GB2542446A

GB2542446A - A collapsible flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2542446A
Application number: GB1604912.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Pedrick Andrew
Original assignee: Floodmate Ltd
Current assignee: Floodmate Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-23
Filing date: 2016-03-23
Publication date: 2017-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-23
Also published as: GB201604912D0; GB2542446B

Abstract

Collapsible, water-inflatable temporary flood barrier 110 comprising an impermeable membrane which encloses at least one water fillable compartment 120. The bottom of the barrier includes a band of yielding sealant (400, Fig. 2) which may also be present on a sidewall. In use the barrier is arranged on a surface and is inflated by filling the at least one compartment with water, while the band of sealant is deformed under the weight of the water-filled barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface and provides a watertight seal between the base of the barrier and the surface. The sealant might be elastic and adhesive, and be composed of foam rubber. The barrier might have a plurality of separately water-fillable sections 110, 120, 130 and be of a tubular shape when inflated. The tube might have a trapezoidal cross-section and be substantially U-shaped when viewed from above.

Description

A Collapsible Flood Barrier

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a flood barrier, more specifically the invention relates to a collapsible temporary flood barrier.

Background to the Invention

International patent application WO-A-2011030113 (Pedrick) discloses a liquid barrier comprising a hollow, elongate deformable structure which when filled with ballast, prevents the passage of liquid from one side of the barrier to another.

Another example of a flood protection system is the NOAQ “tubewall” which is an inflatable flood barrier consisting of air inflated tubular sections which are interconnected by zips. Each section includes a skirt which lies on the ground on the flood side of the barrier. When flood water covers the skirt, the weight of the floodwater presses the skirt against the ground forming a seal and anchoring the barrier.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved flood barrier which is simple and easy to deploy, reliable and which provides a waterproof barrier in a wide variety of situations.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible, water inflatable flood defence barrier comprising: an impermeable membrane which encloses at least one water fillable compartment; and a base upon which a band of yielding sealant is situated, wherein in use the barrier is arranged on a surface and is inflated by filling at least one compartment with water, and the band of sealant is deformed under the weight of the water-filled barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface and provides a watertight seal between the base of the barrier and the surface.

The flood barrier is ideally modular in nature so that individual elements can be connected one to another in order to create serpentine, angled or curved barriers. In this sense the flood barrier is scalable and may be deployed in lengths in excess of 10m, preferable in lengths greater than 20m and most preferably in lengths longer than 30m. Such extended lengths of flood barrier may be used in order to channel or canalise water courses or surface flood water in order to re-route water away from areas or houses towards drainage ditches, sewers or rivers.

Compartments in individual barriers may be defined adjacent one another or extend lengthwise (longitudinally) along the length of a section of barrier, so that if one compartment is damaged the remaining compartments maintain the shape and integrity of the barrier.

The invention provides a temporary flood barrier which is advantageously simple to use and which provides a watertight flood barrier on a wide variety of different situations.

The barrier may be collapsed in order to be compactly stored when not in use, or to facilitate its transport to and from locations where flood defences are necessary. The collapsed barrier may be foldable and/or roll-up-able so as to minimise the space occupied by the barrier when it is not in use. The barrier may be formed from lightweight materials so as reduce the weight of the collapsed barrier when it is not filled with water thereby increasing the ease with which it may be transported and/or arranged and inflated in position. Handles may be provided on the exterior of the barrier, with which the barrier may be carried or positioned by a user.

Alternatively, or additionally, a bag which is dimensioned to receive the collapsed barrier may be provided to facilitate the transport of the barrier and to protect the barrier during storage and/or transport. Alternatively, a pocket may be formed integrally with the membrane of the barrier, into which the collapsed barrier may be folded for storage and transport.

The barrier may be erected by filling one or more compartments within the barrier with water so as to inflate the barrier until a desired level of inflation is achieved. All of the compartments within the barrier may be completely filled in order to completely inflate the barrier, or alternatively only some of the compartments may be filled and/or some of the compartments may be only partially filled. For example, the barrier may be inflated until it reaches a desired height, or until it distends to fill the gap between two obstacles. In some embodiments, if the total length of the barrier is too great to fill a specific opening, filling only a portion of the compartments of the barrier may allow only a subsection of the barrier to be inflated such the barrier fits within the opening.

The barrier may be collapsed by draining any water filled compartments. One or more valves may be provided which regulate the flow of water into or out of the compartment or compartments. The apertures through which the compartments are drained may be arranged such when they are opened, the water drains under its own pressure (for example, the apertures may be valves provided on the compartments’ undersides) or they may be arranged such when they are opened, the user must actively drain the water, such as be tilting the barrier, pumping the water out of the barrier or by compressing the water filled compartment such that the water is forced out (for example, if the apertures are provided at the top of the compartments).

The compartments may be adapted to be filled and inflated using alternative liquids in the event that water is unavailable, scarce or otherwise unsuitable.

The barrier may be adapted to be inflated using a garden hose. The flow into or out of one or more water tillable compartments may be through a valve or aperture which is adapted to be connected to a hose, for example it may be threaded (potentially using a standard 3Λ” garden hose threading), may have a barbed hose connector and/or may be adapted to use a Hozelock™ connector. This may allow the barrier to be erected in a wide variety of different locations without the need of specialised equipment such as pumps. The barrier may therefore be used to provide home flood defences.

When the barrier is inflated, the weight of the water filled barrier acts to hold the barrier in position against the ground, providing the barrier with stability and preventing the barrier from being moved undesirably, such as by a current. The barrier may advantageously have a low centre of gravity when inflated so as to improve its stability.

The impermeable membrane acts to contain the water within the compartments, thereby preventing the barrier from collapsing unintentionally. The pressure of the water within a compartment may provide an outward acting force which acts to maintain the shape and structure of the barrier. The impermeable membrane may also define all or a part of the exterior surface and/or the base of the barrier and may therefore also act to prevent floodwater from entering or bypassing the barrier. The membrane may be reinforced so as to prevent damage to the barrier occurring and to prevent any leaks being created and negatively impacting the performance of the barrier.

The base may be defined by a thicker, denser or less flexible portion of the impermeable membrane, or alternatively may be a rigid sheet of impermeable material.

For example, the barrier may comprise a hollow cylindrical tube formed from the impermeable membrane such that the interior of the tube forms a water fillable compartment and the exterior of the tube forms the outer surface of the barrier. The band of yielding sealant may be formed along an axis of the exterior of the tube which in use forms the base of the barrier.

The barrier may comprise one or more rigid supports. The rigid supports provide additional support to the structure of the barrier when it is inflated, thereby reducing the risk of the barrier being deformed or collapsing in use. The supports may be arranged such that when the barrier is collapsed they also collapse so as to reduce the size of the collapsed barrier. For example, a cylindrical barrier may comprise a plurality of rigid circular hoops which support the cylindrical structure when it is inflated and which stack face to face within the membrane when it is collapsed.

Likewise individual flood barriers may be dimensioned and arranged to stack one atop another so as to enable higher barriers to be built.

The band of yielding sealant situated on the base of the barrier acts to seal any gaps between the body of the barrier and the surface upon which the barrier is erected. The sealant therefore acts to prevent any floodwater from passing under the barrier, thereby bypassing the desired flood defences.

The yielding sealant is deformable such that when the force exerted by the weight of a water filled barrier presses the sealant against the surface upon which the barrier is erected, the sealant deforms such that it conforms to the shape of the surface. The sealant therefore acts to fill any gaps cracks or irregularities in the shape of the surface which the barrier itself does not block.

The yielding sealant allows the barrier to provide a flood barrier when erected on a wide variety of differently or irregularly shaped. For example, the yielding sealant may deform to provide a seal between the base of the barrier and a surface of cobblestones.

When the band of yielding sealant is not deformed it may protrude a distance from the base of the barrier which is equal to or greater than the expected depths of the gaps on the surfaces upon which the barrier will be erected.

In preferred embodiments the yielding sealant is elastic and may be an elastomer or an elastomer foam.

When a barrier comprising a band of yielding elastic sealant is erected upon a surface, the sealant deforms under the weight of the water filled barrier and conforms to the shape of the surface upon which it arranged. When the barrier is collapsed or otherwise removed from the surface, the elastic sealant will return to its original form. This allows the barrier to be erected in a new location without the risk that the sealant, having been deformed by the previous surface, will not adequately fill the gaps between the barrier and the new surface, thereby preventing a good seal being formed.

An elastic sealant may also be advantageous in the event that the contact between the base of the barrier and the surface upon which the barrier is erected is not constant. For example, in the event that the pressure of the floodwaters partially displaces the barrier or deforms the surface upon which the flood barrier is erected, the shape of the surface which contacts the band of sealant may be changed and the elastic sealant may then expand from its deformed state until any new gaps are filled, thereby restoring the seal between the barrier and the surface.

In preferred embodiments the yielding sealant is adhesive and in use adheres to a surface on which the barrier is placed.

When a band of adhesive yielding sealant deforms to conform to the shape of the surface upon which the barrier is erected, the outer surface of the band of yielding sealant will adhere to the outer surface

When the band of yielding adhesive sealant deforms under the weight of the barrier to fill the gaps between the barrier and the surface upon which it is erected, the exterior of the band of adhesive sealant adheres to the surface. This acts to prevent the watertight seal between the barrier and the surface from being broken, for example, if the barrier is displaced slightly or the surface is deformed.

The band of adhesive sealant may also act to hold the barrier in place so as to prevent it from being unintentionally displaced from the location where it is erected.

The yielding sealant may be adhesive and elastic. In preferred embodiments the band of yielding sealant is a band of nitrile foam rubber. The band of nitrile foam rubber is at least 5mm in depth and preferably at least 10mm deep.

In preferred embodiments the impermeable membrane encloses a plurality of isolated, separately water tillable compartments

Multiple separate compartments may be advantageous as it may allow a user to selectively inflate a portion of the barrier in isolation. Separate compartments may also prevent the barrier from losing structural integrity in the event that a leak is formed, for example by a puncture in the impermeable membrane. Having multiple separate compartments may also make the barrier more stable when it is only partially inflated. For example, if a barrier comprises only a single large water fillable compartment which is only half inflated, the water may be able to move freely within the compartment. It may not, for example be possible to erect such a barrier on a slope, as the water within the compartment will move downhill thereby preventing a barrier from blocking floodwater as desired, or potentially causing a barrier to tip over.

The isolated, separately water fillable compartments may correspond to different regions or portions of the barrier. For example, one compartment may correspond to a lower portion of the barrier adjacent to the base, therefore if only a low flood barrier is required, this compartment only could be filled with water. The isolated compartments may each be accessed by a separate aperture or valve, therefore facilitating their independent filling with water. The isolated compartments may be separated by impermeable membranes so as to prevent water from passing between compartments.

Alternatively, the impermeable membrane may enclose only a single water fillable compartment, or it may enclose multiple compartments which are interconnected or are inflated simultaneously.

In preferred embodiments the band of yielding sealant is continuous from one edge of the base to an opposite edge of the base. A continuous band of sealant provides a continuous blockage across the base of the barrier such that when the barrier is arranged with the first edge adjacent a first point and the second edge adjacent a second point, the barrier provides a continuous obstruction to the water between the two points, with a water tight seal to the ground thereby preventing any water passing between two points.

In preferred embodiments the barrier is elongate and the band of yielding sealant extends substantially lengthwise across the base.

Typically, in use flood barriers are arranged to provide obstacles which either block openings or enclose or partially enclose locations. In use, an elongate barrier may be deployed with its lengthwise axis across an opening or along the perimeter of an enclosed region. An elongate barrier may provide a greater length of obstruction to floodwater while requiring a smaller volume of water to inflate. The band of yielding sealant extends substantially lengthwise across the base so as to provide a watertight seal along the length of the barrier and therefore across the full width of an opening to be blocked or along a perimeter of a protected region.

In some embodiments the band of yielding sealant covers substantially the entirety of the base. A larger band of yielding sealant may be advantageous when the barrier is erected on more irregularly shaped surfaces as it increases the surface area which the band is in contact with, thereby reducing the risk that a particular irregularity in the surface will prevent the band forming a watertight seal with the ground.

In preferred embodiments the barrier is substantially tubular when inflated.

When the tubular barrier is erected on a surface, a lengthwise axis through the centre of the tubular barrier may be arranged within a plane parallel to the surface so as to maximise the length of the obstruction provided by the barrier. The band of yielding sealant may be arranged directly beneath the lengthwise axis such that it contacts the ground and provides a watertight seal along the length of the barrier.

The erected tubular barrier may be substantially straight or may have a curved or bent profile when viewed from above.

The inflated barrier may be in the form of a substantially cylindrical tube. The pressure within barrier may support the barrier rigidly in a cylindrical shape, or alternatively the barrier may flexible such that may be used on non-planar surfaces, for example on a curved slope. The cylindrical barrier may be in the form of a hose with closed ends, such that it may be used to provide a variety of differently shaped obstructions to flood water.

Alternatively, the inflated barrier may be hemi-cylindrical or may have an ovoid or polygonal cross section.

The barrier may be in the form of a curved or bent tube. The barrier may therefore present a non-linear barrier This may be advantageous when a particular object or location needs to be protected from floodwaters but no two water blocking obstructions are present between which a linear or straight barrier could be erected, therefore necessitating the use of either a curved/bent barrier, or a plurality of conjoined linear barriers, in order to create a non-linear boundary.

For example, the barrier may be in the form of two or more tubular or cylindrical sections whose ends meet and are conjoined to form corners. The barrier may comprise a single continuous compartment which spans the entire length of the barrier, or each individual section may contain an independent water finable compartment.

In preferred embodiments the barrier has an acute or right-angled trapezium shaped cross section and wherein the base forms the longer parallel side of the trapezium. A trapezium shaped barrier advantageously provides a flat base which maximises the contact between the barrier and the ground, thereby reducing the risk of leaks passing under the barrier and maximising the contact between the band of yielding sealant and the ground. The inflated acute trapezium is also bottom heavy, having a low centre of gravity thereby reducing the risk of the barrier being undesirably tipped over. When the trapezium is a right angled trapezium the sloped side of the trapezium faces outwards towards incident floodwater. The sloped outer faces of the barrier ensure that any floodwater currents incident upon the barrier act to press the barrier down towards the ground, rather than potentially lifting the barrier and breaking the watertight seal between the base of the barrier and the ground. The trapezium may be an isosceles trapezium.

In preferred embodiments the inflated barrier and the band of sealant have U-shaped profiles when viewed from above. A U-shaped barrier may be used to protect a doorway or some other object which is positioned adjacent a wall. In use the U-shaped barrier is placed with its ends touching a wall or other water blocking obstacle and the barrier encloses a region between the wall/obstacle and the barrier and protects it from flood water. The band of yielding sealant also has a U-shaped profile such that it also provides a water tight seal which can enclose a region.

The U-shaped barrier may comprise a single curved wall or tube, or may comprise multiple walls or tubes joined at corners so as to define a U shape. For example, the barrier may comprise three straight wall sections which are joined end to end with 120 degree interior angles such that when the two outermost ends of the barrier are placed against a flat wall an isosceles trapezium is enclosed by the barrier and the wall.

In preferred embodiments a band of yielding sealant is arranged on a sidewall of the barrier.

In use, the sidewall of the barrier may be placed in contact with a waterproof obstacle such as a wall and the sidewall may distend under the pressure of the water within the barrier as it is inflated such that the band of sealant is pressed against the obstacle and deforms to conform to the shape of the surface of the obstacle.

The sidewall may also be arranged adjacent other flood barriers and may deform to conform to the shape of the exterior of such other flood barriers, thereby creating a watertight seal between the adjacent flood barriers. In some circumstances two ends with bands of yielding sealant formed thereon may be placed adjacent each other such that when the barriers are inflated the bands of sealant press together to form a watertight seal.

Alternatively, or additionally, the ends of multiple flood barriers may be provided with zippers such that multiple flood barriers may be zipped together end to end

In preferred embodiments the barrier is elongate and a band of yielding sealant is arranged on a sidewall at each end of the length of the barrier.

In preferred embodiments the barrier is inflated the sidewall upon which a band of yielding sealant is arranged protrudes beyond the base.

In preferred embodiments in use the barrier is arranged with a sidewall upon which a band of yielding sealant is formed adjacent an obstacle and the sidewall is distended as the barrier is inflated such that the sidewall abuts the obstacle and the band of sealant is deformed under the pressure of the barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface of the obstacle and provides a watertight seal between the surface of the obstacle and the sidewall of the barrier. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a flood barrier;

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the flood barrier; and

Figure 3 shows a top down view of the flood barrier.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring to the figures generally, there is shown a collapsible, inflatable flood defence barrier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The barrier 100 comprises an inflatable body. The body comprises three compartments which in use are filled with water in order to inflate the body of the barrier 100. An impermeable membrane defines the exterior of the body and also encloses the three water tillable compartments. Additional impermeable membranes are arranged within the body so as to separate the water filled compartments such that they are watertight.

The impermeable membranes are formed from 610 g/m2 layers of polyvinyl chloride.

When the barrier 100 is fully inflated, it is in form of a tube, with a right angled trapezium cross section and a U-shaped profile when viewed from above. The tube comprises three subsections 110, 120, 130, which have straight profiles when viewed from above and are connected end-to-end at 60° to each other so as to define a concave interior face and convex exterior face of the U-shaped barrier 100. Each section contains one of the three water fillable compartments.

The longer of the parallel sides of the trapezium shaped cross sections are located on the bottom of the barrier when it is erected and define a base for the barrier 200. The sloped sides 210 of the cross sections are located on the exterior convex face of the barrier and in use are arranged to face incident flood waters. The smaller of the parallel sides 220 of the cross sections forms the top of the barrier and the side 230 perpendicular to the two parallel sides forms the rear convex interior face of the U-shaped barrier.

Three valves 300 are arranged on the exterior of the barrier body, each corresponding to one of the water fillable compartments. The valves can be unscrewed to allow the passage of water through the valves during the inflation or the collapsing of the barrier, and can be screwed shut to seal the compartments during the barriers use.

The two end faces 240 of the tubular barrier are parallel to each other and to the central straight tubular section of the barrier. A layer of yielding sealant 400 is formed across the entire surface of the base 200 of the barrier and across the entire surface of each of the two end faces 240 of the barrier. The layer of yielding sealant is a 12mm deep layer of nitrile foam rubber.

Claims

1. A collapsible, water inflatable flood defence barrier comprising: an impermeable membrane which encloses at least one water tillable compartment; and a base upon which a band of yielding sealant is situated, wherein in use the barrier is arranged on a surface and is inflated by filling at least one compartment with water, and the band of sealant is deformed under the weight of the water-filled barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface and provides a watertight seal between the base of the barrier and the surface.

2. A flood defence barrier according to claim 1 wherein the yielding sealant is elastic.

3. A flood defence barrier according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the yielding sealant is adhesive and in use adheres to a surface on which the barrier is placed.

4. A flood defence barrier wherein the band of yielding sealant is a band of Nitrile foam rubber.

5. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the impermeable membrane encloses a plurality of isolated, separately water fillable compartments.

6. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the band of yielding sealant is continuous from one edge of the base to an opposite edge of the base.

7. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim which is elongate and wherein the band of yielding sealant extends substantially lengthwise across the base.

8. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the band of yielding sealant covers substantially the entirety of the base.

9. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim which is substantially tubular when inflated.

10. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim which has an acute or isosceles trapezium shaped cross section and wherein the base forms the longer parallel side of the trapezium.

11. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the inflated barrier and the band of sealant have U-shaped profiles when viewed from above.

12. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein a band of yielding sealant is arranged on a sidewall of the barrier.

13. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the barrier is elongate and a band of yielding sealant is arranged on a sidewall at each end of the length of the barrier.

14. A flood defence barrier according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the bands of yielding sealant arranged on sidewalls are continuous between the base and the top of the barrier.

15. A flood defence barrier substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.

15. A flood defence barrier according to claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein when the barrier is inflated the sidewall upon which a band of yielding sealant is arranged protrudes beyond the base.

16. A flood defence barrier according to claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein in use the barrier is arranged with a sidewall upon which a band of yielding sealant is formed adjacent an obstacle and the sidewall is distended as the barrier is inflated such that the sidewall abuts the obstacle and the band of sealant is deformed under the pressure of the barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface of the obstacle and provides a watertight seal between the surface of the obstacle and the sidewall of the barrier.

17. A flood defence barrier substantially as herein described with reference to the figures. Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows:-Claims

1. A collapsible, water inflatable flood defence barrier comprising: an impermeable membrane which encloses at least one water fillable compartment; and a base upon which a band of yielding sealant is situated, wherein in use the barrier is arranged on a surface and is inflated by filling at least one compartment with water, and the band of sealant is deformed under the weight of the water-filled barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface and provides a watertight seal between the base of the barrier and the surface, wherein the yielding sealant is elastic and is adhesive, whereby in use, the yielding sealant adheres to a surface on which the barrier is placed.

2. A flood defence barrier according to claim 1 wherein the band of yielding sealant is a band of nitrile foam rubber.

3. A flood defence barrier according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the impermeable membrane encloses a plurality of isolated, separately water fillable compartments.

4. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the band of yielding sealant is continuous from one edge of the base to an opposite edge of the base.

5. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim which is elongate and wherein the band of yielding sealant extends substantially lengthwise across its base.

6. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the band of yielding sealant covers substantially the entirety of the base.

7. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim which is substantially tubular when inflated.

8. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim which has an acute or isosceles trapezium shaped cross section and wherein the base forms the longer parallel side of the trapezium.

9. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the inflated barrier and the band of sealant have U-shaped profiles when viewed from above.

10. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein a band of yielding sealant is arranged on a sidewall of the barrier.

11. A flood defence barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the barrier is elongate and a band of yielding sealant is arranged on a sidewall at each end of the length of the barrier.

12. A flood defence barrier according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the bands of yielding sealant arranged on sidewalls are continuous between the base and the top of the barrier.

13. A flood defence barrier according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein, when the barrier is inflated, the sidewall upon which a band of yielding sealant is arranged, protrudes beyond the base.

14. A flood defence barrier according to any of claims 10 to 13 wherein, when in use, the barrier is arranged with a sidewall upon which a band of yielding sealant is formed adjacent an obstacle and the sidewall is distended as the barrier is inflated such that the sidewall abuts the obstacle and the band of sealant is deformed under the pressure of the barrier such that the sealant conforms to the shape of the surface of the obstacle and provides a watertight seal between the surface of the obstacle and the sidewall of the barrier.