Flood protection system

Abstract

The invention relates to a flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) having a flood-prone area (18). The flood protection system (10) comprises a main pipe (12) along the flowing water body (16) in this flood-prone area (18), wherein at least portions of the flowing water body (16) are guided through the main pipe (12) in the flow direction (28). A drive turbine (62) in the main pipe (12) increases the flow velocity of the flowing water body (16) during flooding in the main pipe (12), wherein the main pipe (12) flows back into the flowing water body (16).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a flood protection system on a flowing water body with a flood-prone area, comprising a main pipe along the flowing water body in this flood-prone area, wherein at least parts of the flowing water body are guided through the main pipe in the direction of flow, a drive turbine is provided in the pipe to increase the flow velocity of the flowing water body during flooding in the pipe, wherein the main pipe flows back into the flowing water body. State of the art

[0002] In many river regions, flooding occurs when the river floods. This causes considerable economic damage to the national economies. The floodwaters often reach cities and destroy large parts of residential and industrial facilities. Flooding can also cause enormous damage to agriculture if the agricultural land is not specifically designated for it. To protect against flooding, dikes or dams are built along rivers or, if necessary, retention areas are designated to hold back the increased water volumes. For rivers that flow through cities, such flood protection is often difficult due to the large amount of land required. In these cases, special flood walls are erected along the river banks during floods. Due to their design, dikes and dams are at risk of softening and breaking.They often consist of piled sand and / or gravel, held together by plant roots. Flood walls are built every time a flood occurs for flood protection. This incurs costs for the state and municipalities.

[0003] DE 102006001715 A1 describes a device for preventing water overflow from a river during floods. It consists of a rigid, hollow structure that impermeates the water and is placed along the river bank. The structure is made of pipe halves, with the lower pipe halves permanently positioned on the river bank. The upper pipe halves have an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the lower pipe halves. These structures serve both as a dam and can also be used to channel flowing water.

[0004] DE 10 2011 012 777 A1 relates to a device and method for flood prevention. Using a simple technical design, water is pumped from a flooded river into a distant flood basin using supply and main pipes.

[0005] DE 10 2013 109 763 A1 relates to flood protection on a river with a flood-prone area, comprising a pipe along the river in this flood-prone area, with parts of the river being channeled through the pipe in the direction of flow. Therein, a drive turbine is described in the pipe, which increases the flow velocity of the river in the pipe. Flooding occurs because more water volume enters a river than can flow away in the riverbed. The flow velocity is too low for the cross-section. The water flows over the riverbed and then seeks its destructive path into the surrounding area. The water can flow additionally through a pipe parallel to the riverbed. This pipe contains a drive turbine, which increases the flow velocity. This allows more water volume to be transported in a controlled manner with the same river cross-section, for example, past a city.

[0006] The current flood protection systems have the disadvantage that a flood basin must be provided to transport the water away from the flood-prone area. Furthermore, under normal conditions, the pipes inadvertently divert water from the riverbed past the flood zone. During warm periods with low water levels, the riverbed of the river in the flood zone can dry out quickly. This is particularly harmful to the flora and fauna there. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore in particular to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and to create a flood protection system which can also be used at normal water levels.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved in that, in a flood protection system on a flowing watercourse with a flood-prone area of the type mentioned above, at least one branch element with at least two pipe branches is provided, wherein the first pipe branch leads into the main pipe and the second pipe branch leads into a secondary pipe, wherein the branch element is designed with an adjustable shut-off device which blocks or opens a pipe branch. In this way, a decision can be made as to whether water is diverted past the flood-prone area or directly back into the flowing watercourse. This can prevent a riverbed from drying out at a relatively low water level because the water is diverted through the pipes.

[0009] An advantageous embodiment of the flood protection system according to the invention on a river with a flood-prone area results from the fact that the shut-off device has a gate valve that blocks the flow of the first pipe branch and / or the second pipe branch. Several applications for the gate valve are conceivable. On the one hand, the gate valve can block a branch. This prevents any more water from being directed through the branch element. On the other hand, the gate valve can also be designed to selectively close either one pipe or the other. This can influence the flow of the water. In the event of flooding, the water is either diverted around the danger zone or, at a normal water level in the river, it flows directly back.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the flood protection system according to the invention is achieved in that the shut-off device has a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic drive for actuating the shut-off or release process. The shut-off device can thus be automated. Manual operation of the shut-off device is no longer necessary. The shut-off device is preferably operated by a drive.

[0011] In a special embodiment of the flood protection system according to the invention, a processor-controlled control system is provided for the shut-off device. The control system is designed to automate the shut-off device. The control system operates with a microprocessor that is easily programmable for the essential control tasks. If necessary, the control system can also be operated remotely via radio / mobile radio or cable in remote mode. The control system adjusts the shut-off device appropriately, for example, by controlling the drive for the slide valve.

[0012] A further advantageous embodiment of the flood protection system according to the invention is achieved by providing at least one water level sensor, which detects the water level of the flowing water and transmits it to the processor-controlled controller of the shut-off device for evaluation. To further increase the degree of automation, the controller can use the water level sensor to determine normal water levels or flooding. The shut-off device of the branch element can be automatically adjusted accordingly.

[0013] Preferably, the control system then activates the shut-off device when a threshold value for the water level is reached, so that it either releases or blocks the first pipe branch or the second pipe branch.

[0014] In a special embodiment of the flood protection system according to the invention, artificial intelligence supports the control process. The artificial intelligence can decide whether or not a flood emergency could actually occur. The artificial intelligence can be trained using various scenarios. For example, the artificial intelligence can be trained so that the bow wave of a ship does not trigger a flood emergency.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the flood protection system according to the invention, at least one pipe of the second pipe branch is returned to the flowing water, with a generator for generating electricity being provided in the second pipe branch. When there is no flooding, electricity can be generated with the generator in the second pipe branch. The electricity thus generated can be fed into the public grid for sustainable electricity generation.

[0016] Furthermore, a special design of the flood protection system according to the invention can be achieved on a flowing watercourse by providing a gradient for the second pipe branch. At normal water levels, the water is directed through the pipe until a sufficient gradient is achieved. The secondary pipe can then be returned to the flowing watercourse. The kinetic energy of the returning water can be used to power a generator to generate electricity.

[0017] One aspect of the invention is that in the flood protection system according to the invention, at least one of the pipes is now located at an outer meandering edge of the watercourse. This is where the water flow velocity is greatest, allowing for the greatest effect, for example, with regard to a generator. Due to the increased flow velocity, fish, which could be accidentally sucked into the pipe, are rarely found in this area.

[0018] It has also proven advantageous to provide an animal protection device on the flood protection system, which prevents animals from entering the pipes. This prevents living creatures from being inadvertently guided through the pipes and being harmed. For example, this can be achieved by a sieve-like or net-like construction.

[0019] Further embodiments and advantages emerge from the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as the drawings and the associated descriptions. Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited solely to these exemplary embodiments. They serve merely to explain the invention in more detail. The present invention is intended to relate to all subject matter that a person skilled in the art would consider obvious for implementing the invention, now and in the future. Short description of the drawing Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a flowing body of water on which a flood protection system according to the invention with a branch element with two pipe branches is arranged. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged section of the branch element according to Fig. 1, wherein the shut-off device blocks the first pipe branch and releases the second pipe branch. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the branch element according to Fig. 1, wherein the shut-off device blocks the second pipe branch and releases the first pipe branch. Fig. 4 shows a section of the first tube with a drive turbine according to Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the flood protection system according to Fig. 1 in the area of the second tube branch. Fig. 6 shows a cross-section through the flood protection system Fig. 1 in the area of the drive turbine. Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a flowing water body on which a flood protection system according to the invention with a branch element with two pipe branches is arranged. Preferred embodiment

[0020] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 10 designates a flood protection system according to the invention. The flood protection system 10 has a first pipe, the main pipe 12, which is routed along the bank 14 of a flowing water 16, such as a river, a stream, or a canal. Buildings 20 of a village or town are preferably located in a flood-prone area 18. When the flowing water floods, these buildings 20 are severely affected and can be significantly damaged by the overflowing water.

[0021] The main pipe 12 therefore receives water 22 in the higher, upper area 24 of the watercourse 16 with an inlet pipe end 26. The flow direction of the water 22 is indicated by the arrows 28 in the watercourse and by the arrows 30 in the main pipe 12. The main pipe 12 is routed past the flood-prone area 18 and opens with a discharge pipe end 32 into a lower, lower area 33 of the watercourse 16. The main pipe 12 forms a barricade against flooding and thus serves as flood protection itself. The main pipe 12 thus forms a bypass to the watercourse 16 in order to move the water volumes more quickly around the flood-prone area 18.

[0022] In the upper section 24 of the watercourse 16, a branch element 34 is inserted into the main pipe 12. The branch element 34 diverts the flow direction 30 of the main pipe 12 into a second pipe, the secondary pipe 36. The water 22 entering the main pipe can thus be directly discharged back into the watercourse 16 upstream of the flood-prone area 18.

[0023] The branch element 34 has an adjustable shut-off device 38. The adjustable shut-off device 38 consists of a slide 40, which selectively directs the flow through the main pipe 12 or the secondary pipe 36. To this end, the shut-off device 38 blocks either a pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36 or a pipe branch 44 to the main pipe 12. In this embodiment, the slide 40 is driven by an electric motor 46 and pivoted into the desired position.

[0024] The electric motor 46 is operated by a microprocessor-controlled controller 48. The controller 48 receives a signal via a signal line 49 from a water level sensor 50. The water level sensor 50 provides the current water level of the flowing water 16 as continuously as possible. The controller 48 continuously evaluates the water level.

[0025] If a certain threshold is exceeded, the control 48 becomes active. The control 48 controls the shut-off device 38 via a control line 51 so that the pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36 is blocked by the slide 40, as shown in Fig. 3. For this purpose, the electric motor 46 is controlled, which closes the slide 40 in front of the pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36. The control system 48 is equipped with artificial intelligence. The artificial intelligence is trained to determine whether flooding is actually present. This can, for example, prevent a ship's bow wave from being recognized as flooding.

[0026] If the water level sensor 50 signals that the water level is below the threshold value, the main pipe 12 is blocked accordingly with the slide valve 40.

[0027] At normal water levels, an accelerated water transfer around the flood-prone area 18 is not necessary. Therefore, in this case, the water is directed into the secondary pipe 36 using the branch element 34, as shown in Fig. 2. Arrows 52 indicate the flow direction of the secondary pipe 36. The secondary pipe 36 also opens into the upper region 24 in front of the flood-prone area 18. A generator 54, driven by a turbine drive 56, is arranged in the secondary pipe 36. The secondary pipe 36 is therefore arranged such that there is a sufficient gradient to generate sufficient kinetic energy for the generator 54. The current from the generator 54 can, for example, supply the surrounding buildings 20 with electrical energy.

[0028] An animal protection device 58 is located in front of or at the inlet pipe end 26. This animal protection device 58 can be designed, for example, as a net or sieve 60, which prevents animals or plants from accidentally entering the main pipe 12.

[0029] In the event of flooding, the branch element 34 is configured so that only the main pipe 12 is open. A drive turbine 62 draws the water 22 from the stream 16 into the main pipe 12. The water 22 is accelerated by the drive turbine 62, diverted around the flood-prone area 18 at an increased flow velocity, and then discharged back into the stream 16 in the lower section.

[0030] In Fig. 2 shows an enlarged section of the branch element 34 according to Fig. 1. The shut-off device 38 here blocks the pipe branch 44 to the main pipe 12. The pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36 is open, as described above. The water 22 thus flows in the flow direction 52 through the secondary pipe 36. This drives the generator 54 to generate electricity. This operating mode is used when the water level is normal. The main pipe 12 is not used in this position of the slide valve 40. The slide valve 40 is adjusted via the electric motor 46. The control 48 regulates the electric motor 46 and thus also the position of the slide valve 40.

[0031] In Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the branch element 34 according to Fig. 1. The shut-off device 38 blocks the pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36. The pipe branch 44 to the main pipe 12 is open, as described above. This operating mode is used during flooding. The water 22 thus flows in the direction of flow 30 through the main pipe 12. The secondary pipe 36 is not used in the current position of the gate valve 40. The gate valve 40 is adjusted via the electric motor 46. The control system 48 regulates the electric motor 46 and thus also the position of the gate valve 40.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a section of the main tube 12 with the drive turbine 62 according to Fig. 1. The main tube 12 of the flood protection system 10 is shown as a schematic diagram in a longitudinal section. The drive turbine 62 is provided within the main tube 12. The drive turbine 62 contains turbine blades 64, which are arranged rotationally symmetrically on a drive shaft 66. The turbine blades 64 are designed such that, when the drive shaft 66 rotates, they accelerate the water flowing through it in the direction of flow according to the arrows 30 during flooding. Guide vanes 67 direct the water 22 at the optimal angle onto the turbine blades 64. This ensures that the volume of water flowing through the main tube 12 is significantly increased within a time interval due to the higher flow velocity. The flow velocity through the main tube 12 can be adapted to the respective flood level.The drive turbine 62 also operates in a known reverse function as an electric generator 68, which can feed its electrical energy into the power grid.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the flood protection system 10 according to Fig. 1 in the area of the pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36. The secondary pipe 36 is arranged such that it has a gradient 70. The water 22 flowing through the secondary pipe 36 can transfer its kinetic energy to the generator 54 via the turbine drive 56. The water 22 then flows back into the flowing water 16. This operating mode can be set using the branch element 34, primarily at a normal water level in the flowing water 16.

[0034] Fig. Figure 6 shows a partial cross-section of the riverbed 16. The riverbed 16 is located in its riverbed 71. During floods, the water 22 flows over the banks 14 to a dam 72. The dashed line 74 indicates the water surface during floods. The solid line 76 in the riverbed 71 shows the water surface during normal water levels 76. The water 22 only reaches the bank 14. To prevent the dam 72 from being flooded, the drive turbine 62 in the main pipe 12 can be switched on in the present embodiment. This means that, in addition to the water volumes transported through the riverbed 71, considerable quantities of water are also channeled through the main pipe 12. The water volume usually depends on the power of the drive turbine 62. The higher the power, the more water 22 flows through the main pipe 12 of the flood protection system 10.The main tube 12 also serves as a stable wall for flood protection or at least to stabilize the dam 72.

[0035] The drive turbine 62 has turbine blades 64, which are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the drive shaft 66. The turbine blades 64 force the water 22 through the main pipe 12 at high pressure and thus at an increased speed.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the flood protection system 10 according to the invention. The flood protection system 10 also has the main pipe 12, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is routed along the shortest possible route past the flood-prone area 18 with its buildings 20. The buildings 20 symbolically represent a village, a small settlement, or a town. In the event of flooding of the river, these buildings 20 are severely affected and can be significantly damaged by the overflowing water.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, the main pipe 12 also receives the water 22 in the higher upper region 24 of the flowing water 16 with the inlet pipe end 26. The inlet pipe end is located in the outer region 78 of a meander 80 of the flowing water 16. Due to the high flow velocity of the flowing water 16, practically no living creatures, especially fish, are found in this region 78. This also allows an animal protection device 58, as in the embodiment of Fig. 1 is unnecessary.

[0038] The flow direction of the water 22 is indicated by the arrows 28 in the stream 16 and by the arrows 30 in the main pipe 12. The main pipe 12 is routed past the flood-prone area 18 and opens with the diverting pipe end 32 into the lower area 33 of the stream 16. The main pipe 12 thus forms a bypass to the stream 16 in order to move the water volumes more quickly around the flood-prone area 18.

[0039] In the upper section 24 of the watercourse 16, the branch element 34 is inserted into the main pipe 12. The branch element 34 diverts the flow direction 30 of the main pipe 12 into the secondary pipe 36. The water 22 entering the main pipe 12 can thus be directly discharged back into the watercourse 16 upstream of the flood-prone area 18.

[0040] The branch element 34 has, according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 via the adjustable shut-off device with the slide 40, which selectively directs the flow through the main pipe 12 or the secondary pipe 36. For this purpose, the shut-off device 38 blocks either a pipe branch 42 to the secondary pipe 36 or a pipe branch 44 to the main pipe 12. The operation of the branch element 34 corresponds to the previously described embodiments.

[0041] At normal water levels, an accelerated forwarding of the water around the flood-prone area 18 is not necessary. Therefore, in this case, the water is directed into the secondary pipe 36 using the branch element 34, as shown in Fig.2. Arrows 52 indicate the flow direction of the secondary pipe 36. The secondary pipe 36 also opens into the upper region 24 upstream of the flood-prone area 18. The generator 68 is arranged upstream of the branch element 34. The generator 68 is driven by the turbine drive 62. The secondary pipe 36 is designed such that a sufficient gradient is present to generate sufficient kinetic energy for the generator 54. The current from the generator 68 can, for example, supply the surrounding buildings 20 with electrical energy.

[0042] In the event of flooding, the branch element 34 is adjusted so that only the main pipe 12 is open. The generator 68 is then operated in reverse as an electric motor, which drives the turbine drive 56. The turbine drive 56 then draws the water 22 from the stream 16 into the main pipe 12. The water 22 is accelerated by the drive turbine 62, bypassing the flood-prone area 18 at an increased flow velocity, and is then reintroduced into the stream 16 in the lower section. List of reference symbols 10 Flood protection system 12 main tubes 14 banks 16 rivers 18 Flood-prone area 20 buildings 22 Water 24 Upper area 26 incoming pipe end 28 Flow direction in flowing water 30 Flow direction in the main pipe 32 outgoing pipe end 33 lower area 34 branch element 36 side tube 38 Shut-off device 40 sliders 42 Tube branch to the secondary tube 44 Tube branch to the main tube 46 electric motor 48 Control 49 Signal line 50 water level sensor 51 Control line 52 Flow direction of the secondary pipe 54 Generator 56 Turbine drive 58 Animal protection device 60 sieve 62 drive turbine 64 turbine blades 66 drive shaft 67 guide vanes 68 Generator 70 gradients 71 riverbed 72 Dam 74 Floods 76 Normal water 78 outer area 80 Meander QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102006001715 A1

[0003] DE 10 2011 012 777 A1

[0004] DE 10 2013 109 763 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18), comprising a main pipe (12) along the flowing water body (16) in this flood-prone area (18), wherein at least parts of the flowing water body (16) are guided in the flow direction (28) through the main pipe (12), a drive turbine (62) is provided in the main pipe (12) for increasing the flow velocity of the flowing water body (16) during flooding in the main pipe (12), wherein the main pipe (12) flows back into the flowing water body (16) characterized by that at least one branch element (34) with at least two tube branches (42, 44) is provided, wherein the first tube branch (44) leads into the main tube (12) and the second tube branch (42) leads into a secondary tube (36), wherein the branch element (34) is designed with an adjustable shut-off device (38) which shuts off or releases a tube branch (42, 44). [2] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to claim 1, characterized by that the shut-off device has a slide valve (40) which blocks the flow of the first pipe branch (42) and / or the second pipe branch (44). [3] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the shut-off device (38) has a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic drive for actuating the shut-off or release process. [4] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a processor-controlled control (48) is provided for the shut-off device (38). [5] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that at least one water level sensor (50) is provided which detects the water level of the flowing water (16) and transmits it to the processor-controlled control (48) of the shut-off device (38) for evaluation. [6] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by that the control (48) activates the shut-off device (38) when a threshold value for the water level is reached and releases or blocks either the first pipe branch (42) or the second pipe branch (44). [7] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that artificial intelligence supports the control process. [8] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the secondary pipe (36) of the second pipe branch (42) is led back into the flowing water (16), wherein a generator (54) for generating electricity is provided in the second pipe branch (42). [9] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to claim 8, characterized by that a gradient is provided for the second pipe branch (42). [10] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that at least one of the tubes (12, 36) is arranged at an outer region (78) of a meander (80) of the flowing water (16). [11] Flood protection system (10) on a flowing water body (16) with a flood-prone area (18) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that an animal protection device (58) is provided which prevents animals from entering the main tube (12).

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