Underdrain and Method for Transferring Forces and Directing Flow
AssigneeXylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
InventorsChristopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard J. Sweeney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underdrain system for transferring forces and directing flow includes at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define a block interior. An insert is disposed in the interior of the underdrain block. The insert includes force-transmitting buttresses spaced along an exterior of the insert that contacts the two side walls of the underdrain block and act to transfer downward forces acting on the top wall of the underdrain block and internal fluid forces acting on the insert to the side walls of the underdrain block. The force-transmitting buttresses can also direct hydraulic flow.
Claims21
An underdrain system comprising:
- at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define an underdrain block interior;
- and
- an insert disposed in the underdrain block interior, the insert comprising force-transmitting buttresses spaced along at least a portion of an exterior of the insert and contacting the two side walls of the underdrain block, the force-transmitting buttresses act to transfer downward forces acting on the top wall of the underdrain block and internal fluid forces acting on the insert to the side walls of the underdrain block.
A method of transferring force exerted on an underdrain system, the method comprising:
- positioning an underdrain system on a filter floor, the underdrain system comprising at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define an underdrain block interior;
- disposing an insert in the underdrain block interior, the insert comprising force-transmitting buttresses spaced along at least a portion of an exterior of the insert and contacting the two side walls of the underdrain block;
- exerting a force on the underdrain system;
- and
- transferring the force exerted on the underdrain system to the side walls of the underdrain block through the force-transmitting buttresses of the insert.
A method of directing fluid flow in an underdrain system, the method comprising:
- positioning an underdrain system on a filter floor, the underdrain system comprising at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define an underdrain block interior;
- disposing an insert in the underdrain block interior, the insert comprising force-transmitting buttresses spaced along at least a portion of an exterior of the insert and contacting the two side walls of the underdrain block, the insert forming a primary chamber and secondary chambers within the interior of the underdrain block;
- introducing fluid into the primary chamber;
- passing the fluid from the primary chamber into the secondary chambers;
- and
- dissipating energy of the fluid passing into the secondary chambers with the force-transmitting buttresses of the insert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.