System And Method For Hydraulic Displacement

Abstract

A system and method for hydraulic displacement is described which can provide an improved method for raising or lowering a fluid level. The system and method has direct application to inland waterway transport and in particular to canal locks where canal boats traverse inclines through a series of locks. In addition, the invention can provide the access to a marina, which may be raised up above sea level or behind a sea wall defence. The method enables the formation of an improved hydraulic displacement lock capable of a greater vertical displacement with greatly reduced flow of fluid through the lock. The hydraulic displacement lock comprises an enclosed central channel, having sequential fluid storage tanks connected to the central channel. When the central channel is closed at its lower end, opening and closing connecting channels to the sequential storage tanks allows fluid to flow under the force of gravity into or out of the central channel, thereby raising or lowering the level of fluid.

1 . A hydraulic displacement system for raising or lowering floating objects or boats or barges between different elevations characterised by: a central transit tube ( 101 ) further comprising; one or more alignment means ( 111 ), and a lower entry structure ( 104 ) comprising a sealing gate ( 105 ) to a lower entrance or waterway ( 107 ) and an upper entry structure ( 103 ) comprising a sealing gate ( 109 ) to an upper entrance or waterway ( 106 ), and a floating platform structure ( 501 ) wherein said floating platform structure ( 501 ) moving within said central transit tube ( 101 ), and a sequence of one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) connected to said central transit tube ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve ( 108 ) for exchanging fluid between said side storage tanks ( 102 ) and said central transit tube ( 101 ), and a powered control means ( 110 ) comprising a command and control centre for monitoring fluid level and water flow and securely managing the entire operation of said hydraulic displacement system wherein said fluid control valve ( 108 ) being controlled by said powered control means ( 110 ) or manually opened and closed. 
   
   
       2 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 1  wherein said hydraulic displacement system being constructed of reinforced concrete or other suitable material built either in situ by pouring said reinforced concrete or suitable material, or by assembling part or complete prefabricated sections, and wherein said gates ( 105 ,  109 ) being made of stainless steel or other suitable material, and wherein said central transit tube ( 101 ) being vertical or sloped for best matching the angle of the terrain profile or best suiting for the application. 
   
   
       3 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 2  wherein said lower entry structure ( 104 ) allowing one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to enter and leave said lower entry structure ( 301 ) further comprising a central wet cavity ( 202 ) comprising a mounting structure ( 205 ) at both ends, and two dry cavities ( 203 ) providing means to maintain and service counterweight systems ( 207 ) wherein suitable watertight seals preventing leakage of water between said mounting structure ( 205 ) and said two dry cavities ( 203 ), and an axis ( 204 ) connecting said gate ( 105 ) and said mounting structure ( 205 ) wherein said axis ( 204 ) being connected at each end to a control structure ( 206 ) which is connected to said central control means ( 110 ), and wherein said counterbalance system ( 207 ) further comprising a moving element which moves in the opposite direction within the counterbalance system to the front edge of said gate ( 208 ) as said gate ( 208 ) is opened or closed, and wherein said lower curved gates ( 105 ) being closed around said axis ( 204 ) and part of a cylindrical profile. 
   
   
       4 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 2  further comprising an upper entry point ( 301 ) surrounded by terrain areas ( 305 ) and comprising a safety rail ( 302 ) and said upper entry structure ( 301 ), wherein said upper entry structure ( 301 ) further comprising said gate ( 109 ) connecting the upper waterway ( 106 ) to the water of the upper entry structure ( 103 ) allowing one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to enter and leave said upper entry structure ( 301 ). 
   
   
       5 . An hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 2  wherein said floating platform structure ( 501 ) further comprising two mooring platforms ( 502 ) comprising one or more mooring bollards ( 509 ), and wherein at least one of said mooring platforms ( 502 ) comprising a safety hatch ( 511 ) linking via internal steps to a closed compartment suitable for passengers to enter and seal themselves in during an emergency, and an upper element ( 505 ), further comprising an alignment arm ( 504 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 507 ) to make contact with the inner surface of an upper alignment profile ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) in order to align said floating platform structure ( 501 ) with said upper alignment profile ( 111 ) in the inner surface of said transit tube ( 101 ), and a lower linking structure ( 503 ) further comprising a lower guide structure ( 506 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 508 ) to make contact with the inner surface of a lower alignment profile ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) in order to align said floating platform structure ( 501 ) with said lower alignment profile ( 111 ) in the inner surface of said transit tube ( 101 ), and a tank for storing fire retardant foam being linked to a dispensing means on the surface of said floating mooring platforms ( 502 ), and a front lower curved edge ( 510 ) for creating a pressure wave as the level of the water rises for enabling said floating mooring platform ( 502 ) to move easily during transit. 
   
   
       6 . An hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 1  for connecting canals at different elevations creating a sloping canal lock, or for traversing undulated terrains, or for passing a canal underneath a motorway as a canal bridge, or for harbouring boats in coastal marinas or in marinas linked to inland lakes and reservoirs or in sheltered coastal harbours wherein said marinas being built above sea level or above the level of the surrounding watercourse, or for constructing a dry dock facility, or for raising and lowering freight or boats or personnel carriers where the entry point being at the same height as the storage deck of said freight, or for moving a personal-carrying pod which drops into the sea in case of an oil rig evacuation or which raises material and food supplies, or for underwater sight seeing of an extensive aquarium or close offshore marine life when the material of said central transit tube ( 101 ) being transparent, or for the construction of multilevel moorings adjacent to existing waterways, or for raising and lowering a boat over a defensive sea wall or outer harbour wall or geological rock. 
   
   
       7 . A hydraulic displacement system for raising or lowering floating objects or boats or barges between different elevations characterised by: two transit tubes ( 101 ) wherein each of said transit tubes ( 101 ) further comprising; one or more alignment means ( 111 ), and a lower entry structure ( 104 ) comprising a sealing gate ( 105 ) to a lower waterway ( 107 ) and an upper entry structure ( 103 ) comprising a sealing gate ( 109 ) to an upper waterway ( 106 ), and a floating platform structure ( 501 ) wherein said floating platform structure ( 501 ) moves within said transit tube ( 101 ) and a sequence of one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) connected to said transit tube ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve ( 108 ) for exchanging fluid from said side storage tanks ( 102 ) and said transit tube ( 101 ), and a powered control means ( 110 ) comprising a command and control centre for monitoring fluid level and water flow and securely managing the entire operation of said hydraulic displacement system wherein said fluid control valve ( 108 ) being controlled by said powered control means ( 110 ) or manually opened and closed, and/or a walkway between said two transit tubes ( 101 ), and/or means for connecting said two transit tubes ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve for exchanging water between said two transit tubes ( 101 ). 
   
   
       8 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 7  wherein said hydraulic displacement system being constructed of reinforced concrete or other suitable material built either in situ by pouring said reinforced concrete or suitable material, or by assembling part or complete prefabricated sections, and wherein said gates ( 105 ,  109 ) being made of stainless steel or other suitable material and wherein each of said central transit tube ( 101 ) being vertical or sloped for best matching the angle of the terrain profile or best suiting for the application. 
   
   
       9 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 8  wherein said lower entry structure ( 104 ) allowing one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to enter and leave said lower entry structure ( 301 ) further comprising a central wet cavity ( 202 ) comprising a mounting structure ( 205 ) at both end, and two dry cavities ( 203 ) providing means to maintain and service counterweight systems ( 207 ) wherein suitable watertight seals preventing leakage of water between said mounting structure ( 205 ) and said two dry cavities ( 203 ), and an axis ( 204 ) connecting said gate ( 105 ) and said mounting structure ( 205 ) wherein said axis ( 204 ) being connected at each end to a control structure ( 206 ) which is connected to said central control means ( 110 ), and wherein said counterbalance system ( 207 ) further comprising a moving element which moves in the opposite direction within the counterbalance system to the front edge of said gate ( 208 ) as said gate ( 208 ) is opened or closed, and wherein said lower curved gates ( 105 ) being closed around said axis ( 204 ) and part of a cylindrical profile. 
   
   
       10 . An hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 8  further comprising an upper entry point ( 301 ) surrounded by terrain areas ( 305 ) and comprising a safety rail ( 302 ) and said upper entry structure ( 301 ), wherein said upper entry structure ( 301 ) further comprising, said gate ( 109 ) connecting the upper waterway ( 106 ) to the water of the upper entry structure ( 103 ) allowing one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to enter and leave said upper entry structure ( 301 ). 
   
   
       11 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 8  wherein said floating platform structure ( 501 ) further comprising two mooring platforms ( 502 ) comprising one or more mooring bollards ( 509 ), and wherein at least one of said mooring platforms ( 502 ) comprising a safety hatch ( 511 ) linking via internal steps to a closed compartment suitable for passengers to enter and seal themselves in during an emergency, and an upper element ( 505 ), further comprising an alignment arm ( 504 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 507 ) to make contact with the inner surface of an upper alignment profile ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) in order to align said floating platform structure ( 501 ) with said upper alignment profile ( 111 ) in the inner surface of said transit tube ( 101 ), and a lower linking structure ( 503 ) further comprising a lower guide structure ( 506 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 508 ) to make contact with the inner surface of a lower alignment profile ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) in order to align said floating platform structure ( 501 ) with said lower alignment profile ( 111 ) in the inner surface of said transit tube ( 101 ), and a tank for storing fire retardant foam being linked to a dispensing means on the surface of said floating mooring platforms ( 502 ), and a front lower curved edge ( 510 ) for creating a pressure wave as the level of the water rises for enabling said floating mooring platform ( 502 ) to move easily during transit. 
   
   
       12 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 8  wherein said central walkway further comprising a lower and an upper access doors ( 401 ) between said two transit tubes ( 101 ) a separate tunnel structure comprising transparent viewing ports being constructed of a suitable material having the capability to withstand the hydraulic pressures involved, wherein said transparent viewing ports in the transit tubes enabling pedestrians to view said floating objects or boats or barges passing during transit, watertight doors in order to enable persons to leave either of the transit tubes in an emergency case, and/or means for integrating within said structure safety alarms and control systems, and/or high volume drains for removing water from either of the transit tubes in case of emergency comprising drain port valves which can be opened by said command and control centre ( 110 ) to enable said transit tube ( 101 ) containing water to be rapidly drained. 
   
   
       13 . A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 1  for connecting canals at different elevations creating a sloping canal lock, or for traversing undulated terrains, or for passing a canal underneath a motorway as a canal bridge, or for harbouring boats in coastal marinas or in marinas linked to inland lakes and reservoirs or in sheltered coastal harbours wherein said marinas being built above sea level or above the level of the surrounding watercourse, or for constructing a dry dock facility, or for raising and lowering freight or boats or personnel carriers where the entry point being at the same height as the storage deck of said freight, or for softly moving a carrying-carrying pod which drops softly into the sea in case of an oil rig evacuation or which raises material and food supplies, or for underwater sight seeing of an extensive aquarium or close offshore marine life when the material of said central transit tube ( 101 ) being transparent, or for the construction of multilevel moorings adjacent to existing waterways, or for raising and lowering a boat over a defensive sea wall or outer harbour wall or geological rock. 
   
   
       14 . A method for raising floating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacement system being characterised by the steps of: entering one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges into the lower end of a transit tube ( 101 ) being connected to one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) by way of a lower waterway ( 107 ), passing through the gate ( 105 ), and entering the lower entry structure ( 104 ), mooring one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to a floating platform structure ( 501 ) by means of two or more mooring bollards ( 509 )wherein said floating platform structure ( 501 ) further comprising one or more alignment arms ( 504 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 507 ) in order to be guided by the alignment means ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ), and a lower linking structure ( 503 ) further comprising a lower guide structure ( 506 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 508 ) to make contact with the inner surface of a lower alignment profile ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) in order to align said floating platform structure ( 501 ) with said lower alignment profile ( 111 ) in the inner surface of said transit tube ( 101 ), and moving said gate ( 105 ) within a watertight groove and tightly closing said gate ( 105 ) into a recessed groove within the floor of said lower entry structure ( 104 ). 
   
   
       15 . A method for raising floating objects or boats or barges as disclosed in  claim 14  further comprising the steps of: opening the hydraulic fluid valves ( 108 ) in turns starting by the lowest of a sequence of one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) by said powered control means ( 110 ) or manually in order to smoothly fill said central transit tube ( 101 ) wherein each of said a sequence of said one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) being connected to said central transit tube ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve ( 108 ) for exchanging water from said side storage tanks ( 102 ) and said central transit tube ( 101 ), opening a gate ( 109 ) connecting the upper waterway ( 106 ) to the upper entry structure ( 103 ) for equalling the level of said transit tube ( 101 ) with the level of said upper waterway ( 106 ) in order to finish the lift of said floating platform structure ( 501 ) until the upper entry point ( 301 ) level, wherein said upper entry point ( 301 ) being surrounded by terrain areas ( 305 ) comprising a safety rail ( 302 ) and said upper entry structure ( 103 ) and, allowing said one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to leave said upper entry structure ( 301 ). 
   
   
       16 . A method for raising floating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 15  wherein said step of opening the hydraulic fluid valves ( 108 ) in turns being replaced by the steps of opening the hydraulic fluid valves ( 108 ) in turns and/or exchanging water between two transit tubes ( 101 ) for raising floating objects or boats or barges in one transit tubes ( 101 ) and lowering floating objects or boats or barges in the other transit tubes ( 101 ) at the same time wherein said two transit tubes ( 101 ) being set at an angle best matching the terrain profile and each of said transit tubes ( 101 ) further comprising a floating platform structure ( 501 ), and raising said floating platform structure ( 501 ) in one of said transit tube ( 101 ) while at the same time lowering an other floating platform structure ( 501 ) in the other transit tube ( 101 ) wherein each of said transit tube ( 101 ) comprising; one or more alignment means ( 111 ), and a sequence of one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) connected to said transit tube ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve ( 108 ) for exchanging water from said side storage tanks ( 102 ) and said transit tube ( 101 ), and/or means for connecting said two transit tubes ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve for exchanging water between said two transit tubes ( 101 ) and/or a walkway between said two transit tubes ( 101 ), wherein said walkway further comprising a lower and an upper access doors ( 401 ) between said two transit tubes ( 101 ), and a separate tunnel structure comprising transparent viewing ports being constructed of a suitable material having the capability to withstand the hydraulic pressures involved, wherein said transparent viewing ports in the transit tubes enabling pedestrians to view said floating objects or boats or barges passing during transit, watertight doors in order to enable persons to leave either of the transit tubes in an emergency case, and/or means for integrating within said structure safety alarms and control systems, and/or high volume drains for removing water from either of the transit tubes in case of emergency comprising drain port valves which can be opened by said command and control centre ( 110 ) to enable the transit tube to be rapidly drained. 
   
   
       17 . A method for lowering floating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacement system being characterised by the steps of: entering one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges into the upper end of a transit tube ( 101 ) by way of an upper waterway ( 107 ), wherein said upper entry point ( 301 ) being surrounded by terrain areas ( 305 ) comprising a safety rail ( 302 ) and said upper entry structure ( 103 ) and, passing through the gate ( 109 ), entering the upper entry structure ( 104 ), wherein said upper entry point ( 301 ) being surrounded by terrain areas ( 305 ) comprising a safety rail ( 302 ) and further comprising an upper entry structure ( 103 ) and, mooring one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to a floating platform structure ( 501 ) comprising one or more alignment arms ( 504 ) in order to be guided by the alignment means ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) by means of two or more mooring bollards ( 509 ) wherein said floating platform structure ( 501 ) further comprising one or more alignment arms ( 504 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 508 ) in order to be guided by the alignment means ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) by means of two or more mooring bollards ( 509 ), and a lower linking structure ( 503 ) further comprising a lower guide structure ( 506 ) comprising one or more wheels ( 507 ) to make contact with the inner surface of a lower alignment profile ( 111 ) of said transit tube ( 101 ) in order to align said floating platform structure ( 501 ) with said lower alignment profile ( 111 ) in the inner surface of said transit tube ( 101 ), and closing said gate ( 109 ) in order to prevent the water of said upper waterway ( 107 ) to enter said upper entry structure ( 103 ). 
   
   
       18 . A method for lowering floating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 17  further comprising the steps of: opening the hydraulic fluid valves ( 108 ) in turns starting by the highest of a sequence of one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) by said powered control means ( 110 ) or manually in order to smoothly fill said central transit tube ( 101 ) wherein each of said sequence of said one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) being connected to said central transit tube ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve ( 108 ) for exchanging water from said side storage tanks ( 102 ) and said central transit tube ( 101 ), opening a gate ( 105 ) connecting the lower waterway ( 107 ) to the lower entry structure ( 104 ) for equalling the level of said transit tube ( 101 ) with the level of said lower waterway ( 107 ) in order to finish the descent of said floating platform structure ( 501 ) until the lower entry ( 104 ) level, allowing said one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to leave said lower entry structure ( 301 ). 
   
   
       19 . A method for lowering floating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in  claim 15  wherein said step of opening the hydraulic fluid valves ( 108 ) in turns being replaced by the steps of opening the hydraulic fluid valves ( 108 ) in turns and/or exchanging water between two transit tubes ( 101 ) for lowering floating objects or boats or barges in one transit tubes ( 101 ) and raising floating objects or boats or barges in the other transit tubes ( 101 ) at the same time wherein said two transit tubes ( 101 ) being set at an angle best matching the terrain profile or best suiting the application and each of said transit tubes ( 101 ) further comprising a floating platform structure ( 501 ), and raising said floating platform structure ( 501 ) in one of said transit tube ( 101 ) while at the same time lowering an other floating platform structure ( 501 ) in the other transit tube ( 101 ) wherein each of said transit tube ( 101 ) comprising; one or more alignment means ( 111 ), and a sequence of one or more side storage tanks ( 102 ) connected to said transit tube ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve ( 108 ) for exchanging water from said side storage tanks ( 102 ) and said transit tube ( 101 ), and/or means for connecting said two transit tubes ( 101 ) by tubes containing a fluid control valve for exchanging water between said two transit tubes ( 101 ) and/or a walkway between said two transit tubes ( 101 ), wherein said walkway further comprising a lower and an upper access doors ( 401 ) between said two transit tubes ( 101 ), and a separate tunnel structure comprising transparent viewing ports being constructed of a suitable material having the capability to withstand the hydraulic pressures involved, wherein said transparent viewing ports in the transit tubes enabling pedestrians to view said floating objects or boats or barges passing during transit, watertight doors in order to enable persons to leave either of the transit tubes in an emergency case, and/or means for integrating within said structure safety alarms and control systems, and/or high volume drains for removing water from either of the transit tubes in case of emergency comprising drain port valves which can be opened by said command and control centre ( 110 ) to enable the transit tube to be rapidly drained.