AU634778B2 - Improvements relating to precast sewage pumping chambers - Google Patents

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Form Patents Act 1952-1969 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL 64778 FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int. Class Application No Lodged Complete Application No Specification Lodged Published *0 000

C

*S

Priority: Related art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: cc..

eec' S S CO C *c eec C ii *0 0 o S.

Address of Applicant: KEVIN SEELEY, ADRIAN SEELEY and BRUCE SEELEY respectively of 16 Columbia Avenue, Clapham, 102 Rozelle Avenue, Edwardstown and 5 Owen Street, Torrens Park, all State of South Australia, Commonwealth of Australia KEVIN SEELEY, ADRIAN SEELEY and BRUCE SEELEY Care of COLLISON CO., 117 King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000 Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Complete Specification for the invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PRECAST SEWAGE PUMPING CHAMBERS The following statements is a full description of this invention, including S: ,i the best method of performing it known to us: 2 This invention relates to precast concrete wet well sewage pumping chambers or stations with a submersible pump or pumps.

It is now conventional to use precast wet well sewage pumping chambers or stations which are manufactured from spun concrete pipes imbedded In a concrete base and located within the ground and which have electrically driven submersible pumps adapted to draw the sewage from within the container and pump this through a conduit to an external source.

1 0 It is conventional to incorporate either one or two separate submersible pumps within the chamber and then locate one or two as appropriate separate conduits which are directed to an external location from the precast container at which location there is provided a separate chamber with a non return valve (check valve) and a separate control valve prior to the conduit or conduits joining as appropriate to a single conduit for carrying the sewage subsequently.

Such a separate chamber is conventionally located totally remotely from the first said chamber.

There are however a very large number of problems associated with such a separate chamber.

Firstly, in relation to on site installation costs, a second excavation becomes 25 necessary which has to be dug and leveled, and this has to be quite separately constructed In alignment with the outlet pipes.

Also, there is a difficulty in maintenance in relation to removal of either of the so called "check" valves (non-return valves) and the control valves because 30 of the mechanical arrangement of the parts that 's necessary, being in-line, there being great difficulty in achievement of relative longitudinal separation.

S: A further difficulty arises from achieving a adequate continuing support in relation to a pipe passing through the wali of such a separate container 35 where these pipes may be subjected to very large separate loading caused by water hammer effects.

a 3 Further, differential ground movement can cause damage to the pipe joints.

An object of this invention then is to reduce such difficulties.

According to this invention then there is provided a precast concrete wet well sewage pumping chamber adapted to hold a submersible pump or pumps and to provide for egress of delivery pipes therefrom, characterized in that there is a separate chamber formed as a precast concrete chamber located 1 0 within the first said precast chamber and adapted to hold a control valve or control valves and a check valve or check valves and effect a seal against any ingress of sewage thereinto and has a floor a part at least of which extends over a part of the volume within the said first chamber.

This has the result that firstly any connecting pipes from the separate chamber to the submersible pumps can pass directly through the floor of the separate chamber which provides significant advantages in allowing for easier removal of in-line connections. Further however the chamber being of precast concrete ensures that this is implicitly of substantial size and weight and this ensures that there can be minimal relative movement potential between the pipes and there connections.

In preference, such a separate chamber is formed as an integral part of an upper portion of the precast chamber and is such that it comprises a floor 25 which is contiguous with side walls.

This enables manufacture to be economically achievable by allowing the *eo° respective parts to be manufacturable on dies from which they can be removed.

In preference, the shape of the precast chamber is such that it has an outer 0o most surface that is cylindrical with a substantially vertical axis.

t oo 0oo00 o00i0 0 r The first said chamber has an external cylindrical shape and is comprised of a first and second part, the second part having a shape and being of a size so as to have an external wall with a lower edge coincident with an upper edge of the external wall of the first said part, the second cylindrical part including as a separate inner segment forming thereby a separate chamber which is adapted to receive and hold respective check valves and control valves.

The invention will be generally better understood when described with the assistance of drawings and accordingly the embodiment will now be described with these drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a cut away perspective sketch view of the invention in one preferred form, FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional elevation sketch view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3 is a side elevation cross section of a composite precast sewage holding and transfer chamber according to the embodiment, FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view along the lines B-B' as shown in FIGURE 0' FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view along the lines A-A' as shown in FIGURE 3 of the upper part of the pit, FIGURE 6 is a view from abo've with the lid removed of the second 30 chamber with the control valves and check valves in place, FIGURE 7 is the side elevation of the view as in FIGURE 6, 0 If FIGURE 8 is a view of the said first embodiment with however the 35 dotted outline showing a second arrangement for a lid in which there are two separately removable lids sealably engageable within a main lid, and 4l FIGURE 9 is a view of the dent and tongue used to locate the sections of the pit per one of the preferred embodiment.

In FIGURE 1, a precast concrete sewage holding chamber 1 is illustrated showing the placement of the effluent pumps 2 in a main chamber and the control valves 3 in a separate chamber 9. This figure shows one embodiment.

The chamber 1 is constructed from two major prefabricated precast concrete 1 0 parts namely a bottom or first part 4 and a top or second part 5 the second part having a shape and being of a size so as to have an external wall with a lower edge coincident with an upper edge of the external wall of the first said part, the second cylindrical part including as a separate inner segment the second chamber which is adapted to receive and hold in sealing engagement respective check valves and control valves. There is, as well, a lid 6.

The bottom or first part 4 has a floor 7 integrally cast within it. The lower outermost eUge has a skirt 44 which provides added structural strength and also acts tc, anchor the chamber against floating when inundated with water by interlocking with surrounding soil. An effluent inflow 8 is mounted into the side wall of the bottom 4. The upper outer edge of the bottom 4 and the lowermost outer edge of the top 5 are respectively shaped so that the these are maintained in an interlocking relationship, S The top 5 has an integrally cast separate chamber 9 in which the control valves 3 and the non-return valves or check valves 10 are housed. The pipes 11 pass through the floor of the separate chamber 9 and the pipe floor .i interface is sealed to prevent egress of effluent and gases into the separate chamber. The top of the top 5 and the lid 6 are shaped so as to maintain an interlocking relationship.

Within the lid 6 are provided two access holes 13 and 14 which normally are covered. Access hole 13 provides access to the main chamber and access 35 hole 14 provides access to the separate chamber.

The out flow of the pumps 2 are joined at the shaped pipe 12.

The out flow of the pumps 2 are joined at the shaped pipe 12.

6 The precast parts of the sewage holding chamber 1 are made of cast reinforced concrete.

FIGURE 2 shows in side elevation a cross section of the sewage holding chamber illustrated in FIGURE 1. It further shows a support bar 19 to aid in the fixing of the submersible pumps 2, a float 16 and associated float bar used to control the pump 2 and the electrical power and control cable associated with the pumps 2.

Also shown, is a pumping station control box 17 which in this case is shown as an external box. For ease of installation and to prevent the need for casting lifting holes, lifting eyes 18 are provided.

To prevent solids build up a sludge batter 21 is provided. That is the inside 1 5 wall of the bottom 4 has an angled transition portion 21 between the substantially vertical wall and the horizontal floor.

Now describing the embodiment in more detail and referring to the latter drawings, the precast concrete sewage holding chamber 1 includes a floor 7, and side walls 22 these being of a size and shape to provide a generally cylindrical external shape and generally cylindrical internal chamber shape.

The cylindrical shape Is comprised of the two parts 4 and 5 which have at the interface an interlocking fit shown as 23 whereby to interlock with 25 engaging fit a similarly shaped part 24 which comprises the uppermost edge of the lower part 4.

There is a discontinuity comprising a dent 25 and a corresponding tongue .i 26 by which the location of the upper part 5 is positively located with respect the lower part 4 against rotational mis-alignment.

This same discontinuity arrangement having a tongue in gap is also included for the lid 6 this arrangement being shown at 27.

35 Likewise the interlocking shape is used at 28 between the lid 6 and the upper part The upper part 5 however has the further feature of a separate chamber 9 which includes a floor 29 and a side wall 30 such that by reason of the position and shape, this will keep separate and broadly sealed from any sewage within the lower part 4, the area within the second chamber 9.

Now referring to the details within the chamber 9 which are best shown at FIGURES 6 and 7, each of which comprise non return valve 31 and 32 and a control valve 33 and a control valve 34 both of which are in line with the respective check valve 33 and 34 and their outlets shown at 35 and 36 pass with sealing engagement through the wall 37 of the upper part 5 joining together at 38 for a common outflow.

In like manner the lower end of the respective check valves 33 and 34 pass through with sealing fit as shown at 39 the floor 14 of the second chamber 9 from whence the conduit 40 passes down to the respective electrically driven pumps which are resting on the bottom of the chamber but which are not specifically described in that these are broadly commonplace in the application.

The arrangement of the check valve 31 and the control valve 33 is such that these are joined by an elbow 41 and likewise for the check valve such as at 32 and the control valve 34, which means that if either of the parts have to be removed, it is a relatively simple additiornl matter of undoing each flange of 25 the elbow whereupon the whole of the component is easily removed for maintenance purposes or otherwise.

This is made possibie because the second chamber has a floor that allows the conduits from the check valves to pass vertically therethrough whereas 30 the conduits connecting to the outerside of the control valves pass horizontally through the side wall, The feature then of having the second chamber allows for this to be the arrangement which has significant advantages, *c a L I 00 ft *i I* 0. f I.r 9r

I

ft a ft 4 ft 35 The method of construction of the lower and upper parts in each case comprise casting these in a mould in which the lower part in situ is cast in an uppermost part during the casting process.

8 In each case then there is a split external mould and a retractable inner mould.

Referring specifically to figure 8 there is shown here two smaller access lids, a first 27 providing access to the control 33, 34 and check valves in the separate chamber 9 and the second 43 providing access to the main chamber and the submersible pumps in the wet well part, thereby enabling the smaller lid to be easily removed to gain access to the valves without gases being released from the larger or main chamber.

A more detailed view of the interlocking method between the bottom 4 and the middle 4 is shown in FIGURE 9. Here it can be seen that the inner top edge of the bottom 4 is recessed at 24 to allow the fitting into the protruding bottom edge 23. To prevent rotation of the bottom 4 with respect to the top 1 5 a recess or dent 25 is formed in the bottom edge of the top 5 into which a protrusion or tongue 26 formed in the top edge of the bottom 4 fits.

It is also useful to have a drain aperture within the base of the smaller chamber to drain off any collected liquids into the main chamber with however removable closure means such as a plug or closure valve being fitted in this aperture being able to close the aperture during normal usage.

It will be thus seen there can be provided in a very effective way a significant improvement which is of great significance within the Art.

to *Oo° i S S S

S

S

Claims (10)

1. A precast concrete wet well sewage pumping chamber adapted to hold a submersible pump or pumps and to provide for egress of delivery pipes therefrom, characterized in that there is a separate chamber formed as a precast concrete chamber located within the first said precast chamber and adapted to hold a control valve or control valves and a check valve or check valves and effect a seal against any ingress of sewage thereinto and so as to have a floor a part at least of which extends over a part of the volume within 1 0 the said first chamber.

2. A precast concrete wet well sewage pumping chamber as in claim 1 further characterised in that the separate chamber is formed as an integral part of an upper portion of the precast chamber and is such that it comprises a floor which is contiguous with side walls.

3. A precast *&:Go 99 04 00 .0 0 00: *0 0- *a 040 0 0 0 0*0 0 *000 0 concrete wet well sewerage pumping station including a: main chamber adapted to provide for the ingress and egrees of sewage; submersible pump or pumps positioned within the main chamber; pipe or pipes for effecting ingress of sewage into the Main chamber; pipe or pipes for effecting egress of sewage out o the main chamber; means to sense sewage level within the main chamber; means to control the pump or pumps in respect to the sewage level sensed; separate chamber, positioned within and to the top of the main chamber; sewerage control valve or valves located within the separate chamber and connected by the pipe or pipes for effecting in the one case ingress and in another ease egress of sewerage passing through a floor of the separate chamber; sewerage check valve or valves located within the separate chamber; dliA I the body defining the main chamber and there being located therewithin the separate chamber which is located so as to have the floor of the separate chamber extending over a part of the volume within the said first chamber.

4. A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in claim 3, further characterised in that the body is comprised of an upper part and a lower part, an upper edge of the lower part interengaging with a lower edge of the upper part, and the separate chamber is comprised entirely as a part of the upper part. A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in claim 4, further characterised in that the lower part is comprised of a cylindrically shaped wall adapted to be located in the ground with the axis of the cylindrical shape being vertical and a floor extending across a lowermost end of the cylindrical shape, the floor being integrally cast with the wall.

6. A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in claim 5, further characterised in that the uppermost edge of the wall is stepped such that there is a recessed inner lip extending substantially around the periphery of the wall.

7. A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in claim 6, further S characterised in that the separate chamber is formed by an integrally cast 25 concrete partitioning wall and partitioning floor, the partitioning wall 7 extending from inner surface to inner surface of a cylindrically shaped wall of o the upper part.

8. A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in anyone of the preceding claims further characterised in that the body has an outwardly )*iextending skirt.

9. A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in immediately preceding claim further characterised in that there are anchor points with the 35 skirt adapted for securing lifting means for aiding the liftino of the body. 9 9 11 A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in any of the preceding claims further characterised by a sealable drainage means within the partitioning floor of the separate chamber.

11. A precast concrete wet well sewage pumping station comprising a body holding a submersible pump or pumps and ingress and egress delivery pipes connected thereto, characterised in that there is a separate chamber within the said precast chamber integrally joined to at least an 1 0 upper part of the body, a control valve or control valves and a check valve or check valves within the separate chamber, a floor of the separate chamber extending over at least some of the volume within the body and at least one of the pipes from the submersible pump or pumps passing through the floor of the separate chamber and connecting after a bend in the pipe to the check 1 5 valve and control valve and a pipe thereafter extending substantially horizontally through a side wall. 12, A precast wet well sewerage pumping station as in any of the preceding claims further characterised by any check valve being connected to any control valve by means of a elbow pipe fitting.

13. A precast wet well sewage pumping chamber substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations. Dated this 10th day of December 1992. S: KEVIN SEELEY, ADRIAN SEELEY BRUCE SEELEY SBy their Patent Attorneys S: COLLISON CO. *9