Water Control Gate

Abstract

A water control gate pivotable about a horizontal axis. Control may be by a combination of inflatable actuators and ballast chambers in combination with means for preventing over-rotation. Sealing between gate panels and between gate panels and abutments may be by means of seals inflated hydrostatically. The present invention is bottom hinged water control gate actuated by a combination of ballast chambers and inflatable actuators. The invention further includes an inflatable sealing means. The invention is particularly suited for use as a navigation lock gate system or as a flood control gate in a watercourse such as a navigation canal.

Claims

1. A water control gate comprised of: at least one bottom hinged gate panel with an edge pivotably connected to a bottom of a channel, at least one ballast chamber, at least one inflatable seal, a tank, a supply line. a circulating heated fluid through supply line, a pump, wherein, to prevent freezing, said at least one inflatable seal is provided with heated fluid circulated to and from the tank via the supply line by the pump, and at least one restraining strap to prevent over-rotation of the gate panel(s) against a force of water.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable actuator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one inflatable seal comprises said at least one inflatable seal along at least one gate panel edge adjacent the gate panel pivot edge.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising at least one inflatable seal along at least one gate panel edge adjacent the gate panel pivot edge.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water control gate has at least one moving and at least one stationary portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said at least one inflatable seal comprises a said at least one inflatable seal which is positioned to seal the clearance between said at least one moving and at least one stationary portion of said water control gate.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said inflatable seal is inflated with a fluid so as to provide a hydrostatic pressure distribution within the seal.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said inflatable seal is configured to resist leakage in either direction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said water control gate blocks the flow of water in a watercourse.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising one or more gate panels with inflatable ballast chambers and restraining straps to limit rotation of each gate panel.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further including inflatable actuators for assisting rotation of the gates about their horizontal pivot axis.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a reinforced elastomeric hinge.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said at least one gate panel comprises a gate panel with at least one marginal edge.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising at least one inflatable seal at said at least one marginal edge of said at least one gate panel.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said inflatable seal comprises a liquid filled, inflatable seal along said at least one marginal edge.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a fluid filled stand pipe for maintaining seal pressure.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the inflatable seal includes a hinged portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIGS. 1 and 4 are views of the gates in the raised position viewed from the high water side.

[0007] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of the gates in the raised position viewed from the low water side.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a view of the gates in the lowered position.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a gate fitted with a hydrostatically inflated and fluid heated inflatable seal.

[0010] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show gate panel cross sections with inflatable seals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate the general features of the gate in FIGS. 1 through 9. The gate panels 1 are preferably fitted with internal pipes 30 for emptying either water or air from the ballast chambers 31. Inflatable actuators 2, which may be filled with air or water, for example, may be used in conjunction with buoyancy effects to raise gate panels 1. Restraining means, such as restraining straps 3 may be used to prevent over-rotation of the gate panels and to resist hydrostatic loads resulting from water on the restraining strap 3 side of gate panels 1. Gate panels 1 are preferably sealed to each other with interpanel seal assembly 7 and sealed to the abutments with abutment seal assemblies 8. Clamps 25 may be used to secure inflatable actuators 2 and hinge flaps 22 to foundation 4. With gate panels 1 lowered, barges 31 my pass between abutments 5. Referring to FIG. 6, gate panel 1 is held up by inflatable actuator 2 and positioned at its pivot edge 32 by hinge flap 22. Hinge flap 22 is in turn secured by clamp 25. Clamp 25 is in turn secured by anchor bolt 23 in conjunction with nut 24. Inflatable seal assembly 8 is provided, during freezing conditions, with circulating heated fluid through supply line 29. Return line 28 returns fluid to tank 33. Pump 26 circulates the fluid. Pressure control means 28 provides a controllable gas pressure above the fluid in tank 33. The pressure on the seal varies with elevation and is usefully highest at the bottom of the gate 1 where differential pressure against the gate is greatest.

[0012] Due to the large scale of the gates and the large relative motions of the foundations, inflatable seals may be used to provide a tight seal under varying clearance conditions.

[0013] The inflatable seals my use circulated heated fluid to prevent ice problems.

[0014] Strong restraining straps may be used to prevent overturning of the gates. Shield plates with stops may be used for this purpose instead.