Pivotable Check Valve for Downspouts Preventing Animal Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downspout systems face issues with animal and pest intrusion, leading to potential health risks and structural damage, as well as debris accumulation and blockages due to the lack of effective solutions that allow for unobstructed effluent flow.
Innovation Solution
A check valve system with a pivotably mounted trapdoor or valve member that can be easily installed on downspouts, allowing for one-way fluid flow and preventing animal intrusion while maintaining efficient debris drainage, featuring serrations and self-closing mechanisms to ensure effective closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If permanent or fixed grating is used at downspout ends, then animal intrusion is prevented, but debris accumulation and blockage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic grate system that transitions from static to movable, allowing the grate to rotate between a closed position (blocking animal intrusion) and an open position (allowing debris passage). This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by adapting the grate's state based on flow conditions and pest presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the grate from fixed to variable, enabling it to adjust its position and orientation. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between pest exclusion and debris drainage by modifying the grate's angular position in response to environmental conditions.
2Device complexity
If monolithic grates with no moving parts are used, then device complexity is reduced, but effluent flow is impeded and debris buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces minimal moving components (hinge mechanism and rotating capability) to the grate structure, transforming it from a static monolithic design to a dynamically adjustable system. This enables the grate to open during heavy flow to maintain productivity while remaining relatively simple in overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the grate into movable and fixed portions, with the ability to rotate or pivot sections of the grate. This segmentation allows different parts of the grate to perform different functions - blocking pests when closed and allowing flow when open - without requiring complete structural redesign.
3Productivity
If unguarded open ends are used, then debris drainage is maximized, but animal intrusion and nesting occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where the grate automatically adjusts between open and closed states based on flow conditions. During heavy rain, the grate opens to maximize debris drainage; during dry periods, it closes to prevent animal intrusion and nesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms that respond to environmental conditions (water flow, pest presence) by adjusting the grate position. The system monitors conditions and automatically modifies its state to optimize both drainage efficiency and pest exclusion.
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
The check valve effectively prevents animal intrusion and minimizes effluent flow restriction, ensuring unobstructed drainage and reducing maintenance needs, thus promoting health, safety, and cost savings by preventing pest-related issues and debris buildup.
Implementation Method 1
a trapdoor that is pivotably or otherwise rotatably mounted on or otherwise coupled with a body member of the check valve... providing a closed trapdoor position for substantially occluding the first orifice and a range of open trapdoor positions when the trapdoor is pivoted to open in the flow direction
Implementation Method 2
featuring serrations and self-closing mechanisms to ensure effective closure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for a check valve for deterring intrusion into downspouts include a body member having at least a first orifice and are configured to mount on a downspout, where the downspout is adapted to promote fluid flow in a single direction. Pivotably mounted on the body members are various valve members. The mounting arrangement can provide a closed position that substantially occludes the first orifice and a range of open positions when the valve member is pivoted with respect to the body member to open in the flow direction. In addition, at least one additional orifice can be provided in either the body member or the valve member to permit fluid flow irrespective of the position of the valve member.