Drainage Element with Segmented Filter and Net Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainage elements face clogging issues due to the passage of soil particles, requiring cumbersome processes like rucking tubular netting onto a tube, and lack efficient filtering characteristics to prevent soil infiltration while allowing water flow.

Innovation Solution

A drainage element comprising a mass of discrete lightweight aggregate encased in a sleeve with a water-permeable filter material and a net section, preventing soil particles from passing through while allowing water to flow, and an apparatus for fabricating this element using a tube, supply stations for web materials, and securing means to form a sleeve around the aggregate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a netting is used to contain aggregate in drainage elements, then the drainage element allows water flow, but soil particles pass through the netting and clog the drainage element over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow capabilityVSAvoidclogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve is segmented into two distinct portions: a netting portion for containing aggregate and allowing water flow, and a filter material portion for blocking soil particles. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining two different materials (netting and filter material) in a single sleeve. The netting provides structural containment and water permeability, while the filter material provides soil particle blocking, creating a composite solution that addresses both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a barrier material is incorporated between netting and aggregate to prevent soil passage, then soil infiltration is blocked, but the fabrication process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil particle blockingVSAvoidsleeve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding a separate barrier layer between the netting and aggregate, the invention segments the sleeve itself into two functional portions. The filter material portion replaces the need for an additional barrier layer, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining soil particle blocking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If tubular netting is rucked onto a tube to fabricate drainage elements, then the netting can be drawn off during filling, but the rucking process is time-consuming and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetting handlingVSAvoidfabrication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The netting is pre-attached to the tube in a factory setting using adhesive, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming rucking operations during the filling process, significantly reducing fabrication time while maintaining ease of netting handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical rucking process is replaced with an adhesive bonding system. Instead of manually or mechanically rucking the netting onto the tube, adhesive is applied to bond the netting to the tube surface, providing a faster and less cumbersome attachment method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If a single material sleeve is used to encase aggregate, then the fabrication process is simple, but the sleeve cannot simultaneously allow water flow and block soil particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeve fabrication simplicityVSAvoidfiltering characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve is constructed as a composite structure with two distinct material portions: netting for water flow and filter material for soil particle blocking. This composite approach provides the versatility needed to perform both functions simultaneously while maintaining reasonable fabrication simplicity through the use of standard materials and processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively prevents soil infiltration while allowing water to pass through, simplifying the fabrication process by eliminating the need to ruck netting and maintaining the integrity of the drainage element during handling and installation.

Implementation Method 1

a first peripheral portion of water-permeable filter material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a second peripheral portion of net material having openings for retaining the aggregate and allowing the passage of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment through openings: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS8061020B2Apparatus for making drainage element with a periphery of different materials

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 EZFLOW

AI summary

The drainage element is made with a periphery formed of a filter material that allows the passage of water and prevents the passage of soil and a second peripheral section of net material that allows the passage of water while the preventing the passage of the lightweight aggregate therein. The filter material is preferably made of spun bonded polyester and may be made of a biodegradable material such as starch.