FR2565271A1 - Multi-shell inflatable dams, and method of anchoring flexible structures to submerged works - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, this dam is characterised in that it comprises one or any or more bladders 1 protected by a shell 2, which may itself be protected by a cover 3, the assembly being fixed to the works by an anchoring system consisting of deformable sealed hollow bodies 4 which, after being filled by a fluid (water for example), lock a fold of the shell in the hollow of a concave recess made in the foundation.

Description

 The present invention relates to an improvement made to inflatable flexible dams1 and to the principle of anchoring these flexible structures on dks submerged structures.

 The dam of a watercourse obtained by a flexible structure with variable volume, according to reservoir and flow, is a known technique. This simple and original technique consists in filling more or less a flexible structure of appropriate shape and dimensions, suitably fixed to the bottom of the bed of the watercourse. The height resulting from this "inflation" determines the dam retention height.

Although a certain number of applications have been carried out, the user services remain reserved with regard to this technique, fearing that the reliability of the structure and its durability pose problems in use; Among these
- mechanical attack due to floating debris, as well as solid flows, which cause cutting and premature wear.

 - difficulties presented by the dismantling of the anchors required by any maintenance or repair intervention on the structure, the mechanical fastenings of which are altered by their prolonged stay in the aquatic environment. These difficulties are to be taken into account for the establishment of the general cost of operating such a dam and represent a significant problem inciting the project managers to a great reserve with respect to the technique of inflatable dams.

 The present invention aims to overcome this state of affairs by offering simple, economical and reliable solutions to the above-mentioned problems presented by the use of inflatable booms, or other flexible structures intended to modify or regulate the flow of waterways.

According to the present invention the dam is composed of ir together
- bladders)
- envelope (2)
- cover (3)
- anchors (4)
Figure 1 shows a cross section of the inflated boom, in the maximum retaining position.

FIG. 2 represents a cross section of the deflated dam, that is to say in the erased position,
Figures 3,4, and 5, 5> represent cross sections of detail, dam anchor.

 The bladder (1) is the only element called to be sealed, capable of being inflated by any fluid or mixture, mono or two-phase for example, of fluids, and capable of mechanically supporting the pressurization. Element advantageously made with a flexible synthetic polyamide fabric for example, multilayer coated with a mixture of synthetic products, of the elastomer type for example, the fabric giving it mechanical strength, and coating the seal and the chemical resistance.

 The envelope (2) is called upon to protect the bladder (1) over its entire cylindrical periphery from external mechanical attacks and to retain, by an appropriate anchoring, this bladder in the place provided in the structure to ensure the barrier function. required.

 Element advantageously made with an elastomeric rubber membrane whose flexibility and elasticity allow a deformation ensuring, when the bladder is pressurized (1) the required function; this envelope having the particularity of retaining the bladder (1) flat when it is deflated, and of being permanently stretched during the progressive inflation of the bladder (1) up to the normal operating pressure, corresponding to the maximum dam retention height.

 The cover (3) is called upon to protect the envelope (2) from the mechanical attack of the floating bodies and debris transported by the watercourse as well as laminations due to the solid flows in high water period (erased dam, bladder (1) fully deflated).

 This membrane (3) will advantageously be made from reinforced multi-ply textile elastomer sheets. The main function of this cover involves excellent resistance to abrasion as well as tearing and puncturing. This cover being a wearing part, it will advantageously be fixed in a removable manner on the envelope (2) by a simple system allowing an easy disassembly. A simple lacing in protected eyelets seems a good solution, the protection having to prevent the submerged parts of floating debris from getting stuck there.

 The anchors (4) are systems allowing the envelope (2) to be fixed to the raft of the dam along 2 generators constituting the extreme edges of the surface presented by the envelope (2), in contact with the raft. These anchors should allow simple mounting out of water, and easy disassembly over the life of the dam in order to possibly be able to intervene on any part of the structure: raft, bladder, envelope, water supply or drain bladder, etc.

 Elements advantageously designed as flexible and leaktight hollow bodies which are inflatable and / or expandable by pressurizing fluid (water for example), or filling with any incompressible material (gel, powder, for example) and locking the envelope membrane ( 2) in 2 concave reservations of appropriate section (with circular sector for example) of the raft, arranged in line with the generators chosen as anchor lines.

 These elements will advantageously be made of textile reinforced elastomer made in the form of a cylinder with a flattened section before inflation and ensuring locking in the reservation once inflated, or filled.

Claims (4)

1) Inflatable dam capable of being anchored on a raft or any other submerged structure, spurting through a progressive filling of fluid and a possible pressurization to respond to the required function; characterized in that it consists of sealed bladder elements (1) intended to be inflated, or filled with suitable fluids (water and / or air for example) these bladders (1) being protected on their cylindrical periphery by an envelope elastic (2). The elastic envelope can itself be protected on its upper part by a cover (3) fixed along a generator of the envelope located in the lower upstream part thereof near the raft1 the other end being ballasted to prevent it from floating in the current. 2) Dam according to claim 1. Characterized in that 11 envelope is itself anchored on the raft along two generators located at the upstream and downstream limits of contact of the envelope with the raft. 3) Dam according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the anchors of the envelope are made by insertion of a fold of this in a transverse reservation of the raft, and blocking by an appropriate expansive means. 4) Dam according to one of claims 1 to 3. Characterized in that the blocking of the anchoring can be achieved by filling and / or pressurizing a flexible waterproof structure inserted in the fold made in the envelope and engaged in the reservation.