Self-deploying floodwall

Abstract

A self-deploying apparatus that is constructed onshore as a permanent structure that can protect against intruding seawater and floodwaters without creating a physical and visual obstruction to and from the waterfront during normal times.

1 . A self-deploying floodwall apparatus comprising:
 a foundation disposed proximate flood prone water;   a shaft and bearings arrangement which is ultimately fixed to the foundation; and   at least one stem segment which is pivotally supported on the shaft and bearings arrangement so as to be able to move between a stowed position which is generally parallel to the flood prone water and a deployed position which is generally vertical, wherein the stem segment provides a barrier having a water facing side when the stem segment is in the deployed position and an opposed side; wherein   the stem segment is buoyant and devoid of structure which projects towards the water and devoid of structure which projects from the opposed side.   
     
     
         2 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a counterweight disposed to generally counteract a moment which would otherwise act about the shaft and bearings arrangement as the stem segment rises due to buoyancy responsive to rising flood waters. 
     
     
         3 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a dampener which damps otherwise unopposed pivot of the stem segment about the shaft and bearings arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising elastic sheeting disposed to seal against penetration of the flood prone water between the foundation and the stem segment along the length of the stem segment when the stem segment is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         5 . A self-deploying floodwall apparatus comprising:
 a foundation disposed proximate flood prone water;   a housing having an open interior and an external wall disposed to exclude the flood prone water, which is fixed to the foundation;   a shaft and bearings arrangement which is contained within the housing; and   at least one stem segment which is pivotally supported on the shaft and bearings arrangement so as to be able to move between a stowed position which is generally parallel to the flood prone water and a deployed position which is generally vertical, wherein the stem segment provides a barrier having a water facing side when the stem segment is in the deployed position and an opposed side.   
     
     
         6 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a counterweight disposed to generally counteract a moment which would otherwise act about the shaft and bearings arrangement as the stem segment rises due to buoyancy responsive to rising flood waters. 
     
     
         7 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising dampener which damps otherwise unopposed pivot of the stem segment about the shaft and bearings arrangement. 
     
     
         8 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising elastic sheeting disposed to seal against penetration of the flood prone water between the foundation and the stem segment along the length of the stem segment when the stem segment is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         9 . A self-deploying floodwall apparatus comprising:
 a foundation disposed proximate flood prone water;   a shaft and bearings arrangement which is ultimately fixed to the foundation; and   at least one stem segment which is pivotally supported on the shaft and bearings arrangement so as to be able to move between a stowed position which is generally parallel to the flood prone water and a deployed position which is generally vertical, wherein the stem segment further comprises a counterweight disposed opposite the shaft from the stem segment, and wherein the stem segment provides a barrier having a water facing side when the stem segment is in the deployed position and an opposed side.   
     
     
         10 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising dampener which damps otherwise unopposed pivot of the stem segment about the shaft and bearings arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The self-deploying floodwall apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising elastic sheeting disposed to seal against penetration of the flood prone water between the foundation and the stem segment along the length of the stem segment when the stem segment is in the deployed position.