Mobile Stormwater Design System for Green Infrastructure Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack the capability to effectively design and monitor stormwater management systems using green infrastructure, failing to estimate stormwater runoff reduction, compute optimal system sizes, and provide educational tools for teaching green infrastructure principles.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system and method that uses software, firmware, and hardware to design and monitor stormwater management systems by identifying drainage mechanisms, classifying surrounding areas, determining drainage areas, and computing optimal sizes for green infrastructure systems based on geolocation and rainfall data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pencil-and-paper methods are used for collecting and analyzing stormwater data, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity and measurement precision deteriorate due to inability to aggregate data across multiple properties and lack of computational analytics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual pencil-and-paper data collection and analysis methods with an automated electronic system that includes mobile devices, computer-implemented methods, and database systems. This substitution enables automatic aggregation of stormwater data across multiple properties, computational analytics, and efficient processing of large datasets while maintaining user-friendly interfaces for data entry and visualization.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing stormwater management technologies are used, then device functionality is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because they cannot optimize green infrastructure systems for specific properties with unique geolocation and historical rainfall data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by customizing green infrastructure system designs to match specific property characteristics, including unique geolocation data, historical rainfall patterns, soil types, and drainage conditions. The system uses location-specific rainfall data and property-level analytics to optimize each green infrastructure installation for its specific environment rather than applying generic designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting green infrastructure system parameters (size, type, configuration) based on locally-specific inputs such as historical rainfall data, drainage area calculations, and property geolocation. The system dynamically modifies design parameters to optimize performance for each unique property condition.
3Measurement precision
If existing technologies are used for stormwater analysis, then measurement capability is improved, but loss of information increases because they cannot compute optimal system sizes or estimate stormwater reduction impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that provide users with detailed information about stormwater runoff reduction impacts, optimal system size recommendations, and performance predictions. The system calculates and communicates specific metrics such as expected stormwater volume reduction, groundwater recharge benefits, and financial incentive eligibility, enabling informed decision-making about green infrastructure installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile system and method for designing a stormwater management system using green infrastructure is described. The mobile system and method is used to (1) identify a location and quantity of stormwater runoff generated on an existing property; (2) provide a user with an optimum size and location for a rain catchment tank, rain garden, or other green infrastructure system for retaining or otherwise managing such stormwater runoff on the existing property; and (3) quantify stormwater runoff reduction potential based upon the optimized size and location of the green infrastructure. The mobile system and method utilize a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone, and includes aspects of data aggregation, visualization, compilation and sorting of information that can be viewed as a list, a chart, a map view, and the like, for administrative purposes, such as obtaining utility rebates or fee credits, or other green infrastructure asset management.