US20090324334A1

US20090324334A1 - Prevention of flood from a water channel

Info

Publication number: US20090324334A1
Application number: US12/215,826
Authority: US
Inventors: Sastry K. Ganti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-28
Filing date: 2008-06-28
Publication date: 2009-12-31

Abstract

Preventing a flood by lowering the water level of the water channel in the flood prone zone by methods consisting of pushing large quantities of water downstream and partially blocking the inflow of water at various strategic locations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to preventing of flood, when there is a gradual but rapid rise of water level in water channels such as creeks, canals and rivers. The rapid rise in water level is generally due to excessive drainage into water channels, due to melting of snow, and due to heavy rainfall on an already saturated ground.
2. Prior Art
When the water level in a water channel is rapidly rising and threatening to overflow, the available remedies are generally limited to building levees of various types. These levees may be temporary or permanent. A temporary levee made up of sand bags is a very common way of a community dealing with an impending flood from a water channel passing through its community. Levees are also built with readily available heavy earthen materials, without bagging them. If they are built with pebbles and stones, these ridges may be covered with waterproof fabric.
3. Limitations of Prior Art
With prior art's focus being on construction of levees of various types, the following are the disadvantages:

- Levees are generally constructed of loose material as a temporary measure,
- They are a last and hurried attempt at containing flood waters, and are rarely professional in construction,
- The height of a levee can not be determined adequately; the water may eventually overflow the levee no matter how tall the levee is built,
- The higher the levee, the higher the fluid pressure on it as the water level rises. Many levees fail right after construction, resulting in flooding,
- Burrowing animals are known to weaken levees,
- Levees are an eye sore. They diminish the beauty of a neighborhood,
- With a levy constructed, the functionality of the water channel's banks is diminished for recreation and sport, once the threat of flooding disappears,
- Levees may only temporarily protect only the subject area from flooding; I.e. they pass on the danger of flooding to the downstream communities. The rising flood waters at upstream accelerate downstream, due to the higher levels reached at the upstream.
- Since levees are loosely constructed in an amateurish way, and they are subject to the weather elements constantly, structurally they wear away soon. Hence they are not effective for the next impending flood.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of invention presented in this application are explained below:
The strategy of preventing flood in a subject region due to rapidly rising water level in a subject water channel flowing through the region consists of:

- Partially and temporarily blocking the flow of water, upstream of the subject Region,
- At a location downstream of the subject region, pushing sufficiently large quantities of water further downstream,
- At the downstream regions from the subject region, if there are other water channels draining into the subject water channel, then, blocking partially temporarily the flow of water from these downstream channels.

The combination of the above actions or a single action will sufficiently lower the water level in the subject water channel to eliminate the threat of flooding. In addition, levees will not be needed.
Certain equipment specifically built will be needed to achieve the actions of pushing and blocking water at the various locations.

SUMMARY

In accordance with my invention, using certain specifically built equipment, flooding danger in a water channel may be eliminated by partially and temporarily blocking water flow in certain upstream and downstream locations, and pushing downstream, sufficient amounts of water in a downstream location.

DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 Map showing Water Channels, in and near flooding area

FIG. 2 Power Float, with a single rotating shaft with paddles

FIG. 3 Power Float, capable of self-anchoring into channel bed

FIG. 4 Two Power Floats, connected to each other with Connector

FIG. 5 Four connected Power Floats, with Anchoring Cables

FIG. 6 Two connected and anchored Power Floats, with locked paddles

FIG. 6A Close up view of Locking Bar

FIG. 7 Cable Anchoring Mechanism, on one bank along the Water Channel

FIG. 8 Typical Paddle Assembly, used in rotary motion pushing

FIG. 9 Typical Linear Paddle Assembly used in linear motion pushing

FIG. 10 Partial assembly of Linear Paddles and Tracks, used in linear motion

DRAWING

Reference Numerals

20 Shaded Region, represents saturated grounds with excess water in streams
22 Water Channel A, with rising water level in Shaded Region
24 Water Channel B, with rising water level in Shaded Region
26 Water Channel C, whose water levels are presently reasonable
28 Water Channel D, whose water levels are presently reasonable
30 Water Channel E, whose water levels are presently reasonable
32 Flood prone section of Channel A
34 Flood prone section of Channel B
36 Temporary and partial blockage of upstream flow of Channel A
38 Temporary and partial blockage of upstream flow at Channel B
40 Temporary and partial blockage of upstream flow at Channel D
42 Pushing location of upstream water at channel C to downstream
44 Pushing location of upstream water at channel E to downstream
50 Catamaran style Power Float
51 Typical Hull, of Power Float
52 Typical Paddle, of Power Float
53 Typical Cable Anchor, on Power Float
51 Typical Connector Bar between Hulls of Power Float
55 Power Sprocket, to rotate Paddles
56 Rotation direction of Paddles to push water downstream
57 Arrow showing downstream direction
60 Housing for Telescoping Leg of Power Float, when retracted
61 Extended Telescoping Leg of Power Float
64 Connector, to connect two adjacent hulls of Power Floats
66 Anchoring Cable, placed on the downstream side
67 Anchoring Cable, placed on the upstream side
70 Locking Bar, to prevent paddle rotation by water pressure
71 Non-moving Paddle, slowing down the flow of water
74 Bank, along the Water Channel
75 Solid Ground Base, such as a concrete structure
76 Cable Tensioning Equipment Housing
77 Typical Anchoring Cable, to stop Power Float motion
80 Typical Paddle Frame
81 Centerline, representing rotary motion axis of Paddle
82 Wavy dashed lines, representing water level
83 Typical Paddle Plank
84 Typical Retainer Pin, of Paddle Planks
86 Pivot Roller, for Linear Paddles to travel in Upper Track
87 Torque Arm, for Linear Paddles to travel in Lower Track
90 Lower Track, for Linear Paddles
91 Upper Track, for Linear Paddles
92 Arrow, indicating Linear Paddles' motion and downstream direction

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Preferred Embodiment of Prevention of Flood from a Water Channel

The preferred embodiment to prevent flood is explained by describing first, an impending flood region as shown in FIG. 1, region 20.
Water Channel A, 22 and Water Channel B, 24 have rapidly rising water levels in the region 20, at locations 32 and 34 respectively of 22 and 24.
Presently there is no imminent danger at Water Channel C, 26, which carries the combined flow of A and B.
Water Channels C, 26 and D, 28 combine to become Water Channel E, 30 which is also presently flowing below flood level at all its locations.
The dark bands 36 at 22, 38 at 24 and 40 at 28 represent temporary and partial dams, slowing down sufficiently the quantity of water going downstream.
The hatched bands 42 at 26 and 44 at 30 represent water pushing areas where the upstream water is pushed downstream in sufficiently large quantities. The result will be sufficient lowering of water levels, in time, at 32 and 34
For water pushing, FIG. 2 shows a typical catamaran style Power Float vessel, 50, It can be quickly deployed at any required region in any water channel, in sufficient numbers.
52 is a typical paddle with large surface area.
The Power Float is held stationary as the wheel formed of paddles is rotated to push water downstream.
FIG. 8 shows a typical Paddle Assembly.
Paddle Frame, 80, can contain a varying number of Paddle Planks, 83. The planks are easily added or removed to adjust the pushing area.
Paddle immersion depth is adjusted by adjusting the height of Support Columns, 58, as shown in FIG. 2.
Plank Retainer Pins, 84 are easily removed and replaced back.
82 represents the level of water, to which the upper edge of top plank is adjusted to.
Arrow 57 represents the downstream direction, and arrow 56 shows the required paddle motion direction to push water downstream,
51 is a typical hull portion of the vessel. It will contain the powering machinery as well as fuel needed for long continuous operation of the paddles.
54 is a typical connector bar between the hulls of a Power Float. They can also serve as conduits for fuel and control lines between hulls.
53 is a Cable Anchor on a hull, serving also as a housing for Connector, 64, as shown in FIG. 4, It is used between adjacent Power Floats to prevent sidewise drifting.
55 serves as the Power Sprocket to rotate the paddles.
FIG. 3 shows a self-anchoring Power Float, which does not require any external mechanism to hold it stationary against the flowing waters.
Its telescoping legs, 61 can extend as needed to dig into the channel's bed. They can retract into housings, 60, and leave the bottoms of the hulls flush for navigation to a future location.
FIG. 4 shows how two Power Floats can be joined with Connectors, 64.
FIG. 5 shows four connected Power Floats anchored with two Anchoring Cables. They are 66 on the downstream side and 67 on the upstream side.
The ends of these cables can be tensioned by Cable Anchoring Mechanisms located on the channel banks, as depicted in FIG. 7.
74 is one such bank, on which exists a Solid Ground Base, 75. 77 is a typical cable coming into a Cable Tensioning Housing, 76.
It is expected that such anchoring structures will be constructed at many strategically chosen locations in relation to communities and fields along channels.
FIG. 6 shows a Power Float anchored and positioned to partially block and slow down water on its upstream side.
One of its paddles, 71, positioned vertically down is prevented from rotating by the water pressure on it. This is achieved by positioning the Locking Bar 70 fixed to Support Column 58.
It is envisioned that the Support Columns will be adjusted to their required position and the required number of planks, 83, inserted in 71.
FIG. 6A shows a close up view near Locking Bar 70.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Alternate Embodiments

FIG. 9 shows an alternate design, a linear motion Paddle Assembly that will be used in a linear motion type pusher, shown in FIG. 10.
In this arrangement a paddle will push with its entire immersed face area for the entire linear stroke.
The tilting forces on the paddle plank are resisted by the Torque Arm 87, within Lower Track 90 and its mirror counter part. When a paddle returns to the Upper Track 91 and its mirror counter part, there is no water force on the plank. Hence, the Pivot Roller 86 is sufficient. Arrow 92 represents the motion of the paddles in lower tracks, as well as the downstream direction.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the invention presented here need not be used just to prevent floods, but also to control water flow as explained below. Diverting channels of brief length may be constructed at desired locations away from communities and prime fields, thereby when flooding is threatened, water may be pushed to flood the fields so designated, near the constructed channels rather than be pushed downstream, which might have required controlling any excess water flow in downstream regions. After flooding the fields, water may be let back into the channel in a controlled fashion.
Since, with the present day information gathering techniques, water flow levels are predictable at an earlier time than was possible, pushing and blocking techniques presented here may be employed sooner than later, as a control means to prevent reaching ever, the danger point.
Propeller machinery may also be used as water pushers.
In certain channels, where feasible, paddle equipment to push water may be permanently anchored underneath bridge structures.
To temporarily and partially block water flow, retractable and immerseable paddle type equipment may be permanently installed at strategic locations of certain water channels.
All these described ideas may lead to fine-tuning of water flow into large rivers on a continuous basis.

Claims

1. A method of preventing a flood in a water channel, comprising:

a means of pushing downstream, substantially large quantities of water of said channel at its downstream location,

whereby, due to said pushing, the water level in said channel will be sufficiently lowered.

2. The means of claim 1 comprising a suitable floating vessel having a plurality of substantially large paddles to push water,

whereby, by holding said vessel in a substantially stationary position in relation to said channel's water flow, substantially large quantities of water can be pushed from upstream to downstream.

3. A method of preventing a flood in a water channel, comprising:

a means of temporarily slowing down the addition of water into said channel at an upstream location,

whereby due to said slowing down, water level in said channel will be sufficiently lowered.

4. The means of claim 3 comprising a suitable floating vessel having a large paddle which may be immersed into the water in a direction perpendicular to the direction of said water's flow and held stationary,

whereby, by holding said vessel in a substantially stationary position in relation to said channel's water, substantially large quantities of water can be slowed from flowing upstream to downstream.