Modular Flood Barrier With Helical Coil Interlocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood control systems face capacity limitations and inability to rapidly deploy temporary structures to inhibit floodwaters, particularly in densely developed areas, leading to challenges during natural disasters like hurricanes, where structures like canals and sandbags are insufficient for large-scale water containment.
Innovation Solution
A modular floodwater control system with metal mesh walls that can be quickly deployed by folding for transportation and erected for use, featuring helical coil corners for interlocking and a liner to create a water reservoir, which can be secured with locking pins and optionally padlocked to prevent water egress, allowing for extended linear coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional flood control structures like sandbags are used, then some water containment is achieved, but significant manpower is required and they cannot cover large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently handled and assembled. Each panel is a manageable size that can be moved by limited personnel, yet when assembled together they create extensive coverage areas, resolving the contradiction between large coverage and limited manpower requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple modular panels are combined through interlocking mechanisms to form a unified flood barrier system. The panels merge to create continuous walls that cover large areas while requiring minimal manpower for assembly, as the modular design allows rapid deployment without extensive manual labor
2Reliability
If canal systems are used for water control, then water direction is managed, but capacity limitations prevent effective control during catastrophic events
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system transitions from a static canal structure to a dynamic, deployable modular system. The panels can be rapidly assembled and disassembled to adapt to varying flood conditions and capacities, allowing the system to scale its water control capability based on the severity of the event while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by adjusting the number and configuration of modular panels deployed. This allows the water control capacity to be dynamically modified to match the flood event magnitude, providing both reliability for routine control and adaptability for catastrophic events
3Reliability
If temporary flood control structures are deployed, then water egress is inhibited, but deployment time is excessive and installation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The modular panels are pre-fabricated with integrated interlocking mechanisms and corner assemblies before deployment. This preliminary preparation eliminates complex on-site construction, allowing rapid assembly that maintains reliable water containment while minimizing deployment time
Solution Approach 2:
The modular panels incorporate self-aligning and self-locking features through their interlocking mechanisms. When panels are brought together, they automatically engage and secure themselves without requiring complex installation procedures or extensive manual adjustment, thereby reducing deployment time while ensuring reliable water containment
Data Source
AI summary
A flood control system that is configured to be deployed so as to control floodwaters wherein the flood control system is provided in multi-cell configurations of modular receptacles. The flood control system includes a plurality of modular receptacles having four walls wherein the four walls are movably coupled so as to transition intermediate a folded position and a deployed position. The walls of the flood control system include a plurality of apertures and corner structures that are helical coil in shape. A locking pin is provided to be operably coupled intermediate modular receptacles so as to provide a mechanical connection therebetween. A liner is disposed within the interior volume of the modular receptacles and is mateable shaped therewith. A lid member is further included and is operable to cover the plurality of modular receptacles. The lid member further includes locking aperture rows so as to inhibit access.