Translucent Storm Panel Using High-Strength Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm protection systems for building openings, such as windows and doors, are either cumbersome, unsightly, or ineffective in allowing light to penetrate during high winds and debris events, and often require installation and removal, causing inconvenience and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, translucent storm panel made of high-strength fabric with reinforced hems and anchor screws, featuring access openings for easy installation and egress, and a storage system using c-clips and flexible straps, which meets building codes for missile impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy plywood or metal panels are used for storm protection, then protection strength is improved, but weight and ease of installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible fabric panel with woven high-strength yarns (such as Spectra or Kevlar) instead of rigid plywood or metal panels. The fabric panel achieves sufficient protection strength through its high-tensile yarn construction while maintaining flexibility and significantly reduced weight, allowing easy manual installation and removal by building occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by creating a composite structure consisting of a fabric panel made from high-strength synthetic yarns (Spectra or Kevlar) woven into a durable material. This composite material combines the strength properties of aramid or polyethylene fibers with the flexibility of fabric construction, achieving both protection strength and weight reduction simultaneously.
2Strength
If opaque plywood or metal panels are used, then protection strength is improved, but light transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a translucent fabric panel that allows light transmission while providing storm protection. The flexible fabric construction with high-strength yarns enables the material to be both protective and transparent, solving the contradiction between strength and light transmission that plagues opaque plywood and metal panel solutions.
3Strength
If permanent metal shutters are installed, then protection strength is improved, but aesthetics and ease of storage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by creating a temporary, removable storm panel system instead of permanent fixed shutters. The fabric panel can be easily installed by building occupants when storms are threatened and removed when not needed, transforming the protection system from a static permanent structure to a dynamic temporary solution that maintains aesthetics while providing protection when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by designing a reusable temporary panel system where the fabric panel can be removed, stored, and reused for future storm events. The panel is not permanently attached but rather installed temporarily using suction cups and removable fasteners, allowing easy recovery and storage in a compact manner when protection is not needed.
4Strength
If thick coated fabric is used, then protection strength is improved, but light transmission and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a composite fabric material constructed from high-strength synthetic yarns (Spectra or Kevlar) that provides protection strength without requiring excessive thickness. The composite nature of the woven yarns allows the fabric to be both strong and relatively thin, maintaining light transmission properties while achieving the necessary protective strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by changing the material parameters from traditional thick coated fabrics to high-strength synthetic yarn constructions. By using yarns with exceptional tensile strength (such as Spectra or Kevlar), the fabric achieves superior protection strength at reduced thickness, thereby maintaining light transmission capabilities and improving ease of handling compared to conventional thick coated fabrics.
Data Source
AI summary
A storm panel of high strength fabric is constructed, reinforced, and installed in such a way as to comply with the building codes as a large missile impact system. The panel includes a zippered opening for access through the panel when in use. When not in use, the fabric can be rolled and stored and placed in an attractive cover without disassembly.