Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING A FLOOD BARRIER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims priority based on United States Patent
Application 13/188,292 entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING A
FLOOD BARRIER" filed July 21, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and system for creating a
flood barrier. The barrier is a series of interconnecting mesh and fabric,
framed
enclosures that are filled with soil and compacted. The method of compacting
the soil is
crucial to the stability and strength of the barrier system. In one
embodiment, a
positionable, inverted pyramid head is used to force the soil to the outermost
vertices of
each individual enclosure.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Flooding is a force of nature that yearly destroys billions of dollars
of
property and needlessly kills people of all ages. The force of moving water
can carve
through solid rock over time. It can pull houses from their foundations and
pull crops out
of the ground. Many of the major rivers in the United States have been tamed
through
the use of dams and levees. The dams allow rapidly rising water to fill a
predetermined
basin during heavy rains, runoff and snow melts. That excess water can then be
released
over a long period of time in a safe manner. Likewise, a levee is an
artificially raised
river bank. If the river level rises, the levee is designed to contain the
swollen volume of
running water.
[0004] The design of levees must take into account many factors, including the
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces exerted by the flowing river. The US Army
Corps
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
of Engineers is the premier designer of levees, and yet only a small
percentage of the
rivers in this country have levees, whether partial or complete. If an
excessive amount of
snow falls in the winter, then the melt from that snow mass will exceed the
containment
capacity of the downstream river banks and levees. When this happens, the
water
overflows the banks and floods.
[0005] The 2009 Red River flood along the Red River of the North in North
Dakota and Minnesota in the United States and Manitoba in Canada brought
record flood
levels to the Fargo-Moorhead area. The flood was a result of saturated and
frozen
ground, Spring snowmelt exacerbated by additional rain and snow storms, and
virtually
flat terrain. Furthermore, the Red River of the North flows from the United
States into
Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. Unlike the vast majority of rivers in the
United
States, it flows northward, which means melting snow and river ice, as well as
runoff
from its tributaries, often create ice dams, which cause the river to
overflow. The valley
is essentially flat, leading to overland flooding, with no high ground on
which to take
refuge.
[0006] Warnings for the 2009 flood occurred as early as March 9 when the
National Weather Service warned that the Fargo-Moorhead area could see a
significant
flood of between 35 feet (11 m) and 36 feet (11 m). As preparations began for
the
flooding on March 16, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven declared a statewide
disaster in anticipation of flooding across the state. On March 19, the
National Weather
Service raised the predicted flood level in the Fargo area to between 37 feet
(11 m) and
40 feet (12 m). The city began filling sandbags on March 20. In anticipation
of a rain
and snow storm, the predicted crest level was raised on March 22 to a range
from 39 feet
(12 m) to 41 feet (12 m).
-2-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
[0007] Volunteers continued preparing sandbags, with 560,000 bags filled by
late March 22, out of an expected 1.5 million to 2 million needed. By March
24,
residents in Fargo-Moorhead had filled over 1 million sandbags and were
attempting to
fill a total of 2 million by the 26th. A levee in Georgetown, Minnesota was
raised
another two feet, and emergency dikes were built in Fargo, Moorhead, Harwood,
Grafton
and Richland County. And even with these preparations, the predicted flood
crest was
raised again to 42 feet. In other words, there was a rapid and changing
environment that
was difficult to anticipate. And even with volunteers, there is a need for a
mechanized
method of preparing more substantial barriers than sandbags.
[0008] One system for creating a temporary levee is made by Hesco Bastion
USA. Its Concertainer units are a geotextile lined unit for general use as an
earth filled
gabion. The units are suitable for filling with earth, sand, gravel, crushed
rock and other
granular materials. Referring to Figure 1, the units 100 can be placed on
river bank 14
adjacent to the river 12. As the river 12 rises, the units 100 add a barrier
that is capable
of withstanding the forces from the rising water. Figures 2 and 3 provide a
more detailed
view of the units 100. Note that each unit 100 has a number of individual
compartments
102, 104, 106. Each of these compartments is generally cubical in shape having
an
opening on the top for receiving the fill material. The fill material is
contained within
the compartment by a wire mesh frame 114 that lends form to the geotextile
material.
Each unit 100 has at least one compartment 102. Units 100 can be linked
together to
form a barrier of any desired length. For instance, in one embodiment, the
unit 100 has
five compartments 102, each being three feet in width and depth and four feet
in height.
The set of five compartments creates a barrier of approximately 15 feet in
length.
Multiple units can be attached to each other using a pin 118 to interlock the
end vertices
-3-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
of the unit. The units are usually filled by hand. As shown in Figure 3, soil
is scooped
into the units by hand and a person 20 actually stands on top of it and moves
the soil with
a shovel 16 to distribute soil within the unit. The worker 20 has only his
weight to
compress the fill.
[0009] As useful as the Concertainer units are, each must still be properly
filled with material to provide the weight and stability required to withstand
the turbulent
currents produced in floods. Specifically, the dirt or other fill material
must be properly
packed into the bottom edges around the bottom perimeter of each compartment.
Failure
to properly pack fill into those spaces results in voids 18. The voids 18 can
create a risk
of the compartment sagging and underwash. If the soil under the unit begins to
erode
because flowing water has infiltrated between the unit and the ground
underneath it, the
entire unit can collapse and fail to act as a barrier.
[0010] Therefore a need exists for an improved method of filling and
compacting barriers such as the Concertainer units described above. This
improved
method should allow for the rapid deployment, filling and compaction of the
soil inside
the units 100. Such a method should also minimize the need of human labor to
accomplish the deployment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more complete understanding of the apparatus and methods of the
present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed
description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a unit deployed on a river bank;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a series of units deployed on a river
bank;
-4-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a person filling a unit;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the compacting apparatus in one
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the compacting apparatus in one
embodiment comprising a rotation table.
[0017] Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals
designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms "top,"
"bottom,"
"first," "second," "upper," "lower," "height," "outer," "inner," "width,"
"length," "end,"
"side," "horizontal," "vertical," and similar terms are used herein, it should
be
understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the
drawing
and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
[0018] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of
the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to
number, position,
relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment
will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings
of the present
invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and
dimensional proportions to conform to specific width, length, and similar
requirements
will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of
the present
invention have been read and understood.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be
identified
by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively
disclosed herein
-5-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not
specifically
disclosed herein.
[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the compacting apparatus 200 in one
embodiment. In one embodiment the apparatus 200 comprises an attaching device
206
which is coupled to a base 204 and a head 202 which is coupled to a base 204.
[0021 ] The attaching device 206 can comprise any device which couples the
apparatus 200 to equipment. As shown the attaching device 206 is coupled to a
mechanical arm 300. As used herein a "mechanical arm" refers to any piece of
equipment which can maneuver the compacting apparatus. The mechanical arm 300
can
comprise the arm of a tractor, back hoe, or any other equipment which can be
used to
maneuver the apparatus 300. As depicted the attaching device 206 attaches at
two hinge
points. In other embodiments the attaching device 206 attaches at a single
hinge point,
whereas in other embodiments the attaching device 206 comprises more than two
hinge
points. As can be seen in Figure 4, the attaching device 206 couples to the
mechanical
arm 300 in such a way that the angle of the apparatus 200 can be controlled.
Thus, while
the apparatus 200 is depicted as pointed downward, by manipulating the
mechanical arm
300, the apparatus 200 can be pointed in any desired direction. As an example,
if the
unit 100 is on an inclined surface, the apparatus 200 can be positioned so as
to enter the
inclined unit 100. In one embodiment the attaching device 206 is removeably
coupled to
the mechanical arm 300.
[0022] As noted the attaching device 206 is coupled to the base 204. The
attaching device 206 can be welded, soldered, or attached to the base 204 in
any method
known in the art. In one embodiment the base 204 and the attaching device 206
comprise a single piece and are thus integrally attached. The base 204 can
comprise
-6-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
virtually any shape. In one embodiment the base 204 comprises a smaller
diameter than
the head 202. In one embodiment the base 204 serves to add weight to the
apparatus
200. The apparatus 200 can be made from a variety of materials including
steel, iron,
etc.
[0023] The head 202 can be coupled to the base 204 in any of the manners
previously discussed. In one embodiment the head 202 is sized so as to fit
within the
internal area of the unit 100. As will be discussed, the head 202 is placed
within the unit
100 to compact material 16 loaded in the unit 100.
[0024] In one embodiment the head 202 comprises a top end 202a and a bottom
end 202b. In one embodiment the top end 202a comprises a wider diameter than
said
bottom end 202b. In one embodiment the bottom end 202b comprises a point. As
depicted the top end 202a comprises a rectangular shape whereas the bottom end
202b
comprises a point. As shown, the head 202 comprises a pyramidal shape. The
head 202
further comprises four sloping faces 202d which begin at the top end 202a and
angle
downward to intersect at the bottom end 202b. A sloping face refers to any
planar face
which comprises a slope. The angle at which the sloping faces 202d slopes
depends
upon the height of the apparatus 200. Two sloping faces surfaces 202d
intersect at an
edge 202c. As depicted there are four edges 202c. In an embodiment wherein the
top
end 202a comprises a triangular shape, there are three sloping faces 202d and
three edges
202c. Virtually any number of edges 202c can be utilized, just as virtually
any shape for
the top end 202a and the bottom end 202b may be used. Likewise, virtually any
number
of sloping faces 202d can be utilized. In one embodiment wherein the top end
202a is
circular, the head 202 does not comprise any edges and consists of a single
sloping face
202d.
-7-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
[0025] In one embodiment, as a force in the downward direction is applied to
the apparatus 200, the sloping face 202d distributes the force in a direction
normal to its
slope. Referring back to Figure 4, as a downward force is applied to and/or by
the
apparatus 200, each sloping face 202d distributes the force in a direction
normal to the
slope of the face. Therefore, each sloping face 202d and each edge 202c
presses material
16 downward and outward to the outer periphery of the unit 100. This causes
the
material 16 to compact. If voids 18, such as those depicted in Figure 3,
exist, the
downward and outward force from the head 202 will cause these voids 18 to be
compacted. As noted, the sloping face 202d presses material 16 downward and
outward.
This causes the outermost vertices of the unit 100 to be compacted. Therefore,
the
bottom corners of each unit 100, which are susceptible to void formation, are
also
compacted. Thus, the force distributing qualities of the head 202 decreases or
eliminates
voids 18. Decreasing or eliminating these voids 18 significantly increases the
stability
and effectiveness of the units 100 in preventing flooding. By having a stable
base, via
the elimination of voids 18, flood water is preventing from eating away at the
voids 18
and thus compromising the unit 100.
[0026] As noted, virtually any shaped head 202 can be utilized. In one
embodiment the shape of the top end 202a of the head 202 substantially
conforms with
the shape of the unit 100 to be compacted. For example, if the unit 100 is in
the shape of
a pentagon, in one embodiment the top end 202a of the head 202 is also in the
shape of a
pentagon. In such an embodiment the force distributing properties of the
sloping faces
202d compact material 16 in a direction normal to the slope, thus preventing
and
eliminating any voids. Likewise, in one embodiment wherein the unit 100 is in
the shape
of a rectangle, the head top end 202a also comprises the shape of a rectangle.
In one
-8-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
embodiment the top end 202a of the head 202 comprises a smaller diameter than
the
inner diameter of the unit 100. This ensures the top end 202a of the head 202
is able to
enter into the unit 100 and compact material 16. In one embodiment the top end
202a
substantially conforms to the area of the opening. In one such embodiment the
top end
202a fills from about 70% to about 95% of the available area of the opening of
the unit
100. In one embodiment the largest diameter of the apparatus is less than the
inner
diameter of the unit 100. As used herein "diameter" refers to the greatest
distance
between two points on an object that lie in the same plane. Thus, the diameter
of the top
end 202a of the head 202 is the distance from the bottom left corner to the
top right
corner in Figure 4.
[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the compacting apparatus in one
embodiment comprising a rotation table 400. The rotation table 400 allows the
apparatus
200 to rotate. In one embodiment the rotation table 400 allows the apparatus
200 to
rotate along a substantially vertical axis. The rotation table 400, in one
embodiment,
allows the apparatus 200 to freely rotate. Such an embodiment provides
flexibility as the
operator need only position the apparatus 200 over the unit 100 and the freely
rotating
apparatus 200 will automatically align itself into the proper position. The
rotation table
400 can comprise ball bearings or other such friction reducing devices to
allow the
apparatus to rotate. In other embodiments the rotation provided by the
rotation table 400
can be controlled. For example, in one embodiment an operator can manually
rotate the
apparatus 200 along the rotation table 400. This can be accomplished using
hydraulics,
drive shafts, gears, actuators, or other methods known in the art. One
advantage in
having an apparatus 200 which can rotate is that the equipment, for example, a
backhoe,
can remain in one location while compacting many different units. Referring
back to
-9-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
Figure 2, a single backhoe could compact the adjacent compartments 102, 104,
106
without having to move. Instead, the mechanical arm 300 approaches each unit,
compacts the material, and then moves to the next unit. Because the apparatus
200 can
rotate, the apparatus 200 can align itself to match the proper orientation of
the unit. This
increases the speed with which the apparatus 200 can compact units. The
rotation table
400 can be located anywhere above the head 202. In one embodiment the rotation
table
400 is located above the base 204, as depicted, whereas in other embodiments
the
rotation table is located below the base.
[0028] In one embodiment the apparatus 200 further comprises a vibrating
device. The vibrating device can be located at any location on the apparatus
200. In one
embodiment the vibrating device is located on the base 204, whereas in other
embodiments the vibrating device is located on the attaching device 206. In
still another
embodiment the mechanical arm 300 comprises a vibrating device. Vibrating the
material 16 in the unit promotes compaction of the material 16.
[0029] While a compacting apparatus has been described, now a method of
compacting will be discussed. First is the step of affixing a compacting
apparatus 200 to
a mechanical arm, wherein said compacting apparatus 200 comprises an attaching
device
206 coupled to a base 204, and wherein said base 204 is coupled to a head 202,
wherein
said head 202 comprises at least one sloping face. Next, the head 202 is
positioned
above an opening in a unit 100, wherein said unit 100 comprises a material 16.
Thereafter the head 202 is lowered such that said head 202 makes contact with
said
material 16. Finally, the material 16 is compacted with the head 202. The
compacting
step can use the weight of the apparatus 200 to compact the material 16. In
another
embodiment force is applied by the equipment. In one embodiment the force
applied
-10-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
comprises a substantially downward force. As noted above, in one embodiment
the
sloping force distributes the applied force in a direction normal to the slope
of the
sloping face.
[0030] In one embodiment the compacting step comprises compacting said
material 16 downward and outward to the outer periphery of said unit 100. In
one
embodiment the compacting step reduces voids 18 formed in the unit 100. In
another
embodiment the compacting further comprises vibrating said apparatus 200 which
further helps compact the material 16. As noted above, in one embodiment the
apparatus
200 can be rotated along a substantially vertical axis.
[0031] In one embodiment the method of compacting further comprises the
step of filling said unit 100 with said material 16. The unit 100 can be
filled any time
prior to the compacting step. In one embodiment the material 16 comprises
dirt, soil,
sand, and/or combinations thereof. The material 16 can comprise virtually any
substance
which can fill the unit 100. In one embodiment the entire unit 100 is filled
with material
16 before compaction begins. In yet another embodiment the unit 100 is only
partially
filled with material 16 before compaction begins. In such an embodiment the
unit 100 is
filled at between about 30 and about 60% capacity and the material 16 is
compacted as
previously discussed. Thereafter, additional material 16 is added to the unit.
In one
embodiment, after additional material 16 has been added, the material 16 is
compacted as
previously discussed.
[0032] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that
various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from
the spirit
and scope of the invention.
-11-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following clauses are offered as further description of the
disclosed
invention.
1. A compacting apparatus comprising:
an attaching device;
a base coupled to said attaching device;
a head coupled to said base; wherein said head comprises at least one
sloping face.
2. The apparatus of clause 1 wherein said head comprises a top end and a
bottom
end.
3. The apparatus of clause 2 wherein said top end comprises a greater diameter
than
said bottom end.
4. The apparatus of clause 2 wherein said bottom end comprises a point.
5. The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein said head comprises a
pyramidal
shape.
6. The apparatus of clause 5 wherein said head comprises four sloping faces.
7. The apparatus of any preceding clause further comprising a vibrating
device.
-12-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
8. The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein said attaching device is
removeably coupled to a mechanical arm.
9. The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein said apparatus further
comprises a
rotation table.
10. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein said rotation table is located between
said
attaching device and said base.
11. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein said head is freely rotatable beneath
said
rotation table.
12. A system for compacting a material, said system comprising:
a compacting apparatus comprising:
an attaching device;
a base coupled to said attaching device;
a head coupled to said base; wherein said head comprises at least one
sloping face;
a unit for holding a material, wherein said unit comprises an opening.
13. The system of clause 12 wherein said head is sized so as to fit within
said
opening of said unit.
-13-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
14. The system of clauses 12-13 wherein said head has a similar shape as does
said
opening of said unit.
15. A method of compacting a material, said method comprising the steps of:
a. affixing a compacting apparatus to a mechanical arm, wherein said
compacting apparatus comprises an attaching device coupled to a
base, and wherein said base is coupled to a head, wherein said
head comprises at least one sloping face;
b. positioning said head above an opening in a unit, wherein said unit
comprises a material;
c. lowering said head such that said head makes contact with said
material;
d. compacting said material with said head.
16. The method of clause 15 wherein said compacting of step d) comprises
applying
a force upon said material.
17. The method of clauses 15-16 wherein said force comprises force exerted by
said
arm onto said apparatus.
18. The method of clause 16 wherein said force comprises a substantially
downward
force.
-14-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
19. The method of clause 16 wherein said sloping face distributes said force
in a
direction normal to said slope.
20. The method of clauses 15-19 wherein said compacting of step d) comprises
compacting said material downward and outward to the outer periphery of said
unit.
21. The method of clauses 15-21 wherein said compacting of step d) reduces
voids
formed in said unit.
22. The method of clauses 15-21 wherein said affixing comprises affixing an
apparatus comprising a head, wherein said head comprises a top end and a
bottom end.
23. The method of clause 22 wherein said affixing further comprises affixing a
head
wherein said top end comprises a shape which has a similar shape to said unit.
24. The method of clauses 15-23 wherein said compacting further comprises
vibrating said apparatus.
25. The method of clauses 15-24 wherein said positioning further comprises
rotating
said apparatus along a substantially vertical axis.
-15-
CA 02783396 2012-07-20
26. The method of clauses 15-25 further comprising the step of filling said
unit with
said material, wherein said filling step occurs prior to step b).
27. The method of clauses 15-25 further comprising the step of partially
filling said
unit with said material prior to said compacting of step d).
28. The method of clause 27 further comprising adding additional material
after said
compacting of step d.)
29. The method of clause 28 further comprising the step of further compacting
said
material with said head after adding additional material.
-16-
