Perforated Lid Water Storage System for Stormwater Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urban environments face challenges with stormwater management due to hardscape surfaces that prevent natural absorption, leading to rapid runoff and issues like flooding, habitat destruction, and infrastructure damage, while also making it difficult to retain stormwater for reuse.
Innovation Solution
A modular water storage system comprising stackable units with perforated lids and flow restrictors, allowing for controlled water storage and release, which can be integrated under hardscape structures to support heavy loads and facilitate irrigation and EPA compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hardscape surfaces are used to cover land in urban environments, then infrastructure durability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but stormwater absorption is blocked causing rapid runoff and flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a geocomposite layer with porous structure between the hardscape and the water storage system. This porous layer allows stormwater to infiltrate through the impermeable hardscape surface, converting the harmful rapid runoff into usable stored water while maintaining the structural integrity of the hardscape above
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a geotextile filter layer and geocomposite layer as mediators between the hardscape surface and the water storage system. These intermediary layers facilitate water infiltration while preventing soil erosion and maintaining the load-bearing capacity of the hardscape structure
2Quantity of substance
If stormwater is retained in urban environments, then water reuse and aquifer replenishment are enabled, but the hardscape causes water to run quickly off the hard surface making retention difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful rapid runoff caused by hardscape into a beneficial resource by capturing the running water in an adjacent water storage system. The system includes a water collection area that receives runoff from the hardscape and directs it to the storage system, transforming the problematic fast-moving water into stored water available for irrigation and other uses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs intermediary structures including a berm or barrier wall positioned between the hardscape and water storage system. This intermediary structure slows down the rapid runoff, allows water to infiltrate through the porous geocomposite layer, and directs water into the storage system, effectively converting high-speed runoff into controlled water retention
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a water storage system is installed under hardscape structures, then stormwater management is improved, but the system must support heavy loads from the hardscape and traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the water storage system into modular components including a water storage system, geotextile filter layer, geocomposite layer, and drainage layer. This segmented structure allows each layer to perform its specific function while collectively supporting the hardscape load, with the geocomposite and geotextile layers providing structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating a geocomposite layer composed of geosynthetic reinforcement and geotextile fabric. This composite material provides both filtration functionality and structural strength to support heavy loads from hardscape and traffic while allowing water infiltration, thus resolving the contradiction between stormwater management and load-bearing capacity
4Ease of operation
If multiple openings are provided in the water storage unit, then water infiltration and access are improved, but structural integrity and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing openings at specific locations on the water storage system - specifically at the sides and top surface. These strategically positioned openings allow water infiltration from the hardscape and access for irrigation while maintaining structural integrity in critical areas. The openings are distributed locally rather than uniformly, preserving strength where needed
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a water storage system that can include a water storage unit and a water storage lid configured to be attached to the water storage unit. The water storage system can include an outer shell with a first side comprising a first plurality of openings and a second side adjacent the first side comprising a second plurality of openings; a first set of cross-bodies spanning a width of the outer shell; and a second set of cross-bodies spanning a length of the outer shell and intersecting the first set of cross-bodies.