Inflatable Flood Barrier Panel Bending Under Water Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood control methods, such as sandbags, are inadequate due to time-consuming deployment, rapid saturation, structural weakness, and difficulties in removal after flooding subsides, leading to extensive damage to structures and machinery.
Innovation Solution
A flood control assembly comprising a panel with a base that locks onto a rail and a tube, allowing the panel to bend under water pressure while being counterbalanced, and a series of coupled flood control devices forming a channel with inflating lugs and coupling slots, along with a supporting rail and bars for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sand bags are used for flood protection, then temporary flood protection is provided, but deployment is time consuming and structures become saturated rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible inflatable panels that can be rapidly deployed and inflated to form flood barriers. The panels consist of flexible membranes that enclose air or water, creating a rigid barrier structure when inflated. This allows for quick deployment compared to sand bags while maintaining effective flood protection through the inflatable structure's ability to resist water pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by inflating panels with air or water to create flood barriers. The inflatable structure uses gas or liquid pressure to maintain its shape and resist flood water. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism enables rapid deployment and provides sustained flood protection without the saturation issues of sand bags.
2Reliability
If sand bags are used for flood protection, then temporary flood protection is provided, but they rapidly become structurally weakened and create removal difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable panels use flexible membranes that can be easily deflated and collapsed for removal. After flood protection is no longer needed, the structure can be deflated and stored compactly, eliminating the removal difficulties associated with sand bags. The flexible nature of the membranes allows for easy deployment and takedown operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by transitioning the panel structure between inflated and deflated states. When inflated, the panels provide rigid flood protection; when deflated, they become compact and easy to remove. This state transformation enables the structure to adapt to different operational requirements, solving both protection effectiveness and removal ease issues.
3Reliability
If rigid structures are used for flood control, then flood protection is provided, but deployment time increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable panels use flexible membranes that can be rapidly deployed and adapted to different flood scenarios. The flexibility of the membranes allows the structure to be quickly inflated and positioned, providing adaptability to various flood conditions while maintaining effective protection. This contrasts with rigid structures that require more time for deployment and are less adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic structures that can transition between different states (inflated/deflated). This dynamic capability allows the flood protection system to adapt to different scenarios and deployment requirements. The structure can be quickly inflated to provide protection or deflated for storage and transport, enhancing both deployment flexibility and adaptability while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively maintains position against flowing water, prevents leakage, and is easily deployable and removable, providing robust and portable flood protection for structures.
Implementation Method 1
the panel rests on the tube when the panel bends under a force of flowing water, the bending is counter balanced by water force exerted on the rail
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a panel, a flood control assembly, a flood control device and a flood control barrier.