Inflatable truss frame

• US 5,311,706 A
• Filed: 07/19/1991
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tracor Aerospace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tracor Aerospace, Inc.
• Inventors: Sallee, Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CANFIELD, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/732,810
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 52/2.11, 52/2.13, 52/2.18, 52/2.21, 52/DIG. 8, 52/690, 52/6912, 52/693, 52/694, 52/730.1, 52/2.23, 5/449, 5/452, 5/456, 5/458, 5/458, 5/474, 128/118.1
• US Class Current: 52/2.18
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/005 Girders or columns that are rollable, collapsible or otherwise adjustable in length or height girders as supporting members for forms E04G11/54
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/28 of materials not covered by groups E04C3/04 - E04C3/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/08 Imitation beams

Abstract

An inflatable truss frame member for use in the frame of a large inflatable device such as a ship or satellite decoy. A first embodiment, developed for use in satellite decoys, comprises three main inflatable tubes separated by shear load carrying interlacing inflatable tubes. The first embodiment may be manufactured by laminating two MYLAR sheets together using a triangular pattern of adhesive print to form a series of inflatable tubes. Excess material is removed from between the tubes and the edges of the MYLAR are bonded together forming a cylinder to complete the inflatable truss frame member. A second embodiment, developed for the heavier shear loading of ship decoys, comprises three main inflatable tubes separated by a shear load carrying web. The second embodiment may be manufactured by bonding an inner and outer tube made of MYLAR along arcuately spaced strips. The bonded MYLAR forms the separating web and unbonded MYLAR forms three inflatable tubes. Alternately, the second embodiment may be manufactured by separately forming three inflatable tubes and then bonding the separating web material to the inflatable tubes. Rigid stays or battens may be added between the three inflatable tubes when the separating web will not be strong enough to support the shear loading.

Claims

1. A frame member for use in an inflatable tube support frame comprising:

an inflatable truss, said truss comprising a plurality of elongated inflatable tubes, trussed together in a generally parallel spaced relation, and separated by shear load carrying interlacing inflatable tubes;

means for interconnecting the parallel inflatable tubes and the interlacing inflatable tubes, the means comprising a web material; and

rigid stays inserted between the parallel inflatable tubes.

2. The frame member of claim 1 wherein the rigid stays are C shaped in cross section.

3. A frame member for use in an inflatable tube support frame comprising:

an inflatable truss, said inflatable truss comprising a plurality of substantially parallel inflatable tubes;

means for interconnecting said parallel inflatable tubes, said means comprising a web material; and

rigid stays inserted between the parallel inflatable tubes.

4. The frame member of claim 3 wherein the rigid stays are C shaped in cross section.

5. An inflatable truss comprising:

three main inflatable tubes, said tubes being bowed;

web material separating said inflatable tubes, said material being kept in tension by said inflatable tubes; and

rigid stays inserted between said three main inflatable tubes.