EP2807313A1

EP2807313A1 - Flood protection device

Info

Publication number: EP2807313A1
Application number: EP12823143.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael TOFTMANN SCHMIDT
Original assignee: Toftmann ApS
Current assignee: Toftmann ApS
Priority date: 2011-12-23
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2014-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-21
Also published as: EP2807313B1; WO2013107449A1

Abstract

The flood protection device configured to prevent water ingress through a pipe member is disclosed. The flood protection device comprises: a blocking member configured to block pipe member, an actuation device, - an actuation mechanism operable upon contact with water (or another liquid) or manually, where the actuation mechanism is configured to activate the actuation device and hereby make the blocking member block the pipe member. The flood protection device is configured to be arranged in the pipe member and be removed from the pipe member without damaging the pipe member. Accordingly, the flood protection device can be arranged in pipe member in a non-invasive way and still prevent water ingress through a pipe member. The flood protection device can easily be arranged in and be removed from a pipe system.

Description

FLOOD PROTECTION DEVICE

Field of invention

The present invention relates to flood protection device configured to prevent water ingress through a pipe member such as a drain or a toilet.

Prior art

Water ingress through pipe systems is a major problem. Accordingly, several water damage protection systems have been developed in order to protect against costly water damage. Water leaks are not always easy to notice and furthermore, by the time people realize that their pipe is leaking, a major damage may already be done.

A typical prior art flood protection device is configured to be installed in an invasive way, e.g. installing a sewer valve into a pipe system.

US 4494345 A discloses a sewer valve that is configured to prevent back flow of sewage into a structure during abnormally high water conditions. The sewer back flow valve comprises sensing means located at the top of the sewer line and an inflatable annular bladder responsive to a sensing means to permit passage of sewage through the annular bladder under normal water level conditions and operable to prevent back flow of sewage through the annular bladder under high water level conditions. The sewer valve is however, not suitable for being used in pipe systems as such. The sewer valve has to be installed in an invasive manner which means that bores and/or cuttings have to be provided in the pipe systems. Accordingly, installation of such system is irreversible, expensive and requires skilled personal.

GB 2480885 A discloses a flood protection device for preventing water ingress through a sewer pipe connecting a building to a sewer main. The flood protection device comprises a valve engageabie with a sewer pipe which, when closed, effects blockage of said sewer pipe. The flood protection device moreover comprises a valve actuation mechanism responsive to water contact. The valve actuation mechanism is configured to close the valve upon contact with water. The valve actuation mechanism includes an inflatable bladder configured to, upon inflation, effect closure of the valve. The flood protection device also comprises means for inflating gas into the inflatable bladder. Unfortunately, this flood protection device has to be installed in an invasive manner which means that bores and/or cuttings have to be provided in the pipe systems. Thus, installation of such flood protection device irreversible, expensive and requires skilled personal. Thus, there is a need for a flood protection device which reduces or even eliminates the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flood protection device that can be arranged in pipe systems in a non-invasive way and that is capable of preventing water ingress through a pipe member.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a flood protection device that requires no batteries or electricity. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a flood protection device that can easily be arranged in and be removed from a pipe system.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a flood protection device as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub claims and explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The flood protection device according to the invention is a flood protection device configured to prevent water ingress through a pipe member, which flood protection device comprises:

- a blocking member configured to block pipe member,

- an actuation device,

- an actuation mechanism operable upon contact with water or manually, where the actuation mechanism is configured to activate the actuation device and hereby make the blocking member block the pipe member.

The flood protection device is configured to be arranged in the pipe member and to be removed from the pipe member without damaging the pipe member.

Hereby it is achieved that the flood protection device that can be arranged in pipe member in a non-invasive way and still prevent water ingress through a pipe member. The flood protection device can easily be arranged in and be removed from a pipe system.

The term "without damaging" means that no structural change of the pipe system is required. This means that no cutting, drilling or other invasive procedure is required in order to arrange the flood protection device in the pipe member.

The blocking member may in principle be any member suitable of blocking a pipe member. The blocking member may be electrical or mechanical by way of example. It may be an advantage that the blocking member is mechanical and therefore requires no electricity (and hence no battery or connection to the mains is required). The actuation device may be any suitable type of actuation device. The actuation device may be of pneumatic, electric, mechanic of chemical nature. It is possible to have actuation device formed as an electrical actuator by way of example.

As long as the actuation mechanism is configured to activate the actuation device and hereby make the blocking member block the pipe member, the actuation mechanism may be any suitable actuation mechanism operable upon contact with water.

The actuation mechanism may be a unit comprising several other members or a unit connected to other members. The actuation mechanism is responsible for controlling the flood protection device.

The flood protection device is configured to be arranged in the pipe member and be removed from the pipe member without damaging the pipe member. This means that the flood protection device can be arranged in a pipe member in a non-invasive way so that the flood protection device can be removed or replaced when desired.

This is a major advantage compared to the prior art flood protection devices. Money, time and inconvenience can be saved by using a flood protection device according to the invention.

It may be an advantage that the flood protection device comprises a string member configured to guide the flood protection device into a desired position within a pipe member Hereby it is achieved that the flood protection device can be positioned in pipe systems comprising a bending and another challenging structure. The string member may be made in metal or plastic so that the required stiffness is provided. At the same time a metal string member will allow the string member to be bent if required. The cross section of the string member may be circular, oval, square, rectangular or have any other suitable geometry.

Advantageously, the flood protection device comprises an unblocking member mechanically connected to the string member, where the unblocking member is configured to unblock the blocking member from blocking the pipe member when pulling or pushing the string member.

It may be an advantage that the string member comprises an inner string member slidably arranged within an outer string member formed as a pipe. Hereby it is possible both to pull the flood protection device with the outer string member and to pull the flood protection device by using the inner string member by way of example. This may in particular be beneficial in embodiments of the invention, in which the string member is required to be configured to unblock the blocking member.

It may be an advantage that the blocking member is an inflatable member and that the actuation device is configured to inflate the inflatable member and that the inflatable member is configured to block the pipe member.

Hereby a quick, efficient and reliable blocking of a pipe member can be achieved. It may be an advantage that the blocking member is an inflatable member formed as an inflatable balloon member or an inflatable bladder and that the actuation device is configured to inflate the inflatable member and that the inflatable member is configured to block the pipe member.

Hereby a very efficient and reliable way of blocking a pipe member can be provided. Moreover the inflatable balloon member would be able to block pipe members of various geometry and sizes. Accordingly, an inflatable balloon member provides a very flexible clocking means that also provides a large contact surface (blocking surface) between the inflatable balloon member and the pipe member. Hereby an effective blockage can be achieved. Moreover, an inflatable balloon member allows particles and objects in sewage water to be enclosed by the inflatable balloon member.

It may be an advantage that the flood protection device comprises a water detection member configured to activate the actuation device and hereby make the blocking member block the pipe member.

Hereby the presence of water can be detected and thus the actuation device of the flood protection device can be activated in order to make the blocking member block the pipe member as soon as water is detected by the water detection member.

It may be beneficial that the flood protection device comprises an electric water detection member.

It may be an advantage that the flood protection device comprises a water detection member arranged in the space of a shield member having an inner layer and an outer layer, and that the shield member is provided with one or more apertures configured to evacuate air or gas from the space of a shield member, and that the shield member is configured to allow water to enter the space between the inner layer and the outer layer through one or more apertures in the outer layer and to be discharged through one or more apertures in the outer layer, and that the shield member is configured in such a way that water will enter the shield member through one or more apertures in the shield member and make the water detection member wet when the shield member is submerged in water.

Hereby it is achieved that the flood protection device can be placed in a pipe member with water flowing activating the blocking member and hereby blocking the pipe member. At the same time the flood protection device is capable of blocking the pipe member when water enters into the shield member when the flood protection device is submerged into water (e.g. in case of water ingress through the pipe member). The flood protection device will be activated only when submerged in water regardless of the direction of the flow.

It may be an advantage that the water detection member is a compound (e.g. a tablet) that is plugging a connection member (e.g. a pipe) while the water detection member is kept dry, where the water detection member is configured to be dissolved or react upon contact with water.

Hereby, a cheap, efficient and reliable water detection member can be achieved. It may be preferred that the actuation device is a gas cartridge comprising compressed gas such as Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen.

Hereby the gas cartridge can provide a fast and efficient filling of the inflatable member (e.g. a balloon member).

It may be beneficial that the gas cartridge is arranged within a surrounding inflatable balloon member. Hereby a compact flood protection device can be achieved. Furthermore, the gas cartridge can is protected against impact while being arranged in the pipe member (during the positioning process). It may be beneficial that the inflatable member is an inflatable balloon member. Hereby an efficient and reliable blocking member configured to block pipe member is achieved.

It may be an advantage that the inflatable balloon member is provided with at skidproof outer layer making the inflatable balloon member suitable for blocking pipe member with a slippery inner surface.

It may be an advantage that the flood protection device is configured to be activated by external means e.g. a remote control. Hereby it would be possible to activate and/or test the flood protection device if required.

The flood protection device according to the invention may be scaled in order to fit into pipe members of various sizes.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a flood protection device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows perspective cross-sectional view of a flood protection device according to the invention arranged in a pipe member; Fig. 3 shows other views of the flood protection device shown in

Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a flood protection device according to the invention arranged in a drain; Fig. 5 shows a flood protection device according to the invention arranged in a toilet;

Fig. 6 shows a flood protection device arranged in a drain;

Fig. 7 shows a cut-away view of a pipe in which a flood protection device according to the invention is arranged; Fig. 8 shows another schematic view of the flood protection device shown in Fig. 1 and

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the flood protection device shown in Fig. 4.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a flood protection device 2 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a flood protection device 2 according to the invention. The flood protection device 2 comprises an inflatable member 4 shaped as an inflatable balloon 4 (also known as a bladder) that is in fluid communication with a gas cartridge 6 (e.g. compressed gas such as Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen). The flood protection device 2 moreover comprises an activation mechanism 8 having a water detection member 10 arranged centrally in a spherical double layered shield member 12.

The water detection member 10 is configured to activate the activation mechanism 8 when the water detection member 10 is in contact with water. The water detection member 10 may be an electronic water detection member or a chemical compound (e.g. a tablet) that is dissolved when being brought into contact with water.

A metal or plastic string member 22 is attached to the activation mechanism 8 of the flood protection device 2. The string member 22 is configured to be used to position and attached the flood protection device 2 in e.g. a drain (see Fig. 4 or Fig. 6) or a toilet (see Fig. 5). The string member 22 can preferably be made in metal or another material that is stiff enough to push the flood protection device 2 through a bending (e.g. in a pipe bending) and flexible enough to allow for the required bending of the string member 22 during positioning the flood protection device 2.

Fig 1. b) illustrates a close-up view of the shield member 12 shown in Fig. 1 a). The shield member 12 is basically spherical and comprises an inner layer 14 arranged within an outer layer 16. The water detection member 10 is symbolised by a black spherical. A vent aperture 28 is provided in the top region of the inner layer 14 of the shield member 12. The vent aperture 28 is configured to vent the shield member 12 (so that air housed in the shield member 12 can be evacuated when water enters the shield member 12).

Water drops 50 may enter the shield member 12 through apertures 20 provided in the outer layer 16. The water drops 50 will then stream down the outside surface of the inner layer 14. Eventually, the water drops 50 will leave the space between the inner layer 14 and the outer layer 16 through apertures 18. Accordingly, water drops 50 as illustrated in Fig. 1 b) will not activate the activation mechanism 8. Therefore, the flood protection device 2 may be placed in a pipe, a drain or in a toilet without being activated by water entering through the apertures 20 provided in the outer layer 16. This means that when the water is flowing freely during normal function, the flood protection device 2 will not be activated. However, when the shield member 12 is submerged in water, the water will enter the space 32 within the inner layer 14 through the lower apertures 26 in the inner layer 14. Hereby the air housed in the space 32 within the inner layer 14 will be evacuated through the vent aperture 28 and further through the upper apertures 20 in the outer layer 16.

When the shield member 12 is submerged into water, the air housed in the space 32 within the inner layer 14 will gradually be evacuated through the vent aperture 28 and further through the upper apertures 20 in the outer layer 16 until all the air in the space 32 within the inner layer 14 is displaced by the water entering the space 32 within the inner layer 14 through the lower apertures 26 in the inner layer 14. Accordingly, the water detection member 10 will be wet and hence actuate the activation mechanism 8 that will cause the balloon 4 to be inflated by gas from the gas cartridge 6. Hereby, the balloon 4 will block the pipe, drain or toilet into which the flood protection device 2 is arranged. Hereby flood will be avoided. It is preferred that the activation mechanism 8 is configured in such a way that the string member 22 can be used to initiate an evacuation of the balloon 4 by pulling the string member 22. It is possible to provide the activation mechanism 8 with a build-in (e.g. mechanical) valve mechanism (not shown) configured to be activated by pulling the string member 22. Hereby, it is possible to remove the flood protection device 2 in an easy way by pulling the string member 22 while evacuating the balloon 4.

Fig. 2 a) illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a flood protection device 2 according to the invention arranged in a pipe member 24. The flood protection device 2 is seen from its distal end. It can be seen that the flood protection device 2 an inflatable rubber balloon 4.

In Fig. 2 b) the flood protection device 2 shown in Fig. 2 a) is seen in a state in which the flood protection device 2 has been activated. It can be seen that the inflatable rubber balloon 4 has been inflated. Accordingly, the balloon 4 will block the pipe member 24 and therefore, the water has no longer access through the pipe member 24 and flood damages will be avoided. Fig. 2 c) illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the flood protection device 2 shown in Fig. 2 a) seen from the opposite side (where the string member 22 is attached). It can be seen that the flood protection device 2 comprises a string member 22 that is mechanically attached to an activation mechanism 8. Even though not shown, it is preferred that the flood protection device 2 comprises an activation mechanism that is configured in such a way that the string member 22 can be used to initiate an evacuation of the balloon 4 by pulling the string member 22 or inflate by pressurizing through the string member 22 (that may be formed as a pipe like illustrated in Fig 9.

Fig. 2 d) illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the flood protection device 2 shown in Fig. 2 c) in a state in which the balloon 4 has been inflated. Hence, the pipe member 24 is blocked by the balloon 4 corresponding to the situation shown in Fig. 2 b).

Fig. 3 a) illustrates a perspective view of a flood protection device 2 shown in Fig. 2. The flood protection device 2 comprises an activation mechanism 8 arranged within and surrounded by a cylindrical balloon member 4. A metal string member 22 is attached to the activation mechanism 8.

Fig. 3 b) illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flood protection device 2 centrally arranged in a pipe member 24. The balloon member 4 is in a compressed state. However, in Fig. 3 c) the balloon member 4 is inflated and thus the balloon member 4 blocks the pipe member 24. In Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a flood protection device 2 according to the invention arranged in a waste pipe 36. A grating 34 is arranged on the top of the draining frame 52 that is arranged on a waste pipe 36. The flood protection device 2 has a string member 22 that is attached to an indentation 42 by means of a screw 40 that is screwed into a threaded bore in the grating 34 having a number of openings.

Fig. 4b) illustrates a close-up view of the central portion of the grating 34. The string member 22 of the flood protection device 2 detachable mounted to the grating 34. This means that the flood protection device 2 can be easily detached from the grating 34 in case of replace of the flood protection device 2.

Fig. 4 c) illustrates a close-up view of the flood protection device 2 shown in Fig. 4 a) in a state in which the balloon member 4 has been inflated. Accordingly, the balloon member 4 blocks the waste pipe 36. It can be seen that the region of the waste pipe 36 below the balloon member 4 is filled with water 44. Therefore, the flood protection device 2 has prevented water ingress through the waste pipe 36.

The flood protection device 2 is configured to automatically inflate the balloon member 4 and hereby block the waste pipe 36 when the water detection member (not shown) of the flood protection device 2 becomes wet. Therefore, the balloon member 4 is inflated when the raising water 44 in the waste pipe 36 gets into contact with the water detection member (not shown) of the flood protection device 2. It should be underlined that the string member 22 may be attached to the grating 34 simply by applying a hook or bending the string member 22 and hereby attaching the string member to the grating 34 like shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flood protection device 2 according to the invention being arranged in a toilet 46. In Fig. 5 a) the flood protection device 2 is being prepared to be arranged in the lower region of the toilet 46. The string member 22 of the flood protection device 2 is flexible so that the flood protection device 2 can enter the pipe system of the toilet 46.

In Fig. 5 b) the flood protection device 2 has been arranged in the main pipe of the toilet 46. The distal end of the string member 22 is detachable attached to the toilet 46 by means of a wedge 48. It is important to underline that the string member 22 may be attached to the toilet 46 by other means. It is preferred that the string member 22 is attached to the toilet 46 in a manner that allows for easy and fast replacement of the flood protection device 2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the balloon member 4 is provided with a string member 22, by means of which it is possible to evacuate the gas in the balloon member 4 simply by pulling the string member 22. Accordingly, the flood protection device 2 can be removed by pulling the string member 22 first in order to evacuate the gas (e.g. air) in the balloon member 4 and hereafter by pulling the flood protection device 2 out of the toilet 46. It is preferred that the string member 22 is made in a stiff material e.g. metal that makes it possible to push the flood protection device 2 into the pipe system of e.g. a toilet like illustrated in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 5 c) the balloon member 4 of the flood protection device 2 has been inflated and blocks the water 44 in the lower region of the pipe system and the flood protection device 2 prevents the water 44 from rising further. Hereby the flood protection device 2 prevents water ingress through the pipe system of the toilet 46. Fig. 6 illustrates a flood protection device 2 arranged in a waste pipe 36 of a drain comprising a grating 34 that is arranged on the top of and received by a corresponding draining frame 52. The flood protection device 2 comprises a long thin string member 22 that is detachable attached to the centre of the grating 34 by means of a hook 72.

Accordingly, the flood protection device 2 can easily be removed from the drain by removing the hook 72 from the grating 34.

The flood protection device 2 is arranged in the waste pipe 36 and therefore it is configured to prevent water ingress through the waste pipe system 36.

Fig. 7 illustrates a shows a cut-away view of a pipe 54 in which a flood protection device 2 according to the invention is arranged. The pipe 54 is connected to a pipe 58 having an opening 60, through which there is access to the pipe 54. The string member 22 of the flood protection device 2 can be used to push the flood protection device 2 into the desired position within the pipe 54. The inflatable balloon member 4 of the flood protection device 2 can be seen through the cut away 56 in the pipe 54. The string member 22 can easily be detachable attached to the pipe 58 e.g. by bending the string member 22 around the pipe 54 (not shown). The flood protection device 2 according to the invention is suitable for being detachable mounted in various types of pipe systems even pipe systems having challenging structures such as bendings. Accordingly, the flood protection device 2 according to the invention can be detachable mounted and prevent water ingress through various pipe systems. Fig. 8 a) illustrates another schematic view of the flood protection device 2 shown in Fig. 1 a). The flood protection device 2 comprises an inflatable member 4 shaped as an inflatable balloon 4 being in fluid communication with a gas cartridge 6 that comprises compressed gas (e.g. Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen). The interior of the activation mechanism 8 is indicated. It can be seen that the gas from the gas cartridge 6 can flow through a number of gas flow lines 68, 68', 68", 68"'. The gas from the gas cartridge 6 can flow into the housing of the activation mechanism 8 via a first gas flow line 68'.

A water detection member 10 arranged centrally in a spherical double layered shield member 12 prevents the gas from getting access to the central portion of the housing of the activation mechanism 8 via a second gas flow line 68'. When the water detection member 10 (e.g. a water-soluble tablet) is exposed to water, the water detection member 10 will no longer 12 prevents the gas from the gas cartridge 6 from getting access to the central portion of the housing of the activation mechanism 8 via a second gas flow line 68'.

Accordingly, when the water detection member 10 is exposed to water the gas from the gas cartridge 6 will flow into the inflatable balloon 4 via the first gas flow line 68 to the second gas flow line 68' and further to the third gas flow line 68". A valve member 66 comprising a spring member 62 and a ball member 64 is arranged within the housing of the activation mechanism 8.

The valve 66 is configured to iet out gas in case that a high pressure is built up in the inflatable balloon 4. If a high pressure builds up in the inflatable balloon 4, the pressure causes the ball member 64 to compress the spring member 62 and hereby the gas is allowed to escape out of the housing of the activation mechanism 8 via the fourth gas flow line 68"'.

The flood protection device 2 comprises a string member 22 that can be used to degas the inflatable balloon 4. Degassing of the inflatable balloon 4 is done simply by pulling the string member 22 so that the spring member 62 is moved upwardly. Hereby the ball member 64 will no longer be pressed against the valve mouth 70. Accordingly, the gass from the inflatable balloon 4 will be degassed through the third gas flow line 68" and the fourth gas flow line 68"'.

It is preferred that the gas cartridge 6 comprises just enough gas to inflate the inflatable balloon 4. Hereby it is achieved that the inflatable balloon 4 can be degased at the moment the string member 22 moves the spring member 62 upwards. If the gas cartridge 6 comprises much more gas than it is required to inflate the inflatable balloon 4, the pressure from the gas in the gas cartridge 6 will continue to keep the inflatable balloon 4 inflated until the pressure within the gas cartridge 6 is reduced to a level that allows the inflatable balloon 4 to be emptied via the valve 66.

Fig. 8 b) illustrates another close-up view of the shield member 12 shown in Fig. 1 b). The shield member 12 is turned upside down and comprises an inner layer 14 arranged within an outer layer 16.

It can be seen that water drops 50 entering the shield member 12 will leave the shield member 12 through the openings 20, 28 in the inner layer 14 and the outer layer 16 of the shield member 12. Therefore, water drops 50 as illustrated in Fig. 8 b) will not activate the activation mechanism 8. Hence, the flood protection device 2 may be placed in a pipe, a drain or in a toilet without being activated by water entering through the apertures 18, 26 provided in the inner layer 14 and the outer layer 16 of the shield member 12.

In order to activate the activation mechanism 8 it is required that the shield member 12 is submerged into water. When the shield member 12 is submerged into water, the water will enter the space 32 within the inner layer 14 through the apertures in the apertures 20, 28 provided in the inner layer 14 and the outer layer 16 of the shield member 12. The air housed in the space 32 within the inner layer 14 will gradually be evacuated through the apertures 18, 26 until all the air in the space 32 within the inner layer 14 is displaced by the water entering the space 32.

Accordingly, the water detection member 10 will be wet and hence actuate the activation mechanism 8 that will cause the balloon 4 to be inflated by gas from the gas cartridge 6. Hereby, the balloon 4 will block the pipe, drain or toilet into which the flood protection device 2 is arranged. Hereby flood can be avoided. Fig. 9 a) illustrates a flood protection device 2 almost similar to the one shown in Fig. 4 a). The flood protection device 2 is, however, attached to the grating 34 by means of a hook 72.

Fig. 9 b) illustrates another flood protection device 2 according to the invention. The flood protection device 2 is configured to be manually inflated. A gas cartridge 6 is attached to the distal end of a string member 22 shaped as a pipe. Hereby an inflatable member 4 of the flood protection device 2 can be manually inflated in order to block the waste pipe 36. List of reference numerals

2 - Flood protection device

4 - Inflatable member

6 - Inflation member

8 - Actuation mechanism

10 - Water detection member

12 - Shield member

14 - Inner layer

16 - Outer layer

18 - Aperture

20 - Aperture

22 - String member

24 - Pipe member

26 - Aperture

28 - Vent aperture

30 - Piping

32 - Space

34 - Grating

36 - Waste pipe

38 - Opening

40 - Screw

42 - Groove

44 - Water

46 - Toilet

48 - Wedge

50 - Drop

52 - Draining frame

54 - Pipe

56 - Cut away

58 - Pipe

60 - Opening 20

Spring member Ball member Valve

Gas flow line Gas flow line Valve mouth Hook

Claims

1. A flood protection device (2) configured to prevent water ingress through a pipe member (24), which flood protection device (2) comprises:

- a blocking member (4) configured to block pipe member (24),

- an actuation device (6),

- an actuation mechanism (8) operable upon contact with water (44) or manually, where the actuation mechanism (8) is configured to activate the actuation device (6) and hereby make the blocking member (4) block the pipe member (24),

characterised in that the flood protection device (2) is configured to be arranged in the pipe member (24) and to be removed from the pipe member (24) without damaging the pipe member (24).

2. A flood protection device (2) according to claim 1 characterised in that the flood protection device (2) comprises a string member (22) configured to guide the flood protection device (2) into a desired position within a pipe member (24).

3. A flood protection device (2) according to claim 2 characterised in that the flood protection device (2) comprises an unblocking member mechanically connected to the string member (22), where the unblocking member is configured to unblock the blocking member (4) from blocking the pipe member (24) when pulling or pushing the string member (22).

4. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the blocking member (4) is an inflatable member (4) and that the actuation device (6) is configured to inflate the inflatable member (4) and that the inflatable member (4) is configured to block the pipe member (24).

5. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the flood protection device (2) comprises a water detection member (10) configured to activate the actuation device (6) and hereby make the blocking member (4) block the pipe member (24).

6. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the flood protection device (2) comprises a water detection member (10) arranged in the space (32) of a shield member (12) having an inner layer (14) and an outer layer (16), and that the shield member (12) is provided with one or more apertures (28, 20) configured to evacuate air or gas from the space (32) of a shield member (12), and that the shield member (12) is configured to allow water to enter the space between the inner layer (14) and the outer layer (16) through one or more apertures (20) in the outer layer (16) and to be discharged through one or more apertures (18) in the outer layer (16), and that the shield member (12) is configured in such a way that water (44) will enter the shield member (12) through one or more apertures (18, 26) in the shield member and make the water detection member (10) wet when the shield member (12) is submerged in water (44).

7. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the water detection member (10) is a compound

(e.g. a tablet) that is plugging a connection member (30) while the water detection member (10) is kept dry, where the water detection member (10) is configured to be dissolved upon contact with water (44).

8. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 4-7 characterised in that the actuation device (6) is a gas cartridge (6) comprising compressed gas such as Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen.

9. A flood protection device (2) according to claim 8 characterised in that the gas cartridge (6) is arranged within a surrounding inflatable balloon member (4).

10. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 5-9 characterised in that the inflatable member (6) is an inflatable balloon member (4) 11. A flood protection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the flood protection device (2) is configured to be activated by external means.