Flexible Unitary Sandwich-like Panel Overhead Door

Abstract

A flexible unitary sandwich-like panel overhead door (11) consists of two relatively thin elastic sheets (12) and (13) connected by a plurality of elongated parallel web panels (14) which have supporting rollers (16) attached. The sheet-web connections are hinged (15) so that the panel may be flexibly moved from a closed vertical position to an open overhead nearly horizontal configuration. A rectangular beam (17), attached to the elastic sheets, provides additional stability and strength to the door structure. Additional embodiments are described.

Claims

1. A first flexible panel door embodiment, comprising: a. a first elastic sheet (12), b. a second elastic sheet (13) substantially parallel to said first elastic sheet, c. a plurality of elongated hinges (15), d. a plurality of substantially rigid elongated webs (14), each of which is attached in a parallel manner, by means of said hinges along both elongated edges, to said first and second elastic sheets, the planes of said webs being initially at a 90 degree angle to said elastic sheets, thus sandwiching said webs between said elastic sheets, e. a rectangular beam (17) which, along the corners of one side of said beam, is connected to edges of said elastic sheets (12) and (13), said edges being parallel to said webs and on congruent sides of said elastic sheets, f. a plurality of support rollers (16), attached to the ends of said webs and said beam, g. a means of support (21) and (22) of said rollers (16) so that transverse, at 90 degree angles to said elastic sheets, motion of the ends of said webs, and axial rotation of said beam are prevented, whereby a proper gestalt of said means of support enables said beam to be urged so as to elastically transition said first flexible panel door embodiment from a closed vertical configuration to an open nearly horizontal configuration, or from said open configuration to said closed configuration.

2. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 1 wherein said elastic sheets have thickness dimension much less than their other dimensions thus allowing said elastic sheets to remain in the elastic state while being transitioned from said closed configuration to said open configuration and vice versa.

3. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 2 wherein said elastic sheets are composed of either metal or fiber reinforced polymer.

4. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 1 wherein said webs are constructed either homogeneously or of sandwich core material with surface layers of fiber reinforced polymer.

5. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 1 wherein said hinges are constructed in conventional metallic plate-to-pin-to-plate manner or of flexible fiber reinforced polymer.

6. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 5 wherein said hinges are attached to said webs and elastic sheets by mechanical fasteners or adhesive.

7. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 5 wherein said hinges are constructed integrally with said webs.

8. The first flexible panel door embodiment of claim 7 wherein said integral web hinges are attached to said elastic sheets by mechanical fasteners or adhesive.

9. A second flexible panel door embodiment, comprising: a. a first elastic sheet (12), b. a second elastic sheet (13) substantially parallel to said first elastic sheet, c. a plurality of elongated hinges (15), d. a plurality of substantially rigid elongated webs (14), each of which is attached in a parallel manner, by means of said hinges along both elongated edges, to said first and second elastic sheets, the planes of said webs being initially at an angle (61) to said elastic sheets, thus sandwiching said webs between said elastic sheets, e. a rectangular beam (17) which, along the corners of one side of said beam, is connected to edges of said elastic sheets (12) and (13), said edges being parallel to said webs and on congruent sides of said elastic sheets, f. a plurality of support rollers (16), attached to the ends of said webs and said beam, g. a means of support (21) and (22) of said rollers (16) so that transverse, at 90 degree angles to said elastic sheets, motion of the ends of said webs, and axial rotation of said beam are prevented, whereby a proper gestalt of said means of support enables said beam to be urged so as to elastically transition said second flexible panel door embodiment from a closed vertical configuration to an open horizontal configuration, or from said open configuration to said closed configuration.

10. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 9 wherein said elastic sheets have thickness dimension much less than their other dimensions thus allowing said elastic sheets to remain in the elastic state while being transitioned from said closed configuration to said open configuration and vice versa.

11. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 10 wherein said elastic sheets are composed of either metal or fiber reinforced polymer.

12. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 9 wherein said webs are constructed either homogeneously or of sandwich core material with surface layers of fiber reinforced polymer.

13. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 9 wherein said hinges are constructed in conventional metallic plate-to-pin-to-plate manner or of flexible fiber reinforced polymer.

14. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 13 wherein said hinges are attached to said webs and elastic sheets by mechanical fasteners or adhesive.

15. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 13 wherein said hinges are constructed integrally with said webs.

16. The second flexible panel door embodiment of claim 15 wherein said integral web hinges are attached to said elastic sheets by mechanical fasteners or adhesive.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

[0024] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but differing alphabetical suffixes.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a cutaway view of the first embodiment basic elements and detail of the flexible panel door in the closed configuration.

[0026] FIGS. 2A through 2C show cutaway views of the door, together with support tracks, in closed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively.

[0027] FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate vertical cross-sections of the door assembly in closed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively.

[0028] FIG. 3D shows a detail view of a portion of the partially open configuration cross-section.

[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a vertical cross-section, and plan and elevation views of the first and second embodiment box-beam, respectively.

[0030] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate support roller-web-hinge, and support roller-track detail views, respectively.

[0031] FIGS. 6A through 6C show cross-sections of the second embodiment door in closed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively.

[0032] FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate cross-sections of the third embodiment door in closed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively.

[0033] FIGS. 8A through 8C show detail end view, bottom view and a cross-section, respectively, of the third embodiment box-beam.

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section of the third embodiment composite track assembly.

[0035]

TABLE-US-00004 Drawings - Reference Numerals 11 first embodiment door assembly 12 inner elastic sheet 13 outer elastic sheet 14 typical web 15 typical hinge 16 typical support roller 17 first and second embodiment box-beam 18 open-close mechanism attachment 21 left support track 22 right support track 31 support track bend angle 32 elastic sheet bend radius 33 typical web spacing arc length 34 typical inner sheet chord length 35 typical outer sheet chord length 61 second embodiment web angle 62 second embodiment base 71 third embodiment box-beam 72 cam roller guide track centerline 73 support roller track centerline 74 support track radius 75 cam track initial radius 76 cam track constant radius 77 transition angle 78 cam roller 81 cross-section location designation 91 support - cam track assembly

EMBODIMENT DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

First EmbodimentOverallFIGS. 1 Through 2C

[0036] This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a cutaway view the entire assembly 11. An inner elastic sheet 12 is connected to an outer elastic sheet 13 by a plurality of identical high aspect ratio webs 14 by means of hinges 15. The upper edges of both elastic sheets are rigidly connected to a beam 17 which is integral with an open-close mechanism attachment 18. Support rollers 16 are attached to all of the web 14 ends, as well as the beam 17 ends.

[0037] Note that two support rollers 16 are provided at each end of beam 17 so as to prevent axial rotation of the beam with respect to the door supports. This is important for maintenance of strength and stiffness of the door: overall door bending strength about an in-plane horizontal axis is dependent on limiting relative vertical motion of the inner and outer sheets, 12 and 13. Also important for limiting this relative motion are relatively large torsional and flexural beam 17 stiffnesses: a beam with hollow closed rectangular cross-section (box-beam) is optimal for this usage. An extruded high strength metallic material or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) could be used to construct the box-beam.

[0038] The elastic sheets, 12 and 13, could be comprised of homogenous metallic material or of composite construction (FRP). The webs, 14, are subject to only in-plane stresses due to bending stress relief of the hinges, and may thus be constructed of light homogeneous materials or a FRP wrapped core. The hinges, 15, could be conventional mechanical hinges or constructed of flexible polymer composite. Various methods may be employed for hinge attachment to sheets and webs, including mechanical (rivets or spot welds) or adhesives. Also, the webs may be designed to include the hinge elements so that the only attachments required are web-to-sheets.

[0039] Operation of the first embodiment door is shown in the cutaway views depicted in FIGS. 2A through 2C where support tracks 21 and 22 are included. These tracks may be the C cross-section galvanized steel tracks commonly used for overhead door support applications. Not shown is an open-close mechanism, which may be a conventional screw or cable-chain opener, connected to the open-close mechanism attachment 18.

First EmbodimentDesign ConsiderationsFIGS. 3A Through 5B

[0040] FIGS. 3A through 3C show vertical cross-sections of this embodiment for the closed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively. A requirement of this embodiment is that the maximum strains in the sheets, 12 and 13, remain within an elastic design criterion of the material comprising the sheets when the embodiment is in the partially open or fully open configurations when the sheets are bent during travel through the curved portion of the support tracks. For metallic materials, an appropriate design strain is 80 percent of the material yield strain or the endurance limit strain. For FRP materials subject to prolonged strain, an appropriate design strain is the creep-rupture limit which varies from 20 to 50 percent of the ultimate rupture strain, depending on the type of fiber used in the design.

[0041] Maximum strain, emax, in a cylindrically bent elastic sheet is given by the following well known relationship:

emax=t/(2R),

where t is the thickness and R (32) is a typical radius of curvature of the bent sheet. From this relationship, a design t/R ratio is determined by equating emax with the material design strain, as determined in the preceding paragraph.

[0042] It is noted from the cross-sections (FIGS. 3A through 3C) that the webs 14 remain approximately parallel to the surface of beam 17 to which the sheets 12 and 13 are attached. However, due to geometric and structural deformation effects in the section where the sheets are curved, the webs are progressively rotated toward the vertical plane. FIG. 3D shows an enlarged detail of the partially opened door cross-section. Since the arc lengths 33 are equal, the chord lengths 34 and 35 differ due to the larger radius of curvature of sheet 13 when compared to the curvature of sheet 12. Also, the distance difference between the hinge 15 centers of rotation and the elastic sheet mid-planes provides a geometric contribution to the web rotation effect.

[0043] The net result of this web rotation effect is that the maximum allowable support track rotation angle 31 (FIG. 3B) is less than 90 degrees. Numerical simulations show that, for typical embodiment geometries and materials, the maximum angle is approximately 70 degrees.

[0044] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a box-beam design where FIG. 4A is a partial vertical cross-section through the beam center and FIG. 4B is an end view and partial plan view of the beam.

[0045] FIGS. 5A and 5B show design details of a web-roller-hinge, and a roller-support track interface, respectively. Note that these drawings are representative of possible design details; other designs utilizing other hinge types, web geometries and roller-web connections are not precluded.

First EmbodimentConstruction and Operation

[0046] Construction methods required for production of this door embodiment are extremely simple, especially when adhesives are utilized for hinge attachments. For the manufacture of an adhesive bonded planar part of the embodiment, web elements, together with attached support rollers and hinges, are premanufactured. Then, a single elastic face sheet is placed on a horizontal surface, web assemblies and adhesive positioned on the sheet, and the other face sheet placed on this subassembly. Finally, pressure and/or heat is applied to the final assembly, as required for adhesive curing.

[0047] Construction of a planar part of the embodiment utilizing mechanical hinge attachment methods is somewhat more complicated. In this case, after pre-manufacture of the web-roller-hinge elements, both sheets may be elastically bent so as to more easily allow mechanical attachment of the webs to the sheets.

[0048] After manufacture of the planar portion of the embodiment, relative in-plane motion of the sheets then allows the sheets to separate, and the box-beam to sheet attachments to be made. Additional nonessential parts (not shown in the drawings) such as a floor contact wear strip and seal may be easily attached to this embodiment.

[0049] Operation of the embodiment is identical to the majority of track supported and guided overhead doors (category b2 doors discussed above): conventional support tracks and a commercially available powered open-close mechanism are utilized

Additional EmbodimentsFIGS. 6A Through 9

[0050] For those applications where the elevation of an adjacent ceiling or roof truss is only slightly greater than the door height (limited clearance applications), two additional embodiments are presented in which the support track bend angle 31 is increased to 90 degrees.

[0051] Second embodiment cross-sections are shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C for closed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively. Required web rotation is provided through provision of an initial web rotation angle 61 to all of the webs during manufacture. As in the case of the first embodiment support track bend angle 31, the magnitude of the required angle 61 is a function of design material properties geometry details. Again, as in the case of angle 31, numerical simulations show that, for typical embodiment geometries and materials, an appropriate value for this angle is approximately 70 degrees.

[0052] Also shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C is a base 62, included for distribution of base reaction forces. Except for the items discussed, the second embodiment design is identical to the first embodiment design.

[0053] It is noted that for a given web width (or embodiment unit weight), the overall bending strength and stiffness of the second embodiment are somewhat less than corresponding first embodiment characteristics.

[0054] A third embodiment presents an alternate design where the bend angle 31 is increased to 90 degrees with similar bending strength and stiffness as the first embodiment corresponding properties. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-sections of the third embodiment for closed and partially open configurations. It is seen that basic web and sheet geometry is the same as for the first embodiment with modifications to the box-beam, track, and beam-sheet connections.

[0055] A cam mechanism causes a purely translational motion of the third embodiment box-beam 71 when the beam support rollers 16 follow the initial portion of the support track curve centerlines 73 (embodiment motion between FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B positions). This is accomplished by providing the beam 71 with cam rollers 78 which follow cam track centerlines 72. Note that the cam track centerline radius continuously varies from an initial value 75 (closed condition) to a final value 76 (FIG. 7B position defined by the transition angle 77). The support track radius 74 remains constant throughout the curved portion of the track. Also note that transition angle 77 is greater than the compliment of the first embodiment bend angle 31 (greater than approximately 20 degrees).

[0056] FIG. 7C shows a cross-section of the third embodiment in the fully open configuration. It is observed that support track-cam track spacing remains constant for all locations except for the transition region. It is also seen that the sheet-box-beam connections are hinged rather than rigid as used for the first and second embodiment designs.

[0057] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate end and partial bottom views of the third embodiment box-beam, support and cam rollers, and adjacent connected inner and outer sheets. FIG. 8C shows a partial cross-section 81 view, including a cam roller 78.

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the combined support and cam track assembly 91.

EmbodimentsAdvantages

[0059] A number of advantages are evident in the embodiments described above:

[0060] (a) Very high stiffness and strength to weight ratios of the closed configurations enable light weight embodiments to carry large environmental transverse loads, such as those induced by rain and wind.

[0061] (b) Embodiment seamless surfaces enable the closed embodiments to be weather tight and capable of forming static pressure boundaries.

[0062] (c) Air confined in the cells of the closed configurations enables natural insulation of transverse heat transfer in the embodiments.

[0063] (d) Embodiment construction is extremely easy with no requirements for use of specialized equipment.

[0064] (e) Embodiment installation and operation utilizes existing commercially available equipment.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0065] A flexible unitary sandwich-like panel overhead door design has been disclosed. This design is simple in concept and construction, yet has many potential uses which take advantage of this design's unique capabilities: [0066] in its closed configuration, it has a very large stiffness to weight ratio which enables applications requiring low weight, deformations and flutter; [0067] in its closed configuration, it has a very high lateral load strength to weight ratio which enables applications requiring low weight and high resistance to lateral environmental loading; [0068] in its closed configuration, it has good natural insulation to transverse heat flow due to air confined in the internal cells of the shell; [0069] in its closed configuration, it is weather tight and capable, with proper edge sealing, of forming a differential pressure boundary such as could be used in an ultra-clean environment; and [0070] it is capable of very quiet operation.

[0071] Although the above discussion contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments, but as merely providing illustrations of some of several possible applications. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.