NZ566332A - Barrier System - Google Patents

Abstract

A barrier system for use in reducing various forms of pollution, including acoustic noise and pollutants from vehicle exhaust gases, emanating from traffic on roads is disclosed. The barrier system includes substantially vertical columns and pre-stressed concrete hollow core panels, each panel having a plurality of apertures, a core-section comprising Helmholtz-type resonator cavities, at least one concave depression on a face of the panel, and the face surface being made from a porous material containing a substance to aid absorption of air-borne pollutants and to catalyse their conversion into different compounds.

Description

566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No: 566332 Dated: 28 February 2008 BARRIER SYSTEM WE Stahlton Engineered Concrete (a division of Fulton Hogan Limited), a New Zealand company of 47 Airdrie Road, Ranui, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 2 5 MAif 2009 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 BARRIER SYSTEM STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application Number 566332, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a barrier system. In particular the present invention i relates to a barrier system for use in reducing different forms of pollution emanating from traffic on a traffic route, in the form of resonating frequency of acoustic noise and pollutants from vehicle exhaust gases. * BACKGROUND ART Noise and exhaust pollution generated from traffic on roadways, railways or airports can be disturbing for people living or working in areas adjacent to the traffic flow.

Traditionally, road barriers have comprised either concrete or masonry blocks or concrete pre-cast panels which can block noise levels from a certain direction. Such 20 road barriers can be expensive to fabricate, requiring extensive in situ construction, and are ineffective at reducing both noise and exhaust pollution.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier system which addresses the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as 25 "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated 2 intellectual property office of n.z. 2 5 MAK 2009 RECEIVED 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier system, said barrier system including: • a plurality of substantially vertical columns arrayed at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier system; • a plurality of panels arranged substantially vertically, each said panel including: o a face surface for facing a traffic route and having a plurality of apertures; o a core section associated with the face surface, said core section comprising a plurality of Helmholtz-type resonator cavities, said Helmholtz-type resonator cavities being in fluid communication with at least one aperture; wherein the face surface has at least one concave depression for reflecting sounds generated from the traffic route, and the face surface is made from a porous material containing at least one pollution catalyst to aid the absorption of air borne pollutants generated from the traffic route and catalyse their conversion to a different substance. 3 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 Preferably, the barrier system also includes a plurality of substantially vertical columns arrayed at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier system.

Preferably, each panel is supported by at least one column.

Preferably, each column includes at least one groove extending along at least one 5 lateral surface of said column and adapted to hold one panel end.

Preferably, each column also includes a hollow core with a tapered diameter adapted to allow a pile to pass through and support the column in a substantially vertical position when said pile is driven into a ground surface.

Preferably, the panels are made from pre-stressed concrete hollow core using either 10 shear compaction or extrusion techniques.

Preferably, the apertures are arranged substantially linearly in the face surface of the panel.

Preferably, the apertures are of varying dimensions tuned to absorb traffic sounds of different frequencies.

Preferably, the Helmholtz-type resonator cavities are of varying dimensions tuned to absorb traffic sounds of different frequencies.

Preferably, the plurality of panels may also include a base section and a top section, each base section and top section being complementary to each other to allow stacking of the panels on like panels.

Preferably, the pollution catalyst may be at least one selected from the group including: titanium dioxide, magnesium oxides and zeolite.

MAK 2009 ReceivedI 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 Preferably, the pollution catalyst is combined with wet concrete or sprayed onto the face surface of the barrier system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing 5 description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 4 in which: shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of a barrier system of the present invention; shows a cross-section of the barrier system shown in Figure 1; shows a plan view of the barrier system shown in Figure 1; and shows a preferred embodiment of piles of the barrier system shown in Figure 1.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention is now described in relation to one preferred embodiment of the present 15 invention with reference to Figures 1 to 4. It should be appreciated that the invention may be varied from the Figures without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a barrier system generally indicated by arrow 1. A preferred use of the barrier system 1 is in the vicinity of traffic routes such as roadways, airport runways or railways. The barrier system 1 includes a plurality of substantially vertical columns 2 20 fixed to the ground 3 at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier system 1 and supporting a plurality of panels 4.

Figure 1 Figure 2 10 Figure 3 Figure 4 MAH 2009 IBJLCei yppj 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 Apertures 5 in the form of larger holes 5A or smaller holes 5B and channels 6 in a face surface 7 (see Figure 2) of the panel 4 are arranged linearly in a substantially horizontal arrangement facing the traffic route. A base portion 100 of the barrier system 1 is devoid of apertures 5 in the face surface 7.

Figure 2 shows a side cross-section view of the barrier system shown in Figure 1. At least one of the apertures 5 is in fluid communication with a Helmholtz-type resonator cavity 8 in a core section 9 of the panel 4. The apertures 5 and Helmholtz-type resonator cavities 8 act to decrease movement of air in the apertures 5 and absorb a proportion of the acoustic noise generated by vehicle traffic. The dimensions of the 10 apertures 5A and 5B, channels 6 and Helmholtz-type resonator cavities 8 may differ in size so that they may be tuned in known fashion during the manufacturing stage to absorb acoustic noise of different frequencies and therefore further reduce the overall broadband acoustic noise reflected from the barrier system 1.

An optional feature to improve the overall broadband reduction of acoustic noise is the 15 placement of a cap 4A over the overhanging lips of some or all of the panels 4 of the barrier 1 (as shown in Figure 2) to further reduce the size of the aperture 6 and vary the acoustic noise absorption. The cap 4A may be made from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or plasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) material.

The panel 4 has complementary head 10 and base sections 11 which enable panel 4 20 to be stacked on like panels 4 or existing New Jersey barriers 100 to form a barrier system 1 of the required height. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other profiles of complimentary head 10 and base sections 11 to that shown in Figure 2 could be used to provide stable interlocking of like panels 4 to form a barrier system 1 of the required height. 6 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 The barrier system 1 has a concave face surface 7 when the panels 4 are stacked on top of one another (see Figure 2). Such a concave face surface 7 acts to reflect sounds generated from the traffic route back towards the traffic route and therefore away from adjacent areas. Preferably, the depth of the concave face surface (the 5 horizontal distance, indicated by line A-A on Figure 2, is between the mid-point of the concave face surface and a vertical line from the top and bottom edges of the erected barrier system 1) is in the range 0 to 25 mm.

Preferably, the columns 2 and panels 4 are made from concrete hollow core which can be made in-situ (as known in the art) in extruded lengths and cut to the length required, 10 or by known shear compaction technologies. However it should be appreciated that other porous materials and manufacturing techniques may be used in the construction of the columns 2 and panels 4. Preferably, recycled concrete is used in the construction of the columns 2 and panels 4 to reduce the cost of manufacture and provide an environmental benefit in the form of reduced usage of raw materials and a 15 reduction of landfill usage.

Pollution absorbing catalysts preferably in the form of titanium dioxide 12 is incorporated into the concrete used for construction of the panels 4 or into topping concrete which is spray applied on to the panels 4 to form the face surface of the barrier system 1. The concentration of pollution catalyst in the topping concrete is 20 between 2 and 15 %. The pollution catalyst functions to absorb a proportion of the airborne nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide generated from the traffic, and also from nitrous oxide dissolved in rain water which has contacted the barrier system 1. This acts to reduce the pH of run-off water from the surface of the barrier system 1. A further advantage of the pollution catalyst is that it reduces the build-up of otherwise 25 non-absorbed pollutants, and so acts as a self-cleaning effect to reduce the buildup of 7 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 visually unappealing residues on the exterior surface of the barrier 1. It should be appreciated that other pollution absorbing catalysts which absorb nitrous oxide such as zeolite, or combinations of known catalysts may be used. A further advantage of the pollution absorbing catalyst in the exterior surface of the barrier system 1 is an anti-5 graffiti property in that it causes discolouring of any paint applied to the barrier surface.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the barrier system shown in Figure 1. The column 2 includes grooves 13 extending along two lateral surfaces of the column 2 to form an I-beam to hold side edges of each panel 4. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other profiles of column 2 may be used to interlock with panel 4 side edges 10 (for example a z-shaped post) however the applicant has found the H-beam profile to hold two adjacent panels securing in relation to one another. Optionally once the panels 4 are positioned in grooves 13 they may be fixed to the column 2 by bolts, adhesives or other such fixing means.

Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of piles of the barrier system shown in Figure 15 1. A cavity 14 with a narrowed internal diameter 15 allows a pile 16 to pass through the cavity 14 and be held by the column 2 at a square head portion 17 of the pile 16 when the pile 16 is driven into the ground 3. In this way the column 2 is held substantially upright relative to a ground surface. The use of piles 16 which do not require the in situ use of wet concrete improves the ease and safety of construction of 20 the barrier system 1. A steel cap 18 reduces the risk of deformation of the pile 16 when it is driven into the ground. Alternatively, the pile 16 may be screwed into the ground through cavity 14 of the column 2 via a screw thread (not shown).

Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention may have a number of advantages over the prior art which can include: 8 566332 James & Wells Ref: 233377/53 • a broadband reduction of the resonating frequency of noise emanating from roadways or airport runways or railways; • a reduction of pollutants from vehicle exhaust gases emanating from roadways or airport runways or railways; • a self-cleaning effect to reduce the buildup of visually unappealing residues on the barrier; • a reduced in barrier production costs from the use of automated machines producing concrete hollow core in extruded lengths which are then cut to the required lengths; • an improvement in ease and safety of erecting a barrier; • a reduction in the pH of run-off water from the surface of the barrier; • an anti-graffiti property of the road barrier surface; and • use of recycled materials can provide an environmental benefit through reduction of landfill usage.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. '^^fg^UAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 2 5 MAN 2009 RECEIVED 566332

Claims (12)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A barrier system, said barrier system including: a plurality of panels arranged substantially vertically, each said panel including: o a face surface for facing a traffic route and having a plurality of apertures; 5 o a core section associated with the face surface, said core section comprising a plurality of Helmholtz-type resonator cavities, said Helmholtz-type resonator cavities being in fluid communication with at least one aperture; wherein: 10 *the face surface has at least one concave depression for reflecting sounds generated from the traffic route, and • the face surface is made from a porous material containing at least one pollution catalyst to aid the absorption of air borne pollutants generated from the traffic route and catalyse their conversion to a different substance 15

2. A barrier system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the barrier system also includes a plurality of substantially vertical columns arrayed at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier system.

3. A barrier system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each panel is supported by at least one column. 20 ,',Nre0^V^w7] 2 5 MA(f 2009 10 '-BMceive di 566332

4. A barrier system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each column includes at least one groove extending along at least one lateral surface of said column and adapted to hold one panel end.

5. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein each column 5 also includes a hollow core with a reduced diameter adapted to allow a pile to pass through and support the column in a substantially vertical position when said pile is driven into a ground surface.

6. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the panels are made from pre-stressed concrete hollow core using either shear compaction or 10 extruded techniques.

7. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the apertures are arranged substantially linearly in the face surface of the panel.

8. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the apertures are of varying dimensions tuned to absorb traffic sounds of different frequencies. 15

9. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the Helmholtz-type resonator cavities are of varying dimensions tuned to absorb traffic sounds of different frequencies.

10. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the plurality of panels also includes a base section and a top section, each base section and top 20 section being complementary to allow stacking of the panels on like panels. 11 intellectual property office OF n.z. 2 5 MAK 2009 RECEIVED 566332

11. A barrier system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the pollution catalyst comprises one selected from the group including: titanium dioxide, magnesium oxides and zeolite.

12. A barrier system substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference 5 to any one of the accompanying drawings 1 to 4. STAHLTON ENGINEERED CONCRETE (A DIVISION OF FULTON HOGAN LIMITED) 12 2 5 MAK 2009 j SJCEIVED