Patent ID: 7295884

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of designing a restraint layer for an inflatable vessel, the restraint layer being constructed of a plurality of interfacing generally vertical straps and generally horizontal straps and inflatable from an initial, uninflated configuration to an inflated configuration, said method comprising the steps of: providing a computing processing means; and utilizing the computer processing means to input loading requirements of the inflated restraint layer, specify an inflated configuration of the restraint layer, including specifying a design gap between pairs of adjacent vertical or horizontal straps, whereby the adjacent straps interface with a plurality of transversely extending horizontal or vertical straps at a plurality of intersections; and determine an initial uninflated configuration of the restraint layer that is inflatable to achieve the specified inflated configuration, including calculating a manufacturing gap between the pairs of adjacent straps that correspond to the specified design gap in the inflated configuration of the restraint layer.