Water containment systems, assemblies, and methods of assembling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water tank systems lack effective preventive measures for retrofitting to contain leaks without disturbing the tank, leading to potential structural damage and indoor air quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A water containment system comprising a peripheral dam formed of arcuate longitudinal wall sections that can be assembled around a water tank, water valve, or sump pit, with a drain port for redirecting any leaks into a drainage system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water containment system is installed around an existing water tank, then leak containment capability is improved, but installation complexity increases due to the need to assemble multiple arcuate sections around the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral dam is divided into multiple arcuate longitudinal wall sections that can be assembled around the water tank. Each section is a separate component that can be individually positioned and connected to form a complete circular containment structure, making installation feasible around existing tanks without requiring complete disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate longitudinal wall sections are pre-formed with connection features (such as interlocking joints or adhesive surfaces) that enable straightforward assembly. The sections are manufactured ready-to-install with integrated drain ports and ground surface engagement features, reducing on-site construction complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a peripheral dam with drain port is assembled around the water tank, then water damage prevention is improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain port is integrated directly into the peripheral dam structure itself, rather than being a separate component. The arcuate wall sections incorporate drainage features and connection mechanisms within a single molded or extruded piece, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the water damage prevention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral dam structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains leaks, provides a pathway for drainage through integrated ports, secures to the ground surface, and connects the arcuate sections together. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If arcuate longitudinal wall sections are used to form the peripheral dam, then adaptability to existing water tanks is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate wall sections are manufactured with adjustable or variable parameters such as different radii, lengths, and connection angles to accommodate various water tank sizes and shapes. The extrusion or molding process can produce sections with modified geometric parameters to fit different installation scenarios while using the same basic manufacturing approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A water containment system has: a peripheral dam formed of one or more arcuate longitudinal wall sections that are configured to be secured in an assembled position in use around a water tank as the water tank rests on a ground surface, the peripheral dam defining an open water-tank-receiving base; and a drain port defined in the peripheral dam. In a method of retrofitting a water containment system around a water tank, the method includes: assembling a peripheral dam, formed of one or more arcuate longitudinal wall sections around the water tank as the water tanks rests on a ground surface; securing the peripheral dam to the ground surface; and connecting a drain line from a drain port in the peripheral dam to a drain.