Patent Application
20130330510
A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise an opposing pair of face sheets. Each of the opposing pair of face sheets can define a sheet longitudinal axis. The system can comprise a core adapted to separate and maintain a gap between the opposing pair of face sheets.
Certain exemplary embodiments provide an opposing pair of face sheets separated by a core, gaps defined between the opposing face sheets and the core can be at least partially filled by an insulating material.
Each of opposing face sheets 1100 and 1200 can define a longitudinal axis 1900. Each of opposing face sheets 1100 and 1200 can be of any desired length, such as approximately, in feet, 0.1, 1, 2.1, 3, 4.45, 5.7, 6, 6.69, 8, 9.4, 10, 12, 14.18, 17.74, 20, 100, etc. and/or any value therein. Core 1300 defines a core axis 1950. In operative embodiments, longitudinal axis 1900 is substantially perpendicular to core axis 1950.
Openings and/or gaps defined by pair of opposing face sheets 1100 and 1200 and core 1300 can be filled with an insulating material 1700. For example, the openings or gaps can be filled with a spray type foam insulation, which can substantially reduce heat transfer through system 1000 when operatively installed as a part of a structure and/or larger system. Insulating material 1700 can be a ground and treated cellulosic or wood fiber product such as a loose fill insulation adapted for pneumatic or poured application. Such insulation can be produced from recycled paper that is chemically treated to be relatively non-toxic and/or resistant to fire, rodents, corrosion, fungus and other things that might cause deterioration. Insulating material 1700 can have a relatively high thermal insulative value.
System 1000 can be relatively light weight and low cost compared to other insulated panel systems. System 1000 can be modular and adapted for use in construction of building walls and/or roofs. Other potential applications of system 1000 comprise tanks, vessels, reactors, ships, vessels, airplanes, and/or automobiles, etc. By utilizing system 1000, certain buildings can be built with a larger distance between structural support members than might otherwise be possible.
As illustrated, the openings or gaps defined between the faces of the corrugation of each chevron can be substantially regular prismatic compartments 1800.
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a system 1000, which can comprise an opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200. Each of opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200 defining a sheet longitudinal axis 1900. Each of opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200 can have corrugations, a textured surface, and/or be substantially planar. System 1000 can comprise core 1300, which is adapted to separate and maintain a gap between opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200. Core 1300 can comprise a chevron 1450. Chevron 1450 can comprise a corrugation 1400. Chevron 1450 can comprise a node 1500. Each corrugation 1400 can comprise a pair of faces 1550. Each of pair of faces 1550 can define a plurality of apertures 1600. Each of plurality of apertures 1600 can be substantially circular, substantially rectangular, substantially triangular, and/or irregularly shaped, etc. Core 1300 defines a core axis 1950. Core axis 1950 can be substantially perpendicular to sheet longitudinal axis 1900.
System 1000 can comprise a set of internal ribbons 1850. Node 1500 can be directly coupled to set of internal ribbons 1850 at each location where node 1500 crosses one of set of internal ribbons 1850. A first subset of set of internal ribbons 1850 can be directly attached to first sheet 1100 of opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200, and can be in tension. A second subset of set of internal ribbons 1850 can be directly attached to second sheet 1200 of opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200 and can be in compression. Each of set of internal ribbons 1850 can comprise a thermally insulating material 1700 such that set of internal ribbons 1850 resists thermal bridging between core 1300 and pair of opposing face sheets 1100 and 1200. Each of set of internal ribbons 1850 defines a ribbon longitudinal axis 1920. Each ribbon longitudinal axis 1920 can be substantially perpendicular to core axis 1950. Core 1300 can be fastened to each of opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200 via being directly fastened to set of internal ribbons 1850. Set of internal ribbons 1850 can be adapted to provide structural strength to assist in maintaining a gap between opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200 when a force is applied to one of opposing pair of face sheets 1100 or 1200. System 1000 can comprise insulating material 1700 filling gaps defined between opposing pair of face sheets 1100 and 1200 and core 1300.
Pair of opposing face sheets 2100 and 2200 and/or core 2300 can be fabricated from metal, plastic, or other suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, core 2300 can be made of stretch metal and/or expanded metal.
System 2000 can have structural live load strength due to an internal core formed via core 2300 and/or plurality of internal ribbons 2400. This core strength is independent of opposing face sheets 2100 and 2200 and insulating material 2500. An advantage of certain exemplary embodiments is when building a roof; one can reduce or totally eliminate roof trusses. Another advantage can arise from labor reduction when assembling a roof; the roof structure is a total system (exterior surface, insulation, a painted internal surface, and the ceiling), not just a component.
At activity 6300, the core can be obtained and/or shaped. The core can be rolled, formed, bent, and/or shaped in a metal break in order to obtain a desired contour, such as a chevron contour comprising a node at the junction of each pair of faces of the corrugation. At activity 6400, the core can be caused to define apertures such each of the core define a plurality of apertures. In certain exemplary embodiments, the plurality of apertures can be cut or punched in the core.
At activity 6500, a system can be fabricated. The system can comprise an opposing pair of face sheets separated by a core. Gaps defined between the opposing face sheets and the core can be at least partially filled by an insulating material. Each of the opposing pair of face sheets defines a sheet longitudinal axis. The core can be adapted to maintain a gap between the opposing pair of face sheets. The core defines a core axis. The core axis can be substantially perpendicular to each sheet longitudinal axis. The system can comprise a set of internal ribbons. Each of the set of internal ribbons defines a ribbon longitudinal axis. Each ribbon longitudinal axis can be substantially perpendicular to the core axis. The core can be fastened to each of the opposing pair of face sheets via being directly fastened to one of the set of internal ribbons. The set of internal ribbons can be adapted to provide structural strength to assist in maintaining the gap between the opposing pair of face sheets when a force is applied to one of the opposing pair of face sheets.
The internal ribbons can be operatively coupled and/or fastened to the face sheets. The core can be fastened to the set of internal ribbons. The internal ribbons can comprise a thermally insulating material and/or can provide additional stiffness to the face sheets after being coupled thereto. The core can be releasably and/or fixedly coupled to the internal ribbons. The core can be operatively coupled and/or fastened to the face sheets via adhesive bonding, welding, brazing, and/or any other suitable fastening means. The plurality of internal ribbons can be adapted to provide additional stiffness to the opposing pair of face sheets and/or resist deformation responsive to external forces applied to one or more of the opposing pair of face sheets. Each of the set of internal ribbons can comprise a thermally insulating material such that the set of internal ribbons resists thermal bridging between the core and the pair of opposing face sheets. The face sheets can be operatively coupled to the core such that: the face sheets are opposing face sheets; the surfaces of the pair of face sheets are substantially parallel; the surfaces of the pair of face sheets are substantially non-parallel; and/or the face sheets are substantially non-planar and define a radius of curvature that is less than approximately 2 meters.
The core can be adapted to maintain spacing between the pair of face sheets. The core can be adapted to increase resistance of the panel to a reduction in spacing between the pair of opposing face sheets from a force applied to a surface of one of the pair of opposing face sheets. The gaps defined between the opposing face sheets and the core can be filled with the insulating material.
At activity 6600, a module comprising the face sheets and the core can be attached to a device and/or system. In certain exemplary embodiments, the device and/or system can comprise one or more ceilings, floor structures, walls, vehicular surfaces, vessel surfaces, and/or building surfaces, etc. The module can be adapted to thermally insulate the device and/or system. The system can be adapted to be installed as a part of a substantially truss-less building roof.
When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.
Still other substantially and specifically practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of this application.
Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:
Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.
When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. No claim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.
Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.
Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.
This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein in its entirety, pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/658,389 (Attorney Docket No. 1022-003, filed 11 Jun. 2012.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61658389 | Jun 2012 | US |
