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US 2003/0143027 A1Published application
Water control gate and actuator therefore
AssigneeHenry K. Obermeyer
InventorsHenry K. Obermeyer, Robert D. Eckman, T. W. Mo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are some of the advancements disclosed herein.
Claims628
An inflated bladder stress reduction apparatus comprising a substantially elongated, substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladder fold membrane insert element.
An inflated bladder stress reduction method comprising the steps of:
- creating a substantially elongated, substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladder fold membrane insert element.
An inflated bladder stress reduction method comprising:
- Creating a deflated bladder fold membrane insert element body element;
- and
- establishing a substantially elongated, smoothly curved, half-cylinder shaped, inner deflated bladder fold membrane surface contactable element contiguously with and externally of said deflated bladder fold membrane insert element body element;
- establishing two substantially opposing, substantially planar, substantially elongated, inner deflated bladder fold membrane proximate surface contactable elements contiguously with and externally of said deflated bladder fold membrane insert element body element;
- adjoining each said two substantially opposing, substantially planar, inner deflated bladder fold membrane proximate surface contactable elements to an opposite portion of said substantially elongated, smoothly curved, half-cylinder shaped, inner deflated bladder fold membrane surface contactable element;
- and adjoining said two substantially opposing, substantially planar, inner deflated bladder fold membrane proximate surface contactable elements at a substantially linear, inner deflated bladder fold membrane proximate surface contactable elements intersection vertex element.
3 more elements
A strength enhanced inflatable bladder apparatus comprising:
- An inflatable membrane element having at least one positively conformed, inflated stress reduced deflated bladder fold membrane element;
- and a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said at least one positively conformed, inflated stress reduced deflated bladder fold membrane element, wherein said at least one positively conformed, inflated stress reduced deflated bladder fold membrane element is positively conformed to have an inflated bladder stress reduction significant increase in a minimum curvature radius, and wherein an deflated bladder fold proximate membrane profile exhibits an approximately thirty degree or greater deflation configuration spatial void profile point angle.
A inflatable bladder failure resistance enhancement method comprising the steps of:
- positively conforming at least one deflated bladder fold membrane to have a reduced inflated bladder stress and so that a deflated bladder fold proximate membrane profile exhibits an approximately thirty degree or greater deflation configuration spatial void profile point angle;
- establishing an inflatable membrane element responsive to said deflated bladder fold membrane and to include said deflated bladder fold membrane;
- and establishing a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable membrane element.
An inflatable elastomeric dam apparatus comprising an inflatable membrane;
- an overtop flow deflection fin responsive to said inflatable membrane;
- and an inflatable membrane-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable membrane is responsive;
- wherein said inflatable membrane comprises an longitudinal insert element positioned substantially co-radially with and internally of said overtop flow deflection fin.
An inflatable elastomeric dam apparatus comprising an inflatable membrane;
- a flow deflection fin responsive to said inflatable membrane;
- and an inflatable membrane-to-foundation attachment element;
- wherein said inflatable membrane comprises a flow deflection fin proximate, inner bladder section positively conformed to have an inflated bladder stress reduction significant increase in a minimum curvature radius and wherein a deflated bladder, flow deflection fin proximate profile exhibits an approximately thirty degree or greater void profile point angle and a substantially circular arc inner bladder curvature.
An inflatable elastomeric dam apparatus comprising an inflatable membrane;
- a flow deflection fin responsive to said inflatable membrane;
- and an inflatable membrane-to-foundation attachment element;
- wherein said inflatable membrane comprises a flow deflection fin proximate, inner bladder section positively conformed to have a rounded, inwardly-pointing radius of curvature and wherein a deflated bladder, flow deflection fin proximate profile exhibits an approximately thirty degree or greater void profile point angle and a substantially circular arc inner bladder curvature.
An inflatable elastomeric dam failure resistance enhancement method comprises the steps of:
- positively conforming an overtop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane to have a reduced inflated bladder stress and so that an overtop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane profile exhibits an approximately thirty degree or greater deflation configuration spatial void profile point angle;
- establishing an inflatable membrane element responsive to said overtop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane;
- and establishing a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable membrane element.
An inflatable elastomeric dam failure resistance enhancement method comprises the steps of:
- positively conforming an overtop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane to have a reduced inflated bladder stress and so that an overtop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane profile is positive circular arc in profile;
- establishing an inflatable membrane element responsive to said overtop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane;
- and establishing a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable membrane element.
An inflatable article apparatus comprising:
- An inflatable bladder element;
- a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable bladder element;
- and an inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable bladder element is responsive;
- wherein said inflatable bladder element comprises at least one circumferentially continuous, integrally adjoined inner bladder layer.
1 more element
An inflatable article apparatus comprising:
- An inflatable water control bladder element;
- a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable water control bladder element;
- and an inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable water control bladder element is responsive;
- wherein said inflatable water control bladder element comprises at least one integrally adjoined inner bladder layer having an installed, inflated configuration longitudinal central axis that is horizontal and normal to an impending flow direction.
1 more element
A water control apparatus comprising:
- Inflatable, water control bladder element adapted for attachment to a water control gate panel bottom edge as installed;
- a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable, water control bladder element;
- and an inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable, water control bladder element is responsive;
- wherein said inflatable, water control bladder element comprises at least one overflow orthogonal deflated bladder joint traversing ply.
1 more element
An inflatable article strength enhancement method comprising the steps of:
- establishing at least one reinforced expandable inner layer to have a continuously adjoined vertically planar perimeter;
- establishing an inflatable article end section responsive to said at least one reinforced expandable inner layer;
- establishing a portion of at least one reinforced expandable outer layer externally of and in direct contact with said at least one reinforced expandable inner layer;
- establishing a pressurized fluid inlet element to create a fluid travel port through said at least one reinforced expandable inner layer and said portion of at least one reinforced expandable outer layer;
- diverging a remaining portion of said at least one reinforced expandable outer layer from said at least one reinforced expandable inner layer along a layer divergence line;
- and establishing an inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element with at least said remaining portion of said at least one reinforced expandable outer layer.
3 more elements
A pressurized fluid inlet apparatus comprising:
- a pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element;
- a thickness enhanced, interior edge element responsive to said pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element;
- a thickness reduced, exterior edge element responsive to said thickness enhanced, pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element proximate, interior edge element and installed configuration contactable with an inflatable membrane separation curve proximate membrane;
- and
- a thickness varying body element located between said thickness enhanced, pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element proximate, interior edge element and said thickness reduced exterior edge element.
2 more elements
A method of conveying pressurized fluid to and from an inflatable article comprisomg the steps of:
- dimensioning a pressurized fluid inlet element having a pressurized fluid inlet element hole;
- establishing said pressurized fluid inlet element between two contact-adjacent inflatable article layers;
- and establishing an inflatable article layers hole co-axially with said pressurized fluid inlet element hole.
A method of facilitating conveyance of pressurized fluid to and from an inflatable article comprising the steps of:
- creating a pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element;
- establishing a thickness enhanced, interior edge element responsive to said pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element;
- establishing a thickness reduced exterior edge element responsive to said thickness enhanced, interior edge element and contactable with at least one inflatable membrane separation curve proximate membrane;
- and
- establishing a thickness varying body element between said thickness enhanced, interior edge element and said thickness reduced exterior edge element.
2 more elements
An impounded water leakage prevention apparatus comprising:
- an interpanel seal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element;
- an interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element responsive to said interpanel seal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element;
- an upper, overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conforming water seal hinge element responsive to said interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element;
- and
- an interpanel seal element fixedly attachable to a first edge proximate portion of a first water gate panel and a second edge proximate portion of a second water gate panel, wherein said first edge proximate portion of said first water gate panel is situated adjacent to said second edge proximate portion of said second water gate panel and said first water gate panel is situated adjacent to said second water gate panel.
2 more elements
A method of preventing leakage of water impounded by a water control gate system comprising the steps of:
- creating a substantially elongated interpanel seal element;
- adapting said substantially elongated interpanel seal element for fixed attachment to a first edge proximate portion of a first water gate panel and a second edge proximate portion of a second water gate panel, wherein said fist edge proximate portion of said first water gate panel is installed adjacently to said second edge proximate portion of said second water gate panel and said first water gate panel is situated adjacent to said second water gate panel;
- establishing an interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element to which said substantially elongated interpanel seal element is responsive;
- establishing an interpanel seal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element to which said interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element is responsive;
- establishing an interpanel seal hinge element responsive to said substantially flat, interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element;
- and
- conforming a profile of said interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element to the profile of an installed-configuration-adjacent, water gate actuator-to-foundation clampable retention element.
4 more elements
An inflatable water gate actuator apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable bladder element;
- a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable bladder element;
- an inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable bladder element is responsive;
- and
- an integral water gate panel hinge flap element responsive to said inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element and comprising:
- an overflow orthogonal, vertical, inflatable bladder-to-foundation clamp face abutting, corner-augmented edge element.
3 more elements
An inflatable water gate actuator system enhancement method comprising the steps of:
- creating an inflatable bladder element;
- establishing a pressurized fluid inlet element responsive to said inflatable bladder element;
- establishing an inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable bladder element is responsive;
- establishing an integral water gate panel hinge flap attachment element responsive to said inflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element;
- and
- corner-augmenting an upper, overflow orthogonal edge of said integral water gate panel hinge flap attachment element to conform to a vertical, inflatable bladder-to-foundation clamp face.
3 more elements
An impounded water seal apparatus comprising:
- an upper, impounded water seal element that is fixedly attachable to a foundation slide surface adjacent edge proximate portion of a foundation slide surface adjacent water gate panel and that comprises:
- a water gate panel conformable seal element;
- a foundation slide surface adjacent, impounded water seal element responsive to said water gate panel conformable seal element;
- and
- a longitudinal corner seal element established substantially between said water gate panel conformable seal element and said foundation slide surface adjacent, impounded water seal element;
- a thickness reduced, hingeable, upper, overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conforming water seal element responsive to said upper, impounded water seal element;
- and
- an abutment seal-to-foundation attachment element to which said thickness reduced, hingeable, upper, overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conforming water seal element is responsive.
5 more elements
An impounded water seal method comprising the steps of:
- creating a water gate panel conformable seal element;
- establishing a foundation slide surface adjacent, impounded water seal element to which said water gate panel conformable seal element is responsive;
- establishing a longitudinal corner seal element substantially between said water gate panel conformable seal element and said foundation slide surface adjacent, impounded water seal element;
- wherein said water gate panel conformable seal element;
- said foundation slide surface adjacent, impounded water seal element;
- and said longitudinal corner seal element together form an upper impounded water seal element;
- adapting said upper impounded water seal element for fixed attachment to a foundation slide surface adjacent, edge proximate portion of a foundation slide surface adjacent water gate panel;
- hingedly attaching a thickness reduced, hingeable, upper, overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conforming seal element to said upper, impounded water seal element;
- and
- establishing an abutment seal-to-foundation attachment element to which said thickness reduced, hingeable, upper overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conforming seal element is responsive.
7 more elements
A water gate panel slide friction abatement apparatus comprising:
- a polymeric plate element dimensioned to contact a planar abutment seal face throughout a possible water gate position vertical edge sweep;
- and
- a plate-to-foundation surface attachment element to which said polymeric plate element is responsive.
A water gate slide friction abatement method comprising the steps of:
- dimensioning a polymeric material to form a substantially planar polymeric plate element able to contact an abutment seal face throughout a possible water gate edge sweep;
- and
- establishing a plate-to-foundation surface attachment element to which said substantially planar polymeric plate element is responsive.
A water control apparatus comprising:
- a concrete water control gate panel body element;
- a slide friction reduced, actuator-side water control gate panel surface element responsive to said concrete water control gate panel body element;
- and
- a horizontal axis rotation hinge-to-water gate panel attachment element fixedly positioned at an overflow orthogonal installed water gate panel bottom edge and to which said concrete water control gate panel body element is responsive.
1 more element
A method of controlling impounded water comprising the steps of:
- creating a concrete water control gate panel body element;
- establishing a slide friction reduced, actuator-side water control gate panel surface element responsive to said concrete water control gate panel body element;
- and
- establishing a horizontal axis rotation hinge-to-water gate panel attachment element at an overflow orthogonal, installed water gate panel edge and to which said concrete water control gate panel body element is responsive.
1 more element
An improved impounded water control system operation maintenance apparatus comprising:
- a tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element;
- a lower, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachment element to which said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element is responsive and that is fixedly established between oppositely facing ends of end-proximate water gate panel actuators;
- and
- an upper, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-gate panel attachment element responsive to said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element.
1 more element
An improved impounded water control system operation maintenance apparatus comprising:
- a tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element;
- a lower, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachment element to which said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element is responsive and that is fixedly established between a water gate panel actuator and a substantially vertical foundation surface;
- and
- an upper, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-gate panel attachment element responsive to said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element.
1 more element
A method for improving the appearance of a lowered configuration water control gate system comprising the steps of:
- dimensioning a tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element;
- establishing a lower, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachment element to which said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element is responsive and that is fixedly established between proximate ends of proximate, vertically projecting flow control elements;
- and
- establishing an upper, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-gate panel attachment element responsive to said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element.
1 more element
A nappe aeration apparatus comprising:
- an overtop flow mode dynamic object impact flexible nappe break element;
- and
- a disengagable, flexible nappe break element-to-water impoundment element attachment element to which said overtop flow mode dynamic object impact flexible nappe break element is responsive.
A method of aerating an dam overtop nappe comprising the steps of:
- creating an overtop flow mode dynamic object impact flexible nappe break element;
- and
- establishing a disengagable, nappe break element-to-water impoundment element attachment element to which said overtop flow mode dynamic object impact flexible nappe break element is responsive.
An impounded water control system comprising:
- a plurality of water gate elements;
- a translatable, water gate actuator element repositionably locatable substantially beneath said plurality of water gate elements;
- a reposition element to which said translatable, water gate actuator element is operationally responsive;
- and
- a plurality of support elements, each to which at least one individual gate element of said plurality of water gate elements is responsive.
2 more elements
An impounded water control method comprising:
- establishing a plurality of water gate elements on a foundation;
- establishing at least one translatable, water gate actuator element repositionably locatable substantially beneath said plurality of water gate elements;
- establishing a reposition element to which said at least one translatable, water gate actuator element is operationally responsive;
- and
- establishing a plurality of support elements, each to which at least one individual gate element of said plurality of water gate elements is responsive.
2 more elements
A water impoundment apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable water impoundment element actuator element;
- an inflatable actuator-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable water impoundment element actuator element is responsive and that comprises a cross-sectionally-enlarged, inflatable actuator-to-foundation clamp retention improvement element;
- an overtop trafficable water impoundment element responsive to said inflatable water impoundment element actuator element;
- a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element to which said overtop trafficable water impoundment element is responsive;
- a hinge-to-impoundment element attachment element responsive to said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element;
- and
- a hinge-to-foundation attachment element to which said flexible fiber reinforced hinge is responsive,
- wherein an axis of rotation of said overtop trafficable water impoundment element is substantially at an overtop trafficable water impoundment element end, and wherein said overtop trafficable water impoundment element has a flush upper trafficable surface.
5 more elements
A water impoundment apparatus comprising:
- a floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundment element;
- a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element to which said floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundment element is responsive;
- and
- a hinge-to-impoundment element attachment element responsive to said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element;
- a float element to which said floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundment element is floatably responsive;
- and
- a hinge-to-foundation attachment element to which said flexible fiber reinforced hinge is responsive,
- wherein said floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundment element has a flush upper surface.
5 more elements
A water impoundment apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable water impoundment element actuator element;
- an inflatable actuator-to-foundation attachment element to which said inflatable water impoundment element actuator element is responsive and that comprises a cross-sectionally-enlarged, inflatable actuator-to-foundation clamp retention improvement element;
- an water impoundment element responsive to said inflatable water impoundment element actuator element;
- a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element to which said water impoundment element is responsive;
- a hinge-to-impoundment element attachment element responsive to said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element;
- and
- a hinge-to-foundation attachment element to which said flexible fiber reinforced hinge is responsive,
- wherein an axis of rotation of said water impoundment element is substantially at a water impoundment element end.
5 more elements
A water impoundment method comprising the steps of:
- securing an inflatable water impoundment element actuator to a foundation through use of an inflatable actuator-to-foundation attachment element that includes a cross-sectionally-enlarged inflatable actuator-to-foundation clamp retention improvement element;
- establishing an overtop trafficable water impoundment element responsive to said inflatable water impoundment element actuator;
- configuring said overtop trafficable water impoundment element to have a flush upper trafficable surface;
- establishing a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element to which said overtop trafficable water impoundment element is responsive;
- securing a hinge-to-impoundment element attachment element substantially at an overtop trafficable water impoundment element end;
- and
- securing a hinge-to-foundation attachment element to which said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element is responsive.
4 more elements
A water impoundment method comprising the steps of:
- establishing a floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundment element responsive to a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element;
- establishing a hinge-to-impoundment element attachment element responsive to said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element;
- configuring said floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundment element to have a flush upper trafficable surface;
- and
- securing a hinge-to-foundation attachment element to which said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element is responsive.
2 more elements
A water impoundment method comprising the steps of:
- securing an inflatable water impoundment element actuator element to a foundation through use of an inflatable actuator-to-foundation attachment element that includes a cross-sectionally-enlarged inflatable actuator-to-foundation clamp retention improvement element;
- establishing a water impoundment element responsive to said inflatable water impoundment element actuator element;
- establishing a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element to which said water impoundment element is responsive;
- establishing a hinge-to-impoundment element attachment element substantially at a water impoundment element longitudinal end;
- and
- securing a hinge-to-foundation attachment element to which said flexible fiber reinforced hinge element is responsive.
3 more elements
An inflatable article manufacturing method comprising the steps of:
- establishing a bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element responsive to an inflatable bladder manufacture frame;
- folding at least a portion of at least one elastomeric layer around said bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element to create at least one inner-most bladder layer;
- creating an oppositely facing inner most layer;
- preventing adjoining of said oppositely facing inner-most bladder layer;
- and
- removing said bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element from at least one created elastomeric fold.
3 more elements
A nappe aeration apparatus comprising:
- a nappe break element;
- and
- a disengagable nappe break element-to-water impoundment element attachment element to which said nappe break element is responsive;
- and
- an impact flexure element.
2 more elements
A method of aerating an dam overtop nappe comprising the steps of:
- creating an nappe break element;
- establishing a disengagable, nappe break element-to-water impoundment element attachment element to which said nappe break element is responsive;
- and
- establishing an impact flexure element to which said nappe break element is responsive.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.