ES1293739U - Anti -inundaciones (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Anti-union system to close a hole (1) of an enclosure (2), of a building, blocking the passage of fluid between an exterior and an interior of said enclosure (2), through said hole (1), characterized by the system including: - An inflatable mattress (3) that includes a flexible canvas with a stagnant internal cavity, configured, said inflatable mattress (3) to expand from a folded position to a swollen display position, by expanding a gas in the internal cavity; - An inflation drive system (4), configured to expand gas in the cavity; Where the inflatable matt) of the enclosure (2), blocking said section, in a watertight way, as a fluid. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ANTI-FLOOD SYSTEM

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system comprising an inflatable or inflatable barrier suitable for being installed next to a hole or opening in an enclosure, such as a door, gate or window, said barrier designed to, when unfolded, block the passage of liquid to the interior of a building, through said hole. In this way, the system prevents an external flood, due to overflowing rivers or heavy rains, from penetrating through the doors and/or windows of any type of room, such as low-rise homes, premises, garages or basements, being the time removable at the user's will.

The invention is within the technical field of the sector of installations designed to prevent damage to interiors of buildings due to weather effects, especially water, or more specifically, in devices intended to minimize the effects of flooding in said interiors due to floods. or overflows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a wide variety of devices, systems or procedures configured on the market to avoid adverse effects inside buildings due to environmental flooding, mainly caused by a large amount of rain, overflowing of rivers or streams.

These unwanted situations mean that those basements or ground floors, such as garages, workshops, bars, shops, businesses, etc. that are adjacent to these areas with the possibility of overflow, can be quickly flooded and completely flooded, with what this entails.

Among other considerations, we must take into account the mud that the water produced by the floods usually carries in suspension, especially harmful to machinery and other fixtures and furnishings present in any basement or ground floor, which can render them absolutely useless.

It is evident that the best way to avoid such situations is based on an adequate urban planning and an appropriate architectural design based on external environmental conditions, but when such prior action is not possible or fails, it is necessary to incorporate active measures aimed at blocking the passage of water into the buildings.

Among these active measures, the most recognized is to place a shield based on bags, usually sand, in front of the holes (1)s (doors, windows) of the buildings through which a flood can run. Although this procedure is one of the most economical and simple, since it tries to imitate the effect of a dam, it is somewhat slow and rudimentary that requires the presence of the user to place the bags in the moments prior to the danger, a situation that is always possible due to the speed with which they occur.

Other systems that are not so common are those that include portable modular exterior barriers that allow quick assembly without tools by the user but that take up a lot of space when they are not in use and must be specially designed for the sizes of the gaps to be covered. .

Among the automatic devices, the electric gates stand out, with linear actuators connected to control systems, which allow moving a rigid barrier structure located next to the opening (below or to one side) to be placed as a barrier, to prevent the passage of fluid, said system being expensive since it requires work.

Other automatic systems that do not require an electrical supply are the automatic gates undercut in the ground and that rise at the moment of danger, due to the thrust of the fluid in a lower cavity when it is flooded. These systems also include a high price since they require the completion of a complex work, which is not always possible, depending on the characteristics of the building as well as its location.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a removable and effective system in a matter of seconds for blocking the passage of the liquid, to prevent possible floods from affecting the interior of the buildings, through their openings, avoiding the aforementioned problems. .

Therefore, in order to provide new solutions to the sector, an anti-flood system is described below to completely or partially close a hole or opening, such as a door, window or similar, of an enclosure (wall, wall or facade), of a building, blocking the passage of fluid between an exterior and an interior of said enclosure, through said hole.

The system comprises:

- an inflatable mattress, comprising a flexible canvas with a sealed internal cavity, configured, said inflatable mattress, to expand from a folded position to an inflated unfolded position, by means of the expansion of a gas in the internal cavity; and - an inflation drive system, configured to expand the gas in the cavity; where, being in the folded position, the inflatable mattress is housed in a first receptacle located on one side of the opening and, being in the unfolded position, it is configured to be placed on a section of the opening of the enclosure, blocking said section, in a watertight manner, to the flow of fluid.

In this way, the inflatable mattress can be installed permanently or punctually removable, when there is a possibility in which its use is required, occupying a small space, collected in a receptacle close to the hole to be blocked, without being annoying in daily use. of the door or window, with the mattress in a folded state, and unfold, in a section of the hole, acting as a barrier to the passage of liquid, without the need for human action, and in a short period of time. In the same way, when the use of the barrier is not necessary, the mattress can be folded again and housed in the receptacle included in the system, or the entire system can be disassembled. In other words, the anti-flood system can always be installed next to the building opening or it can be installed when it is needed.

The section to be blocked by the inflatable mattress can be the entire hole or a part of it, preferably the lower one, attached to the ground, since the liquid of the floods flows through a lower surface, due to gravity.

The expansion of the gas in the internal cavity of the mattress can be carried out by different methods or with different devices as long as a rapid but controlled deployment of the canvas is allowed. Depending on the size of the inflatable mattress, its expansion, from the folded to the unfolded position, in a time range between 0.5 to 10 seconds. In other words, fast enough to prevent a large-volume flood, produced quickly, from entering through the hole, but gradually enough so that it does not harm anyone located in the vicinity and its deployment is adjusted to the space to be blocked.

The side of the hole in which the receptacle is located refers to any side of said hole, including the lower or upper side, although it is preferably located on a left or right side so that the unfolding of the canvas is in a substantially horizontal direction.

Preferably, the inflatable mattress, when it is unfolded, comprises a rectangular tubular shape suitable for extending along the section of the hole (normally a lower section), with sufficient tensile strength to withstand the thrust of the water from floods against the building, without affecting the condition of the mattress for use as a barrier. In other embodiments, the unfolded, inflated mattress comprises a trapezoidal section, with a lower base that is larger than the upper one, since greater pressure is produced in the lower part.

In one embodiment, the inflatable mattress comprises a second receptacle, located on a side of the hole opposite the side in which the first receptacle is located; where the inflatable mattress comprises a first end part fixed to the first receptacle, and a second end part configured to connect to an external fixing means located in the second receptacle, when said mattress is in the unfolded position.

Preferably, the second receptacle is configured to house the second end portion of the inflatable mattress, thereby fixing said second end portion to the second receptacle by clamping between them. In other words, when the second end part is inserted into the second receptacle, a tight fit is produced that immobilizes the mattress at both ends, as the first end part is fixed to the first receptacle.

In another embodiment, the system also comprises a joint system configured to rigidly connect the second end part of the inflatable mattress to the external fixing means of the second receptacle.

The system is configured to be reused whenever necessary, so it is appropriate that the mattress is firmly fixed, in some way, close to the hole to be blocked, to prevent a flood from dragging it away. The most effective is that said fixation is, by a first end part, in the first receptacle itself. This fixation can be permanent or removable, depending on the needs and design, and can include mechanical elements or waterproof adhesives. In the same way, the joining system of the second end part of the mattress to the second receptacle is removable and may include a mechanical joint, such as a zipper, brackets, in addition to being fixed by tightening, as well as using elements such as magnets, preferably neodymium that They allow a very resistant rigid fixation. Use is preferably made of elements that do not require human iteration.

In one embodiment, each receptacle is located on a supportable rigid structure on a ground, that is to say that it can rest on a ground, where said structure comprises a height, from said ground, of between 100 and 130 cm. The function of these structures is, in addition to holding or retaining the receptacles, allowing them to be fixed or connected to the ground, with sufficient force to achieve a total blockage, in order to contain the water pressure, as well as provide a blockage extra. In other words, given that each rigid structure comprises a receptacle, these would act as posts or fastening elements for the inflatable mattress when it is unfolded, thus allowing it to withstand the pressure of the water from a flood against the mattress.

Also preferably, the rigid structures are made of a material with a sufficient aesthetic grade so as not to distort the decoration of the building or the openings, but they must be sufficiently resistant to withstand external climatic conditions, as well as floods of great intensity. That is, they can be made of stainless steel, masonry, aluminum or a combination of similar construction materials. In the same way, preferably, the receptacles of these rigid structures have a facing opening so that the expansion of the mattress is not impeded when the air expands.

These rigid structures preferably adopt a configuration of small columns or pedestals where the height of between 100 to 130 cm is considered sufficient to deploy an inflatable mattress of a similar height, since this height is the most common to cover when find these types of events in the form of floods, although in other embodiments the system may comprise structures of greater or lesser height to support inflatable mattresses of greater or lesser size.

The described system allows the inflatable mattress to be placed close to the hole or at a sufficient distance to allow the element that closes said hole to open, such as a door or window.

In one embodiment, the rigid structure or structures can contain decorative elements such as flower pots or architectural elements, perfectly concealable with the building envelope.

Preferably, each rigid structure is modular, and can be installed rigidly, immobile and removable, with respect to the ground on which it is supported, on one side of the opening, inside or outside the building envelope. In this way, the system can be used outside or inside the building enclosure. That is, on any side of the wall, such as a façade, in such a way that the expansion of the inflatable mattress can be carried out inside or outside, depending on the needs and architectural conditions.

In another embodiment, the system comprises movement means configured to move, moving along the ground, each rigid structure from an internal chamber of the façade, said chamber located to one side of the hole, to a position outside said façade, being said outer position suitable for the expansion of the inflatable mattress. In this way, if there is a first and a second rigid structure, both can be hidden in the enclosure (wall or wall) of the façade when the use of the system is not necessary, remaining hidden. With this embodiment, the rigid structures remain supported on the ground, and the displacement means may comprise one or more motors, transmission chains or rails.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a control unit, connected to the inflation drive system of the inflatable mattress. Preferably, the control unit comprises a communication system that is configured to activate, by means of a remote signal, the inflation drive system of the inflatable mattress.

In other words, the system can be activated by a user without the latter being present together with said system, but rather by sending a signal from a remote point, such as by means of a telephone or wireless signal, to the communication system of the control unit, which, being connected to the inflation activation system, can give the order to expand the gas inside the mattress cavity. In this way, the system could be activated manually or by remote control, preferably from a mobile device through an application.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a fluid sensor, where the inflation drive system is configured to activate expanding the gas in the cavity upon receiving a signal from the fluid sensor. In other words, when the fluid detector (or sensor) detects a water level in a specific place that implies a flood near the opening of the building, the inflation activation system could be activated without the need for human intervention ( face-to-face or remote).

In one embodiment, the inflation drive system comprises gas generating means configured to inflate the inflatable mattress. Said means may comprise an ignition system such as that present in vehicle airbags or a fluid reservoir at high pressure that expands when released.

In one embodiment, the gas of the inflatable mattress is CO2 and said gas is at a pressure of between 140 to 160 bars, preferably 150 bars, in the sealed internal cavity of said mattress when it is in the unfolded position. Preferably, the canvas is filled at a rate of 1 m3/second.

In one embodiment, the flexible canvas of the inflatable mattress is made of rubber, since said material adapts to the needs indicated in the described embodiments.

In one embodiment, the inflation drive system comprises a gas cylinder configured to release gas into the internal cavity of the inflatable mattress, where preferably said cylinder is located in the internal cavity of the inflatable mattress. Given the existence of different sizes of cylinders or pressurized bottles, this system can independently adapt the volume to be filled with the gas. If required, the system can comprise more than one bottle, to ensure rapid filling to the desired pressure.

In one embodiment, the inflatable mattress comprises a regulator valve configured to adjust the pressure of the inflatable mattress when it is inflated. Said valve can also be used for filling gas inside the cavity of the inflatable mattress.

The valve actuator can be manual, or automated, so that it can be remotely actuated, if required. Said valve is also capable of releasing excess gas pressure to the outside, or once the flooding has subsided, again compressing the rubber material and being totally reusable.

In one embodiment, the inflatable mattress comprises means for fastening to the ground on which it rests. This fastening means may require the presence of a user to make said connection, for example by closing a zipper, or it may be done automatically without the presence of a user being necessary. For example, the mattress may comprise one or more high-power magnets in a lower section, arranged in such a way as to achieve a tight connection with the floor. In other embodiments, the inflatable mattress may have a heavy fluid or solid element in granular form in the internal cavity that prevents the mattress from lifting off the ground despite the loads generated by flooding. Evidently, more than one fastening means such as those defined or others can be provided.

In one embodiment, the inflatable mattress comprises a single sealed internal cavity and a plurality of internal partitions. These partitions are configured to provide rigidity to the mattress when it is inflated. They can also allow proper deployment of the mattress when the gas in the cavity expands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complement the description that will be made below, and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of plans is attached to this descriptive memory, in whose figures in an illustrative and non-limiting manner , the most characteristic details of the invention are represented.

Figure 1. Shows a perspective view of a building that includes an enclosure, in the form of an exterior wall, which includes a hole, in the form of a door, that includes an installed anti-flood system, which includes two rigid structures supported on a floor, each one on each side of the hole, comprising one of said structures the first receptacle with the inflatable mattress and the drive system inside, and the other rigid structure, the second receptacle adapted to receive the second end of the inflatable mattress.

Figure 2. Shows a view similar to the one shown in figure 1, where the flexible canvas of the inflatable mattress has been expanded due to the expansion of a gas in the internal cavity of said mattress, the first end part of said mattress being fixed to the first receptacle and the second end portion secured to the second receptacle by clamping.

Figure 3. Shows a view similar to the one shown in figure 1 where the rigid structures, which comprise the receptacles inside, are hidden, each one of them, in an internal chamber of the building enclosure, on the sides of the building. hollow, comprising a displacement means (not shown) of said rigid structures to transfer them between said internal chamber and the exterior suitable for the use of the system.

A list of the different elements represented in the figures that make up the invention is provided below:

(1) Hollow

(2) Enclosure

(3) Inflatable mattress

(31) First extreme part

(32) Second extreme part

(4) Drive system

(5) First receptacle

(6) Second receptacle

(7) Rigid structure

(8) Inner chamber

(9) Fluid detector

(10) Regulating valve

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As can be seen from the figures, the preferred invention consists of a system specially configured to solve the main existing problem in both material and human damage, caused during flooding of homes, premises, garages ground floor.

More specifically, the figures show the anti-flood system to close a gap (1) of an enclosure (2), specifically a door of a building facade, which works by blocking the passage of fluid between an exterior and an interior of said enclosure (2), through said gap (1) by using an inflatable mattress (3) by expanding a gas. This system is also applicable to other types of openings, such as windows or doors of workshops and garages of any type of building, not just homes.

The system works in such a way that, on one of the sides of the hole (1), there is a first receptacle (5) in which an inflatable mattress (3) comprising a flexible canvas, preferably rubber, is in the folded position. with a sealed internal cavity, so that, when necessary, an actuation system (4) expands a gas in said cavity, causing the mattress to unfold, exit the first receptacle (5), adopting a barrier or dam form , covering a lower section of the hole (1).

In one of the embodiments, the system comprises two rigid structures (7), anchored to the ground, the first receptacle (5) being in one of them and the other structure (7) comprising a second receptacle (6) arranged to fix the mattress. inflatable (3) when deployed.

In this way, the inflatable mattress (3) is fixed, by a first end part (31), to the rigid structure (7) of the first receptacle (5) in which it is in the folded state, and is configured to be fixed, by a second end part (32), by means of a joining system, to an external fixing means, located in a second receptacle (6), which is located in the other rigid structure (7), when the mattress (3) is unfolds as the gas expands. Said second receptacle (6) is configured to house a part of the inflatable mattress (3) when it is unfolded, thus improving the fixation of both parts.

The union system must allow the connection between the mattress (3) and the rigid structures (7) to be watertight, that is, they do not allow the passage of fluid in the unions, said inflatable mattress (3) acting as a dam. . In the same way, the deployed inflatable mattress (3) must prevent the passage of liquid underneath, so that the system can comprising a fixing means that allows said mattress (3) to be connected to the ground, in a watertight manner. Said means may consist of a liquid or granular material housed in the sealed internal cavity of the mattress, providing sufficient weight to prevent it from floating or rising from the ground, or it may comprise mechanical means that provide a rigid connection.

In another different embodiment, such as the one shown in figure 3, the rigid structures (7) can be housed, each one of them, in an internal chamber (8), hidden in the facade or wall of the building where the hole is located. (1) to seal. In this way, when it is necessary to unfold the mattress (3) so that it acts as a barrier against the liquid of a flood, said rigid structures (7) move, by means of displacement means that comprise at least one motor and guides by which move, and place them in a position similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, operating in the same way as the embodiment described above.

The height of the inflatable mattress (3), when it is unfolded, is between 100 and 130 cm, which are the usual heights that are usually walled up when there is a climatic situation of this type. Therefore, preferably, both the receptacle (5, 6) and the rigid structures (7) also have a similar height.

To carry out the inflation of the inflatable mattress (3), the system comprises a control unit, connected to the drive system (4) for inflating the inflatable mattress (3). Said control unit is configured to activate the inflation drive system (4) when required. In one embodiment, the system may comprise, for this purpose, a sensor or a fluid detector (10) specially designed and installed to detect a flood close to the enclosure (2). When the control unit receives a signal from the fluid detector (10), it sends a signal to the inflation drive system (4) to carry out the expansion of the gas, without the presence or action of a user being necessary. In another embodiment, compatible with the previous one, the system may also comprise a communication system configured to activate, by means of a remote signal, the activation system (4) for inflating the inflatable mattress (3), upon receiving a specific signal, for part of a user, application or computer program configured to detect flood risks in the place where the system is installed. Obviously, the system can also comprise "in situ" activation means that allow a user to activate the inflation of the mattress (3) from the very place where it is installed, without need for mobile electronic devices. In this case, user intervention would be necessary at the time of the flood.

To expand the gas at a pressure of between 140 to 160 bars, preferably 150 bars, in the sealed internal cavity of the mattress (3), the inflation drive system (4) may comprise a gas generation means such as the one used vehicle airbags, which include an ignition medium, or may include other systems that also allow rapid expansion, such as a pressurized CO2 cylinder, located inside the internal cavity of the mattress (3).

As is normal, since the system comprises an inflatable rubber element, at high pressure, which is also reusable, the mattress (3) includes a regulating valve (10) that allows the pressure to be adjusted, so that such as emptying it of gas when it has been used.

Thus, the main advantages associated with the embodiment described are:

• Immediacy. The inflatable mattress (3) can be expanded in a short time of a few seconds.

• Economy. Since it does not require a complex work, being a system that does not require complex operating mechanisms.

• Possibility of activation by remote control or activation upon contact with water, without the need for direct human intervention.

• It occupies little space both in its exterior and interior version of the façade.

• Ecological, given the little material required to create the dam effect, and the innocuousness of CO ² .

In addition, as has been mentioned, once the flood subsides, the system is totally reusable, without more than cleaning it, replacing the gas expansion or generation system, depending on which one you understand, and re-compressing it and inserting it into the first receptacle (5), in order to have it prepared for possible future new floods.

Claims (16)

1. Anti-flood system to close a gap (1) of an enclosure (2), of a building, blocking the passage of fluid between an exterior and an interior of said enclosure (2), through said gap (1) , characterized in that the system comprises: - an inflatable mattress (3) comprising a flexible canvas with a sealed internal cavity, configured, said inflatable mattress (3) to expand from a folded position to an inflated unfolded position, by means of the expansion of a gas in the internal cavity; - an inflation drive system (4), configured to expand the gas in the cavity; where the inflatable mattress (3), being in the folded position, is housed in a first receptacle (5) located on one side of the hole (1) and, being in the unfolded position, it is configured to be placed on a section of the hole (1 ) of the enclosure (2), blocking said section, in a watertight manner, to the passage of fluid. 2. Anti-flood system, according to the preceding claim, comprising a second receptacle (6) located on one side of the hole (1) opposite the side on which the first receptacle (5) is located; where the inflatable mattress (3) comprises a first end part (31) fixed to the first receptacle (5), and a second end part (32) configured to connect to an external fixing means located in the second receptacle (6), when said mattress (3) is in the unfolded position. 3. Anti-flood system, according to the previous claim, where the second receptacle (6) is configured to house the second end part (32) of the inflatable mattress (3), fixing said second end part (32) to the second receptacle (6). ) by tightening between them. 4. Anti-flood system, according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a connection system configured to rigidly connect the second end portion (32) of the inflatable mattress (3) to the exterior fixing means of the second receptacle (6). 5. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, where each receptacle (5, 6) is located in a rigid structure (7) supported on a ground, where said structure (7) comprises a height from the ground of between 100 to 130 cm. 6. Anti-flood system, according to the previous claim, where each rigid structure (7) is modular, and is configured to be rigidly installed, immobile and removable, with respect to the ground on which it is supported, on one side of the hole ( 1), inside or outside the enclosure (2) of the building. 7. Anti-flood system, according to claim 5, comprising movement means configured to move each rigid structure from an internal chamber (8) of the enclosure (2) to an uncovered external position of said enclosure (2), at a side the hole (1), said external position being suitable for the expansion of the inflatable mattress (3). 8. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit connected to the drive system (4) for inflating the inflatable mattress (3); where the control unit comprises a communication system that is configured to activate and deactivate, by means of a remote signal, the activation system (4) for inflating the inflatable mattress (3). 9. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid detector (9), and where the inflation drive system (4) is configured to activate by expanding the gas in the cavity upon receiving a signal from the fluid detector (9). 10. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation drive system (4) comprises a gas generation means, configured to inflate the inflatable mattress (3). 11. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, where the gas configured to inflate the inflatable mattress (3) is CO2 and where said gas is at a pressure of between 140 to 160 bars, preferably 150 bars, in the sealed internal cavity of said mattress (3) when it is in the unfolded position. 12. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, where the flexible canvas of the inflatable mattress (3) is made of rubber. 13. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation drive system (4) comprises a gas cylinder configured to release gas into the internal cavity of the inflatable mattress (3), where, preferably, said cylinder It is located in the internal cavity of the inflatable mattress (3). 14. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, where the inflatable mattress (3) comprises a regulating valve (10) configured to adjust the pressure of the inflatable mattress (3). 15. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, where the inflatable mattress (3) comprises a means of fastening to the ground on which it rests. 16. Anti-flood system, according to any of the preceding claims, where the inflatable mattress (3) comprises a single sealed internal cavity and preferably comprises a plurality of internal partitions.