Modular, scalable liquid management system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a modular, scalable liquid management system. The disclosed system is modular in that it is assembled from a few primary components. The system is scalable because the primary components are adapted to be re-sized and combined to form a system as wide, deep, and/or long as needed. In various exemplary embodiments, the system is assembled from a plurality of base components and arm components that are tightly connected to form the liquid management system. To resist shifting or separation of system components, the liquid management system is firmly anchored to the ground at multiple locations throughout the system.

1 . A modular, scalable liquid management system, comprising:
 a plurality of corrugated, connectable ditch liner components, comprising:
 at least one base; and 
 at least one arm; 
 wherein:
 the ditch liner components are adapted to be cut to change their shape or reduce their length and/or width without compromising their connectability; 
 the ditch liner components are adapted for connection to components of the same type for increasing one or more dimensions of the liquid management system; and 
 the ditch liner components are adapted for side-to-side coupling of components and end-to-end coupling of components; 
 
   a sealant for placement between adjacent components at or about the point of connection;   a plurality of fasteners for coupling ditch liner components together; and   at least one anchoring system attachable to one or more ditch-liner components for securing the liquid management system in place;   wherein the ditch liner components are adapted to be assembled into the liquid management system by:
 connecting a plurality of base components side-to-side and/or end-to-end to form the base of a liquid management system; 
 connecting a plurality of arm components end-to-end and/or side-to-side to form a first wall of a liquid management system; 
 connecting a plurality of arm components end-to-end and/or side-to-side to form a second wall of a liquid management system; and 
 connecting the first wall to a first side of the base and connecting the second wall to a second side of the base to form a liquid management system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular, scalable liquid management system of  claim 1 , wherein the ditch liner components further comprise:
 a first smaller corrugation; and   a second larger corrugation;   wherein the ditch liner components may be connected end-to-end by overlapping two components with second corrugation atop the first corrugation.   
     
     
         3 . The modular, scalable liquid management system of  claim 1 , wherein the ditch liner components further comprise:
 a first side;   a second side adapted for connection to the first side of another component;   wherein the first side and second side are connectable by overlapping the first side over the second side.   
     
     
         4 . The modular, scalable liquid management system of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm component and the second arm component each further comprise:
 a main body section; and   a foot section at a first side of the arm component that is inclined upwardly at an obtuse angle to the plane of the main body of the arm component for connecting to a base section.   
     
     
         5 . The modular, scalable liquid management system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm component further comprises:
 a main body section; and   a knuckle section at a second side of the arm component that is inclined downwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the main body section to form an overhang at a side of the liquid management system.   
     
     
         6 . The modular, scalable liquid management system of claim wherein the anchoring system further comprises:
 an anchor adapted for insertion into the ground;   a cable attached to the anchor; and   a cable lock adapted to attach to the cable such that the end of the cable not attached to the anchor is passed through the cable lock and can be advanced down the cable toward the anchor, but not away from the anchor;   wherein. the anchor system is adapted to secure the liquid management system in place by:
 inserting the anchor into the ground; 
 passing the cable through the one or more ditch liner components; 
 inserting the cable into the cable lock between the anchor and the cable lock; and 
   securing the cable lock against the one or more ditch liner components by advancing the cable through the cable lock until the cable is taut.   
     
     
         7 . The modular, scalable liquid management system of  claim 1  wherein the sealant comprises a gasket and/or adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling a modular, scalable liquid management system, comprising:
 providing a plurality of corrugated, connectable ditch liner corn orients, comprising:
 a plurality of base components wherein the ditch liner base components have corrugations adapted for side-to-side connecting and end-to-end connecting of base components; and 
 a plurality of arm components wherein the ditch liner first arm components have corrugations adapted for side-to-side connecting and end-to-end connecting of first arm components; 
 wherein the liquid management system is scalable by:
 removing a portion of a ditch liner component; and/or 
 connecting two or more of the same components side-to-side; 
 
   assembling the liquid management system by:
 forming a base segment, comprising one or more base components sized to a chosen shape by cutting the base components and/or connecting the base components side to side; 
 extending the base segment by connecting one or more additional base components end-to-end to the base segment; 
 connecting a first arm segment to the base segment, wherein the first arm segment comprises one or more arm components sized to a chosen size by cutting the arm components and/or connecting the arm components side to side; 
 connecting a second arm segment to the base segment, wherein the second segment comprises one or more arm components sized to a chosen size by cutting the arm components and/or connecting the arm components side to side; 
 placing a sealant in or at the connecting points of connected ditch liner components; and 
 extending the liquid management system by connecting additional base components, first arm components, and second arm components to the liquid management system; and 
   anchoring the liquid management system in place with an anchoring system.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , the anchoring system further comprising:
 an anchor adapted for insertion into the ground;   a cable attached to the anchor; and   a cable lock adapted to attach to the cable such that the end of the cable not attached to the anchor is passed through the cable lock and can be advanced down the cable toward the anchor, but not away from the anchor;   wherein the anchor system is adapted to secure the liquid management system in place by:
 inserting the anchor into the ground; 
 passing the cable through the one or more ditch liner components; 
 inserting the cable into the cable lock between the anchor and the cable lock; and 
   securing the cable lock against the one or more ditch liner components by advancing the cable through the cable lock until the cable is taut.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 inserting an anchor connected to a cable into the ground;   passing the cable through an opening in one or more of the ditch liner components;   passing the anchor cable into the cable lock;   wherein the opening in one or more of the ditch liner components is sized such that the cable lock will not pass through the opening; and   pulling the anchor cable through the cable lock until the cable lock abuts the one or more of the ditch liner components and the anchor cable is taut.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid management system is anchored at locations where two or more component corners are connected. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the liquid management system is assembled starting at a downstream or outlet end of the system and adding components to extend the system to an upstream or inlet end of the system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting of two or more ditch liner components together comprises the use of one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of applying a sealant comprises:
 placing a gasket and/or adhesive between overlapping ditch liner components; and   connecting the ditch liner components with a fastener;   wherein the gasket and/or adhesive is compressed between the ditch liner components to provide a tight seal.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of applying a sealant comprises applying caulking to connected components along a line formed between the edge of the ditch liner component that overlaps onto another ditch liner component to which it is connected.