Inverted-Cone Upblast Rain Cap for 45-Degree Soil Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing upblast vent systems for soil gas control in buildings face challenges in preventing rainwater from entering vertical conveyance pipes while maintaining the air vent direction within the required 45-degree angle, as conventional caps often direct air at angles greater than 45 degrees, compromising the effectiveness of soil gas control systems.
Innovation Solution
The upblast rain cap design features an inverted bottom cone with a wall inclined at less than 45 degrees, a top cap with a low-profile design to minimize surface area for rain and ice accumulation, and a gutter system with vertical gaps and spars that direct rainwater away from the pipe, ensuring the air is vented vertically without significant rain ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cap is placed over the open end of a vertical conveyance pipe, then rainwater entry is prevented, but the vented air is directed at an angle greater than 45 degrees from the vertical
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two distinct functional segments: a top cap for rain protection and a bottom cone for air direction control. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between rain prevention and air venting angle maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom cone is inverted with its apex pointing downward, creating a configuration that naturally directs air flow within the required 45-degree angle while the top cap overrides for rain protection. This inverted geometry resolves the contradiction by reversing the conventional cap design approach
2Reliability
If a conventional cap is used to prevent rainwater entry, then rain protection is improved, but the air vent direction departs more than 45 degrees from the vertical
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the cap structure have different geometric properties optimized for their specific functions: the top cap has a broader overhang for rain protection while the bottom cone has a precisely angled wall (45 degrees or less) for air direction control. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliable rain protection and precise air vent angle maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds vertical dimensionality with the inverted cone structure, creating a three-dimensional configuration where the bottom cone's angled wall provides precise angular control in the horizontal plane while the top cap provides vertical rain protection, resolving the contradiction through dimensional separation
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
This design effectively minimizes rainwater entry into the vertical conveyance pipe while maintaining the air vent direction within the specified 45-degree angle, ensuring the integrity of soil gas control systems and reducing ice and snow accumulation, even in winter months.
Implementation Method 1
rain water falling on said top cap will flow to said gutter and through said vertical gap to be drained down said vertical spar
Implementation Method 2
rain water falling on said top cap will flow to said gutter and through said vertical gap to be drained down said vertical spar to an outside of said lower support coupler
Data Source
AI summary
An upblast rain cap may have an inverted bottom cone joined to a top cap. The wall of the bottom cone is at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to a vertical axis. The joined cone and cap are held above a lower support coupler by a spar. The height of the bottom cone above the support coupler forms a side discharge area. The coupler attaches to the top of a vertical conveyance pipe through which exhaust air flows. A gutter is formed around the edge of the top cap. The gutter has a vertical opening that is aligned with the top of the spar. When rain falls, water flows over the top cap to the gutter, through the opening in the gutter, down the outside edge of the spar and down the outside of the support coupler.