NL2012185C2

NL2012185C2 - Water barrier, in particular a lock.

Info

Publication number: NL2012185C2
Application number: NL2012185A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Robert Cornelis Smit
Original assignee: Robert Cornelis Smit
Priority date: 2014-02-03
Filing date: 2014-02-03
Publication date: 2015-08-06
Also published as: WO2015115894A1

Abstract

A method is provided of transferring a vessel between a first body of water having a relatively high water level and a second body of water having a relatively low water level, separated by a door assembly. The method comprises producing gas bubbles in an area of the first body of water bordering the door assembly producing a zone of bubbly water in front of the door assembly surrounding the vessel in the first body of water by the bubbly water, e.g. by injecting one or more gases such as air into the area of the first body of water, wherein the method comprises transferring the vessel from the zone of bubbly water into the second body of water or from the second body of water into the zone of bubbly water. An according barrier is also provided.

Description

20643-Fe/AA

Water barrier, in particular a lock

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to barriers for separating bodies of water, e.g. bodies of water with different composition and/or water levels, enabling passage of vessels between the separated bodies of water, in particular water locks .

BACKGROUND

Barriers as referred to above separating adjacent bodies of water but allowing vessels to pass from one body of water to the other and/or back are known for centuries.

Generally such barriers take the form of a lock, comprising a canal segment with opposite first and second doors, or "lock chamber", located between the respective bodies of water. The doors close off the lock chamber from the respective bodies of water .

To pass a vessel from one to the other body of water through the lock, or: "to lock a vessel", the lock chamber is closed off from the one body of water and brought in communication with the other body of water e.g. by opening the appropriate first doors. Thus, the water level in the lock chamber is equalised to that body of water. Then, the vessel can travel unhindered from the body of water into the lock chamber through the first doors. Next, the first doors are closed and the lock chamber is brought into communication with the other body of water so that the water level in the lock chamber is equalised with that body of water. Thereafter the vessel can continue unhindered through the second door(s).

To go in opposite direction the procedure is reversed.

Each time the lock is thus operated, an amount of water from the one body of water is transferred into the other body of water or back. E.g., in case of a lock separating salt water, e.g. a sea, from sweet water, e.g. a river or canal, the sweet water gets contaminated by the salt water. This is undesired for environmental and economic reasons.

Further, operating a lock is a batch process and vessels need to manoeuvre into the lock chamber, to halt inside the lock chamber, and to manoeuvre out of the lock chamber again, while other vessels must wait their turn to be locked.

With each locking operation, vessels must wait for turbulences associated with changing the water level in the lock chamber and/or vessels entering/exiting the lock, including the vessels themselves for self-caused turbulences. This requires significant amounts of time and fuel of the vessel and/or towing devices (tugs, quay-side engines etc.), resulting in high economic and environmental operating costs.

More recently, barriers in the form of a gel-block have been proposed which should circumvent such batch-processing. However, such barriers appear to be very costly and large compared to traditional locks discussed supra, to require extra energy consumption for passing through the gel material compared to water and to hinder self-propelled ships by preventing uptake of cooling water.

An improved barrier and method of transferring are therefore desired.

SUMMARY

Herewith, an improved method of transferring a vessel between a first body of water having a relatively high water level and a second body of water having a relatively low water level, as well as an improved barrier are provided, according to the appended claims.

In the method, the first and second bodies of water are separated by a door assembly. The method comprises producing gas bubbles in an area of the first body of water bordering the door assembly producing a zone of bubbly water in front of the door assembly surrounding the vessel in the first body of water by the bubbly water, e.g. by injecting one or more gases such as air into the area of the first body of water, wherein the method comprises transferring the vessel from the zone of bubbly water into the second body of water or from the second body of water into the zone of bubbly water.

By producing the zone of bubbly water surrounding the vessel, water is displaced by the bubbles and the water body effectively obtains a lower density in the zone. The lower density causes the vessel in the zone to become floating deeper in the water. The displacement facilitates removal of water from the zone. Due to the bubbles which rise in the water, the water becomes agitated at a small length scale ranging from the order of the bubble-size to the order of the size of the zone of bubbly water. This facilitates "washing out" turbulences due to other causes such as water flow.

It is considered helpful if the injection is at or near the bottom of the water and at a multitude of distributed locations simultaneously, so that the water becomes substantially homogeneously bubbly, even frothy, all around the vessel.

Consequently, the barrier has a deformable barrier separating a first body of water having a relatively high water level with respect to the environment to a second body of water having a relatively low water level with respect to the environment comprising a door assembly and a bubbler at least partly arranged under water. The barrier is configured for performing the method described herein. In particular, the bubbler may comprise an injection system with submerged injectors distributed for forming and/or injecting gas, e.g. air, into the area of the first body of water bordering the door assembly for producing a zone of bubbly water in front of the door assembly having an elongated shape with direction of elongation substantially perpendicular to the door assembly and/or parallel to the direction of transport for the vessel.

In an embodiment, the zone is confined in a lock chamber separating the first and second bodies of water by the door assembly and separating the first body of water and a third body of water by a further door assembly, the door assemblies may be substantially identical to each other.

This facilitates transferring the vessel from the second to the third body of water via the first body of water. Further, the method and barrier may thus be implemented in existing locks.

In a particular embodiment of the method, at least one of the door assemblies comprises at least one deformable door for defining an opening for allowing the vessel to pass through the opening, the opening having an open shape, and the method comprises adapting at least part of the open shape in both width and height directions in accordance with the position and/or shape of at least part of a vessel to be transferred, in particular during transfer of the vessel through the opening.

Similarly, in a particular embodiment of the barrier, at least one of the door assemblies comprises at least one deformable door for defining an opening for allowing the vessel to pass through the opening, the opening having an open shape between the door assembly and another door and/or a wall opposite the door within the respective door assembly, wherein the deformable door comprises plural door segments attached to each other and movable with respect to each other between at least a first and a second configuration such that in the first configuration the opening has a first shape in width and height directions and in the second configuration the opening has a second shape in width and height directions different from the first shape, for adapting at least part of the open shape in both width and height directions, in particular in accordance with the position and/or shape of at least part of a vessel to be transferred, in particular during transfer of the vessel through the opening.

In such embodiments, the opening may be minimal and a vessel may pass the doors more rapidly and without significant turbulence or waves. Thus, water exchange between the respective bodies of water may be reduced.

To increase efficiency, a controller may be provided, configured to adapt the open shape in both width and height directions in accordance with the shape of (the hull of) a vessel to be transferred through the door assembly.

In particular, at least one sensor and/or a programmable memory may further be comprised, and wherein the controller is configured to, in dependency of at least one of one or more signals from the at least one sensor and the programmable memory, adjust the open shape of the door assembly in dependency of the shape of the vessel as it is transferred through the door assembly, preferably maintaining a substantially constant separation between the vessel and an edge of at least some of the door segments.

In an embodiment, the step of producing a zone of bubbly water comprises removing part of the water out of said zone and away from the second body of water by the bubbles and hindering or preventing return of the removed water into the zone .

In a barrier embodiment, the barrier comprises one or more overflows positioned to receive water from the first body of water over a predetermined height and to hinder return of the water to the first body of water and/or to hinder flow of the removed water into the second body of water, and wherein in particular the bubbler is configured for removing at least part of the water out of said zone of bubbly water and into one or more of the overflows.

This facilitates removing water from the zone of bubbly water, in particular from the first body of water as a whole, lowering the water level of the first body of water.

In an embodiment, the method comprises lowering the vessel into the water in the zone of bubbly water to a lower height with respect to the environment, preferably to substantially the floatation height of the vessel with respect to the environment in the second body of water. This facilitates horizontal motion of the vessel.

In an embodiment, the method comprises operating one or more water jets to direct water in a direction away from the door assembly, preferably adjacent and at least partly along an edge of the door defining, in an open state, at least part of the open area.

The barrier may comprise one or more water jet sources to direct water in a direction away from the door assembly, arranged adjacent and at least partly along an edge of the door defining, in an open state, at least part of the open area.

Such embodiments are believed to counter and reduce (effects of) water flows and/or turbulence possibly occurring near the door.

In an embodiment, at least part of the first body of water is bordered by height-adjustable portions, e.g. wall portions and/or door portions, and the method comprises adjusting a height of the one or more height-adjustable portions .

One or more operators and one or more controllers connected with the height-adjustable portions for adjusting a height of the one or more height-adjustable portions may be provided.

This facilitates adjusting the barrier to varying circumstances, in particular varying water level heights, e.g. tides. The barrier may comprise water ducts with outlets distributed generally evenly, e.g. equidistantly, over the area of bubbly water and/or the lock chamber if provided. This facilitates water flow into, out of and/or within the first volume of water and is considered to reduce turbulence therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example .

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a barrier;

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective view of the barrier;

Fig. 4 is a detail of a door assembly of the barrier;

Figs. 5-8 are details in front view of the barrier;

Fig. 9 shows a deformable water barrier (detail) with height-adjustable portions;

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of door segments for the barrier;

Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of door segments for the barrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral.

Figs. 1 and 2 show, from different points of view, a barrier 1 in the form of a lock, having a first door assembly 3 and a second door assembly 5. In Fig. 1, both door assemblies 3, 5 are shown in an open state and in Fig. 2 both door assemblies 3, 5 are closed. The (first door assembly 3 of the) barrier 1 separates, when closed, a first body of water 7 at least partly inside the barrier 1 and a second body of water 9 outside the barrier 1. On the opposite side, (the second door assembly 3 of) the barrier 1 separates, when closed, the first body of water 7 and a third body of water 11 outside the barrier 1 (unless explicitly mentioned, water and/or water levels are not shown in the Figures for clarity of the discussed structures). Although both door assemblies 3, 5, may be substantially identical to each other, here they are of different construction, as is visible in Figs. 1-2.

In the shown embodiment, the barrier 1 is constructed with walls 13 ranging into the third body of water 11 so that the barrier 1 effectively forms a canal into the third body of water 11. This reduces land use.

In the bed of the first body of water 7, here the bottom of the lock chamber, an injection system 15 of a bubbler 17 is positioned. The injection system 15 comprises submerged injectors 19, here in the form of ducts with perforations that may be closable with valves (not shown), for injecting gas, e.g. air, into the water 7.

In the shown embodiment, a similar injection system 21 is provided in the bed of the second body of water in front of the first door assembly 3. Also the third body of water 11 may be provided with such injection system (not shown).

Further, the lock chamber is provided with optional water ducts 23 with numerous outlets, distributed generally evenly over the lock chamber, here being interspersed with the gas injectors. This reduces turbulence when introducing and/or removing water into/from the first body of water 7 from/to the second and/or third bodies of water 7, 9, compared to using only one or a few points of introduction/exit. The ducts may be connected with a water pump system.

Further, as visible in Fig. 2, if the first door assembly 3 is closed, optional road segments 25, 27 are connected and bridge opposite banks of the barrier 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first door assembly 3 of Figs. 1-2 partly opened. The first door assembly 3 comprises two sliding doors 31, 33 for defining an opening 35 for allowing a vessel (not shown) to pass through the opening 35. Fig. 3 shows that the opening 35 may be laterally offset from a midpoint or centre line of the first body of water. This facilitates manoeuvring of a vessel wishing to pass the opening 35 when the open area of the opening 35 is small. The same may be employed for the second door assembly 5.

The doors 31, 35 are deformable so that the shape of the opening 35 is adjustable in width and height (see below).

Fig. 4 shows in more detail a similar embodiment; the doors 31, 33 comprise door segments which are movable with respect to each other to different relative extensions into the opening 35.

Here, the substantially identical doors 31, 33 comprise outer primary door segments 31A, 33A holding as a cassette secondary door segments 31B, 31C, 33B (not visible), and 33C, respectively. Figs. 5-6 and 7-8 show different open shapes and open areas realised by the first door assembly 3 of Figs. 1-3 and Fig. 4, respectively, as a consequence of differently shaped inner door segments 31B, 31C, 33B, 33C in the respectively depicted embodiments.

The door segments 31A, 31B can be placed against each other with abutment faces 37A, 39A closing the opening 35 substantially water tightly; see Fig. 5. The door segments 31B, 31C, 33B, 33C are adjacent each other and thus close in sliding relation with their respective adjacent faces, so that the opening 35 may be remain closed even when the door segments 31A, 33A are partly opened (note that an optional bottom guide and/or seal at an underside of the door assembly door segments 31B, 31C, 33B, 33C is not shown).

When opening the door assembly to produce an opening 35, all door segments 31A-33C may be withdrawn together providing a rectangular opening, as is a customary shape.

However, the present door assembly allows that one or more segments 31B, 31C, 33A, 33C (partly) extend from other door segments defining different open shapes for the opening 35 (Figs. 6-8). This enables adapting at least part of the open shape in both width and height directions to the position and/or shape of the vessel's part passing through the door assembly 3 of a vessel (to be) transferred from/to the first to/from the second bodies of water. E.g., the configuration of Fig. 6 would accommodate a sharp bow or stern of a ship, the configuration of Fig. 7 would accommodate a wide bow or stern of a ship and Fig. 8 would fit a wide midships portion. The door segments 31B of Fig. 4 would closely fit a bulbous bow segment. One or more door segments may be height-adjustable. Note that varying the gas bubble fraction of the water can also be used to adjust a vessel's height relative to the bed of the first body of water.

By fitting the opening closely to the ship's hull, e.g. by actively adjusting the door opening's size, position and/or shape, turbulence can be reduced and waiting time for the ship until doors are opened may be reduced. Further, applicant considers that thus the door assembly 3 may be opened without full equalisation of the water levels on both sides of the door assembly 3 .

Fitting the opening may be done on the basis of one or more sensors, e.g. proximity sensors and/or contact sensors (e.g. brush-type tactile sensors) on or near the door segments 31A-33C and/or be based on memory data about the particulars of the vessel. Preferably, the opening closely fits the vessel's hull and leaves a gap of no more than 0,5 m, but preferably only a few cm down to contact, for which door segments may be provided with flexible elements, e.g. rubber strips.

Other door (segment) shapes and/or -arrangements than shown may also be provided, e.g. with more door segments and/or with only adjacent sliding door segments not receiving other door segments. Swinging doors could be used but sliding doors facilitate accurate relative positioning and closing off in different positions and/or configurations. As generally indicated in Fig. 11, horizontal segmentation of at least part of a door, like individually movable horizontal strips 31D may be used to follow closely arbitrary shapes of vessels, e.g. by (horizontally) extending and/or withdrawing selected segments with respect to each other.

In use, when a vessel is located in the first body of water 3 gas, e.g. air, is formed in and/or injected into the first body of water 3 by injectors 19 of the bubbler adjacent the door assembly 3. Thus, the water area above the used injectors 19 is rendered into a zone of bubbly water in front of the door assembly and surrounding the vessel. Depending on the vessel's length, plural adjacent sets of injectors 19 may be used to surround the ship with bubbly water and prevent zones with different composition. Preferably, the bubble density is generally homogeneous throughout the zone of bubbly water with a bubble content of about 10%-20% by volume at about a depth of a meter sub-surface. More or less bubbles may be provided as desired. The thus locally reduced water density results in a deeper floatation depth of the vessel and an increase of displaced (bubbly) water volume for supporting the vessel. The larger the vessel compared to the area of water (to be) turned into a zone of bubbly water, the less gas needs to be introduced and/or the more is the relative increase of displacement volume compared to the initial water volume in the area. A controller may be provided to regulate the gas injection, possibly coupled with an appropriate detector, e.g. one or more pressure sensors and/or optical detectors (cameras etc.).

By the injected gas, water is displaced from the zone and it may be forced over the walls 13, and/or other overflows (not shown), so that it is removed from the lock chamber. Using high-level overflows, in particular wide overflows such as along substantially an entire vessel or an entire lock chamber defines a water height and reduces water forces and/or erosion compared to present-day locks. Further, the expelled water is not dumped into the second body of water 9 preventing contamination.

As shown in Fig. 9, the walls 13 may be kept relatively low and be provided with height-adjustable portions which may comprise flaps 39, which may be partly floatable and/or actively height-adjustable, to serve as water barriers against (rising) water from the third body of water 11. Floatable flaps hinging outward away from the first body of water 7 hinder ingress of water from the third body of water but facilitate overflowing water from the first body of water 7. Thus, water can be removed from the latter to the former relatively easily, but reverse flow is hindered or even prevented. Overflows need not be formed by walls; suitably shaped water bed levels like embankments, canal beddings and/or top sides of door assembly 5, possibly provided with height-adjustable barriers may be used as well.

Upon opening of the first door assembly 3, the vessel may pass through the door generally unhindered by (large length scale) turbulence and/or water level differences as explained before. Any bubbly water will exert less pressure and forces than "solid water" (substantially without bubbles), reducing wear and (large scale) turbulence. Also movement of the doors may be facilitated. Note that a bubble curtain further hinders mixing of "solid waters" on opposite sides of the bubble curtain due to induced vertical currents breaking horizontal currents and/or stratification of water layers.

Fig. 10 shows a set of door segments 41 similar to the previously discussed door segments 31C, however here being provided with water jet sources 43 positioned along an edge of each door segment 41 and connected to a water jet engine (not shown). The water jet sources 43, when activated, produce water jets which can be used against water flow and/or turbulence between a vessel's hull and the respective door segment, and near that location. The water jet sources 43 may have adjustable orientation relative to the respective door 41, which orientations and/or operation may be remote-controllable, possibly individually per source 43 or groups of sources 43.

As a result of the method and barrier embodiments disclosed herein, transit times through and waiting times before the barrier are significantly reduced and water contamination between the associated bodies of water is reduced.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance one or more door segments may comprise weights, e.g. concrete and/or sand-filled compartments and other door segments may be floatable, with one or more door segments possibly having water or gas-fillable compartments for adjusting weight and/or manoeuvrability of the respective door segment.

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise .

Claims

A method for transferring a vessel between a first water body (7) with a relatively high water level and a second water body (9) with a relatively low water level, separated by a door assembly (3), the method comprising producing gas bubbles in an area of the first body of water adjacent to the door assembly thereby producing an area of bubbling water for the door assembly that surrounds the vessel in the first body of water by the bubbling water, for example by forming and / or injecting one or more gases such as air in the area of the first body of water, the method comprising transferring the vessel from the effervescent water zone into the second body of water in or from the second body of water into the effervescent water zone,

The method of claim 1, wherein the zone is defined in a lock chamber that separates the first and second water bodies (7, 9) through the door assembly (3) and separates the first water body (7) and a third water body (11) by a further door assembly (5), wherein the door assemblies (3, 5) can be substantially equal to each other.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the door assemblies (3, 5) comprises at least one deformable door (31, 33) for determining an opening (35) for allowing the opening to pass through of the vessel, the aperture having an open form between, the method comprising adjusting at least a portion of the open form in both height and width directions in accordance with the position and / or shape of at least a part of the vessel to be transferred, in particular during the transfer of the vessel through the opening.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of producing an effervescent water zone comprises removing, by the bubbles, a portion of the water from that zone and away from the second water body (9) and hindering or preventing the return of the removed water into the zone.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the first water body (7) is surrounded by height-adjustable parts (13, 39), for example wall parts and / or door parts, and the method comprises adjusting a height of the one or more height-adjustable parts.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the vessel lowering the water in the effervescent water zone to a lower height relative to the environment, preferably to substantially the floating height of the vessel relative to the environment in the environment. second body of water.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising operating one or more water jets to direct water in a direction away from the door assembly, preferably next to and at least partially along an edge of the door which, in an open state , determines at least a part of the open area,

A barrier (1) for separating a first water body (7) with a relatively high water level relative to the environment and a second water body (9) with a relatively low water level relative to the environment, comprising a door assembly (3 ) and a bubble former (17) arranged at least partially under water, the barrier being adapted to perform the method according to any of the preceding claims, in particular, wherein the bubble former comprises an injection system (15) with submerged injectors which are distributed to form and / or inject gas, for example air, into an area of the first body of water (7) adjacent to the door assembly (3) to produce an effervescent water zone for the door assembly with an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction mainly perpendicular to the door assembly and / or parallel to the transport direction for the vessel,

The barrier (1) according to claim 8, comprising a further door assembly (5), wherein the zone is delimited in a lock chamber separating the first and second water bodies (7, 9) by the door assembly (3) and the first water body ( 7) and a third body of water (11) separates through a further door assembly (5), the door assemblies being substantially equal to each other.

The barrier (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the door assemblies comprises at least one deformable door (31, 33) for defining an opening (35) to allow the ship to pass through the opening the deformable door has a plurality of door segments (31A, 31B, 31C; 33A, 33B, 33C; 31D) that are attached to each other and are movable relative to each other between at least a first and a second configuration such that in the first configuration the opening has a first shape in width and height direction and in the second configuration has a second shape in width and height direction other than the first shape, for adjusting at least a portion of the open shape in both height and height as a width direction, in particular in accordance with the position and / or shape of at least a part of the vessel to be transferred, in particular during the transfer of the vessel through the opening,

The barrier (1) according to claim 10, comprising a controller adapted to adjust the open shape in both width and height directions in accordance with the shape of the hull of a vessel to be transferred through the door assembly.

12. The barrier (1) according to claim 10 or 11, comprising at least one sensor and / or a programmable memory and wherein the controller is adapted to, depending on at least one of one or more signals from the at least one sensor and the programmable memory to adjust the open shape of the door assembly as a function of the shape of the vessel as it is transferred through the door assembly, preferably keeping a constant distance between the vessel and an edge of at least some of the door segments (31A, 31B, 31C; 33A, 33B, 33C; 31D).

The barrier (1) according to any of claims 8-12, comprising one or more overflows positioned for receiving water from the first body of water (7) above a predetermined height and preventing return of the removed water to the first water body (7) and / or prevent the removed water from flowing into the second water body (9), and wherein in particular the bubble former (17) is adapted to remove at least part of the water from the effervescent water zone and into a sparkling water zone or more of the overflows.

The barrier (1) according to any of claims 8-13, wherein at least a part of the first water body is surrounded by height-adjustable parts (13, 39), and preferably comprising one or more execution members and one or more controllers connected to the height-adjustable parts for adjusting the height of the one or more height-adjustable parts.

The barrier (1) according to any of claims 8-14, comprising one or more water jet sources (43) for directing water in a direction away from the door assembly (3), arranged next to and at least partially along an edge of the door that, in an open state, defines at least a portion of the open area.

The barrier (1) according to any of claims 8-15, comprising water pipes (23) with outlets which are substantially evenly distributed, for example equidistant, over the area of fizzy water and / or the lock chamber, in the case of a barrier according to claim 9.