Patent ID: 7744310
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: E02B

Abstract:
1. A self-adjusting barrier readily accessible for maintenance and repair, comprising: at least one first vertical section; at least one second vertical section spaced apart from said first vertical section thereby creating a chamber between said first and second vertical sections, said second vertical section rising to approximately the same height as said first vertical section and in approximately parallel relation to said first vertical section, wherein said barrier incorporates at least one passage way permitting fluid to penetrate said chamber, said chamber subsequently serving as a stilling basin; at least one pair of guides, said guides in each said pair opposing each other in the same plane, one each said guide on said vertical section and said existing barrier, one each said guide of one said pair of guides located at the top inside of said first and second vertical sections; braces placed approximately horizontally between said first and second vertical sections; at least one float unit slidably restrained in said chamber, said at least one float unit to be lifted by hydrostatic force to increase the capacity of said self-adjusting barrier to contain additional fluid on one side of said self-adjusting barrier, each said at least one float unit formed to include at least one guide slot permitting said braces to pass through opposing longitudinal sides of said at least one float unit, wherein said guide slots allow only approximately vertical movement of said at least one float unit with changes in fluid level within said chamber, and wherein the longitudinal axis of said at least one float unit is approximately vertical and approximately parallel to said first and second vertical sections.