Flood Barrier Monitoring via Integrated Coupling Level Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable flood barrier systems face challenges in monitoring their water levels accurately, especially in extreme weather conditions, which can lead to leaks, damage, and inefficiency in flood protection due to the difficulty in determining the liquid level within flexible tubes and the lack of easy detection methods for leaks or ruptures.
Innovation Solution
A flood protection system comprising elongated flexible tubes connected by rigid coupling units with integrated liquid level indicators that measure the liquid level inside the coupling units, allowing for remote monitoring and alert systems to ensure optimal water levels and detect any leaks or damage, with the ability to adjust liquid flow automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If liquid level indicators are integrated into rigid coupling units, then monitoring accuracy and ease of detection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid level indicator is merged with the rigid coupling unit to form an integrated monitoring component. This combination allows the indicator to be positioned at a fixed, easily accessible location while maintaining accurate measurement of the liquid level in the flexible tube, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring separate distributed sensors throughout the barrier system.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid coupling unit serves as an intermediary structure that connects the flexible tubes and houses the liquid level indicator. This intermediary component enables indirect measurement of the liquid level in the flexible tube through the coupling unit, making detection easier while maintaining measurement accuracy through proper mechanical linkage and positioning.
2Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but monitoring reliability and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring through the integrated liquid level indicator that automatically detects and indicates the liquid level status without requiring manual inspection. This self-service capability improves reliability by providing continuous monitoring while minimizing the need for human intervention, especially important in extreme weather conditions when flooding is imminent.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid level indicator provides immediate visual feedback about the liquid level status in the flexible tube. This feedback mechanism allows operators to quickly assess whether the barrier is properly filled and functioning, enabling timely responses to potential failures without complex electronic monitoring systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible tubes are used, then adaptability and ease of deployment are improved, but measurement precision and leak detection capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system is segmented into flexible tubes connected by rigid coupling units. This segmentation allows the flexible tubes to adapt to terrain variations while the rigid coupling units provide fixed reference points for accurate liquid level measurement. The segmentation enables the system to combine the adaptability of flexible components with the measurement precision of rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different properties: the flexible tubes provide adaptability to terrain, while the rigid coupling units provide stable mounting locations for liquid level indicators. This local differentiation of qualities allows each component to perform its optimal function - the flexible tubes for adaptation and the rigid couplings for precise measurement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a flood protection system (1) comprising; at least one elongated flexible tube (2) arranged for being filled with a liquid and containing said liquid, at least one rigid coupling unit (3) arranged for interconnecting the flexible tubes, and a monitoring system (7) comprising at least one liquid level indicator (5) arranged for measuring the liquid level inside the at least one coupling unit (3). Thereby is ensured that that any leak in one or more flexible tubes and/or any malfunction of a coupling unit easily can be detected.