GB2458941A - Inflatable flood prevention barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal folding dam that will block or divert flood waters is disclosed which when raised becomes a self supporting flood barrier. The barrier incorporates a simple foundation and does not need flaps or fences for support. The folding part of the dam comprises a tube 11 with a varied cross section, formed in rubber or synthetic reinforced sheet material. This component is normally folded and stowed out of sight in a ground trough (2, Fig 1A) that is also an anchorage. When needed the tube inflates automatically to make a dam wall between stone or brick corner or connecting pillars (9, Fig 3A). The system is permanently installed such that when a flood occurs it alerts and deploys in minutes. The flood water barrier is self powered and after use can be folded away until required again. Standard modular parts, precast sections and easy assembly make installation and maintenance fast.

Description

Title: Universal Flood Barrier.

Description

The device detailed here is a universal folding dam' that will block or divert flood waters.

When raised it becomes a self suDDorting flood barrier. The barrier requires a simple foundation and does not need flaps or fences for support. The folding part of the dam comprises a tube with a varied cross section, formed in rubber or synthetic reinforced sheet material. Technical options are to inflate pneumatically or hydraulically so as to match the required ballasting solutions and deployment speed. All parts are permanently installed and the folding parts disappear in to a special recess below ground. The system has a low visual impact until deployed and has many optional accessories.

The connecting pillars at the end of each folding part are engineered to form connectors enabling the system to be any length. The ramped connection detail is specially contoured to provide an anchorage, high level buttress, and geometric transition to match the stored or deployed position. The connecting pillars also allow a change in the barrier 0') direction and can include a void to house barrier actuators and instruments. Modular design and standardised parts make the system suitable for most locations and schemes.

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Background:

(J Recent weather patterns are increasing the number and the extent of floods. Inland, these are often flash floods, whilst in coastal areas, rising sea levels and sea surges have a similar defence breeching consequence. These floods when not controlled pose a very serious risk to life. Also for people and businesses, material losses are increasing and at the same time properties are being devalued by these events. Experiencing our own unique factory flooding in 2007, a practical solution was sought that would provide flood control for anyone Ekspan Ltd. has a design team and factory to develop and manufacture structural products From our experience and this background came the invention of this new strategic tool in flood control schemes t

Statement of invention:

This invention is a permanently installed flood water barrier system which is normally concealed (hereafter "normal state") It is capable of being deployed automatically in order to block, divert or retain rising flood water (hereafter "deployed state").

The flood barrier is formed by the inflation of a laminated high strength membrane In the normal un-activated state the long bag shaped barrier is furled and stowed in special channel at ground level.

This has a colour matched flexible self opening cover. At roadways and paths a load bearing hinged steel plate cover allows traffic to cross the stored components.

A means of water detection is included which will distinguish between storm and flood so that when flood is detected, either air or water is pumped into the bag to inflate it to a level which will hold back flood water from the protected area, up to the maximum design height of the system installed. The detection system is part of a general flood scheme control, such that data is transmitted to a control centre and both automatic and manual control is possible Upon flood detection, a local warning system is activated displaying flashing lights and acoustic devices adjoining the channels from which the barrier bag will emerge. Barrier bag inflation will be ) gradual so as not to present hazard to passers by. In roadways this system will link to traffic light Q controllers In the deployed state the air inflation pressure or water fill within the barrier bag will be maintained by a monitoring device and pump. The technical decision as to fill with air, water or both will depend Q upon the site conditions and the required duty. This adaptable option, coupled with the principles of a self supporting foldable flood barrier, is a primary feature. A low point sump within the protected area that utilises the ground storage trough as an emergency drain will enable any initial collected flood water or leakage to be extracted. The deployment mechanisms can be autonomous, self powered (\J and self fuelled. These erect the permanently installed Flood Barrier rapidly. The system pumps can also be used to eject any seepage in the protected area.

When the flood risk has gone, the air or water is pumped out of the bag membrane This is then furled manually and stowed back in the ground channel. Systems are checked and ready for the next event Bag termination and corners are achieved by ramping up to the barrier at connecting pillars, that make a termination, corners or dir. The ground based channel provides base sealing anchorage storage conduits and drainage. Corners and longitudinal joins have construction that to match to the local architecture Some corner or system direction change. These pillars may include a void to form a small machine room to house controls, telemetry, pumps and fuel These plant rooms need no external utility supplies The Barrier is offered with a steel railing accessory to make a security fence. The fence does not support the barrier, but when controlling a river flood the fence system would further protect the barrier from large floating objects such as trees or timber baulks. In this application the fence is installed on the flood water side The root of the Barrier, close to the foundation anchorage, is further protected against underwater rolling' debris by the cover flap' In the stored position this flap covers and protects the Flood bag. In the Deployed State' this flap forms an addition skirt' and mechanical guard.

Brief descriDtion of the drawings Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1A, lB and 1C show a barrier according to the present invention in a normal stowed state, where Figure 1A is a side sectional view, Figure lB is a top down view and Figure IC is a perspective sectional view; Figures 2A and 2B show the barrier in a deployed flood state at a water level near to the design height, where Figure 2A is a side sectional view and Figure 2B is a perspective sectional view; and Figures 3A and 3B show an embodiment of the invention comprising a corner connecting pillar for housing self powered deployment mechanisms and controls, wherein Figure 3A shows the barrier in a normal state and Figure 3B shows the barrier in a deployed state.

List of numerals used in the accompanying drawings I The coiled up bag membrane.

2 A channel segment. Having fitted studs longitudinally along one side and made from either of the following: a. Concrete profile cast or extruded joined in line with grout.

b. Cast iron segment joined with gasket or sealant.

3 A steel anchor bar fitted at the join of each channel segment.

4 A cover to the channel approximately at ground level in the normal state with construction as either of the followingS a. Flexible rubber material (colour matched) which can be displaced by expanding bag (\J membrane.

b. Steel load bearing plate for vehicle transit in road or gateways.

A clamp or hinged strip, in sections to run the length of the barrier sealing and fixing the membrane to the channel and fixing the cover.

Alternatives are: a Stainless steal clamp strip for (4a) above b. Stainless steal clamp strip with hinges to fix (4b) above.

6 A concrete foundation in which the channel and anchor assembly are embedded, where the concrete foundation is engineered to suit normal ground conditions and the forces that develop in the fully loaded' deployed flood state 7 Inflation by air, water or both depends upon the device position in the entire flood defence scheme.

8 Concrete Ramp with inset channel segments. (Ramp forms buttress to bag membrane when deployed and a transition to facilitate the stored or deployed geometry) 9 Plant room housing instrumentation telemetry power unit fuel storage and pumps.

Example of optional fence that offers security and mechanical barrier against floating objects that may be found in river applications The fence does not support the barrier in any way.

11 Bag membrane in the inflated state 12 Bag termination point at barrier design height.

Ground 101 Flood water Advantages The Universal Flood Barrier may be installed: 1. Such that all flood planning schemes are permanently available, in position but concealed 2. Such that deployment is rapid and simple and can have automatic operation 3. Flood depths up to 2.5m can be controlled (standard with max. height 5.5m) 4. Continuous runs between connecting pillars up to 20m metres. standard (lOOm special) 5. Such that the visual impact of the scheme is very small 6. Such that the costs are fractional when compared with risk and damages N. . Such that the flood barrier system has 3 mechanical devices to protect against debris C\J 8. Such that the system has an optional fence that matches the connecting pillars.

9 Such that the system needs minimal foundations and anchors and will suit most ground conditions due to self weight ballasting Such that those who live in areas that may catastrophically flood, will have protection fro injury or drowning.

11. Such that the colour of the Barrier and the Design of the visible parts of the scheme can be matched to the environment and to local architecture 12 Such that the storage trough system also forms a seepage drain 13. Such that the anchorage systems are universal and simple 14 The Flood Barrier can be installed round the perimeter of property so that when deployed, flood water is excluded from land, property and buildings.

It may be fitted ready to inflate and when deployed, span and block a source of flood water that may have left a proper watercourse or have gathered 16. It may be fitted in scenic or SSI areas, near listed buildings and sensitive towns and villages The system has almost no visual impact When deployed flood water can be guided back to proper watercourses 17. It may be fitted under roadways and paths that are normally open until deployment becomes necessary. This allows flood defence continuity without blocking roads and access until floods come Advantages continued The Universal Flood Barrier may be installed: 18. The system can be fitted across fields to provide entirely new temporary flood plains These fields can be used for agriculture until the event. Where existing flood plains have been built upon, new ones can be established by installing this system upstream Q) 19 The flood barrier can be inflated or deflated to control water storage at a flood plain reservoir C and crucially is able to control the amount stored or that amount safely discharge simply by N.. adjusting the inflation height of the barrier C 20 In all applications the Flood Barrier is concealed in its Normal State' can rapidly be brought to its Deployed State' and afterwards be simply folded away.

(\J 21. The membrane material technology achieves a service state strain safety factor of 6 22 The Flood Water Barrier has an independent inflation system and does not rely upon any utility.e.g water, electrical power, gas This also carries emergency water pumping capacity 23 The Flood Water Barrier is a modular system' meaning that standard parts are used and standard spare parts can be kept and fitted quickly.

24. The Flood water barrier can provide a solution to controlling tidal surges in coastal and estuary areas and is designed with corrosion resistance 25. The Universal Flood Barrier will physically people from the danger of drowning,protect property and control flood risk and water damage 26 The Universal Flood Barrier is a device that will restore the value of personal, public and commercial properties that have suffered floods or are at an ever increasing risk.