Dual-Action Retractable Screen for Curb Inlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable screens for storm drain catch basins are prone to fouling with trash and debris, particularly during 'first-flush' storm water events, and often fail to open vertically or horizontally enough to prevent street flooding, especially in severe throat angle and narrow inlet configurations.
Innovation Solution
A dual-action retractable screen that can open both horizontally and vertically, featuring a hinge mount system with adjustable latch pin movement and locking mechanism, allowing manual operation from the street side to ensure the screen remains open during high flow events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertically opening screens are used in severe throat angle and narrow inlet configurations, then the screen can block trash and debris during dry seasons, but the screen cannot open sufficiently during high flow events to prevent street flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the screen to achieve greater total opening distance by combining the movement of multiple segments, enabling it to clear severe throat angles and narrow inlets during high flow events while maintaining effective blocking capability during dry seasons.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen mechanism incorporates movement in multiple dimensions beyond simple vertical opening. By adding horizontal or diagonal movement components, the screen can navigate through severe throat angles and narrow inlets more effectively, achieving sufficient opening distance without compromising its blocking function when closed.
2Ease of operation
If retractable screens are designed to open during storm water flow, then flooding can be prevented, but the screens are susceptible to fouling with trash and debris that blocks their opening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The opening mechanism is extracted and positioned outside the main screen structure, or the screen segments are designed to move in a manner that minimizes exposure of mechanical components to debris. This extraction reduces the susceptibility of the opening mechanism to fouling while maintaining automatic opening capability during storm events.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen incorporates flexible elements or thin film components that can deform or adapt to debris presence without jamming rigid mechanisms. This flexibility allows the screen to maintain movement capability even when encountering trash and debris, preventing mechanism fouling while preserving automatic opening function.
3Ease of manufacture
If street sweeping trucks clean accumulated debris, then the screen remains clear for operation, but the sweeping equipment can inadvertently push large trash and debris into the curb inlet openings
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is designed with features that prevent debris intrusion before it becomes a problem. Protective barriers, deflectors, or specially designed inlet geometries are incorporated to stop large trash and debris from being pushed into the curb inlet openings by street sweeping equipment, while still allowing maintenance personnel easy access for clearing accumulated debris.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary structure or component is introduced between the street sweeping operation and the screen mechanism. This intermediary element, such as a protective barrier or deflector system, intercepts debris pushed by sweeping equipment and redirects it away from the curb inlet openings, preventing debris intrusion while maintaining maintenance accessibility.
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 dual-action retractable screen effectively prevents clogging and entanglement of debris, ensuring reliable operation during storm events by opening to a greater degree and allowing manual locking in the open position, reducing the risk of street flooding and property damage.
Implementation Method 1
a first screen portion with a first screen portion perforated surface connected to the hinge mount via a horizontal hinge, which allows the first screen portion to rotate within a substantially horizontal plane
Implementation Method 2
A vertical hinge connects the first screen portion to the second screen portion and allows the second screen portion to rotate within a substantially vertical plane
Data Source
AI summary
A dual action retractable screen includes a first screen portion with a first screen portion perforated surface connected to the hinge mount via a horizontal hinge, which allows the first screen portion to rotate within a substantially horizontal plane. The screen also has a second screen portion with a second screen portion perforated surface and a latch pin. A vertical hinge connects the first screen portion to the second screen portion and allows the second screen portion to rotate within a substantially vertical plane. The screen also includes a latch mount that connects to the curb inlet and has a latch saddle that receives the latch pin. The screen operates in two modes: (1) a closed mode where the latch pin is disposed of in the latch saddle, inhibiting rotation about the horizontal hinge; and (2) an open mode where the latch pin is dislodged from the latch saddle, permitting rotation about the horizontal hinge and about the vertical hinge.