Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Air dome having windows
[0001] Air domes offer compelling advantages for various applications, for
example as
roofing for outdoor pools, as tennis halls, warehouses, commercial halls and
temporary
halls for events of all kinds. They consist of a dome-shaped cover from a
textile-reinforced
plastic membrane, which is anchored to the ground at its edges and sealed
there against
the spanned interior. Using air blowers, an overpressure compared to the
atmosphere is
generated inside which inflates the membrane and holds it stable in this
position. For this,
only a small and not noticeable pressure difference to the atmosphere is
necessary,
because only the membrane weight and any wind and snow loads have to be
carried. This
usually corresponds to a load of approx. 25 to 35 kg/m2. To prevent air from
escaping when
entering or leaving the air dome, the entrances are designed with sealing 4-
leaf revolving
doors or pass-throughs. One distinguishes between single- and multi-layer
membrane
shells, wherein each layer adopts a particular function. The outer shell
usually consists of
a fabric-reinforced plastic membrane of the highest quality, usually light-
transmissive. The
outer shell is the actual static membrane, which has to bears wind and snow
loads and is
impregnated against UV radiation and soiling. The single- to multi-ply
intermediate layers
having enclosed air pockets are incorporated primarily as insulating layers.
They are to
improve the heat transition coefficient of the hall in direction of the
insulation. The innermost
membrane forms the end of the two- to multi-ply air covers. It is executed in
white for light
reflection. For tennis halls, a darker color (e.g. green or blue) is usually
chosen up to a
height of at least 3m, so that the tennis balls are more easily recognizable
to the tennis
players. As so-called flying constructions or movables, air domes are subject
to a special
DIN standard. In contrast to a fixed structure, they can readily be dismantled
and set up
elsewhere if required.
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[0002] A serious disadvantage of such air domes is the generally poor heat
insulation and
thus a high energy expenditure for heating. The Swiss Conference of Cantonal
Energy
Authorities therefore drew up a recommendation EN-8 regarding heated air domes
(December 2007) with the following statements: Existing sports facilities such
as open-air
baths or tennis courts can be covered from autumn to spring with a relatively
inexpensive
"mobile" air dome so that they can be used all year round. Structures having
membrane
roofs have a high energy consumption, which is why these recommendations were
developed for such structures. In the following, the air domes for open-air
baths will be
discussed in more detail, as the higher heat requirement is more important for
these than
for covered tennis courts. An air dome made from film material for the roofing
of a
swimming pool with a length of 58 m and a width of 28 m cost, for example in
Schaffhausen,
Switzerland, approximately 0.5 million Swiss francs. The heating costs account
for approx.
1/6 of the construction costs, i.e. they amounted to 81,000 Swiss francs for
the winter
2004/2005 and 86,000 Swiss francs for the winter 2005/2006. With a 2x2-layer
membrane,
it should be possible to reduce the heat requirement, and thus the costs for
natural gas, by
approx. 30%.
[0003] As early as March 1993, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE)
published the
brochure "Rational energy use in indoor swimming pools" with the following
figures relating
to cubic volume and EBF [sic ¨ energy reference area?], indicating the
consumption values
for 1993 for renovated and newly constructed pools with conventional, solid
building cover.
These values include the sum of heat (usually fossil fuels) and electricity
(including water
preparation, ventilation, lighting, changing room ventilation, ...) required
for these
buildings.
Bath Water surface (m2) 1993 renovated baths 1993 build baths
(MJ/m2a) (MJ/ni2a)
Small 200-300 1,300 1,100
Medium Approx. 00 1,100 900
Large More than 1,000 1,000 800
[0004] For new buildings, the ratio of heat to electricity is about 1: 1. For
example, the
indoor swimming pool reconstructed in 1988 in Uster, Switzerland, shows the
following
summands:
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Eheat 479 MJ/m2a + Eelectricity 587 MJ/m2a = Etotal 1,066 MJ/m2a
Since 1993, the most important change has been the SIA 380/1 standard (2001
edition),
which introduced a separate "Indoor swimming pools" category, taking into
account the
high internal temperature of 28 C. For an individual building component
statement, the
requirements were Urootwall 0.18 W/m2K and Uwindows = 1.0 W/m2K (climate
Zurich, without
consideration of the maximum share, MuKEn Module 2). Newer consumption figures
are
not available. Today it can be assumed that the consumption figures for new
baths can be
more than halved. The parameters for heat and electricity are to be shown
separately and
not ¨ as in the above table ¨ added in unweighted manner.
[0005] An energetic consideration for open-air baths with air dome roofing is
shown in the
following: A decisive structural part is the film of the air dome. With
today's state-of-the-art
technology, the roof can be constructed with 2x2 membranes, which results in a
U-value
of about 1.1 W/m2K. There are also 3- or only 2-layer membrane roofs with a
significantly
lower U-value (3-layer approx. 1.9 W/m2K). For the covering of a swimming
pool, the
additional price for the best construction is definitely reasonable in view of
the high follow-
up costs due to the energy consumption. In contrast, a certain transmissivity
of the film to
solar radiation is to be rated positively. The total energy transfer ratio
amounts to
approximately 0.1 (0.07 to 0.2). It also has to be taken into account that the
structural parts
in the ground also cause heat dissipation. For an indoor swimming pool, these
structural
parts are well heat-insulated. If an existing open-air bath is covered only
for the winter,
these components are rarely insulated. To reduce heat losses into the earth, a
perimeter
insulation approx. 1 m deep has to be integrated into the concrete foundation
23 between
the two anchors of the membrane. This allows the heat flow into the ground to
be reduced
(calculation see standard EN 13370).
[0006] In the following, a comparison of the heat requirement for different
film structures
for the roofing of an outdoor swimming pool in Schaffhausen, Switzerland,
having a total
energy transfer ratio of 0.1 is stated:
Film size 2-layer film 3-layer film 2x2-layer film
64 m x 30 m U = 2.7W/m2K U = 2.7W/m2K U = 2.7W/m2K
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Heat requirement film
cover 2,500 MJ/m2a 2,000 MJ/m2a 1,500 MJ/m2a
Pure heat demand at
temperatures of outside -8 C 200 kW 140 kW 80 kW
and inside +28 C (without
ventilation)
As a result this means that even with a 3-layer membrane (U-value approx. 1.9
W/m2K),
the energy demand amounts to about 2,000 MJ/m2a. This consumption is about
four times
higher than for a medium-sized indoor swimming pool built in 1993. Therefore,
the
applicable requirements as to thermal insulation according to SIA 38011(2001
edition) of
approx. 300 MJ/m2a for a conventional air dome cannot be met by a factor of 5
to 6.
(Calculations: Ingenieurburo R. Mader, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, on behalf of
the EnFK.)
The operating experience of the bath in Schaffhausen confirms these high
consumption
values, as shown by the evaluation of the consumption data 2004 to 2006 by
IngenieurbOro
Mader.
[0007] For sports halls with lower ambient temperature requirements, a
comparison of
annual costs was prepared for a typical hall measuring 35 m x 35 m. This shows
that the
additional costs for a 2x2-layer membrane can usually be amortized even at the
lower
indoor temperatures with the lower heat costs alone, as shown in the following
table for a
tennis hall of 35 m x 35 m having 2 courts:
Film size 2-layer film 3-layer film 2x2-layer film
40 m x 40 m U = 2.8W/m2K U = 1.70W/m2K U = 1.10W/m2K
Heat requirement film
cover 570 MJ/m2a 330 MJ/m2a 200 MJ/m2a
Mere heat demand at
temperatures of outside -8 C 110 kW 70 kW 50 kW
and inside +16 C (without
ventilation)
In summary, it can be stated that sports facilities currently covered with air
domes cannot
meet the requirements for thermal insulation of the building cover. In
particular, the roofing
of an open-air bath having an air dome leads to a very high energy
consumption, which is
more than four to five times higher than for a "normal" indoor swimming pool.
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[0008] The object of the present invention is to flood such an air dome at
least partially with
daylight in order to create an ambiance, and atmospheric and visible
connection to the
outside world inside the air dome. A further object of the invention is to
improve the
acoustics within the air dome and thus provide a more pleasant atmosphere. Yet
a further
object is to specify such an air dome having daylight inside, which can be
erected more
quickly and with far less personnel than hitherto, and which, if necessary,
can be
dismantled just as quickly and easily, and is easy to transport and put into
interim storage.
And finally it is an object of the invention to specify such an air dome
having considerably
better thermal insulation and can thus meet the applicable requirements for
the heat
insulation of a building cover. The fourth object of this invention is to
improve the acoustics
within the air dome and thus provide a more pleasant atmosphere.
[0009] This object is achieved by an air dome having one or several membrane
shells from
plastic film material, characterized in that it has on at least one
longitudinal or transverse
side a frame construction which is connected to the bordering membrane
material, and in
the frame profile at least one transparent or translucent film or a firm or
bendable plate is
incorporated, for forming a window front.
[0010] The drawings show embodiment example for such air domes and they are
described
hereinafter on the basis of these figures, their construction is outlined and
their effect is
explained.
There are shown:
Figure 1: An strip foundation insulated on the inside, made from
concrete with a cast-
in connecting profile as anchor rail;
Figure 2: A membrane strip of the membrane to be constructed
extending from one
side of the hall to the other;
Figure 3: A cut along line A-A in Figure 2 for showing how two
membrane strips are
connected to each other along their length to a profile on the outside;
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Figure 4: A cut along line A-A in Figure 2 for showing how two
membrane strips are
connected to each other along their length to a profile on the inside;
Figure 5: The end section of a membrane strip reaching the ground
represented in a
longitudinal section;
Figure 6: The overlap of two membrane strips along their
longitudinal edges;
Figure 7: The constructing of a hall by means of juxtaposed
membrane strips with their
longitudinal edges interconnected by means of each a keder and an
associated connecting profile, schematically represented;
Figure 8: A connecting profile for two keders running along the
longitudinal edge of a
film web;
Figure 9: The heat-sealing of a keder into the edge region of a
membrane strip;
Figure 10: The connecting of a keder, which is encompassed by a film portion,
by heat-
sealing this section at the edge of the membrane strip;
Figure 11: The connecting of two membrane strips with each a keder along their
longitudinal edge by means of a connecting profile according to Figure 8;
Figure 12: The connecting of two membrane webs along their longitudinal edges,
fastened by means of a connecting profile and a single keder, to only one of
the two membrane edges;
Figure 13: An air dome in cross section, with film webs running transversely
to the
viewing direction and the connecting profiles for the keder for connecting two
adjacent film webs;
Figure 14: Two 2-ply membrane webs to be interconnected upon inserting a heat-
reflective mat;
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Figure 15: The inserting of a heat-reflective mat into a 2-ply membrane web
represented
in magnified form, and the neighboring 2-layer membrane web having a
connecting profile to be pushed over the two keders;
Figure 16: The one front side of an air dome, that is, running along the
tennis court, as
an air-supported tennis hall for two tennis courts, in a vertical plan;
Figure 17: The front wall construction with the inserted film web before the
subsequent
inflation of the air dome;
Figure 18: A longitudinal view of the air dome after the inflating has been
effected;
Figure 19: This air dome according to figures 16 to 18 seen in a floor
plan, with the court
lines of the two tennis courts on its floor;
Figure 20: An air dome for three tennis courts in a front view;
Figure 21: The floor plan of the air dome according to Figure 20, with three
tennis courts
drawn in on its ground;
Figure 22: The one front side or back side of an air dome, that is, running
along the
longitudinal side of the tennis courts, following the same construction
principle, in vertical plan;
Figure 23: An air dome for three tennis courts represented in a bird's eye
view;
Figure 24: The floor plan of a further embodiment of a tennis air dome, for
two tennis
courts;
Figure 25: The longitudinal side of this air dome according to Figures 16 to
19, that is,
running along the head sides of the tennis courts, with a window front 3.5
meter high from the ground, represented in vertical plan, with tennis nets
drawn in;
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Figure 26: This air dome according to Figures 16 to 19 in a view toward one of
its front
sides which run along the longitudinal sides of the tennis courts, with
windows;
Figure 27: A perspective view of this air dome with windows, as seen over two
tennis
courts;
Figure 28: A perspective view from the inside of this air dome, as seen
outwardly across
a tennis court, toward a corner.
[0013] In conventional air domes, the membrane to be supported by means of air
pressure
is firmly and airtightly interconnected by heat-sealing, from several membrane
strips
overlapping at the edge to form a 2- to 3-part membrane. The 2 to 3 membrane
parts are
screwed together by means of clamping plates. The screwed-together membrane is
then
connected with its edge all around with foundations or ground anchors. This
membrane of
a conventional air dome thus forms a continuous, smooth surface inside and
outside, and
it is not possible to attach anything to it on the inside, except by means of
a bonding. This
also makes the applying of conventional thermal insulation impossible.
[0014] The air domes according to the invention have in all embodiments a very
special
equipment for retaining its heat inside the air dome. Their films or membranes
are provided
with a heat-reflective material for thermal building insulation. For this
purpose, this heat-
reflective material is inserted in the form of mats, which are cut from a
roll, on the inside of
the membrane, for example in flat pockets arranged like a matrix, which are
heat-sealed
onto the membrane. After the heat-reflective mats have been inserted, the
pockets are
closed, for example by means of a Velcro fastener or a zip fastener. Thereby
the entire
membrane is covered by these heat-reflective mats which are hidden in the
pockets.
[0015] Advantageously, the membranes are at the same time constructed in a
novel way
in comparison to that of the conventional air domes, namely from several
membrane strips
which are linked together along their longitudinal sides by means of keders
and keder
connecting profiles into a complete membrane. Firstly, this is faster,
requires far less
personnel and offers the advantage that the membrane can again be easily
dismantled, so
that the air dome can be dismantled, moved and reassembled elsewhere much more
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easily. The individual film webs are equipped with special pockets for
insertion, as will be
shown and explained later.
[0016] For constructing such an air dome, only a strip foundation 23 from
concrete is
erected around the hall, into which a keder connecting profile 1 as anchor
rail 22 is either
cast or screwed on, as shown in Figure 1. The membrane strips 8 reaching down
to the
ground are inserted with their end-side keders 5 into these connecting
profiles 1 or anchor
rails 22, so that a force-locking and airtight connection is created. The
individual membrane
strips 8 are connected with each other along their longitudinal edges, which
are also
equipped with keders, by means of several connecting profiles, so that a
complete
membrane is formed, which consists of a number of such mutually adjoining
membrane
strips 8. By means of one or several fans, a low overpressure compared to the
atmosphere
is generated. Due to this overpressure, the membrane rises upward and is
inflated and
kept stable in this position due to the low overpressure.
[0017] In Figure 2 an individual membrane strip 8 is represented, in a
position as if it were
installed in a hall membrane. Thus it extends from the ground over the zenith
of the hall to
the ground on the other side. It therefore measures, for example, 42 meters in
length if it
is to span a tennis court lengthwise. Its width measures approx. 3 to 5
meters, depending
on the implementation. It is executed two-ply and thereby forms a pocket. Into
this bag a
heat-reflective mat is inserted such as will be described later. Such mats are
roll material,
which is available in widths of 2.5 meters, for example, having a thickness of
approx.
25mm. A strip of 2.5 m x 42 m length can be inserted into the pocket of a
membrane strip,
or two such heat-reflective mats overlapping slightly along their longitudinal
edge can be
inserted in the pocket of said membrane strip over its entire length. For this
purpose, the
two-ply membrane strip is heat-sealed on three sides, and one longitudinal
side is initially
left open so that a pocket is formed. This allows the inserting of a strip of
heat-reflective
film over the entire length of the membrane strip. Afterwards, the opening of
the pocket in
the membrane strip is heat-sealed, so that the membrane strip is tightly
sealed all around,
and then several membrane strips are joined together by means of connecting
profiles with
the keders present along their edges.
[0018] Figure 3 shows a cross-section at position A-A of the membrane strips
8, from
which one recognizes that an overlap of the two strips 8 is produced along
their longitudinal
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edge, so that always a heat-reflective film extends continuously over the
assembled
membrane strips between the inner side and the outer side. Figure 3 shows that
a keder 5
having a film section 6 is heat-sealed onto the membrane strip 8, here on the
left. The
membrane strip 8 on the right rests with its longitudinal edge over the
longitudinal edge of
the left membrane strip 8. Its edge ends in a section 7, which is guided over
the keder 5
and around it. Afterwards, a connecting profile 1 is pushed over the keder 5,
thus creating
a force-locked connection transversely between these two membrane strips 8. On
the
inside of the two membrane strips 8 one can recognize the heat-reflective mats
13. These
mutually overlap slightly, although they are inserted in different pockets.
However, this
creates a continuous heat-reflective layer across the connection of the two
membrane
strips 8 and the forming of a cold bridge or heat bridge is thus prevented.
The membrane
strip 8 directly forms the outer membrane, made from a material as
conventionally used for
the requirements of an outer membrane, and weighs about 1 kg/m2, and the inner
membrane could in principle be made thinner. However, because it lies on the
ground
during the construction of the hall, it has to be at least sufficiently tear-
resistant, with a
weight of approx. 500 to 600 gram/m2. It is impregnated to prevent the
formation of fungi
and mold, and both membranes are also impregnated for dirt repellence, as is
already
conventional practice. Between these two membranes a pocket is formed for the
heat-
reflective mat 13.
[0019] Figure 4 basically shows the same thing, except that the keder is
directed
downward, i.e. toward the interior of the hall, and the connecting profiles
are attached to
the underside of the inner membrane. These profiles can be specially designed
with a
groove on their lower side, in which, for example, lighting fixtures, nets,
partitions, curtains
etc. can be suspended. Advantageously, the inner membranes are perforated,
whereby an
efficient sound insulation is achieved. The sound, as it is generated in
tennis halls by hitting
the balls, or the sound in swimming pools where it is regularly loud, is
effectively refracted
on the perforated inner membrane and a far more pleasant sound climate is
achieved.
[0020] Figure 5 shows the section along the line B-B in Figure 2. The two-ply
membrane
strip 8 is joined at the lower section directed toward the ground and thus
ends in a flat flap
24. This is then folded down on the inside of the hall and rests on the floor.
One recognizes
on the outer side of the outside membrane 8 a keder 5 heat-sealed thereupon.
This serves
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for connecting to the ground. It is inserted into a profile which forms an
anchor rail on a
strip foundation.
[0021] Figure 6 shows an overlap in perspective representation. The membrane
strip 8,
on the left in the picture, overlaps the membrane strip 8, on the right side
of the picture.
This right membrane strip ends in a single-layer film, which is guided over
the keder 5 and
covers it fully and extends slightly further beyond the keder 5. Thus
prepared, a connecting
profile can be pushed over the keder 5.
[0022] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a number of membrane
strips 8,
which are arranged next to each other. In a tennis hall, for example, they
extend
advantageously along the tennis courts and thus span these transversely to the
direction
of the tennis nets on the playing courts.
[0023] In the following, the constructing of a membrane from detachable,
joinable film webs
is outlined in an alternative execution. For this purpose, first a possible
keder connecting
profile 1 is shown in Figure 8. This is formed by an extruded aluminum
profile, which forms
a groove 4 at each of its two longitudinal sides as a keder mount 2. In the
example shown,
each such keder mount 2 is formed by a pipe, which has a longitudinal slot or
a groove 4,
so that the pipe circumference extends by only approx. 270 . The two openings
or grooves
4 in the two keder mounts 2 face away from each other and the two pipes are
connected
with each other integrally by a connecting bridge 3. For the connection of two
membrane
strips 8, such connecting profiles 1 of approx. 30 cm to 50 cm length each are
used.
[0024] The film webs 8 having their pocket 12, which can be connected with
such
connecting profiles 1, are equipped along their longitudinal edges with keders
5. For this
purpose, these keders 5 for example, as shown in Figure 9, are designed as one-
piece
circular plastic profiles with a radially protruding extension 6. A two-ply
film 8 is unstitched
along its edge into two flaps 7, which enclose the extension 6 from both sides
and are
firmly heat-sealed to it. Thereby a force-locked connection is created between
the keder 5
and the film web 8. The edge of a film web 8 can also be heat-sealed onto the
only one
side of the extension 6, wherein the introduction of force is then not
completely
symmetrical.
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[0025] Alternatively, a circular rubber profile 11 can be used as a keder 5,
which is
surrounded by a film 10, wherein the film 10 then ends in two edge sections 9,
as shown
in Figure 10. These two edge sections 9 can receive on both sides a film web 8
having
their pocket 12 along its longitudinal edge between them, and they are firmly
attached to
the film web 8 on both sides by heat-sealing to the edge region of the film
web 8. In this
way too a force-locked connection is generated transversely to the keder 5.
[0026] Figure 11 shows a possibility of a connection of two adjacent film webs
8, whose
longitudinal edges are each equipped with a keder 5. The connecting profiles 1
are pushed
one by one over their keder 5 in the longitudinal direction to the film webs
8. The slots
created between the individual successive connecting profiles 1 allow a
curvature of a thus
created membrane also by a relatively small radius. The slots between the
successive
connecting profiles 1 can be closed with an elastic sealing compound. Ideally,
the longest
possible connecting profile sections are used. For greater lengths of several
meters,
depending on the wall thickness of the profiles, they are bendable by a radius
that allows
an entire membrane dome to be created from one side to the other with only a
few profile
sections. Such a film web 8 of a tennis hall, which spans the courts in the
longitudinal
direction, is approx. 42 m long. For this, a few easily transportable
connecting profile
sections are sufficient, for example 3 x 14 m long sections, or 4 x 10.5 m or
6 x 7 m long
sections.
[0027] Figure 12 shows an alternative possibility of connecting two adjacent
film webs 8.
Here, only the film web 8, on the left in the picture, is equipped with a
keder 5. The film
web 8 on the right is wrapped around the keder 5 of the other film web 8 and
afterward a
connecting profile 1 is pushed over the keder standing upright by 90 , as
shown. This
encompasses the keder 5 by more than approx. 270 and effectuates a force-
locked
connection of the two film webs 8 transversely to the keder 5. The individual
connecting
profiles 1 measure, for example, approx. 30 to 50 cm and can therefore be
pushed on by
a single assembler. Electively, longer profile sections can also be used, up
to a maximally
transportable length.
[0028] Figure 13 shows a cross-section of a tennis hall. The film webs 8 run
transversely
to the viewing direction and extend upward from the ground, over the zenith of
the ridge to
the other side and from there back to the ground. The connecting profiles 1
are pushed
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one by one over their keder 5 in the longitudinal direction to the film webs.
The slots created
between the individual successive connecting profiles 1 allow a curvature of
the membrane
also by a relatively small radius. These slots can be closed with an elastic
sealing
compound.
[0029] Figure 14 shows two film webs 8 which are connected with connecting
profiles 1.
The film webs 8 are conventional textile-reinforced plastic films, ideally
from 3 to 5 meters
wide. They can be delivered to the construction site in rolls, in lengths of
42 m, for example,
to form an entire dome length from one piece. If they are delivered in shorter
sections, they
can be force-lockingly and tightly heat-sealed together in a conventional way
at the
construction site by a slight overlap of a few centimeters in order to achieve
the necessary
length. These film webs 8 are now equipped with pockets 12 as a special
feature. These
pockets 12 extend over the width of the film webs 8 between the keders 5, i.e.
they are
approximately 3 m to 5 m wide, and they are slightly broader than 1.5 m to 2.5
m, so that
after inserting a mat 1.5 m or 2.5 m wide, an edge is formed, which remains
free and can
be fitted on the open side of the pockets with Velcro fasteners on the inside.
At the bottom
and sides, the pockets are firmly heat-sealed to the film web 8 or riveted or
bonded onto
the same. Heat-reflective mats 13 of the same dimension are inserted into
these pockets,
i.e. mats 1.5 m to 2.5 m wide and 3m to 5 m long. Of course, the pockets 12
and the heat-
reflective mats 13 to be inserted into them can also be made smaller.
[0030] These heat-reflective mats are, for example, known as Lu.po.Therm B2+8
and are
available from LSP GmbH, Gewerbering 1, A-5144 Handenberg, Austria. They are
supplied, inter alia, in rolls of 1.5 m or 2.5 m width and can be cut from
these rolls into
sections 13, thus in this case to the respective width of the film webs 8,
while the depth of
the pockets 12 is adapted to the width of the rolls. These multi-ply heat-
reflective mats are
available in executions of up to 12 cm thick. While thermal insulation
materials such as
mineral wool, polystyrene, polyurethane, cellulose, wood wool, hemp or others
can insulate
only with a A > 0.026 W/mK, for such materials the fact is disregarded that
the radiant heat
relative to the temperature makes up a much larger proportion of the heat
loss, more than
90%, because there holds T4 = W/m2. The higher the temperature is, the more
dramatic
the proportion of heat radiation that ultimately leads to heat loss. If the
heat-reflective mat
is executed as multi-ply, the heat insulation is achieved in a cascade manner
by a large
number of cumulative interactions. Thus these heat-reflective materials attain
nearly 100%
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reflection of the incoming radiant heat. For the most part, this is reflected
back into the
interior of the air dome. Conversely, the heat radiation of the sun in the
summer is reflected
and the interior of the air dome remains pleasantly cool, which is
particularly welcome for
playing tennis. The technical specifications of these heat-reflective mats are
as follows:
Technical features Performance Harmonized
technical
specifications
Thermal insulation U = 0.10 W/m2 K Emissivity from
2.2.6 ETA-12/0080,
performance WLZ (Lambda) = 0.003 W/mk valid until
25 July 2017
R=10 m2 K /W
Vapor barrier = 1st layer Se= 1500m EN 12086 + EN
13984
Diffusion-open as of 2nd layer Sd = 10m DIN 52615
Fire behavior Class E EN-13501-1 + Al
Infrared reflections 84%, 95%, 95%, 95% + 82% CUAP
12.01/12, Annex B+C
Electro-smog shielding HF 40dB = 99.99 % Near-field probe
calibrated
[0031] For a tennis hall, these heat-reflective mats are preferably installed
in an execution
3 cm thick. They are heat-sealed all around, for fixing only, i.e. not tightly
and firmly. A
raster perforation having T-end threads results in the diffusion-open outer
side. Thereby
the dew point degassing is already incorporated. As a product, for example,
Lu.Po Therm
B2+8 heat insulation is suitable or any other mat with similar technical and
mechanical
properties in the field of heat reflection. Lu.Po Therm B2+8 is well suitable
because it is
thin, easy to bend and flexible. Because these heat-reflective mats are highly
flexible, their
insertion is no problem even for corners and contours. They are not
hygroscopic and
therefore offer a consistent reflection effect. Preferably, such an air dome
is constructed
with a double-shelled membrane with a heat-reflective material insert for
thermal building
insulation in pockets 12 on the inside of the inner membrane. As a heat-
reflective mat,
advantageously a multi-ply hybrid insulation mat having integrated energy-
efficient IR-
reflecting aluminum foils is used. Two to eight plies of absorption-reducing
air cushion films
yield the convective distances by the air enclosed in the nubs and thus an
optimum
convective effect. This reduces the transmission heat losses. The heat-
reflective mats 13
contain up to five plies of metallized film for highly effective infrared
reflection, with low self-
emission. In addition, there is a highly effective shielding against high-
frequency rays,
waves and fields.
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[0032] The fact that the heat-reflective mats to be inserted are very light ¨
with a specific
weight of only 0.430 kg/m2 ¨ is also attractive from a constructional point of
view. For an
air dome for three tennis courts having a membrane area of 2,324 m2 this
yields an
additional load of altogether 999.32 kg, thus approx. 1 metric ton. Compared
to the snow
loads to be carried and the dead weight of the films, this is almost
negligible.
[0033] Figure 15 shows a film web 8 having an single pocket 12. Into this, a
heat-reflective
mat 13 is inserted on the open side, so that it fills the pocket 12 over the
full area. The
opening of the pockets 12 can be equipped with Velcro fasteners 14, so that
the pockets
12 can be closed after inserting the heat-reflective mats 13. Instead of
Velcro fasteners 14,
zip fasteners can also be used. On a film web 8, the pockets 12 are arranged
mutually
adjacent or in a matrixed manner with several rows of pockets. Each one is
thus equipped
with a heat-reflective mat 13.
[0034] The air domes that are equipped with such special heat-reflective mats
13, which
then cover practically the entire membrane area inside or outside in pockets
12, produce
a far better air-supported overall U-value than hitherto, namely less than 1.0
W/m2K. In
addition to the heat-reflective mats 13, special acoustic membranes can also
be used as
inner membranes, which are also inserted into the pockets 12. This allows the
hall
acoustics to be adapted to different floors and adapted such that it is
perceived as pleasant.
The internal membrane perforated for this purpose refracts in this case the
noise in the
hall. For tennis halls, the impact noises are largely absorbed. The result is
a much more
pleasant acoustics in indoor tennis halls than hitherto.
[0035] The individual film webs 8 can be connected in a force-locked manner
along their
longitudinal edges by means of connecting profiles 1 and their keder 5 until
the entire
membrane is assembled in this way at the construction site and lies on the
ground. In doing
so, the connecting profiles as shown in Figure 8 can be arranged on the inner
or on the
outer side of the membrane. The outer edges of the created membrane are then
tightly
connected to the ground or window frames. In any case, if the film webs 8 are
in this way
connected sealingly to connecting profiles 1 for keder 5, clamping-plate screw
connections,
which are comparatively much more complex to install, are not required.
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s 16
[0036] Figure 16 shows an air dome for two tennis courts in a view toward the
side, which
extends along the longitudinal sides of the tennis courts. As a special
feature it is
constructed with a window front. This consists here of a framework of window
frame profiles
15 to 18 and is assembled on the building lot, wherein the lowermost row, for
example, is
equipped with transparent plastic films, so-called ETFE films, which are
equipped all
around with keder seams and only have to be inserted into the window frame
profiles 15
to 18. As a variant, other transparent or translucent films or firm or
bendable plates of the
same kind can be installed in place of ETFE films, which are preferably
equipped at their
edges with keders for the mounting. Transparent or translucent films, i.e.
ETFE films,
plastic films or membrane films, which can bulge outwards are suitable for
flexible or
bendable window fronts. In place of film material, however, also transparent
or translucent,
or firm or bendable plates can be installed, such as glass plates, acrylic
panels, acrylic
multi-wall sheets, polycarbonate plates, polycarbonate multi-wall sheets or
plates or multi-
wall plate slates from polyester or plexiglass. Finally, the window fronts can
be provided
with panels from wood materials, such as those in the form of louver roller
blinds or in the
form of swiveling or sliding shutters, so that the window fronts are covered
outside as
needed. The height of the lowermost row of windows here is about 5.2 meters,
and the
width of these windows is 5 meters. They are thus almost square in shape.lf
further
intermediate struts are used, it is also possible to fit shatterproof window
glass. As Figure
11 shows, the two profile struts 18 are first set up steeply at the outer ends
and left standing
loosely. To these is attached from the ground upward the respectively
outermost film web
8 of the assembled membrane by a keder connection. From the upper end of these
outermost profile struts 18, the film web 8 still runs loosely and rests in
the middle on the
ground, and at the other end it is again connected in the same way to the
loose outermost
profile 18 there. It extends here over approximately 42 meters.
[0037] From the situation as represented in Figure 17, the membrane, otherwise
anchored,
in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing film, in the
conventional way on
both sides to the ground tightly and in a force-locked manner, which is also
attached at the
rear end in the same way as here at such a window front, is inflated by
activating the
blowers and blowing air into the interior. It begins to inflate and rises. In
doing so, the
outermost struts 18 gradually take up the positions as shown in Figure 18, and
they are
then firmly connected to the upper corners of the existing profile wall and
also anchored to
the ground. The upper struts 19 are thereafter installed as shown in Figure 16
and as soon
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s
CA 03007734 2018-06-07
= 17
as the outer edges of the outermost film strips 8 reach this height, these
edges are fastened
along the upper edges 19 of the profile front by inserting keder connecting
profiles. Thereby
the membrane is gradually sealed better and better until it is completely
sealed all around
with its edges to the ground or to the profile fronts 19.
[0038] Figure 19 shows this tennis hall in a floor plan, with the two spanned
tennis courts
having their court markings 20 and nets 21 drawn in. The hall thus has a
square floor plan
with a side length of 36 meters. The window fronts extend along the
longitudinal sides of
the tennis courts, so that they are hit far less with balls than, for example,
the transverse
sides to the tennis courts.
[0039] Figure 20 shows a tennis hall for three tennis courts. Again, the 36-
meter long
window front extends along the longitudinal sides of the tennis courts, as can
be seen from
the floor plan in Figure 21, and the sides of the air dome, where the membrane
reaches
down to the ground, then measures 53.9 meters. Figure 22 shows the profile
wall of this
tennis hall with the formed windows 5 meter wide and 9 meter high, and Figure
23 shows
this tennis hall in a bird's eye view. Unlike conventional air dome, this hall
has a barrel-
shaped roof that extends steadily to the ground on all sides, not a dome with
a zenith.
[0040] Figure 24 shows a further embodiment, here first with the help of the
floor plan. It
is designed for two tennis courts and measures 36 m x 36 m. In Figure 25 it is
shown in a
view from that side, which runs along the head sides of the tennis courts,
wherein the
networks 21 of the tennis courts are drawn in inside the hall. On the left and
right, this air
dome has vertical 3.5 m-high end surfaces having windows, from the upper edge
of which
the membrane is attached laterally with its keders to the profiles 16. From
profile 16
onward, the membrane then rises at an oblique angle, up to the 9 m-high ridge.
Figure 26
shows this air dome as seen toward a window front. The individual windows are
5 m long
and 3.5 m high, and the outermost ones are almost equilateral triangles, and
the entire
window front measures 36 m in length.
[0041] Figure 27 shows this tennis hall in a perspective view and gives a
better idea of the
advantages of such a window front for the ambience. In the example shown, the
frame for
the windows is still braced toward the outside with the struts 25 arranged at
an oblique
angle in order to absorb the increased internal pressure. The fact that
conventional air
CA 03007734 2018-06-07
18
dome prevent optical communication with the outside world is often perceived
as a serious
disadvantage of such a tennis hall and is accepted only reluctantly by the
public. A tennis
air dome with a continuous window front on both sides is flooded with daylight
and offers
an incomparable playing atmosphere compared to a conventional tennis air dome.
From
the outside, the air dome appears lighter and stylistically more convincing,
less voluminous
and more dynamic. Finally, Figure 28 shows the view over a tennis court from
the inside
to the outside.
[0042] In summary, such an air dome offers an entire range of compelling
technical
advantages over conventional constructions.
1. Enormously better heat insulation of the air dome by convection of the
radiant heat
at the heat-reflective mats.
2. Greatly improved noise damping improves the feeling of well-being
inside.
3. Continuous window fronts on one or two sides allow daylight to flood the
air dome,
which significantly improves the ambiance.
4. The simple handling with keders 5 insertable into connecting profiles 1
simplifies the
mounting of the air dome enormously. Far less personnel is necessary for it,
for the
constructing as well as for the dismantling. The work can be carried out by 4
assemblers, instead of 20 assemblers. The simple handling significantly
reduces the
assembly time. Costs can thereby be saved.
5. The membranes or membrane strips 8 of the air dome can be easily
dismantled in
spring and rolled up on rollers, making them very easy to store compared to a
conventional air dome.
6. The assembly requires no special tools. The connecting profiles can be
pushed over
the keder by hand. No clamping plates to be screwed are required.
7. The strip foundations 23 can be manufactured in the factory as
prefabricated concrete
elements and be transported to the construction site completely finished with
inserted
anchor rails and prepared insulation connections and be laid there.
8. The strip foundations are equipped with connecting profiles 1 as anchor
profile rails
22, so that for the ground attachment of the film strips 8 only the end-side
keders 5
have to be inserted into the connecting profiles 1.
9. No concrete work is necessary on site.
Numerical index
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19
1 Connecting profile for keder
2 Tubes for forming grooves
3 Connection bridge
4 Longitudinal slot in connecting profile 1
Keder
6 Keder extensions
7 Flaps at the film edge
8 Film web
9 Edge section of film 10 around rubber profile 11
Film adjacent to rubber profile 11
11 Circular rubber profile
12 Pocket on film web 8
13 Heat-reflective mat
14 Velcro fastener for closing pocket 12
Frame profile at bottom of window
16 Frame profile at top of window
17 Frame profile vertically at the window
18 Obliquely angled frame profile at the outer end
19 The uppermost struts along the membrane
Court lines tennis court
21 Tennis net
22 Anchor profile rail
23 Concrete strip foundation
24 End flaps membrane strip
Struts to absorb the internal pressure at the window front
