초록 ▼

Modular inflatable cover for buildings, comprising separate coaxial conduits (30) secured together by tensionable link (50) and fluid-connected by coaxial inflatable tube (24). Tube (24) securely embraces sliders (32) that in turn closely but freely embrace conduits (30). Sliders (32) are urged by

Modular inflatable cover for buildings, comprising separate coaxial conduits (30) secured together by tensionable link (50) and fluid-connected by coaxial inflatable tube (24). Tube (24) securely embraces sliders (32) that in turn closely but freely embrace conduits (30). Sliders (32) are urged by springs (34) to keep tube (24) taught. Elastic cinctures (26) on tube (24) and springs (34) tensionably cooperate against inflation means to provide reliable control of openings between adjacent modules in an assembly. Conduits (30) are securely torqued to ground anchors (40) by coupling (42). End covers (44) and sliders (32) are provided to compensate for and facilitate length shrinkage of tube (24), upon inflation. The present invention provides a variable cover with integral support that is uniquely capable of exploiting canyons and other ground depressions for an unprecedented scale of environment control. Applications include greenhouses, shutters, insulation and shelters.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A tensioned inflatable cover module for buildings, greenhouses and shelters, comprising: an inflatable tube, for providing variable spatial cover; an elastic cincture, fox peripheral deflating and tensioning, elastically encircling to said inflatable tube; an open conduit sli

What is claimed is: 1. A tensioned inflatable cover module for buildings, greenhouses and shelters, comprising: an inflatable tube, for providing variable spatial cover; an elastic cincture, fox peripheral deflating and tensioning, elastically encircling to said inflatable tube; an open conduit slider, for movable end support, sealably embraced to said inflatable tube; an open conduit spring, for tensioning and deflating, moveably urged to said open conduit slider; a closed conduit slider, for movable end support, sealably embraced to said inflatable tube; an ends link, for coaxial strengthening and tensioning; a closed conduit, for fluid retention, securely connected to said ends link, and slidably embraced to said closed conduit slider; a closed conduit spring, for tensioning and deflating, freely retained to said closed conduit, and moveably urged to said closed conduit slider; an open conduit tension coupling, for fastening to a frame or ground support; a closed conduit tension coupling, for fastening to a frame or ground support, adjustably secured to said closed conduit; and an open conduit, for fluid transit, adjustably secured to said open conduit tension coupling, securely connected to said ends link, freely retained to said open conduit spring, and slidably embraced to said open conduit slider. 2. The tensioned inflatable cover module as recited in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the diameter of either said open conduit slider or of said closed conduit slider to the diameter of said inflatable tube is close to 1, in the fully deflated state, and decreases proportionately with increased inflation, thereby affording reversible control and variable inflation of said inflatable tube. 3. The tensioned inflatable cover module as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a closed conduit anchor, for grounding support, securely retained to said closed conduit, and supportively urged to said closed conduit tension coupling; and an open conduit anchor, for grounding support, supportively urged to said open conduit tension coupling, and securely retained to said open conduit. 4. A tensioned inflatable cover module for buildings, greenhouses and shelters, comprising: an open conduit and a closed conduit, for fluid transit and retention; an inflatable tube, for providing variable cover; an elastic cincture, for peripheral deflating and tensioning, elastically encircling to said inflatable tube; a pair of sliders, for movable end support, sealably secured to each end of said inflatable tube, and one of said pair slidably embraced to said open conduit and the other of said pair slidably embraced to said closed conduit; a pair of springs, for tensioning and deflating, cooperatively urged to said pair of sliders, and one of said springs freely retained to said open conduit and the other of said spring free retained to said closed conduit; a tensionable member, for coaxial strengthening and tensioning, securely linked to said open conduit and securely linked to said closed conduit; and a pair of tension coupling, for fastening, adjustably secured to said open conduit and adjustably secured to said closed conduit. 5. The tensioned inflatable cover module as recited in claim 4, further comprising: A pair of anchors, for grounding support, adjustably secured to said open conduit, supportively buttressed to said tension coupling and adjustably secured to said closed conduit, supportively buttressed to said tension coupling. 6. Method of building and operating an inflatable variable cover, particularly adapted for use as a controlled environment, provided by the module or an assembly thereof of claim 1 on framed structures, comprising the steps of: a. providing tubular framing members having a lumen and opposing apertures, said lumen being fluidly connected to said opposing apertures b. substantially sealing and fluidly connecting an open conduit and a closed conduit to said lumen through said opposing apertures c. adjusting tension of said module by fastening an open conduit tension coupling onto said open conduit and a closed conduit tension coupling onto said closed conduit, against said tubular framing members d. conveying fluids or fluidized substances at controlled, variable pressure, to and from said module or an assembly thereof through said tubular framing members. 7. Method of building and operating an inflatable variable cover, particularly adapted for use as a controlled environment, provided by the module or an assembly thereof of claim 3, on framed structures, comprising the steps of: a. fastening an open conduit anchor and a closed conduit anchor to opposing framing members b. securing an open conduit to said open conduit anchor and a closed conduit onto said closed conduit anchor c. adjusting tension of said module by fastening an open conduit tension coupling onto said open conduit and a closed conduit tension coupling to said closed conduit, against the face of said open conduit anchor and of said closed conduit anchor d. conveying fluids or fluidized substances at controlled, variable pressure to and from module or an assembly thereof. 8. Method of building and operating an inflatable variable cover, particularly adapted for use as a controlled environment, provided by the module or an assembly thereof of claim 3 to span ground depressions, valleys, canyons, craters, coulees, comprising the steps of: a. providing ground depressions of useful dimensions b. securely driving an open conduit anchor and a closed conduit anchor into the high grounds on opposite sides of said ground depressions c. Securing an open conduit to said open conduit anchor and a closed conduit to said closed conduit anchor d. adjusting tension of said module by fastening an open conduit tension coupling to said open conduit and a closed conduit tension coupling to said closed conduit, against the face of said open conduit anchor and of said closed conduit anchor e. conveying fluids or fluidized substances at controlled, variable pressure to and from said module or an assembly thereof.