초록 ▼

The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements, are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over edge forms (5,6) which interengage. Upon interengagement, an enclosed hole (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled el

The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements, are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over edge forms (5,6) which interengage. Upon interengagement, an enclosed hole (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled elements. A scraper (19) on the junior element (8) cleans dirt out of the hole as the junior is driven down alongside the adjacent senior element (7). The hole may be cleaned out by inserting a hose pipe to the bottom of the hole (90) and flushing through with water. Then, a sealant is injected into the hole, using an injection tube in the hole. The interengagement of the edge forms (5,8) of the elements is such that the hole formed by the interengagement is constrained to its nominal size and shape throughout the whole height of the barrier.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Sealable barrier, suitable for in-ground use, wherein:the barrier includes adjoining barrier elements, each element comprising a length of sheet metal having a cross-sectional shape when viewed in plan, the elements being arranged edge to edge;the elements are adapted to

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Sealable barrier, suitable for in-ground use, wherein:the barrier includes adjoining barrier elements, each element comprising a length of sheet metal having a cross-sectional shape when viewed in plan, the elements being arranged edge to edge;the elements are adapted to be installed in the ground by being driven into the ground in sequence, a senior one of the elements being driven ahead of an adjoining one of the elements, termed a junior one of the elements;the cross-sectional shape of each element is provided with a left edge-form and a right edge-form;when the barrier is installed in the ground, the right edge-form of the senior element is in operative engagement with the left edge-form of the adjoining junior element;the said operatively engaging left and right edge-forms overlap and interlock together to form, when viewed in plan, the circumference of an enclosure;one portion, termed the senior portion, of the circumference of the enclosure, being less than the whole circumference of the enclosure is constituted by a portion of the right edge-form of the senior element, and another portion of the circumference of the enclosure, termed the junior portion, being also less than the whole circumference of the enclosure is constituted by a portion of the left edge-form of the junior element;whereby the circumference of the enclosure is inherently not watertight, in that potential leakage paths exist between the senior and junior portions of the circumference of the enclosure;the senior and junior portions of the circumference of the enclosure overlap and interlock in such a manner that each and every leakage path starting from in front of the barrier and finishing behind the barrier is in communication with the said enclosure;the cross-sectional shape and size of the said enclosure, when viewed in plan, is such that a circle inscribed within the enclosure is of a substantial diameter;the inscribed circle is clear and unobstructed, in that none of the metal of either element encroaches within the said inscribed circle;the barrier includes a means for maintaining uniform the size and shape, when viewed in plan, of the said enclosure, both during driving and after;the barrier includes a scraper; the scraper is attached to the metal of the junior element, and is attached at or adjacent to the foot of the left edge form of the junior element;the scraper is of such shape and dimensions as to occupy, substantially fully, when viewed in plan, the cross-sectional shape of the said enclosure;the said inscribed circle within the enclosure is clear and unobstructed over the height of the barrier, from theground surface down to the scraper;the said inscribed circle within the enclosure is clear and unobstructed to the extent that, when the barrier is installed in the ground, a hose or tube can be inserted into, and passed down, the enclosure from the ground surface to the scraper. [9.] Procedure for making an in-ground barrier, wherein:the procedure includes the step of providing adjoining barrier elements, each element comprising a length of sheet material of uniform cross-sectional shape when viewed in plan, the elements being arranged edge to edge;the procedure includes the step of inserting the elements into the ground;the cross-sectional shape of each element, when viewed in plan, has a left edge-form and a right edge-form;the barrier is of the type wherein, when the barrier is installed in the ground, the right edge-form of a senior element is in operative engagement with the left edge-form of the adjoining junior element;the said operatively engaging left and right edge-forms overlap and interlock together to form, when viewed in plan, the circumference of an enclosure, which defines a cavity;one portion, termed the senior portion, of the circumference of the enclosure, being less than the whole circumference of the enclosure is constituted by a portion of the right edge-form of the senior element, and another portion of the circumference of the enclosure, termed the junior portion, being also less than the whole circumference of the enclosure is constituted by a portion of the left edge-form of the junior element;whereby the circumference of the enclosure is inherently not watertight, in that potential leakage paths exist between the senior and junior portions of the circumference of the enclosure;the senior and junior portions of the circumference of the enclosure overlap and interlock in such a manner that each and every leakage path starting from in front of the barrier and finishing behind the barrier is in communication with the said cavity;the shape and size of the said enclosure, when viewed in plan, is such that a circle inscribed within the cavity has a substantial diameter;the said inscribed circle is clear and unobstructed, in that, when viewed in plan, none of the material of either element encroaches within the inscribed circle;the edge-forms of the elements are so shaped that the said inscribed circle within the enclosure is clear and unobstructed over the height of the enclosure;the said senior and junior elements are provided with a mutually-interlocking dovetail means, for maintaining uniform the size and shape, when viewed in plan, of the said enclosure, both during insertion and after;the procedure includes the step of extracting solid material from the cavity inside the enclosure, and of removing the said solid material from the cavity;the procedure includes extracting and removing the solid material to the extent that, after removal, the cavity is substantially unobstructed by solid material, and is substantially clear and open, over the whole height of the enclosure, from top to bottom of the barrier. Procedure of claim 9, wherein an upper end of the enclosure comprises an open mouth, located above the ground surface, and wherein the manner of removing the solid material from the cavity is such that, during removal of the solid material, the solid material passes out through the said open mouth. Procedure of claim 9, wherein the insertion of the elements into the ground is effected by pile-driving the elements directly into the ground. Procedure of claim 9, wherein the solid material is extracted and removed by flushing out the enclosure, whereinthe procedure includes the step of inserting a hose down into the enclosure from the ground surface, and of injecting flushing liquid into and through the enclosure via the hose;wherein the hose is of substantially less cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the enclosure;and the procedure includes the step of continuing to inject the flushing liquid until the liquid emerges at the ground surface, and until the emerging liquid runs substantially clear. Procedure of claim 12, wherein the cross-sectional area of the hose is about equal to the cross-sectional area of the cavity remaining outside the hose when the hose is present in the cavity. A set of elements of sheet metal, the elements being suitable for installation in the ground by pile-driving down from the ground surface, and being assemblable together edge-to-edge to form an in-ground barrier;each element comprises a length of sheet metal of uniform cross-sectional shape when viewed in plan;the cross-sectional shape of each element, when viewed in plan, has a left edge-form and a right edge-form;the left edge-form of one of the elements is operatively engageable with the right edge-form of an adjoining one of the elements;the left and right edge-forms are so shaped that, when engaged, the edge forms interlock together to form, when viewed in plan, the circumference of an enclosure, which defines a cavity, the enclosure and the cavity having the following characteristics;one portion, termed the senior portion, of the circumference of the enclosure, being less than the whole circumference of the enclosure is constituted by a portion of the right edge-form of the senior element, and another portion of the circumference of the enclosure, termed the junior portion, being also less than the whole circumference of the enclosure is constituted by a portion of the left edge-form of the junior element;whereby the circumference of the enclosure is inherently not watertight, in that potential leakage paths exist between the senior and junior portions of the circumference of the enclosure;the senior and junior portions of the circumference of the enclosure overlap and interlock in such a manner that each and every leakage path starting from in front of the barrier and finishing behind the barrier is in communication with the said cavity;the shape and size of the said enclosure, when viewed in plan, is such that a circle inscribed within the cavity has a substantial diameter;and the said inscribed circle is clear and unobstructed, in that, when viewed in plan, none of the material of either element encroaches within the inscribed circle;each element is provided with a dovetail means, which, when the element is engaged edge to edge with an adjacent element, comprises a means for maintaining uniform the size and shape, when viewed in plan, of the said enclosure, both during insertion and after;each element includes a respective scraper;the scraper is attached to the metal of the respective element, and is attached at or adjacent to the foot of the left edge form thereof;the scraper is of such shape and dimensions as to occupy, substantially fully, when viewed in plan, the cross-sectional shape of the enclosure;and the edge-forms of the elements are so shaped that the said inscribed circle within the enclosure is clear and unobstructed over the height of the enclosure, to the extent that, when the barrier is installed in the ground, a hose or tube can be inserted into, and passed down, the enclosure from the ground surface to the scraper. Barrier of claim 14, wherein the substantial diameter is at least 18 mm.