AU2012233047B2 - Roofing panel water diverting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A water diverting structure for roofing of profiled panels, for use in diverting water flowing down the panel around a penetration and/or installation mounted over or in a roofing penetration, includes gutter sections. An inlet end gutter section is able to be 5 positioned for receiving water flowing in pans of the panel towards the penetration. An outlet end gutter section is able to be positioned to pass water to pans of the panel extending away from the penetration. An intermediate gutter section for passing water received from the inlet end section to the outlet end section is able to be positioned above a normal roof surface of the panel defined by the pans. ,:T C) CY) co

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: ROOFING PANEL WATER DIVERTING STRUCTURE Applicant: Stramit Corporation Pty Limited The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 0067 JCL 2 ROOFING PANEL WATER DIVERTING STRUCTURE Field of the Invention This invention relates to a water diverting structure for roofing of profiled panels, for use in diverting water around a penetration and/or installation mounted over or in a 5 penetration. Background to the Invention Installations frequently encountered on roofing of profiled panels or sheeting include devices or units such as air-conditioning units, skylights, access hatches, exhaust fan 10 outlets, pipe vents and the like. Each of these necessitates a penetration through at least one profiled panel or sheeting of the roofing. With relatively small penetrations, such as for a pipe vent, effective sealing can be achieved around the periphery of the penetration by a suitably fitted rubber or metal boot or jack with which rain water run off is not difficult to accommodate. However, with larger installations, sealing around 15 the periphery of a penetration is more difficult to achieve, and more complex arrangements are necessary both to achieve sealing and to divert rain-water effectively, and substantially without pooling of water such as at the higher side of the installation. 20 In current practice it is known to divert water around a larger penetration by cutting away all or part of the roof profiled panel or sheeting, including the ribs, above and slightly to each side of the penetration. The cut away area is replaced by a flat or near flat sheet, usually known as an apron, which is carefully attached and sealed to the remaining roof sheeting and sometimes to the device or unit, when installed, that is to 25 penetrate the roof. If there is a modest combined roof run length of the pans/troughs contributing water, particularly storm-water, to the apron, there may be sufficient capacity for all the water simply to be diverted into the next pan/trough on each side of the penetration and thereafter to the roof eave. If there is insufficient capacity it may be necessary to contrive for the water to be spread into more than one pan on 30 each side, by cutting away more sheet ribs and extending the apron. In this and in the previous case it may be necessary to attach water deflectors and/or a water weir to favourably direct and control the water flow. Sometimes a similar apron is positioned on the downstream side of the penetration in order that water can be re-diverted into pans/troughs with spare drainage capacity.

3 On large roofs, especially towards the lower edge of the roof, and/or where the penetration is large, and/or where the sheeting profile is low and has limited capacity, such means may be inadequate. To overcome this either the apron areas have gutter-like sidewalls added that are higher than the roofing profile, or a separate 5 gutter-like unit is made that may sit wholly or partly on the apron. Occasionally water is then directed into either an open gutter-like channel or a closed downpipe that runs along the roof sheeting all the way to the eave. The present invention is directed to providing a water diverter structure which 10 provides an alternative to current practice which, at least in preferred forms of the invention provides more effective water diversion. Broad Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a water diverting structure for 15 roofing of profiled panels, for use in diverting water flowing down the panel and around a penetration and/or installation mounted over or in a roofing penetration, wherein the water diverting structure includes gutter sections which include an inlet end gutter section able to be positioned for receiving water flowing in pans of the panel towards the penetration; an outlet end gutter section able to be positioned to 20 pass water to pans of the panel extending away from the penetration; and an intermediate gutter section for passing water received from the inlet end section to the outlet end section; wherein the intermediate section is able to be positioned above a normal roof surface of the panel defined by the pans; and wherein the inlet end gutter section has a plurality of laterally adjacent gutter lengths each able to fit substantially 25 within a respective pair of ribs, on a pan or trough of the roofing panel, wherein each of the laterally adjacent gutter lengths is fixed on or sits wholly or partly on a respective pan or trough. The penetration may have one side which is closely adjacent to a wall or other 30 structure projection above roofing covered in part by the panel. In such case an intermediate section may be required only at the other side of the penetration. However, in more usual arrangements in which the penetration is away from any wall or other structure, the water diverting structure of the invention is able to include a respective intermediate gutter section able to be positioned to pass water along each 35 side of the penetration.

4 Each of these adjacent lengths may be fixed on or sit wholly or partly on a respective pan or trough at the high or upper end and rise to a level at or above the ribs of the panel at the lower end. Also, the adjacent lengths extend towards the upper end of 5 the panel or roof for a sufficient distance to enable them to have a necessary downwards fall. Thus, for example, the roof may have a slope of say 3", with the laterally adjacent gutter lengths having a lesser slope of say 1". The adjacent lengths preferably are supported at appropriate positions between their ends, such as by stirrup brackets attached to the ribs of the profiled panel, to resist foot-traffic. At their 10 lower end, each of the adjacent lengths preferable is supported on and attached and sealed to an entry apron section. The inlet end gutter section may include at least one entry apron section in the form of a high-sided gutter which is tapered along its length to direct water from a number of 15 the adjacent lengths to the or a respective side gutter comprising the intermediate gutter section. As indicated above, the water may be diverted directly down only one side of the penetration. Where the water diverting structure is to divert water to and along each side of the penetration, two laterally adjacent such apron sections are provided, each to receive water from a respective number of the adjacent lengths and 20 to direct the water to a respective side gutter of the intermediate section. The or each entry apron may have one or more, typically one for each of the adjacent lengths, elongate water guides, weirs or deflectors to assist water flow. Also, each entry apron also may have one or more integrated or attached stiffeners to resist foot traffic. 25 The one or each side gutter of the intermediate gutter section may be a parallel high sided section able to transfer concentrated water flow from the entry apron, past the roof penetration. The side gutters preferably are supported directly or indirectly on the ribs of the roof sheeting at the sides of the penetration or on framing provided around and forming part of the penetration. 30 The outlet end section may be at least one exit apron or apron which, like the entry apron or aprons, may be in the form of a gutter that preferably has high sidewalls. The or each exit apron may have at least one water guide, weir or deflector to spread or 5 distribute the water flow into a number of streams corresponding to the number of pans or troughs into which the outlet end section is to return the water. The water diversion structure of the invention may capture most, but not all, of the 5 water to be diverted around the penetration. In that event, smaller volumes of water can continue to run beneath this structure. As a consequence a relatively short and narrow apron flashing preferably will be installed into the roofing panel immediately at the upper end of the penetration. However, while it is desirable to allow some water to pass beneath the diversion unit and also to incorporate an apron feature beneath, it is 10 possible, and can even be desirable, to completely seal the entry side and divert all of the water around the penetration. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be understood more readily, description now is 15 directed to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a profiled roofing panel on which a water diverting structure according to the present invention has been installed at a penetration through the panel; Figures 2 to 9 are respective perspective views as in Figure 1, showing successive 20 stages in the installation of the structure of Figure 1; Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views on an enlarged scale showing detail of the structure of Figure 1; and Figure 12 corresponds to Figure 1, but shows the installation in relation to the overlap between two successive profiled panels. 25 Figure 1 shows a profiled roofing panel 10 through which a rectangular opening12 has been cut. Also, Figure 1 shows a water diverting structure 14 installed on panel 10, around opening 12. As will be appreciated, opening 12 is an opening through panel 10. 30 As forming part of roofing of a building, panel 10 is installed with its longitudinal extent inclined downwardly to or towards an eave of the roof. The right-hand end of panel 10 is the upper end, with the left-hand end adjacent to or nearer to the eave and, hence, the lower end. The panel 10 has a plurality of longitudinal ribs 20 spaced uniformly 6 across its width, with the ribs 20 of each successive pair spaced by a respective substantially flat, relatively narrow pan 22. Each of the components of water diversion structure 14 is identified in Figure 1 by a 5 respective reference numeral. For ease of illustration, the components and their interrelationship with panel 10 and each other will become evident from the following description of Figures 2 to 11. The orientation described for panel 10 as shown in Figure 1 applies for panel 10 in each of Figures 2 to 9 and to each of the components of structure 14 shown in each of Figures 3 to 9. 10 Figure 2 shows panel 10 after formation of an opening 12, but before any component of structure 14 is put in position. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, opening 12 is of rectangular form, with upper and lower edges 12a and 12b nearer to and substantially parallel with the upper and lower end, respectively, of panel 10, and with side edges 15 12c substantially parallel with the sides of panel 10. Other rectangular forms, and forms other than rectangular, are possible for opening 12. However, in the arrangement shown, opening 12 departs from being rectangular only in that a short continuation 21 of each of ribs 20a to 20g of panel 10 projects beyond edge 12a and over opening 12, with continuations 21 located within continuations of edges 12c of 20 opening 12. Figure 3 shows a frame structure 24 which, with opening 12, completes the penetration around which the water diversion structure 14 is to be provided. The structure 24 forms a support on which an installation such as an air-conditioning unit 25 is able to be mounted. Structure 24 is secured on and sealed in relation to panel 10, over opening 12. The structure 24 has three parts and, to the extent that these are made separately, they may be assembled together with a watertight seal provided between the parts and between structure 24 and panel 10. The structure 24 includes a thin, flat base plate 26 that is substantially parallel to pans 22 of panel 10, and has a 30 lower surface substantially coplanar with the upper surface of pans 22. Plate 26 fits neatly between the upper and lower edges 12a and 12b of opening 12, but overlaps a respective pan 22 of panel 10 at each side edge 12c. Plate 26 is supported by panel 10 to each side of opening12 and extends below the continuations 21 of ribs 20a to 20g.

7 Overlying plate 26, structure 24 has a second plate 28 which is of lesser area than plate 26. Plate 28 has a dimension laterally of panel 10 which is substantially the same as the spacing between the side edges 12c of opening 12 so it is supported by 5 panel 10, via plate 26. As with plate 26, plate 28 has a lower end similarly positioned in relation to the lower edge 12b of opening 12, although the upper end of plate 28 is short of the upper edge 12a of opening 12 to expose an apron area 26a of plate 26. Between the upper edge of plate 28 and upper edge 12a of opening 12, the width of apron 26a longitudinally of panel 10 is such that the continuations 21 of ribs 20a to 10 20g overlie only a minor part of the width of apron 26a. Each of plate 26 and plate 28 defines a respective rectangular opening 30, each of substantially the same size, with the opening 30 of plate 28 substantially fully overlying that of plate 26. The openings 30 are disposed over opening 12, but are of 15 lesser area than opening 12. Around the perimeter of the openings 30 the component 24 has an upstanding rectangular frame 32 which is to accommodate the installation, such as an air-conditioning unit, to be positioned on and supported by structure 24. The opening 30 is such that frame 32 has an upper wall 32a close to the upper edge of the plate 28, a lower wall 32b spaced from the lower edge of plate 28 to leave a 20 narrow apron 28a of plate 28 along lower edge 12b of opening 12, and opposite side walls 32c spaced inwardly from the sides 12c of opening12 to leave side aprons 28b of plate 28. Each apron 28b has a width laterally of panel 10 that is substantially the combined width of two pans 22 plus a rib 20 there-between. The arrangement is such that, as shown in Figure 4, each apron 28b is able to support thereon a respective 25 longitudinally extending, shallow U-section gutter 34 of a first set of two channels of the water diverting structure 14. While gutters 34 are shallow, this is in relation to their width, as each gutter 34 has substantially parallel side walls 34a which are relatively high so as to extend above the height of ribs 20 of panel 10. Each gutter 34 is adjacent to, and of substantially the same length as, a respective side-wall 32c of 30 frame 32. The thickness of plates 26 and 28 is such that the base 34b of each gutter 34 is spaced slightly above the plane containing the uppermost surface of the pans 22 of panel 10 by a distance less than the height of ribs 20 above that plane. Also, the length of gutters 34 slightly exceeds the dimension between the upper and lower ends 8 of plate 28, so that a lower end section of each gutter 34 projects slightly beyond the lower end of plate 28. Figure 5 shows a second set of two further gutters 36 of water diverting structure 14, each in the form of an apron. However, unlike the parallel sides 34a of gutters 34, 5 each gutter 36 has an asymmetrical, trapezoidal base 36a and mutually inclined laterally outer and inner side walls 36b and 36c, respectively. Also, each gutter 36 is the mirror image of the other. As evident from Figure 5, each gutter 36 has a narrower end neatly received within the upper end of a respective gutter 34, and a wider end which for one gutter 36 is supported on the lower ends of the continuations 21 of ribs 10 20a to 20d and which for the other gutter 36 is supported on the continuations 21 of ribs 20d to 20g. To achieve this, the laterally outermost side wall 36b of each gutter 36 is inclined at a small angle to a respective one of ribs 20a and 20g, while the laterally inner side walls 36c of each gutter is inclined at a greater angle, across the line of about three ribs 20, so to converge together on continuation 21 of rib 20d. The 15 arrangement is such the water received onto the wider end of each of gutters 36 will flow to the narrower end of the gutter 36, and then onto and along a respective gutter 34. This is because panel 10 as installed is inclined down from its upper end to its lower end, such as at an angle not less than about 30, plates 26 and 28 are substantially parallel to panel 10 so that gutters 34 also are parallel with panel 10, 20 whereas each gutter 36, in having its wider end supported on continuations 21 of ribs 20a to 20g, is inclined in the same direction as panel 10 but at a slightly greater angle. Lower down panel 10 from the first set of gutters 34, water diverting structure 14 has a third set of gutters 38, as seen in Figure 6, in the form of two exit aprons. The third 25 set comprises two laterally adjacent gutters 38. Like the gutters 36 of the third set, each gutter 38 has an asymmetrical, trapezoidal base 38a and mutually inclined side walls 38b and 38c. However, the gutters 38 are disposed with the broader end of each gutter 38 nearer to the lower end of panel 10. Each gutter 38 rests on ribs 20 of panel 10, with one gutter supported on ribs 20a to 20d and the other gutter supported 30 on ribs 20d to 20g. The narrower, upper end of each gutter 38 is positioned adjacent to the lower end of plate 28, under the projecting end of a respective one of gutters 34.

9 The spacing between the side-walls 38b and 38c of each gutter 38 at the narrower end is such that the projecting end of the respective gutter 34 is neatly received there between. The laterally outer side-wall 38b of each gutter 38 is inclined at a small angle to a respective one of ribs 20a and 20g. In contrast, each laterally inner side 5 wall 38c is inclined at a greater angle, across the line of about three ribs 20, so as to converge together on rib 20d. Each of gutters 38 has its base 38a overlying a respective one of pans 22a to 22f located between successive pairs of ribs 20a to 20g. The arrangement is such that water received from a gutter 34, onto the narrower end of a respective gutter 38, is able to flow along the gutter 38 and then onto 10 respective pans 22. Water is able to flow from one gutter 38 onto pans 22a to 22c, while water from the other gutter 38 onto pans 22d to 22f. Thus, with the combined arrangement of the gutters 36, 34 and 38 of the second, first and third sets, water is able to flow around the frame 32 of the frame structure 24, and any installation for which frame 24 provides a penetration. The water passes from gutters 36, onto 15 gutters 34 and finally to gutter 38 before discharging from the water diversion structure 14 onto pans of panel 10. As shown in Figure 7, and also in Figure 8, the water diverting structure has a respective pair of guides 40 extending from adjacent the upper end of each gutter 36 20 of the second set, along the base 36a to adjacent to the lower end of the gutters 36 of that set. Like the side walls 36b and 36c of each of gutters 36, each guide 40 of each gutter 36 is at a respective angle. The guides 40 divide the base 36a such that, assuming a uniform run-off of water onto and across the upper end of a gutter 38, the guides 40 of that gutter 36 will divide the water into substantially equal streams which 25 pass to a respective gutter 34. As also shown in Figure 8, each gutter 38 is similarly divided by guides 42. The guides diverge at a respective angle from the upper end of gutter 36 to the lower end. Thus, water received by a gutter 38, from the respective gutter 34, is divided into 30 substantially equal streams each of which flows onto a respective pan 22. A respective stream of water is able to pass onto each of pans 22a to 22c from one gutter 38, and to pans 22d to 22f for the other gutter 38.

10 Reverting now to Figure 1, it can be seen that water diverting structure 14 has further gutters 44 comprising a fourth set of six gutters located higher up panel 10. Each of gutters 44 has the upper end of its base 44a supported on a respective one of pans 22a to 22f. The upper end of each pan 44a which is supported on one of pans 22a to 5 22c has the upper end of its base 44a supported on the same one of gutters 36, while each of the other three of gutters 44 has the upper end of its base 44a supported on the upper end of the other one of gutters 36. This arrangement is such that gutters 44 slope in the same direction as panel 10, but at a lesser angle on inclination. The angle at which gutters 44 are inclined is such that water received onto panel 10, above 10 gutters 44, is able to flow from the pans 22a to 22c and from pans 22d to 22f into and along the gutters 44 to the respective one of gutters 36. The gutters 36 have an inclination which is greater than that of panel 10, so water received along each of gutters 36 is able to flow into and along gutters 34 which have the same inclination as panel 10 but are spaced above the level of pans 22. As gutters 38 have a greater 15 inclination than panel 10 and, hence than gutters 34, water then is able to flow from gutters 34, into and along gutters 38 and return to panel 10 for flow along pans 22a to 22f. Between the sides 36c of gutters 36 and the transverse upper wall 32a of frame 32, 20 and between lower wall 32b and the sides 38c of gutters 38, there are respective triangular openings 46 and 47 through which rain is able to fall directly onto apron area 26a of plate 26 and onto panel 10, respectively. In the case of the lower opening 47, the water is able to fall on and flow down along panel 10 in the normal manner. In the case of the upper opening 46, the water is able to flow laterally across the upper 25 edge, and down along the side edges, of plate 28. The lateral flow is permitted as continuations 21 of ribs 20a to 20g terminate short of plate 28 and so do not obstruct the lateral flow. Also, as the lower end of each gutter 36 is supported on plate 28, there is a clearance between gutters 36 and apron area 26a of plate 26 such the gutters 36 also do not obstruct the lateral flow. Thus, pooling of water on apron area 30 26a at the upper edge of plate 28 is avoided, although any risk of pooling could be fully obviated by adopting a plate 28 which has a front edge which is inclined or curved slightly away from being perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of panel 10.

11 Gutters 34 are fully supported on plate 28 and therefore are able to withstand foot traffic. Also, gutters 36 and 38 are relatively short and, while persons working on a roof are unlikely to stand on them, gutters 36 and 38 therefore are sufficiently stiff to be able to accommodate foot-traffic loads without bending unduly, despite them being 5 supported only at their ends. However, not only are gutters 44 supported at their ends, they also need to be relatively long in order to be at a suitable angle of inclination. To avoid a risk of gutters 44 being bent by foot-traffic, they therefore preferably are further supported at intervals along their length by stirrup brackets 48 shown in Figure 9. In the arrangement shown, each of the brackets 48 consists of a 10 stiff metal strip which is shaped to correspond substantially to the transverse form of panel 10. Thus at intervals corresponding to the spacing between ribs 20 of panel 10, each bracket 48 has crests 48a each able to locate on one of successive ribs 20 to position a connecting length 48b, between successive crests 48a, above a pan 22. Each bracket 48 has each length 48b at a respective spacing from the pans 22 as 15 required for supporting each gutter 44 at chosen locations along its length. The gutters 44 are shown as separate. However, if required, they could be joined. In either case, gutters could comprise a section or respective sections of profiled material used for producing panels 10. 20 Figure 10 shows a cover 46 which, as shown in Figure 11, is used to close the gap between the side wall 44b of successive gutters 44. The side walls 44b of each gutter is inclined outwardly from the base 44a, oppositely with respect to each other, but has an inwardly turned upper edge margin 44c. As a consequence, there is a trapezoidal 25 space between the side walls 44b of successive gutters 44. At the lower end of the gutters 44, each such space is closed by a respective cover 46. The covers have a trapezoidal body 46a and two side wings 46b. As shown in Figure 11, the body 46c provides the cover, while the wings 46b extend along the side walls 44b, behind the margins 44c. 30 Figure 12 shows adaption of the structure of claims 1 to 9 to a situation in which the penetration is near to the upper end of the panel 10 and the overlap of that panel by a preceding panel 10a. In this regard, further description of the arrangement of Figure 12 is not required, as the arrangement will be understood from the description herein 12 in relation to Figures 1 to 11. However, it will be noted that the second set of gutters 36 shown in Figures 1 to 9 has been replaced by successive sets of gutters 50 and 52. The gutters 50 extend from beneath the lower edge of gutters 44 to just beyond the lower end of panel 10a, while the gutters 52 extend from below the overhanging 5 lower ends of gutters 50 to the gutters 34. Figure 12 also shows a lesser number of guides 40 and 42. Also, a narrower apron 26a is shown. 10 As will be appreciated, the arrangement of Figure 1, and that of Figure 12, operates over a selected length of panel 10 in the case of Figure 1, and panels 10 and 10a in the case of Figure 12. That length has to be sufficiently long in order to utilise a sufficient fall, although the fall could be greater than described above. It is possible to utilise a larger fall, over a greater length, for a second water diverting structure 15 mounted over and supported on or above the structure shown in Figures 1 and 12, in a "double-decker" arrangement. Such might be desirable to accommodate high water volumes, such as in a tropical or sub-tropical region. The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or 20 additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 25

Claims (13)

1. A water diverting structure for roofing of profiled panels, for use in diverting water flowing down the panel around a penetration and/or installation mounted over 5 or in a roofing penetration, wherein the water diverting structure includes gutter sections which include an inlet end gutter section able to be positioned for receiving water flowing in pans of the panel towards the penetration; an outlet end gutter section able to be positioned to pass water to pans of the panel extending away from the penetration; and an intermediate gutter section for passing water received from 10 the inlet end section to the outlet end section; wherein the intermediate section is able to be positioned above a normal roof surface of the panel defined by the pans; and wherein the inlet end gutter section has a plurality of laterally adjacent gutter lengths each able to fit substantially within a respective pair of ribs, on a pan or trough of the roofing panel, wherein each of the laterally adjacent gutter lengths is fixed on or sits 15 wholly or partly on a respective pan or trough.

2. The structure of claim 1, including only a single intermediate section able to be provided at only one side of the penetration. 20

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein there is a respective intermediate gutter section each able to be positioned to pass water along a respective side of the penetration.

4. The structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the laterally 25 adjacent gutter lengths is fixed on/or sits wholly or partly on a respective pan or trough at the high or upper end and rises to a level at or above the ribs of the panel at the lower end, and extend towards the upper end of the panel or roof for a sufficient distance to enable them to have a necessary downwards fall less than that of the panel. 30

5. The structure of any of the preceding claims, wherein the laterally adjacent gutter lengths are supported at appropriate positions between their ends, such as by stirrup brackets attached to the ribs of the profiled panel, to resist foot-traffic. 14

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the lower end of each of the laterally adjacent gutter lengths is supported on and attached and sealed to an entry apron section.

7. The structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet end gutter 5 section includes at least one entry apron section in the form of a high-sided gutter which is tapered to direct water from a number of the laterally adjacent gutter lengths to a side gutter comprising the intermediate gutter section.

8. The structure of claim 7, as appended to claim 3, wherein two laterally adjacent 10 such apron sections are provided, each to receive water from a respective number of the laterally adjacent gutter lengths and to direct the water to a respective side gutter of the intermediate section.

9. The structure of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the or each entry apron has at 15 least one elongate water guide, weir or deflector to assist water flow.

10. The structure of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the one or each side gutter of the intermediate gutter section is a parallel high-sided section able to transfer concentrated water flow from the entry apron, past the roof penetration. 20

11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the or each side gutters is supported directly or indirectly on the ribs of the roof sheeting at the sides of the penetration or on framing provided around and forming part of the penetration. 25

12. The structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet end section is an exit apron or aprons in the form of a gutter that preferably has high sidewalls.

13. The structure of claim 12, wherein the or each exit apron has at least one 30 water guide, weir or deflector to spread or distribute the water flow into a number of streams corresponding to the number of pans or troughs into which the outlet end section is to return the water.