Submersible canal bypass

• US 20040028483A1
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Robinson
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,837,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/270
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 5/02 Making or lining canals linings in general E02B13/02; digging canals E02F
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/00 Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion

Abstract

A submersible canal bypass is used to bypass the flow around a distinct section of an earthen canal for lining. The canal bypass is placed within the canal and uses a plurality of pipelines and a plurality of bulkheads assembled from portable modular sections. The headgates on the portable modular sections are so arranged along the bulkhead to divert the flow of water through bypass pipelines so as to isolate a section of the canal during lining activities and return the flow of water to the lined canal after lining.

Claims

1. A method for bypassing the flow of water in an earthen canal to isolate and line a distinct section of the canal, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming at least two portable modular sections, each section being assembled from at least one generally vertical wall and at least one gate, the gate being attached to the wall;

(b) submersing and installing the at least two portable modular sections at individual predetermined locations in the canal to form two bulkheads, an upstream bulkhead which bifurcates the canal upstream of the section to be isolated and a downstream bulkhead which bifurcates the canal downstream of the section to be isolated;

(c) attaching a plurality of pipelines between the two bulkheads such that the at least one pipeline extends from the upstream bulkhead to the downstream bulkhead;

(d) operating the gates, whereby the flow of water is diverted into at least one of the pipelines, thereby bypassing the section to be lined;

(e) lining the section to be lined, to form a newly lined section;

(f) after the section is lined, operating the gates to divert the flow of water into the newly lined section; and

(g) removing the bulkheads and pipelines from the newly lined section.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sealing each portable modular section to an adjoining portable modular section and to the canal bottom with a flexible seal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said bulkheads are first assembled in their entireties and are thereafter installed as a unit in the canal.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein each bulkhead is installed in existing structures in the canal.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the additional step of sealing each portable modular section to an adjoining portable modular section and to the existing structures with a flexible seal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said two bulkheads are assembled in their entireties to form a prefabricated unit, the pipelines are attached to the prefabricated unit, and the prefabricated unit is installed into the canal.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of installing the prefabricated unit into existing structures in the canal

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of sealing the bulkheads and canal bottom with a flexible seal.

9. A method for bypassing the flow of water in an earthen canal to isolate and line a distinctive section of the canal, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming at least two portable modular sections, each section being assembled from at least one generally vertical wall and at least one gate, the gate being attached to the wall;

(b) lowering the water level in the canal;

(c) installing each portable modular section at individual predetermined locations in the canal to form a pair of bulkheads which bifurcate the canal upstream of the section to be isolated and downstream of the section to be isolated;

(d) attaching a plurality of pipelines between the bulkheads such that at least one pipeline forms a water tight connection with each bulkhead;

(e) bracing the at least one pipeline within the canal;

(f) raising the water level in the canal;

(g) operating the gates, whereby the flow of water is diverted into the at least one pipeline, thereby bypassing the section to be lined;

(h) lining the section between the bulkheads;

(i) after the section is lined, operating the gates to divert the flow of water into the lined section;

(j) removing the bulkheads and the pipelines from the lined section of the canal.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the gate comprises sheet piling driven into place in close proximity to the bulkhead.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of sealing each portable modular section to an adjoining portable modular section and to the canal bottom with a flexible seal.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said bulkheads are first assembled in their entireties are thereafter installed as a unit in the canal.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of installing the bulkheads into existing structures in the canal

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of sealing each portable modular section to an adjoining portable modular section and to the existing structures with a flexible seal.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein two bulkheads are assembled in their entireties to form a prefabricated unit, the pipelines are attached to the prefabricated unit, and the prefabricated unit is installed into the canal.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of installing the prefabricated unit into existing structures in the canal.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of sealing the bulkheads and canal bottom with a flexible seal.

18. A method for bypassing the flow of water in an earthen canal to isolate and line a distinct section of the canal comprising the steps of:

(a) lowering the water level in the canal;

(b) placing a plurality of pipelines at individual predetermined locations within the canal such that the pipelines extend the length of the section to be isolated;

(c) providing a plurality of gates such that each gate is attached to at least one pipeline;

(d) placing a plurality of earthen embankments about the pipelines to form a pair of bulkheads which bifurcate the canal upstream of the section to be isolated and downstream of the section to be isolated;

(e) bracing the pipelines within the canal;

(f) raising water level in the canal;

(g) operating the gates whereby the flow of water is diverted into the pipelines, thereby bypassing the section to be lined;

(h) lining the isolated section;

(i) after the section is lined, operating the gates to divert said flow of water into the lined section; and

(j) removing the bulkheads and pipelines from the lined section of the canal.

19. The method of claim 18 where the gate comprises sheet piling driven into place in close proximity to the earthen bulkhead.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of installing the earthen bulkhead in existing structures in the canal.

21. An assembly for isolating a distinct section in an earthen canal comprising:

(a) at least two interconnected portable modular sections, each section comprising;

(i) at least one generally vertical wall; and

(ii) at least one gate attached to each wall; and

(b) at least one pipeline, the at least one pipeline forming a water tight connection between the two modular sections;

wherein the two modular sections can be made to form a pair of bulkheads which can be used to bifurcate the canal upstream of the section to be isolated and downstream of the section to be isolated; and

wherein the gates attached to the vertiical walls can be operated to alternatively divert the flow of water into the pipelines or into the isolated section, as desired.