BARRAGE MOBILE

Abstract

A movable dam (1) for removing sediment from a channel (I) having a surface (II) and a bottom (III). The movable dam (1) comprises: - a floating element (2) adapted to float on the surface (II) of the channel (I); - at least two wheels (4) adapted to roll on the bottom (III) of the channel (I), the wheels (4) including means adapted to make the wheels (4) sink; and - a membrane (6) positioned between the floating element (2) and the wheels (4) to form a dam adapted to divert a flow of water circulating in the channel (I). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOBILE DAM Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of removing sediment from a channel. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] It is known that certain seabeds such as channels see a large accumulation of sediment. However, this accumulation of sediment can fill the seabed in question, making it unfit for navigation. Indeed, with an accumulation of sediment, the bottom approaches the water surface and the water depth available for navigation is reduced.

[0003] To remove sediments, it is known to carry out dredging operations with a specialized vessel. Dredging consists of scraping, or even digging, the seabed to extract the sediments. It is a complex operation requiring the use of specialized vessels. A dredging operation is an expensive operation due to the use of a specialized vessel, and due to the cost of the fuel required by the specialized vessel, but also because the channel in question may be closed to navigation during the entire course of the dredging operation. In addition, dredging is subject to increasingly strict rules.

[0004] Accordingly, in this context, there is a need to provide a sediment disposal system that can dispose of sediment without hindering navigation and while being inexpensive. Statement of the invention

[0005] To this end, according to a first aspect, a mobile dam is proposed for evacuating sediments in a channel having a surface and a bottom. The mobile dam comprises:

[0006] - a floating element adapted to float on the surface of the channel;

[0007] - at least two wheels adapted to roll at the bottom of the channel,

[0008] - means adapted to make the wheels flow; and

[0009] - a membrane positioned between the floating element and the wheels to form a dam adapted to divert a flow of water circulating in the channel.

[0010] Thus, the movable dam cleverly allows a flow of water to be diverted in the channel. The flow of water thus diverted is forced to pass between the membrane and the bottom of the channel. The movable dam thus causes a local reduction in a passage section of the water flow, which has the consequence of locally accelerating the flow of water (i.e. the flow of water accelerates by passing between the membrane and the bottom of the channel). This acceleration of the flow of water passing against the bottom of the channel makes it possible to evacuate, with the water flow, sediments initially present at the bottom of the channel. The sediments thus evacuated are preferentially evacuated towards the open sea, outside the channel.

[0011] Furthermore, the mobile barrier according to the invention can have a reduced volume (in particular less than the volume of a dredging boat) so that navigation remains possible in the channel when the mobile barrier is used.

[0012] Thus, the mobile dam very advantageously allows sediments to be evacuated from a channel, without restricting navigation and while being inexpensive.

[0013] According to a particular arrangement, the mobile barrier comprises a shaft connecting the wheels together.

[0014] According to a particular arrangement, the mobile dam comprises at least two telescopic arms, each telescopic arm connecting the floating element to a wheel.

[0015] According to a particular arrangement, the telescopic arms are movable between a retracted position in which the wheels are brought closer to the floating element, and a deployed position in which the wheels are moved away from the floating element.

[0016] According to a particular arrangement, each telescopic arm has a first end fixed in pivot connection to a transverse face of the box, the axis of the pivot connection being perpendicular to the plane of the transverse face of the box, and each telescopic arm also has a second end to which a wheel is fixed.

[0017] According to a particular arrangement, the membrane has a quadrilateral shape with two corners connected to each telescopic arm.

[0018] According to a particular arrangement, for each telescopic arm the membrane has a corner fixed to the telescopic arm near the floating element and another corner fixed to the telescopic arm near the wheel.

[0019] According to a particular arrangement, the movable dam comprises a jack mounted between the floating element and the telescopic arm to move the telescopic arm in rotation around the axis of the pivot connection.

[0020] According to a particular arrangement, the mobile barrier comprises at least one motor adapted to drive the wheels in rotation and / or to actuate the jacks.

[0021] According to a particular arrangement, each wheel comprises a plurality of blades.

[0022] According to a particular arrangement, the membrane is made of rubber or of material flexible polymer. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

[0024] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a mobile dam according to the invention, when the telescopic arms are in the deployed position;

[0025] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation, from the front, of a mobile barrier according to the invention when the telescopic arms are in the deployed position;

[0026] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation, from the side, of a mobile barrier according to the invention when the telescopic arms are in the retracted position;

[0027] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of a wheel, of a mobile dam according to the invention;

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Mobile barrier

[0030] With reference to [Fig. 1], a mobile dam 1 is proposed for evacuating sediments in a channel.

[0031] It is specified that in this document, by channel, is meant a narrow passage, natural or artificial, allowing navigation. It is known that a channel has a bottom and a surface. Likewise, it is known that a channel contains water.

[0032] The mobile barrier 1 mainly comprises:

[0033] - a floating element 2 adapted to float on the surface II of the channel I;

[0034] - at least two wheels 4 adapted to roll at the bottom III of the channel I,

[0035] - means adapted to make the wheels 4 flow; and

[0036] - a membrane 6 positioned between the floating element 2 and the wheels 4 to form a dam adapted to divert a flow of water circulating in channel I.

[0037] Thus, the movable dam 1 cleverly allows a flow of water to be diverted into the channel I. As will be explained in more detail below, the flow of water thus diverted is forced to pass between the membrane 6 and the bottom III of the channel I. The movable dam 1 thus causes a local reduction in a passage section of the water flow IV, which has the consequence of locally accelerating the flow of water (i.e. the flow of water accelerates by passing between the membrane 6 and the bottom III of the channel I). This acceleration of the flow of water passing against the bottom III of the channel I makes it possible to evacuate, with the flow of water, sediments initially present at the bottom of the channel I. The sediments thus evacuated are preferentially evacuated towards the open sea, outside the channel I.

[0038] Furthermore, the movable dam 1 according to the invention may have a reduced volume so that navigation remains possible in the channel I when the movable dam 1 is used. In other words, the movable dam 1 occupies the entire width of the channel I, so that the channel I remains navigable when the movable dam 1 is used.

[0039] Thus, the mobile dam 1 very advantageously allows sediments to be evacuated from a channel I, without restricting navigation and while being inexpensive.

[0040] Floating element

[0041] The floating element 2 takes for example here the form of a box 8 adapted to float on the surface II of the channel I. Typically, the box 8 can be a watertight box in metal or polymer material.

[0042] According to the embodiment presented here, the box 8 is equipped with a motor adapted to drive the wheels 4 in rotation and to actuate jacks 26 which will be described below. The motor may, for example, be a thermal engine, or an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. According to one embodiment, a motor may be positioned against each wheel 4. Thus, each motor drives a wheel 4 in rotation. According to this embodiment, the motors are powered by an electrical and / or hydraulic energy source which is positioned in the box 8.

[0043] Depending on the nature of the engine used, the energy source of the engine, in the box 8, can be a fuel tank for a thermal engine and / or a battery to power an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

[0044] In addition, as shown diagrammatically in [Fig.2], the box 8 has a parallelepiped shape with four longitudinal faces and two transverse faces 10.

[0045] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the mobile dam 1 also comprises two telescopic arms 12. Each telescopic arm 12 has a first end 14 fixed to the caisson 8, here to a transverse face 10 of the caisson 8. The first end 14 is fixed in pivot connection to the caisson 8, the axis 24 of the pivot connection being perpendicular to the plane of the transverse face 10 of the caisson 8, thus the position of each telescopic arm 12 can be adapted according to the depth of the channel I. Each telescopic arm 12 also comprises a second end 16 to which a wheel 4 is fixed.

[0046] Each telescopic arm 12 is movable between a retracted position ([Fig.3]) in which the wheels 4 are brought closer to the floating element 2, and a deployed position ([Fig.2]) in which the wheels 4 are moved away from the floating element 2.

[0047] According to the embodiment presented here, for each telescopic arm 12, the mobile barrier 1 comprises a jack 26 which is mounted between the floating element 2 and the telescopic arm 12 to move the latter in rotation around the pivot connection axis 24, in particular to store the telescopic arm 12 when it is in the retracted position. According to a particular arrangement, the jacks 26 are actuated by the motor which also drives the wheels 4.

[0048] Further, as will be described below, the membrane 6 is attached to and between the telescopic arms 12.

[0049] Wheel

[0050] A wheel 4 is fixed to the second end 16 of each telescopic arm 12. A particular embodiment of a wheel 4 is shown diagrammatically in [Fig.4].

[0051] Each wheel 4 is adapted to roll on the bottom III of the channel I.

[0052] The wheels 4 may be made of metal and / or polymer material. According to the embodiment presented here, each wheel 4 comprises a plurality of blades 18. According to the embodiment of the embodiment presented here, the wheel 4 comprises two treads 24 framing the blades 18.

[0053] The blades 18 allow the translation of the wheel 4 in the water of the channel I and at the bottom III of the channel, when the wheel 4 is rotated. In other words, the blades 18 allow the movement of the wheel 4 when it is only in the water (that is to say, when the wheel 4 is not in contact with the bottom III). In addition, the blades 18 also have a function of crampons facilitating the movement of the wheel 4 on the bottom III.

[0054] In addition, according to the embodiment presented here, the wheels 4 are connected by a shaft 20. The shaft 20 connects the wheels 4 at their hubs. Typically, the shaft 20 may be a metal shaft.

[0055] Furthermore, the mobile dam 1 comprises means adapted to sink the wheel 4. The means adapted to sink the wheel 4 may be the shaft 20 and / or elements ballasted in the structure of the wheel 4 (for example a metal structure or ballasts integrated in the structure) or the telescopic arms 12 which, by their weight, ensure the submersion of the wheels 4.

[0056] Membrane

[0057] As indicated previously, the movable dam 1 comprises a membrane 6 adapted to form a dam for diverting a flow of water circulating in the channel I.

[0058] According to the embodiment presented here, the membrane 6 is fixed to the telescopic arms 12. More precisely, according to the embodiment presented here, the membrane 6 has a quadrilateral shape with four corners. Two corners of the membrane 6 are fixed to the same telescopic arm 12. One of the two corners is fixed near the first end 14 and the other corner is fixed near the second end 16. Thus, as shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 2], when the telescopic arms 12 are deployed, the membrane 6 forms a dam diverting the flow of water.

[0059] The membrane 6 may be made of rubber or flexible polymer material.

[0060] Operation of the mobile barrier

[0061] In operation, the mobile barrier 1 is positioned in the channel I.

[0062] Initially, the movable barrier 1 can be moved in the channel I with the telescopic arms 12 in the retracted position, as shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 3]. In this configuration, the wheels 4 are brought closer to the floating element 1 and the membrane 6 is folded.

[0063] The configuration with the telescopic arms 12 in the retracted position makes it possible to easily maneuver the mobile barrier 1 to place it in the channel I, or to store it after use. As indicated previously, in this configuration, the blades 18 allow the wheels 4 to move in the water.

[0064] It is specified that in a particularly advantageous manner, the configuration with the telescopic arms 12 in the retracted position also allow the mobile barrier 1 to be parked in the channel I when the mobile barrier 1 is not in use.

[0065] To evacuate sediments, the mobile dam 1 is moved in the channel I to an area where it is necessary to evacuate sediments accumulated on the bottom III.

[0066] The telescopic arms 12 are maneuvered into the deployed position. In this position, the wheels 4 are brought closer to the bottom III and preferably in contact with it. In a particularly advantageous manner, when the wheels 4 are in contact with the bottom III, the blades 18 behave like crampons by hooking the bottom III and thus facilitate the movement of the wheels 4 on the bottom III.

[0067] When the telescopic arms 12 are in the deployed position, the membrane 6 is stretched as shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 2]. When the membrane 6 is stretched it forms a quadrilateral-shaped wall.

[0068] Typically the movable dam 1 is maneuvered so that the membrane 6 is substantially perpendicular to a main direction of circulation of the water flow. Thus, the membrane 6 forms a dam which diverts the water flow.

[0069] The flow of water confronted with the membrane 6 is forced to pass either on the sides of the mobile barrier 1, at the level of the telescopic arms 12, or between the membrane 6 and the bottom III.

[0070] However, the passage between the membrane 6 and the bottom III is a reduced passage whose height does not exceed a diameter of the wheels 4 when the wheels 4 are in contact with the bottom III. Thus, the diverted flow of water which passes between the membrane 6 and the bottom III is accelerated by passing through this reduced passage. The acceleration of the flow of water promotes the movement and evacuation of the sediments which are carried out to sea with the flow of water IV.

[0071] Furthermore, the use of wheels 4 with blades 18 makes it possible to move and detach sediments which are also carried away with the flow of water.

[0072] Thus, the mobile dam 1 makes it possible to evacuate sediments from a channel I by diverting the flow of water so that it evacuates the sediments.

Claims

Claims

1. A movable dam (1) for discharging sediments into a channel (I) having a surface (II) and a bottom (III), the movable dam (1) being characterized in that it comprises: - a floating element (2) adapted to float on the surface (II) of the channel (I); - at least two wheels (4) adapted to roll on the bottom (III) of the channel (I), - means adapted to sink the wheels (4); and - a membrane (6) positioned between the floating element (2) and the wheels (4) to form a dam adapted to divert a flow of water circulating in the channel (I).

2. A mobile dam (1) according to claim 1, comprising a shaft (20) connecting the wheels (4) together.

3. A movable dam (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising at least two telescopic arms (12), each telescopic arm (12) connecting the floating element (2) to a wheel (4).

4. A movable dam (1) according to claim 3, wherein the telescopic arms (12) are movable between a retracted position in which the wheels (4) are moved closer to the floating element (2), and a deployed position in which the wheels (4) are moved away from the floating element (2).

5. Mobile dam (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which each telescopic arm (12) has a first end (14) fixed in pivot connection to a transverse face (10) of the box (8), the axis (24) of the pivot connection being perpendicular to the plane of the transverse face (10) of the box (8), and each telescopic arm (12) also has a second end (16) to which a wheel (4) is fixed.

6. Movable dam (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the membrane (6) has a quadrilateral shape with two corners connected to each telescopic arm (12).

7. Mobile dam (1) according to claim 6 wherein, for each telescopic arm (12) the membrane (6) has a corner fixed to the telescopic arm (12) near the floating element (2) and another corner fixed to the telescopic arm (12) near the wheel (4).

8. Movable dam (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

9.

10.

11. comprising a jack (26) mounted between the floating element (2) and the telescopic arm (12) for moving the telescopic arm (12) in rotation around the axis (24) of the pivot connection. Mobile dam (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one motor adapted to drive the wheels (4) in rotation and / or to actuate the jacks (26). A movable dam (1) according to claim 9 wherein each wheel (4) comprises a plurality of blades (18). A movable barrier (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane (6) is made of rubber or flexible polymeric material.

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