Abstract A lightweight strong structure and method of making same in which a number of units such as thin walled pressurized spheres are interconnected at points of contact with each other to provide a strong and buoyant structure. In practicing the method the units are provided with a heat responsive pressure producing ingredient and are then assembled into a mass, preferably having a great number of sphere to sphere contact points. They are maintained in said relationship while being deformed as by expansion to force each unit into an increased area of contact with its neighboring unit, and the units are bonded at such areas of contact. If desired, the units may also be bonded to the inner walls of an enclosure employed to maintain the units in assembled relationship during such deformation or expansion so that the enclosure forms a part of the completed structure.
The structural member of claim 1 wherein the gas contained by said units is a fire suppressant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
The internally reinforced structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein: the spheroidal units are coated with bonding material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The internally reinforced structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein: the thin wall of said spheroidal units are formed from approximately 0.010 inch thick material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The internally reinforced structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein: the thin wall material of each spheroidal unit is metal, and said pressurized spheroidal units are uniformly arranged and mutually bonded and fused together at said flattened areas of contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The internally reinforced structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein: the thin wall material of each spheroidal unit is stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The internally reinforced structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein: the enclosure surrounding and enclosing said units is substantially non-expansible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A structural member as in claim 1 wherein said spheroidal units are internally pressurized to a pressure at least equal to a selected external environmental pressure of a hydrostatic head at a selected underwater depth to neutralize the effect of such external pressure thereon.