EP0293513B1 - Method for activating the locking mechanismus of a float operated valve of a flushing chamber for flushing a liquid storage tank and device for carrying out this method - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Method of activating a locking mechanism of a float-controlled shut-off flap of a flushing chamber for flushing a liquid storage space, in which the float, arranged preferably in the area of the low point of the floor of the storage space or an area upstream and downstream from the storage space and having a float arm and a float body, activates the locking mechanism of the shut-off flap in the essentially emptied state of the storage space or of the area upstream or downstream from the latter, characterized in that, when the space in which the float is located is emptied, a lowering movement of the float for activating the locking mechanism is prevented and the movement of a tripping means is used to release the preset float arm for activating the locking mechanism.

Description

The invention relates to a method for actuating the closing mechanism of a float-controlled shut-off valve of a rinsing chamber for rinsing a liquid storage space, in which the float, preferably located in the area of the bottom of the storage space or a region upstream or downstream of the storage space, has a float arm and a float body essentially emptied state of the storage space or the area upstream or downstream of this actuates the closing mechanism of the butterfly valve; also a device for performing the method.

Liquid storage spaces, with one or more flushing chambers which are preferably arranged in the area of a bottom high point of the storage space and which can be filled with storage liquid and which let the storage liquid run out as flushing surge when the storage space is empty, are used wherever intermittent quantities of liquid are initially collected and passed on with a delay in order not to overload subsequent facilities. Liquid storage rooms of this type are frequently used as rain retention basins, rain clarifiers, rain overflow basins and damming channels for wastewater disposal.

In the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall, there are abrupt amounts of rain or me water, which exceed the capacities of the sewer network and the sewage treatment plants many times over. Such bursts of rainwater are absorbed by temporary storage in, for example, rain basins or canal storage spaces and are passed on with a time delay. The amounts of water arriving in storage rooms carry with them a considerable amount of dirt, especially at the beginning of a rainy event, since contaminants deposited in the sewage system are entrained by the first burst of rainwater. During storage, most of the dirt is deposited on the ground and forms a sludge there. In the course of emptying the storage rooms, this floor sludge must be removed via the drain. However, since the outflow flow in the storage space is too low and the associated towing force of the water is not sufficient to transport the deposits, most of the soil sludge remains after emptying.

For the purpose of cleaning the sole, a device for carrying out the above-mentioned method has been described in accordance with EPA 1 - 0 211 058. Each butterfly valve is assigned a float located in the area of the bottom of the storage space, the transfer of the float movement to the closing mechanism of the butterfly valve takes place according to the fluid level in the drainage area via wire cables, Bowden cables, hydraulically through the interaction of float-side and butterfly valve-side hydraulic cylinders or in another suitable manner . By controlling the flushing processes of the rinsing chamber and the rinsing processes of the storage space by the float, the rinsing chamber is automatically filled without external energy at the beginning of the damming process and is rinsed with a strong flushing surge after the storage space has run dry. All flushing processes are carried out with collected storage liquid, so that there are no operating costs.

Due to the design of the flushing chamber, the closing mechanism of the butterfly valves and the arrangement of the floats for actuating the closing mechanism in the region of the bottom of the storage space, the liquid storage space with the flushing device described in the cited document has proven itself in practice in principle. However, it has been shown that due to the proportional transmission of the movement of the float to the closing mechanism of the butterfly valve, which must sometimes take place over great distances, furthermore with an extremely slowly decreasing liquid level of the float under certain circumstances when the storage space is not yet completely empty via the closing mechanism a slight opening movement of the butterfly valve allows so that rinsing liquid escapes from the rinsing chamber, which the actual rinsing surge no longer sufficiently follows when the liquid level drops further and the resultant full opening of the butterfly valve.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of the type mentioned, in which an abrupt opening of the butterfly valve is possible and which is characterized by a simple and secure operative connection between the float and the butterfly valve and thus enables large distances between them to be bridged.

The object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that when the space in which the float is located is emptied, a lowering movement of the float for actuating the closing mechanism is prevented and the movement of a release means is used to fix the float arm to release the locking mechanism.

The float arm is preferably prevented from lowering further when a defined liquid level is reached and is only released when the essentially empty state of the storage space or the upstream or downstream region is reached. The triggering means can likewise be controlled by means of a float, but can also be pressure-controlled, in particular by means of the liquid pressure in the area of the bottom of the storage space or the upstream or downstream area. Depending on the local requirements, the control of the float and the release agent can take place with or without external energy.

The float preferably acts via a hydraulic system or directly on the closing mechanism, which suddenly releases the shut-off valve of the rinsing chamber, whereby the storage liquid runs out as a rinsing surge.

According to the invention, the float can be arranged in the most varied of locations in the storage system, for example in the storage space, there in the region of the bottom point or in the region of various depressions, and there is also the possibility of arranging the float in the area upstream of the storage space, for example in a prechamber or an inlet section, with the advantage that when the liquid level rises, the float responds immediately and transfers the associated closing mechanism of the butterfly valve to the locking position.Finally, it is also conceivable to place the float in the area downstream of the storage space, for example in a downstream shaft or to arrange the drainage path, or even in a flow path that is connected in parallel to the storage space.

If the float and the float-controlled triggering means form a structural unit, it is of course necessary to arrange the two parts at the same point in the storage system. On the other hand, if the trigger is structurally separate from the float, great advantages can be achieved with regard to the control of the flushing process if it is connected downstream of the float, i.e. the float is preferably located in the area upstream of the storage space, in particular in a prechamber, and the trigger at least in the area of the bottom of the storage space or even in the area downstream of the storage space, in the latter case it is sufficient if the float is arranged in the storage space.

Variously designed devices can be used to carry out the method according to the invention. Preferred embodiments have the float and the triggering means, furthermore a first hydraulic power means, which is connected to the pivot point of the float arm of the float, and a closing mechanism for the butterfly valve, which can be actuated by a second hydraulic power means, which is actuated by the first power means connected is.

In a first variant according to the invention it is provided that a pivotable support lever is provided in the pivoting area of the float, which is preferably arranged in the area of the bottom of the storage space or the upstream or downstream area, which can be pivoted by means of a spring into the pivoting path of the float arm and supports it, and in addition to this first float, a second float is provided, which moves the support lever from its position supporting the swivel arm of the first float when the liquid level drops via a driver. The support lever and the second float are advantageously mounted on a common axis, the support lever should have a shoulder spaced from its pivot point with which the driver forming part of the float arm of the second float can be brought into engagement, the spring should be between the free end of the Approach and the float arm of the second float.

A second variant of the invention provides that the float arm consists of two articulated parts and a support lever is provided in the swivel area of the swivel bearing-side part of the float, which is pivotable by means of a spring in the swivel path of this part of the float arm and him supports, the other swiveling part of the float moves the support lever from its position supporting the swivel bearing part of the float when the liquid level drops via a driver.

Both in the variant with two floats and in the one with a two-part float, a stop should be provided which limits the upward movement of the float acting on the hydraulic system. This results in defined geometrical relationships between the support lever and the float arm acting on the hydraulic system, without having to take into account the maximum fill level of the storage space, since the float (s) can be stowed as desired.

The actual support of the float expediently takes place in that the support lever is pivoted into a slightly overstretched position with respect to the float arm acting on the hydraulic system and thereby abuts an attachment attached to this float arm. During the further lowering movement of the float or float part in operative connection with the driver, the support lever is moved from its overstretched position, the float arm in operative connection with the hydraulic system drops suddenly and swivels the support lever against the force of the spring. In order to be able to adjust the contact point of the support lever on the float arm actuating the locking mechanism and / or the contact point of the driver on the support lever, separate means should advantageously be provided.

In a third variant according to the invention it is provided that the float is pivotally attached to the float arm and by means of a control rod which can be moved by the float body in the longitudinal direction of the float arm and can be pivoted with the float arm, an articulated rocker arm which can be moved into a position when the float body is raised can be actuated , in which it engages under a support arranged in the swivel range of the rocker arm, but releases the support when the float is lowered. When the liquid level drops, the float arm remains in its position as a result of the rocker arm resting on the support, while the float body drops and pulls the rocker arm out from under the support via the control rod. As a result, the float arm drops suddenly and acts on the hydraulic system.

With the three variants described above a float-controlled trigger always works mechanically as a unit with the float. In a fourth variant according to the invention, this is not necessary, since it is provided there that a release means acts directly on the hydraulic system acted upon by the float for actuating the closing mechanism of the butterfly valve. The triggering device can thus be placed anywhere in the flushing system, regardless of the float, in particular in the bottom of the storage space, the area upstream or downstream of it, for example in the bottom of the antechamber or in the drain area / drain shaft, while the float is preferably arranged in the bottom of the antechamber. to lock the butterfly valve as soon as liquid is stowed in the prechamber. In this fourth variant, it is provided in particular that a check valve is provided in the hydraulic line between the float and the closing mechanism, which only allows a flow through the line in the direction of the float, thus allowing a stroke movement of the float when liquid is stowed. If the liquid level drops again, the non-return valve prevents the float from sinking according to the liquid level so that it emerges from the liquid the check valve. This can be done mechanically via a transmission line, for example, by lifting the spring-loaded closure cone, which is usually arranged in a non-return valve, from the closure opening and thereby making the non-return valve pass through in two directions, which leads to the sudden lowering of the float and triggering of the closing mechanism of the butterfly valve. It can also be done by providing a bypass line in the area of the check valve with the closure valve located therein and triggering the release valve in any manner when the specific liquid level is reached and thus opening the bypass line previously closed.

In the latter variant according to the invention in particular, it is provided that a plurality of butterfly valves is controlled by a float-controlled triggering means. If, for example, with several existing butterfly valves, each butterfly valve has its own float and its own hydraulic line for triggering the closing mechanism of the butterfly valve, control levers for opening or closing the shut-off valve of the corresponding bypass line can be connected to one another by means of an adjustable linkage, so that it is only it is necessary to act on one of the control levers with the float-controlled trigger. The adjustability of the linkage also has the advantage that the flushing events can then take place, that is, for example, when a certain low liquid level in the downstream chamber is reached, a shut-off valve is first triggered by the float-controlled triggering means, whereupon the liquid in the following first flushing event Storage space and thus also in the downstream chamber rises again, when the liquid level drops again below the certain low liquid level mentioned above, the float-controlled triggering device triggers the next butterfly valve in a defined manner, the next flushing event follows, etc.

Further features of the invention are shown in the description of the figures and in the subclaims, it being noted that all individual features and all combinations of individual features are essential to the invention.

Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

• Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf einen mehreckigen Flüssigkeitsspeicherraum mit Spülkammer und im Bereich des Sohltiefpunktes des Speicherraumes angeordnetem Schwimmersystem entsprechend den ersten drei erfindungsgemäßen Varianten,
• Figur 2 einen Schnitt durch den Flüssigkeitsspeicherraum gemäß der Linie A-A in Figur 1,
• Figur 3 eine schematische Darstellung des Schwimmersystems und des Schließmechanismus für die Absperrklappe einer Spülkammer bei einer Ausführungsform des Schwimmersystems entsprechend der ersten erfindungsgemäßen Variante bei verriegelter Absperrklappe,
• Figur 4 eine Darstellung gemäß Figur 3 bei entriegelter Absperrklappe,
• Figur 5 eine Detailansicht des in den Figuren 3 und 4 dargestellten Schwimmersystems,
• Figur 6 eine räumliche Darstellung der Lagerung des bei dem Schwimmersystem Verwendung findenden zweiten Schwimmers und des Stützhebels,
• Figur 7 eine Ausführungsform des Schwimmersystems entsprechend der zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Variante,
• Figur 8 eine Ausführungsform des Schwimmersystems entsprechend der dritten erfindungsgemäßen Variante,
• Figur 9 eine Draufsicht auf den mehreckigen Flüssigkeitsspeicherraum mit Spülkammer und im Bereich der Vorkammer und dem Ablauf aus dem Speicherraum angeordnetem Schwimmersystem entsprechend der vierten erfindungsgemäßen Variante,
• Figur 10 eine Prinzipsskizze zur Verdeutlichung der Funktion der Ausführungsform nach Figur 9,
• Figur 11 eine Prinzipsskizze zur Verdeutlichung der Steuerung einer gegenüber der Darstellung in Figur 10 abgewandelten Ausführungsform mit zwei Schwimmern und zwei Absperrklappen,
• Figur 12 eine vereinfacht dargestellte Ansicht des Schließmechanismus in verriegeltem Zustand der Absperrklappe,
• Figur 13 einen Schnitt durch den Schließmechanismus bei verriegelter Absperrklappen,
• Figur 14 eine Draufsicht gemäß der Darstellung in Figur 12 bei entriegeltem Zustand der Absperrklappe,
• Figur 15 eine Frontansicht der geschlossenen Absperrklappe und
• Figur 16 einen Schnitt gemäß der Linie B-B in Figur 15 durch die Aufhängung der Absperrklappe.

Show it:

• 1 shows a plan view of a polygonal liquid storage space with a rinsing chamber and a float system arranged in the region of the bottom of the storage space in accordance with the first three variants according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 shows a section through the liquid storage space along the line AA in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the float system and the closing mechanism for the shut-off valve of a rinsing chamber in one embodiment of the float system corresponding to the first variant according to the invention when the shut-off valve is locked,
• FIG. 4 shows a representation according to FIG. 3 with the butterfly valve unlocked,
• FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the float system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
• FIG. 6 shows a spatial representation of the mounting of the second float used in the float system and of the support lever,
• FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the float system corresponding to the second variant according to the invention,
• FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the float system corresponding to the third variant according to the invention,
• FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the polygonal liquid storage space with rinsing chamber and a float system arranged in the area of the prechamber and the outlet from the storage space, in accordance with the fourth variant according to the invention,
• FIG. 10 shows a basic sketch to illustrate the function of the embodiment according to FIG. 9,
• FIG. 11 shows a basic sketch to illustrate the control of an embodiment with two floats and two shut-off valves modified from the illustration in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 12 shows a simplified view of the locking mechanism in the locked state of the butterfly valve,
• FIG. 13 shows a section through the locking mechanism when the butterfly valves are locked,
• FIG. 14 is a top view as shown in FIG. 12 with the butterfly valve unlocked,
• Figure 15 is a front view of the closed butterfly valve and
• 16 shows a section along the line BB in Figure 15 through the suspension of the butterfly valve.

Figures 1 and 2 show an asymmetrically constructed rain basin 1 with inlet 3 and outlet 4, which is divided by a partition 19 into a prechamber 1a and a main chamber 1c. A rinsing chamber 1 b _′ and 1 b ″ are arranged on the right and left of this partition 19. A throttle opening 8 is located in the partition 19 in the area of the dry weather channel 2. The inlet openings 11 in the wall 28 can be closed with a non-return flap 12, the shut-off valve 13 of the washing opening 10 of the washing chambers 1 b ′ and 1 b ″ are actuated by a float system 16, each associated with a shut-off valve 13, which is located in the main chamber 1 ₀ in the region of the bottom point. The diameters of outlet 4 and throttle opening 8 are coordinated with one another in such a way that a larger volume flow can be passed through the throttle opening 8 than through outlet 4.

In the event of abrupt water accumulation, the water is accumulated in the prechamber 1a, at the same time water collects in the main chamber 1c, which, due to the lifting movement of the float system 16, which will be explained in more detail below, leads to the closure of the corresponding butterfly valve 13.

The water accumulated in the pre-chamber 1a penetrates through the inlet openings 11 into the rinsing chamber 1b 'and 1b ". If the liquid level drops after the rain event, the liquid is retained by the non-return flaps 12 and the rinsing chambers 1b' and 1b" remain filled . If the main chamber 1c has run empty, then the float system 16 has sunk so far that the butterfly valves 13 are released again and rinsed. Two guide profiles 7a and 7b are arranged parallel to the dry weather channel 2 and guide the flushing surge laterally.

In the representation of Figures 1 and 2, the liquid storage space is drawn in an interrupted manner to make it clear that it can have any length. The butterfly valves 13 are controlled hydraulically by the float system 16, a supply line 35 is assigned to each float system 16 and each butterfly valve 13. FIG. 2 shows the maximum fill level C of the liquid storage space at which the float system 16 is flooded many times over.

The illustration in FIG. 3 schematically shows a first embodiment of the float system 16 associated with a butterfly valve 13 with the associated locking mechanism 5. This is shown rotated by 90 _° about its longitudinal axis to illustrate the function. The float system 16 initially has a first float arm 17 which is pivotally connected at one end 18 to a base plate 6, which in turn is fastened to the end wall 9 on the outflow side (FIGS. 1 and 2)

The other end of the float arm 17 is provided with a float body 20 which acts as a buoyancy body. In the region of the half of the float arm 17 facing the end 18, a metal bellows 14 engages non-positively on it. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the end of the metal bellows 14 facing the float arm 17 has a threaded bolt 15 which passes through a pivot bearing 21 arranged in the float arm 17 and is secured and adjustable by self-locking nuts 22. The end facing away from the float arm 17 has a flange 23 with a bore 24, a fastening means, not shown, passes through this bore 24 and serves to fasten the metal bellows 14 to the plate 6. The metal bellows 14 as such consists of two metallic sleeves 14a and 14b which accommodate the actual bellows part 14c between them. A metal ring 14d is fastened to the metal sleeve 14a, which in turn receives a metal sleeve 14e, the inside diameter of which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the bellows part 14c, so that when the bellows part 14c is pressed together, its buckling is prevented. In addition, the metal sleeve 14e is coated on the inside, which ensures largely friction-free sliding of the component 14c in the metal sleeve 14e. The opening 26 of the metal bellows 16 serves to vent it, the opening 27 is operatively connected to the closing mechanism 5 via a line 35 which conveys the hydraulic fluid.

As shown in FIG. 3, based on the orientation of the rainbow 1, there is a further float arm 30 below the float arm 17, which, according to the design of the float arm 17, is pivotally connected to the plate 6 with one end 31 by means of a bolt 32 is, the other end of the float arm 30 carries a float body 33 which also acts as a buoyancy body. On the bolt 32, a sleeve 34 is pivotally mounted independently of the end 31 of the float arm 30, with it a support lever 36 is on one side of the circumferential surface with it at its end located freely rotatable rollers 37 attached, the other end of the sleeve 34 has a projection 38, between its free end and the float arm 30 engages a Zuckfeder 39 (Figure 6).

The mode of operation of the previously described float system 16 is explained below, in particular with reference to the drawings in FIGS. 3 to 6, and it should be assumed that the liquid accumulates up to the maximum fill level C shown in FIG. 2 during a rain event. The liquid level causes the float system 16 to be flooded many times over; the illustration in FIG. 3 shows the float bodies 20 and 33 approximately in an upper end position. In this, the rollers 37 attached in the support lever 36 are slightly spaced from the underside of the float arm 17 and abut against a stop 40 located on the underside of the float arm 17. The arrangement of the Stop 40 to the center of rotation of the support lever 36 is dimensioned such that the support lever 36 is in an overstretched position when it contacts the stop 40. The result of this is that when the main chamber 1 is emptied, and thus the float body 20 sinks slightly, the rollers 37 come into contact with the underside of the float arm 17, support it and thus prevent further sinking as the main chamber 1c progressively empties, thereby an action on the metal bellows 14 and thus the closing mechanism 5 is excluded. With the progressive outflow of the liquid from the main chamber 1 c, the float body 33 of the lower float arm 30 now follows the liquid level and swivels downward. The driver 41, shown in detail in FIG. 5, arranged on the underside of the float arm 30 comes into contact with the extension 38, which is in operative connection with the support lever 36, and pivots this in accordance with the further pivoting movement of the float body 33 and the float arm 30 as the swivel arm 30 progresses. The support lever 36 is pivoted away from the stop 40 beyond the vertical falling from the underside of the float lever 17, the support function of the support lever 36 is omitted, so that the float arm 17 swings suddenly with the float body 20 downward, thereby opening the metal bellows 14 the locking mechanism is actuated.

The illustration in FIG. 4 shows the float body 33 in its position with the main chamber 1c almost emptied. Due to the movement of the support lever 36, the tension spring 39 is tensioned.

In the subsequent rain event, the float body 33 initially rises with the liquid level in the main chamber 1c; once it has reached approximately the level of the float body 20, both float bodies rise together until the upper float arm approximately reaches the position shown in FIG. 3. In this position, a further upward pivoting of the float arm 17 is either prevented by the maximum expansion capacity of the metal bellows 14, or a separate stop which comes into the pivoting path of the float arm 17 is provided. In the position mentioned, the underside of the float arm 17 is at least so far apart from the rollers 37 of the support lever 36 that the support lever 36 can be moved into the extended position in which it rests on the stop 40. In principle, there is the possibility of pivoting the float arm further upwards, but this must be ensured with additional means that the support lever 36 does not pivot past the stop 40, since otherwise there is no support effect when the main chamber 1 is emptied and the float arm 17 sinks would occur.

In order to be able to adjust the contact point of the support lever 36 on the stop 40 or the contact point of the driver 41 on the shoulder 38, countered screws 42 are screwed into the stop 40 or the shoulder 38, which abut against the rollers 37 or the driver 41 reach.

The illustration in FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the float system 16, where the float arm consists of two parts 17a and 17b which are connected to one another in an articulated manner. For the sake of simplicity, parts that correspond to the variant described above and are identical in function are designated with the same reference numerals. As can be seen in FIG. 7, on the underside of the float arm part 17a, which is connected to the end 18 and is designed as a weight, there is the extension 40, which cooperates with the support lever 36 in the manner described, the other float arm part connected to the float body 20 17b is articulated on the lower edge of part 17a facing it, ie it can only pivot downwards from the extended position shown in FIG. 7, in which the end faces of the parts 17a and 17b abut one another. The position of the float system 16 shown in solid lines is comparable to the state according to FIG. 3; when the main chamber 1c is emptied, the float arm formed from parts 17a and 17b initially remains in its extended position due to the buoyancy of the float body 20 until the support lever 36 acts , When the liquid level drops further, the part 17b pivots downwards, the float body 20 comes into contact with the modified attachment 38 'which is positively connected to the support lever 36 and pivots it into the position shown in broken lines, the support lever moving out of the support position is, so that the part 17a abruptly drops due to the stop 67, which also acts as a weight, of the float arm and the metal bellows 14 is acted upon in the manner described. A spring 39 'engages on the one hand on the extension 38' which represents the extension to the extension 38 'and on the other hand on the plate 6. With regard to the processes when new fluid is re-stowed in the main chamber 1, the statements regarding the variant according to FIGS. 3 to 5 apply .

The illustration in FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the float system 16, where the float body 20 is pivotably attached to the float arm 17, parts which correspond to the two previously described variants and are identical in their function are again identified with the same reference numerals for the sake of simplicity. As can be seen from this figure, the float arm 17 is extended beyond its pivot point 56, above the extended area the metal bellows 14 engages. The end of the float arm 17 which receives the float body 20 is designed as a U-shaped profiled weight body 57 which surrounds the float body 20 on both sides and with its upper part 58 limits the swivel path of the float body 20 upwards. A control rod 59 is articulated to the float body 20 and engages a plate 61 which is pivotably mounted by means of two parallel links. The plate 61 receives a rocker arm 63 via a joint 62, the pivoting path of which is downward is limited by a stop 64 arranged on the underside of the plate 61 in such a way that an overextension of the rocker arm 63 with respect to the plate 61 is not possible. In relation to the illustration in FIG. 8, a support 65 projecting into the pivoting range of the rocker arm is arranged above the rocker arm 63 shown in a stretched manner.

In the event of a rain, the float body 20 floats and comes into contact with the upper part 58 of the weight body 57. If the liquid level drops, the float arm 17 pivots into the position shown in FIG. 8 and the rocker arm 63 comes into contact with the support 65 When the liquid level drops further, the float body 20 swings down and moves the control rod in the direction of the free end of the float arm 17, so that the rocker arm 63 is pulled out from under the support 65. The float arm 17 swings suddenly downward, the extended area compresses the metal bellows 14 located above in this variant, which in turn actuates the closing mechanism 5. In the lowered position of the float arm 17, not shown, the rocker arm 63 is indeed in one plane with the Control rod, but points obliquely upwards. When the rain event occurs again, only the float body 20 initially floats and thus reaches the upper part 58 of the weight body 57, in the event of a further liquid accumulation the float arm 17 then swivels together with the float body 20. Once the float arm 17 has reached the position shown in FIG the rocker arm 63 is in the position shown in dashed lines due to the support 65 located in the meantime. As the level of liquid rises, the float arm 17 pivots further upward, so that due to the arrangement of the pivot point 56, the rocker arm 63 passes from the dashed position past the support 65 and rests against the stop 64, so that it falls back into contact with the support when the liquid level falls 65 can reach. FIG. 9 shows a liquid storage system which essentially corresponds to that shown in FIG. Corresponding parts which are identical in their function are again identified with the same reference numerals for the sake of simplicity. The variant according to FIG. 9 differs from that according to FIG. 1 by the arrangement of the spatially separated float system 16a and 16b. The float system 16a, which is arranged in the prechamber 1 a, essentially consists of two independently operating main floats, that is, each of the float arm 17 and the float body 20 together with the associated force transmission means for the butterfly valve. The float arms 17 of the floats are each articulated parallel to the corresponding longitudinal wall of the prechamber 1a. The float system 16b, on the other hand, comprises the float-controlled triggering means, thus the auxiliary float, which is arranged in the outlet area 1d downstream of the main chamber 1c. The float system 16b consists of the float arm 30 which is arranged parallel to a longitudinal wall of the outlet area 1d and is pivotably articulated thereon, and the float body 33, and also comprises a hydraulic control element 70.

The control element 70 and its function is particularly clear from FIG. 10. It is designed as a check valve, which is connected to the float-side line 35 'or the shut-off valve-side line 35' ', which is blocked when pressure is applied to the line 35' and thus prevents a lowering movement of the float body 20, but a lifting movement of this float body The control element is designed as a conventional check valve 77, the closure element 71, which is designed as a cone, is biased into the likewise conical passage opening by means of a compression spring 72. The closure element 71 is articulated via a linkage 73 to the pivotably mounted float arm 30 of the float system 16b, which thereby with a corresponding movement, the closure element 71 can lift off its seat and cancels the non-return function of the control element 70.

In the event of a rain, liquid is inevitably first accumulated in the prechamber 1a, the float bodies 20 of the float system 16a float up and immediately close the shut-off flaps 13 assigned to them. The liquid passes through the openings 8 and 4 into the drainage area 1b, so that the float system also 16b responds by the float 33 floating up and thus allowing only a flow of hydraulic fluid from line 35 "to line 35 '. If the liquid in the prechamber 1 a drops again after the rain event, the float bodies 20 cannot because of the blocking check valve 70 with sink, only when the pre-chamber 1a and the main chamber 1 have run empty, the liquid level in the outlet 1 d and thus the float body 33 of the float system 16b also decreases, with the result that when a certain liquid level is reached, the closure element 71 clears the passage opening in the check valve is u nd the float bodies 20 of the float system 16a can sink and suddenly unlock the butterfly valves 13.

In the illustration in FIG. 9, the routing of the hydraulic line 35 ′, 35 ″ is designated with the number 35 for the sake of simplicity. In the sense of the invention, what can be seen in particular from FIG. 11, it is only necessary to have a float system 16b for controlling a provide any number of individual float systems 16a, it is not necessary to provide a check valve 70 which is influenced in a particular position of the float system 16b in the sense of continuity in two directions, rather it is as in FIG also clarifies possible to provide a bypass line 74 branching off from lines 35 'and 35 ", into which a valve 75 is installed, which can be controlled between an open and a closed position by means of the float system 16b. When the fluid level drops Veaus thus pivots the float arm 30 and causes the valve 75 to be moved into its open position via the pivoting movement, so that the hydraulic fluid can flow past the check valve 70 via the bypass line 70 and thus the float system 16a suddenly unlocks the butterfly valves 13. In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, two separate valves 75 associated with float systems 16a are provided, each having an adjusting lever 76, between which an adjustable linkage 77 is arranged. Due to the adjustability of the linkage 77, different opening times of the butterfly valves 13 can be achieved, which can be illustrated particularly in the illustration of FIGS. 9 and 11. If, after a rain event, the liquid level in the outlet 1d drops by a certain amount, the system which is assigned to a butterfly valve 13 first responds, this butterfly valve is unlocked and, for example, a flushing surge pours out of the washing chamber 1b 'through the assigned area of the main chamber 1c. After this rinsing process has ended, the liquid level drops below that at which the rinsing chamber 1b 'was triggered and when a certain lower level is reached, the second valve 76, which is actuated via the adjustable linkage 77, responds and there is a flushing surge from the rinsing chamber 16 "through the corresponding assigned area of the main chamber 1 c.

Figures 12 to 16 show details relating to the butterfly valve 13, its suspension and the locking mechanism 5 of each butterfly valve. FIG. 15 shows the butterfly valve 13 attached to the flap housing 29, it can be swiveled about a horizontal axis 43 and consists of the support part 44 articulated directly on the flap housing 29 with detents 45 arranged on the underside thereof and a center-mounted part in the support part 44 a horizontal axis 46 pivotable sealing flap 47 shown in FIG. 16. As can also be seen from this figure, the support part 44 is mounted in the flap housing 29 via a threaded bolt, so that the shut-off flap 13 can be adjusted with respect to the flap housing 29. This is of great importance because, depending on the accumulation height in the rinsing chamber, large hydrostatic pressures can act on the butterfly valve 13 and only if the sealing body 47 is fitted exactly will the butterfly valve 13 be sufficiently tight.

As described above, when the float arm 17 or the float arm part 17a is suddenly lowered, the metal bellows is acted upon, that is to say compressed and hydraulic fluid is conveyed through the line 35. The locking mechanism 5 assigned to the butterfly valve 13 has a corresponding metal bellows 48, the opening 49 of which is connected to the line 35, so that a compression of the metal bellows 14 leads to a corresponding expansion of the metal bellows 48. The flange of the metal bellows 48, not shown in more detail, is connected to the valve housing 29, the metal sleeve located on the side of the metal bellows 48 facing away from the opening 49 receives a connecting member 50 which is connected to a locking rod 51 for the latching lugs 45 of the butterfly valve 13. As a result of the operative connection of the two metal bellows 14 and 48, a compression of the metal bellows 14 leads to an expansion of the metal bellows 48 with an actuating movement of the locking rod 51 away from the metal bellows 48, the expansion process of the metal bellows 14 with an increasing float leads to the opposite movement conditions, one of which Locking bar 51 engaging spring 52 supports the latter movement.

Figures 12 to 14 show details of the locking mechanism 5. The plate-shaped locking rod 51 is mounted at two spaced locations between two guide rollers 53 in the longitudinal direction. The guide rollers rotatably mounted in the flap housing 29 take up the narrow side of the locking rod 51 between their flanks, the locking rod 51 has on its side facing away from the flap housing 29 two locking plates 54 arranged obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the locking rod 51, at the free ends of the locking lugs 45 on the shut-off valve side each have a rotatable locking roller 55 attached.

When the metal bellows 14 and 48 are suddenly loaded as a result of the lowering movement of the float system 16, the metal bellows 48 expands and the locking rod 51 with the locking plates 54 is moved away from this metal bellows, so that the catch 45 with the locking rollers disengage from the locking plates 54 and the butterfly valve or butterfly valves 13 open abruptly and consequently the flushing surge pours through part or through the main chamber 1 as a whole. If the main chamber 1c is completely emptied, there is no positive connection between the locking rollers 55 and the locking plates 54 from the position of the float system in this position. In this position, leaf springs 66 which are attached to the bearing housing 29 and are designed in accordance with the shape of the latching lugs 45 ensure a positive connection Engagement with the detents 45 (Figures 12 and 14). When liquid is stowed, the float or bodies 20 float again, the metal bellows 48 contracts and the locking rod 51 is moved together with the locking plates 54 - additionally supported by the spring 52 - in the direction of this metal bellows, the locking plates 54 engage behind the again Locking rollers 55 and press the sealing flap 47 of the shut-off flap 13 against the flap housing 29.

Claims (13)

1. Method of activating a locking mechanism of a float-controlled shut-off flap of a flushing chamber for flushing a liquid storage space, in which the float, arranged preferably in the area of the low point of the floor of the storage space or an area upstream and downstream from the storage space and having a float arm and a float body, activates the locking mechanism of the shut-off flap in the essentially emptied state of the storage space or of the area upstream or downstream from the latter, characterized in that, when the space in which the float is located is emptied, a lowering movement of the float for activating the locking mechanism is prevented and the movement of a tripping means is used to release the preset float arm for activating the locking mechanism.

2._ Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tripping means is float-controlled or pressure-controlled.

3. Method according to claim 1 or-2, characterized in that the tripping means acts mechanically on the float.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tripping means acts on a hydraulic system pressurized by the float and activating the shut-off flap.

5. Device for carrying out the method according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a float, a first hydraulic means of force, which, at a distance from the pivot point (21) of the float arm (17), is connected nonpositively to the latter, and a locking mechanism for the shut-off flap (13), which locking mechanism can be activated by a second hydraulic means of force, which is connected to the first means of force, characterized in that a pivotable supporting lever (36) is provided in the pivoting area of the first float (20), which supporting lever (36) can be pivoted by means of a spring (39) into the pivoting path of the float arm (17) and supports the latter, and, in addition to this first float (20), a second float (30, 33) is provided which, via a driving element (41), when the liquid level is dropping, moves the supporting lever (36) out of its position supporting the pivoted arm (17) of the first float (20).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the supporting lever (36) and the second float (30, 33) are mounted on a common pivot pin (32), the supporting lever (36), at a distance from its pivot point, has a projection (38) with which the driving element (41), forming a component of the float arm (30) of the second float (30, 33), can be brought into engagement, and the spring (39) is arranged between the free end of the projection (38) and the float arm (30) of the second float (30, 33).

7. Device for carrying out the method according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a float, a first hydraulic means of force, which, at a distance from the pivot point (21) of the float arm (17) is connected nonpositively to the latter, and a locking mechanism for the shut-off flap (13), which locking mechanism can be activated by a second hydraulic means of force which is connected to the first means of force, characterized in that the float arm consists of two parts (17a, 17b) connected to one another in an articulated manner, and the supporting lever (36) is provided in the pivoting area of the part (17a) on the pivot-bearing side, which supporting lever (36), by means of a spring (39'), can be pivoted into the pivoting path of this part (17a) of the pivoted arm and supports the latter, the other swing-down part (17b) of the float, when the liquid level drops, moving the supporting lever (36) via a driving element (20) from its position supporting the part (17a) of the float on the pivot-bearing side.

8. Device for carrying out the method according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a float (20), a first hydraulic means of force, which, at a distance from the pivot point (21) of the float arm (17), is connected nonpositively to the latter, and a locking mechanism for the shut-off flap (13), which locking mechanism can be activated by a second hydraulic means of force, which is connected to the first means of force characterized in that the float body (20) is pivotably fixed to the float arm (17), and a rocking lever (63) connected in an articulated manner to a control rod (59), which can be moved by the float body (20) in the longijudinal direction of the float arm (17) and is pivotable with the float arm (17), can be activated by means of said control rod (59), which rocking lever (63), when the float body (20) is raised, can be moved into a position in which it reaches beneath an abutment (65) arranged in the pivoting area of the rocking lever (63) but clears the abutment (65) when the float body (20) is lowered.

9. Device according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that means (42) are provided for adjusting the contact point of the support lever (36) on the float arm (17, 17a), activating the locking mechanism (5), and/or the contact point of the driving element (41, 20) on the supporting lever (38, 38').

10. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, 2 or 4, comprising a float (20), a first hydraulic means of force, which, at a distance from the pivot point (21) of the float arm (17), is connected nonpositively to the latter, and a locking mechanism for the shut-off flap (13), which locking mechanism can be activated by a second hydraulic means of force which is connected to the first means of force, characterized by a control unit (70) which is arranged in the hydraulic connection (35', 35") of float (20) and locking mechanism (5) and having a through-flow direction of the hydraulic fluid from the locking mechanism (5) to the float (20), the tripping means (30, 33) being in operative connection with the control unit (70) in such a way that it blocks through-flow from the float to the locking mechanism when a defined liquid level is exceeded but permits throughflow when the liquid falls below this level.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control unit is designed as a non-return valve (70) whose closure element (71) is lifted from the closure seat by the movement of the tripping means (30, 33).

12. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control unit is designed as a non-return valve (70) having a bypass line (74), a shut-off valve (75) being arranged in the bypass line (74), which shut-off valve (75), when the liquid falls below the fixed level, can be transferred into the open position by means of the tripping means (30, 33).

13. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a plurality of non-return valves (70) or shut-off valves (75) can be tripped, in particular in a timedelayed manner, by means of a linkage (77) via a common tripping means (30, 33).

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