Patent Publication Number: US-11655608-B1

Title: Water stopping device of suspension and sliding type and an application thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of international application No. PCT/CN2021/141443, filed on Dec. 27, 2021, which claims the priority benefit of Chinese application No. 202111346603.3, filed on Nov. 15, 2021, entitled “water stopping device of suspension and sliding type and an application thereof” and Chinese application No. 202111347608.8, filed on Nov. 15, 2021, entitled “annular water stop construction method”, the entirety of the above identified applications is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application belongs to the technical field of cross-sea tunnel construction technology, and in particular relates to a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type and an application thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Closure joint construction of submarine immersed tunnel projects is a key process of the overall immersed tunnel construction and is also the last segment for the tunnel closure and whole through, and its installation accuracy and water stopping effect will directly affect the success of the entire immersed tunnel construction. The closure joint construction of an immersed tunnel with push-out segment is applied for the first time in China, and there is no previous experience available for the construction of water stopping devices. In the stretching motion of a push-out segment, the water stopping devices in between the push-out segment and an enlarged segment should move synchronously with the push-out segment, and the water stopping effect of the water stopping devices should be ensured during and after the construction. 
     However, the closure joint construction is carried out underwater in poor operating conditions and harsh environment. If a water stop of the water stopping device is directly wrapped on the surface of the push-out segment, it will cling to the surface of the push-out segment under the action of hydraulic pressure difference, which will hinder the stretching motion of the water stop and cause the water stop to tear in severe cases. Therefore, during construction, it is particularly important to ensure the water stopping effect of the water stopping devices in motion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     An objective of the present application is to provide a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type, which can be applied in the joint construction of an immersed tunnel and can effectively reduce the adhesion between a water stop and a push-out joint. 
     According to a first aspect of the present application, a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type is provided, including: 
     a water stop; a first end of the water stop is connected with a first joint segment and is able to move axially with the first joint segment; and a second end of the water stop is connected with a second joint segment; so as to form a water stopping cavity; 
     at least one first rod; a first end of the first rod is connected with the first joint segment and is able to move with the first joint segment; and a second end of the first rod is movably connected with the second joint segment and is able to move relative to the second joint segment; and at least one first hanging structure; connected with the water stop and the corresponding first rod and being slidably provided on the corresponding first rod. 
     Optionally, the first rod is located outside the water stopping cavity; the water stopping device of suspension and sliding type further includes at least one second rod located in the water stopping cavity and provided on the first joint segment, and at least one second hanging structure is slidably provided on the second rod and connected with the water stop within the water stopping cavity. 
     Optionally, the second hanging structure is elastically connected with the water stop. 
     Optionally, the water stop is with an M-shaped cross section and includes flat portions and folded portions, where one folded portion is formed between every two adjacent flat portions. 
     Optionally, a tension rope is provided between the adjacent flat portions. 
     Optionally, the folded portion is provided with a support member, and the support member is preferably a curved plate fitted to the folded portion. 
     Optionally, the water stop is annular, and the curved plates adopt one or a combination of the following five ways: 
     first way, the curved plate is provided along an outer circumference of the folded portion of the water stop to form an annular support ring; 
     second way, the curved plate is provided along an inner circumference of the folded portion of the water stop to form an annular support ring; 
     third way, an elastic restraint strap is provided along an outer circumference of the folded portion of the water stop; 
     fourth way, multiple curved plates are spaced and arranged along an outer circumference of the folded portion of the water stop, and are disconnected at outer corners of the water stopping cavity, and an elastic restraint strap is provided at each outer corner; 
     fifth way, multiple curved plates are spaced and arranged along an inner circumference of the folded portion of the water stop, and are disconnected at inner corners of the water stopping cavity, and an elastic restraint strap is provided outside the water stopping cavity corresponding to each disconnection position (i.e., at each outer corner). 
     Optionally, the first rod is L-shaped, with a first edge connected with the first joint segment and a second edge movably connected with a limit device on the second joint segment, and the first hanging structure is provided on the second edge. Optionally, the second rod is linear; and the first joint segment is provided with a groove, and the second rod is installed in the groove. 
     Optionally, a first hole is axially formed at the limit device, and the second edge of the first rod runs through the first hole to move with the first joint segment. Or optionally, a second long hole is axially formed on the second edge of the first rod, the limit device is located in the second long hole, and a head is provided on the limit device for avoiding the limit device dropping out of the second long hole. 
     Optionally, a third hole for the first rod to run through is formed at the first hanging structure, and a first end of the first hanging structure is connected with the water stop through the support member; and a fourth hole for the second rod to run through is formed at the second hanging structure, and a first end of the second hanging structure is elastically connected with the support member installed on the water stop. Optionally, the support member is the curved plate, the first end of the first hanging structure and the first end of the second hanging structure are connected with an outer surface of the corresponding curved plate respectively, and an inner surface of the curved plate is connected with the folded portion of the water stop. Optionally, the first hanging structure is integrated with or rigidly connected with the curved plate. 
     Optionally, a plurality of the first rods are spaced and arranged at least on an upper surface of the first joint segment, and a plurality of the first hanging structures are spaced and arranged on the same first rod; a plurality of the second rods are spaced and arranged at the bottom of the first joint segment, and a plurality of the second hanging structures are spaced and arranged on the same second rod; and each hanging structure is connected with the corresponding folded portion of the water stop. 
     In a second aspect of the present application, an application of a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type in the joint construction of an immersed tunnel is provided. The water stopping device of suspension and sliding type is the water stopping device described in any of the preceding embodiments. 
     Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present application are: 
     The water stopping device provided by at least one embodiment of the present application can be applied to the closure joint construction process of the push-out immersed tunnel, and can telescopically move along with the push-out segment (i.e., the first joint segment) during the stretch out and draw back process. The water stopping device can play a supporting role and is not affected by the water pressure, so as to ensure the water stop effect of the whole process in the moving state of the closure joint construction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the water stopping device of suspension and sliding type; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the water stopping device of suspension and sliding type; 
         FIG.  4    is an A-A section view of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged view of an upper portion of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram of a limit device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a front view of a hanging structure and a curved plate according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic diagram of a water stop and accessories according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged view of a lower portion of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a side view of a relationship between support members and the water stop; 
         FIG.  12    is a side view of a relationship between support members and the water stop; 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of a relationship between support members and the water stop; and 
     
    
    
     in which  1  first joint segment;  2  second joint segment;  3  water stop;  301  first end of water stop;  302  second end of water stop;  303  flat portion;  304  folded portion;  3041  first folded portion;  3042  second folded portion;  3043  convex portion;  3044  concave portion;  4  water stopping cavity,  5  tension rope;  6  curved plate;  601  inner surface of curved plate;  602  outer surface of curved plate;  7  restraint strap;  8  first rod;  801  first end of first rod;  802  second end of first rod;  803  first edge;  804  second edge;  8041  second long hole;  9  limit device;  901  first hole;  902  head;  10  hanging structure;  101  first hanging structure;  102  second hanging structure;  103  third hole;  11  second rod; and  12  groove. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The technical solutions of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that elements, structures and features in one embodiment may also be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments without further description. 
     In the description of the present application, it should be noted that terms such as “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features. 
     In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms “up”, “down”, “inner”, “bottom” and the like indicate the positional or positional relationship according to the positional relationship shown in  FIG.  1    merely for the convenience of describing the present application and the simplified description, but do not indicate or imply a devices or an element referred to must be of a particular orientation, constructed and operated in a particular orientation and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present application. 
     In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms “connect”, “connecting” and “connected” should be understood in a broad sense unless otherwise clearly specified and limited. For example, they might be fixed connection, detachable connection, or integrated connection; might be direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and might be internal connection of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the present application can be understood under specific circumstances. 
     A conventional immersed tunnel is provided with a first joint segment  1  and a second joint segment  2  during joint construction, wherein the first joint segment  1  is a push-out segment, which can stretch out and draw back in the axial direction X, and the second joint segment  2  is an enlarged segment relatively fixed. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the first joint segment  1  is partially located inside the second joint segment  2  and can move axially relative to the second joint segment  2 . 
     In a first embodiment of the present application, a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type (hereinafter referred to as the water stopping device) is provided, which can be used for waterproofing during the joint construction of an immersed tunnel. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  to  5   , the water stopping device includes a water stop  3 , a first end  301  of the water stop is in sealed connection with the first joint segment  1  and a second end  302  of the water stop is in sealed connection with the second joint segment  2 , so as to form a water stopping cavity  4  to prevent the entry of external water. The water stop  3  may be made of rubber with certain flexibility and strength, and may also adopt an existing water stop in the prior art. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  5   , the water stop  3  can be an annular structure arranged around the first joint segment  1 , with an M-shaped cross section, so as to stretch out and draw back along with the moving of the first joint segment  1 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , the water stop  3  includes flat portions  303  and folded portions  304 , wherein one folded portion  304  is formed between every two adjacent flat portions  303  to allow the water stop  3  to stretch out and draw back. In the present embodiment, the flat portion  303  is flat relative to the folded portion  304 , is not necessarily a strict flat surface, and mainly refers to a portion not folded significantly. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , a tension rope  5  for limiting overstretching of the water stop  3  may be provided between adjacent flat portions  303 . The fixed-length tension rope is tightened as the water stop stretches, so as to limit the distance between the folded portions spaced apart and prevent the water stop from being damaged by traction due to overstretching. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 ,  9  and  10   , the folded portions away from the water stopping cavity  4  (or the first joint segment  1 ) are first folded portions  3041 , and the folded portions close to the water stopping cavity  4  (or the first joint segment  1 ) are second folded portions  3042 . Each folded portion  304  is provided with a convex portion  3043  protruding outward and a concave portion  3044  sinking inward. A support member can be provided at each folded portion  304 , which may be a curved plate  6  fitted to the folded portion  304 , e.g., adhered to the folded portion  304 , so as to support and stabilize the water stop  3 . Specifically, at the convex portion  3043  of the folded portion, an inner surface  601  of the curved plate is fitted to the convex portion  3043 , while at the concave portion  3044  of the folded portion, an outer surface  602  of the curved plate is fitted to the concave portion  3044 , as shown in  FIGS.  7  to  9   . The support members may be provided on both inner and outer sides of the same folded portion  304 , and may also be provided at one of the convex portion  3043  and the concave portion  3044 . The support members can enhance the support strength of the folded portions and the stability of the water stopping cavity. 
     Optionally, the water stop  3  is annular, and the curved plates  6  may adopt one or more ways in the following embodiments. 
     (1) The curved plate  6  is provided along the outer circumference of the folded portion  304  of the water stop to form an annular support ring, thereby forming an annular framework outside the water stopping cavity and greatly enhancing the support strength. This way is suitable for installing the curved plate  6  at the convex portion  3043  of the first folded portion  3041 , as shown in  FIGS.  9  and  11   . 
     (2) The curved plate  6  is provided along the inner circumference of the folded portion  304  of the water stop to form an annular support ring, thereby forming an annular framework in the water stopping cavity and greatly enhancing the support strength. This way is suitable for installing the curved plate  6  at the concave portion  3044  of the first folded portions  3041 . 
     (3) An elastic restraint strap  7  is provided along the outer circumference of the folded portion  304  of the water stop, so as to assist the water stop  3  to fold. This way is suitable for providing the restraint strap  7  around the concave portion  3044  of the second folded portion  3042 , as shown in  FIG.  13   . 
     (4) A plurality of curved plates  6  are spaced along the outer circumference of the folded portion  304  of the water stop, and are disconnected at outer corners of the water stopping cavity, and the elastic restraint strap  7  is provided at each outer corner to realize elastic restraint at the corners and form an integral support structure. This way is suitable for providing the curved plates  6  and the restraint straps  7  around the concave portion  3044  of the second folded portion  3042 . 
     (5) A plurality of curved plates  6  are spaced along the inner circumference of the folded portion  304  of the water stop, and are disconnected at inner corners of the water stopping cavity, and the elastic restraint strap  7  is provided outside the water stopping cavity corresponding to each disconnection position (i.e., at each outer corner) to realize elastic restraint at the corners and form an integral support structure. This way is suitable for providing the curved plates  6  at the convex portion  3043  of the second folded portion  3042  and the restraint straps  7  at the concave portion  3044  of the second folded portion  3042 , as shown in  FIGS.  9  and  12   . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  to  5   , the water stopping device further includes a first rod  8  located outside the water stopping cavity  4 . One or more first hanging structures  101  are connected to the first rod  8  and the water stop  3 , respectively, and are slidably arranged on the first rod  8 , to allow the water stop  3  to stretch out and draw back along with the first hanging structures  101  and the first rod  8 . 
     A first end  801  of the first rod is installed on the first joint segment  1  and can move with the first joint segment  1 , while a second end  802  thereof is movably installed on the second joint segment  2 . Preferably, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the first rod  8  is L-shaped, with a first edge  803  fixedly connected to the first joint segment  1  while a second edge  804  movably connected to a limit device  9  on the second joint segment  2 . In  FIGS.  2  and  5   , the first edge  803  is a short edge and the second edge  804  is a long edge. However, the present application is not be limited thereto. 
     In an optional embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5   , a first hole  901  is formed at the limit device  9  along the axial direction X, the second end  802  or the second edge  804  of the first rod runs through the first hole  901  to move in the axial direction X. The first rod  8 , in particular its second edge  804 , may be long enough to avoid from dropping out from the first hole  901 . As an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , a second long hole  8041  is formed on the second edge  804  of the first rod along the axial direction X, which may be a rectangular hole or an elliptical hole. The limit device  9  is provided with a head  902  to confine the second long hole  8041  between the head  902  and the second joint segment  2 . The second long hole  8041  moves as the water stop  3  and the first rod  8  move, but can move only in the axial direction X due to being confined by the limit device  9 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , a third hole  103  through which the first rod  8  runs is formed at each first hanging structure  101 , so that the first hanging structures  101  are installed on the first rod  8  through the third holes  103  and can slide on the first rod  8  along the axial direction X. 
     Optionally, a first end of the first hanging structure  101  is connected to the water stop  3  through the support member. Specifically, when the support member is the curved plate  6 , the first end of the first hanging structure  101  can be connected to the outer surface  602  of the curved plate, and the inner surface  601  of the curved plate is connected to the first folded portion  3041  of the water stop, so that the first hanging structure  101  is connected to the first folded portion  3041  of the water stop, specifically to the convex portion  3043  of the first folded portion. Optionally, the first hanging structure  101  may also be integrated with or rigidly connected to the curved plate  6 , as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , to facilitate production and installation on the first rod  8 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIGS.  1  to  5   , a plurality of first rods  8  are spaced arranged between the first joint segment  1  and the second joint segment  2 ; and preferably provided on an upper surface and side faces of the first joint segment  1 . A plurality of first hanging structures  101  are spaced arranged on the same first rod  8  and connected to the corresponding folded portions (the first folded portions) respectively. In  FIG.  1   , five first rods  8  are spaced arranged on the upper surface of the first joint segment  1 , and four first hanging structures are provided on each first rod. It can be understood that the present application is not limited thereto and that a greater or lesser number may be provided as desired. Under the combined action of the first rods  8  and the first hanging structures  101 , the water stop  3  can slide in suspension, so that the water stop  3  is less likely to adhere to the surface of the first joint segment  1 , and the first joint segment  1  can be stretched more freely to facilitate construction. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , the water stopping device further includes a second rod  11  located in the water stopping cavity  4 . A groove  12  for installing the second rod  11  is provided at the bottom of the first joint segment  1 . The second rod  11  can be linear, and one or more second hanging structures  102  are provided thereon. The second hanging structures can slide axially on the second rod  11  through a fourth hole of each second hanging structure  102 . A first end of each second hanging structure  102  is elastically connected to the water stop  3 . For example, an elastic member (not shown), such as a spring or an elastic rope, is provided between the second hanging structure  102  and the water stop  3 , which can allow the second hanging structures  102  and the water stop  3  to move together and also keep the water stop folded. Specifically, the first end of the second hanging structure  102  is elastically connected to the outer surface  602  of the curved plate, and the inner surface  601  of the curved plate is connected to the second folded portion  3042  of the water stop, specifically to the convex portion  3043  of the second folded portion. Preferably, the second rod  11  is provided at the bottom of the first joint segment  1 , and can support the folded water stop  3  from the inside, so as to reduce or avoid the water stop  3  from adhering to the first joint segment  1  or falling off to the waterbed. Optionally, similar to the first rod  8 , a plurality of the second rods  11  can be spaced arranged, and a plurality of second hanging structures  102  respectively connected to the water stop  3  are spaced arranged on each second rod  11 , so as to form a firmer bottom-supported structure. 
     The first hanging structure  101  and the second hanging structure  102  is of the same structure or have certain similarities, which can be collectively referred to as the hanging structure  10 . In the present embodiment, the first hanging structure  101  is mainly connected outside the water stopping cavity to the first rod  8  and the water stop  3 , especially to the first folded portions  3041  of the water stop, and the second hanging structure  102  is mainly connected within the water stopping cavity to the second rod  11  and the water stop  3 , especially to the second folded portions  3042  of the water stop. 
     When the first joint segment  1  is pushed out, both the first rods  8  and the second rods  11  can move synchronously with the first joint segment  1 , and the water stop  3  can slide in suspension on the first rods  8  and the second rods  11  while moving, so as to keep away from the first joint segment  1 . 
     In a second embodiment of the present application, an application of a water stopping device of suspension and sliding type is provided, and the water stopping device can be used for waterproofing during the joint construction of immersed tunnel. The water stopping device of suspension and sliding type is the water stopping device described in any of the preceding embodiments. 
     The embodiments are only described as preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Various modifications and improvements made on the technical solutions of the present application by ordinary skill in the art without departing from the design spirit of the present application shall fall within the protective scope confirmed by the claims of the present application.