Adjustable Float Gully System for Ice Prevention and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gully systems face issues such as ice formation due to rising gases/heat, air intake that disrupts vacuum gully operation, complexity in design and calculation, blockages from debris, and sensitivity to structural changes, which affect drainage efficiency and require frequent adjustments and flushing.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable float system that prevents gases/heat from rising and entering the gully, acting as an automatic air lock and throttle, controlled by sensors and a central unit to maintain optimal drainage and prevent ice buildup, allowing for adjustable gully heights and connection to a common outlet system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum gully system is used to improve drainage efficiency, then drainage capacity is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to structural changes and requires frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable components including variable speed pumps and controllable valves that can adapt to changing structural conditions. The system includes sensors that detect structural changes and automatically adjust operational parameters to maintain optimal drainage performance without requiring manual recalibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic modification of operational parameters such as pump speed, valve opening degree, and pressure settings in response to structural changes. This enables the vacuum gully system to maintain its high drainage capacity even when building structures or outlet configurations are modified.
2Adaptability or versatility
If throttle disks are used to adapt gullies to different water amounts, then adaptability is improved, but the gully head becomes easily blocked by extraneous matters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism that separates the flow regulation function from the throttling function. A removable filter screen is positioned upstream of the throttle disk to intercept extraneous matters before they reach the throttling mechanism, preventing blockages while maintaining adaptability through electronic flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of throttle disks with electronically controlled actuators and variable speed pumps. This eliminates the need for physical throttle disk adjustment and reduces blockage risks through automated control systems that can detect and respond to flow restrictions.
3Ease of manufacture
If outlet pipes are arranged horizontally to minimize ground piping, then installation complexity is reduced, but the system becomes sensitive to changes in water amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flow sensors and level detectors that provide continuous feedback to the control system. When water amounts change, the system automatically adjusts pump speed and valve positioning to maintain proper flow conditions, compensating for the lack of gravitational assistance from sloped piping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes self-regulating components such as float valves and automatic air release valves that maintain optimal operation without external intervention. The control system automatically responds to water amount changes, eliminating the need for manual adjustments or complex piping slopes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable float system reduces heat supply, prevents ice formation, simplifies calculations and maintenance, ensures consistent drainage across multiple gullies, and reduces blockages, enabling efficient and self-regulating drainage while minimizing air and debris entry.
Implementation Method 1
a float (420) controlled or activated by an actuator (422)
Implementation Method 2
the float and a portion of the gully define an adjustable opening for through flow
Implementation Method 3
prevents gases/heat from outlet rising up from the gully
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for effectively preventing that gases/heat from an outlet are ascending from a gully and form ice, in addition to effectively drain liquids through a gully. The present invention is obtained by arranging a float so that said float and a portion of the gully define a closable opening for through flow, further arranged such that the float is preventing gases/heat from the outlet to ascend up from the gully and form ice and/or so that the float prevents that gas is drawn into the gully.