Sediment Basin Skimmer Guard and Float Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water skimmers fail to maintain a consistent flow rate and exclude debris effectively when removing water from sediment basins, leading to sediment accumulation and inefficient water release.
Innovation Solution
A skimmer apparatus with a float portion connected to a drain portion, including a first pipe with an orifice and a guard, and a second pipe with flexible couplings, which maintains the first pipe horizontally just below the water surface, ensuring a constant flow rate and excluding debris through a controlled water flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drain portion is positioned at a fixed depth below the water surface, then the flow rate can be controlled, but the skimmer cannot adapt to water level changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drain portion movable rather than fixed. The drain portion is connected to the float portion through a linkage mechanism that allows it to move vertically as the water level changes. This dynamic positioning ensures the drain maintains a constant depth below the water surface, adapting to fluctuating levels while preserving consistent flow rate control.
2Productivity
If the orifice size is increased to improve water release rate, then productivity increases, but debris exclusion becomes less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by creating a differentiated structure around the orifice. The guard structure surrounds the orifice with a specific geometry that allows water to pass through while blocking debris. The local design of the guard - with its vertical sides and bottom closure - creates a selective filtering effect at the orifice location, permitting high water release rates while maintaining effective debris exclusion.
3Reliability
If the first pipe is positioned horizontally to maintain constant flow, then sediment accumulation is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple functions into the float portion structure. The float portion simultaneously provides buoyancy to keep the drain at the correct depth, houses the horizontal first pipe, and includes the guard structure for debris exclusion. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining consistent horizontal pipe positioning for reliable flow control.
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 skimmer achieves a consistent and sediment-free water flow rate by maintaining the first pipe below the water surface, reducing sediment accumulation and improving water quality in the sediment basin.
Implementation Method 1
The float portion includes at least one float that will support the drain portion at the required depth below the surface
Implementation Method 2
The second pipe is connected using a flexible coupling at each end, coupling to the first pipe and one to the stub out of the water removal system so that the first pipe can rise and fall with the water level
Data Source
AI summary
A skimmer for removing water from a sediment basin to a water removal system may include a float portion, and a first pipe having a first end attached to said float portion and in communication with the water removal system. The first pipe has an orifice formed therein to admit water from below a surface of said sediment basin. A guard is attached to said float portion and said first pipe, said guard fixedly positioning said float portion so that said orifice is located below said surface. The guard has a continuous, vertically-extending side wall having a bottom edge defining a water flow path opening located below said orifice. A flow path into said orifice from the sediment basin extends only through said flow path opening, upwardly to said orifice, then downwardly though said orifice into said first pipe.