Modular Garbage Guard Panel Assembly for Sump Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for capturing buoyant garbage in sumps are bulky, difficult to install, and often inhibit water flow, making them unsuitable for retrofitting or use in confined spaces with limited access.
Innovation Solution
A garbage guard apparatus comprising multiple panels with symmetric flanges that can be assembled within a sump through a manhole entrance, attached to the sidewall around the outflow pipe entrance, forming a passage that allows water to flow while retaining buoyant garbage, with an optional top cap to capture additional debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing garbage capture devices are installed in sumps, then garbage capture capability is improved, but water flow is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular panels that can be selectively assembled. The panel assembly can be configured with different numbers and arrangements of panels to optimize the balance between garbage capture surface area and water flow passage, allowing the system to be tailored to specific application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the panel assembly have different functions: some panels provide garbage capture surfaces while other regions maintain open passages for water flow. The asymmetric configuration allows certain areas to be optimized for retention while others are optimized for hydraulic performance.
2Reliability
If bulky garbage capture devices are used, then garbage capture capability is improved, but installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular panels that can be transported separately and assembled within the sump. This segmentation allows the components to fit through standard manhole entrances and be assembled in confined spaces without requiring heavy lifting equipment or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to be assembled in a horizontal plane within the sump, transforming the installation process from vertical insertion to horizontal assembly. This dimensional change allows installation through limited access points and simplifies the assembly process by enabling workers to connect panels at waist level rather than working overhead or in awkward positions.
3Ease of operation
If devices are designed to fit through limited manhole entrances, then ease of installation is improved, but garbage capture capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular panels that can be transported separately through standard manhole entrances. These panels are then assembled within the sump to form a complete garbage capture system, allowing the final assembled structure to be larger and more effective than the individual transportable components would suggest.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple panels are nested or stacked within the sump space, utilizing the three-dimensional volume efficiently. The panels can be arranged in configurations that maximize garbage capture surface area while fitting within the constraints of the sump geometry and access limitations.
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 apparatus effectively captures buoyant garbage without obstructing water flow, facilitating easy installation and retrofitting, and allows for efficient removal of pollutants from sumps, reducing hydraulic losses and improving pollution control.
Implementation Method 1
buoyant garbage being retained within the sump by the panel assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A garbage guard apparatus is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the garbage guard apparatus may be mounted in a sump comprising an outflow pipe with an outflow pipe entrance that conveys water from the sump, and the sump may be accessed through a manhole entrance of diameter d. The garbage guard apparatus includes multiple panels, with each panel of the multiple panels having panel width W that is less than diameter d of the manhole entrance to allow for passage of each panel through the manhole entrance into the sump, in various aspects. In various aspects flange is formed on each longitudinal side of each panel with all flanges being symmetric to allow a flange of one panel to mate with any flange of any other panel. The panels when flangeably secured to one another within the sump form a panel assembly, in various aspects. The panel assembly so formed is then attached to the sidewall of the sump about the outflow pipe entrance of the outflow pipe with a lower end below an invert of the pipe entrance and an upper end above a crown of the pipe entrance, in various aspects. When so attached to the sidewall of the sump, the panel assembly defines a passage and the water passes from the sump around the lower end of the panel assembly into the passage and then into the pipe entrance of the outflow pipe with buoyant garbage being retained within the sump by the panel assembly, in various aspects. Related kits, methods of use, and methods of assembly are also disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and related kits and methods of use disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.