Portable flood barrier system and method of use

Abstract

A flood protection system and a method of using such a system. The system includes at least one elongated flexible tube arranged for being filled with and containing a fluid, wherein the at least one flexible tube comprises a number of positioning elements.

Claims

1. A flood protection system comprising at least one elongated flexible tube arranged for containing a liquid, wherein the at least one elongated flexible tube comprises a number of position means, wherein at least two position means placed at different positions on the same elongated flexible tube are connected along a side of the same elongated flexible tube by fastening means, and wherein the same elongated flexible tube is placed in a desired position selected from the group consisting of a coiled position, a curved position, a U-shaped position, and a S-shaped position.

2. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the desired position of the at least one elongated flexible tube is a curved position.

3. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the position means is arranged for anchoring the at least one elongated flexible tube to the underlying terrain/ground.

4. A flood protection system according to claim 1, comprising at least two or more elongated flexible tubes, wherein the position means is arranged for connecting a number of adjacent elongated flexible tubes.

5. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the position means comprises positioning elements.

6. A flood protection system according to claim 5, wherein the positioning elements include a loop, an eyelet, a snap hook, a snap fit, a key-lock arrangement, or a hook-and-loop fastener.

7. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is further arranged either for connecting at least two position means on different elongated flexible tubes, or for together with the position means anchoring the elongated flexible tube to the ground, or for both functions.

8. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated flexible tube comprises a number of identical or different position means.

9. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein a number of position means are placed in one or more rows on the outer surface of the at least one elongated flexible tube and substantially along the complete length of the at least one elongated flexible tube.

10. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least two elongated flexible tubes, and further comprises at least one coupling unit arranged for interconnecting at least two elongated flexible tubes.

11. A flood protection system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated flexible tube comprises an outer layer arranged for providing mechanical strength to the at least one elongated flexible tube, and at least one inner layer, arranged for providing impermeability from liquids.

12. A flood protection system according to claim 1, comprising one or more weight-addition units associated with or disposed inside the at least one elongated flexible tube.

13. A method of using a flood protection system, thereby providing flood protection which comprises the steps of: providing at least one elongated flexible tube that comprises a number of position means, deploying the at least one elongated flexible tube simultaneously with filling of the same elongated flexible tube with a fluid, and connecting at least two position means on the same elongated flexible tube along a side of the same elongated flexible tube by fastening means, wherein at least two position means placed at different positions on the same elongated flexible tube are connected along a side of the same elongated flexible tube by fastening means, and wherein the same elongated flexible tube is placed in a desired position selected from the group consisting of a coiled position, a curved position, a U-shaped position, and a S-shaped position.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the fluid for filling the at least one elongated flexible tube is a liquid, air, or a combination of liquid and air including air followed by liquid.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises anchoring the at least one elongated flexible tube to the underlying terrain/ground during the deployment.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one elongated flexible tube is coiled for storage and transport and uncoiled when the tube is to be deployed.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein a number of position means are connected when the at least one elongated flexible tube is placed in the coiled position, and wherein the method further comprises gradually releasing the at least one elongated flexible tube during deployment by releasing the position means one at a time.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least two adjacent elongated flexible tubes are connected using the position means.

19. A flood protection system comprising at least one elongated flexible tube arranged for containing a liquid, wherein the at least one elongated flexible tube comprises a number of position means, wherein the same elongated flexible tube is placed in a desired position obtained by connecting at least two position means placed at different positions on the same elongated flexible tube along a side of the same elongated flexible tube by fastening means, and wherein the desired position of the same elongated flexible tube is selected from the group consisting of a coiled position, a curved position, a U-shaped position, and a S-shaped position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in greater detail below, describing only exemplary embodiments of the flood protection system according to the invention, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system according to the invention, in which a flexible tube is both deployed in a curved position and anchored to the ground using the position means,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a modification of the first embodiment of FIG. 1, in which two flexible tube are interconnected using a coupling device.

(4) FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, deployed in an U-form using a first set of position means,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, deployed in an U-form using a second set of position means,

(6) FIG. 5a shows a system according to the invention comprising two flexible tubes, and wherein the system is deployed to an S-form,

(7) FIG. 5b shows a system according to the invention comprising three flexible tubes of the kind shown in FIG. 1,

(8) FIG. 6a shows the flexible tube of a system according to the invention provided in a rolled up/coiled condition during transport and/or storage,

(9) FIG. 6b shows the flexible tube of a system according to the invention provided in a rolled up/coiled condition using the position means,

(10) FIG. 7 shows how the flexible tube of FIG. 6a is unrolled as liquid is added to the tube,

(11) FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which one coupling unit is connected to two flexible tubes,

(12) FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which two flexible tubes are unrolled simultaneously side by side, and

(13) FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the system in which the two flexible tubes shown in FIG. 9 have been unrolled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) The invention will be described below with the assumption that the system according to the invention is used in an area threatened by flood, and the flexible tube comprises two layers. However this assumption is not to be construed as limiting, and the system can just as easily comprise only a single or a number of layers and be used for different purposes.

(15) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first and very simple embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention. Said system comprises a flexible tube 2 provided with a number of position means 3. Even though it is preferred that the tube is significantly longer than the diameter of the tube, a relatively short tube has been shown in the drawings for the sake of overview.

(16) The flexible tube comprises two concentrically arranged layers 4,5 defining an inner tube 4, preferably made of a material being impermeable for liquids and an outer tube 5, preferably made of a fiber reinforced material. Use of two (or more) separate layers/tubes enables the overall flexible tube to have both liquid proof characteristics (inner tube/layer) and high mechanical strength (outer tube/layer).

(17) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first end 6 of the inner tube 4 is effectively closed e.g. by welding (not shown), and the first end 7 of the outer tube 5 is wrapped around the inner tube 4, by tightening the first end of the outer tube using the loops 8 provided at the first end 7 of the outer tube, and e.g. a cable (not shown) placed in said loops.

(18) At the opposite, second end 9 of the tube 2, is provided a coupling unit 10, which in the embodiment shown is in the form of a termination unit 11, i.e. said unit will effectively close the tube 2 at said second end, keeping the liquid inside. However, in a very simple embodiment, the second end 9 of the flexible tube could be closed in a similar manner as the first end 6,7, and water could be added to the flexible tube via a one-way valve (not shown) provided in an appropriate location of the tube.

(19) The coupling unit 10 or in this embodiment the termination unit 11, is preferably arranged for introducing and removing liquid, such as water into the at least one flexible tube 2. Addition of liquid from an external source to a desired location, is well known in the art and are accordingly neither described in details, nor shown in the drawings, however, in short, a hose is both placed at the external liquid source, e.g. the water that is threatening to create the flood condition, and connected to the coupling unit, after which liquid is pumped to the flexible tube 2 e.g. using an external pump.

(20) In the embodiment shown, in which the flexible tube comprises two layers, it can be preferred to first introduce air into the flexible tube to ensure that folds etc. in the inner tube are removed before liquid are introduced, and it is accordingly also preferred that the coupling unit 10 and/or termination unit 11 are arranged for introducing air into said tube.

(21) Air present in the flexible tube when liquid is added to the flexible tube, can then be disposed from said tube via an outlet 12. Said outlet can in one embodiment also be used when liquid/water are to be drained from the flexible tubes.

(22) In the embodiment shown the position means 3 are placed in a row, at regular intervals, in substantially the complete length of the flexible tube, as this ensures that there will always be relevant position means 3 available, ensuring that the flexible tube can be anchored to the ground independently of any obstacle, e.g. a stone, that makes the ground inaccessible at certain positions.

(23) The position means 3 are in the form of an loop/eyelet 13 which together with a fastening means 14 are used for both positioning the flexible tube in a slightly curved form and for anchoring the tube to the ground. Accordingly, loops 13a are connected via a fastening means 14a, in the form of a rope, providing a curved form when tightened, allowing the tube to go around an obstacle (not shown), and fastening means 14b, in the form of a stake and/or pole, are used for anchoring the flexible tube 2 to the underlying terrain/ground 15, via loops 13b, thereby ensuring that the flexible tube 2 is not only capable of resisting the high pressure provided by the flooded area, but will also be less exposed to wind, accordingly reducing the risk of lateral movement both during deployment and use.

(24) In FIG. 2 which corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the modification that the termination unit has been replaced with a coupling unit 10 interconnecting a second flexible tube 2 end-to-end with the first flexible tube 2. In this way it is possible to form a flood protection system of virtually any length, simply by connecting further flexible tubes to the free coupling unit.

(25) The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is the same embodiment as the one shown in FIG. 1 without showing the termination unit 11, and wherein several position means are used for placing the flexible tube in a desired curved position. Several loops 3, 3 and 3 placed in different locations on the flexible tube 2, are mechanically connected by threading a rope 16 (fastening means) through the loops 13, 13, 13 and forcing the flexible tube 2 into a desired curved position by tightening the rope 16.

(26) FIG. 4 shows how a second set of position means 3, also can be used to form an U-form. In this embodiment each position means 3 comprises three overlapping loops 17 connected by snap ring which either can be anchored to the ground or can be connected using a rope or similar fastening means. The use of several overlapping loops, ensures that even if one loop should be damaged or break, the integrity of the system will remain.

(27) In FIGS. 3 and 4 the flexible tube obtained a U-shape, however the flexible tube could just as easily have obtained an S-shape, or any other desired shape, simply by connecting position means 3 on the same or adjacent flexible tubes as described above. This is especially relevant if the system are to turn around objects or obstacles in the terrain, and/or if the system is to be used for diverting or blocking chemical spills in a specific area.

(28) FIG. 5a shows that when the system according to the invention comprises more that one flexible tube 2, said position means 3 can also be used both for ensuring that the flexible tubes are placed in the desired position, here an S-shaped form, and to connect two adjacent flexible tubes 2 placed side-by-side. In order to obtain said S-shaped form, three position means 3 on the same tube are connected and tightened by using a rope 14a, whereby the desired form is obtained by fastening said rope.

(29) FIG. 5b shows that when the system according to the invention comprises more that one flexible tube 2, said position means 3 can also be used to connect said adjacent flexible tubes 2, both when said tubes are placed side-by-side and when said tubes are stacked atop one another. In this way the position means ensures that several flexible tubes can be fastened to each other, both laterally and vertically. For instance, the two bottom tubes 2a,2b are anchored to the ground in a similar way as described for FIG. 1. Whereas the upper tube 2c is connected to the bottom tubes 2a,2b using position means 3, which in the embodiment shown are specific snap-fittings 19, i.e. they can be clicked together. Even though the tubes are shown as being deployed in a substantially straight position, it is understood that at least some of the fastening means on either the same or adjacent tube(s) are connected in order to obtained the desired position.

(30) A multiplicity of connected flexible tubes may be arrayed in any desired position, e.g. in a curved, S-formed or round form in order to provide a barrier in the area of interest, using the respective positions means 3 in order to obtain the desired position/form. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5, the position means is placed at regular intervals, in a single row and in substantially the complete length of the flexible tube. However several rows of position means is also contemplated within the scope of protection, e.g. one row for connecting position means with each others in order to obtain the desired position, one or two row(s) for anchoring the flexible tube to the ground, and one, two, three, etc. rows for connecting adjacent flexible tubes with each other. The position means does however not need to be placed in a row or at regular intervals, they could also be placed at predetermined desired positions on the flexible tube.

(31) The flood protection system 1 is preferably stored, transported and deployed in an empty condition. Accordingly, the system is not filled with liquid until the system has been deployed in the area in which the systems flood protection benefits are required.

(32) The flexible tube 2 can in one embodiment be deployed in the unfolded elongated position and anchored to the ground using the position means 3, and once in position, the tube 2 can be filled with liquid. However, in a preferred embodiment the flexible tube 2 is deployed simultaneously with filling said flexible tube with liquid. This will not only ensure that when the flexible tube 2 is deployed it will simultaneously gain sufficient weight to withstand forces acting upon said tube, e.g. due to hard weather conditions.

(33) FIG. 6a shows how the flexible tube 2 of a system according to the invention is provided in a rolled up/coiled condition. This means that the tube can be unrolled in a simple and easy manner, when the liquid is added to the tube e.g. via the termination unit 11 as shown in FIG. 7, where a section X of the tube has been unrolled and filed with water.

(34) In order to ensure that the flexible tubes 2 are deployed as desired, the position means 3 are in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6b used to maintain the flexible tube 2 in a rolled up position, by connecting a number of position means 3 on the same tube using a fastening means 14, and then gradually releasing the tube 2 during deployment by releasing the position means 3 one at a time. In this way, the uncoiling of the flexible tube 2 can be decelerated and/or stopped during deployment, such that the tube easily can be placed in a desired e.g. curved position such that any obstacles etc. easily can be avoided. Said tube can then be filled with liquid as described as for FIG. 7 etc.

(35) FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which one coupling unit 10 is connected to two flexible tubes 2, each provided in a coiled condition, such that said tubes can be unrolled in opposite directions when liquid is added to the tubes, in a similar manner as shown for one tube in FIG. 7.

(36) Two, or more, flexible tubes can also be unrolled simultaneously side by side, as shown in FIG. 9, providing an unrolled construction, corresponding to the construction of FIG. 10. Additional tubes can be added in all directions, i.e. to vary the length, height, and breadth of the construction, using the position means, thereby providing a flood protecting system which is flexible, durable and effective.

(37) When the tube is closed, as shown in FIG. 1, the loops 8 can be used a position means, mechanically connecting one tube with a second tube having similar loops, using a fastening means, such as a rope or wire.

(38) A person skilled in the art will understand that the method according to the invention can be used for any kind of flexible tube 2, irrespectively of whether or not said tube comprise any position means. It is however preferred, that the method further comprises anchoring the at least one flexible tube to the underlying terrain/ground during the deployment, thereby ensuring that the tube cannot be displaced from the desired location, when exposed to external forces.

(39) When the flood protection system according to the invention is no longer needed, liquid is evacuated through the outlet 12. Where the fill material is water, it will often be possible to simple pour it out in the area where the flood protection system was used, with the water being soaked into the ground, evaporating, or entering a nearby body of water. When the at least one flexible tube is empty, it can be rolled (folded up) for storage purposes, to provide a structure as shown for example in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(40) Integrating the system according to the invention into the existing flood protection may significantly improve the effectiveness of the work of the rescue units and thus minimize casualties as well as damage to properties.

(41) A person skilled in the art will understand that the system according to the invention, can be quickly and easily erected with minimal effort and can not only be used for forming a flood barrier but also for other purposes such as protecting a limited area from hazardous spillage, and for erecting a children's paddling pool without departing from the scope of this invention.

(42) Modifications and combinations of the above principles and designs are foreseen within the scope of the present invention.