The present invention relates to a blast-retaining wail comprising a plurality of connected panels and also two connectors to connect said panels. The invention additionally relates to a wall comprising two sets of connecting panels and spaced in parallel relationship. The invention further relates to a means of connecting wall panels together.

Known walls are retrofitted onto existing offshore jacket installations and in use, protect personnel and equipment from a fire, explosion or combination thereof is well-known in the art. Such walls need not only to be able to withstand the Shockwave which is generated by the explosion, but also to withstand the heat generated both over the short term, but also possibly over a longer term as a resulting fire continues to burn.

Many types of wall are known in the art. A difficulty in constructing such a wall is that in order to prevent a Shockwave from an explosion from passing through the wall, the wall often needs to be made of strong materials which are typically, relatively dense materials. As such, the walls produced can be heavy, which Is an obvious disadvantage, for example on transport and installation, but also problematic where the wall is to be installed into a floating structure such as a boat or an oil rig. Additionally, the wall must retain its structural integrity following a blast: that is, it should not completely fall apart as part of the energy absorbing process. The wall needs to remain in place to contain any fire generated by the explosion and also to resist further possible explosions.

One type of a wall known in the art Is disclosed in GB2277943 In which specifically shaped panels, having a wedge-shaped end region are joined together using a pair of connection assemblies Including flanges having a shape complementary to that of the wedge shaped end region. One disadvantage of the wall and assembly disclosed therein is that although the joint can absorb energy, the single wall layer needs to be able to withstand the forces purely by means of its internal structure and material strength. This wall, disclosed in GB2277943 is primarily a firewall and if subjected to a blast which is beyond a certain limit, the force of the blast will cause the connected panels to separate and thereby causing the blast retaining wall to fail,

The present invention relates to wails formed of a plurality of panels placed end-to-end and joined together along adjacent vertical edges.

It is an object of the current invention to provide a wall which addresses the above structural problems. It is a further object of the invention to provide a wall panel assembly to further address the above problems. It is yet further object of the invention to provide an assembly to secure wall panels together to address the above assembly problems,

Su i¾ _.. JJ J _. O entIon, According to a first aspect of the invention there Is provided a blast resistant wall comprising a first panel and a second panel in face-to-face spaced parallel arrangement, the securing means to secure the first panel and the second panel, in spaced end-to-end relationship with a further first panel and a second panel respectively, forming a first panel assembly and a second panel assembly, the securing means comprising a panel engaging portion engaging a face of each of neighbouring first panels or second panels, and a securing element to secure said panel-engaging portion to a panel, a spacer section between the ends of the first and second panels respectively, s the first and second panel assemblies being connected via a plurality of lattice members, each lattice member being attached at a first end to securing means engaging a first panel and at a second end to securing means engaging a second panel and extending between the panels.

Preferably, the cell wall includes a cover member bridging across adjacent first panels and0 second panels on the outer faces of the first panels and second panels and covering the spacer section of the securing means to improve heat dissipation.

The design provides improved strength towards an explosive blast as angled lattice members allow the structure to bend or crumple, yet retain a solid, integral structure so being able to resist fire and also further explosions, s Preferably the outer face of an edge of a first panel or a second panel has a stepped configuration to allow easier assembly.

Advantageously, the inner face of a cover member has a shape corresponding to the end of a first or a second panel Thus, providing a good insulating heat barrier over the joint formed between the adjacent ends of the panels. Thereby, preventing heat from0 penetrating the joint and subsequently causing its subsequent distortion. Furthermore, the shape of the cover to cover the joint while being flush with the outer surfaces of the adjacent panels, which are exposed to the blast The shape of the cover prevents the cover from being removed from the joint by the effect of a blast

Preferably, the securing means comprises two flanges, each flange having a U-shaped§ portion, the bases of said U-shaped portions being in opposed spaced relationship with each other, which flanges are further preferably integral with each other to form a single flange. Yet further preferably, a fire resistant material is incorporated in the space between the bases of the U-shaped portions, which fire resistant material is still yet further preferably in the form of a bar of material. The cover member is preferabiy secured by bote to a face of a first or second panel to minimise disruption to the joint and also minimise weakening of a panel.

The panel engaging portion of a securing means is preferabiy secured by bolts to a panel to improve the strength of the joint. The base region of the first and the second panels are preferabiy held in place by support structures.

Advantageously, the lattice members extend from the securing means in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first and the second panels. Further advantageously, a lattice member extends non-hori∑ontaiiy from the securing means. Yet further advantageously, the angle made by a lattice member with the horizontal plane is from an angle of greater than 15° and still yet further preferably from 18 - 25\

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a panel joining means comprising a bracket engaging the end of a panel, said bracket including a U-shaped portion having parallel side walls and flanges extending outwardly from the free end of said side walls perpendicular to said side walls.

Preferably, the panel-joining means comprises 3 pair of brackets, the U-shaped portion of each bracket being in parallel spaced relationship to each other.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a panel assembly comprising a plurality of panels, said panels being connected together in end-to-end spaced relationship by securing means as defined above to form a panel assembly.

Such an assembly having a single layer of panels can be utilised as a wall where the magnitude of any explosion or fire which may occur Is known to be lower and within tolerances of such a single layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is illustrated with respect to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only a panel, wall assembly and panel joining means, in the drawings; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a joint between panels; Figure 2a is a section through a joint and Figure 2b an enlarged view of part of the joint of Figure 2a; Figure 3 is a further sectional view through a joint including an expanded view of a securing plate;

Figures 4a, 4b are vertical sectional views through a wall; Figure 5 is a close up horizontal sectional view through a joint and

Figure 6 is a further close up horizontal sectional view through an assembled wall comprising the joint

The invention herein described relates to a series of panels, assembled together in edge-to- edge configuration to form a barrier wall to contain an explosion and/or fire from one side of the wall Due to the modular nature of the wall, this can be installed relatively quickly when required and also subsequently removed relatively quickly if the need for the wail ends or changes, or to replace a particular panel The walls contemplated can have a single layer of panels or, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of layers with two layers being especially preferred. One standard which needs to be met relates to heat transfer which must be sufficiently low that where the temperature on one side of the wall is high, for example of the order of 1500T, the temperature on the other side of the wall remains below 180X which is well below the auto-ignition temperature of many materials such as paper.

The nature of the assembly means provides for a continuous barrier, including the panels so that fluid cannot escape through the joint between neighbouring panels. Although the panels are normally robust and unitary, the joint between panels is an obvious source of weakness, both mechanically in resistance to energy, but also fluid movement across the wall

The broad details of the invention cars been seen initially with respect to Figure 1. In this figure, a wall generally referenced 10 comprises two sets of panels 20 and 30 with a gap, typically an air gap, therebetween. The panels 20, 30 are formed of materials known in the art of expiosi on/ re resistant walls and can be formed in many layers or a single layer, perhaps having an outer thin skin attached to the outside thereof, Examples of materials which can be used for the construction of panels and also other constituent parts include steel, such as stainless steel and/or galvanised steel Additionally, composite materials can also be used, either alone or in combination with other materials and can be in a sandwich structure. A PVC laminate or paint finish can be applied to the outer surfaces.

The panels 20 and 30 are aligned with each other and joined end-to-end to form a wall of the desired length. The joining assembly used to join the panels includes panel joining members 21, 22 which are U-shaped, having which flanges extend from the open end of the U at right angles to the side wails of the U, Unlike the above-cited prior art, the brackets are suitable for use with standard panels and do not require the panel to be formed into a joggle or specific stepped configuration along the vertical edges of the panel. Moreover, the panel joining members 21, 22 can ail be of the same shape which allows for user manufacture and stock maintenance, as only one type of joining member being required.

The panel joining members 21, 22 are secured to the panels 20, 30 by means of standard fitments such as bolts or screws (see below). To provide further protection to the joining assembly, cover plates 23 are secured to the Innermost and outermost facing panels: again conventional fixing means known in the art can be employed.

As can further be seen in Figure 1, the sets of panels 20 and 30 are joined together by lattice members or struts 24 which provide additional strength to the overall wall structure. The struts can be formed of a steel, such as stainless steel which can be a galvanised steel. !

Turning to Figures 2 and 3, these illustrate the structure of the wail 10 and particularly the joining assembly which are shown n section in more detail. As in Figure 1, the wall 10 comprises a first panel 20 and a second panel 30 in spaced relationship to each other, Attached to, and spanning the space between the panels 20, 30 are struts 24, The struts 24 firstly provides structural strength and rigidity to the wail 10 to prevent the wall flexing when in normal usage. However, when an explosion occurs the struts 24, and the angled nature of their attachment to the panels 20, 30 means that the panels, especially the panel closest to the explosion centre, can flex sufficiently to absorb the energy released, particularly when released in the form of a Shockwave, it is known that any absorption of a flexible structure can provide a barrier which is ultimately able to withstand greater shocks than that provided by a rigid structure.

Additionally, in contrast to certain prior art walls, the stmts 24, although they extend from the panel 30 in a vertical plane perpendicular to the panels 20, 30, are inclined vertically, rather than simply going straight across perpendicular to the plane of the panel 30, This feature enables the wall 10 to crumple under the effects of an explosion, which again acts to dissipate the energy rather than permit the energy to pass across the wall 10. Typically a value of greater than 15" and especially from 18 - 25° can be used. Additionally, to a small extent the additional material of the longer strut 24 (that is compared with a strut which goes straight across}, again allows for greater energy absorption.

A further feature of the strut 24 is shown, particularly in relation to Figure 3. A strut 24 is provided at both ends with a fitment means in the form of a slot 25 _» which fitment means engages the surface of a panel joining member 21, The strut 24 is secured to the panel joining member 21 by means of a bolt 26 which passes through an aperture 27 in the panel joining member 21 and also through the slot 25. The provision of a slot 25 enables the strut 24 to be moved in a vertical direction to ease fitment, before the bolt 26 is tightened. Additionally, the slot 25 also aids in the explosion resistance initially, the strut 24 is provided with an initial movement along the length of the slot 25, which facilitates a subsequent larger movement which acts to deform the strut in a controlled manner; i.e. the strut is allowed to crumple, so absorbing energy.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the struts do not extend in a vertical plane from a panel, but can be at an angle inclined to said vertical plane. In Figures 4a _t 4b a further illustration of a wall 10 is shown, with two panels 20 in opposed spaced relationship and are attached to a supporting structure, along their peripheral edges via a conventional connection means, In order to stabilise the panels 20, 30 in the upright position, base supports 40, optionally connected together by a connecting plate 41 are provided, The base supports 40 comprise two upright support plates 42, 43 which are secured to and retain the panels 20, 30, Plates 42, 43 are secured by means of bolts 44 passing through the plates 42, 43 and the panels 20, 30. The inner plates 43 can be further strengthened through the use of a cross-piece 45, in order to further stabilise the structure, the connecting plate 41 is secured by a bolt to the deck plate 46 or other surface on which the wail 10 rests.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a further embodiment of a cover plate 70 and also of a panel 71 which provides a joint which removes heat and does not distort, giving an insulation in the region of 640kg/m ³ . The cover plate 70 disclosed enables heat to be removed from the plate thus reducing the risk of distortion, and can also remove or reduce the requirement for insulating materials to be included within the joint, The cover plate 70 has an outer cover 72 and an inner section 73. it is advantageous that the cover plate 70 resist heat transfer across the panels and, as with the first embodimen both the cover 72 and the inner section 73 can be formed of, either completely or partially, an insulating material. The inner section 73 is bonded to a surface of the outer cover 72, which faces the assembled joint, with a suitable temperature resistant material, in order to accommodate the cover plate 70, the ends of the panels 71 are profiled into a stepped configuration such that the steps 74a, 74b enable the cover plate 70 to sit easily in the steps 74a, 74b and provide a continuous surface with the face of the panel 71. If desired, a sealant material can be provided between the engaging services of the cover plate 70 and the panel 71. The cover plate 70 is secured to the panel 71 by a screw-fix means. In an alternative embodiment of the inventions, one or more additional inner sections may be bonded to a surface of the inner section 73, which faces the assembled joint. The additional inner sections are configured so that they cooperate with the recess formed at the assembled joint by the profiled ends of attached panels 71. This provides the assembled joint with a heat barrier with an increased/improved heat insulation, which will be effective against higher temperatures and/or extending the duration of the assembled joint in an high temperature environment, without buckling or distorting.

It will be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiments, wails comprising two sets of panels in spaced relationship are illustrated, such an arrangement providing a multi-Layered protection against an explosion and also heat transfer, the air gap between sets of panels acting as an insulator. Walls can be contemplated however comprising a single set of panels only, in end-to-end relationship panels being secured together using the bracket assembly illustrated above, particularly with reference to Figures 5 and 6,

In use the base supports may be secured to a floor surface. A panel is placed in position relative to the base support and bolted in place using the bolts, and the support plates. The brackets are then screwed to a free edge of the panel via the flanges with any insulating material included within the gap between the brackets, A second panel is located between the free ends of the flanges and the flanges are then secured to the second panel. The wall formed from the panels can then be continued to the desired length.

Struts are secured at one end by bolts to the bases of the U-shaped portion, with the slots facilitating fitment to the desired height. The second, opposed, set of panels is similarly located in position and the other end of the strut attached to the brackets. The bolts can then be fully tightened, Finally, cover plates are secured in position.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.