EP3485116B1 - Flood protection for underground air vents - Google Patents
Flood protection for underground air vents Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3485116B1 EP3485116B1 EP17828567.2A EP17828567A EP3485116B1 EP 3485116 B1 EP3485116 B1 EP 3485116B1 EP 17828567 A EP17828567 A EP 17828567A EP 3485116 B1 EP3485116 B1 EP 3485116B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- latch
- moveable
- panels
- hinge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims description 64
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 43
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 15
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011120 plywood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F1/00—Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents
- E21F1/08—Ventilation arrangements in connection with air ducts, e.g. arrangements for mounting ventilators
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F1/00—Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents
- E21F1/003—Ventilation of traffic tunnels
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B2009/007—Flood panels
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
Definitions
- This invention relates to blocking flooding water from entering underground ventilation passages.
- Underground storm waters entering and flooding underground tunnels and chambers through ventilation ducts connecting the underground chambers or tunnels to air at ground surface affect without limitation, underground transportation tunnels for road vehicles, trains, and subways, and underground chambers, such as associated with a complex of connecting tunnels and shafts, for example as used for such things as underground hydroelectric-power plants, or with underground utilities which require ventilation, such as underground transformer rooms.
- ventilation ducts or shafts are incorporated into subway systems near stations to exhaust stale pushed air as the train nears a station and to pull in fresh outside air as a train leaves a station, also reducing the "piston effect" of air being forced through the tunnels at high speeds by moving trains.
- a ventilation duct communicates from an underground tunnel and terminates in a ventilation shaft structure below grade level that opens to the atmosphere at grade level such as a sidewalk where the opening is covered by a subway grating.
- Subways have systems for handling water. When it rains, water runs down stairwells, onto platforms and thence onto tracks, and some gets in the ventilation systems through the surface gratings. Drains beneath the tracks pipe water to underground sumps in pump rooms next to the subway tracks. Pumps pull the water up to pressure relief manholes open to the atmosphere at street level; from there the water drains under gravity flow into city storm sewers. The problem is that in heavy rains, storm sewers are overwhelmed and flush water back into the streets, flooding the streets with water inundates sidewalks and pours down through subway gratings into the ventilation system thence into the tunnels and onto the tracks.
- the pumping system can only return water to the flooded street; from there the water reenters the flood pool pouring into the ventilation system, defeating the pumping system as a means of controlling subway flooding.
- the problem is especially acute in cities like New York and Lower Manhattan, which is low-lying, vulnerable to storm surges and dotted with grade-level gratings, stairwells and other points of entry for running water into the subways.
- WO 2015/051352 describes apparatus for allowing ventilation as usual for underground tunnels through a ventilation shaft opening to atmosphere yet preventing underground flooding from surface waters pouring through the grate.
- the apparatus comprises an assembly that fits within the ventilation shaft and includes one or more panels held in an upright home position that allows ventilation as usual but is releasable to rotationally gravitate to a lower sealing position closing a passage between the ventilation shaft and atmosphere to prevent water from entering the underground tunnels.
- a panel position indicator moves from a hidden position to a visible position with lowering of the panels to visually signify that the panels are lowered and that flooding protection is activated.
- apparatus for installation in a ventilation shaft already fluidly communicating between an atmospheric opening and an underground ventilation duct allows the ventilation when there is no treat of flooding and on threat of flooding is manually operable to close ventilation from the atmospheric opening and prevent downward flow into the underground ventilation duct of surface water entering the atmospheric opening.
- perpendicular means substantially at a right angle to a reference to a degree that if not absolutely a right angle will not materially adversely affect the arrangement and function of the element described as perpendicular.
- vertical or “vertically” include but are not limited to literal vertical and generally mean oriented up and down with respect to the earth's horizon to a degree that if not absolutely vertical will not materially adversely affect the function of the element described as vertical.
- horizontal or “horizontally” include but are not limited to literal horizontal and generally mean not out of level with respect to the earth's horizon to a degree that will materially adversely affect the function of the element described as horizontal.
- the first mentioned component is identified by a given reference numeral
- the second such component is the same reference number marked with an apostrophe
- panel handle 259 identifies a first mentioned component
- the second such like component is identified as “panel handle 259' ".
- the embodied concepts are described in reference to a specific ventilation environment.
- the exemplary application is for a subway system.
- the atmospheric opening through which flooding waters enter has a rectilinear shape, as for grating covered grade level sidewalk openings for subway ventilation systems, which at least in New York City typically are rectangular.
- the detailed descriptions of specific embodiments relate to a rectilinear shape and for a particular environment, the invention does not require that the opening be rectilinear or that embodiments of the invention conform to a rectilinear shape or that the atmospheric opening be at grade level.
- the elements of the invention can be configured to fit within downwardly vertically projected dimensions of any ventilation shaft surface opening serving any underground tunnel, chamber, room or other underground structure, whether rectilinear, circular or oval or some other shape.
- the passage closing position is one in which the panel or panels of the embodiments are horizontal.
- the concept of the invention is not limited to this disposition. Restraints or stops for stopping panel lowering may be positioned to stop the downward travel above horizontal and still close a ventilation passage.
- the described embodiments are non-limiting illustrations of examples in which the concepts of the invention may be implemented.
- the exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a ventilation shaft manual closure assembly.
- Support for the exemplary assembly embodiment includes opposed lateral sidewalls for arrangement in a vertical ventilation shaft to an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through the ventilation shaft to an atmospheric opening of the shaft.
- the atmospheric opening may be cylindrical and the support cylindrical.
- the atmospheric opening may be rectilinear and the support quadrilateral. As mentioned, in the exemplary embodiments, the atmospheric opening is rectilinear.
- the support inclusive of the lateral sidewalls is sized to internally fit in the vertical shaft between the ventilation duct and the atmospheric opening.
- the support has horizontal flanges transverse to the sidewalls for projection across a top of the shaft to hang the support in the shaft.
- the support defines a passage between top and bottom openings of the support for fluid communication of the ventilation duct up through the support to the atmospheric opening.
- one or more downwardly rotatable panels may be used, mounted in an upright home position not obstructing the ventilation passage that fluidly communicates the underground ventilation duct with the atmospheric opening of the ventilation shaft, to allow ventilation as usual when there is no flooding threat.
- a single panel is mounted in the home position to a side of such a passage to alone gravitationally fall from home position to a passage closing position across the entirety of the passage to protect the underground ventilation duct from flooding.
- a pair of panels is mounted on opposite sides of the passage, to gravitationally fall from home position down toward each other to passage closing positions to combine to close the passage.
- a pair of panels is mounted centrally in the passage for rotation of the panels in directions opposite each other from the home position to a lower passage closing position.
- the manual closure assembly comprises one or more panels having proximal and distal ends, a top side and a bottom side.
- the proximal end connects with a horizontal hinge having an axis perpendicular to the opposed lateral sidewalls for manual rotation of a panel upwardly to an upright home position not obstructing the passage and rotation from the home position downwardly solely by gravitational impetus of its own weight to reach a lower passage closing position.
- the one or more panels have a profile that closes the passage when each panel gravitationally rotates to the passage closing position.
- At least one restraint limits the downward rotation of each panel to the lower passage closing position.
- the restraint may be one or more foldable or flexible members anchored at one end to an upper portion of a suspension member (next mentioned) and fastened at the other end to the topside of a panel, or it may comprise one or more stops that do not obstruct the passage and that are located within and connected to the support proximate the bottom opening.
- adjacent sidewalls include a base having rounded corners with a first radius of curvature and in which the distal portions of the panels have rounded corners with a radius of curvature substantially the same as the first radius of curvature of the sidewall corners they sweep when rotating to the passage closing position.
- the panels include seals for sealing the passage in the passage closing position.
- a suspension member unobstructively horizontally spans the passage proximate the support top opening and holds the one or more hinge connected panels in the passage.
- the suspension member is supported on the opposed lateral sidewalls proximate the support top and bottom openings.
- the suspension member has at least one handle connected to the suspension member for holding the suspension member to move it vertically into or out from the supports on the opposed lateral sidewalls.
- the suspension member may comprise a single unitary vertically extending member holding the horizontal hinge and the panels connected to the hinge, or may comprise a beam having vertically hung straps holding the horizontal hinge and the panels connected to the hinge.
- the horizontal hinge comprises a hinge mounting member held by the suspension member and a plurality of hinge members mounted on the hinge mounting member.
- each hinge member comprises a stationary member, a moveable member and a hinge pin interconnecting the stationary and moveable members, the stationary member connecting to the hinge mounting member, and the moveable hinge member connecting to the proximal end of a panel.
- the horizontal hinge may also comprise a continuous hinge, sometimes called a piano hinge, or any other hinge for panels.
- the suspension member is supported centrally between the opposed lateral sidewalls, and suspends a pair of panels in the ventilation passage for rotation of the panels in directions opposite each other from or to said upright home position.
- such centrally supported suspension member comprises a beam having vertically hung straps holding the horizontal hinge and the panels connected with said horizontal hinge.
- the opposing sidewalls each attach centrally in the ventilation passage adjacent the top opening of the shaft a cradle having a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical arms connecting to and standing upright on a horizontal bar for receiving and supporting the beam within such vertical bars and on the horizontal bar.
- a panel holder for holding each the panel in the upright home position comprises a moveable member carried either by a the panel or by the suspension member below the suspension member, and a non- moveable member carried by the other of the panel or the suspension member not carrying the moveable member, the -moveable member capturing and holding the nonmoving member when the panel is rotated upwardly to the home position.
- the embodiment further comprises a panel releaser for the panel holder comprising linkage connected to the moveable or non-moveable panel holder member carried by the suspension member, the linkage being moveable relative to the suspension member to translate the moveable or non-moveable member to cause it to release the panel from the upright home position and allow the panel to gravitationally rotationally fall to the lower passage closing position.
- the non-moveable member of the panel holder comprises a latch catch and the moveable member of the panel holder comprises a latch engageable with the latch catch.
- the panel holder is a slam latch.
- the panel holder is a gravity latch.
- FIGS. 1-15 show exemplary embodiments having a pair of panels.
- FIGS. 16-17A show exemplary embodiments having a single panel. Referring to FIGS.
- an exemplary embodiment comprises a support embodied in a quadrilateral or four-sided box 210 inclusive of sidewalls 224 (224a, 224b, 224c, 224d) having at the upper extent of the sidewalls flanges 220 (220a, 220b, 220c, 220d) transverse to the sidewalls 224 for extension over a top of walls of a ventilation shaft for suspension of box 210 vertically in the shaft to define a passage 225 between top opening 226 and bottom opening 228 of box 210 for fluid communication of a ventilation duct up through box 210 to an atmospheric opening 214.
- Cradles 211a, 211c are formed in the upper sides of opposing sidewalls 224a and 224c respectively.
- the apparatus shown is suitable as a drop in solution to sealing vent passages from storm waters by lowering it into a ventilation shaft to rest on walls of the shaft.
- a grating (not pictured) covers top opening 226. In normal operation, operator access to the interior of box 210 is through the grating.
- an embodiment as described herein employs a quadrilateral (four sided) box support 210, some locations may allow use of a support in the shape of a hollow cylinder also having stops 230 proximate a bottom opening of the support, and this form is comprehended within the scope of the invention.
- Stops 230a, 230 b, 230c and 230d in the form of corner braces in box 210 are within and connected to sidewalls 224 proximate bottom opening 228 and do not obstruct passage 225.
- Adjacent sidewalls include a base 227 having rounded corners 227a, 227d above respective stops 230a, 230d, and a base 229 having rounded corners 229b and 229c above respective stops 230b, 230c.
- Rounded corners 227a, 227d and 229b, 229c have a round corner radius of curvature.
- a beam 242 comprising extruded tubing unobstructively horizontally spans across passage 225 and connects to opposed sidewalls 224a, 224c of box 210 proximate top opening 226.
- Beam 242 is lodged in cradles 211a, 211c, and is conveniently lowered into channels 211a, 211c by operators holding beam foldable handles 212a, 212c.
- Beam 242 and straps 244 described below comprise a suspension member for equipment described below.
- Beam 242 and its attached equipment can be lowered into place as a complete assembled unit 201 after box 210 is installed in ventilation shaft resting on flanges 220. This assembles unit 201 can be removed from box 210 for servicing by withdrawing beam 242 from channels 211a, 211c by means of handles 212a, 212c.
- a suspension member comprising a beam 242 and straps 244 for supporting equipment described below
- a suspension member may be employed other than beam 242 and straps 244, for example a suspension member can be a single unitary vertically extending solid or fenestrated plate.
- An advantage of the described beam 242 and straps 244 is a lighter weight imposing a lesser load on flanges 220 than a solid plate, but a fenestrated plate would serve a lighter load advantage as well, albeit likely a more costly element.
- a hinge mounting member 245 unobstructively horizontally spans across passage 225 connected by a plurality of straps 244a, 244b, 244c, 244d to beam 242. Lodged in cradles 211a and 211c, beam 242 and hinge mounting member 245 spanning between sidewalls 224a, 224c are centered in passage 225 of box 210 with beam 242 directly over hinge mounting member 245. Hinge mounting member 245 mounts and supports a plurality of hinge members 243.
- Hinge members 243 each comprise a stationary member 243b, a moveable member 243a and a hinge pin 243c that interconnects stationary member 243b and moveable member 243a.
- Stationary member 243b connects to hinge mounting member 245.
- Hinge mounting member 245 includes a stiffener bar 231 affixed lengthwise along to the inferior surface of hinge mounting member 245.
- a pair of opposing panels 234, 236 each having proximal and distal portions, respectively 234a, 234b and 236a, 236b, are connected at proximal portions 234a, 236a by moveable hinge members 243a to stationary hinge members 243b and thereby to a hinge mounting member 245 and from hinge mounting member 245 via straps 244a, 244b to beam 242.
- the connection of moveable hinge members 243a to the proximal portions 234a, 236a of panels 234, 236 on hinge pins 243c forms respective pivot axes of panels 234, 236 for vertical rotation of panels 234, 236.
- Panels 234, 236 rotate in directions opposite each other from or to an upright home position under beam 242 (indicated generally by reference numeral 213). Rotation of the panels upwardly (one clockwise, the other counterclockwise) to home position 213 is effected manually as further described below. The home position of the panels tucked under beam 242 does not occlude passage 225. Rotation of the panels downwardly (one clockwise, the other counterclockwise) is by gravity acting solely on the mass of the panel when the panels are released from the home position, as further described below.
- Panels 234, 236 in rotation fall solely under the gravitational impetus of their own weight from the upright home position to a lower passage closing position (indicated generally by reference numeral 215) where further rotation is prevented by stops 230a, 230b, 230c, 230d and 230e.
- Each panel has a profile that closes the passage when the panels gravitationally rotate to the passage closing position.
- Panels 234, 236 have a top side plate 238 and a bottom side 232.
- Bottom side 232 is crisscrossed with internal cross braces 237, 239 for rigidity.
- the distal portions of the panels have rounded corners 219 with a radius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the sidewall corners 229a, 229b, 229c and 229d they sweep when rotating to the passage closing position.
- the panels include peripheral distal and lateral seals 221, 222 for sealing the passage in the passage closing position, seals 221a, 222a for panel 234 and seals 221b, 222b for panel 236.
- a gasket seal 223 (223a for panel 234, 223b for panel 236) spans the proximal ends of bases of panels 234, 236 below pin 243c and seals bottom opening 228 at the proximal ends of panels 234, 236 when the panels are in the passage closing position.
- At least one of the panels, such as panel 236 may be fitted with a drain 270 intermediate the proximate and distal ends of the panel, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B .
- Drain 270 comprises a conduit such as a hollow tube 271 passing through panel 236 and has an opening 272 at panel top side 238 and a drain closure indicated generally by reference numeral 273.
- a panel holder 240 for holding each panel in said upright home position comprises a moveable member carried either by a panel 234, 236 or by suspension member 242 below suspension member 242.
- a non-moveable member is carried by the other of the panel or the suspension member not carrying the moveable member.
- the moveable member captures and holds the nonmoving member when the panel is rotated upwardly to the home position.
- the nonmoveable member of the panel holder 240 comprises a latch catch and the moveable member of the panel holder comprises a latch engageable with the latch catch.
- each panel 234, 236 topside 238 includes a recess 233 or 233'.
- the recess contains a panel holder latch catch, and a panel holder latch is carried by the suspension member 242.
- Panel holder 240 moveable members 247, 249 carried by the suspension member 242 each comprise a latch engageable with latch catch 235, 235' carried by panel 234, 236.
- Latches 247, 249 are vertically pivotal on a horizontal axis 254 at a proximate end of the latches. Horizontal axis 254 resides inside the panel holder 240 that includes the latches 247, 249.
- Horizontal axis 254 is parallel to the panel axes of pins 243c paralleling either side of hinge mounting member 245.
- Each panel holder latch 247, 249 pivotally extends externally from latch axis 254 distally to an inferior return 248, 248' having a sloped surface 250, 250' ending at an inset notch 251, 251'.
- Recesses 233, 233' and latches 247, 249 are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that when panel 234, 236 is rotated vertically upward, the inferior return 248, 248' of latch 247, 249 carried by the suspension member 242 is brought into sliding contact with ramp 241, 241' carried by the panel, whereupon sloped surface 250, 250' slides on ramp 241, 241' until inset notch 251, 251' passes over latch catch edge 235, 235', capturing latch 247, 249, which holds panel 234, 236 as the panel completes upward rotation to home position 213.
- the panel 234, 236 topside 238 includes the panel holder latch and the panel holder latch catch is carried by the suspension member 242.
- the same panel holding action occurs as described above.
- the moveable members 247, 249 in panel 234, 236 each comprise a latch engageable with latch catch 235, 235' carried by suspension member 242.
- Latches 247, 249 are vertically pivotal on a horizontal axis 254 at a proximate end of the latches.
- Horizontal axis 254 resides inside a panel holder 240 that includes the latches and is parallel to the panel axes of pins 243c paralleling either side of hinge mounting member 245.
- Each panel holder latch 247, 249 pivotally extends externally from latch axis 254 distally to an inferior return 248, 248' having a sloped surface 250, 250' ending at an inset notch 251, 251'.
- Recesses 233, 233' and panel holder 240 are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that when panel 234, 236 is rotated vertically upward, the inferior return 248, 248' of latch 247, 249 carried by the panel is brought into sliding contact with ramp 241, 241' carried by the suspension member 242, whereupon sloped surface 250, 250' slides on ramp 241, 241' until inset notch 251, 251' passes over latch catch edge 235, 235', capturing latch 247, 249, which holds panel 234, 236 as the panel completes upward rotation to home position 213.
- Panel holder 240 is movably suspended from suspension member 242 by a rod 246 connected to panel holder 240.
- Rod 246 is mounted through beam 242 slideably translatable through a brace 255 fastened between straps 244b, 244c and terminates above beam 242 at T-handle 252 under a cover 253 sheltering T-handle 252 from pedestrian view through a grating covering quadrilateral support 210.
- Cover 253 reduces if not avoiding gratuitous tampering with the apparatus and unwanted deployment of the panels by mischief makers.
- panel holder 240 includes moveable member 247 on a side facing panel 234 and a moveable member 249 on a side facing panel 236. It is the moveable member components 247, 249 of panels holder 240 that catch and hold panels 234, 236 in the upright home position 213.
- Rod 246 and T-handle 252 comprise a panel releaser.
- the T-handle provides convenient holding, such as by a projection or hook of a reach tool that can be vertically inserted through a small opening in a grating over support 210 to reach under cover 253 and hook T-handle 252 for lifting panel holder 240.
- Lifting rod 246 by T-handle 252 moves panel holder 240 upwardly to cause moveable members 247, 249 to release held panels 234, 236 and allow the panels to rotationally gravitationally fall solely by impetus of their own weight from the upright home position 213 to the lower passage closing position 215.
- panel holder 240 includes non-moveable member 241 on a side facing panel 234 and a non-moveable member 241' on a side facing panel 236. It is the moveable member components 247, 249 of panel 234 and 236 that catch and hold non-moveable members 241, 241' in the upright home position 213.
- Rod 246 and T-handle 252 comprise a panel releaser.
- the T-handle provides convenient push platform, such as by a projection or horizontal flat of a reach tool that can be vertically inserted through a small opening in a grating over support 210 to reach under cover 253 and push down T-handle 252 to push down panel holder 240.
- Pushing down rod 246 by T-handle 252 moves panel holder 240 downwardly to cause non-moveable members 241, 241' to release held panels 234, 236 and allow the panels to rotationally gravitationally fall solely by impetus of their own weight from the upright home position 213 to the lower passage closing position 215.
- Panels 234, 236 are provided with structure to raise the panels manually to home position 213.
- Each panel 234, 236 has a handle 259, 259' on its top side 238, 238' remote from the pivot axes of pins 243c of the hinge members 243 to which the proximate ends 234a, 236a of the panels 234, 236 are connected.
- a reach tool with a terminal projection can be used by an operator and inserted through a grating over box 210 to grasp handle 259, 259' to lift panel 234, 236.
- a lift arm 260 for panel 234 and a lift arm 260' for panel 236 manipulated by a second reach tool to provide a mechanical assist giving lateral thrust against the bottom side of a panel to complete rotation of the panel to upright home position.
- FIGS. 16-17A another exemplary embodiment employs a single panel.
- Components in the single panel exemplary embodiments that are the same as in the exemplary pair of panels embodiments have the same reference numbers as in the exemplary pair of panels embodiments.
- the single panel exemplary embodiment assumes a rectilinear atmospheric opening of a vertical ventilation shaft and allows ventilation as usual through the shaft to an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through the ventilation shaft to an atmospheric opening at a grating over the shaft and on threat of flooding is operable to prevent downward flow of surface water into the underground ventilation duct.
- the single panel exemplary embodiment like the pair of panels exemplary embodiments comprises a support embodied as a four-sided vertical box open at bottom and top to define a passage 225 between top and bottom openings of the box support.
- a support embodied as a four-sided vertical box open at bottom and top to define a passage 225 between top and bottom openings of the box support.
- Exemplary flanges, e.g. 220b, 220c horizontally extend and rest atop vertical walls of a ventilation shaft (flanges 220a, 220d are not indicated by reference numerals in FIGS 16-17A but are understood from the prior exemplary embodiments).
- Support box sidewalls 224b, 224c and 224d are visible in the sectional views FIGS 16A and 17 A (sidewall 224a will be understood from descriptions of the exemplary embodiments of the pair of panels.
- the four sidewalls 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d of box 218 vertically fit inside the four vertical ventilation shaft walls, as in the pair of panels exemplary embodiments.
- Stops like stops 230a, 230d in the pair of panels exemplary embodiments are within and connected to sidewalls, respectively, 224a, 224b and 224a, 224d, proximate bottom opening like 229 in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11-12A where they do not obstruct passage 225.
- Adjacent sidewalls include a base 227 having rounded corners 227a, 127d above respective stops 230a, 230d.
- Cradles 211a, 211c are formed in the upper sides of opposing sidewalls 224a and 224c respectively, adjacent sidewall 224d.
- the apparatus shown is suitable as a drop in solution to seal vent passages from storm waters by lowering it into a ventilation shaft to rest on walls of the shaft.
- a grating (not pictured) covers top opening 226. In normal operation, operator access to the interior of the support box is through the grating.
- a beam 242 comprising extruded tubing unobstructively horizontally spans across passage 225 and connects to opposed sidewalls 224a, 224c of box 210 adjacent side wall 224d and proximate top opening 226.
- Beam 242 is lodged in cradles 211a, 211c, and is conveniently lowered into channels 211a, 211c by operators holding beam foldable handles 212a, 212c.
- Beam 242 and straps 244 comprise a suspension member. Beam 242 and its attached equipment can be lowered into place as a complete assembled unit after the support box is installed in ventilation shaft resting on flanges 220. This assembled unit can be removed from the support box for servicing by withdrawing beam 242 from channels 211a, 211c by means of handles 212a, 212c.
- a hinge mounting member 245 unobstructively horizontally spans across passage 225 the same as beam 242 connected by a plurality of straps 244 to beam 242 (only 244d is seen in the sectional views of FIGS. 16A and 17A ).
- beam 242 and hinge mounting member 245 spans between sidewalls 224a, 224c adjacent sidewall 224d with beam 242 directly over hinge mounting member 245.
- Hinge mounting member 245 mounts and supports a plurality of hinge members 243.
- the hinge members 243 each comprise a stationary member 243b, a moveable member 243a and a hinge pin 243c that interconnects stationary member 243b and moveable member 243a, stationary member 243b connecting to hinge mounting member 245.
- FIG. 17A only moveable member 243a is referenced to avoid obfuscation of elements
- a single panel 236 having proximal and distal portions, respectively are connected at proximal portion 236a by moveable hinge members 243a to stationary hinge members 243b and thereby to a hinge mounting member 245 and from hinge mounting member 245 via straps 244a, 244b, 244c and 244d to beam 242, as in the pair of panels exemplars.
- the connection of moveable hinge members 243a to the proximal portion 236a of panels 236 on hinge pins 243c forms a pivot axis of panels 236 for vertical rotation of panel 236.
- Panel 236 rotates from or to an upright home position tucked under beam 242.
- Rotation of panel 236 upwardly (counterclockwise in the exemplary embodiment show) to home position is effected manually as further described below.
- the home position of panel 236 tucked under beam 242 does not occlude passage 225.
- Panel 236 in rotation falls solely under the gravitational impetus of its own weight from the upright home position to a lower passage closing position where further rotation is prevented by stops 230a, 230d.
- Each panel has a profile that closes the passage when the panels gravitationally rotate to the passage closing position.
- panel 236 the same as panel 236 in the pair of panels exemplar includes a recess 233' that contains a panel holder latch catch 235'.
- Panel holder 240 inclusive of latch 249 is carried by the suspension member 242.
- Latch 249 is vertically pivotal on a horizontal axis at a proximate end of the latches. The latch axis is parallel to the panel axes of pins 243c.
- Panel holder latch 249 like latch 247 in FIG. 4 pivotally extends externally from the latch axis distally to an inferior return having a sloped surface ending at an inset notch 251'.
- Recess 233' and latch 249 are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that when panel 236 is rotated vertically upward, the inferior return of latch 249 is brought into sliding contact with ramp 241' carried by the panel, and the sloped surface of the latch slides on ramp 241' until inset notch 251' passes over latch catch edge 235', capturing latch 249. This capture holds panel 234, 236 in home position 213. As in the case of the pair of panels exemplar, the placement of the latch and latch catch can be reversed.
- panel holder 240 is movably suspended from suspension member 242 by a rod 246 connected to panel holder 240.
- Rod 246 is mounted through beam 242 slideably translatable through a brace 255 fastened between straps 244b, 244c and terminates above beam 242 at T-handle 252 under a cover 253 sheltering T-handle 252 from pedestrian view through a grating covering quadrilateral support 210.
- Rod 246 and T-handle 252 comprise a panel releaser.
- the T-handle provides convenient holding, such as by a projection or hook of a reach tool that can be vertically inserted through a small opening in a grating covering support 210 to reach under cover 253 and hook T-handle 252 for lifting panel holder 240.
- Lifting rod 246 by T-handle 252 moves panel holder 240 upwardly to cause moveable members 247, 249 to lose their hold on catch 241, 241' and release panels 234, 236, allowing panels 234, 236 to rotationally gravitationally fall solely by impetus of their own weight from the upright home position 213 to the lower passage closing position 215.
- the single panel exemplary embodiment includes a lift arm 260' having a proximal end 261' pivotally connected by pivot pin 267 to the bottom side of panel 236 on a pivotation axis parallel to the hinge axis 243c and a distal end 263', the lift arm 260' being of dimension to contact distal end 263' with opposed lateral sidewall 224b when distal end 263' is pivoted upward inside sidewall 224b for exertion of lateral force onto connected panel 236 being raised with panel handle 259' to complete rotation of panel 236 into the home position.
- the single panel exemplary embodiment includes a drain 270 in panel 236 intermediate the proximate and distal ends thereof.
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Description
- This invention relates to blocking flooding water from entering underground ventilation passages.
- Surface storm waters entering and flooding underground tunnels and chambers through ventilation ducts connecting the underground chambers or tunnels to air at ground surface affect without limitation, underground transportation tunnels for road vehicles, trains, and subways, and underground chambers, such as associated with a complex of connecting tunnels and shafts, for example as used for such things as underground hydroelectric-power plants, or with underground utilities which require ventilation, such as underground transformer rooms.
- In a typical subway ventilation arrangement, ventilation ducts or shafts are incorporated into subway systems near stations to exhaust stale pushed air as the train nears a station and to pull in fresh outside air as a train leaves a station, also reducing the "piston effect" of air being forced through the tunnels at high speeds by moving trains. Typically, a ventilation duct communicates from an underground tunnel and terminates in a ventilation shaft structure below grade level that opens to the atmosphere at grade level such as a sidewalk where the opening is covered by a subway grating.
- Subways have systems for handling water. When it rains, water runs down stairwells, onto platforms and thence onto tracks, and some gets in the ventilation systems through the surface gratings. Drains beneath the tracks pipe water to underground sumps in pump rooms next to the subway tracks. Pumps pull the water up to pressure relief manholes open to the atmosphere at street level; from there the water drains under gravity flow into city storm sewers. The problem is that in heavy rains, storm sewers are overwhelmed and flush water back into the streets, flooding the streets with water inundates sidewalks and pours down through subway gratings into the ventilation system thence into the tunnels and onto the tracks. The pumping system can only return water to the flooded street; from there the water reenters the flood pool pouring into the ventilation system, defeating the pumping system as a means of controlling subway flooding. The problem is especially acute in cities like New York and Lower Manhattan, which is low-lying, vulnerable to storm surges and dotted with grade-level gratings, stairwells and other points of entry for running water into the subways.
- One solution for reducing entrance of runoff water from sidewalk grating openings through the ventilation ducts down into the underground systems was raising the subway ventilation gratings above sidewalk level, as was done in some locations in New York City in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn after flooding from a severe rainstorm in 2007. This not only was costly to implement but also sacrificed much of the available sidewalk area available for pedestrians. In advance of the super storm Sandy in 2013, when predicted storm surge and high tides in addition to heavy rains signaled flooding of subways, workers resorted to sandbags and fastening plywood covers over subway ventilation gratings to try to prevent flooding. Sandy was testament to flood hazards of subways and vented subterranean structures. Fastening plywood covers over large numbers of air vent gratings in a short period of time as a solution is an imperfect labor and materials intensive process and can be too little too late, as was made clear by subway flooding from Sandy. A simpler, faster, relatively inexpensive and more effective method of preventing flooding through sidewalk air vent gratings is needed.
WO 2015/051352 describes apparatus for allowing ventilation as usual for underground tunnels through a ventilation shaft opening to atmosphere yet preventing underground flooding from surface waters pouring through the grate. The apparatus comprises an assembly that fits within the ventilation shaft and includes one or more panels held in an upright home position that allows ventilation as usual but is releasable to rotationally gravitate to a lower sealing position closing a passage between the ventilation shaft and atmosphere to prevent water from entering the underground tunnels. A panel position indicator moves from a hidden position to a visible position with lowering of the panels to visually signify that the panels are lowered and that flooding protection is activated.
The present invention is set out in the appended claims. -
-
FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of a panel assembly with panels in lowered position. -
FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the top side of an embodiment of a panel on the right side of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , from the same perspective as inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the bottom side of the embodiment of the panel of FIG. 6A. -
FIG. 3A is an isometric view of the top side of an embodiment of a panel on the left side of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , from the same perspective of the panel as inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the bottom side of an embodiment of a panel of FIG. 6A. -
FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the portion ofFIG. 1 shown in dashed lines indicated by the reference numeral 4. -
FIG. 5 is an enlargement of the portion ofFIG. 1 shown in dashed lines indicated by thereference numeral 5. -
FIG. 6 is an enlargement of the portion ofFIG. 1 shown in dashed lines indicated by thereference numeral 6. -
FIG. 7 is an alterative embodiment toFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment toFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 9 is a frontal graphic showing the panels ofFIG. 1 in lowered position in place in the support ofFIG. 11 -
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the panel assembly ofFIG. 1 with the panels in raised home position. -
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a quadrilateral (four sided) support structure for receiving the embodiment ofFIG. 1 -
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the quadrilateral embodiment ofFIG. 11 -
FIG. 12A is a cross section view of the quadrilateral embodiment ofFIG. 11 taken along thelines 12A-12A ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the panel assembly ofFIG. 1 received in the quadrilateral support ofFIGS. 11, 12 and 12A viewed in this perspective from a left side. -
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the panel assembly ofFIG. 1 received in the quadrilateral support ofFIGS. 11, 12 and 12A rotated 180 degrees from the view ofFIG. 13 , that is, it is a view of the opposite side ofFIG. 13 (the right side). -
FIG. 15 is a cutaway isometric view of the panel assembly ofFIG. 1 in place in the quadrilateral support ofFIGS.11, 12 and 12A illustrating the panels ofFIG. 1 in raised home position. -
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a single panel assembly received in a quadrilateral support showing the panel deployed in a passage closed position. -
FIG. 16A is a cross sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 16 taken along theline 16A-16A ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a single panel assembly received in a quadrilateral support showing the panel completely raised to home position -
FIG. 17A is a cross sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 17 taken along theline 17A-17A ofFIG. 17 . - In accordance with this invention apparatus for installation in a ventilation shaft already fluidly communicating between an atmospheric opening and an underground ventilation duct allows the ventilation when there is no treat of flooding and on threat of flooding is manually operable to close ventilation from the atmospheric opening and prevent downward flow into the underground ventilation duct of surface water entering the atmospheric opening.
- The concepts embodied in the exemplary embodiments of such apparatus described herein have application to any system in which an atmospheric opening communicates with a ventilation duct for an underground chamber or tunnel or other underground structure requiring ventilation, and through which opening substantial volumes of water can enter, whether by heavy rain or by storm surge propelled by hurricane or tropical storm or otherwise.
- In the descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention that follow, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Specific details disclosed herein are in every case a non-limiting embodiment representing concrete ways in which the concepts of the invention may be practiced. This serves to teach one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner consistent with those concepts. It will be seen that various changes and alternatives to the specific described embodiments and the details of those embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concepts herein described and in the specific embodiments herein detailed, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not as limiting.
- The various directions such as "upper," "lower," "bottom," "top," "transverse", "perpendicular", "vertical", "horizontal," and so forth used in the detailed description of embodiments are made only with respect to easier explanation in conjunction with the drawings. The components may be oriented differently while performing the same function and accomplishing the same result as the embodiments herein detailed embody the concepts of the invention, and such terminologies are not to be understood as limiting the concepts which the embodiments exemplify.
- The term "perpendicular" means substantially at a right angle to a reference to a degree that if not absolutely a right angle will not materially adversely affect the arrangement and function of the element described as perpendicular. The terms "vertical" or "vertically" include but are not limited to literal vertical and generally mean oriented up and down with respect to the earth's horizon to a degree that if not absolutely vertical will not materially adversely affect the function of the element described as vertical. Similarly, the terms "horizontal" or "horizontally" include but are not limited to literal horizontal and generally mean not out of level with respect to the earth's horizon to a degree that will materially adversely affect the function of the element described as horizontal.
- As used herein, the use of the word "a" or "an" when used in conjunction with the term "comprising" (or the synonymous "having" or "including") in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one," but it is also consistent with the meaning of "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than one." In addition, as used herein, the phrase "connected to" means joined to or placed into communication with, either directly or through intermediate components.
- For components of described embodiments that are the same, in some cases the first mentioned component is identified by a given reference numeral, and the second such component is the same reference number marked with an apostrophe, for example "panel handle 259" identifies a first mentioned component, and the second such like component is identified as "panel handle 259' ". Coupling the two reference numerals separated by a comma, for example "panel handles 259, 259' " means either component "panel handle 259" or "panel handle 259' " is being described unless the context means both are being described together.
- For illustrative purposes of an application of the concepts herein disclosed for blocking entrance of water into a ventilation duct, the embodied concepts are described in reference to a specific ventilation environment. The exemplary application is for a subway system. In the specific embodiments described herein as examples, it is assumed the atmospheric opening through which flooding waters enter has a rectilinear shape, as for grating covered grade level sidewalk openings for subway ventilation systems, which at least in New York City typically are rectangular. Although the detailed descriptions of specific embodiments relate to a rectilinear shape and for a particular environment, the invention does not require that the opening be rectilinear or that embodiments of the invention conform to a rectilinear shape or that the atmospheric opening be at grade level. The elements of the invention can be configured to fit within downwardly vertically projected dimensions of any ventilation shaft surface opening serving any underground tunnel, chamber, room or other underground structure, whether rectilinear, circular or oval or some other shape.
- In the descriptions of exemplary embodiments that follow, the passage closing position is one in which the panel or panels of the embodiments are horizontal. The concept of the invention is not limited to this disposition. Restraints or stops for stopping panel lowering may be positioned to stop the downward travel above horizontal and still close a ventilation passage. The described embodiments are non-limiting illustrations of examples in which the concepts of the invention may be implemented.
- The exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a ventilation shaft manual closure assembly. Support for the exemplary assembly embodiment includes opposed lateral sidewalls for arrangement in a vertical ventilation shaft to an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through the ventilation shaft to an atmospheric opening of the shaft. The atmospheric opening may be cylindrical and the support cylindrical. The atmospheric opening may be rectilinear and the support quadrilateral. As mentioned, in the exemplary embodiments, the atmospheric opening is rectilinear.
- The support inclusive of the lateral sidewalls is sized to internally fit in the vertical shaft between the ventilation duct and the atmospheric opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the support has horizontal flanges transverse to the sidewalls for projection across a top of the shaft to hang the support in the shaft. The support defines a passage between top and bottom openings of the support for fluid communication of the ventilation duct up through the support to the atmospheric opening.
- In an exemplary embodiment, one or more downwardly rotatable panels may be used, mounted in an upright home position not obstructing the ventilation passage that fluidly communicates the underground ventilation duct with the atmospheric opening of the ventilation shaft, to allow ventilation as usual when there is no flooding threat. In one exemplary embodiment, a single panel is mounted in the home position to a side of such a passage to alone gravitationally fall from home position to a passage closing position across the entirety of the passage to protect the underground ventilation duct from flooding. In another exemplary embodiment, a pair of panels is mounted on opposite sides of the passage, to gravitationally fall from home position down toward each other to passage closing positions to combine to close the passage. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a pair of panels is mounted centrally in the passage for rotation of the panels in directions opposite each other from the home position to a lower passage closing position. An advantage of paired panels is that they may be used to close a passage that is wider than it would be feasible for a single taller panel to close.
- The manual closure assembly comprises one or more panels having proximal and distal ends, a top side and a bottom side. The proximal end connects with a horizontal hinge having an axis perpendicular to the opposed lateral sidewalls for manual rotation of a panel upwardly to an upright home position not obstructing the passage and rotation from the home position downwardly solely by gravitational impetus of its own weight to reach a lower passage closing position. The one or more panels have a profile that closes the passage when each panel gravitationally rotates to the passage closing position.
- At least one restraint limits the downward rotation of each panel to the lower passage closing position. The restraint may be one or more foldable or flexible members anchored at one end to an upper portion of a suspension member (next mentioned) and fastened at the other end to the topside of a panel, or it may comprise one or more stops that do not obstruct the passage and that are located within and connected to the support proximate the bottom opening.
- In an exemplary embodiment, adjacent sidewalls include a base having rounded corners with a first radius of curvature and in which the distal portions of the panels have rounded corners with a radius of curvature substantially the same as the first radius of curvature of the sidewall corners they sweep when rotating to the passage closing position. In an exemplary embodiment, the panels include seals for sealing the passage in the passage closing position.
- A suspension member unobstructively horizontally spans the passage proximate the support top opening and holds the one or more hinge connected panels in the passage. The suspension member is supported on the opposed lateral sidewalls proximate the support top and bottom openings. The suspension member has at least one handle connected to the suspension member for holding the suspension member to move it vertically into or out from the supports on the opposed lateral sidewalls. The suspension member may comprise a single unitary vertically extending member holding the horizontal hinge and the panels connected to the hinge, or may comprise a beam having vertically hung straps holding the horizontal hinge and the panels connected to the hinge. In an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal hinge comprises a hinge mounting member held by the suspension member and a plurality of hinge members mounted on the hinge mounting member. In an exemplary embodiment, each hinge member comprises a stationary member, a moveable member and a hinge pin interconnecting the stationary and moveable members, the stationary member connecting to the hinge mounting member, and the moveable hinge member connecting to the proximal end of a panel. The horizontal hinge may also comprise a continuous hinge, sometimes called a piano hinge, or any other hinge for panels.
- In an exemplary embodiment, the suspension member is supported centrally between the opposed lateral sidewalls, and suspends a pair of panels in the ventilation passage for rotation of the panels in directions opposite each other from or to said upright home position. In an exemplary embodiment in which the atmospheric opening is rectilinear and said support is quadrilateral, such centrally supported suspension member comprises a beam having vertically hung straps holding the horizontal hinge and the panels connected with said horizontal hinge. In such embodiment, the opposing sidewalls each attach centrally in the ventilation passage adjacent the top opening of the shaft a cradle having a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical arms connecting to and standing upright on a horizontal bar for receiving and supporting the beam within such vertical bars and on the horizontal bar.
- In an exemplary embodiment, a panel holder for holding each the panel in the upright home position comprises a moveable member carried either by a the panel or by the suspension member below the suspension member, and a non- moveable member carried by the other of the panel or the suspension member not carrying the moveable member, the -moveable member capturing and holding the nonmoving member when the panel is rotated upwardly to the home position. The embodiment further comprises a panel releaser for the panel holder comprising linkage connected to the moveable or non-moveable panel holder member carried by the suspension member, the linkage being moveable relative to the suspension member to translate the moveable or non-moveable member to cause it to release the panel from the upright home position and allow the panel to gravitationally rotationally fall to the lower passage closing position.
- In an exemplary embodiment the non-moveable member of the panel holder comprises a latch catch and the moveable member of the panel holder comprises a latch engageable with the latch catch. In an exemplary embodiment, the panel holder is a slam latch. In an exemplary embodiment, the panel holder is a gravity latch.
- Referring now to the drawings, they show exemplary embodiments of an apparatus for preventing downward flow of surface water into an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through a ventilation shaft to a rectilinear atmospheric opening of the shaft.
FIGS. 1-15 show exemplary embodiments having a pair of panels.FIGS. 16-17A show exemplary embodiments having a single panel. Referring toFIGS. 11, 12 and 12A initially, an exemplary embodiment comprises a support embodied in a quadrilateral or four-sided box 210 inclusive of sidewalls 224 (224a, 224b, 224c, 224d) having at the upper extent of the sidewalls flanges 220 (220a, 220b, 220c, 220d) transverse to the sidewalls 224 for extension over a top of walls of a ventilation shaft for suspension ofbox 210 vertically in the shaft to define apassage 225 betweentop opening 226 and bottom opening 228 ofbox 210 for fluid communication of a ventilation duct up throughbox 210 to an atmospheric opening 214.Cradles top opening 226. In normal operation, operator access to the interior ofbox 210 is through the grating. - Although an embodiment as described herein employs a quadrilateral (four sided)
box support 210, some locations may allow use of a support in the shape of a hollow cylinder also having stops 230 proximate a bottom opening of the support, and this form is comprehended within the scope of the invention. -
Stops box 210 are within and connected to sidewalls 224 proximate bottom opening 228 and do not obstructpassage 225. Adjacent sidewalls include a base 227 having roundedcorners respective stops corners respective stops 230b, 230c.Rounded corners - Referring now to
FIGS. 13 and 14 , abeam 242 comprising extruded tubing unobstructively horizontally spans acrosspassage 225 and connects to opposed sidewalls 224a, 224c ofbox 210 proximatetop opening 226.Beam 242 is lodged incradles channels Beam 242 and straps 244 described below comprise a suspension member for equipment described below.Beam 242 and its attached equipment can be lowered into place as a complete assembledunit 201 afterbox 210 is installed in ventilation shaft resting on flanges 220. This assemblesunit 201 can be removed frombox 210 for servicing by withdrawingbeam 242 fromchannels handles - Although an embodiment as described employs a suspension member comprising a
beam 242 and straps 244 for supporting equipment described below, the scope of the invention is not limited to such embodiment. A suspension member may be employed other thanbeam 242 and straps 244, for example a suspension member can be a single unitary vertically extending solid or fenestrated plate. An advantage of the describedbeam 242 and straps 244 is a lighter weight imposing a lesser load on flanges 220 than a solid plate, but a fenestrated plate would serve a lighter load advantage as well, albeit likely a more costly element. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 1 ,6 and9-10 , ahinge mounting member 245 unobstructively horizontally spans acrosspassage 225 connected by a plurality ofstraps beam 242. Lodged incradles beam 242 andhinge mounting member 245 spanning between sidewalls 224a, 224c are centered inpassage 225 ofbox 210 withbeam 242 directly overhinge mounting member 245. Hinge mountingmember 245 mounts and supports a plurality ofhinge members 243.Hinge members 243 each comprise astationary member 243b, amoveable member 243a and ahinge pin 243c that interconnectsstationary member 243b andmoveable member 243a.Stationary member 243b connects to hinge mountingmember 245. Hinge mountingmember 245 includes astiffener bar 231 affixed lengthwise along to the inferior surface ofhinge mounting member 245. - A pair of opposing
panels moveable hinge members 243a tostationary hinge members 243b and thereby to ahinge mounting member 245 and fromhinge mounting member 245 viastraps beam 242. The connection ofmoveable hinge members 243a to the proximal portions 234a, 236a ofpanels panels panels Panels beam 242 does not occludepassage 225. Rotation of the panels downwardly (one clockwise, the other counterclockwise) is by gravity acting solely on the mass of the panel when the panels are released from the home position, as further described below.Panels stops - Referring to
FIGS 2A-3B ,Panels top side plate 238 and abottom side 232.Bottom side 232 is crisscrossed with internal cross braces 237, 239 for rigidity. The distal portions of the panels have roundedcorners 219 with a radius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of curvature of thesidewall corners panel 234 andseals panel 236. A gasket seal 223 (223a forpanel panels pin 243c and seals bottom opening 228 at the proximal ends ofpanels panel 236 may be fitted with adrain 270 intermediate the proximate and distal ends of the panel, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B .Drain 270 comprises a conduit such as ahollow tube 271 passing throughpanel 236 and has an opening 272 at paneltop side 238 and a drain closure indicated generally byreference numeral 273. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 1 ,4-5 ,and7-8 apanel holder 240 for holding each panel in said upright home position comprises a moveable member carried either by apanel suspension member 242 belowsuspension member 242. A non-moveable member is carried by the other of the panel or the suspension member not carrying the moveable member. The moveable member captures and holds the nonmoving member when the panel is rotated upwardly to the home position. In an exemplary embodiment the nonmoveable member of thepanel holder 240 comprises a latch catch and the moveable member of the panel holder comprises a latch engageable with the latch catch. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS 1 ,4-5 , eachpanel topside 238 includes arecess suspension member 242.Panel holder 240moveable members suspension member 242 each comprise a latch engageable withlatch catch 235, 235' carried bypanel Latches horizontal axis 254 at a proximate end of the latches.Horizontal axis 254 resides inside thepanel holder 240 that includes thelatches Horizontal axis 254 is parallel to the panel axes ofpins 243c paralleling either side ofhinge mounting member 245. Eachpanel holder latch latch axis 254 distally to aninferior return 248, 248' having a slopedsurface 250, 250' ending at aninset notch 251, 251'.Recesses panel inferior return 248, 248' oflatch suspension member 242 is brought into sliding contact withramp 241, 241' carried by the panel, whereupon slopedsurface 250, 250' slides onramp 241, 241' untilinset notch 251, 251' passes overlatch catch edge 235, 235', capturinglatch panel - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 1 and7-8 , in an alterative configuration, thepanel topside 238 includes the panel holder latch and the panel holder latch catch is carried by thesuspension member 242. The same panel holding action occurs as described above. Themoveable members panel latch catch 235, 235' carried bysuspension member 242.Latches horizontal axis 254 at a proximate end of the latches.Horizontal axis 254 resides inside apanel holder 240 that includes the latches and is parallel to the panel axes ofpins 243c paralleling either side ofhinge mounting member 245. Eachpanel holder latch latch axis 254 distally to aninferior return 248, 248' having a slopedsurface 250, 250' ending at aninset notch 251, 251'.Recesses panel holder 240 are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that whenpanel inferior return 248, 248' oflatch ramp 241, 241' carried by thesuspension member 242, whereupon slopedsurface 250, 250' slides onramp 241, 241' untilinset notch 251, 251' passes overlatch catch edge 235, 235', capturinglatch panel -
Panel holder 240 is movably suspended fromsuspension member 242 by arod 246 connected topanel holder 240.Rod 246 is mounted throughbeam 242 slideably translatable through abrace 255 fastened betweenstraps beam 242 at T-handle 252 under acover 253 sheltering T-handle 252 from pedestrian view through a grating coveringquadrilateral support 210. Cover 253 reduces if not avoiding gratuitous tampering with the apparatus and unwanted deployment of the panels by mischief makers. - In the embodiment of
Figs. 1 ,4 and 5 ,panel holder 240 includesmoveable member 247 on aside facing panel 234 and amoveable member 249 on aside facing panel 236. It is themoveable member components panels holder 240 that catch and holdpanels Rod 246 and T-handle 252 comprise a panel releaser. The T-handle provides convenient holding, such as by a projection or hook of a reach tool that can be vertically inserted through a small opening in a grating oversupport 210 to reach undercover 253 and hook T-handle 252 for liftingpanel holder 240. Liftingrod 246 by T-handle 252moves panel holder 240 upwardly to causemoveable members panels - In the embodiment of
Figs. 1 ,7 and 8 ,panel holder 240 includesnon-moveable member 241 on aside facing panel 234 and a non-moveable member 241' on aside facing panel 236. It is themoveable member components panel non-moveable members 241, 241' in the upright home position 213.Rod 246 and T-handle 252 comprise a panel releaser. The T-handle provides convenient push platform, such as by a projection or horizontal flat of a reach tool that can be vertically inserted through a small opening in a grating oversupport 210 to reach undercover 253 and push down T-handle 252 to push downpanel holder 240. Pushing downrod 246 by T-handle 252moves panel holder 240 downwardly to causenon-moveable members 241, 241' to release heldpanels -
Panels panel handle 259, 259' on itstop side 238, 238' remote from the pivot axes ofpins 243c of thehinge members 243 to which the proximate ends 234a, 236a of thepanels box 210 to grasphandle 259, 259' to liftpanel lift arm 260 forpanel 234 and a lift arm 260' forpanel 236 manipulated by a second reach tool to provide a mechanical assist giving lateral thrust against the bottom side of a panel to complete rotation of the panel to upright home position. - Referring now to
FIGS. 16-17A , another exemplary embodiment employs a single panel. Components in the single panel exemplary embodiments that are the same as in the exemplary pair of panels embodiments have the same reference numbers as in the exemplary pair of panels embodiments. The single panel exemplary embodiment, as with the other exemplary embodiments, assumes a rectilinear atmospheric opening of a vertical ventilation shaft and allows ventilation as usual through the shaft to an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through the ventilation shaft to an atmospheric opening at a grating over the shaft and on threat of flooding is operable to prevent downward flow of surface water into the underground ventilation duct. The single panel exemplary embodiment, like the pair of panels exemplary embodiments comprises a support embodied as a four-sided vertical box open at bottom and top to define apassage 225 between top and bottom openings of the box support. Some details are omitted for simplicity of exposition but will be understood from descriptions of the pair of panels exemplary embodiments. Exemplary flanges, e.g. 220b, 220c horizontally extend and rest atop vertical walls of a ventilation shaft (flanges 220a, 220d are not indicated by reference numerals inFIGS 16-17A but are understood from the prior exemplary embodiments).Support box sidewalls FIGS 16A and17 A (sidewall 224a will be understood from descriptions of the exemplary embodiments of the pair of panels. The four sidewalls 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d ofbox 218 vertically fit inside the four vertical ventilation shaft walls, as in the pair of panels exemplary embodiments. Stops likestops FIGS. 11-12A where they do not obstructpassage 225. Adjacent sidewalls include a base 227 having roundedcorners 227a, 127d aboverespective stops -
Cradles adjacent sidewall 224d. The apparatus shown is suitable as a drop in solution to seal vent passages from storm waters by lowering it into a ventilation shaft to rest on walls of the shaft. In place, a grating (not pictured) coverstop opening 226. In normal operation, operator access to the interior of the support box is through the grating. - Referring now to
FIGS. 16-17A , abeam 242 comprising extruded tubing unobstructively horizontally spans acrosspassage 225 and connects to opposed sidewalls 224a, 224c ofbox 210adjacent side wall 224d and proximatetop opening 226.Beam 242 is lodged incradles channels Beam 242 and straps 244 comprise a suspension member.Beam 242 and its attached equipment can be lowered into place as a complete assembled unit after the support box is installed in ventilation shaft resting on flanges 220. This assembled unit can be removed from the support box for servicing by withdrawingbeam 242 fromchannels handles - Referring particularly to
FIG. 17A , ahinge mounting member 245 unobstructively horizontally spans acrosspassage 225 the same asbeam 242 connected by a plurality of straps 244 to beam 242 (only 244d is seen in the sectional views ofFIGS. 16A and17A ). Lodged incradles beam 242 andhinge mounting member 245 spans between sidewalls 224a, 224cadjacent sidewall 224d withbeam 242 directly overhinge mounting member 245. Hinge mountingmember 245 mounts and supports a plurality ofhinge members 243. Thehinge members 243, as in the pair of panels exemplary embodiments, each comprise astationary member 243b, amoveable member 243a and ahinge pin 243c that interconnectsstationary member 243b andmoveable member 243a,stationary member 243b connecting to hinge mountingmember 245. InFIG. 17A , onlymoveable member 243a is referenced to avoid obfuscation of elements, - A
single panel 236 having proximal and distal portions, respectively (understood the same as 236a, 236b in the pair of panels exemplars) are connected at proximal portion 236a bymoveable hinge members 243a tostationary hinge members 243b and thereby to ahinge mounting member 245 and fromhinge mounting member 245 viastraps beam 242, as in the pair of panels exemplars. The connection ofmoveable hinge members 243a to the proximal portion 236a ofpanels 236 on hinge pins 243c forms a pivot axis ofpanels 236 for vertical rotation ofpanel 236.Panel 236 rotates from or to an upright home position tucked underbeam 242. Rotation ofpanel 236 upwardly (counterclockwise in the exemplary embodiment show) to home position is effected manually as further described below. The home position ofpanel 236 tucked underbeam 242 does not occludepassage 225.Panel 236 in rotation falls solely under the gravitational impetus of its own weight from the upright home position to a lower passage closing position where further rotation is prevented bystops - In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 16-17A ,panel 236 the same aspanel 236 in the pair of panels exemplar includes arecess 233' that contains a panel holder latch catch 235'. Apanel holder 240latch 249 forpanel 236.Panel holder 240 inclusive oflatch 249 is carried by thesuspension member 242.Latch 249 is vertically pivotal on a horizontal axis at a proximate end of the latches. The latch axis is parallel to the panel axes ofpins 243c.Panel holder latch 249, likelatch 247 inFIG. 4 pivotally extends externally from the latch axis distally to an inferior return having a sloped surface ending at an inset notch 251'. Recess 233' and latch 249 are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that whenpanel 236 is rotated vertically upward, the inferior return oflatch 249 is brought into sliding contact with ramp 241' carried by the panel, and the sloped surface of the latch slides on ramp 241' until inset notch 251' passes over latch catch edge 235', capturinglatch 249. This capture holdspanel - As in the case of the pair of panel exemplars,
panel holder 240 is movably suspended fromsuspension member 242 by arod 246 connected topanel holder 240.Rod 246 is mounted throughbeam 242 slideably translatable through abrace 255 fastened betweenstraps beam 242 at T-handle 252 under acover 253 sheltering T-handle 252 from pedestrian view through a grating coveringquadrilateral support 210.Rod 246 and T-handle 252 comprise a panel releaser. The T-handle provides convenient holding, such as by a projection or hook of a reach tool that can be vertically inserted through a small opening in agrating covering support 210 to reach undercover 253 and hook T-handle 252 for liftingpanel holder 240. Liftingrod 246 by T-handle 252moves panel holder 240 upwardly to causemoveable members catch 241, 241' and releasepanels panels - As shown in
FIG. 17 , as in the case of the pair of panels exemplars, the single panel exemplary embodiment includes a lift arm 260' having a proximal end 261' pivotally connected by pivot pin 267 to the bottom side ofpanel 236 on a pivotation axis parallel to thehinge axis 243c and a distal end 263', the lift arm 260' being of dimension to contact distal end 263' with opposedlateral sidewall 224b when distal end 263' is pivoted upward insidesidewall 224b for exertion of lateral force ontoconnected panel 236 being raised with panel handle 259' to complete rotation ofpanel 236 into the home position. - As shown in
FIGS. 16-17A , the single panel exemplary embodiment includes adrain 270 inpanel 236 intermediate the proximate and distal ends thereof. - Having described illustrative examples of embodiments that incorporate concepts of the invention, those skilled in the art will be able to use these concepts as guided by these embodiments, and may form alternative variations that nonetheless embrace the concepts herein disclosed and still be within the scope of my invention as claimed in the claims that follow.
Claims (15)
- Apparatus for allowing ventilation through a vertical ventilation shaft to an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through the ventilation shaft to an atmospheric opening of the shaft and on threat of flooding operable to prevent downward flow of surface water into the underground ventilation duct, comprising:a support (210) comprising opposed lateral sidewalls (224) for arrangement in said shaft defining a passage (225) between top (226) and bottom (220) openings of the support for fluid communication of said ventilation duct up through said support to said atmospheric opening;one or more panels (234; 236) having proximal and distal ends (234a, 234b; 236a, 236b), a top side (238) and a bottom side (232), said proximal end connecting with a horizontal hinge (243) having a hinge axis perpendicular to said opposed lateral sidewalls (224) for rotation of each said panel (234; 236) upwardly to an upright home position not obstructing said passage and rotation from said home position downwardly by gravitational impetus of its own weight to reach a lower passage closing position, said one or more panels having a profile that closes said passage when each said panel gravitationally rotates to said passage closing position;a suspension member (242; 244) unobstructively horizontally spanning said passage supported on said opposed lateral sidewalls (224) proximate said top opening and holding said one or more hinge connected panels (234; 236) in said passage proximate said bottom opening;a panel holder (240) for holding each said panel in said upright home position, the panel holder comprising, for each said panel, a moveable member (242; 244) and a non-moveable member (235; 235'), one of the moveable member (242; 244) and the non-moveable member being carried by the panel on said top side of the panel and the other of the moveable member (242; 244) and the non-moveable member (235; 235') being translatably suspended below said suspension member,
said moveable member (242; 244) capturing and holding said non-moveable member (235; 235') when said panel is rotated upwardly to said home position, anda panel releaser (246, 252) for said panel holder (240) , comprising linkage connected to said moveable or non-moveable panel holder member suspended by said suspension member (242; 244), said linkage being manually moveable relative to said suspension member (242; 244) to translate said suspended moveable or non-moveable member to release the panel from said upright home position and allow said panel to gravitationally rotationally fall to said lower passage closing position. - The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said panel holder (240) is a slam latch.
- The apparatus of claim 1 in which said panel holder (240) is a gravity latch.
- The apparatus of claim 1 in which said non-moveable member of said panel holder comprises a latch catch (235; 235') and said moveable member of said panel holder comprises a rotatable latch (247; 249) rotable on a horizontal axis parallel to said panel axis and engageable with said latch catch (235; 235').
- The apparatus of claim 4 in which said panel top side includes said latch catch (235; 235') and said latch (247; 249) is slideably translatably carried by said suspension member (242; 244).
- The apparatus of claim 5 in which said latch catch (235; 235') resides in a recess in said top side of the panel and comprises a ramp (241; 241') originating at an entrance to said recess (233; 233') and declining in a direction toward said distal end of said panel to terminate in a latch catch (235; 235') edge, and in which each said latch (247; 249) is pivotally vertically rotatable on a horizontal axis at a proximate end of the latch parallel to said panel axis, said latch extending from said axis distally to an inferior return (248; 248') having a sloped surface (250; 250') ending at an inset notch (251; 251'), said latch catch (235; 235') and said latch (247; 249) being horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that when a said panel containing said latch catch (235; 235') is rotated upwardly, the rotation brings said inferior return (248; 248') of said latch (247; 249) into sliding contact with said ramp (241; 241'), said sloped surface slideable on said ramp (241; 241') until said latch (247; 249) inset passes over said latch catch (235; 235') edge, capturing said latch (247; 249), said latch holding said panel in said home position.
- The apparatus of claim 4 in which said panel top side includes said latch (247; 249) and said latch catch (235; 235') is slideably translatably carried by said suspension member.
- The apparatus of claim 7 in which said latch (247; 249) resides in a recess in said top side of the panel and is pivotally vertically rotatable on a horizontal axis at a proximate end of the latch (247; 249) parallel to said panel axis, said latch (247; 249) extending distally to an inferior return (248; 248') having a sloped surface ending at an inset notch, and wherein said latch catch (235; 235') comprises a ramp (241; 241') declining in a direction toward said suspension member to terminate in a latch catch (235; 235') edge, and wherein each said latch (247; 249) and latch catch (235; 235') are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other such that when a said panel containing said latch (247; 249) is rotated vertically, the rotation brings said inferior return (248; 248') of said latch (247; 249) into sliding contact with said ramp (241; 241'), said sloped surface slideable on said ramp (241; 241') until said latch (247; 249) inset passes over said latch catch (235; 235') edge, capturing said latch (247; 249), said latch (247; 249) holding said panel in said home position.
- The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one restraint (230) limiting said downward rotation of each panel (234; 236) to said lower passage closing position.
- The apparatus of claim 9 in which said restraint comprises stops (230) within and connected to said support (210) proximate said bottom opening and not obstructing said passage.
- The apparatus of claim 1 in which said atmospheric opening is rectilinear and said support (210) is quadrilateral.
- The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suspension member (242; 244) comprises a beam (242) having vertically hung straps (244) holding said horizontal hinge and said panels connected to said horizontal hinge.
- The apparatus of claim 12 in which said horizontal hinge comprises a hinge mounting member (245) held by said suspension member and a plurality of hinge members (243) mounted on said hinge mounting member.
- The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each hinge member comprises a stationary member (243b), a moveable member (243a) and a hinge pin (243c) interconnecting the stationary (243b) and moveable members (243a), said stationary member (243b) connecting to said hinge mounting member (245), said moveable hinge member connecting to said proximal end of a said panel.
- The apparatus of claim 14 in which said atmospheric opening is rectilinear and said support (210) is quadrilateral and comprising a pair of said panels (234; 236) and wherein said suspension member (242; 244) is supported centrally between said opposed lateral sidewalls (224) for mounting of said panels (234; 236) in said passage for rotation of the panels (234; 236) in directions opposite each other from or to said upright home position not obstructing said passage.
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US201662363024P | 2016-07-15 | 2016-07-15 | |
PCT/US2017/042226 WO2018013977A1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
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EP3485116A1 EP3485116A1 (en) | 2019-05-22 |
EP3485116A4 EP3485116A4 (en) | 2020-04-01 |
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EP17828561.5A Active EP3485114B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
EP17828569.8A Active EP3485117B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
EP17828564.9A Active EP3485115B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
EP17828567.2A Active EP3485116B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
EP17828571.4A Active EP3485125B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
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EP17828561.5A Active EP3485114B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
EP17828569.8A Active EP3485117B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
EP17828564.9A Active EP3485115B1 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2017-07-14 | Flood protection for underground air vents |
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CN108868505A (en) * | 2018-05-28 | 2018-11-23 | 芜湖华佳新能源技术有限公司 | A kind of gate with adjustable wind direction air-valve |
CN109707268A (en) * | 2019-01-02 | 2019-05-03 | 湖南沄辉科技股份有限公司 | A kind of Flood gate control cabinet |
CN109707449B (en) * | 2019-01-07 | 2020-07-28 | 中冶北方(大连)工程技术有限公司 | Downward-turning type water-proof gate device |
CN109723486A (en) * | 2019-01-09 | 2019-05-07 | 河南理工大学 | A kind of explosion-proof door of coal miine vertical shaft with auto-reset function |
CN110792475B (en) * | 2019-01-28 | 2021-03-19 | 通号城市轨道交通技术有限公司 | Flood gate protection method and device |
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DE202005012770U1 (en) * | 2005-06-14 | 2006-07-13 | Reitthaler, Hermann | Building flood-protection hatch for cellar in flood-threatened zone has float coupled by scissor lever action to hatch |
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FR2972476B1 (en) * | 2011-03-09 | 2014-01-24 | Norinco | DEVICE FOR ASSISTING THE OPENING OF A MONO-SWIVELING COVERING MEMBER IN RELATION TO AN EDGE OF A FRAME |
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EP3485116A1 (en) | 2019-05-22 |
EP3485115A1 (en) | 2019-05-22 |
EP3485114A1 (en) | 2019-05-22 |
WO2018013974A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
EP3485125C0 (en) | 2023-10-18 |
WO2018013970A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
JP2019527806A (en) | 2019-10-03 |
EP3485117C0 (en) | 2023-09-27 |
EP3485114A4 (en) | 2020-04-01 |
EP3485115B1 (en) | 2022-12-21 |
JP2019525126A (en) | 2019-09-05 |
JP2019527809A (en) | 2019-10-03 |
EP3485114C0 (en) | 2023-09-27 |
WO2018013984A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
WO2018013977A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
JP2019523382A (en) | 2019-08-22 |
EP3485117B1 (en) | 2023-09-27 |
JP2019525125A (en) | 2019-09-05 |
ES2936510T3 (en) | 2023-03-17 |
WO2018013981A2 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
EP3485115A4 (en) | 2020-04-01 |
EP3485117A2 (en) | 2019-05-22 |
EP3485117A4 (en) | 2020-04-01 |
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