Self-Actuating Flood Guard for Tall Vertical Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood protection systems, such as self-actuating gates, face challenges in effectively guarding against horizontal entry of floodwaters through tall vertical openings, especially in scenarios where the size and height constraints make installation impractical, as seen during events like tropical storm Sandy.
Innovation Solution
A shallow self-actuating flood barrier assembly is designed with a frame and vertically stacked units, each comprising a deck and a buoyant gate that pivots upwardly upon water rise, using pivotation members and limiters to ensure effective sealing and automatic re-opening after floodwaters recede, allowing for ventilation and installation directly onto the wall without requiring large, cumbersome structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tall self-actuating flood gate is installed to protect against high floodwaters, then flood protection effectiveness is improved, but the housing size and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system is divided into multiple shallow units stacked vertically, each containing its own buoyant gate that operates independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve tall flood protection (protecting against 10+ foot floods) while each individual unit remains compact and shallow, eliminating the need for large housing structures and simplifying installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a shallow flood barrier design is used to simplify installation, then installation ease is improved, but the ability to protect against high floodwaters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a horizontal extension approach (single tall gate requiring large housing) to a vertical stacking approach (multiple shallow units). By arranging units vertically rather than horizontally, the system achieves tall flood protection capability while maintaining shallow individual unit profiles that are easy to manufacture and install.
3Reliability
If multiple vertically stacked units are used to protect tall openings, then flood protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each buoyant gate in the stacked units is self-actuating, automatically rising when floodwaters enter its unit and sealing the opening above it. The gates operate independently without requiring external control systems or coordination between units, eliminating the complexity that would otherwise arise from having multiple interconnected components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a compact shallow profile is used for installation in constrained spaces, then adaptability is improved, but the flood gate height when raised is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier is segmented into multiple shallow units that stack vertically. Each unit contains a buoyant gate that rises within its own compact housing. The combined height of multiple stacked gates achieves tall flood protection (10+ feet) while each individual unit maintains a shallow profile suitable for installation in constrained spaces with limited clearance.
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 solution provides effective protection against floodwaters by allowing sequential operation of multiple gates, maintaining ventilation during non-flooding conditions, and ensuring that the barrier can be installed in constrained spaces, offering a shallow profile and efficient flood protection for tall vertical openings.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant gate set positioned lower than the seat and passageway, the buoyant gate being of sufficient size to block the passageway and responsive to water rising in the support by floatingly pivoting upwardly until engaging the seat
Implementation Method 2
The rear end of each gate is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis transverse to the sidewalls by one or more pivotation members
Data Source
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AI summary
A plurality of flood prevention units are vertically stacked one over another inside a frame mounted over ventilation opening on a wall. Each unit includes a buoyant gate pivotally mounted by one or more pivotation members about a horizontal axis transverse to sidewalls of the frame for pivotation of the gate on rise of water buoyantly lifting the gate rotationally upwardly between said sidewalls for engagement with an upper deck horizontally connecting the sidewalls. A limiter limits the extent of self-actuation rotation of the gate. The gates are open during non- flooding conditions, allowing ventilation through the building opening, and sequentially close from lowest to highest on rise of water activating each gate in order, allowing ventilation to continue until the highest gate is closed.