Wave Suppressor with Flow Pipes for Sediment Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coastal erosion caused by wave action and tidal surge is a significant issue, leading to loss of valuable coastline and reduced protection against hurricanes, as seen in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean, where the destruction of marshlands has allowed saltwater intrusion and erosion, necessitating a system to hinder tidal surge and promote sediment deposition for coastline restoration.
Innovation Solution
A transportable wave suppressor and sediment collection system comprising interconnected sections with fluid flow pipes and one-way valves to allow sediment-laden water to flow through while preventing backflow, combined with a secondary system using compressed air to stir up and suspend sediment for deposition, allowing for coastline restoration and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional coastal protection structures (jetties, breakwaters, seawalls) are used to hinder tidal surge, then coastline erosion is reduced, but sediment transport is blocked and coastline restoration is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the coastal protection function into separate components: wave suppressors positioned at intervals along the coastline create segmented barriers that allow sediment transport through gaps while still providing protection against wave action and tidal surge
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (wave suppressor structures with controlled openings) that mediates between the need for wave protection and the need for sediment transport, allowing both functions to coexist by enabling selective passage of water and sediment
2Power
If marshlands are destroyed for oil and gas extraction, then resource recovery is enabled, but coastline protection is reduced and saltwater intrusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the coastline to protect itself by using natural sediment transport processes enhanced by the wave suppressor structures, allowing the coast to rebuild its own protective barriers without requiring continuous human intervention or marshland preservation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed coastal protection structures are installed, then wave action is reduced, but system adaptability to changing conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wave suppressor system is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the structures to be repositioned, reconfigured, or removed as coastal conditions change, providing adaptability to varying wave patterns, sediment conditions, and environmental requirements
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 suppresses wave energy, collects and deposits sediment, and rebuilds coastline, providing a sustainable solution to erosion and enhancing coastal protection without adverse ecological impact.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve member at the rear wall exit of each pipe to prevent the water from returning through the pipe
Implementation Method 2
the shelf disperses wave energy contacting the forward wall, while redirecting the wave energy for flowing the water and sediment into the flow bore
Implementation Method 3
a secondary system using compressed air to stir up and suspend sediment for deposition
Implementation Method 4
collects and deposits sediment, and rebuilds coastline
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable wave suppressor and sediment collection system for suppressing wave action along the shore of a body of water, which includes a plurality of interconnected sections, each section including a base, a forward wall, and a rear wall, and having a plurality of flow pipes extending from the forward wall to the rear wall, and further including a plurality of shelves on the forward wall for dispersing wave energy, while redirecting and using the wave energy to allow water and sediment to flow into the flow pipes and for collecting sediment that is not carried into the flow pipes and settles on the shelves for being contacted by a following wave to carry the sediment into the flow pipes. In some deeper water embodiments, the sections may include a base portion, a top portion and one or more spacer portions to enable raising or changing the height of the system.