US4587773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seismic protection systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-04-12
•
Granted: 1986-05-13
•
Expires: 2005-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A seismic protection system for a structure includes a foundation plate with retaining walls for supporting and isolating the structure from the ground, and oscillatory, vibratory and hydro-pneumatic arrangements for movably coupling the structure to the foundation plate and retaining walls. The oscillatory arrangement permits horizontal movement between the structure and foundation plate and contains fluid. The vibratory arrangement is coupled to the oscillatory arrangement for relative vertical movement of the structure and for dampening and transferring loads on the structure to the oscillatory arrangement. The hydro-pneumatic arrangement has a surge chamber, and permits and controls movement between the structure and the retaining walls. A wind driven pressure generator mounted on the structure is coupled to the oscillatory, vibratory and hydro-pneumatic arrangements to coordinate their action in response to wind driven structure movements.
Inventors
- 👤 Hector A. Valencia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:14
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H9/00; E04H9/02; E04H9/021; E04H9/0235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A seismic protection system for a structure which comprises a foundation plate with retaining walls for supporting and isolating a structure from ground; oscillatory means between said foundation plate and the structure for permitting horizontal movement of the structure relative to said foundation plate, said oscillatory means comprising fluid confining means; vibratory means coupled to said oscillatory means for permitting relative vertical movement between said foundation plate and the structure and for dampening and transferring structure loads to said oscillatory means; hydro-pneumatic means with a surge chamber for permitting and controlling relative movement between the structure and said retaining walls; friction means for preventing horizontal movement of the structure caused by wind; and wind driven pressure generating means mounted on the structure and in fluid communication with said oscillatory means, said vibratory means and said hydro-pneumatic means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A seismic protection system for a structure which comprises a foundation plate with retaining walls for supporting and isolating a structure from ground; oscillatory means between said foundation plate and the structure for permitting horizontal movement of the structure relative to said foundation plate, said oscillatory means comprising fluid confining means; vibratory means coupled to said oscillatory means for permitting relative vertical movement between said foundation plate and the structure and for dampening and transferring structure loads to said oscillatory means; hydro-pneumatic means with a surge chamber for permitting and controlling relative movement between the structure and said retaining walls; friction means for preventing horizontal movement of the structure caused by wind; and wind driven pressure generating means mounted on the structure and in fluid communication with said oscillatory means, said vibratory means and said hydro-pneumatic means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said fluid confining means minimizes friction during horizontal movements, and comprises a hollow cylinder coupled to said vibratory means and a cylindrical tube snugly fitted within said cylinder to function as a piston therefor, said cylindrical tube having a retaining ring of a size not greater than said cylindrical tube, and said retaining ring being in contact with said foundation plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said foundation plate has a contact surface engaging said retaining ring and transfers pressures to the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said fluid confining means comprises a flexible perimetrical membrane attached on an upper portion thereof to a column head and on a lower portion thereof to said foundation plate by force transferring plates, said membrane having an axial length permitting flexing of perimetrical radii during horizontal movements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said force transferring plates have means for shaping said perimetrical radii and thereby creating forces biasing said oscillatory means toward a predetermined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said fluid confining means comprises a flexible perimetrical membrane attached on an upper portion thereof to a column head and on a lower portion thereof to said foundation plate by force transferring plates, and said membrane having an axial length permitting flexing of perimetrical radii during horizontal movements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said force transferring plates have means for shaping said perimetrical radii and thereby creating forces biasing said oscillatory means toward a predetermined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said vibratory means comprises a hydro-pneumatic jack including a hollow cylinder and a piston moveable within said cylinder and functioning as a surge chamber, said piston being filled with a liquid and a gas separated by a plate preventing liquid evaporation, and said plate being movable up and down in response to the liquid level in said cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said hydro-pneumatic means comprise a hydro-pneumatic jack including a piston and a cylinder coupled for relative axial movement, and said piston and cylinder being internally connected with said surge chamber through valves controlling flow to and from said surge chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein said valves are subjected to pressures of liquid confined within said hydro-pneumatic jack and of liquid pressurized by said wind pressure generating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said friction means comprises a ring mounted in an annular channel located in said oscillatory means, said ring being movable between a retracted position spaced from said foundation plate and an extended position engaging said foundation plate, said ring being biased by spring means towards said retracted position, and said annular channel being in fluid communication with said wind driven pressure generating means such that said ring will be forced against said foundation plate when fluid pressure in said channel from said wind driven pressure generating means is greater than the biasing forces of said spring means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said wind driven pressure generating means comprises a sail coupled to a frame; an axle and means for fixedly mounting said axle on the structure, said frame being rotabably coupled to said axle; a lever extending from said frame opposite said sail; and two hydraulic jacks oriented perpendicular to and on opposite sides of said axle, said jacks being interconnected with said lever such that only one of said jacks is actuated when wind is blowing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said wind driven pressure generating means is coupled to said hydro-pneumatic means by ducts arranged in parallel and is coupled to said oscillatory means and said vibratory means through a check valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU258785A1
Cited
US3203141A
Cited
US3232012A
Cited
US3468080A
Cited
US3538653A
Cited
US4098034A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-11-11 | 1990-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-12 | 1993-11-11 | 1994-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-12 | 1997-11-11 | 1998-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |