Patent ID: 9689130
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: E02B

Claim:
1. A bulkhead system for preventing or limiting water flow, the bulkhead system comprising: a bulkhead assembly having a first end, a second end, and a bottom surface, the bulkhead assembly including first and second bulkhead sections that each extend between the first and second ends, that are positioned adjacent to one another along a horizontal or substantially horizontal interface surface, and that are arranged so that the first bulkhead section is positioned vertically above the second bulkhead section, wherein each of the first and second bulkhead sections includes a respective cavity that is configured to receive ballast, the bulkhead sections being capable of varying degrees of floatation or submerging depending upon amounts of the ballast that are received in the cavities; first and second side assemblies that are respectively positioned adjacent to the first and second ends of the bulkhead assembly and that are configured respectively to span respective side distances outward from the respective first and second ends so that the overall bulkhead system will extend fully between opposed side structures of a dam when implemented in relation thereto; and a bottom assembly that is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the bulkhead assembly and that is configured to span a further distance downward from the bottom surface to a further structure of the dam beneath the bulkhead assembly, wherein each of the side assemblies includes a respective first side structural member that extends outward away from the bulkhead assembly from a respective first side location along the respective end of the bulkhead assembly adjacent to which the respective side assembly is positioned, wherein the bottom assembly includes a first bottom structural member that extends downward away from the bulkhead assembly from a first bottom location along the bottom surface, wherein each of the side assemblies includes a respective second side structural member that extends outward away from the bulkhead assembly from a respective second side location along the respective end of the bulkhead assembly adjacent to which the respective side assembly is positioned, wherein the bottom assembly includes a second bottom structural member that extends downward away from the bulkhead assembly from a second bottom location along the bottom surface, wherein the respective second side locations are respectively upstream of the respective first side locations, and wherein the respective second bottom location is upstream of the respective first bottom location, and wherein each of the second side structural members and the second bottom structural member includes a respective gusset structure that extends diagonally outward or downward away from the bulkhead assembly.