Flat Fiber Sheet Sediment Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wattles and logs for sediment control are inefficient due to their circular shape, which leads to inadequate contact with the ground, requiring additional installation steps and increasing transportation and handling costs, and are difficult to configure for storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A fiber sheet system comprising a natural fiber felt with a coating of natural rubber and attached netting, designed to provide effective perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and check dam applications with improved contact and stability, reducing unit volume and transportation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cylindrical wattles and logs are used for sediment control, then they provide perimeter sediment control functionality, but they have inadequate contact with the ground due to their circular shape, requiring additional installation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reverse of spheroidality by using a flat rectangular cross-section instead of a circular one. The fiber sheet system is configured with a flat bottom surface that provides maximum contact area with the ground, eliminating the rounding issue inherent in cylindrical structures. This geometric change ensures reliable ground contact without requiring additional installation steps to compensate for poor contact.
2Reliability
If conventional cylindrical wattles and logs are used, then they provide sediment control, but water flows between the log and anchoring ropes, undercutting the log and defeating the purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The flat rectangular cross-section eliminates the circular geometry that creates gaps between the structure and anchoring elements. The flat sides provide continuous contact surfaces that prevent water from flowing between the structure and stakes or anchors, eliminating the undercutting problem inherent in cylindrical designs.
3Reliability
If conventional thick wattles and logs are used, then they provide sediment control barrier functionality, but they are difficult to configure for transporting and storage due to their thickness relative to height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a thick, short cylindrical form to a thin, long rectangular form by changing the dimensional proportions. The fiber sheet system has a small thickness relative to its length and height, allowing it to be efficiently stacked, rolled, or bundled for transportation and storage while maintaining adequate barrier performance through its extended surface area.
4Reliability
If conventional wattles and logs with larger diameter are used, then they provide sediment control, but the performance efficiency per unit of weight is not optimal due to the log being wider than the contact portion
Solution Approach 1:
The flat rectangular cross-section ensures that the entire width of the structure contacts the ground, maximizing the effective use of material. Unlike cylindrical structures where only a portion of the diameter contacts the ground, the flat design ensures 100% utilization of the horizontal dimension for ground contact, improving performance efficiency per unit weight.
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 fiber sheet system effectively captures sediment and reduces transportation costs by providing a more efficient and stable sediment control solution with improved contact with the ground and easier storage and handling.
Implementation Method 1
a coating composition adhered to the fiber sheet, wherein the coating composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a natural rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber sheet system suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises a fiber sheet comprising a natural fiber felt. A coating composition comprising a natural rubber is adhered to the fiber sheet. The fiber sheet has a top side width less than the height and the length of the fiber sheet. A netting contacts the front and rear sides of the fiber sheet.