DE19912449C1 - Self-cleaning rainwater filter comprises sloping passage containing tubular element which can be rotated about its axis to vary filtration performance - Google Patents

Abstract

A water filtration element (F) located in the passage (1) between locations (11I to 11IV), can be rotated about its longitudinal axis (A), and/or reversed its installation position, for adjustment. The element (F) can be rotated up to a filter blocking position (11I). Constructed as a pipe section (A), its branch openings (11) are covered by the filtration sieve (14). The filter can be removed. Similar variants are described. The filtration section is integrated into a container (B), preferably of sump form. Below the passage, this includes a connection (4) to the rain water collector (Z). The assembly forms a rainwater filter module. Detachable pipe connections (2, 3) are made to the filtration section, using sealing pipe collars (15). Various additional refinements are described, including adjustment and rotation aids. A rotary pressure washing device (S) is included. An e.g. flap valve prevents backing-up. With a container diameter of about 1m, The passage and fittings have the nominal width of 200 mm, in accordance with local regulations (alternative smaller sizes are nominated in the text).

Description

The invention relates to a rainwater filter according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the non-fiction book "Rainwater for Home and Garden", published by the Association of Consumer Associations. V., 53123 Bonn, DE, 3rd revised edition 1998 , pages 30-40 different types of rainwater filters are known. The purpose of the rainwater filter is to use at least a portion of the rainwater, for example, for flushing the toilet, washing cars, watering the garden or the like. At least gross contamination of the rainwater is retained in the rainwater filter and washed into the further sewer system because, for example, toilet flushes or pumps or taps do not cope with these coarse impurities. Since the rainwater quality and its volume vary over a wide range, depending on the climatic conditions at the place of use of the rainwater filter, the seasons, the size of the roof areas, and the like, and the need for filtered rainwater can also vary, the rainwater filter should not only almost tailor-made in every application, but also with regard to the varying consumption of filtered rainwater. For example, if the throughput of filtered rainwater is very high, the separated impurities in the rainwater filter or downstream of it will no longer be sufficiently washed away. If, on the other hand, the filter output is low to ensure a reliable rinsing effect for the contaminants, the rain water that is filtered can be used in a low proportion in the event of high rainfall.

On page 36 of the above-mentioned literature reference a so-called tube filter is used wrote that the downside in a pipe run laid with a slope Contains branch opening, which is covered by a filter screen and to which a discharge is connected to a cistern. The gravity and the pressure difference who used to inevitably filter the rainwater. Due to the fixed size the branch opening and its underlying positioning is only from one  rainwater accumulation ensured a satisfactory flushing away of the contaminants guaranteed in the duct system. With only a little less rainwater the proportion of the branched and filtered rainwater is so high that the contaminants remain in the rainwater filter or downstream of it and very easily lead to constipation. The self-cleaning effect is not then more adequate. It is possible to use an additional forced rinse, however, this requires permanent monitoring of the rainwater filter. Other Rainwater types, such as vortex fine filters, plate filters, cyclone filters or gravel filters, are also known. However, these require a relatively large installation height and are structurally very complex.

From the brochure "Rainwater Filter - AQACLEAN", from Kessel, D-85101 Lenting, registration number 932-1 / 98 ME, rainwater filter modules for underground installation are known, in which a flat filter screen is arranged in a gradient passage running through a shaft-like container below which the filtered rainwater is collected and sent to a cistern. Although a low installation height is required for this rainwater filter module despite frost-proof installation in the ground, and an integrated backwashing device is provided, the problems described at the outset apply.

From DE 88 00 277 U1 is in a collecting shaft in a continuous section in the we Substantially horizontal pipe section provided that as over the entire circumference slotted filter tube is formed. The pipe section has a constant fil interaction. If necessary, it can be lifted out of the continuous path.

In a rainwater filter known from DE 296 09 920 U1, replaceable, filter cartridges which can be used individually and which differ from one another in fine or are roughly designed.

The invention has for its object a rainwater filter of the beginning ge named type to create, in which a long service life with largely optimal  Function is guaranteed, which can be individually adapted to the respective requirements and which offers the possibility of taking a very large range under one size to be able to cover different requirements.

The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

The rainwater filter can be used in a size that a large Re tolerates the build-up of water and yet only an exactly adjustable proportion of filter rainwater. The same rainwater filter can also be used Use requirements that have less rainwater or one lower consumption because the rainwater filter element by twisting around its Axis and / or reversing its installation position is adjustable so that the rain water filter can be individually adapted to the respective conditions. An adjustment of the rainwater filter element can also depend on the season or consumption pending. The position of the rainwater filter element can be so be set so that there is always a sufficient rinsing effect for the impurities remains guaranteed and no blockages occur. With only one size can if necessary, the complete range of requirements can be covered. Appropriately There are only a few sizes that can be individually adjusted in a wide range be, e.g. B. for small consumers or single-family houses, for medium-sized consumers and Apartment buildings or for bulk consumers and extreme roof sizes, such as schools or sports facilities or industrial companies.

The element can expediently be adjusted into a filter blocking position, so that no rainwater is branched off. Revi sion or maintenance work is carried out, or work on the re strand collecting leading water collector. Furthermore, the filter blocking position can be conscious be set, for example to rinse the sewer line vigorously, or in order to start with the initially heavily contaminated when it starts to rain Only drain rainwater into the sewage system.  

The rainwater filter element is expediently a pipe section with little at least one branch opening. Because the filtration is under the influence of gravity follows, can be determined by the relative rotational position of the branch opening in relation to the Set the desired filter effect and / or the desired throughput vertically. The twisting can be done in predetermined steps, or continuously, in the last In this case, a very sensitive adjustment of the rainwater filter is possible.

The pipe section can expediently be removed from the passage. This is advantageous for maintenance and revision work, because then to the sections there is free access to the route.

Alternatively or additively, just by reversing the pipe section within the Pass through an adjustment of the filtering effect and / or the throughput be taken. For this purpose there are several specially shaped branch openings gene provided, the filter effect and / or throughput of the flow direction is dependent.

Several branch openings are expedient along the pipe section provided that are separated by crossbars. The crossbars affect the fil wear behavior. Furthermore, the free surfaces of the filter screen are not inappropriate large, so that they do not tend to bulge, but are supported stably.

The passage with the rainwater filter element is expediently in egg NEN container integrated so that a rainwater filter module like a revision or inspection shaft, from which the connection to the rainwater collector, usually a cistern. The rainwater filter module is one compact unit that, despite frost-proof installation in the ground, has a low overall height speaks because a moderate, and in itself for rainwater pipe systems usual Slope of a few percent is sufficient for proper function. The Re genwasserfilter module can be individually adapted to the respective requirements,  in which the rainwater filter element is placed in the appropriate position in which a sufficient rinsing effect for the impurities remains guaranteed. The module also offers the possibility of an inspection site for the sewage system system, especially for sizes that allow entry into the container. If the rainwater filter element can be removed, then there is even a Revi possibility for the sewer system.

The pipe section between an inlet connection and an outlet connection is favorable the passage is used removable, by means of detachable Rohrver binder. This makes maintenance and cleaning work easier and, according to Her Exception of the pipe section to work in the pipe socket.

Conveniently, the pipe connectors are sliding sleeves, which are linear Movement in the direction of the axis of the pipe section in their sealing positions ge are brought, or pushed back to remove the pipe section become. This is where sliding handles are used, with which the sliding sleeves can be used directly from Can be manipulated by hand or using an auxiliary device.

The pipe section is expediently rotatably sealed in the sliding sleeves supported to be able to adjust the rainwater filter. The Sliding sleeves do not have to participate in this rotary adjustment.

Alternatively, a manual actuating element is provided, with which both Have the sliding sleeves easily adjusted. A toggle mechanism makes it easier Handling and is able to apply large enough forces and the Position the sliding sleeves in the sealing position.

A positioning on the top of each sliding sleeve is particularly useful jump provided, preferably in half-shell shape, when inserting the tube section this centered on the pipe socket, so that the sliding sleeves comfortably are movable into their sealing position.  

If each branch opening is approximately half the circumference of the pipe section tes extends, there is a large adjustment range. The knowledge is right tion worn that in such drain lines even with heavy rainwater the cross-section of the continuous route is not completely filled. This means that at Turning the branch opening upwards reaches a safe filter blocking position is in which no rainwater reaches the rainwater collector, so that Revi tion or maintenance work in the container can be carried out comfortably. On the other hand can be from the branch opening that extends approximately over 180 ° in radians tion of the respective filter effect and / or the desired through Set the required proportion of the branch opening downwards relative to the vertical len to adjust the filter effect and / or the throughput precisely and sensitively can.

For easier handling, it is useful on the pipe section or in the container to provide a rotary adjustment mechanism for the pipe section, preferably egg a cable or a hand lever. So that the respectively set position again can be found or identified, the different rotational positions of the Pipe section or the hand lever stationary markings, for example with Percentages.

The pipe section expediently consists of a rainwater-resistant Material, especially plastic, stainless steel or copper, in the Wall, the branch openings are cut, and the filter screen is in shape a woven stainless steel wire screen in the branch openings, z. B. by Glue or with a holding frame.

A forced flushing device is expediently integrated into the module, with which the filter screen is freed of the inevitable biological growth bar, and with which intensive flushing to the sewer system can also be achieved is. Similar to the dishwashing system in a dishwasher, forced washing should be carried out  have rotatable rinsing rotors by means of the water pressure, with which the Filter sieve can be worked intensively, so that the bio-growth is broken up and removed is changed. If the rinsing rotors with their rotor axes laterally offset to the axis of the Pipe section can be arranged so that each rinsing rotor is only a part nes rotation range and with a certain direction of rinsing is effective, then a conveying component in the totality of the staggered flushing rotors Generate flow direction through the pipe section, so that the bio-growth and any inside contaminants are very effective in the sewer line be promoted.

As an alternative or in addition, the forced rinsing device could also be directly in the drain act to periodically flush contaminants into the sewer system len.

To avoid a backflow from the sewer system that ge filtered rainwater is contaminated, e.g. B. by faeces, should be downstream of the filter element an automatic check valve may be provided.

In order to intensify the freeing of the filter sieve from the bio-growth, the Forced rinsing device have a plurality of rinsing rotors in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipe section are arranged one behind the other.

Finally, it may be advisable to design the throughput section and the pipe section in DN 200 with a container diameter of approx. 1.0 m. This is the size of the module, which is useful for very large roof areas and large rainwater. For single-family houses and smaller roof areas, a tank diameter of 400 mm with a nominal diameter DN of 100 or 150 can suffice to meet all the requirements for rainwater that are encountered in Germany, for example.

Based on the drawings, embodiments of the subject matter of the invention explained. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a rainwater filter module with an inserted translated rainwater filter element,

Fig. 2, the rain water filter element in a plan view,

Fig. 3 shows schematically a side view of a detail variant,

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the detail variant of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 shows a detail in a side view;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a rainwater filter element of another embodiment, and

Fig. 7 shows a cross section of a rainwater filter element of yet another embodiment.

In Fig. 1, a rainwater filter R with a rainwater filter element F is contained in a rainwater filter module M. The rainwater filter element F is a we straight pipe section A, z. B. a plastic tube, which is used in the course of a continuous section 1 with a slight gradient α of approximately 1% to 5%, between an inlet nozzle 2 and an outlet nozzle 3 . The sockets 2 , 3 can be fixedly connected to the wall of a container B, which is designed as a shaft and has a pot-like lower part 22 with an attachment flange 23 for a cover or a shaft attachment with a manhole cover (not shown). In the container B, a connection 4 is arranged below the passage 1 , which sersammler to a Regenwas, z. B. a cistern Z leads. In the embodiment shown, the connection 4 is arranged at a distance below the passage 1 . This distance in the vertical direction could be significantly smaller in order to save overall height. Furthermore, a forced flushing device S is integrated in the module M, which serves on the one hand for flushing the filter element F, is connected to a pressurized water line 5 and has, for example, several spray rotors 6 , or at least one flushing nozzle 9 arranged on a pressurized water line 5 'in the passage 1 or in the outlet nozzle 3 , which can be used for flushing via a shut-off element 8 .

The pipe section A has, for example, a circular pipe wall 10 (although other cross-sectional shapes are quite possible) and a plurality of branch openings 11 in the form of, for example, square windows, which in the embodiment shown extend approximately over half the circumference and in a row in the direction of the pipe axis X are arranged one behind the other. Adjacent openings 11 are separated from one another by crosspieces 13 . Each branch opening 11 is covered by a filter screen 14 , for example a filter fabric woven from stainless steel wire with a pore size of, for example, 200 μm and a wire thickness of approximately 120 μm. The filter screen 14 could be used in the form of individual surfaces, or in the form of a continuous blank, and is expediently firmly glued or positioned by means of a clamping frame.

The tube section A is removably attached in the module M in the embodiment shown. For this purpose, pipe connectors K are attached to both ends of the pipe section A, in the case shown sliding sleeves 15 , in which the pipe section A is rotatable and sealed about its longitudinal axis X. At each sliding sleeve 15 or at the ends of the pipe section A Positioniervorsprün ge 16 are provided, for example in half-shell shape, which grip from above over the nozzle 2 , 3 and position the pipe section A properly when it is inserted and the pipe connector K not yet are pushed ver into the sealing position shown.

To adjust the pipe connector K, a toggle mechanism with levers 18 and a handle 19 on clamps 17 of both slide sleeves 15 is provided. By pulling the handle 19 , the sliding sleeves 15 can be pulled from the sealing position shown inwards until the pipe section A only rests with the positioning projections 16 on the connecting piece 2 , 3 . Then the Rohrab section A can be lifted upwards. The insertion is carried out in the reverse order, the sliding sleeves 15 finally being brought into the closed position by pressing the handle 19 down. Fig. 2 illustrates the structure of the actuating mechanism.

The pipe section A can, expediently in the sliding sleeves 15 , about its axis X, in the direction of a double arrow 21st For this purpose, a manipulation handle in the form of a handle 20 on the pipe section A can be vorgese hen. However, it is also conceivable to arrange a cable pull mechanism in the container which engages the pipe section A and can rotate it.

The respective filter effect or the throughput through the branch openings 11 can be adjusted. In Fig. 1, the branch openings 11 are brought symmetrically to the vertical in the lowest position. This results in the highest throughput of filtered rainwater to connection 4 . Referring to FIG. 2, the pipe section A can be brought in beliebi ge rotational positions. The escapement in the sliding sleeves 15 is sufficient to automatically maintain each selected position. In Fig. 1, the position for the strongest throughput is indicated with 11 ^IV . The dashed position 11 ^I in Fig. 2 means that the pipe section A is rotated into a filter blocking position, in which the branch opening 11 points upwards and the incoming rainwater is passed entirely into the outlet connection 3 along the then half-shell-shaped tube wall 10 . The dashed position 11 ^II corresponds to a significantly reduced throughput, because only about a third of the circumferential extent of each branch opening can be used to filter the rainwater. The position 11 ^III corresponds to a somewhat higher throughput, but not the maximum throughput, because a considerable part of the circumferential extent of the branch opening 11 lies above the flow level in the pipe section A.

The pipe section A can also be used in the reverse position, ie the right-hand end of the pipe section A in FIG. 1 is then positioned on the left at the inlet connection 2 . This reversal of the position of the pipe section A can also be used to change the filter effect or the throughput, provided that the design of the branch openings 11 and the arrangement or design of the filter screen 14 have an effect on the filter effect and / or the throughput. This can be achieved, for example, by a shape of the branch openings 11 that deviates from the square window shape shown, and / or by a special structuring or arrangement of the filter screen 14 in the branch openings 11 .

In Fig. 3, a modified forced rinsing device S is provided which, in the embodiment of the tube section A shown with four successively arranged branch openings 11 , each of which extends approximately over half the circumference, has three overlapping spray rotors ( FIG. 4) with their rotor axis 7 are laterally offset from the vertical projection of the X axis. It is thereby achieved that the filter screen 14 impinging spray jets 25 of the rotors 6 a feed component, for example in the direction of arrow 24, generate, and refuse biofouling of the filter screen 14, also on the inside, and together men with optionally there lying or adhered impurities promote to drain connector 3 .

In Fig. 5 a modified embodiment of a sliding sleeve 15 is shown having an enlarged annular flange 26 adjacent to the positioning projection 16, can be attacked on the hand, to move the sliding sleeve.

In Fig. 6, a pipe section A is indicated, the branch openings 11 are oriented in egg ner row in the direction of the axis X, but have different shapes and / or sizes. These forms ensure that, for example, the throughput is lower in egg ner flow direction 27 and the filter effect is different than in a flow direction 28th Depending on how the pipe section A is inserted into the passage 1 of FIG. 1, a change in the filter effect and / or the throughput is achieved in this way. It is obvious that the tube section A of FIG. 6 can also be rotated about its axis X in order to make additional settings.

The tube section A in FIG. 7 has branch openings 11 of the same or different shape and size which are separated from one another in the circumferential direction by intermediate walls 29 and are covered by filter screens 14 , for example with different pore sizes and / or wire thicknesses. In a circumferential area, namely in the tube wall 10 , no branch opening 11 is provided. The water level that arises in pipe section A during heavy rain is indicated at W. Depending on the rotational position of the pipe section about its axis X and with respect to the vertical, a different filter effect can be set and / or a different throughput. If the tube wall 10 in FIG. 7 is rotated downward, then there is the so-called filter blocking position, in which the separating openings 11 are normally not effective at all. Since then no rainwater runs down, work can be carried out in the vicinity of the pipe section A, for example in the container B in FIG. 1, even if rainwater should continue to flow through.

In the embodiments shown, the nominal width of the nozzle 2 , 3 is the same as that of the pipe section A. It is readily conceivable to design the pipe section A with a larger nominal width than the nozzle to produce a larger filter area. Expediently, however, the pipe section A should then be positioned eccentrically to the connecting pieces 2 , 3 . Instead of or in addition to the forced-rinsing devices S shown, scrapers or continuously running scrapers could also be provided in order to at least destroy or eliminate the biofouling of the filter screens 14 .

With a tank diameter of approx. 1.0 m, a nominal size DN 200 is selected for the pipes. With smaller container diameters, e.g. B. of 400 mm, ei ne nominal size DN 100 could also be used. In the case of appropriately large containers B, after removal of the pipe section A there is, so to speak, an accessible inspection shaft in which the passage 1 and also the connection 4 can be checked or cleaned. Downstream of the pipe section A at least one automatic backflow barrier could be provided, e.g. B. a backflow valve speaking on backflows. Furthermore, sensors and a signaling device could be provided in order to compare the incoming rainwater throughput with the throughput of the filtered rainwater, on the one hand in order to be able to carry out the optimal adjustment of the throughput by twisting the pipe section, and on the other hand if there are too large deviations from one Tolerance range to initiate a rinse cycle or a revision, if necessary an automatically initiated rinse cycle.

The filter screen 14 does not necessarily have to consist of a stainless steel filter fabric, but other filter materials can also be used. Since no noteworthy height difference is required for filtering the rainwater, but the usual gradient of approx. 2 to 3% is sufficient, already installed rainwater drain lines can be retrofitted by the rainwater filter module. The container used does not have to have the shape or construction shown, but there are other solutions possible to conduct the filtered re water in port 4 . For backwashing, this is conveniently carried out in the rainwater collector, e.g. B. a cistern Z, uses collected water, which in most cases can be pumped anyway by a pump, which then takes over the function of a flushing pump. A type of scale or vernier is expediently provided, which optically indicates which rotational position the Rohrab section A has or which throughput is set, for. B. in percentages.

Claims (21)

1. rainwater filter, in particular tubular filter, with a slope (α) arranged through passage ( 1 ) in which a rainwater filter element (F) with at least one, through a filter screen ( 14 ) covered branch opening ( 11 ) to a rain water collector (Z ) is provided, characterized in that the Regenwas water filter element (F) is adjustable within the passage ( 1 ) between positions ( 11 ^I to 11 ^IV ) with different filter effects and / or throughputs by rotating about its longitudinal axis A and / or reversing its installation position . 2. Rain water filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the rain water filter element (F) can be rotated into a filter blocking position ( 11 ^I ). 3. Rainwater filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the rain water filter element (F) within the passage ( 1 ) as a tube section (A) is formed, the at least one limited in the circumferential direction to a portion, through the filter screen ( 14 ) covered branch opening ( 11 ) contains. 4. Rain water filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the rain water filter element (F) in the passage ( 1 ) is removably arranged. 5. Rainwater filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the branch opening ( 11 ) is formed with a shape or in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) in a row oriented, differently shaped and / or differently sized branch openings are provided, which in one Flow direction ( 27 ) in the pipe section (A) cause a different filter effect and / or a different throughput than in the opposite flow direction ( 28 ). 6. Rainwater filter according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of approximately the same size and similar, as a row in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) orien oriented branch openings ( 11 ) are provided, which are preferably separated from one another by transverse webs ( 13 ) . 7. Rainwater filter according to claim 1, characterized in that in the branch opening ( 11 ) from the filter screen ( 14 ) has different filter screen areas in the circumferential direction with respect to the pore size. 8. Rain water filter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage ( 1 ) with the adjustable rain water filter element (F) in a container (B), preferably in a shaft-like container, is integrated, which is below the passage ( 1 ) has a connection ( 4 ) to the rainwater collector (Z), and that the passage ( 1 ) with the re genwasserfilterelement (F) and the container (B) forms a rainwater filter module (N). 9. Rainwater filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the through-run ( 1 ) has an inlet connection ( 2 ) upstream and an outlet connection ( 3 ) downstream of the pipe section (A), and that on the pipe section (A) and / or on the connection piece ( 2 , 3 ) detachable pipe connectors (K) are provided. 10. Rainwater filter according to claim 9, characterized in that the pipe connector sealed sliding sleeves ( 15 ), optionally with sliding handles ( 26 ), and that, preferably, the pipe section (A) is rotatably sealed in the sliding sleeves ( 15 ). 11. Rainwater filter according to claim 9, characterized in that at the Rohrab section (A) at least one manual actuating element ( 18 , 19 , 17 ) is provided for adjusting one or both sliding sleeves ( 15 ), preferably a toggle lever mechanism simultaneously forming and inserting aid . 12. Rainwater filter according to claim 10, characterized in that each slide sleeve ( 15 ) has an upper-side positioning projection ( 16 ), preferably in the form of a matching half-shell that can be placed on the inlet or outlet nozzle ( 2 , 3 ). 13. Rainwater filter according to claim 3, characterized in that the branch opening ( 11 ) is an approximately square window extending over approximately half the circumference of the pipe section (A). 14. Rainwater filter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the pipe section (A) and / or in the container (B) or shaft, a rotary adjustment mechanism for the pipe section (A) is provided, preferably before a cable or a lever ( 20 ). 15. Rainwater filter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe section (A) consists of a regenwasserbeständi gene material, in particular plastic, stainless steel or copper, that the branch openings ( 11 ) cut out windows in the pipe wall ( 10 ), and that the filter screen is a woven stainless steel screen, preferably with a pore size of about 200 microns with a wire thickness of about 125 microns. 16. Rainwater filter according to claim 8, characterized in that in the container (B) one of the branch opening ( 11 ) or the filter screen ( 14 ) associated forced rinsing device (S) is provided. 17. Rainwater filter module according to claim 16, characterized in that the forced flushing device has a plurality of flushing rotors ( 6 ) lined up in the direction of the axis (X). 18. Rainwater filter according to claim 17, characterized in that the Spülro gates ( 6 ) with their rotor axes ( 7 ) laterally offset for vertical projection of the longitudinal axis (X) of the pipe section (A) are arranged such that only over a predetermined portion of a rotor revolution and with a conveying component ( 24 ) oriented in the flow direction of the rainwater filter element (F), flushing jets ( 25 ) strike the filter screen ( 14 ). 19. Rainwater filter according to claim 16, characterized in that the forced rinsing device (S) is connected to the passage ( 1 ), preferably downstream of the rainwater filter element (F). 20. Rainwater filter according to claim 1, characterized in that downstream of the Rainwater filter element (F) at least one backflow dam, preferably one automatic backflow flap is provided. 21. Rainwater filter according to claim 8, characterized in that with a container diameter of approximately 1.0 m, the passage ( 1 ) with the pipe section (A) and the connection for the rainwater collector (Z) have a nominal diameter DN 200 ha.