Abstract: An inflatable dike formed from sections includes an upper and lower partition. The lower partition includes a water inlet and is water-fillable via the water inlet to add weight to the dike. The upper partition attaches to partially surround to the lower partition. The upper partition includes an air inlet for inflating the upper partition with air. The upper partition inflates to add rigidity, and to laterally support the lower partition.

Abstract: A wave barrier for protecting users and their possessions at a beach location close to the water from becoming wet from waves crashing into their location. The wave barrier includes a flexible wall sheet with a plurality of spaced apart elongate poles coupled thereto. The lower ends of the poles are downwardly extended from a bottom edge of the wall sheet. The proximal edge of a ground sheet is coupled to the wall sheet along the bottom edge of the wall sheet.

Abstract: A protective bank damming device useful for damming and controlling the flow of a liquid, the liquid most commonly being water. The damming device barrier member is inflated with water to provide a form to the barrier member, and anchoring weight to keep the barrier secured to the substrate surface. The barrier member provides support for a skirt member extending from the top side of the barrier to a skirt distal edge abutting against the flood side substrate surface. A skirt sealing means is applied along the skirt distal edge, with the purpose of preventing leakage under the skirt and barrier member, and utilizing natural leakage inherent in this type of liquid-anchored dam, reducing the hydrostatic pressure under the skirt and barrier relative to the dammed water. This pressure differential keeps the damming device securely anchored to the surface.

Abstract: A rubber sheet is formed in a bag shape, and a seam portion of the bag-shaped rubber sheet is fixed to a summit portion of an overflow dam. When the bag-shaped rubber sheet is expanded, a rubber dam is raised, thereby damming up water and adjusting the amount of running water. Next, when the bag-shaped rubber sheet which has been expanded is contracted and collapsed, the rubber sheet is supported by pipes, which extend substantially horizontally from the summit portion of the overflow dam toward the downstream side at a predetermined distance from each other. For this reason, the rubber sheet hangs down with its own weight and with the weight of water running downstream so as to droop down between the pipes. As a result, a rubber dam that does not bulge at the downstream side is obtained.

Abstract: A weir assembly is mountable in a wastewater treatment tank to control liquid flow from a first liquid receptacle into a second liquid receptacle. The weir assembly includes a weir member having an upright wall section mountable between the first liquid receptacle and the second liquid receptacle, and a baffle member including a body inflatable with a gas. The wall section has an upper edge positionable with respect to an open surface of the wastewater in the first liquid receptacle to allow wastewater flow over the upper edge. The baffle member is responsive to inflation of the inflatable body such that the baffle member is movable with respect to the weir member between a first position below the upper edge to a second position adjacent the upper edge as the inflatable body is substantially inflated. When the baffle member is disposed in the first position, at least a substantial portion of the baffle member is disposed below the surface of the wastewater in the first liquid receptacle.

Abstract: A portable, modular fluid-containment system is described which can be assembled anywhere to form a wall or dike for preventing fluids (e.g., water) from escaping from their intended location and for preventing flooding. The system uses individual collapsible modules which can be stacked in rows and columns, as desired. The modules overlap each other and are also interconnected so that a liquid such as water can be used to fill all of the modules to make them more stable and immobile.

Abstract: A multiple bladder flood control system, for preventing flood waters from reaching a protected area from a flooding area, comprising a bladder assembly. A trough is dug between the protected area and the flooding area, having a trough bottom, a trough first side, and a trough second side which are all preferably surfaced with concrete. The trough first side faces the protected area, and the trough second side faces the flooding area. The bladder assembly is anchored to the trough bottom with an anchor plate. The bladder assembly comprises at least a lowermost bladder and at least one upper bladder. The bladders are attached with a common connecting surface which faces the flooding area. The bladder assembly is normally deflated, is stored fully within the trough, and the trough is covered with a cover plate. When flood waters are advancing, the cover plate is removed and the bladder assembly is inflated.

Abstract: A flood barrier wall consisting of a flexible tubular flood chamber, skirts and an air-filled flotation collar. In its unexpanded and deflated mode the device is relegated to a substantially flattened condition which can be folded, rolled up or placed on a spindle for ease of transport and rapid deployment at a flood site. Deployment consists of placing the barrier on the anticipated flood site, weighting and fastening the skirts to the ground and inflating the collar. As rising flood water enters the flood chamber it expands said chamber, resulting in an effective flood barrier.

Abstract: A fluid-fillable barrier includes a tubular, impermeable membrane and at least one tension member. The membrane has a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The tension member secures between, and extends from, the first attachment area to the second attachment area. When in tension, the tension member may pivot with respect to the membrane, and has a taut length which is less than one-half of the perimeter of a cross section of the membrane, the length and perimeter being measured at a common cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the membrane.

Abstract: A liquid-damming protective bank comprises a member abutting against a surface upon which a vertical force acts with the purpose of pressing and anchoring the same against the surface. The bank member has a first long side edge turned towards a flood side and an opposite long side edge turned towards a dry side of the protective bank. Between the surface (2) and the bank member (1) there is applied a device (12) extending axially along the bank, e.g. a mat, the purpose of which is to drain away flood liquid possibly leaking in under the member from the flood side so as to keep the area on the bottom side of the member elongating from the long side edge of the draining device (12) being closest to the flood side to the dry side, at or close to atmospheric pressure in order to obtain a maximum pressure difference in relation to the hydraulic pressure keeping the protective bank sealing against the surface.

Abstract: Several gate panels are pivotably mounted on top of a dam spillway which are raised against the force of water by inflatable bladders. The bladders are integrally vulcanized envelopes. A unique method of inflatable bladder reinforcement is disclosed. Improvements in connecting the gate panels to the air bladder, to the restraining straps, to each other, and to the dam spillway are disclosed. Improvements in gate panel construction are disclosed.

Abstract: A crest gate has movable panels controlled in position by inflatable bladders. Air pressure to the bladders or from the bladders is provided to a control system that automatically regulates panel position. Air is bubbled out of a line that is normally below the water level behind the dam and crest gate panels. An actuator assembly is coupled to a valve for selectively venting the bladders. An elastomeric tire is used to create a positioning effect on the valve such that the control system maintains a precise water level. The gate configuration is improved to resist higher loads.

Abstract: A barrier wall for containment of flood waters composed of multiples of modules which are easily transported to the site and erected without tools, by only a few persons with no special skills or training. Flexible coversheets, having foam seals which conform the modules to the ground and prevent flood waters from undercutting the ground and rendering the wall unstable are placed on the ground. Compartmented flexible ballast cell units are placed on the cover sheets just over the seals. The edges of the coversheets are coupled together as are the ends of the ballast cell units for continuity of the wail. The ballast cells can then be filled with water, sand, earth, gravel or other available material and the front portions of the cover sheets brought up and over the ballast cells to form a wall. An additional tier can be added to double the height of the wall.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and articles manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, one, or both, major surfaces of the fabric is coated with a water-insoluble adhesive to substantially increase the tensile strength of the fabric and to prevent shifting of fibers when installed on sloping surfaces.

Abstract: In a flexible membraneous weir 1 having a bag made of a flexible membrane 2 such as a rubber membrane or the like laid on a river bed and slope surfaces of the both river sides across the river and adapted to be erected or collapsed by charging or discharging fluid to or from the aforementioned bag, a rigid fin 10 is provided partly at a predetermined location along the river width direction of the outer surface of the above-mentioned flexible membrane 2. In this flexible membraneous weir, when it is collapsed, V-notch deformation is generated surely at the location corresponding to the above-mentioned rigid fin.

Abstract: Systems for containing fluids and for both containing a fluid and then evacuating the contained fluid to a point of treatment or disposal. These systems have a fluid containment boom and a pump for creating a vacuum in the boom and compressing a portion of the lower side of the boom against a surface on which the boom is placed to lock the boom in place and form a barrier against fluid on the surface. The compressible portion may be made of a closed cell material in which case the contained fluid can be evacuated from the surface through the boom.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay surface with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers. In a preferred embodiment, a water-insoluble adhesive is applied to at least one of the fabric layers to lock the interconnecting fibers in place and substantially increase the structural integrity, particularly the shear strength, of the article.

Abstract: In a collapsible rubber dam, a fastening portion of a flexible rubber sheet body is fixed on an upper spillway portion of an arch type concrete dam or on a riverbed of a river in a curved form in the longitudinal direction of the body.

Abstract: A self supporting rubbery flow blocking device of substantial thickness is mounted in a fluid passageway to automatically regulate flow. Due to its variable elastic stiffness, increases in pressure will cause the device to begin to flex away from the pressure, beginning at its free end. Further increases in pressure will cause the location of the flex to move towards the secured edge of the invention, unblocking larger areas of flow. Decreases in pressure will allow the invention to increase its blocked area until it regains its fully blocking state.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and article manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material.

Abstract: A device for damming and diverting liquid on a spill surface has an elongated, pliable dike having a first end, a second end and an exposed surface. The exposed surface is inherently tacky so that it is adherable to the spill surface to prevent flow of liquid past the dike. The dike is preferably triangular and made from a substance, such as polyurethane, so that all exposed surfaces on the dike are inherently tacky, including those created when a portion of the dike is severed to tailor the dike for specific damming needs. The device also includes a joint housing which may be engaged on abutting ends of adjacent dikes to seal the joint. A method for creating a liquid control zone on a spill surface utilizing the dike of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a flexible membrane weir to banks 2 and a crest 1 formed on a river bed between the above-mentioned banks and having a crest surface 1a of arc shape in cross-section. A trigonal-pyramid-shaped fillet 3 is provided at an intersecting portion between a crest surface on the upstream side of the top of the crest and the bank, and an upstream side edge of a toe of slope 5a of a flexible membrane 5 is fixed to this fillet 3.

Abstract: A water and/or oil-impermeable sealing mat is provided in form of a bentonite non-woven fabric combination with the possibility of transmitting shear from one batt layer to the other, i.e. on a slope shearing forces can be transmitted by the covering batt material through the layer of swellable clay into the supporting batt material. Such a sealing mat is a fiber-reinforced mineral seal permitting the transmission of shearing forces on slopes, without the risk of the layer of swellable clay itself becoming the preferred sliding plane. The sealing mat consists of a non-woven textile material as substrate layer, a layer of swellable clay, preferably sodium bentonite, and a cover layer consisting preferably also of a non-woven textile material, all three layers having been needlepunched together in the conventional manner in a needle loom. When moistened, the clay swells and forms the water and/or oil-impermeable layer.

Abstract: A levee gate and the process for the production thereof. The levee gate of the invention includes a rectangular sheet of thermoplastic material with a rectangular sleeve located on one edge of the thermoplastic material, the rectangular sleeve being a portion of the rectangular sheet fused to the rectangular sheet. The process for the production of the levee gate includes extruding a cylindrical tube of thermoplastic material, inflating the cylindrical tube as it is extruded to provide an inflated length of tube, flattening the inflated length of tube without fusing the opposed walls of the tube to each other, and continuously fusing a portion of the opposed walls together to form a seam.

Abstract: An article of manufacture including an elongate confined mass of a water-swellable clay for sealing joints or seams between adjacent water-barrier materials or for plugging defects or other unsealed areas adjacent to a water-barrier layer. The elongate, confined mass of water-swellable clay is manufactured in any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration e.g. circular, eliptical, rectangular, square, and the like and can be manufactured in roll form for dispensing individual confined masses of water-swellable clay individually. The water-swellable clay is confined within a layer of material that permits the entrance of water to contact the water-swellable clay for hydration of the clay, such as by being water-porous or water-soluble and such that upon sufficient hydration of the confined mass of water-swellable clay, the confining layer will dissolve sufficiently, burst or tear to permit relatively free movement of the hydrating and expanding water-swellable clay.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid confinement structure to control the depth of water contained by earthen levees in a rice field or the like and to allow excess water to flow through a gate therein to prevent overflow and washout of the levees. The structure includes a horizontally elongated panel of rigid sheet aluminum for placement in a gap in an earthen water containment levee. The panel has a central cutaway portion closed by a rigid gate about eight inches high by about four feet wide articulated by a flexible strip joining the bottom of the gate to the horizontal edge of the cutaway portion. When the gate is tilted downward to permit water flow to lower the level of the water, the water is prevented from flowing around the ends of the gate by flaps forming seals between the edges of the gate and the edges of the opening in the panel.

Abstract: An air inflation/deflection weir having an air bag made of a flexible film attached to the bed and the vertical bank of a river. The weir is adapted to be inflated and deflated by charging and discharging air into and out of the air bag, wherein the effect of the change of the atmospheric air temperature on the inner pressure of the air bag is eliminated and the inner pressure of the air bag is always maintained at predetermined valve. This inflates and raises the weir to a predetermined height in accordance with the detected water levels upstream and downstream of the weir. Maintaining the pressure inside the air bag, avoids abnormally high or low inner pressure of the air bag that would otherwise cause the air bag to burst or buckle resulting in a flood.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making and using barriers formed from water filled bags that are suitable for damming water, directing water flow, dissipating water energy and for other purposes, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a pair of elongate, flexible and impermeable bags interlocked in side-by-side relationship and that may incorporate additional flexible, impermeable, water filled bags in the ends thereof as anchors.

Abstract: Several panels are pivotably mounted on top of a dam spillway for movement by air pressure provided through bladders downstream of these panels. The bladders are made from an elastomeric sheet that is folded so that edge portions overlap one another. A clamping bar secures these overlapping portions to the dam spillway. The sheet is also secured to the panel and defines the pivot or hinge joint for the panel. Abutments or stops on the clamping bar engage a strap, that also secures the bladder to the panel, so that the panel will not move upwardly beyond a limit position. An air operating system is disclosed for moving the panels in response to changes in the height or head of water upstream of the panels.

Abstract: A belt-like bag body comprises a belt-like rubber sheet, a non-adhesion region located at a central portion the rubber sheet and capable of separating the rubber sheet into upper and lower portions, and a reinforcing layer reinforcing the outer surface of the rubber sheet, wherein a notch or gap having a convexly arc portion outward in widthwise direction is arranged in the vicinity of a widthwise end of the non-adhesion region in the rubber sheet.

Abstract: A collapsible sheet dam comprises a bag of flexible rubber sheet fixed onto a riverbed and riverbank portions of a river, and a fluid supply and discharge port formed in the bag. In such a dam, an end portion of the bag is fixed onto the riverbed and riverbank portions at upstream side and at the same time a portion of the bag located behind the fluid supply and discharge port is fixed onto the riverbank portion and a region ranging from the riverbank portion to the riverbed portion around the fluid supply and discharge port.

Abstract: A coupling sleeve arrangement and method for joining or interconnecting water structure sections into a dam or other water or liquid containing barrier where each water structure section consists of at least two closed water filled inner sleeves or bags that are contained within an outer sleeve. A coupling sleeve of the invention is for joining the water structure sections together and is an open outer sleeve that contains a water filled plug. The coupling sleeve, in one configuration and prior to water filling, receives ends of water structure sections that are fitted therein, abutting the connecting sleeve plug, which inner sleeves and plug are then filled with water through filler spouts that are then closed.

Abstract: A water and/or oil-impermeable sealing mat is provided in form of a bentonite non-woven fabric combination with the possibility of transmitting thrust from one batt layer to the other, i.e. on a slope thrust forces can be transmitted by the covering batt material through the layer of swellable clay into the supporting batt material. Such a sealing mat is a fiber-reinforced mineral seal permitting the transmission of thrust forces on slopes, without the risk of the layer of swellable clay itself becoming the preferred sliding plane. The sealing mat consists of a non-woven textile material as substrate layer, a layer of swellable clay, preferably sodium bentonite, and a cover layer consisting preferably also of a non-woven textile material, all three layers having been needled together in the conventional manner in a needle loom. When moistened, the clay swells and forms the water and/or oil-impermeable layer.

Abstract: A water inflatable structural module for constructing temporary dikes and related structures includes two identical elongated flattened cylinders sealed at opposite lateral ends to form a sealed, water-tight chamber within a cylinder. The cylinders are joined along a horizontal mid-plane to opposite longitudinal edges of a thin, flexible, elongated, rectangular web. A sealable inlet port in each of the two cylinders permits the cylinders to be inflated with water to form two relatively stiff, parallel, elongated cylinders attached at facing inner mid section lines to the flexible web. In a preferred version of the module the width of the web, and therefore the minimum spacing between the two cylinders with the web flat, is of the proper dimension to make the ratio of minimum spacing to inflated cylinder diameter lie in the approximate range of 1.75 to 1 to 2 to 1.

Abstract: A fluid containing barrier having a frame with a plurality of legs and a flexible container supported by the frame. The flexible container has a high point vent and a low point drain. The flexible container is capable of holding a fluid. A series of individual frames and flexible containers interlock to form a wall or flood barrier which is used as a dam structure.

Abstract: A damage-protecting flexible rubber sheet dam uses a wear-resistant, cut-resistant member having a corrosion resistance embedded in at least a part of an outer surface portion of a rubber dam body. The member mitigates and prevents damage of the outer surface portion due to wear and other various external injuries to prolong the durable life thereof.

Abstract: A flexible wall dam assembly, or the like, comprising two opposite elongated flexible walls with balanced inclination towards each other, water filling the space between them and counterbalancing ties joining the upper edge of the walls. Balanced cable beams support the flexible walls and transfer their loads to each other or to the waterbed through equally balanced anchoring ties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure activated fluid retaining system and method. A flexible inflatable member in the form of hose means is positioned beneath threshold means. The threshold means is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position. The hose means is selectively pressurized and expanded so that it contacts and moves the threshold means from the horizontal position to the fluid retaining vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the adjustment of the water level in a lock comprises at least one fluid chamber arranged on a bottom or a bottom and a sidewall of a lock room between lock gates. The adjustment of the water level is performed by the supply and discharge of air in the fluid chamber through an air supply and discharge pipe.

Abstract: A set-up/down plural-span weir assembly is made of flexible sheets and comprises a plurality of single-span weirs coupled to each other through pillars across the stream of a river. A pressure medium is introduced into the bags of the single-span weirs to inflate them to set up the single-span weirs and also discharged therefrom to deflate them to set down the single-span weirs. The upstream water of the weir assembly is directly introduced from an upstream water level detection pipe into a bucket or float container of at least one of the single-span weirs, and is indirectly introduced from the upstream water level detection pipe into the bucket or float container of at least another one of the single-span weirs through the bucket or float container of the former one of the single-span weirs or through that of still another one of the single-span weirs.

Abstract: A flexible sheet dam is secured to the riverbed along two securing lines at upstream and downstream sides. In this dam, at least one concave and/or convex region is made in the plane of the riverbed between the two securing lines in a direction parallel to the securing lines, whereby the complete deflation of the dam can be attained without trouble.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for barrier gates, sluice gates and the like attempted to be raised from beneath the sea, has a fixed portion mounted in a base which can be provided with a tunnel affording access to it and enabling a tierod to pull a replaceable body against this fixed portion. The body carries the movable part of the hinge and is provided with a rotating joint enabling compressed air to be delivered to the barrier.

Abstract: A large container and a method for accommodating pourable, pasty and sludge-like materials are distinguished by the use of side walls (5) of textile material. Containers are especially suitable for draining and final depositing of mud and for casting concrete structures. Supporting structures (6, 7, 8) with which the textile material (5) can be held before the containers are filled can be removed after the containers are completely filled.

Abstract: A dike structure for use in containment and/or controlling the flow of spilled hazardous liquids includes an elongated flexible tube formed of a chemically resistant plastic which is deployed as needed at the spill site and filled with water to form a base for the dike structure. A suitable joint packing material is used as needed to form a leak-proof seal between the water filled tube and the ground surface upon which it is deployed.

Abstract: A flexible membrane supported on a series of compound leaf springs is mounded on the fixed crest of a dam or waterway to retain fluid at or below a predetermined maximum level. The apparatus is adapted to automatically release fluid which rises above this predetermined maximum level in response to the increase in fluid pressure exerted upon the flexible membrane and compound leaf springs, and to return to its original fluid-retaining position when the fluid pressure has receded.

Abstract: A crest gate for a dam spillway has a plurality of pivotably mounted panels provided end-to-end across the spillway structure and each hinge joint is a flexible neoprene strip. Strips are also provided between adjacent panels for sealing the spaces between panels. These panels are raised by inflatable elongated tubular bladders secured to the spillway by a harness. The hinge strip and harness are secured in place by common clamping means.

Abstract: A dam with a flexible cover attached to a bottom sheet by fittings with corrugations formed between the fittings so that upon deflation the cover conforms to the surface of the corrugations, minimizing any floating cover portion. The corrugations may be formed as pipe-like members, as molded portions integral with the bottom sheet or as part of the concrete foundation. Preferably the length between the fittings measured along the corrugation surfaces is at least 1.1 times the linear length therebetween. The corrugations are also preferably recessed to extend no higher than the bottom of the riverbed.

Abstract: An inflatable and collapsible dam arrangement including a flexible membrane weir element positioned so that when it is inflated, it will block a flow of water. The control chamber for the weir is divided into upper and lower sections. The upper section has at least a portion above ground and contains an apparatus for inflating the dam and making the weir element self-supporting. The lower control section includes at least a portion positioned underground and includes an apparatus for collapsing the dam.

Abstract: A wheeled trailer for installing a perforated film erosion barrier from a perforated foil supply roll into the earth and along an elongated furrow path. The wheeled trailer includes frame means for supporting the system for movement along the path, with a plow shoe being disposed forwardly of the frame to create a open furrow to receive one edge of an elongated perforated film, and with a pivotal boom being provided at the rear portion of the frame for supporting a furrow-covering disc. A hydraulic ram and cylinder are provided for arranging the path of the furrow-covering disc, with the furrow-covering disc depositing soil into the furrow for covering and burying one edge of the elongated perforated film.