Flood Vent Insert Barrier for Automatic Hydrostatic Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood water control devices for enclosed areas below base flood plain levels struggle to provide an effective and automatic equalization of interior and exterior hydrostatic forces during flooding, as they often require manual intervention to open vents, which can lead to delayed relief of hydrostatic pressure.
Innovation Solution
A vent barrier system comprising an insert with insulative side faces that can be dimensioned to fit within a flood vent duct, providing a seal and preventing the door from opening, along with a cover that can be secured using retention features like latches or bolts, and a fluid-modifiable material that dissolves upon water contact to allow water flow, ensuring airtight sealing and automatic vent opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent barrier system is installed to seal the flood vent duct during non-flood conditions, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the ability to allow free fluid exchange during flood conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent barrier system employs a movable barrier that can dynamically change position between a closed state during non-flood conditions and an open state during flood conditions. The barrier is actuated by hydrostatic pressure differentials and manual mechanisms, allowing it to adapt its configuration based on flooding conditions to provide effective sealing when needed while enabling free fluid exchange when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in physical parameters, particularly pressure differentials between interior and exterior environments, to automatically actuate the barrier mechanism. During non-flood conditions, positive pressure differentials maintain the barrier in a closed position, while during flood conditions, negative pressure differentials or direct water pressure cause the barrier to open, enabling fluid exchange without requiring active control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal mechanism is provided to prevent water ingress during non-flood conditions, then water protection is improved, but the automatic equalization of hydrostatic forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal mechanism is designed to be self-regulating, automatically opening when hydrostatic pressure equalization is needed during flood conditions and automatically closing when water protection is needed during non-flood conditions. The system uses the pressure differentials themselves as the actuating force, eliminating the need for external control systems while maintaining both sealing effectiveness and hydrostatic equalization functionality.
3Reliability
If the vent duct is sealed to allow free entry and exit of flooding fluids, then flood protection is improved, but the insulative sealing during non-flood conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent barrier system dynamically transitions between providing thermal insulation during non-flood conditions and allowing fluid exchange during flood conditions. The barrier is positioned to seal the duct opening against environmental elements when dry, maintaining thermal insulation, and automatically moves to allow flood waters to pass through when needed, thus adapting the duct's function based on environmental conditions.
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 system ensures a secure, airtight seal during non-flood conditions and automatically allows floodwater to pass through by dissolving the insert, effectively relieving hydrostatic pressure and complying with building codes for flood-prone areas.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid modifiable material that dissolves upon water contact to allow water flow
Data Source
AI summary
A vent barrier system may include an insert and a cover. The insert may be dimensioned to be inserted within a flood vent duct through a first opening such that side faces of the insert contact sidewalls of the duct and thereby provide an insulative seal between the first opening and a second opening of the duct when inserted therein. The may be configured to be attached to the insert and be dimensioned to be selectively securable to vent at the first opening. The cover may be manipulatable to selectively remove the insert from the duct.