FR2730509A1 - Floating barrage for recovery of current driven floating waste, esp. solid bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

The barrage (10) comprises a floating structure (22) defining a storage area (54) for retaining the floating bodies. The structure is equipped with screens composed of a metal frame (24) and a lattice cover (26) for concealing all or part of the storage area. The lattice cover is made from trellis panels (106) having a wide mesh of wooden planks. The cover has a raisable hatch (96) and a round duckboard track (108). The floating structure has two side float carriers (44,46) for the screens. The side floats are rigidly fixed by a set of struts (52) spanning the storage area. Each upstream end of the side floats is fixed to other floating parts (14) of the barrage and/or to anchors (110,110'). The downstream end is fixed to a sluice (28) controlling removal of the solid bodies through the barrage.

Description

FLOATING DAM
The present invention relates to a floating boom intended in particular to retain floating solid bodies entrained by a current. Such retention dams are used in the context of improving the environment and combating pollution of rivers, in particular for eliminating litter and other undesirable waste floating on the surface of rivers, streams or analogues. These floating body retention dams are arranged across the current either so as to completely close the watercourse, or in the case of navigable watercourses on the cob from the shore at suitably chosen locations on the diversion bays from hydrodynamic studies.

These dams are also used to recover floating trees, in particular trees uprooted during floods, and drifting in the current of rivers in order to relieve the screening (in particular the clearing of protective grids) of fixed river regulation dams and / or of electricity production.

The waste and other floating solid bodies retained by these dams are evacuated at regular intervals. As an example of a known embodiment, French patent FR 2 675 828 describes a dam incorporating a valve device, consisting of a rigid structure with a retractable door, and allowing the evacuation of waste through the dam to a barge or any other recovery vehicle without dismantling or moving the dam.

Despite the undeniable progress made by retention dams in the context of improving the environment, the accumulation of waste retained by dams upstream of them between two waste evacuation / recovery operations sometimes poses a problem of damage to the landscape, in particular in cases where the locations chosen for dams according to hydrodynamic criteria are particularly exposed to public view, for example in an urban center or along banks arranged as a promenade and / or recreation. The object of the invention is to provide a satisfactory response to this drawback.

To this end, the invention provides a floating barrier intended in particular to retain the floating solid bodies entrained by a current, characterized in that it comprises a floating structure for grouping and retaining said floating bodies, defining a storage area for these the latter, said floating structure being equipped with means forming a screen adapted to conceal all or part of the storage area.

As will appear in the description below, the fact of grouping the waste to facilitate its concealment (thereby reducing the size and weight of the screen means carried by the floating structure) also facilitates the operation of evacuation and recovery of waste with significant time savings.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the floating structure comprises two lateral floats carrying means forming a screen and defining between them the storage area. Advantageously, the lateral floats are rigidly secured by a set of spacers spanning the storage area.

In addition, the invention finds an advantageous application in dams equipped with devices forming a valve allowing evacuation through the dam.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the lateral floats each have an upstream end secured to other floating elements of the dam and / or to anchoring means thereof and a downstream end secured to a device forming a valve, for example a device with a retractable door, the device forming a valve being disposed between the two lateral floats. The arrangement thus defined makes it possible to obtain a guiding and converging effect of the waste towards the retractable door and further improves the waste evacuation operation.

According to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, the screen means comprise a frame on which is arranged a skeleton cover. Advantageously, the frame, preferably metallic, has a contour substantially in the form of a regular half-polygon, preferably half-decagon, and corresponding to the outline of the storage area defined by the floating structure, the metallic frame being divided into areas with skeleton cover panels.

Thus, by adapting the shape of the storage area and consequently the shape and arrangement of the lateral floats, it is possible to obtain identical panels that are easily interchangeable with, in addition, a reduction in manufacturing costs.

According to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, the skeleton cover is made of a mesh with a large mesh of wooden planks crisscrossed on the edge, of the hollowed-out wall or claustra type. The use of a claustra type wooden cover reduces the weight of the cover and ensures good ventilation of the storage area and minimum access to the storage area, thus facilitating maintenance operations. . Advantageously, the cover comprises at least one liftable hatch, preferably disposed in front of the valve device, and allowing access to the storage area, in particular for eliminating obstructions.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view
(taken from above) of an embodiment of the dam
floating according to the invention presented by way of example
not limiting; - Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view
along line AA of the floating dam in Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of
the floating grouping structure and
retention of the floating dam in Figure 1; - Figure 4 shows a plan view of the
metal frame incorporated in the dam of the
figure 1; and - Figure 5 shows a plan view of the
wooden cover in skeleton incorporated in the
dam of figure 1.

The floating boom illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2 is presented below by way of nonlimiting example of an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the floating dam 10 is of the spiky type anchored from the bank or bank 11 of a moving watercourse 12 such as a river. For the rest of the presentation, the direction of the current illustrated by the arrow F makes it possible to determine the upstream and downstream sides of the dam 10.

The floating boom 10 comprises one or more rigid retaining floating elements 14 and articulated at their ends. If we consider the only retaining element 14 shown in Figures 1 and 2, we can notice that this element consists mainly of a sealed cylindrical float 16 (made of metal or rigid rigid plastic material) several meters in length (for example 4 meters) and equipped with two retaining grids, an overhead grid 18 (about 0.3 m high) and a submerged weighted grid 20 (about 0.7 m high). Details of a method of construction of the retaining elements are given in the aforementioned patent FR 2 675 828.

The floating dam 10 also includes a floating structure 22 adapted for grouping and retaining the floating bodies (not shown in the figures) and defining a storage area for the latter (allowing the temporary storage of the floating bodies between two evacuation-recovery operations ). The floating structure 22 is equipped with means forming a screen adapted to conceal the storage area and mainly consisting of a frame, preferably metallic, 24 and a cover of skeleton 26. To the floating structure 22 is associated a valve device 28 controlling the evacuation of the floating bodies through the dam 10. The valve device 28 comprises a rigid catamaran structure comprising two tubular floats 30, 32 secured by two tubular spacers in the shape of an inverted U 34, 36. In the channel discharge 37 located between the floats 30 and 32 is disposed a retractable door 38 flanked by two immersed side panels fixed to each of the floats (only the panel 40 is visible in Figure 2). The retractable door 38 consists of a solid panel 42-42 'and of a closed and sealed axial tube 43, the ends of which are pivotally mounted along a submerged horizontal axis transverse to the catamaran structure 30, 32, 34, 36 and mounted on submerged vertical projections (not shown) integral with each of the floats 30 and 32. The valve device 28 also includes means for rotating the retractable door 38 (not shown) of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder type associated with a suitable hydraulic control circuit. Under the control of an operator, the jacks tilt the door 38 between a vertical position for closing the panel (shown in solid lines under the reference 42) and a horizontal position for opening the panel (shown in dashed line under the reference 42 '). In this open position, the waste (not shown in the figures) crosses the dam 10 passing through the channel 37 under the action of the current represented by the arrow F.

This is done at regular intervals to remove the waste and collect it at the downstream outlet of channel 37 of the catamaran structure, after horizontal retraction of the door 38, for example using '' A self-propelled barge with a collecting mat presenting itself downstream side facing the current, without risk of damaging the floating boom and without moving or partially disassembling this same dam. The barge (not shown) is equipped at its bow with an inclined collecting mat whose submerged end is at a depth of about 1 meter. The spacing of the two floats 30 and 32 of the catamaran structure is wide enough to allow the submerged end of the mat to advance into channel 37. Two vertical pivoting panels fixed to the bow of the barge on both sides other of the collecting mat form a V-shaped channel to facilitate the feeding of the collecting mat from the waste leaving the catamaran structure and avoid seeing some of them escape collection. Construction and operation details of the valve device 28 with the catamaran structure 30, 32, 34, 36 and the retractable door 38 are given in the aforementioned patent FR 2 675 828.

An integral part of the floating boom 10, the floating structure 22 for grouping and retaining the floating solid bodies is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3 (in which the metal frame 24 and the skeleton cover 26 have not been represented). The floating structure 22 comprises two lateral floats 44 and 46 symmetrical with respect to the axis XX 'and made of welded metal tube. To be able to carry the frame 24 and the cover 26, the floats 44 and 46 have a large diameter (for example of the order of 0.5 m). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the floats 44 and 46 are fitted with grids for retaining the aerial floating bodies 48 and immersed 50. The two lateral floats 44 and 46 are rigidly secured by a set of spacers 52 and kept apart so as to to define therebetween a storage area 54 for the floating bodies substantially delimited by the respective ends upstream 56, 58 and downstream 60, 62 of the floats 44 and 46. By way of nonlimiting example, the storage area 54 has the form of a regular half-polygon, in this case a half-decagon, whose diameter D1 is defined between the two upstream ends 56 and 58 of the floats 44 and 46.To do this, each of the floats 44 and 46 is divided into two portions 44a-44b, 46a-46b separated by an elbow 64 and 66, and the spacing D2 between the two downstream ends 60-62 is such that the half-decagon has its vertices the upstream end 56, the elbow 64 and the downstream end 60 of float 44, the extrem ity downstream 62, the elbow 66 and the upstream end 58 of the float 46. In addition if the point 0 represents the intersection of the axis XX 'of the floating structure 22 with the diameter D1 (distance 56-58) of l storage area 54, it can be noted that this is divided into five equal triangular sectors S1 to S5 with vertex 0 and base respectively, the portion 44a (S1), the portion 44b (S2), the segment D2 separating the ends 60 and 62 (S3), portion 46b (S4) and portion 46a (S5). Preferably the regular polygon is chosen at N = 2x (2n + l) sides to have the central sector S (n + l) centered on axis XX 'with its base
D2 parallel to D1. In addition, as described below, the valve device 28 is disposed adjacent to the central sector (in this case S3) downstream thereof.

To ensure the rigidity of the structure 22 the set of spacers 52 consists of two parallel tubular spacers 68, 70, perpendicular to the axis
XX ', in the form of an inverted U and secured to the downstream portions 44b and 46b of the floats 44 and 48. Two tubular reinforcement flanges 72 connect the spacers 68, 70.

The downstream ends 60 and 62 of the floats 44 and 46 have two projections 74 and 76 on which are respectively fixed, by means of articulated links with vertical axis 31 and 33, the upstream ends of the floats 30 and 32 of the catamaran structure carrier of the retractable door 38. The projections 74 and 76 have a small dimension in the direction of the segment D2 (perpendicular to the axis XX ') to leave between the lateral floats 44 and 46 a passage 78 for evacuating the area storage 54 towards the channel 37 and the tilting door 38. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the floating structure 22 and the valve device 28 are arranged centered on the axis of symmetry XX '. For reasons of convenience of manufacture and handling, the structure 22 and the valve device 28 are constructed separately and then assembled in a removable manner. However, without departing from the scope of the invention, in another embodiment (not shown), the tilting door and its actuating means are directly mounted on the two projections 74, 76 and / or on extensions thereof parallel to the axis XX '(the floats 44 and 30 on the one hand and 46 and 32 on the other hand being made in one piece).

Figures 4 and 5 show plan views of the metal frame 24 and the canopy cover 26 adapted to cover the storage area 54. It can be noted that these two assemblies each have a contour in the shape of a regular half-decagon corresponding to the contours of the floating structure 22 and of the storage area 54. Similarly, the two assemblies, metal frame 24 and cover 26, are divided into five sectors corresponding to sectors S1 to S5. The frame, preferably metallic, is made of square tubes (40 x 40 mm) welded and crisscrossed in plan according to the diagram illustrated in Figure 4 to form five substantially triangular subsets 81 to 85 with truncated top.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the subsets 81 to 85 have on the one hand a base 86 secured to the structure of spacers 52 and to peripheral supports 87, 89 carried by vertical uprights 88 fixed on the upper part lateral floats 44 and 46, on the other hand a "roof" 90 slightly inclined from the center towards the periphery and on which the skeleton cover 26 is fixed.

The inclined arrangement of the metal frame 24 increases its resistance in particular to buckling. The five sub-assemblies 81 to 85 are fixed to each other by lateral bolting 92 and secured by bolting to a head structure 80 in welded tube, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, also having in plan a half-decagon shape . Finally, the central sub-assembly 83 corresponding to the sector S3 comprises a movable frame 94 in the peripheral position mounted on central hinges 95 and intended to carry an inspection hatch 96 allowing access to the evacuation passage 78 at the outlet of the area of Storage 54. The inspection hatch 96 has in particular the aim of avoiding or eliminating the blockages or obstructions due to the floating bodies at the level of the sector S3 and of the passage 78 and to facilitate the evacuation of the floating bodies through the valve 28. It is possible for example to cut off with a saw the tree trunks retained by the dam. In Figure 2, the hatch 96 is shown in its two positions, in place on the roof of the frame on the one hand, and in the substantially vertical raised position on the other hand. The hatch 96 is normally raised by crane, in particular from the waste collecting barge. Optionally, a lifting device with hydraulic cylinders (not shown) associated with the hatch 96 is implemented from the catamaran structure 30, 32, 34, 36.

The skeleton cover 26 is also divided into wooden panels arranged by sectors (S1 to S5). In general, the cover is made of crosspieces 104 (in joists of 80 x 250 mm) carrying a trellis 106 made of wooden planks crisscrossed on the edge and with a large mesh (about 200 x 500 mm). The 120 mm high boards have an average thickness of 30 mm, (all these dimensions being given by way of non-limiting example). The wood chosen preferably for the cover is western red cedar (Western Red
Cedar) from British Columbia (Canada) known for its good outdoor behavior. Thus, the wooden trellis forms a hollowed-out wooden partition or fencing.

In addition to its relative lightness, the large mesh 106 allows an operator to have access to the entire storage area 54, for example with a hook. To facilitate monitoring and maintenance of the dam, a walkway 108 (or walkway) made of polyester resin gratings is placed at the periphery of sectors S1 to S5 and around the inspection hatch 96 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Preferably, the walkway 108 is fixed directly to the "roof" 90 of the frame 24. Finally, the central structure 80 is covered with a wooden floor.

Given the presence of the gateway 108, the sectors S1, S2, S4 and S5 are each covered by two panels, a central main panel of substantially triangular shape 98, 99, 101 and 102 and a peripheral panel in band 98 ′, 99 ', 101' and 102 ', the central sector S3 being covered by a small triangular central panel 100 and the hatch panel 96 fixed to the frame 94.

The wooden panels 98 to 102, 98 ', 99', 101 ', 102' are suitably fixed to each sector of the metal frame 81 to 85 by means of appropriate collars, flanges or "toads", the wood being of optionally protected from contact with these metallic fastening elements by an insulating sheath in glued neoprene crepe.

The dam 10 according to the invention which has just been described is arranged on an ear substantially perpendicular to the bank or to the bank 11 of a watercourse (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1). The dam 10 is anchored by articulated links 107, 109 situated at its ends on two similar anchoring devices 110 and 110 '. The anchoring device 110 visible in more detail in FIG. 2 consists of a tubular pile 111 made of beaten metal in the bottom 13 of the stream and carrying a vertical chain 112 (shown schematically in FIG. 2) on which slides a vertical float 114. The free end of the float 14 being fixed to the float 114 by the articulated link 109. Likewise, the other end of the float 14 is fixed by an articulated link with a vertical axis and movement 116.

Thus, the dam 10 by its floating structure 22 of flared shape brings together and stores the floating solid bodies between two evacuation operations (the tilting door 38 being closed in the vertical position). However, the floating bodies are hidden from view by passers-by on the bank by the aerial grids 48 and the skeleton cover 26, the height of the wooden boards of the trellis 106 being sufficient to hide the floating bodies. The grouping and provisional storage of the floating bodies in the storage area 54 allow rapid evacuation thereof through the passage 78 and the channel 37 separating the two floats 30 and 32 of the catamaran structure.

By way of nonlimiting example, the total span of the floating structure 22 (the diameter D1) is of the order of 13 meters, which gives a storage area for the area 54 of the order of 60 m2. , the lateral floats 44 and 46 are approximately 9 meters long and the width of the channel 37 (and of the passage 78) is of the order of 3 meters.

Of course without departing from the scope of the invention, the structure 22 can be associated with a greater number of elements 14 from each of its lateral floats 44 and 46.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS: 1. Floating boom intended in particular to retain the floating solid bodies entrained by a current, characterized in that it comprises a floating structure (22) for grouping and retaining said floating bodies defining a storage area (54) for the latter, said floating structure (22) for grouping and retention being equipped with screen means (24, 26) adapted to conceal all or part of said storage area (54). 2. Dam according to claim 1, characterized in that said floating structure (22) comprises two lateral floats (44, 46) carrying said screen means (24, 26) and defining between them said storage area (54). 3. Dam according to claim 2, characterized in that said lateral floats (44, 46) are rigidly secured by a set of spacers (52) spanning said storage area (54). 4. Dam according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the two lateral floats (44, 46) each have an upstream end secured to other floating elements (14) of the dam and / or to means d 'anchoring (110, 110') thereof and a downstream end (60, 62) secured to a valve device (28) controlling the evacuation of said floating solid bodies through said dam, the valve device (28) being disposed between said side floats (44, 46). 5. Dam according to claim 4, characterized in that said valve device (28) is of the type with retractable door (38) pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis. 6. Dam according to claim 1, characterized in that said screen means (24, 26) comprise a frame (24), preferably metallic, on which is disposed a cover (26) in skeleton. 7. Dam according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said screen means (24, 26) comprise a frame (24), preferably metallic, carried by said lateral floats (44, 46) and on which is arranged a cover (26) skeleton. 8. Dam according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said frame (24) has an outline substantially in the form of a regular half-polygon and corresponding to the outline of the storage area (54) defined by the structure floating (22), said metal frame being divided into sectors (81 to 85) carrying panels (96, 98 to 102, 98 ', 99', 101 ', 102') of the cover (26) in skeleton. 9. Dam according to claim 8 characterized in that the regular half-polygon is a regular half-decagon. 10. Dam according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that said cover (26) comprises at least one lifting hatch (96) 11. Dam according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that said cover (26) is made of lattice (106) with a large mesh of wooden planks crisscrossed on the edge, of the claustra type.