Water Control Gate

Abstract

A water control gate pivotable about a horizontal axis. Control may be by a combination of inflatable actuators and ballast chambers in combination with means for preventing over-rotation. Sealing between gate panels and between gate panels and abutments may be by means of seals inflated hydrostatically. The present invention is bottom hinged water control gate actuated by a combination of ballast chambers and inflatable actuators. The invention further includes an inflatable sealing means. The invention is particularly suited for use as a navigation lock gate system or as a flood control gate in a watercourse such as a navigation canal.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A water control gate comprised of:
 at least one bottom hinged gate panel with an edge pivotably connected to a bottom of a channel,   at least one ballast chamber,   at least one inflatable seal,   a tank,   a supply line.   a circulating heated fluid through supply line,   a pump,   wherein, to prevent freezing, said at least one inflatable seal is provided with heated fluid circulated to and from the tank via the supply line by the pump, and   at least one restraining strap to prevent over-rotation of the gate panel(s) against a force of water.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an inflatable actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one inflatable seal comprises said at least one inflatable seal along at least one gate panel edge adjacent the gate panel pivot edge. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising at least one inflatable seal along at least one gate panel edge adjacent the gate panel pivot edge. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said water control gate has at least one moving and at least one stationary portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said at least one inflatable seal comprises a said at least one inflatable seal which is positioned to seal the clearance between said at least one moving and at least one stationary portion of said water control gate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said inflatable seal is inflated with a fluid so as to provide a hydrostatic pressure distribution within the seal. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said inflatable seal is configured to resist leakage in either direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said water control gate blocks the flow of water in a watercourse. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising one or more gate panels with inflatable ballast chambers and restraining straps to limit rotation of each gate panel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further including inflatable actuators for assisting rotation of the gates about their horizontal pivot axis. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a reinforced elastomeric hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said at least one gate panel comprises a gate panel with at least one marginal edge. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising at least one inflatable seal at said at least one marginal edge of said at least one gate panel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said inflatable seal comprises a liquid filled, inflatable seal along said at least one marginal edge. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a fluid filled stand pipe for maintaining seal pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the inflatable seal includes a hinged portion.