Unitized panel systems including fiber-reinforced polymer composite panels with weatherproof joint to perimeter aluminum unitized frames

Abstract

A unitized panel system may include a perimeter aluminum unitized frame. The unitized panel system may also include a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite panel. The unitized panel system may also include an aluminum structure attached to the perimeter aluminum unitized frame. An end portion of the FRP composite may be enclosed in the aluminum structure or sandwiched between the aluminum structure and the perimeter aluminum unitized frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A unitized panel system comprising;
 a perimeter aluminum unitized frame having a first section connected to a second section angled from the first section;   a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite panel comprising a first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and an end surface connected between the first side surface and the second side surface within the perimeter aluminum unitized frame; and   an aluminum structure having a first U-shaped portion enclosing an end portion of the FRP composite panel, the first U-shaped portion comprising a bottom section coupled between a first arm and a second arm, the first arm of the first U-shaped portion of the aluminum structure attached to the first section of the perimeter aluminum unitized frame by using a first structural adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum structure has an angled outer surface configured to match with a shape of the perimeter aluminum unitized frame. 
     
     
         3 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum structure comprises a second portion extending along the bottom section away from the second arm of the first U-shaped portion to add stiffness to the aluminum structure. 
     
     
         4 . The unitized panel system of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion of the aluminum structure is attached to the second section of the perimeter aluminum unitized frame by using the first structural adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the FRP composite panel is enclosed between the first arm and the second arm substantially parallel to the first arm and attached to the first and second arms by a fastener, wherein the end portion of the FRP composite panel comprises a portion of the first side surface, a portion of the second side surface, and the end surface. 
     
     
         6 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the FRP composite panel comprises a fire-resistant FRP composite. 
     
     
         7 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural adhesive comprises silicone. 
     
     
         8 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second structural adhesive bonding the FRP composite panel to the first portion of the aluminum structure. 
     
     
         9 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum structure comprises an Alodine coating. 
     
     
         10 . The unitized panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural adhesive is weatherproof. 
     
     
         11 . A unitized panel system comprising;
 a perimeter aluminum unitized frame having a first section coupled to a second section that is angled from the first section;   a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite panel comprising a first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and an end surface coupled between the first side surface and the second side surface; and   an angled aluminum structure having a first portion coupled to a second portion angled from the first portion, the first portion attached to the first section of the perimeter aluminum unitized frame by using a first structural adhesive, wherein the angled aluminum structure has an angled outer surface shaped to match to the perimeter aluminum unitized frame.   
     
     
         12 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the angled aluminum structure is attached to the first side surface of the FRP composite panel by a fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the second side surface of the FRP composite panel is attached to the second section of the perimeter aluminum unitized frame by using the first structural adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the end surface of the FRP composite panel is attached to an end portion of the first section of the perimeter aluminum unitized frame by using the first structural adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The unitized panel system of  claim 14 , wherein the end portion is near an intersection of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         16 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the FRP composite panel comprises a fire-resistant FRP composite. 
     
     
         17 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the first structural adhesive comprises silicone. 
     
     
         18 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , further comprising a second structural adhesive bonding the FRP composite panel to the first portion of the angled aluminum structure. 
     
     
         19 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the angled aluminum structure comprises an Alodine coating. 
     
     
         20 . The unitized panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the first structural adhesive is weatherproof.