Smooth Interior Half Pipe for Water Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underground water collection and storage systems face issues with turbulence and secondary flow vortices due to corrugated pipes, leading to uneven sediment settling and accumulation, and are costly with limited ability to use strength-enhancing additives.
Innovation Solution
A water collection and storage assembly featuring half pipes with a smooth interior and corrugated exterior, made from reinforced resin materials like glass fiber-filled thermoplastic, which reduces turbulence and allows for sediment collection at specific points using a thermoplastic flow forming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If corrugated pipes are used for structural strength, then the pipe can support downward forces from backfill and traffic, but turbulence and secondary flow vortices occur leading to uneven sediment settling
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe has different surface qualities in different locations: the interior surface is smooth to reduce turbulence and sediment accumulation, while the exterior surface is corrugated to provide structural strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between structural requirements and flow quality requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If vacuum forming process is used to manufacture corrugated pipes, then the pipe shape can be formed, but strength-enhancing additives cannot be effectively used
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is made from composite materials (polymer matrix with strength-enhancing additives like glass fibers or calcium carbonate) that provide both the required strength and manufacturability. The composite formulation allows the pipe to achieve necessary mechanical properties while remaining compatible with vacuum forming processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If header pipe system with many tees is used to convey water, then water distribution to multiple chambers is achieved, but system cost and installation area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple chamber functions are merged into a single integrated chamber structure with multiple access points or compartments. This consolidation eliminates the need for extensive header pipe networks and multiple tees, reducing system complexity and installation area while maintaining the ability to distribute water to multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber is designed as a multi-functional unit that can receive and disperse water through multiple openings or outlets, serving the function of what would otherwise require multiple separate chambers and complex piping. This universal design reduces the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A water collection and storage assembly for receipt and gradual dispersion of water comprises a half pipe assembly defining a chamber and having an interior, the half pipe assembly having at least one half pipe having an inlet, an outlet, and a corrugated exterior comprising alternating ribs and valleys, wherein the chamber is defined by the interior of the half pipe assembly and the interior is smooth.