the skirt to be folded
inwardly, such as shown in Fig. 7, maintaining substantially
sealed contact with the ground and preventing the cushion
of air from completely escaping from beneath the sled or
platform structure. There will, of course, be allowed
limited leakage of flowing air from beneath the ground eEfect
structure as effective weight reduc*ion of the building
structure is taking place. ~ ~
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The flexible skirt 6~ may be composed of any
durable flexible material such as rather heavy na-tural or
synthetic rubber material that may be rein~orced with
any suitable fabric. The flexible s~irt 64 may be composed
of many individual segments 65 that are secured to the
lower extremity of the balloon portion 58 of the platform
and which individual segments cooperate with adjacent
segments to define a cooperative flexible structure tha-t
resists flow o air through the skirt portion. It may also
be desirable to provide the support frame structure 22 ~ -~
shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with a ground effect weight control ;~
system including a flexible skirt portion such as shown at
66 in Fig. 1 and 2. In this case, the sides and top of
the support frame structures are closed defining
an exclosure into which compressed air may be
forced to define an air cushion between the frame element ;
and the surface of the work site. The frame element, so
constructed, will also provide a function of lncreasing the
effective weight of the building structure when a condition
of subatmospheric pressure is maintained thereunder.
In order to force compressed air beneath the sled
structures/ one or more blower devices such as shown in 68
may be provided on each of the platform, trailer or sled
structures, which blower devices may be arranged to suck
air from the atmosphere outside the portable building
structure and to direct the flow of air as desired. Each
of the blowers may be powered by a motor mechanism 70
through means of conventional belting that may be enclosed
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by safety enclosures 72. The motor mechanism 70 may be
of variable speed and power in order to develop air pressure
as required both for subs-taining erection of the building
structure and for direc-ting high velocity air flow beneath
the sled structures that develops sufficient lif-t to
reduce the effec-tive weight of the sled struc-ture as is
desired for movement of the building structure.
For the purpose of controlling -the flow of air
generated by the blowers or fans 68, the discharge opening
74 of each fan will be directed downwardly through the
deck of the base portion 56 causing alr to flow downwardly
; as the motor 70 is driving the an mechanism. ~ir being
directed beneath the sled structure will prov:ide a cushion
of air that will provide a lifting force that reduces the
effective weight of the sled structure. Each of the fan
housings may be provided with a valve element 76 that may ~-
allow air developed by the fan structure to be exhausted
into the building, aeveloping sufficient superatmospheric
pressure within the building structure to maintain it in a
~table condition. When the sole purpose of the flow of air
generated by the fans is to maintain the building structure
in a substantially rigid condition, it is not necessary for
all of the fans of all of the sleds to be employed at any
one time. For example, in a building 500 feet in length
there may be provided 10 or more sled structures, each having
a pair of motorized blowers provided therefor. Utilizing
blowers at each extremity of the building can provide
sufficient air flow to maintain superatmospheric pressure
to prevent collapse of-the building. When it is desired to
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105535~ ` ~
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move the building structure relative to the work site,
most of the blower mechanisms may be activated with the ~ -
valves 76 thereof maintained in the closed position in order
to provide sufficient lifting function without overinflating ~;
the building and stretching or bursting the material from
which the building is composed. Also, if desired, the
door flaps 27 and 29 may be opened and other suitable vent
devices may be opened to allow exhaust of air and prevent
overinflation of the building structure. - ;
Although air may be forced beneath the platform,
trailer or sled structures to reduce the effective weight ~`
thereof, there may develop circumstances where it is desirable
to increase the effective weight oE the sled structures beyond ;`
that which is ordinarily required for stability of the
movable building structure. For example, in the event ,~ ~;
extremely high winds are encountered in the area of the
work site, it may be desirable to increase the hold-down
forces acting upon the building structure to prevent it from
becoming damaged. In accordance with the present invention,
increasing the effective weight of the sled structures may
be accomplished by reversing the direction of the blower
motor 70, thereby reversing the direction of the blowers 68
and causing the blowers to partially evacuate the chamber 62 ;
disposed below the sled structures. When a suction is
created by the fans or blowers 68 in the chamber 62, ~`
atmospheric pressure acts upon the base portion of the
sled structure thereby developing the desired additional
hold-down force.
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It may also be desirable to co~pensate for
externally applied forces such as wind forces by reducing
the height-to-width ratio of the building structure and,
in effect, streamlining the building so it will have less
resistance to blowing wind. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a
relatively rigid wall structure 78 may be secured to each
of tha sled structures perhaps also to each of the rigid
connector framework structures such as shown at 22 in Figs. ;~
1 and 2~ which wall structure extends to a particular
level above the sled structures. Angle braces-such as shown
at 80 and 82 may be received by connectors 84 and 86,
respectively~ provided on the wall structure 78 and by
connectors 88 and 90 provided on the sled structure to retain
the wall structure 78 in erect and stabilized position. `
Connector elements 92 may be provided at th~ upper extremities
of each of the wall structures and conn&ctor elements, such
as shown at 94, may be employed to secure the flexible
material 12 to the upper extremity of the wall structure.
Additionally~ the flexible walls of the building structure `
may be doubled and separately inflated if desired to provide
a erapped air space for the purpose of insulation in the
event the building structure is to be used under severely
cold conditions as might be found in the Artic.
In t~ event it is not desirable to support the
lightweight flexible building structure by means of air
pressure differential it may be desirable to provide rib
means that have the effect of providing effective support
for the sheet material from which a ma~or portion of the
wall and roof portion of the building is constructed. The
.
28
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1~5S35~6
accordance with the present invention, tubular air inflated
rib elements may be employed such as shown at 79 in Fig. 1
the rib elements 79 may be composed of the same air impervious
material from which the wall and roof portions of the
building are composed. The air pressure within the rib
elements may be in the order of 5 to 30 psi as desired to
provide su~ficient structural integrity to adequately support
the sheet material of the building structure.
The sled, trailer or platform structures may be
provided with electrical and hydraulic power generating
mechanisms, such as shown at 81 and 83, respectively,
that provide power for the various work operations being
conducted within the controlled environment. For example,
the electrical power generator mechanism may be capable of
generating electrical power that may be utilized for
welding operations, for lighting the interior of the build-
ing structure, providing electrically energized heating,
cooling, etc. The hydraulic power source may also be
utilized for various work operations that are conducted
within the building. An air supply system may also be
provided for generating high pressure air for various work
operations that are energized by high pressure air, such
as operation of air hammers and drills, for example. The
various power generating mechanisms may be provided with
conventional retractable cords and hoses that are capable
of reaching all of the areas within the building structure.
As shown in Fig. 6, wall structure 98 may be
carried by each of the sled structures and may cooperate
with the external wall structure 78 to define a receptacle 100
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~055356
within which loose folds of the sheet material may descend
when the height of the building structure is reduced. The
sled structures may also include a winch mechanism 102
having a cable 104 or other connecting device received by
conn~ctors 106 provided on the flexible wall structure 12
- of the building. When it is desired to reduce the overall
height or to reduce the height and width of the building,
such as is desirable when the building is moved through a
narrow passage, the winch mechanisms are manipulated either
manually or by powered winch apparatus as desired, thereby
moving the connector 106 and the wall structure of the ;~
enclosure downwardly toward the winch. When this occurs,
loose folds will occur in the wall material below the
connector elements 106 and, to pre~ent damage to these
; loose olds of material, the receptacle 100 is provided as a
receiver that serves a dual function of retainin~ and
providing protection ~or the loose folds of ma~erial. A ;
plurality of weights, such as shown at 108, may also be
connected to the wall structure of the building and may
assist in movement of the loose folds of material downwardly
into the receptacle 100. When strong winds are encountered,
the walls of the enclosure may be winched downwardly, thereby
reducing the overall height of the structure and providing
a re efficient streamlined and stabilized structure that
can better resist the forces of high winds. ?
It may also be desirable to provide means for `;
facilitating movement and support of the sled or platform
structures and to insure against sidewise movement of the
platform structures during forward movement. In accordance
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with the present invention such means may conveniently take
the form of a plurality of relatively large wide foot print
low pressure tires 110 carried by wheels 112 that are rotatably
supported by journals 114 carried by the sled structure. The
' journals receive an axle 116 upon which the wheel structures
112 are rotatably secured. After the effective weight of
the sled structure has been reduced by application of a
ground effect cushion of air by the air supply fans or blowers
68, the tires 110 will remain in contact with the worlc site
and will provide a guiding and rolling function to ~acilitate
movement of the building structure as desired. As shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of towing tractors 118 and 120
may be secured by towing connectors 122 and 124, respectively,
to the sleds defining the leadi~, and trailing extremities
of the building ,structure. With the effective weight of the
' building structures substantially reduced by the ground
effect cushions beneath sled structures and perhaps also,
beneath the connector frame structures 22, the tractor towing
devices 118 and 120 will easily be able to move a building
structure of perhaps 1000 or more feet in length. The
, leading tractor 118 may provide a towing function while the
trailing tractor structure 120 may provide sufficient braking
to prevent unnecessary overrunning or crowding of the sled
devices as the building structure is moved. Under certain
circumstances, the tractor mechanism 120 may also be utilized
to apply a pushing force on the rear most sled device
to assist its movement. Tractors or other motive devices may
also be employed to move intermediate sleds of the building.
31
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~5~35~; `
Movement of the building structure may also be
accomplished by providing the support wheels 112 with means
for achieving a driving fu~ction. If desired, electric
motors, hydraulic motors or any other suitable motor
mechanisms may be drivingly interconnected with the wheel
structures in such a manner to achieve a driving ~unction.
The wheel motors may be powered by generator equipment or
hydraulic supply equipment carried by the individual sled `~
devices. If it is desired to provide the individual support
wheels with motors for achieving a driving function, the
motors 126 may be provided for one, two or more of the eight
wheels of each sled device within the spirit and scope of
the present invention. It is not deemed necessary to
,.
provide each of the support wheels with a drive motor unless
the forces encountered during movement of the building
structure are sufficient to warrant the same.
Although support wheels, such as those shown in
the various figures of the drawings, are deemed appropriate
for controlling movement of the building structure, such
wheels are not deemed mandatory. It is envisioned that sled ?
or platform structures may be provided such as illustrated
in Fig. 7, having no wheels but being provided in the
alternative with a plurality of keels or runners that
maintain continuous engagement with the work site regardless
of the particular vertical position of the sled relative
to the work site. As shown in section, the flexible sealing
elements 64 may be turned inwardly against the ground surface
60 of the site, thereby providing a seal against the yround
structure, which retains a ground effect cushion of air
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~(~S5356
within the chamber 62 and, depending upon the pressure of
air within the chamber 62 provides a lifting function that
serves to reduce the effective weight of the sled structure.
The ~lexible skirt assembly set forth in other figures of
the drawings will function similarly as shown in Fig. 7
when the chamber 62 is maintained under low pressure.
When it is desired to reduce the effective weight
of the sled structure, air pressure within the chamber 62
will be increased and the sled structure will move upwardly
slightly with respect to the surface 60 of the work site.
When this occurs the flexible skirt 64 will straighten
but at least a portion of it will remain in slight air flow
restricting contact with the surface 60 of the work site.
To prevent wind and terrain from imparting undesired movement
to the sled structure, the sled may be provided with at
least one and preferably a plurality of keels such as ;~
illustrated at 120 and 122 that extend below the maximum
level of the flexible skirt and maintain engagement with
the work site at all times. The penetrating relationship :
be~ween the keels and the work site provides sufficient
lateral restraint to prevent the sled from sliding sidewise
in the event the building structure is subjected to severe
wind forces. The rails dc not materiality hamper linear
~ovement of the sleds as the building is towed in linear
manner. In ~act, the keels 120 and 122 serve a guiding
function to cause precise tracking of the sleds as the
building structure is towed in linear manner. Brace elements
124, 126, 128 and 130 may interconnect the respective keels
and the deck portion 132 of the sled structure, thereby
providing sufficient structural integrity to prevent damage
33
~55356
tc the sled structure as large side loads are applied to
the keel structures.
When a building structure of the nature set forth
herein traverses undulating -terrain, it is possible for the
lightweight, thin, air impervious matericll from which it is
: composed to be overstressed in poin-ts thereby causing the
material to tear. Accordingly, in the present invention
excessive localized stressing may be effectively overcorne
in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein the building
structure may be provided with stress relief bands such as
illustrated at 132, 13~, 136 and 13~ where additional
material is retained be-tween closely spaced restraining
devices which allow considerable movement of the material
before any portion of the thin wall structure of the build- ~
ing can become overstressed. ~ ;
~he electrical generators on the trailers can ;~
provide power for electrical welding, eliminating the need
for separate generators, lowering cost of reducing air
pollution within the building. Electrical power "dropcords"
may be suspended from the roof of the inflatable building
at intervals. "Drop cords" can be "coil spring wound" to
; retract out of the way when not required.
In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that I
: have provided a novel controlled environment for protection
of occupants from any hostile effects of the atmospheric
environment and which controlled environment may be simply
and efficiently moved along a work site allowing continuously
movable construction operations to be carried on in a
continuous rnanner or at selected time intervals within the
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1()55356
building struckure in absence of the conditions that migh-t
otherwise result i~ such operations were carried on outdoors.
The presell-t invention facili-tates construction operations
that may be continuous both day and night because internal
lighting may be provided within the building structure as
desired. Moreover, ordinary weather conditions such as rain,
snow, sleet, cold temperatures, windstorms, and the like
will not prevent the construction operations from continuing
unhampered, thereby promoting efficiency of the construction
1~ operation and allowing such operations to be completed in a
minimum amount of time.
I have provided means for controlling the ef~ective
weight o~ sled or platform devices through utilization of
blowing air that either provides an air cushion or a condition
of suction beneath such platform devices as is desired for
enhancing the stability of the building structure or lightening
the building structure in order for it to be efficiently
moved. I have also provided means fGr externally controlling
. movement of the building structure and, if desired have
provided self-driving apparatus for the building structure
as a realistic alternative. Additionally, my invention
provides means ~or controllably moving a building structure
and yet preventing undesirable sidewise movement that
might otherwise occur responsive to the forces of wind or
terrain. In addition, I have provided means for insuring
that the lightweight flexible sheet material from which
the building structure is composed will not become damaged
due to localized overstressing as a building structure is
moved along undulating terrain.
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My invention also promotes utilization of light-
weight inflatable type building structures in areas where
severe wind storms may be encountered. ~y invention
includes a provision of means for effectively modifying
the height-to-width ratio of inflatable building structures
in order to render such structures less susceptible to
damage by the forces of wind.
It is therefore apparent that the present invention
- is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and
advantages hereinabove set forth, together with other
advantages which will become obvious and inherent from a
description of the apparatus and method utilized in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention. It will be
understood that certain combinations and subcombinations
are of utility and may be employed without reference to
other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated
by and is within the scope of the pr~sent invention. As
many possible embodiments may be made of this invention
without departing from the spirit or the scope thereof,
it is to be understood that all matters hereinabove set
forth or shown in the accomp~nying drawings are to be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
36
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