Pneumatic node for compression elements

Abstract

A joint element for a pneumatic structural element. The joint element includes a sleeve, a compression member, two tension members and two spherical caps. In each case one joint element is fitted for the spherical caps. The joint elements serve for introducing tensile and compressive forces, in a manner free of bending moments, into the pneumatic structural element. The joint element has holes for fastening the compression member with a screw, on the one hand, and holes for accommodating the tension members, on the other hand. The symmetrical arrangement of the holes ensures that the vectors of bearing forces and of the tensile and compressive forces in the joint element added together give zero and, furthermore, the bending moments occur symmetrically in relation to the compression members. Configuring the joint element as a plate ensures that torques are neither introduced from the outside nor diverted to the outside.

1 . A pneumatic structural element comprising:
 an elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body having a longitudinal axis, extending between opposing ends of the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body;   at least one compression member disposed on a longitudinal side of the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body and longitudinally extending an entire length of the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body, the at least one compression member being subjected to axial compression responsive to an operational load applied to the pneumatic structural element;   at least two flexible tension members wound around the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body and extending longitudinally between respective ends of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body, the at least two flexible tension members being subjected to axial tension and equal stresses responsive to the operational load;   a rigid flange disposed at least at one end of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body and connected to both the at least one compression member and the at least two flexible tension members, such that the at least one compression member is disposed between the at least two flexible tension members;   an opening disposed in the rigid flange for removably receiving an end of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body;   wherein compression forces are transmitted to the at least two flexible tension members and tension forces are transmitted to the at least one compression member via the rigid flange; and   wherein the at least two flexible tension members are connected to the rigid flange such that, responsive to the operational load, a supporting force acting on the rigid flange is substantially transmitted to the at least two flexible tension members and is substantially not transmitted to the gas-tight inflatable hollow body.   
     
     
         2 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one compression member is connected to the rigid flange by way of a screw, the screw being received through a first hole in the rigid flange and fastened to the at least one compression member; and   the at least two flexible tension members are received through at least two second holes in the rigid flange and fastened thereto with at least two nuts.   
     
     
         3 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 2 , wherein the rigid plate-shaped element is a flange. 
     
     
         4 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one end cap is received by and enclosed by the gas-tight inflatable hollow body;   the at least one end cap can be introduced flush into the gas-tight inflatable hollow body; and   the at least one end cap and the gas-tight inflatable hollow body are sealed in a gas-tight manner.   
     
     
         5 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the at least one end cap comprises a cylindrical part disposed at least in part within the gas-tight inflatable hollow body and a non-cylindrical part disposed at least in part exterior of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body; and   at least one first O-ring is disposed in a first O-ring groove disposed in the cylindrical part and a second O-ring is disposed in a second O-ring groove disposed in the opening of the rigid flange.   
     
     
         6 . The pneumatic structural element of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a connecting element facilitates attachment of the rigid flange thereto; and   wherein the connecting element is arranged such that bearing forces can be introduced into the rigid flange.   
     
     
         7 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 6 , wherein the connecting element comprises:
 at least one first plate comprising at least one shoulder in which the at least one plate can be positioned; and   at least one second plate comprising at least one piece and having a shoulder; and   wherein the shoulder is screwed to the at least one first plate.   
     
     
         8 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 7 , wherein the connecting element comprises a three-dimensional body made up, at least in part, of plates. 
     
     
         9 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 6 , wherein the connecting element compises a frame structure on which the rigid flange is fastened. 
     
     
         10 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 9 , wherein the connecting element is polygonal in at least one projection and at least one rigid flange is fastened on at least one side wall of the connecting element. 
     
     
         11 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 10 , wherein the rigid flange can be fastened on a plurality of sides of the connecting element. 
     
     
         12 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 7 , wherein the connecting element is rectangular and a plurality of joint elements can be fastened thereon, with the result that a pneumatic structural elements run parallel to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 7 , wherein the connecting element is curved and a plurality of joint elements can be fastened thereon, with the result that a pneumatic structural elements run parallel to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 9 , wherein the connecting element comprises a tetrahedron shape and the rigid flange is fastened to a side of the connecting element. 
     
     
         15 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 9 , wherein the connecting element comprises a cube shaped external form and the rigid flange is fastened to a side of the connecting element. 
     
     
         16 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 9 , wherein the connecting element comprises a truncated pyramid external form and the rigid flange is fastened to a side of the connecting element. 
     
     
         17 . The pneumatic structural element according to  claim 9 , wherein the rigid flange is fastened to the connecting element by way of at least one screw.