Lightweight flood panel and flood barrier system using same
AssigneeBoynton Beach Panel Inc.
InventorsBrandan Gill, Tiffany Largey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lightweight flood panel includes a frame defining a central void, a lightweight core (e.g., hexagonal cell honeycomb or fiber-reinforced closed cell foam) disposed in the void, and fiberglass sides covering the assembly. The frame provides perimeter support and includes holes for fastening units. A method of manufacture involves adhesively assembling the components under vacuum. A flood barrier system uses multiple such panels secured in series with gaskets and fastening units, each fastening unit including a bolt, adjustment knob, washer, and rivet nut or anchor for water-tight installation across gaps between structures to resist hydrostatic pressure and impacts.
Claims18
A flood panel for a flood barrier system, comprising:
- a frame defining a central void, the frame extending around a perimeter of the flood panel and configured to provide structural support, wherein the frame is formed of metal;
- a core disposed within the central void of the frame;
- a first side and a second side, each formed of fiberglass comprising woven glass fibers in a cured resin, the first side and the second side being substantially parallel and spaced apart to cover the frame and the core, defining a thickness of the flood panel;
- wherein the core comprises a cell core having a plurality of regularly shaped cells bounded by walls extending through a thickness of the core, the cells being voids, and the core further comprising skins on opposing sides of the cell core to cover the cells.
A method of making a flood panel for a flood barrier system, comprising:
- providing a frame defining a central void;
- positioning a core within the central void of the frame;
- applying an adhesive resin to inner surfaces of a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side are each formed of fiberglass comprising woven glass fibers in a cured resin;
- placing the first side and the second side over the frame and the core in a sandwich arrangement;
- placing the sandwich arrangement in a vacuum bag;
- adding additional adhesive resin into the vacuum bag to fill edges and gaps;
- applying a vacuum to an interior of the vacuum bag and allowing the adhesive resin and the additional adhesive resin to cure, forming a cured panel assembly;
- removing the cured panel assembly from the vacuum bag;
- and
- finishing edges of the cured panel assembly.
A flood panel for a flood barrier system, comprising:
- a frame defining a central void, the frame extending around a perimeter of the flood panel and configured to provide structural support;
- a core disposed within the central void of the frame;
- a first side and a second side, each formed of fiberglass comprising woven glass fibers in a cured resin, the first side and the second side being substantially parallel and spaced apart to cover the frame and the core, defining a thickness of the flood panel;
- wherein the core comprises a cell core having a plurality of regularly shaped cells bounded by walls extending through a thickness of the core, the cells being voids, and the core further comprising skins on opposing sides of the cell core to cover the cells, wherein the skins each comprise an inner plastic film bonded to the cell core and an outer non-woven polyester layer bonded to the inner plastic film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.