Patent Application
20200354942
The embodiments generally relate to environmental technologies, and more specifically, relate to outfall pipes to manage stormwater flow.
Stormwater runoff is collected in a retention basin to prevent flooding of surrounding areas, to prevent erosion, and to improve water quality in an adjacent waterway or body of water. In urban areas, impervious surfaces such as roadways reduce the time rainfall spends on the ground before entering the stormwater drainage system. If left unchecked, this can cause widespread flooding downstream. A retention basin allows for the collection of stormwater to contain the surge of effluent, which can be released slowly, thus mitigating the size and intensity of storm-induced flooding on downstream receiving waters.
The discharge of water from the retention basin is controlled by the outfall pipe which discharges the effluent to a body of water. The location, configuration, and size of the outfall pipe may have various environmental, public safety, and system performance impacts.
Many dams are constructed having a principal spillway designed as a siphoning system to draw down the water level when desired. The siphoning action is triggered by closing the vent and evacuating all air out of the system. If the vent remains closed, siphoning will continue until the discharge valve is manually shut or the water level reaches the depth of the intake and duction is lost. Maintaining the dam's freeboard through proper maintenance and operation of the principal spillway is essential to the long-term safety and lifespan of the dam. Extreme rainfall resulting in overtopping is one of the leading causes of catastrophic dam collapses.
A variation of the Bernoulli Equation determines the flow capacity of the siphon. The flow rate depends on the diameter of the siphon pipe, the elevation difference from the outfall outlet to the reservoir water surface level, the Manning's n value of the pipe material, the total length of the pipe, and the hydraulic losses associated with various siphon components (e.g, entrance grates, bends, valves, exits, etc.).
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The embodiments described herein provide for a reservoir water withdrawal system comprising a selectively-adjustable water intake positioned within a reservoir. The water intake is adapted to withdraw water from the reservoir at a desired depth using a telescoping conduit. A water transport system is in fluid communication with the water intake and to a water discharge. A controller allows an operator to selectively adjust the desired depth of the water intake.
The embodiments allow for an operator to selectively withdraw water from the reservoir to promote the structural integrity of the water retainment system and facilitate the health of the surrounding environment and ecosystems. The telescoping conduit allows for the flow rate to be adjusted by the operator by selecting the depth of the water intake within the reservoir.
In one aspect, the water intake is comprised of a telescoping conduit. The telescoping conduit is selectively adjustable to regulate the rate of flow of water into the water intake.
In one aspect, the telescoping conduit is formed of a plurality of telescoping segments each comprised of an outer conduit and an inner conduit. The outer conduit is comprised of one or more rubber seals to seal water and air in the telescoping conduit.
In one aspect, the outer conduit rotates around an inner conduit.
In one aspect, an air vent is provided in the intake system to initiate a siphon to withdraw water from the reservoir. The size of the air vent is proportional to the size of the telescoping conduit diameter.
In one aspect, the water intake includes a filter element to remove contaminants from the water withdrawn from the reservoir.
In one aspect, the telescoping conduit permits an operator to regulate a plurality of water characteristics measurable by a sensor array disposed in the reservoir, in the outfall system, or the surrounding environment.
In one aspect, the plurality of water characteristics includes water flow rate, water temperature, water turbidity, and water microbiome.
A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described system and methods of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the system and method. Accordingly, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
The embodiments described herein relate to an outfall system for use in dams, lakes, and stormwater retention or similar reservoir systems affected by rainfall. The outfall system function to maintain a safe water level within the reservoir to avoid overtopping, degradation, and critical failure of the reservoir system. The system allows for an operator to selectively withdraw water from the reservoir to ensure readiness before a storm, to selectively discharge water from a determined depth, so as to control, for example, the temperature of the withdrawn water, select for sedimentation, select for water quality, or transport aquatic biota. Similarly, desired changes in the downstream body of water may be modified using the system described herein.
In some embodiments, the diameter of the water intake 130 is greater than the diameter of the telescoping conduit 220 (see
The change in the height of the telescoping conduit will depend on the specific requirements of the reservoir and the outfall system associated thereto. In some embodiments, the telescoping conduit may extend greater than 20 feet.
The water intake conduit depicted is preferably rigid, primarily of metal, plastic, or composite, and of a diameter consistent with desired maximum flow. The conduit design uses gravity flow and may incorporate submersible pumps to facilitate water transport. In some embodiments, a hydraulic control system may be utilized. The embodiments may also incorporate multiple intake extensions, each able to target specific water layers in different locations and combine their loads for larger processing volumes. Telescoping conduit arrangements enable siphoning and custom control of water flow rates.
The variable length of the telescoping conduit allows for variations in water surface height above the intake. In some embodiments, the telescoping conduit may be constructed of a semi-flexible material to accommodate normal water movement in the reservoir, as well as wind forces and earthquake movements. The embodiments may include any number of metallic or polymeric materials that would be suitable for the telescoping conduit, depending on the specific engineering requirements of a particular application of the system. Considerations in the choice of materials include weight, flexibility, water permeability, and durability.
In some embodiments, the system may incorporate temperature sensors, pressure sensors, water flow rate sensors, and other sensors known in the arts to enable the system to make real-time adjustment in intake location based on output signals from the sensors. Sensors may include volumetric or mass flow rate sensors known in the arts. Each sensor is positioned at a suitable location to monitor the system. For example, a water flow rate sensor may be positioned at the intake, and another water flow rate sensor may be positioned at the outfall to measure water flow at various points in the outfall system. In another example, a pressure sensor may be disposed at the intake to determine the depth of the intake in real-time. The sensor array allows for water temperature, oxygenation, and turbidity conditions to be monitored and changed by the operator.
In some embodiments, the system also includes various warning and safety devices known in the arts.
Failure to change downstream river characteristics may result in damage to the environment, additional difficulty in the restoration of native fisheries, continued difficulties with the body of water's health, loss of recreation potential, negative impact on local economies, and loss of power production. Therefore, additional uses of the system are aquatic biota passage and influencing of water quality and other characteristics within the reservoir body of water as well as the other, downstream, body of water for such things as environmental rededication and accidental chemical spills. Up-stream fluid dynamics and thus up-stream ecology can also be affected. The system also allows for the modulation of downstream fluid dynamics and ecology.
The embodiments described herein provide a system which can be installed both in existing reservoirs and dam systems and in newly constructed reservoirs and dam systems having a submerged water intake and outfall system. These embodiments improve the safety of the reservoir and dam and thus benefit the downstream environments affected by the reservoir.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
