US3756032A

US3756032A - Sluicegate structure

Info

Publication number: US3756032A
Application number: US00122737A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Solinas
Original assignee: Riva Calzoni SpA
Current assignee: Riva Calzoni SpA
Priority date: 1971-03-10
Filing date: 1971-03-10
Publication date: 1973-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-04

Abstract

Sluice gate of the flap type to dam large canals or access openings of internal basins, for example to dam the accesses of lagoons to the open sea and comprises hinged hollow elements which can be flooded with water to cause sinking into a recess, or floated by means of compressed air thus forming a barrage.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Solinas 1451 Sept. 4,1973

[ SLUICEGATE STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: Ludovico Solinas, Bologna, Italy [73] Assignee: Riva Calzoni S.p.A., Bologna, Italy [22] Filed: Mar. 10, 1971 [211 App]. No.: 122,737

[52] US. Cl. 61/25, 61/8 [51] Int. Cl E02b 7/42 [58] Field of Search 61/25, 22, 23, 26, 61/8, 27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 194,922 9/1877 Marshall 61/25 l,559,35l l0/1925 3,333,423 8/1967 1,997,146 4/1935 2,055,192 9/1936 Becher 151 25 3,543,521 12 1970 Aubert 61/25 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 519,523 0 1955 Canada .1 61/25 1,069,087 0 1959 Germany 61 22 Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Attorney-Guido Modiano and Albert Josif [57] ABSTRACT Sluice gate of the flap type to dam large canals or access openings of internal basins, for example to dam the accesses of lagoons to the open sea and comprises hinged hollow elements which can be flooded with water to cause sinking into a recess, or floated by means of compressed air thus forming a barrage.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 4 Ian 3.756.032

' sum 1 or 4 INVENTOR Ludovico SOLINAS gag;

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PATENTEDSEP 4 m5 SNEEI 8 0f 4 INVENTOR Ludovico SOLINAS 3 AGENT PATENTEU E 4 I SHEET 3 or 4 INVENTOR MYM o L G O A S PATENTEDSEP 41m 3.756.032

SHEEI s (If 4 IN NTOR Ludovico S INAS AGENT SLUICEGATE STRUCTURE Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a sluice gate of the flap type to dam large canals or access openings of internal basins, for example to dam the accesses of lagoons to the open sea.

Particularly in relation to lagoons, the problem of how to protect the internal installations of the lagoon from the high water phenomenon in cases of strong sea storms, in a common one. This phenomenon thereby hightening the level of the external water causing an excessive inlet of water into the lagoon.

A general criterion that could be used to protect internal basins, in particular lagoons, is that of temporarily daming the access openings during the strong sea storms so that the level of the inside water remains substantially constant.

The difficulty of carrying out practically such a criterion, however, is that the accesses to the internal basins are generally very large. Moreover, they are generally navigable, so that the construction of barrages with sluice gates of known type, would require the manufacture of a fixed structure to reduce the extension of the span to be darned, as well as the manufacture of sluice gate control structures.

Such installations and structures nevertheless hinder the passability, which the accesses should instead possess, to be able to be crossed by ships even of large tonnage.

Moreover, the presence of fixed structures such as piers or the like, along the span of the access opening, could modify the normal running of water flow and downflow in the internal basin, which could produce variations in the depth of the lagoon, even in normal conditions.

Besides this, conventional sluice gates, for the exceptional dimensions of such access openings, would require enormous mechanismus and concentrations of lifting strains in very limited zones, causing relevant disuniformities in the dimensions of the building structures.

More than this, the motion of the waves would cause very big periodic thrusts on said sluice gates which could be cushioned only with suitable and costly working elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to produce a sluice gate structure for the temporary closure of large access openings to internal waters, like lagoons, without needing fixed intermediate structures or structures that can interrupt or restrict or change the normal continuity of the openings themselves.

The invention, besides, permits the use of submersed building structures having a uniform structure along all the length of the opening, and finally using their same functional characteristics, to cushion, in a secure and simple manner the periodic thrusts due to wave motion.

The solution of the above mentioned problems consists, according to the invention, ofa flap sluice gate for the temporary barrage of canals, access openings to basins, lagoons and the like, wherein it comprises a base arranged transversally on the bottom of the canal or opening to be dammed, so that it does not substantially project from the bottom itself, at least one hollow element hinged to said base and suitable to alternatively rotate from a substantially horizontal immersion position to a dam or open position in which the free end of said hollow element emerges from the water surface for a hight depending upon the angle of rotation, a recess formed in said base to house said hollow element in a way that this latter does not project from the bottom when it is in a horizontal position, at least one hole formed on thelower border of said hollow element near the hinge axis, a duct for the adduction and discharge of compressed air in and from said hollow element, extending to the opposite side to that in which the said hole is provided and connected with a further compressed air duct through an articulated joint, the adduction and discharge of the air producing the outflow and inflow respectively of water through the said hole and therefore the raising and lowering of the hollow element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings given only as indicative and not limiting examples, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic frontal view of the sluice gate with several elements according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a transverse section of the sluice gate in a dam and opening position, this latter position being indicated with dotted lines;

FIG. 3 shows a section of the joining elements of the sluice gate parts at the immersed base;

FIG. 4 shows a section taken along the line lV--IV of FIG. 3 and illustrates the sealing means on the bottom as well as the means signalling the open and closure positions of the sluice gate;

FIG. 5 shows in section a modified embodiment of the sealing means on the bottom between the base and the sluice gate parts, and

FIGS. 6 and 7 show modified embodiments of the articulated connection between the hollow element and the base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the above mentioned figures and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noticed that a sluice gate structure according to the invention consists of a plurality of wall elements 1. These are internally hollow and fixed in a rotating manner to positive hinges generally indicated at 2 which are supported from a base 3 built on the bottom of the canal or access which has to be temporarily dammed. The above mentioned hollow elements 1 are placed side by side one to the other with an interspace 4 whose extension can be adjusted through the plates 5 fixed onto the sides of the elements 1.

Such elements 1 are however rotatable at their respective hinges 2 in an independent positive way between a position of complete lowering within a recess 6 formed under the profile 7 of the bottom, and a surfaced or emerged position (indicated with full lines in FIG. 2), in which the end 8, opposite to the hinges 2, emerges from the surface 9 of the head water (for example open sea) in a way that the surface 10 of the tail water (for example a lagoon) can remain unaltered to a level lower than that of the head water.

In the lowered position in which the hollow elements 1 are completely housed within the recess 6, the end 8 rests, by means of the buffers or pads 11, on a plate 12 arranged on a bracket 13 formed on the wall 14 delimiting the recess 6.

Each hollow element 1 is formed from an external casing 15 of welded sheets supported by a plurality of section pieces 16 forming a reticulated structure. Preferably but not exclusively, each hollow element 1 consists of a hollow portion 17, arranged at the end 8, which is a watertight compartment in order to form a float, and of a chamber 18 occupying the remaining part of the hollow element, which is instead provided in the lower part with an opening 19 communicating with the outside.

Within the chamber 18 a duct 28 is arranged which extends from the hinges 2 upto the wall 21 delimiting the hollow float portion 17 near which it opens out at an opening 22.

Through said duct 20, a fluid under pressure, in practice compressed air, is introduced into the space 18 through tubing and unions which will be better described in the following.

With the inlet of compressed air, and supposing that the elements 1 are in the immersed position and there fore with the chamber 18 flooded, there is a gradual expulsion of water from the chamber 18 through the openings 19, with which operation the sluice gate elements 1 gradually surface. Obviously the watertight hollow float portion 17 contributes to this surfacing. The speed of surfacing of the elements 1 is controlled by adjusting the openings 19, which also control the velocity of flooding during the immersion phase of the same elements I.

A sector 23 arranged within the chamber 18 upstream from the opening 22 of the duct 20, conveys compressed air through an opening 24 towards the lower part of the chamber 18.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be noted that the immersed base 3 is provided with an underground passage 25, in which the feeding ducts of compressed air for the operation of the sluice gate elements 1 and the apparatus of control, of regulation and auxiliary apparatus, are arranged.

In particular, said underground passage 25 is provided with passages 26 (FIG. 4) closed by sealing with a case 27. Through the case 27 an articulated duct or union 28 is arranged joining the duct 20 inside each sluice gate element 1, with the fixed compressed air feeding duct 29 passing in the underground passage 25. Said articulated duct 28 is formed from an elbow tube whose end 30 is rigidly fixed with the flange 31 to the duct 20 with the interpositioning of a throttle valve 32 for the interception of the duct 28 when maintenance of the system is necessary.

The other end 33 of the articulated joint 28 crosses the wall 34 of the case 27 with the interpositioning of seal elements 35, which allow rotation and joins to the end 36 of the fixed duct 29 by means of a rotary joint with the interpositioning of a gasket 37.

This joint is supported from the ring bracket 38 mounted on the case 27. The axis of rotation of said rotating joint coincides with the axis of the hinging pins 2 of the hollow elements 1 at the immersed base 3.

Still referring to FIG. 3 it will he noted that for anchoring the elements 1 a support 39 is provided. It is rigid to a plate 42 anchored to the immersed base 3 and has lugs 40 and 41, which bear the ends of a hollow pin 43. Said hollow pin 43 is surrounded by a bush 44 of self-lubricating material, housed in the hole 45 of the lug 46 fixed to the sluice gate hollow elements 1.

Through an axial hole 47 of the pin 43, a tube 48 is passed, coming from the underground passage 35, within which a circulating heating fluid runs along the hinge axis to avoid the marine fauna as much as possible from attaching to the metallic structures compromising its operation.

For the same reason other tubing 49, used also for heating, are provided in the same hinge zone of the hollow elements 1.

On the inside of the underground passage 25 (FIG. 1) are then also provided a valve 50 for the interception of the fluid under pressure, on the duct 29, and a device 51 for the outflow of the condensate.

With particular reference now to FIG. 4, it will be noted that on the inside of the case 27, at the end 33 of the duct 28, a cam 52 is connected with at least two

lobes

53 and 54. With said cam a lever 55 cooperates, which actuates an interruptor 56.

Because the

lobes

53 and 54 correspond to the positions of opening and closing respectively of the sluice gate elements 1, from the interruptor 56 signals indicating the positions of the sluice gate elements can be derived.

Still with reference to FIG. 4 it will be seen that the structure comprises a device of elements suitable to allow at least a partial watertight seal at the immersed corner 57 of the sluice gate elements 1, when they are in the dam position. Said elements consist of a plate member 58 fixed on the immersed base 3, with a border 59 projecting from the base itself, and of a cooperating plate member 60 connected to the said corner 57. When the hollow elements 1 are in the dam position, the member 60 adheres to the border 59 of the plate member 58, so that a tangential seal is obtained on the bottom. At the same time the border 59 acts as a shoulder to the buoyancy of the sluice gates in the dam position.

In accordance instead with FIG. 5, said seal on the bottom is provided by means of a flexible plate 61, clamped by clamps 62 at the immersed base 3 and by clamps 63 at the lower corner 57 of the said hollow elements 1.

As a modified embodiment to the articulated duct 28 the invention also provides the use of a flexible tube.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the flexible tube is indicated at 64. It is flanged with an end to the duct 20 internal the hollow element 1 with the interpositioning of a throttle valve 65 similar to that indicated at 32 in FIG. 3. The opposite end of the flexible tube 64 is instead flanged to the duct 29 with the interpositioning of a plate 66 which closes the opening 26 derived from the underground passage 25.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the flexible tube is indicated at 67 and it extends according to an arch of a circle when the hollow element 1 is in the darn position. Suitably, the duct 20 leaves from the upper face of the casing 15 and the duct 29 is anchored at the base 3.

In both the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 the flexible tube can be produced in synthetic rubber with a steel support. Nevertheless it is preferably of stainless and corrugated steel, which offers particular resistance to the corrosive effects of water.

The operating of the sluice gate structure according to the invention is without doubt evident from the above description. By means of the sending of compressed air into the chamber 18 the floating of the ho]- low elements 1 is caused and therefore their rotation at the hinges 2 with consequent emersion. They move thus into the dam position without requiring fixed installations which may restrict the transverse dimensions of the opening to be darned.

By means of the evacuation of compressed air the sluice gate elements 1 are flooded and consequently sink slowly into the recess 6 beneath the profile of the bottom.

it will be seen from FIG. 4 that the rotation of the sluice gate elements 1, in this sinking phase, is not impeded by the border 59, because of a slight curving of the free end of the plate member 60.

I claim:

1. A flap sluice gate for temporary barrage of canals, access opening to basins, lagoons and the like when the level of the water on one side of said gate rises with respect to the other side, comprising a base arranged transversally on the bottom of the canal or opening to be dammed, a hollow wall element supported by said base, duct means for adduction and discharge of compressed air in and from said hollow wall element extending to the free end thereof, at least one hole formed on the border of said hollow wall element opposite to said free end, said duct means being connected with a compressed air source, the adduction and discharge of the air producing the outflow and inflow respectively of water through the said hole and therefore a buoyancy which causes the hollow wall element to rise from its horizontal immersion position in a dam position in which its free end portion emerges from the level of the rising water and wherein according to the improvement the hollow wall element has positive hinging means defining a hinge axis for rotatably positively supporting said wall on the base.

2. A flap sluice gate for temporary barrage of canals, access opening to basins, lagoons and the like when the level of the water on one side of said gate rises with respect to the other side, comprising a base arranged transversally on the bottom of the canal or opening to be dammed, a hollow wall element supported by said base, duct means for adduction and discharge of compressed air in and from said hollow wall element extending to the free end thereof, at least one hole formed on the border of said hollow wall element opposite to said free end, said duct means being connected with a compressed air source, the adduction and discharge of the air producing the outflow and inflow respectively of water through the said hole and therefore a buoyancy which causes the hollow wall element to rise from its horizontal immersion position in a dam position in which its free end portion emerges from the level of the rising water and wherein according to the improvement the hollow wall element has hinging means defining a hinge axis for rotatably supporting said wall on the base and wherein a union tube is provided connected with an end with the duct means which extends into the inside of the hollow wall element and bent like an elbow in a way to be aligned, with the opposite end, with the hinge axis of the said hollow wall element, compressed air duct means being further provided coming from the underground passage of the base, through a passage and seal joined with said union tube, the point of connection of said union tube with said compressed air duct'means being contained in a case anchored to the base for closing said passage.

3. A sluice gate as claimed in claim 2, further comprising heated fluid circulation tubing having a section thereof extending coaxially to the hinge axis of the hollow wall elements.

4. A sluice gate as claimed in claim 2, wherein on the end of the union tube aligned with the hinge axis a cam projection is provided having two lobes suitable to operate, by means of a lever a switch for the detection of the opening and closing positions of the sluice gate.

UNETED STATES PATENT GFFICE CERTHFKZATE QECGRRECTEON Patent No. 3 ,756 ,032 Dated September 1973 Inventor(s) Ludmrica SOLINAS It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent. and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the title page after the line identifying the application nmnber insert the following:

' Foreign Application Priority Date Ita1y=u @.=22Q1 l- Signed and sealed this 23rd (3a;- of April 1972;.

EDEIARD ILFLETCHERJR. .1'-IARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer ommissioner of Patents

Claims

2. A flap sluice gate for temporary barrage of canals, access opening to basins, lagoons and the like when the level of the water on one side of said gate rises with respect to the other side, comprising a base arranged tRansversally on the bottom of the canal or opening to be dammed, a hollow wall element supported by said base, duct means for adduction and discharge of compressed air in and from said hollow wall element extending to the free end thereof, at least one hole formed on the border of said hollow wall element opposite to said free end, said duct means being connected with a compressed air source, the adduction and discharge of the air producing the outflow and inflow respectively of water through the said hole and therefore a buoyancy which causes the hollow wall element to rise from its horizontal immersion position in a dam position in which its free end portion emerges from the level of the rising water and wherein according to the improvement the hollow wall element has hinging means defining a hinge axis for rotatably supporting said wall on the base and wherein a union tube is provided connected with an end with the duct means which extends into the inside of the hollow wall element and bent like an elbow in a way to be aligned, with the opposite end, with the hinge axis of the said hollow wall element, compressed air duct means being further provided coming from the underground passage of the base, through a passage and seal joined with said union tube, the point of connection of said union tube with said compressed air duct means being contained in a case anchored to the base for closing said passage.

4. A sluice gate as claimed in claim 2, wherein on the end of the union tube aligned with the hinge axis a cam projection is provided having two lobes suitable to operate, by means of a lever , a switch for the detection of the opening and closing positions of the sluice gate.