Device for automatically sealing a ventilation duct, associated modular system and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100), a modular system (200) and a use (300) thereof for automatically sealing a ventilation duct against the entry of water, in particular a ventilation duct which is part of a system of critical infrastructure. The device (100) comprises a base plate (110) with through-holes (120) and seals (130). Guide rods (140) which form a conduit and are connected at the bottom by crossbeams (150) are arranged concentrically around the through-holes (120). A pair of floats (160), consisting of two ball floats (162) connected by means of a connecting rod (164), is located in the conduit. When the water level rises, the upper ball float (162) closes the through-hole (120). When the water level drops, the through-hole (120) is opened again. Said devices (100) can be adaptably mounted by means of a modular system (200) comprising a mounting frame (210) and mounting shafts for devices (100) according to the invention, in order to protect ventilation ducts.

Description

[0001] Device for automatically sealing a ventilation duct, associated modular system and its use

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a device, a modular system, and their use for automatically sealing a ventilation duct against water ingress, in particular a ventilation duct that is part of a critical infrastructure facility. Ventilation ducts within the meaning of this application include, in particular but not exclusively, critical building openings, exhaust gas outlets, as well as room-to-room ventilation ducts within a building and ventilation ducts on ships that connect a closed interior space with another interior space or with the exterior space.

[0004] Devices for sealing building openings against the ingress of water, especially floodwater, are known in the art. Bulkheads are commonly used for this purpose.

[0005] DE 200 21 990 U1, for example, discloses a vertically movable bulkhead controlled by the ingress of liquid to protect building openings from floodwater, rainwater, meltwater, firewater, storm or spring floods, or other liquids such as mud or hazardous substances. This bulkhead is displaced upwards as needed by at least one buoyancy body when liquids accumulate. The bulkhead is installed in a shaft located below ground level and guided by two guide rails. When liquids enter, the bulkhead moves out of the shaft, creating an additional drainage path for the water. The raised bulkhead partially seals the building opening against water ingress.Effective and reliable prevention of water ingress into a ventilation duct, which can be considered a building opening if it connects the interior of the building with the exterior, cannot be achieved. DE 103 23 682 A1 discloses an automatic mechanical pivoting barrier. When liquid enters, a float is raised, which actuates a complex lever system with a holding device. This rotates a barrier 90° around a horizontal axis to seal a rectangular building opening, particularly in the form of a door frame. Due to the fact that the entire barrier must be rotated 90° for its protective function, protecting large ventilation ducts from water ingress is only possible with considerable material expenditure.Furthermore, the function of the delicate lever mechanism can be compromised by solid particles in the fluid, which both reduces the reliability of the system and increases the response time. This makes such a device particularly unsuitable for protecting ventilation ducts in critical infrastructure facilities.

[0006] Particularly in view of the reliability essential for critical infrastructure facilities, it is therefore particularly expedient to seal a ventilation duct against water ingress in a fault-resistant, passive, and self-sufficient manner. Nuclear power plants, in particular, are considered critical infrastructure facilities that require particularly reliable protection. Due to their design, these power plants rely on reliable cooling; for this purpose, the power plants are often equipped with diesel generators to provide emergency power for the cooling systems. Ventilation ducts, which supply the diesel generators with the air needed for diesel combustion and simultaneously remove the exhaust air contaminated with exhaust gases, represent a critical point for the reliable operation of the diesel generators and thus also of the entire facility in the event of flooding or similar events.

[0007] In the event of standing or rising flood water or the impact of a tidal wave, it is therefore extremely important to seal the ventilation duct, the diesel outlet and any other critical building openings against the ingress of water in order to prevent damage to the diesel generators from ingress of water. At the same time, when the water recedes, the ventilation ducts must be automatically reopened to enable the essential diesel generators to operate again.

[0008] The disastrous Fukushima nuclear disaster, in which a large portion of the diesel generators were damaged by the tsunami, demonstrates this necessity. With appropriate protection against water ingress into the ventilation ducts of the buildings housing the diesel generators, the emergency power supply could most likely have been maintained longer, thus preventing the nuclear meltdown.

[0009] In addition to the described ingress of water from the outside into the building or ship due to flooding or waves, there is also the risk of water escaping uncontrollably from the interior of the building or ship (e.g., due to a defective or damaged water pipe), leading to flooding inside the building. Even in such a flooding situation, it is necessary to prevent water from entering ventilation ducts to prevent contamination from spreading from room to room and to protect sensitive materials or equipment from water.

[0010] Task:

[0011] The object of the present invention is to reliably, passively, inherently, and autonomously seal a ventilation duct, particularly a ventilation duct that is part of a critical infrastructure system, against water ingress. For this purpose, a suitable device, a modular system, and their use are to be specified.

[0012] Solution:

[0013] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments of the subject matter of the independent claims are characterized in the subclaims. The wording of all claims is hereby incorporated by reference into this description. The use of the singular is not intended to exclude the plural, which also applies in the opposite sense, unless disclosed to the contrary. With regard to the device, the object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a device is provided which has a base plate, wherein the base plate has a top side, a bottom side and at least one through opening. Furthermore, the device has a plurality of guide rods which are arranged vertically on the underside of the base plate concentrically around the through opening and are connected to the base plate and in this way form a guide channel.Furthermore, the device preferably comprises at least one cross member that connects at least two ends of the guide rods facing away from the underside of the base plate. Furthermore, the device comprises at least one pair of floats comprising two float balls. The float balls have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the passage opening. Furthermore, the float balls of a pair of floats are connected to each other via a connecting rod. The pair of floats is arranged longitudinally in the guide channel formed by the guide rods.

[0014] During normal operation, the upper ball of the float pair is positioned far enough below the opening due to its own weight that supply and exhaust air can flow through the opening essentially unhindered. When water enters the guide channel, the upper float ball of the float pair is pressed against the opening by the hydrostatic effect (buoyancy force greater than weight), thus automatically closing it. As the water level drops, the pressure on the opening initially decreases, and the opening gradually reopens.

[0015] The design of the float pair consisting of two interconnected float balls, in conjunction with the concentrically arranged guide rods, improves guidance within the guide channel, particularly compared to two unconnected float balls. In addition, the buoyancy generated by the lower float ball alone when water enters is sufficient to securely close the opening. If a single float ball were used instead, the float ball would never be completely submerged in water due to its larger diameter than the opening. Accordingly, only a portion of the theoretically possible buoyancy force would be available to seal the opening. This design allows at least the full buoyancy force of one ball to be used to seal the opening against water ingress or water passage.The buoyancy forces generated by the two float balls can also be combined, allowing for the utilization of more than the buoyancy of a fully submerged float ball. Furthermore, the passage opening can be closed more reliably and quickly, before a rapidly rising water level bypasses a single float ball and reaches the base plate, causing water to enter the passage opening. The use of the connecting rod prevents the pair of floats from jamming within the guide channel, unlike directly connected float balls.

[0016] Thanks to the passive and self-contained design, the openings automatically close when the water level rises and, conversely, automatically reopen when the water level falls, enabling both the autonomous supply of fresh air and the autonomous removal of unwanted exhaust air. Furthermore, the opening is increasingly sealed due to the increasing buoyancy force as the water level rises, resulting in a particularly fast and strong seal during particularly sharp water level rises. In this way, the device automatically and reliably seals the ventilation duct against water ingress, both during extremely rapid water rises, such as those triggered by a tsunami, and during standing floods.In addition, the sealing and closing processes are independent of external power supplies and therefore self-sufficient, which is particularly advantageous when used in ventilation ducts of critical infrastructure.

[0017] The design allows individual guide rods to simultaneously participate in forming the guide channels of adjacent openings, reducing material usage. The device is preferably mounted at the end of the ventilation duct at a level below the highest point of the duct. The surfaces of the device facing the inside of the duct are connected to the inside of the duct in a watertight and airtight manner, so that air flowing through the duct can only flow through the openings in the base plate. When the openings are closed, water is prevented from penetrating the area of ​​the duct above the device.

[0018] If the passage opening has a seal which is designed as a seal running around the passage opening and is arranged at the lower edge of the passage opening, the sealing can be even more effective.

[0019] Because the base plate, seal, guide rods, cross members, float balls, and connecting rod are made of corrosion-resistant material, particularly stainless steel, the device is particularly suitable for use under harsh conditions such as those found in ventilation ducts of critical infrastructure. These can include, for example, corrosive gases from chemical plants or the high temperatures of the exhaust gases from an emergency power generator.

[0020] If the connections between the guide rod and the base plate, the guide rod and the cross member, and the float ball and the connecting rod are made by screw connections, with the screwing elements being made of corrosion-resistant material, in particular stainless steel, the construction is even more stable against mechanical influences.

[0021] If the seal material is harder than the material of the float balls and the base plate, the seal can deform under the corresponding contact pressure resulting from the buoyancy of the float pair, increasing both the sealing surface between the float ball and the seal and the sealing surface between the base plate and the seal. This increases the strength of the seal against water ingress into the ventilation duct. The disadvantage of this design is the necessary replacement of the seal after a single exposure, but this is acceptable given the advantages achieved.

[0022] If the distance between the float balls of a pair of floats is at least as large as the diameter of the float balls, the length of the float pair within the guide channel is increased. This allows the ventilation duct to be sealed against water ingress even at a relatively low water level. Furthermore, the contact pressure of the upper float ball on the seal is further increased compared to a smaller distance between the float balls, as a result of the hydrostatic pressure increasing with water depth.

[0023] If the base plate has a material thickness of at least 20 mm, the guide rods have a diameter of at least 12 mm, the cross members have a material thickness of at least 5 mm, the float balls have a wall thickness of at least 1.5 mm, the connecting rod has a diameter of at least 12 mm, the distance between two adjacent openings is at least 172 mm, and the screw fastening elements are screws with dimensions M8 x 35 mm or larger, the device is particularly stable against mechanical influences, especially those resulting from an earthquake. This ensures the correct functioning of the device during (and after) an earthquake, which could trigger a tidal wave, and the device as a whole is earthquake-proof.

[0024] Preferably, all passage openings, guide channels and float pairs are of the same geometry and dimensions, which minimizes manufacturing costs.

[0025] The object described above is further achieved according to the invention by a modular system comprising a plurality of devices according to the invention. The modular system comprises an installation frame, wherein the installation frame in turn has an installation shaft for each device. The device is recessed into the installation shaft at least as far as the underside of the base plate, and the base plate of the device is connected to the installation frame. Furthermore, the modular system comprises a calming section, wherein the calming section is formed by a closed housing on the side of the cross members facing away from the float pairs, wherein the housing is expediently open both on the side facing the cross members and on the opposite side.

[0026] This design allows the modular system to be highly adapted to the ventilation duct to be protected from water ingress, expanding its range of applications and reducing costs. Furthermore, this design allows the devices to be removed quickly and easily, simplifying inspection and maintenance of the individual devices. This is particularly useful for critical infrastructure facilities, where regular and frequent inspection and maintenance cycles are often required. The use of a calming section also ensures improved, targeted guidance of the water to the devices according to the invention. This is particularly true for strong, abrupt tidal waves, which generate a high degree of turbulence.

[0027] If a protective grid is installed at the end of the housing facing away from the crossbeams, solid objects, such as floating debris carried by a tidal wave, can be prevented from entering the calming section. This protects the modular system's components from the impact of solid objects, further increasing the reliability of the modular system.

[0028] If a second mounting frame with a plurality of devices according to the invention is arranged within the calming section, the functionality of the modular system is ensured even if the function of one layer of mounting frames and devices according to the invention is disrupted. Thus, the redundant arrangement further increases the reliability of the modular system.

[0029] If the modular system also features debris protection that encloses the modular system, the reliability and resistance of the modular system to extreme conditions, such as the tidal wave of a tsunami, the impact of flotsam or high snow or wind loads, is further increased.

[0030] If the debris protection of the modular system has at least one concrete frame, wherein each concrete frame is connected to an installation frame and encloses the respective installation frame all the way around; and if the debris protection further has an upper part, decoupling elements and support points, wherein the upper part is arranged on the at least one concrete frame, the at least one concrete frame is connected to the decoupling elements and the decoupling elements are connected to the support points, wherein the at least one concrete frame is mechanically decoupled from the support points, the reliability and resistance of the modular system to extreme conditions, such as the flood wave of a tsunami, the impact of flotsam or high snow or wind loads, is further increased by the mechanical decoupling of the modular system from the ventilation duct thus achieved.

[0031] The object is further achieved according to the invention by the use of a device according to the invention or a modular system according to the invention in a ventilation duct, in particular in a ventilation duct that is part of critical infrastructure systems, such as power plants (in particular nuclear power plants), clinics, chemical plants or emergency power generators), wherein the ventilation duct connects the interior of the system with the exterior and the device or the modular system is installed in the ventilation duct outside the interior of the system. In this way, the part of the ventilation duct that is located inside the system is particularly reliably protected against the ingress of water. In addition, the mounting position of the modular system is easily accessible, which facilitates installation and maintenance.

[0032] If a device according to the invention or a modular system according to the invention is used in a ventilation duct of a nuclear facility, in particular in a nuclear power plant, with a building containing a number of emergency power generators in an interior space, wherein the interior space is connected to the environment via a ventilation duct, then in addition to earthquake safety, the heat resistance of the device or the modular system is particularly advantageous, since when opened, both intake air can be directed inwards and, if necessary, hot exhaust gases can be directed outwards via the ventilation duct. During an emergency, e.g.In the event of a flood or tidal wave, the ventilation duct is automatically sealed against the ingress of water, thus protecting the diesel generator from damage caused by the water. When the water recedes, the ventilation duct is automatically reopened, enabling the diesel generator, which is essential for the cooling system of the nuclear power plant, to operate again, thus improving the emergency power supply.

[0033] The function of the device or modular system according to the invention, i.e., closing and sealing a ventilation duct against water ingress, is triggered reliably, passively, inherently, and autonomously. In particular, the function is triggered without:

[0034] • control or regulation signals,

[0035] • manual intervention or

[0036] • Use of moving mechanical components.

[0037] Thus, devices according to the invention or modular systems according to the invention meet the requirements for classification as a passive safety system of category B or C according to the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for passive safety systems for the protection of nuclear power plants.

[0038] If a device or modular system according to the invention is used in ships in a ventilation duct that connects a closed interior with an interior space or with the exterior, and the device or modular system is mounted outside the interior of the system in the ventilation duct or generally at the end of the ventilation duct, water can be prevented from penetrating the enclosed interior through the ventilation duct. This reduces the risk of rapid water ingress from the exterior or other interior spaces into the enclosed interior, thus ensuring the ship's buoyancy for longer under harsh conditions.

[0039] Preventing water from entering a ventilation duct that connects a closed interior space with another interior space is expressly not limited to applications on ships. The use of the device is also conceivable, for example, in ventilation ducts that connect interior spaces in buildings (as shown, for example, in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). By using a device according to the invention or a modular system according to the invention in such a ventilation duct, water is prevented from penetrating from one space into another when the water level rises. This application is conceivable, for example, for chemical plants or other production facilities in which substances or equipment are stored that are sensitive to water or even react violently with water.

[0040] If a device according to the invention or a modular system is used in buildings or on ships in a ventilation duct that connects several interior spaces, the spread of contamination between the interior spaces can be prevented. Preventing the spread of contamination is particularly advantageous in nuclear power plants, which have different radiological zones, each with a different air pressure, connected by a common ventilation duct. The same applies to production or research facilities with different pressure zones, which are intended to prevent either something from inadvertently escaping from the center to the outside (e.g., high-security laboratory for virus research) or from inadvertently escaping from the outside to the inside (e.g., pharmaceutical production or production facilities with clean rooms inside).

[0041] Further details and features will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the figures. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The possibilities for solving the problem are not limited to the embodiment. For example, range specifications always include all intermediate values ​​(not mentioned) and all conceivable sub-intervals. Various embodiments are schematically illustrated in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures denote identical or functionally equivalent elements, or elements that correspond to one another in terms of their functions. In detail:

[0042] Fig. 1 is a perspective view obliquely from above of a device according to the invention for automatically closing and sealing a ventilation duct against the ingress of water;

[0043] Fig. 2 is a sectional view obliquely from above of details of a modular system according to the invention;

[0044] Fig. 3 is a sectional view obliquely from above of another modular system according to the invention;

[0045] Fig. 4 is a sectional view obliquely from above of another modular system according to the invention;

[0046] Fig. 5 is a view obliquely from above of two identical modular systems according to the invention arranged side by side (where, for the sake of clarity, the upper part of the debris protection has been omitted from the right-hand of the two systems);

[0047] Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of two modular systems according to the invention, both arranged in a ventilation duct connecting two interior spaces and

[0048] Fig. 7 is a sectional view obliquely from above of the modular systems according to the invention from Fig. 6.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a device 100 according to the invention for automatically sealing a ventilation duct against the ingress of water. The device 100 has a base plate 110 with an upper side 112 and a lower side 114 (not visible in Fig. 1 as it is concealed by the upper side 112; see also Fig. 3, in which the lower side 114 is more clearly visible). The base plate 110 has nine circular through-openings 120 arranged equidistant from one another. The through-openings 120 each have a circular seal 130 which is recessed into the lower side 114 of the base plate 110. For this purpose, a circumferential groove is formed in the lower side 114 of the base plate 110 around the edge of the through-opening 120, and a seal 130 corresponding in size and shape to the circumferential groove is inserted.The seal 130 is made of a material that has a lower hardness than the materials of the float balls 162 (see below) and the base plate 110. In this way, the upper of the float balls 162 can penetrate into the seal 130 itself, causing it to deform, enlarging the sealing surface and thus improving the tightness. Particularly preferred are the seals 130 made of stainless steel, which has a lower hardness than the material from which the base plate 110 and the float balls 162 are made. However, seals 130 made of an elastomer or another elastic material are also conceivable, particularly for indoor use with lower requirements.

[0050] Perpendicular to the underside 114 of the base plate 110, a plurality of guide rods 140 are arranged concentrically and equidistantly around a through-opening 120 and connected to the base plate 110, whereby the guide rods 140 form a cylindrical guide channel, with all through-openings 120 being designed in this manner. For each through-opening 120, a plurality of opposite guide rods 140 ends facing away from the base plate 110 are connected to one another by a cross member 150.

[0051] The guide rods 140 and through-openings 120 are arranged such that as many of the guide rods 140 as possible participate simultaneously in the formation of adjacent guide channels. For through-openings 120 located in the center of the base plate 110, this is four guide rods 140, which simultaneously participate in the formation of adjacent guide channels, with a total of eight guide rods 140 preferably forming a guide channel. The base plate 110 and the guide rods 140 are connected to one another by means of screw elements 142.

[0052] Within the guide channel, a pair of floats 160 is arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the pair of floats 160 is essentially parallel to the guide rods 140. The pair of floats 160 has two float balls 162 whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the passage opening 120 and only slightly smaller than the diameter of the guide channel. When installed as intended, the base plate 110 is aligned horizontally, while the guide rods 140 are aligned vertically. The float movement also occurs vertically. The pair of floats 160 is arranged upright in the guide channel with little play, which ensures reliable guidance of the pair of floats 160. In the open state, in which the passage openings 130 are open, the lower of the two float balls 162 rests on the cross members 150 due to the weight of the pair of floats 160.During flooding, hydrostatic buoyancy causes the float pair 160 to move vertically upward. The upper float ball 162 presses against the seal 130, closing and sealing the passage opening 120. When the water level drops again, the pressure on the seals 130 initially decreases, and the passage opening 120 gradually reopens.

[0053] The device 100 is thus effective against tidal waves as well as standing floodwater, other liquids, or suspensions such as mud. The entry of liquids or suspensions can result, for example, from rain, meltwater, or firefighting water, storm surges, spring tides, tsunamis, or other extreme natural events, or even from man-made actions such as explosions.

[0054] The float balls 162 are connected to one another via a connecting rod 164. The two ends of the connecting rod 164 are preferably located on an imaginary distance between the centers of the float balls 162. The connecting rod 164 also spaces the float balls 162 from one another, with the distance approximately corresponding to the diameter of a float ball 162. The float balls 162 are preferably constructed as hollow spheres, which are realized by welding metallic half-shells. The use of solid spheres as the float balls 162 is also conceivable, particularly if the solid spheres have a lower density than that of water, e.g., such solid spheres are made of a plastic. Preferably, all connections are realized by means of screw connections, and all components are preferably made of a corrosion-resistant material, particularly preferably stainless steel.

[0055] The circular geometry of the passage openings 120 and their arrangement ensure the largest possible flow-through area; particularly preferably, the flow-through area occupies more than 70% of the total area of ​​the base plate 110.

[0056] In addition to or as an alternative to the preferred embodiment in which the upper float ball 162 presses against the seal 130, it is also conceivable to dispense with a dedicated seal 130 on the base plate 110 and to manufacture the upper float ball 162 from a material or to coat it with a material that, due to its ductility, deforms when pressed against the passage opening 120 by the hydrostatic buoyancy, thus enlarging the contact area between the passage opening 120 and the upper float ball 162, which in turn increases the strength of a seal against the ingress of water. In other words, in this embodiment, the surface of the upper float ball 162, at least in a relevant annular sector, would be provided with a flexible or deformable seal.Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the float ball 162 itself to be made of a sealing material, such as plastic or a composite material. This alternative is particularly conceivable when the device 100 is used at comparatively low temperatures (e.g., -25°C to +100°C), since the coating of the float balls 162 for use in such an environment can be implemented in an economically viable manner using common materials and methods. For use in environments with higher temperatures (e.g., exhaust gas temperatures from diesel generators with a temperature of approximately 530°C), however, such a coating is very complex or even not feasible. Accordingly, in such a scenario, the use of seals 130 made of stainless steel in the passage openings 120, as described above, is preferred.

[0057] In addition to the preferred embodiment, floats that are not spherical in shape are also conceivable. For example, the upper floats could be constructed from cones or truncated cones that engage with a corresponding circular opening. Pyramid-shaped floats and corresponding rectangular openings are also conceivable.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a modular system 200 according to the invention. The modular system 200 has a plurality of devices 100 of the type described and a mounting frame 210. The mounting frame 210 essentially consists of a web surrounding the upper surface and a regular rectangular grid of struts distributed over the surface, wherein the individual rectangles of the grid form the installation shafts for the devices 100. The individual devices 100 are each embedded in an installation shaft of the mounting frame 210, and the base plate 110 of the device 100 is connected to the struts of the mounting frame 210. Below the base plate 110, the guide rods 140 are arranged concentrically and equidistantly around the through openings 120 and are connected to the base plate 110, whereby the guide rods 140 form a cylindrical guide channel.The float pairs 160, which consist of two float balls 162 and a connecting rod 164, are arranged in the cylindrical guide channels in the longitudinal direction essentially parallel to the guide rods 140. At the lower end, the guide rods 140 are connected to the cross members 150. The circular passage openings 120 each have a seal 130, which is embedded in the underside 114 of the base plate 110 and is preferably made of a material that has a lower hardness than the materials of the float balls 162 and the base plate 110.

[0059] In addition to use in ventilation ducts of critical infrastructure facilities, application on ships is also conceivable. This is particularly advantageous when the ventilation duct connects a closed interior of the ship with another interior space or with the exterior space, and the modular system 200 is installed outside the interior of the ship in the ventilation duct or at the end of the ventilation duct. This reduces the risk of rapid water ingress from the exterior space or other interior spaces into the closed interior, thus ensuring the ship's buoyancy for longer under harsh conditions.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a modular system 200 according to the invention. Below the installation frame 210, there is also a calming section 222, which is formed by a rectangular housing 230 that is open at the top and bottom. The housing 230 is implemented as an additional housing 230 as an extension of the space occupied by the devices 100. It is also conceivable for the housing 230 to be formed by the ventilation duct itself. At the lower end of the housing 230, a protective grille 240 is installed, which retains solid bodies. The modular system 200 is connected to the concrete frame 220 of the debris protection 250 via the installation frame 210. The upper part 260 of the debris protection 250 is arranged on the concrete frame 220. The concrete frame 220 is connected on its underside to decoupling elements 270, which each rest on support points 280 (in Fig.3 only one decoupling element 270 and only one support point 280 are shown) and are connected to them. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the concrete frame 220 is fastened on the underside to the decoupling elements 270, which in turn are fastened on the top side of the support points 280. The decoupling elements 270 thus mechanically decouple the modular system 200 including debris protection 250 from the ventilation duct or the system or component in which the ventilation duct to be protected from water ingress is located. Conceivable embodiments of the decoupling elements 270 are, for example, mechanically decoupling anchor rails, in particular so-called Jordahl or Haifen rails, or mechanically decoupling Peikko connections.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a modular system 200 according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a second installation frame 212 with a plurality of devices 100 according to the invention is installed below the installation frame 210 within the calming section 222 and in front of the protective grille 240. For the sake of clarity, the upper part 260 of the debris protection 250 is not shown in Fig. 4. The two concrete frames 220, which are each connected to one of the installation frames 210, 212 and enclose them all the way around, are connected on the underside to decoupling elements 270, which each rest on support points 280 (only one decoupling element 270 and only one support point 280 are shown in Fig. 4) and are connected to them.The redundant arrangement of two layers from a plurality of devices 100 according to the invention further increases the reliability of the modular system 200 without causing a significant pressure loss.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows two modular systems 200 according to the invention arranged side by side. In the right-hand example, a modular system 200 and the corresponding installation frame 210 are shown together with the devices 100 according to the invention, wherein the upper part 260 of the debris protection 250 has been omitted from Fig. 5 in the right-hand example for the purpose of better comprehensibility, while the upper part 260 of the debris protection 250 is shown in the left-hand example, which is identical to the right-hand example. Analogous to Fig. 4, the two concrete frames 220, which are each connected to one of the installation frames 210, 212 (installation frame 212 hidden in Fig. 5) and enclose them all the way around, are connected on the underside to decoupling elements 270, which each rest on support points 280 and are preferably connected to these.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows an example application for the use of two modular systems 200 in a ventilation duct that connects two interior spaces. This application can occur, for example, on ships or in buildings, as already explained above in the third-to-last paragraph before the figure description. The interior spaces separated by a wall in the middle of Fig. 6 are each located below the modular systems 200, with supply air flowing from the left to the right room through the ventilation duct. By using two modular systems 200 at both ends of the ventilation duct, it is doubly protected against the ingress of water. If the water level rises in the corresponding room, water can neither flow from the left to the right interior space nor from the right to the left interior space.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows the same example application as Fig. 6. The installation situation of the modular systems 200 is further illustrated in Fig. 7. The modular systems 200 are arranged below the highest point of the ventilation duct and essentially above the interior spaces, which are connected by the ventilation duct. Similar to Fig. 6, supply air flows from the left to the right interior space. By using the two modular systems 200, water cannot flow from the left to the right interior space or from the right to the left interior space when the water level rises.

[0065] List of reference symbols

[0066] 100 device

[0067] 110 base plate

[0068] 112 top

[0069] 114 subpage

[0070] 120 passage opening

[0071] 130 Seal

[0072] 140 Command Staff

[0073] 142 screw connection element

[0074] 150 cross members

[0075] 160 pair of swimmers

[0076] 162 Float ball

[0077] 164 connecting rod

[0078] 200 modular system

[0079] 210 mounting frame

[0080] 212 second mounting frame

[0081] 220 concrete frames

[0082] 222 Calming section

[0083] 230 housings

[0084] 240 protective grilles

[0085] 250 debris protection

[0086] 260 upper part of the debris protection

[0087] 270 decoupling element

[0088] 280 support points

Claims

Claims 1. Device (100) for automatically closing and sealing a ventilation duct against the ingress of water, in particular a ventilation duct which is part of a critical infrastructure system, the device (100) comprising the following components: 1 .1 a base plate (110), wherein the base plate (110) has a top side (112), a bottom side (114) and at least one passage opening (120); 1.2 a plurality of guide rods (140), wherein the guide rods (140) are arranged vertically on the underside (114) of the base plate (110) around the passage opening (120) and are connected to the base plate (110), and wherein the guide rods (140) form a guide channel; 1.3 at least one cross member (150), wherein the cross member (150) connects at least two ends of the guide rods (140) facing away from the underside (114) of the base plate (110); 1.4 at least one pair of floats (160), wherein the pair of floats (160) has two float balls (162) and wherein the float balls (162) have a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the passage opening (120), wherein the two float balls (162) of the pair of floats are connected to one another via a connecting rod (164), and wherein the pair of floats (160) is arranged in the longitudinal direction within the guide channel formed by the guide rods (140) and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods (140) between an open position and a closed position.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the passage opening (120) has a seal (130), and wherein the seal (130) is designed as a seal (130) surrounding the passage opening (120) and is arranged at the lower edge of the passage opening (120).

3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the base plate (110), guide rod (140), cross member (150), float balls (162), connecting rod (164) and preferably also the seal (130) are made of corrosion-resistant material, preferably metal, in particular stainless steel.

4. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connections between guide rod (140) and base plate (110), guide rod (140) and cross member (150) as well as float ball (162) and connecting rod (164) are realized by screw connections, wherein screw elements (142) used for this purpose consist of corrosion-resistant material, preferably metal, in particular of stainless steel.

5. Device (100) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the material of the seal (130) has a lower hardness than the material of the float balls (162) and than the material of the base plate (110).

6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the float balls (162) of a float pair (160) is at least as large as the diameter of the float balls (162).

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the float balls (162) are hollow spheres composed of two half-shells.

8. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: - the base plate (110) has a material thickness of at least 20 mm, - each guide rod (140) has a diameter of at least 12 mm, - each cross member (150) has a material thickness of at least 5 mm, - each float ball (162) has a wall thickness of at least 1 .5 mm, - the connecting rod (164) has a diameter of at least 12 mm, - each passage opening (120) has a diameter of at least 135 mm, - the distance between two adjacent openings (120), measured from center to center, is at least 172 mm, - the screwing elements (142) are screws with dimensions M8 x 35 mm or larger.

9. Modular system (200) for installation in a ventilation duct or at the end of a ventilation duct, the modular system (200) comprising the following components: - a number, in particular a plurality of devices (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8; - a mounting frame (210), wherein the mounting frame (210) has one mounting slot for each device (100), and wherein the device (100) is recessed into the mounting slot at least up to the underside (114) of the base plate (110) and the base plate (110) of the device (100) is connected to the mounting frame (210); - a calming section (222) for calming water flow, wherein the calming section (222) is formed by a closed housing (230) on the side of the cross members (150) facing away from the float pairs (160).

10. Modular system (200) according to claim 9, wherein an additional protective grille (240) is attached to the end of the housing (230) facing away from the cross members (150).

11. Modular system (200) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein a second installation frame (212) with a number, in particular a plurality of devices (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged within the calming section (222).

12. Modular system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein an additional debris protection (250) is provided, wherein the debris protection (250) encloses the modular system (200).

13. Modular system (200) according to claim 12, wherein the debris protection (250) comprises the following component: - at least one concrete frame (220), each concrete frame being connected to a mounting frame (210, 212) and circumferentially enclosing the respective mounting frame (210, 212); - an upper part (260); - decoupling elements (270); - support points (280); wherein the upper part (260) is arranged on the at least one concrete frame (220); and wherein the at least one concrete frame (220) is connected to the decoupling elements (270), wherein the decoupling elements (270) are connected to the support points (280); and wherein the at least one concrete frame (220) is mechanically decoupled from the support points (280).

14. Use of a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or of a modular system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 13 in a ventilation duct of plants which are part of a critical infrastructure, such as power plants (in particular nuclear power plants), clinics, chemical plants, pharmaceutical plants or buildings with emergency power generators, wherein the ventilation duct connects the interior of the plant with the exterior in terms of ventilation and the device (100) or the modular system (200) is mounted outside the interior of the plant in the ventilation duct or at the end of the ventilation duct.

15. Use of a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or of a modular system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 13 in a ventilation duct of a nuclear installation, in particular in a nuclear power plant, in particular in a ventilation duct which connects an interior of a building with a number of emergency power generators with the environment in terms of ventilation.

16. Use of a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or of a modular system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 13 in a ventilation duct of ships, wherein the ventilation duct connects a closed interior space with a space of the interior or with the exterior space and the device (100) or the modular system (200) is mounted outside the interior of the ship in the ventilation duct or at the end of the ventilation duct.

17. Use of a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or of a modular system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 13 in a ventilation duct of buildings or ships, wherein the ventilation duct connects several interior spaces to one another.

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