Adjustable Stormwater Baffle for Sediment Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stormwater drainage systems struggle to retain suspended particles during high flow conditions, leading to resuspension and washout of sediment in stormwater sums due to undesirable circular flow patterns, and existing baffles are complex and difficult to adjust for varying sump diameters.
Innovation Solution
A stormwater drain baffle with a simple, adjustable structure comprising two planar baffle portions connected by overlapping edges and integrated fixing and stiffening elements, allowing attachment to the sidewall of the sump, which can be easily adjusted to fit different diameters and effectively restrain stormwater flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a baffle is installed to prevent sediment washout during high flow conditions, then particle retention is improved, but the baffle structure becomes complex requiring multiple parts and a support frame
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is divided into multiple baffle portions (at least two) that can be connected to each other, allowing the structure to be segmented for easier handling and installation while maintaining the overall function of preventing sediment washout
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle portions are disposed near to and in superposed relation to each other, with one baffle portion positioned inside the projection of another baffle portion, creating a nested configuration that reduces complexity while maintaining effectiveness
2Device complexity
If a fixed-size baffle is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be adjusted to fit sumps with different diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle width is made adjustable through connections between baffle portions that allow relative movement, enabling the baffle to adapt to different sump diameters while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the baffle into multiple portions that can be adjusted relative to each other, the system achieves adaptability to different sump sizes without requiring a completely different structure for each diameter
3Reliability
If a baffle with many different parts is used, then the baffleing function is effective, but the installation and adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Fixing elements and stiffening elements are integrated directly into the baffle portions themselves rather than being separate components, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying installation while maintaining effective sediment retention
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 baffle effectively prevents sediment washout and resuspension by creating a stable flow path, ensuring efficient particle retention across varying flow rates and sump sizes with a lightweight, easy-to-install design.
Implementation Method 1
The baffle portions 4, 5 are disposed near to and in superposed relation to each other, so that the baffle 1 portions overlap each other
Implementation Method 2
The baffle portions 4, 5 comprise fixing members 7, 8 which are monolithic with the baffle portion 4, 5 and adapted for fixing the baffle 1 to the inner sidewall of the sump or the chamber
Implementation Method 3
The baffle portions 4, 5 comprise stiffening members 11, 12, 13, 14; 15, 16, 17, 18
Implementation Method 4
The baffle 1 baffles a stormwater flow-path... the baffle effectively prevents sediment washout and resuspension by creating a stable flow path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A stormwater drain baffle (1) to be disposed in a flow-through stormwater sump (2) or chamber for baffling a stormwater flow-path. The baffle hasa plurality of openings (3) distributed over the area of the baffle. The baffle comprisesat least two baffle portions (4, 5, 6) connected to each other. The baffle portions (4, 5, 6) are disposed near to and in superposed relation to each other,so that the baffle portions overlap each other and are adjustably connected to each other for adjusting the width (Wtot) of the baffle (1). At least the outermost baffle portions of the baffle (1) comprise fixing members (7, 8) which are monolithic with the baffle portion (4, 5) and adapted for fixing the baffle (1) to the vertical inner wall of the sump or the chamber.