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US 10,184,221 B2Granted
Water control system and method for water management
OwnerNorman Paul Watsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated water control device comprises a rotatable housing that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper or weir edge of the housing. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The housing is selectively rotated to raise and lower the height of the weir edge to a target gate height. Automatic control is provided for operation of the device by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes one or more water control devices and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated water control device. Manual or semi-automated embodiments are also disclosed.
Claims42
A water control device for control of water from an impounded water source, comprising:
- a rotatable housing including sidewalls and end walls forming an enclosure to receive water from the water source, said rotatable housing having an open upper end defined by at least one weir edge;
- a housing extension extending away from one of said end walls and an opening formed in said end wall and through said housing extension;
- a drain connected to said rotatable housing extension for transporting water away from said enclosure;
- an actuator communicating with said rotatable housing to selectively and controllably rotate said housing thereby raising and lowering said at least one weir edge;
- a controller for automatically controlling the rotation of the rotatable housing to selectively raise or lower the at least one weir edge to a selected height, and user interfaces associated with said controller providing user options to program and select features relating to system control;
- and
- wherein said rotatable housing is rotatable about an axis by said actuator so that said at least one weir edge defines a gate height over which water flows when a water level is above said gate height, said water being captured in said enclosure and subsequently flowing through said drain.
4 more elements
A water control system to control flow of water from an impounded water source, said system comprising:
- (a) a rotatable housing including sidewalls and end walls forming an enclosure to receive water, said rotatable housing having an open upper end defined by at least one weir edge;
- a housing extension extending away from one of said end walls and an opening formed in said one of said end walls and through said housing extension;
- a drain connected to said housing extension for transporting water away from said enclosure;
- an actuator communicating with said rotatable housing to selectively and controllably rotate said housing thereby raising and lowering said at least one weir edge;
- wherein said rotatable housing is rotatable about an axis by said actuator so that said at least one weir edge defines a gate height over which water flows when a water level is above said gate height, said water being captured in said enclosure and subsequently flowing through said drain;
- and
- (b) a controller communicating with said actuator to control operation of said rotatable housing, said controller being programmed to execute selected commands to control a height of said at least one weir edge.
4 more elements
A method of controlling flow of water from an impounded water source, said method comprising:
- providing a water control device including a rotatable housing including sidewalls and end walls forming an enclosure to receive water, said rotatable housing having an open upper end defined by at least one weir edge;
- a housing extension extending away from one of said end walls and an opening formed in said one end wall and through said housing extension;
- a drain connected to said housing extension for transporting water away from said enclosure;
- an actuator communicating with said rotatable housing to rotate said housing thereby raising and lowering said at least one weir edge;
- wherein said rotatable housing is rotatable about an axis by said actuator so that said at least one weir edge defines a gate height over which water flows, said water being captured in said enclosure and subsequently flowing through said drain;
- providing a controller communicating with said rotatable housing to control rotation of said housing and a selected height for said at least one weir edge, said controller including at least one user interface enabling a user to select commands to be executed for operational control of said rotatable housing;
- generating at least one input to said controller for detecting a status of said rotatable housing;
- and
- executing at least one output from said controller to complete a command for operational control of said rotatable housing, said at least one output resulting in manipulation of said actuator to selectively and controllably raise or lower said at least one weir edge.
6 more elements
A method of controlling flow of water from an impounded water source to achieve a selected drawdown protocol, said method comprising:
- providing a water control device including a rotatable housing forming an enclosure to receive water, said rotatable housing having an open upper end defined by at least one weir edge;
- a drain connected to a housing extension for transporting water away from said enclosure;
- an actuator communicating with said rotatable housing to rotate said housing thereby selectively raising and lowering said at least one weir edge;
- wherein said rotatable housing is rotatable so that said at least one weir edge defines a gate height over which water flows when a water level is above said gate height, said water being captured in said enclosure and subsequently flowing through said drain;
- providing a controller communicating with said rotatable housing to control rotation of said housing and a selected height for said at least one weir edge, said controller including at least one user interface enabling a user to select commands to be executed for operational control of said rotatable housing;
- selecting a drawdown protocol comprising computer instructions executable by said controller;
- generating at least one input to said controller for detecting a status of said rotatable housing;
- and
- executing at least one output from said controller to complete a command for operational control of said rotatable housing, said at least one output resulting in manipulation of said actuator to selectively and controllably raise or lower said at least one weir edge commensurate with said drawdown protocol.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.