Abstract: A flood barrier system for temporarily sealing an opening in a wall structure against the inflow of flood waters. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, horizontally disposed barrier elements of a length somewhat greater than the width of the opening. The barrier elements are stacked vertically, one upon the other against the outer face of the wall structure. End clamps engage opposite ends of the individual barrier elements to press them snugly against the outer surface of the wall, providing seals along the opposite vertical side edges of the opening. The barrier elements incorporate a unique interlocking configuration that simplifies and expedites assembly of a flood barrier and strengthens the integrity of the assembled structure. Improved and simplified arrangements are provided for clamping the ends of the barrier elements and for applying downward pressure to the assembled barrier.

Abstract: A flood barrier system for sealing an opening in a wall structure against the inflow of flood waters. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, horizontally disposed barrier elements of a length somewhat greater than the width of the opening. The barrier elements are stacked vertically, one upon the other against the outer face of the wall structure. End clamps engage opposite ends of the individual barrier elements to press them snugly against the outer surface of the wall, providing seals along the opposite vertical side edges of the opening. A simplified clamping mechanism is provided above the uppermost barrier element, with provisions to apply vertically downward clamping pressure on the uppermost barrier element, and thus upon the entire series of vertically stacked barrier elements.

Abstract: An Adjustable flood-resistant barrier for removable installation in a window or door opening or the like. A laterally adjustable frame is received within an elastic envelope and can be laterally expanded to engage the sides and bottom of the opening. An adjusting mechanism includes a shaft, which projects upward above the top of the frame, approximately in the center thereof, and mounts a handle for both carrying the panel and rotating the shaft to effect width adjustments of the panel. An improved peripheral seal minimizes the likelihood of leakage at the corners. For wide openings, mullions are provided to support central areas and to increase downward sealing pressures in the center of the panel. Mullions can also be positioned between an opposed pair of barrier panels for closing off unusually wide openings.

Abstract: A closure seal for doors, hatches and the like comprising a pneumatically inflatable sealing element of generally known configuration housed in a specially constructed channel-shaped retainer. The sealing element comprises a flat, relatively stiff base portion of predetermined width and a flexible portion comprising spaced apart side walls, joined with the base, and an outer wall joining with the side walls to form a hollow expandable section. The base forms shoulders where it joins with the side walls. A retaining channel, formed of sheet metal and of generally U-shaped cross section, receives the sealing element and is formed with longitudinally spaced apart, opposed, inwardly projecting elements forming longitudinally spaced apart constrictions of slightly less width than the base of the sealing element.

Abstract: An improved locking feature for a watertight hatch incorporates a positive break-open feature to facilitate opening when the hatch is jammed with ice and/or debris. A plurality of radially extending/retracting locking bars cooperate with closing cams such that, when the bars are extended, the hatch is drawn into tight engagement with a sealing gasket. When the locking bars are fully retracted, in order to release the hatch for opening, at least selected ones of the locking bars cooperate with opening cam means whereby full retraction of the bars forcibly displaces the hatch in an opening direction with a high mechanical advantage, initially breaking the hatch free of any restricting ice formation or packed debris. Thereafter, the hatch may be readily opened by being manually lifted in a conventional manner. The arrangement makes it entirely feasible to configure the hatch cover to be flush with its surroundings, so as to be useable in sidewalks, for example, where there may be heavy pedestrian traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure testing a penetration seal between a process pipe and surrounding penetration sleeve of larger diameter, where the process pipe passes through the wall of a containment structure. A wrap-around elastomeric boot connects the penetration sleeve with the process pipe and defines a chamber communicating with the penetration seal to be tested. Inner and outer collar sets, each formed of an opposed pair of semi-cylindrical collar segments, are mounted over the process pipe and penetration sleeve and secured together in surrounding relation to the elastomeric boot. Wrap-around, pneumatically inflatable clamping rings are interposed between the respective collar sets and the ends of the elastomeric boot, to tightly and sealingly clamp the boot to the process pipe and penetration sleeve.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated nozzle dam or the like for placement internally of a passageway, enabling the passageway to be sealed off upon inflation of a pneumatically inflatable ring. The apparatus includes an elastomeric diaphragm provided with sidewalls projecting in a downstream direction and joined with sealing flaps surrounding the sidewall and projecting back in an upstream direction. An inflatable pneumatic element is positioned between the sidewall and sealing flap and connected to only one of them. Upon inflation, the sealing flap is forced against the walls of the passageway to provide a seal. If depressurization of the inflatable element occurs, the sealing flap is retained in operative position by pressure of the retained body of liquid on the upstream side of the seal. The new arrangement eliminates the need for redundancy of the pneumatic element and, at the same time, provides for greater safety.

Abstract: An inflatable pneumatic seal is provided for very large structures, such as domed stadiums provided with retractable roof structures. Because of the necessarily large cross sectional configuration, required for closing large designed clearances in stadium roof sections, the cross section of the seal must be maintained under control during non-working periods. A structure is provided which is pressurized to one cross sectional configuration for closing and sealing purposes and pressurized to a second cross sectional configuration for maintaining cross sectional control during periods when the seal is inactive.

Abstract: A floodgate structure is disclosed for closing of an hydraulic flow channel at selected times, as during flooding conditions. A gate panel is normally loosely and slideably received in a recess below grade level. To render the gate operational, it is lifted into a channel-blocking position. Pneumatically inflatable peripheral sealing elements extend from the water side of the panel into sealing contact with a fixed support structure. The opposite side of the panel supports a flexible but noninflatable sealing skirt element, which is pressed into sealing contact with the supporting structure by expansion of the inflatable elements. When thus positioned, the sealing skirt becomes hydrostatically loaded by the pressure of the water and functions as an effective seal in the event of subsequent failure of the pneumatically expandable elements.

Abstract: A novel inflatable plug for interrupting fluid flow in a pipe is provided which effects a stable, rigid seal while at the same time has a minimal axial length so as to be easily maneuverable. The plug is made from flexible, impermeable fabric and is provided with finely distributed, flexible inelastic connector elements or threads running in the axial direction and secured to opposed walls. When the plug is inflated, the threads prevent the opposed walls from separating a greater distance than the length of the threads. A complete plug assembly is also disclosed, comprising three such plugs in series, mounted on a bracing support frame and provided with a fail-safe inflation system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly of a closure element, such as a door, and a continuous, endless inflatable seal. An advantageous arrangement provided for effectively continuous support of the seal without requiring clamps or the like. The seal has a mounting or base flange which is continuous, except for a limited notch. The base flange is received in a mounting slot or groove, which is also continuous except for a notch of limited length. The endless seal is installed by initially inserting the base flange into the retainer groove, in the area of the notches, and sliding the endless seal member lengthwise into the retaining slot until the entire base flange is contained within the slot. Continuous mounting support is thus provided, except in the limited area of the notches, providing for a mounting of superior strength and reliability.

Abstract: In a nuclear fuel reactor well, storage pool or the like, a lightweight, removable pneumatic action sealing means is disclosed for providing a leak-tight seal between the walls of said well and an access gate. The sealing means comprises a lightweight metallic beam structure removably supported by the gate and arranged between the gate and portions of the adjacent wall. Inflatable sealing members are mounted on the lightweight beam structure and are operable when the gate is in a locked position to expand between the gate and wall, thereby forming a leak-tight seal. The beam structure includes connector flanges so that a hoisting apparatus may be attached to the lightweight structure to lift the entire sealing means from the gate for repair, maintenance or replacement.

Abstract: In an apparatus for pressure testing open-ended pipes or the like there is provided a novel sealing means to form an air-tight seal between the open end of a pipe to be tested and an end plate of a pipe supporting test fixture. The sealing means comprises a continuous, annular, yieldable sealing member of triangular cross-section supported on the end plate. A pneumatically expandable annular actuator is associated with the continuous sealing member. The sealing member is normally spaced radially and axially from the junction area of the pipe end and test fixture end plate. The pneumatically inflatable actuator is operative to expand the continuous yieldable sealing element radially and simultaneously to advance it longitudinally, whereby the triangular sealing member is tightly wedged into said junction area to form a preliminary seal. When test pressure is applied, it acts upon the triangular sealing member to increase the seal effectiveness.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to improvements in pneumatically inflatable seals for sliding doors. The seal is in the form of an elongated elastomeric tube disposed in a channel adjacent to the door frame. After closing of the door or doors, the seal is expanded by pneumatic pressure, tightly closing the space between the door and the channel. The invention is directed specifically to improvements in the construction and configuration of the sealing element, for improving sealing effectiveness in the region at the extremity or extremities of the sealing element. The improvement is realized by incorporating one or more longitudinally disposed, deformable sealing ribs, providing sealing contact between the inflatable seal and the door surface in a transition zone at the end of the tubular sealing element, where the element does not fully expand when subjected to internal fluid pressure.