Abstract: A dam with a flexible cover atached 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 surface sis 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: A water-bag dam or dike comprises elongate tubes adapted to be filled with water. The tubes have three equal sides and are supported by longitudinal and lateral support members so that, when filled with water, they assume the shape of a substantially equilateral, triangular prism. The tubes can be stacked to make a dam or dike twice as tall and wide on the individual tubes. The tubes and support members can be transported to a flood situs and there be erected into an effective dam or dike just by filling the tubes with water.

Abstract: A flexible membraneous weir is disclosed. When air once filled in an air type flexible membrane weir is discharged in order to cause it to collapse, its membraneous wall is deformed in a V-shape at one portion in the river width direction, and a stream concentrates into this portion. However, the portion where the V-deformation will be formed is not certain. Therefore, it is required to reinforce the whole area of the river-bed and the river wall at the down stream side. In view of the foregoing, means is provided for starting V-deformation onto a bag-shaped member as a main body of the weir in a predetermined portion at a time when the bag-shaped member is collapse from its erected state. With this arrangement, the stream can be concentrated on the predetermined portion only. Therefore reinforcement is required only for a river-bed portion corresponding to this portion.

Abstract: A flexible membrane-type rising and falling weir is anchored at the curved crest of a concrete structure in a body of water. A drain discharge pipe has an opening positioned at the lowest portion of the interior of the envelope to provide complete discharge of water accumulated so that the weir deflates completely to permit smooth flow of water over it.

Abstract: The present invention deals with flexible wall dams used for restricting the flow of rivers, seawaters, or the like, using in combination: an upstanding, continuous, impermeable, inextensible, reinforced, flexible wall having elongated upper and lower peripheral edges, with the lower edge positively and substantially sealingly secured to the base of the waterbed by being inserted into a curvaceous longitudinal channel anchored to the waterbed, and the upper edge supported by means of floating vessels, transferring their loads through anchoring cables to points upstream.

Abstract: An interconnected and/or interconnectable frame structure supports a flexible web for use as a barrier surface in a temporary dam spanning across a waterway. The support frame includes a plurality of elongate members which are tilted away from a vertical plane in alternating senses or directions along the spanning direction of the barrier (e.g. transverse to the water flow). The thus resulting zig-zag or sawtooth elongated members are interconnected at their ends to mutually oppose further tilting movements and thus stabilize the frame and barrier structure. Pairs of the elongate members may be hinged (preferably at their lower ends) to facilitate storage and/or erection of pairs the elongate frame members from a flat storage position to an open V-shaped erected position.

Abstract: A collapsible rubber dam secured to a riverbed portion and slope portions of both riverbanks is inflated and deflated by supply and discharge of a fluid. A pipe for supply and discharge of a fluid is communicated with the inside of the rubber dam from the shape portion of at least one riverbank except the riverbed portion securing the rubber dam. Preferably, the pipe for supply and discharge of the fluid is located in a region defined by a top end of the rubber dam located in the slope portion, a line connecting the top end of the rubber dam to substantially a middle position of a deflated width of the rubber dam at a toe of the slope portion, and a securing position of the rubber dam at the toe of the slope portion.

Abstract: Heat is stored in a closed basin having a net inflow of relatively fresher water connected by a strait to a larger body of relatively saltier water by selectively controlling the exchange of water between the body and the basin as a function of the season of the year. In summer, the exchange of water is promoted thereby permitting relatively warmer and saltier water outside the basin to flow through the strait into the depths of the basin. In winter, the exchange of water between the basin and the body of water is suppressed thereby trapping warm, relatively saltier water in the lower regions of the basin, the warm water being available during the winter and being protected against heat loss by a surface layer of relatively fresher water. The heat thus stored can be utilized in various energy conversion processes such as heat pumps to raise the temperature to useful levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting structures from flood waters having a channel surrounding the structure to be protected, the channel having at least in part a bottom and side walls with reinforcement means therewithin or attaching a collapsible water-impermeable sheeting which, when not in use would be stored within the channel, and when in use would be raised to an erected position around the entirety of the structure. The sheeting would be sealably anchored within the channel on its lower edge by concrete, and therefore would prevent water from coming into contact with the structure. The apparatus would also have the means for allowing air to communicate between the exterior and the interior structure and a means for covering the channel to protect the sheeting while the sheeting is stored within the channel.

Abstract: A stanchion is constructed and designed so as to be emplaced near a body of water, with its upper pivotally mounted portion in a lowered position, and with the rising of the water, the pivotal section self-actuates and rises with the water level to form a water containment barrier which will redirect the waterflow and protect property disposed on the other side of the barrier. With the receding of the water level, the upper section of the stanchion is self-lowered, thus providing an aesthetically acceptable appearance. A plurality of such stanchions with interconnected flexible sheeting provides a continuous barrier which can contour a land mass adjacent to a body of water.

Abstract: The invention is an improved weir means for use in algae growing reactors in a controlled natural purification system for advanced waste water treatment and algae farming. The invention is a pneumatic device that eliminates the need for a mechanically operated lift-type rigid weir for controlling the level of liquids and increasing the algal concentration in an algae growing reactor and separation of suspended solids in the effluent therefrom. The pneumatic toroidal weir consists of a toroid or doughnut shaped means that can be inflated and deflated. The device rests in and is affixed to a circular ring-like base. The interior periphery of the toroid or doughnut configuration is convoluted to improve controlled inflation and deflation; to reduce interior overhang, and to increase toroidal height without increasing volume.

Abstract: A collapsible rubber dam installation comprising a rubber dam built across a watercourse such as a river or the like and operative to be raised by supplying fluid such as air, water or the like. The dam is collapsed by discharging the fluid therein into atmosphere. A fluid supply and discharge conduit have one end connected to the inside of the rubber dam at a position which is higher than at least a level of drain collected therein and have the other end extending substantially upwardly with an ascending inclination.

Abstract: A flood barrier comprises a flexible membrane 5 the end and base parts terminating in a beading 7 of polypropylene rope. The side parts of the barrier are located in vertical channel 3 in the side walls and the base in a horizontally extending channel 4 in the floor. In normal conditions the barrier is stowed in the recesses and erected in the event of a flood warning.

Abstract: A flexible collapsible dam for a watercourse is provided with one or more conduits for carrying water from upstream to downstream of the dam and thereby regulate the depth of water flowing over the dam to reduce vibrations of the dam caused by the water flowing over it. The water which is conveyed around the dam is discharged immediately downstream of the dam to prevent the deposit of objects on the bottom or banks of the watercourse where the collapsed dam contacts said bottom and banks.

Abstract: An inflatable flexible envelope type dam including members having large specific gravity attached to said envelope. The members allow said envelope to fall down in its deflating state by overcoming buoyancies given by residual fluid in said envelope.

Abstract: A collapsible dam comprising a flexible substantially rectangular substantially water repellant web stretched across the width of a waterway with one edge fixed to the bottom of the waterway and the opposite edge supported by a rigid rod adjacent to the water surface. The rigid rod is hinged with respect to the bottom of the waterway and connected at one end to a pressure actuated piston-cylinder assembly which moves the opposite end of the rod and attached web upwardly while the fixed edge remains submerged against the bottom of the waterway.

Abstract: A collapsible rubber dam is disclosed. The collapsible rubber dam comprises a flexible plate body composed of a rubbery elastomeric material and provided with at least one split part at a predetermined position in a thickness direction and along a lengthwise direction thereof. The flexible plate body is airtightly secured to riverbed and riverbank by means of fitting members to serve the split part as an inflatable chamber during the supply of a fluid.

Abstract: A deformable dam made of an impermeable flexible membrane secured in a water tight manner to the bottom and side walls of a river. The flexible membrane is inflatable using either air or water, or a combination to vary the overall effective length of the dam.

Abstract: A dam for a waterway comprises a plurality of panels of flexible and inextensible sheet material such as rubberized fabric extending vertically from the bottom to adjacent the surface of a waterway. The edges of the panels overlap and are removably fastened together to provide a series of attached panels which extends across the waterway. Each sheet is attached to a separate concrete base on the bottom of the waterway and to a separate floating cylindrical member ajdacent the surface of the water. Each panel can be repaired or replaced independently of the other panels.

Abstract: A flow control system for selectively restricting or blocking fluid flow in an open channel or culvert. The system includes a normally collapsed inflatable bladder secured in the channel. When collapsed, the bladder and its securing structure presents virtually no obstruction to fluid flow in the channel. The bladder is selectively inflatable by delivering an inflating medium such as a pressurized gas (air) or a liquid thereto, and, when inflated, provides a controlled obstruction to fluid flow in the channel. The system includes means controlling delivery of the inflating medium to the bladder and also provides for selective and positive withdrawal of the inflating medium for deflation of the bladder. The bladder is sized and shaped according to the contour of the channel for maximum efficiency in controlling fluid flow in the open channel.

Abstract: In a dam comprising a plurality of support posts, said posts being substantially uniformly spaced with respect to one another and having a predetermined pitch spacing, a flexible web having a central body portion and upper and lower marginal edge portions, the improvement wherein said marginal edge portions are uniformly shortened along the length thereof to a length which is less than the unshortened length of the central body portion by a factor of 2/.pi..