Downpipe Water Catcher for Clog-Resistant Rainwater Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainpipes often clog due to the mixing of rainwater with sewage, leading to spillage and inefficient rainwater disposal, and lack collection points for subsequent use in irrigation, industrial, or domestic applications.
Innovation Solution
A drainpipe design featuring a water catcher with section reducers and a conveyor system that automatically directs rainwater to a collector, which can be connected to a tank for storage, using gravity and communicating vessels principles without mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rainwater is conveyed into the stormwater or sewer together with sewage, then the drainage system can handle both types of water, but pipeline clogging occurs with consequent spillage of water in roads
Solution Approach 1:
The drainpipe is divided into separate conduits: one for sewage and another for rainwater. The rainwater conduit includes a water catcher that collects rainwater separately, preventing it from mixing with sewage in the main pipeline. This segmentation eliminates clogging issues while maintaining the system's ability to handle both water types.
Solution Approach 2:
The water catcher extracts rainwater from the mixed flow before it enters the main sewage pipeline. By taking out rainwater separately at the point of entry, the system prevents the harmful mixing that causes clogging, while still allowing the drainage system to process both sewage and rainwater effectively.
2Productivity
If rainwater is dispersed to the ground, then the rainwater can be discharged, but the impermeable flooring prevents absorption leading to inefficient disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The water catcher acts as an intermediary device between the rainwater entry point and the ground discharge. It collects rainwater in a reservoir and controls its release, allowing the water to be discharged efficiently without direct contact with impermeable surfaces, thus eliminating the harmful effect of impermeable flooring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a water catcher with automated operation is implemented, then rainwater collection for subsequent use is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water catcher is designed with self-regulating mechanisms that automatically control water flow and collection without requiring external automation systems. The catcher fills and discharges rainwater based on natural water level differences and gravity, enabling rainwater collection for subsequent use while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water catcher utilizes hydraulic principles and gravity-driven flow to automatically operate. Water enters the catcher through a reducer, fills the reservoir, and discharges through controlled openings based on water level, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or electrical automation systems.
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 design prevents pipeline clogging, allows rainwater collection for later use, and simplifies installation by integrating with existing systems without mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first section reducer (9) having a first inlet section (10) shaped to allow the outflow of at least a portion of fluids into the water catcher (6) and a second outlet section (11) smaller than the first
Implementation Method 2
which is shaped to convey the fluids towards a first opening operatively connected with at least one collector fluidically separated from the conduit
Implementation Method 3
using gravity and communicating vessels principles without mechanical components
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A drainpipe comprising one or more elements (3) adapted to make at least one conduit (4; 104) containing therein at least one water catcher (6), which comprises at least one first section reducer (9), having at least one first inlet section (10) shaped to allow the outflow of at least a portion of fluids and at least one second outlet section (11) smaller than that of the first section, and at least one water conveyor (18) operatively positioned downstream of the first section reducer (9). Said water conveyor (18) being shaped to convey the fluids towards a first opening (20) operatively connected with at least one collector (21; 121) fluidically separated from the conduit (4; 104) and, when the outflow through the first opening (20) is prevented, towards at least one second opening (22) shaped to reintroduce the fluids into the conduit (4; 104).