Irvin Industries, Inc.

Lloyd Howard Rain

Terence W McLorg

Ahmed A ElDifrawi

The structure disclosed includes an air supported transparent membrane which encloses a solar collector unit. The solar unit includes a solar collector element and two angled walls that support and position the element. The solar collector element receives and absorbs solar radiation and provides heat to a circulating fluid. The support walls extend forwardly and outwardly from the collector element and have reflecting facing surfaces to increase the amount of radiation falling on the element. The walls extend rearwardly of the element to define a chamber in which small rocks are stored to provide heat storage. The transparent membrane creates a greenhouse effect within the chamber defined by the membrane, increasing the operating temperature and thus the conversion efficiency of the solar collector element. Furthermore, the air supported membrane protects the solar collector unit from wind loading. Thus the unit can be lighter than otherwise might be the case and can be pivoted to have an optimum attitude as a function of the time of year. In addition, protection of the solar collector element from wind and rain means that a thin transparent plastic glazing can be and is used in the element.

Solar energy collecting structure

Tent

A plurality of modular dual arch arrangements are aligned to provide the frame for a shelter. Each dual arch module constitutes first and second arches having their bases spaced from one another and leaning towards one another so that their crests rest against one another. The two arches are hinged to one another at their crests by a hinge. A fabric membrane is positioned over the arches and held in tension through various turnbuckles which attach the membrane to the bases which support the arches. A plurality of longitudinal fabric support bands are stretched longitudinally across the plurality of arches and held in tension to provide further support for the membrane.

Rigid frame structure with tensioned membrane cladding

Building

A stress relieved air supported structure having a wall portion including a plurality of relatively elongated panel members joined together by seam means and restrained by harness means; anchor means being provided along the base perimeter of the wall portion; each of the panel members including a membrane configuration, adjoining panel members being joined together by a seam means and having web means interconnected thereto along the seam thereof, and wherein the load of the harness means, seam means, anchor means, and the load and stress of the membrane configurations thereof are a function of the width and height of the air supported structure, the primary radius of curvature thereof, and the design wind speed and inflation pressure thereof.

Stress relieved air supported structure

A collapsible, readily erectable shelter structure in the form of a pyramid having a plurality of fabric panels draped over and connected to a plurality of rigid columns. Each column is hinged at its top to a top plate and extends downwardly and outwardly to form the frame of the pyramidical structure. Each column is attached to a foot plate which rests on the ground. A central cable hangs down from the top plate and is adapted to be cinched to an item, such as a vehicle, that is being protected by the shelter. The central member is thereby placed under tension and the side columns are placed under compression. A plurality of tapes or webs or cables sewn to the panels are connected between adjacent side columns. When the structure is loaded, as by wind or snow, the foot plates tend to move outward and the tapes are placed under tension. The tapes resist the outward movement of the columns. The tapes are sewn along a catenary line and distribute the resisting force evenly across the fabric panel to which they are sewn.

Shelter structure

An air supported structure including a wall portion having a membrane configuration comprising a structural substrate to which a plurality of coatings or films have been applied in a manner to provide a membrane configuration having improved heat flow properties, sound and light radiation and/or absorbing qualities, structural integrity, weather resistance, and design characteristics as desired or required according to the intended use of the air supported structure.

Air supported structure membrane configuration

A tailored membrane supported solely by a peripheral frame forms the front panel of a chamber. A source of vacuum or an air blower maintains a pressure in the chamber which differs from that of the ambient atmosphere. As a result, the tailored membrane is either drawn forward or pushed taut to provide a concave or convex viewing surface having a configuration determined solely by its tailoring.

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

Lloyd Howard Rain