Apparatus for flood control
AssigneeJ&M Investment, LLC
InventorJon Erik Rasmussen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dynamic fluid flow control structure is provided that allows precise control over fluid flow using a series of two or more orifices, at least one of which may be reconfigured to change its flow characteristics. A flood control system and a flood control process are provided that emulate a preset discharge profile over time. Some versions of the structure, process, and system can be used to provide controlled storm discharge patterns in a developed area that emulate the natural pre-development discharge patterns.
Claims16
A structure 1000 for controlling the flow of a fluid, the structure comprising:
- (a) a fluid conduit 100 through which the fluid flows;
- (b) a reconfigurable first barrier 200 in the conduit 100, the first barrier 200 comprising a first orifice 210, and the first barrier 200 capable of assuming a contracted first configuration and an expanded first configuration, wherein the first orifice 210 has a lesser first CdA value when the first barrier 200 assumes the contacted first configuration, the first orifice 210 has a greater first CdA value when the first barrier 200 assumes the expanded first configuration, and the lesser first CdA value is smaller than the greater first CdA value;
- (c) a second barrier 300 in the conduit 100, the second barrier 300 comprising a second orifice 310, wherein the second orifice 310 has a second CdA value, the lesser first CdA value is smaller than the second CdA value, and the greater first CdA value is no smaller than the second CdA value;
- wherein the first orifice 210 reduces the flow of the fluid more than does the second orifice when the first barrier 200 assumes the contracted configuration, and wherein the first orifice reduces the flow of the fluid no more than does the second orifice 310 when the first barrier 200 assumes the contracted configuration;
- and
- wherein Cd is the coefficient of discharge and A is the cross-sectional area of the given orifice.
A structure 1000 for controlling the flow of a fluid, the structure comprising:
- (a) a fluid conduit 100 through which the fluid flows;
- (b) a first barrier 200 in the conduit 100, the first barrier 200 comprising an first orifice 210, and the first barrier 200 capable of assuming a contracted first configuration and an expanded first configuration;
- (c) a second barrier 300 in the conduit 100, the second barrier 300 comprising a second orifice 310;
- wherein the first orifice 210 reduces the flow of the fluid more than does the second orifice when the first barrier 200 assumes the first configuration, and wherein the first orifice reduces the flow of the fluid no more than does the second orifice 310 when the first barrier 200 assumes the second configuration;
- and wherein the first barrier 200 comprises two retractable sections 220 which, when retracted, increase the size of the first orifice to be greater than the width of the second orifice 310, wherein:
- (a) two retractable sections 220 are retracted at least partially from the conduit 100 in the expanded first configuration and are fully extended into the conduit 100 in the contracted first configuration;
- and (b) each of the two retractable sections 220 defines a portion of the perimeter of the first orifice 210.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.