Patent Grant
9109354
This invention relates to modular structure, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for rapid assembly of modular structures.
In some circumstances, particularly in military applications, it may be desirable to provide temporary shelters for personnel and/or equipment. For example, it is desirable to provide a temporary shelter for military personnel who are being transported on a military vehicle, such as a hovercraft, that does not have sufficient cabin space for the military personnel to safely reside during transport. The temporary shelter is assembled on the deck of the military vehicle and protects the military personnel during transport.
Typically, the applications for the temporary shelters dictate that the temporary shelters be assembled rapidly without burdening the assemblers with a complex assembly process, yet provide an adequate shelter for the personnel and/or equipment housed in the temporary shelter. For example, the temporary shelters are often times assembled in a remote location to provide shelter for personnel and/or equipment during execution of short-term missions. The total amount of time the personnel are in the remote location is often times minimal so the portion of time committed in the assembly of the shelter has to be minimized. The temporary shelter is also required to provide adequate protection for the personnel and/or equipment by, for example, providing protection from weather elements, fire, and/or high sound levels. A complex assembly process of the temporary shelter adds to the amount of time allotted to the assembly of the temporary shelter, yet the assembly process cannot be simplified to the point that the temporary shelter no longer provides an adequate shelter.
Conventional temporary shelters, such as conventional personnel transport modules (PTM) used in the transport of military personnel, typically have issues that include but are not limited to corrosion, water leakage, and/or difficulty in assembly. The conventional PTM is assembled with panels made of a composite material that includes a foam inner layer that is between two outer layers of aluminum. The aluminum is bounded to the foam with polyurethane. The polyurethane absorbs moisture and then delaminates resulting in corrosion of the conventional PTM. The conventional PTM also does not include a moisture absorbing material between each panel to protect the conventional PTM from leaking moisture into the conventional PTM.
The panels of the conventional PTM are assembled together with ratchet locks. Each respective panel must be directly aligned with each other panel for the ratchet locks to sufficiently lock each respective panel together in forming the conventional PTM. The ratchet locks fail to provide tolerance levels in the alignment of each respective panel that would enable each panel to not have to be directly aligned with each other for the ratchet locks to sufficiently lock each panel together. The difficulty provided in directly aligning each respective panel with each other complicates the assembly process and adds unnecessary time in assembling the conventional PTM. Therefore, an effective means to provide and assemble a modular shelter that can be easily assembled but yet provide adequate protection is needed.
The present invention provides a modular structure for housing personnel and/or equipment including a center compartment formed by a first set of panels from a plurality of panels. The modular structure also includes a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels. The modular structure also includes a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite of the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels. Each panel from the plurality of panels is joined to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure. The center compartment includes an upper roof panel that is coupled to the center compartment and configured to be a roof for the center compartment. The first side compartment includes a first lower roof panel that is coupled to the first side compartment and configured to be a roof for the first side compartment. The second side compartment includes a second lower roof panel that is coupled to the second side compartment and configured to be a roof for the second side compartment. The upper roof panel is joined to each of the first and second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first lower roof panel and the second lower roof panel to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure.
The present invention also provides a modular structure for housing personnel and/or equipment, including a plurality of bays formed by a plurality of panels so that each panel from the plurality of panels is joined to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture and/or water penetration from entering the modular structure. Each bay includes a center compartment formed by a first set of panels from the plurality of panels. Each bay also includes a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels. Each bay also includes a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite of the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels. Each bay also includes an upper roof panel coupled to the center compartment and configured to be a roof for the center compartment. Each bay also includes a first lower roof panel coupled to the first side compartment and configured to be a roof for the first side compartment. Each bay also includes a second lower roof panel coupled to the second side compartment and configured to be a roof for the second side compartment. The upper roof panel is joined to each of the first and second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first lower roof panel and the second lower roof panel to substantially prevent moisture and/or water penetration from entering the modular structure.
A method for forming a modular structure for housing personnel and/or equipment is also provided. The method starts with forming a center compartment by a first set of panels from a plurality of panels. The method further includes forming a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels. The method includes further forming a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels. The method further includes joining each panel from the plurality of panels to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure. The method further includes coupling an upper roof panel to the center compartment so that the upper roof panel is a roof for the center compartment. The method further includes coupling a first lower roof panel to the first side compartment so that the first lower roof panel is a roof for the first side compartment. The method further includes coupling a second lower roof panel to the second side compartment so that the second lower roof panel is a roof for the second side compartment. The method further includes joining the upper roof panel to each of the first and second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first and second lower roof panels to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention. Additionally, the left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the reference number.
The following Detailed Description refers to accompanying drawings to illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. References in the Detailed Description to “one exemplary embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” “an example exemplary embodiment,” etc., indicate that the exemplary embodiment described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every exemplary embodiment does not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same exemplary embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art(s) to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other exemplary embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments are possible, and modifications can be made to exemplary embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the Detailed Description is not meant to limit the present disclosure. Rather, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
The following Detailed Description of the exemplary embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the present disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art(s), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such exemplary embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and plurality of equivalents of the exemplary embodiments based upon the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by those skilled in relevant art(s) in light of the teachings herein.
For a more efficient modular structure and assembly thereof, the present invention implements a roof and panel joining assemblies with modular panels to create a substantially moisture proof structure that is scalable and easily assembled. The modular structure is assembled with pre-fabricated modular panels that are transported as individual pieces to the location where the modular structure is to be assembled and then assembled into the modular structure. Each modular panel of the modular structure is implemented as a supporting structure for the modular structure, i.e., a wall, roof, and/or floor for the modular structure. Each modular panel may be sized accordingly based on structural loading requirements, fire requirements, and/or any other design and/or performance requirements that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the modular structure is scalable in that an already assembled base modular structure may be expanded by adding additional modular panels. For example, the base modular structure is assembled as three compartments in a single row creating a one by three base modular structure. Each compartment is a section of the modular structure that is divided from each other compartment of the modular structure by modular panels, i.e. a first side panel, a second side panel, a roof panel, and a floor panel. Three additional compartments in a second single row adjacent to the original three compartments are then added to the base modular structure. Thus, the scaled modular structure now includes six compartments dispersed in a two by three modular structure.
The panel joining assembly is implemented in joining each modular panel of the modular structure together. The panel joining assembly traps a shear pin inside a gasket that joins adjacent modular panels to substantially prevent moisture from intruding into the modular structure while providing a fitting tolerance between each adjacent modular structure that provides ease in assembly. The fitting tolerance between each adjacent module structure provides flexibility in aligning the modular structures so that each modular structure is not required to be directly aligned with each other modular structure. For ease of discussion, the joining technique implemented between modular panels will simply be referred to as the panel joining assembly.
In order to further improve upon the moisture tightness of the modular structure, a base modular structure includes three compartments joined together in a single row forming a bay. A bay is the minimum amount of modular panels required to standalone as a modular structure. The roof of the center compartment overlaps each roof of each of the two adjacent compartments to the center compartment. For ease of discussion, the roof of the center compartment overlapping each roof of each of the two adjacent compartments will be simply referred to as the upper roof while each roof of the two adjacent compartments will be simply referred to as the lower roofs. In the overlap region, a gasket is placed between the upper roof and the lower roof. A metal sleeve is inserted through the lower roof, the gasket and the upper roof in the overlap region. A bolt that may be self-aligned is inserted through the metal sleeve and tightened to compress the lower roof, the gasket, and the upper roof together forming a seal. The metal bolt confines the bolt and resists the shear load induced on the modular structure due to lateral racking. For ease of discussion, the joining technique implemented in the overlapping portion of the upper roof and each of the lower roofs will be simply referred to as the roof joining assembly. The overlapping of the upper roof and the lower roofs provides a path for moisture to run off of the roof of the modular structure rather than accumulating on the roof.
As the following description will show in detail, the disclosed invention takes advantage of these properties to protect the inside of the modular structure from moisture while providing ease in assembly. This serves to improve the overall performance of the modular structure, particularly in applications that require rapid assembly while being exposed to severe environmental conditions. In the description that follows, even though references may be made to use in military applications or as a PTM, it should be understood that the system and method apply to a wide variety of applications that may require a modular structure with rapid assembly and adequate protection for personnel and/or equipment stored within. For example, the system and method may find use in aid relief in the aftermath of natural disasters.
As noted above, the modular structure is assembled as a base modular structure and then is scalable so that additional modular structures may be added until the final modular structure is reached. Regarding the example modular structure 100, the example modular structure 100 is initially assembled by formulating three compartments into a single bay. After the modular structure 100 is initially formulated into the single bay, then the modular structure 100 is a base modular structure and may stand alone. No additional compartments and/or bays are required to be added to the base modular structure of the example modular structure 100 for the base modular structure to adequately protect personnel and/or equipment housed within the base modular structure. However, additional bays may be then added to the base modular structure in order to increase the size of the example modular structure 100.
For example, the example modular structure 100 is formulated by initially assembling compartments 120d, 120e, and 120f into the second bay 110b forming the base modular structure. After the second bay 110b is assembled as the base modular structure, the second bay 110b may stand alone without any additional compartments to adequately protect personnel and/or equipment housed within the second bay 110b. However, to increase the size of the example modular structure 100, the example modular structure 100 is scaled in that the compartments 120a, 120b, and 120c are formulated to assemble the first bay 110a and the compartments 120g, 120h, and 120i are formulated to assemble the third bay 110c. Rather than being a single bay as depicted by the second bay 110b, the example modular structure 100 has been scaled to increase in size to also include the first bay 110a and the third bay 110c.
Although, the base modular structure for the example modular structure 100 is depicted as a single bay that is formulated by three compartments positioned in a row in
As noted above, in order to improve upon the moisture tightness of the example modular structure 100, each bay 110a through 110c includes an upper roof 125a through 125c that overlaps adjacent lower roofs 130a through 130f. For example, the first bay 110a includes upper roof 125a that overlaps adjacent roofs 130a and 130b. The second bay 110b includes upper roof 125b that overlaps adjacent roofs 130c and 130d. The third bay 110c includes upper roof 125c that overlaps adjacent roofs 130e and 130f.
The overlapping of upper roofs 125a through 125c over adjacent lower roofs 130a through 130f provides a path for moisture to run off of the roof of the example modular structure 100 rather than accumulating on the roof. The higher positioning of the upper roofs 125a through 125c in the center of the example modular structure 100 relative the lower positioning of the adjacent roofs 130a through 130f on the sides of the example modular structure 100 provides a slope. The slope provides a pathway for water accumulating on the higher positioned upper roofs 125a through 125c to flow down to the lower positioned adjacent roofs 130a through 130f and then off of the roof of the example modular structure 100 altogether.
Each roof joining assembly 140a through 140f positioned in the overlapping portion of each upper roof 125a through 125c and each adjacent lower roof 130a through 130f also substantially prevents moisture from entering the example modular structure 100. As noted above, each roof joining assembly 140a through 140f includes a gasket positioned in the overlap region between each upper roof 125a through 125c and each lower roof 130a through 130f. Each upper roof 125a through 125c, each gasket, and each lower roof 130a through 130f are then bolted together to form a seal that substantially precludes moisture from entering the inside of the example modular structure 100. Further, each upper roof 125a through 125c conceals each roof joining assembly 140a through 140f to limit the amount of moisture that each roof joining assembly 140a through 140f is exposed to so that the material properties of each roof joining assembly 140a through 140f are preserved further increasing the performance of each in excluding moisture.
Further, in order to improve upon moisture tightness of the example modular structure 100, each adjacent modular panel included in the example modular structure 100 may be joined via panel joining assembly 170a through 170n. Each panel joining assembly 170a through 170n also includes shear pins trapped inside a gasket that joins each adjacent modular structure to formulate a seal that substantially excludes moisture from entering the inside of the example modular structure 100. For example in examining compartments 120c, 120f, and 120i, the lower roof 130d of compartment 120f is structurally joined to the lower roof 130b of compartment 120c via panel joining assembly 170i. The lower roof 130d of compartment 120f is structurally joined to the lower roof 130f of compartment 120i via panel joining assembly 170j. The side wall 160b of compartment 120f is structurally joined to the side wall 160c of compartment 120i via panel joining assembly 170c.
End panels 180a through 180f provide the end structures for the example modular structure 100. A first set of end panels for the example modular structure 100 include a passage way into the example modular structure as depicted by end panels 180a, 180b, and 180c that include doors 150a, 150b, and 150c, respectively. Doors 150a, 150b, and 150c provide entryways into the example modular structure 100 for personnel to easily enter and/or exit the example modular structure 100. A second set of end panels enclose the example modular structure 100 on an opposite end from the example modular structure as the first set of end panels as depicted by end panels 180d, 180e, and 180f.
Examples of the modular panels included in the example modular structure 100 as shown in
The example modular structure 100 may be erected on land, offshore platforms, ship decks, amphibious vehicles, land vehicles, aerial platforms, aerial vehicles, and/or any other type of surface that is capable of supporting the example modular structure 100 that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The example modular structure 100 may be constructed using exclusively manpower without the assistance of machines such as a crane and/or forklift, using exclusively machines such as a crane and/or forklift, any combination thereof, and/or any other type of construction methods that can be executed in an efficient manner that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Each of the modular panels and parts required to assemble the example modular structure 100, which includes but is not limited to the upper roofs 125a through 125c, the lower roofs 130a through 130f, the side walls 160a through 160c, the doors 150a through 150c, and the roof joining assembly 140a through 140f, may be packed into a transferable kit that enables the modular panels and parts to be easily transferred to the location that the example modular structure 100 is to be assembled. Each of the modular panels may be substantially flat without any extruding objects and/or pieces to so that the each of the modular panels may be easily stowed and packed into the transferable kit.
The modular panels and parts included in the example modular structure 100 are interchangeable, which increases the ease of assembly. For example, the lower roof 130a located on the compartment 120a can also be placed on the compartment 120i where the lower roof 130f is currently depicted in
The following discussion below regarding
Referring to
Referring to
The bottom surface 238 of the center floor panel 230 is positioned on the plurality of floor gaskets 210a through 210n so that the bottom surface 238 of the first side edge 234a and the third side edge 234c of the center floor panel 230 are placed onto an individual floor gasket 210a through 210n. For example, the first side edge 234a of the center floor panel 230 is placed onto the floor gasket 210b while the third side edge 234c is placed onto the floor gasket 210c. The center floor panel 230 is to act as the center floor panel for a bay included in the example modular structure 100. For example, the center floor panel 230 is the center floor panel in the second bay 110b in that the center floor panel 230 is the floor panel for the compartment 120e.
The first side floor panel 240 is positioned on the plurality of floor gaskets 210a through 210n adjacent to the center floor panel 230. For example, the third side edge 244c of the first side floor panel 240 is positioned adjacent to the first side edge 234a of the center floor panel 230. A bottom surface 248 of the first side floor panel 240 is positioned on the plurality of floor gaskets 210a through 210n so that the bottom surface 248 of the first side edge 244a and the third side edge 244c of the first side floor panel 240 are placed onto an individual floor gasket 210a through 210n. For example, the first side edge 244a is placed onto the floor gasket 210a while the third side edge 244c is placed onto the floor gasket 210b.
The second side floor panel 250 is positioned on the plurality of floor gaskets 210a through 210n adjacent to the center floor panel 230 on the opposite side of the center floor panel 230 from the first side floor panel 240. For example, the first side edge 254a of the second side floor panel 250 is positioned adjacent to the third side edge 234c of the center floor panel 230. A bottom surface 258 of the second side floor panel 250 is positioned onto the plurality of floor gaskets 210a through 210n so that the bottom surface 258 of the first side edge 254a and the third side edge 254c of the second side floor panel 250 are placed onto an individual floor gasket 210a through 210n. For example, the first side edge 254a is placed onto the floor gasket 210c while the third side edge 254c is placed onto the floor gasket 210n.
The first and second side floor panels 240 and 250 are to act as the side floor panels for a bay included in the example modular structure 100. For example, the first side floor panel 240 is the side floor panel in the second bay 110b in that the first floor panel 240 is the floor panel for the compartment 120f. The second side floor panel 250 is the floor panel in the second bay 110b in that the second side floor panel 250 is the floor panel for the compartment 120d.
The first side floor panel 240 is joined to the center floor panel 230 via panel joining assembly 260a. The second side floor panel 250 is joined to the center side floor panel 230 via panel joining assembly 260b. As noted above, each modular panel included in the example modular structure 100 is joined via the panel joining assembly as shown with the panel joining assemblies 170a through 170n in
Referring to
Referring to
In an embodiment, the shear pins 278a through 278c pass substantially through the gasket 274 so that the first end 280a and the second end 280b of the shear pins 278a through 278c are joined. In another embodiment, the shear pins 278a through 278c do not pass substantially through the gasket 274 so that the first end 280a and the second end 280b of the shear pins 278a through 278c are not joined but rather have a portion of the gasket 274 in between each. In another embodiment, the shear pins 278a through 278c include a single piece of material joining the first end 280a and the second end 280b. In another embodiment, the shear pins 278a through 278c include segmented pieces of material joining the first end 280a and the second end 280b. The shear pins 278a through 278c may include any type of structure that can be trapped in the gasket 274 so that the first end 280a and the second end 280b protrude outward away from the gasket 274 that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Returning to
The second side floor panel 250 includes a plurality of bores 276a through 276h positioned on the first side edge 254a, the second side edge 254b, and the fourth side edge 254c of the second side floor panel 250. For example, bores 276g through 276i are positioned on the first side edge 254a. The first end 280a of each shear pin 278a through 278c is placed into the corresponding bore 276g through 276i positioned on the first side edge 254a so that the gasket 274 is fitted onto the first side edge 254a. For example, the first end 280a for shear pin 278a is placed into bore 276g. The first end 280a for shear pin 278b is placed into bore 276h. The first end 280a for shear pin 278c is placed into bore 276i.
After the gasket 274 is fitted onto both the third side edge 234c of the central floor panel 230 and the first side edge 254a of the second side floor panel 250 as outlined above, the central floor panel 230 and the second side floor panel 250 are compressed together to trap each shear pin 278a through 278c within the gasket 274. As a result, the central floor panel 230 is joined to the second side floor panel 250 via the each corresponding shear pin 278a through 278c trapped inside the gasket 274 forming a substantially moisture tight seal between the central floor panel 230 and the second side floor panel 250. The substantially moisture tight seal substantially prevents moisture from entering the example modular structure 100 between the central floor panel 230 and the second side floor panel 250.
The panel joining assembly 260a may be formed between the central floor panel 230 and the first side floor panel 240 may be formed in a similar fashion as the panel joining assembly 260b explained above. Further, the panel joining assemblies 170a through 170n formed between adjacent modular structures included in the example modular structure 100 in
Each modular panel included in the example modular structure 100 in
Referring to
First end panel 310 is positioned onto central floor panel 230 and second end panel 320 is positioned onto second side floor panel 250. The first and second end panels 310 and 320 are to act as the end panels for a bay included in the example modular structure 100. For example in
The third side edge 312c of the first end panel 310 is joined to the fourth side edge 234d of the central floor panel 230 via panel joining assembly 330a. The third side edge 322c of the second end panel 320 is joined to the fourth side edge 254d of the second side floor panel 250 via panel joining assembly 330b. The fourth side edge 312d of the first end panel 310 is joined to the second side edge 322b of the second end panel 320 via panel joining assembly 330c. The panel joining assemblies 330a through 330c are substantially similar to the structural joining assembly 260b discussed in greater detail above.
Referring now to
Because the first divider panel 410 is substantially positioned internal to the divider panel configuration 400, structural joining assemblies such as panel joining assembly 260b as discussed in detail above, are not required for modular panels adjacent to the first divider panel 410. The first divider panel 410 is not exposed to moisture external to the divider panel configuration 400 and thus does not require the panel joining assemblies. For example, a structural joining assembly is not required between the first divider panel 410 and the central floor panel 230 and the second floor end panel 250. A structural joining assembly is also not required between the first divider floor panel 410 and the first end panel 310 and the second end panel 320. Rather, the first divider panel 410 is bolted into the central floor panel 230 and the second floor end panel 250. The first divider panel 410 is also bolted into the first end panel 310 and the second end panel 320. The first divider panel 410 is modular in that it is interchangeable with any other divider panel associated with the example modular structure 100.
Referring to
The first divider panel 410 is also divided into a first side edge 460 and a second side edge 470. Dividing line 440 depicts where the second side edge 322b (refer to
Referring now to
First side panel 530 is positioned onto first side floor panel 240 and third end panel 510. Second side panel 540 is positioned onto second side floor panel 250 and second end panel 320. The first and second side panels 530 and 540 are to act as the side panels for a bay included in the example modular structure 100. For example in
The third side edge 532c of the first side panel 530 is placed into groove 262 of the first side floor panel 240 joining the third side edge 532c of the first side panel 530 to the first side edge 244a of the first side floor panel 240 with a tongue and groove joining assembly. The tongue and groove joining assembly also substantially prevents moisture from entering the example modular structure 100 similar to that of the roof joining assembly 140a through 140f and the panel joining assembly 170a through 170n. The second side edge 532b of the first side panel 530 is joined to the second side edge 512b of the third end panel 510 via panel joining assembly 550a. The panel joining assembly 550a is substantially similar to the panel joining assembly 260b discussed in greater detail above.
The third side edge 542c of the second side panel 540 is placed into groove 264 of the second side floor panel 250 joining the third side edge 542c of the second side panel 540 to the third side edge 254c of the second side floor panel 250 with a tongue and groove joining assembly. The second side edge 542b of the second side panel 540 is joined to the fourth side edge 322d of the second end panel 320 via panel joining assembly 550b. The structural joining assembly 550b is substantially similar to the structural joining assembly 260b discussed in greater detail above. The first side panel 530 and the second side panel 540 are modular in that each are interchangeable with each other and any other side panel associated with the example modular structure 100.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The groove 634 of the first lower roof panel 610 is placed onto the first side edge 532a of the first side panel 530 joining the bottom side edge 618a of the first lower roof panel 610 to the first side edge 532a of the first side panel 530 with a tongue and groove joining assembly. The fourth side edge 620d of the first roof panel 610 is joined to the first side edge 512a of the third end panel 510 via panel joining assembly 670a. The panel joining assembly 670a is substantially similar to the panel joining assembly 260b discussed in greater detail above. The bottom side edge 618c of the first roof panel 610 is placed onto the first side edge 522a of the second divider panel 520 so that the bottom side edge 618c of the first lower roof panel 610 is flush to the first side edge 522a of the second divider panel 520. The joining of the bottom side edge 618c of the first lower roof panel 610 to the first side edge 522a of the second divider panel 520 will be discussed in further detail below with reference to
Referring now to
The first bottom side edge 716a of the upper roof panel 710 is positioned onto the third top side edge 616c of the first lower roof panel 610. The first bottom side edge 716a of the upper roof panel 710 overlaps the third top side edge 616c of the first lower roof panel 610 via a roof joining assembly 720a that provides a substantially moisture tight seal substantially preventing moisture from entering the example modular structure 100. Further, the overlapping of the first bottom side edge 716a of the upper roof panel 710 over the third top side edge 616c of the first lower roof panel 610 provides a pathway for water to run off from the upper roof panel 710 down to the first lower roof panel 610 and then off of the example modular structure 100 onto the ground. The water pathway results from the elevated first upper roof panel 710 relative to the first lower roof panel 610 so that the water flows downward from the upper roof panel 710 to the first lower roof panel 610. The roof joining assembly 720a is substantially similar to the roof joining assembly depicted by the first structural joining assemblies 140a through 140f for the example modular structure 100. The roof joining assembly 720a will be discussed in further detail below in
The third side edge 718d of the upper roof panel 710 is joined to the first side edge 312a of the first end panel 310 via panel joining assembly 730. The panel joining assembly 730 is substantially similar to the panel joining assembly 260b discussed in greater detail above.
Referring now to
A gasket 758 includes a bore 764 with a first opening 762a and a second opening 762b. The first opening 762a of the bore 764 is located on a bottom surface 766 of the gasket 758 while the second opening 762b of the bore 764 is located on a top surface 768 of the gasket 758 so that the bore 764 passes from the top surface 768 of the gasket 758 through the gasket 758 to the bottom surface 766 of the gasket 758. The gasket 758 is positioned onto the third top side edge 616c of the first lower roof panel 610. The first opening 762a of the bore 764 is placed on the metal sleeve 760 so that the metal sleeve 760 goes through the first opening 762a of the bore 764 through the bore 764 and out the second opening 762b of the bore 764 so that the metal sleeve 760 goes through the gasket 758. The remaining portion of the metal sleeve 760 is external to the top surface 768 of the gasket 758. The metal sleeve 760 aligns the second divider panel 520 with the first lower roof panel 610 with the gasket 758.
The first bottom side edge 716a of the upper roof panel 710 is then positioned onto the top surface 768 of the gasket 758. A bore 774 located in the first bottom side edge 716a of the upper roof panel 710 includes a first opening 770, an end stop 776. A fastener 775 located at the end stop 776 of the bore 774 includes a threaded portion 778 and a threaded end stop 772. The first opening 770 of the bore 774 is placed on the metal sleeve 760 so that metal sleeve 760 goes through the first opening of the bore 774 and terminates at the end stop 776 of the bore 774. The metal sleeve 760 aligns the second divider panel 520 with the first lower roof panel 610 with the gasket 758 with the upper roof panel 710.
A bolt 754 is then inserted into the metal sleeve 760 so that the bolt passes through the second divider panel 520, the first lower roof panel 610, the gasket 758 and into the bore 774 located in the first bottom side edge 716a of the upper roof panel 710 so that the bolt 754 reaches the threaded portion 778 of the fastener 775. The bolt 754 is then tightened so that the bolt 754 engages the threaded portion 778 of the fastener 775 until the bolt 754 reaches the threaded end stop 772 of the fastener 775. The tightening of the bolt 754 until the bolt reaches the threaded end stop 772 of the fastener 775 also tightens the second divider panel 520, the first lower roof panel 610, the gasket 758, and the upper roof panel 710 together forming the roof joining assembly 720a. The tightening of the second divider panel 520, the first lower roof panel 610, the gasket 758, and the upper roof panel 710 together via bolt 745 creates a substantially moisture tight seal substantially protecting the inside of the example modular structure 100 from moisture. Further, the description of the metal sleeve 760 discussed above provides a self-alignment mechanism so that the bolt 754 is easily inserted through the divider panel 520, the first lower roof panel 610, the gasket 758, and the upper roof panel 710 so that the bolt 754 may be tightened to form the substantially moisture tight seal. The overlapping of the upper roof panel 710 with the first lower roof panel 610 discussed above may be seen by overlapping portion 780.
Returning briefly to
Rather than adding additional end panels (not shown), the existing upper roof panel configuration 700 may be extended to include a second bay (not shown). A center floor panel (not shown), first side floor panel (not shown), and a second side floor panel (not shown) may be joined to the existing upper roof panel configuration 700 and the above discussion may be repeated to form a second bay. For example, the existing upper roof panel configuration 700 may represent the first bay 110a in the example modular structure 100. A second bay 110b may then be assembled to the first bay 110a in a similar fashion as the discussion above.
Referring now to
The example modular structure 800 is secured to the deck that the example modular structure 800 is constructed upon, such as a hovercraft deck for example, by chain supports 820a through 820g. Each chain support 820a through 820g is connected to a corresponding bracket 626a, 626b, 656a, 656b, and 810a through 810h. Each chain support 820a through 820g is also connected to each corresponding deck anchor 830a through 830g. For example, chain 820a is hooked into the second bracket portion 632b of bracket 626b and chain 820b is hooked into the second bracket portion 630b of bracket 626a. Chain 820 is also hooked into the deck anchor 830a and chain 820b is hooked into deck anchor 830b. The hooking of the chain 820a from the second bracket portion 632b of bracket 626b to the deck anchor 830a and the hooking of the chain 820b from the second bracket portion 630b to the deck anchor 830b secures the example modular structure 800 to the deck that the example modular structure 800 is constructed upon.
Any force applied to the example modular structure 800 is not sustained by the example modular structure 800. Rather, each received force is transferred in a fashion discussed in detail below so that example modular structure 800 is protected from such received forces. A force transferring configuration is formulated by connecting a metal strip to a corresponding bracket to a corresponding chain to a corresponding deck anchor. For example, metal strip 628a is connected to bracket 626b which is connected to chain 820a which is connected to deck anchor 830a forming a force transferring configuration. A force applied to the example modular structure 800 is received by the metal strip 628a. Because of the connection of the metal strip 628a to the bracket 626b, the force is then transferred from the metal strip 628a to the bracket 626b. Because of the connection of the bracket 626b to the chain 820a, the force is then transferred from the bracket 626b to the chain 820a. Because of the connection of the chain 820a to the deck anchor 830a, the force is then transferred from the chain 820a to the deck anchor 830a. Thus, the example modular structure 800 is protected from the force.
Referring briefly to
Referring back to
The ratchet straps 850a through 850h further compress each of the bays included in the example modular structure so that each of the panel joining assemblies and each of the panel joining assemblies included in the example modular structure 800 are further compressed together. The further compressing of the first structural joining assemblies and the second structural assemblies included in the example modular structure 800 serves to further strengthen the substantially moisture tight seal formed between each adjacent panel included in the example modular structure 800.
Each of the ratchet straps including ratchet straps 850a and 850b may be placed along a longitudinal axis of the example modular structure 800. Each of the ratchet straps may be placed on a top edge and a bottom edge along each of the modular panels that comprise each of the side walls of the example modular structure 800 and each of the divider panels included in the example modular structure 800. For example, ratchets straps 850a and 850b are placed on the top edge and the bottom edge of the side wall of the example modular structure 800. Additional ratchet straps (not shown) are also placed on the top edge and the bottom edge of a first set of divider panels (not shown) and a second set of divider panels (not shown) included inside the example modular structure 800. Additional ratchet straps (not shown) are also placed on the top edge and the bottom edge of the side wall of the example modular structure 800 opposite the side wall that ratchet straps 850 and 850 are placed. The plurality of ratchet straps may be placed in any location of the example modular structure 800 that further compresses the panel joining assemblies that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
At step 910, the operational control flow forms a center compartment by a first set of panels from a plurality of panels.
At step 920, the operational control flow forms a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels.
At step 930, the operational control flow forms a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels.
At step 940, the operational control flow joins each panel from the plurality of panels to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure. For example as shown in
At step 950, the operational control flow couples an upper roof panel to the center compartment so that the upper roof panel is a roof for the center compartment.
At step 960, the operational control flow couples a first lower roof panel to the first side compartment so that the first lower roof panel is a roof for the first side compartment.
At step 970, the operational control flow couples a second lower roof panel to the second side compartment so that the second lower roof panel is a roof for the second side compartment.
At step 980, the operational control flow joins the upper roof panel to each of the first and second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first and second lower roof panels to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure. Specifically, as shown in
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Abstract section can set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments, of the present disclosure, and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.
This invention was made with government support under Contract No. N00164-05-C-6084 awarded by the U.S. Navy which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense. The invention was further made with government support under Contract No. N61331-10-C-0014 also awarded by the U.S. Navy.
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