GB2378726A

GB2378726A - Inflatable flood prevention structures

Info

Publication number: GB2378726A
Application number: GB0218772A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Joseph Nock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-14
Filing date: 2002-08-13
Publication date: 2003-02-19
Also published as: GB0218772D0

Abstract

A method of protecting a dwelling 10 from flood water comprises providing an inflatable structure around the dwelling and inflating the structure when there is a risk of a flood. The inflatable structure may comprise a tube 12 attached to the top edge of a waterproof skirt 13 such that as the tube floats up on the rising flood water it raises the skirt to protect the dwelling. The skirt may incorporate inflatable strengthening ribs and may have curved protuberances on the side that faces the dwelling to allow it to slide up the side of the dwelling as it rises. A flood prevention device comprising an inflatable device positioned at the top of a river bank is also disclosed.

Description

INFLATABLE STRUCTURES Field of the Invention This invention relates to inflatable structures and is concerned with the provision of novel forms of inflatable structures for use in preventing damage to property and new methods of using inflatable structures for this purpose.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting a dwelling which is located in an area which is potentially subject to flooding, the method comprising providing an inflatable structure around the dwelling, and inflating the structure on receipt of a flood warning.

The inflatable structure may comprise a tube (or a series of connected tubes) arranged so that, on inflation, it or they will provide a buoyancy element or elements which, in the event of a

flood, will float on the flood water and will serve to effect lifting of a protective skirt which extends around the dwelling.

The surface of the protective skirt that faces towards the dwelling may be formed with curved protuberances, so that it has a bubble or like effect, such as to promote free sliding movement of the skirt relative to any part of the dwelling with which it may come in contact.

The skirt may include strengthening ribs, which may be inflatable.

The inflatable structure around the building may be used in conjunction with an inflatable bag or the like which is positioned so that, on inflation, it blocks an adjacent drain or manhole.

The inflatable structure around the building may also be used in conjunction with an inflatable device positioned inside the building and arranged, on inflation, to bear against the inner surfaces of the walls of the building to provide a counter-pressure opposing any external pressure caused by the presence of floodwater.

The dwelling may be a permanent dwelling or a caravan.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flood prevention device for preventing a river from overflowing a bank of a river, the flood prevention device

comprising an inflatable structure mounted in a channel formed at the top of the bank of the river, the inflatable structure comprising a tube which, on inflation, acts as a buoyancy element which rises with an increase in the water level to lift up a barrier extending along the river bank.

The inflatable structure may be located adjacent a rotary element which, when the water in the river reaches a predetermined level, is driven by the flow of water in the river to operate a pump to effect inflation of the buoyancy tube.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic view of a house having a first form of flood protection device, Figure 2 is a schematic view of a caravan having a flood protection device, Figure 3 is a schematic view of a house having a second form of flood protection device, Figure 4 is a schematic view of a house having a third form of flood protection device, and Figures 5 to 10 are very diagrammatic representations of a flood protection device installed on a bank of a river.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The house 10 shown in Figure 1 is surrounded by a trench 11 within which a flood protection device is contained, the trench 11 normally being closed by a hinged or otherwise removable cover (not shown). The flood protection device includes an inflatable tube 12 and a flexible skirt 13 connected to the inflatable tube 12 and to the base of the trench 11. The surface of the flexible skirt 13 can be formed with a pluralities of dimples or other curvate projections such that, if the skirt 13 comes into contact with any part of the outside of the house 10, it will be free to move relative to the house 10.

The flexible skirt 13 can be provided, if required, with strengthening ribs (not shown), particularly if the property to be protected is of substantial size. If provided, the strengthening ribs will be inflatable.

In the event of a flood warning or other indication that there is a risk of the house becoming flooded, the person dwelling in the house 10 will obtain access to the inflatable tube 12 and will initiate operation of an inflation device (not shown) or otherwise effect inflation of the tube 12. If flood water then approaches the house 10, the inflatable tube 12 will float on the surface of the flood water and the flexible skirt 13 will rise up, in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, so as to form a protective wall around the house 10.

The arrangement shown in Figure 1 can also be used to protect a caravan 14 in a caravan park, in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, in which an additional inflatable element 15 is provided and, on inflation, serves to prevent the flow of water into the house 10 via the sewage/drainage system of the house 10.

Figure 4 shows another modification to the arrangement shown in Figure 1, in which an inflatable envelope or like structure 16 is contained within the house 10 and is arranged, on inflation, to bear against the inside surfaces of the walls of the house 10 so as to resist the external pressure applied to the walls.

Although Figure 1 shows an arrangement in which a flood prevention device surrounds a single dwelling, the arrangement may be such that a flood prevention device extends around two or more adjacent dwellings. Similarly, as applied to a caravan park, the arrangement of Figure 2 may be modified so that the flood prevention device extends around two or more adjacent dwellings.

Figures 5 to 10 show an arrangement in which a trench 20 extends along the top of a river bank 27. The trench 20 contains an elongated inflatable tube 21 and an elongated skirt 22 connected to the inflatable tube 21. A rotor 23 is mounted on a support 24 located adjacent the trench 20 and the arrangement is such that, when the level of water in the river reaches the level

shown in Figure 7, the flow of water in the river in contact with the rotor 23 will serve to effect rotation of the rotor 23. Rotation of the rotor 23 serves to generate a flow of air into the inflatable tube 21 to effect inflation thereof. Thus, before the level of water in the river reaches the level at which there could be a flow of water over the bank 27, the tube 21 will have been inflated. The inflated tube 21 will then float on the surface of the water and, as the level of water rises, the elongated skirt 22 will be extended, providing a flexible barrier preventing the water from flowing over the river bank 27.

The flood prevention device shown in Figures 5 to 10 may, of course, be provided on both sides of the river and the inflatable tube 21 and the flexible, elongated skirt 22 can be of any appropriate length. The flood prevention device of Figures 5 to 10 can, of course, be used in conjunction with the devices of Figures 1 to 4.

Claims

Claims :-

1. A method of protecting a dwelling which is located in an area which is potentially subject to flooding, the method comprising providing an inflatable structure around the dwelling, and inflating the structure on receipt of a flood warning.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the inflatable structure comprises a tube (or a series of connected tubes) arranged so that, on inflation, it or they will provide a buoyancy element or elements which, in the event of a flood, will float on the flood water and will serve to effect lifting of a protective skirt which extends around the dwelling.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the surface of the protective skirt that faces towards the dwelling is formed with curved protuberances, so that it has a bubble or like effect, such as to promote free sliding movement of the skirt relative to any part of the dwelling with which it may come in contact.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the skirt includes strengthening ribs.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, in which the strengthening ribs are inflatable.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inflatable structure around the building is used in

conjunction with an inflatable bag or the like which is positioned so that, on inflation, it blocks an adjacent drain or manhole.

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inflatable structure around the building is used in conjunction with an inflatable device positioned inside the building and arranged, on inflation, to bear against the inner surfaces of the walls of the building to provide a counter-pressure opposing any external pressure caused by the presence of floodwater.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,

r in which the dwelling is a permanent dwelling.

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the dwelling is a caravan.

10. A method of protecting a dwelling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1,2, 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. Means for protecting a dwell from flood damage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1,2, 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A flood prevention device for preventing a river from overflowing a bank of a river, the flood prevention device comprising an inflatable structure mounted in a channel formed at the top of the bank of the river, the inflatable structure comprising a

tube which, on inflation, acts as a buoyancy element which rises with an increase in the water level to lift up a barrier extending along the river bank.

13. A flood prevention device as claimed in Claim 12, in which the inflatable structure is located adjacent a rotary element which, when the water in the river reaches a predetermined level, is driven by the flow of water in the river to operate a pump to effect inflation of the buoyancy tube.

14. A flood prevention device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 5 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of preventing flooding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 5 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.