Flared End Ramp With Ribs for Stormwater Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stormwater management systems face challenges with debris accumulation and movement of flared end ramps within stormwater chambers, leading to maintenance difficulties and instability, as well as issues with securing the connection between inlet pipes and flared end ramps.
Innovation Solution
A flared end ramp with protrusions and fasteners, such as threaded rods or zip ties, is designed to securely attach to inlet pipes, and features like inclined surfaces, drainage grooves, and support feet with tabs are used to prevent lateral and vertical movement, ensuring stable placement and improved connection within stormwater chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flared end ramp is used in a stormwater chamber, then debris can be directed away from the chamber inlet and maintenance is facilitated, but the flared end ramp may move laterally or vertically within the chamber, causing instability and potential separation from the inlet pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates protrusions on the flared end ramp that engage with corresponding recesses in the inlet pipe before final installation, pre-aligning the components and preventing lateral movement during operation. This preliminary positioning action ensures the ramp remains stable while facilitating future maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fastening mechanisms (such as bolts or clips) as intermediary elements between the flared end ramp and the inlet pipe/chamber structure. These intermediaries secure the ramp in place, preventing vertical and lateral movement while allowing the ramp to maintain its debris-directing function during maintenance cycles.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the flared end ramp is secured tightly to prevent movement, then stability is improved, but the connection between the inlet pipe and flared end ramp becomes difficult to secure due to constrained access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fastening system into modular components: protrusions on the ramp that engage with recesses in the pipe, and separate fastening elements (such as clips or bolts) that can be applied from accessible locations. This segmentation allows the connection to be made in stages, ensuring stability while maintaining installation ease through accessible fastening points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to secure the entire connection from difficult-to-reach areas, the patent inverts the approach by providing fastening access from the opposite or alternate direction—such as fastening from the chamber exterior rather than interior, or using self-aligning protrusions that engage automatically during installation, thereby simplifying the installation process while ensuring secure connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A flared end ramp for managing and distributing fluid runoff. The flared end ramp may have an inlet end configured to connect to a pipe, a plurality of protrusions on the upper side of the inlet end, and an outlet end. An inclined surface may extend between the inlet end and the outlet end of the flared end ramp, the outlet end of the flared end ramp has a larger width than the inlet end of the flared end ramp such that the inclined surface is angled laterally outward from the inlet end toward the outlet end. The flared end ramp may include a tab positioned on an edge of the outlet end, the tab extending vertically relative to the outlet end. The flared end ramp may be placed inside a stormwater chamber, and the tab may be positioned outside of the stormwater chamber.