Abutment Plate for Water Control Gate

Abstract

The invention relates to a friction reduced and ice resistant water control gate abutment plates that permit, without damage to the concrete, large relative thermal movement between the abutment plate assembly and the concrete abutment or pier to which the assembly is attached. Features that provide ease of maintenance, tight sealing and debris damage resistance are also disclosed.

1 . One or more friction reduced abutment plates against which a water control gate seals attaches to a concrete abutment by guide members allowing sliding along one axis in response to thermal movement. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more friction reduced abutment plates are made of UHMW polyethylene. 
     
     
         3 . The abutment plates of  claim 1  further comprising gaps between said guide members and corresponding grooves in the abutment plate sufficient to allow relative thermal movement along the axis in the plane of the abutment plate normal to the guide members. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said one or more friction reduced abutment plates are made of UHMW polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said guide members engage at least one abutment plates in T slots in the at least one abutment plates. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one abutment plates is sealably attached to an underlying concrete abutment along its upstream edge. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one abutment plate is fixed, relative to said guide member axis, at its bottom edge. 
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said guide members are oriented generally parallel to a fully raised water control gate. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , a means for removal and replacement of individual abutment plates. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly of friction reduced abutment plates separated, at low temperatures by gaps between adjoining abutment plates. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the gaps between abutment plates are parallel to said guide members.