Biodegradable Sediment Control Device Using Folded Excelsior

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sediment control methods are inadequate in preventing sediment leakage from construction sites, as they either fail to effectively trap sediment, restrict fluid flow, pose safety concerns, and require complex removal processes, leading to environmental and economic issues.

Innovation Solution

A biodegradable sediment control device is constructed using a series of assembly stations that process a flexible mesh or geo-textile material with a fiber reservoir, applying excelsior or coconut fibers, folding, and attaching pocket netting for stake reception, creating a foldable and deployable sediment control wall that minimizes sediment flow while being easy to install and remove.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic silt fences are used to control sediment flow, then sediment trapping is improved, but device removal complexity increases and environmental harm worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesediment trapping effectivenessVSAvoidremoval process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastic to biodegradable organic materials (coconut fiber, wood fiber, natural geotextiles). This parameter change allows the device to maintain sediment trapping effectiveness while automatically decomposing after use, eliminating complex removal processes and reducing environmental harm from plastic waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs disposable biodegradable materials that serve their sediment control function and then naturally decompose. This approach replaces expensive, permanent plastic fences that require manual removal with inexpensive, short-lived organic materials that self-eliminate, solving both the removal complexity and environmental harm issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If conventional sediment control devices are used, then sediment flow control is improved, but fluid flow restriction worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesediment flow controlVSAvoidfluid flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous biodegradable geotextile materials that allow water to pass through while trapping sediment particles. The porous structure maintains high fluid flow rates by permitting water penetration, while simultaneously providing effective sediment control through the interconnected pore network that captures suspended particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple materials (coconut fiber, wood fiber, natural geotextiles) into a composite structure that optimizes both sediment trapping and water flow. The composite composition provides the right balance of porosity for fluid flow and fiber density for sediment capture, resolving the contradiction between flow control and fluid flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If traditional sediment control methods are deployed, then sediment containment is improved, but safety concerns worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesediment containmentVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic to flexible biodegradable organic materials. This parameter change eliminates safety hazards associated with rigid structures while maintaining sediment containment effectiveness through the flexible barrier that can adapt to terrain and withstand environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If plastic-based sediment control devices are used, then sediment trapping is improved, but environmental harm worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesediment trappingVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of material waste into a benefit by using biodegradable materials that decompose naturally. The decomposition process transforms the material from a potential pollutant into organic matter that can enrich the soil, turning the harmful factor of waste into a beneficial outcome for the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8821077B2Production and application of biodegradable sediment control device

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 WESTERN EXCELSIOR LLC

AI summary

An elongated web of flexible material having a covering of excelsior across a portion thereof has an elongated edge portion uncovered. The elongated covered portion is folded over upon itself a number of times, and the elongated uncovered side portion (a tail) are wound upon a roll for utilization after unrolling, as a sediment barrier, properly staked into the ground.