Tubular Structures Filled with Gaseous Fluid, applicable for Beams, Supports, and other purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1892-Accepted, 1st Oct., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Tubular Structures Filled with Gaseous Fluid, applicable for Beams,
Supports, and other purposes.
1 JOACHIM SOUMOVSKI of Kursk, Russia, Civil Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to tubular structures for supporting loads which consist
mainly in the employment of tubular receptacles of flexible air-tight material,
which are charged with a gaseous body, under suitable pressure, and are combined
with ties so as to form a structure that will resist strains in any desired direction,
and which may be employed for a variety of purposes of construction, whether on
land or on water, or for aërial structures.
I will describe my said invention with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Fig. 1, shows a side view of the tubular structure and Fig. 2 a plan thereof.
It consists of a series of tubular bodies b, b, b, secured between bands a, a', c, c, c,
of which the longitudinal bands a, a¹ are connected together by the transverse
bands e, c, c.
The tubular bodies b, which are filled with air or other gaseous body, consist of a
flexible impermeable fabric and are made, according to the purpose to which they
are applied, either of caoutchouc or of water proofed canvas, or of other fabrics,
coated with linseed varnish and shellac.
The ends are made of the same materials. To the one end are attached pipes d,
having shut off cocks e, e, for the purpose of filling the same with a gas. The
tubes so prepared are connected together by bands a, a', as shown at Figs. 1 and 2.
These bands are made, according to the strains to which they are to be subjected,
either of ordinary woven fabric of sufficient strength (such as canvas, sack-
cloth etc.,) or of woven fabrics into which wire is woven, or of flexible metal. The
intermediate ties c, c, c, connecting the top and bottom bands prevent the latter
from separating from each other when the tubular bodies are filled with gas, and
cause the latter to assume a prescribed form. The said ties are connected to the
bands a, by jointed connections arranged to shift longitudinally as shewn at Figs. 3
and 4.
A structure thus formed of tubular receptacles and bands can be used as a
beam for this purpose it is only necessary to fill the receptacles with gas through
the pipes d, whereby the former are made to assume the rectangular configuration
of the bands and ties, while the ends are expanded spherically.
The pressure of the gas is balanced at all points of contact of the receptacles
with each other, and only the outward pressures exerted at the outer sides of the
two end receptacles causes a strain to be put upon the longitudinal bands.
For fixing the tubular structure against a wall, the bands have to be secured
thereto and the pressure of the inner end receptacle will then be entirely taken by
the wall.
In order to clearly explain the strains occurring in the tubular structure, and its
powers of resistance to extraneous forces, the following theoretical statement may
be given.
Figs. and 6 show a tubular structure which supports a weight P, at a
leverage 1.
It is assumed that, in order to give the structure the requisite rigidity, the
receptacles have to be charged with gas at a pressure of p. kgr. per square c.m.
The proportion between the moment M, acting on the structure, the gaseous
pressure p, and the resistance of the support A has to be determined.
Γ

page_text: The resistance A is equal to the pressure exercised by the receptacle b, bearing
against it, consequently if h is the height of the receptacle and bits width, then
h xbx p
A, and can be taken as acting at the middle of the height of the
structure, or at the distance. from the point O.
-
h
2
The condition of equilibrium of the moments relatively to the point O may be 5
expressed as follows:

page_text: From this it will be seen that the proportion of the height of the tubes to their
width must vary corresponding to the number of the tubes of which the structure
consists (between the limit of 1 to 2) if the strains in the longitudinal bands and
cross ties are to be equal.
3
In the above I have only considered a structure consisting of a single row of
tubes.
Assuming that the structure consists of n rows of tubes the total height h=nd.
If these be interpolated in the equations 123 and 5 we have :
P =
A
=
2 M
2 M
bn' d'
•
(1b)
(2*)
M
S
=
bndg
(3³)
S' =
2 M 1
•
bn³ ³ (m + 1).
•
•
.
(5b)
that is to say, with n times the number of rows of tubes in the structure, the
pressures in the tubes and the strains in the transverse ties decrease in proportion
to the square of the number of rows of tubes; the pressure on the support and the
strains in the longitudinal bands on the other hand only decrease in proportion to
the number of rows of tubes.
From this it will be seen that by a suitable grouping of the tubes in the structure
any desired strains both in the tubes and bands, as also different pressures on the
support of the structure may be obtained.
It results from the above considerations that the pressures in the various tubes
will vary in proportion to their distance from the point at which the load acts.
With the tubular structure fixed at one end, the pressures will increase in the
tubes in the direction of the support ; with a structure supported at both ends the
pressures will decrease towards the supports.
that is to say, with n times the number of rows of tubes in the structure, the
pressures in the tubes and the strains in the transverse ties decrease in proportion
to the square of the number of rows of tubes; the pressure on the support and the
strains in the longitudinal bands on the other hand only decrease in proportion to
the number of rows of tubes.
From this it will be seen that by a suitable grouping of the tubes in the structure
any desired strains both in the tubes and bands, as also different pressures on the
support of the structure may be obtained.
It results from the above considerations that the pressures in the various tubes
will vary in proportion to their distance from the point at which the load acts.
With the tubular structure fixed at one end, the pressures will increase in the
tubes in the direction of the support; with a structure supported at both ends the
pressures will decrease towards the supports.

page_text: As the pressures in the tubes are proportionate to the squares of the height, then
in order to obtain a structure of equal resistance, that is to say, with equal
pressures in the tubes, it, must. either be made of -tubes of varying height or of
tubes of equal height grouped together in the manner indicated at Figs. 7,
8, 9, 10.
The above described structure only resists flexure in one direction. If however
two structures be placed one above the other in such manner that the tubes of the
one structure lie at right angles to the tubes of the other structure, then a com-
pound structure will be obtained that will resist flexure in all directions. Such a
structure is shown at Figs. 11, and 12.
The said tubular structures possess, in addition to rigidity, also the property of
buoyancy and they are consequently applicable for various hydraulic purposes;
but if the tubular receptacles are filled with a gas which is specifically lighter than
air then they are applicable for various aerial purposes.
Two such tubular structures fixed to the sides of a ship form an arrangement
that will reduce the draught of the ship. They may be applied for floating ships
over shallows, sandbanks or rocks. This appendage to ships can either be fixed
permanently to the same and in cases where it is not required it may be hung up
out of the water, or the structure may be entirely independent of the ship.
Figs. 13 and 14 show a ship with such a structure. It consists of two tubular
structures which are connected together by bands. The longitudinal band which
surrounds the tube next the side of the ship is formed as a loop which enables the
two structures to move apart for the ship to enter between them.
The detailed construction of the band is shewn at Figs. 15 and 16 from which it
will be seen that the bands m m, which pass under the bottom of the ship, only
pass up to the second tube and are provided with three circular bolts a, b, c, to
which the moveable bands an are attached. The bands are fixed to the bolts a
and passed loose between the bolts and c.
When the outer tubes are filled with air and those next the side of the ship are
not expanded then the structures assume the position shewn in Fig. 17.
With such a position of the structures the ship can pass between them, where-
upon, by means of cords pp, the lower band is drawn up to the bottom of the ship
so as to bring the tubular structures into a symmetrical position relatively to the
ship. This position is shewn at Fig. 18.
After fixing the bands, the innerinost tubes are filled with air whereupon the
structures will assume consecutively the position shewn at Figs. 19 and 20. In
the latter position the structures will already be in operation, because all the tubes
are filled and the innermost ones are pressed against the sides of the ship and the
bands are strained.
In consequence of the buoyancy of the tubular structure and its stiffness as a
beam, the ship will be raised, thus diminishing its draught.
As the tubular structures are not fixed under the ship but at the sides of the
same, and as they exercise a somewhat considerable power of flotation with com-
paratively small height, they can casily be employed in very shallow waters so long
as these afford the requisite width.
The action of these tubular structures in connection with the ship will be
perfectly clear on reference to Fig. 1.
The wall at Fig. 1 to which the tubular structure is fixed constitutes the ship
and the load P is in this case represented by the upward pressure of the water.
If Fig. 1 be reversed the structure as applied to the ship will be obtained. The
tubes A next the side of the ship are always made of flexible material, while the
outer tubes B and C may be made as rigid hollow bodies of metal or wood filled
with air in order to avoid the loss of time in filling them with air when they are
required to be used. They can then serve also as a sort of boat for the transport
of the whole arrangement.
The replacing of the tubes B and C by means of hollow boxes or vessels is shewn
at Figs. 21, 22, 23, 24, which figures illustrate the same mode of operation as

page_text: described with reference to Figs. 17 to 20.
An arrangement in which the tubular
structures can be raised up out of the water when not required as before mentioned
is shewn at Figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28. The bottom of the ship is provided with
special hooks K, while on the tubular structure are formed loops p by means of
which the structure is attached to the ship. The tubular structure is fixed to the
lever R and is raised thereby and is attached to the side of the ship above the
water when not required for use as indicated in dotted lines at Fig. 25.
When the tubes are suspended from the side of the ship they are not filled with
air. In order to bring the tubular structure into action, that is to say to connect it
with the ship, the cords G must be loosened, whereupon the whole system descends
by gravity turning upon point O. In this motion it is held by the lever R. having
a loop p to which is attached a cord r.
P
When the tubes have assumed a horizontal position the cord r is released,
whereupon the loop will drop by its weight or it may be drawn down by a second
cord, and will pass under the hook K fixed to the bottom of the ship as at Fig. 26.
If now the tubes be filled with air they will tend to float upwards and the loop p
will engage tightly with the hook K, thus securely attaching the structure to the
ship, as at Fig. 28.
Another application of the said tubular structures is to the construction of
bridges. The tubular structure receives for this purpose an arched form as shewn
at Figs. 29 and 30, the arch being supported at its two ends by abutments A and B.
To these arches are attached metal rods which support a wood floor constituting
the roadway of the bridge. Instead of a wood floor this may be formed of a
tubular structure as indicated at Fig. 31, the latter being in no connection with
the main tubular arch.
Such constructions are particularly applicable for temporary bridges that require
to be built very rapidly. They are easily transportable and serve both as bridges
and also, if placed on the ground, as a frame work for tents, barracks and other
temporary transportable structures.
The tubular structure can also be employed for passing over abysses, for which
purpose it is filled with gas with the exception of the tube attached to the one side
of the abyss and is lowered against the side of the abyss, as shewn at Figure 32.
On afterwards filling the end tube the whole structure rises and assumes eventually
the position shewn at Fig. 33.
The whole construction can be easily rolled up owing to its flexibility and can
be coiled upon an axle running upon wheels.
If the abutments M be fixed to the axle and this be secured by anchors, a readily
transportable bridge will be obtained. A similar construction with a more upright
position of the tubular structures can be employed for fire escapes.
The tubular structure combined with metal rods, which serve as stay rods may
be made to form high standards for bridge supports, for towers and for various other
temporary structures of an easily transportable nature. Such a construction is
shewn at Figs. 34, and 35 where the top platform is stayed by stay rods with
anchors.
The tubular structure may also be used in all cases where a rigid, light and
readily transportable object is required. It is also applicable for aerial machines
when the tubes are filled with a specifically light gas.
The erection of two uprights such as shewn at Fig. 34 and carrying a horizontal
shaft with four radial tubular structures as vanes like vanes of a wind-mill may
serve as a wind-mill affording power for agricultural purposes.
The tubular structure can also be used for seats owing to its elasticity, in com-
bination with furniture and carriages and may also serve as mattresses and
cushions. It may also be made in the form of a boat, constituting a light and
readily transportable life saving apparatus.
If the tubular structure be provided at each end with sufficiently strong
abutment pieces and with anchors, and if, when in the collapsed condition, it be

page_text: placed under or against any object desired to be moved, it can be employed as a
moving agent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. A tubular structure composed of flexible tubular receptacles that are filled
with a gaseous body and are secured together by bands or ties so as to afford the
requisite strength and rigidity against bending and pressure, substantially as
described.
2. The combination of tubular structures such as are referred to in the preceding
claim with rigid supports or abutments, substantially as described with reference
to Figs. 1 to 12 of the drawings.
3. The employment of the tubular structures referred to in the first claim as
buoyant bodies either in water or in the air, substantially as described.
4. Constructing the tubular structures referred to in the first claim as floats
attached to ships, combined and arranged substantially as described with reference
to Figs. 13 to 28 of the drawings.
5. Constructing the tubular structures referred to in the first claim of an arch
form and combined with stays for serving as bridges and as framework for other
structures, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 29, 30 and 31 of the
drawings.
6. The application of the tubular structures referred to in the first claim to the
construction of temporary flat bridges, fire escapes, towers, wind-mills, floating
rafts, or boats, mattresses, seats and other similar objects, substantially as
described.
7. The application of the tubular structures referred to in the first claim in com-
bination with rigid abutments as appliances for moving objects, by first placing
them in position in a collapsed condition and then expanding them by forcing in
air or gas substantially as described.
Dated this 29th dor of July 1809
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.