Multilayered wall especially consisting of gossamer-type inflatable structures

Abstract

A multilayer wall includes Gossamer-type rigidifiable and inflatable structures, the wall including a layer of a composite material that can be rigidified by polymerisation, and is flanked, on the inside, by a gas-impermeable layer, and, on the outside, by at least one anti-adhesion and protection layer. The multilayer wall is characterised in that the external layer is partially permeable to gas and impermeable to liquid or viscous phases of the matrix of the composite material.

1 . A multilayered wall, notably for Gossamer-type inflatable structures that can be made rigid, said wall comprising a layer of composite material that can be made rigid by polymerization, flanked on the inside with a gastight layer, and on the outside with at least one protective and anti-stick layer, wherein said outer layer is partially permeable to gases and impermeable to the liquid or viscous phases of the matrix of said composite material. 
   
   
       2 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer has one or more parts permeable to gases and impermeable to the liquid or viscous phases of the matrix of said composite material. 
   
   
       3 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 2 , wherein said parts are vents made up of holes created in said layer and covered with a membrane of a material permitting free circulation of gases while preventing passage of the liquid or viscous phase of the matrix of composite material, said membrane being placed onto said outer layer and joined to this layer possibly by means of an appropriate attachment means, the cumulative surface that is capable of gas passage being determined so as to assure a rapid depressurization of the inside of multilayered wall. 
   
   
       4 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 3 , wherein said membrane is of a material that cannot be wetted by the resin of composite material. 
   
   
       5 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 4 , wherein said membrane is a microporous membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. 
   
   
       6 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 5 , wherein said membrane is made up of material sold under the tradename GORE-TEX®, series HPM. 
   
   
       7 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 3 , wherein said outer layer is of polyimide. 
   
   
       8 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 7 , wherein the polyimide is an aromatic polyimide. 
   
   
       9 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 8 , wherein the aromatic polyimide is KAPTON®. 
   
   
       10 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 3 , wherein said membrane is fastened by gluing. 
   
   
       11 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 10 , wherein said gluing is carried out with silicone glue. 
   
   
       12 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 3 , wherein said membrane has a thickness of the order of several hundred micrometers. 
   
   
       13 . The multilayered wall according to  claim 12 , wherein said membrane has a thickness of the order of 300 micrometers.