Rapid assembly of a modular structure
AssigneeUniversity of Dayton
InventorsElias Toubia, Danny Tilton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular structure formed by panels is disclosed, having a center compartment and first and second side compartments coupled to the opposing sides of the center compartment. Each panel of the modular structure is joined to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure. An upper roof panel coupled to the center compartment is joined to first and second lower roof panels coupled to the first side compartment and the second side compartment, respectively, via first structural joining assemblies so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first and second lower roof panels to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure.
Claims20
A modular structure for housing personnel and/or equipment, comprising:
- a center compartment formed by a first set of panels from a plurality of panels;
- a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels;
- a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite of the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels, wherein each panel from the plurality of panels is joined to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure;
- an upper roof panel coupled to the center compartment and configured to be a roof for the center compartment;
- a first lower roof panel coupled to the first side compartment and configured to be a roof for the first side compartment;
- and
- a second lower roof panel coupled to the second side compartment and configured to be a roof for the second side compartment, wherein the upper roof panel is joined to each of the first and the second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first lower roof panel and the second lower roof panel to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure.
A modular structure for housing personnel and/or equipment, comprising:
- a plurality of bays formed by a plurality of panels so that each panel from the plurality of panels is joined to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure, wherein each bay includes:
- a center compartment formed by a first set of panels from the plurality of panels,
- a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels,
- a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite of the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels,
- an upper roof panel coupled to the center compartment and configured to be a roof for the center compartment,
- a first lower roof panel coupled to the first side compartment and configured to be a roof for the first side compartment, and
- a second lower roof panel coupled to the second side compartment and configured to be a roof for the second side compartment, wherein the upper roof panel is joined to each of the first and second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first lower roof panel and the second lower roof panel to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure.
A method for forming a modular structure for housing personnel and/or equipment, comprising:
- forming a center compartment by a first set of panels from a plurality of panels;
- forming a first side compartment coupled to the center compartment formed by a second set of panels from the plurality of panels;
- forming a second side compartment coupled to the center compartment opposite of the first side compartment formed by a third set of panels from the plurality of panels,
- joining each panel from the plurality of panels to each respective adjacent panel via a panel joining assembly to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure;
- coupling an upper roof panel to the center compartment so that the upper roof panel is a roof for the center compartment;
- coupling a first lower roof panel to the first side compartment so that the first lower roof panel is a roof for the first side compartment;
- coupling a second lower roof panel to the second side compartment so that the second lower roof panel is a roof for the second side compartment;
- joining the upper roof panel to each of the first and second lower roof panels via a roof joining assembly so that the upper roof panel is elevated relative to the first and second lower roof panels to substantially prevent moisture from entering the modular structure.
The method of 15, wherein the joining of the upper roof panel to the first lower roof panel comprises:
- positioning a gasket in between the upper roof panel and the first lower roof panel in the first overlap region;
- positioning a metal sleeve to pass through the first lower roof panel, the gasket, and the upper roof panel in the first overlap region to align the first lower roof panel, the gasket, and the upper roof panel;
- positioning a bolt to pass through the metal sleeve from the first lower roof panel, the gasket, and the upper roof panel in the first overlap region;
- tightening the bolt to compress the first lower roof panel, the gasket, and the upper roof panel together;
- forming a seal to substantially prevent moisture from entering between the upper roof panel and the first lower roof panel when compressed together by the bolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.