Wind, hurricane, and cold protection devices

Abstract

The invention concerns devices protecting a frangible object against high wind loads, described in several embodiments including cushioning means, performed as differently shaped chambers or bladder-panels, inflated by fluid, substantially compressed air, preferably enclosed into fence means, interconnected by connecting means, essentially hoses, positioned in front of and mostly attached to the outward object's surface, except where separated from the object's structure particularly protecting against vibrations caused by winds. The fence means, proposed in several combinations, preferably performed as flexible covers coupled with fence screens, protect against windborne debris. Multi-layer versions provide increased damping of wind loads and covering any part of the object's surface. Control means, controlling the damping, generally include sensor means, control valve connecting units, central control unit, regulating the fluid flow inside the cushioning means. Proposed MID-devices provide additional wind damping, also used for heater pads in clothes, footwear, producing electricity, alternative mechanical forces, etc.

1 . A device for protection of a frangible object against mechanical loads or impacts, especially caused by a flow of an outer fluid, comprising 
 a number of cushioning means for damping of said loads or impacts, and    supporting means for support of said cushioning means and positioning them relatively to the frangible object, said supporting means configured to cooperate with said cushioning means.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said cushioning means comprising 
 a number of flexible bladder-panels each including a plurality of inflatable bladders, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, said bladder-panels having means for inflating, said bladder-panels supported by said supporting means, said bladder-panels each disposed in front of and covering the entire outward surface of said frangible object or a portion thereof, said bladder-panels each having 
 connecting means for providing a propagation of the changing pressure of said body of the inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other bladders said connecting means generally including 
 internal connecting means for connection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders within each one said bladder-panel, and  
 external connecting means for interconnection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders situated on the edges of different said bladder-panels;  
 
   said supporting means having attachment means to cooperate with said bladder-panels.    
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprising 
 fence means for protection of said cushioning means substantially from impacts of hard airborne objects during high wind or hurricane conditions, said fence means configured to cooperate with said cushioning and supporting means;    said cushioning means comprising 
 a number of flexible bladder-panels each including a plurality of inflatable bladders, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, said bladder-panels having means for inflating, said bladder-panels supported by said supporting means, said bladder-panels each having attachment means to cooperate with said supporting means, said bladder-panels each disposed in front of and covering the outer surface of said frangible object or a portion thereof; and  
 connecting means, for providing a propagation of the changing pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other said bladders, including 
 internal connecting means for connection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders within each one said bladder-panel excluding the bladders situated on the opposite vertical edges of the same bladder-panel,  
 external connecting means for interconnection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders situated preferably on the edges of different said bladder-panels or for interconnection of the bladders situated on the opposite vertical edges of one said bladder-panel.  
 
   
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said fence means comprising 
 a number of flexible covers, each enclosing preferably one said bladder panel, said flexible covers each having on its upper and lower horizontal edges a reinforcing hem with eyes;  
   said bladder-panels each pre-constructed in a cylinder-like shape, having two opposite vertical edges fastened by suitable conventional fasten means, and folded to form an internal and an external layers, wherein a number of bladders situated on the two fastened opposite vertical edges of one bladder-panel pneumatically connected by said external connecting means;    said supporting means comprising 
 a plurality of brackets attached to the structure of the frangible object, preferably mounted on the upper and lower parts of sidewalls of said frangible object, an upper and a lower rods mounted on said brackets, and  
 attachment means preferably in the form of straps passed through the eyes of said reinforcing hem of said cover, and attached to said upper and lower rods by conventional fasten means.  
   
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said fence means comprising 
 a number of flexible covers, each enclosing preferably one said bladder panel, said flexible cover each having on its upper and lower horizontal edges a reinforcing hem with eyes,  
 a plurality of fence plates of a suitable shape and size superimposed on and attached to the outward surface of each said cover with appropriate intervals, protecting said cover from initial impacts of said flying debris, said fence plates made of materials capable to sustain strongest impacts of said flying debris without being destroyed;  
   said supporting means comprising 
 a plurality of brackets supporting an upper and lower rods secured on the outward surface of the frangible object, and  
 attachment means preferably in the form of straps passed through the eyes of said reinforcing hem and attached to said upper and lower rods by conventional fasten means.  
   
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said fence means comprising 
 a number of flexible covers, each enclosing preferably one said bladder panel, said flexible cover each having on its upper and lower horizontal edges a reinforcing hem with eyes,  
 a number of fence net screens, performed in the form of a net made of a suitable material, substantially capable to absorb the maximum expected initial impact of flying debris without being destroyed, said net screens each preferably covering one sidewall of the frangible object; and  
   said supporting means comprising 
 a plurality of upper and lower holders properly secured preferably to the upper and lower parts of the sidewall of said frangible object,  
 an elongated upper frontal rod and an elongated upper rear rod mounted on and supported by said upper holders,  
 an elongated lower frontal rod and an elongated lower rear rod mounted on and supported by said lower holders,  
 attachment means preferably in the form of straps, wherein  
 some said straps passed through the eyes of said upper and lower reinforcing hems of said cover and correspondingly attached to said upper and lower rear rods by conventional fasten means, and  
 the other straps with their first ends attached to the upper and lower horizontal edges of said net screen, and with the second ends attached to said upper and lower frontal rods by conventional fasten means.  
   
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprising 
 fence means for protection of said cushioning means from impacts of hard airborne objects, said fence means configured to cooperate with said cushioning and supporting means said fence means supported by said supporting means; and    said cushioning means comprising 
 a plurality of inflatable chambers, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, said chambers each having a shape to cooperate with said fence means and supporting means, and connecting means for providing a propagation of the changing pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other chambers, said connecting means adapted for connection with said chambers;  
   said supporting means mounted on the structure of said frangible object.    
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 said chambers each having a shape chosen from the group consisting essentially of    a) a prism-like shape,    b) a cylinder-like shape,    c) a shape formed by two prisms or cylinders combined in an X-like configuration, having apertures preferably on the bases surfaces of said prisms or cylinders,    d) a shape formed by two prisms or cylinders combined in a plus-sign-like configuration, having apertures preferably on the bases surfaces of said prisms or cylinders,    e) a shape formed by four prisms or cylinders combined in a frame-like configuration, having apertures preferably on the outward side surfaces of said prisms or cylinders; wherein    said apertures of the pneumatically adjacent chambers are connected by said connecting means, said chambers of the shapes (c), or (d), or (e) preferably united in panels having several horizontal rows of chamber chains, said panels enclosed in said fence means, attached to and positioned in front of the outward surface of said frangible object.    
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 said supporting means including suitable attachment means for joining said fence means;    said fence means comprising 
 a number of flexible covers each enclosing a chain of said chambers positioned on the outward surface of said frangible object,  
 a number of flexible continuous fence screens preferably coupled with said flexible covers, disposed in front of said covers and positioned so that having vertical intervals between said fence screens, and  
 a number of overlapping screens disposed a predetermined distance from the surface of said frangible object, covering the area of said vertical intervals between said fence screens;  
   said fence screens and overlapping screens joined by said attachment means.    
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprising 
 fence means for protection of said cushioning means from impacts of hard airborne objects during high wind or hurricane conditions, said fence means configured to cooperate with said cushioning and supporting means; and    said supporting means comprising 
 a plurality of supporting posts detached from the structure of said frangible object,  
 preferably mounted on the ground area surrounding said frangible object,  
 a plurality of base rims, each mounted on the ground surface around each of said supporting posts,  
 intermediate supporting means, capable to be removably secured on said posts; and  
   said cushioning means comprising 
 a plurality of inflatable chambers, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, said chambers each having a shape to cooperate with said fence means and supporting means, preferably a toroid-like shape, and  
 connecting means for providing a propagation of changing pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other chambers, said connecting means adapted for connection with said chambers;  
   said fence means stretchably installed around the outer sectors of said chambers, surrounding said chambers, posts, and frangible object;    the chambers and fence means supported by said intermediate supporting means and base rims.    
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said supporting posts preferably made expandable and capable to be fixed by fixing means during high winds and to be removed, preferably under the ground, in the normal weather conditions.    
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 control means for regulation of the damping of high wind loads by said cushioning means to provide a possible gentle sloping damping process, and to maximally reduce vibrations caused by said wind loads;    said control means disposed in several suitable locations within or surrounding the frangible object, cooperating with said cushioning means.    
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said device further comprising fence means for protection of said cushioning means from impacts of hard airborne objects during high wind or hurricane conditions, said fence means configured to cooperate with said cushioning and supporting means, said fence means supported by said supporting means; 
 said supporting means mounted on the structure of said frangible object;    said cushioning means comprising 
 a plurality of inflatable chambers each inflated with a body of a suitable inner fluid, said chambers each having a shape to cooperate with said fence means and supporting means, said chambers arranged in chains having an internal layer positioned adjacent to the outward sidewalls of the frangible object, and an external layer positioned in front of the internal layer, the chambers of both layers secured to and covered by said fence means, and  
 connecting means for providing a propagation of the changing pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other chambers, said connecting means adapted for connection with said chambers  
   said control means comprising 
 a plurality of sensor means mounted in predetermined spots preferably on said fence means, capable to measure the outside wind dynamic pressure exerted on the fence means covering the frangible object's surface or part thereof, and to transform the pressure into measure signals of a type of physical nature for convenient processing,  
 a plurality of control valve connecting units for connection of the adjacent chambers, mounted preferably on said fence means, said control valve connecting units each including  
 preferably four two-way directional valves pneumatically connected preferably in a square-like configuration, wherein the corners of the square pneumatically connected to the two adjacent chambers of the internal layer and to the two adjacent chambers of the external layer, said valves capable to be switched by regulating signals into a closed state, or forward opened state, or backward opened state, or upward opened state, or downward opened state, so that said control valve connecting units each capable to close and open in these directions the inner fluid flows between the four said adjacent chambers, thereby dynamically creating pneumatic loops confining said propagation of the changing pressure of an inner fluid body in a number of connected said chambers of both layers, providing said damping in a regulated fashion,  
 a central control unit disposed in a convenient location, capable to input said measure signals, compare the signals with preset levels of dynamic pressure corresponding to predetermined numbers of chambers to be connected in the pneumatic loops, calculate the actual numbers of chambers to be connected in the pneumatic loops, determine the particular chambers of the device to be connected in the pneumatic loops, output said regulating signals, transmit the regulating signals to the respective control valve connecting units controlling the connection of said particular chambers, receive feedback signals from these units, and maintain control of the state of all said control valve connecting units.  
   
   
   
       14 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for protection of a frangible object from impacts or alternative mechanical loads especially created by an outer fluid flow, comprising the acts of: 
 providing cushioning means for damping of the impacts or alternative mechanical loads;    providing supporting means for support and positioning of said cushioning means; and    positioning said cushioning means outside of the frangible object or portions thereof.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 said cushioning means performed in a form chosen from the group consisting essentially of 
 a) a plurality of inflatable chambers inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, and  
 b) a number of flexible bladder-panels each including a plurality of inflatable bladders, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid.  
   
   
   
       20 . (canceled)