Pneumatically Actuated Gates

Overview

The Obermeyer Spillway Gate System is a patented, bottom-hinged, pneumatically actuated gate designed to offer superior performance, reliability, and flexibility in hydraulic control applications. Its modular construction, slim profile, and pneumatic support system allow it to excel where conventional hydraulic gates face limitations.

Viha Consulting, the authorized supplier of Obermeyer’s pneumatic gate technology in India, we deliver the full design, supply, installation support, and lifecycle analysis to bring this proven system to Indian water infrastructure projects.

Key Features & Advantages

• Automatic pond-level control, including during power failure

• Modular design simplifies installation and maintenance

• Gate supported along full width by an inflated air bladder (not by hydraulic rams) —reducing foundation complexity and cost

• Thin gate profile allows efficient passage of flood flows, ice, and debris

• No intermediate piers required — unobstructed flow and navigation

• Durable combination of rugged steel panels with flexible pneumatic support

• Low installation & maintenance costs, plus enhanced revenue through optimizing head

Applications & Use Cases

Obermeyer’s pneumatically actuated gates are used globally in a wide variety of environments and project types. Below are some of the common application verticals:

Water Storage / Reservoirs: Increase usable storage while maintaining spillway capacity with minimal structural changes

Hydropower: Raise head by maintaining optimal pond elevation, improving power output

Irrigation & Diversion: Precise diversion and flow control, resilient against upstream variations

Spillway Capacity Upgrades & Flood Management: Maintain spillway flow efficiency while upgrading flood safety without raising pond elevation dangerously

Fish Passage & Environmental Mitigation: Modular gate control allows directing flows to fish ladders or ecological bypasses

Navigation: No piers and low profile facilitate navigation over impoundments

Urban Waterscapes & Recreation: Precise level control to combine aesthetics, safety, and flood control in urban riverfront or park settings

Reference Projects