Tidal Responsive Pump for Flood Barrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood defense structures, such as permanent levees and groins, are ineffective against periodic high water levels during tidal surges and storms, as they inhibit marine traffic, ecosystems, and full shoreline enjoyment, and are costly to deploy.
Innovation Solution
A tidal responsive barrier system utilizing a lightweight, environmentally sensitive tensile membrane anchored to the seabed with inflatable bladders and a pump system that rises with tidal changes to form a catenary arc, blocking floodwaters while allowing natural tidal exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent levees, jetties or groins are employed to protect shorelines, then protection against periodic high tides and storms is improved, but passage of marine vehicles is inhibited and marine ecosystems are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system transitions from static permanent structures to a dynamic deployable system. The barrier can be raised to block floodwaters and lowered to allow marine vehicle passage, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and adaptability for marine traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its physical state and position parameters in response to tidal conditions. The barrier structure can be deployed at high tide to provide protection and retracted at low tide to permit marine ecosystem access and vehicle passage.
2Reliability
If permanent levees, jetties or groins are employed to protect shorelines, then protection against periodic high tides and storms is improved, but full enjoyment of the region of the shoreline is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable barrier system dynamically adjusts its presence based on tidal conditions, being deployed only when flood protection is needed and retracted when the shoreline is safe for public enjoyment and recreational activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier operates periodically, deploying during high tide flood risk periods and retracting during low tide periods when shoreline access is desired, thus providing protection while maintaining ease of shoreline enjoyment.
3Reliability
If permanent levees, jetties or groins are employed to protect shorelines, then protection against periodic high tides and storms is improved, but the structures are expensive to build and deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is segmented into modular components that can be deployed only when needed, rather than requiring continuous permanent structures. This reduces material costs and construction expenses while maintaining flood protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from permanent fixed structures to temporary deployable structures, reducing the amount of material required and lowering construction costs while maintaining the same level of flood protection when deployed.
4Reliability
If a floating mesh net groin structure is deployed permanently, then shoreline protection is provided, but passage of marine vehicles, marine life, and full enjoyment of the region is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a permanently deployed floating mesh net to a dynamically controllable barrier that can be raised and lowered. When lowered, marine vehicles and marine life can pass freely; when raised, flood protection is provided.
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 system effectively prevents flooding during extreme tidal events while maintaining ecological and commercial waterway access, being more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than traditional structures.
Implementation Method 1
The bladder has a sufficient volume to cause the upper edge of the membrane to rise to a surface of the body of water when the volume is inflated with a gas
Implementation Method 2
The pump is adapted to pump an amount of gas for inflating the volume of the bladder into a tank for storage
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A pump using tidal changes to generate compressed air, preferably for a tidal barrier. The pump includes (a) a floatation system comprising a floatation assembly that floats on water and a structure supported on the floatation assembly; (b) a piston assembly comprising a shaft with a top end, a bottom end, and a head, the top end of the shaft being affixed to the structure and the bottom end of the shaft being affixed to the head; and (c) a cylinder with a bottom end anchored to the sea bed, the cylinder having a closed top end with an opening through which the shaft extends, the cylinder housing the head of the piston assembly within the cylinder, wherein, the flotation system, the structure, and the piston assembly actuate in response to level changes of the body of water to compress air in the cylinder.