Patent Publication Number: US-2023132913-A1

Title: Dual-Purpose Flood and Drought Relief System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/275,623, which was filed on Nov. 4, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of flood relief. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system. The system can be used to redirect water from flooded areas to areas in need of water due to a lack of supply and/or drought. The system is comprised of at least one pump station that can be placed in a body of water. When flooding occurs, at least one water sensor is activated such that the pump begins pumping flood water through the system. The system may be comprised of at least one filter that is preferably a multi-layered carbon filter. Using a hydroelectric and magnetic compass, the system redirects the flood water through a tubing/piping to deliver water to drought-stricken locations. The tubing may be installed in a plurality of locations such as, but not limited to, highways, roadways, railways, bridges, etc., to easily transport water using the system. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Excessive flooding causes significant damage to communities, environments, human life, wildlife, and more. During flooding, individuals may be left with no other option other than just waiting for floodwaters to subside to begin rebuilding and recovering. In addition, many areas in the United States suffer from drought. At times, these areas do not possess enough water for sustainability. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding by removing floodwater from a flooded area. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that can be used to transport flood water to drought-stricken areas. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system. The system can be used to redirect water from flooded areas to areas in need of water due to lack of supply and/or drought. The system is comprised of at least one pump that can be placed in a body of water. When flooding occurs, at least one water sensor is activated such that the pump begins pumping flood water through the system. The system may be comprised of at least one filter. The filter is preferably a multi-layered carbon filter. Using a hydroelectric and magnetic compass, the system redirects the flood water through a tubing/piping to deliver water to drought-stricken locations. The tubing may be installed in a plurality of locations such as, but not limited to, highways, roadways, railways, bridges, etc., to easily transport water using the system. 
     In this manner, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding. To do so, the system removes floodwater from a flooded area. In addition, the floodwater can be transported to drought-stricken areas. As a result, the system solves both flooding and drought-related issues simultaneously. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system. The system can be used to redirect water from flooded areas to areas in need of water due to lack of supply and/or drought. The system is comprised of at least one intake pump station. The pump station is preferably positioned within a body of water and is comprised of at least one pump. 
     The intake pump station may also be comprised of at least one filtration system. In one embodiment, the filtration system is comprised of a mesh screen having a multi-layered carbon filter that prevents harmful contaminants from entering the system. The filter may be comprised of zeolite beads that are receptive to H20 molecules. 
     The system may be manually activated or can be automatically activated via at least one water level sensor. The water level sensor can be placed at any height above ground level and detects the presence of water at and above the level of the sensor. As a result, the sensor will be triggered when flooding occurs. The sensor is in wireless electrical communication with the intake pump station and/or the pump such that the pumping of water from the body of water begins. Water is then pumped through the system via piping. 
     The piping may be comprised of at least one valve. The valve is preferably an arterial valve. The valve separates wastewater from clean water within the system. In one embodiment, the valve is comprised of at least one filter. The filter may be any filter type known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the filter is comprised of a capillary filtration system. 
     The piping is comprised of an outer surface. The outer surface is preferably made of a heat-resistant para-aramid synthetic fiber, a steel material, or any material of the like that is puncture and tamper-resistant. As a result, the outer surface protects the piping from damage. 
     The system may also be comprised of a method of using the system. First, the system is installed near a body of water wherein at least one intake pump station is placed in the body of water and at least one water level sensor is placed near the body of water at or above ground level. Once the water level sensor detects water in the event of flooding, the intake pump station begins pumping water through the system via the piping. Then, the water within the system is filtered by the filtration system and the valve. Next, at least one hydroelectric and magnetic compass redirects the water through the tubing to deliver water to drought-stricken locations. The tubing may be installed in a plurality of locations such as, but not limited to, highways, roadways, railways, bridges, etc., to easily transport water using the system. 
     Accordingly, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding. To do so, the system removes floodwater from a flooded area. In addition, the floodwater can be transported to drought-stricken areas. In this manner, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system solves both flooding and drought-related issues simultaneously. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding by removing floodwater from a flooded area. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that can be used to transport flood water to drought-stricken areas. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that can be used to redirect water from flooded areas to areas in need of water due to lack of supply and/or drought. The system is comprised of at least one intake pump station. The pump station is preferably positioned within a body of water and is comprised of at least one pump. The primary purpose of the system is to ultimately preserve the integrity of individual ecosystems, though it is also intended to deliver potable water to various lakes, rivers and reservoirs. 
     The intake pump station may also be comprised of at least one filtration system. The filtration system may be comprised of a mesh screen having a multi-layered carbon filter that prevents harmful contaminants from entering the system. The filter may be comprised of zeolite beads that are receptive to H20 molecules. 
     The system may be manually activated or can be automatically activated via at least one water level sensor that can be placed at any height above ground level and detects the presence of water at and above the level of the sensor. As a result, the sensor will be triggered when flooding occurs. The sensor is in wireless electrical communication with the intake pump station and/or the pump such that the pumping of water from the body of water begins. Water is then pumped through the system via piping. 
     The piping may be comprised of at least one valve that is preferably an arterial valve. The valve separates wastewater from clean water within the system. In one embodiment, the valve is comprised of at least one filter. The filter may be any filter type known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the filter is comprised of a capillary filtration system that separates wastewater from clean water. 
     The piping is comprised of an outer surface. The outer surface is preferably made of a heat-resistant para-aramid synthetic fiber, a steel material, or any material of the like that is puncture and tamper-resistant. As a result, the outer surface protects the piping from damage. 
     The system may also be comprised of a method of using the system. First, the system is installed near a body of water wherein at least one intake pump station is placed in the body of water and at least one water level sensor is placed near the body of water at or above ground level. Once the water level sensor detects water in the event of flooding, the intake pump station begins pumping water through the system via the piping. Then, the water within the system is filtered by the filtration system and the valve. Next, at least one hydroelectric and magnetic compass redirects the water through the tubing to deliver water to drought-stricken locations. The tubing may be installed in a plurality of locations such as, but not limited to, highways, roadways, railways, bridges, etc., to easily transport water using the system. 
     Accordingly, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system that mitigates the effects of flooding. To do so, the system removes floodwater from a flooded area. In addition, the floodwater can be transported to drought-stricken areas. In this manner, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system solves both flooding and drought-related issues simultaneously. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The system  100  can be used to redirect water from flooded areas to areas in need of water due to a lack of supply and/or drought. The system  100  is comprised of at least one intake pump station  180 . The pump station  180  is preferably positioned within a body of water  10 . The intake pump station  180  is preferably comprised of at least one pump  182 . The pump  182  may be any pump type known in the art. However, the pump  182  is preferably a pressurized, hydraulic pump. The pump  182  may also be a siphoning pump or any other similar piece of equipment of the like that achieves a siphon. 
     The intake pump station  180  may also be comprised of at least one filtration system  150 . In one embodiment, the filtration system  150  is a mesh screen. However, the filtration system  150  may be any system type known in the art. 
     In one embodiment, the filtration system  150  is comprised of a mesh screen having a multi-layered carbon filter  152 . The carbon filter  152  prevents harmful contaminants from entering the system. The filter  152  may be comprised of zeolite beads  156 . The beads  156  are receptive to H20 molecules. The beads  156  also generate heat during the pasteurization process. 
     The filtration system  150  may also be comprised of at least one catchment area  154  that captures animal and plant life and prevents the same from entering the system  100 . In one embodiment, the system  150  is positioned downstream from the intake pump station  180 . This results in little to no ecosystem disturbance or transference of marine life and aquaculture. 
     The system  100  may be manually activated via controls on the pump  182 . In another embodiment, the system  100  is automatically activated via at least one water level sensor  160 . The water level sensor  160  can be placed at any height above ground level  20 . The sensor  160  detects the presence of water at and above the level of the sensor  160 . Therefore, in the event of flooding, the sensor  160  will be triggered. 
     The sensor  160  is in wireless electrical communication with the intake pump station  180  and/or the pump  182  such that pumping of water from the body of water  10  begins. Water is then pumped through the system  100  via piping  140 . The piping  140  may be of any type known in the art. 
     The system  100  may also be comprised of at least one hydroelectric generator  130  that generates electricity from water flowing through the system  100 . The generator  130  provides power to at least one transformer  120  which can be used to transfer electricity to at least one power cable  110 . This electricity may then be used as needed. This electricity can also be used to power the system  100  such that it is self-contained and creates its own energy source as a closed loop, both pressurized and propelled by the pump  182  and/or generator  130 . 
     The piping/tubing  140  may be comprised of at least one valve  142 . The valve  142  may be any valve type known in the art. The valve  142  is preferably an arterial valve. The valve  142  is connected to the piping  140  and may also be connected to an existing overflow spillage component of a hydroelectric dam or river basin (not shown). The valve  142  separates wastewater from clean water within the system  100 . The valve  142  may be any material known in the art. In one embodiment, the valve  142  is made from a plastic material such as, but not limited to, recovered plastics, ethylene chloride, acetate vinyl, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the valve  142  is comprised of at least one filter  146 . The filter  146  may be any filter type known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the filter  146  is comprised of a capillary filtration system having at least one internal streamline filter that separates waste water from clean water. The filter  146  may encompass features of the filtration system  150  described supra. 
     The piping  140  is comprised of an outer surface  144 . The outer surface  144  is preferably made of a heat-resistant para-aramid synthetic fiber, a steel material, or any material of the like that is puncture and tamper-resistant. As a result, the outer surface  144  protects the piping  140  from damage. In one embodiment, the piping  140  is comprised of above-ground hydro-tubing or any other similar piping/tubing known in the art. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a flowchart of a method  200  of using one potential embodiment of a dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The system  100  may also be comprised of a method  200  of using the system  100 . First, the system  100  is installed near a body of water  10  [Step  202 ]. More specifically, this step entails placing at least one intake pump station  180  in a body of water  10  and placing at least one water level sensor  160  near the body of water  10  at or above ground level. Once the water level sensor  160  detects water in the event of flooding, the intake pump station  180  begins pumping water through the system  100  via the piping  140  [Step  204 ]. Then, the water within the system  100  is filtered by the filtration system  150  and the valve  142  [Step  206 ]. Additionally, the water within the system  100  generates electricity via the generator  130 , such that the electricity can be used to power the system  100  or for some secondary purpose [Step  208 ]. Then, at least one hydroelectric and magnetic compass  170  redirects the water through the tubing  140  to deliver water to drought-stricken locations [Step  210 ]. It should be appreciated that the tubing  140  may be installed in a plurality of locations structures  30  such as, but not limited to, highways, roadways, railways, bridges, etc., to easily transport water using the system  100 , as seen in  FIG.  2   . 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “dual-purpose flood and drought relief system” and “system” are interchangeable and refer to the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the dual-purpose flood and drought relief system  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.