Drainage Outlet Orifice Structure for Blockage-Resistant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drainage structures suffer from blockages at the orifice between the catchment reservoir and the outlet, which can lead to reduced liquid flow, overflow, and structural damage due to sedimentation and object occlusion, with existing methods like filters and overflow outlets being ineffective against sedimentation and prone to similar blockages.
Innovation Solution
The drainage structure incorporates an outlet orifice surface with protrusions and grooves designed to minimize object attachment and redirect liquid flow, along with a spout to prevent overflow and a grating to block large objects, enhancing the structure's ability to handle varying liquid compositions and reduce blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter or grating is attached to the catchment tray to prevent blockages, then large objects are blocked from entering, but sedimentation is not prevented as sediment particles are small enough to fit through the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet orifice is segmented into multiple smaller openings arranged in a pattern, which prevents large objects from blocking the entire outlet while allowing sediment particles to pass through. This segmentation approach simultaneously addresses both large object blockage prevention and sediment filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the outlet orifice have different functional properties: some areas are designed with larger openings to allow sediment passage while maintaining overall flow capacity. The local quality variation enables simultaneous prevention of large object blockages and sedimentation.
2Reliability
If an additional overflow outlet is added to prevent catchment overflow during blockage, then liquid can drain via overflow outlet, but the overflow outlet is susceptible to similar blockages as the main outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow outlet is also segmented into multiple smaller openings, which prevents blockages while maintaining overflow functionality. This segmentation approach allows the overflow outlet to be as reliable as the main outlet without requiring complex protective mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented outlet design provides multi-functionality: it serves as both the main outlet and overflow outlet, with the same segmented structure preventing blockages in both functions. This eliminates the need for separate protective mechanisms for each outlet type.
3Productivity
If the outlet orifice is made larger to prevent object occlusion, then flow capacity is increased, but sedimentation and build-up are reduced rather than eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet orifice is divided into multiple smaller openings distributed across the outlet surface. This segmentation maintains high total flow capacity while the distributed pattern prevents sediment accumulation in any single location, as sediment particles are dispersed across multiple opening pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet design transitions from a single large opening to a two-dimensional array of multiple smaller openings. This dimensional change increases the total effective area for flow while distributing sediment particles across the entire outlet surface area, preventing localized build-up.
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 significantly reduces the frequency and severity of blockages, maintaining efficient liquid flow and preventing structural damage by minimizing object occlusion and sediment buildup, thus ensuring effective drainage performance.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet orifice surface arranged adjacent the outlet orifice, the outlet orifice surface comprising at least one protrusion which protrudes into the catchment reservoir and/or the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a spout for directing liquid out of the catchment reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a drainage structure for collecting and removing liquid from an area, the drainage structure comprising: a catchment reservoir; an outlet; an outlet orifice located at an interface of the catchment reservoir and the outlet, wherein the outlet orifice enables liquid to flow between the catchment reservoir and the outlet; and an outlet orifice surface arranged adjacent the outlet orifice, the outlet orifice surface comprising at least one protrusion which protrudes into the catchment reservoir and/or the outlet.