AU2015341983B2

AU2015341983B2 - Fluidized vortex device

Info

Publication number: AU2015341983B2
Application number: AU2015341983A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Schütz; Josef Gebhard Pankraz Weiß
Original assignee: Fraenkische Rohrwerke Gebr Kirchner GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Fraenkische Rohrwerke Gebr Kirchner GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2014-11-04
Filing date: 2015-11-02
Publication date: 2020-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-02
Also published as: EP3215685B1; DE202015009773U1; AU2015341983A1; DE102014222520A1; WO2016071272A1; EP3215685A1; EP3805474B1; DK3215685T3; EP3805474A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluidized vortex device (10) comprising a vortex chamber (50), into which opens a liquid inlet (80), and an absorption chamber (40), from which originates a liquid outlet (85), said vortex chamber (50) and absorption chamber (40) being connected to each other via a diaphragm opening (32). According to the invention, the inner chamber of the housing (20) of the fluidized vortex device (10) is divided into the vortex chamber (50) and the absorption chamber (40) by a separating wall (30) having the diaphragm opening (32).

Description

Vortex throttle device

Description

The invention relates to a vortex throttle device, comprising a vortex chamber into which a liquid inlet opens, and an absorption chamber from which a liquid outlet originates, the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber being interconnected by an aperture.

One of the main objects of rain water management structures consists in discharging the water occurring during rainfall events only gradually into the sewerage system or into the surrounding bodies of water. Above all, this is used for protection against overloads. In the case of bodies of water, it is used, in particular, for flood protection and water ecology. An important component of rain water management structures is therefore drainage throttle.

A generic vortex throttle device is known from the product information “RigolenWirbeldrossel - UFT-Fluid-Vortex-R” from the firm Umwelt- und Fluid-Technik Dr. H. Brombach GmbH. It comprises an accessible shaft, in which a tubular pot, open at the top, is arranged at a spacing above the shaft base. An aperture is provided in the base of this pot. The liquid inlet opens tangentially into the interior of the pot that forms the vortex chamber. Because of the tangential liquid inlet, a vortex flow forms in the vortex chamber. The water leaves the vortex chamber as a hollow jet through the aperture and hits the base of the accessible shaft. The vertical portion of the accessible shaft that is adjacent to the shaft base therefore forms the absorption chamber of the known vortex throttle device. The liquid outlet originates from the accessible shaft directly above the shaft base.

Although the known vortex throttle device readily fulfils the intended function, it has a complex construction.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to simplify the construction of the vortex throttle device.

An aspect of the present invention provides a vortex throttle device, comprising: a vortex chamber, into which a liquid inlet opens, and an absorption chamber, from which a liquid outlet issues, the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber being interconnected by an aperture, wherein the interior of the housing of the vortex throttle device is divided by a

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 partition having the aperture into the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber, wherein the housing comprises a first housing unit, which has the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, the partition having the aperture, or the bearing ring and that wall portion of the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, into which the liquid inlet opens, and a second housing unit, which can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to the first housing unit, and which is adapted to provide the height of the vortex chamber required for the maximum accumulation height provided on the inlet side.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a combination of a vortex throttle device of the aspect described above with an upstream storage volume, which has a liquid-transfer connection to the vortex throttle device by way of the liquid inlet.

According to embodiments of the invention, a vortex throttle device of the generic type, in which the interior of the housing of the vortex throttle device is divided by a partition having the aperture into the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber. In particular, no separate accessible shaft needs to be provided to produce the vortex throttle device, owing to the construction according to embodiments of the invention, namely the provision of both the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber in the housing. Rather, the vortex throttle device may be arranged directly in the ground. If the upper edge of the vortex chamber is arranged at the level of the surface of the site, it may, for example, be covered by a conventional manhole cover.

It should be noted at this point that the liquid inlet does not necessarily have to take place precisely tangentially to stimulate the formation of a vortex flow in the vortex chamber. Rather, it is sufficient for the liquid inlet to be oriented in such a way that the liquid flowing into the vortex chamber has a tangential component of velocity, its tangential component of velocity preferably being greater than its radial component of velocity. Nevertheless, the formation of a vortex flow is stimulated most strongly when the liquid inlet opens substantially tangentially into the vortex chamber.

In the vortex throttle device according to embodiments of the invention, the water also leaves the vortex chamber through the aperture as a hollow jet, i.e. the air-filled vortex core extends through the aperture in the centre of the jet. As a result, the cross-sectional area of the aperture used for the passage of water is limited and the restrictive effect of the aperture is reinforced.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019

Furthermore, the formation of the vortex flow can be facilitated in that the vortex chamber has a basic form that is substantially symmetrical to the rotational axis, the rotational axis advantageously extending parallel to the direction of the force of gravity in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device. The word “basic” in the expression “basic form” is intended to suggest that the vortex chamber cannot be configured to be perfectly symmetrical to the rotational axis, for example because of the opening of the liquid inlet. Likewise, a vortex chamber that is not symmetrical to the rotational axis can also be used, for example having a substantially square basic form.

The liquid outlet can lead out of the absorption chamber in any desired direction. It can also lead out of the base of the absorption chamber. However, it preferably leads substantially horizontally out of the absorption chamber in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device, it being unimportant whether it leads tangentially or non-tangentially out of the absorption chamber.

In order to easily be able to adapt the vortex throttle device according to embodiments of the invention to the respective application, it is proposed that the partition having the aperture is releasably connected to the housing. To achieve a desired discharge characteristic for the respective application, i.e. discharge quantity per unit of time depending on the inlet-side accumulation height, the vortex throttle device can thus be equipped with an aperture suitable therefor. If the boundary conditions should change later and, for example, require a reduction in the inflow, for example because further waste water inflows have been, or are to be, attached to the sewerage system under consideration or the body of water under consideration, the partition present in the vortex throttle device can be removed from the vortex throttle device and replaced by a partition having a smaller aperture.

For the sake of completeness, reference is made to the fact that a permanent connection bewteen the partition and housing is also conceivable, even if not preferred.

The releasable connection of the partition to the housing may, for example, be produced in that the housing is non-releasably connected to a bearing ring protruding from the inner surface of the housing wall, which bearing ring is in turn releasably connected to the partition. The bearing ring may, for example, be welded or glued to the housing or held thereby by means of a positive fit.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019

If the housing, or at least the part of the housing to be connected to the bearing ring, is manufactured from plastics material, the bearing ring can be shrunk into the still “hot” plastics material immediately after manufacture to produce the positive hold. In order to be able to prevent the bearing ring slipping out during temperature fluctuations, a taper over the bearing ring and/or a peripheral bead under the bearing ring can be provided on the housing in the operating orientation.

The releasable connection of the partition and bearing ring may, for example, be produced by a type of bayonet closure between the partition and bearing ring. However, it is also conceivable for the partition to be held magnetically on the bearing ring. For example, the one part, bearing ring or partition, or at least a portion of this part or an element retained on this part, may be produced from a ferromagnetic material, while the respective other part, partition or bearing ring, is provided with at least one holding magnet.

It should be pointed out at this point that the connection between the partition and the bearing ring does not necessarily need to be fluid-tight. It is sufficient if it is ensured that the leakage between the vortex chamber and absorption chamber does not impair the formation of the vortex flow in the vortex chamber and the restrictive effect by the aperture.

Advantageously, the bearing ring may have an alignment face, and the partition can have a counter-alignment face, the alignment face and the counter-alignment face interacting with one another in the sense of aligning the partition relative to the bearing ring and therefore to the vortex chamber in the direction extending horizontally in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device.

The partition may be configured as a substantially planar plate having a circular aperture. However, it is also possible for the partition to have the shape of a more or less flat funnel or a flat shell.

The partition can advantageously be exchanged from the upper edge of the vortex chamber using a suitable tool. The tool can, for example, be configured here in such a way that it can engage behind the partition after passing through the aperture or, after being introduced into the aperture, can be brought into a holding engagement with the edge thereof. Likewise, the vortex throttle device, in particular the aperture, can be cleaned from the upper edge of the

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 vortex chamber. It is therefore not necessary to configure the vortex chamber as an accessible shaft.

For further simplification of the construction of the vortex throttle device according to embodiments of the invention, it is proposed that the housing comprises a first housing unit, which has the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, the partition having the aperture, or the bearing ring and that wall portion of the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, into which the liquid inlet opens, as well as a second housing unit, which can be connected to the first housing unit in a liquid-tight manner. The first housing unit forms the actual functional part here, as it comprises all the components required for the fluidized vortex function, while the second housing unit only has the function of providing the height of the vortex chamber required for the maximum accumulation height provided on the inlet side. It is therefore possible, using the same first housing unit, to achieve different installation depths, for example an installation depth of 6 m or more. It is advantageous therefor if the second housing unit is tubular. In this case, it is namely necessary to cut an overlong pipe only to the length required for the respective installation depth. For connection to the second housing unit, the first housing unit may, in this case, be configured having a pipe socket, into which the tubular second housing unit can easily be inserted for sealing connection.

The first housing unit can furthermore have a connecting piece acting as a connection to a liquid inlet line or/and a connecting piece acting as a connection to a liquid outlet line, it being possible for this line to preferably be configured in one piece with this, or these, connection piece(s).

The first housing unit may, optionally with the exception of the partition or the bearing ring, be configured as a plastics material part preferably produced by the rotational moulding or injection moulding method, from, for example, HDPE or PP. The second housing unit may be configured as a double-walled plastics material pipe, the external pipe of which is configured as a corrugated pipe and the internal pipe of which is configured as a smooth pipe.

With regard to holding the partition, it is furthermore conceivable for the first housing unit to have a lower part, which comprises the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, as well as an upper part, which comprises that wall portion of the wall surrounding the vortex chamber,

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 into which the liquid inlet opens, the partition or the bearing ring being held between the upper part and the lower part.

Basically, holding the partition or the bearing ring in this way can also be achieved when the vortex throttle device is not produced according to the construction principle of separation into a first housing part, which comprises all the functional components, and a second housing part, which is only used to provide the respectively required construction height, namely in that the housing has a lower part, which comprises the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, and an upper part, which comprises the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, the partition having the aperture, or the bearing ring, being held between the upper part and the lower part. In this case, the upper part may be tubular, for example in the form of a double-walled plastics material pipe, in particular provided with an outer corrugated pipe and an inner smooth pipe, and with a liquid inlet.

To improve the formation of the vortex flow in the vortex chamber, it is advantageous, in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device, for the vertical position of the lower edge of the liquid inlet to have a spacing of at most 100 mm, preferably at most 50 mm, most preferably at most 20 mm, from the vertical position of the upper face of the partition, the lower edge of the liquid inlet still more preferably being arranged at the height of the upper face of the partition.

At this point, it should furthermore be mentioned that it is also conceivable in a development of the invention for the partition to be arranged obliquely, for example at a 45° angle, relative to the direction of the force of gravity, in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device. A smaller difference in level between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet can thus be provided.

To improve the formation of the vortex flow in the vortex chamber, it is furthermore advantageous for the liquid inlet to run in a straight line over a predetermined distance before it opens into the vortex chamber, the predetermined distance preferably being at least 80 cm, still more preferably at least 100 cm.

Finally, to improve the formation of the vortex flow in the vortex chamber, it may also still be advantageous for the vortex chamber, preferably at its upper end in the operating orientation, to have a vortex core ventilation opening. In the vast majority of applications, no

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 such additional ventilation of the vortex chamber is required, in fact, as the vortex chamber cover does not form a sealed termination with respect to the surface. In special applications, the above configuration may nevertheless be advantageous. The additional ventilation could, for example, take place by means of a pipe to the earth surface or by a line end between the vortex chamber and the liquid outlet.

So that the above-described restrictive effect caused by the interaction of the vortex flow with the aperture can be properly adjusted, free discharge through the liquid outlet is required. This can easily be ensured in that the cross-sectional area of the liquid outlet is greater than the cross-sectional area of the liquid inlet, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the liquid outlet to the cross-sectional area of the liquid inlet preferably being at least 1.2, still more preferably at least 1.5. Basically, however, it is also conceivable to provide a separate ventilation connection under the aperture at the transition to the liquid outlet or in the liquid outlet.

In order to be able to provide adequate construction height to form the vortex flow in the vortex chamber, it is proposed that the height of the vortex chamber is at least equal to, preferably at least equal to twice, the square root of its cross-sectional area that is multiplied by the factor 4/tt, extends orthogonally to the direction of the force of gravity in the position ready for operation and is taken at the height of the partition. If the vortex chamber has a circular disc-shaped cross section, this value is equal to the diameter of the cross-sectional area. On the other hand, in the case of differently formed cross-sectional areas, an “effective diameter” defined by said calculation rule is produced, which is to be compared with the height of the vortex chamber.

In order to be able to adjust the restrictive effect of the vortex throttle device to a characteristic suitable for the respective application, i.e. discharge quantity per unit of time depending on the inlet-side accumulation height, it is proposed that the square root of the ratio of the opening area of the aperture to the cross-sectional area of the vortex chamber, which cross-sectional area extends orthogonally to the direction of the force of gravity in the position ready for operation and is taken at the height of the partition, is between approximately 0.02 and approximately 0.65, preferably between approximately 0.08 and approximately 0.53.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019

In order to be able to provide an emergency overflow function in the event of heavy rain events, it is proposed that an emergency overflow line opens into the vortex chamber at a predetermined spacing above the partition.

In this case, it is, on the one hand, possible that this emergency overflow line is connected to the liquid outlet, and thus forms a bypass line circumventing the aperture. As a result, when the upper edge of the vortex flow exceeds a height corresponding to the predetermined spacing, water can enter the emergency overflow line and arrive at the liquid outlet while circumventing the aperture.

On the other hand, it is, however, also possible for the emergency overflow line to have a liquid-transfer connection to a storage volume arranged in front of the vortex throttle device. As a result, when the level in the storage volume exceeds a height corresponding to the predetermined spacing, water can be introduced into the vortex chamber in such a way that it brings the vortex flow to a standstill. In this case, the water can pass through the entire opening area of the aperture, which results in a substantially smaller restrictive effect and therefore a more rapid discharge of the water. As soon as the level in the storage volume has dropped below the height corresponding to the predetermined spacing again, water from the storage volume enters again only through the liquid inlet into the vortex chamber, and so the vortex flow is started up again. The switchover between the fluidized vortex operation and the emergency overflow operation and back again to the fluidized vortex operation therefore takes place completely automatically.

Embodiments of the invention furthermore relates to a combination of a vortex throttle device according to the invention with an upstream storage volume, which has a liquid-transfer connection to the vortex throttle device by way of the liquid inlet. In this case, the storage volume can be configured as an open pool, as a retention channel, as an open or closed concrete basin or else as an underground infiltration ditch. In the case last mentioned, the infiltration ditch can be composed of a large number of infiltration ditch elements, as are known, for example, from EP 1 260 640 A1 or DE 10 2011 086 016 A1 of the applicant.

The invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

2015341983 23 Aug 2019

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the vortex throttle device according to the invention in combination with an upstream storage volume;

Fig. 2 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a first housing unit of the first embodiment of the vortex throttle device from Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first housing unit from Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the detail IV from Fig. 2, which shows a first variant of a partition/bearing-ring connection;

Fig. 5 is a view that is analogous to Fig. 4, and shows a second variant of a partition/bearing-ring connection;

Fig. 6 is a further view that is analogous to Fig. 4, and shows a third variant of a partition/bearing-ring connection;

Fig. 7a is a plan view and

Fig. 7b is a lateral cross-sectional view of a fourth variant of a partition/bearing-ring connection;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vortex throttle device according to the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a vortex throttle device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the vortex throttle device 10 according to the invention in a schematic overall view. In this embodiment, the vortex throttle device 10 comprises a housing 20 having a first housing unit 22 and a second housing unit 24.

As is better seen from Fig. 2, a partition 30 having an aperture 32 is arranged in the interior of the first housing unit 22. The partition 30 divides the interior of the first housing unit 22 into an absorption chamber 40 and a vortex chamber 50. In the operating orientation of the

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 vortex throttle device 10, the vortex chamber 50 is arranged above the partition 30, while the absorption chamber 40 is arranged below the partition 30. A liquid inlet 80 is attached to the vortex chamber 50, and a liquid outlet 85 adjoins the absorption chamber 40, said liquid outlet leading, for example, to a sewerage system or a body of water (neither shown).

The liquid inlet 80 is connected to the first housing unit 22 in such a way that inflowing water flows substantially tangentially into the vortex chamber 50 (see Fig. 3). Because of the substantially tangential inflow of the water, a vortex flow forms in the vortex chamber 50. In Fig. 1, the surface of the vortex 34, which is formed because of this vortex flow, is indicated by dashed lines. Since the air core 36 of this vortex 34 continues into the aperture 32 of the partition 30, the cross-sectional area taken up by the air core 36 reduces the cross section of the aperture 32 that is available for the passage of water, which increases the restrictive effect of the aperture 32.

It should furthermore be noted that the inflow direction of the water from the liquid inlet 80 into the vortex chamber 50 extends substantially orthogonally to the central axis A of the vortex chamber 50 (see Fig. 1), which extends substantially parallel to the direction G of the force of gravity. The wall of the housing 20 surrounding the vortex chamber 50 is preferably rotationally symmetric. Thus, the central axis A is simultaneously the axis of rotational symmetry of the vortex chamber 50.

The second housing unit 24, in the embodiments shown, is configured as a double-walled pipe 70 having an inner smooth pipe 71 and an outer corrugated pipe 72. The connection of the two housing units 22 and 24 can thus easily be provided in that the double-walled pipe 70 is inserted into a pipe socket 27 of the first housing unit 22, as shown in Fig. 1. The inner smooth pipe 71 of the second housing unit 24 preferably has substantially the same internal diameter as the vortex chamber 50 at its transition to the second housing unit 24.

The second housing unit 24 therefore lengthens the first housing unit 22 or its vortex chamber 50 from its position in the ground 90 to a site surface 92. At an upper edge of the second housing unit 24, which preferably terminates at ground level with the site surface 92, the pipe 70 can be covered by a manhole cover 75. If sealing of the manhole cover 75 and the pipe 70 should be so tight that an adequate air supply to the air core 36 of the vortex 34 cannot be ensured, an additional ventilation opening 78 can be provided in the manhole cover 75.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019

It should also be noted that the central axis A of the vortex chamber 50 and the central axis of the inner smooth pipe 71 substantially coincide. If the inner smooth pipe 71 has a circular disc-shaped cross section, which is preferred, the central axis A may also at the same time be the axis of rotational symmetry of the inner smooth pipe 71.

Since the absorption chamber 40 and the liquid outlet 85 according to the invention are components of the vortex throttle device 10 according to the invention, a surrounding, accessible shaft, as was required in the prior art, can be completely dispensed with, and so the vortex throttle device 10 can be buried directly in the ground 90, as shown in Fig. 1.

Basically, it is conceivable for the partition 30 to be retained directly by means of the housing 20. In order to be able to arrange in the housing 20 an aperture 32 having the opening cross section suitable for the respective application, it is, however, preferred according to the invention if the partition 30, as can be seen from Fig. 1 and 2 and enlarged in Fig. 4, can be releasably connected to a bearing ring 60, which is in turn rigidly connected to the housing 20.

As is inferred, in particular from the enlarged view of Fig. 4, the rigid connection of the bearing ring 60 to the first housing unit 22 can be brought about in that when the first housing unit 22 is produced, the bearing ring 60 is shrunk therein. For this purpose, the first housing unit 22 is configured having a bead 22a, which acts as a bearing face, on which the bearing ring 60 is placed immediately after the production of the first housing unit 22, i.e. as long as the plastics material of the first housing unit 22 has not yet completely cooled. During cooling, the plastics material of the first housing unit 22 contracts slightly and surrounds the edge of the bearing ring 60 while forming a beading 22b. If desired or necessary, another plastics material weld seam 22c can also be provided to secure the bearing ring 60 on the first housing unit 22.

It should be noted at this point that this type of connection of the bearing ring 60 to the first housing unit 22 is also used in the variants shown in Fig. 5, 6 and 7a/7b.

In the variant of Fig. 4, the partition 30 is magnetically held on the bearing ring 60. For this purpose, in the variant shown, a permanent magnet 31 is arranged on or in the partition 30, while a disc 61 formed from a magnetisable, preferably ferromagnetic, material is formed on

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 or in the bearing ring 60, the permanent magnet 31 and the disc 61 being arranged at corresponding points so they can interact with one another magnetically. The magnetic hold is additionally assisted by the gravitational force of the partition 30. Of course, the permanent magnet could also be provided on the bearing ring 60 and the magnetisable disc on the partition 30.

The variant of Fig. 5 differs from that of Fig. 4 only in that the element produced from a magnetisable, preferably ferromagnetic, material, which is arranged on or in the bearing ring 60’, is not configured as a disc, but as an angular element 6T. In contrast, the partition 30’, as in the variant of Fig. 4, is in turn equipped with a permanent magnet 3T.

The variant of Fig. 6 differs from that of Fig. 4 and 5 only in that the entire bearing ring 60” is formed from a magnetisable, preferably ferromagnetic, material, while the partition 30’ is in turn equipped with a permanent magnet 3T.

Fig. 7a and 7b show a mechanical variant of the connection of the partition 30’” to the bearing ring 60’”, namely using a bayonet-closure-type connection means 35 and 65. In particular, Fig. 7b shows the mushroom-like configuration of the locking pins 35 provided on the partition 30’”, while Fig. 7a shows that the bearing ring 60’” is provided with elongate slots 65, each of which has at one end an opening for the passage of a mushroom-like locking pin 35 and are otherwise configured so as to be undercut for holding engagement with the mushroom-like locking pin 35 after a relative rotation of the bearing ring 60’” and partition 30’”.

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of a vortex throttle device according to the invention, which corresponds substantially to the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 4 and the variants thereof in Fig. 5, 6 and 7a/7b. Therefore, analogous parts are provided below with the same reference signs as in these figures, but increased by the number 100. Moreover, the vortex throttle device 110 of Fig. 8 will only be described below to the extent that it differs from the vortex throttle device 10, to the description of which reference is hereby otherwise expressly made.

The vortex throttle device 110 differs from the vortex throttle device 10 primarily by the height at which, in the operating orientation, the separating plane between the lower housing unit 122 and the upper housing unit 124 is arranged. In fact, the separating plane is not located above the inlet 180 (see the dotted line T in Fig. 8) as in the vortex throttle device 10,

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 but at the height of the partition 130 or the bearing ring 160. Therefore, the upper housing unit 124 completely surrounds the vortex chamber 150, while the lower housing unit 122 completely surrounds the absorption chamber 140, from which the outlet 185 originates. The embodiment of Fig. 8 has the advantage that the partition 130 or the bearing ring 160 can be easily clamped between the two housing units 122 and 124 during the production of the vortex throttle device 110.

In a modification of the second embodiment that combines the advantages of both embodiments, the upper housing unit 124 above the inlet 180, for example at the height of the dotted line T, can be divided again into two housing sub-units 124a and 124b. In this case, the housing is thus configured in three parts.

Fig. 9 shows a third embodiment of a vortex throttle device according to the invention, which corresponds substantially to the embodiments described above. Therefore, analogous parts are provided with the same reference signs below as in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 4 and the variants thereof in Fig. 5, 6 and 7a/7b, but increased by the number 200, or, as in the embodiment of Fig. 8 and its modification, but increased by the number 100. Moreover, the vortex throttle device 210 of Fig. 9 will only be described below to the extent that it differs from the vortex throttle device 10 or the vortex throttle device 110, to the description of which reference is hereby otherwise made.

The vortex throttle device 210 of Fig. 9 differs from the embodiments described above primarily in that the partition 230 having the aperture 232 is not arranged substantially orthogonally, but obliquely, to the central axis A of the housing 220 of the vortex throttle device 210. This has the advantage of a small difference in level between the inlet 280 into the vortex chamber 250 and the outlet 285 from the absorption chamber 240.

Furthermore, the housing 220 of the vortex throttle device 210 in Fig. 9 is formed in one piece. However, it is clear that the oblique position of the partition 230 can also be provided in the housing forms described with reference to Fig. 1 and 8 and their modification. It is also possible to connect the partition 230 to the housing 220 by way of a bearing ring (not shown).

With reference to Fig. 1 again, a storage volume 82 can be arranged upstream of the vortex throttle device 10 according to the invention (but also the vortex throttle devices 110

2015341983 23 Aug 2019 according to Fig. 8 and 230 according to Fig. 9), said storage volume being used, for example, for receiving rainwater. The storage volume 82 is connected by the liquid inlet 80 to the vortex chamber 50. Thus, the vortex throttle device 10 is used to limit the quantity of liquid escaping per unit of time from the storage volume 82 through the inlet 80 depending on the accumulation height of the liquid in the storage volume 82.

Depending on the pressure of the water flowing into the vortex chamber 50 and depending on the restriction by the aperture 32 and the air core 36 within the water vortex 34, the vortex 34 is formed at different heights. With an increasing inlet pressure, for example because of heavy rain, the vortex 34 can rise along the inner smooth pipe 71 until it reaches the lower edge of an overflow pipe 87, which is directly connected to the outlet 85 and therefore circumvents the aperture 32 in the manner of a bypass. The water entering the overflow pipe 87 flows by way of the overflow pipe 87 directly into the liquid outlet 85. As a result, an upper limit for the height of the water vortex is predetermined and so the water vortex 34 cannot escape through the manhole cover 75 at the site surface 92. Ventilation of the vortex chamber 50 can also take place by way of the overflow pipe 87.

In addition or alternatively, an emergency outlet 89 from the storage volume 82 can also be provided and connects the storage volume 82 at a predetermined height to the inner smooth pipe 71. If the water in the storage volume 82 should accumulate to the height of the emergency outlet 89, in addition to the water flowing into the vortex chamber 50 through the liquid inlet 80, it can also arrive in the vortex chamber 50 by way of the emergency outlet 89. The vortex 34 can therefore be weakened, if it is not completely brought to a standstill, this being the case in particular when the emergency overflow also opens substantially tangentially but, in relation to the rotational direction of the vortex 34, in the opposite direction into the vortex chamber 50. This reduces the restrictive effect of the vortex throttle device 10 and ensures faster discharge of the water from the storage device 82. If the water level in the storage volume 82 has again dropped below the lower edge of the emergency overflow 89, the water coming from the storage volume 82 now enters the vortex chamber 50 again only by way of the inlet 80, the vortex flow in the vortex chamber 50 being “started up” again owing to the substantially tangential entry, and so the vortex throttle device 10 can again develop its full restrictive effect. Alternatively, it is also conceivable, of course, for the emergency overflow 89 to be directly connected to the overflow pipe 87, such that water can discharge directly from the storage device 82 into the liquid outlet 85, if the water in the storage device 82 reaches a corresponding accumulation height.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019

As an alternative to the aforementioned embodiments, in which the vortex throttle device 10 is described as a device separated from the storage device 82, the vortex throttle device 10 can likewise be installed in the storage device 82. In particular, the use of a vortex throttle device 10 according to the present invention is a possibility in an infiltration ditch arrangement, as known from EP 1 526 223 B1. In an arrangement of this type, an infiltration ditch is composed of a large number of cuboidal infiltration ditch elements having the same external dimensions or an integral multiple of a predetermined basic dimension. If a vortex throttle device of the invention has an area which fits in the grid of these infiltration ditch elements of this infiltration ditch, in other words, that the length and/or width of the area is equal to the length or width of the infiltration ditch elements or are integral multiples thereof, the vortex throttle device can be integrated into the infiltration ditch at any desired position.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

Claims

1. Vortex throttle device, comprising:

• a vortex chamber, into which a liquid inlet opens, and • an absorption chamber, from which a liquid outlet issues, the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber being interconnected by an aperture, wherein the interior of the housing of the vortex throttle device is divided by a partition having the aperture into the vortex chamber and the absorption chamber, wherein the housing comprises a first housing unit, which has the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, the partition having the aperture, or the bearing ring and that wall portion of the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, into which the liquid inlet opens, and a second housing unit, which can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to the first housing unit, and which is adapted to provide the height of the vortex chamber required for the maximum accumulation height provided on the inlet side.
2. Vortex throttle device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid inlet is oriented in such a way that the liquid flowing into the vortex chamber has a tangential component of velocity, its tangential component of velocity being preferably greater than its radial component of velocity.
3. Vortex throttle device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the partition having the aperture is releasably connected to the housing.
4. Vortex throttle device according to claim 3, characterised in that the housing is nonreleasably connected to a bearing ring, which protrudes from the inner surface of the housing wall and is in turn releasably connected to the partition.
5. Vortex throttle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first housing unit has a lower part, which comprises the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, as well as an upper part, which comprises that wall portion of the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, into which the liquid outletopens, the partition or the bearing ring being held between the upper part and the lower part.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019
6. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing has a lower part, which comprises the wall surrounding the absorption chamber, as well as an upper part, which comprises the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, the partition having the aperture or the bearing ring being held between the upper part and the lower part.
7. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein, in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device, the vertical position of the lower edge of the liquid inlet has a spacing of at most 50 mm, preferably at most 20 mm, from the vertical position of the upper face of the partition, the lower edge of the liquid inlet still more preferably being arranged at the height of the upper face of the partition.
8. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the partition, in the operating orientation of the vortex throttle device, is arranged obliquely relative to the direction of the force of gravity.
9. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vortex chamber, preferably at its upper end in the operating orientation, has a vortex core ventilation opening.
10. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cross-sectional area of the liquid outlet is greater than the cross-sectional area of the liquid inlet, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the liquid outlet to the cross-sectional area of the liquid inlet preferably being at least 1.2, still more preferably at least 1.5.
11. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the height of the vortex chamber is at least equal to, preferably at least equal to twice, the square root of its cross-sectional area that is multiplied by the factor 4/tt, extends orthogonally to the direction of the force of gravity in the position ready for operation and is taken at the height of the partition.
12. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the square root of the ratio of the opening area of the aperture to the cross-sectional area of the vortex chamber, which cross-sectional area extends orthogonally to the direction of the force of gravity in the position ready for operation and is taken at the height of the partition, is between 0.02 and approximately 0.65, preferably between approximately 0.08 and approximately 0.53.

2015341983 23 Aug 2019
13. Vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein an emergency overflow line opens into the vortex chamber at a predetermined spacing above the partition.
14. Combination of a vortex throttle device according to any of claims 1 to 13 with an upstream storage volume, which has a liquid-transfer connection to the vortex throttle device by way of the liquid inlet.