US 11,987,981 B2
Structural element reinforcement systems and methods
Hamid Saadatmanesh, Tucson, AZ (US); and Ehsan Mahmoudabadi, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to CARBOSHIELD, INC., Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by CARBOSHIELD, INC., Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/473,743.
Application 17/473,743 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/884,585, filed on May 27, 2020, granted, now 11,118,364.
Application 16/884,585 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/321,163, granted, now 10,689,868, issued on Jun. 23, 2020, previously published as PCT/US2017/044378, filed on Jul. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/367,762, filed on Jul. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0042311 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E04C 3/00 (2006.01); E04C 3/34 (2006.01); E04C 3/36 (2006.01); E04C 5/07 (2006.01); E04G 23/02 (2006.01)
CPC E04C 3/34 (2013.01) [E04C 3/36 (2013.01); E04C 5/07 (2013.01); E04G 23/0225 (2013.01); E04G 2023/0251 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for reinforcing a structural element (402), comprising:
a. a plurality of reinforcing shells (420) configured to form a sleeve structure (410) around a length (405) of the structural element (402) such that there is a chamber (406) between the structural element (402) and the sleeve structure (410), wherein the sleeve structure (410) comprises:
i. a first segmented layer (412), comprising a plurality of stacked segments (416) and a plurality of horizontal seams (418) between the segments (416), the segments (416) disposed along an axis (404), wherein each segment (416) comprises two or more rigid or semi-rigid reinforcing partial-diameter shells (420) and two or more vertical seams (424) between the rigid or semi-rigid reinforcing partial-diameter shells (420); and
b. a plurality of axial reinforcing members (440) configured to be disposed within the chamber (406) so as to provide axial reinforcement of the structural element (402);
c. a plurality of axial reinforcing member spacers (442) configured to extend inwardly from the sleeve structure (410) into the chamber (406) and to connect the axial reinforcing members (440) to the sleeve structure (410); and
d. a core filler material (426) configured to fill the chamber (406) between the sleeve structure (410) and the structural element (402) so as to reinforce the structural element (402).