WO2017137986A1

WO2017137986A1 - Rooftop water retention system

Info

Publication number: WO2017137986A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/050154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoav HADAR
Original assignee: Hadar Stabilization Systems & Landscaping Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-08
Filing date: 2017-02-08
Publication date: 2017-08-17

Abstract

A waterproof cover (WPCR) for retaining rainwater, said cover composed of interconnected tiles, each such tile includes an array of voluminous retention compartments (VRCs) deployed with their opening in the direction of the sky;

Description

[001 ] ROOFTOP WATER RETENTION SYSTEM

[002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [003] The present application claims the benefit of priority to US

Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/292369, filed February 08,2016, entitled " SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEM." The aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[004] TECHNICAL FIELD [005] The present invention relates to a rain water collection and retention system and, in particular, to a rooftop water collecting system

[006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[007] Along with the acceleration of the urbanization and especially since the industrial revolution in Europe took pace and later on in other countries, a worsening in flooding events occur as a consequence of reduced permeability of the earth to rainwater in built up areas. Paved roads and roofs contribute to the impermeability to rainwater in built up areas. Runoff water might collect dirt and environmentally harmful substances, especially in industrial zones. Floods might be particularly severe during sudden rain storms when large amount of rainwater enters to the sewer beyond its capacity thus leading it to overflow. This problem results in considerable investments in urban drainage and sewage systems as well as repair of damages caused by such floods events.

[008] In order to tackle those flooding events, attempts are directed to solutions that include retention, collection, storage and purification of runoff. Another approach is to increase the permeability of surfaces in built up areas. This may allow retention, ground seepage or exploitation of rainwater to other uses.

[009] A holistic approach to the planning of residential areas which include control of runoff would consist of separate but interrelated systems. Many of such systems resemble natural habitats such as seasonal reservoirs, winter ponds, graveled areas, ditches, rain gardens, seepage enhancers and partially permeable pavements. Preferably such systems use durable components which are practical, easy to manage and maintain and are aesthetic.

[010] Roofs are typically considered as significant promoters of flooding.

Some ideas were proposed to use sustainable drainage features to roofs such as roof gardens which typically include plant growth modules such as those described in US855545B2, CN101313654B and KR101038547. Yet, there are some disadvantages related to the existing solutions such as high costs of protecting the roof beneath the growth modules, their complex structures and incomplete coverage of the roof surface. Imperfect roof coverage typically results in trickling of water or dampness into the internal part of the subtending house causing undesirable effects.

[01 1 ] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[012] FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric illustration showing some structural features of a a waterproof cover tile 10 seen from below according to an aspect of the present invention, comprising most prominently retention compartments in a two dimensional array

FIG. 2 is an isomeric view schematically showing some structural features of a waterproof cover tile (module) as seen from above according to an aspect of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[013] The present invention is a system for covering areas, typically of rooftops. A unit of the system is exemplified in Fig. 1 In an embodiment of the present invention, a module (tile) of a waterproof cover (hereinunder WPCR) 10, includes a two dimensional array of voluminous water retention compartments (VWRCs) 12 and optionally one conduit (gutter) 14 located at the edge of the WPCR. In the figure the orientation of the module 10 is not the natural orientation when installed on the ground or on a roof, but the one attempting to show the array of the WRCs from an angle showing the underside of the WPCR. In any case, the opening of the WRCs is in the direction of the sky.

[014] The VWRCs typically consist each of at least three rounded walls.

The rounded walls confer rigidity and stiffness to the retention compartments and to the entire WPCR, thus allowing a compact structure. The rigidity of the WPCR allows for operators to walk on its top, without crushing the VWRCs 12, thereby obviating the construction of pathways between modules which would otherwise limit exploitation of the rooftop. In extreme cases the strength of the RTs 12 is such that even vehicles may be allowed to rove on top of the WPCR (such as in parking lots and road sides) without causing damage.

[015] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of modules can be integrated to form a large WPCR coverage. In accordance with an advantageous feature of the invention, such integration is accomplished by snap connections where a WPCR module overlaps its adjacent modules. The overlap and tight snap connection of the WPCR modules among themselves may obviate the need for waterproof layers or other water protection elements that are used today.

[016] In accordance with another feature of the invention, conduit

(gutter) 14 is a flexible structure which is manufactured separate but is attached to a WPCR as will be explained below, it functions as a gutter in order to allow surplus water to drain down from higher elevation. The flexibility allows for manipulating of its form to accommodate a variety of structural features and constraints that may often be found on rooftops. The option to stitch together a number of modules and the flexibility of the gutter promotes ease and spatial flexibility in the deployment of the one or more WPCRs to cover large areas. [017] In a further aspect of the present invention, the WPCR is used as a roof cover. The WPCR may be made of transparent (translucent) materials, for example to allow natural light penetration to buildings. Another aspect of the present invention is the exploitation of the WPCR to form thermal insulation and/or sound insulation.

[018] The WPCR is manufactured from a variety of materials such as plastics, rubber, silicon rubber, metals composites or a combination of various materials. Such materials, from which the WPCR is made, may be environmentally friendly, or recyclable materials.

[019] After the WPCRs are set in place, the RTs 12 and gutter 14 can be filled with particles such as gravel, wood chips or artificial particles. Such fillings can promote acceleration in evaporation of rainwater from the compartments due to their enlarged evaporation surface. An early evacuation of the retention compartments from rainwater allows WPCR earlier readiness for collecting and retaining water of a future precipitation event. Filled up VWRCs can be used as substrate for plant roots and thereby help form favourable substrate for plants.

[020] According to another feature of the present invention, the retention compartments are filled with artificial or natural growth medium such as pearlite, sphagnum peat, composted pine bark, vermiculite, or soil. This may allow construction of ornamental roof gardens. These roof gardens may contribute in addition to aesthetics, thermal insulation, leisure, exploitation of roofs for crop cultivation and carbon dioxide consumption coupled with generation of oxygen by photosynthesis.

[021 ] The WPCR can contribute to additional environmental aspects, such as rainwater collection for use in water supply, irrigation, cooling systems, and even power generation by exploiting the potential energy of elevated water reservoirs. Higher altitude water reservoirs may contribute for reducing energy consumption by reducing the need for pumping for water supply.

[022] The depth of the VWRCs of the WPCR is to reflect climatological parameters relating typically to rainfall and radiation.. Other parameters to be utilized for determining the dimensions of WPCR parts may be related to particular applications and needs as described supra.

[023] Maintenance

[024] In Fig. 2 maintenance box 20 is an empty cup with perforated bottom and a removable top. It is located on gutter 14 typically at the connection with the array of retention compartments. A maintenance person can remove the top and observe the bottom. If it is filled with water and the water is flowing it can be interpreted as the gutter is not clogged with debris and the surplus water can flow in an orderly manner down. To remove clogging, the maintenance person can poke a hose in box 20 to flush the debris.

Deploying the modules

[025] On rooftops or on the ground, the modules are deployed laying one module (a tile) down with the opening of the VWRTs pointing to the sky, but not necessarily to the zenith. The tiles each including an array of the VWRTs, may be interconnected by employing snap connectors 16 typically disposed at the rim or near the rim of the tile such that each tile can be connected at four sides. After the modules (tiles) are laid and stitched together by fastening, the VWRTs can be filled with material as described above and the gutters 14 are filled preferably with pebbles or gravel. That being said, however, typically the gutter is laid first at the border of the area allocated for the tiles. Typically the tile or tiles bordering the gutter are placed over it such as (typically) border row of (VWRC of the array adjacent the gutter are made to cover an area of the gutter, providing an overlap of an entire row of VWRCs. cutting any VWRC is not advisable, rather a slit in between VWRCs is preferred, if unavoidable,

Claims

1 . A waterproof cover (WPCR) for at least retaining rainwater, said cover composed of interconnectable tiles, each such tile comprising:

• an array of voluminous water retention compartments (VWRCs) wherein said WRCs are open in the direction of the sky;

2. A waterproof cover (WPCR) as in claim 1 further comprising a flexible conduit (gutter) attached to said WPCR for allowing surplus water to drain down.

3. A waterproof cover (WPCR) as in claim 1 wherein said VWRCs are made of at least three rounded walls for conferring strength and rigidity to said WPCR.

4. A method for deploying waterproof cover (WPCR) as in claim 2 on a roof comprising installing said flexible conduit (gutter) first and subsequently overlapping at least one one row of (VWRCs.with said gutter.

5. A method as in claim 4 for deploying a waterproof cover (WPCR)

wherein each tile is connectable by snap connections on four sides by employing snap connectors disposed at the rim or near the rim of the tile such that each tile can be connected at four sides.