Retractable Curb Inlet Filter for Catch Basin Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surface water filtration systems, such as curb-inlet catch basins, face challenges including sediment accumulation, turbulence that prevents effective sediment removal, and inability to capture oils and chemical contaminants, leading to system clogging and non-compliance with regulations, which complicates maintenance and incurs significant costs.
Innovation Solution
A curb-inlet catch basin filtration system that includes a filter support plate allowing installation without entering the vault, featuring a retractable portion for primary and secondary filters, with a cylindrical perforate screen and optional media for oil absorption, enabling efficient sediment and contaminant removal without requiring workers to enter the vault.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional catch basin system is used, then sediment can settle to the bottom of the basin, but the system quickly becomes filled and clogged, requiring difficult and expensive cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is extracted as a separate, removable component from the catch basin system. It can be removed through the manhole opening without entering the vault, allowing easy cleaning and maintenance while maintaining reliable sediment filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly acts as an intermediary component between the inlet opening and the catch basin. It intercepts sediment before it enters the main basin, preventing clogging while allowing water to pass through to the basin for further settling.
2Productivity
If water flows turbulently through the catch basin during storms, then water can pass through quickly, but very little sediment settles out and is instead washed through into the sewer system
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration process is segmented into multiple stages: the filter assembly provides primary filtration at the inlet, then water enters the catch basin for secondary settling. This segmentation allows effective sediment removal even during high-flow storm conditions by distributing the filtration function across different components.
3Ease of operation
If a grated catch basin system is used, then water flow-through characteristics can be maintained, but oils and other chemicals quickly clog the dry well
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is designed to be removable through the manhole opening, allowing easy extraction and cleaning of accumulated oils and chemicals without needing to enter the vault or dismantle the entire system. This maintains flow-through characteristics while enabling regular maintenance to prevent clogging.
4Ease of manufacture
If the filter assembly is installed through the inlet opening, then installation is simplified, but the retractable portion must be sufficiently small to pass through while still providing adequate filter surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly incorporates a retractable portion that can be extended to provide adequate filter surface area when needed, and retracted to a compact size that allows it to pass through the relatively small inlet opening during installation and maintenance. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between installation simplicity and filter effectiveness.
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 system effectively filters surface water runoff, reducing sediment and contaminant flow into sewer systems, facilitating easy maintenance and compliance with regulations, while minimizing labor and costs associated with system cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical filter surrounding the perforate screen
Implementation Method 2
optional media for oil absorption
Implementation Method 3
When this occurs very little sediment settles out, and is instead washed through the basin
Data Source
AI summary
A filtration apparatus for curb vaults may be installed in existing vaults through the road-level inlet opening into the vault. A support plate assembly of the filtration apparatus suspends a primary and secondary filter and is movable between extended and retracted positions. An adjustable attachment system allows installation of the filtration apparatus by inserting the apparatus through the inlet opening.