Sump Backfill Protector Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sump backfill protectors are heavy, expensive, and difficult to transport and install due to their thick material requirements for strength and durability, which limits their practicality.
Innovation Solution
A sump backfill protector design featuring a recess or channel to receive backfill material, which strengthens the protector by distributing weight and resisting compressive forces, allowing for the use of thinner, lighter materials and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick material is used to provide sufficient strength and durability, then the backfill protector achieves adequate structural strength, but it becomes heavy and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The backfill protector uses a composite structure combining thin-walled material with backfill material (concrete, gravel, or soil) to achieve the required structural strength. The backfill material acts as a structural component, working together with the thin wall to resist compressive forces and distribute loads, eliminating the need for thick material while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters by transitioning from a solid thick-walled structure to a thin-walled structure reinforced with backfill material. This parameter change allows the protector to achieve equivalent or superior strength with significantly reduced weight and material usage.
2Strength
If thick material is used to provide sufficient strength and durability, then the backfill protector achieves adequate structural strength, but it becomes expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The backfill protector uses a composite structure combining thin-walled material with backfill material (concrete, gravel, or soil) to achieve the required structural strength. The backfill material acts as a structural component, working together with the thin wall to resist compressive forces and distribute loads, eliminating the need for thick material while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes inexpensive backfill materials (concrete, gravel, or soil) that are typically already present at installation sites or easily obtained, replacing expensive thick-walled manufactured structures. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while achieving the required durability.
3Strength
If thick material is used to provide sufficient strength and durability, then the backfill protector achieves adequate structural strength, but it becomes difficult to transport and install
Solution Approach 1:
The backfill protector uses a composite structure combining thin-walled material with backfill material (concrete, gravel, or soil) to achieve the required structural strength. The backfill material acts as a structural component, working together with the thin wall to resist compressive forces and distribute loads, eliminating the need for thick material while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The backfill protector is designed as a separable system where the thin-walled structure can be transported separately from the backfill material. This segmentation allows the protector to be easily transported and installed, with the backfill material being added in-place at the installation site, eliminating the need to transport heavy pre-filled structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a backfill protector including a skirt having an opening configured to receive a cover therein and a lip extending around a perimeter of the opening. The lip is configured to support the cover thereon, and the skirt further includes an inwardly-extending channel positioned adjacent to the lip.