Rotork intelligent electric actuators with gearboxes used to provide flood protection in Texas

Rotork Site Services have installed actuators with gearboxes at a development in the Houston area to prevent the threat of flooding.
Sluice gates were constructed following discussions caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which caused over $125 billion (€105 billion) of damage in the US state. During this time many locations in the seven-county region experienced serious flooding.
Storm water facilities were upgraded throughout the billion dollar golfing community and in other areas within the surrounding development.
As the area is very flat, possible flooding can be a concern, as storm water flows into these facilities and down to the sluice gates, connecting to the nearby river. The gates remain open at all times so that water can flow into the river.
However, during periods of excessive rainfall and heavy storms, when the river itself poses a flood risk, the actuators close the gates and seal the development from the river. The runoff water is then pumped away over the top of a nearby levee, allowing it to eventually run back into the river.
The installation of the actuators helps to ensure that residents remain safe from the damage which could otherwise be caused by water infiltration into the development.
Intelligent electric IQ actuators were chosen for this application due to the remote location of the sluice gates, which would have prohibited a hydraulic or pneumatic solution.
Additionally, the close proximity of an electrical generator meant that a power supply was readily available.
Rotork’s IB gearboxes are suitable for use on sluice gates and for the most demanding motorised applications. They’re made with cast steel and when combined with the IQ actuator they can reach a torque of up to 44,000 Nm (32,452 lbf.ft).