Philip W T Chow

US Patent:

43139027, Feb 2, 1982

Filed:

Aug 11, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/177180

Inventors:

Yue-Chyou Yang - San Francisco CA
Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

B28B 2308

US Classification:

264228

Abstract:

A prestressed concrete pressure-containment vessel having one or more cavities within its external shell. The cavities, whether cylindrical or other shape, are totally contained by prestressing tendons, which apply forces to contain various pressures within the structure. By permitting and actually inducing controlled cracking of the vessel in the outer portions of the thick shell wall, one embodiment of a pressure-containment vessel relieves stresses and enhances resistance to very high internal pressures and to stresses due to high internal temperatures and steep temperature gradients.

US Patent:

42650666, May 5, 1981

Filed:

Jan 19, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/004742

Inventors:

Yue-Chyou Yang - San Francisco CA
Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E04C 326

US Classification:

52224

Abstract:

A prestressed concrete pressure-containment vessel having one or more cavities within its external shell. The cavities, whether cylindrical or other shape, are totally contained by prestressing tendons, which apply forces to contain various pressures within the structure. By permitting and actually inducing controlled cracking of the vessel in the outer portions of the thick shell wall, one embodiment of a pressure-containment vessel relieves stresses and enhances resistance to very high internal pressures and to stresses due to high internal temperatures and steep temperature gradients.

US Patent:

43898254, Jun 28, 1983

Filed:

Aug 28, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/182015

Inventors:

Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E04C 310

US Classification:

52224

Abstract:

A prestressed concrete pressure vessel capable of containing extremely high pressures in an internal cavity, 10,000 psi and higher, is constructed in such a way as to enable the application of extremely high circumferential prestressing force at the outer cylindrical surface. The extreme circumferential post-tensioning force, much greater than previously known in prestressed concrete pressure vessels, provides for containment of extreme pressure in the internal cavity, with a relatively thin-wall vessel. In order to accommodate the high circumferential post-tensioning without structural damage at the interior of the vessel, the vessel includes vertical stress relieving slots extending radially outwardly from the internal cavity surface, effective to lower peak tangential compressive stress at the cavity surface and to relocate peak stress inside the vessel wall, where the concrete is confined.

US Patent:

50583301, Oct 22, 1991

Filed:

May 5, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/348203

Inventors:

Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E04G 1104

US Classification:

52 211

Abstract:

A self-supporting pressurized or unpressurized membrane structure for lunar habitation and operation. The pressurized membrane is made up of continuous and leak-proof fabric membrane that encapsulates the entire structure and is capable of withstanding temperatures of about -190. degree. C. to about +140. degree. C. this structure has a skin preferably made up of two-spaced apart fibrous skins with a latticed web between them and foam material filling the space between the skins. Lunar soil supports the lower portions of the spherical, spheroidal, by means of a compression ring beam, or arched structure, and a lunar soil cover of up to ten feet covers the structure. The unpressurized membrane structure has a double-skin membrane arch or dome that derives its structural strength from structural foam injected into the double-skin wall of the roof.

US Patent:

47020520, Oct 27, 1987

Filed:

Oct 20, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/921942

Inventors:

Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E04C 3293
E04C 508

US Classification:

52224

Abstract:

A pressure vessel and a method for distributing the stresses in a thick-walled high-pressure vessel, so that they lie within allowable limits, by constructing the wall in a series of generally concentric layers, at least one intermediate layer of which is to be constructed before the other layers. The intermediate layer is constructed above a base, resting on it through a sliding joint. Then it is placed under an external prestressing pressure. Thereafter, that layer is secured to the base by a rigid concrete connection. The remaining layers of the wall are then constructed and are subjected to an external prestressing pressure. Preferably, stress-relieving slots are applied to the innermost layer, during its construction.

US Patent:

43738370, Feb 15, 1983

Filed:

May 28, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/267708

Inventors:

Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

B63C 100

US Classification:

405218

Abstract:

In a pier having a series of spaced-apart horizontal pile caps surmounting and connecting the supporting piles together transversely of said pier, there is an integrated one-piece deck supported atop the pile caps so that it can slide thereon. A series of prestressing tendons connect the deck to the pile caps so that when a wharf is struck by a ship, the lengthening and shortening of the tendons and the sliding friction between the deck and the pile caps absorbs the impact load.

US Patent:

50705660, Dec 10, 1991

Filed:

Oct 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/605267

Inventors:

Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

T. Y. Lin International - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E01D 1100
E01D 1902

US Classification:

14 19

Abstract:

A hybrid bridge construction comprises a pair of piers enclosed in the earth at a fixed predetermined distance apart with a cantilever section supported on each pier. Each cantilever section comprises one or more vertical towers with a pair of inner and outer rigid compression members fixed to and extending upwardly and outwardly from the base of each tower. Outer tension members are attached to the top portions of each tower and to upper end portions of the compression members. A suspension section interconnecting the cantilever sections comprises catenary cable members attached to the upper end portions of inner compression members. A road deck extends between the piers, and vertical suspender members extend between the cable members and the road deck.

US Patent:

40155544, Apr 5, 1977

Filed:

May 2, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/574110

Inventors:

Philip Y. Chow - Orinda CA

Assignee:

Lin Offshore Engineering, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

B63B 900

US Classification:

114 65R

Abstract:

A construction and launch barge having a shallow draft hull with a construction deck supporting at its center a floatable offshore structure both during construction thereof and during the towing of the barge to the site where the offshore structure is to be installed. In order to maintain stability, a plurality of hollow column stabilizers are provided on the barge; these may be, e. g. , four, one adjacent to each corner of the barge and extending up high thereabove. A ballast compartment helps determine the desired waterline of the vessel, a mechanism being provided to displace the water therein by air or to displace the air by water. The column stabilizers are sufficiently high and occupy sufficient area for assuring the proper location of the metacenter of the fully loaded barge. The structure enables the construction of large offshore structures of concrete in relatively shallow water and enables towing the offshore structure across relatively shallow water to a desired location and then separating the barge from the offshore structure by sinking the barge to a sufficient depth, releasing the then-floatable offshore structure from the barge, and then displacing the barge away from the offshore structure. Then the barge is raised again and returned to shore.