Fluid-Fillable Barrier

Abstract

A fluid-fillable barrier which includes a flexible, tubular, impermeable membrane and at least two internal tension members. The membrane has opposite ends, a middle, fluid-fillable section, an upper attachment area, and a lower attachment area. The tension members secure between, and extend from, the upper attachment area to the lower attachment area. The tension members have a length which is less than one-half the perimeter of the membrane, the length and perimeter being measured at a common cross-section, taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the membrane. One of the tension members is longer than the other, so that it is in a relaxed, limp state under normal operating conditions. The tension members are thermally bonded to, and sewn with a double sew line to, the attachment areas. The barrier further includes lifting loops at each end, connection cleats on the sides and ends, and venting/drainage standpipes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid-fillable barrier comprising:
 a tubular impermeable membrane having a longitudinal axis, opposite ends at first and second ends of the longitudinal axis, a middle, fluid-fillable portion;   a first attachment area on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second attachment area on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the second side opposing the first side;   a first tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area;   a second tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area; and   the tension members each having at least one hole to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the tension member;   wherein, when the barrier is filled with fluid, and is in a place to block a fluid, the first tension member prevents the barrier from being moved from the place by external fluid pressure, and wherein the first tension member has a taut length which is less than one-half of the taut perimeter of a cross-section of the tubular membrane, the taut length and the taut perimeter being measured at a common cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular membrane, and wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least one inch longer than the taut length of the first tension member.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid-fill able barrier of  claim 1 , having a third tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, wherein the third tension member has the same taut length as the first tension member, and wherein the first and third tension members are not parallel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the tension members are planar membranes which are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular impermeable membrane. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the tension members are made of a netting material. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the tension members are made of a flexible, planar material having first and second opposite edges which include corresponding first and second bonding areas, the first and second bonding areas corresponding to the first and second attachment areas. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 5 , wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least ten percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 6 , wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is greater than ten percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member, but is less than twenty-five percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 7 , wherein the bonding areas of the tension members are bonded to the attachment areas by a combination of a thermal bonding and a sew line. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 8 , further comprising barrier connection cleats on the sides and top of the barrier. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 9 , wherein the barrier connection cleats also serve as attachment points for external slide-prevention devices. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 10 , further comprising a lifting loop at each end, each loop sized to receive a two-inch pipe. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 11 , further comprising standpipes on the top of the barrier. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid-fillable barrier comprising:
 a tubular impermeable membrane having a longitudinal axis, opposite ends at first and second ends of the longitudinal axis, a middle, fluid-fillable portion;   a first attachment area on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second attachment area on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the second side opposing the first side;   a first tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area;   the first tension member having at least one hole to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the first tension member;   the first tension member is made of a flexible, planar material having first and second opposite edges which include corresponding first and second bonding areas, the first and second bonding areas corresponding to the first and second attachment areas; and   the bonding areas of the first tension member are bonded to the attachment areas by a combination of a thermal bonding and a sew line;   wherein, when the barrier is filled with fluid, and is in a place to block a fluid, the first tension member prevents the barrier from being moved from the place by external fluid pressure, and wherein the first tension member has a taut length which is less than one-half of the taut perimeter of a cross-section of the tubular membrane, the taut length and the taut perimeter being measured at a common cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular membrane.   
     
     
         14 . The fluid-fill able barrier of  claim 13 , having a second tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, the second tension member having at least one hole to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the second tension member, the second tension member made of a flexible, planar material having first and second opposite edges which include corresponding first and second bonding areas, the first and second bonding areas corresponding to the first and second attachment areas, the bonding areas of the first tension member are bonded to the attachment areas by a combination of a thermal bonding and a sew line, and wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least one inch longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 14 , having a third tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, wherein the third tension member has the same taut length as the first tension member, and wherein the first and third tension members are not parallel to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 15 , wherein the tension members are planar membranes which are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular impermeable membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 16 , wherein the tension members are made of a netting material. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 16 , wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least ten percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 18 , wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is greater than ten percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member, but is less than twenty-five percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 19 , further comprising barrier connection cleats on the sides and top of the barrier. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 20 , wherein the barrier connection cleans also serve as attachment points for external slide-prevention devices. 
     
     
         22 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 21 , further comprising a lifting loop at each end, each loop sized to receive a two-inch pipe. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 22 , further comprising standpipes on the top of the barrier. 
     
     
         24 . A fluid-fillable barrier comprising:
 a tubular impermeable membrane having a longitudinal axis, opposite ends at first and second ends of the longitudinal axis, a middle, fluid-fillable portion;   a first attachment area on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second attachment area on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the second side opposing the first side;   a first tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area;   the first tension member having at least one hole to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the first tension member;   the first tension member made of a flexible, planar material having first and second opposite edges which include corresponding first and second bonding areas, the first and second bonding areas corresponding to the first and second attachment areas; and   barrier connection cleats on the sides and top of the barrier;   wherein, when the barrier is filled with fluid, and is in a place to block a fluid, the first tension member prevents the barrier from being moved from the place by external fluid pressure, and wherein the first tension member has a taut length which is less than one-half of the taut perimeter of a cross-section of the tubular membrane, the taut length and the taut perimeter being measured at a common cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular membrane.   
     
     
         25 . The fluid-f liable barrier of  claim 24 , having a second tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, the second tension member having at least one hole to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the second tension member, the second tension member made of a flexible, planar material having first and second opposite edges which include corresponding first and second bonding areas, the first and second bonding areas corresponding to the first and second attachment areas, the bonding areas of the first tension member are bonded to the attachment areas by a combination of a thermal bonding and a sew line, and wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least one inch longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         26 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 25 , having a third tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, wherein the third tension member has the same taut length as the first tension member, and wherein the first and third tension members are not parallel to one another. 
     
     
         27 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 26 , wherein the tension members are planar membranes which are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular impermeable membrane. 
     
     
         28 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the tension members are made of a netting material. 
     
     
         29 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least ten percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         30 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 29 , wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is greater than ten percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member, but is less than twenty-five percent longer than the taut length of the first tension member. 
     
     
         31 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 30 , wherein the bonding areas of the tension members are bonded to the attachment areas by a combination of a thermal bonding and a sew line. 
     
     
         32 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 31 , wherein the barrier connection cleats also serve as attachment points for external slide-prevention devices. 
     
     
         33 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 32 , further comprising a lifting loop at each end, each loop sized to receive a two-inch pipe. 
     
     
         34 . The fluid-fillable barrier of  claim 33 , further comprising standpipes on the top of the barrier. 
     
     
         35 . A method of manufacturing a fluid-fillable barrier, the fluid-fillable barrier comprising a tubular impermeable membrane having a longitudinal axis, opposite ends at first and second ends of the longitudinal axis, a middle, fluid-fillable portion, a first attachment area on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second attachment area on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the second side opposing the first side, comprising the steps of:
 thermally bonding ends of a first tension member to the attachment areas;   sewing the ends of the first tension member to the attachment areas to form a thermally-bonded and sewn connection; and repeating the steps of thermally bonding and sewing for a second tension member;   wherein the step of seeing includes sewing a double sew line.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising the step of thermally bonding a flexible reinforced plastic panel onto the thermally-bonded and sewn connection. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the step of sewing uses a kevlar filament thread. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the step of sewing uses four lock stitches per inch. 
     
     
         39 . A method of installing a fluid-fillable barrier into flowing water, the barrier comprising a tubular impermeable membrane having a longitudinal axis, first and second barrier ends at first and second ends of the longitudinal axis, a middle, fluid-fillable portion, a first attachment area on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second attachment area on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the second side opposing the first side; a first tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, a second tension member extending from the first attachment area to the second attachment area, the tension members each having at least one hole to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the tension member, wherein the first tension member has a taut length which is less than one-half of the taut perimeter of a cross-section of the tubular membrane, the taut length and the taut perimeter being measured at a common cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular membrane, and wherein the length of the second tension member, in a relaxed state, is at least one inch longer than the taut length of the first tension member, the barrier further comprising a first lifting loop at the first barrier end, and a second lifting loop at the second barrier end, each loop sized to receive a two-inch pipe, and each loop having a plurality of cut-outs, the method comprising the steps of:
 sliding a first pipe into the first lifting loop;   connecting a second pipe to the first pipe through at least two of the cut-outs;   connecting the second pipe to a first hoisting apparatus;   sliding a third pipe into the second lifting loop;   connecting a fourth pipe to the third pipe through at least two of the cut-outs;   connecting the fourth pipe to a shoreline anchor point;   using the hoisting apparatus to raise the first barrier end above the flowing water;   inflating the barrier with fluid; and   lowering the first barrier end into the flowing water.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein in the step of connecting the fourth pipe to a shoreline anchor point, the shoreline anchor point is replaced with a second hoisting apparatus, and wherein both the first hoisting apparatus and the second hoisting apparatus are used to lower the barrier into the flowing water.