AU2018100097A4

AU2018100097A4 - Tank Suction System

Info

Publication number: AU2018100097A4
Application number: AU2018100097A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Luke White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-23
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-23

Abstract

A tank suction system in which the inlet end of a suction hose is suspended just below the surface of the water and the outlet end of the suction hose is attached to the roof of the tank. This arrangement allows for easy installation of the system from the outside of the tank, and can be installed even when the tank is full of water. 48 40 42 44 28 30 -12 Figure 1

Description

Tank Suction System

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction system for extracting water from a storage tank.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Traditionally rainwater tanks were fitted with an outlet pipe or tap positioned slightly above the bottom of the tank in order to minimise the pickup of sludge which invariably collects at the bottom of a tank. However, to be effective the outlet needs to be a significant distance above the bottom of the tank with the portion of the tank below the outlet effectively being wasted.

[0003] To maximise utilisation of a tank whilst still avoiding contaminated water from the bottom of a tank floating pickups are often used. In such systems a hose is suspended just below the water surface by a float, with the hose connected to an outlet which connected close to the bottom of a tank.

[0004] Whilst known floating tank pickups are effective, the connection to the outlet at the bottom of the tank is difficult to install, requiring the tank to be almost empty to be fitted. This is obviously undesirable as it takes the tank out of service, and is often unacceptable where the tank is the sole source of water for a site. Working inside a tank also presents issues, often being difficult and dangerous and in many jurisdictions requiring the installer to have a confined space working license, and often requiring at least two installers to be present.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a tank suction system to alleviate the above problem, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect the invention provides a suction system for a water tank comprising a suction hose with a first and second end, and a float, wherein the first end of the suction hose is attached in proximity to the top of the tank and the second end of the suction hose is suspended below the surface of the water in the tank.

[0007] Preferably the second end of the suction hose is fitted with an elbow.

[0008] In preference the first end of the suction hose is removably attached to the roof.

[0009] The first end of the suction hose may be attached to the roof of the tank or to the top of a wall of the tank.

[0010] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to the following drawing.

[0012] Figure 1 shows a cutaway side view of a tank with a tank suction system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DRAWING COMPONENTS

[0013] The drawings include the following integers. 10 tank 12 walls 14 roof 16 water surface 20 suction hose 22 non-return valve 24 elbow 26 filter cage 28 threaded tail 30 float 32 float line 40 roof plate 42 flange 44 barrel union 46 tee 48 bung 50 suction line 52 suction pump 54 pump outlet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0015] The present invention provides a tank suction system in which the inlet end of a suction hose is suspended just below the surface of the water and the outlet end of the suction hose is attached to the roof of the tank. This arrangement allows for easy installation of the system from the outside of the tank, and can be installed even when the tank is full of water.

[0016] A tank suction system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown fitted to a tank 10 in Figure 1. The tank is shown cutaway to reveal the majority of the system components which are fitted inside the tank. The components are not drawn to scale for representational convenience. Wherever possible components are made of food grade materials or stainless steel to provide safe drinking water and minimise corrosion.

[0017] The tank 10 comprises walls 12 and a roof 14 to which the suction system is attached via roof plate 40. A flange 42 attaches to the roof plate and in turn to a suction hose 20 via a barrel union 44 and a threaded tail of the hose. A nonpermanent connection to the hose eases installation and allows for maintenance. The inlet end of the hose is suspended below the water surface 16 by float 30 which is attached via a flexible line 32. Suspending the inlet just below the water surface avoids using potentially contaminated and de-oxygenated water from the bottom of the tank. The inlet comprises a filter cage 26 and an elbow 24 to keep the filter cage away from the floor of the tank when the water level is low. A non-return valve 22 ensures that the system remains full of water for correct operation of a suction pump.

[0018] Components of the system fitted externally to the tank include a suction pump 52 with outlet 54 and suction line 50 attached to the roof plate 40 via tee a 46. The tee includes a bung 48 which is removed to allow priming of the suction hose 20 and suction line 50 with water to ensure that the suction pump 52 can operate.

[0019] The system shown in Figure 1 is shown installed by attaching to the roof 14 of the tank. In some situations it may be preferable to install the system instead at the top of the tank wall 12.

[0020] Installation of the system is relatively simple and can be carried out by a sole installer working outside of the tank at all times, thus avoiding the need for a confined space working permit and the associated risks. The system is supplied in two sub-assemblies: the suction hose 20 with nut tail 28, non-return valve 22, elbow 24, filter cage 26, float line 32 and float line 30 fitted; and the roof plate 40 with flange 42, barrel union 44, tee 46 and bung 48 fitted. The suction line 50, pump 52 and 54 are supplied separately and will be very much site specific. To install the system a hole approximately 160mm across is first cut into the roof approximately 300mm from the tank edge. The suction hose 20 is filled with water and the inlet end and float then fed through the hole and into the tank. The threaded tail 28 of the suction hose is then attached to the roof plate 40 via the flange 42 and barrel union 44. At this stage the roof plate is not attached to the roof or the suction line so that it can be easily manipulated. The roof plate is then secured to the roof via suitable fastenings and sealed underneath if desired by foam sealing strips so the plate can easily be removed if servicing of the system is ever required. The suction line 50 is then connected between the tee 46 and the pump 52. Preferably the suction line is attached via a barrel union or the like so that the roof plate can be lifted for system maintenance if needed.

[0021] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a tank suction system that can be easily installed, even in a full tank.

[0022] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. In particular any number of pipe and hose fitting could be used as is well known in the art. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0023] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims

1. A suction system for a water tank comprising a suction hose with a first and second end, and a float, wherein the first end of the suction hose is attached in proximity to the top of the tank and the second end of the suction hose is suspended below the surface of the water in the tank.

2. A tank suction system as in claim 1, wherein the second end of the suction hose is fitted with an elbow.

3. A suction system as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first end of the suction hose is removably attached to the roof.

4. A suction system as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tank comprises a roof and the first end of the suction hose is attached to the roof.

5. A suction system as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tank comprises a wall and the first end of the suction hose is attached to the top of the wall.