SYSTEM FOR MAKING WATERTIGHT A FABRIC COVERING A CAVITY WHICH, BY WAY OF MICROVALVES CONSISTING OF FIBRES PRODUCED DURING THE CHEMICAL REACTION OF A POLYMER THAT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH A FLUID WHICH EXPANDS AND BUILDS UP WITHIN THE CAVITY, CREATES A HIGH BARRIER EFFECT

摘要

System for making watertight a fabric covering a cavity which, by way of microvalves consisting of fibres produced during the chemical reaction of a polymer that comes into contact with a fluid which expands and builds up within the cavity, creates a high barrier effect. During the chemical transformation that takes place when a fluid comes into contact with a polymer, very short, interwoven fibres are developed that form microcells. Said microcells form the seal section of a one-way microvalve which creates a containment structure which is soft, flexible and, at the same time, resistant to the specific internal pressure caused by the chemical transformation of the polymer with hydraulic expansion and a large increase in the build-up of the fluid in the cavity. The external surface of the cavity is subject to actual and/or imposed loads. The result obtained shows the significant volume ratio inside during the "passive" stage, that is, when the fluid builds up and the "active" stage when the chemical reaction in the cavity occurs. In addition, the "system" shows considerable operational efficiency and, more particularly, pertains to specific applications in the field of civil, environmental and industrial protection and so on.