DE20102852U1 - Plate system - Google Patents

Description

Plate system

The invention relates to a panel system - in particular for water management, transport and energy production - according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

' Rivers, lakes and even seas are often fortified on their banks so that a rise in water levels cannot damage the edge of the land or even flood the hinterland.

Such edges are usually rigid and immobile and - depending on their intended purpose - are designed as dams, slopes or parapets, for example. Such structures have the disadvantage that - despite the high investment made - they are only used for this purpose and can also significantly hinder access to water. In addition, such rigid edges are unable to offer protection against floods that exceed the level of these fortifications.

.

Movable element constructions are known from the state of the art, which can be erected as a flood protection wall and, when not required for this purpose, can be used as a footpath or road, for example:

A simple flood protection system is known from EP 0 802 285. Transportable panels are hung in a vertical position in a holder or stationary panels are rotated around a holder from the horizontal normal position to the vertical protective position. The transportable panels require expensive space for their storage, e.g. in a warehouse. If required, these transport panels must be transported to the site of use within a very short time and installed there, but sufficiently long advance warning times are required for this work.

—2—

Specialists are a requirement. The manual erection of the stationary panels also requires many helpers and - due to the often very short time available between the first flood warning and the arrival of the flood wave - correspondingly complex coordination.

Plate elements which are either raised or extended in a vertical direction by means of a mechanical or hydraulic device or by the flood itself or which are pivoted into a vertical end position by means of an arm and fixed there are known from EP 0 684 342. All of these embodiments comprise a depression in the ground which, when the protective elements are not in use , is covered either with a separate cover plate or by the pivoting protective plate itself. Each protective element comprises a support element in the form of a cover plate, a ....

Support or hydraulic arm. The operational safety of '::::'

* · · Flood protection structures are of crucial importance, l\,'.\

Therefore, for all mechanical or hydraulic connections .*..

drives an alternative manual drive is proposed. However, if the designs comprising floats could be blocked by mud, sand or other contamination in the flood water or even caused to sink, operational safety could not be guaranteed.

From WO 99/24675 - by the same applicant as in the present document - a protective element is known that can be rotated around a bearing, with a plate in which the pivot bearing runs essentially parallel to a first and second longitudinal edge. To compensate for forces acting on the plate or the bearing, the pivot bearing is arranged at a maximum distance of a quarter of the distance between the first and second longitudinal edge from the geometric axis or center of gravity of the plate. The protective element therefore comprises an integral abutment surface that transfers the forces of the flood to a substructure. According to the

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Depending on the design of its surfaces, the protective element can also be designed as a walkway or driveway or as a support for solar panels and can be incorporated into a device for protection against floods or avalanches. However, the provision of the abutment, which covers at least a quarter of the height of the slab, can mean additional construction and investment costs.

The object of the invention is to propose a plate system, in particular for water management, transport and energy production, with which the problems or disadvantages in the prior art can be overcome or alternatively

tive solutions can be offered. J'.V.f.

i · &iacgr;

The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments result from !I»*.t

from the dependent claims. _t ·..

- i'/.'.'ji

The system according to the invention comprises the following advantages: jriiJi

• Due to the special drive device of this system, each plate element can be pivoted in a controlled manner over a large rotation range and can be locked in essentially any pivoting position.

• This system enables the optional, multifunctional use of the panel elements, e.g. in water management as a flood or avalanche protection wall; in traffic as a traffic area or as an interim traffic divider, noise, visual or wind protection or also as a protective roof surface for areas below, such as sidewalks etc.

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-A-

Wherever practical, the panels of this system, which can be adjusted in position to the position of the sun, can also be used as part of a system for harnessing solar energy, such as a photovoltaic system, to generate energy.

The system's permanently installed panels can be moved from the normal position to the protective position within a few minutes as protective walls against floods, noise, avalanches or wind, so that extremely short advance warning times are sufficient for the timely construction of the protection.

·

• The use of modern communication technologies, such as GPS (Geo Positioning System), Internet, radio or telephone

- preferably in connection with data processing systems

- allows, if necessary and/or in the event of an incident, the remote and/or automatic regulation or control of the position, i.e. the swivel position, of the panels of such protective devices or systems.

• Any type of prefabrication - in a wide variety of designs and using a wide variety of materials - is possible and the arrangement of the pivot bearing on the plate can be chosen almost arbitrarily, thus adapting the plate to practically any application.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying schematic drawings, which do not limit the scope of the invention in any way.

It shows:

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Fig. 1 a vertical section through the plate of a &Idigr; ! : plate system for water management and transport, _# * _<#

according to a first embodiment: ■ *....*

Fig. IA in its normal position, Y'..'

Fig. IB in its flood protection position; _m ' _m &ldquor;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the plate of a |.#.!-■· plate system for water management, according to a second embodiment:
Fig. 2A in its normal position,

Fig. 2B in its flood protection position;

Fig. 3 a vertical section through the plate of a

Plate system for water management and transport, ;::;ti

according to a third embodiment: #**· J

Fig. 3A in its normal position, &idigr;

Fig. 3B in its flood protection position; ·.·...·

Fig. 4 a vertical section through the plate of a ! plate system for transport and energy generation, 1 .·..**

according to a fourth embodiment, in its sound or wind or avalanche protection position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical view of the drive device for moving a plate, according to a first embodiment

form of formation;

Fig. 6 - a vertical view of the drive device for moving two plates, according to a second embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a vertical section through a plate system for water management and traffic, according to a first embodiment. This plate system 1 comprises a plate 2, a substructure 3, a pivot bearing 4, by means of which the plate 2 is attached to the substructure 3 in a pivoting range

·· ··· 22461NA1.DOC

D is arranged movably. The pivot bearing 4 is for transmitting forces acting on the plate 2 to this support.

&bull; *' construction 3. Furthermore, the panel system includes *....*

1 a drive device 5 for moving the plate 2. By means of the drive device 5, the plate ₂ can be moved from the _normal position (see Fig. IA) into the flood protection position (see Fig. IB). This movement is always controlled because the drive device 5 engages the pivot bearing 4 and is in permanent operative connection with it. Thanks to the special design of this drive device 5 (see e.g. Fig. 5 or 6), the plate 2 can never carry out an uncontrolled movement in any direction despite the most varied forces (such as gravity, wind and/or water pressure, etc. ) acting on such a plate. Preferably, locking means 6 are also provided .

provided (see also Fig. 5 and 6), by means of which &idigr;^ the plate 2 can be held or locked in almost any swivel position. The pivot bearing 4 is thus S*,*.i

arranged on an edge or on a longitudinal edge of the plate 2 · _&bgr;&bgr;

«· · * · i net. !.. _u >.-

A second pivot bearing (not shown) can be arranged on the edge of the plate 2 - which is directly opposite the pivot bearing. A second plate can be pivoted around this second pivot bearing (preferably by hand), placed sealingly on the first plate 2 and locked in this position. This second plate is preferably permanently connected to the first plate via the second pivot bearing, so that both plates can be pivoted one after the other or together. The flood protection wall can thus be additionally raised in a simple manner - with or without a time delay - using the second plate.

It is not absolutely necessary due to the load capacity of the drive device 5, but with a view to the highest possible

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The safety of such a plate system 1 is advantageous for water management and traffic if both the normal position (cf. Fig. 1A) and the flood protection position (cf. Fig. IB) of such a plate 2 are defined by an end stop 7,7'. In this way it can be guaranteed that the corresponding road users can safely use a first surface 8 of the plate 2 in its normal position, a substantially horizontal pivoting position, as a walkway or driveway. A railing 9, which is preferably foldable and can be locked when standing, protects the road users against falling, e.g. into the body of water 10. A second surface 11 of the plate 2 - which, as shown in Fig. 1 and e.g. for reasons of weight or load optimisation of the plate 2, does not have to run exactly parallel to the first surface 8 - comes in i**i*;

the essentially vertical flood protection position of the *:

Plate with the flood 12 in contact and is advantageous-!..!.·

A seal |« .*: 13 is preferably provided in the area of the axis of rotation 27 :

and closes when the flood protection position of the t ..*..* is reached

Plate 2 sealingly to the advantageously also water- i....w

The seal 13 is attached to the substructure 3, which is designed to be permeable to the permeable surface. The seal 13 pivots with the plate 2 and, in the end position of the plate, seals the substructure 3. The proposed plate system 1 for water management and traffic, according to a first embodiment, thus raises the edge of the terrain 14 and is designed to be watertight. The water pressure or the part of this force that is not absorbed by the abutment or the end stop 7', supports the sealing of the flood protection wall formed from the plates 2 by at least partially pressing the seal 13. The seal 13 is thus arranged in the area of the pivot bearing 4. In the case of the plate 2 shown in Fig. 1, a rotation of approx. 90° between the normal and flood protection position is sufficient. This is because in the upright position the projection of the plate

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The center of gravity is located on the land side next to the axis 27 of the pivot bearing 4 and thus gravity or the dead weight of the plate additionally stabilizes the flood protection position of the plate 2, even without a high water level. For this reason, it is generally preferred that in the flood protection position the projection of the plate's center of gravity is located on the land side next to the axis 27 of the pivot bearing.

The rotation axis 27 is at least partially and the drive device 5 is completely arranged in a channel or shaft 15, which in this first embodiment of a plate system 1 for water management and traffic runs parallel to the edge of the terrain 14. Due to the arrangement of the seal

13 on the pivot bearing 4, this seal is located in each case- · · »

any pivoting position of the plate 2 in this channel 15 and J is therefore largely protected from damage by environmental influences or even by vandals. This protection is improved by a J. .':

additional channel cover 16 which completely closes off channel 15. Preference is given to such channel covers .

which do not affect the pivoting movement of the plate 2 in any way;...Ji

can hinder or block, because the full mobility of the plate must be guaranteed at all times for remote-controlled and/or automatic raising or lowering of the plate. This channel cover 16 can therefore (as shown in Fig. 1) be pivotably attached to the plate 2 and to the substructure 3 via a hinge 17 and have a further joint 18 via which it can be folded up. Deviating from the illustration in Fig. 1, the channel cover 16 can also be arranged rigidly on the plate 2 and designed to pivot with it (not shown).

Figure 2 shows a vertical section through the plate of a plate system 1 for water management, according to a second embodiment. In Fig. 2A, a plate 2 hangs in the normal position on the edge of the terrain 14 towards the bottom.

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fr;.».-, .imn _t ».*·$·.H*&igr;

This edge of the terrain can be vertical (as shown) or inclined as a slope. The body of water 10,10' is shown with a normal water level (10) or an increased water level (10'). In both cases, the plate 2 can be the

It is recommended, however, that the plates 2 are raised before the water level is raised, so that no driftwood or other foreign objects make it difficult or even impossible to raise the plates. The plates are preferably waterproof or water-repellent on their first and second surfaces 8,11.

In this embodiment, the creation of a channel 15 was dispensed with. To protect the drive device 5, a housing 19 was constructed here, which surrounds the drive device 5 and which is preferably located between two

adjacent plates 2. This allows the same *·

drive device 5 for two plates (cf. t]*!.·

also Fig. 5), these plates each having a recess adapted to the housing J, .*, 19, so that they can be inserted into the housing;

aligned state (cf. Fig. 2B) - together with the housing &iacgr;».,*..-!

19 - a watertight flood protection wall. In the- ».....;

In this embodiment, the upper part of the terrain edge 14 forms the end stop 7' for the erected plate.

For the plate 2 shown in Fig. 2, a rotation of approximately 180° between the normal and flood protection position is sufficient because the projection of the plate's center of gravity on the land side is next to the axis 27 of the pivot bearing 4. A seal 13 is here fixed to the edge of the terrain 14 so that it is covered by the plate 2 in the normal position and is thus protected. At least in the flood protection position, this seal 13 seals against the pivot bearing 4, but the seal 13 can also be permanently sealed against the pivot bearing or the pivot axis 27, whereby plate 2 and substructure 3 are permanently sealed together.

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- 10 -

Depending on the design of the holder of the plate 2, ring seals (not shown) may be required in the area of the pivot bearing 4 and may be provided or arranged there.

Figure 3 shows a vertical section through the plate of a plate system 1 for water management and traffic, according to a third embodiment. In Fig. 3A, a plate 2 in the normal position for traffic (bridge function) protrudes in a substantially horizontal direction over the edge of the terrain 14. This edge of the terrain can also be designed vertically (as shown) or inclined as a slope. The body of water 10, 10' is shown with a normal water level (10) or an increased water level (10'). In both cases, the plate 2 can assume this normal position and is ilV.ii together with a possible second plate 2 - with the ***·. i

&bull; · it forms a bridge - preferably mutually in this "^

Position releasably bolted. 1.-..2

·■·■

&bull; · *■ In the event of a flood warning or a flood alarm ^ _-8, the plate 2 is swung up (see Fig. 3B) and forms ^l zz-iV together with the neighboring plates 2 a flood \ii:*J

protective wall. These plates 2 are preferably designed on their first surface 8 as a traffic area for walking or driving over with any type of vehicle for the transport of people and/or goods, such as cars, trucks, trains and the like. The already mentioned detachable bolting of plates which form a bridge over the body of water 10,10' is designed according to the expected load of the bridge.

The second surface 11 of the plates 2 is designed to be waterproof or water-repellent and, together with the seal 13 - which is designed to be stationary and coupled to the axis of rotation 27 of the plate 2 - and the terrain edge 14, contributes to ensuring a waterproof flood barrier (see Fig. 3B). In this flood protection position,

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the plate 2 with its short end 20 at the designated t'l\

End stop 7'. Plate 2 and substructure 3 are thus permanently sealed together. \*»J

The rotation axis 27 is arranged here on a wall crown 21. The drive device 5, on the other hand, is completely housed in a channel or shaft 15 which, in this third embodiment of a plate system 1 for water management and traffic, runs parallel to the edge of the terrain 14. At most, partial recesses 22 (cf. Fig. 3B) in the area of the drive device 5 can free up the necessary space for it. By coupling the seal 13 with the pivot bearing 4, this seal is located outside the reach of passers-by in any pivoting position of the plate 2 and is largely protected from damage by environmental influences S*V** or even vandals. The seal 13 is thus arranged in the area of the pivot bearing 4. &iacgr;*.&Ggr;.·

The channel 15 is in the normal position of the plate 2 (Fig. ;

3A) is practically completely closed because the short end 20 of the plate 2 and the channel 15 are adapted to each other in their shape. The channel 15 can accommodate all media lines which are necessary for the flood protection wall to function properly; these are, for example, supply lines for energy (compressed air, hydraulics, electricity and the like) for information (telephone, Internet, electrical or electronic measurement data or control commands and the like). In addition, the channel 15 can also take on a drainage function. For servicing purposes on the plates 2, pivot bearings 4 or on the media lines, the plates 2 can be placed in a hanging position (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3B), which makes the channel 15 easily accessible.

For plate 2 shown in Fig. 3, a rotation of approximately 180° between the service and flood protection positions is sufficient.

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the destructive effect of storms or avalanches. For this purpose, the pivot bearing 4 is preferably installed on the windward side of the main wind direction on a noise protection dam or a noise protection wall, so that the short end 20 of the plates 2 rests against an end stop 7'. For the corresponding considerations, the traffic routing for avalanche protection systems would preferably be arranged on the right-hand side of the dam in Fig. 4. The pivot bearing 4 rests here on a shoulder 23 below the dam crest 24 and a channel 15 runs essentially parallel to the shoulder 23 and the dam crest 24. The plate 2 rests with its short end 20 against an end stop 7' and practically completely closes the channel 15. The drive device 5 for moving the plate 2 engages the pivot bearing 4, is in permanent operative connection with it and is arranged in the channel or shaft 15.

Photovoltaic elements 25 or other elements for using solar energy, such as solar collectors and the like, can

of approximately 90° between normal and flood protection position, because the projection of the plate's center of gravity is on the land side next to the axis 27 of the pivot bearing 4. As with the second embodiment , the range of rotation D can also be greater than 180°, for example approximately 200°. In this third embodiment in particular, this has the advantage that the channel 15 is practically completely closed even in the flood protection position of the plates 2 (not shown).

Figure 4 shows a vertical section through the plate of a plate system 1 for traffic and energy generation, according to a fourth embodiment. The plate 2 is erected in the essentially vertical sound or wind or avalanche protection position on a dam-like substructure 3 ;*' ^? . The plate 2 reduces the area behind

the dam, which can be a noise barrier along a motorway or railway line 26, the traffic noise and

»■»■ &Lgr;

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be mounted on the first or second surface 8,11 of the panels 2 »"V. so that the most favourable sun exposure is possible. *

radiation can be used to produce electricity V ,,*

By rotating the plates 2 around their pivot bearing 4, j*^ '·

this to achieve the most vertical sun exposure possible.

Radiation can be adjusted. This can, for example, at midday * _β&iacgr; ..- ₄ ·- require a substantially horizontal position of the panels 2 which are part of a protection system which runs across a westerly or easterly main wind direction. A further downward pivoting can be advantageous for photovoltaic systems which run across a substantially northerly main wind direction. In cases of hurricane-like storms, however, it is advisable to bring the panels into their highest wind protection position so that on the one hand W~*-i achieves the greatest possible wind protection and on the other hand the J"i*r

* · · · * additional support of the plates 2 on the end stops 7' *!

can be exploited. t*"-t

Figure 5 shows a vertical view of the drive device 5 * _; " for moving a plate 2, according to a first embodiment. A gear 28 J..*;* with which a threaded rod 29 is in engagement is firmly connected to the rotation axis 27. This threaded rod 29 is in turn connected to a motor (not shown). This combination of threaded rod 29 and gear 28 represents a large transmission ratio, which allows a heavy plate 2 to be moved slowly and in a controlled manner with a relatively high motor speed and low torque. The motor can be, for example, a hydraulic or electric motor, which also enables an intervention for a tool to manually drive the gear 28 and thus to manually change the plate position (e.g. in the event of a failure of the drive media or an interruption of the control information).

Locking means 6 can also be operated manually and/or motor-driven and are preferably designed as being embedded in the teeth of the

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The gear wheel 28 is designed with slides engaging in it. A single slide acting against both directions of rotation or two slides acting individually for each direction of rotation can be provided. Alternative designs of these locking means 6 include, for example, known ratchets which are lifted by the last tooth _4iii when the gear wheel 28 is rotated, snap into the next gap after passing this tooth and prevent the gear wheel 28 from turning back by resting against this tooth.

Preferably, two such ratchets are used, each acting in one direction of rotation. The locking means 6 are operatively connected to the drive device 5 in such a way that when the plate is intentionally adjusted, the corresponding locking means release the gear 28 and that when there is no adjustment force, the locking means 6 block the gear 28. In this way, it is ensured that the plates 2 can be moved in a controlled manner and locked in essentially any swivel position and in both directions of rotation. ' . * "

Figure 6 shows a vertical view of the drive device 5 i...L- for moving two plates 2, according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, here an additional transmission gear 30 is inserted into the drive device 5 between the gear 28, which is firmly connected to the axis of rotation 27 of a plate 2, and the threaded rod 29. This allows for a larger weight to be moved, if necessary: one or more plates 2 lying next to one another can optionally be coupled together, so that a much larger weight has to be moved and controlled. Preferably, the same number of plates are coupled together on both sides of a drive device 5, so that a symmetrical force distribution results between the substructure 3, drive device 5 and plates 2.

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The plates 2 can be connected to each other, e.g. by means of retractable *-

bolt (not shown) or by means of a coupling tooth * _friiS "

wheel 31 (cf. Fig. 6), which has a gear wheel 28 of the ·&diams;. *?

both adjacent plates 2. Ar- *

Retaining agents 6 can be used as in the first embodiment ma- %..&ldquor;*

manually and/or motor-operated and are designed accordingly for this second embodiment. They can
on a gear 28 for each plate 2 and/or on a
Coupling gear 31 can be provided for two plates.

Deviating from Fig. 5 or 6, the drive device 5

drives that are obvious to every specialist, such as a hand crank *&eegr;£&.

and/or an axial motor (preferably with coaxial gear) 5**1**

Such a (preferably in the axis of rotation *{

27 built-in) axial motor can - as well as otherwise installed - \** _% i

drives - for example as electric, diesel or petrol » .**

zinmotor and e.g. a coaxial gearbox ' «"

0. .***">

In all versions, corresponding parts are provided with the
The present invention
also includes any combination of the examples given here
illustrated or described embodiments.

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Claims (11)

1. Panel system ( 1 ) - in particular for water management, transport and energy production - comprising: - a plate ( 2 ); - a substructure ( 3 ); - a pivot bearing ( 4 ) by means of which the plate ( 2 ) is movably arranged on the substructure ( 3 ) in a rotation range (D) and which is designed to transmit forces acting on the plate ( 2 ) to this substructure ( 3 ); - a drive device ( 5 ) for moving the plate ( 2 ), wherein the drive device ( 5 ) engages the pivot bearing ( 4 ) and is in permanent operative connection therewith and is designed for the controlled movement and/or locking of the plate ( 2 ) in essentially any pivot position, characterized in that additional locking means ( 6 ) are provided and the drive device ( 5 ) and/or the locking means ( 6 ) can be operated manually and/or by motor. 2. Plate system ( 1 ) for water management according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot bearing ( 4 ) is arranged close to an edge of the plate ( 2 ) and that a seal ( 13 ) is arranged in the region of the pivot bearing ( 4 ). 3. Plate system ( 1 ) for water management according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a seal ( 13 ) pivots with the plate ( 2 ) and, in an end position of the plate ( 2 ), seals the substructure ( 3 ). 4. Plate system ( 1 ) for water management according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate ( 2 ) and substructure ( 3 ) are permanently sealed together. 5. Plate system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire rotation range (D) comprises an angle between 5° and 200°. 6. Panel system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first surface ( 8 ) of the panel ( 2 ) is designed to be walkable or drivable. 7. Panel system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first or second surface ( 8 , 11 ) of the panel ( 2 ) comprises elements ( 25 )~ for utilizing solar energy. 8. Plate system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on that edge of the plate ( 2 ) - which is directly opposite the pivot bearing ( 4 ) - a second pivot bearing is arranged, around which a second plate can be pivoted. 9. Protection system against floods ( 12 ), noise, avalanches or wind, characterized in that it comprises a panel system ( 1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims. 10. Installation for the use of solar energy, characterized in that it comprises a plate system ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8. 11. Installation according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that its drive device ( 5 ) for the controlled movement and/or locking of plates ( 2 ) is designed to be remotely controllable via a communication system.