Transparent or translucent panel systems, related systems, and related methods

Abstract

A system includes one or more panels that are configured to span a frame of bridge beams and be positioned below an existing bridge deck. The one or more panels are transparent or translucent and are configured to catch material that separates from the bridge deck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transparent or translucent panel system, comprising:
 one or more transparent or translucent panels; and   a plurality of coupling elements, wherein each coupling element is configured to couple the one or more transparent or translucent panels to portions of bridge beams, such that the one or more transparent or translucent panels are spaced away from a bridge deck that is supported by the bridge beams,   wherein the transparent or translucent panel system allows for visual inspection of a bridge deck from below the bridge deck.   
     
     
         2 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more transparent or translucent panels is formed of one or more of glass polymer composites, polycarbonate, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and poly methyl methacrylate. 
     
     
         3 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of coupling elements include a plurality of angles, a plurality of clips, or a plurality of mechanical or adhesive anchors. 
     
     
         4 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 one or more additional supports or reinforcements configured to be positioned below the one or more transparent or translucent panels.   
     
     
         5 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of coupling elements include the plurality of attachments, and wherein the plurality of attachments are adhesive attachments that include structural VHB tape, and wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels are coupled to the one or more additional supports or reinforcements via the structural VHB tape. 
     
     
         6 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the portions of bridge beams are bottom flanges of I-beam bridge beams. 
     
     
         7 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels contain one or more of a rubber modifier or an ultraviolent light modifier. 
     
     
         8 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements is a L-shaped angle with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements is formed of a steel. 
     
     
         9 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 8 , wherein the horizontal portion is approximately two inches in width, wherein the vertical portion is approximately three inches in height, wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements includes a length of approximately eight feet, wherein the horizontal portion supports the one or more transparent or translucent panels, and further comprising a plurality of anchors that extend through the vertical portion of one of the plurality of coupling elements. 
     
     
         10 . A transparent or translucent panel system, comprising:
 one or more transparent or translucent panels;   a plurality of coupling elements, wherein each coupling element is configured to couple the one or more transparent or translucent panels to portions of bridge beams, such that the one or more transparent or translucent panels are spaced away from a bridge deck that is supported by the bridge beams; and   one or more supports or reinforcements configured to be positioned below from the one or more transparent or translucent panels.   
     
     
         11 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the one or more transparent or translucent panels is formed of one or more of glass polymer composites, polycarbonate, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and polymethyl methacrylate, and wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels have a weight of approximately six pounds for per square foot or less. 
     
     
         12 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels are formed of polycarbonate material,
 wherein the one or more supports or reinforcements are joists, bars, or tubes formed of steel or fiber reinforced polymer composite material, and   wherein the joists, bars, or tubes are coupled to the one or more transparent or translucent panels via structural VHB tape or adhesive.   
     
     
         13 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 10 , wherein the portions of bridge beams are bottom flanges of I-beam bridge beams. 
     
     
         14 . The transparent or translucent panel system of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of anchors, wherein each anchor is configured to couple one of the plurality of coupling elements or one of the one or more transparent or translucent panels to one or more portions of one of the bridge beams, wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels contain one or more of a rubber modifier or an ultraviolent light modifier, wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements is L-shaped with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements is formed of a steel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of mounting a transparent or translucent panel below an existing bridge deck, the method comprising:
 positioning the transparent or translucent panel on respective portions of bridge beams, such that the transparent or translucent panel at least partially overlaps with portions of the bridge beams;   positioning one or more supports or reinforcements below the transparent or translucent panel and above the portions of the bridge beams, and   coupling the transparent or translucent panel to the bridge beams such that the transparent or translucent panel is below and spaced away from the existing bridge deck.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the transparent or translucent panel is formed of one or more of glass polymer composites, polycarbonate, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and poly (methyl methacrylate), wherein the one or more supports or reinforcements are joists, bars, or tubes formed of steel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the transparent or translucent panel to the bridge beams includes coupling the transparent or translucent panel to bottom flanges of the bridge beams via one or more coupling elements. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more coupling elements include one or more of an adhesive, one or more angles, one or more anchors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein mounting the transparent or translucent panel includes attaching an angle to the bridge beams with one or more anchors,
 wherein the transparent or translucent panel is formed of polycarbonate material,   wherein the one or more supports or reinforcements are joists, bars, or tubes formed of steel, and   wherein the joists, bars, or tubes are coupled to the transparent or translucent panel via structural VHB tape or adhesive.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 leaving the transparent or translucent panel in place for a time of for at least two years; and   inspecting an underside of the existing bridge deck from below and through the transparent or translucent panel for one or more deficiencies while being protected from material separating from the existing bridge deck.