Multi-layered Permeable Paving System

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a layered permeable paver system. More particularly, the invention relates to multi-layered permeable paver systems and its implementation to facilitate effective water management.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Impermeable surfaces on roads, driveways, parking lots, or sidewalks are usually made from concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, compacted soil and metal. These materials do not allow water to pass through them. Thus, when rainwater or any other water source comes in contact with such impermeable surfaces, the water runs off instead of being absorbed into the surface. Urban areas face a critical water scarcity issue due to the prevalence of impermeable surfaces that prevent water infiltration. This leads to increased surface runoff, reduced groundwater recharge, and polluted water entering waterways.

There are traditional storm water management systems like porous asphalt, pervious concrete, Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP), glass pavers, that take the storm water away from the urban areas to prevent flooding. Such systems include gutters, pipes, basins, and drains to carry and transport excess water to larger bodies of water. However, these traditional systems can be expensive, require extensive infrastructure modifications to build and maintain as the urban areas grow. Further, the traditional storm water management systems contribute towards the urban heat. In addition, the existing systems allow water to seep through but they come with a big disadvantage as these systems become “overloaded” or clogged with continuous storm water.

Therefore, a need remains for a system that provides a sustainable, cost-effective solution for managing the rain water wherein the system allows water to permeate through the surfaces, thereby increasing the groundwater recharge, mitigating the urban heat island effect and preventing flooding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description of the invention. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present application discloses the structure and implementation of a multi-layered permeable paving system to facilitate effective water management.

It is an object of this invention to provide a multi-layered permeable paving system designed to improve storm water management by allowing water to permeate through its specific multi-layered structure, thereby reducing surface runoff and enhancing groundwater recharge.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a sustainable, cost-effective solution for managing storm water, reducing pollution, and mitigating the urban heat island effect, by allowing the storm water to seep into the ground.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a permeable paving system with multilayer structure comprising a sub-base layer of crushed drain rocks, a base layer of granite rocks, a layer of coarse sand, & a top layer overlaid with permeable surface material.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a multi-layered permeable paving system wherein the sub-base layer of crushed drain rocks forms the foundation of the permeable paving system, provides excellent drainage and allows water to infiltrate quickly through the permeable paving system.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide the multi-layered permeable paving system wherein the base layer of granite rocks adds structural stability to the permeable paving system and further enhances drainage capabilities of the paving system.

It is another object of this invention to provide the multi-layered permeable paving system further comprising a layer of coarse sand above the base layer of granite rocks to filter debris and sediment from the storm water while maintaining permeability of the multi-layered paving system.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a multi-layered permeable paving system wherein the top layer is overlaid with a plurality of permeable pavers which when positioned forms voids between the permeable pavers, thereby allowing storm water to pass through the entire multi-layered permeable paver system.

In a preferred embodiment, a multi-layered permeable paving system is provided to facilitate effective storm water infiltration and enhance pavement performance, the said multi-layered permeable paving system comprises a sub-base layer of crushed drain rocks, wherein the said sub-base layer is configured to form the foundation of the multi-layered permeable paving system; a base layer of granite rocks above the said sub-base layer, wherein the said base layer is configured to provide structural stability and further improve the storm water drainage through the said base layer of the said multi-layered permeable paving system; a layer of coarse sand above the said base layer, wherein the said layer of coarse sand is configured to filter debris and sediments and prevent clogging in the said sub-base layer and the said base layer; & a top layer overlaid with permeable surface material above the said layer of coarse sand, wherein the said permeable surface material consists of a plurality of permeable pavers, wherein the said permeable pavers when laid next to the other said permeable pavers form voids between the said permeable pavers, wherein the said voids are filled up with fillers to facilitate effective storm water infiltration and prevent surface runoff by allowing water to seep through the each of the layers of the said multi-layered permeable paving system.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the invention as more fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1: shows an illustrated view of the layers of the multi-layered permeable paving system of the present invention;

FIG. 2: shows an illustrated view of water drainage through the multi-layered permeable paving system of the present invention and use of the drained water for rain garden.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

The invention provides a multi-layered permeable paving system described herein. The multi-layered permeable paving system described herein uses readily available materials to create a sustainable, cost-effective storm water management system that can be easily installed even by non-professionals. Further, the multi-layered permeable paving system of the present invention provides a practical solution to water scarcity and pollution, & which is economically accessible to homeowners and small communities.

The invention described herein provides a sustainable and effective solution for managing storm water in urban and suburban environments, offering benefits for both the environment and human communities. The multi-layered permeable paving system described herein can be installed in parking lots and driveways, thereby reducing runoff and improving water quality in these areas; sidewalks and pedestrian plazas, thereby creating more comfortable and sustainable urban spaces; low-traffic roads and streets, thereby mitigating flooding and enhancing groundwater recharge in residential areas; & patios and outdoor living spaces, thereby providing a functional and environmentally friendly surface for recreational use.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the structure of the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) preferably comprises a first or sub-base layer (100) of crushed drain rocks (110), a second or a base layer (200) of granite rocks (210), a third layer (300) of coarse sand (310), and a fourth or top layer (400) overlaid with permeable surface material. The multi-layered permeable paving system is adapted to integrate with existing urban infrastructure without the need for professional installation. Further, the multi-layered permeable paving system is designed to be easy to install and require minimal sub-base modification.

The first or sub-base layer (100) of the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) comprises a layer of crushed drain rocks (110), wherein the said sub-base layer (100) forms the foundation of the multi-layered permeable paving system (10), providing excellent drainage and facilitating rapid water infiltration through the permeable paving system (10). The crushed drain rocks can be angular (120), circular (130) or semi-circular (140) in shape. The crushed drain rocks (110) are preferably of varying sizes configured to create voids (150), as shown in FIG. 1, between the crushed drain rocks (110), thereby further enhancing the water permeability of the permeable paving system (10). The type of crushed drain rocks (110) used may include, but not limited to, granite, limestone, recycled concrete, trap rock, or a combination thereof. In addition, crushed drain rock blends may also be used to further enhance the permeability of the permeable paving system (10). The blends may include recycled asphalt, geotextile fabrics, and/or geogrids. The type and structure of the crushed drain rock will be chosen based on the required permeability, strength, and durability standards for the intended application.

The said sub-base layer (100) of crushed drain rocks (110) can be approximately 4-5 inches in depth when the multi-layered permeable system (10) is being installed in patios or walkways and approximately 6-7 inches when the multi-layered permeable system (10) is being installed in driveways. The size of the crushed drain rocks (110) used in the said sub-base layer (100) is preferably ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch in diameter or combination thereof.

The second or base layer (200) of the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) placed above the sub-base layer (100) comprises granite rocks (210), offering structural stability and further improving drainage of the permeable paving system (10). The granite rock's high compressive strength ensures the durability of the permeable paving system (10) under heavy loads. The type of granite rock (210) used preferably include, but not limited to, decomposed granite, crushed granite screenings, and/or crushed granite aggregates, or a combination thereof. The granite rock (210) is used for its ability to trap finer particles, further enhancing the system's filtration capabilities and preventing clogging of the underlying layers, which may deteriorate the permeable paving system (10) over a period of time. The second or base layer (200) of granite rock (210) can be approximately 1-2 inches in depth in permeable paving system (10) installed in patios and walkways, and approximately 3-4 inches when the permeable paving system (10) is installed in driveways whereas the size of the granite rocks used in the base layer is preferably ¼ inch, ¾ inch, ½ inch in diameter or combination thereof.

The use of granite rocks (210) in the base layer (200) effectively distributes the weight of vehicles and pedestrians, preventing the pavement from settling or deforming under load. This contributes to the long-term stability and performance of the multi-layered permeable paving system.

The multi-layered permeable paving system (10) further comprises a third layer (300) of coarse sand (310) above the base layer (200), wherein the coarse sand (310) acts as a filter for debris and sediment while maintaining permeability of the system (10). The coarse sand's particle size distribution prevents clogging of the underlying layers and allows water to pass through freely. The coarse sand (310) has more fissures and cracks thereby filtering the rainwater away from the surface. Further, the layer (300) of coarse sand (310) is installed to provide firmness and stability to the layer above the layer of coarse sand (310) to rest on. The coarse sand (310) is chosen for its economic value, high permeability, and strength when installed properly. In one embodiment, the coarse sand may be mixed with at least one of fine gravel, crushed stone screenings, porous polymeric sand to increase stability and load-bearing capacity of the entire permeable paving system (10). The layer (300) of coarse sand (300) is approximately 1-2 inches in depth, irrespective of the location where the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) is installed.

The multi-layered permeable paving system (10) further comprises a fourth or top layer (400) overlaid with permeable surface material, wherein the permeable surface material consists of a plurality of permeable pavers (410) positioned in a way to form voids (420) in between, wherein the voids (420) comprises fillers (430) to facilitate effective storm water infiltration and enhance pavement performance of the permeable paving system (10). The permeable pavers (410) with voids (420) on the top layer (400), completes the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) of the present invention. The pavers'(410) permeability allows water to infiltrate through the entire structure of the multi-layered paving system (10). The pavers could be approximately 2-3 inches in depth.

The permeable pavers (410) are preferably made of materials including, but not limited to, porous concrete, permeable asphalt, or a combination of gravel, pebbles, natural mulch, or a combination thereof. The voids (420) may be filled with fillers selected from filler gravel, pea gravel, drought tolerant covers, or a combination thereof. The permeable surface material in the top layer can further make the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) cost effective as the material for pavers (410) & voids (420) is easily and economically available.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-layered paving system (10) may further include a fifth layer (500) of permeable textile material (510) to enhance the performance and longevity of the multi-layered permeable paving system (10). The permeable textile material (510) can be geotextile fabric or filter fabric and is often incorporated into permeable paver systems. It is positioned underneath the sub-base layer (100) of drain rocks (110) to prevent clogging and maintain the separation of layers of the permeable paving system (10). The fifth layer (500) of permeable textile material (510) ensures the long-term drainage efficiency of the permeable paving system (10). The type of the permeable fabric (510) incorporated will depend on the specific project requirements like soil type, expected loads, and desired flow rates.

The permeable paving system (10) will further comprise a subgrade layer (not shown in figures) of compacted existing soil underneath the fifth layer (500) of permeable textile material (510) or the first sub-base layer (100) of the permeable paving system (10).

Installation of the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) includes digging ½ ft-1 ft deep in the ground and lining the excavated plot with layer (500) of permeable textile material (510) such as geotextile fabric. The materials of the sub-base layer (100), base layer (200), and layer (300) of coarse sand (310) are added one after the other followed by the top layer (400). The permeable pavers (410) in the top layer (400) are positioned 0.25-1 inch apart thereby forming voids (420) in between which are filled with fillers (430) such as pea gravel. The pavers (410) and gravel (430) are leveled and properly aligned. The multi-layered permeable paving system (10) can be installed in approx. 1-3 hours per 100 sq. ft.

The top layer (400) of the multi-layered paving system (10) can be adapted for aesthetic and economical purposes when the permeable paving system is being installed in driveways, walkways, and backyards. In some embodiments, the top layer (400) could be configured according to the location of installation, for example, more aesthetic material can be chosen for the top layer if the permeable paving system (10) is being installed in a residential area.

Other materials that can be used in the multi-layered preamble paying system include different types of permeable aggregates, recycled materials, and various types of grass or ground cover. The steps in the installation process could be adjusted to accommodate different environmental conditions or specific use cases, such as heavier traffic areas.

The permeable paving system (10) with its multi-layer (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) structure is configured to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion by allowing water to infiltrate the ground and replenish the groundwater supplies, thereby contributing to sustainable water management. The multi-layer structure of the permeable paving system (10) improves the water quality entering the ground and nearby waterways by filtering the pollutants and sediments. The system further reduces the urban heat island effect by reducing the surface water runoff.

In some embodiments, the multi-layered permeable paving system (10) described herein is configured to include an underwater storage system to collect the rainwater (600) which helps in reducing water scarcity. The underwater storage system comprises rain gardens (610), French drains, drainage pipes and collection chambers, reservoirs. Further, the collected water (620) can be immediately used as the multi-layers of the permeable paving system described herein helps in filtering the sedimentation and particulates from the runoff storm water thereby reducing the step of cleaning the water collected.

The present invention provides a permeable paving system with a multi-layered structure that optimizes drainage, filtration, and load-bearing capacity. The said system represents a significant advancement in storm water management and offers numerous environmental benefits.

While many of the fundamental characteristics and features of the multi-layered permeable paving system have been described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it should be apparent that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention as defined herein.