Rotatable Ventilation Grating for Underground Flood Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing flooding in underground ventilation systems, such as raising ventilation gratings or using sandbags, are either costly, labor-intensive, or insufficiently effective, especially in low-lying areas prone to storm surges and heavy rains.
Innovation Solution
A manual, operable closure assembly for ventilation shafts that includes rotatable panels and a support system, allowing for gravitational closure of the ventilation passage during flooding threats, with self-actuating drain closures to manage water accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ventilation gratings are raised above sidewalk level, then flooding prevention is improved, but sidewalk area for pedestrians is reduced and implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation grating is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one that can rotate between a horizontal position (allowing ventilation and pedestrian access) and a vertical position (preventing flooding). The grating is hinged at the bottom and can be rotated to different angles based on flood conditions, combining both ventilation and flood protection functions without permanently sacrificing sidewalk space.
2Reliability
If sandbags and plywood covers are used to prevent flooding, then flood protection is provided, but labor and materials intensity increase and response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The flood protection mechanism is pre-installed and ready for immediate deployment. The rotatable grating is permanently mounted in a vertical orientation during normal conditions, and can be quickly rotated to a protective position when flooding is anticipated, eliminating the need for last-minute sandbag placement or plywood covering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-operating through gravity. When the grating is rotated to a vertical or angled position, gravity automatically maintains its protective function without requiring continuous human intervention or manual adjustment during flood events.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple grating cover is used, then installation is easy, but effectiveness against heavy rains and storm surges is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The grating is designed to rotate dynamically between horizontal and vertical positions, transforming a simple static cover into an effective flood barrier. The rotational mechanism allows the grating to adapt to different conditions, providing strong flood resistance when vertical while maintaining ventilation capability when horizontal.
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 surface water from entering underground ventilation ducts, providing a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective solution for flood control in underground structures, ensuring continuous operation of subway systems during heavy rains and storm surges.
Implementation Method 1
A panel assembly for blocking a passage in a ventilation shaft includes a support, a panel rotatable on a horizontal axis... The panel may be rotated from an open position to a closed position to block the passage
Implementation Method 2
self-actuating drain closures to manage water accumulation
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus allowing ventilation through a ventilation shaft to an underground ventilation duct fluidly communicating through the ventilation shaft to an atmospheric opening of the shaft and on threat of flooding operable to prevent downward flow of surface water into the ventilation duct includes support sidewalls fitting in the shaft providing a ventilation passage between support top and bottom openings and a suspension member supported on opposed lateral sidewalls proximate the top opening holding one or more hinge connected panels that manually release to rotationally close the passage and are manually rotationally liftable to a home position allowing ventilation. A panel drain automatically closes when the panel is raised to home position so it is already closed when the panel is released to rotationally close the passage.