FR3057882A1 - AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL CLUTCH PROVIDED FOR CLOSING A WATER PASSAGE FRAMED BY TWO WALLS - Google Patents

Abstract

Mechanical automatic valve, designed to close a water passage flanked by two parallel longitudinal walls (6), comprising a box (20) comprising closed internal buoyancy volumes, characterized in that the box (20) has on each upper face and lower a lined plate, these lined plates being interconnected by a series of longitudinal stiffeners arranged in a vertical plane, this box (20) further comprising on a transverse side a pivot (22) adapted to be connected to the ground .

Description

Holder (s): DESIGN LANDSCAPE STUDY ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING, VERCHEENNE HYDRAULIC, MARITIME AND RIVER WORKS.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): AQUINOV.

AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL VALVE PROVIDED FOR CLOSING A PASSAGE OF WATER FRAMED BY TWO WALLS.

FR 3 057 882 - A1 (5 /) Automatic mechanical valve, designed to close a water passage framed by two parallel longitudinal walls (6), comprising a box (20) comprising closed internal flotation volumes, characterized in that the box (20) comprises on each upper and lower face a planking plate, these planking plates being interconnected by a series of longitudinal stiffeners arranged in a vertical plane, this box (20) further comprising on a transverse side a pivot (22) intended to be connected to the ground.

AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL VALVE PROVIDED FOR CLOSING A FRAMED WATER PASSAGE

BY TWO WALLS

The present invention relates to an automatic and autonomous mechanical valve, driven by Archimedes' push alone, without resorting to an external energy source or to a remote control system, intended to close a water passage framed by two walls vertical.

In order to automatically close a water passage, a known type of floating valve, presented in particular by documents JP-A-2014040757 and JP-A-2013014993, has a panel pivoting relative to the downstream side of this panel in the direction of a flow of water, called the front side, which in a rest position is laid flat on the ground.

The panel, which has an empty interior flotation volume, floats by raising its rear side when a sufficient quantity of water arrives on this side and submerges it, tilting around its downstream side. In a raised closed position, a valve is obtained constituting a barrier preventing the passage of water.

In particular the valve can be at rest in the low position integrated in a hollow in the ground, to leave a flat upper surface allowing the passage of people or vehicles. A valve is then made which allows, in the absence of water, a passage, for example to access a building, and closes it when a sufficient level of water arrives.

The floating valve presented by the document JP-A-2014040757 not comprising a fixed pivot, performs a lifting movement which is difficult to control.

The floating valve presented by document JP-A-2013014993 comprising several articulated parts, is complex to produce.

In addition, the valve must have good rigidity to allow it to withstand the high pressures caused by the body of water retained on one side, as well as anchoring to the ground and pressing on stops having significant resistance.

The object of the present invention is in particular to avoid these drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, it offers an automatic mechanical valve provided for closing a water passage framed by two parallel longitudinal walls, comprising a box comprising closed internal flotation volumes, this valve being remarkable in that the box has on each upper and lower face. a planking plate, these plating plates being interconnected by a series of longitudinal stiffeners arranged in a vertical plane, this box further comprising on a transverse side a pivot intended to be connected to the ground.

An advantage of this valve is that the plating plates connected by longitudinal stiffeners parallel to each other make it possible to manufacture in a simple and economical manner a highly rigid box, comprising a buoyancy volume adapted to control its lifting.

In addition, the pivot connected to the ground, which can be easily attached to the ends of the stiffeners to obtain significant resistance, gives the valve movement in a single direction which is easy to control. This valve can thus be used both to regulate a water level with a spill from the overflow to a retention basin, and to form a retaining dam with a good seal.

The automatic valve according to the invention may further include one or more of the following characteristics, which can be combined with one another.

Advantageously, the box comprises on each side a lateral stiffener, the upper plating plate having a lateral rim projecting outwards from this lateral stiffener.

Advantageously, each lateral flange supports a flexible seal intended to come to bear on the longitudinal wall.

In this case, the flexible seal may include profiles having a cross section in the form of a square.

Advantageously, the pivot comprises a flexible seal.

In this case, the flexible gasket can form a flat tongue comprising one side fixed to the box, the other side being supported on a threshold of the passage floor. Advantageously, the valve comprises stops of low and high position of the box comprising pads which are flexible.

Advantageously, the pivot comprises rings fixed horizontally to the end of longitudinal stiffeners.

The installation may include a metal profile inserted in a threshold coming at the level of the top of the box in its rest position, supporting the pivot of this box.

Advantageously, the valve comprises rods for anchoring in the threshold forming a butt, arranged in a plane perpendicular to this profile.

According to one embodiment, the mechanical valve has a hollow formed in the ground, receiving at rest the box inserted therein, comprising at the bottom a water discharge channel having a calibrated section to obtain a water flow adjusted to a predefined threshold. Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views respectively from above with the valve open, and from the front viewed from the downstream side with the valve closed, of an installation for regulating the level of a river comprising an automatic valve according to the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 are views in longitudinal section along the sectional plane III-III of this installation, respectively presenting the valve open in the low position, and raised in the closed position;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the box of this valve;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the section plane VI-VI of this box;

Figures 7 and 8 are respectively rear and front views of the ground anchor of the pivot of this box;

Figure 9 is a detail view of Figure 4 showing the pivot of this box; and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing in longitudinal section a circulation passage comprising an automatic valve used as a barrier to close this passage.

Figures 1 and 2 show a concrete slab 2 receiving above an automatic valve disposed in a water passage having a longitudinal direction, connected on the rear or upstream side to the edge of a river, and on the front or downstream side indicated by the arrow "AV" to a retention basin. The installation has symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis arranged in the direction of passage.

Each lateral side of the valve is framed by a vertical longitudinal wall 6 of concrete forming the passage of water, which ends forwards and backwards by a transverse wall 4 delimiting a levee separating the river from the basin retention.

A transverse wall 4 on the downstream side receives a ladder 8 allowing to climb on the earth bank. A transverse wall 4 on the upstream side receives a graduated rule 10 indicating the water level in the river.

The automatic valve comprises a box 20 fixed to the ground by a transverse pivot 22 arranged on its rear side, which in the high position comes to bear on each side on a high stop 12 fixed on the longitudinal wall 6.

Figure 3 shows a transverse step forming a threshold 30 made of concrete in the passage of water, having a horizontal upper face adjusted to the level of the top of the box 20 when it is at rest.

If the level of the river does not exceed the threshold 30, it flows normally in its bed without coming into the retention basin.

If the level of the river exceeds the threshold 30 as presented in FIG. 3, a water flow is obtained which passes over this threshold and over the caisson 20 to flow towards the retention basin. In this case the water completely covers the box 20, which begins to rise by floating. Regulation of the water level in the river is obtained, the overflow coming to flow towards the retention basin, which in particular avoids flooding in this river.

The box 20 has in each front angle a support face arranged horizontally when this box is at rest, receiving a lower flexible pad 56 forming a low stop coming to bear on the ground.

Each upper stop 12 includes an angle iron having a vertical wing screwed onto the longitudinal wall 6 of the water passage, and downwards a horizontal wing receiving below an upper flexible shoe 32.

The flexible pads 32, 56 made of reinforced elastomer have a hollow triangular section, comprising a point facing downwards intended to receive the support of the ground for the lower pad 56, or of a bearing face of the box 34 located in its front angle for the upper shoe 32.

FIG. 4 shows, after the passage of an amount of water sufficient to fill the retention basin, the box 20 in its high closed position, the bearing faces 34 being in abutment on the flexible pads 32 of the high stops 12 These flexible pads 32 make it possible to avoid noise and wear in the event of repeated presses.

The box 20 has in each front angle a bore 36 formed in a lateral stiffener 38, allowing the attachment of a locking means in the high position of this box, like a chain hung at the top of the passage, to maintain it in this position if necessary.

Figures 5 and 6 show the box 20 having an upper plating plate 40 and a lower plating plate 42 connected together on each side by a lateral stiffener 38 disposed longitudinally in a vertical plane, which is adjusted at the end of this bottom edge sheet, and leaves a side edge 44 on the side of the top edge sheet.

The lateral flange 44 receives on each side a wing of a profile forming a square constituting a flexible seal 50, clamped by a wing of a metal angle 52 which holds this seal by a series of screws.

Is obtained on each side of the upper plating sheet 40 a seal 50 comprising a wing under which under the pressure of the water being on one side or the other of the box 20, is supported on the wall longitudinal 6 to obtain a good level of tightness. The box 20 comprises three intermediate stiffeners 46 arranged in the center and near each side of the lateral stiffeners 38, which give the box a high rigidity in order to resist the pressures of the water.

On each side of the box 20, the front end of the lateral flange 44 which is folded forms the support face 34 receiving the support of the upper shoe 32.

Each intermediate stiffener 46 ends on the rear side by a welded ring 54 arranged horizontally, receiving inside an axis fixed to the ground to form the transverse pivot 22.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show a metal profile 60 constituted by a “U” shaped beam, integrated into the concrete during the casting of the single 30 with a wing disposed on the top and its central part facing forward, to constitute the front edge of this threshold.

The profile 60 receives on its central part yokes 62 each receiving an axis 64 which is inserted in a ring 54 fixed to the rear of the box 20.

The profile 60 receives at the rear opposite the yokes 62 two parallel vertical sheets 66 each comprising a welded anchor rod 68 disposed in the same plane, having a departure inclined at 45 °, then a butt forming a return to 180 ° .

In this way, an important anchoring of the profile 60 is made in the concrete, which provides strong resistance to the pivot 22 to withstand the high forces that the pressure of the water and the currents can apply to the box 20.

The top of the profile 60 receives by screwing a sheet 70 comprising a front edge slightly folded upwards, which adjusts on the top plating sheet 40 of the box 20 when the latter is in its high position, in order to seal the pivot 22 for water coming from above.

The bottom plating sheet 42 receives rearward a flexible transverse seal 72 forming a flat tongue tightened on the front side by an angle 74, which comprises towards the rear an elastic part bearing on the front vertical face of the concrete threshold 30. In this way from the horizontal position at rest of the box 20, until in its closed position with an inclination substantially of 40 °, the rear part of the flexible seal 72 remains constantly in contact with the threshold of concrete 30 for sealing whatever the intermediate position of this box.

In this example, the box 20 is formed entirely of steel sheets welded together. Another metal can also be used, such as an aluminum alloy.

As a variant, the box can be produced with plates using any other material, such as composite materials with mineral fibers such as glass fiber, or vegetable fibers such as papyrus, these fibers being impregnated with resin. Plant fibers make it possible, in particular, to produce boxes in certain African or Eastern countries very economically with materials used on site.

FIG. 10 shows a box 20 intended to close a water passage coming from the front side which is raised, for example after heavy rain, and which can go towards the rear, in order to protect for example buildings or a neighborhood from 'a town in the back below. The box 20 is adjusted between two longitudinal walls 6 to form the passage. The box 20 is integrated into a hollow in the ground 80 comprising its two edges fitted on the top of this box, in order to allow in particular pedestrian or car passages when this box is at rest.

On the rear side of the hollow 80, a channel of calibrated section 82 starts at the bottom of this hollow, and descends towards the rear to open below.

The operation of the box 20 provided to close a water passage is as follows.

In the event of a weak flow of water coming from the front side, for example after light rains, not threatening the sunken surfaces which can absorb this flow, this water descends into the hollow 80, then is evacuated through the channel 82 to be absorbed below.

In the event of a larger flow of water which can be dangerous, the section of the channel 82 is calibrated so as not to evacuate all of this water, which causes filling of the hollow 80. This then gives rise to a casing 20 which floats on the water contained in the pit 80.

The water continuing to arrive from the front with a retention by the box 20, continues to lift this box according to the rise in the water level. Water retention is obtained which can reach the level imposed by the fully raised box 20, resting on its upper stops

12.

The lateral seals 50 as well as the transverse seal 72 which are flexible, ensure very little loss in this water reservoir.

It will be noted that the box operates automatically in a purely mechanical and very reliable manner, without using remote electrical control or remote management systems which require a source of energy, and increase the complexity as well as the costs. It is thus in particular possible to arrange the automatic valve requiring no human intervention, far from any dwelling.

Claims (11)

1. Automatic mechanical valve, designed to close a water passage framed by two parallel longitudinal walls (6), comprising a box (20) comprising closed internal flotation volumes, characterized in that the box (20) has on each upper and lower face a plating plate (40, 42), these plating plates being interconnected by a series of longitudinal stiffeners (38, 46) arranged in a vertical plane, this box (20) further comprising on one side transverse a pivot (22) intended to be connected to the ground. 2. Automatic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the box (20) comprises on each side a lateral stiffener (38), the upper plating plate (40) having a lateral flange (44) projecting outwards from this lateral stiffener (38). 3. Automatic valve according to claim 2, characterized in that each lateral flange (44) supports a flexible seal (50) intended to come to bear on the longitudinal wall (6). 4. Automatic valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the flexible seal (50) comprises profiles having a cross section in the form of a square. 5. Automatic valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot (22) comprises a flexible seal (72). 6. Automatic valve according to claim 5, characterized in that the flexible seal (72) forms a flat tongue comprising one side fixed on the box (20), the other side being supported on a threshold (30) from the floor of the passage. 7. Automatic valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises stops of low and high position of the box (20) comprising pads (32, 56) which are flexible. 8. Automatic valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot (22) comprises rings (54) fixed horizontally to the end of longitudinal stiffeners (46). 9. Automatic valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a metal profile (60) inserted in a threshold (30) coming at the level of the top of the box (20) in its rest position, supporting the pivot (22) of this box (20). 10. Automatic valve according to claim 9, characterized in that the metal profile (60) comprises rods (68) for anchoring in the threshold (30) forming a butt, arranged in a plane perpendicular to this profile (60). 11. Automatic valve according to any one of the preceding claims, 5 characterized in that it comprises a hollow formed in the ground (80), receiving at rest the box (20) inserted therein, comprising at the bottom a discharge channel water (82) having a calibrated section to obtain a water flow adjusted to a predefined threshold.