GB574037A - Improvements relating to sluices and regulating means for rivers, canals, and other waterways or storage works - Google Patents

Abstract

574,037. Sluice-gates. ANDREWS, F. M. Dec. 17, 1943, No. 21249. [Class 68 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIX] In means for automatically controlling the opening of a sluice gate by a counterbalance vessel or vessels loaded by the contained water, the vessels operate the gate through torque-varying means which vary the effort ratio between them and the gate in accordance with the opening of the latter, whereby instability and hunting in the operation of the gate are avoided. As shown, a sluice gate 14 carried by arms 15 pivoted at 16 is suspended by chains 19 from conical pulleys 20 on a shaft 21 which carries further conical pulleys 22 for the suspension chains 23 of counterbalance vessels 24. When the contained waterrises to a predetermined level above the gate it flows through an adjustable notch or orifice in a control box 30 into the vessel 24, which is provided with an adjustable outlet notch 43. As the vessel sinks and raises the gate its lifting effort on the gate diminishes owing to the conical pulleys 20, 21, so that a point of balance is reached dependent upon the height of the contained water. As shown, the notch 31 in the control box 30 is formed in a vertically-adjustable plate 29 and its area is adjustable by a pivoted plate 32, adjustments being effected by levers 35, 36 through a rotatable and longitudinally movable shaft 34. The height of the plate 29 determines the level of the water at which the sluice gate 14 begins to open, and the adjustment of the pivoted plate 32, the extent to which the gate is opened for a given further rise in level. A hand gear is provided for moving the gate, and is brought into operation by a clutch 41. In a modification, spiral pulleys replace the conical pulleys 20, 21 and the notch 31 is dispensed with, water being admitted to the control box by an adjustable stand pipe and passing from it through a flexible pipe to the vessel 24. The outlet from this vessel comprises a vertical pipe with a slit down its side and internal and external adjustable sleeves to control it. The sides of the sluice gate are staunched by metal strips 64, Fig. 7, secured to it with interposed elastic packing 66 and carrying brass or copper fillets 69 which bear against arcuate staunching members 67 secured in the walls of the sluiceway.