AU2003100845A4

AU2003100845A4 - Water Management System

Info

Publication number: AU2003100845A4
Application number: AU2003100845A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Randall CRISP
Original assignee: ACTION TANK IND Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ACTION TANK INDUSTRIES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-08
Filing date: 2003-10-08
Publication date: 2003-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-08
Also published as: AU2003100845B4

Description

A WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

FIELD

The present invention relates to a water management system and in particular to a water management system that incorporates reusing water in nonpotable applications.

BACKGROUND

Conservation and better management of water in a domestic or agricultural setting is important for the environment, especially in dry climates.

Water storage may improve water management, as water may readily be collected during rainfall, until it is needed at a later time. In this way there is less demand on the mains water supply and better use is made of available water.

Water storage is particularly important in remote or dry locations, where large tanks may be used to catch water especially for domestic use. Thus water tanks have been commonly used to trap rainwater, especially making use of run off from roofs through a system of gutters and downpipes. Rainwater is especially useful in non-potable applications as the water quality does not need to comply with the higher standards required for drinking water.

Rainwater tanks are well known as a means of collection and storing rain water. Generally they consist of a tank with an inlet at the top for allowing water to enter the tank and a valved outlet at the base for controlling the removal of water from the tank. The head of the water creates the flow from the tank through the tap.

A disadvantage of these tanks is that they are located above the ground and occupy space on the land, often being unsightly, large and cumbersome. Further the tanks are only able to provide a source of water whilst they contain water, limiting their usefulness in some applications such as irrigation.

We have now found a water management system that facilitates the efficient use of management of water or at least provides the consumer with a useful commercial choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a water management system comprising: a tank for storing water, said tank having a base and a top connected by at least one wall; an inlet near the top of the tank to allow collected water to flow into the tank for storage; an outlet located on the top of the tank for water to be removed from the tank; and a pump to pump stored water from the tank to the outlet; the water management system further comprising: a secondary water supply to flow into the tank for storage; a float located within the tank and near the base to indicate when the water drops below a predetermined level in the tank; and a valve attached to the float disposed between the tank to permit the flow of water from the secondary water supply to the tank when the float indicates the level is at or below the predetermined level.

Water may enter a tank through the inlet and be stored within the tank until it is pumped to the outlet, when required. A sensor may be located in the base of the tank so that when the water level drops to a predetermined level a valve is open to permit the flow of water from a secondary water supply, such as a mains water supply, into the tank, the water may be diverted into the tank by providing an air gap between the secondary water supply pipe and second tank inlet to stop backflow entering the secondary water supply pipe.

The tank may be of a suitable size to store a requisite amount of water for use. Thus the dimensions of the tank are determined by the amount of water required and by the space available for installing the tank underground. Thus in some circumstances it may be necessary to form the tank as a rectangular prism, a cylinder or some other suitable shape. Other shapes may be desirable to maximise the volume of water held and the available space underground. The base and top are generally horizontal and connected by a circular wall for cylindrical tanks and four walls for rectangular tanks.

The tank may be a cylindrical container made out of galvanised steel or some other corrosive resistant material such as plastic or aluminium. The tank may be made of suitable material for holding water underground and resisting corrosion from the water and the soil environments. Further the tank is vermin proof, ensuring the water is not contaminated by drowned vermin.

The tank portion may be buried below ground to hide the bulk of the water storage. The ground may be excavated for installation and the pump and plumbing left above ground for easy access to perform maintenance and repairs.

By providing a wider base, the tank may be wedged below the ground with the upper portion acting as an anchor when buried. This shape prevents the tank from floating upward in the earth, as a straight walled shape would be inclined to do.

Rain or storm water may be collected from pipes and fed into the tank for storage via the first inlet. The first inlet is of a suitable size to allow egress of the water from the external pipes and is located at or near the top of the tank, so that water may be collected up to the height and overflow outside the tank. The first inlet may also act as a gravity overflow, having a gap for water to flow out of the tank when is full to capacity.

The second inlet may comprise a sleeve entering the tank with a filter such as a stainless steel gauze, to filter the water before it enters the tank. The second inlet is positioned by an air gap a suitable height below the secondary water source to ensure any backflow from the tank (for instance when the tank is full) flows to the ground and cannot backflow into the secondary water source.

Water may be pumped to flow from the tank to the outlet. Any suitable pump may be used including an electric or mechanically driven pump.

The system may also include a pressure tank on the top of the tank to store a volume of water drawn by the pump from the tank. The pressure tank may remain full, so that when a user turns a tap at the outlet, water may be supplied from the pressure tank while the pump draws more water up from the base of the tank.

When the pump is activated, generally by the tap being turned, water is drawn up and refills the pressure tank so that when the pressure thank is full the pumped water bypasses the present tank to deliver water directly to the outlet.

The sensor may be a float that registers the level of the water by the buoyancy of the float. When sufficient water is present the float may be kept afloat, while a drop in water level causes the float to sink.

The float may be connected by a rod to a ball valve linked to the pump such that when the float sinks the ball valve directs the secondary water supply into the tank. The secondary water supply, is diverted to fill the tank until the water level is sufficient to keep the float raised. In this way, there may be a constant supply of water, to the tank which remains filled to the predetermined level. Generally the secondary water supply will be mains water.

Preferably a housing is located on the top of the tank for containing the pump, the valve, the outlet and the secondary water supply. By providing the pump, the valve, the outlet and the secondary water supply above ground, they may be conveniently repaired and maintained rather than creating a need to excavate or perform underground repairs. The housing may contain all of the components above ground level for convenience in installation and provides protection of the system from damage by impact.

The housing and tank may be provided in an integrated unit, making it easier to install, as the tank may be installed in an excavated hole with power and mains water easily fitted through the housing. Thus all access points may be provided above ground for safety and ease of maintenance.

The lid of the housing may be attached to the housing using sufficiently small flanges that ensure no dangerous edges protrude if the housing is removed by impact for example, by being hit by a vehicle driven above ground.

The pump and power point may be provided on a raised platform to avoid water damage from egress, splash or leakage of water from the pump. The housing may additionally include a support structure to hold a lid above the pump and provide ventilation space. Spaces may be provided in the housing for ventilation and the flow of excess water from storm overflow. Meshing may be provided over all vents and holes to stop vermin accessing the inside of the tank or housing.

A second pump may be attached to a second outlet external to the housing for fire fighting. This second outlet may include a cam lock to ensure access to the water is restricted to fire service pumps.

A preferred embodiment of the Invention will now be described by way of example only, in reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG 1 shows a cross sectional view of the underground water storage system according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG 2 shows a cross sectional side view of the housing according to one embodiment of the invention; and FIG 3 shows a top sectional view of the underground water storage system according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As may be seen in FIG 1, the underground water storage system may comprise a tank 20 having a base 21, top 22 and at least one wall 23 therebetween. A first inlet 24 and second inlet 45 may be provided near the top of the tank 20, so that water may be stored in the tank 20 and an outlet 26 may be provided above ground level for water to be pumped out of the tank by a pump 41. A float 31 is located near the base 21 of the tank within a sleeve 34, the float 31 linked to a valve 32 by a rod 33. The float 31 determines the level of water in the tank 20 relative to a predetermined water level. If the water level in the tank 20 drops below the predetermined water level of the float 31, the valve 32 may open to divert the secondary water supply to the tank 20 to be stored.

The float 31 is linked to the valve 32 so that when the water level is high, the float 31 keeps the valve 32 closed, but when the water level is low, the float 31 sinks and the valve 32 is gradually opened to allow the secondary water supply to flow into the tank 20. The float 31 may be attached to the valve 32 via a rod 33, the rod 33 and the valve 32 enclosed within a sleeve 34 to provide protection against water waves, rifts and ripples to ensure accurate sensing of the water level and rigidity for transport.

The pump 41, the valve 32, the secondary water supply 43 and the outlet 26 may be conveniently located within housing The shape of the tank 20 is shown to taper from the base 21 to the top 22, to provide a self fixing support when installed in the ground. Further the weight of water inside the tank 20 may ensure the base 21 is heavier than the top 22, providing stability to the structure.

As shown in FIG 2, the valve 32 may be a ball valve 32 linked to the float 31, such that when the float 31 sinks the valve 32 causes the secondary water supply to flow to the tank 20. A second pump used externally may be attached to a second outlet 25, to provide water for fire fighting. This second outlet 25 may include a cam lock to ensure access to the water is restricted.

As may be seen in FIGS 2 and 3, the mains inlet pipe 43 may be pivotally linked to the valve 32 such that the mains inlet pipe 43 is engaged by the valve 32 to fill the tank 20 with water from the secondary water supply directed to through the filter 45 returning to the tank 20. The water is diverted by a mains inlet pipe 43 which is located at a suitable height above the second inlet 45 to prevent backflow into the secondary water supply.

The system may also include a pressure tank 40 to store a volume of water drawn by the pump 41 from the tank 20. The pressure tank 40 remains full, so that when a user turns a tap at the outlet 26 water is supplied from the pressure tank until the pump 41 draws more water up from the base of the tank 20. When the pump 41 is activated, generally by the tap being turned, the pump 41 draws up water from the tank 20 and refills the pressure tank 40 so that when the pressure tank 40 is full, the pumped water bypasses the pressure tank 40 to deliver water directly to the outlet 26 until the tap is turned off.

The housing 50 may include a structural member 51 for supporting a lid 52 above the pumps 40, 41 to allow access to the above ground parts for maintenance and repair. The outlet 26 may be located outside the housing 50 for ease of connection, as may the power point 53.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

The term "comprise", or variations of the term such as "comprises" or "comprising", are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

Claims

1. A water management system comprising: a tank for storing water, said tank having a base and a top connected by at least one wall; an inlet near the top of the tank to allow collected water to flow into the tank for storage; an outlet located on the top of the tank for water to be removed from the tank; and a pump to pump stored water from the tank to the outlet; the water management system further comprising: a secondary water supply to flow into the tank for storage; a float located within the tank and near the base to indicate when the water drops below a predetermined level in the tank; and a valve attached to the float disposed between the tank to permit the flow of water from the secondary water supply to the tank when the float indicates the level is at or below the predetermined level.

2. A water management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tank includes a suction pipe from the base of the tank to a second outlet for connection to an external fire fighting pump system.

3. A water management system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a pressure tank is disposed between the pump and the outlet to ensure water is stored for supply when the outlet is opened.

4. A water management system according to claim 3 wherein a bypass system is disposed between the pressure tank and the pump so that when the pump is engaged, water flows directly from the tank to the outlet, bypassing the pressure tank. 8 A water management system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one tank wall tapers so that the base is wider than the top and the tank is wedged below ground. DATED this 8 t h day of October 2003 By His Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.