A Reflection of the Future: Innovative hangar door serves as prototype

by Jonathan McGaha | 31 March 2010 12:00 am

The 487-acre (195-hectare) McClellan-Palomar Airport sits tucked away in the scenic community of Carlsbad, Calif., just 30 miles (48 km) south of San Diego. Close to a myriad of corporations and recreational destinations, this inviting locale makes the airport irresistible to both the jet set business and adventure aviation communities alike.

Serving the private and corporate aircraft customers, the unique Premier Jet FBO at Palomar offers 140,000 square feet (13,006 m2) of corporate hangars—19 hangars in all—and 61,000 square feet (5,667 m2) of office space available on a long-term, pre-paid lease basis.

Sitting as the sparkling jewel on this thoroughly modern crown of the business aviation community, is Hangar 18. The 80- by 60-foot (24- by 18-m) hangar, topped with 4,200 square feet (390 m2) of office space, serves as the West Coast base of operations for Cottonwood, Minn.-based Hydroswing Hydraulic Doors & Walls. And they could not have asked for a better setting!

“The ability to house office space right above our hangar provided an unparalleled opportunity for the ultimate exposure to the corporate aviation community,” stated Marshal Parker, owner of Hydroswing. And exposure he has received!

Securing Hangar 18 is not just a Hydroswing Hydraulic Door, but an awe-inspiring, 60- by 18-foot (18- by 5-m) fully moveable wall of glass. Passers-by are literally stopped in their tracks as they come upon the powerful masterpiece. “To see the massive glass wall open really is a sight to behold. The impact is far more than we could have ever predicted,” Parker said. “And the effect and response has been tremendous”

The project started with Parker’s vision of a wall of glass in motion, a custom-engineered Hydroswing Door, and a phone call to Valiant Glass of Temecula, Calif.

The project presented a unique set of requirements and challenges for both Hydroswing and Valiant Glass—but both companies rose to the occasion.

The Premier Jet structures, completed in 2005, consists of buildings constructed with a hybrid design of structural and pre-engineered steel and foam insulated wall panels, and the Hydroswing Door at Hangar 18 was built to enhance the existing architecture. Constructed of high tensile ASTM classified steel tubing, the Hydroswing was engineered using state of the art engineering software and the design was subjected to Finite Element Analysis, and was assembled using a combination of the latest in MIG and TIG welding technologies.

Through the engineering of the project, Hydroswing developed new safety features, including a proprietary controller utilizing an electronic module that monitors door angle at all times. The computerized monitor allows for “soft start and stop” as it analyzes the angle of the door, shutting down the hydraulic system and bringing the door to a gentle stop at full open or close and eliminating “door bounce” found in other hydraulic door systems. The system operates on a 900 Mhz frequency-hoping spread spectrum, assuring full, two-way communication for maximum reliability and rugged radio performance in high noise areas.

Innovative glass installation techniques were developed with the project, as well. An aluminum “pressure plate” framing system was used for the glass installation. “The new aluminum framing system was purposefully designed to be attached to the front face of the steel mullions,” said Kim Pelonero, project manager at Valiant Glass. “This way, no matter what steel tube profiles are required to meet loads, we can utilize the same system.”

Per building codes, laminated glass was required to accommodate the door as it goes from a vertical wall to a 90-degree canopy position. Additionally, to meet aggressive Title 24 performance values on large commercial buildings, the glass can be provided as insulated/laminated.

As modern architectural design continues to push boundaries with unique and creative applications for the moveable wall, the glass door at Hangar 18 serves as a prototype for architects, engineers, contractors and end users alike, and serves as a valuable demonstration of the versatility and strength of the steel, single-panel design Hydroswing offers and the powerful impact you can attain when combining glass with steel.

Sheri Carr is president of MarketStar Communications, Fresno, Calif., a marketing and public relations firm specializing in the architectural and building industries. For details about Cottonwood, Minn.-based Hydroswing Hydraulic Doors and Walls, visit
www.hydroswing.com.

http://www.hydroswing.com [1]

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