Storm Drain Sediment Filter with Raised Foam Berm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sediment control devices for storm drains are inadequate in withstanding high flow rates and vehicle traffic, often clogging or becoming inoperable due to lack of a sturdy dam or berm, and fail to filter out liquid contaminants like motor oil.
Innovation Solution
A sediment control device featuring a geotextile under-seal gasket with a polymeric sheet and a raised polymeric foam berm, which forms a seal around the storm drain and includes a separate berm component that can be easily replaced, providing a sturdy barrier against sediment and debris while allowing water to flow during heavy rainfall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a simple metal grating is used to cover storm drains, then it provides a barrier for pedestrians and animals while allowing water flow, but it does not prevent sediment and debris from entering the drain causing clogs
Solution Approach 1:
The storm drain cover system is segmented into multiple functional layers: a metal grating for structural support and pedestrian safety, and a separate filter device with apertured members for sediment filtration. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, preventing drain clogs while maintaining walkability.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary filter device is introduced between the storm drain inlet and the metal grating. This filter device with its apertured polymeric members acts as a mediator that captures sediment and debris before they can reach the drain, while still allowing water to pass through to the grating and drain system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fibrous mat is placed over the grating to filter water, then it prevents passage of sediment and small debris, but it clogs quickly in high flow situations and requires continuous cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device uses apertured polymeric members with specifically engineered hole sizes and distributions. These porous structures allow water to pass through freely while capturing sediment and small debris, preventing clogging even during high flow events. The apertures are designed to maintain open flow paths unlike fibrous mats that easily block.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device combines multiple materials with complementary properties: apertured polymeric members for structural integrity and filtration, geotextile material for additional filtering and flexibility, and a rigid frame for structural support. This composite construction creates a durable filter system that resists clogging and degradation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flat filter device with a folded-over material dam is used, then it provides a barrier to prevent sediment flow, but the dam folds down when contacted by strong flow or vehicle traffic becoming inoperable
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device is segmented into a rigid frame structure that supports the filtering members. This frame provides structural integrity and prevents the filtering elements from folding or collapsing under vehicle traffic or strong water flow, maintaining the barrier function indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device uses flexible geotextile material supported by a rigid frame structure. The geotextile provides the filtering surface while the frame maintains structural integrity, combining the benefits of flexibility for flow accommodation with rigidity for strength and stability under load.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If existing filter devices are used, then they provide sediment filtration, but they provide no method of filtering liquid contaminants such as motor oil
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device is designed with multi-functional capability: the apertured polymeric members and geotextile material provide both sediment filtration and liquid contaminant filtering. The layered structure with different pore sizes captures both solid particles and dissolved liquids, making the device versatile for comprehensive storm water treatment.
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 device effectively prevents sediment and debris from entering storm drains, even under high flow conditions and vehicle traffic, while allowing water to flow freely, thus protecting the drain inlet and preventing flooding.
Implementation Method 1
a geotextile under-seal gasket... forms a seal around the storm drain
Implementation Method 2
an apertured polymeric sheet (threshold) member, an apertured polymeric outflow member, and a filter member
Implementation Method 3
a raised polymeric foam berm... acts as a dam or barrier to prevent sediment flow from reaching the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A sediment control device includes an under-seal gasket, a threshold member, a filter member, and a berm extending upwards from the top surface of the under-seal gasket. The under-seal gasket includes a first central opening, and the filter member includes a second central opening smaller than the first central opening. The threshold member and the filter member are attached directly to the bottom surface of the under-seal gasket, but are not attached to each other. The threshold member extends across the first and second central openings and includes a plurality of apertures. The berm includes an elongated cylindrical foam member that surrounds a perimeter of the first central opening, and may in some examples consist of a separate berm component comprising one or more lengths of elongated cylindrical foam members separately encased in berm sleeves, and arranged to surround the perimeter of the first central opening.