Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ABUTMENT PLATE FOR WATER CONTROL GATE
Background of the Invention
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to abutment plates for water control gates
specially
adapted to controlling rivers and canals and especially wherein such gates are
subject to
freezing conditions.
1 0 2. Description of Related Art
UHMW polyethylene may be used as an abutment plate for bottom hinged water
control
gates. In small sizes, for example 1 to 2 meters across, closely spaced bolts
may be used
to secure such (one piece) abutment plates with loosely fitting bolts. The
close spacing of
the bolts prevents thermal buckling of the abutment plates, while clearance
between the
1 5 bolts and the clearance holes in the UHMW abutment plates allows for
limited thermal
movement of the abutment plate relative to the underlying structure. Clearance
at the
bolts prevents undue stresses from being generated as a result of thermal size
changes of
the abutment plate. Alternatively, springs may be used to secure a UHMW
abutment
plate to a concrete abutment. The range of motion of the springs is
necessarily limited
20 and thus is the maximum size of abutment plate that can be constructed
with the use of
retention springs. In the case of damage to an abutment plate, retention by
springs
presents difficulty with respect to abutment plate replacement. For larger
gates, the
required large size abutment plates require accommodation of more thermal
movement
than can be accommodated with either bolts or springs.
Unitary large abutment plates, as opposed to those comprised of strips in
accordance with
the present invention, are subject to thermally induced stresses as a result
of spatial
temperature variations. For example a portion of an abutment plate may be
immersed in
ice water while another portion of the same abutment plate may at the same
time be
exposed to direct sunlight. Carbon black is preferred filler and reinforcement
for UHMW
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polyethylene used as abutment plates because it provides resistance to ultra-
violet light
(UV) degradation and also absorbs sunlight which aids in melting ice. The
division of
the abutment plate into strips, in accordance with the present invention
mitigates the
thermally induced stresses otherwise developed under the aforementioned
conditions,
Bottom hinged water control gates may be designed to seal to the abutments in
all
positions or only in the fully raised position. If clearance gaps exist when
the gates are in
intermediate positions water born debris may become lodged in the gap and may
subsequently interfere with control of gate movement. It is therefore
preferable to
provide a seal in all gate positions. This may be accomplished by the
provision of
smooth abutment plates on the surfaces of the fixed abutments at each end of
each span
of the gate system in conjunction with flexible seals attached to the adjacent
edges of the
adjoining gate panels. The most commonly used abutment plates are stainless
steel plates
rigidly anchored to the underlying structure, usually a concrete abutment. In
cold
climates the stainless steel abutment plates, because of their relatively high
thermal
conductivity, conduct heat from the water behind the gate system to the cold
air
downstream and above the gate system and thus cause ice to form between the
gate
system and the abutment plates. This ice may adhere strongly to strongly to
both
stainless steel abutment plates and to the otherwise movable gate panels. This
ice prevent
a gate from moving as required. Stainless steel abutment plates have a
coefficient of
thermal expansion close to that of concrete and may be rigidly anchored to the
concrete.
In order to prevent the formation of ice in conjunction with stainless steel
abutment
plates, the plates may be heated, generally by means of electric heaters.
Electricity for
heat may not be available and is generally expensive in the quantities (kW-
hours) needed
to keep a gate system operable throughout the winter.
Various air inflated water control gates have been disclosed by these
inventors:
US7,422,392 Water Control Structure
US7,114,879 Water Control Gate and Actuator Therefore
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US6,196,763 Connection System for Hoses, Expansion Joints and Actuators
US5,713,699 Spillway Crest Gate System and Inflatable Bladder Therefor
US5,709,502 Connection System for Reinforced Composite Structures
US5,642,963 Spillway Gate System
US5,538,360 Crest Gate Operating System
US5,092,707 Crest Gate Operating System
US4,780,024 Crest Gate
20090180835 Water Control Apparatus
20060072969 Water Control Apparatus
Summary of Invention
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, (UHMW polyethylene) is particularly
useful
for the construction of water control gate abutment plates because it provides
low thermal
conductivity, exhibits low adhesion to ice, has excellent abrasion resistance,
exhibits a
low coefficient of friction to rubber gate seals, and in its most ultra violet
light resistant
form and color (black), it warms in response to solar illumination. The
principal
challenge to using it as an abutment plate is that it has a much higher
coefficient of
thermal expansion than concrete and also has a relatively high Young's
modulus. If
rigidly fixed to a concrete structure the differential expansion of UHMW
polyethylene
and concrete may cause the concrete to break in response to temperature
extremes. The
UHMW polyethylene is therefore, in accordance with this invention, attached to
the
concrete in a manner that allows it to slide relative to the concrete in the
plane of the
abutment surface in two degrees of freedom. For an installation temperature of
75
degrees Fahrenheit provision should be made for a summertime temperature with
direct
sun exposure of 140 degrees F and a wintertime temperature of approximately
negative
degrees F. This represents a total temperature change of approximately 100
degrees F.
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Based on a thermal expansion coefficient of 11 x 10-5 in/in/deg F and an
abutment plate
height of 26.24 feet (8 meters) the height variation between summer and winter
temperature extremes could be 4.85 inches. If the UHMVV polyethylene abutment
plate
were divided into tiles, the dimension change in any one tile could be
limited, but would
require gaps that would result in water leakage and ice formation downstream
of the gate
where it could prevent needed lowering of the gate. It is very desirable that
the abutment
seals attaches to the gate panels adjacent the abutments have continuous
engagement and
form a continuous seal with the abutment plates from bottom to top.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
abutment plates
are divided into strips parallel with the abutment seal in the fully raised
gate position. In
this configuration thermal expansion and contraction along the long axis of
each strip
may be accommodated by the use of tee-slots, that run parallel to the strips,
in the back of
the abutment plates. The strips may be of standard commercially available
widths such
as 4 feet, for example. Thermal expansion and contraction in the strip width
direction
may be accommodated by clearance in the tee slots. In a preferred embodiment a
tee slot
along the center of the strip is provided with minimal lateral clearance so as
to fix the
lateral position of the centerline of the strip relative to the concrete
abutment while tee
slots further from the strip centerline are provided with lateral clearance in
proportion to
their distance from the strip centerline. For example, 5 tee slots may be
provided with the
center tee slot is provided with minimal lateral clearance, the two tee slots
nearest the
center tee slot are provided with 3/16" clearance and the outermost tee slots
are provided
with 3/8" clearance. As a further example 3 tee slots might be provided in a 4
ft wide
strip with the center slot having minimal lateral clearance, and the two outer
tee slots
having 3/8" clearance.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the adjacent edges of
adjacent
abutment plate strips may be angled in order to help prevent water born debris
from
snagging the upstream edges of the abutment plate strips.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the lower edge of each
strip may be
fixed relative to the concrete.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the upstream edge of the
furthest
upstream strip of UHMW polyethylene may be clamped and sealed to the abutment
in
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order to occlude water from upstream of the gate system from the interface
between the
concrete abutment and the UHMW polyethylene abutment plate.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the upper (thermally
moving) edge
of the abutment plate strips may be capped with a stainless steel bracket in
order to
prevent damage to the upper edge of the abutment plate strips during flood
flows.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the aforementioned
stainless steel
bracket may be removable so as to allow replacement of any damaged abutment
plate
strips.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, guide rails, of
stainless steel for
1 0 example, may be used to engage the tee slots and thereby secure the
abutment plate
strips.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the guide rails may be
precisely
spaced, prior to embedment in concrete, by spacer members connected thereto to
form an
assembly. The guide rails may be constructed by welding stainless steel flat
bar to the
edge of one leg of stainless steel angles. The spacer members may be similar
stainless
steel angles. The spacer members may extend past their respective abutment
plate strip
so as to overlap one or more guide rails of an adjoining abutment plate strip
and thus
provide a convenient means of establishing in the field a coplanar assembly
that may be
welded or bolted together prior to placement of concrete.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the assembly of guide
rails and
spacer members may be kept aligned during concrete placement by diagonal
bracing
members.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the lateral clearances
provided
between guide rails and abutment plate strips may be filled prior to concrete
placement,
preferably at the factory, with a low modulus filler such as RTV silicone
caulk. In this
manner concrete is prevented from entering the tee slots where it would
impeded the
intended free lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the abutment plate
strips.
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In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, abutment plate strips
may be provided in
standard lengths such as 10 feet, for example, and fastened end-on-end prior
to concrete
placement in order to provide the required length. Such fastening may be by
bolted joints,
snap-together joints, or field welded joints, for example.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the guide rail
assemblies may be
provided in standard lengths such as 10 feet, for example, and fastened end-on-
end prior to
concrete placement in order to provide the required length. Such fastening may
be by bolted
joints, snap-together joints, or field welded joints, for example.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the rails may be
comprised of rectangular
stainless steel bar, for example, secured to the abutment concrete by Nelson
studs, for
example. Spacing of the guide rails may be established during concrete
placement in such
case with braces secured to the Nelson studs.
In some embodiments, there is provided an assembly of friction reduced
abutment plates
separated, at low temperatures by gaps between adjoining abutment plates.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, one or more friction
reduced abutment
plates against which a water control gate seal attaches to a concrete abutment
by guide
members, wherein said guide members engage at least one of the abutment plates
in T slots in
the at least one of the abutment plates, allowing sliding along one axis in
response to thermal
movement.
.. Brief Description of the Drawings
Figures 1 is a sectional elevation of a gate system and associated abutment
plate.
Figure 2 is a cross section of an abutment plate and adjacent portion of water
control gate and
associated abutment seal.
Figure 3 is a cross section of an abutment plate upstream clamp and sealing
means.
Figure 4 is a cross section of a non-sealing abutment plate clamp.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Figure 1, Abutment plate 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are attached to
concrete abutment
19. Inflated air bladder 17b actuates gate panel 28 to which is affixed
abutment seal 2. The
upstream edges of abutment plate strip 6a are clamped to concrete abutment
6a
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19 by clamps 21 and 22. The remaining edges of the abutment plate strips 6a,
6b, 6c, 6d
and 6e are secured by clamps 23, 25, and 25. The abutment plate of this
invention is
applicable to a wide variety of water control gates in addition to the one
illustrated.
Referring now to Figure 2, a cross section of an abutment plate assembly is
shown.
Guide rails 12a, 12b, 12c. 12d and 12e secure abutment plate 6b to concrete
pier 19.
Clearances 7, 8, 9, and 10 vary in proportion to distance from the center rail
12c where
only minimal clearance need be provided. The rails are connected, by welding
for
example, to spacer member 13 which may in turn be connected to diagonal brace
14.
Referring now to Figure 3, clamp 22 secures abutment plate strip 6a to embed
31. 0-ring
33 seals between abutment plate strip 6a and embed 31. Abutment plat strip 6a
may slide
between embed 31 and clamp 22 in response to thermal strain.
Referring now to Figure 4, c1amp24 secures abutment plate 6 to abutment 19 and
protects
the edge of abutment plate 6 from damage by flowing debris or ice.
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the
present
invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both abutment ice
control
techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate method. In this
application,
the ice control techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be
achieved by the
various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They
are simply
the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In
addition, while
some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only
accomplish
certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to
all of the
foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this
disclosure.
The discussion included in this PCT patent application is intended to serve as
a
basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may
not
explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit.
It also may
not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly
show how
each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function
or of a great
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variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly
included in this
disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology,
each
element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not
only be
included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be
included to
address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the
description
nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims which will be
included in
a full patent application.
It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without
departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly
included in
the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad
disclosure
encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of
implicit
alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are
encompassed by this disclosure.
Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be
achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to
encompass
each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus
embodiment, a
method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of
these.
Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to
elements of the
invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus
terms or
method terms -- even if only the function or result is the same. Such
equivalent, broader,
or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the
description of
each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the
implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one
example, it
should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking
that action
or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element
disclosed
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should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that
physical element
facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of
a "means for
preventing ice adhesion" or a "ice preventer" should be understood to
encompass
disclosure of the act of "preventing" -- whether explicitly discussed or not --
and,
conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of "preventing", such
a disclosure
should be understood to encompass disclosure of a "preventer" and even a
"means for
preventing". Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be
explicitly
included in the description. UHMW polyethylene is specified because it is
readily
available in North America at the time of the writing of this application.
Other low
thermal conductivity and low ice adhesion wear resistant materials may be
substituted
according to their availability, performance and price without deviating from
this
invention..
In addition, as to each term used it should be
understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent
with such
interpretation, both traditional and common dictionary definitions should be
understood
as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and
synonyms such as
contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition.
Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each of the
input
devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed
and
described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of
these devices
and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the
functions shown
as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which
accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that
which is
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disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as
separate and
independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems
or
components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or
components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described
hereinbefore and
with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various
combinations and
permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xi) each potentially dependent
claim or
concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or
concepts
presented, xii) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer as
described
throughout the above discussion, xiii) a programmable apparatus as described
throughout
the above discussion, xiv) a computer readable memory encoded with data to
direct a
computer comprising means or elements which function as described throughout
the
above discussion, xv) a computer configured as herein disclosed and described,
xvi)
individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed and
described, xvii)
the related methods disclosed and described, xviii) similar, equivalent, and
even implicit
variations of each of these systems and methods, xix) those alternative
designs which
accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xx)
those
alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown
as are
implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxi) each
feature,
component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, and xxii)
the various
combinations and permutations of each of the above.
It should also be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid
adding
potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant may eventually present claims
with initial
dependencies only. Support should be understood to exist to the degree
required under
new matter laws to permit the
addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under
one
independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other
independent
claim or concept. Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase
"comprising" is and will be used to maintain the "open-end" claims herein,
according to
traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise,
it should be
understood that the term "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising",
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are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of
elements or
steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements
or steps.
Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford
the
applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.
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