Patent Application
20240191439
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to permeable construction units and, in particular, to permeable construction units having an outer layer and a permeable core layer configured to facilitate a passing of liquid through the permeable core layer.
Construction projects often require adequate drainage solutions in order to prevent the buildup of water and/or other liquids. Adequate drainage aids in preventing structural, cosmetic, and/or health-related issues that may arise due to inadequate drainage, such as flooding, deformity or breakage of building materials due to the weight of water upon the building materials, mold arising from stagnant water, and mosquitos or other pests being prevalent due to stagnant water, among other issues.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a permeable construction unit. The permeable construction unit comprises an outer layer, and a permeable core layer comprising a lattice structure configured to facilitate a passing of liquid through the permeable core layer. The outer layer may comprise one or more openings configured to enable the liquid to pass through the outer layer to the permeable core layer at the one or more openings.
According to various embodiments, the outer layer comprises one or more of the following: stone; porcelain; concrete; glass fiber reinforced concrete; polymer modified agglomerate; cementitious agglomerate; stucco; plaster; epoxy; plastic; wood; synthetic wood; resin; ceramic; synthetic turf; natural turf; one or more plant materials; one or more pebbles; glass; and metal.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer comprises one or more of the following: a strut and rail design; and a truss and purlin design.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer comprises one or more cavities.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer comprises one or more aggregate materials.
According to various embodiments, the one or more aggregate materials comprises foamed glass aggregate.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer further comprises one or more binding materials configured to bind together the one or more aggregate materials and maintain a shape of the permeable core layer.
According to various embodiments, the one or more binding materials comprise one or more of the following: epoxy; foamed epoxy; polyurethane; cement; polymer; silicone; acrylic; and urethane.
According to various embodiments, the lattice structure is configured to direct a flow of the liquid through the permeable core layer.
According to various embodiments, the flow of the liquid is directed laterally through the permeable core layer.
According to various embodiments, the outer layer comprises a plurality of panels.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer has a maximum compressive strength of approximately 50 psi to 400 psi.
According to various embodiments, one or more of the outer layer and the permeable core layer comprises an interlocking edge configured to lockingly mate with a complimentary interlocking edge of a subsequent permeable construction unit.
According to various embodiments, the permeable construction unit comprises one or more mechanical fasteners configured to join two or more permeable construction units.
According to various embodiments, the permeable construction unit comprises an epoxy mesh layer coupled to the permeable core layer.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a permeable foundation drainage system. The permeable foundation drainage system comprises a waterproofing layer configured to be coupled to a foundation wall and aid in preventing liquid from contacting the foundation wall, and a permeable layer, coupled to the waterproofing layer, comprising a lattice structure configured to facilitate a passing of the liquid laterally through the permeable layer and away from the foundation wall.
According to various embodiments, the permeable layer comprises one or more of the following: one or more aggregate materials; one or more closed cell foamed glass panels; and one or more closed cell expanded polystyrene foam panels.
According to various embodiments, the one or more aggregate materials comprises foamed glass aggregate.
According to various embodiments, the permeable layer further comprises one or more binding materials configured to bind together the one or more aggregate materials and maintain a shape of the permeable layer.
According to various embodiments, the waterproofing layer comprises one or more of the following: stone; porcelain; concrete; glass fiber reinforced concrete; polymer modified agglomerate; cementitious agglomerate; stucco; plaster; epoxy; plastic; wood; synthetic wood; resin; ceramic; synthetic turf; natural turf; one or more plant materials; one or more pebbles; glass; and metal.
According to various embodiments, the permeable foundation drainage system further comprises an epoxy mesh layer, coupled to the permeable layer, configured to enable an outer layer to be applied to the mesh layer.
According to various embodiments, the permeable foundation drainage system further comprises the outer layer.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings:
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “unit”, “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.
Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term “about”.
Although terms including ordinal numbers, that is, “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
When an element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element, the element may be directly coupled or connected to the other element. However, it should be understood that another element may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements therebetween.
A singular expression includes the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
In the present specification, it should be understood that a term such as “include” or “have” is intended to designate that the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification are present, and does not preclude the possibility of addition or presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.
Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements will be given the same reference symbols regardless of drawing numbers, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In addition, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.
The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that all alterations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are included herein.
Referring now to
The permeable construction unit 100 may comprise an outer layer 105 and a permeable core layer 110.
The outer layer 105 may comprise one or more openings 115. The one or more openings 115 may be configured to enable liquid to pass through the outer layer 105 to the permeable core layer 110 at the one or more openings 115. According to various embodiments, the one or more openings 115 may comprise one or more joints between subsequent permeable construction units 100.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may be configured to enable lateral water/fluid migration to occur within the vertical structure of each joint within the segmental paving surfaces. The resulting effects are drastically more permeable in each surface area of the joint. The maximum flow rate or limit of refusal due to more moisture than exfiltration ability is improved significantly using the permeable construction unit 100 of the present disclosure. Lateral movement ability of water/fluid means higher permeability of the overall paving surface without the need to add more joints.
The outer layer 105 may comprise one or more of stone, porcelain, cement, concrete, glass fiber reinforced concrete, polymer modified agglomerate, cementitious agglomerate, stucco, plaster, epoxy, plastic, wood, synthetic wood, resin, ceramic, synthetic turf, natural turf, one or more plant materials, one or more pebbles, glass, metal, and/or other suitable materials.
According to various embodiments, the outer layer 105 may be configured to function as a functional wearing surface and/or an aesthetic veneer surface, as shown, e.g., in
The permeable core layer 110 may comprise a lattice structure. The lattice structure may be configured to facilitate the passing of liquid through the permeable core layer 110. According to various embodiments, the lattice structure may be configured to direct the flow of liquid laterally through the permeable core layer 110. According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may be configured and/or shaped according to the size and/or sizes of gradation of the materials used in the construction of the permeable core layer 110.
According to various embodiments, the design of the permeable core layer 110 is critical to the placement and orientation of the permeable construction unit 100 with respect to gravity and its intended function. A horizontal paving unit or slab floor/decking/patio/driveway surface may be intended to allow permeability in all directions of an XYZ coordinate system. The migration of water/fluid may not be restricted to a specific direction in said horizontal paving applications as the intended use is to allow water/fluid to drain by gravity to a ground sub-surface for storm water “Recharge,” or following an intended path that is controlled by gravity or pressure to a material through the “Core” structure to the intended final location. A vertical orientation of a wall unit in a façade or subterranean application may require water/fluid to move only in the z vertical axis for proper management of water through this intended “drainage or migration course.”
According to various embodiments, the permeable construction units 100 may be configured to be positioned and configured for various uses.
By way of example, the permeable construction units 100 may be configured for use in constructing a permeable deck, as shown, e.g., in
By way of example, the permeable construction units 100 may be configured for use as components of a retaining wall 600, as shown, e.g., in
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may comprise a strut and rail design and/or a truss and purlin design. It is noted, however, the other suitable designs may be incorporated into the permeable core layer 110, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may comprise one or more cavities 130 (as shown, e.g., in
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may comprise one or more light-weight aggregate materials. According to various embodiments, the one or more cavities 130 may be formed by gaps between the one or more light-weight aggregate materials.
The one or more light-weight aggregate materials may comprise foamed glass aggregate. It is noted, however, that other suitable aggregate materials may be used, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, foamed glass aggregates (FGA) may be used for purposes of significant weight reduction, zero capillary reaction to moisture, closed cell control of additional weight by water absorption, and/or intended water absorption through use of open cell FGA, high compression strength. Improved insulation, and providing an environmentally beneficial building material to the construction of the permeable construction units 100. According to various embodiments, the FGA may have a gradation of approximately 150-300 mm. It is noted, however, that FGA having other gradations may, additionally or alternatively, be incorporated. FGA having larger gradation may be configured to allow for lower density of permeable construction units 100, and greater size voids may result in greater permeability, depending on how the granular materials are placed into design matrices of permeable core layer 110 construction. According to various embodiments, crushed or otherwise suitably shaped aerated autoclave concrete (AAC) may be used as an aggregate material, as well as geopolymers and cellular lightweight concrete.
According to various embodiments, the aggregates may be formed via layering and/or integrally distributing one or more materials. The aggregate materials may be formed, tooled, milled, and/or otherwise constructed and/or shaped to enhance a function of structural support to carry a load or provide additional tensile strength and/or more elasticity and/or greater or less permeability to the function and intended placement of the permeable construction unit 100.
According to various embodiments, a space relationship between each granular piece of FGA may designed for achieving higher strength, lower density, and/or greater permeability. The size or sizes of chosen FGA particles may be mixed with special binders and placed/poured into a mold/form for control of shaping material into panels, billets, blocks or specific designed shapes, and/or forms.
The aggregate materials may comprise one or more recycled materials, natural materials, and man-made or transformed materials, such as expanded clays, expanded shale, lava, vermiculite, high density urethane foams, XPS foams, virgin crushed rock aggregates, crushed glass, ceramic, brick, aerated autoclaved concrete, cork, rubber, basalt, hollow spheres or polygonal cast or molded components to construct a “core,” and/or other suitable materials.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may comprise one or more binding materials configured to bind together the one or more aggregate materials and maintain a shape of the permeable core layer 110. The one or more binding materials may comprise one or more of epoxy, foamed epoxy, resin, polyurethane, cement, polymer, silicone, acrylic, urethane, plant-based composite materials, and/or other suitable binding materials. According to various embodiments, the one or more binding materials may be selected based on how the binding materials affect the elasticity or elastomeric dynamic properties of the permeable core layer 110, and/or their shock absorbency properties and/or other suitable binding material properties.
According to various embodiments, the permeable core layer 110 may be configured to have a maximum compressive strength of approximately 50 psi to 400 psi. It is noted, however, that structures having other suitable compressive strengths may be used in conjunction with the permeable core layer 110, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.
Permeable construction units 100 may be configured to interconnect with subsequent permeable construction units 100. The permeable construction unit 100 may comprise one or more mechanical fasteners 120 configured to join two or more permeable construction units 100. The outer layer 105 and/or the permeable core layer 110 may comprise an interlocking edge 125 configured to lockingly mate with a complimentary interlocking edge of a subsequent permeable construction unit 100.
According to various embodiments, permeable construction unit 100 may comprise a mesh layer 135 (as seen, e.g., in
Referring now to
According to various embodiments, hydronic tubing 305 may be applied to one or more permeable construction units 100. According to various embodiments, the hydronic tubing 305 may be applied on or in the permeable core layer 110. According to various embodiments, the hydronic tubing may be applied to a permeable small aggregate layer 310 of the permeable core layer.
The hydronic tubing 305 may be sandwiched between the core layer 110 and a facing/wearing material 315 and may be configured to emit far infrared radiation. The hydronic tubing 305 may be configured to enable radiant heat to be supplied for snow and ice melt. According to various embodiments, the hydronic tubing 305 may be configured such that it may be applied during construction (ahead of installation) and/or during installation. According to various embodiments, hydronic tubing 305 from one permeable construction unit 100 may be spliced with hydronic tubing 305 from one or more other permeable construction units 100 via one or more splice connections 320.
Referring now to
The permeable foundation drainage system 400 may comprise a waterproofing layer 405 and a permeable layer 410 (e.g., permeable core layer 110). The permeable layer 410 may be configured to direct liquids to a drainage removal mechanism (e.g., a drainage pipe 420).
According to various embodiments, the waterproofing layer 405 may be coupled to a foundation wall 415 (and/or other suitable structure) and may be configured to aid in preventing liquids from contacting the foundation wall 415. The waterproofing layer 405 may comprise stone, porcelain, cement, concrete, glass fiber reinforced concrete, polymer modified agglomerate, cementitious agglomerate, stucco, plaster, epoxy, plastic, wood, synthetic wood, resin, ceramic, synthetic turf, natural turf, one or more plant materials, one or more pebbles, glass, metal, and/or other suitable materials.
According to various embodiments, the permeable layer 410 may be coupled to the waterproofing layer 405. The permeable layer 410 may comprise a lattice structure configured to facilitate a passing of liquid laterally through the permeable layer 410 and away from the foundation wall 415.
According to various embodiments, the permeable layer 410 may comprise one or more aggregate materials (e.g., FGA, AAC, etc.), one or more closed cell expanded polystyrene foam panels, one or more closed cell expanded polystyrene foam panels, and/or other suitable materials. According to various embodiments, the permeable layer 410 may comprise one or more binding materials configured to bind together the one or more aggregate materials and maintain a shape of the permeable layer 410.
According to various embodiments, the permeable layer 410 may be positioned within excavated terrain 425. According to various embodiments, the permeable layer 410 may be covered with fill (e.g., backfill soil 430).
According to various embodiments, one or more permeable construction units 100 may be positioned along the foundation wall 415 and configured to direct liquid toward the permeable layer. A waterproofing layer 435 may be positioned between the one or more permeable construction units 100 and the foundation wall 415. Sloped fill material 440 may be used in order to aid in directing the liquid toward the permeable layer 410.
As mentioned above, although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to the specific embodiments, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various improvements and/or modifications are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
