NL2028803B1

NL2028803B1 - Drainage system

Info

Publication number: NL2028803B1
Application number: NL2028803A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Elisabeth Marie Theunissen Jack
Original assignee: Tbs Sva Groep B V
Priority date: 2021-07-21
Filing date: 2021-07-21
Publication date: 2023-01-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drainage system, at least comprising: - a gutter, comprising a channel, configured to drain ﬂuids; - a grate arranged over the channel and comprising through holes to allow the ﬂuids to enter the channel; and - a plant growth substrate supported by the grate.

Description

Drainage system

The present invention relates to a drainage system.

Drainage systems are used for draining precipitation, such as rain, snow and the like, and serve to drain the precipitation, for example towards an rainwater system or conventional sewage system. Heavy precipitation may result in surface water which can cause the ground to become waterlogged.

In addition to various types of gullies, such as street gullies and sidewalk gullies, drainage systems may also comprise gutters. Gutters may be arranged flush with the surrounding ground surface and are often applied in urban areas, such as in cities, and industrial areas. Due to such gutters being applied in urban and industrial areas, they have to be able to withstand relatively high loads, for example to support a vehicle driving over said gutter, or even when a vehicle stops at said gutter. These gutters are therefore normally made of concrete with strong grates that are often made out of cast iron.

Municipalities are responsible for providing a save and comfortable living environment for the residents of their municipality. This is often a challenging task, especially because different aspects may provide conflicting demands. For example, in view of a safe living environment, the drainage system may be upgraded and expanded to be able to handle even very extreme situations of precipitation by providing additional gutters. This may however be undesirable in view of aesthetics and other comfort related requirements, such as providing sufficient plants in parks and greenbelts. Another aspect strongly related to a comfortable living environment is managing the temperature, such as preventing a too high temperature in cities in the summer time. The abovementioned parks and greenbelts preferably also comprise trees that provide residents a natural shelter against the sun. In addition, streams, ponds or lakes may provide alocalized cooling of the environment during hot days as a result of the evaporation of the water.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a drainage system, that is improved relative to the prior art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated or alleviated.

Said objective is achieved with the drainage system according to the present invention, comprising: - a gutter, comprising a channel, configured to drain fluids; - a grate arranged over the channel and comprising through holes to allow the fluids to enter the channel; and - a plant growth substrate supported by the grate.

The plant growth substrate in the grate allows the grate to be used for accommodating plants, and in this way the gutter of the drainage system transforms into a greenbelt that doesn’t look like a gutter, but still has the capacity of effectively draining precipitation. In fact, while draining the precipitation, the plant growth substrate may absorb some of the water, and the plants that are accommodated in the plant growth substrate will also receive water during the draining of any surface water. Consequently, gardeners serving the municipality will have to water the plants less frequently in periods of occasional showers. Moreover, as long as the plant growth substrate is sufficiently wet after a draining of water, it will not only provide water to the plants, but at the same time some evaporation will occur, thereby cooling the environment in a natural and environmentally friendly manner.

The drainage system according to the invention thus provides municipalities the opportunity to obtain optimal draining capacity while at the same time meeting the hereinbefore often conflicting demands related to a comfortable living environment for their residents.

According to a preferred embodiment, the grate comprises meshes and the plant growth substrate is arranged in the meshes. Roots of the plants may grow through the meshes and thereby define a cross-linking that integrates the plants, the plant growth substrate, and the grate.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the drainage system comprises a fluid retainer that is arranged in the channel and that comprises a fluid retaining / absorbing material. By using such a fluid retainer of a fluid retaining / absorbing material, the above mentioned advantageous effects of the drainage system are improved in a synergistic manner.

Firstly, in view of draining capacity, the capacity of the gutter is improved due to the fluid retainer itself functioning as a buffer. Secondly, in view of watering of the plants, the fluid retainer is capable of absorbing water, and consequently the plants may retract water from the fluid retainer over a prolonged period of time after rainfall. In this way, the need for gardeners of the municipality to water the plants accommodated in the grate is reduced to a minimum, a limited to occasional times of prolonged drought. Thirdly, in view of cooling of the environment, the water absorbed by / retained in the fluid retainer will gradually evaporate, cooling the direct environment of the gutter during a prolonged period of time. Applying a fluid retainer in the gutter thus provides synergistic effects contributing to a safe and comfortable living environment, while at the same time providing a hybrid drainage system / greenbelt that requires only limited maintenance by the municipality.

Even further preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drainage system according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional perspective view of the drainage system of Figure 1; and

Figures 3 and 4 are cross sectional views of the drainage system of Figure 1.

The drainage system 1 shown in the Figures, comprises a gutter 2 that comprises a channel 3 configured to drain fluids, that may arranged in a street like configuration, e.g. surrounded by paving stones 17 (Figures 3 and 4). A grate 4 is arranged over the channel 3 and comprises through holes 4 to allow the fluids to enter the channel 3. A plant growth substrate 5 is supported by the grate 4. Plants 6, preferably succulent plants such as sedum, are accommodated in the plant growth substrate 5. Succulent plants are capable of retaining water inside the plant 6, and thus have a natural water retaining / absorbing function that allows the succulent plant 6 to survive even if they are watered irregularly.

The grate 4 comprises meshes 7 and the plant growth substrate 5 is arranged in the meshes 7, which can be best seen in the cross sectional views of Figures 2 and 4. Roots 8 of the plants 6 may grow through the meshes 7 and thereby define a cross-linking that integrates the plants 6, the plant growth substrate 5, and the grate 4. The fluid retainer 9 is preferably arranged immediately under the grate 4 and configured to moisturize the plant growth substrate 5.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, a fluid retainer 9, which comprises a fluid retaining / absorbing material, is arranged in the channel 3. Due to the water retaining / absorbing characteristics of the fluid retainer 9, water may be buffered in the fluid retainer 9. This provides a number of advantageous effect, that are especially interesting due to the synergy there between. After all, the fluid retainer 9 being capable of buffering water, firstly improves the water draining capacity of the drainage system 1, secondly allows the plants 6 that are accommodated in the plant growth substrate 5 that is supported by the grate 4 to retract water from the fluid retainer 9, and thirdly may serve to cool the surrounding environment by evaporation of the water retained in the fluid retainer 9. Applying a fluid retainer 9 in the gutter 2 thus provides synergistic effects contributing to a safe and comfortable living environment, while at the same time providing a hybrid drainage system 1 / greenbelt that requires only limited maintenance by the municipality. The drainage system 1 may provide the appearance of a greenbelt, yet with the draining capacity of a conventional trench drain.

Although it is conceivable that the grate 4 may have meshes 7 with a (not shown) bottom plate that comprises a plurality of relatively small through holes 4, the shown preferred embodiment shows a drainage system 1, wherein each mesh 7 as such defines a through hole 4, and wherein the fluid retainer 9 is arranged immediately under the grate 4 to support the plant growth substrate 5 in the through holes 4. Due to this configuration the grate 4 has a very open structure and is therefore capable of draining water at a relatively high flow rate, which allows the drainage system 1 to be effective in case of heavy precipitation. If the fluid retainer 9 is arranged immediately under the grate 4 it may close the through holes 4 defined by the meshes 7 of the grate 4 at a bottom side thereof to thereby define cells 18 in the meshes 7 of the grate 4. The growth substrate 5 accommodated in these cells 18 will be supported by the fluid retainer 9, and the direct contact between the fluid retainer 9 and the growth substrate 5 over a relatively large contact area will allow the fluid retainer 9 to effectively moisturize the plant growth substrate 5, and consequently also the plants 6.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the fluid retainer 9 may in cross-section thereof be smaller than the channel 4. In this way the fluid retainer 9 does not completely block the channel 3, providing a bypass between the longitudinal sides 19 of the fluid retainer 9 and the side walls 20 of the channel 3 for draining at a very high flow rate, that will only become effective in case of extreme precipitation. A gap 21 between the longitudinal sides 19 of the fluid retainer 9 and the side walls 20 of the channel 3 may decrease towards a bottom 22 of the channel 3. This bottom 22 may comprise a longitudinal recess 23 for draining fluid towards a section 11 having an increased channel depth, wherein this section 11defines a reservoir 12 configured to buffer excess fluids 13.

Such a reservoir 12 resembles a conventional sand trap, providing a settlement area for sand below the level of the outlet 14. It is however expected that only a minimal amount of sand will reach the reservoir 12, because the fluid retainer 9 will also function as a filter for this sand. In the drainage system 1, the gutter 2 defines a trench drain and the one or more than section 11 having the increased channel depth defines a reservoir 12 configured to buffer excess fluids 13. The outlet 14 is connectable to a stormwater drain 15 or sewer to drain excess fluids. For maintenance purposes, the section 11 having the increased channel depth may be provided with a conventional grate 16 without a plant growth substrate 5 supported therein.

Thus, in case of rainfall or precipitation of other nature, the water will flow via the plant growth substrate 5 and the meshes in the grate 4 towards the fluid retainer 9 directly there below, that is made of a fluid retaining / absorbing material. The fluid retainer 9 will absorb the water to a large extent thereby buffering said water, resulting in an increase of the draining capacity of the gutter 2 relative to a gutter 2 without such a fluid retainer 9. Moreover, the water buffered in the fluid retainer 9 is available for later later use by the plants 6 that are arranged in the plant growth substrate 5. A part of the water buffered in the fluid retainer 9 may also evaporate over time, and thereby cool the direct environment. In case of heavy or extreme precipitation, wherein the fluid retaining / absorbing capacity of the fluid retainer 9 may not be sufficient, excess water may flow via the gap 21 between the longitudinal sides 19 of the fluid retainer 9 and the side walls 20 of the channel 3, and via the channel 3 towards the reservoir 12 configured to buffer excess fluids 13. If the volume of reservoir 12 would happen to be insufficient, excess water may flow via outlet 14 towards stormwater drain 15 or sewer to drain. The drainage system 1 thus has a high draining capacity, while it at the same time provides a low maintenance greenbelt that is able to cool the direct environment, and consequently provides an integrated solution capable of meeting the hereinbefore often conflicting demands related to a comfortable living environment for their residents.

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid retainer 9 is permeable to roots 8 of the plants 6 growing in the plant growth substrate 5 to grow into the fluid retaining / absorbing material. By growing at least some distance into the floid retaining / absorbing material, the contact area between the roots 8 of the plants 6 increases, allowing the roots 8 to retract water from the fluid 5 retainer 9.

The fluid retainer 9 may comprise a man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) substrate 10. The MMVF substrate absorbs water to allow plants to grow and can be made of glass fibres, ceramic fibres, basalt fibres, slag wool, stone wool and others. The MM VF subsrate provides for an increased water storage ability due to the hydrophilic behaviour of the substrate, and various

IO suitable MMVF substrates are commercially available, such as, but not limited to, Rockflow® that is offered by ROCKWOOL,

The above described embodiment is intended only to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. The scope of protection is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

ConclusiesConclusions

1. Drainagesysteem (1), ten minste omvattende: - een goot (2), omvattende een kanaal (3), geconfigureerd om vloeistoffen af te voeren; - een rooster (4) dat over het kanaal (3) is aangebracht en omvattende doorboringen om vloeistoffen toegang tot het kanaal (3) te verschaffen; - een plantengroeisubstraat (5) dat door het rooster (4) wordt ondersteund: en - een vloeistofhouder (9) die in het kanaal (3) is aangebracht en die een vloeistof vasthoudend en absorberend materiaal omvat.A drainage system (1), at least comprising: - a gutter (2), comprising a channel (3), configured to drain liquids; - a grille (4) fitted over the channel (3) and comprising perforations to allow liquids to enter the channel (3); - a plant growth substrate (5) supported by the grid (4); and - a liquid container (9) arranged in the channel (3) and comprising a liquid retaining and absorbing material.

2. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de vloeistofhouder (9) direct onder het rooster (4) is aangebracht en is ingericht om het plantengroeisubstraat (5) tijdens gebruik te bevochtigen.A drainage system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container (9) is arranged directly below the grid (4) and is adapted to moisten the plant growth substrate (5) during use.

3. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de vloeistofhouder (9) in doorsnede smaller is dan het kanaal (3).A drainage system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid container (9) is narrower in cross-section than the channel (3).

4. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens één of meer dan één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vloeistofhouder (9) door wortels (8) van planten (6) die in het plantengroeisubstraat (5) groeien doordringbaar is om in het vloeistof vasthoudend en absorberend materiaal te groeien.A drainage system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid container (9) is permeable by roots (8) of plants (6) growing in the plant growth substrate (5) to retain and absorb liquid in it. material to grow.

5. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens één of meer dan één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vloeistofhouder (9) een substraat uit kunstmatige glasvezels (“man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF)”) omvat.A drainage system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid container (9) comprises a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF).

6. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens één of meer dan één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het rooster (4) mazen (7) omvat en het plantengroeisubstraat (5) in de mazen (7) is aangebracht.A drainage system (1) according to one or more than one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid (4) comprises meshes (7) and the plant growth substrate (5) is arranged in the meshes (7).

7. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens conclusie 6, waarbij: - elke maas (7) een doorboring definieert; en - de vloeistofhouder (9) direct onder het rooster (4} is aangebracht om het plantengroeisubstraat (5) in de doorboringen te ondersteunen.A drainage system (1) according to claim 6, wherein: - each mesh (7) defines a bore; and - the liquid container (9) is arranged directly below the grid (4} to support the plant growth substrate (5) in the perforations.

8. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens één of meer dan één van de voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattende één of meer dan één plant (6) die in het plantengroeisubstraat (5) is aangebracht.A drainage system (1) according to one or more than one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more than one plant (6) arranged in the plant growth substrate (5).

9. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens conclusie 8, waarbij de één of meer dan één plant (5) één of meer dan één vetplant omvat.A drainage system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the one or more than one plant (5) comprises one or more than one succulent plant.

10. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens conclusie 8 of 9, waarbij de één of meer dan één plant (6) sedum omvat.A drainage system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the one or more plants (6) comprise sedum.

11. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens één of meer dan één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de goot (2) een greppelafvoer definieert die één of meer dan één sectie (11) met een grotere kanaaldiepte omvat om een reservoir (12) te definiëren dat is geconfigureerd voor het opslaan van overtollige vloeistof (13).A drainage system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the gutter (2) defines a trench drain comprising one or more sections (11) of greater channel depth to define a reservoir (12) which is configured to store excess fluid (13).

12. Drainagesysteem (1) volgens conclusie 11, waarbij het reservoir (12) een uitlaat (14) omvat die verbindbaar is met een regenwaterafvoer of riool om overtollige vloeistof af te voeren.A drainage system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the reservoir (12) comprises an outlet (14) connectable to a rainwater drain or sewer to drain excess liquid.