Mesh-Screen Riser Protection Against Rodent Chewing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rodents cause significant damage to perforated riser systems by chewing holes, leading to soil influx and water leakage, necessitating frequent replacement of components, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A rodent deterrent system comprising mesh screens that surround the T-junction and midsection of the riser, made from materials like polypropylene and aluminum, with elliptical cutouts and fasteners to secure the screens in place, preventing rodents from accessing these areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rodents are allowed to access the riser system without protection, then the riser components remain accessible for maintenance and assembly, but rodents chew holes in the riser components causing soil influx and water leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of riser componentsVSAvoidrodent damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mesh screen is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the rodents and the riser components. The mesh screen allows water to pass through while physically blocking rodents from chewing the components, thus protecting the integrity of the riser system without preventing its function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh screen acts as a flexible protective shell that surrounds the riser components. This thin film structure provides rodent protection while maintaining flexibility for assembly and disassembly, and allows water infiltration through its open mesh structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If mesh screens are installed to protect the riser components, then rodent damage is prevented, but the device complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against rodent damageVSAvoidstructure of riser system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective mesh screen is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different riser components (top section, midsection, T-junction). Each segment can be independently installed and removed, simplifying the overall system complexity while providing comprehensive protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh screen segments are designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing the protection system to adapt to different installation scenarios and maintenance needs. This dynamic design reduces complexity by enabling easy assembly and disassembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If mesh screens surround the entire riser system, then complete rodent protection is achieved, but the amount of material and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of rodent protectionVSAvoidmesh screen material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Mesh screens are applied selectively to specific high-risk areas of the riser system where rodent damage is most likely to occur, such as the T-junction and midsection. This localized protection approach reduces material usage while maintaining effective rodent deterrence at critical points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing complete coverage of the entire riser system, mesh screens are installed on key segments that provide sufficient protection against rodent damage. This partial action approach achieves adequate protection with reduced material consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If the riser system is designed with small holes in the midsection to prevent soil influx, then soil erosion is reduced, but rodents can still chew larger holes through the same areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of soil influxVSAvoidrodent chewing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh screen combines the functions of soil filtration and rodent protection into a single protective layer. The mesh openings are sized to prevent both soil particles and rodents from entering the riser, merging two protective functions that were previously addressed separately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11596142B2System to deter rodents from accessing a pipe system

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 HAGAN MICHAEL T

AI summary

A rodent deterrent system for a pipe system, the pipe system including a T-junction and a midsection riser. The deterrent system for the T-junction includes a first mesh screen configured to surround a vertical portion of the T-junction and a second mesh screen configured to surround a horizontal portion of the T-junction. Also, the deterrent system for a perforated riser includes a mesh wrap sleeve configured to surround the midsection of the riser. Alternatively, the riser midsection sleeve can be lengthened so that the second mesh is not needed as the lengthened sleeve also performs the same function as the second screen.