FR3144174A1 - MOBILE DAM - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile dam (1) for evacuating sediments into a channel (I) having a surface (II) and a bottom (III). The mobile dam (1) comprises: - a floating element (2) adapted to float on the surface (II) of the channel (I); - at least two wheels (4) adapted to roll on the bottom (III) of the channel (I) ), the wheels (4) comprising means adapted to cause the wheels (4) to sink; and- a membrane (6) positioned between the floating element (2) and the wheels (4) to form a barrier adapted to deflect a flow of water circulating in the channel (I). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

MOBILE DAM

The invention relates to the field of evacuating sediment from a channel.

STATE OF PRIOR ART

It is known that certain seabeds such as channels see numerous sediments accumulate. However, this accumulation of sediment can fill the seabed in question, making it unsuitable for navigation. Indeed, with an accumulation of sediment, the bottom moves closer to the water surface and the height of water available for navigation is reduced.

To remove sediments, it is known to carry out dredging operations with a specialized vessel. Dredging involves scraping, or even digging, the seabed to extract sediment. This is a complex operation requiring the use of specialized vessels. A dredging operation is an expensive operation due to the use of a specialized vessel, and due to the cost of the fuel required for the specialized vessel, but also because the channel concerned may be closed to navigation throughout the course of the dredging operation. dredging operation. In addition, dredging is subject to increasingly strict rules.

Consequently, in this context, it is necessary to provide a sediment evacuation system which can evacuate sediments without constraining navigation and while being inexpensive.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect, a mobile dam is proposed to evacuate sediments into a channel having a surface and a bottom. The mobile barrier includes:

- a floating element adapted to float on the surface of the channel;

- at least two wheels suitable for rolling at the bottom of the channel,

- suitable means for sinking the wheels; And

- a membrane positioned between the floating element and the wheels to form a barrier adapted to deflect a flow of water circulating in the channel.

Thus, the mobile dam cleverly allows a flow of water to be diverted into the channel. The water flow thus diverted is forced to pass between the membrane and the bottom of the channel. The mobile dam thus causes a local reduction in a passage section of the water flow, which has the consequence of locally accelerating the water flow (i.e. the water flow accelerates as it passes between the membrane and the bottom of the channel). This acceleration of the flow of water passing against the bottom of the channel makes it possible to evacuate, with the flow of water, sediments initially present at the bottom of the channel. The sediments thus evacuated are preferentially evacuated out to sea, outside the channel.

In addition, the mobile boom according to the invention can have a reduced volume (in particular less than the volume of a dredging boat) so that navigation remains possible in the channel when the mobile boom is used.

Thus, the mobile dam makes it very advantageous to evacuate sediments from a channel, without restricting navigation and while being inexpensive.

According to a particular arrangement, the mobile dam comprises a shaft connecting the wheels together.

According to a particular arrangement, the mobile dam comprises at least two telescopic arms, each telescopic arm connecting the floating element to a wheel.

According to a particular arrangement, the telescopic arms are movable between a retracted position in which the wheels are brought closer to the floating element, and an deployed position in which the wheels are moved away from the floating element.

According to a particular arrangement, each telescopic arm has a first end fixed in pivot connection to a transverse face of the box, the axis of the pivot connection being perpendicular to the plane of the transverse face of the box, and each telescopic arm also has a second end to which a wheel is attached.

According to a particular arrangement, the membrane has a quadrilateral shape with two corners connected to each telescopic arm.

According to a particular arrangement, for each telescopic arm the membrane has a corner fixed to the telescopic arm near the floating element and another corner fixed to the telescopic arm near the wheel.

According to a particular arrangement, the mobile dam comprises a cylinder mounted between the floating element and the telescopic arm to move the telescopic arm in rotation around the axis of the pivot connection.

According to a particular arrangement, the mobile dam comprises at least one motor adapted to rotate the wheels and/or to actuate the cylinders.

According to a particular arrangement, each wheel comprises a plurality of blades.

According to a particular arrangement, the membrane is made of rubber or of a flexible polymer material.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a mobile dam according to the invention, when the telescopic arms are in the deployed position;

is a schematic representation, from the front, of a mobile dam according to the invention when the telescopic arms are in the deployed position;

is a schematic representation, from the side, of a mobile dam according to the invention when the telescopic arms are in the retracted position;

is a schematic perspective representation of a wheel, of a mobile dam according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Mobile dam

In reference to the , a mobile dam 1 is proposed to evacuate the sediments into a channel.

It is specified that in this document, by channel, we mean a narrow passage, natural or artificial, allowing navigation. It is known that a channel has a bottom and a surface. Likewise, it is known that a channel contains water.

The mobile dam 1 mainly includes:

- a floating element 2 adapted to float on surface II of channel I;

- at least two wheels 4 adapted to roll on bottom III of channel I,

- suitable means for sinking the wheels 4; And

- a membrane 6 positioned between the floating element 2 and the wheels 4 to form a dam adapted to deflect a flow of water circulating in channel I.

Thus, the mobile dam 1 cleverly makes it possible to divert a flow of water in the channel I. As will be explained in more detail below, the flow of water thus diverted is forced to pass between the membrane 6 and the bottom III of channel I. The mobile dam 1 thus causes a local reduction of a passage section of the water flow IV, which has the consequence of locally accelerating the water flow (i.e. the water flow accelerates in passing between membrane 6 and bottom III of channel I). This acceleration of the flow of water passing against the bottom III of channel I makes it possible to evacuate, with the flow of water, sediments initially present at the bottom of channel I. The sediments thus evacuated are preferentially evacuated towards the sea, to the outside of channel I.

In addition, the mobile dam 1 according to the invention can have a reduced volume so that navigation remains possible in channel I when the movable dam 1 is used. In other words, the mobile boom 1 occupies the entire width of the channel I, so that the channel I remains navigable when the mobile boom 1 is used.

Thus, the mobile dam 1 very advantageously allows sediments to be evacuated from a channel I, without restricting navigation and while being inexpensive.

Floating element

The floating element 2 takes for example here the form of a box 8 adapted to float on surface II of channel I. Typically, the box 8 can be a waterproof box made of metal or polymer material.

According to the embodiment presented here, the box 8 is equipped with a motor adapted to drive the wheels 4 in rotation and to actuate cylinders 26 which will be described below. The motor can, for example, be a heat engine, or an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. According to one embodiment, a motor can be positioned against each wheel 4. Thus, each motor rotates a wheel 4. According to this embodiment, the motors are powered by a source of electrical and/or hydraulic energy which is positioned in box 8.

Depending on the nature of the engine used, the energy source of the engine, in the box 8, can be a fuel tank for a thermal engine and/or a battery to power an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

In addition, as shown schematically on the , the box 8 has a parallelepiped shape with four longitudinal faces and two transverse faces 10.

In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the mobile dam 1 also comprises two telescopic arms 12. Each telescopic arm 12 has a first end 14 fixed to the box 8, here to a transverse face 10 of the box 8. The first end 14 is fixed in pivot connection to the box 8, the axis 24 of the pivot connection being perpendicular to the plane of the transverse face 10 of the box 8 thus the position of each telescopic arm 12 can be adapted as a function of the depth of the channel I. Each telescopic arm 12 also includes a second end 16 to which a wheel 4 is fixed.

Each telescopic arm 12 is movable between a retracted position ( ) in which the wheels 4 are brought closer to the floating element 2, and a deployed position ( ) in which the wheels 4 are distant from the floating element 2.

According to the embodiment presented here, for each telescopic arm 12, the movable dam 1 comprises a jack 26 which is mounted between the floating element 2 and the telescopic arm 12 to move the latter in rotation around the connecting axis 24 pivot, in particular for storing the telescopic arm 12 when it is in the retracted position. According to a particular arrangement, the cylinders 26 are actuated by the motor which also drives the wheels 4.

In addition, as will be described below, the membrane 6 is fixed to and between the telescopic arms 12.

Wheel

A wheel 4 is fixed to the second end 16 of each telescopic arm 12. A particular embodiment of a wheel 4 is shown schematically on the .

Each wheel 4 is adapted to roll at bottom III of channel I.

The wheels 4 can be made of metal and/or polymer material. According to the embodiment presented here, each wheel 4 comprises a plurality of blades 18. According to the embodiment presented here, the wheel 4 comprises two treads 24 framing the blades 18.

The blades 18 allow the translation of the wheel 4 in the water of channel I and at the bottom III of the channel, when the wheel 4 is rotated. In other words, the blades 18 allow the movement of the wheel 4 when it is only in the water (that is to say, when the wheel 4 is not in contact with the bottom III) . In addition, the blades 18 also have a crampon function facilitating the movement of the wheel 4 on the bottom III.

In addition, according to the embodiment presented here, the wheels 4 are connected by a shaft 20. The shaft 20 connects the wheels 4 at their hubs. Typically, the shaft 20 may be a metal shaft.

In addition, the mobile dam 1 comprises means adapted to sink the wheel 4. The means adapted to sink the wheel 4 can be the shaft 20 and/or elements ballasting the structure of the wheel 4 (for example a structure metal or weights integrated into the structure) or the telescopic arms 12 which by their weight ensure the diving of the wheels 4.

Membrane

As indicated previously, the mobile dam 1 comprises a membrane 6 adapted to form a dam to deflect a flow of water circulating in the channel I.

According to the embodiment presented here, the membrane 6 is fixed to the telescopic arms 12. More precisely, according to the embodiment presented here, the membrane 6 has the shape of a quadrilateral with four corners. Two corners of the membrane 6 are fixed to the same telescopic arm 12. One of the two corners is fixed near the first end 14 and the other corner is fixed near the second end 16. Thus, as shown schematically on the , when the telescopic arms 12 are deployed, the membrane 6 forms a barrier deflecting the flow of water.

The membrane 6 can be made of rubber or of a flexible polymer material.

Operation of the mobile dam

In operation, the mobile boom 1 is positioned in channel I.

Initially, the mobile boom 1 can be moved in the channel I with the telescopic arms 12 in the retracted position, as shown schematically on the . In this configuration, the wheels 4 are brought closer to the floating element 1 and the membrane 6 is folded.

The configuration with the telescopic arms 12 in the retracted position makes it possible to easily maneuver the mobile boom 1 to place it in channel I, or to store it after use. As indicated previously, in this configuration, the blades 18 allow the wheels 4 to move in the water.

It is specified that in a particularly advantageous manner, the configuration with the telescopic arms 12 in the retracted position also makes it possible to park the mobile boom 1 in channel I when the mobile boom 1 is not used.

To evacuate sediments, mobile boom 1 is moved in channel I to an area where it is necessary to evacuate sediments accumulated on bottom III.

The telescopic arms 12 are operated in the deployed position. In this position the wheels 4 are brought closer to the bottom III and preferably in contact with it. In a particularly advantageous manner, when the wheels 4 are in contact with the bottom III, the blades 18 behave like crampons by hooking the bottom III and thus facilitate the movement of the wheels 4 on the bottom III.

When the telescopic arms 12 are in the deployed position, the membrane 6 is tensioned as shown schematically on the . When the membrane 6 is stretched it forms a wall in the shape of a quadrilateral.

Typically the mobile dam 1 is maneuvered so that the membrane 6 is substantially perpendicular to a main direction of circulation of the water flow. Thus, membrane 6 forms a dam which diverts the flow of water.

The flow of water facing the membrane 6 is forced to pass either on the sides of the mobile dam 1, at the level of the telescopic arms 12, or between the membrane 6 and the bottom III.

However, the passage between the membrane 6 and the bottom III is a reduced passage whose height does not exceed a diameter of the wheels 4 when the wheels 4 are in contact with the bottom III. Thus, the deviated flow of water which passes between membrane 6 and bottom III is accelerated by passing through this reduced passage. The acceleration of the water flow promotes the movement and evacuation of sediments which are carried out to sea with the water flow IV.

In addition, the use of wheels 4 with blades 18 makes it possible to move and remove sediments which are also carried away with the flow of water.

Thus, the mobile dam 1 makes it possible to evacuate sediments from a channel I by diverting the flow of water so that it evacuates the sediments.

Claims (11)

Mobile dam (1) for evacuating sediments in a channel (I) having a surface (II) and a bottom (III), the mobile dam (1) being characterized in that it comprises:
- a floating element (2) adapted to float on the surface (II) of the channel (I);
- at least two wheels (4) adapted to roll at the bottom (III) of the channel (I),
- suitable means for sinking the wheels (4); And
- a membrane (6) positioned between the floating element (2) and the wheels (4) to form a dam adapted to deflect a flow of water circulating in the channel (I). Mobile dam (1) according to claim 1, comprising a shaft (20) connecting the wheels (4) to each other. Mobile dam (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two telescopic arms (12), each telescopic arm (12) connecting the floating element (2) to a wheel (4). Mobile dam (1) according to claim 3, in which the telescopic arms (12) are movable between a retracted position in which the wheels (4) are brought closer to the floating element (2), and a deployed position in which the wheels (4) are distant from the floating element (2). Mobile dam (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which each telescopic arm (12) has a first end (14) fixed in pivot connection to a transverse face (10) of the box (8), the axis (24) of the pivot connection being perpendicular to the plane of the transverse face (10) of the box (8), and each telescopic arm (12) also has a second end (16) to which a wheel (4) is fixed. Mobile dam (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the membrane (6) has a quadrilateral shape with two corners connected to each telescopic arm (12). Mobile dam (1) according to claim 6 in which, for each telescopic arm (12) the membrane (6) has a corner fixed to the telescopic arm (12) near the floating element (2) and another corner fixed to the telescopic arm (12) near the wheel (4). Mobile dam (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a jack (26) mounted between the floating element (2) and the telescopic arm (12) to move the telescopic arm (12) in rotation around the axis (24) of the pivot connection. Mobile dam (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one motor adapted to rotate the wheels (4) and/or to actuate the jacks (26). Mobile dam (1) according to claim 9 in which each wheel (4) comprises a plurality of blades (18). Mobile dam (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the membrane (6) is made of rubber or of a flexible polymer material.