Composite materials for structural end uses
AssigneeChemfab Corporation
InventorsJohn A. Effenberger, Keith G. Koerber, Francis M. Enzien, Michael P. Cushman, Milton B. Punnett
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Abstract
A flexible, reinforced textile composite material for constructing tensioned fabric structures, e.g. for sheltering from the outdoor environment, is disclosed. The material has a hydrophobic protective film element laminated to the textile composite material to provide enhanced hydrophobicity. In a preferred embodiment, of the invention, one or a mixture of colorants, dyestuffs or biological agents are incorporated into the hydrophobic protective film layer. The textile composite material has particular application as a tensioned architectural element for forming a dome, roof or the like, or as an electromagnetic window or a radome.
Claims33
A tensioned-fabric structure comprising a supporting element holding a textile composite material comprising
- a. a fibrous reinforced load-bearing element having a textile component and a coating component, said coating component comprising a TFE polymer;
- and
- b. at least one preformed hydrophobic protective film element comprising a TFE polymer and including one or a mixture of additives selected from the group consisting of a colorant, a dyestuff and a biological agent;
- wherein at least one surface of said load-bearing element is laminated, at least in part, to said preformed hydrophobic protective film element.
An improved architectural material for constructing tensioned fabric structures, said material comprising a flexible, laminated, reinforced textile composite comprising
- a. a fibrous reinforced load-bearing element having a textile component and a coating component, said coating component comprising a TFE polymer;
- and
- b. at least one preformed hydrophobic protective film element comprising a TFE polymer and including one or a mixture of additives selected from the group consisting of a colorant, a dyestuff and a biological agent;
- wherein at least one surface of said load-bearing element is laminated, at least in part, to said preformed hydrophobic protective film element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.