Inflatable Enclosure

Abstract

An inflatable enclosure and a method for erecting the inflatable enclosure are provided. The inflatable enclosure comprises an inflatable middle section and inflatable end sections abutting opposing ends of the inflatable middle section to enclose a space. Each of the inflatable middle section and the inflatable end sections comprises an inflatable structural framework. The inflatable structural framework comprises a network of pneumatically interconnected inflated beams that defines one or more openings of predetermined shapes in the inflatable structural framework. The inflatable enclosure comprises multiple tile members that are inserted in the openings in the inflatable structural framework. The tile members are configured to plug and sealably encase the openings to form a contiguous structure with the pneumatically interconnected inflated beams, when inflated. The inflatable middle section and the inflatable end sections are inflated, assembled, and anchored to a ground surface for spanning a predefined area on the ground surface.

1 . An inflatable enclosure, comprising:
 an inflatable middle section and one or more inflatable end sections abutting opposing ends of said inflatable middle section to enclose a space;   each of said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections comprising an inflatable structural framework, wherein said inflatable structural framework comprises a network of pneumatically interconnected inflated beams that defines one or more openings of predetermined shapes in said inflatable structural framework, wherein each of said beams defines an enclosed space for receiving a fluid to inflate said each of said beams; and   a plurality of tile members inserted in said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework of each of said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections, wherein each of said tile members defines an enclosed space for receiving a fluid to inflate said each of said tile members, wherein said tile members are configured to plug and sealably encase said one or more openings when inflated;   wherein said inflated tile members provide multidimensional structural strength and stability to said inflatable structural framework of each of said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein said network of pneumatically interconnected inflated beams comprises one or more inflated longitudinal beams pneumatically interconnected with one or more inflated transverse beams to define said inflatable structural framework, wherein each of said longitudinal beams and said transverse beams define an enclosed space for receiving a fluid to inflate said each of said longitudinal beams and said transverse beams. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections are assembled to create said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections are inflated and anchored to a ground surface for spanning a predefined area on said ground surface. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein each of said tile members comprises an inflatable cell structure and an apron membrane, wherein said apron membrane defines a periphery around said inflatable cell structure, wherein said inflatable cell structure defines an enclosed space within each of a plurality of cells of said inflatable cell structure for receiving a fluid to inflate said inflatable cell structure, wherein said inflatable cell structure of said each of said tile members is inserted in each of said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework and inflated to plug said each of said one or more openings and provide said multidimensional structural strength and said stability to said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein said enclosed space within each of said cells of said inflatable cell structure of said each of said tile members is inflated prior to said insertion of said inflatable cell structure in said each of said one or more openings to plug said each of said one or more openings and provide said multidimensional structural strength and said stability to said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said tile members are opposably positioned within each of said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework to create an insulating weather seal for said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable middle section is generally arcuate in shape, and wherein each of said one or more inflatable end sections defines an end wall for said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pneumatic sensors operably connected to one or more of said pneumatically interconnected inflated beams of said inflatable structural framework for monitoring internal air pressure of said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 9 , further comprising a pneumatic pump in communication with said one or more pneumatic sensors, wherein said pneumatic pump maintains a constant internal air pressure within said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer membranous sheath that encloses said inflatable enclosure and said tile members for providing a smooth weatherproof finish to said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . A method for erecting an inflatable enclosure, comprising:
 providing said inflatable enclosure comprising:
 an inflatable middle section and one or more inflatable end sections abutting opposing ends of said inflatable middle section to enclose a space, each of said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections comprising an inflatable structural framework, wherein said inflatable structural framework comprises a network of pneumatically interconnected beams that defines one or more openings of predetermined shapes in said inflatable structural framework, wherein each of said beams defines an enclosed space for receiving a fluid to inflate said each of said beams; and 
 a plurality of tile members configured to be removably and securably inserted in said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework of each of said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections, wherein each of said tile members defines an enclosed space for receiving a fluid to inflate said each of said tile members, wherein said tile members are configured to plug and sealably encase said one or more openings when inflated; 
   inflating said inflatable middle section and one or more of said one or more inflatable end sections by inflating said enclosed space of said each of said beams of said inflatable structural framework of each of said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections;   assembling and anchoring said inflated middle section and said inflated one or more end sections on a ground surface; and   inserting one or more of said tile members in said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework of each of said inflated middle section and said inflated one or more end sections, wherein said enclosed space of each of said one or more tile members is inflated to plug and sealably encase said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework;   
       whereby said inflated one or more tile members in said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework of said inflated middle section and said inflated one or more end sections provides multidimensional structural strength and stability to said inflatable structural framework and creates an insulating weather seal for said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said network of pneumatically interconnected inflated beams comprises one or more inflated longitudinal beams pneumatically interconnected with one or more inflated transverse beams to define said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of said tile members comprises an inflatable cell structure and an apron membrane, wherein said apron membrane defines a periphery around said inflatable cell structure, wherein said inflatable cell structure defines an enclosed space within each of a plurality of cells of said inflatable cell structure for receiving a fluid to inflate said inflatable cell structure, wherein said inflatable cell structure of said each of said tile members is inserted in each of said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework and inflated prior to or after said insertion to plug said each of said one or more openings and provide said multidimensional structural strength and said stability to said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising opposably positioning one or more of said tile members within each of said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework to create said insulating weather seal for said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said inflatable middle section is generally arcuate in shape, and wherein each of said one or more inflatable end sections defines an end wall for said inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said inflatable middle section and said one or more inflatable end sections of said inflatable enclosure that are inflated and anchored to said ground surface span a predefined area on said ground surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising monitoring internal air pressure of said inflatable structural framework using one or more pneumatic sensors operably connected to one or more of said pneumatically interconnected inflated beams of said inflatable structural framework. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising maintaining a constant internal air pressure within said inflatable structural framework using a pneumatic pump in communication with said one or more pneumatic sensors. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said inflated one or more tile members in said one or more openings in said inflatable structural framework plug and sealably encase said one or more openings to form a contiguous structure with said pneumatically interconnected inflated beams in said inflatable structural framework.