Nested Basket Storm Water Inlet Filter System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm water inlet systems are ineffective in removing smaller debris, particulates, and chemical and petroleum contaminants, and they require significant maintenance and are costly, making them impractical for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A nested-basket storm water inlet filter system with two porous baskets and an optional disposable filter pad that captures debris and pollutants, allowing water to pass through while preventing larger debris and contaminants from entering the sewer, and featuring a design that allows for easy maintenance and adaptation to different pollutant types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a simple storm drain grate is used to block largest refuse, then large debris is prevented from entering the drain, but smaller materials and chemical/biological/petroleum contaminants are not removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested baskets where an inner basket is placed inside an outer basket, creating multiple filtration layers. The inner basket captures smaller debris while the outer basket captures larger debris, achieving comprehensive filtration without requiring a complex single-unit filter system.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple independent baskets, each with specific pore sizes for different debris types. This segmentation allows each basket to be individually removed and cleaned without affecting the others, reducing maintenance complexity while improving overall filtration effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If advanced filter systems are implemented to remove chemical and petroleum contaminants, then pollutant removal effectiveness improves, but maintenance requirements and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous filter media with controlled pore sizes that can be selected based on the specific contaminants of concern. These porous materials physically trap chemical and petroleum contaminants while allowing water to pass through, providing effective filtration without complex chemical treatment systems that would require specialized maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter baskets are designed to be inexpensive, modular units that can be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced. This disposable-like approach to maintenance allows facility managers to simply rinse or replace baskets rather than performing complex maintenance procedures, significantly reducing operational complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple nested baskets with different pore sizes are used to capture various debris sizes, then filtration effectiveness improves, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested basket design allows multiple filtration layers to be installed in a compact, space-efficient manner. Each basket fits within the previous one, creating a tiered filtration system that captures debris of various sizes without requiring a large footprint or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized basket design with universal dimensions and mounting mechanisms allows the same basic component to serve multiple filtration functions by simply changing the filter media or pore size. This universality simplifies manufacturing and installation while enabling customized filtration for different contaminant types.
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
Effectively prevents debris and pollutants from entering the sewer, reduces maintenance needs, and is cost-effective, allowing for efficient filtration of water without requiring specialized equipment or skills, thereby improving storm water quality.
Implementation Method 1
two nested porous baskets, separated by a slight gap... Each of the baskets has an opening in their tops so water can enter and pass through while debris is captured
Implementation Method 2
a disposable filter pad or sachet with filtering properties... This media may be a sheet of material, a sachet of filter material... which can capture chemical, biological, and petroleum pollutants
Data Source
AI summary
A storm water inlet filter system is disclosed which comprises at least two, but preferably three, distinct filter layers. The storm water inlet filter system uses a nested basket structure in which one filter basket fits within another. Preferably a piece of disposable filter media is placed within the internal basket. Polluted water flows first into the inner basket, and onto the disposable filter media. Overflowing water passes into the outermost basket which can remove debris. The storm water inlet filter system can be used with many existing drainage systems, and can be cleaned and the disposable filter media replaced without the use of specialized equipment or training.