Vertical Piston Surge Gate for Coastal Flood Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storm surge gates have limitations such as large footprints, environmental impact, and limited maximum length, making them inefficient for protecting coastal areas from storm surges.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a plurality of buoyancy-activated, vertically rising surge gates with a rectilinear extendable piston housed within a sleeve embedded in the seabed. The piston's buoyancy is controlled by a ballast system, allowing it to rise vertically between open and closed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional storm surge gates are used, then storm surge protection is provided, but the footprint and environmental impact are large
Solution Approach 1:
The surge gate transitions from a horizontal barrier configuration to a vertical piston configuration. The piston moves vertically within a cylindrical sleeve, transforming the protection mechanism from a two-dimensional gate to a three-dimensional vertical system. This dimensional change allows the surge gate to occupy minimal horizontal footprint while providing effective storm surge blocking through vertical piston movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is nested within the cylindrical sleeve, with the piston sliding vertically inside the sleeve structure. This nested configuration allows the surge gate mechanism to be compact and minimize horizontal space occupation, as the piston and sleeve form a contained vertical assembly rather than requiring extensive external structural support.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional storm surge gates are used, then storm surge protection is provided, but the maximum length is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The surge gate employs a dynamic piston mechanism that can move vertically between positions rather than being a fixed static structure. This dynamic capability allows the piston to adapt to varying storm surge conditions and provides effective blocking across a broader range of water levels, effectively extending the functional length capability beyond what conventional fixed gates can achieve.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the piston rises vertically to block surge, then storm surge protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs buoyancy forces as a counterweight to the piston's weight and water pressure. The piston is designed with a buoyant force that automatically assists in rising to the blocked position during storm surge events, reducing the need for complex mechanical lifting mechanisms. This buoyancy-based counterweight simplifies the overall actuation system while maintaining effective surge blocking.
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
This solution minimizes environmental impact, reduces the footprint of the surge gates, and allows for nearly unlimited open spans, effectively blocking storm surges while maintaining navigable passages.
Implementation Method 1
a piston slidably disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is configured to rise vertically within the sleeve along a vertical axis between a first position with an upper end of the piston positioned below the waterline, and a second position with the upper end of the piston positioned above the waterline
Implementation Method 2
the surge gate comprises a pump coupled to the one or more fluid conduits and configured to pump the water from the inner cavity of the piston into a chamber formed between a lower end of the piston and the lower end of the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A surge gate for blocking a surge of water includes a sleeve disposed below a waterline of the water, wherein the sleeve has an open upper end and a closed lower end, and a piston slidably disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is configured to rise vertically within the sleeve along a vertical axis between a first position with an upper end of the piston positioned below the waterline, and a second position with the upper end of the piston positioned above the waterline.