Integrated Drain Gate Seawall System

Abstract

The Integrated Drain Gate Seawall System (IDGSS) was designed to mitigate flooding due to rising sea water, severe rain and storm damages at costal area or other various waterfront properties like riverbanks, bay, beach, ocean, lake, marsh and low lying areas. The IDGSS has incorporated two functions simultaneously by separating water and land with a flood resilient fixed water barrier wall, but more importantly, has an automatic drainage system, especially for an unexpected severe and prolonged storms; to address the unintended consequence of trapping water inside the pre-existing water barrier walls. Unfortunately, during these severe storms, the trapped water has created a bathtub like scenario by the manmade fixed wall barriers, and causing an insult to an injury to an already devastated storm conditions, due to a lack of drainage systems. To mitigate this type of severe drainage problem, IDGSS was created with a characteristics of a concrete wall blocks, which includes a one-way valve or flap drain gate inside as a single unified structure, with an adjustable one-way valve or flap drain gate specification; with a various shape, sizes, materials and configurations for both one-way valve or flap gate and wall blocks; and adaptable retrofitting mechanisms to meet the site specific topography and special drainage needs. To protect the one-way valve or flap gate drainage system and to allow for an efficient drainage pathway system, the wall blocks are built to withstand severe wind and unpredictable weather conditions to become storm resilient, pressure reducing mechanism within the unlimited combinations of geometrical wall shape and size arrangements. Thus, the IDGSS is a reinforced wall system that can adapt to a specific drainage problem by allowing the trapped water to be returned back to where it came from as long as the water recedes by gravity.

Claims

1. An Integrated Drain Gate Seawall System (IDGSS) wall structure for protecting land or low-lying, marsh area inside the water barrier wall from flooding like a bathtub by the bodies of trapped water coming from above, side and below like severe rain, splashing storm surge and storm drainage backup, comprising: a. A wave, wind, water pressure force blocking barrier wall(s) and/or column block placed between the bodies of water and land/marsh. b. An integrated including one-way valve or flap drainage gate placed facing the land or low-lying, marsh area with gravity, hydrostatic pressure operated c. At least 2 or more grid screens; one inside, placed in front of the flap drain gate facing the land, others are facing near the bodies of water where trapped water will exist. d. An emergency shut-off door placed towards the wall facing near the land or marsh.

2. The IDGSS construction of claim 1 in which water barrier walls and columns comprising plurality of wall block units, wall facing shapes, configurations, shapes, size, material, arrangements and geometric combinational formations between the lateral and adjacent walls.

3. The IDGSS construction of claim 2 in which water barrier walls and columns comprising plurality of meeting the existing walls, topography and project site specific location.

4. The IDGSS construction of claim 1 comprising a plurality of flap drainage gate unit, shape, size, material and design.

5. The IDGSS construction of claim 1 comprising a plurality of grid screen units, configurations, shapes, size, material and design.

6. The IDGSS construction of claim 1 comprising a plurality of emergency shut-off door unit, shape, size, material and design.

7. A IDGSS method for protecting land or low-lying, marsh area inside the water barrier wall from flooding like a bathtub by the bodies of trapped water coming from above, side and below like severe rain, splashing storm surge and storm drainage backup, comprising a. Providing a customized wave, wind, water pressure blocking barrier wall(s) and/or column(s) to protect the one-way valve or flap gate system and to provide drainage as the wall guides the trapped water laterally as it exits automatically from the bathtub to the water outside like the sea or where it came from. When the water level is higher inside the wall than the level outside of the wall, the one-way valve or flap gate will open by itself and begin to drain. b. Providing a customized configuration of the geometrical shape wall blocks that meets the not only for new constructions, but an existing walls or topography. c. Providing a customized wave, wind, water pressure blocking barrier wall(s) to protect the site specific one-way valve or flap gate drainage system project. d. Providing an IDGSS as needed by retrofitting the existing wall(s), or added on at a later time to meet further drainage needs due to climate changes and overflow drainage needs, or as a proactive measure to mitigate flooding

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0074] The Integrated Drain Gate Seawall System (IDGSS) was created to mitigate flooding due to rising sea water and storm damages at costal area or other various bodies of water like riverbanks, bay, beach, ocean, marsh, lake and low-lying areas

[0075] Despite the wide applicability of the IDGSS systems of the invention near the water, for simplicity and easy understanding, we may express in terminology applicable to salt water, ocean, beaches and near the marsh area with a water barrier wall.

[0076] In addition, since major cities in the world are built near the shore line and the IDGSS can be of a great use to create a resilient coastal community by alleviating drainage problems, to facilitate easy access and to maximize the benefit of finding this invention for the users, the word seawall was included in the title name of the invention. However, the IDGSS is designed to create an additional drainage solution including all areas of water barrier walls, and not only for seawalls.

[0077] To solve the bathtub scenario flooding problem caused by the trapped water inside the manmade walls, especially during the storms with high tide and winds together with rain storms, the normal drainage infrastructure is unable to drain fast enough. Thus, overflow drainage system like IDGSS is needed. Although, these events are infrequent, the devastation caused by such storms are hazardous, costly and can cripple an entire city.

[0078] Therefore, in order to be able to mitigate and control the erosion, by wind, wave, at the beaches, riverbanks, lakefronts, bays and other water bodies, we need a flexible barrier system that has dual functioning barrier with a drainage system integrated. To facilitate such multifunctional water barrier walls, the drainage system must be integrated with the wall itself and its construction and usages are as follows but not limited to the illustrations of the Figures.

[0079] Once the specified topography has been designated for water barrier wall project construction, placements of IDGSS can be based on its proper elevation and grading specific per site location. In addition, 1 or more IDGSS systems can be placed based on the drainage requirements and to become resilient to flooding in the future.

[0080] The construction may be on site or precast IDGSS, and it is not only for the new construction, but retrofit to existing wall structures. Furthermore, the construction may be implemented proactively to adapt to changing conditions and flood elevations.

[0081] The IDGSS is used during the storms or when the normal drainage systems fail due to blockage, or mechanical failures, or failures of tide gates at the marsh, or other water barrier wall failures. Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a wall barrier, which opens automatically under a predetermined water pressure to drain the water.

[0082] IDGSS consisting of combinations of 4 major components, as needed, to meet the project site specification; for optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of usage and operation of the dual functioning walls of IDGSS as a barrier and drainage, all in one.

[0083] In addition, this invention need not be created by reproducing the precise illustration like the FIGS. 1-12. Rather, it will be constructed with combinations of characteristics provided below, and the possible arrangements of IDGSS are unlimited.

[0084] Currently, coastal barriers have seawalls only, to prevent the water from entering. However, during the major sea storm and at high tide, the rate of water entering is faster than normal. Therefore, the splashed water over the wall is now trapped and unable to drain quickly back to the sea during a low tide. As a result, additional flooding is created by the trapped water; this is the byproduct of the current manmade wall barrier designs.

[0085] The IDGSS is designed to resolve the bathtub problem due to trapped water behind the wall barriers, by gravity drainage system without human or electrical powers. [0086] 1. Wall(s) and column(s) configuration and design: [0087] a. IDGSS in including all types of wall barriers used to mitigate flooding; such as due to severe rain storm, sea storm, rising river, or increase in lake volume . . . etc. [0088] b. The primary function of the barrier wall is to protect the one-way valve or flap drain gate system from storm damages like wind, wave and water pressure force. These wall(s) and/or column like blocks are placed in front of the one-way valve or flap drain gate. The purpose is to defuse the wind/water pressure during the storm as it hits the wall(s) instead of the one-way valve or flap drain gate system. Because mother nature's destructive powers are unpredictable, and debris can impair the drainage infrastructure [0089] c. In addition, the strategic wall block geometric formations create an efficient pathway for the trapped water to exit from the bathtub quickly, and to make spaces to insert the one-way valve or flap drain gate system, to install grate screens, and to add an emergency shut-off door. (FIG. 3) [0090] d. The shape and number of the block(s) formation may have a unlimited various options, and not limited to our sample figures: like square (FIG. 11), pentagon (FIG. 10), octagon, hexagon, trapezoid, rhombus, or L-shaped (FIG. 9), U-shaped or parallelogram (FIG. 9), perpendicular or parallel layers, any other number of combinations of shapes . . . etc. For example, it may have one or more shapes of various geometric wall blocks, or mixed shape combinations like pentagon wall block and rectangle wall block (FIG. 10) of L-shaped and parallel layer style walls (FIG. 9). [0091] e. Also, the wall facing patterns may be flexible depending on the bodies of water type: for example, like vertical, concave or stepped facing, and to retrofit to existing wall shapes. [0092] f. The size and material of the wall may vary in its depth, length, height and weight to meet the stress of the wind load and water pressure, and to meet the drainage project site specification. [0093] g. The configuration and number of the geometrical shape of wall blocks may vary to meet the shape of the pre-existing walls or topography to retrofit in existing conditions. For example, concave, 3 blocks consisted of 2 L-shaped and one square center wall (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4). [0094] h. The number of exit openings vary to accommodate the speed of trapped water exiting and to have the most efficient drainage system. [0095] 2. Flap gate or one-way valve drainage system designed for project site specific drainage requirements. [0096] a. The backflow preventing operated one-way valve or flap drain gate system materials may vary and flexible like stainless, iron, neoprene, aluminum or composite of other materials . . . etc and of various material types for seats, lips and seals like neoprene, rubber or others are project site specific. [0097] b. The shape of the one-way valve or flap drain gate may be variable, like circular, rectangle or square to meet the specification of the wall with various opening sizes, to meet the specific head conditions and water pressure, and various project site specific. [0098] c. The size of the one-way valve or flap drain gate will vary in depth, length, height and weight, and its opening sizes as well as the type of hinges, to meet the specification of the drainage requirements. [0099] d. Finally, depending on the location of the water bodies, there may be various types of backflow preventing one-way valve or flap drain gate systems available. As the storm surges and the trapped water is elevated, the one-way valve or flap drain gate responds as the seawater level recedes; any water that was splashed over inside the wall can exit automatically. However, when the water level is lower inside than the level outside of the wall at sea, the one-way valve or flap drain gate will close by itself, because of the outside water pressure. Therefore, the outside water cannot enter the land or marsh area, inside the wall. This drainage system doesn't require man power, electricity, generator, pump, and easily visible for inspections. [0100] 3. Grid screens: [0101] a. The function of the grid screen is to protector the one-way valve or flap gate drainage system, by preventing any foreign matters, debris, from entering the walls, and makes it easy to access for maintenance. In addition, it is a pathway for the trapped water to enter and exit the IDGSS system. [0102] b. The installation of the primary grid screen is placed in front of the one-way valve or flap gate drainage system. The placement of the other exit grid(s) are placed at the rear of the one-way valve or flap gate, as the trapped water exits the IDGSS. [0103] c. The grids material, size, and shape may vary to fit the site specification and depending on the specific wall(s) configurations. [0104] d. The number of grids are flexible and to meet the design of the one-way valve or flap gate and wall configurations. Also, the more exit grids may be needed to adjust the rate of trapped water leaving the IDGSS. (FIG. 1) However, there is a minimum of 2 grid screens to protect the IDGSS drainage function of one-way valve or flap drain gate; one in front and 2nd at the rear. [0105] 4. Emergency shut-off door. [0106] a. The emergency shut-off door can slide and insert into the wall, in front of the one-way valve or flap gate system facing the land. (FIG. 5) [0107] b. The function is to close the one-way valve or gate when the one-way valve or flap gate malfunctions. [0108] A) The IDGSS can be installed along with the new wall barrier installations but can be added at a later date as well. [0109] B) The IDGSS can be retrofit and inserted between the existing wall barriers and added on to facilitate an incompetent drainage system at the existing location. [0110] C) These IDGSS wall structures consists of having 1 or more shapes and or combinations of shapes. This flexibility of wall arrangements will allow for IDGSS to be resilient to flooding at various elevations: per specification of the topography, and can be constructed with 2, 3 or more different elevation levels, with different height, width and depth. Just like the bathtub at home, the higher the wall is, the deeper the bathtub will be, and the measurements will vary since added flood risks will vary, and the rate of drainage will be modified accordingly. [0111] D) In addition, depending on the location of the IDGSS placement, specifications will vary. If the walls are facing an open sea, the pressure from the wind and water will vary depending on the type water faced by these walls. Thus, the configurations and specification of these IDGSS will vary in pressure reducing barriers and grids in its, height, depth, width to accommodate project site specificity by its facing location. [0112] E) This IDGSS system will drain out the accumulated water from the inside the walls constantly and consistently until the pressure is equalized between the land and water source. [0113] F) If there is a tide-gate in use, IDGSS system can be incorporated to compensate for possible failure of tide-gate system during the super storms like at sea. Why? When the Float switch cannot operate due to the electrical power outage or the tide-gate may break due to wind/water pressure. Then, instead of letting the water out during the low tide, the marsh is trapping the water inside by the tide-gate system. Thus, trapped water will rise in the marsh as the broken tide-gate trapping even the rain water and the sea water will both overflow into the land, homes and other infrastructures like the main street, and overwhelm the street level drainage system, and eventually backup the infrastructures like the sewage systems. The failure of the tide-gate related flood damages are severe and the properties near the marshes are evermore at risk due to rising sea level and its severity. [0114] G) Currently, coastal barriers have seawalls only, to prevent the sea waves/water from entering. However, during the major sea storm and at high tide, the rate of sea water entering is higher than normal. Therefore, the sea water is unable to drain quickly back to the sea during a low tide. [0115] Our invention of the Integrated Drain Gate Seawall System is not only used as a reinforcement system to mitigate the shoreline erosion near the oceans, rivers, lakes, bays and other bodies of water, but even more importantly, it will allow the trapped water to be drained back to where it came from, as long as the trapped water is higher than the sea.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0116] Due to inability to draw figures adequately, and illustrate the Integrated Drain Gate Seawall System (IDGSS), we have included photos of possible models that may be built to show the characteristics more clearly. In addition, the Figures are just an illustration of IDGSS and are not necessarily to scale.

[0117] FIG. 1: Photo model in 3-dimension configuration, of combination of square and L-shape blocks, facing from the water: 2 sides and one center square. Flap valve is representing flap gate drainage mechanism.

[0118] FIG. 2: Rear view photo of FIG. 1 from land side view and emergency shut-off door.

[0119] FIG. 3: Top view photo of FIG. 1, showing 3 wall block configuration and the pathway for water to exist.

[0120] FIG. 4: Hand drawing of FIG. 1 in 3 dimensions, viewing from the sea.

[0121] FIG. 5: Hand drawing of FIG. 1 Center block only, side view.

[0122] FIG. 6: Hand drawing of FIG. 1 Center block only, in 3 dimension.

[0123] FIG. 7: Hand drawing of FIG. 4, Left side block only, in 3 dimension, side view.

[0124] FIG. 8: Hand drawing of FIG. 4, Right side block only, in 3 dimension, side view.

[0125] FIG. 9: Hand drawing of top view, illustration possible configuration of wall blocks like L-shape, with 2 existing walls.

[0126] FIG. 10: Hand drawing of 2 shape type combination configuration of IDGSS illustration: Pentagon and U-shaped shaped. Also, showing with 2 previously existing wall blocks.

[0127] FIG. 11: Sample configuration of Rectangle shaped model facing from water, with 2 previously existing wall blocks, in 3 dimension.

[0128] FIG. 12: FIG. 11 facing from the land.