Inflatable flood defense structural unit and arrangement

Abstract

An inflatable flood defence structural unit is described for creating an inflatable flood defence arrangement. The unit comprises at least one inflatable chamber comprising a front wall and a rear wall which extend in a substantially parallel orientation. At least one of the front and rear walls provide a water barrier, and a first and second end wall are arranged to couple the front and rear walls together at a respective first and second end of the front and rear walls. The unit further comprises a first inflatable buttress which is rigidly bonded at a proximal end thereof to the rear wall of the chamber, proximate the first end of the chamber and which extends in a direction which is away from the chamber, and a second inflatable buttress which is rigidly bonded at a proximal end thereof to the rear wall of the chamber, proximate the second end of the chamber, and which similarly extends in a direction which is away from the chamber. The unit further comprises a fastening arrangement disposed upon at least one of the first or second buttress for fastening the first and second buttress to a second and first buttress respectively, of a further structural unit to create the flood defence arrangement.

Claims

1. An inflatable flood defense structural unit comprising: at least one inflatable chamber comprising a front wall and a rear wall which extend in a substantially parallel orientation, at least one of the front and rear walls providing a water barrier, and a first and second end wall which couple the front and rear walls together at a respective first and second end of the front and rear walls, a first inflatable buttress which is rigidly bonded at a proximal end thereof to the rear wall of the chamber, proximate the first end of the chamber and which extends in a direction which is away from the chamber, a second inflatable buttress which is rigidly bonded at a proximal end thereof to the rear wall of the chamber, proximate the second end of the chamber, and which extends in a direction which is away from the chamber, the first and second buttresses further comprising side walls which couple the proximal end of the respective buttress to a distal end of the respective buttress, the side walls of each buttress separately comprising an inner wall which faces inwardly of the unit, substantially toward each other, and an outer wall which face outwardly of the unit, substantially away from each other, the unit further comprising a fastening arrangement having at least one strap which is rigidly coupled to at least one of the first or second buttress so as to directly fasten the first or second buttress to a second or first buttress respectively, of a further structural unit such that in use, the outer side wall of the first and second buttress is arranged to contact an outer side wall of the second and first buttress of the further unit, and wherein the outer side wall of the first buttress extends beyond the first end of the chamber, such that the proximal end of the first buttress overhangs the first end of the chamber.

2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear walls of the chamber are interconnected by a multiplicity of interconnecting members which extend across the chamber.

3. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer side wall of the first buttress is substantially aligned with the first end of the chamber.

4. A unit according to claim 3, wherein the outer side of the second buttress is substantially aligned with the second end of the chamber.

5. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer side wall of the second buttress is spaced from the second end of the chamber.

6. A unit according to claim 5, wherein the spacing of the outer side wall of the second buttress from the second end of the chamber corresponds with the extent to which the outer side wall of the first buttress extends beyond the first end of the chamber.

7. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second buttresses extend away from the chamber in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall of the chamber.

8. A unit according to any of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second buttresses extends in a direction which is substantially acutely orientated with respect to the rear wall of the chamber.

9. A unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second buttresses extend at an obtuse angle with respect to the rear wall of the chamber.

10. A unit according to claim 1, further comprising a skirt disposed at a lower region of the chamber, in use extending toward the flood water or impending flood water.

11. A unit according to claim 10, wherein the skirt is rigidly bonded to the chamber to provide a substantially watertight seal between the chamber and the skirt.

12. A unit according to claim 1, further comprising an apron which in use, extends along the front wall of the chamber beyond an end wall of the chamber to extend over the interface between a neighboring chamber.

13. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the fastening arrangement comprises a tensioning arrangement which is rigidly coupled to the second or first buttress respectively.

14. A unit according to claim 1, further comprising an inflatable spacer for spacing, in use, the chamber of the unit from a formation.

15. A unit according to claim 1, further comprising an inflatable wedge for leveling the chamber upon a slope.

16. An inflatable flood defense arrangement comprising a plurality of flood defense structural units according to claim 1.

Description

(1) It will be understood that the invention can be put into effect in many ways and by way of illustration only, embodiments of the invention are described below, with reference to the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1a is a plan view of a flood defence structural unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1b is a side view of the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 1c is a plan view of a portion of a linear flood defence arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 2a is a plan view of a flood defence structural unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 2b is a perspective view from the rear of an interface between two structural units of the flood defence arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2a;

(7) FIG. 2c is a plan view of a flood defence arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 3a is a plan view of a flood defence structural unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 3b is a plan view of a flood defence arrangement formed using a plurality of flood defence units illustrated in FIG. 3a;

(10) FIG. 3c is a plan view of a flood defence structural unit according to a variation of the structural unit of the third embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 3d is a plan view of a flood defence arrangement formed using a plurality of flood defence units illustrated in FIG. 3c;

(12) FIG. 4 is front view of spacer disposed between a wall and the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 1; and,

(13) FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a wedge disposed at the underside of the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 1, located upon a slope.

(14) Referring to FIG. 1a of the drawings, there is illustrated a plan view of an inflatable flood defence structural unit 10a according to a first embodiment of the present invention, for providing a barrier to flood water and the like. The unit 10a comprises an inflatable main chamber 11 comprising a substantially planar, front 12 and rear wall 13, which extend in a substantially parallel orientation. Opposite longitudinal ends of the chamber 11, namely a first and second end, of the chamber comprise a first 14 and second end wall 15 which couple the front and rear walls 12, 13 together to close the first and second end of the chamber 11, whereas the upper and lower regions of the chamber are closed by respective upper 16 and lower end walls 17.

(15) The unit 10a further comprises a first 18 and second buttress 19, which are coupled at a proximal end wall 18a, 19a thereof to the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11. The buttresses 18, 19 comprise side walls 20, 21 which extend from the proximal end wall 18a, 19a thereof to a respective distal end wall 18b, 19b thereof in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11. The proximal end wall 18a, 19a of each buttress 18, 19 comprises a height which substantially corresponds with a height of the chamber 11 and the side walls 20, 21 of each buttress 18, 19 reduce in height in progressing from the proximal end wall 18a, 19a to the distal end wall 18b, 19b, such that the distal end wall 18b, 19b comprises a sloping wall, as illustrated in FIG. 1b of the drawings.

(16) The buttresses 18, 19 separately comprise a respective inner side wall 20a, 21a which faces inwardly of the unit 10a, substantially toward each other, and a respective outer side wall 20b, 21b which face outwardly of the unit 10a, substantially away from each other. The buttresses 18, 19 associated with the unit 10a of the first embodiment are positioned upon the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11, such that the outer side walls 20b, 21b of the first and second buttress 18, 19 extend in substantially the same plane as the first and second end walls 14, 15 of the chamber 11, respectively.

(17) The walls of the chamber 11 and each buttress 18, 19 are formed of a woven fibre reinforced polymer sheet material. The front and rear walls 12, 13 of the chamber and opposing side walls 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b of each buttress 18, 19 are separately interconnected by a multiplicity of interconnecting polymer fibres or threads 22 which extend across the chamber 11 and each buttress 18, 19, respectively. The material described in this paragraph is known as drop-stitch material. The drop stitch material comprises approximately ten threads per square centimeter, which weave through the interior of the opposing walls, and which forms the woven fibre. The outer surface of the walls of the chamber 11 and buttresses 18, 19 are coated with pvc, in this instance, although other waterproof flexible coatings such as rubber or urethane can be used. The edges of the drop stitch material, for example edges 23 are glued and or heat sealed to provided a substantially airtight unit 10a.

(18) The overall structure of the unit 10a can be formed into a substantially air and/or watertight compartment, which when inflated provides a rigid structure with inherent mechanical strength to resist bending, tension, and compression. In particular, the unit 10a can be water filled and yet still support itself.

(19) The unit 10a further comprises a skirt 24 formed of a waterproof material, which extends from a position proximate a lower region of the chamber 11 forwardly of the chamber 11 away from the front wall 12, and is arranged to extend under the flood water to further minimise any flood water passing underneath the chamber 11.

(20) A fastening arrangement 25 is also provided for fastening the unit 10a to neighbouring units 10a to create a flood defence arrangement or reservoir, for example. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a, the fastening arrangement 25 comprises a pair of straps 25a which are rigidly coupled at one end thereof, to the first buttress 18 and a tensioning arrangement such as a pair of ratchets 25b, rigidly coupled to the second buttress 19 for separately receiving a strap 25a coupled to the first buttress 18 of a further unit 10a.

(21) Accordingly, upon positioning a unit 10a of the first embodiment adjacent a further unit 10a, the free end of the straps 25a coupled to the first buttress 18 of one unit 10a can be introduced into the corresponding ratchet 25b disposed on the adjacent second buttress 19 of the further unit 10a and operated to tension the straps 25a and urge the outer side wall 20b of the first buttress 18 into contact with the outer side wall 21b of the second buttress 19 of the further unit 10a, to create a linear flood defence arrangement 100a according to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1c of the drawings. Upon further tensioning the straps 25a, a water tight seal can develop between the outer side walls 20b, 21b of the adjoining buttress 18, 19 and between the first and second end walls 14, 15 of the adjoining chambers 11. Once coupled together, an apron 26 or similar formed of a water proof material may be suitably positioned upon the front wall 12 of neighbouring chambers 11 to extend across the interface. In this respect it is envisaged that the apron 26 may be secured in place using a VELCRO type fastener (not shown), for example.

(22) Referring to FIG. 2a of the drawings, there is illustrated a flood defence structural unit 10b according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The unit 10b of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the unit 10a of the first embodiment and as such like features have been referenced using the same reference numerals.

(23) The unit 10b of the second embodiment however, differs from that of the first 10a since the buttresses 18, 19 are positioned at a different location upon the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11 compared with the first embodiment. In particular, the first buttress 18 is coupled to the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11 such that the outer side wall 20b of the first buttress 18 extends beyond the first end wall 14 of the chamber 11. The first buttress 18 thus partially overhangs the first end wall 14 of the chamber 11. Conversely, the second buttress 19 is coupled to the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11 but is spaced from the second end wall 15 of the chamber 11 by a distance which corresponds to the extent to which the outer wall 20b of the first buttress 18 extends beyond the first end wall 14 of the chamber 11, as illustrated in FIG. 2b of the drawings.

(24) Accordingly, when neighbouring units 10b of the second embodiment are placed in a side-by-side relation as illustrated in FIG. 2c of the drawings, and fastened together, the first buttress 18 of one unit 10b will partially extend onto the rear wall 13 of the further unit 10b. The interface between adjoining buttresses 18, 19 will thus be offset with respect to the interface between the end walls 14, 15 of the adjoining chambers 11. This stepped interface creates a labyrinth type seal between adjacent units 10b thereby providing a flood defence arrangement 100b according to a second embodiment, which comprises an improved sealing between adjacent units 10b compared with the first embodiment of the flood defence arrangement 100a, while the first buttress 18 provides support to both chambers 11 at the interface therebetween.

(25) Referring to FIG. 3a of the drawings there is illustrated a flood defence structural unit 10c according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The unit 10c of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the unit 10a of the first embodiment and as such like features have been referenced using the same reference numerals.

(26) The unit 10c of the third embodiment however, differs from that of the first embodiment, since the first and second buttress 18, 19 extend away from the rear wall 13 of the chamber 11 at an acute angle thereto. This angle may comprise a 45 angle such that upon suitably positioning neighbouring units 10c, adjoining chambers 11 extend in substantially perpendicular directions. The adjoining buttresses 18, 19 may then be fastened together to create a flood defence arrangement 100c according to a third embodiment, which follows a substantially square path, as illustrated in FIG. 3b of the drawings, to extend around the periphery of a property (not shown) for example, to protect against impending flood water. The skilled reader will recognise however, that alternative angles may be used, such as a 60 angle to facilitate the creation of a defence arrangement which follows a hexagonal path.

(27) In this embodiment, it is envisaged that the first and second end walls 14, 15 of the chamber 11 of the unit 10c may be similarly angularly orientated to extend in the same plane as the outer walls 20b, 21b of the first and second buttress 18, 19, respectively, to facilitate the sealing along an interface therebetween.

(28) The acute angular orientation of the buttresses 18, 19 of the unit 10c of the third embodiment provide support along an inner side of the respective corner sections of the flood defence arrangement 100c when it is desired to keep flood water out of a protected region. In a variation of the flood defence unit 10c of third embodiment, there is a provided a flood defence unit 10d according to a fourth embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3c of the drawings, in which the buttresses 18, 19 extend away from the rear wall 13 at an obtuse angle thereto, such as 135, to provide for a flood defence arrangement according to a fourth embodiment 100d, as illustrated in FIG. 3d of the drawings. The buttresses 18, 19 of the unit 10d of a fourth embodiment, extend outwardly of the arrangement 100d, at an outer side of the corner sections of the arrangement 100d, to provide support to the chambers 11 when the arrangement 100d is used to contain water within a region, such as when creating a reservoir. Again however, the skilled reader will recognise that other obtuse angles may be used, such as 120, when creating a hexagonal reservoir.

(29) When the flood defence units 10a-c of the above described embodiments are used to create a barrier to flood water for example, units 10a, 10b, 10c of the first, second and/or third embodiment are deployed and inflated initially with a gas, e.g. air or CO2, to form their shape. The air will be released from a compressed gas tank (not shown) inside the chamber 11 and/or buttresses 18, 19 of the respective units 10, using a lever (not shown) operable from outside the respective unit 10. The units 10 are then suitably positioned relative to each other to form the desired flood defence and fastened together using the fastening arrangement 25 to create a water tight seal between adjoining units 10. It is evident that by combining units of various embodiments, it is possible to create a flood defence arrangement 100 which follows a desired contour or path.

(30) The resulting flood defence affords some protection from flooding, but the resulting defence arrangement 100 is not particularly heavy and so has a tendency to lift if not held down in flood water. Thus, although not essential, the units 10 may then be partially or completely filled with water, particularly if it seems likely that flooding will take place following an initial warning. The water can suitably be added to the units 10 from a hose pipe (not shown) via an inlet valve (not shown) disposed upon a rear wall 13 of the chamber 11, while air is allowed to escape in a controlled manner from the top of the units 10 via a respective escape valve (not shown).

(31) Alternatively, if no hosed water supply, or other water supply is available, a one-way valve (not shown) can be employed proximate the base of the chamber 11 or each unit 10 which allows flood water to enter the chamber 11, but not escape. Since the pressure of the flood water is likely to be no more than atmospheric, then compressed gas in the chambers 11 can be allowed to escape to encourage the flow water to enter the chambers 11. If the gas is allowed to escape via the escape valve (not shown) at just above atmospheric pressure then, as the flood water rises, a higher level of flood water compared to the water in the chambers 11 of the defence arrangement 100 will cause the water to flow into the chambers 11 and displace the gas in the chambers 11.

(32) In situations whereby the chambers 11 of one or more units 10 of the defence arrangement 100 may pass close to a building or other formation, such as a wall 27, the formation may be utilised to further support the respective chamber 11, by positioning an inflatable spacer 30 therebetween, as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. It is envisaged that the spacer 30 may be formed of a similar material and comprise similar features, to the chamber 11 of the units 10 of the above described embodiments. Similarly, when erecting the flood defence arrangement 100 on sloping ground, an inflatable wedge 40 may be placed at the underside of one or more units 10, as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, to level the units 10. It is also envisaged that the wedge 40 may be formed of a similar material and comprise similar features, to the chamber 11 of the units 10 of the above described embodiments.

(33) Once the defence arrangement 100 has been erected, aprons 26 may then be secured along front wall 12 of the chambers 11, across the interfaces therebetween and the skirt 24 from each unit 10 may be suitably extended forwardly of the chamber 11 toward the impending flood water. From the foregoing it is evident that the flood defence structural units 10 and arrangements 100 provide for a rapid defence against flood water. The skilled reader will recognise however, that the embodiments described above are merely examples of the invention. Modifications, variants, equivalents, alternatives etc will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee.