Expandable Below-Grade Storm Shelter with Telescoping Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storm shelters either flood during severe weather when underground or are intrusive in daily life when built above ground, necessitating a solution that provides protection without disrupting daily activities.
Innovation Solution
A modular storm shelter system with a housing that includes stationary and telescoping sections, where the telescoping sections can be nested within a stationary frame, allowing the shelter to expand from a flush position with the ground to above-grade, providing overhead cover without intrusive construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storm shelter is built entirely underground, then it provides overhead cover that withstands severe storms, but it is subject to flooding during severe weather
Solution Approach 1:
The shelter transitions from a static underground structure to a dynamic system that can change its position and configuration. The telescoping columns enable the shelter to elevate above ground level during storms, dynamically adjusting to avoid flooding while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelter adds vertical movement capability, transitioning from a two-dimensional underground plane to a three-dimensional structure that can elevate. This dimensional change allows the shelter to escape the flooding hazard zone while maintaining its protective function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the storm shelter is built above ground as a safe room, then it avoids flooding, but it is intrusive in day to day life
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping shelter sections are nested within the stationary frame during normal conditions, creating a compact, low-profile structure that blends with the ground level. When needed, the nested sections extend outward to form the complete shelter, providing both aesthetic integration and functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelter transitions from a static, always-visible structure to a dynamic system that remains concealed during normal conditions and only deploys when needed. This dynamic behavior eliminates the intrusive appearance while maintaining flooding resistance through elevated positioning during storms.
3Reliability
If the storm shelter is built entirely underground, then it provides overhead cover, but it requires more excavation and construction work
Solution Approach 1:
The shelter is divided into modular components including a stationary frame and telescoping sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation reduces construction complexity compared to building a complete underground structure, while still providing the necessary overhead cover protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping mechanism allows the shelter to achieve full overhead cover protection without requiring complete underground construction. The dynamic extension capability provides equivalent protection to underground shelters with significantly reduced excavation and construction requirements.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the storm shelter is built above ground, then it avoids flooding, but it reduces available outdoor space
Solution Approach 1:
The shelter sections are nested within the stationary frame when not in use, maintaining a compact profile that minimizes the occupied space. This nesting capability allows the shelter to provide flooding avoidance when deployed while preserving outdoor space during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelter transitions from occupying minimal space during normal conditions to providing elevated flood protection when needed. The dynamic deployment mechanism ensures that the shelter structure does not permanently reduce outdoor space while still achieving flooding avoidance during severe weather events.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelter system having a stationary section configured to be positioned below grade and having a plurality of perimeter walls forming a stationary frame. A plurality telescoping sections are nested within the stationary section. A roof panel is attached to a top telescoping section of the plurality telescoping sections. A lift system is configured to provide a vertical force to the top telescoping section such that the plurality of telescoping sections are selectively positionable between an idle configuration below grade and a raised configuration above grade.