Flow Control Patents (Class 405/80)
  • Patent number: 6565284
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a surcharge on a sanitary sewer collection system to minimize the pressure differential across pipe walls carrying the waste and to offset the buoyant effects of hydrostatic pressure on the outside of the pipe. Pinch valves or other remotely controllable pipe closing devices are employed in combination with a system of monitors and a centralized control system to maintain and periodically release fluid from the surcharged system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen V. Gearhart
  • Patent number: 6533496
    Abstract: A water circulation apparatus for desratifying a body of water such as in a lake or reservoir is disclosed. Broadly, the apparatus (1) comprises ducting in the form of a draft tube (2) having an upper end (3) positioned towards the surface of the body of water and a lower end (4) positioned towards the bottom of the body of water, and a pump assembly (5) for pumping water through the tube (2). Broadly, the pump assembly (5) comprises an impeller (20) having six to fourteen blades (21) having a diameter of 3 m-5 m driven by an electrical motor. Typically, the apparatus (1) also includes a support in the form of a platform (13) mounted on buoyancy elements (12). Water enters the draft tube (2) through the upper end thereof and is pumped outwardly through the tube (2) and out through the outlet spaced above the bottom of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Elliott
  • Patent number: 6524028
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating animated objects such as fish or other objects between a non-diverted and diverted fluid stream. Embodiments may include a screen or similar selective pass through device that is arranged in a manner that is generally horizontal (more horizontal than vertical). The non-diverted flow preferably passes over the screen while the diverted flow passes through the screen. Aspects of the apparatus may include faster sweeping velocity than pass through velocity, tapered side or bottom walls, a depressed low flow channel, a distributed under screen reservoir that facilitates distributed fluid flow through the screen or like device and various downstream flow control devices or configurations, amongst other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Farmers Irrigation District
    Inventor: William Jerry Bryan
  • Publication number: 20030021632
    Abstract: Provided are a device and associated method for simulating natural hydraulic cues received instinctively by waterborne fauna. A preferred embodiment is suitable for modifying existing manmade barriers such as fish diversion screens used at dams. The simulated cues mimic those produced by the flow of water over rough streambeds. Fish detect the cues and avoid contact with the barriers in the same way that they avoid collision with natural features. In one embodiment, a series of rectangular plates are attached to the U-clip connectors on the downstream side of diversion screens. The plates are oriented approximately perpendicular to the flow lines approaching the surface of the screen. The flow contacts the plates and, because the orientation of the plate creates an unstable hydraulic field, the flow alternately slips above and below the plates, creating fluctuating local acceleration zones able to be detected by migrating fish and other waterborne fauna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: John M. Nestler
  • Publication number: 20030017003
    Abstract: A novel fishway apparatus comprises a channel directed generally above and over a dam or other obstruction, constructed from a plurality of components. Each component incorporates one or more baffles, each baffle having a center passage situated in the center of a dome structure. The fishway extends vertically below the normal elevation of the waterway on both sides of the obstruction, so that the fishway may be flooded by establishing a vacuum in the air pocket formed within the fishway. A well known and commercially available vacuum pump system may be used to establish this vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Ragsdale
  • Publication number: 20030017002
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting the pollution of a harbor having an entrance interfacing a moving body of water in which jet streams of water are generated near the surface. The jet streams of water displacing the surface water and the floating debris away from the harbor's entrance significantly reducing the collection of debris in the harbor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Brian Geraghty
  • Patent number: 6490506
    Abstract: A system for monitoring maintenance information in a hydroelectric power generation facility comprises sensors coupled to a controller. The sensors detect actual levels of operating parameters for a desired operating period at an operating condition. The detected parameters include a stressor capable of affecting a life span, or mean time between failures, of the turbine or one of its components. The controller determines the amount of the life span used up. A method for monitoring maintenance information in a power generation facility includes the steps of monitoring levels of operating parameters including a stressor for a desired operating period at an operating condition. The stressor affects the life span of the turbine or one of its components, and the amount of the life span used up over the operating period is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hydro Resource Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Patrick A. March
  • Publication number: 20020168230
    Abstract: A flow-diverter apparatus includes two hull and foil assemblies pivotally connected by rigid members and attached to control lines. Several flow-diverter apparatus may be joined by lines, cables or rigid links to form a flow-diverter system. The apparatus may also include lines/cables to vertically distribute control line force. Attachment points or lines for booms, scientific equipment, dispersion equipment, fire suppression equipment or other devices may also be provided. Apparatus may use horizontal hydrodynamic lift forces to create a diversion flow transverse to an onset flow, to deploy and hold equipment transverse to an onset flow, and/or to provide mixing on the surface of a body of water. Apparatus may be deployed from shore, from a fixed point in the water, or by a vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coe, John O. Scherer
  • Patent number: 6402426
    Abstract: An engineered log jam for controlling stream flow characteristics is formed from multiple layers of logs. A first layer intended to be placed parallel to stream flow consists of two or more generally parallel logs. In normal use these would be anchored to the stream bottom. A second layer of logs is placed on top of the first. This also consists of a plurality of spaced apart logs crossing the first layer. The second layer logs are angled with respect to each other to control and direct water flow passing over and through the structure. A third layer of spaced apart logs crosses the second layer logs and further acts to direct water flow. Additional layers may be used as might be dictated by the use environment. The logs are permanently joined to each other at the points of crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Forest Concepts LLC
    Inventors: James H. Dooley, Justin T. Maschoff
  • Patent number: 6394698
    Abstract: Arrangement for fairways in brackish water tidal zones to prevent or minimize deposits of silt and/or sand in a branch or enlargement of such fairways. The invention is realized by the installation of a flow wall system. At the entrance to the branch or expansion, a current deflection wall is submerged in the fairway at an upper level some distance from the bank so that a channel is formed near the entrance to the branch or enlargement to direct an flood tide into the branch or enlargement and a deflection sill is juxtaposed with the partition at a lower level to divert an incoming near-bed current of the fairway away from the entrance to the branch or enlargement. The cross sectional area of the channel is small when compared with the cross sectional area of the entrance to the branch or enlargement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Hermann Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6394699
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for reduced flow rate fish passage around dams or other obstructions, having a passage unit with a tubular passageway, an upstream valve, a downstream valve and an optional main valve, a fabricated base, and an additional passageway having a valve. The valves have an opening, a closing means, a valve stem, and an operator. The apparatus has an access pipe and an attraction flow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Norman R. Neufeld
  • Publication number: 20020044835
    Abstract: The invention is a water withdrawal system from a reservoir, as in a dam, for example, with a selectively adjustable withdrawal, or discharge intake, point at its core, with that intake point capable of being moved in two or three dimensions within the body of water. The invention meets the need to benefit aquatic biota by changing downstream river characteristics, such as water temperature, total dissolved gas, and mitigation of air entrainment, through obtaining the water at a specific spatial location in the upstream body of upstream water from which the downstream water is obtained, or by adjusting the characteristics of the water while it is in transit to the downstream discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Lou Esposito, Richard Tremblay, Cindy Esposito, Rob Beltramo
  • Publication number: 20020031402
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a water quality management system and method that controls the exchange of water between two bodies of water (e.g., estuary and ocean) separated by at least one land barrier. The system consists of a series of water exchange units that are disposed in the estuary and knowledge-linked into a water quality management system that is remotely controlled from a central location. Each water exchange unit may comprise a conduit extending through the land barrier having a terminal end on the ocean side and a terminal end on the estuary side. The exchange of water between the ocean and estuary through the conduit may be effected using reversible pumps connected to the terminal end of the conduit on the estuary side. The pumps are preferably controlled from a remote location based on feed back data received from sensors located both in the estuary and ocean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Bruce J. French
  • Publication number: 20020012571
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sediment trap for the floor of a waterway with moving water. In a preferred embodiment the trap forms a “still water” layer wherein the movement of a layer of water substantially corresponding in depth to the height of the trap is slowed and/or stopped, allowing sediment to precipitate. Preferably the trap then gentles the water flow to minimize the accumulation of additional sediment. In a preferred embodiment, the trap includes a vertical wall having a height less than the depth of the water, and preferably a height of one foot. In one preferred embodiment, the sediment trap further includes a ramp portion having a length extending downstream from the top edge of the vertical wall downwardly toward the floor of the waterway. Preferably the ratio of the height of the vertical wall to the length of the ramp portion is between approximately 1:4 and approximately 1:8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: William J. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6338466
    Abstract: A water well recharge throttle valve (1) is configured as a hydraulic actuated flow control device (5) that permits calibrated throttling of water used in Artificial Storage and Recovery (ASR), Salt Water Barrier, Dedicated Recharge and Injection Wells to prevent the free cascading of water and thereby eliminating the entrainment of air which may cause air fouling, bio-fouling, calcite formation with a resultant reduction in permeability of the aquifer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: VOV Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Wallace, Mark H. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6325570
    Abstract: A lock-type fishway comprises a first part having an opening to lower water for discharging water therethrough to lure fishes to the first part and a second part having an opening to upper water. A first pipe between the first and second parts is to be filled with water by closing a gate at the first part for bringing the fishes gathered in the first part to the second part. A second pipe is in parallel to the fishway between the upper water and first part and is provided with a turbine for conducting the luring water therethrough and for recovering energy from the luring water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ecoriver Oy
    Inventor: Timo Pohjamo
  • Publication number: 20010026731
    Abstract: Erosion or collapse of a stream or a river is prevented by mooring timber, stones, or the like with a longitudinal cable (steel cable) (1). Barrier-like members (3) such as timber and stones moored by using the longitudinal cable (1) are arranged substantially stepwise or parallel to each other on the ground near the eroded or collapsed place to prevent mountain landslides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Tomio Fukui
  • Patent number: 6287051
    Abstract: A fixable-seal sluice gate has a valve vise (18, 19, 25, 26, 31, 32) that forces a sluice-gate valve uniformly and tightly in sealing-surface contact with a domed seal ring (4) that is fixable conveniently and removably intermediate a sluice-gate plate (3) and a sluice-gate wall (1) of a sluice-gate flange that encompasses a valve side of a sluice-gate aperture (2). A plate locator on the valve vice sets the sluice-gate plate in predetermined sealing-contact position for select structure of the fixable-seal sluice gate. The domed seal ring is a plastic material such as Hypalon® having predetermined toughness to resist particle embedment in combination with having predetermined softness for select uses and objectives. A dome flange (5, 6) on one or both sides of a base of the domed seal ring is bracketed removably to optionally the sluice-gate wall or the sluice-gate plate for rigid, reliable, long-enduring and yet quick and convenient attachment and detachment of the domed seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wood, Colin W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6196762
    Abstract: A non-clogging facility (10) collects debris and sediment carried by water flowing in an open channel (DC) upstream of an inlet (I) to a conduit. A first section (12) provides a transition from the open channel into a second section (13) which allows for collection of large debris and readily settleable sediment. A barrier (16) comprises a base (18) extending from a sidewall (W1) on one side of the channel, substantially across the width of the channel, toward the opposite sidewall (W2). An opening (20) is provided between the end of this barrier and the opposite sidewall. Water flowing at a low rate is diverted through the opening into a bypass channel (22) to flow to the inlet through a third section (14). At higher flow rates, water flows over the barrier and through a screen formed by a series of spaced posts (26) extending the length of the barrier. Sediment settles to a floor (F) of the channel upstream of the barrier and is blocked by the barrier from moving further downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Carl T. Stude
  • Patent number: 6106196
    Abstract: A first molding is provided for forming from concrete a drain component housing having a fluid channel therethrough, preferable having an exterior lateral dimension smaller than or equal to the O.D. of the drain pipe used in the system. After locating the drain pipe, and exposing its top surface, a drain hole is cut into the top surface without severing the drain pipe. The drain component housing is then placed over the drain hole, and mortared in place, providing a water-tight seal. If the drain component housing does not reach the earth's surface being drained, a riser drain housing is stacked on top of the lower housing to provide the desired height. A second mold is provided for pouring the riser housing from concrete, the riser housing also having a fluid channel therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Clyde Hantz, Jr., Jonathan P. Hantz
  • Patent number: 6102618
    Abstract: An underground water channel is provided in an underground of a large depth, and rain water and the like flow into this underground channel from flood control channels, conduits and rivers through vertical shafts. A pump well of a pump station is connected to a downstream end of the underground channel, and water flowing into the pump well is discharged by a pump to a discharge tank. The pump is disposed generally at a medium water level of the underground channel, and a lowest water level L.W.L enabling draining is the medium water level of the underground channel. In an open channel flow operation of an open channel-closed channel mixed flow operation, water level of the underground channel is maintained at the lowest water level L.W.L, so that the underground channel is in an open channel condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Takada, Kenji Otani, Masayuki Yamada, Saburo Maru, Sumio Sudo, Sadashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6102619
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a current to guide fish includes a propeller; a device to rotate the propeller; and a frame to mount the propeller and the device to rotate the propeller. Fish may be guided from an intake area to a fish bypass by generating a current leading away from the intake area. The apparatus may also be used to guide fish through low velocity areas in river situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Current Solutions, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Truebe, Eric Paul Truebe
  • Patent number: 6095719
    Abstract: With a method for constructing a water intake pipe, a vertical shaft 10 is constructed, and a shield tunnel 12 is constructed by causing a shield driving machine to advance from the vertical shaft 10 toward a seashore by breaking the wall of the vertical shaft 10. The tunnel 12 becomes a water intake pipe after the tunnel is constructed, and is built by annularly assembling segments 14 one after another at the rear side of the shield driving machine in line with the advancement thereof. Two types of segments 14, RC segments 18 and ductile segments 20, are used. The segments 20 are provided with water intake pores clogged by clogging members. After the tunnel 12 is constructed, workmen enter the shield tunnel 12 with compressed air supplied thereinto, and remove the clogging members of the ductile segments 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Obayashi Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miya, Yoshihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6073906
    Abstract: A water well recharge throttle valve is configured as a hydraulically actuated flow control device that permits calibrated throttling of water used in Artificial Storage and Recovery (ASR), Salt Water Barrier, Dedicated Recharge and Injection Wells to prevent the free cascading of water and thereby eliminate the entrainment of air which may cause air fouling, bio-fouling, and calcite formation with a resultant reduction in permeability of the aquifer. The valve includes a fixed tubular member which is selectively mounted in one of three ways: (1) to the lower end of the pump column, below the pump with a check valve/strainer mounted below the unit and including a co-generation/recharge feature; (2) to the lower end of the pump column, and above the check valve and submersible pump; and (3) to the lower end of a drop pipe, with a blind flange connected to the bottom end of the valve, a dedicated recharge well application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: VoV Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn E. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6035879
    Abstract: An improved automatic fill valve assembly that is readily securable in a level position for installation and that has inlets adapted to accept either a toilet tank fill valve or a float type valve inside of the housing of the fill valve assembly. One improvement comprises a flange that defines at least one anchor point so that the entire assembly can be secured in place to an adjacent structure during installation. This arrangement advantageously holds the automatic fill valve assembly in a level position while workers pour cement around it. Another improvement comprises the provision of inlets that can be connected to a water source and are adapted to mount either a float valve assembly or a toilet tank fill valve inside of the fill valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Letro Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanford F. Campbell, Robert E. Jones, James P. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5909982
    Abstract: An underground water channel is provided in an underground of a large depth, and rain water and the like flow into this underground channel from flood control channels, conduits and rivers through vertical shafts. A pump well of a pump station is connected to a downstream end of the underground channel, and water flowing into the pump well is discharged by a pump to a discharge tank. The pump is disposed generally at a medium water level of the underground channel, and a lowest water level L.W.L enabling draining is the medium water level of the underground channel. In an open channel flow operation of an open channel-closed channel mixed flow operation, water level of the underground channel is maintained at the lowest water level L.W.L, so that the underground channel is in an open channel condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Takada, Kenji Otani, Masayuki Yamada, Saburo Maru, Sumio Sudo, Sadashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5882144
    Abstract: This device for triggering the destruction of a selected portion (1 or 11) of a hydraulic structure such as an embankment dam, dike, or levee built out of erodible material so as to be destroyable by hydraulic erosion is constituted by at least one massive element (5) which is disposed on the top of the selected portion (1, 11) of the structure and which is held there by gravity, the massive element (5) being dimensioned in size and in weight in such a manner as to be expelled by the water when it reaches a predefined level (N), the vertical dimension of the massive element measured beneath said predefined level (N) being selected in such a manner that the nappe which is released after the massive element has been expelled is of a thickness (z) suitable for causing reliable and rapid destruction of the selected portion (1, 11) of the hydraulic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hydroplus
    Inventor: Fran.cedilla.ois Lemperiere
  • Patent number: 5871200
    Abstract: The VoSmart (a Variable Orifice/ Selective Monitored Artificial Recharge Throttle) Valve is a disclosed and the preferred embodiment of a hydraulically actuated flow control device that permits the calibrated throttling of water used in Artificial Storage and Recovery (ASR), Salt Water Barrier, Dedicated Recharge and Injection Wells to prevent the free cascading of water and thereby eliminate the entrainment of air which may cause air fouling, bio-fouling, and calcite formation with the resultant reduction in permeability of the aquifer. Wherein the VoSmart Valve includes a fixed tubular member which is selectively mounted in one of three ways: 1) to the lower end of the pump column, below the pump with a check valve/strainer mounted below the unit, a co-generation/recharge feature, 2) to the lower end of the pump column, and above the check valve and submersible pump and 3) To the lower end of the drop pipe, with a blind flange connected to the bottom end of the valve, a dedicated recharge well application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: VoV Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Wallace, Mark H. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5857805
    Abstract: A method for modifying the flow of water in a channel includes creating a flow modifier by first obtaining a plurality of rigid substantially linear posts and obtaining at least one prefabricated brace configured for connection to the posts. The prefabricated brace is configured with two spaced apart rigid anchor ends, one of which has at least two spaced apart anchor sites. A plurality of rigid cross beams connect the anchor ends, with the cross beams and the anchor ends all substantially coplanar. A plurality of vertically extending vanes may also be arrayed across the prefabricated brace. The method also includes driving at least two of the posts into the channel bed and securely connecting at least one prefabricated brace to the posts at the anchor sites. An agglomeration matrix may be positioned against the prefabricated brace for supporting and accumulating materials which amplify the flow modification effect of the prefabricated brace and matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Derrald H. Chappell
  • Patent number: 5839853
    Abstract: A system of structures uses the energy and properties of a stream flow to protect downstream structures from various potentailly damaging stream-flow-induced events. One element, a streamwise-vortex generator is placed upstream from a structure to protect it from impact by buoyant contaminates. The generator is positioned at a depth sufficiently below the surface to minimize the likelihood of contact with vehicles or debris. In this position it induces a vortex in the current flow whose axis is essentailly parallel to the streamwise flow. The vortex persists downstream of the generator and, migrating to the surface, deflects a debris away from the protected structure. Another element, a vorticity generator, causes interference with, and/or diversion of streambed-scouring vortices or eddies which are naturally generated adjacent the sides of structures. The result is protection of the streambed from damaging scour which would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventors: M. Leonard Oppenheimer, W. Selden Saunders
  • Patent number: 5833389
    Abstract: Turbulence is controlled in boundary layer or wall-bounded fluid flow fields having a turbulent wall region which under natural conditions, has an average system of roll pairs or streaks adjacent the surface, and extending in the direction of flow, by locally introducing into the turbulent wall region, by passive means, a disturbance that enhances or inhibits the roll pairs thereby locally increasing or decreasing the turbulence in the flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Orlev Scientific Computing Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence Sirovich, Eugene Levich, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Sture Karlsson
  • Patent number: 5835386
    Abstract: A method for creating a model for managing storm water is described which is capable of providing projected results and effects based upon varying the inputted data as a function of the consequences of presently made or proposed decisions by the decisionmakers. The severity of the storm event and/or the level of investment in mitigation infrastructure may be varied to view simulated, three-dimensional likely outcomes and losses. Data collected from a plurality of sources are converted into an electronic database which may be automatically and/or periodically updated. The model provided by modeling and simulation modules may be in the form of two- or three-dimensional visual presentations in an especially equipped multiple, computer-driven, projector screen room or may be in the form of a printed media for binding and distribution with screen images combined with text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: City of Scottsdale
    Inventors: Wilson W. Orr, Raymond M.P. Miller
  • Patent number: 5800077
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring fouling of a trash rack for a hydroelectric power generation facility. The trash rack monitoring system includes sensors for detecting head upstream and downstream of a trash rack as well as the flow through an inlet conduit downstream of the rack. The head and flow values are used to generate a trash rack loss coefficient that reflects actual losses across the trash rack independent of flow rate. A corresponding coefficient may be calculated when the rack is clean and used as a reference value for determining the additional loss across the rack due to fouling. The loss value may be converted to an economic loss value. The coefficient and economic loss values may be displayed on an operator interface and may serve as the basis for an alarm indicating the need to clean the rack or the potential for rack failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Patrick March
  • Patent number: 5758989
    Abstract: A hurter for use in conjunction with a wicket dam prop at a downstream side f a wicket, the hurter comprising a block having therein on an upper surface thereof a bearing for receiving a free end of the prop, a ramp disposed downstream of the block on a base plate and inclined from the base plate to a top surface of the block and adapted to support the free end of the prop, a first trough wall on a first side of the ramp and the block hingedly connected to the base plate, a cover portion of the first trough wall extending over a first portion of the block, and a second trough wall on a second side of the ramp and the block hingedly connected to the base plate, a cover portion of the second trough wall extending over a second portion of the block, the first and second trough wall cover portions being engageable by the prop as the prop moves up the ramp, to cause the first and second trough walls to pivot away from each other to permit the prop to pass between the cover portions and into the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ralph B. Snowberger
  • Patent number: 5752785
    Abstract: In a drainage pump station, a driving machine has a capacity greater than a shaft power necessary for no-discharge operation of a pump, and during severe flooding the pump is operated at an overload exceeding its design capacity. During maintenance operation water is fed from a river on the delivery side of the pump station into the station. When an inflow of rainwater into the pump station is great the pump is operated at the necessary capacity, when it becomes small the water level is kept above a rated value, and when the inflow rate is zero the pump discharge is increased to a capacity at which sediment can be discharged. A suction blower is disposed at the top of a suction sump and interstage valves are disposed in entrances of vertical shafts to effect efficient ventilation of the underground waterway. A feed channel is operated as a pressure channel and the pump is of variable capacity and the water level in the underground waterway is controlled to be constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadashi Tanaka, Seiji Miura, Kunio Takada, Masayuki Yamada, Yutaka Shimada, Akira Manabe
  • Patent number: 5678955
    Abstract: A method and system for modifying the flow of water in a channel includes creating a flow modifier by first obtaining a plurality of rigid substantially linear posts and obtaining at least one brace configured for connection to the posts. The brace is configured with two spaced apart rigid anchor ends, one of which has at least two spaced apart anchor sites. A plurality of rigid cross beams connect the anchor ends, with the cross beams and the anchor ends all substantially coplanar. The method also includes driving at least two of the posts into the channel bed and securely connecting at least one brace to the posts at the anchor sites. An agglomeration matrix may be positioned against the brace for supporting and accumulating materials which amplify the flow modification effect of the brace and matrix. The flow modifier modifies the flow of water by creating a weir, by diverting the flow, by reinforcing the channel bank, by creating a favorable habitat for plant life, or by some combination of these effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Derrald H. Chappell
  • Patent number: 5673449
    Abstract: There is disclosed a bridge or like pillar (1) erected in a moving body of water in which the water may periodically flow in strata in one as well as the other of two opposite main flow directions. The pillar is provided with a flow compensation device including a motor-driven stream generator (9) which functions to set part of the water in motion thus compensating for the flow resistance exerted by the pillar in the water body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Vattenfall Utveckling AB
    Inventors: Mats Henriksson, Nils Johansson
  • Patent number: 5674029
    Abstract: A weir structure for controlling liquid flow in a channel having a floor and side walls comprising a barrier extending between the sidewalls of the channel and from the floor of the channel to a crest to separate the channel into an upstream region and a downstream region. Fluid in the channel flows from the upstream region to the downstream region by overflowing the barrier at the crest. The barrier is formed with at least one passage through the barrier positioned and dimensioned to allow for free, unregulated fluid flow through the passage from the upstream region to the downstream region whenever fluid is overflowing the barrier to increase flow past the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: UV Waterguard Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Smith, Douglas F. Sommerville, Peter W. Emmett, John R. Gaetz
  • Patent number: 5634742
    Abstract: A bulkhead for dry isolation of dam gates, the bulkhead comprising a plurty of tubular log members bound together to form a platform assembly adapted to float in a horizontal attitude on a water body surface. Water and air conduits are in communication with one or more of the log members to cause the platform selectively to move between the horizontal attitude and a vertical attitude in the water body, and selectively to reduce and increase buoyancy of the platform. A conduit and valve is disposed in one of the log members for selectively permitting flow of water from the water body through the bulkhead. The invention further comprises a method for isolating a dam gate from an adjacent body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Michael G. Mills
  • Patent number: 5632572
    Abstract: Migrating anadromous fish, and particularly salmonoid smolts, are guided in or by elongate faster moving channels defined in a body of slower moving water. Ring-like support frames are supported by floats and anchors in a water body at spaced distances along a faster moving channel to be defined. Each support frame carries one or more nozzles that receive pressurized water from a water supply system and disperse that water toward the next spacedly adjacent downstream support frame to define the faster moving channels without use of physical peripheral boundary members. The water supply system may be associated with individual support frames or with a plurality of support frames to receive water from the body in which the faster moving channel is defined and pressurize that water for dispersement. Fish are introduced into the upstream portion of the faster moving channel and instinctively tend to remain within the channel so long as the faster water motion exists therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: George S. Chicha
  • Patent number: 5613803
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the automated control of canals. The present invention achieves and maintains steady state operation in each pool of a canal despite changing demands. Each pool in the canal is controlled separately by its own pool controller. The present invention teaches that control of a canal depends both on controlling the level of fluid in the canal at key locations. To attain this end, the present invention provides two separate control functions within each pool. First, a pool controller constructed according to the principles of the present invention attains and maintains pool level control indirectly by means of pool volume control, i.e. by controlling the pool volume where the flow is known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: John B. Parrish
  • Patent number: 5577863
    Abstract: A sluice gate for controlling the discharge of water through a gateway in a flood irrigation system mounted with stub axles defining a hinge axis upstream of the gateway, and comprising a closure element mounted for swing movement about that axis and able to swing from a lower position wherein it blocks the gateway to an upper position wherein it allows water to flow through the gateway, a chamber integral with the closure element, a filler opening through which water from the upstream side of the gateway may enter the chamber, a drain opening that is larger than the filler opening through which water may drain from the chamber to the downstream side of the gateway, and a battery powered solenoid valve, having an actuator responsive to a radio signal from a remote water sensor, controlling the flow of water from the chamber through the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Murray K. Nottle
  • Patent number: 5567079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the hydraulic branching of an open stream having at least one straight main stream of a specific momentum and having one or more branch streams. Deflection from the main stream is brought about using the Coanda Effect. The hydraulically working channel, i.e., the main stream channel has an upstream corner in common with the branch stream channel which corner is rounded in the form of an arc of a circle between the upstream channel and the branch channel and which converges toward the corner and extends opposite that wall of the upstream channel leading toward the corner and forms with the corner an outflow gap, such that the momentum of the main stream flow which emerges, creates the Coanda Effect, thereby deflecting the controlled flow of water into the branch channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Anton Felder
  • Patent number: 5498105
    Abstract: A plural drainage pumps PH are disposed on the high floor gradation state at the circular shape. A plural drainage pumps PL are disposed on the low floor gradation state at the circular shape. The drainage pump PH disposed on the high floor gradation is installed at the high level. The drainage pump PH is set one having the low pump head and the large capacity in comparison with those of the drainage pump PL disposed on the low floor gradation. An outer shape of an underground pump construction building is formed a circular cone shape spreading toward an upper portion. The discharge water power can be reduced and the construction area for the underground pump construction building can be reduced and further the engineering working amount such as a digging working at the underground can be lessen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Takada, Kenji Otani, Sadashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5496472
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus of denitrification. The apparatus includes a weir block, a denitrification vessel having a wall surface, and filter media having microorganisms on their surfaces. The weir block may have a convex outer surface which is tangentially adjacent to and preferably contiguous with the upper end of the wall, whose lower end is in contact with the water in the denitrification vessel. The method may include passing the wastewater over the convex surface of the weir block, passing the water over the second surface of the substantially vertical wall and into the denitrification vessel while preferably maintaining substantially laminar flow and limiting the dissolved oxygen in the denitrification vessel, preferably to below about 5 mg/L and more preferably to below about 4 mg/L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Slack, Gregory A. Ellard
  • Patent number: 5487621
    Abstract: An underground water channel is provided in an underground of a large depth, and rain water and the like flow into this underground channel from flood control channels, conduits and rivers through vertical shafts. A pump well of a pump station is connected to a downstream end of the underground channel, and water flowing into the pump well is discharged by a pump to a discharge tank. The pump is disposed generally at a medium water level of the underground channel, and a lowest water level L.W.L enabling draining is the medium water level of the underground channel. In an open channel flow operation of an open channel-closed channel mixed flow operation, water level of the underground channel is maintained at the lowest water level L.W.L, so that the underground channel is in an open channel condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Takada, Kenji Otani, Masayuki Yamada, Saburo Maru, Sumio Sudo, Sadashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5478167
    Abstract: A streamwise-vortex generating diverter is placed upstream from a structure to protect the structure. The diverter is positioned to induce a vortex, or rotation, in the current flow whose axis is essentially parallel to the streamwise flow. This rotating flow persists downstream of the diverter effectively guiding debris away from the protected structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventors: M. Leonard Oppenheimer, Walter S. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5416257
    Abstract: Treatment of flowable underground contaminants comprises freezing at least one open underground barrier volume to form a wall (10) near the contaminated region (12) in the ground (14), where the wall (10) is positioned to direct the contaminant flow (16) along a subsurface path (18) and allow concentration of the contaminants and their remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond P. Peters
  • Patent number: 5362179
    Abstract: Turbulence in a wall-bounded fluid flow field having a turbulent wall region characterized by a system of roll pairs extending in the direction of flow, and propagating structures interacting with the system of roll pairs, is controlled by introducing into the turbulent flow, a disturbance that changes the character of the propagating structures directed at an inclined angle to the direction of flow. Where the disturbance increases the amplitudes of the propagating structure, turbulent mixing or heating is increased; and when the disturbance decreases the amplitude of the propagating structure, the turbulent drag is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventors: Lawrence Sirovich, Eugene Levich, Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 5360290
    Abstract: An underground drainage facility including a drainage pump adapted to be operated if an inflow water channel is constructed as a closed channel. Overflow weirs in water channels such as rivers or the like on an inflow side are less than a maximum water level. A vertical-shaft multi-stage adjustable-vane impeller is used as a drainage pump. Consequently, even a drainage pump of a high pressure head and large capacity can perform a waiting running and accommodate a variation in a quantity of inflowing water to the drainage facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamada, Saburo Maru, Sumio Sudo