Modular Slot Drain System for Rapid Surface Water Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stormwater drains and tanks are complex and costly to install, and their large size restricts storage and transportation, while they often fail to effectively manage surface water during atypical rainfall events, leading to excess water accumulation on roadways.
Innovation Solution
A slot drain system comprising a set of channels and a pipe, where the channel and pipe are separable for easy storage and transportation, and can be configured to rapidly clear surface water, accumulate it, and discharge it at an attenuated rate through a flow attenuator, integrating storage, transport, and rapid clearance functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional stormwater drains and tanks are used, then surface water can be discharged into the drainage system, but the installation becomes complex and costly, and storage and transportation are restricted due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
The slot drain is divided into multiple modular sections that can be assembled together. Each section includes a channel with outlets and a pipe with inlets, allowing the system to be manufactured in compact, transportable units that can be scaled by assembly rather than requiring large monolithic structures
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe is positioned within the channel structure, with the channel surrounding the pipe. This nested arrangement allows the drainage functionality to be integrated into a compact form factor, reducing the overall volume required compared to conventional separate drain and tank systems
2Ease of operation
If conventional stormwater drains are used, then water discharge is possible, but storage and transportation are restricted due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the drain into modular sections with standardized coupling mechanisms, the system can be stored in compact configurations and transported efficiently. The modular design allows sections to be stacked or arranged in space-saving configurations during storage and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanisms between modular sections allow for flexible assembly and disassembly, enabling the system to be configured in different sizes and shapes based on storage or transport constraints, then assembled to the required size at the installation site
3Reliability
If conventional stormwater drains are used, then discharge flow is possible, but attenuation of surface water during atypical rainfall events is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the channel (for rapid water intake) and pipe (for storage and controlled discharge) into a single integrated modular unit. This combination provides both rapid clearance and attenuation functionality within one structure, eliminating the need for separate complex systems while maintaining reliability during atypical rainfall events
Solution Approach 2:
The modular section serves multiple functions simultaneously: the channel provides rapid water intake and distribution, the pipe provides storage and controlled discharge, and the coupling mechanisms enable flexible system configuration. This multi-functionality achieves reliable attenuation without increasing device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A slot drain section (10) is described. The slot drain section (10) comprises a set of channels (100), including a first channel (100A), and a pipe (200). The first channel (100A) comprises an open side (140) arranged to provide a slot (141) to receive water therethrough, a first channel side wall (110) and a second channel side wall (120), mutually opposed and spaced apart, and a third channel side wall (130), opposed to the open side (140), extending between the first channel side wall (110) and the second channel side wall (120). The third channel side wall (130) comprises a set of outlets (150), including a first outlet (150A) and a second outlet (150B), mutually spaced apart. The pipe (200) comprises a pipe side wall (210) and a set of inlets (250), including a first inlet (250A) and a second inlet (250B), mutually spaced apart and provided through the pipe side wall (210). The slot drain section (10) is arrangeable in the first configuration and in the second configuration. In the first configuration, the first inlet (250A) and the second inlet (250B) are uncoupled from the first outlet (150A) and from the second outlet (150B), respectively. In the second configuration, the first inlet (250A) and the second inlet (250B) are releasably coupled to the first outlet (150A) and to the second outlet (150B), respectively, and the first channel (100A) and the pipe (200) are mutually spaced apart by a first spacing S1. A slot drain, a kit of parts and methods of installing, assembling and manufacturing a slot drain section are also described.