Transportable dam and a method of erecting the same

Abstract

A set of elements for erecting a transportable dam, the set comprising at least a first inflatable flexible element which, in an inflated state, forms a tube, and a filler element, which is mountable to one end of the inflatable element, whereby, when mounted to the inflatable element, the filler element defines a first end of the tube. The filler element has at least one filler plug opening for filling air and/or liquid into the inflatable element. A coupling arrangement is provided for defining a second end of the tube. The invention further relates to a method of erecting a transportable dam.

1 . A method of erecting a transportable dam comprising the step of: 
 laying out a first length of at least one inflatable flexible element which, in an inflated state, forms a tube,    mounting a filler element to a free end of said first length of the inflatable element, whereby, when mounted to the inflatable element, the filler element defines an end of the tube, and    concurrently with rolling out a second length of the inflatable element: inflating the inflatable element to form a tube by filling air and/or liquid into the inflatable element via one or more filler plug openings mounted in said filler element.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a coupling arrangement at a second end of the inflatable element when the inflatable element is further laid out and at least partially filled with air and/or liquid.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the coupling arrangement defines a coupling of the tube for interconnecting an end of the tube with an end of a further tube, the method comprising the step of interconnecting the least one inflatable element in an end-to-end fashion to a further inflatable element by means of the coupling arrangement.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to any of claims  1 - 3 , wherein the dam comprises a first and a second inflatable element interconnected side by side, the method comprising the step of laying out a predetermined length of the first and second inflatable elements, so that the first element faces a flood side and the second element faces a dry side of the dam.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to any of claims  1 - 4 , comprising providing a third inflatable element on top of the first and second interconnected elements.  
     
     
         6 . A set of elements for erecting a transportable dam, comprising: 
 at least a first inflatable flexible element which, in an inflated state, forms a tube,    a filler element, which is mountable to one end of the inflatable element, whereby, when mounted to the inflatable element, the filler element defines a first end of the tube,    the filler element having at least one filler plug opening for filling air and/or liquid into the inflatable element,    a coupling arrangement for defining a second end of the tube.    
     
     
         7 . A set according to  claim 6 , wherein at least a part of said inflatable element is stacked or wound.  
     
     
         8 . A set according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the coupling arrangement further comprises an intermediary closure for intermittently closing the inflatable element at a location between the two ends of the inflatable element.  
     
     
         9 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 8 , further comprising a second inflatable element which, in an inflated state, forms a tub, the first and second inflatable elements being interconnected side by side, so that the first element faces a flood side of the dam and the second element faces a dry side of the dam.  
     
     
         10 . A set according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second inflatable elements abut each other along a connection line and are interconnected along at least a portion of said line.  
     
     
         11 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 10 , wherein the coupling arrangement defines a closure for the tube.  
     
     
         12 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 10 , wherein the coupling arrangement defines a coupling of the tube for interconnecting an end of the tube with an end of a further tube.  
     
     
         13 . A set according to  claim 12 , wherein the coupling arrangement allows fluid to pass between the two tubes interconnected by the coupling arrangement.  
     
     
         14 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 13 , wherein at least two inflatable elements are coupled in an end-to-end fashion by means of said coupling arrangement.  
     
     
         15 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 14 , wherein the coupling arrangement comprises at least one valve through which the liquid and air can pass into the inflatable element.  
     
     
         16 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 15 , wherein the coupling arrangement is made of a substantially stiff material and comprises a ring-shaped clamp member for receiving an end of the inflatable element and for securing the inflatable element to the ring-shaped clamp member, so as to provide a tight seal between the inflatable element and the ring-shaped member.  
     
     
         17 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 16 , wherein the coupling arrangement further comprises filling devices for filling liquid and/or air into the tube member.  
     
     
         18 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 17 , wherein the at least one filler plug opening comprises a connecting piece adapted to be connected to liquid and air supplying tube.  
     
     
         19 . A set according to any of claims  9 - 18 , further comprising a third inflatable element positioned on top of the first and second interconnected elements.  
     
     
         20 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 19 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable element is between 50-150 cm, such as between 60-140 cm, such as between 70-130 cm, such as between 80-120 cm, such as between 90-110 cm, such as 100 cm.  
     
     
         21 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 20 , wherein the length of the inflatable element is between 5-200 m, such as between 15-180 m, such as between 30-170 m, such as between 40-160 m, such as between 50-150 m, such as between 60-140 m, such as between 70-130 m, such as between 80-120 m, such as between 90-110 m, such as 100 m.  
     
     
         22 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 21 , further comprising a mat onto which the inflatable elements can be laid, said mat avoiding leakiness between the inflatable element once inflated to form a tube, and the ground.  
     
     
         23 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 22 , wherein the inflatable elements is made from linen and/or a woven material, such as woven polyester fibres coated with a plastic material, such as PVC.  
     
     
         24 . A set according to  claim 23 , wherein the material is woven in a pattern having reinforcing fibres, such that a rupture arising in the tube only can come undone for a length of at most 1-5 centimetres.  
     
     
         25 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 24 , wherein the weight of an inflatable element in inflated and partially liquid-filled condition is between 0.5-1.5 tons per meter, such as between 0.8-1.2 tons per meter, such as 1 tons per meter.  
     
     
         26 . A set according to any of claims  6 - 25 , wherein the filling element and/or the coupling arrangement is made of aluminium or steel or plastic or composite material, such as fibre reinforced plastic.