Building component
A building component is shown having a substantially rigid support frame (201). In addition, the component has a first substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet (301) and a second substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet (302) attached to frame (201) to define an inflatable element. At least one region (203) of the flexible photo-voltaic laminate material is secured to one of the flexible sheets (301) such that when inflated and when constructed the photo-voltaic material (203) generates electrical energy and provides a degree of shading under conditions of sunlight.
This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 06 14 253.3 filed on Jul. 18, 2006, the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to apparatus forming a building component, comprising a substantially rigid support frame, a first substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said support frame and a second substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said frame to define an inflatable element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBuilding components constructed from a substantially rigid support frame with a first substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached thereto along with a second substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet thereto so as to define an inflatable cushion-like element are known. The elements may comprise two or more layers of a plastic foil-like material, such as ETFE (Ethylene Tetra Flouro Ethylene) inflated with relatively low pressure air. The ETFE sheet is restrained in its perimeter frame, the frame usually being manufactured from extruded aluminum, which is turn fixed to a support structure.
As the element is inflated, the ETFE sheet is placed under tension and thereby forms a tight drum-like skin.
ETFE based elements of this type are fixed to a support structure to form a cladding and are used to enclose spaces such as atria or to provide a transparent or translucent roof or façade, often as an alternative to glass. However, an advantage over using glass structures is that the element-based structures are relatively less expensive, the components have a lower embodied energy and do not require the use of toxic chemicals. The technology has been implemented, for example, by the Eden Project in the United Kingdom.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming a building component, comprising a substantially rigid frame; a first substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said support frame and a second substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said frame to define an inflatable element. In addition, there is provided at least one region of flexible photo-voltaic laminate material positioned over one of said flexible sheets such that when inflated and when constructed said photo-photo-voltaic laminate material generates electrical energy and provides a degree of shading under conditions of sunlight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
A portion of a building is shown in
In a preferred embodiment, most of a building is constructed using inflatable elements. Alternatively, inflatable elements may be used in part of a building, such as for a roof, an atrium or for a façade.
The example of
An inflated element 102 is shown in
The element is also provided with regions 203 of flexible photo-voltaic laminate material secured to one of the flexible sheets. In this way, when the element has been inflated and the resulting inflated element incorporated within a construction (such as that shown in
The regions 203 of photo-voltaic laminate material are shown connected in parallel by electrical connection wire 204. In order to facilitate the distribution of cables within the structure as a whole, it is possible for electrical conduction cables, such as cable 204, to pass through flexible sheets via a gland 205, configured such that the sheet itself remains sealed and does not therefore lose pressure.
A cross-section of the element shown in
Within the element itself, a first inflatable region 304 is defined between the first sheet 301 and the intermediate sheet 303. Likewise, a second inflatable region 305 is provided, between the intermediate sheet 303 and the second sheet 302. By making region 304 independently inflatable from region 205 it is possible to apply different degrees of pressure to these regions and thereby control operational attributes of the element itself. The regions receive air under these circumstances via a first inlet 306 (for region 304) and via a second air inlet 307, for the second inflatable region.
A cross-section of support frame 201 is detailed in
To complete the assembly of the element, the sheets are firmly held in place by the application of the upper frame component 401.
An embodiment is shown in
In one embodiment, the photo-voltaic laminate 203 is secured directly to the upper surface 501 by means of an adhesive 503.
An alternative embodiment is shown in
In an embodiment, the additional sheet 601 is secured (by the application of an adhesive for example) to the laminate 202. However, in an alternative embodiment, the sheet is not secured to the laminate and the laminate is held in position in a pocket-like manner, such that the laminate is allowed a degree of movement over the upper surface.
As shown in
An alternative embodiment is shown in
An alternative embodiment is illustrated in
A space is provided between the first flexible sheet 301 and the additional third sheet 801 configured to receive photo-voltaic laminate panels 203.
The embodiment of
A cross-section of the support frame is shown in
An alternative embodiment is shown in
The embodiment of
The shading regions are interdigitated such that the blank (substantially transparent) regions of the upper layer 501 are covered by the shading regions of the intermediate layer 303. Thus, when the assembly of
An alternative embodiment is shown in
Claims
1. Apparatus forming a building component, comprising a substantially rigid support frame;
- a first substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said support frame and a second substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said frame to define an inflatable element; and
- at least one region of flexible photo-voltaic laminate material positioned over one of said flexible sheets such that when inflated and when constructed said photo-voltaic material generates electrical energy and provides a degree of shading under conditions of sunlight.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first sheet is an outer sheet having an upper external surface and an internal surface, wherein said photo-voltaic laminate is positioned over said upper surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said photo-voltaic laminate is secured directly to said upper surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said photo-voltaic laminate is secured directly by an adhesive.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said photo-voltaic laminate is attached to said upper surface by an additional sheet, said additional sheet is larger than the laminate so as to present overhanging edges and said overhanging edges are secured to the upper surface.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said additional sheet is secured to the laminate.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the additional sheet is not secured to the laminate and said laminate is held in position in a pocket-like manner, such that said laminate is allowed a degree of movement over the upper surface.
8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a third transparent or translucent flexible sheet is positioned over the laminate and said third sheet is attached to said support frame.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first flexible sheet is an outer sheet when constructed having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein a first photo-voltaic laminate is secured to said outer surface; and
- an intermediate substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet is attached to said support frame between said first sheet and said second sheet, wherein a second photo-voltaic laminate is secured to said intermediate sheet.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sheets includes a gland to facilitate the passing of electrical cables for carrying power generated by said laminate.
11. A method of constructing a building component, comprising the steps of:
- defining two or more substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheets;
- applying at least one region of flexible photo-voltaic laminate to at least one of said sheets; and
- attaching edges of said sheets to a substantially rigid support frame to form an inflatable element.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first sheet is an outer sheet having an upper external surface and an internal surface and the photo-voltaic laminate is positioned over said upper surface.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the photo-voltaic laminate is attached to said upper surface by an additional sheet, said additional sheet is larger than the laminates so as to present overhanging edges and said overhanging edges are secured to the upper surface.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional sheet is not secured to the laminate and said laminate is held in position in a pocket-like manner, such that said laminate is allowed a degree of movement over the upper surface.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein a third transparent or translucent flexible sheet is positioned over the laminate and said third sheet is attached to said support frame.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the first flexible sheet is an outer sheet when constructed having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein a first photo-voltaic laminate is secured to said outer surface and an intermediate substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet is attached to said support frame between said first sheet and said second sheet, wherein a second photo-voltaic laminate is secured to said intermediate sheet.
17. A building, atrium or façade, having a main load-bearing structure configured to support a plurality of elements, wherein each of said elements comprises:
- a substantially rigid support frame;
- a first substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said support frame and a second substantially transparent or translucent flexible sheet attached to said frame to define an inflatable element; and
- at least one region of flexible photo-voltaic laminate material positioned over one of said flexible sheets such that when inflated and constructed said photo-voltaic material generates electrical energy and provides a degree of shading under conditions of sunlight.
18. A building according to claim 17, wherein said load bearing structure includes interface devices for receiving cables configured to convey power generated by said laminate material.
19. A building according to claim 17, including a source of compressed air for maintaining said elements inflated.
20. A building according to claim 19, wherein said source of compressed air includes an adjustment device for adjusting the degree of shading provided by the photo-voltaic laminates.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2008
Inventors: Benedict Morris (London), Daniel Davies (Bath)
Application Number: 11/879,782
International Classification: E04D 13/18 (20060101);