Nonuniform Sediment Motion Probability Measurement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current research lacks experimental methods for measuring the motion probability of nonuniform sediment, particularly the incipient and suspension probabilities, which are crucial for understanding sediment transport dynamics in rivers and coastal waters, due to the complexity introduced by particle interactions of different sizes.
Innovation Solution
An experimental device and method involving a flume with a sediment feeder, bed-simulated plate, bedload collector, and suspended load collector are used to measure the motion probability of nonuniform sediment, allowing for the calculation of incipient and suspension probabilities by controlling water flow and sediment sizes, enabling simultaneous measurement of these probabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If deterministic critical parameters (incipient velocity, incipient shear stress, suspension velocity) are used to handle sediment motion probability calculations, then the calculation can be performed with existing formulas, but the randomness of sediment motion is overlooked and theoretical study lacks verification by measured data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces deterministic mechanical parameter calculations with an optical measurement system. By using a high-speed camera to capture sediment particle motion and converting images to binary format for analysis, the system directly measures motion probability rather than calculating it from deterministic formulas, thus obtaining both precision and experimental verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of high-speed photography and image processing. This intermediary system bridges the gap between theoretical probability models and direct measurement, allowing experimental verification of motion probability by capturing actual particle motion states and converting them into quantifiable data
2Reliability
If experimental methods are developed to measure incipient and suspension probability, then theoretical study can be verified by measured data, but the device complexity increases due to the need for specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from a complex experimental setup by focusing solely on high-speed photography and image processing. By taking out only the critical components needed for probability measurement (camera, image conversion system, analysis software), the device achieves verification capability while maintaining relatively simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses high-speed photography to create visual copies of sediment particle motion. By capturing and analyzing images of particle positions and states, the system obtains measurement data without physically interfering with the sediment transport process, thus verifying theory with minimal added complexity
3Measurement precision
If separate experiments are conducted for incipient motion and suspension measurement, then each probability can be measured independently, but the experimental efficiency is low and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges incipient motion measurement and suspension measurement into a single experimental system. The high-speed camera captures both particle lifting (incipient motion) and particle suspension states simultaneously, allowing both probabilities to be measured in one experiment, thus improving efficiency while maintaining independent measurement accuracy through image analysis
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
This approach allows for the accurate measurement of motion probabilities of nonuniform sediment particles, improving experimental efficiency, reducing costs, and providing synchronized data on incipient and suspension probabilities, essential for predicting sediment transport and geomorphological changes.
Implementation Method 1
under certain flow and boundary conditions, part of the sediment in rivers and coastal waters is in a stationary state, while the other part is in a moving state
Implementation Method 2
When an external force that causes sediment to move is greater than an external force that keeps sediment still, sediment will be in a motion state
Implementation Method 3
When an external force that causes sediment to move is greater than an external force that keeps sediment still, sediment will be in a motion state
Data Source
AI summary
An experimental device and method for measuring a motion probability of nonuniform sediment are provided. The method includes: dyeing sediment of different particle sizes to obtain nonuniform dyed sediment, sticking sediment with the same grades to the bottom of a flume to form a rough plate; soaking the nonuniform dyed sediment, laying the nonuniform dyed sediment on the sediment feeder, transporting the sediment by water with given intensity, and once the flow is stable, starting the sediment feeder to perform a test until the sediment stops moving. Collecting, drying and sieving the sediment in the bedload collector and the suspended load collector, and weighing the dyed sediment of different particle sizes. Computing the incipient probability and the suspension probability respectively by measuring the weight ratios of the sediment of different grades from the two collectors to the initial ones.