Modular underground water management systems

Abstract

The invention provides modular units, associated component parts, and assemblies of the modular units and component parts, including filtration systems, that are useful for making and using underground water management systems.

1 . An arched module component for use in underground water management systems comprising a half-cube structure comprising a shell, a substantially square top face having a substantially circular opening, and pillars that extend downward from each corner, forming a pillar base, wherein the height of the pillars is about half the length of a side of the square top face and wherein the pillars define four arches of diameter equivalent to the circular opening. 
   
   
       2 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is solid. 
   
   
       3 . The arched module component of  claim 2 , wherein the shell has numerous small holes. 
   
   
       4 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the shell has a lattice structure. 
   
   
       5 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component is of hollow core construction. 
   
   
       6 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the relative size of the circular opening diameter dimension to the length of a side of the square top face is at least about 75%. 
   
   
       7 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the length of a side of the square top face is at least about 12 inches to about at least 48 inches. 
   
   
       8 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the length of a side of the square top face is about 24 inches and the circular opening diameter is about 18 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component is constructed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, LDPE, and HDPE. 
   
   
       10 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component is constructed of concrete. 
   
   
       11 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component further comprises connecting means at the base of the four corner pillars. 
   
   
       12 . The arched module component of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting means are integrated into the structure of the corner pillar. 
   
   
       13 . The arched module component of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting means are separate connector pieces. 
   
   
       14 . The arched module component of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting means comprises a shape integral to the base of the pillar that is capable of forming an interlocking connection with a complementary shape. 
   
   
       15 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the base of two pillars comprises a female socket shape and the base of the two other pillars comprises a male plug shape capable of forming an interlocking connection with the female socket shape. 
   
   
       16 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the base of four pillars comprises female connecting means capable of forming an interlocking connection with male connection means of a complementary shape. 
   
   
       17 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component further comprises weep-holes located adjacent to the corner pillars and extending vertically through the top surface. 
   
   
       18 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component further comprises internal structural supports. 
   
   
       19 . The arched module component of  claim 1 , wherein the component further comprises external ribs on the external solid shell near the corners. 
   
   
       20 . A modular unit for use in underground water management systems comprising a substantially cubic structure, wherein said structure comprises a shell, six faces each having a substantially circular opening, and a substantially spherical interior volume. 
   
   
       21 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the shell is solid 
   
   
       22 . The arched module component of  claim 21 , wherein the shell has numerous small holes. 
   
   
       23 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the shell has a lattice structure. 
   
   
       24 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit has only one opening per face of the substantially cubic structure. 
   
   
       25 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the diameter of the openings in each side are substantially equal. 
   
   
       26 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the relative size of the opening diameter dimension to the exterior dimension is selected from the group consisting of: at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, and at least about 95%. 
   
   
       27 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the exterior dimensions of the unit are at least about 12 inches to about at least 48 inches. 
   
   
       28 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the relative length of the three exterior dimensions of the substantially cubic structure can be varied by less than 5%, about 5% and less than about 10%. 
   
   
       29 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit is of hollow core construction. 
   
   
       30 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit is constructed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, LDPE, and HDPE. 
   
   
       31 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit is constructed of concrete. 
   
   
       32 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the structure comprises an assembly of two arched module components joined through each of the modules four corner pillars. 
   
   
       33 . The modular unit of  claim 32 , wherein the two arched module components are identical. 
   
   
       34 . The modular unit of  claim 32 , wherein the two arched module components are not identical. 
   
   
       35 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit further comprises weep-holes extending vertically through the structure. 
   
   
       36 . The modular unit of  claim 35 , wherein the weep-hole is unobstructed. 
   
   
       37 . The modular unit of  claim 35 , wherein the weep-hole is plugged. 
   
   
       38 . The modular unit of  claim 35 , wherein a fastening means is inserted through the weep-hole. 
   
   
       39 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit further comprises internal structural supports. 
   
   
       40 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the module further comprises external ribs on the external solid shell near the corners. 
   
   
       41 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit further comprises a stacking coupler, wherein the stacking coupler comprises a square outer frame having an outer vertical lip and a circular inner ring having an inner vertical lip, wherein said square outer frame and said circular inner ring are connected by beams, and wherein the outer vertical lip fits snugly around the square outer edge of the opening at the top or bottom face of the modular unit and the inner lip fits snugly around the inner edge of the opening at the top or bottom face of the modular unit. 
   
   
       42 . The modular unit of  claim 41 , wherein the space between the beams is open. 
   
   
       43 . The modular unit of  claim 41 , wherein the space between the beams comprises a solid single layer of material. 
   
   
       44 . The modular unit of  claim 41 , wherein the stacking coupler further comprises a horizontal flange extending on the inside of the inner circular ring. 
   
   
       45 . The modular unit of  claim 41 , wherein the stacking coupler comprises a removable piece over the center circular opening. 
   
   
       46 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit further comprises a cover panel over the top or bottom face opening of a modular unit, wherein the cover panel comprises an outer square groove and inner circular groove that smugly fits the outer and inner edges of the modular unit, respectively. 
   
   
       47 . The modular unit of  claim 46 , wherein the cover panel further comprises a circular center that is grated. 
   
   
       48 . The modular unit of  claim 46 , wherein the cover panel further comprises a circular center that is water impermeable. 
   
   
       49 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the unit further comprises a cover panel for side face opening, wherein the cover panel comprise circular edge that fits snugly in the inside diameter of the opening. 
   
   
       50 . The modular unit of  claim 49 , wherein the cover panel is grated. 
   
   
       51 . The modular unit of  claim 50 , wherein the cover panel comprises a series of spoke like structure with circular support ribs connecting the spokes. 
   
   
       52 . The modular unit of  claim 49 , wherein the cover panel is solid. 
   
   
       53 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the relative volume available for water storage to the total volume defined by the exterior dimensions is selected from the group consisting of: at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, and at least about 95%. 
   
   
       54 . The modular unit of  claim 20 , wherein the substantially spherical volume of the unit is at least about 50 cubic inches and at least about 40% of the total volume defined by the exterior dimensions. 
   
   
       55 . An underground water management system comprising an assembly of modular units, wherein each modular unit comprises a substantially cubic structure having a shell, six faces, each having a substantially circular opening, and a substantially spherical interior volume, and wherein at least one side of each of said modular unit abuts at least one side of an adjacent modular unit such that the openings in the sides of the adjacent units substantially align, thereby forming a passage between adjacent units. 
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein each modular unit comprises an assembly oftwo arched module components joined through each of modules four corner pillars. 
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the two arched modules are identical. 
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the two arched modules are not identical. 
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the shell is solid. 
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the shell has numerous small holes. 
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the shell has a lattice structure. 
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the top modular unit further comprises an option riser module. 
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the two or more modular units can be omitted from the assembly directly adjacent to the porthole to provide a central room. 
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the openings are sized to accept a pipe connecting fitting. 
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the system comprises a stacking coupler that joins vertically adjacent modular units, wherein the stacking coupler comprises a square outer frame having an outer vertical lip connected to a circular inner ring having an inner vertical lip, wherein the outer lip fits snugly around the square outer edge and the inner lip fits snugly around the inner edge of the opening at the top or bottom face of the modular unit. 
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the stacking coupler comprises a pair of outer vertical lips defining a groove and a pair of inner vertical lips defining a groove, wherein the square outer edge and the circular inner edge of the opening at the top or bottom face of the modular unit fit snugly in the grooves of the coupling. 
   
   
       67 . The modular unit of  claim 65 , wherein the stacking coupler comprises a removable piece over the center circular opening. 
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the stacking coupler further comprises a horizontal flange extending on the inside of the inner circular ring. 
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the system comprises a lateral coupler joining laterally adjacent modular units, wherein the lateral coupler comprises a short section of pipe of an outside diameter that fits snugly in the aligned side face openings of two adjacent modular units. 
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the lateral coupler can be used to connect the modular unit opening to a pipe. 
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the lateral coupler comprises an outer flange equidistant between its two ends that is of greater diameter than the opening. 
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the lateral coupler has an outside diameter of 18 inches with a linear dimension of about 6 inches. 
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the opening of the lateral coupler maybe partially obstructed. 
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the system comprises at least one removable filtration device. 
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 55 , further comprises a cover panel for side face opening, wherein the cover panel comprise circular edge that fits snugly in the inside diameter of the opening. 
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the cover panel is water impermeable. 
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the cover panel is grated. 
   
   
       78 . The modular unit of  claim 77 , wherein the cover panel comprises a series of spoke like structure with circular support ribs connecting the spokes. 
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 55 , further comprises a cover panel over the top or bottom face opening of a modular unit, and wherein the cover panel comprises an outer square groove and inner circular groove that smugly fits the outer and inner edges of the modular unit, respectively. 
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the cover panel further comprises a circular center that is grated. 
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the cover panel further comprises a circular center that is water impermeable. 
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of inlet pipes connected to a side face opening of a modular unit of the assembly. 
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the exterior facing openings of the modular units in the assembly are opened. 
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the exterior facing openings of the modular units in the assembly are covered with solid cover panels. 
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 84 , wherein the system is surrounded by an impermeable liner. 
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the system further comprises an outlet flow control pipe at least partially contained in the assembly. 
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein an end of the outflow control pipe inside the assembly is capped. 
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the outflow control pipe has perforations along its length. 
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the outflow control pipe is coupled to an internal high flow bypass. 
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the system is surrounded by a liner consisting of impermeable or semi-permeable liner. 
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the system is surrounded by backfill material. 
   
   
       92 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the back fill material is geo-grid material. 
   
   
       93 . The system of  55 , wherein one or more modular units are assembled to create a high flow bypass outlet. 
   
   
       94 . The system of  55 , wherein one or more modular units are assembled to create an inlet bay for water pre-treatment. 
   
   
       95 . The system of  94 , wherein the inlet bay further comprises one or more removable filtration devices. 
   
   
       96 . An underground water management system wherein said system comprises an assembly of coupled modular units , wherein said units comprise a substantially cubic structure having a substantially circular opening in each side, a substantially spherical interior volume, and a shell, and wherein said system comprises a plurality of separate zones having different water flow, retention, and/or detention characteristics. 
   
   
       97 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the water flow through at least one opening of one of said plurality of modular units is restricted. 
   
   
       98 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein a modular unit of one of the plurality of zones comprises a filtration device. 
   
   
       99 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the filtration device is located at the interface of two different zones. 
   
   
       100 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the system comprises an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein the inlet pipe is coupled to one zone, and the outlet pipe is coupled to a different zone. 
   
   
       101 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the system is surrounded by a liner consisting of impermeable or semi-permeable liner. 
   
   
       102 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the system is surrounded by backfill material. 
   
   
       103 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein the back fill material is geo-grid material. 
   
   
       104 . A method of managing underground water flow, comprising the steps of:
 a. flowing water into an assembly of modular units, each unit comprising a plurality of circular openings; and   b. releasing said water into the surrounding ground through one or more said circular openings.   
   
   
       105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the water is filtered through a filter device contained in one or more modular units. 
   
   
       106 . A method of managing underground water flow, comprising the steps of:
 a. flowing water into an assembly of modular units, each unit comprising a plurality of circular openings;   b. retaining said water in the assembly of modular units; and   c. releasing water from the assembly of modular units through one or more outlets.   
   
   
       107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the water is filtered through a filter device contained in one or more modular units. 
   
   
       108 . An underground water management system, comprising:
 a. an assembly of modular units, wherein each modular unit comprises a substantially cubic structure having a shell, six faces, each having a substantially circular opening, and a substantially spherical interior volume, and wherein at least one side of each of said modular unit abuts at least one side of an adjacent modular unit such that the openings in the sides of the adjacent units substantially align, thereby forming a passage between adjacent units;   b. means for joining adjacent modular units;   c. means for joining a pipe to a modular unit;   d. means for covering the side opening of a modular unit;   e. means for lining the assembly of the modular units;   f. means for enhancing load carrying capacity of the assembly of the modular units;   g. means for covering the top opening of a modular unit; and   h. means for covering the bottom opening of a modular unit.   
   
   
       109 . The underground water management system of  claim 108 , further comprising means for water filtration contained in one or more modular units. 
   
   
       110 . The underground water management system of  claim 108 , further comprising one or more inlet pipes. 
   
   
       111 . The underground water management system of  claim 108 , further comprising one or more outlet pipes.