Movable barrier wall

• US 6,338,594 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard S. Adler
• Original Assignee: Richard S. Adler
• Inventors: Nelson, George, Hayward, George, Adler, Richard S, Ensign, Ferrel, Abrahamsen, Tore, Evans, David A., McFadden, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): KRECK, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US09/444,238
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 405/92, 405/90, 405/91, 405/104, 405/114, 405/96, 405/97, 405/80, 405/87, 405/93
• US Class Current: 405/97
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 25/00 Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/104 with self-activating means
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/182 using formworks to separate sections
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/185 with flexible joint members between sections joints in foundation structures E02D29/16; flexible joints in hydraulic engineering E02B3/16, in building E04B1/68
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/093 using multilayer structures, e.g. giant magnetoresistance sensors thin magnetic films H01F10/00

Abstract

A movable barrier wall system includes a housing assembly 12 that has an interior chamber 32. A barrier member 14 is made of a buoyant material having a selected density. The barrier member 14 floats vertically within the chamber 32 when a liquid is present. The barrier member 14 may be made from a closed cell foam core 34 that is clad with a fiberglass mesh material then the assembly is infused with a resin material. Alternatively, the core 34 may be made from a plurality of elongated rods 38 that are individually clad and reinforced with a shear layer. The individual barrier member modules 15 may be assembled in an end to end relationship with an elongated vertical seal member therebetween. The barrier member 14 may be selectively raised prior to and in anticipation of a flood situation of a nearby body of water by a pump and control system that may be automatically or manually controlled. At least one passive backup system is provided for filling the chamber when the pump or control system fails. The system includes a second pump for selective removal of the liquid from the chamber 32.

Claims

1. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

2. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 1 wherein said selective actuation occurs prior to a flooding condition of a body of water.

3. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 2 wherein each first pump is a submersible pump that is housed in a first sump chamber.

4. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 2 which further includes a second pump that is housed interior of a second sump chamber, an inlet port of said second pump being in fluidic communication with said chamber of the housing for selective draining thereof.

5. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 2 wherein said selected density of said barrier member is between 240.3 and 480.6 kilograms per cubic meter (15 and 30 Pounds per cubic foot).

6. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 1 wherein each first pump is a submersible pump that is housed in a first sump chamber.

7. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 6 which further includes at least one passive filling device for filling said chamber with said liquid, said liquid being from a body of water as that body of water reaches a predetermined flooding level for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing when and if said first pump is inoperable.

8. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 7 wherein at least one of the passive filling devices includes a flap valve, said flap valve allowing the fluid to enter the chamber when said barrier member is below a predetermined point of floatation and said flap valve is urged closed by a guiding member of said barrier member when said barrier member is near its full extent of floatation for minimizing further entry of said fluid into said chamber.

9. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 6 wherein said selected density of said barrier member is between 240.3 and 480.6 kilograms per cubic meter (15 and 30 Pounds per cubic foot).

10. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 1 which further includes a second pump that is housed interior of a second sump chamber, an inlet port of said second pump being in fluidic communication with said chamber of the housing for selective draining thereof.

11. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 10 which further includes at least one passive filling device for filling said chamber of the housing with said liquid, said liquid being from a body of water as that body of water reaches a predetermined flooding level for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber of the housing for the extending of the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing when and if said first pump is inoperable.

12. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 11 wherein at least one of the passive filling devices includes a flap valve, said flap valve allowing the fluid to enter the chamber of the housing when said barrier member is below a predetermined point of floatation and said flap valve is urged closed by a guiding member of said barrier member when said barrier member is near its full extent of floatation for minimizing further entry of said fluid into said chamber.

13. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 10 wherein said selected density of said barrier member is between 240.3 and 480.6 kilograms per cubic meter (15 and 30 Pounds per cubic foot).

14. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 1 which further includes at least one passive filling device for filling said chamber with said liquid, said liquid being from a body of water as that body of water reaches a predetermined flooding level for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing when and if said first pump is inoperable.

15. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 14 wherein at least one of the passive filling devices includes a flap valve, said flap valve allowing the fluid to enter the chamber when said barrier member is below a predetermined point of floatation and said flap valve is urged closed by a guiding member of said barrier member when said barrier member is near its full extent of floatation for minimizing further entry of said fluid into said chamber.

16. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 15 wherein said selected density of said barrier member is between 240.3 and 480.6 kilograms per cubic meter (15 and 30 Pounds per cubic foot).

17. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 14 wherein said selected density of said barrier member is between 240.3 and 480.6 kilograms per cubic meter (15 and 30 Pounds per cubic foot).

18. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 1 wherein said selected density of said barrier member is between 240.3 and 480.6 kilograms per cubic meter (15 and 30 Pounds per cubic foot).

19. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing the barrier member further including a closed cell foam core that is encased in a mesh cover member that has been infused with a resin material; and

wherein, the housing further including at least one passive filling system for allowing the liquid to enter the interior of said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing, said passive filling system including a flap valve, said flap valve allowing the fluid to enter the chamber when said barrier member is below a predetermined point of floatation and said flap valve is urged closed by said barrier member as and when said barrier member is near its full extent of floatation for minimizing further entry of said fluid into said chamber.

20. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 19 wherein the mesh cover material is an E-glass non-metallic mesh.

21. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 20 which further includes a shear layer of a mesh material that is disposed between the closed cell foam core and the mesh cover layer for acting as a reinforcement.

22. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 20 wherein the barrier member includes a first flat surface, an opposite surface and end surfaces, said opposite surface carrying at least one elongated stop member projecting a selected distance therefrom for abutting an elongated projecting bar removably attached near said upper surface of said housing for controlling the extending of the selected portion of the barrier member above the upper surface of said housing to a predetermined limit.

23. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 22 wherein each end surface of the barrier member includes an elongated seal device for minimizing a passage of the liquid between each end surface of the barrier member and any adjacent structures.

24. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 20 which further includes a lower bumper guide member that is horizontally disposed on and near a bottom portion of the first flat surface and projects a predetermined distance therefrom for minimizing any lateral deflection of a top portion of said barrier member as and when the liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing.

25. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 24 wherein said flap valve is urged closed by the lower bumper guide.

26. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 19 which further includes a shear layer of a mesh material that is disposed between the closed cell foam core and the mesh cover layer for acting as a reinforcement.

27. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 26 wherein the barrier member includes a first flat surface, an opposite surface and end surfaces, said opposite surface carrying at least one elongated stop member projecting therefrom a selected distance for abutting an elongated projecting bar removably attached near said upper surface of said housing for controlling the extending of the selected portion of the barrier member above the upper surface of said housing to a predetermined limit.

28. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 27 wherein each end surface of the barrier member includes an elongated seal device for minimizing a passage of the liquid between each end surface of the barrier member and any adjacent structures.

29. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 27 which further includes a lower bumper guide member that is horizontally disposed on and near a bottom portion of the first flat surface and projects a predetermined distance therefrom for minimizing any lateral deflection of a top portion of said barrier member as and when the liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing.

30. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 29 wherein said flap valve is urged closed by the lower bumper guide.

31. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 26 which further includes a lower bumper guide member that is horizontally disposed on and near a bottom portion of the first flat surface and projects a predetermined distance therefrom for minimizing any lateral deflection of a top portion of said barrier member as and when the liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing.

32. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 31 wherein said flap valve is urged closed by the lower bumper guide.

33. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 19 wherein the barrier member includes a first flat surface, an opposite surface and end surfaces, said opposite surface carrying at least one elongated stop member projecting a selected distance therefrom for abutting an elongated projecting bar removably attached near said upper surface of said housing for controlling the extending of the selected portion of the barrier member above the upper surface of said housing to a predetermined limit.

34. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 33 wherein each end surface of the barrier member includes an elongated seal device for minimizing a passage of the liquid between each end surface of the barrier member and any adjacent structures.

35. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 34 which further includes at least two primary sealing devices, a first of the primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along a top edge of the first side panel member while in an abutment with a first flat surface of said barrier member, a second of said primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along the second side panel member and in alignment with said first of the primary sealing devices while abutting an opposite side of said barrier member.

36. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 35 wherein said first of said primary sealing devices includes a seal biasing device for maintaining the abutment with the first flat surface of said barrier member.

37. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 33 which further includes a lower bumper guide member that is horizontally disposed on and near a bottom portion of the first flat surface and projects a predetermined distance therefrom for minimizing any lateral deflection of a top portion of said barrier member as and when the liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing.

38. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 37 wherein said flap valve is urged closed by the lower bumper guide.

39. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 33 which further includes at least two primary sealing devices, a first of the primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along a top edge of the first side panel member while in an abutment with the first flat surface of said barrier member, a second of said primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along the second side panel member and in alignment with said first of the primary sealing devices while abutting the opposite side of said barrier member.

40. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 39 wherein said first of said primary sealing devices includes a seal biasing device for maintaining the abutment with the first flat surface of said barrier member.

41. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 19 which further includes a lower bumper guide member that is horizontally disposed on and near a bottom portion of the first flat surface and projects a predetermined distance therefrom for minimizing any lateral deflection of a top portion of said barrier member as and when the liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending the selected portion of said barrier member above the upper surface of said housing.

42. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 41 wherein said flap valve is urged closed by the lower bumper guide.

43. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 42 which further includes at least two primary sealing devices, a first of the primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along a top edge of the first side panel member while in an abutment with a first flat surface of said barrier member, a second of said primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along the second side panel member and in alignment with said first of the primary sealing devices while abutting an opposite side of said barrier member.

44. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 43 wherein said first of said primary sealing devices includes a seal biasing device for maintaining the abutment with the first flat surface of said barrier member.

45. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 41 which further includes at least two primary sealing devices, a first of the primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along a top edge of the first side panel member while in abutment with a first flat surface of said barrier member, a second of said primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along the second side panel member and in alignment with said first of the primary sealing devices while abutting an opposite side of said barrier member.

46. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 45 wherein said first of said primary sealing devices includes a seal biasing device for maintaining the abutment with the first flat surface of said barrier member.

47. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 19 which further includes at least two primary sealing devices, a first of the primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along a top edge of the first side panel member while abutting a first flat surface of said barrier member, a second of said primary sealing devices being horizontally disposed along the second side panel member and in alignment with said first of the primary sealing devices while abutting an opposite side of said barrier member.

48. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 47 wherein said first of said primary sealing devices includes a seal biasing device for maintaining the abutment with the first flat surface of said barrier member.

49. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member, said housing further including a plurality of standoffs extending vertically from said base member, said base member including an upper surface that forms a lower extent of the chamber, said upper surface having an elongated trough formed therein, the trough being in fluidic communication with at least one drain;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing;

c) a silt cleaning system that includes a spray manifold, a supply conduit in fluidic communication with a supply of clean water, and a control valve mounted in said conduit intermediate said supply of clean water and the manifold, said manifold having a plurality of spray apertures for directing the clean water towards lower corners of the chamber, the manifold being supported in a selected spaced relationship with said base member by the standoffs and

wherein, said control valve is selectively opened for allowing the clean water to spray from said manifold for washing and carrying any accumulated silt within the chamber to and towards the drain.

50. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 49 wherein said the plurality of spray apertures are selectively angled with respect to vertical while being spaced a selected intervals along the spray manifold.

51. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 50 wherein said drain is in fluidic communication with a sump providing a housing for a submersible pump, said submersible pump being selectively actuated for disposing of any silt conducted into the sump.

52. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 49 wherein said the plurality of spray apertures are selectively angled at 60 degrees with respect to vertical while being spaced a selected intervals along the spray manifold.

53. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 52 wherein said drain is in fluidic communication with a sump providing a housing for a submersible pump, said submersible pump being selectively actuated for disposing of any silt conducted into the sump.

54. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 49 wherein said drain is in fluidic communication with a sump providing a housing for a submersible pump, said submersible pump being selectively actuated for disposing of any silt conducted into the sump.

55. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing; and

wherein, the barrier member includes a plurality of elongated closed cell foam rods that are aligned in an abutting relationship to form a floatable core, said floatable core being encased in a mesh cover member that has been infused with a resin material, the barrier member further including a passageway that is formed at each of its lower corners for allowing the fluid to flow freely through the chamber.

56. A movable barrier floodwall system as recited in claim 55 wherein each of the elongated closed cell rods is individually wrapped with at least one shear layer prior to the aligning in the abutting relationship for providing a reinforcement of said barrier member.

57. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 56 wherein each shear layer is a non-metalic E glass mesh.

58. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 57 wherein the barrier member further includes a plurality of barrier member modules that have a predetermined span length, and an elongated vertical seal member being disposed between adjacent barrier member modules for minimizing passage of the liquid there between.

59. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 58 wherein the elongated vertical seal member includes bulbous end portion for seating in elongated slots formed in selected end rods, said elongate vertical seal member further including a V-shaped web portion for allowing selected relative movement between adjacent barrier member modules.

60. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 58 which further includes a secondary sealing member that is retained between adjacent barrier member modules, said secondary sealing member having a density less than the liquid for allowing floatation thereof when the liquid is present in the chamber for minimizing the entry of contaminants into the chamber when the selected portion of the barrier member is above the upper surface of the housing.

61. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 56 wherein the barrier member further includes a plurality of barrier member modules that have a predetermined span length, and an elongated vertical seal member being disposed between adjacent barrier member modules for minimizing passage of the liquid there between.

62. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 61 wherein the elongated vertical seal member includes bulbous end portion for seating in elongated slots formed in selected end rods, said elongate vertical seal member further including a V-shaped web portion for allowing selected relative movement between adjacent barrier member modules.

63. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 61 which further includes a secondary sealing member that is retained between adjacent barrier member modules, said secondary sealing member having a density less than the liquid for allowing floatation thereof when the liquid is present for minimizing the entry of contaminants into the chamber when the selected portion of the barrier member is above the upper surface of the housing.

64. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 55 wherein the mesh cover material is an E-glass non-metallic mesh.

65. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 64 wherein the barrier member further includes a plurality of barrier member modules that have a predetermined span length, and an elongated vertical seal member being disposed between adjacent barrier member modules for minimizing passage of the liquid there between.

66. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 65 wherein the elongated vertical seal member includes bulbous end portion for seating in elongated slots formed in selected end rods, said elongate vertical seal member further including a V-shaped web portion for allowing selected relative movement between adjacent barrier member modules.

67. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 65 which further includes a secondary sealing member that is retained between adjacent barrier member modules, said secondary sealing member having a density less than the liquid for allowing floatation thereof when the liquid is present in the chamber, for minimizing the entry of contaminants into the chamber when the selected portion of the barrier member is above the upper surface of the housing.

68. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 55 wherein the barrier member further includes a plurality of barrier member modules that have a predetermined span length, and an elongated vertical seal member being disposed between adjacent barrier member modules for minimizing passage of the liquid there between.

69. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 68 wherein the elongated vertical seal member includes bulbous end portion for seating in elongated slots formed in selected end rods, said elongate vertical seal member further including a V-shaped web portion for allowing selected relative movement between adjacent barrier member modules.

70. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 68 which further includes a secondary sealing member that is retained between adjacent barrier member modules, said secondary sealing member having a density less than the liquid for allowing floatation thereof when the liquid is present for minimizing the entry of contaminants into the chamber when the selected portion of the barrier member is above the upper surface of the housing.

71. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 55 which further includes a secondary sealing member that is retained between adjacent barrier member modules, said secondary sealing member having a density less than the liquid for allowing floatation thereof when the liquid is present in the chamber for minimizing the entry of contaminants into the chamber when the selected portion of the barrier member is above the upper surface of the housing.

72. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing;

c) a protective cap assembly that is carried by and mounted on said barrier member and moves therewith;

said protective cap assembly including a cap member and an elongated perimeter seal attached thereto, the protective cap assembly is pivotally mounted thereto for allowing said cap member and said elongated perimeter seal to be rotated a selected arc degrees with respect to the barrier member only when said cap member has been elevated a selected distance from said upper surface by and with said barrier member; and

wherein, said elongated perimeter seal is configured for contacting an upper surface of said housing when and as said barrier member is in a retracted and lowered condition for limiting the entry of foreign matter between the cap member and the upper surface.

73. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 72 wherein said cap member provides an extension of said barrier member after said cap member has been rotated a selected arc degrees with respect to the barrier member, and a portion of said elongated perimeter seal contacts a flat surface of said barrier member for minimizing the passage of the fluid there between.

74. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 73 wherein said protective cap assembly includes a rotating device for rotating the cap member a selected arc degrees.

75. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 72 wherein said protective cap assembly includes a rotating device for rotating the cap member a selected arc degrees.

76. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 75 wherein said rotating device includes a cam and cam track arrangement.

77. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 75 wherein said rotating device includes a cam and cam track arrangement cooperating with a biasing device for simultaneously controlling the rotation of the cap member and seal as the barrier member is elevated by said fluid.

78. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 72 wherein said rotating device includes a cam and cam track arrangement cooperating with a biasing device for simultaneously controlling the rotation of the cap member and seal as the barrier member is elevated by said fluid.

79. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

said housing being located at a bank of a river.

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with the river and the liquid contained therein, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for drawing the liquid from the river for filling said chamber with said liquid thereby causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extension thereof above an upper surface of said housing.

80. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid by way of a selectively sized conduit that is disposed beneath the housing, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

81. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly said distribution manifold system being selectively sized and graduated for providing uniform flow and pressure in conduits connecting said manifold assembly with said chamber; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

82. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being elongated and vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing flatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing, the barrier member further includes a plurality of barrier modules that are linearly aligned in the chamber, said barrier member further including an elongated vertical elastomer seal member that sealingly connects each adjacent barrier module, said elongated vertical elastomer seal member being shaped for allowing independent relative movement between adjacent barrier modules and each elongated elastomer vertical seal member is hydrostatically activated by a pressure of a fluid there-behind.

83. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) an elongated barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing;

c) a first bumper and a second bumper, said first bumper being removably fastened to an upper portion of the second side panel member, said second bumper being movably attached to an upper portion of said first side panel member;

d) a biasing device configured for urging said second bumper to and towards a flat side of said elongated barrier member; and

wherein said first bumper and said second bumper cooperate as components of a silt restricting system for minimizing the entry of contaminants into said chamber.

84. A movable barrier floodwall as recited in claim 83 wherein said silt restricting system further includes an intake fitting.

85. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a plurality of housing members aligned in a selected abutting relationship, each housing having a chamber formed therein, each chamber being defined by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member, each chamber further including a plurality of standoffs extending vertically from each of said base members, each of said base members including an upper surface that forms a lower extent of the chamber, said upper surface having an elongated trough formed therein, the trough being in fluidic communication with at least one drain;

b) at least one barrier member being elongated and vertically movable interior of each of said chambers, each of said barrier members having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of its associated chamber for extending a selected portion of the barrier member above an upper surface of its associated housing;

c) a silt cleaning system that is housed interior of each chamber, each silt cleaning system being mounted in a lower interior portion of the chamber, each silt cleaning system including a spray manifold, a supply conduit being in fluidic communication with a supply of clean water, and a control valve mounted in said conduit intermediate said supply of clean water and the manifold, said manifold having a plurality of spray apertures for directing the clean water towards lower corners of the chamber, the manifold being supported in a selected spaced relationship with said base member by the standoffs and

wherein, each of said control valves is selectively and independently actuated for allowing the clean water to spray from its associated manifold for washing and carrying any accumulated silt within its associated chamber to and towards the drain.

86. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member said chamber further including a guiding track formed into an interior surface of said second side panel;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber, said barrier member including an elongated stop member that is sized to fit into said guide track in a sliding relationship for guiding said barrier member during flotation thereof;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

87. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed therein and being defined by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid by an elongated pipe, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid being drawn in through a fitting attached to the end of the pipe distal the inlet port of said first pump, said fitting being configured for minimizing the entry of debris into the pipe, the filling of the chamber by said activated first pump causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

88. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member, said base member having end portions that terminate a selected distance beyond an exterior surface of said first side panel member and said second side panel member for providing a stabilizing foundation for said housing;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

89. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a plurality of housing members aligned in a selected abutting relationship, each housing having a chamber formed therein, each chamber being defined by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member, each chamber of each housing member being configured for having an uppermost surface thereof in a level alignment with its adjacent housing member when and while a bottom surface of adjacent housing members are at different vertical elevations;

b) a barrier member being elongated and vertically movable interior of each of said chambers, each of said barrier members having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of its associated chamber for extending a selected portion of the barrier member above an upper surface of its associated housing.

90. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a civil water supply for providing said liquid, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.

91. A movable barrier floodwall system including:

a) a housing having a chamber formed by a base member, a first side panel member, a second side panel member, a left end member, and a right end member, said base member, said first panel member, said second panel member said left end member and said right end member being individually cast of a concrete material while having selected apertures, guides and seats integrally cast therein;

b) a barrier member being vertically movable interior of said chamber, said barrier member having a selected density for allowing floatation thereof as and when a liquid is present interior of said chamber;

c) at least one first pump assembly having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being in fluidic communication with a supply of the liquid, said liquid having a selected liquid density greater than the selected density of the barrier member, said outlet port being in fluidic communication with said chamber by way of a distribution manifold assembly; and

wherein, each first pump is selectively actuated by a control system for filling said chamber with said liquid for causing said barrier member to float within said chamber for extending a selected portion of said barrier member above an upper surface of said housing.