ES2334613A1 - Adaptable cover for reservoirs (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Adaptable cover for reservoirs. The cover is constituted from one or more layers of shading material (3), on which a support grid (1) is established inferiorly and a grid (2) above which prevents the movement of the same due to the effect of air, reticles that are obtained from threads of high elasticity plastic material, that allow stretches of more than 5%, and that are elastically recovered, threads (1-2) that are conveniently fixed at their ends to a perimeter tie (8), so that with the aid of a float (4) or float alignments that affects only the intermediate zone and that suffers the greatest vertical deformation, part of the vertical loads of the cover is counteracted due to the vertical thrust of the water on said float (4), which in turn serves as a ballast to minimize the effects of wind suction. A much simpler and more efficient cover is thus obtained. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Adaptable cover for reservoirs.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a new reservoir cover, specially designed to prevent produce evaporation of the water stored in them.

The object of the invention is to provide a Floating cover adaptable to different types of rafts, which support without problems the efforts generated by the weight of the same and by the action of the wind although the surfaces to cover are very large, also allowing water infiltration of rain, with extremely effective fixing means.

Background of the invention

In arid climates like those in southeastern Spain, water losses from evaporation in storage rafts of Water are important throughout the year. Given the shortage every time increased water resource for irrigation in the Mediterranean basins and the investment effort of all agents in obtaining alternative resources, which are raising the average costs of cubic meter of water used, the need arises to try avoid losses to the maximum once the resource is captured or generated. Various programs of success have been carried out automation and tubing of pipes that used to run in land to minimize losses in the networks and the infiltration in the ground. Another problem that arises is the evaporation losses in exposed water sheets during long periods to the abundant insolation of the climate of the area.

To minimize losses by evaporation should be covered storage reservoirs.

Solutions that cover the reservoir are known with systems similar to those of greenhouses, as is the case of the system of covers for reservoirs that the Patent of Invention P200001200, systems that present a problem that It focuses primarily on the following aspects:

The tension of the mesh, obtained based on Steel cables, is based on the use of a series of counterweights coupled to its perimeter edge, which is a extremely complex structure, to which we must add the fact that the lower the slope of the embankment slopes, the lower the tangential component of the weight of these counterweights, and therefore lower the effectiveness of this mechanism, to which we must add the fact that this type of mooring is extremely unstable, as well as taking into account the erosion that produces with the displacement of concrete weights, becoming necessary to protect its trajectory, with the consequent cost of the whole.

Equally noteworthy is the fact that this type of covers are not passable for work of maintenance, since the shade mesh does not support the weight of a person.

Also noteworthy is the problem that it implies the need to implant a concrete perimeter wall, for fixing the tensioning means of the mesh, wall that It constitutes a barrier to the maintenance of the reservoir.

Also the system described in the aforementioned patent is only valid for newly built rafts, not being applicable to existing rafts.

Finally, these types of devices provide for the incorporation of a high number of floats associated with the mesh, with the consequent increase in cost of the set, they adopt a vertical position, unstable, and being filled with air, a Small waterway would cause them to sink.

Description of the invention

The adaptable cover for reservoirs that the proposed invention resolves in a fully satisfactory way the problematic previously exposed, in each and every one of the commented aspects.

To do this, and from the structuring basic and conventional of this type of covers, in which a shading mesh participates on which it is established so much top and bottom a wireframe for support of it as well as preventing it from detaching vertically due to the effects of the wind, the invention centers its features in the fact that it uses material threads high elasticity plastic, which allows stretching impossible to get with wire or steel cables, stretching which allows the cover to take different forms depending on the height of the water in the reservoir, helped by a series of weighted floats that force the movements of the set towards up and down, further preventing the wind from being able to lift the assembly by suction, distributing weight through the inside of the roof, allowing maximum lights a lot greater.

The ends of each thread will be attached to a perimeter mooring, which may materialize from multiple ways, as long as it allows a stable mooring of said threads, having been provided as an example of practical realization of said mooring, a galvanized steel tube arranged to a certain height of the ground, which allows an easy mooring of said threads.

The shade mesh will be permeable to water, from any suitable material, and may participate in one or more layers overlapping

The float system associated with the deck It is extremely simpler than in existing roofs, counteracting part of the vertical loads of the roof due to the vertical thrust of the water on said system, which is extremely important in the case of falling snow or hail, since the whole system would submerge slowly until the ice touched the sheet of water, falling apart and releasing all the weight system, which would rise again to its position original.

More specifically, the floats are they materialize in a high density polyethylene pipe, with a Inner filling of expanded polystyrene (or other low material density) and water, closing at both ends by corresponding plugs.

These floats are arranged only on the middle area of the roof, in order to serve as intermediate support to the threads to reduce the maximum arrow of the catenary section that describe and properly ballast the cover to prevent it from lift by wind suction action. Optionally, it has provided that such floats may be stabilized horizontally by including two or more vertical guides along which these floats are freely movable depending on the level of water in the raft or by means of moorings Direct to the edge of the raft.

According to another of the characteristics of the invention, the cover that is recommended is valid for both rafts of new construction as for already built rafts, being able to easily adapt to any shape on the floor, which is great importance given the variety of shapes, slopes, etc., which presents The current raft park.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization of it, is accompanied as part member of that description, a set of drawings where with illustrative and non-limiting nature, what has been represented next:

Figure 1.- Shows a detail in perspective of the three layers that constitute the actual cover of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of the means of perimeter mooring.

Figure 3.- Shows a perspective view of one of the floats participating in the deck of the invention.

Figure 4.- Shows a representation schematic of an embodiment variant in which the floats incorporate an independent mooring system.

Figure 5.- Shows, finally, a view in perspective of the stabilization means planned for floats

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the figures outlined you can be observed as the cover that is recommended is constituted to from three layers, two layers (1) and (2) -, consisting of paths reticles of threads of plastic, nylon or any other material another strong and elastic material that allows more stretching 5%, later recovering its original dimension, a bottom (1), which serves as a support for a shade mesh (3), which will be discussed later, and another superior (2) that avoids that said mesh can be lifted by the action of the wind.

The separation between the threads that make up each mesh will preferably be of the order of 0.5 meters, and may not However, vary if necessary, while the voltage in the assembly of the wires will be such that when they adopt a position fully horizontal, reach a stretch between 2% and 3%, being able to increase if necessary.

Each pair of threads that intersect are fixed each other using plastic wire in order that both directions Work together. Similarly, the upper mesh (2) is will mount just above the bottom (1), will be attached to it with the same system, to ensure that all threads act together.

As for the shade mesh (3), in charge to avoid direct insolation of the water surface of the raft, this will preferably be obtained from tissue polyethylene, polypropylene or any other porous material, which allow the infiltration of rainwater through it, of so that greater opacity to light will achieve less evaporation, and simultaneously, less insolation that avoids Algae proliferation in water by chlorophyll action. For him On the contrary, the greater the opacity, the lower its permeability to Water.

The structure described above is complements with a series of floats (4), materialized in a high density polyethylene pipe, which corresponds to the own reference (4), into which a filling (5) of expanded polystyrene in the form of a bar that occupies approximately 50% of the available interior space in the tube, so that the rest will be filled with water (6) as a ballast. This system ensures minimal flotation by preventing the tube from filling completely of water. They have a double function: to support intermediate to the threads (1) to decrease the maximum arrow of the section of catenary that adequately describe and ballast the cover to prevent it from rising by the suction action of the wind. The weight of all floats (4) plus ballast will be, at less, 50% higher than the resulting vertical traction of all cables (1-2) when the set of floats are in the lowest position, that is, touching the bottom of the raft. The floats will have a length of 12 meters, with end caps to ensure the tightness of the system when it is dry and the pipes cannot be emptied water, ensuring the ballasting of the tubes before the onslaught of the wind. When several floats are arranged in line, they will be fastened so that the expansion of each tube is allowed so Independent.

The floats will be attached to the grid of threads (1), specifically to the threads that cross perpendicular above the float. It may be a direct fixation of the threads to the float, or through intermediate fasteners, as a bar (7) where the threads are laid parallel to the float and which is fixed by another intermediate element to the second.

In any case the floats only they will affect the intermediate area of the roof, contrary to what it is conventional, so if more than one line of floats, these will be arranged in parallel lines, conveniently distanced from each other.

Depending on the size and arrangement of the floats, a mooring system of the floats independent of wire reticles, such as the shown in figure 4. These moorings (11) will be fixed at about dead (12) on the perimeter of the raft and will prevent horizontal movements of said elements. They must be done with elastic ends (nylon, dacron or polypropylene depending on needs) to allow the float to go up and down with the water level.

Complementary or alternatively to the element above, vertical guides (13) may be provided to help to fix the float in its planar position. These guides will be profiles that may be driven into the bottom of the raft (with the adequate treatment of the waterproofing sheet) or subjects through a dead system above the blade.

As can be seen in the detail of the Figure 2, the reticles (1) and (2) are fixed to a perimeter mooring (8) that is installed around the perimeter of the raft. Yes the mooring may materialize in many different ways, in the example The chosen embodiment consists of a galvanized steel tube in horizontal, to which the threads of the upper reticle will be tied (2) and lower (1). Said tube will be arranged to a certain ground clearance to allow the lashing of the threads, for which will be subject to vertical profiles (9) stuck in the ground. Depending on the resistance of the ground and the tension a give the threads, it may be necessary to concrete a slab (10) in where these vertical profiles are embedded.

In the case of using shading nets very closed with low permeability, may be arranged in the area of the cover that will be lower (located above the floats if there is only one alignment, or between them if there are lines parallel) elements that are opened by water pressure and that increase the discharge capacity from above the deck to inside of the raft.

So, and depending on the geometry of the raft, the floating sheet can have up to three zones differentiated:

The one between floats. Will occupy the central area of the reservoir and may not exist if the floats are limited to one line only. When moving the ends vertically of the threads are always at the same height. Will stretch in function of the tension transmitted by the elements in slope.

The one that is placed on a homogeneous slope. Between the perimeter mooring and each float alignment defines a slope area This piece will stretch and tilt as the Water level drops in the raft.

Intersection between two homogeneous slopes. These connection areas between two pieces in slope are between the vertices of float alignments and the corners of the perimeter mooring system. The threads will stretch and descend in function of the position of the floats, adapting in space to the edges that define at all times its geometry (tie up perimeter and floats).

Starting from the reservoir in its maximum degree of filled, you will have the entire sheet floating, the threads (1-2) with its minimum tension (will coincide with that of assembly) will be subject to the perimeter mooring (8) and supported by the floats (4) on which they cross. The threads describe a theoretical catenary, with an arrow that should be smaller that the height that its ends have on the water, plus a margin suitable. The entire deck "floats" on water. If rains, Water seeps through the porous mesh. If it hails or snows, the ice is deposited on the mesh causing the sinking partial of the whole set until the water in the reservoir undoes the ice or snow accumulated, and the flotation of the system makes this one recovers its original level. The floats (4), held by the wire system, remain fixed floating in the water with the freeboard design. If the wind sucks on the deck, the floats will progressively load the wire reticles, as they go up and out of the water, compensating for traction upward that causes suction.

As the water level in the reservoir, the float goes down, pulling the threads down, which will stretch to adapt to the new situation, slightly increasing your working tension. The situation of balance will be as the previous one described with full raft. The maximum arrow of the threads that remain horizontal between Floats will be somewhat smaller by increasing your tension.

In the case of emptying the raft completely, all floats (4) are supported on the bottom of the reservoir, weighted with water, to ensure its stability against the wind, giving weight to the entire structure. The threads (1-2) they are all at their maximum stretch to allow the sheet has the maximum surface area needed. Vertical component Thread traction is compensated by the weight of the Float plus ballast.

When the filling of the raft begins all the System works in reverse. As the level, the floats begin to float, rising at the same time as the water level, until reaching the maximum volume level again embalmed

Claims (7)

1. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, which being of the type of which three layers participate in the covering cover itself; an intermediate layer obtained from a shading material and an upper and lower layer consisting of two reticles for supporting said shading layer, as well as preventing its movement due to the wind, characterized in that both the upper layer (1) and The lower layer (2) consists of a grid of threads (1-2) of high elastic plastic material, which admit stretches of more than 5%, with elastic recovery for them, which are conveniently fixed by their ends to a perimeter mooring (8), with said set having one or more floats (4), established under the lower reticle (1), which only affect the middle area of the deck. 2. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, according to claim 1, characterized in that the floats (4), which adopt a horizontal arrangement, are materialized in a high density polyethylene pipe, into which a filling (5) of expanded polystyrene is introduced into bar shape that occupies approximately 50% of the interior space available in the tube, while the rest of the volume is occupied by water (6) as a ballast, with the incorporation of two sealed sealing plugs at the ends of the cited pipe. 3. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, according to previous claims, characterized in that the floats (4) are fixed to the threads (1) of the lower reticule of the cover that cross perpendicularly above them, either directly, or through of intermediate fasteners. 4. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, according to claim 1, characterized in that both the wires of the lower grid (1) and the wires of the upper grid (2) are arranged perpendicularly crossed, being fixed to each other by plastic wire. 5. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the float or floats (4) are stabilized horizontally with the contest of fixed guides (13) for which they are vertically movable. 6. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the float or floats (4) are associated with a mooring system independent of the reticles of threads, based on elastic ends, fixing dead ones (12) in the perimeter of the raft that prevents horizontal movements of said floats. 7. Adaptable cover for reservoirs, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case of using very close shading meshes (3) with low permeability, in the area of the cover that is lower will be provided means for the pouring of water into the interior of the raft.