FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a prefabricated shelter. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disaster shelter that is constructed from a single or series of prefabricated sections.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most of the information presented to the public about nuclear-biological-chemical weapons has been non-scientific. It is largely based on the Hollywood version of weapons virtually devoid of scientific data. With the right underground shelter, it is possible to survive a full scale protracted nuclear-biological-chemical and EMP war.
It would make little sense to survive any type of disaster if it were not worth surviving and all life on the planet is doomed. However, the National Academy of Science (NAS) has produced technical reports on the nuclear war and how it could affect the atmosphere which reports that the greatest impact from a full scale nuclear war is not the radiation, the blast, or the heat. The greatest impact is damage to the food producing industries and infrastructure allowing food to be delivered resulting in mass starvation.
The Civil Defense shelters of the 1960's were designed with faulty science and could only protect people using these shelters if the shelter was at least 100 miles away from ground zero. The first data needed to design an underground shelter capable of properly protecting residents of shelters was to determine the “Design Radiation Dose”. This is the dose of radiation that the shelter is designed to operate in and protect the residents. There is a “Design Radiation Dose” for overhead shielding in the shelter based on a nuclear surface burst creating heavy fallout. There is also “Design Radiation Dose” for entranceway shielding based on an air burst which creates no fallout but allows massive rems of radiation to enter the shelter through the entranceway.
Conventional construction methods should not be used for underground shelters. Concrete is typically used to build underground shelters on site but often develop hairline cracks that allow moisture to enter the shelter which then allows mold to grow on the open pore concrete surface. A concrete floor will also allow radon and methane gas to enter the shelter since concrete is not a barrier for gases commonly found in the ground. Also, concrete structures are considered a permanent structure and require a building permit.
In order to solve a number of problems with shelters built on site and concrete shelters, the present inventor has developed a pre-fabricated shelter composed of various sections in various spans. One of the first underground shelters the inventor has developed is disclosed in his U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,334 issued on Apr. 28, 1987. In this patent, the inventor of the current invention describes a shelter capable of protecting residents of shelters during and after one or more nuclear blasts. Such a shelter is capable of protecting residents from large doses of neutron and gamma radiation, ground shock, and high overpressures for short term and long-term periods.
The inventors of U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,613 issued on May 26, 1992, describe an improved shelter that provides even more protection for the residents of shelters, improvements in the entranceway, and more efficient shaped shelter to manufacturer.
The inventors of U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,907 issued Aug. 27, 2002, describe the shelter as improved further to include an emergency escape manway and entranceway joined to the shelter via a seismic joint that allows the entranceway to move relative to the shelter hull in all directions, except translation.
Each of these patented shelters are effective at resisting blast effects from a nuclear detonation or other explosive devices and allowing the residents to survive such weapons effects as blast, heat, and radiation. Further, the inventor has continually sought to improve these products and each shelter has demonstrated significant improvement over the former design.
The current invention has significant and unobvious improvements over all of the previous designs. The current hexagonal design allows the shelter to be shipped in sections, not requiring trucking permits, and can be assembled in the excavated hole in many configurations and sizes. It does not require concrete, provides blast protection, and can be supplied with an internal EMP shielded generator complying with MIL-188-125 shielding requirements. The hull design includes a gravity flange to resist buoyancy which keeps the shelter in the ground during high water tables and the gravity flange also forms the base of the shelter.
The HEX shape, a name taken from a hex head bolt where the top of the shelter is formed by three sides or half of a hex head bolt. This ceiling shape forms a high ceiling and a very strong structure to resist heavy earth and overpressure loads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a right-side sectional view of the present invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame mounted onto the base used in the present invention. In this figure, the exterior shell is removed.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the frame, the exterior shell, and the base used in the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the positions of the shelter-enhancing exterior coating and the flame-retardant interior coating relative to the shell body used in the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the cathodic protection system used in the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the underground disaster shelter, is a shelter that is designed to protect and shield a user from hazards within the environment. The present invention is a sectional shelter with a length that can be increased or reduced by adding or removing sections. This enables the user to construct a shelter from one or more shelter sections and have the shelter tailored to the user's needs. The shelter provided by the present invention is preferably made using materials that prevent the transmission of ambient electromagnetic pulse (EMP) energy. As a result, the present invention provides protection for electrical equipment when an EMP weapon is detonated provided that other points of entry (POE) such as the air ducts and entranceway are also EMP shielded. Further, the present invention is designed to function as a general-purpose disaster shelter, and is shielded against environmental threats that include, but are not limited to, radiation, flooding, nuclear weapons, biological weapons, and chemical weapons. Moreover, the present invention employs a hexagonal-shaped framework that is capable of supporting large amounts of externally applied force from heavy earth, vehicle traffic, and nuclear weapon overpressure.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 through FIG. 5, to achieve the above-described functionality, the present invention comprises at least one section or a plurality of shelter sections 1, an entranceway panel 2, and a rear panel 3. Each of the plurality of shelter sections 1 forms a section of the overall disaster shelter that is provided by the present invention. Further, each of the plurality of shelter sections 1 comprises a base 11, a first gravity flange 12, a second gravity flange 13, a frame 14, an exterior shell 15, a first connection end 16, and a second connection end 17. The first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13 are rigid protrusions that extend from the base 11. Specifically, the base 11 is connected in between the first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13. As a result, the first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13 generate counter hydrostatic pressure from submerged earth a (70 lbs./ft3) over these gravity flanges against the hydrostatic pressure, based on generating uplifting force of 62.4 lbs./ft3 of water displaced by the shelter hull, caused by high water tables, in the ground in which the present invention is interred. That is, because the first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13 extend from the sides of the base 11, the present invention is able to use the weight of the earth that is positioned above each of the plurality of shelter sections 1 to resist buoyancy to reach the desired minimum counter hydrostatic pressure safety level of 1.2× hydrostatic pressure. Thus, keeping the present invention interred if the water table reaches the ground surface.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the plurality of shelter sections 1 is designed to be serially connected to form a continuous structure. This enables the frame 14, the base 11 and the exterior shell 15 of each of the plurality of shelter sections 1 to be connected to form a single elongated shelter. The frame 14 is adjacently mounted onto the base 11. Consequently, the frame 14 supports the exterior shell 15 and defines the overall shape of each shelter section. Additionally, the exterior shell 15 being adjacently mounted onto the frame 14, opposite to an interior compartment 18 of the plurality of shelter sections 1. Thus positioned, the exterior shell 15 forms a protective enclosure that delineates a width of the interior compartment 18. A length of the interior compartment 18 is delineated by the plurality of serially connected shelter sections 1. To achieve this, the first connection end 16 of an arbitrary section 4 is adjacently connected to the second connection end 17 of an adjacent section 5, wherein the arbitrary section 4 and the adjacent section 5 are each from the plurality of shelter sections 1. As a result, the length of a tail end of the shelter can be increased by connecting the first connection end 16 of a single shelter section 1 to the second connection end 17 of another shelter section 1. Alternatively, the length of a head end of the shelter can be increased by connecting the second connection end 17 of a single shelter section 1 to the first connection end 16 of another shelter section. Specifically, the plurality of shelter sections 1 is serially connected to each other. Accordingly, adding or removing shelter sections 1 increases or decreases the size of the interior compartment 18.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, in the present invention, the entranceway panel 2 and the rear panel 3 are rigid panels that function as the endcaps for the plurality of shelter sections 1. The entranceway panel 2 comprises a panel body 21 and a door 22. This enables the entranceway panel 2 to function as the front door for the plurality of shelter sections 1. Additionally, the door 22 is adjacently mounted onto the panel body 21 so that the user is able to enter or exit the interior compartment 18 by passing through the door 22. The entranceway panel 2 is adjacently mounted onto the first connection end 16 of a head section 41, wherein the head section 41 is from the plurality of shelter sections 1. Conversely, the rear panel 3 is adjacently mounted onto the second connection end 17 of a tail section 42, wherein the tail section 42 is from the plurality of shelter sections 1. Thus positioned, the entranceway panel 2 and the rear panel 3 delineate the first and second ends of the interior compartment 18. That is, the entranceway panel 2 is mounted onto the first connection end 16 of the first shelter sections 1 from the plurality of serially connected shelter sections 1. Similarly, the rear panel 3 is mounted onto the second connection end 17 of the last shelter section from the plurality of serially connected shelter sections 1. Specifically, the interior compartment 18 is delineated by the plurality of shelter sections 1, the entranceway panel 2, and the rear panel 3. Accordingly, the interior compartment 18 is isolated from hazardous conditions in the external environment.
Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the base 11 of the present invention is used to support the frame 14 as well as to prevent hazards from traversing into the interior compartment 18 from beneath the shelter sections 1. To achieve this, the base 11 comprises a foundation-beam platform 111 and a cover plate 112. The foundation-beam platform 111 is a rigid planar frame that is composed of interconnected beams. The frame 14 is mounted onto the foundation-beam platform 111 so that the frame 14 is retained in a position that facilitates supporting the exterior shell 15. The cover plate 112 is a sheet of material. Additionally, the cover plate 112 is adjacently connected to the foundation-beam platform 111. Further the cover plate 112 is positioned between the frame 14 and the foundation-beam platform 111. As a result, the cover plate 112 provides a level surface that forms the floor of the interior compartment 18. The first gravity flange 12 is laterally connected to the foundation-beam platform 111. Similarly, the second gravity flange 13 is laterally connected to the foundation-beam platform 111, opposite to the first gravity flange 12. Consequently, the first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13 project from the base 11 parallel to the first connection end 16 and the second connection end 17. That is, the first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13 extend to the sides of the base 11 and do not hinder the plurality of shelter sections 1 from being serially connected. Further, the first gravity flange 12 forms a continuous gravity flange with the first gravity flange 12 of each of the serially connected shelter sections 1. Likewise, the second gravity flange 13 forms a continuous gravity flange with the second gravity flange 13 of each of the serially connected shelter sections 1. As a result, buoyance resistance is evenly distributed along the lengthwise edges of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the present invention is designed to use the frame 14 to create a five-sided enclosure. To achieve this, the frame 14 comprises a first side wall 141, a second side wall 142, and a ceiling arch 143. The first side wall 141 is oriented parallel to the second side wall 142. Additionally, the first side wall 141 is terminally connected to the base 11. Further, the second side wall 142 is positioned opposite to the first side wall 141, across and perpendicular to base 11. Moreover, the second side wall 142 is terminally connected to the base 11. As a result, the first side wall 141 and the second side wall 142, when connected to wide flange beams or some other type of beam or ceiling arch 143, form vertical support walls that are able to support the weight of the ceiling arch 143, the exterior shell 15, and the earth with which the present invention is buried. The ceiling arch 143 is a three-sided arch. Additionally, the ceiling arch 143 is terminally connected to the first side wall 141, opposite to the base 11. Further, the ceiling arch 143 is terminally connected to the second side wall 142, opposite to the base 11. Consequently, the ceiling arch 143 forms a support structure that bears the weight of a roof portion of the exterior shell 15.
Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the first side wall 141, the second sidewall and the ceiling arch 143 are each constructed from a plurality of beams. Specifically, the first side wall 141 comprises a first plurality of wall-support beams 1411, the second side wall 142 comprises a second plurality of wall-support beams 1421, and the ceiling arch 143 comprises a plurality of arch-support assemblies 1431. The plurality of arch-support assemblies 1431 is a collection of support beams that are arranged to form a three-sided arch. Further defining the arrangement of the plurality of beams, the first plurality of wall-support beams 1411 is positioned parallel and offset from each other across the base 11. Consequently, the first plurality of wall-support beams 1411 forms the studs of the first side wall 141. Similarly, the second plurality of wall-support beams 1421 is positioned parallel and offset from each other across the base 11. Accordingly, the second plurality of wall-support beams 1421 forms the studs of the second side wall 142. Finally, each of the first plurality of arch-support assemblies 1431 is connected in between a corresponding first wall-support beam 1422 and a corresponding second wall-support beam 1422, wherein the first corresponding wall-support beam is from the first plurality of wall-support beams 1411, and wherein the second corresponding wall-support beam is from the second plurality of wall-support beams 1421. As a result, the plurality of arch-support assemblies 1431 forms the rafters of the ceiling arch 143. Preferably a plurality of shelves is distributed across the first side wall 141 and the second side wall 142. The preset invention further comprises a first channel beam endcap 144 and a second channel beam endcap 145. The first channel beam endcap 144 is coextensively connected to the first connection end 16. Similarly, second channel beam endcap 145 is coextensively connected to the second connection end 17. Accordingly, the first channel beam endcap 144 and the second channel beam endcap 145 allow the two flat faces of the first connection end 16 and the second connection end 17 to mate together. Preferably, the sealing mount is integrated into this connection to prevent moisture, electromagnetic radiation, and unwanted substances from entering the interior compartment 18. Further, the first channel beam endcap 144 and the second channel beam endcap 145 facilitate the formation of a robust connection between each of the plurality of shelter sections 1.
Referring to FIG. 3 through FIG. 7, the exterior shell 15 of the present invention is designed to resist corrosion as well as isolate the interior compartment 18 from hazards in the external environment. To achieve this, the exterior shell 15 comprises a shell body 151, a shelter-enhancing exterior coating 152, and a flame-retardant interior coating 153. The shell body 151 is mounted adjacent to the frame 14. Specifically, an interior surface of the shell body 151 is mounted adjacent the frame 14. Consequently, the shell body 151 forms the exterior casing that separates the interior compartment 18 from the external environment. The shelter-enhancing exterior coating 152 is preferably an abrasion and corrosion resistant electrically insulating dielectric epoxy. The flame-retardant interior coating 153 is superimposed onto the interior surface of the shell body 151. Additionally, the flame-retardant interior coating 153 is positioned in between the interior surface and the frame 14. As a result, the structural integrity of the shelter sections 1 is protected in the event of a fire. In an alternative embodiment, the flame-retardant interior coating 153 is superimposed onto the entirety of the interior compartment 18. This arrangement further decreases the risk of fire-related structural damage. Each of the plurality of shelter sections 1 further comprises a sealing mount 154. The sealing mount 154 is a fastener and gasket system that is used to connect the exterior shell 15 to the frame 14. Additionally, the sealing mount 154 can be used to form a connection between the plurality of shelter sections 1. Specifically, the sealing mount 154 is connected in between the frame 14 and the exterior shell 15. Accordingly, the sealing mount 154 prevents moisture and air from leaking into the interior compartment 18. Further, the sealing mount 154 functions as an EMP-shielding gasket that shields any EMP energy from penetrating connection formed between two shelter segments.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 the present invention is designed with various damage-deterrence systems that protect the structural integrity of the shelter sections 1. The abrasion resistant exterior coating is one such system. The shelter sections 1 further comprise a second damage-deterrence system, namely a corrosion protection system 6 that makes use of sacrificial anodes. Alternatively, the corrosion protection is any suitable system for limiting corrosion of the shelter sections 1. Such systems include, but are not limited to, coating the shelter sections 1 with oil, grease, tar, asphalt, polymer coatings or paints and weathering steel, plating systems and impressed current systems. Stainless underground structures corrode more than carbon steel because underground is a “anaerobic environment” negating the usual enhanced corrosion properties of stainless steel. The corrosion protection system 6 is a galvanic corrosion protection system 6 with a corrosion meter located inside 18. The corrosion protection system 6 is composed of multiple anodes mounted on the ground around to the first gravity flange 12 and the second gravity flange 13 outside of the exterior shell 15. Accordingly, the corrosion protection system 6 is isolated from any environmental hazards that exist outside of the shelter sections 1. Additionally, the corrosion protection system 6 from each of the plurality of shelter sections 1 is electrically connected to each other. As a result, the shelter sections 1 are able to work in concert to prevent corrosion of the exterior shell 15, the entranceway panel 2, the rear panel 3, the first gravity flange 12, the second gravity flange 13, and the base 11. The plurality of sacrificial anodes 7 is distributed around the base 11. Additionally, the plurality of sacrificial anodes 7 is mounted offset from the exterior shell 15. Further, the plurality of sacrificial anodes 7 is electrically connected to the exterior shell 15. Thus positioned, the sacrificial anodes 7 corrode instead of the exterior surface of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the entranceway panel 2 acts as the point of entry into the interior compartment 18. As such, the entranceway panel 2 further comprises an entranceway hole 23 and an entranceway-connection mount 24. The entranceway-connection mount 24 is a seismic joint that is designed to absorb the movements of multiple components which are mated together. The entranceway hole 23 normally traverses through the panel body 21 so that the user is able to pass through the entranceway hole 23 when entering or exiting the interior compartment 18. The entranceway-connection mount 24 is perimetrically connected around the entranceway hole 23. Accordingly, the entranceway-connection mount 24 is able to mount multiple components onto the entranceway panel 2. As such, the entranceway-connection mount 24 is connected in between the door 22 and the panel body 21. Thus connected, the entranceway-connection mount 24 enables the position of the door 22 to shift, relative to the entranceway panel 2, without becoming disconnected from the entranceway panel 2. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, to facilitate entering and exiting the interior compartment 18 while the shelter sections 1 are interred, the present invention makes use of a tunnel system that extends from the entranceway hole 23 to the surface of the earth. Specifically, the present invention further comprises an entranceway tube 8. The entranceway-connection mount 24 is terminally connected to the entranceway tube 8. Accordingly, the user can exit the interior compartment 18 by passing through the door 22 and traversing the entranceway tube 8.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, because the present invention is designed to provide an isolated living space, it is necessary to integrate an air supply system. To accomplish this, the present invention further comprises at least one air intake duct 91, at least one air outlet duct 92. The air intake duct 91 and the air outlet duct 92 are used to supply air to and vent air out of the interior compartment 18. Specifically, the air intake duct 91 and the air outlet duct 92 are integrated into the exterior shell 15 of the arbitrary section 4. Further, the air intake duct 91, and the air outlet duct 92 are in fluid communication with the interior compartment 18. Accordingly, air and other desirable gasses care able to enter and exit the interior compartment 18 by flowing into the air intake duct 91, then enter an NBC air filtration system, and then out of the air outlet duct 92. The air intake duct 91 and the air outlet duct 92 are preferably fitted with EMP-shielding gaskets and EMP shielded wave guides which prevent EMP energy from traveling into the interior compartment 18. Preferably, an air manifold assembly connects the outside air at ground level to air intake duct 91 of the shelter.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
SUPPLEMENTAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has significant and unobvious improvements over all of the previous designs. The current hexagonal design allows the shelter to be shipped in sections, not requiring trucking permits, and can be assembled in the excavated hole in many configurations and sizes. It does not require concrete, provides blast protection, and can be supplied with an internal EMP shielded generator complying with MIL-188-125 shielding requirements. The hull design includes a gravity flange to resist buoyancy which keeps the shelter in the ground during high water tables and the gravity flange also forms the base of the shelter.
The HEX shape, a name taken from a hex head bolt where the top of the shelter is formed by three sides or half of a hex head bolt. This ceiling shape forms a high ceiling and a very strong structure to resist heavy earth and overpressure loads.
The shelter is composed of at least two end wall sections and numerous straight wall sections. Each section is usually 8 ft. in width making it legal to travel on roads without an over width permit. Each section can be lifted by crane with lifting ears by connecting straps around which cannot slip off. The end wall section has a seismic joint annular ring on end wall to accept an entranceway for entry and egress. The straight wall section is open on both ends. A dense rubber gasket is used between all the sections on channel beams to form a watertight seal when sections are bolted together, putting face pressure on the gasket bonded to the face of channel beam. If the shelter hull is to be used as an EMP shielded hull, the dense rubber gasket must be replaced with a copper mesh gasket shielding, 100 MHz at 120 dB, 200 KHz at 70 dB, and 1 GHz at 10 dB.
Base and Gravity Flange
One of the key features in the design is that the structure has a steel foundation and uses no concrete. A steel foundation is not subject to cracks like concrete and is much more resilient to ground shock. The steel foundation is composed of four rectangular tubes forming a base with a steel plate over for tubes to form a watertight floor which also forms a complete barrier against radon gas, methane gas, and any other gases found in soil. Not having a concrete foundation makes the shelter “redeployable” so it can be excavated, moved, and reinstalled in another location. The base foundation extends beyond the hull forming a gravity ledge where soil on top of the shelter gravity flange keeps the shelter in the ground during high water tables. Each section is craned off a truck and into the hole onto a level bed of gravel in the bottom of the hole.
Each cubic foot of water displaced below the ground surface produces 62.4 lbs. of uplifting force or hydrostatic pressure also known as buoyancy. While earth above ground weighs well over 100+ lbs./ft3, earth below ground with a water table reaching the ground surface is assumed to weigh only 70 lbs/ft3. The submerged earth plus the weight of the steel shelter must be at least 1.2 times greater than the hydrostatic pressure to remain stable in the ground during high water tables.
Hull Structure
The shape of the ceiling forms a high and very strong structure to resist 2500 lbs./ft2 or 17.4 psi with minimal deflections. The two center beams are wide flange beams such as a W12×40. The beams on the outside of each 8 ft. section is a standard steel channel, such as C12×30, to allow the sections to be bolted together with 1.25-inch diameter structural bolts. The hull walls are reinforced by shelving approximately 20 in O.C. from the floor up reinforcing the steel plate sheets welded to the outside of the wide flange beams and channel beams. Each end wall section has air entry ducts for air intake and air outlets duct to connect to an air manifold assembly, intaking fresh air to the shelter, and outlet air manifold assembly spent air to ground surface.
Entranceway Seismic Joint
The tubular entranceway connects to the shelter hull sections through a seismic joint annular ring welded to the face of the end wall. The face of the annular ring has bolt holes to connect to a mating flange on the tubular entranceway through a rubber or EMP shielded gasket. Flexure in, which is a larger diameter than the tubular entranceway, allows the entranceway independent movement from hull section and ground level. A through hole is located on the end wall section and allows people to enter the shelter.
Cathodic Protection
The sections' hull exterior and interior are painted prior to shipping. The inside epoxy white coating has excellent flame and smoke properties. The exterior epoxy coating has strong dielectric properties at 1000+ ohms/ft2/mil, excellent cathodic bonding, and abrasion resistance properties. Underground corrosion is an electrical process and the shelter hull and foundation corrosion is virtually stopped by the Cathodic Protection System. Unlike an underground galvanized tank or culvert where the shelter itself erodes over time requiring the shelter hull pressure rating to be de-rated 2-5% each year, the corrosion protection system forces the underground anodes connected to the shelter sections to erode instead of the shelter hull. The corrosion protection system is monitored by a meter, mounted on the shelter inside wall indicating that the corrosion protection system is operating and when the anodes needs to be replaced. The corrosion protection system allows support of a 30-50-year structural warranty.
Patent Application
20180238045
