GATE SYSTEM INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Printed:
10/23/2019
15-1507
OHI
OBERMEYER Hydro Inc.
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with the Main Anchor Assembly. The Main Anchor Assembly is a continuous fabricated
steel unit that spans the channel’s width and has a series of anchor bolts that fasten the
assembly to the channel floor. These are large stud bolts extending upwards from the
assembly which are used to fasten the Air Bladder, Hinge Flap, Inter-Panel Seal, and
Abutment Seals via the Flat Clamp firmly. The Main Anchor Assembly therefore evenly
transmits the larger hydrostatic forces generated by the Gate Panel downward into the
concrete. It also provides for water stop under the bladder.
AIR BLADDER
The Air Bladders rest on top and on the front of the spillway and are held in place by
Clamp Castings that mount to the front of the spillway. When inflated, the Air Bladder
imparts the upward and upstream force on the Gate Panel that impounds the water.
The air control system is connected to the underside of the Air Bladder by means of a
threaded fitting and flexible hose.
HINGE FLAP
The Hinge Flap is attached to the Air Bladders during OHI manufacturing. Hinge Flap
connects the Gate Panel to the dam surface and acts as a water seal. The downstream
portion of the Hinge Flap connects to the Gate Panel using the bottom row of Gate
Panel studs with the provided Hinge Flap Retainers, washers and hex nuts. In the fully
raised position, with the Air Bladder inflated, the Hinge Flap transmits a compressive
force from the Flat Clamp to the bottom edge of the Gate Panel.
NOTE: Inflation of an Air Bladder, even under low pressure, without clamps
securely tightened, can cause permanent damage or rupture of the Air Bladders.
The Air Bladder should never be inflated unless properly installed.
Flat Clamps
The Flat Clamps are positioned over the Main Anchor Bolts and retain the Air Bladder
and Hinge Flap in place. The Flat Clamps transmit a force to the bottom edge of the
Gate Panel through the Hinge Flap. This force, and the force imparted to the Gate
Panel by the inflated portion of the Air Bladder, provides the moment required to support
the cantilevered Gate Panel. The Main Anchor Bolts are in their most highly stressed
state when low water conditions exist. To minimize the loading conditions, Air Bladder
pressures should be kept to a minimum during low water conditions.
HINGE FLAP RETAINERS
The Hinge Flap Retainers clamp the Hinge Flap to the upstream edge of the Gate
Panel. With the gate fully raised or fully lowered, the forces tending to pull the Hinge
Flap out form under the Hinge Flap Retainers are low. At intermediate gate positions,
high forces occur, which requires the Hinge Flap Retainers be kept tightly clamped.