ILC Dover Develops Flood Protection Technology

Best known for the spacesuits they create to protect astronauts, a new product developed by ILC in Frederica may help protect people on the ground.

The Resilient Tunnel Plug is designed to block tunnels during natural disasters.

“The RTP is a security device developed in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Office, contractors Pacific Northwest National Laboratories and ILC Dover, said David Cadogen, Director of Engineering and Product Development at ILC Dover.

“The RTP operates like an automotive airbag in the sense that it resides in its packed state in the tunnel and is inflated when needed.” The plug is over 16 feet in diameter and 32-feet long, holding up to 38,000 gallons of water that is pressurized with air to 17.3 psi, the equivalent of half a car tire.

The plug packs into a fairly small container which is what makes it so attractive for plugging tires.

According to Mr. Cadogan, the tunnel plug was actually developed by the federal government who contracted with the company to create the prototype based on the company’s reputation, experience and capabilities.

“The plugs prevent water from flowing from a damage site in an underwater tunnel into the rest of a transit system,” Mr. Cadogen explained. “If a natural disaster like an earthquake or an act of terrorism were to occur, the plug would give people time to evacuate the system and save the subway system billions in reduced damage and impact on commerce in the area.”

Mr. Cadogen said that municipalities with tunnel systems have expressed an interest in the product but because the RTP is a security device they cannot discuss where they may be installed.

ILC Dover developed a product in the late 1980s called Stream Saver that used an inflatable plug to be discharged into tunnels in the event of an accidental discharge from chemical plants or other companies that could pollute streams. ILC Dover has also received requests to use the plug in dams, mining tunnels and for other tunneling industries throughout the world.

Read more: Milford Live

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Taxonomy

• Technology
• Flood Management
• Infrastructure
• Integrated Infrastructure
• Flood management
• Flood damage
• Flood prediction
• Flood Risk Management