Water damming device provided with a floating water damming body, application of such a water damming device and floatable water damming body for such a water damming device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water damming device comprising a water damming body to be placed in or near a water body. The water damming body has a height and comprises a core covered with a protective layer and made of a core material with a density of less than 1.0 g / cm3. The water damming body is guided by an at least substantially stationary guiding device that can be moved freely up and down between a lower non-operational and a higher operational state. The water damming body has a condition in which the water damming body is located at a height of a maximum of 65% of the height of the water damming body compared to a highest non-operational condition. The invention also relates to a system of aligned water damming devices and to a method for installing one or more water damming devices in the ground at least substantially parallel to a water line according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Description

[0001] Short description: Water damming device provided with a floating water damming body, application of such a water damming device and floatable water damming body for such a water damming device

[0002] Description

[0003] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a water damming device, in particular to an artificial water damming device that can be changed in height, comprising a water damming body to be placed in or near a water body and at least substantially parallel to a water line of the water body.

[0004] Water damming devices of the artificially height-changeable type are known in various designs and serve to dam water that threatens to flow in an undesirable direction or an undesirable area. There are permanent water damming devices such as dikes and quay walls. This type of water damming devices is permanently visible. The present invention relates to water damming devices that can be changed in height depending on the circumstances. That is to say, temporary water damming devices that can be activated if necessary and (semi) permanent water damming devices that can be raised in situations with relatively high water.

[0005] Known height-changeable water damming devices include floats that float freely on a water surface, at least if the water to be dammed is at the level of the float in question, stackable sandbags or form-retaining block-shaped stackable modules, uprights at regular intervals of a few meters with partitions between them, and panels can be erected and moved horizontally on guides that can be slid as a cut from a dike wall into an opening, such as a traffic passage, in the dike wall in the event of imminent flooding.

[0006] The known water damming devices each have their own disadvantages, such as laboriousness (stacking sandbags or modules), susceptibility to unconscious damage or conscious disablement (terror), weakening of a dike wall (slidable panels are pushed out of the dike wall) and / or permanent visibility (uprights between which partitions are erected).

[0007] International patent application WO 2016 / 114666 describes a water damming device comprising an elongated housing incorporated into the ground near and at least substantially parallel to a waterline, with four side walls and a bottom in which an upward and downward movable an elongate concrete wall is comprised, which can be moved between a non-operational and an operational state, and a power-operated lifting device designed for moving the elongated concrete wall up and down in the elongated housing. A disadvantage of this device is that it requires tools or telemetry to bring the wall of this water damming device from the non- operational state to the operational state.

[0008] Japanese patent application JPH 08 284139 A describes a water damming device with a water damming wall in the form of a solid wall of metal or synthetic resin which is connected to a floating body in the form of a cube with walls of metal or synthetic resin. The vertically movable floating body is enclosed in a frame that, in use, is in communication with a water body. When the level of the water body rises, the floating body floats up within the frame with the rising water until it comes into contact with the top wall of the frame, which also acts as a floating stop.

[0009] This device is somewhat comparable to that from WO 2016 / 114666. The addition of the floating body allows the water damming wall to be brought into operational condition without the aids or telemetry. However, because the water damming wall must resist a force that the water in the water body exerts on the water damming wall at a high position, the water damming wall must have some thickness. A trade-off must always be made between the thickness of the water damming wall, and therefore proportional mass, on the one hand, and the size of the floating body, and therefore the buoyancy of the floating body, on the other.

[0010] There are also water damming devices with a floating water damming body that comprises foam material. In order for the water damming structure to function reliably and to be protected against overturning under the pressure of water against the water damming body, supports are necessary directly behind the water damming body and thus visually affecting the environment, which protect the water damming body against overturning. The supports protrude above ground level and can be “disguised” as functional posts, such as lampposts. A disadvantage is that the poles are on the water's edge and are therefore always visible, even from a distance, to someone looking downland.

[0011] According to the first aspect, the present invention aims to provide a water damming device according to the preamble that offers a solution, or at least an improvement, for the disadvantages of the prior art. This aim is achieved by the present invention by a water damming device according to claim 1. Because the water damming body in the highest operational condition is at a height of a maximum of 65% of the height of the water damming body compared to the highest non-operational condition, the remaining part of the water damming body can provide a reaction force. If the guiding device is or includes a housing, the lower part of the front of the water damming body, which is also located in the housing in an operational condition of the water damming device, can rest against the front wall of the housing to prevent the water damming body from tilting. If the guiding device comprises uprights over which the water body can slide vertically up and down, the uprights can protect the part of the water damming body that has slid over it against tipping over. In addition, if there is no housing and the water damming device is, for example, attached to a quay wall, the quay wall can function as a rear support. The part of the water damming body that is under water is protected against tipping by that water because the lower part of the water provides a counter pressure to the water damming body that counteracts tipping.

[0012] Because the water damming body comprises a core covered with a protective layer and made from a core material with a density of less than 1.0 g / cm3, the water damming body can be made very light and the coating can increase the resistance to forces that the water body exerts on the water damming body at high water. Due to the light design, no additional floating body is required, as with the water damming device known from JPH 08 284139 A; the damming wall itself has sufficient buoyancy capacity.

[0013] The greater the proportion of the water damming body that (in the highest operational condition) does not exceed the highest non-operational condition of the water damming body, the greater the absorption of forces. It is therefore preferable that the water damming body has a highest operational state and a highest non-operational state, in which highest operational state the water damming body is at a height of a maximum of 55 or 60% with respect to the highest non- operational state, furthermore preferably a maximum of 45 or 50% of the height of the water damming body.

[0014] Because the water damming body has a density lower than that of water (1.0 g / cm3), the water damming body forms a floatable body as soon as water collects in the housing, for example if the water level of a water body exceeds the side walls of the housing and flows into the housing. In such situations, the water damming body will extend higher above the water level with a decreasing density of the water damming body, in the event of (threatening) flooding, the force to activate the water damming system is therefore, as it were, provided by the rising water itself in the event of (threatening) flooding. No active operation of the damming device is required for this. The density of the core material is also understood here as the average density of the core. A water damming body according to the present invention thus also comprises a hollow core of a material that in itself has a higher density than that of water, but whose hollow core still makes the water damming body buoyable.

[0015] It is preferred that the density of the core material is less than 0.5 g / cm3, preferably less than 0.25 g / cm3, further preferably less than 0.1 g / cm3, still further preferably less is than 0.075 g / cm3and most preferably less than 0.05 g / cm3. The lower the density, the greater the buoyancy of the water damming body and the further the water damming body will extend (relatively) above the water in operational condition, at least to the extent not limited by a floating stop.

[0016] The water damming body preferably has a height between 0.3 and 20 metres, preferably between 1 and 7 metres, furthermore preferably between 1.5 and 3 metres. The height can be chosen depending on the threat of flooding, so that the water damming body forms a sufficiently high damming wall. On the other hand, the aim can be to use no more material than necessary for the manufacture of a reliable water damming device.

[0017] It is preferable that the water damming body has a thickness between 0.2 and 2 metres, preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 m. The thickness of the water damming body can also be adjusted depending on the threat of flooding and expected forces exerted by the water are chosen so that the water damming body forms a sufficiently thick or solid damming wall. On the other hand, the aim can be to use no more material than necessary for the manufacture of a reliable water damming device.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the core comprises hardened plastic foam material. The core is preferably made of hardened plastic foam material. Cured plastic foam material has a very low density. Plastic foam beads can be glued together to create a shape-retaining core. But “loose” plastic foam beads can also be used when enclosed in a strong, dimensionally stable protective layer to form a dimensionally stable water damming body. A suitable polyolefin can be chosen as foam material. Polystyrene is ideally suited and is easily available and easy to produce.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the protective layer covers the entire core. The core is thus enclosed in the protective layer and the protective layer protects the core on all sides. Of course, one can choose to only apply a protective layer where protection of the core is desired or necessary. It is also possible to apply different protective layers to different parts of the core.

[0020] In one embodiment, the guiding device comprises an elongated housing to be incorporated in the ground or in the water body, with vertical walls defining an internal contour, in which the water damming body is accommodated, and wherein the water damming body comprises an external cross-section that corresponds in such a way to the internal contour of the housing that the water damming body is freely movable between the non-operational and the operational state. Corresponding here means that there is only a small clearance between the housing and the water damming body. The water damming body can then move up and down guided by the housing.

[0021] In a further or alternative embodiment, the guiding device comprises one or more uprights extending vertically upwards at least in use and cavities extending vertically upwards in the water damming body, wherein the water damming body with the one or more cavities can be moved vertically over one or more corresponding uprights, is. The uprights can be designed as rods, the cavities as corresponding tubes that fit closely with a small clearance. In the further embodiment, a single combination of upright and cavity can provide additional guidance next to the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the guiding device can comprise two or more spaced combinations of uprights and cavities, which can ensure the positional stability of the water body.

[0022] It is preferred that the guiding device comprises a bracket with a II- profile that partly surrounds the water body, wherein the profile of the bracket corresponds to the external cross-section of the water damming body in such a way that the water damming body can move freely between the non-operational and the operational state, is. The bracket can also help to provide position stability. Correspondence here means that there is only a small clearance between the bracket and the water damming body. If the free ends of the legs of the II remote from the base of the II are provided with a mounting flange extending perpendicular to the respective leg, the bracket can easily be attached via the flanges to, for example, a quay wall. The quay wall with the bracket then forms a kind of housing, whereby the bracket only needs to extend over part of the highest part of the water damming body. The bracket preferably surrounds the water damming body at least partly in both the non- operational and in the operational position.

[0023] In order to prevent the water damming body from freezing to, for example, the housing, bracket or quay wall, it is preferable that the housing, bracket or quay wall, or its inside and / or the water damming body on the outside, is provided with an anti-freeze coating. Anti-freeze coating may be provided in the form of a surface that is water-repellent to such an extent that water cannot deposit on the coating. A suitable material for such a covering is high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Alternatively, the protective layer can have a relatively high coefficient of expansion, at least in the temperature range from +3 to -20 °C, so that any ice depositing on the protective layer is released from the protective layer while expanding and / or shrinking the protective layer.

[0024] Also for use as a water damming body, it is preferable that the protective layer of the water damming body is water-repellent or moisture-resistant.

[0025] For good protection of the relatively light core, it is preferable that the protective layer has a thickness between 2 and 100 mm, furthermore preferably between 5 and 30 mm. On the other hand, the higher the density of the protective layer, and the thicker the protective layer, the more the protective layer negates the buoyancy of the water damming body.

[0026] It is preferable that the protective layer is made of plastic, preferably polyurea. Plastic in general, and polyurea in particular, has good protective properties and is suitable for forming a waterproof layer. In addition, plastic, especially polyurea, is easy to clean. The protective layer is preferably applied as a spray layer around the water damming body, so that the protective layer can be provided as a continuous layer. A spray layer is easier to apply than a protective layer with plates or other elements that have to be attached to each other. In addition, a continuous spray layer, for example made of polyurea, is autonomously waterproof. Polyurea is also suitable for the protective layer because polyurea is strong and hard, in the sense that it is not easily damaged, but also because it has a certain stiffness and therefore contributes to the dimensional stability, i.e. against tearing, breaking or bending of the water damming body. Polyurea also has a loadbearing property, in the sense that it can bear (absorb) forces, which is particularly important if a water body in the operational condition of the water damming structure extends above the (fictitious) top edge of the water damming body in the non- operational position, and exerts a horizontally directed pressure on the water damming body.

[0027] The protective layer, for example the polyurea protective layer, may include armoring or fiber reinforcement. These give the water damming body extra strength against damage or bending.

[0028] The housing of the water damming device can be open at the bottom, so that the ground in which the water damming device is accommodated forms a bottom on which the water damming body can rest in a non-operational state. It is also possible that the housing itself comprises a bottom.

[0029] If the water damming body has a constant rectangular cross-section, it forms a straight viewing wall at the front and rear. A straight wall is then formed on the short sides of the rectangle, which facilitates the connection of adjacent water damming bodies. It is also possible for a water damming body to be provided on the short sides with a profile that (if applicable) corresponds to a profile of a neighboring damming body.

[0030] When the water damming body has a substantially constant crosssection over its height, it can easily move up and down between a non-operational and an operational state through and with a constant distance to an opening at the top of the housing.

[0031] Likewise, it is preferred that the housing has a substantially constant cross-section throughout its height.

[0032] To prevent the water damming body from floating completely out of the housing or the guides, it is preferable that the water damming device is provided with a floating stop. The floating stop limits the extent to which the water damming body can be moved upwards compared to the non-operational condition. A floating stop can also be provided to lock the water damming body in a non-operational condition against floating up in case, for example, water accumulates in the housing during a heavy rain shower.

[0033] If the housing is provided with a liquid drainage opening, water that collects in the housing during a flood, for example, but also during a rain shower, can be removed from the housing through the water drainage opening. A water drainage opening is preferably located at the bottom of the housing. The water drainage opening can be a permanent drain, but can also be a closable drainage opening, so that water can be deliberately kept in the housing.

[0034] If the water damming device is provided with a pumping device, water collected in the housing can be pumped out of the housing, for example through the water discharge opening or through an open top of the housing.

[0035] The housing may be provided with a liquid supply opening. In this way, the housing can be filled with water or another liquid before, for example in the event of a (threatening) flood, water flows over the edge of the housing into the housing. In this way, the operation of the water damming device can also be tested in safe situations. Water can be forced into the housing. But it is also possible to make a liquid supply opening (low) in the housing on the side of a threatening water body, so that rising water can bring the water damming body into an operational condition through communication between a water body and the interior of the housing before the water reaches the has reached the top edge of the housing. Thus, a water damming device can operate itself at high tide and does not require any dependence on an operator.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the water damming device is provided with sealing means that provide a seal between the water damming body and the housing in the non-operational condition of a water damming body. The sealants can help prevent rainwater, for example, from activating the water damming device.

[0037] It is preferable that the water damming device is provided with closing means for closing the housing at the top, at least in the non-operational condition of the water damming body. The barrier can be an integral part of the water damming body, or it can be a separate barrier element. In a non-operational state (invisible) it can be part of a road surface and it can even have street furniture installed on it.

[0038] Although a water damming device according to the present invention can operate independently as described above by responding to rising water, a control can be provided for controlling the movement of the water damming body between a non-operational and an operational state. This allows the water damming system to be tested or a faulty autonomous operation to be corrected. The water damming body can also be brought into a (partially) raised condition before high tide.

[0039] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a water damming body designed for use in a water damming device according to the first aspect. The problem of the prior art and the advantages that can be achieved with this second aspect correspond to the problem and the advantages described above in relation to the first aspect. The water damming body can have the dimensions and properties as described above. The water damming body can be used to replace a damaged comparable one. The water damming body can also be placed as a water damming body in a depression in a subsurface, for example a pit or a housing of another water damming device such as WO 2016 / 114666.

[0040] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a water damming device incorporated in the ground substantially parallel to a water line. The ground and a water body with the water line can possibly be considered part of the invention. The problem of the prior art and the advantages that can be achieved with this third aspect correspond to the problem and the advantages described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0041] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a water damming system comprising a plurality of mutually aligned, substantially connecting water damming devices according to one or more of claims. In this way, a relatively long, even kilometers long, water damming can be constructed in parts. The problem of the prior art and the advantages that can be achieved with this fourth aspect correspond to the problem and the advantages described above in relation to the first aspect. The water damming devices can be installed, for example, next to a river or around a lake on a bank or in a dike.

[0042] A water damming system with water damming devices aligned relative to each other also includes a system in which a number of water damming bodies are located next to each other in one housing.

[0043] It is preferred that sealing means are provided for sealing any openings between adjacent water damming bodies, at least in the operational condition of the water damming bodies. The sealing means may comprise rubber strips or the like. The sealants may possibly be reinforced. The force of water that needs to be collected by the water damming system can be great.

[0044] Finally, according to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for providing a water damming elevation, or at least an elevation facility, in the ground, comprising arranging one or more water damming devices in the ground at least substantially parallel to a water line according to the first aspect, of the present invention. The water damming devices can be installed completely submerged or only partially submerged in the ground. In the first case they can be concealed relatively invisibly. In the second case they provide a permanent elevation, possibly a flood barrier, which can be further raised in cases of flood risk. The water damming device can possibly be used as a permanent water damming device at low tide.

[0045] In this document, unless otherwise stated, the term “the ground” or “subsoil” means a natural or artificial upper layer of the local earth's surface, such as a dike, a paved quay wall or a part of a riverbed that is exposed during high tide or permanently, is under water. The water damming device according to the present invention can therefore also be provided as a permanent water damming device that always adapts in height to the water level. In tidal water it can thus be prevented that a wall extending relatively high above the water is visible at low tide.

[0046] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments of water damming devices according to the present invention and with reference to the attached drawing. This shows:

[0047] Figure 1a a schematic vertical longitudinal sectional view of a water damming device according to the present invention, along the line A-A from Figure 1b;

[0048] Figure 1 b a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the water damming device along the line B-B from Figure 1a;

[0049] Figure 1c a top view of the water damming device from Figure 1a;

[0050] Figures 2a-2d schematic vertical cross-sectional views of a water damming device according to the present invention in different states;

[0051] Figure 3 a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative water damming device according to the present invention;

[0052] Figure 4 a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of yet another alternative water damming device according to the present invention; Figure 5 a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of yet a further alternative water damming device according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6a a schematic exploded view of yet another alternative water damming device according to the present invention;

[0054] Figures 6b and 6c schematic vertical cross-sectional views of the device from Figure 6a, in non-operational condition and in operational condition respectively;

[0055] Figure 7 a schematic perspective view of a water damming body for use in a water damming device according to the present invention; and

[0056] Figure 8 a schematic cross-sectional view through the water damming body from figure 7.

[0057] Now looking at Figures 1a-1c, a vertical longitudinal sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 1 b, a vertical cross-sectional view along the line B-B from Figure 1a, and a top view along the line C-C from Figure 1a, respectively, of a water damming device 1 according to the present invention are shown schematically.

[0058] The water damming device 1 has, schematically, not to scale, a front wall 2 with a length of 5 meters and a height of 3 meters, a rear wall with a length of 5 meters, two side walls 4 with a length of 1 meter and a bottom 5. These are made of concrete, but can be made of other materials such as plastic or metal. For proper functioning of the device, a material with a low coefficient of expansion is preferred. The walls 2, 3, 4, 5 have a thickness of 25 cm and form a housing for a floatable water damming body 6, which in this exemplary embodiment is made of hardened polystyrene with a density of approximately 1 g / cm3enclosed in a complete envelope of polyurea. The values given above represent an embodiment, but can be chosen differently, and also in other ratios to each other, depending on the situation and circumstances in which the water damming device according to the invention is used. The water damming body 6 has the shape of a rectangular block and dimensions that correspond to the inner walls of the housing in such a way that the water damming body 6 fits closely to the inner walls, with sufficient clearance to allow the water damming body 6 to be moved up and down in the housing without significant resistance. At the front and rear side of the water damming body 6, a narrowing of 2.5 cm is provided on the water damming body 6 from the top to approximately halfway (see narrowing line 7). At the top of each of the front and rear walls (2, 3) an elongated floating stop 8 is provided, which recesses from the respective wall (2, 3) over a distance corresponding to the narrowing of the corresponding water damming body 6. The position of the narrowing line 7, together with the floating stop 8, in fact determines the extent to which the water damming body can float up out of the housing.

[0059] On the bottom 5 of the housing there is a liquid channel 9 for draining water. A liquid outlet 10 and a liquid inlet 11 extend through the rear wall. The liquid outlet 10 provides a communicating connection between the interior space of the housing and the liquid channel 9. Liquid inlet 10 opens into the interior space of the housing. The liquid inlet 11 can be connected to a water supply. Liquid outlet

[0060] 10 and liquid inlet 11 can each be provided with a shut-off (not shown) so that they can be adjusted so that water cannot flow through them temporarily. The liquid inlet

[0061] 11 and liquid outlet 10 can alternatively be provided in the front wall 2.

[0062] Within the housing, two metal guide rods 12 extend from the bottom 5 to the top of the housing. The guide rods 12 can optionally be made shorter (or longer). In the water damming body 6, metal tubes 13 are located at positions corresponding to the guide rods 12. The tubes 13 can slide freely, that is to say with little resistance, vertically over the respective rods 12 thus forming a guide. The tubes 13 also form a reinforcement of the water damming body 6. The rods 12 and tubes 13 can also be manufactured from another suitable material, if desired. Naturally, alternative guide means are conceivable.

[0063] Between the side walls 4 of the housing and the front sides of the water damming body 6 there is a watertight seal 35, which here is made of a waterexpandable material, also called a swell seal. Alternatively, two overlapping rubbers may be provided, or the watertight closure may be an inflatable tube body or comprise two rubbers contacting each other under pressure.

[0064] Figures 2a-d schematically show the operation of a water damming device 51 according to the invention, which is installed as part of a quay wall. To prevent repetition of the introduction of elements, elements corresponding to water damming device 1 are indicated with a reference number that is 50 higher than the relevant corresponding elements. The front wall 52 faces a water body 70. The water body 70 has a water level 71 that is increasingly higher from figure 12a to figure 2d. The rear wall 53 of the water damming device 51 is directed towards a surface adjacent to the water body 70, in this example a quay wall 72 with a paving 73. At the top of the water damming device 51 there is a paving 64 that corresponds to the paving 73 on the quay. The water damming device 51 is thus more or less hidden from users of the quay, for example pedestrians. Alternatively, a water damming device can be installed in a bed at a distance from a water body, for example in a dike bordering the floodplains of a river, whereby the water damming device can be bounded on both sides by earth.

[0065] Figure 2a shows the water damming device 51 with a front wall 52 directed towards the water body 70. The water level 71 is located approximately at the bottom 55 of the housing. There is no water in the interior of the housing and water damming body 56 rests on the bottom 55 of the housing. This is the non- operational condition of the water damming device.

[0066] Figure 2b shows the arrangement of Figure 2a, where the water level 71 has risen to a level slightly above the bottom wall 55 of the housing. Liquid inlet 61 is in communication with the water body 70, which is not shown in Figures 2, and according to the law of communicating vessels there is therefore water in the interior space of the housing, at a (water) level 65 that corresponds to the water level 71 of the water body 70. As can be seen, the water body 70 does not flood the quay (wall) 72 in figure 2. However, if a large wave occurs in the water body 70, this could still happen incidentally. Because there is water in the interior of the housing and the average density of the water damming body 56 with the polystyrene core is considerably lower than the density of water, the water damming body 56 in Figure 2b has started to float in the water. A consequence is that the water damming body 56 extends upwards above the quay wall 72 and forms a damming wall on the quay 72.

[0067] Figure 2c shows the arrangement of Figure 2b, where the water level 71 has risen to a level slightly below the dock 72. Again in accordance with the law of communicating vessels, the water level 65 within the casing is at the same level as the water level 71 of the water body 70. The upward force of the water within the housing pushes the water damming body 56 further upwards. However, below the narrowing lines 57 of the water damming body 56, the water damming body 56 is wider. As a result, the water damming body 56 is in contact with the floating plugs 58 at the level of the narrowing lines 57, as a result of which the water damming body 56 cannot rise any further (to prevent the water damming body 56 from coming completely out of the housing and floating away). Thus, in the situation of Figure 2b, the water damming body 56 extends to a maximum extent above the quay 72. And this is even before the water level 71 of the water body 70 rises above the quay wall 72. It is clear that in the situation of figure 2, a relatively small wave action will already lead to flooding of the quay 72 and the water damming body 56 will then effectively serve as a damming wall.

[0068] In the situation depicted in Figure 2d, the water level 71 has risen even further and the water body 70 is standing against the damming wall. In this situation, the protection of the hinterland by the water damming system 51 is most effective. Because the water damming body 56 is closely enclosed in the housing over approximately half of its height, the water that is standing against the floating water damming body 56 above the quay 73 and presses the floating body 56 inland prevents the floating water damming body 56 from tilting. Because the narrowing line 58 is located at approximately half the height of the water damming body, on the one hand a (too) great leverage effect is prevented and on the other hand the underside of the water body 56 in combination with the housing provides sufficient counter pressure. The polyurea protective layer provides the water damming body 56 with extra strength against breakage, but also against damage to objects floating in the water body 70 that can collide with the water damming body 56.

[0069] When the water level 71 drops, the water damming body 56 will sink in reverse order compared to the rising described hereinabove, by the water contained in the interior of the housing at some point draining from the housing through the liquid outlet 60, and possibly also through the liquid inlet 61. Ultimately, the water damming device 51 is again in the condition shown in Figure 2a.

[0070] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a water damming device 101 according to the invention. To prevent repetition of the introduction of elements, elements corresponding to water damming device 51 are indicated with a reference number that is 50 higher than the relevant corresponding elements from figure 2. The water damming device 101 is incorporated in a quay wall 122. A difference with the water damming devices 1 , 51 discussed above, is that an additional technical space 116 is provided, covered by a watertight wall 131 separated from the housing by a cover 124, through which the liquid outlet 110 and the liquid inlet 111 extend. In addition, two pumps 117, 118 are located in the technical room, which are connected to the liquid outlet 110 and the liquid inlet 110 to allow forced water to flow outwards from or inwards into the interior space of the housing. The liquid outlet 110 and liquid inlet 111 come together in a collection pipe 119. The collection pipe 119 extends to a filter device 130 located in a water body 120. The liquid outlet 110 can alternatively also be connected to a water drainage system and / or the liquid inlet 111 can be connected to a water pipe.

[0071] Figure 3 also shows a mounting wall 125 that can be placed permanently or removably on the water damming body 106. The extension wall 125 creates a higher damming wall. The mounting wall 125 can be made of plastic, metal or another material that is suitable to withstand the pressure of water in the event of a flood.

[0072] Figure 3 shows that the water level 121 of the water body 120 is lower than the bottom 105 of the housing. However, with the aid of water pump 117, filtered water from the water body 120 is pumped via the filter device 130 through the collection pipe 119 and the liquid inlet 111 into the housing. The water damming body 106 extends partly above the quay wall 122. There could be several reasons for this. The water damming device 151 may have been put into an operational condition as a precaution, in the event of a prediction of an upcoming high water level 121. The water level 121 itself may be low, but the wave action is so strong that waves threaten to overwhelm the quay. But it is also possible to test the proper functioning of the water damming device 101 in this way. To ensure that the water remains in the interior of the housing in a situation as shown, it is preferable that the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 110 can be closed and opened, for example with a valve. It is preferred that at least one of the fluid outlet 110 and fluid inlet 111 is open in a non-operational state for proper communication between the water body 120 and the interior of the housing. The water damming device 101 can thus function without active operation.

[0073] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a water damming device 151 according to the invention. To prevent repetition of the introduction of elements, elements corresponding to water damming device 51 are indicated with a reference number that is 100 higher than the relevant corresponding elements from Figure 2. The embodiment according to Figure 4 differs from that from Figure 2 in that Figure 4 has an additional floating stop is shown. The additional floating stop can be provided in addition to the floating stop 158, as shown in figure 4. However, the "additional" floating stop can also be provided as an alternative to floating stop 158. The additional floating stop comprises an eye 182 secured in an elongated vertical cavity 183 in the water damming body 156 and a cable 184 extending from the eye 182 to a spool (not shown) around which an end portion of the cable 184 is wound and with which the length of the cable 184, and thus the maximum operational condition of the water damming body 156 can be adjusted. With the “additional” floating stop, a lower maximum operational condition of the water damming body can be set. Or the additional floating stop can be used as a safeguard for situations in which a first floating stop, such as floating stop 154, fails.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a water damming device 201 according to the invention. To prevent repetition of the introduction of elements, elements corresponding to water damming device 201 are indicated with a reference number that is 200 higher than the relevant corresponding elements from figure 1. Figure 5 shows the operation of the (guide) rod 212 and (guide) tube 213, shown in more detail. When the water damming body 206 moves up or down, the tube 213 included in the water damming body 206 slides over the rod 212 attached to the bottom 205. Because the guide tube 213 extends over the entire height of the water damming body 206, the tube 263 also functions as reinforcement against breaking or bending of the water damming body 206.

[0075] Figure 6 schematically shows an elongated water damming wall corresponding to water damming device 1 according to the present invention along a river 270. To prevent repetition of the introduction of elements, elements corresponding to water damming device 1 are indicated with a reference number that is 250 higher than the relevant corresponding elements from figure 1. The river 270 is partly flanked by a dike 272 in which the water damming device 251 is incorporated and partly only by the water damming device 251. A tiling 273 is partly provided at the top of the water damming device 251. In the housing, of which only the front wall 252 is visible, mutually connected water damming bodies as in figure 1 (indicated by 6) are provided. When the water level 271 of the river 270 rises, the water damming bodies rise in a manner explained in the previous figures. The water damming bodies are sealed from each other using one of the watertight seals discussed above.

[0076] Figure 6a shows a schematic exploded view of yet another alternative water damming device according to the present invention. To prevent repetition of the introduction of elements, elements corresponding to water damming device 251 are indicated with a reference number that is 200 higher than the relevant corresponding elements from Figures 2a-d. This embodiment of the water damming device 251 has a water damming body 256 that is not enclosed in a housing, but in use is suspended from a quay wall 272 with metal Z-profiles 285. A Z-profile 285 has a horizontal plate 286 by which the Z-profile 285 is supported on a quay wall 272 in use. A vertical connector 287 connects the horizontal plate 286 to a support plate 288 carrying a guide rod 262. An elongated floating stop 258 is attached to the quay wall, which extends slightly from the quay wall 272, towards a water body (not shown). Two guide tubes 263 are included in the water damming body 257, which are slid over the guide rods 262 when the water damming device 251 is in the assembled state.

[0077] In the assembled state, a bracket 289 is attached approximately halfway up the height of the water damming device 251 in non-operational state, with rear walls 253 to connected pieces 287 of two Z-profiles 285. In use with its front wall 252, its side walls 254 and its rear walls 253 the bracket 289 together with a quay wall, encloses the water damming body 256 and provides support, protection and extra guidance.

[0078] Figure 6b shows a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the water damming device 251 from Figure 6a in assembled, non-operational condition attached to a quay wall 272. Figure 6c shows the same arrangement of the water damming device 251 in operational condition. The bracket 289 surrounds the lower end of the water damming body 251 in the ultimate operational condition. In this condition, the water body 270 exerts pressure on the front thereof over virtually the entire height of the water damming body 256. Compared to the arrangement of figure 2d, the quay wall 272 in combination with the bracket 289 has the same effect as the rear wall 53 of the housing. The water of the water body 271 located under the narrowing edge 257, together with the front wall 252 of bracket 289, provides a counter pressure that prevents the water damming body 256 from tilting inland with its top side.

[0079] Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a water damming body 303 for use in a water damming device according to the present invention. The water damming body 306 has a front wall 302 and a rear wall 303 in which the narrowing lines 307 are clearly shown. A metal reinforcement or armoring 340 is enclosed in the polyurea protective layer. Instead of reinforcement 340, a fiber reinforcement can alternatively be provided in the polyurea. Anchors 342 are provided in the front wall 302 and on the top 341 of the water damming body 306, which are attached to the water damming body 306 with a mounting plate (not shown in this figure), and with which the water damming body 306 can be easily manipulated during (de)installation. of a water damming device.

[0080] Finally, Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through part of the front wall 302 of the water damming body 306 of Figure 7, at the level of the anchor 342. The mutually glued open cell foam granules 243, a plastic covering layer 344, and a polyurea layer 345 can be seen, in which the reinforcement 340 is included and on which an extra polyurea layer 346 is provided. The anchor plate 347 to which the anchor 342 is attached is located between the reinforced polyurea layer 345 and the additional polyurea layer 346, to prevent the reinforced polyurea layer from being damaged as a result of the action of the anchor plate 347 relative to the reinforced polyurea layer under temperature influences.

[0081] The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying figures in which some embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the scope of protection is not limited by the figures and is determined by the broadest possible interpretation of the following claims. Alternative embodiments, which may or may not currently be obvious to a skilled person, are possible within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

[0082] Reference figures:

[0083] 1 , 51 , 101 , 151 , 202, 251 water damming device

[0084] 2, 52, 102, 152, 202, 252 front wall

[0085] 3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253 rear wall

[0086] 4, 254 sidewall

[0087] 5, 55, 105, 155, 205 bottom

[0088] 6, 56, 106, 156, 206, 256, 306 water damming body

[0089] 7, 57, 107, 157, 207, 257, 307 water damming device narrowing line

[0090] 8, 58, 108, 158, 208, 258 floating stop

[0091] 9 fluid channel

[0092] 10, 60, 110, 160, 210 fluid outlet

[0093] 11 , 61 , 111 , 161 , 211 fluid inlet

[0094] 12, 212, 262 guide rod 13, 213, 263 guide tube

[0095] 116 technical room

[0096] 117 pump

[0097] 118 pump

[0098] 119 collection pipe

[0099] 70, 120 water body

[0100] 71 , 121 water level

[0101] 72, 122, 272 quay wall

[0102] 73, 123, 273 paving quay

[0103] 124 cover technical room

[0104] 125 extension wall

[0105] 130 filter device

[0106] 131 watertight wall

[0107] 35 watertight seal

[0108] 64, 114, 164, 214 paving on water damming device

[0109] 65, 115, 165, 215 water level inside housing

[0110] 182 eye of extra floating stop

[0111] 183 elongated vertical cavity

[0112] 184 cable

[0113] 285 Z profile

[0114] 286 mounting plate

[0115] 287 connecting piece

[0116] 288 support plate

[0117] 289 bracket

[0118] 340 reinforcement

[0119] 341 top of water damming body

[0120] 342 anchor

[0121] 343 layer open cell foam

[0122] 344 plastic covering layer

[0123] 345 polyurea protective layer

[0124] 346 extra polyurea layer

[0125] 347 anchor plate

Claims

CLAIMS1. Water damming device comprising a water damming body to be placed in or near a water body and at least substantially parallel to a water line of the water body, wherein the water damming body has a height and comprises a core covered with a protective layer and made of a core material with a density which is lower than 1.0 g / cm3, and the water damming body, guided by an at least substantially stationary guiding device, can be moved freely up and down between a lower non-operational and a higher operational state, wherein the water damming body has a highest operational state and has a highest non-operational state, in which highest operational state the water damming body is at a height of a maximum of 65% of the height of the water damming body in relation to the highest non-operational state.

2. Water damming device according to claim 1 , wherein the water damming device has a highest operational state and a highest non-operational state, in which highest operational state the water damming body is at a height of a maximum of 55 or 60% with respect to the highest non-operational state, furthermore preferably a maximum of 45 or 50% of the height of the water damming body.

3. Water damming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the density of the core material is less than 0.5 g / cm3, preferably less than 0.25 g / cm3, furthermore preferably less than 0.1 g / cm3, still further preferably less than 0.075 g / cm3and most preferably less than 0.05 g / cm3.

4. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the water damming body has a height between 0.3 and 20 meters, preferably between 1 and 7 meters, furthermore preferably between 1.5 and 3 meters, and / or where the water damming body has a thickness between 0.2 and 2 meters, preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 m.

5. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises hardened plastic foam material, and preferably is made of hardened plastic foam material.

6. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the foam material is polystyrene.

7. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the protective layer covers the entire core.

8. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding device comprises an elongated housing to be incorporated in the ground or in the water body with vertical walls defining an internal contour, in which the water damming body is accommodated, and wherein the water damming body has an external cross-section which corresponds to the internal contour of the housing in such a way that the water damming body can move freely between the non-operational and the operational state.

9. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding device comprises one or more uprights extending vertically upwards at least in use and cavities extending vertically upwards in the water damming body at least in use, wherein the water damming body with the one or more cavities is vertical is movable over one or more corresponding uprights.

10. Water damming device according to claim 9, wherein the guiding device comprises a bracket with a U-profile that partly surrounds the water body, wherein the profile of the bracket corresponds to the external cross-section of the water damming body in such a way that the water damming body is movable freely between the non-operational and the operational state.

11. Water damming device according to claim 10, wherein the free ends of the legs of the II remote from the base of the II are provided with a mounting flange extending perpendicular to the respective leg.

12. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 11 , wherein the housing on its inside and / or the water damming body on its outside is provided with an anti-freeze coating.

13. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the protective layer has a thickness between 2 and 100 mm, preferably between 5 and 30 mm.

14. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the protective layer is water-repellent or moisture-resistant.

15. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the protective layer is made of plastic, preferably polyurea.

16. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 15, wherein the housing comprises a bottom.

17. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the water damming body has a rectangular cross-section.

18. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the water damming body has a substantially constant cross-section over its height.

19. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 18, wherein the housing has a substantially constant cross-section over its height.

20. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the water damming device is provided with a floating stop.

21. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 20, wherein the housing is provided with a liquid discharge opening.

22. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the water damming device is provided with a pump device.

23. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 22, wherein the housing is provided with a liquid supply opening.

24. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 23, wherein the water damming device is provided with sealing means that provide a seal between the water damming body and the housing in the non-operational condition of a water damming body.

25. Water damming device according to one or more of claims 8 to 24, wherein the water damming device is provided with closing means for closing the housing at the top, at least in the non-operational condition of the water damming body.

26. Water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a control is provided for controlling the movement of the water damming device between a non-operational and an operational state.

27. Water damming body designed for use in a water damming device according to one or more of the preceding claims.

28. Water damming device incorporated in the ground essentially parallel to a water line.

29. Water damming system comprising a plurality of mutually aligned, substantially adjoining water damming devices according to one or more of the claims.

30. Water damming system according to claim 29, wherein sealing means are provided for sealing any openings between adjacent water damming bodies, at least in the operational condition of the water damming bodies.

31. Method for providing a water damming elevation, or at least an elevation facility, in the ground, comprising installing one or more water damming devices in the ground at least substantially parallel to a water line according to the first aspect of the present invention.

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