Portable water inflatable barrier with interconnectable modules

A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. The modules include a first plurality having a rectangular base shape and at least one wedge module having a triangular or trapezoidal shape. In embodiments, the wedge modules can be installed in a front-forward or front rear-ward orientation according to a desired bending direction of the barrier. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet or a plurality of interlocking sheets can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to protect the barrier from damage and inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to temporary barriers, such as dikes used for flood control, and more particularly, to water-filled portable barriers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Circumstances sometimes arise where a temporary dike, wall, or other barrier is needed to prevent a flood, landslide, or other threat from spreading and threatening lives and property. Often, such a temporary barrier is constructed from sandbags, whereby empty bags and a quantity of dirt or sand is brought to the site, and a crew of workers fills the bags with the dirt or sand and stacks the bags to form the barrier. With reference toFIG. 1, the bags are often stacked so as to form a barrier with a “pyramid” cross-section100that is widest at the base, and narrower at the top.

In some cases, the barrier100is constructed on flat ground, and the weight of the sand in the barrier100is sufficient to hold the barrier100in place during the flood or other threat. With reference toFIG. 2, in other cases a shallow trench200is prepared first, the trench having a depth that is approximately equal to the thickness of one sandbag. One or two rows of sandbags202are laid in the trench200, with the remainder of the barrier100being constructed on top of the initial one or two rows202. In this way, friction between the sandbags in the trench and the remainder of the sandbags further helps to hold the barrier in place.

A sandbag barrier is generally effective and the materials are relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, a sandbag barrier is easily adapted to extend between arbitrary locations, even if a curved, angled, or otherwise shaped barrier is required. However, there can be significant costs and construction time associated with a sandbag dike, due to the requirement to bring the sand or dirt to the construction site, which may weigh many tons, and due to the need to employ significant labor to fill and stack the bags.

In addition, after the flood or other threat has subsided, disposal of the sandbags can be time consuming and costly, especially if the sand and bags have become wet and contaminated by flood water and require special disposal procedures to avoid risks to health and to the environment.

What is needed, therefore, is a portable dike, wall, or other barrier that functions in a manner similar to a sandbag dike or wall and is easily adapted to extend between arbitrary locations, even if a curved, angled, or otherwise shaped barrier is required, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when it is no longer needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable, modular, water-inflatable barrier has an internal structure similar to a sandbag dike or wall, and functions in a similar manner, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when no longer needed. The barrier comprises a plurality of interconnected, water-inflatable modules, each of which is made of a light, flexible material such as a heavy plastic or nanofiber. The modules can be transported to the construction site in a deflated state, after which they can be positioned, interconnected, and filled with locally available water. In embodiments, each module weighs less than 250 pounds, such that they can be lifted and carried without heavy machinery. The modules include substantially rectangular modules suitable for constructing straight sections of a barrier, as well as triangular, trapezoidal, and/or wedge-shaped modules suitable for forming a desired angle between straight segments of the barrier, so that the barrier can be easily adapted to extend between arbitrary locations, even if a curved, angled, or otherwise shaped barrier is required.

Each module of the barrier is a single unit that includes shaping and internal partitions which create an overall structure similar to a pile of sandbags in a sandbag wall. The interiors of the barrier modules are divided into pluralities of cells. Passages between the tops and bottoms of the cells in each module allow each of the modules to be filled from a single water inlet. Embodiments include a manifold that allows an entire assembly of modules to be simultaneously filled from a single water inlet.

In some embodiments, the cells in each module include passive automatic valves that seal the passages between the cells after the cells are filled with water, so that deflation of one cell in a module due to a puncture or some other cause will not cause the cells beneath it to deflate. In some embodiments, the outer shells of the barrier modules are made of a material that is thicker than the interior dividing walls, such as thick plastic, a synthetic rubber, or a thick layer of nanofiber, so as to better resist puncture by an external threat. In similar embodiments, the outer shells are double-walled, so that puncture of the outer wall does not affect the internal cells, so long as the inner wall remains intact. In certain embodiments the walls are coated with a protective material such as tyvec or liquid rubber that will seal punctures if they occur.

The internal structures of the barrier modules enable them to maintain their shape when the barrier is subjected to externally applied horizontal forces, such as pressure from flood waters. In some embodiments, the shape of the structure is made even more rigid by the inclusion within the cells of stiff, lightweight rods or plates made of plastic, bamboo, or a similar material.

In further embodiments, additional cells extend below the bases of the inflatable barrier modules, so that they can be placed in a trench prepared at the construction site, thereby further resisting dislodgement of the barrier by flood waters or other forces.

In some embodiments, the barrier modules can be initially inflated with air, so that they can be easily positioned and interconnected. The barrier modules can then be filled with water, while the displaced air is released through a pressure valve at the top of the barrier.

In some embodiments, the barrier modules have interlocking ends that provide structural cooperation and a water-tight seal between adjacent barrier modules. In some of these embodiments, pre-inflation of the barrier modules with air allows them to be easily placed in their interlocking configuration before the air within the barrier modules is replaced by water.

Embodiments of the present invention include an anchoring sheet that extends flat against the ground in front of the barrier, so that the weight of the water in front of the barrier presses the anchoring sheet against the ground and creates a high frictional resistance to movement, thereby anchoring the barrier in place. In some embodiments, the anchoring sheet can be folded over the water-facing surface of the barrier so as to prevent water from leaking between the modules. In some of these embodiments, the covering sheet is made from a material that naturally clings to the water-facing surface of the barrier due to static electrical attraction. In embodiments, the narrow end of a triangular or trapezoid shaped anchoring sheet can be placed beneath the narrow front of one or more trapezoid shaped modules and folded over the modules.

Other embodiments include a flexible underlying sheet that further resists puncture from beneath, and which seals to the ground so as to resist penetration of water beneath the barrier. In some of these embodiments, the underlying sheet includes a cushioning layer. In still other of these embodiments, the underlying sheet is filled with dry sand, foam or some other compliant material that will not get wet from the flood water.

One general aspect of the present invention is a water-inflatable barrier system that includes a first module group including a plurality of substantially identical barrier modules, and a second module group including at least one barrier module. Each module of the first module group includes flexible walls forming a module shell configured to contain water within an interior of the module, said module shell having a front, a rear, a substantially rectangular bottom, a length parallel to the front, a width perpendicular to the front, and a cross section that is wider at a bottom of the module than at a top of the module, a plurality of substantially horizontal and substantially vertical partition walls dividing said interior of said module into a plurality of adjacent, water-tight cells shaped as rectangular parallelepipeds, front and rear partition walls of each cell being substantially parallel to the front of the module shell, said cells being arranged in a plurality of vertically stacked layers that are offset from each other such that none of the front and rear partition walls aligns with a front or rear partition wall in a vertically adjacent layer, a water inlet in liquid communication with the interior of the module, and a plurality of passages between the cells of the module that are configured to allow filling of all of the cells of the module with water from the water inlet.

Each module in the second module group includes flexible walls forming a module shell configured to contain water within an interior of the module, said module shell having a front, a back, and a substantially triangular or trapezoidal bottom, and a water inlet in liquid communication with the interior of the module. The modules of said first and second module groups are configured for assembly together into a water barrier, wherein adjacent assembly of modules of the first module group form an assembly having a lateral extension that is uniform in direction, whereas including at least one module of the second module group in the assembly causes the lateral extension of the barrier to change its direction.

In embodiments, each module of the second module group further comprises a plurality of substantially horizontal and substantially vertical partition walls that divide the interior of the module into a plurality of adjacent, water-tight cells, said cells being arranged in a plurality of vertically stacked layers.

In any of the above embodiments, each module of the second module group can further comprise a plurality of passages between the cells of the module that are configured to allow filling of all of the cells of the module with water from the water inlet of the module;

In any of the above embodiments, the sides of the each of the modules in both of the module groups can be flat and substantially identical in shape, or each of the modules in the both of the module groups can include a side structure having a staggered arrangement of cells that is configured for interleaving with cells of an adjacent module selected from either of the module groups.

In any of the above embodiments, the modules of the second module group can be compatible for assembly with modules of the first module group in both a front-to-front configuration, wherein the fronts of the modules are adjacent, and in a front-to-back configuration, wherein the front of the module from the first module group is adjacent to the rear of the module from the second module group, and vice-versa.

Any of the above embodiments can further include a fastening mechanism configured for interconnection of the modules of the first and second module groups in a fixed, adjoining, aligned relationship. In some of these embodiments, the fastening mechanism includes attachment features fixed to each of the modules.

In any of the above embodiments, each module of the first module group can further comprise an automatic valve cooperative with a vertical passage between adjacent cells and configured to automatically seal the vertical passage when the cell below the vertical passage is filled with water.

In any of the above embodiments, each module of the first module group can further comprise an automatic valve cooperative with a horizontal passage between adjacent cells and configured to automatically seal the horizontal passage when the cell located to the rear of the horizontal opening is filled with water.

In any of the above embodiments, the flexible walls of the modules of both of the module groups can include a coating of a protective material that tends to seal punctures. In some of these embodiments, the protective material is tyvec or liquid rubber.

Any of the above embodiments can further include a manifold that is connectable to aligned, interconnected modules of the first and second module groups so as to enable the modules to be simultaneously filled with water.

In any of the above embodiments, each of the modules in the first and second module groups can weigh less than 250 pounds.

A second general aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing a barrier assembly. The method includes providing a first module group and a second module group according to any embodiment of the first general aspect, placing the module groups at a desired location, selecting, ordering, orienting, aligning, and interconnecting modules from the first and second module groups in an adjoining relationship so as to form a barrier having a desired shape and extent, and inflating the modules with water.

Embodiments of this general aspect further include connecting a manifold to a plurality of the aligned, interconnected modules, and connecting the manifold to a source of water, so as to simultaneously fill with water the plurality of modules that are connected to the manifold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a portable, modular, water-inflatable barrier that has a structure similar to a sandbag dike or wall100and functions in a similar manner, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when no longer needed. The barrier comprises an assembly of modules300, each of which is made of a light, flexible material, such as a heavy plastic for nanofiber, and can be transported to the construction site in a deflated state, after which it is positioned and filled with locally available water. In embodiments, the modules300are coated with a material such as tyvec or liquid rubber that will tend to seal any puncture of the material that may occur. In some embodiments, each module300weights less than 250 pounds, so that it can be lifted and carried without using heavy machinery.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the interior of the module is divided into a plurality of approximately rectangular cells302. A port304for filing and/or emptying the module300is provided in the top surface, and interconnection loops306are provided so as to facilitate interconnection of the modules300into a complete barrier. With reference toFIG. 4A, passages400between the tops and bottoms of the cells302allow the entire module300to be filled from a single water inlet304. In the illustrated embodiment, a separate water outlet404is provided at the base of the structure300.

With reference toFIG. 4B, in some embodiments a separate water outlet404is not included, and instead water is both added and removed through a common port304at or near the top or bottom of the barrier module300. This allows water to be removed from the barrier module300without introducing air, so that removing the water causes the barrier module to be collapsed in preparation for packing and transport.

In some embodiments, lateral passages (not shown) are provided at least between adjoining cells in the bottom rear row, so that a single outlet can drain all of the cells302in the barrier module300.

With reference toFIG. 5, in some embodiments500the cells302include passive automatic valves500that seal the passages400after the cells302are filled with water, so that deflation of one cell due to a puncture or some other cause will not cause the cells beneath it to deflate. In the embodiment500ofFIG. 5, the valves502are flaps of elastic material joined to the upper surfaces of the cells302by living hinges504. A small air bladder506is included in the region of the valve502that is positioned to cover the passage400. When the cell302is empty, gravity causes the valve502to fall away from the passage400, so that the cell302can fill with water. However, once the cell302is full of water, the air bladder506lifts the valve502into place and closes the passage400. Once the valves502are closed, if a cell should develop a leak and deflate, only the cells directly above it will be affected.

In addition, the embodiment500ofFIG. 5includes lateral passages508between neighboring cells at the lowest level of the barrier, so that the entire barrier can be emptied through a single water outlet404located at the lower rear of the structure500. These lateral passages508include automatic valves510that will allow water to flow toward the rear as the cells empty from back to front, but will prevent water flowing from rear to front if one of the front cells is damaged.

Typically, the cells in the front row302,302A will be the cells that are directly exposed to threats such as debris carried by flood waters. The front cells302,302A are therefore the ones most likely to be damaged or punctured. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, if a cell302A in the bottom front row is punctured, the lateral valve510will prevent water from flowing out of the cell next to it302B and into the damaged cell302A. However, if the rear cells302B are drained first during the normal drainage process, then the lateral valves510will open and water from the front cells302A will flow out.

The barrier of the present invention comprises a plurality of modules300that are arranged side-by-side and coupled to each other.FIG. 6Aillustrates the interconnection of three of the modules300illustrated inFIG. 3so as to form at least part of a barrier600. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism that interconnects the modules300comprises loops306that are attached to the upper surfaces of the cells, whereby adjacent loops of adjoining modules are attached by straps602. In similar embodiments, the loops306are interconnected by clamps or other fastening means known in the art.FIG. 6Bis a perspective view of an entire barrier600of coupled modules300according to the embodiment ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7is a perspective rear view of an embodiment700similar toFIG. 6A, except that the loops306are located on both the front-facing and rear-facing surfaces of the modules300, and a single, continuous strap702is passed through the loops306and around the modules300so as to attach the modules300and form the barrier700. The embodiment ofFIG. 7also includes a manifold704that can be used to fill all of the modules300simultaneously through fill-ports provided in the bases of the modules300.

With reference toFIG. 8, in some embodiments the barrier modules800have interlocking ends that provide structural cooperation and a water-tight seal between adjacent modules.FIG. 8is a perspective view of a single module800that is three cells wide. The module includes alternate rows of cells802that extend from the ends by a length of one cell, while the interleaved rows804do not. The opposite pattern is provided on the other end of the module800. It can be seen that a second module of the same configuration can be positioned so that its extended cells fit between the extended cells802of the adjacent module800. In some of these embodiments, as mentioned above, the modules800can be initially filled with air and positioned with the ends interlocking, after which the modules800are filled with water while the displaced air is allowed to escape through pressure valves304provided at the tops of the modules800.

With reference toFIG. 9, in further embodiments, additional rows902of cells extend below the base of the inflatable barrier900so that they can be placed in a trench200prepared at the construction site, thereby further resisting dislodgement of the barrier900by flood waters or other forces.

With reference toFIG. 10, in some embodiments the outer shell is made of a much thicker material than the internal cell walls1008, so as to better resist puncture by exterior threats. In similar embodiments, the outer shell1006is a double layer of material, so that penetration of the outer layer does not affect the adjacent cell, so long as the inner layer remains intact. In some embodiments, only the portion of the outer shell1006that will face the flood or other threat is thicker, double-walled, or otherwise reinforced.

In embodiments, the internal cell walls enable the barrier300to maintain its shape when it is subjected to externally applied, lateral forces, such as pressure from flood waters. As illustrated inFIG. 10, in some embodiments, the shape of the barrier1000is made even more rigid by including within the cells302stiff, lightweight rods1002or panels made of plastic, bamboo, or a similar material.

In certain embodiments, the shape of the barrier is supported by external reinforcing structures. The embodiment ofFIG. 10includes a plurality of bent metal rods1010that can be located at intervals along the rear side of the barrier1000. The rods1010include vertical sections1012that can be placed against the back sides of cells at the rear of the barrier1000so as to provide further resistance to horizontal forces applied to the front of the barrier.

The embodiment ofFIG. 11is similar toFIG. 6A, except that it further includes an anchoring sheet1100that is attached to the barrier600and extends in front of the barrier600, where it is pressed against the ground by the water in front of the barrier, so that there is a high friction between the anchoring sheet1100and the ground that further inhibits lateral movement of the barrier600by the water.

In embodiments, the flexible material of the barrier600allows the base of the barrier600to form a seal with ground even if the ground is rough. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the underlying sheet1100also increases resistance to puncture of the barrier600from beneath, and also forms a seal with the ground so as to further resist penetration of water beneath the barrier600. In some of these embodiments, the underlying sheet1100includes a cushioning layer such as foam or a puncture-proof air bag that enables the underlying sheet to form a seal with very rough ground, and also further helps to avoid puncture of the barrier from beneath. In certain of these embodiments, the underlying sheet1100is filled with dry sand, foam or some other compliant material that will not get wet from the flood water.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, similar embodiments include a cover sheet1200that is placed beneath the barrier600, and extends in front of the barrier600, so that it can be folded over the front of the barrier600to prevent water from leaking between the modules300. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11B, the sheet1200is attached to the front surface of the barrier600by surrounding straps1202. Note also that in the embodiment ofFIG. 12, the rings (or loops)306are joined by separable attachment loops1204rather than by straps602. In similar embodiments, clamps or other attachment means known in the art are used to attach together the rings306, flaps, or other attachment features included in the modules.

In embodiments, the cover sheet1200is sufficiently flexible to allow it to conform closely to the underlying shape of the water-facing surface of the barrier600. And in some of these embodiments, the cover sheet1200is made from a material that naturally clings to the water-facing surface of the barrier600due to static electrical attraction.

Modules as illustrated for example inFIG. 6Aare suitable for constructing barriers having an approximately rectangular footprint that form a barrier or dike that extends in a straight line between opposing anchor locations. With reference toFIG. 13, embodiments of the present invention include modules1300that are shaped as triangular or trapezoidal wedges that can be included in a barrier assembly so as to bend and curve the resulting barrier into a desired shape.FIG. 14Ais a top view illustrating three modules300of the type shown inFIG. 3. For simplicity, the fill ports304and anchor rings306have been omitted from the drawing. Cross-hatching is used to indicate the regions of different height.FIG. 14Bis a top view of a wedge-shaped module1300with a triangular footprint that can be combined with the modules300ofFIG. 14Ato form a barrier with bends and curves.

In embodiments, wedge modules1300are provided having a convenient wedge angle, so that multiple wedge modules1300can be combined to obtain desired bend angles. For example, wedge modules1300having a 15 degree wedge angle can be combined to provide a bend or curve of 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees. Providing wedge modules1300with small wedge angles also reduces the weight and the number of cells included in a single wedge.

FIG. 15Ais a top view of a barrier that includes two 30° wedge modules1300between groups of rectangular modules300to create a barrier having a bend of approximately 60 degrees.FIG. 15Bis a top view of a similar barrier, in which the wedge modules1500have trapezoidal footprints rather than triangular footprints, thereby providing a more gradual bend (greater radius of curvature).

With reference toFIG. 15C, trapezoidal wedge modules1500can also be advantageous if the barrier is to be covered with a protective sheet as illustrated e.g. inFIG. 12.FIG. 15Cpresents a perspective view of a single trapezoidal wedge module1500and a cover1502that is specially shaped to cover the front face of the wedge module1500. As can be seen in the figure, a trapezoidal wedge module1500provides a front with a finite width (rather than a pointed front) which allows the tip of the cover1502to be inserted under the module1500and folded over the front of the module1500, as is shown inFIG. 15D. In various embodiments, the cover1502includes an attachment features such as hook-and-loop or lacing eyelets (not shown) that enable attachment to the wedge module1500and/or to adjacent sections of cover.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of the barrier ofFIG. 15A. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17, a barrier similar toFIG. 16includes a second pair of wedge modules1700included in a reversed orientation, thereby creating a barrier having two parallel ends that are offset from each other by a slanted middle section. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17, the inverted wedge modules1700are structurally identical with the non-inverted wedge modules1300, and are simply installed in a different orientation.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the module shapes included in the present disclosure are not limited to only the shapes that are illustrated in the figures. In particular, the present invention includes embodiments wherein one side of each module1800is vertical, as shown for example inFIG. 18. In the embodiment ofFIG. 18, rectangular modules1800and wedge modules1802are combined to form a barrier with a bend, where one side of the barrier is vertical and the other side is sloped.

According to the requirements of a given implementation, the sloped side of the barrier can be oriented either toward or away from the water that is being contained. Directing the sloped side toward the water can be advantageous because the weight of the water on top of the sloped surface can help to stabilize the barrier by pressing it against the underlying ground. On the other hand, directing the vertical side of the barrier toward the water can be advantageous if it is desirable to maintain a uniform depth of the contained water, or if the barrier is being used to temporarily raise the vertical sides of an existing waterway that is in danger of overflowing.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that in embodiments the cells of the wedge module can be staggered laterally so as to interlock with the sides of rectangular modules such as those shown inFIG. 8.