A self-accelerating rain screen assembly and municipal drainage system
By designing the connecting pipes and floating plate structure for the tapering and expanding sections, the problem of low drainage efficiency of rain grates was solved, achieving efficient and energy-saving drainage, reducing blockages and structural damage, and extending service life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUAZHONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
Figure CN224351372U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of urban drainage facilities technology, specifically to a self-accelerating rain grate assembly and a municipal drainage system. Background Technology
[0002] In urban drainage systems, traditional rain grates are key components that generally adopt the principle of gravity flow drainage, relying on the vertical grating structure for filtration and drainage. This design has been widely used in past urban infrastructure construction. Its basic principle is to use the gravitational potential energy of rainwater to make water flow through the gaps in the vertical gratings into the drainage pipe, thereby realizing the function of rainwater collection and discharge.
[0003] For example, the "easy-to-clean rain grate" disclosed in Chinese patent CN219569134U focuses on optimizing the cleaning structure for easier cleaning and maintenance. However, paragraph
[0012] of the patent specification explicitly admits that "the fluid morphology at the inlet has not been changed," and actual tests show that its drainage efficiency improvement is less than 10%. In-depth analysis reveals that traditional rain grates have the following main defects: First, low hydrodynamic efficiency, with the vertical grid cutting off the water flow path and forming a vortex zone at the bottom of the grate that occupies 32% of the flow space, significantly reducing the effective drainage cross-section; second, insufficient self-cleaning ability, with the average annual accumulation of debris such as leaves and plastic bags trapped between the grid bars reaching 18 kg / m², requiring high-frequency cleaning ≥ 4 times / year; third, structural stress concentration, with the stress peak at the welded joints of the grid bars exceeding 175 MPa under vehicle load, resulting in a fracture rate of 23% within 5 years. These defects are interconnected, jointly triggering a vicious cycle of decreased drainage efficiency, soaring maintenance costs, and shortened service life. Especially during heavy rain, the rising water level on the grate can cause overflow accidents, resulting in urban flooding and economic losses. In severe cases, it can also cause great inconvenience to urban traffic and residents' lives, highlighting the limitations of existing rain grate technology in practical applications.
[0004] In summary, existing storm drain grates suffer from low drainage efficiency, leading to severe urban flooding. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this application is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a self-accelerating rain grate assembly and municipal drainage system to solve the technical problem of low drainage efficiency of existing rain grates, which leads to severe urban flooding.
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:
[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a self-accelerating grate assembly, including a grate body, a connecting pipe, and a drainage pipe:
[0008] The surface of the rain grate body has multiple through-holes for water inlet;
[0009] The connecting pipe includes a tapered section and a widening section that are connected to each other. The tapered section is connected to the grate body, and the widening section is connected to the drainage pipe.
[0010] The flow cross-sectional area of the narrowing section gradually decreases along the direction of water flow, while the flow cross-sectional area of the widening section gradually increases along the direction of water flow.
[0011] In some embodiments of this application, a plurality of water inlets are arranged in an array, the cross-sectional profile of the water inlets includes a strip-shaped hole or a rhomboid hole, and the longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the water inlets includes a conical hole with the upper opening area being larger than the lower opening area.
[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the connecting pipe is formed by at least three side plates, all of which are arc-shaped plates with the arc edge profile forming a steepest descent curve, and the convex surface of each arc plate faces the axial direction of the connecting pipe.
[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the connecting pipe is formed by four side plates, each side plate including two arc-shaped plates and two flat plates. The two flat plates are arranged in parallel, and the two arc edges of each arc-shaped plate are respectively connected to the two flat plates. The contour of the arc edges is a steepest descent curve, and the convex surface of each arc-shaped plate faces the axial direction of the connecting pipe.
[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the surface of the arc-shaped plate is a continuous smooth curved surface, and at least one through side wall hole is provided on at least one side plate.
[0015] In some embodiments of this application, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are also included, each of which is connected to two adjacent side plates.
[0016] In some embodiments of this application, a float plate is also included, which is arranged parallel above the grate body, and the surface of the float plate has a plurality of through filter holes.
[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the projected area of the float plate is smaller than the surface area of the grate body, and the maximum aperture of the filter hole is smaller than the minimum aperture of the water inlet hole.
[0018] In some embodiments of this application, a spring is also included, with both ends of the spring connected to the float plate and the grate body, respectively.
[0019] Secondly, this application also provides a municipal drainage system, including a self-accelerating grate assembly as described in any embodiment of the first aspect.
[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of the technical solution provided in this application include:
[0021] This application utilizes a converging and expanding section design in the connecting pipe to create a Venturi effect, significantly improving drainage efficiency. During heavy rain, the converging section accelerates the water flow and generates negative pressure, enhancing the suction effect on the grate inlet and increasing instantaneous drainage capacity; the expanding section reduces flow velocity and turbulence, allowing water to flow smoothly into the drainage pipe. The entire system requires no external energy, operating entirely on fluid kinetic energy, making it energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, and suitable for urban drainage systems. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below:
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a self-accelerating rain grate assembly in an embodiment of this application;
[0024] Figure 2 This is a side view of a self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to an embodiment of this application;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a top view of a self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to an embodiment of this application;
[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another self-accelerating rain grate assembly in an embodiment of this application.
[0027] Figure label:
[0028] 1-Rain grate body; 2-Connecting pipe;
[0029] 1a-Water inlet hole, 2a-Converging section, 2b-Expanding section, 2c-Side wall hole, 21-Side plate. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.
[0031] Those skilled in the art will understand that, in this specification, the term "comprising" is an open-ended expression, meaning that the stated feature is present but other features are excluded. Directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" refer to exemplary directions based on the accompanying drawings. Features specified as "first" or "second" implicitly include one or more of that feature. Singular expressions can also be used in plural forms. "Multiple" means two or more. The terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, and it can be a connection within two components. Furthermore, "linked" can include wireless connections.
[0032] The purpose of this application is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a self-accelerating rain grate assembly and municipal drainage system to solve the technical problems of low drainage efficiency, easy clogging, and easy structural damage of existing rain grates, which lead to serious urban flooding.
[0033] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:
[0034] like Figures 1-4 As shown. In a first aspect, this application provides a self-accelerating grate assembly, including a grate body 1, a connecting pipe 2, and a drainage pipe.
[0035] The surface of the grate body 1 is provided with a plurality of through water inlet holes 1a; the connecting pipe 2 includes a tapered section 2a and a widening section 2b connected to each other, the tapered section 2a being connected to the grate body 1, and the widening section 2b being connected to the drainage pipe.
[0036] The cross-sectional area of the tapering section 2a gradually decreases along the water flow direction. After rainwater enters the connecting pipe 2 through the grate inlet 1a, it flows through the tapering section 2a, where the flow velocity increases and the kinetic energy is enhanced. According to Bernoulli's principle, the increased flow velocity leads to a decrease in local pressure, creating a negative pressure suction effect at the grate inlet 1a, which enhances the rainwater inflow capacity and is particularly suitable for high-flow conditions during heavy rain.
[0037] The cross-sectional area of the expanding section 2b gradually increases along the direction of water flow. After the high-speed water flow enters the expanding section 2b, its velocity decreases, and kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy, reducing turbulence and energy loss. The water flows into the drainage pipe in a stable state, avoiding eddies or cavitation caused by sudden changes in flow velocity, and reducing pipe impact wear.
[0038] This application utilizes the design of a converging section 2a and a diverging section 2b connecting pipe 2 to create a Venturi effect, significantly improving drainage efficiency. During heavy rain, the converging section 2a accelerates the water flow and generates negative pressure, enhancing the suction effect on the grate inlet 1a and improving instantaneous drainage capacity; the diverging section 2b reduces the flow velocity and turbulence, allowing water to enter the drainage pipe smoothly. Simultaneously, the high-speed water flow washes over the inner wall of the pipe, reducing debris adhesion and providing a certain cleaning effect. The entire system requires no external energy, operating entirely on fluid kinetic energy, making it energy-saving and environmentally friendly, and suitable for urban drainage systems.
[0039] In some embodiments of this application, a plurality of water inlets 1a are arranged in an array, the cross-sectional profile of the water inlets 1a includes a strip-shaped hole or a rhomboid hole, and the longitudinal profile of the water inlets 1a includes a conical hole with the upper opening area being larger than the lower opening area.
[0040] In this embodiment, the array arrangement ensures a uniform distribution of the water inlet area, avoiding localized water accumulation. The conical orifice accelerates water inflow, and the upper opening area is larger than the lower opening, forming a flow-guiding funnel structure that makes it easier for rainwater to converge and reduces surface retention. The longitudinally tapering design guides the water flow to concentrate, increases the initial flow velocity, and enhances the synergistic effect with the tapering section 2a of the connecting pipe 2.
[0041] Strip orifices and diamond-shaped orifices guide debris such as leaves to slide over the orifice without getting stuck; they also inhibit debris from entering, and the tapered longitudinal section reduces residue buildup inside the orifice. This dual design extends the maintenance-free period. Strip orifices are suitable for high-flow areas, while diamond-shaped orifices are suitable for environments with a lot of debris, allowing for flexible selection based on the scenario.
[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the connecting pipe is formed by four side plates 21. Each side plate 21 includes two arc-shaped plates and two flat plates. The two flat plates are arranged in parallel. The two arc edges of each arc-shaped plate are respectively connected to the two flat plates. The contour of the arc edges is a steepest descent curve. The convex surface of each arc-shaped plate faces the axial direction of the connecting pipe.
[0043] like Figure 2 In the middle, the side plate 21 in the front and rear direction is a flat plate, and the side plate 21 in the left and right direction is an arc-shaped plate. The outline of the arc-shaped plate satisfies the steepest descent curve, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of rainwater passage.
[0044] In some embodiments of this application, the connecting pipe 2 is formed by at least three side plates 21, all of which are arc-shaped plates, with the convex surface of each arc-shaped plate facing the axial direction of the connecting pipe 2.
[0045] The convex surface of the arc-shaped plate forms a smooth transition between contraction and expansion, significantly reducing eddies and energy loss caused by abrupt changes in the flow channel, allowing water to flow more smoothly through the contraction section 2a and the expansion section 2b. The multi-plate splicing structure achieves streamlined inner walls while ensuring strength, reducing local resistance.
[0046] The curved panel joints are aligned with the water flow direction to avoid the accumulation of impurities caused by horizontal joints. The high-speed water flow can wash away the joints on the panel surface, reducing the risk of clogging.
[0047] In the above embodiments, the flow cross-section of the connecting pipe 2 gradually decreases in the direction where the two arc-shaped plates are opposite each other, while the change is not significant in the direction where the two flat plates are opposite each other. Further optimizations can be made based on the above embodiments, such as... Figure 4 In this embodiment, all four side plates 21 are curved plates. When the curvature of each curved plate is equal, the flow cross-section decreases faster in this embodiment compared to the previous embodiment. Due to the Venturi effect, where fluid velocity is inversely proportional to the flow cross-sectional area, the fluid velocity is faster in this embodiment, resulting in higher water flow efficiency. Simultaneously, the curved plates can also avoid other solid structures at the edge of the road surface, preventing situations where, although sidewall holes 2c are provided in subsequent embodiments, they are blocked by other solid structures.
[0048] The main body 1 of the rain grate and the connecting pipe 2 can be integrally formed or can be disassembled and assembled separately.
[0049] In the split-type embodiment, the rain grate body 1 is made of alloy material, and the connecting pipe 2 is made of PVC material.
[0050] In some embodiments of this application, the surface of the arc-shaped plate is a continuous smooth curved surface.
[0051] Smooth curved surfaces eliminate the micro-steps or unevenness found in traditional spliced structures, allowing fluid to flow unimpeded along the surface and significantly reducing boundary layer separation and turbulence generation. The absence of right angles or concave structures prevents debris from adhering, and combined with high-speed water flow self-cleaning, significantly reduces the frequency of manual cleaning. Continuous curved surfaces form a stable boundary layer during high-speed flow, reducing energy dissipation and improving overall hydraulic efficiency. Smooth curved surface transitions avoid stress concentration points, resulting in more uniform stress distribution on the curved plate under pressure fluctuations or temperature changes, extending its service life.
[0052] In some embodiments of this application, the side plate 21 has at least one through side wall hole 2c.
[0053] The sidewall hole 2c can be a circular hole or an elliptical hole. The curvature of the hole edge disperses external loads, such as vehicle crushing stress, and transforms concentrated stress into circumferential distribution, thus preventing crack initiation.
[0054] In some embodiments of this application, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are also included, each of which is connected to two adjacent side plates 21.
[0055] The reinforcing ribs are arranged along the joints of the side plates 21, connecting multiple side plates 21 into a whole, which significantly improves the circumferential stiffness and axial bending resistance of the pipeline. The side plates 21 and the reinforcing ribs form a grid-like support system to distribute external loads (such as earth pressure or vehicle dynamic loads) and avoid local deformation.
[0056] The reinforcing ribs are located on the outer side of the side plate 21, without interfering with the smooth curved surface of the inner wall, ensuring that no additional turbulence is generated when water flows through. This enhanced structural stability allows it to withstand higher flow velocity impacts and reduces the impact of pipe vibration on drainage efficiency.
[0057] In some embodiments of this application, a float plate is also included, which is arranged parallel above the grate body 1, and the surface of the float plate is provided with a plurality of through filter holes.
[0058] The float plate maintains its floating state as the water level rises and falls, while the filter holes intercept large floating particles such as leaves and plastic bags, preventing them from entering the grate body 1 and causing blockage. The filter hole diameter is optimized to effectively trap debris while ensuring drainage efficiency. The float plate automatically adjusts its distance from the grate body 1 through buoyancy. During heavy rain, it floats up to increase the water passage cross-section and alleviate instantaneous drainage pressure; during low water levels, it sinks close to the grate to maintain normal filtration.
[0059] In some embodiments of this application, the projected area of the float plate is smaller than the surface area of the grate body 1, and the maximum aperture of the filter hole is smaller than the minimum aperture of the water inlet hole 1a.
[0060] The projected area of the float plate is smaller than that of the grate body 1, forming an edge guiding channel, allowing some water flow to bypass the float plate and directly enter the grate, reducing water resistance at high flow rates.
[0061] At low flow rates, the area covered by the float plate dominates filtration, intercepting small particles of debris; at high flow rates, the float plate floats, and the water flows directly into the grate body 1 through the edge guide channel, avoiding localized water accumulation caused by the float plate blocking the flow.
[0062] In some embodiments of this application, a spring is also included, with both ends of the spring connected to the float plate and the rain grate body 1, respectively.
[0063] The spring provides controllable elastic support, allowing the float to dynamically adjust its height according to water pressure: maintaining a closed filtration state at low flow rates, and sinking under pressure during heavy rain to expand the drainage gap, balancing filtration and flow requirements. When water flows over the float, the reciprocating vibration of the spring automatically shakes off attached debris, reducing the risk of clogging the orifices.
[0064] Secondly, this application also provides a municipal drainage system, including a self-accelerating grate assembly as described in any embodiment of the first aspect.
[0065] The proportional design of the tapered section 2a of the Venturi-type pipe is based on Bernoulli's equation to achieve optimal flow velocity and pressure conversion.
[0066] This embodiment significantly improves the drainage efficiency of the storm drain grate through a Venturi-like pipe design, especially in heavy rain scenarios, where the drainage capacity is greatly increased compared to traditional storm drain grates. The accelerated water flow helps reduce debris accumulation within the pipe, thereby reducing the risk of blockage. The circular stress-dispersing holes on the sidewalls effectively disperse external loads, avoiding the risk of cracking caused by localized stress concentration and extending the service life of the storm drain grate. It operates autonomously, relying entirely on fluid kinetic energy, without requiring external power, aligning with energy conservation and environmental protection principles.
[0067] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of the technical solution provided in this application include:
[0068] This application utilizes the design of a converging section 2a and a diverging section 2b connecting pipe 2 to create a Venturi effect, significantly improving drainage efficiency. During heavy rain, the converging section 2a accelerates the water flow and generates negative pressure, enhancing the suction effect on the grate inlet 1a and improving instantaneous drainage capacity; the diverging section 2b reduces the flow velocity and turbulence, allowing water to flow smoothly into the drainage pipe. Simultaneously, the high-speed water flow washes against the inner wall of the pipe, reducing debris adhesion and providing a certain degree of cleaning capability. The entire system requires no external energy, operating entirely on fluid kinetic energy, making it energy-saving and environmentally friendly, and suitable for urban drainage systems.
[0069] Those skilled in the art will understand that the steps, measures, and schemes in the various operations, methods, processes, and procedures discussed in this application can be alternated, modified, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted.
[0070] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made based on the technical concept of this application should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A self-accelerating rain grate assembly, characterized in that, Includes the grate body, connecting pipes, and drainage pipes: The surface of the rain grate body has multiple through-holes for water inlet; The connecting pipe includes a tapered section and a widening section that are connected to each other. The tapered section is connected to the grate body, and the widening section is connected to the drainage pipe. The flow cross-sectional area of the narrowing section gradually decreases along the direction of water flow, while the flow cross-sectional area of the widening section gradually increases along the direction of water flow.
2. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple water inlets are arranged in an array, and the cross-sectional profile of the water inlets includes strip-shaped holes or diamond-shaped holes. The longitudinal profile of the water inlets includes conical holes and the upper opening area is larger than the lower opening area.
3. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting pipe is formed by at least three side plates, all of which are arc-shaped plates with the arc edge profile forming a steepest descent curve, and the convex surface of each arc plate faces the axial direction of the connecting pipe.
4. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting pipe is formed by four side plates, each side plate including two arc-shaped plates and two flat plates. The two flat plates are arranged in parallel. The two arc edges of each arc plate are connected to the two flat plates respectively. The outline of the arc edges is a steepest descent curve. The convex surface of each arc plate faces the axial direction of the connecting pipe.
5. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The surface of the arc-shaped plate is a continuous smooth curved surface, and at least one through side wall hole is provided on at least one side plate.
6. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, It also includes multiple reinforcing ribs, each of which is connected to two adjacent side plates.
7. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a float plate, which is arranged parallel to the top of the grate body, and the surface of the float plate has multiple through filter holes.
8. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The projected area of the float plate is smaller than the surface area of the grate body, and the maximum diameter of the filter hole is smaller than the minimum diameter of the water inlet hole.
9. The self-accelerating rain grate assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a spring, the two ends of which are connected to the float plate and the rain grate body, respectively.
10. A municipal drainage system, characterized in that, Includes the self-accelerating rain grate assembly as described in any one of claims 1-9.