Inflatable beam truss and structure

Abstract

A segmented inflatable beam truss includes at least first, second and third separate inflatable beams mounted or mountable to one another and having, respectively, first, second and third lengths and a substantially constant diameter among all of the three beams. Each beam of the three separate beams includes an outer flexible substantially non-resilient sleeve along the entire length of the beam and an inner inflatable bladder extending substantially entirely along and in the entire length of the sleeve.

1 . A segmented inflatable beam truss comprising:
 at least three, that is, first, second and third, separate inflatable beams mounted or mountable to one another and having, respectively, first, second and third lengths and a substantially constant diameter among all of said three beams, wherein each beam of said three separate beams includes an outer flexible substantially non-resilient sleeve along the entire length of said beam and an inner inflatable bladder extending substantially entirely along and in said entire length of said sleeve,   wherein said each beam is substantially linear when unconstrained and inflated, and wherein said each beam is flexible so as to form an arch-shape when opposite ends of said each beam are constrained by anchoring of said opposite ends on the ground at a distance between said ends which is less the length of said each beam,   and wherein at least said first and second beams are of substantially equal length and are mounted adjoined to one another in side-by-side parallel relation so as to be co-extensive with one another along said arch-shape,   and wherein said third beam is mounted adjoined to said first and second beams so as to extend therealong in side-by-side parallel relation and positioned so as to extend over at least a vertex portion of said arch-shape.