Coating and method for strengthening a structure

• US 20030148681A1
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Defenstech International Inc
• Original Assignee: FYFE CO. LLC (Aegion Corp.)
• Inventors: Fyfe, Edward R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,806,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 442/65
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/003 characterised by the matrix material, e.g. material composition or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/30 Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or core; Shaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 13/12 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/04 comprising rubber as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/043; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/044; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/042; next to a metal layer B32B15/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/063; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/043; next to a wood layer B32B21/045; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/046
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/217 natural from plants, e.g. cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/267 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/283 synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres cellulose-based artificial fibres D03D15/225
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 9/00 Open-work fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/06 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/12 Carbon; Pitch
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2201/02 Cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2201/04 Linen
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2211/02 Wool
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2211/04 Silk
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/021 aromatic polyamides, e.g. aramides
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/04 polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET]
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/14 polycondensates of cyclic compounds, e.g. polyimides, polybenzimidazoles
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2503/04 Floor or wall coverings; Carpets
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2505/20 : for civil engineering, e.g. geotextiles
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/07 : Reinforcing elements of material other than metal, e.g. of glass, of plastics, or not exclusively made of metal metal elements with non-structural coatings E04C5/01
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 23/0218 : Increasing or restoring the load-bearing capacity of building construction elements E04G23/0203 and E04G23/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 9/10 : Independent shelters; Arrangement of independent splinter-proof walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2041 : Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2049 : Each major face of the fabric has at least one coating or impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2057 : At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2066 : Different coatings or impregnations on opposite faces of the fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2369 : Coating or impregnation improves elasticity, bendability, resiliency, flexibility, or shape retention of the fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2615 : Coating or impregnation is resistant to penetration by solid implements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2631 : Coating or impregnation provides heat or fire protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2861 : Coated or impregnated synthetic organic fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2893 : Coated or impregnated polyamide fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2902 : Aromatic polyamide fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2926 : Coated or impregnated inorganic fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2984 : Coated or impregnated carbon or carbonaceous fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2992 : Coated or impregnated glass fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/30 : Woven fabric [i.e., woven strand or strip material]

Abstract

Composite coating (10) improves the resistance to blast or seismic forces of a structure (100), such as wall (101). Coating (10) includes a first layer (20) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to wall (101), a second layer (30) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to first layer (20), and a layer of textile (40) embedded between first layer (20) and second layer (30).

Claims

1. A method for increasing the resistance of a structure to explosive forces, comprising the steps of:

applying a first layer of a fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid to the structure;

affixing textile over the applied first fluid layer;

applying a second layer of a fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid over the affixed textile such that the affixed textile is covered by fluid precursor and fluid precursor fills the open spaces of the affixed textile; and

allowing curing of the fluid precursors into elastomeric solids.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying a first layer of a fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid to the structure includes the steps of:

providing two components that, when mixed, react to form a cross-linked elastomeric solid; and

spraying the components from a mixing spray gun such that a stoichiometric mixture of the two components is deposited on the structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying a second layer of a fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid over the affixed textile includes the steps of:

providing two components that, when mixed, react to form a cross-linked elastomeric solid; and

spraying the components from a mixing spray gun such that a stoichiometric mixture of the two components is deposited on the affixed textile.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of affixing the textile over the first fluid layer includes the steps of:

providing a piece of textile; and

pressing the textile against the fluid layer such that the tackiness of the fluid precursor holds the textile in place during the time required to complete applying fluid precursor and for the precursor to cure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of affixing the textile over the first fluid layer and applying a second layer of a fluid precursor such that the textile is covered by fluid and fluid fills the open spaces of the textile are repeated so as to create a coating comprising three layers of elastomeric solid and two layers of textile.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid cures upon mixing of the two components, at room temperature, to form a polyurethane elastomer.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid cures upon mixing of the two components, at room temperature, to form a polyurethane elastomer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile is composed of fiber selected from the group consisting of glass, carbon, polyaramid, polyimide, polyester, or nylon.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the first layer of fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid cures to form an elastomer from the group consisting of silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, neoprene, natural rubber, polyurea, or butyl rubber.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the second layer of fluid precursor to an elastomeric solid cures to form an elastomer from the group consisting of silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, neoprene, natural rubber, polyurea, or butyl rubber.

11. The method of claim 1, the structure further including an interior corner, and the step of affixing the textile over the first fluid layer further including the step of:

reinforcing an interior corner in the structure by affixing textile such that opposite edges of a single piece of textile are attached to surfaces on opposite sides of the corner and the middle section of the textile covers the corner.

12. A composite coating for increasing the resistance to explosive forces of a structure, comprising:

a first layer elastomer in contact with and adhering to the structure;

a second layer elastomer in contact with and adhering to said first layer; and

textile embedded between said first and second layers.

13. The coating of claim 12, wherein said textile is a cloth containing yarns of glass, carbon, polyaramid, polyimide, polyester, or nylon.

14. The coating of claim 13, wherein said yarns are woven with adjacent parallel yarns spaced apart one-sixteenth of an inch to one inch.

15. The coating of claim 12, wherein said first and second layers of elastomer were applied to the structure by depositing fluid precursor compositions that cure in ambient conditions to form an elastomer of the group consisting of silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, neoprene, natural rubber, polyurea, or butyl rubber.

16. The coating of claim 15, wherein said textile was embedded between said first and second layers of elastomer by affixing said textile to applied said first layer fluid precursor before said second layer precursor was applied.

17. The coating of claim 16, wherein the tackiness of applied said first layer precursor affixed said textile to said first layer.

18. The coating of claim 12, said second layer further including means for rendering said coating fire-resistant.

19. In combination:

a structure; and

a composite coating adhering to said structure for increasing the resistance to explosion forces of the structure;

comprising;

a first layer elastomer in contact with and adhering to said structure;

a second layer elastomer in contact with and adhering to said first layer; and

textile embedded between said first and second layers.

20. The combination of claim 19, wherein said first layer elastomer is attached to said structure by applying to said structure a fluid precursor that cures under ambient conditions to become an elastomer.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein said fluid precursor is a two-component formulation that reacts upon mixing to become polyurethane elastomer.

22. The combination of claim 21, wherein said two-component formulation is applied to said structure by spraying.

23. The combination of claim 19, said textile comprising a fabric including yarns of glass, carbon, polyaramid, or polyimide.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein said yarns are woven with adjacent parallel yarns spaced apart one-sixteenth of an inch to one inch.

25. The combination of claim 19, said second layer further including menas for rendering said coating fire-resistant.