EP0793753B1 - Quick assembly device for pollutant barriers made of a flexible pipe to be partially filled with liquids and partially filled with gas - Google Patents

Abstract

A quick assembly device for pollutant barriers made of a flexible pipe (2) to be partially filled with liquids and partially filled with gas consists of a system with mainly two components. The first component is a flexible pipe (2) folded upon itself and subdivided into two compartments and the second component is a multiple-chamber container (1) that is equipped with a blocking and filling device and that also takes up the function of an anchoring buoy. The multiple possibilities of use of its components, that allow the pipe (2) to be drawn and loaded at the same time just by trailing the container (1) in water by means of ropes, confer various advantages to the device. Considerable lengths of pollutant barriers may be orderly stored in a concentrated and well delimited manner inside practical and light containers. Recycling of the barrier may be dispensed with, thanks to lower operational and material costs, so that large scale interventions at considerable distances are possible and large pollutant surface areas may be controlled to assist in successive interventions. The pipe may be used to store liquid pollutants.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a first device for the quick installation of an anti-pollution lock, consisting of a container with side towing eyes for the Towing the container, the container having at a first end a closing plate with a sealing or pressure relief valve is provided, a single room and a bendable Has tube; a second device for the quick installation of an anti-pollution lock, consisting of a container and a flexible tube, which at a first end with a closure plate with a Sealing or pressure relief valve with side towing eyes for the Towing the container while filling the pipe is. The invention also relates to a method for Filling the tube of the device according to the invention.

State of the art

The use of inflatable, water-polluted Protection barriers against the spread of contaminants Substances, to mention just the best known examples, in different versions e.g. in Switzerland, in Germany, England and the United States proposed. A first one the common element of all these known solutions is lengthy operationalization both in the design as well in the removal of the barriers due to the complexity of the Handling bulky piles of bulky material. A another negative factor arises from the fact that this space-consuming locking pieces on both an inhibiting element the deck of the supply ships as well as the warehouses due to the complexity of the transhipment on storage are. A third negative element is the filling modalities by pumps and compressors one by one moored locking pieces on the deck of the supply ships. It are difficult operations, which are not just one significant accumulation of large quantities more resistant Require materials, but also teams of specialists claim for yourself with permanent commitment. The above Problems of space, design and connection also prevent a really efficient use of Helicopters or other fast, small-sized Intervention funds. As for the other traditional systems concerned, i.e. rigid barriers anchored to the ground, or Barriers partly rigid and partly pneumatic, rubberized barriers with built-in floats, aprons and wire ropes, etc., these are diverse and also contain the ones cited above Types on a larger scale. There are also others special and in relation to length, more cumbersome, only for certain versions with a weight of 35 kg per 10 meters and the sea with costs, without accessories, between 200 .-- and 400 SFr. per meter.

British publication GBA 2 250 720 proposes that Contamination protection barrier with a lightweight tube to manufacture, which is equipped with foam filling. Here a second pipe can be provided in the water is filled as ballast. The water here only has one Ballast function and is together with the lightweight Pipe material itself floatable. The larger foam body the majority of them swim on the water.

• entweder wird der Schlauch zuerst vollständig abgerollt bzw. aus der Lagerkiste genommen und von dem einen oder dem anderen Ende her (oder an irgend einer Stelle dazwischen) mit den beiden Medien befüllt,
• oder der Schlauch wird von dem Anfangsteil das zuerst abgerollt bzw. aus der Lagerkiste genommen wird, bereits während dem Auslegen befüllt.

US Pat. No. 5,020,940 proposes a hose system with at least two chambers, air being preferably pumped in one chamber and clean or already contaminated water being pumped as ballast in the other. Depending on the length, the double hose can consist of two longitudinal chambers over the entire length or of several separate hose sections. All hose sections require separate filling points. For stabilization, fins or ribs can be arranged on the top and bottom of the double hose, but they must be flat so that the double hose can be folded or rolled up before use. The hose material can be stored on spools or rolls or in boxes in a very small space. In the specific application or design of the pollution control barrier on water, it can only be filled with the gaseous or liquid medium when the hose is partially or fully extended in the water:

• either the hose is first completely unrolled or taken out of the storage box and filled from one end or the other (or at any point in between) with the two media,
• or the hose is filled from the initial part that is first rolled off or taken out of the storage box while it is being laid out.

French publication 1 121 333 from 1955 shows a device which has the characteristics of the Preamble of claims 1 and 2. The device stops a single-chamber pipe, which, like the GBA 2 250 720, preferably with Foam or a very light liquid.

Presentation of the invention

The invention was based on the object, the above disadvantages crucial remove.

According to a first variant of the device according to the invention are on the outer surface of the Closing plate for filling the tube with two injectors, and two filling capsules, the tube is on itself folded, i.e. on its own bendable walls arranged folded in the container, the tube is partly with Fill liquid and partly with gas and with a internal, flexible, flexible, in itself foldable partition, its width inside the length of the tube diameter and the circumference of the same tube lies, which in this way divides two longitudinal, has superimposed, asymmetrical spaces, or contains that Tube inside it a flexible sack, the tube is open on the side of the injector and closed like one Sack at the other, open end of the container, with the open end of the Tube, for holding the container and the tube together is and is attached to the container during and after towing Bag bottom of the tube is stored in the container so that when Towing, while filling the pipe, first out of the other, open end of the container is ejected.

According to a second variant of the device according to the invention the container has a central and a peripheral space, the central space arranged within the peripheral space and the container on the end opposite the closing plate is open the outer surface of the closure plate, which closes the peripheral space for the filling of the Rohres itself an injector and a filling capsule, is the tube folded on itself, i.e. on its own, bendable Walls collapsed in the container's peripheral space arranged, the pipe is partly with water and partly with gas fill and with an internal, flexible, flexible, foldable partition equipped, their width within the length of the tube diameter and the circumference of the same pipe, which is on this Way divided two longitudinal, one above the other, has asymmetrical spaces, or contains the pipe in his Inside a bendable sack, the tube is open on the Side of the injector and closed like a sack at the other open end of the container, wherein further the open end of the tube for which Holding the container and the tube together during and after the Towing is attached to the container and is the sack bottom of the pipe stored in the container in such a way that it is the first to be towed is expelled from the other, open end of the container, and stands the central room at the first end in connection with the water room, so the entry of water due to the drag of the container through the central room.

The invention further relates to particularly advantageous configurations a method for filling the tube of the device, and the device for what to claims 3 to 9 is referred.

1. Handlichkeit, aufgrund seiner konstruktiven Einfachheit, welche durch die Methodik der Zusammenfaltung und der Loslösung durch Schleppen die Konzentration grosser Mengen von einsatzbereiten Barrieren in abgelegenen Gebieten schnell und ohne Beanspruchung von grossdimensionierten Schiffen und kostspieligen Mannschaften erlaubt. Zudem, da die Verbindung der Teilstücke unter Benutzung der Behälter als Schwimmkörper mit abgedichteter Sacköffnung erfolgt, vergibt diese Tatsache den operationellen Verbindungsprozeduren eine zusätzliche Einfachheit im Kontext der Montage dieser besonderen Verunreinigungsschutzsperre. Das System des asymmetrischen Doppelraumes besitzt zudem noch einen operationellen Vorteil im Vergleich mit denjenigen der herkömmlichen traditionellen mit Gas und Flüssigkeit gefüllten Barrieren. Tatsächlich ist es mit diesem System möglich mit jeglicher Meeresstärke zu arbeiten, denn für das Funktionieren der Sperre ist eine zwangsläufige kalibrierte Ballasteinnahme nicht notwendig, im Gegenteil das System erlaubt unterschiedliche Wassereinnahmen, vorausgesetzt, dass angemessene Mengen von Pressgas das Ungleichgewicht kompensieren, indem dem biegungsfähigen Rohr die gewünschte Starrheit gegeben wird.

2. Leichtigkeit dank der eigentlichen Merkmale der Werkstoffe, welche wiederstandsfähig sind ohne platzraubend zu sein.

3. Wirtschaftlichkeit, sei es auf Grund der Handlichkeit, der Bequemlichkeit der Lagerung, der Instandstellung und des Transportes, sei es wegen der tieferen Produktionskosten der Einrichtungen, welche für grossdimensionierte Ersteinsätze konzipiert wurden mit dem Zweck der Steuerung weit ausgedehnter Oberflächen von Verunreinigungselementen entfernt von strategischen Stellen, welche später mit anderen robusteren und geeigneteren Barragen umgekreist werden, d.h. Barragen von kürzeren Längen und höheren Preisen.

The new invention allows the disadvantages of the prior art to be eliminated and gives the following advantages in summary:

1. Handyness, due to its constructive simplicity, which allows the concentration of large quantities of ready-to-use barriers in remote areas quickly and without the use of large-sized ships and expensive crews due to the method of folding and releasing by towing. In addition, since the sections are connected using the container as a floating body with a sealed bag opening, this fact makes the operational connection procedures even simpler in the context of the installation of this special anti-pollution barrier. The system of the asymmetrical double room also has an operational advantage compared to that of the traditional traditional barriers filled with gas and liquid. In fact, with this system it is possible to work with any sea strength, because in order for the barrier to work, an inevitable calibrated ballast intake is not necessary, on the contrary, the system allows different water intakes, provided that adequate amounts of pressurized gas compensate for the imbalance by the bendable pipe the desired rigidity is given.

2. Lightness thanks to the actual characteristics of the materials, which are resistant without being bulky.

3. Economic efficiency, be it due to the manageability, the convenience of storage, maintenance and transportation, or because of the lower production costs of the facilities, which were designed for large-scale first-time use with the purpose of controlling extensive surfaces of contaminants away from strategic ones Places that are later encircled with other more robust and suitable barrages, ie barrages of shorter lengths and higher prices.

The locking according to the invention ultimately has active ones and not passive properties and in the event of major disasters can be used as "disposable barriers" in multiple, parallel rows be used, the lock length more of the to Available ready-to-use containers depends on the operational periods necessary for the spreading of the sacks. In short, the device according to the invention consists of Packages of flexible tubes folded on themselves, stored in containers such that their detachment, Filling and connection, with a few simple actions can be done.

The following figures provide a detailed explanation of the Invention:

Ways and implementation of the invention

Figure 1 shows a cross section of the device on one Open side and on the other side by the Sealing cover (5), which is removed in case of use must be closed. The whole system consists of one Container (1) of a central space (26) for the control of Water as ballast within the asymmetrical lower space of the in the figure completely folded, bendable tube (2), has central space of the upper side through the likewise totally folded partition (2 ') and limited to the lower side through the bendable tube (2) itself. The entrance of water through the central room is due to the Dragging the open container (1) by means of the towing eye fixed tow ropes while the simultaneous detachment of the bendable pipe takes place, both because of the water pressure the bottom (3) of the tube (2) and because of the viscosity thereof Water, and due to the tension between the bottom (3) of the tube (2) and the buoy (40), to which the outer sack bottom is attached by means of four Fastening bolt (31, 31 ', 32, 32') adheres to the connection with the buoy can be done even more easily by a manual Detachment of a small piece from the pipe by drawing on corresponding fastening ring (30). The figure shows the other End of the container on the opposite side, the one which is arched from the tube sheet. On this page, by means of the compressor (10), the inlet of the filling necessary amount of gas through the filling capsule (6.2) and corresponding injector (7.1) while the sealing valve (8.1) and the pressure relief valve (11) a constant and calibrated Guarantee the rigidity level of the pipe. Compressed air, which the will occupy asymmetrical upper space, which is located within the Tube and the roof of the wall of the bendable tube and has the flexible partition as the floor. To secure for that Holding the device together ensures the fastening on the one hand the flexible tube at the bottom of the peripheral space (27), on the other hand, a movable closure. Not visible in the figure. The peripheral space (27) filled with that on itself folded, two-room, bendable pipe is with a hermetic sealing plate (37) equipped on the There are four coupling holes on the surface, two of which (33, 33 ') in the figure.

Figure 2 shows the container (1), which is rather a has a cylindrical shape and on the inside that on itself folded, bendable tube (2) carries which in turn the one that is also folded onto itself Partition wall (2 ') inside which has the two upper ones and lower asymmetrical chambers, of which the above (50) with compressed air and the one below (51) with Water to be filled. The opening (4) of the bendable tube adheres hermetically to the container during its sack bottom (3) is stored so that it is the first at the other end of the container is ejected, which is provided with a lid (5). The other end, equipped with a locking plate (37), which two of a total of four coupling holes on its surface has the function of a seal to hold the pressure and has two filling capsules (6.1, 6.2) and two injectors (7.1, 7.2) with the task of transferring the necessary amount of gas (e.g. Air) into the upper chamber (50) and of liquid (e.g. water) into the lower chamber (51). For this purpose certain valves (8.1, 8.2) ensure tightness when the injectors are removed. A pressure relief valve (11) holds the desired one within the tube Pressure. The energy necessary for feeding the filling and Ballast elements are supplied by the means of transport, which to On board also the necessary pumping station (9) and the necessary ones Have compressors (10).

Figure 3 depicts the end of the container (1) from which the bendable pipe (2) comes out as a result of dragging in Water from the same container (1) by means of the towing eyes (34, 34 '). The figure shows the central space (26), the bendable tube (2), which has the flexible inside Partition (2 ') contains, both folded together.

FIG. 4 shows the two superimposed chambers (50, 51), inside the bendable tube, which is rigid because of the overhead chamber (50) above the room responsible for him has expanded, because the compressed air caused by an incomplete Water filling of the room below (51), the one that remained free Occupied the space. The flexible partition (2 ') appears therefore wrinkled and folded in the regions which away from the sack walls.

Figure 5 describes an intermediate situation of the bendable tube (2), the underlying chamber (51) is flaccid because it is still incompletely filled with water flexible partition (2 ') has not yet been lowered tense because of the coming out of the injector (7.1) and for the above room (50) certain compressed air.

Figure 6 shows the end of the container on the entrance side and in particular the movable closure (38) for the Sealing the central room, along with the Fastening ring (39), then the fully extended one Pipe which, as a result of being towed by the towing eyes (34, 34 ') got the whole amount of water you want. Also visible is the closure plate (37) on its surface, where four Coupling holes (33, 33 ', 34, 34') and the injector (7.1) are located.

Figure 7 describes an overall situation in which the Device to form an anti-pollution barrier Terms is which consists of a flexible, partly with gas and partly there is a pipe (2) to be filled with liquid. Superficially gets a container (1) of water in its central space (26), by means of one of two tow ropes (42, 43) Towing maneuvers. The two towing eyes are not visible because the system is half immersed. A buoy (40) on its Surface two (33, 33 ') of the four coupling holes appear relieved together with the intrusion in the central room Water detachment of the pipe. The two are also visible Holes of the same type on the closure plate (37) at the Container opening (1).

Figure 8 shows a container which is a perypherical Room (27) folded tube contains (2) inside there is a flexible bag (2 ") and at the bottom, perypheric space itself is attached. The focus is on inner space (26), which is enveloped by a flexible tube (2) is.

FIG. 9 describes a piece of the contamination protection barrier, which consists of a buoy (40) with the bendable tube (2), which is in rigid expansion is based on two types of fillings: liquid-gas. The Piece ends with the container (1), which is also used as a float was conceived. Another piece of pipe comes out of it, which was ejected from the next container.

In Figure 10 the tube is visible in an expanding phase, with the container in a floating state, can be seen Sealing valves (8.1, 8.2) and the partition (2 ').

Figure 11 shows an autonomous container based on a Gas bottle, which works by means of a valve (13).

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for the rapid installation of a protective impurity barrier, consisting of a container (1) with lateral drag eyelets for dragging the container, wherein the container is provided, at a first end, with a closure plate (37) with a sealing or pressure relief valve (8.1, 8.2, 11) and has a single chamber and a bendable tube, characterised in that two injectors (7.1, 7,2) and two filling capsules (6.1, 6.2) for filling the tube (2) are located on the external surface of the closure plate (37), in that the tube (2) is folded over itself, i.e. is collapsed over its own bendable walls in the container (1), in that the tube (2) is to be filled partly with liquid and partly with gas and, for this purpose, is equipped with an internal bendable flexible partition wall (2') which can be folded together in itself and of which the width lies within the length of the tube diameter and the circumference of said tube which has two longitudinal superimposed asymmetric chambers (50, 51) when divided in this way, or in that the tube contains a bendable bag (2") in its interior for this purpose, in that the tube (2) is open on the side with the injector (7.1) and closed like a bag at the other, open end of the container, wherein the open end of the tube (2) is fastened on the container in order to hold the container and the tube together during and after the dragging operation and in that the bottom (3) of the bag of the tube is located in the container in such a way that it is the first to be ejected from the other, open end of the container (1) during the dragging operation while the tube is being filled.
2. Apparatus for the rapid installation of a protective impurity barrier, consisting of a container (1) and a bendable tube which is provided, at a first end, with a closure plate (37) with a sealing or pressure relief valve (8.1, 11) and which is provided with lateral drag eyelets (34, 34') for dragging the container while the tube is being filled, characterised in that the container comprises a central chamber (26) and a peripheral chamber (27), the central chamber (26) being arranged within the peripheral chamber (27) and the container (1) being open at the end remote from the closure plate, in that an injector (7.1) and a filling capsule (6.2) for filling the tube (2) are located on the external surface of the closure plate (37) sealing the peripheral chamber (27), in that the tube (2) is folded over itself, i.e. is collapsed over its own bendable walls in the peripheral chamber (27) of the container (1), wherein the tube (2) is to be filled partly with water and partly with gas and, for this purpose, is equipped with an internal bendable flexible partition wall (2') which can be folded in itself and of which the width lies within the length of the tube diameter and the circumference of said tube which has two longitudinal superimposed asymmetric chambers (50, 51) when divided in this way, or in that the tube contains a bendable bag (2") in its interior for this purpose, in that the tube (2) is open on the side with the injector (7.1) and closed like a bag at the other, open end of the container, wherein, moreover, the open end of the tube (2) is fastened on the container in order to hold the container and the tube together during and after the dragging operation and the bottom (3) of the bag of the tube is located in the container in such a way that it is the first to be ejected from the other, open end of the container (1) during the dragging operation and in that the central chamber communicates with the water chamber at the first end so the water is admitted through the central chamber owing to the dragging of the container.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bendable tube (2) to be filled partly with liquid and partly with gas contains a bendable bag (2") in its interior which is fastened with it on the bottom of the bag.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the container consists of three adjoining chambers located one within the other.
5. Process for filling the bendable tube (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the asymmetric double-chamber tube (50, 51) which is folded together within the container in the initial phase is ejected in stages after preliminary removal of the closure cap (5) owing to the intake of gas and liquid through the injectors (7.1, 7.2) by setting into operation a compressor (10) and a pump (9) which ends in the final phase by switching off the injectors, of which the one responsible for the intake of the gas is provided with a pressure relief valve (11), as soon as the two pumps have imparted the desired rigidity to the tube on completion of filling of the two asymmetric chambers.
6. Process for filling the bendable tube according to claim 5, characterised in that the bendable tube (2) folded together within the container (1) together with the concentric bag (2") located in the interior thereof is ejected stepwise owing to the intake of air into the bendable tube (2) and the supply of liquid into the internal bag (2") [by] injectors (7.1, 7.2) provided with filling capsules (6.1, 6.2), by activation of a compressor (10) and a pump (9), which will end with the disconnection of the injectors, of which the one for the gas is controlled by a pressure relief valve (11), as soon as the pumps have imparted the desired degree of rigidity to the tube on completion of filling of the two chambers.
7. Process for filling the bendable tube (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the same asymmetric double-chamber tube (50, 51) which is folded together within the container in the initial phase and is clamped with its external base on a buoy (40) by means of four fastening bolts (31, 31', 32, 32') and a ring (30) is released in stages owing to the tension resulting from the clamping with the buoy and the dragging of the container in the water by means of two drag ropes (42, 43) with simultaneous penetration of the water into the interior of the lower asymmetric chamber (51) of the bendable tube, the dragging of the container ending after complete release of the bag and subsequent sealing of the asymmetric lower chamber to be filled with liquid by the movable closure (38) and after activation of a compressor (10), which follows soon afterward, and the corresponding addition into the appropriate chamber (50) by means of the associated injector of the amount of gas which is required for the desired rigidity of the tube and of which the quantity can be regulated by a pressure relief valve (11).
8. Process for filling the bendable tube according to claim 2, characterised in that the bendable tube (2), which is folded together, along with the concentric bag (2") located in the interior thereof and clamped within the container (1) and with its external base (3) on a buoy (40) by means of four fastening bolts (31, 31', 32, 32") and a ring (30), is released in stages owing to the tension at the fastening points at the coupling holes (33, 33') and dragging of the container in the water by means of two drag ropes (42, 43) with simultaneous penetration of the water into the interior of the bag (2"), which will end in the final phase after complete release of the bendable bag (2) and subsequent sealing by the movable closure (38) of the internal bag (2") to be filled with liquid and after activation, which follows soon afterward, of a compressor (10) and the corresponding addition into the bendable tube (2) by means of the associated injector (7.1) of the amount of gas which is required for the desired rigidity of the tube and of which the quantity can be regulated by a pressure relief valve (11).
9. Process for filling the bendable tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the container is autonomous with respect to the addition of filling gas which does not necessarily have to be air, and this is achieved by means of a gas bottle (13).

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