US 9,303,423 B2 · Deployable flexible flood mitigation device

Abstract

A novel design and construction method for the creation of a Deployable Flexible Flood Mitigation Device manufactured from textile and membrane materials. The Flexible Flood Mitigation Device comprises a textile/membrane panel configured to be movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the panel forms a barrier against flood water; and a spool that is manually or electrically operated is used to move the panel from the closed position to the opened position. The spool can also be eliminated and the panel can be manually folded for storage. The Flexible Flood Mitigation Device can be configured for use in many applications including subway tunnels, vehicular tunnels, stairwells, ventilation shafts, and other openings that can be threatened by flooding. It can be used in any orientation (vertical, horizontal or at an angle with respect to gravity), and can stop fluids approaching from either side. It can also be shaped to fit any opening. Although its primary use is flood mitigation, the device is also applicable to containment of smoke from fire, chemical or biological agents, or other transient media.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A deployable flood-gate comprising:

a flexible door comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a textile, a membrane and combinations thereof;
a rigid perimeter structure comprising a guide rail that guides deployment of the door;
the perimeter structure further comprising a track that supports loading on and sealing of the flexible door against hydrostatic pressure;
the track comprising an opening to permit the flexible door member to extend through the opening;
said door further comprising an integral edge sealing section provided interiorly of the track and of a size larger than the opening, such that the integral edge sealing section cannot be pulled out of the track through the opening, which integral edge sealing section is deformable and presents a broader sealing area in direct contact with the track than the sealing area presented by the flexible door member itself;
and,
a storage container for the flexible door with deployment and retraction mechanisms;
wherein at least some of the perimeter of the flexible door is comprised of the integral edge sealing section in the form of a flexible deadman, which deadman is integrally connected to structural support and pressure retention layers of the flexible door, and which deadman is deformable and presents a broader sealing area in direct contact with the track than the sealing area presented by the flexible door member itself.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Deployable flexible flood mitigation device

Life of this patent

Deployable flexible flood mitigation device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23