GB2594479A

GB2594479A - Modular flood defence system

Info

Publication number: GB2594479A
Application number: GB2006230.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Parker Carl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-28
Filing date: 2020-04-28
Publication date: 2021-11-03
Also published as: GB202006230D0

Abstract

A flood defence system comprising an internal supporting framework (200, fig 2) surrounded by a water permeable fabric 100 and at least one spunbonded fabric membrane containing a crystalline superabsorbent polymer inside a cavity defined by the framework and fabric. The cavity preferably is split vertically by a baffle 110 with both sections containing the SAP. The fabric may comprise apertures for viewing into the cavity covered by flaps secured to the fabric. The system preferably comprises a plurality of attachment means on edges, and provides a modular system by attaching a plurality together.

Description

Modular Flood Defence System [1] The present invention relates to flood defences. More particularly it relates to modular flood defences that can be combined in the horizontal and vertical plane. I i;ven more particularly, the invention relates to a modular flood defence system using hyper-absorbent polymers to immobilise flood water.

Background of the Invention

[2] Flooding is a well known risk to property. Often the best choice by a property owner is to pick a location that is unlikely to flood. But this isn't always possible. And more so, due to the climate emergency and the steady increase in the occurrence of "freak" weather events, areas previously thought safe from flooding are no longer. And large defences already in place are frequently proving inadequate and being overwhelmed.

[3] This trend has increased the need for emergency flood defences. Traditional emergency flood defences haven't progressed much beyond the use of sandbags over the years as they provide substantial defence against flood water. However, with the increased occurrence of severe flooding it is often the case sandbags are not enough.

[0041 One advancement that has been implemented in the field over the past 20 years or so has been, instead of using sand in the sandbags, using a hyper-absorbent polymer. Hyper absorbent polymers absorb and retain extremely large amounts of liquid relative to their own mass, they are well known in their various forms and for the sake of clarity will not be discussed is explicit detail in this application. They still however tend to come in sand bag like forms, which have their own disadvantages as when stacked they often leave small gaps for some water to get through, and do not completely stop surface water,which is often the main source of damage to properties.

[5] It is an object of the current invention to provide a modular flood defence system that addresses the problems hid out above.

Statement of Invention

[6] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a flood defence system comprising: an internal supporting framework surrounded by a water permeable fabric, inside a cavity defined by the framework and fabric there is held at least one spunbonded fabric membrane containing a crystalline superabsorbent polymer.

[7] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the cavity defined by the framework and fabric is split vertically by a baffle into a bottom section and a top section, both sections each containing a spunbonded fabric membrane containing a crystalline superabsorbcnt polymer.

[8] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the water permeable fabric further comprises apertures for viewing into the cavity, the apertures covered by flaps releasably secured to the rest of the fabric.

[9] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein-the flaps are releasably secured by hook and loop fasteners.

[10] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the water permeable fabric allows liquid to permeate it via a plurality of small holes passing through the fabric.

[11] An embodiment of the First aspect wherein the supporting framework and therefore defence system is in the shape of a cuboid.

[12] An embodiment of the first aspect further comprising a plurality of attachment means along top and bottom edges of the defence system.

[13] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the attachment means are in the form of clips and/or buckles.

[14] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a modular flood defence system comprising a plurality of flood defence systems according to the first aspect of the invention. In use the plurality of flood defence systems attached side by side and/or on top of each other, secured together using the plurality of attachment means attached to each of the plurality of flood defence systems.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings: [16] Figure 1 depicts the outer fabric casing of an embodiment of the invention; [17] Figure 2 depicts the internal supporting framework of an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

10181 Depicted in figure 1 is an embodiment of an outer casing of the present invention. The outer casing 100 of the modular flood defence system is made from a durable hard wearing fabric, for example woven polypropylene, but any suitable material known to the person skilled in the art can be used. This particular embodiment the casing is in the form of a box having an area of 1m2 and a height of 200mm, it has four side panels 101-104 a top panel 105 and a bottom panel 106. Opposing side panels 101,103 are secured to or integrally formed with, the bottom panel 106 along a bottom edge of the panels, along a top edge panels 101,103 are secured to the top panel 105 in the same manner. Opposing side panels 102,104 are secured to or integrally formed with, the bottom panel 106 along a bottom edge of the panels 104,102. Panels 102,104 are respectively secured to the vertical corner edges of neighbour panels 101,103 by heavy duty releasable fastening means 107,108 such as hook and loop fastenings. Panels 102,104 are also secured at their respective top edges to top panel 105 by heavy duty releasable fastenings 109 which can also be hook and loop fasteners. In this way panels 102,104 can be opened, hingtg at their bottom edge, Sc) that a user can inspect the interior of the casing. Inside the casing 100 splitting the volume inside into a bottom half and a top half is a baffle 110.

[0191 The casing 100 is held in shape by an internal frame 200, depicted in figure 2. The particular embodiment of the frame depicted in figure 2 comprises struts 201,202 and corner attachments 203. The internal frame 200 can be dismantled and collapsed for ease of transport.

10201 In each section of the casing 100 there is a liquid permeable spunbonded fabric membrane containing a crystalline superabsorbent polymer.

[21] The casing 100 is also water permeable the panels for example having a plurality of small holes therein.

[22] In use the flood defence system is placed in a desired area. Flood liquid (water) ingresses into the flood defence system and is absorbed and retained by the superabsorbent polymer. Any liquid (such as rain) that falls onto the flood defence system also ingresses into the flood defence system and is absorbed and retained by the superabsorbent polymer.

[23] For the described embodiment each module of the flood defence system will be able to absorb and retain approximately 200 litres of flood water and convert it into a non-movable gel. Once peak absorbance is reached the flood defence system then operates as a barrier diverting flood water away from whatever it is protecting.

[24] Once the flood risk has passed the flood defence system modules can be moved to an appropriate location and the liquid extracted from the gel, returning it to its crystalline state and ready for re use.

[25] Often a flood defence system consisting of one 1m x lm x 200mm module would not be effective, a larger area or protection needed. The casing 100 comprises a plurality of clips/buckles located along the top and bottom edges of panels 101,103. These clips/buckles are used for connecting a plurality of modules together, both side to side and on top of each other I a modular customisable manner so that a user can use a plurality of modules to create the best flood defence system for their specific needs.

[26] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. The description is intended to enable a skilled person to make the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A flood defence system comprising: an internal supporting framework surrounded by a water permeable fabric, inside a cavity defined by the framework and fabric there is held at least one spunbonded fabric membrane containing a crystalline superabsorbent polymer.
2 A flood defence system according to claim 1 wherein the cavity defined by the framework and fabric is split vertically by a baffle into a bottom section and a top section, both sections each containing a spunbondcd fabric membrane containing a crystalline superabsorbent polymer.
3. A flood defence system according to any preceding claim wherein the water permeable fabric further comprises apertures for viewing into the cavity, the apertures covered by flaps relcasably secured to the rest of the fabric.
4. A flood defence system according to claim 3 wherein the flaps are releasably secured by hook and loop fasteners.
A flood defence system according to any preceding claim wherein the water permeable fabric allows liquid to permeate it via a plurality of small holes passing through the fabric.
6. A flood defence system according to any preceding claim wherein the supporting framework and therefore defence system is in the shape of a cuboid.
7. A flood defence system according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of attachment means along top and bottom edges of the defence system.S
8. A flood defence system according to claim 7 wherein the attachment means are in the form of dips and/or buckles.
9 A modular flood defence system comprising a pluraliT of flood defence systems according to one of claims 7 or 8, in use the plurality of flood defence systems attached side by side and/or on top of each other, secured together using the plurality of attachment means attached to each of the plurality of flood defence systems.