Double-Filter Basket for Stormwater Drain Clogging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stormwater retention systems face challenges in effectively filtering silt and particulate matter, leading to reduced operational efficiency and frequent maintenance needs due to clogging of drainage openings.

Innovation Solution

A stormwater management system incorporating a filter assembly with an outer and inner filter, both made of non-woven fabric with specific apparent opening sizes, attached to the drainage opening to allow for larger filter areas compared to the drainage opening, enabling efficient filtration of stormwater while retaining silt and oil-based fluids, with the outer filter being hingedly secured for easy access and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is installed over the drainage opening to filter silt and particulate matter, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter area must be sufficiently large to prevent frequent clogging and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidfilter area requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is configured to extend beyond the planar area of the drainage opening in at least one dimension, creating a filter area that is at least twice as large as the drainage opening area. This dimensional extension allows the filter to capture more particulate matter before clogging occurs, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly is divided into multiple segments including the filter media, filter support structure, and retention structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the filter support structure providing the necessary area extension while the filter media focuses on filtration functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the filter area is increased to reduce clogging frequency, then maintenance frequency is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational period before maintenanceVSAvoidfilter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter support structure serves multiple functions: it supports the filter media, extends the filter area beyond the drainage opening, and provides structural stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving the larger filter area needed to extend operational periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly is designed with nested components where the filter media is supported by the filter support structure, which in turn is retained by the retention structure. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging and installation while maintaining the extended filter area, reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If a large filter area is used to allow partial filling with particulate matter without impacting flow rates, then system efficiency is improved, but the filter structure requires more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidfilter assembly area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is designed with non-uniform distribution of filter media or support structure density, concentrating filtration capacity where stormwater flow is highest while extending the filter area in directions where space is more readily available. This local optimization maintains system efficiency without proportionally increasing the overall footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system effectively filters stormwater, extending the operational period before maintenance is required by allowing the filters to be partially filled with particulate matter without impacting flow rates, and can retain oil-based fluids, improving overall system efficiency and reducing maintenance frequency.

Implementation Method 1

The filter is made of a non-woven fabric with a specific apparent opening size that allows water to pass through while filtering silt and particulate matter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The filter can retain oil-based fluids, improving overall system efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11980835B2Double-filter basket for stormwater retention system drain

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 FOLEY PROD CO LLC

AI summary

A stormwater management system comprising a floor having a drainage opening and a filter. The filter is operatively attached to a portion of the floor adjacent the drainage opening such that the filter covers the drainage opening so that water flowing from the stormwater management system into the drainage opening passes through the filter. The filter has a filter area adapted to permit stormwater to flow therethrough, with the filter area of the filter being at least twice as large as the drainage opening area.