U.S. patent application number 13/748741 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for hexoid arch and shelter structure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Walton W. McCarthy. Invention is credited to Walton W. McCarthy.
Application Number | 20140202091 13/748741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51206615 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140202091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCarthy; Walton W. |
July 24, 2014 |
HEXOID ARCH AND SHELTER STRUCTURE
Abstract
An arch and a shelter structure made from at least one arch. The
arch is made up of two ribs, each having a curved top portion
beginning at said top end of the arch that follows a curve of an
ellipse having a major axis equal in length to the span of the arch
and a minor axis equal in length to the height of the arch. A
curved side portion is joined to each rib by a fillet blend
section. The curved top portions of the two ribs contact one
another and are attached to one another to form an arch having a
half-hexoid shape.
Inventors: |
McCarthy; Walton W.;
(Forney, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
McCarthy; Walton W. |
Forney |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51206615 |
Appl. No.: |
13/748741 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.1 ;
52/250; 52/80.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/3205 20130101;
E21D 11/18 20130101; E04H 9/04 20130101; E02D 29/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/173.1 ;
52/80.1; 52/250 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/04 20060101
E04H009/04; E04B 1/32 20060101 E04B001/32 |
Claims
1. An arch for use in a shelter structure comprising: a span
extending between right and left end points; a height extending
between a top end and halfway between said right and left end
points; two first ribs, wherein each of said first ribs comprises:
a curved top portion beginning at said top end of said arch,
wherein said curved top portion approximately follows a curve of an
ellipse having a major axis equal in length to said span of said
arch and a minor axis equal in length to said height of said arch,
wherein the ellipse is superimposed such that the minor axis of the
ellipse is over said height of said arch; a curved side portion
ending at one of said right and left end points of said arch; and a
fillet blend section disposed between and joining said curved top
portion and said curved side portion and having a fillet blend
radius; and wherein said curved top portions of said two first ribs
contact one another and are attached to one another; and wherein
said arch has a half-hexoid shape.
2. The arch as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of half of said
span is between 1.1 and 1.5 times a length of said height.
3. The arch as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said first ribs
further comprises an inner layer comprising a copper mesh.
4. The arch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said copper mesh
comprises at least 12 strands per inch and is disposed 0.06 inches
from an inside surface of said arch.
5. The arch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inner
layer comprising a copper mesh with a thin layer of polyester resin
within said inner layer, and wherein said polyester resin further
comprises titanium dioxide.
6. The arch as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first ribs
further comprises a cross-section comprising a convex half-hexagon
shape with no flat surfaces and a width.
7. The arch as claimed in claim 6, wherein a ratio of said width of
said cross-section of said first rib and said span of said arch is
between 0.22 and 0.31.
8. A substructure for a shelter structure comprising at least one
base; wherein said base is precast, made of composite, and
comprises two pedestals, each comprising a top, a bottom, a height
between said top and said bottom, and an inner and outer side;
wherein at least said tops of said pedestals are coated in
fiberglass; and wherein said tops of said pedestals are sized,
dimensioned, and equipped to securely affix a rib of the shelter
structure thereon.
9. The substructure as claimed in claim 8: wherein said inner sides
of said tops of said pedestals comprise lips; wherein said
substructure further comprises a fiberglass corrugated floor
segment that rests on said lips of said pedestal; and wherein a
recess is defined by said fiberglass corrugated floor segment and
said height of said pedestals.
10. The substructure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said fiberglass
corrugated floor segment comprises two equally sized floor panels
sealed together.
11. The substructure as claimed in claim 9 comprising at least two
of said bases and two of said fiberglass corrugated floor segments,
wherein: said bases are positioned with a 1/4 inch space between
them; said fiberglass corrugated floor segments are bolted together
with gaskets; and all seams between said bases and said fiberglass
corrugated floor segments are sealed with a flexible sealant.
12. The substructure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said recess
houses at least one of a group consisting of sewer lift stations,
air ducts, plumbing, electrical lines, and sump pumps.
13. A half-hexoid shelter structure comprising: a plurality of
arches joined together, wherein each arch comprises: a span
extending between right and left end points; a height extending
between a top end and halfway between said right and left end
points; two first ribs, wherein each of said first ribs comprises:
a curved top portion beginning at said top end of said arch,
wherein said curved top portion approximately follows a curve of an
ellipse having a major axis equal in length to said span of said
arch and a minor axis equal in length to said height of said arch,
wherein the ellipse is superimposed such that the minor axis of the
ellipse is over said height of said arch; a curved side portion
ending at one of said right and left end points of said arch,
wherein said curved side portion comprises a base end at the one of
said right and left end points; and a fillet blend section disposed
between and joining said curved top portion and said curved side
portion and having a fillet blend radius; wherein said curved top
portions of said two first ribs contact one another and are
attached to one another; and wherein each of said arches has a
half-hexoid shape; a substructure comprising: a base for each of
said plurality of arches, wherein each of said bases is precast,
made of composite, and comprises: two pedestals, each comprising a
top, a bottom, a height between said top and said bottom, and an
inner and outer side; and a lip on said inner sides of said tops of
said pedestals; wherein at least said tops of said pedestals are
coated in fiberglass; and wherein said base ends of said first ribs
that form said at least one arch are securely affixed to said tops
of said pedestals; at least one fiberglass corrugated floor segment
that rests on said lips of said pedestal; wherein a recess is
defined by said fiberglass corrugated floor and said height of said
pedestals; and two end panels sized and dimensioned to be sealable
to one of said arches.
14. The half-hexoid shelter structure as claimed in claim 13,
wherein a cross-section of each of said first ribs of each of said
plurality arches comprises a convex half-hexagon shape and a base
flange and a lip flange on either side of said convex half-hexagon
shape; and said lip flanges of adjacent first ribs are
sealable.
15. The half-hexoid shelter structure as claimed in claim 13,
wherein each of said first ribs further comprises an inner layer
comprised of copper mesh.
16. The half-hexoid shelter structure as claimed in claim 13,
wherein a length of half of said span of said arch is between 1.1
and 1.5 times a length of said height of said arch.
17. A hexoid shelter structure comprising: a plurality of second
ribs joined together, wherein each of said second ribs comprises: a
span extending between right and left end points; a total height
extending between a top end and a bottom end; two curved top
portions beginning at said top end of said second rib and extending
away from said top end on either side, wherein each of said curved
top portions approximately follow a curve of an ellipse having a
major axis equal in length to said span of said second rib and a
minor axis equal in length to half of said total height of said
second rib, wherein the ellipse is superimposed such that the minor
axis of the ellipse is over an upper half of said total height of
said second rib; two curved bottom portions beginning at said
bottom end of said second rib and extending away from said bottom
end on either side, wherein said curved bottom portions
approximately follow a curve of an ellipse having a major axis
equal in length to said span of said second rib and a minor axis
equal in length to half of said total height of said second rib,
wherein the ellipse is superimposed such that the minor axis of the
ellipse is over a lower half of said total height of said second
rib; a left curved upper side portion ending at said left end point
of said second rib; a right curved upper side portion ending at
said right end point of said second rib; a left curved lower side
portion ending at said left end point of said second rib; a right
curved lower side portion ending at said right end point of said
second rib; a left upper fillet blend section disposed between and
joining one of said curved top portions and said left curved upper
side portion and having a fillet blend radius; a right upper fillet
blend section disposed between and joining one of said curved top
portions and said right curved upper side portion and having a
fillet blend radius; a left lower fillet blend section disposed
between and joining one of said curved bottom portions and said
left curved lower side portion and having a fillet blend radius;
and a right lower fillet blend section disposed between and joining
one of said curved bottom portions and said right curved lower side
portion and having a fillet blend radius; wherein each of said
second ribs has a hexoid shape; a floor; and two end panels sized
and dimensioned to be sealable to one of said second ribs.
18. A shelter structure comprising: a substantially watertight hull
that is sized and dimensioned to accommodate at least one human;
wherein said hull is infused with a copper mesh having a sufficient
number of strands per inch to withstand an electromagnetic pulse
generated by a high altitude nuclear weapon detonation.
19. The shelter structure as claimed in claim 18, wherein said
copper mesh comprises at least 12 strands per inch.
20. The shelter structure as claimed in claim 18, further
comprising a thin layer of polyester within said copper mesh.
21. The shelter structure as claimed in claim 18, wherein said hull
further comprises titanium dioxide.
22. The shelter structure as claimed in claim 18, wherein said
copper mesh is disposed 0.06 inches from an inside surface of said
shelter structure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to underground disaster
shelters and, in particular, to improved structural elements
therefore.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In spite of a large amount of misinformation which has been
presented to the public, there is convincing scientific and
technical information available that it is possible for most people
to survive a full scale exchange of nuclear, biological, or
chemical weapons, or disaster caused by an industrial accident,
provided that proper advance preparations are made.
[0003] It is acknowledged that there would be little incentive for
an individual to survive such a nuclear holocaust or biological
disaster if, as a result, all life on earth were doomed to
extinction or marginal existence. However, the National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) has produced extensive reports on the atmospheric
effects from various war scenarios, which contradict the likelihood
any such idea. In reality, therefore, the question today is not
whether persons can survive nuclear, biological, and chemical
warfare or disaster agents, but whether people have the will and
determination to prepare for survival.
[0004] A number of underground disaster shelters have been
developed in preparation of such a disaster. The ability of such a
shelter to adequately protect one or more individuals depends on
many factors, such as its equipment to provide the shelterists with
fresh, uncontaminated air; its ability to dispose of and store
waste; its food stocks; and of course, the integrity of the shelter
itself. The shelter needs to be strong enough to withstand not only
extreme above ground external forces, such as nuclear or High
Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) weapons, and inter-earth
forces, such as earthquakes, but also the everyday force of the
weight of earth above the shelter, and to withstand these forces
without corrosion or other degradation of shelter materials.
[0005] Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is created by nuclear weapons
detonated at altitudes of 40+ miles above ground. HEMP damage
electrical and electronic circuits by inducing voltages and
currents that they are not designed to withstand. EMP induces large
voltage and current transients on electrical conductors such as
antennas and wires as well as conductive tracks on electronic
circuit boards. When EMP pulses enter a system through a path
designed to gather electromagnetic energy, such as an antenna, they
are said to have entered through the front door. In contrast, when
they enter through an unplanned path, such as cracks, seems,
trailing wires or conduits, they have entered through the back
door. The efficiency of the energy transfer from pulse to system
depends upon the frequency compatibility between the pulse and the
entry path and on the conductivity of the material. In general,
sophisticated integrated circuits with short signal paths are
susceptible to high frequency pulses while large electrical
systems, such as commercial power characterized by long
transmission lines, are vulnerable to low frequency EMP. It follows
that a broadband EMP weapon threatens a greater number of systems
than a narrowband weapon, though the power requirement for a
broadband weapon is much higher. Regardless of how EMP enters a
system, it damages components simply by overloading them.
[0006] An EMP is composed of three components. The first (E1) is a
high frequency (1 mHz-1 gHz) free-field energy pulse with a rise
time of a few billionths of a second. This component disrupts or
damages electronics-based control systems, sensors, communications
systems, computers, and similar devices. The second component (E2)
is a medium frequency pulse, similar to lightning, that follows E1
by a few millionths of a second. The E2 component is not
particularly dangerous to electronics, especially those hardened
against lightning, except when the E1 pulse damages surge
protection circuitry first. The third component is a relatively low
frequency (3-30 Hz) slower rising pulse that follows E2 by a couple
thousandths of a second and creates disruptive currents in long
transmission lines. The sequence of E1, E2, and E3 is important,
because each causes damage building on the preceding pulse.
[0007] Several underground shelter systems exist including several
of the inventor's. These include the inventor's disaster shelters
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,438,907 and 6,385,919, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/373,431. Although each of these
disaster shelters is an excellent structure, still stronger
structures and structures capable of withstanding EMPs for disaster
shelters are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention includes extruded hexoid ribs with
convex half-hexagon cross-sections, a shelter substructure,
extruded hexoid shelters, and a shelter with a copper mesh infused
hull.
[0009] The first rib of the present invention is a half-hexoid rib.
The half-hexoid rib may be a single piece forming a 180.degree.
half-hexoid arch, but preferably spans only 90.degree. so that two
first ribs are required to form an entire half-hexoid arch. Having
noted the possibility of the half-hexoid rib being a single piece
forming a full half-hexoid arch, hereinafter, "first rib" refers to
the preferred rib that spans only 90.degree., or half of a
half-hexoid arch, and "arch" refers to the sealed combination of
two first ribs that spans the full 180.degree..
[0010] The first rib is a modification of a conventional elliptical
rib. Instead of a standard elliptical curve, the first rib has been
pushed out or extruded at the sides, making the structure slightly
more square or rectangle. The inventor has blended several radii
into a fillet blend radius so that the bottom part of the first rib
is almost a vertical wall, but is still curved. How far the sides
are extruded is further guided by superimposing a half-hexagon over
a standard half-ellipse, where the half-hexagon is half of a
hexagon with all 120.degree. angles, and a longest distance between
opposite vertices equal to the major axis of the half-ellipse. The
extruded shape of the arch is made by beginning and ending at the
same points as the standard half-elliptical shape, reaching the
same maximum height of the half-ellipse between those points, but
connecting the curve to intersect with the half-hexagon's vertices,
rather than following the curve of the half-ellipse. The fillet
blend produces the desired shape. As its shape is guided by a
half-hexagon, but is smooth and without flat surfaces or points, we
call this shape a "half-hexoid" shape. Pushing or extruding the
wall out so that it is almost vertical provides much more room
within the shelter structure of which the first rib is a part.
Preventing it from being extruded all the way to vertical so that
the wall is still curved, however, ensures that there are no
tensile loads on the wall and places the structure in buckling
mode. The half-hexoid arch, formed by two first ribs, uses only
slightly more material than a conventional half-elliptical arch,
but is much stronger and provides much more usable space within the
shelter structure of which the arch is a part.
[0011] The first rib includes a base end and a top end. The base
end will attach to a base, which is a part of the substructure of
the shelter structure, discussed below. The top end is at the
height of the first rib and is where two first ribs will be sealed
to form a half-hexoid arch. The preferred arch has a horizontal
span, where half of the span is approximately 1.1 to 1.5 times that
of the vertical height. To be specific, the floor between the base
ends of the arch, which is the span, is about 52 feet wide, and the
distance between the floor and the ceiling halfway between the base
ends is about 20 feet high, which is the height.
[0012] The second rib of the present invention is a full hexoid
rib. The second rib of the present invention is therefore the
equivalent of four first ribs together to form an entire extruded
hexoid shape that is all one piece. The second rib has the same
modified elliptical/hexagonal hybrid shape as the first rib in that
the classic elliptical shape has been pushed out using a hexagon as
guidance to create almost vertical sides, but has all curved
surfaces. The second rib therefore also creates much more room
within its shape as compared to a non-extruded ellipse, but is also
stronger. The preferred second rib has a horizontal span of 14 feet
and a vertical total height of 11 feet. As the floor within the
second rib is not necessarily positioned at the halfway point of
the total height of the second rib, however, the ceiling is
preferably approximately 81/3 feet tall.
[0013] The first and second ribs have a cross-section that is
shaped like a convex half-hexagon that has no flat surfaces. The
convex half-hexagon cross-sectional shape and the extruded
elliptical/hexoid shape of the overall rib make for a very strong
structure. As with the overall hexoid shape, the lack of flat
surfaces of the convex half-hexagon cross-section of the ribs means
that all of the earth loads on the rib surfaces are compressive,
rather than tensile. The curved surfaces of the convex half-hexagon
cross-section of the ribs are curved just enough to prevent "snap
through" or inward bending. As this is a fairly high threshold, the
curves are fairly broad. As such, minimal extra material is
required to form the convex half-hexagon cross-section, as compared
to an actual half-hexagon cross-section with flat sides. The convex
half-hexagon cross-section of the preferred first rib is 12 feet
wide, which is about 1/4 the span of the arch, which is preferably
52 feet, as discussed above. Although the preferred cross-sectional
width of the first rib is 12 feet, the width may be between 12 and
16 feet. The convex half-hexagon cross-section of the preferred
second rib is 4 feet, which is about 1/4 the span of the second
rib, which is preferably 14 feet, as discussed above. The ratio of
cross-section width to span is preferably between 0.22 and
0.31.
[0014] The convex half-hexagon cross-section of the first and
second ribs preferably includes a base flange extending outwardly
from the bottom of either side of the cross-section. A lip flange
preferably extends perpendicularly upward from the base flange. The
lip flanges of adjacent ribs are designed to meet and be sealed to
one another so as to adjoin the adjacent ribs. The sealing is
achieved with a firm ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber
gasket and bolts. This sealing is used along the length of adjacent
ribs at the lip flanges. It is also used to secure the tops of
first ribs to form an arch.
[0015] The first and second ribs are preferably made using a
polyester resin with between 65 and 75% glass content, and
preferably approximately 70%. As glass bends, and resin is stiff,
the inventor has found that using 70% glass in resin results in the
desired flexibility and resilience profile for the laminate. The
designated glass content also makes the laminate fire resistant.
The preferred process used to mold the ribs is called the vacuum
infusion process. With this process, all the glass is laid down in
full thickness, a bag is placed over the entire rib, a full vacuum
is drawn on the glass over the mold, and then the polyester resin
is sucked into the laminate.
[0016] Whether or not the vacuum infusion process is used to mold
the ribs, it is preferred that an inner layer of the ribs contain a
fine copper mesh. The preferred copper mesh has at least 12 strands
per inch, is preferably 16 mesh solid copper, and is typically used
for electromagnetic fields and RF frequencies. The copper mesh is
preferably approximately 0.060 inches from the inside surface of
the shelter hull. The copper mesh is between 0.75 and 0.85 inches
from the inside surface of the shelter hull, and preferably 0.80
inches. Although a copper mesh EMP shield is presented herein
specifically with respect to the shelter structures formed by the
first and second ribs of the present invention, it is understood
that the inclusion of copper mesh in the hull of any disaster
shelter structure as an EMP shield is considered part of the
present invention.
[0017] The first ribs of the present invention are designed for use
with the substructure of the present invention. The substructure of
the present invention is a substructure for the shelter structure
of the present invention that is formed of the first ribs of the
present invention. In its most basic form, the substructure of the
present invention includes at least one composite, precast base or
precast concrete that is resin coated. It is an advantage to have
precast bases as less construction must be done in the field. The
base includes two pedestals, each of which has a top, a bottom, a
height between the top and bottom, and an inner and outer side. At
least the tops of the pedestals are coated in fiberglass. The tops
of the pedestals are sized and equipped to affix the base ends of
first ribs of the present invention. Holes are preferably drilled
into the pedestals so that expanding anchor bolts may be used to
secure the base ends of the first ribs to the pedestals. The inner
sides of the pedestals face toward the inside of the shelter
structure. The outer sides of the pedestals face away from the
inside of the shelter structure.
[0018] It is preferred that the inner sides of the tops of the
pedestals include a lip on which a fiberglass corrugated floor
segment may rest. The fiberglass corrugated floor segment is
preferably made of two equally sized floor panels. The floor panels
are bolted together with gaskets and all seams along and between
the floor panels and the pedestals are sealed with a flexible
sealant to create a gas tight foundation and floor. This gas tight
surface prevents radon and methane gas, commonly found in
underground structures, from entering the shelter. When more than
one base is used, there are 1/4 inch spaces between adjacent
pedestals. During ground shock, as each arch has a designated base,
and each base is separated by 1/4 inch, arches are somewhat
isolated and therefore have more room to articulate. A recess is
formed under the floor based on the height of the pedestals. This
recess can be used to house air ducts, plumbing, electrical lines,
and sump pumps, and other shelter infrastructure.
[0019] In its most basic form, the half-hexoid shelter structure of
the present invention includes at least two first ribs of the
present invention, a substructure of the present invention, and two
end panels. The end panels are sized and dimensioned to mate with
the first ribs. The end panels seal along the lip flanges of the
first ribs' cross-sections, just as adjacent first ribs are sealed
to one another.
[0020] In its most basic form, the hexoid shelter structure of the
present invention includes one or more second ribs and two end
panels. In hexoid shelters including more than one second rib, the
second ribs are sealed together along the lip flanges of the
adjacent second ribs' cross-sections. The end panels are sized and
dimensioned to mate with the second ribs. The end panels seal along
the lip flanges of the second ribs' cross-sections, just as
adjacent second ribs are sealed to one another.
[0021] Therefore it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide ribs of a shelter structure that include a half-hexoid or
hexoid shape.
[0022] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide
ribs with a cross-section with a convex half-hexagon shape.
[0023] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a
disaster shelter that is stronger than its prior art
counterparts.
[0024] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a
superior shelter substructure including a gas tight floor and a
recess beneath the gas tight floor for housing shelter
infrastructure.
[0025] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a
precast composite base having significant advantages over prior art
fiberglass and concrete bases.
[0026] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a
rib, arch, and therefore hull of a shelter structure including an
inner layer including copper mesh, thus protecting the shelter
structure from EMPs.
[0027] These aspects of the present invention are not meant to be
exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first rib of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a front view of a prior art elliptical arch for a
disaster shelter.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view of a half-hexoid arch of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram of how the half-hexoid shape of the ribs
of the present invention is defined.
[0032] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a rib of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 5B is cross-sectional view of several ribs of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a disaster shelter structure
of the present invention using first ribs.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of a prior art disaster
shelter.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of a disaster shelter structure of
the present invention using second ribs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first rib
10 of the present invention is provided. First rib 10 has a
half-hexoid shape 16, a top end 20, and a base end 18. The top end
20 is where the first rib 10 will be sealed with another first rib
10 to form an arch 12 of a shelter structure 14, shown in FIG. 3.
The base end 18 is securely attached to the top 46 of a pedestal
44, which is part of the base 42, indicated in FIG. 3, for example.
The pedestal 44 also has a bottom 48, not visible in this view but
understood to be the opposite side of the top 46, shown, and facing
down toward the earth. The pedestal 44 has an inner side 52 that
faces toward the inside of the shelter structure 14, and an outer
side 54 that faces away from the shelter structure 14. The inner
and outer sides 52, 54 are shown more clearly in FIG. 3. The top 46
of the pedestal 44 includes a lip 62, on which a floor segment 64
will rest, as shown in 3. The cross-section 30 of the rib 10 is
visible at the top end 20 of the rib 10. The cross-section 30 has a
convex half-hexagon shape 32, as discussed below with reference to
FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0038] The ribs of the present invention, whether first ribs 10,
shown in FIG. 1, for example, or second ribs 80, shown in FIG. 8,
for example, are made using a polyester resin with approximately
70% glass content. The preferred process used to mold the ribs is
called the vacuum infusion process. With this process, all the
glass is laid down in full thickness, a bag is placed over the
entire rib, a full vacuum is drawn on the glass over the mold, and
then the polyester resin is sucked into the laminate. This results
in a bubble free very dense and very strong resilient laminate with
E values more than twice that of structural hand-lay-up laminates.
In addition, this is a closed molding process so that employees are
not exposed to volatile organic compounds. Alternatively, the first
and second ribs 10, 80 may be made of concrete.
[0039] Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, front views of a prior art
arch for a disaster shelter and a half-hexoid shelter structure 14
of the present invention are provided respectively. FIG. 2 shows a
prior art elliptical arch. This arch is one piece, and its front
view is either half-round or half-paraboloid, with the elliptical
arch meeting the foundation at the neutral axis. FIG. 3 shows an
arch 12 of the present invention, made up of two first ribs 10 of
the present invention sealed at the top end 20 of the first ribs
10. The half-hexoid arch 12 in FIG. 3 is similar to the prior art
arch in FIG. 2, but the elliptical shape of FIG. 2 has been pushed
out to form the extruded elliptical/half-hexoid shape 16 of FIG. 3.
This shape is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.
Each first rib 10 has a horizontal span 22 of fifty-two feet and a
vertical height 24 of twenty feet. The dashed line in FIG. 3
indicates the shape of a prior art elliptical arch, as in FIG.
2.
[0040] The arch 12 shown in FIG. 3 sits upon a substructure 40. The
substructure 40 includes a base 42, floor segments 64, a recess 66,
and a plastic liner 67. The base 42 consists of a number of
pedestals 44. The base ends 18 of the first ribs 10 are attached to
the pedestals 44. Each pedestal 44 includes an inner side 52 and an
outer side 54, as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Each
pedestal has a height 50, a top 46, a bottom 48, and a lip 62 on
the inner side 52 of the top 46. For every arch 12 in a shelter
structure 14, the base 42 includes two pedestals 44 positioned on
either side of the arch 12. Adjacent pedestals 44 supporting
adjacent ribs 12 include a 1/4 inch space 68 between them,
indicated in FIG. 6.
[0041] Base 42 is precast concrete or made of composite. This is
opposed to current, prior art bases made of fiberglass. Fiberglass
is used at least on the tops 46 of pedestals 44, however, so as to
create a gas tight surface, preventing radon and methane gas,
commonly found in underground structures, from entering the shelter
structure 14. The floor segments 64, shown in FIG. 3, are made of
corrugated fiberglass or precast concrete. Floor segments 64 are
made of two floor panels that meet in the middle of the floor.
Floor segments 64 may be supported by piers 65. When the floor
segments 64 are in position resting on lips 62 of pedestals 44,
they are bolted together with gaskets, and all seams and gaps are
sealed with a flexible sealant to create a gas tight foundation and
floor. The recess 66 of the substructure 40 is defined by the floor
segments 64 and the height 50 of the pedestals 44. This recess 66
is a crawl space that allows for important shelter infrastructure
such as sewer lift stations, air ducts, plumbing, electrical lines,
and sump pumps. A plastic liner 67 is placed at the bottom of
recess 66 between bottoms 48 of pedestals 44 as an additional vapor
barrier between the earth and the substructure 40. The plastic
liner 67 also makes it easier and dryer for a person to crawl in
the recess 66 when necessary.
[0042] The 1/4 inch spaces 68 between the bases 42, shown most
clearly in FIG. 6, allow water to enter into this recess 66. Making
the bases 42 watertight would place a large uniform load on the
floor. Specifically, for the preferred shelter structure 14 made of
first ribs 10, the floor might be thirty feet below the ground.
Making bases 42 watertight under these circumstances, by resisting
hydrostatic pressure, the floor would see 13.2 psi, calculated from
30 ft*0.44 psi/ft. This would place a uniform load on the floor of
1,140,480 lbs, calculated from 50 ft span*12 ft*144 int*13.2 psi.
To support such a load would require a concrete slab many feet
thick. As such, the inventor chose not to make the bases 42
watertight. The recess 66 created by the pedestals 44 and floor
allows space for sump pumps that can pump water that has entered
the recess up to the ground surface a long distance away. The bases
42 therefore do not need to be watertight. A thick slab of concrete
under the structure is therefore avoided. This also allows for fast
assembly in the field, as there is no need to wait for concrete to
cure.
[0043] Now referring to FIG. 4, an illustration of how the extruded
elliptical shape of ribs 10, 80 is formed is provided. The extruded
elliptical/half-hexoid shape 16 of arch 12 is shown. Dashed line
104 is a half-circle, which is a common shape for prior art shelter
structures. Dashed line 101 is the half-elliptical shape also
common in prior art shelter structures, and the shape that is
extruded to get the half-hexoid shape 16 of the present invention.
Half-hexagon 102 is superimposed over half-ellipse 101. The hexagon
of which the half-hexagon 102 is a half has all 120.degree. angles.
It is not a regular hexagon because its sides are not necessarily
the same length. As shown, the longest distance between opposite
vertices is equal to the major axis of the half-ellipse 101. This
distance also corresponds with the span 22 of arch 12. Prior art
half-ellipse 101 and half-hexoid shape 16 meet at top end 18.
Half-ellipse 101, half-hexoid shape 16 of the present invention,
and half-hexagon 102 all begin and end at right and left common end
points 95, 96. Instead of following the curve of half-ellipse 101,
however, half-hexoid 16 nearly intersects with right and left
hexagon vertices 103, 105 on its way up to top end 18.
[0044] Ellipse 130 is included in FIG. 4 for purposes of
illustration. The major axis of ellipse 130 has the same length as
span 22 and the minor axis of ellipse 130 has the same length as
height 24. Half-hexoid shape 16 has a top section 107 on either
side of top end 18 that approximately follows the curve of ellipse
130 until it nearly meets right and left hexagon vertices 103, 105.
This section of the half-hexoid shape 16 is the fillet blend
section 109 where half-hexoid shape 16 turns downward away from
ellipse 130 to more closely approximate the shape of half-hexagon
102. Fillet blend section 109 is a curved section that uses a
fillet blend radius that is a blend of several radii to form
half-hexoid shape 16. Side portion 111 is on either side between
fillet blend section 109 and common end points 95, 96 and is also
curved. As the half-hexoid shape 16 is guided by a half-hexagon,
but is smooth and without flat surfaces or points, we call this
shape a "half-hexoid" shape. It is understood that to get the shape
used with second rib 80, a similar procedure is used, but with a
full ellipse, and a full hexagon. Corresponding structures for
second rib 80 are labeled in FIG. 8.
[0045] Now referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, cross-sectional views of
first and second ribs 10, 80 of the present invention are provided.
Earth above the ribs 10, 80 is indicated by cross hatching. The
shape of the rib cross-section 30 is a convex half-hexagon 32. In
other words, the shape has three of six sides of a hexagon--two
vertical curved walls 33 connected by one horizontal wall 35--but
where all walls 33, 35 are convex, or curved outward. The arch
cross-section 30 also includes a base flange 36 extending outwardly
from the bottom of each vertical wall 33, and a lip flange 38
extending perpendicularly and upwardly from each base flange 36.
Adjacent ribs 10, 80 are sealed to one another along their
respective lip flanges 38. This design results in a stronger shape
than prior art and uses only a small amount more material.
[0046] Cross-section 30 of first rib 10 has a width 34 of twelve
feet, which is about 1/4 the span of arch 12, which is preferably
fifty-two feet, as discussed above. Cross-section 30 of second rib
80 has a width 34 of four feet, which is about 1/4 the span of the
second rib 80, which is preferably fourteen feet, as discussed in
more detail with respect to FIG. 8 below. Having cross-section 30
be approximately 1/4 of the span of arch 12 or second rib 80 has
been shown to create an extremely strong structural element. The
approximate 1/4 ratio of cross-section width 34 to span is between
0.22 and 0.31.
[0047] When referring to the vertical and horizontal walls 33, 35,
we use the terms "vertical" and "horizontal" walls approximately.
The vertical walls 33 are not perpendicular to the horizontal wall
35. In addition, neither the vertical walls 33, nor the horizontal
wall 35 include any flat surfaces, as may be commonly implied by
the terms "vertical" and "horizontal." Because the vertical and
horizontal walls 33, 35 do not include any flat surfaces, there are
no tensile loads. As the earth loads put axial loads on the curved
vertical wall 33, the thrust loads on the vertical wall 33 are
resisted by the opposing and equal thrust loads from the adjacent
vertical wall 33 so the shape is strong and stable. In this case,
"adjacent" vertical walls 33 refer not to the two vertical walls 33
of a single cross-section 30, but to the closest vertical walls 33
of two cross-sections 30 of ribs 10, 80 that have been sealed
together.
[0048] Now referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a half-hexoid
shelter structure 14 of the present invention is provided. Shelter
structure 14 sits on substructure 40, shown in FIG. 3, of which the
outer sides 54 of the pedestals 44 of base 42 are visible. Base 42
also extends beneath the end panel 78 of shelter structure 14.
Although not visible, a 1/4 inch space 68 exists between each
pedestal 44 of base 42. The shelter structure 14 shown includes
eleven arches 12 and two end panels 78, the second end panel 78 not
being visible in this view, but understood to be opposite from the
visible end panel 78. It is understood that shelter structure 14
may include greater or less than eleven arches 12 in other
embodiments. Each of the eleven arches 12 is made up of two first
ribs 10 sealed at the top ends 20 of the first ribs 10. The sealing
is achieved with a firm EPDM rubber gasket and bolts. This sealing
is also used along the length of adjacent arches 12 at the lip
flanges 38. Each arch 12 meets base 42 at the base ends 18 of first
ribs 10. Holes are drilled into the pedestals 44 so that expanding
anchor bolts may be used to secure the base ends 18 of first ribs
10 to pedestals 44. End panels 78 have a shape designed to match
with the half-hexoid shape 16 of the first ribs 10.
[0049] Now referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, cutaway views of a prior art
elliptical shelter 94 and a hexoid shelter structure 92 of the
present invention are provided, respectively. Shelter structure 92
includes second rib 80, which is has a full extruded
elliptical/hexoid shape, and is one piece. Although not shown,
hexoid shelter structure 92 would include end panels to match with
the shape of second rib 80. Second rib 80 has a convex half-hexagon
cross-section 30 as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and
5B. Each shelter structure 94, 92 has a span 82 of seven feet and a
total height 84 of 5.5 feet.
[0050] FIG. 8 shows a front view of one second rib 80. A preferred
shelter structure 92 of the present invention includes ten adjoined
second ribs 80, where each second rib 80 has a cross-section width
34 of four feet on center, as discussed above with reference to
FIGS. 5A and 5B. This preferred shelter structure 92 has
approximately 5600 cubic feet of volume and has 544 square feet of
floor space. Prior art shelter structure 94 with its traditional
elliptical shape and ten ribs four feet on center has approximately
4200 cubic feet of volume and 400 square feet of floor space. The
hexoid shelter 92 of the present invention is therefore
approximately 30% bigger than its prior art elliptical counterpart
94, and is also approximately 30% stronger, while using only
approximately 6% more material. Not only is there more space, but
there is more usable space. Shelves 88, for example, are much
closer to the wall of the second rib 80 in present invention
shelter 92, thus minimizing the unusable space 90 between the wall
and the shelves 88. It is understood that although it is preferred
for present invention shelter 92 to include ten second ribs 80,
some embodiments may include greater or fewer than ten second ribs
80. Floor 121 is also shown. Floor 121 is preferably positioned
within total height 84 so that the ceiling within hexoid shelter 92
is approximately 81/3 feet tall.
[0051] On the left of FIG. 8 structural components pertaining to
how hexoid shape 119 is formed are shown. It is understood that its
formation corresponds to what is described above with reference to
FIG. 4, but including upper and lower portions, or that which is
described above with reference to the half-hexoid shape 16 and its
mirror image below it. The full hexoid shape 119 includes the top
portion 107, upper side portion 111, and upper fillet blend section
109, as with the half-hexoid shape 16 shown in FIG. 4. The full
hexoid shape 119 also includes bottom portion 113, lower side
portion 115, and lower fillet blend portion 117, which are the
lower mirror images of the upper counterparts shared with
half-hexoid shape 16. Hexoid shape 119 is incorporated into second
rib 80, which is one integrated piece. When considering the ellipse
130 the curve of which the bottom portions 113 and upper portions
107 will approximately follow, it is understood that the minor axis
of ellipse 130 will be half of the total height 84 indicated, and
the major axis of ellipse 130 is span 82. In other words, again
hexoid shape 119 is equivalent to two half-hexoid shapes 16 as
mirror images with the line of symmetry along span 22/82. To
envision ellipse 130 as a tool for approximating at least the
bottom portions 113 and upper portions 107 of hexoid shape 119, we
would envision two ellipses 130 as mirror images, like a figure
eight, with the line of symmetry along span 22/82. Therefore
half-hexoid shape 16 pertaining to a single first rib, as described
above, has a top portion 107 beginning at top end 18, a side
portion 111 beginning at right or left end point 95, 96, and a
fillet blend section 109 between and connecting the top portion 107
and the side portion 111.
[0052] Full hexoid shape 119, however, is the equivalent of four
half-hexoid shapes 16. Full hexoid shape 119 therefore has an left
top portion, an upper left fillet blend section, and an upper left
side portion in the upper left quadrant of the shape; a right top
portion, an upper right fillet blend section, and an upper right
side portion in the upper right quadrant of the shape; a left
bottom portion, a lower left fillet blend section, and a lower left
side portion in the lower left quadrant of the shape; and a right
bottom portion, a lower right fillet blend section, and a lower
right side portion in the lower right quadrant of the shape. Top
end 18, bottom end 132, and right and left end points 95, 96 are
also shown. The right and left top portions both begin at top end
18. The upper right side portion and the lower right side portion
both begin at right end point 95. The upper left side portion and
the lower left side portion both begin at left end point 96. The
right and left bottom portions both begin at bottom end 132.
[0053] The inner layer 26 of the ribs contains a fine solid copper
mesh 28, as indicated in FIGS. 5A and 8. The copper mesh 28 has at
least twelve strands per inch, is preferably 16 mesh solid copper,
and is typically used for electromagnetic fields and RF
frequencies. The copper mesh 28 is approximately 0.060 inches from
the inside surface 123 of the shelter hull, shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.
The inclusion of the copper mesh 28 provides an EMP shield in the
E1, E2, and E3 bands from an electromagnetic pulse weapon. The
copper mesh 28 acts as a shield to the most dangerous portion of
the EMP spectrum, which is 100-3000 MHz, and has an 80+Db
attenuation, not counting the 8.5 feet of earth cover over the
shelter structure. Some prior art shelter structures use steel as
an EMP shield. The copper mesh 28 is preferable to steel because it
is 8.5 times more conductive, and does not corrode like steel
resulting in a stable EMP shield over long periods of time with no
deterioration and maintenance. In addition, it does not suffer the
imminent corrosion of the welds, leading to holes in the welds,
which break the Faraday cage envelope. Also, titanium dioxide is
added to the resin to increase the conductivity of the
polyester-resin laminate. With a thin layer of polyester on the
inside of the copper mesh 28 facing the inside of the shelter 14,
92, Mission Essential Equipment (MEE) are insulated from further
damage if it is located against or near the shelter wall. The best
Faraday cage or EMP shielded underground shelter has some form of
copper shielding on the outside surface facing the EMP source with
some type of insulator on the inside surface of the copper shield
facing inside the shelter protecting the electronic equipment
inside the shelter. The laminate used to manufacture the shelter
hulls and entranceways is designed to meet MIL-STD-188-125-1. In
addition, shelter structures 14, 92, as well as the inventor's
other structures, have been reviewed for an EMP Protection Analysis
by a Certified Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer and a
Certified Electrostatic Discharge Control Engineer.
[0054] The vacuum infused structural composite shelter hull and
entranceway have a CPI (Copper Plastic Insulated) EMP Shield.
Copper, with a conductivity of 60,000,000 Siemens/m is almost nine
times more conductive than carbon steel which has a conductivity of
7,000,000 Siemens/m making it the strongest EMP shield used to
protect military MEE. Unlike steel, copper shielding infused in the
structural composite laminate is corrosion resistant so the level
of EMP shielding does not deteriorate over time. It therefore does
not require monthly maintenance and testing to be compliant with
MIL-STD-188-125-1. The copper shield has a plastic layer facing the
shelter interior to further protect the MEE that might be located
near the shelter hull wall. The 20 psi external pressure resistance
above the static earth load, with no earth arching, is constant
over the first 150 years. The CPI Composite also forms a complete
vapor barrier which provides a dry atmosphere when placed below
ground. In addition, one of the greatest characteristics of the CPI
Composite is its resiliency or ability to "remain intact" if
overstressed. The inside of the shelter is smooth, curved, and
white to create maximum brightness with minimal light. All of these
facilities function without outside electricity through the use of
an internal diesel generator, battery bank, and DC charger/AC
inverter. The inside surface is easily cleaned with common
detergents and is easily repaired and there is ample volume for
food storage under the floor.
[0055] All of the shelter structures described herein are shielded
by the CPI Composite hull and entranceway. The radio antennas
should not be connected to the radios prior to an EMP event. In
military operations, where the radios need to be connected to the
antennas and operational prior to an EMP event, backup radios need
to be stored unconnected and kept in the shelter. The shelter
structures of the present invention are designed to operate off
grid with internal generators so they are not subject to EMP
collected on the power grid. The power cable from the shelter to
the dedicated well and the well water hose to the shelter are both
underground and shielded.
[0056] The half-hexoid shelter structure 14 and hexoid shelter
structure 92, shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 respectively are well adapted
for high external static and dynamic loads, such as earth. Many
structures in many fields, such as siding and roofing materials,
include ribs. Such ribs are very small, however, so that many ribs
are used for each panel, and all the ribs have straight walls.
These straight walled ribs are not adapted for high static loads.
The tops of the shelter structures 14, 92 are convex. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 5A, each rib 10, 80, is curved across its entire length
and depth. As such, the hulls of the shelter structures 14, 92 made
of these ribs 10, 80 are not extrudable. As shown in FIG. 6, the
shape of the end panels 78 also do not include flat surfaces, so
that the end panels 78 are also designed to resist buckling
loads.
[0057] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the
description should not be limited to the description of the
preferred versions contained herein.
* * * * *