Threshold Trench Drain Grate with Inclined Webs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire suppression systems discharge large volumes of water, causing unnecessary property damage by flowing across thresholds and into adjacent spaces, necessitating a solution to constrain water flow while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A threshold trench drain with a catch pan, pipe flange, and grate system that includes inclined longitudinal webs to disrupt surface tension, allowing for efficient water capture and redirection, integrated with an inlay tray for tile coordination to match surrounding flooring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a threshold trench drain is installed to prevent water flow across the threshold, then water damage to adjacent spaces is minimized, but the aesthetic appearance and unobtrusiveness of the threshold is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grate is nested within the catch pan, and the inlay tray is integrated into the grate structure. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to be combined in a compact arrangement that minimizes visual impact while maintaining water containment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlay tray portion of the grate is designed to receive tiles that match the surrounding flooring, creating local aesthetic quality that blends with the environment. The tiles are specifically coordinated with adjacent space flooring to make the drain visually unobtrusive during normal conditions.
2Productivity
If a traditional drain design is used to handle large water flow (100 GPM), then water containment is effective, but the device becomes visually prominent and obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The grate structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a water containment barrier, provides an inlay tray for aesthetic tile integration, and maintains structural strength to handle 100 GPM water flow. The pan sidewalls provide both structural support and an additional aesthetic surface for finishing.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlay tray creates an additional dimensional layer between the grate and the catch pan, allowing tiles to be installed in this intermediate space. This dimensional addition enables aesthetic customization without interfering with the water containment function below.
3Reliability
If the grate is designed with inclined longitudinal webs to disrupt surface tension and improve water capture, then water flow prevention is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grate is segmented into transverse webs and longitudinal webs that form a grid pattern. This segmentation allows the inclined longitudinal webs to be manufactured as separate elements that can be assembled into the complete grate structure, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the water disruption function.
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
Effectively prevents water flow from crossing thresholds during fire suppression events, minimizing damage to adjacent spaces while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive design, capable of handling up to 100 gallons per minute.
Implementation Method 1
A grate is received within the catch pan and includes transverse webs and longitudinal webs with spaces defined there between. The orientation of the longitudinal webs is inclined toward the side of the threshold drain where the incoming flow of water is expected.
Data Source
AI summary
A threshold drain for collecting an incoming flow of water. The threshold drain includes a catch pan having sidewalls, end walls, a bottom wall and an open top. The catch pan having a width defined between the sidewalls, a length defined between the end walls and a depth defined between the bottom wall and the open top. A grate received within the catch pan and extending between the pan sidewalls. The grate includes a louver array portion and an inlay tray portion. The louver array is configured to permit water to pass into the drain. The inlay tray portion is configured to receive a flooring material.