Debris and sediment reduction apparatus for water drainage systems

Abstract

Debris and sediment reduction apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus and method include the insertion of a support member into a culvert or drainage pipe with a portion of the support member extending from the intake end of the culvert. A debris cap comprising a plurality of apertures is selectively placed on and secured to the support member. Fluid entering the culvert is filtered via the debris cap. The support member includes optional tabs to maintain a portion of the support member to the exterior of the pipe wherein the debris cap fits over the portion of the support member located to the exterior of the culvert. In one embodiment, the debris cap further comprises upper and lower portions wherein the apertures of the upper and lower portions are distinctly sized with the apertures of the lower portion being smaller than the apertures of the upper portion.

1 . A debris and silt reduction apparatus for water retention systems comprising:
 a culvert, the culvert comprising a fluid conduit with a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a fluid inlet;   a support member comprising a first end and a second end, the second end of the member inserted into the first end of the culvert the first end of the member located to the exterior of the culvert;   a cap comprising a body with a first closed end and a second open end, the cap placed around the first end of the member via the open end of the cap; and   wherein the cap body and first closed end comprise a plurality of apertures whereby a fluid entering the culvert is filtered via the apertures.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portion including a plurality of apertures; and
 wherein the apertures of the lower portion are smaller than the apertures of the upper portion.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower portions comprise a woven structure. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is selectively secured to the member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member is selectively removable from the culvert. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the member further comprising at least one tab, the tab extending outwards from the member; and wherein the tab is in contact with the culvert when the member is inserted into the culvert. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the culvert includes an inside diameter;
 the member defining a cylindrical shape with an outside diameter less than the culvert inside diameter;   the cap further comprising a cylindrical body; and   the cap body defining an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the member.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the upper portion allowing a higher flow rate into the cap via the closed end and body of the cap relative to the flow rate allowed by the lower portion into the cap via the closed end and body of the cap. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the relatively higher flow rate into the upper portion of the cap creates a back pressure through the lower portion of the cap; and
 whereby debris or silt filtered by the lower portion is washed from the lower portion apertures due to the back pressure.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member is selectively removable from the culvert and the cap is selectively secured to the member. 
   
   
       11 . A debris and silt reduction apparatus operable to filter sedimentation or debris in a water drainage system, the apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical support member with an outside diameter comprising a first end and a second end;   a cylindrical cap comprising a body with a first closed end and a second open end, the cap further comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions including a plurality of apertures, the cap body defining an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the support member, the cap selectively secured on the support member; and   whereby the cap filters a fluid moving through the cap body.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , the cylindrical support member further comprising at least one tab, the tab extending outwards from the circumference of the member. 
   
   
       13 . A method of reducing debris and sedimentation intake into a water drainage system, the method comprising:
 providing a culvert, the culvert comprising a conduit with a first intake end and a second outlet end;   inserting a support member into the intake end of the culvert, the support member extending from the intake end of the culvert;   selectively securing a debris cap over a portion of the support member extending from the culvert; and   filtering a fluid passing through the debris cap and into the culvert via a plurality of apertures provided by the cap.