GB2546751A - Flood barrier and methods of making and deploying a flood barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Flood barrier 100 configured to soak up flood water. It comprises a body 110 which, in use, provides a barrier to a liquid. A peripheral layer 120 surrounds the body and is provided with holes 122 and handling sections 124, 126. The body is configured to take up liquid through the plurality of holes and is resiliently compressible so as to release the liquid when compacted. The body may be formed from a resiliently compressible material, which may be a synthetic sponge. This synthetic sponge may have the form of a rolled up sheet. The peripheral layer may be provided with a fastening part. Methods for making and deploying the flood barrier are also disclosed.

Description

Flood barrier and methods of making and deploying a flood barrier

FIELD

[01] The present invention relates to a flood barrier, a method of manufacturing a flood barrier and a method of deploying a flood barrier.

BACKGROUND

[02] Flooding may occur under various circumstances. For example, flooding may occur following continuous heavy rainfall. Excess rain water may be carried by a river to a remote location, thereby causing flooding at the remote location. In such a situation it is normally possible to predict the arrival of a flood such that flood barriers can be put into place. A known choice of flood barrier is a wall of piled sandbags. Sand is readily available and also inexpensive, but sandbag barriers require moving large quantities of heavy sand and, notably, require time for preparation and deployment of every individual sandbag.

[03] Flooding may also arise under circumstances where there is no advance warning or where there was insufficient time for the completion of a flood barrier or it may happen that a flood barrier ruptures and needs to be replaced. In any of these situations it will be necessary to deploy a flood barrier during a flood. Especially challenging is putting a flood barrier into place in flowing water. Sandbags are particularly difficult to place and arrange into a barrier under such conditions.

[04] An alternative flood barrier can be made using containers, which may be made from rigid or relatively flexible material, that are fastened together. The plastic containers are typically hollow and light-weight. The light weight makes the containers very transportable and easy to place. At the same time, however, incoming water could displace individual plastic containers or even groups of them due to their light weight. It is therefore necessary to fill the containers prior to the arrival of a flood in order to provide additional weight and stability. A barrier of containers should therefore be placed and prepared before a flood. Such preparation may require the operation of pumps for filling the containers with water, and therefore would require access to electricity and sufficient time.

SUMMARY

[05] It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above or other disadvantages. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a flood barrier that is light-weight, can be packed into a relatively small space and can be deployed rapidly even during a flood. It is a further aim to provide a flood barrier which is reusable.

[06] A flood barrier according to the present invention is arranged to absorb flood water. Thereby an incoming flood provides the flood barrier with weight and stability, while the flood barrier is light-weight prior to being soaked. Further, the flood barrier is reusable. Through squeezing or wringing of the flood barrier it is possible to remove flood water contained in the flood barrier. The flood barrier is configured to assume a shape that corresponds generally to its original shape once the flood barrier is released from the squeezing or wringing. Further, the flood barrier is provided with handling sections that are suitable for handling the flood barrier manually or with the assistance of a machine.

[07] A flood barrier according to the present invention comprises a body and a peripheral layer.

[08] The body is configured to obstruct a flow of liquid from one side of the flood barrier to the opposite side of the flood barrier. The body may be used to divert fluid. The body may also be used to enclose fluid.

[09] The body is configured to absorb liquid and particularly water. When in contact with a liquid, the body may absorb the liquid and retain it. For example, the body may absorb water of an incoming flood. Alternatively or additionally, the body may be soaked prior to the arrival of the incoming flood. The shape of the body may be changed due to the weight of the absorbed liquid. Some leakage of liquid contained in the body may occur.

[10] The body is resiliently compressible. The body may be compressed and is configured to inflate to a volume that is generally similar to the volume which the body possessed prior to its compression. The body is compressible to remove fluid contained within the body. That is, fluid contained in the body is expelled from the body when the volume of the body is reduced. Thereby flood water may be removed from the body after a flood.

[11] The peripheral layer is arranged to extend along the exterior of the body. The peripheral layer may extend along the entire length of the body and may also be arranged to cover the entire the body.

[12] The peripheral layer is deformable. The peripheral layer may be in a first state of deformation when the body is compressed. The peripheral layer may be in a second state of deformation when the body is not compressed.

[13] The peripheral layer is provided with handling sections. The handling sections are suitable for handling the flood barrier both manually or using a machine. Handling may include lifting, carrying, dragging, or setting down of the flood barrier. The peripheral layer may be formed from a suitable durable material, such as rope, nylon or any known alternatives.

[14] The peripheral layer is provided with holes. The holes are gaps formed between handling sections and expose the body. The holes are relatively closely spaced and relatively large. Specifically, the holes are spaced and dimensioned so that an individual handling section can be seized by a person. The holes may be spaced regularly or irregularly. Fluid may be absorbed by the body or flow from the body through the holes of the peripheral layer. That is, the peripheral layer is permeable to liquid.

[15] The body may be formed from a material that is resiliently compressible, liquid absorbent and configured to release fluid when compressed.

[16] The body may be made of natural or synthetic sponge. Sponge is a material known to possess a porous structure suitable for absorbing and retaining liquid until compressed. The porous structure comprises a large number of small interconnected cells. Capillary action may cause liquid to flow into the porous structure without the need of externally providing pressure, for instance using a pump. In particular, liquid may overcome gravity due to capillary action. Thereby fluid and a particularly water may be caused to enter the body of the flood barrier and be retained by the body. Similarly, the body may be made from open-cell foam.

[17] The body may be formed from a sheet of a suitable choice of sponge. The body may be formed from a sheet of sponge. The sheet may be rolled up to form the body, and may be retained in a rolled-up state by the peripheral layer. The body may be formed from a plurality of sheets.

[18] The peripheral layer may be arranged to retain the body in a generally elongate shape. The generally elongate shape may be obtained when rolling the sheet or a number of sheets to make a body. The peripheral layer may prevent the sheet or number of sheets from unrolling. The shape of the body may be generally cylindrical.

[19] The peripheral layer may be arranged to confine the body to a moderately compressed state. Specifically, the peripheral layer may retain the generally cylindrical shape of the body in a moderately compressed state with the compression occurring along the radial direction of the cylindrical shape. In a moderately compressed form the density and the rigidity of the flood barrier may be increased.

[20] The peripheral layer may be provided with a fastening portion. Specifically, the peripheral layer may be provided with a loop formed from a suitable durable material, such as rope or nylon or any know alternative, for fastening to an object or a structure.

[21] According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of deploying a reusable flood barrier. The method comprises reducing the volume of the flood barrier through compression to a significantly compressed state. The method comprises transporting the flood barrier in a significantly compressed state using a vehicle. The method comprises manipulating and placing the flood barrier using the handling sections provided in the peripheral layer. The method comprises causing the flood barrier to inflate such that the flood barrier expands to a volume that is larger than when compressed. The method comprises reducing the volume of the flood barrier through compression.

[22] The method of deploying a reusable flood barrier may include removing liquid from the from the flood barrier when reducing the volume of the flood barrier.

[23] The method of deploying a reusable flood barrier may include fastening the peripheral layer to a location using a fastener. The fastener may be a hook, a metal peg, a nail or any other suitable type of fastener. The location may be any suitable location for fastening, such as the ground, an object or a structure. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include fastening a section of the flood barrier to a location by driving a pole through the body of the flood barrier. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include fastening the peripheral layer to a location using the fastening portion provided on the peripheral layer that is described above.

[24] According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of making a flood barrier. The method comprises providing a sheet of sponge. The method further comprises forming a body by rolling the sheet. The method further comprises fastening a peripheral layer around the body, wherein the peripheral layer is provided with a plurality of handling sections and a plurality of holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[25] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a flood barrier according to the present invention.

[26] Figure 2A shows a side-view of a deployed flood barrier.

[27] Figure 2B shows a side-view of a deployed flood barrier in a situation where the flood barrier has absorbed flood water of an incoming flood.

[28] Figure 3A shows a side-view of a flood barrier where the peripheral layer is fastened to the ground and fastened to an object.

[29] Figure 3B shows a side-view of a flood barrier where the body is fastened to the ground.

[30] Figure 4 shows a sheet of sponge which is partially rolled up.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[31] An embodiment of a flood barrier according to the present disclosure is discussed with reference to the Figures. It will be appreciated that the flood barrier is presented schematically in the Figures and that technical details have been omitted for the sake of clarity, or where such are well known in the art.

[32] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a flood barrier 100 according to the present disclosure. The flood barrier comprises a body 110, which has a generally cylindrical shape. The body 110 terminates in an end portion 112 at one end and another end portion 114 at the opposite end. The end portion 112,114 may be generally flat.

[33] The flood barrier 100 comprises a peripheral layer 120, which extends along the exterior of the body 110. Figure 1 shows a peripheral layer which extends over only a section of the full exterior of the body 110. The peripheral layer 120 may additionally cover an end portion 112, 114 ora region of an end portion 112, 114.

[34] The peripheral layer 120 forms a grid-like structure with handling sections 124, 126 enclosing holes 122. The peripheral layer 120 is deformable. The peripheral layer 120 may comprise a net or a mesh.

[35] The handling sections 124, 126 comprise main sections 124 and intersections 126. A main section 124 extends between two intersections 126. The main section 124 may be between approximately 1 cm and 25 cm long. The main section 124 may be approximately 12 cm long. The main section 124 may have a length such that it is possible to grab the main section 124 with a hand. The main section 124 may have a length suitable for holding the main section 124 with a finger. All sections 124 may be of generally the same length. Alternatively, different sections 124 may have different lengths.

[36] An intersection 126 is formed where at least three main sections 124 meet. Some intersections are formed where four main sections 124 meet. Other intersections may be formed where more than four main sections 124 meet. Any intersection 126 is suitable for holding on to with at least one finger or at least one hand. Dependent on the dimensions of the main sections 124, it may be possible to hold an individual intersection 126 or multiple intersections 126 at the same time.

[37] Figure 2A shows a side-view onto the flood barrier 100 such that an end portion 112,114 is visible. The peripheral layer 120 is not depicted in Figure 2A for the sake of clarity. Figure 2A shows the flood barrier 100 placed on a generally planar ground 200. Alternatively, the flood barrier 100 may be placed on uneven ground. Smaller obstructions or sharp objects have little effect on the performance of the flood barrier 100. When deploying a flood barrier under time pressure it may prove particularly advantageous that there is no need to avoid sharp objects and/or protrusions.

[38] Figure 2B shows the same side-view onto the flood barrier 100 as that depicted in Figure 2A. The peripheral layer 120 is not depicted in Figure 2B.

[39] In Figure 2B flood water 202 is shown on one side of the flood barrier 100. The flood barrier 100 prevents flood water 202 from flowing to the other side. The flood barrier 100 is shown in a soaked state, indicated by a wave pattern that is also used to indicate the flood water 202. As indicated in Figure 2B, a substantial portion of the flood barrier 100 may be soaked although the flood water 202 is not in contact with the flood barrier 100 along its full height. The flood barrier 100 may be configured to absorb flood water 202 into the entire body 110 when in contact with the flood water 202. Specifically, capillarity may cause the flood water 202 to enter the body 110 and rise higher than the level of the flood water 202, thereby soaking the entire body 110. Capillarity may also retain water inside the body 110, so that little leakage occurs until the body 110 is compressed.

[40] The flood barrier 100 may have substantially the same shape in a soaked state as it has in a dry state. The flood barrier 100 may be deformed when in a soaked state 100.

[41] Figure 3A shows a side-view onto the flood barrier 100. A loop 28 is provided on the peripheral layer 120 and slung around a post 206 extending from the ground 200 in order to fasten the flood barrier 100 relative to the post 206. The post 206 may provide additional support against forces exerted on the flood barrier 100.

[42] A ground anchor 204 is used to fasten the peripheral layer 120 to the ground 200. The ground anchor 204 may fasten a single handling section 124, 126, such as a main section 124 or an intersection 126, relative to the ground. Alternatively, multiple handling sections 124, 126, which may include multiple main sections 124 and or/intersections 126, may be fastened using the ground anchor 204.

[43] When the peripheral layer 120 is fastened to an object or available structures, such as the ground 200 or a post 206, the peripheral layer 120 may prevent the body 100 from deforming in response to a pressure exerted on the flood barrier 100 by, for example, flood water 202. The peripheral layer 120 may further prevent the body 100 from tearing under strain. Such strain may arise due to water pressure or a collision with an object.

[44] Although two fastening means are illustrated in Figure 3A, they need not be used simultaneously but merely illustrate different ways for fastening the flood barrier 100.

[45] Figure 3B shows a side-view onto the flood barrier 100. The peripheral layer 120 is not depicted. A pole 206 is driven through the body 110 and into the ground 200. Thereby the body 110 is fixed relative to a location of the pole 206 and the ground 200. The pole 206 may not detriment the performance of the flood barrier 100 although the body 110 is punctured. The pole 206 may be used to provide additional support against forces exerted on the flood barrier 100. The pole 206 may be used provide additional or alternative means for fastening of and providing support to the flood barrier 100.

[46] The pole 206 is an elongate object made from a relatively stiff material and is, for ease of use, provided with a pointed end. The pole 206 may comprise a suitable choice of wood or metal or plastic.

[47] Other suitable fastening means include rope and cable ties for tying down the flood barrier 100, possibly by fastening knots or loops to the peripheral layer.

[48] Figure 4 shows a sheet 116 of sponge. The sheet 116 is depicted in a partially-rolled-up state. The sheet may be rolled up completely in order to form a body 110. A body 110 formed from a rolled-up sheet 116 is provided with a peripheral layer 120. The peripheral layer 120 may prevent the body 110 from unrolling. The body may consist of a rolled sheet of sponge. The rolled sheet may have a substantially cylindrical shape.

[49] Using multiple sheets 116 or increasing the thickness of a single sheet 116 may affect the properties of the final flood barrier 100. Multiple sheets 116 may be interlaced so as to provide a flood barrier 100 with a larger diameter. Additionally or alternatively, multiple sheets 116 may be interlaced in order to provide a longer flood barrier 100. The rigidity and density of the flood barrier 100 can be affected dependent on the properties of the sheet 116, the number thereof and how tightly they are packed inside the peripheral layer 120. Combining multiple sheets 116 made from different types of open-cell foams may also affect the properties of the final flood barrier 100.

[50] An individual sheet 116 may have a length between 1 m and 2 m, and may have a width between 1 m and 2 m, and may have a thickness between 20 mm and 100 mm. The diameter of the body 110 may be substantially constant. The diameter of the body 110 may be between 30 cm and 2 meters.

[51] The flood barrier 100 is resiliently compressible. That is, the flood barrier 100 is deformable to reduce the volume of the flood barrier 100. Through compression the flood barrier 100 may assume a significantly compressed state. In the significantly compressed state the volume of flood barrier 100 may be reduced to approximately 30% of the volume of a non-compressed flood barrier 100. The flood barrier 100 is configured to inflate as soon as no compressive pressure is exerted on the flood barrier 100. Specifically, the flood barrier 100 is configured to assume generally the same volume it had prior to its compression.

[52] The compressibility of the flood barrier 100 provides high packageability. That is, a large section of the flood barrier 100 may be packaged into a relatively small space when the flood barrier 100 is compressed. Advantageously, the flood barrier 100 may be stored and transported in a significantly compressed state. Any type of vehicle or vessel, such as a truck or a boat, may be used for transportation of the flood barrier 100.

[53] Deployment of the flood barrier 100 is aided by the peripheral layer 120. The peripheral layer 120 is arranged to provide means for handling the flood barrier 100 and particular for handling the flood barrier 100 manually. For example, when lifting the flood barrier 100 from a truck it may be advantageous to grab handling sections 124, 126 of the peripheral layer 120. The peripheral layer may also be used for dragging the flood barrier 100 or other manipulations relating to placement of the flood barrier 100.

[54] The flood barrier 100 is made from sponge and hence relatively light-weight. Manually handling the flood barrier 100 may therefore be suitable in many situations. Alternatively, it would be possible to use a machine, such as a digger or an excavator, for placement of the flood barrier 100. This may be particularly advantageous when the flood barrier 100 has absorbed a large quantity of fluid and, as a result, has become relatively heavy. In such a situation, or any other situation, the flood barrier 100 may be moved by a machine which engages the peripheral layer 120 in order to lift the flood barrier 100. Alternatively, it would be possible to push the flood barrier 100 using, for example, a tractor or other vehicle that may be fitted with a dozer blade.

[55] The flood barrier 100 is configured to absorb fluid. Specifically, the flood barrier 100 is arranged to absorb flood water 202 of an incoming flood.

[56] After deployment of the flood barrier 100 it is possible to compress the flood barrier 100. If the flood barrier 100 absorbed fluid during deployment, compression of the flood barrier 100 removes such fluid from the flood barrier 100. It is advantageous to transport the flood barrier 100 when compressed, and particularly advantageous to transport in a significantly compressed state. After transportation, the flood barrier 100 may be stored in an uncompressed state, for example in order to completely dry the flood barrier 100.

[57] Although preferred embodiments) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A reusable flood barrier, comprising: a body arranged, in use, to provide a barrier to liquid; a peripheral layer extending along the exterior of the body, wherein the peripheral layer is provided with a plurality of handling sections and a plurality of holes; the body is configured to absorb liquid through the plurality of holes; the body is resiliently compressible and configured to release fluid contained in the body when the flood barrier is compressed.

2. The flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a material which is resiliently compressible, configured to absorb liquid, and configured to release fluid when compressed.

3. The flood barrier of claim 2, wherein the material corresponds to synthetic sponge.

4. The flood barrier of claim 3, wherein the body is formed from at least one sheet of synthetic sponge, wherein the at least one sheet is rolled up.

5. The flood barrier according to any previous claim, wherein the peripheral layer is configured to retain the body in an elongate shape.

6. The flood barrier according to any previous claim, wherein the peripheral layer is configured to confine the body to a moderately compressed state.

7. The flood barrier according to any previous claim, wherein the peripheral layer is provided with a fastening portion.

8. A method of deploying a flood barrier, the method comprising: reducing the volume of the flood barrier through compression to a significantly compressed state; transporting the flood barrier in the significantly compressed state using a vehicle; putting the flood barrier into place, wherein the flood barrier is handled using holes provided in a peripheral layer; self-inflating of the flood barrier, wherein the flood barrier expands to a volume that is larger than the volume in the compressed state; reducing the volume of the flood barrier through compression.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein reducing the volume through compression removes fluid from the flood barrier.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: fastening a section of the peripheral layer to a location using a fastener.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: fastening a section of the body to a location by driving a pole through the body and into the ground.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: fastening the peripheral layer to a location using a fastening portion provided on the peripheral layer.

13. A method of making a flood barrier, the method comprising: providing a sheet of synthetic sponge; forming a body by rolling the sheet; fastening a peripheral layer around the body, wherein the peripheral layer is provided with a plurality of handling sections and a plurality of holes.