FILM TUNNEL FOR ROADWAYS

Abstract

A film tunnel for forming a roadway roof has supports between which at least one film is stretched. The supports include first and second groups of supports, the first group supports arranged on a first side and the second group supports arranged on a second opposite side of a longitudinal center plane of the film tunnel. The first and second group supports form pairs of supports having spaced upper free ends and connected and retained relative to one another by at least one retaining device. Each support at least of the first and/or second group has a lower part and at least one upper part. When the retaining device is released, the at least one upper part is guided by its weight force along the at least one lower part in the direction of a lower end of the at least one lower part into a lower end position.

Claims

1. A film tunnel (1) for forming a roof over a roadway (2), wherein the film tunnel (1) has supports (3, 4) between which at least one film (5) is stretched, wherein the supports (3, 4) comprise a first group of supports (3) and a second group of supports (4), wherein the supports (3) of the first group are all arranged on a first side with regard to a longitudinal center plane () of the film tunnel (1) and the supports (4) of the second group are all arranged on a second side, opposite the first side, with regard to a longitudinal center plane () of the film tunnel, wherein the supports (3) of the first group, together with the supports of the second group (4), form pairs of supports (3, 4), the upper free ends of which are arranged at a distance from one another and are connected and retained with respect to one another by means of at least one retaining device (6), wherein each support (3, 4) at least of the first group and/or the second group has a lower part (3a, 4a) and at least one upper part (3b, 4b), wherein, when the retaining device (6) is released, the at least one upper part (3b, 4b) is guided on account of its weight force along the at least one lower part (3a, 4a) in the direction of a lower end of the at least one lower part (3a, 4a) into a lower end position.

2. The film tunnel according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lower part (3a, 4a) and the at least one upper part (3b, 4b) have an arched construction.

3. The film tunnel according to claim 1, wherein the at least one film (5) has a transmittance in a visible spectral range of between 0.80 and 0.99, in particular between 0.9 and 0.95.

4. The film tunnel according to claim 1, wherein at least one lower end stop which defines the end position of the at least one upper part (3b, 4b) is arranged on the at least one lower part (3a, 4a).

5. The film tunnel according to claim 1, wherein at least between two upper parts (3b, 4b) of supports of a group, at least two films (5) are stretched, wherein one of the films (5) forms an outer cladding of the film tunnel (1) and one of the films (5) forms an inner cladding of the film tunnel (1), wherein a cavity is formed between the film (5) forming the outer cladding and the film (5) forming the inner cladding.

6. The film tunnel according to claim 5, wherein solar panels are arranged, in particular adhered to and/or connected by lamination, on the film (5) forming the outer cladding.

7. The film tunnel according to claim 6, wherein the solar panels are arranged on a side of the film (5) forming the outer cladding which is facing the cavity.

8. The film tunnel according to claim 5, wherein at least one duct for a heat and/or cooling transfer medium is arranged in the cavity.

9. The film tunnel according to claim 8, wherein a phase change material is arranged in the at least one duct.

10. The film tunnel according to claim 5, wherein the cavity is filled with a greenhouse gas, in particular CO.sub.2.

Description

[0016] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0017] These show in significantly simplified, schematic representation:

[0018] FIG. 1 a cross section through a film tunnel according to the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 a side view of the film tunnel from FIG. 1, and

[0020] FIG. 3 a top view of the film tunnel from FIG. 1.

[0021] It is worth noting here that the same parts have been given the same reference numerals or same component configurations in the embodiments described differently, yet the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component configurations. The indications of position selected in the description, such as above, below, on the side etc. refer to the figure directly described and shown, and these indications of position can be applied in the same way to the new position should the position change.

[0022] The invention is described in the following with reference to all figures.

[0023] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a film tunnel 1 for forming a roof over a roadway 2 having supports 3, 4.

[0024] A film 5 is stretched between the supports 3 and supports 4. The supports 3, 4 form a first group of supports 3 and a second group of supports 4. The supports 3 of the first group are arranged on a first side with regard to a longitudinal center plane & of the film tunnel 1 and the supports 4 of the second group are arranged on a second side, opposite the first side, with regard to a longitudinal center plane of the film tunnel 1. It is thereby particularly preferable that the film 5 is stretched between adjacent supports 3 or between two adjacent supports 4.

[0025] The supports 3 of the first group with the supports 4 of the second group form pairs of supports 3, 4, the upper free ends of which are arranged at a distance from one another and are connected and retained with respect to one another by means of a retaining device 6. The retaining device 6 can, for example, be formed by the film 5 or by a rope, a rod, a chain etc. Preferably, the retaining device 6 is made from a thermoplastic material which deforms and tears under the influence of heat, such that in case of fire the retaining device is reliably released. Alternatively, the retaining device 6 can, however, also be made from a fire-resistant material; in this case the retaining device 6 can be fixed in a releasable fashion with a fastener on one of the two supports 3, 4, whilst it is preferably not mounted releasably on the other support so that the retaining device 6 can be prevented from falling down onto the roadway 2 if the connection between the supports 3, 4 is released. All types of force- and/or form-locking fasteners can be an option as releasable fasteners. For instance, one end of the retaining device 6 can be clamped between releasable jaws. The retaining device 6 can also have a grommet at its end which can be secured with a movable bolt. If a fastener is used, it should preferably be coupled to a monitoring system, such as a fire control system, such that it can be automatically triggered if needed. Manual triggering via remote control of the fastener is also possible.

[0026] Each support 3 of the first group and/or each support 4 of the second group has a lower part 3a, 4a and an upper part 3b, 4b. Although in the embodiment depicted all supports 3, 4 have a two-part construction, in practice there can be situations in which only the supports 3 of the first group or only the supports 4 of the second group have to have a two-part construction. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the lower part 3a, 4a and the upper part 3b, 4b can have an arched construction, although other shapes are, however, also possible, such as linear construction of parts 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b. For instance, the lower parts 3a, 4a and the upper parts 3b, 4b could have a ladder-like construction. It can further be seen in FIG. 1 that the parts 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b which form a support structure are constructed as a framework. To prevent parts such as screws, bolts and the like from falling down, the framework or the supports 3, 4 preferably only have welding and coupling connections. For weight reasons, the supports 3, 4 are particularly preferably made from a light construction material such as aluminum.

[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the upper parts 3b, 4b of the supports 3 and 4 are connected with one another via the retaining device 6. The retaining device 6 is pre-tensioned by the weight force of the upper part or the upper parts 3b, 4b. When the retaining device 6 is released, the respective upper part 3b, 4b is guided on account of its weight force along the corresponding lower part 3a, 4a in the direction of a lower end of the one lower part 3a, 4a into a lower end position and the film tunnel 1 is opened.

[0028] A lower end stop which defines the lower end position of the corresponding upper part 3b, 4b can be configured on the lower part 3a, 4a. On bridges, the end stop can be arranged so far down on the first part 3a, 4a that the upper part 3b, 4b can, for instance, slide over the bridge edge and a fully accessible traffic area be achieved (the arch units are thereby stowed downwards over the bridge edge). On other roadways, the end stop can be mounted at a height, e.g. 3 m, which enables unhindered access to and exit from the roadway 2. To enable unhindered access to and exit from the roadway 2, it can be provided that the film 5 is only arranged in the region of the upper parts 3b, 4b and no film 5 is present in the region of the lower parts 3a, 4a. Depending on the place of deployment, a film 5 can of course also fundamentally be present on the lower parts. In particular, this can be the case on bridges where lateral exit of the roadway 2 is not possible.

[0029] If the lower part 3a, 4a has no film or an air-permeable film 5, air can flow into the region of the roadway 2 there and be discharged at the top. For this purpose, the film tunnel 1 can have a partially or completely open region in the region between the upper free ends of the upper parts 3b, 4b of the supports 3, 4. In the representation in FIG. 3, this region is partially covered with an air-permeable film 8. The air permeability of the film can, for example, be achieved with corresponding perforation. Aeration and ventilation are thereby ensured. Should a situation arise which is no longer controllable (due to accident, fire, ram air) or if the road surface has to be made accessible from outside for helicopters, fire service vehicles or similar interventions, the retaining device 6 releases and the framework slides downwards. The release of the retaining device 6 can be occasioned either by fire/smoke alarms, manually by emergency trigger units (red handle similar to on trains), or remotely via video surveillance and remote control.

[0030] Furthermore, sections of the film 5 can be equipped on three sides with a fuse wire which, as soon as it is in operation, reaches a temperature of over >240 degrees Celsius and thus causes the film material, preferably ETFE, to melt. The film 5 is thus caught on the fourth (upper) edge and thereby enables aeration of and smoke extraction from the roadway 2. Furthermore, at a lower end the supports 3, 4 can rest on a foundation 7, in particular an inclined foundation. The foundation 7 is preferably configured to be wider than the supports 3, 4, for instance as a strip foundation. The supports 3, 4 can be secured against horizontal shifting by the foundation 7. Similarly, the width of the foundation 7 protects the framework from sinking and against the impact of vertical loads on a road surface (gravel roadbeds etc.). Similarly, a wide foundation 7 is an advantage in case installations such as ducts are present at the roadside. The foundation 7 can be additionally secured with ground screw foundations. The inclination of the foundation makes it more difficult for somebody to be able to climb onto the supports 3, 4 or for animals to get onto the roadway 2.

[0031] To ensure good light conditions in the film tunnel the film 5 can have a transmittance in a visible spectral range between 0.80 and 0.99, in particular between 0.9 and 0.95. As a material for the film, ETFE has, for example, proven itself, however other suitable materials such as PTFE, PET etc. can also be used.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least two films 5 are stretched between two upper parts 3b, 4b of supports 3, 4 of a group, wherein one of the films 5 forms an outer cladding of the film tunnel 1 and one of the films 5 forms an inner cladding of the film tunnel 1. A cavity is formed between the film 5 forming the outer cladding and the film 5 forming the inner cladding. Solar panels, which can also be referred to as photovoltaic panels, can be arranged on the film 5 forming the outer cladding. The solar panels, which are preferably flexible solar panels, can, for example, by adhered and/or connected by lamination to the outer film 5. Particularly preferably, the solar panels are arranged on a side of the film forming the outer cladding which is facing the cavity.

[0033] The entire framework comprising the supports 3, 4 and the films 5 can serve as a solar thermal collector. The framework is thus at the same time an open absorber which transfers the ambient heat via convection from sun, wind, exhaust emissions and ambient temperature (this is true both for heat and cold). The collector's large surface area thus enables good performance. The framework thus itself serves as a direct or indirect primary heat source which transfers the energy by means of one or more heat exchangers, such as regenerative heat exchangers in parallel operation, to a heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium itself can, for example, be fashioned as a closed water-glycol circuit or also comprise a phase change material. The heat transfer medium circuit can pass through the foundation 7 in order to transport the thermal energy away from the film tunnel 1. A heat exchanger can also be arranged in the region of the foundation 7. Similarly, a cooling circuit can be connected with the framework or film tunnel 1 into which a special fluid can be filled which is suitable for producing snow. The respective cooling energy which is gained by utilising the cold sky can be performed by cooling the fluid by means of a heat exchanger and be used to produce snow. It should hereby be noted that the term roadway in the present context refers not only to roadways for motor vehicles but also to ski pistes.

[0034] Furthermore, it can be provided that the cavity is filled with a greenhouse gas, in particular CO.sub.2, to increase the absorption capacity of the film tunnel 1 as a collector.

[0035] In addition to the framework itself, hose collectors or linear collectors can also be integrated into the framework which have no structural (load-bearing) effect. Thus, at least one duct for a heat and/or cooling transfer medium is arranged in the cavity. Several ducts can of course be laid in the cavity. In particular, a phase change material can also be arranged in the duct or ducts.

[0036] As a matter of form and by way of conclusion, it is noted that, to improve understanding of the structure, elements have partially not been shown to scale and/or enlarged and/or shrunk.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037] 1 Film tunnel [0038] 2 Roadway [0039] 3 Support [0040] 3a Lower part [0041] 3b Upper part [0042] 4 Support [0043] 4a Lower part [0044] 4b Upper part [0045] 5 Film [0046] 6 Retaining device [0047] 7 Foundation [0048] 8 Film