FR3121192A1 - Device for regulating an effluent flow from a pipeline - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for regulating a flow of effluent from a pipeline, comprising a structural frame (11) able to be fixed within the pipeline (1, 2), a valve (12) mounted movable relative to the structural frame (11) and return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) of the valve (12) exerting an adjustable return force on the valve (12). Figure for abstract: Figure 9

Description

Device for regulating an effluent flow from a pipeline

The invention relates to the field of wastewater and rainwater treatment. More specifically, the invention relates to sewerage pipes for transporting rainwater and waste water (also called effluents) and the depollution of these effluents.

Sewerage pipes for transporting rainwater and waste water are known to include storm overflows, which are pipes to relieve the main pipes during a sudden influx of effluents generally caused by heavy rainfall, in discharging the overflow of effluent into the natural environment. More precisely, the effluents flow into the storm overflow when they reach a sill placed at the intersection of the pipeline and the storm overflow. The discharged effluents generally contain significant pollution which may consist of floating objects, semi-submerged materials, such as wipes, and submerged organic materials and hydrocarbons from the washing of the roads. All these pollutants risk being released into the natural environment and therefore pollute it.

Today, the evolution of the regulations on the protection of the environment condemns such discharges and recommends keeping the effluents as much as possible in the pipes and reducing the number of spills.

In addition, when rivers experience floods with a significant rise in their level, the pipes (in this case the storm overflows) constitute an entry for the flood waters which, therefore, invade the pipes risking to drown the treatment plants by destroying in particular the biological treatments found there.

There is therefore a real need to improve and optimize the regulation of the flow of effluent within these pipes, particularly at the inlet and outlet of storm overflows.

Regulation solutions are known, such as so-called deomatic valves. These solutions consist of a shutter having a horizontal axis, located at approximately one third of its height, and use the bringing into play of the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic thrusts of the flow of effluent, which means the shutter is kept closed only via the flow of effluent and that, when the thrust forces of the latter are higher in the upper part of the flap, it tilts around its axis allowing the flow of effluent to flow from above and below the flap. Then, when the level of the effluent flow has dropped to the height of the pivot axis, the flap pushed by the water in the under-axis part returns to its closed position.

However, this type of solution does not provide full satisfaction, in particular because it is not suitable for small section pipes where the shutter continues to represent an obstacle for the flow of effluent, even once tilted. In other words, the entire flap continues to be across the flow of the effluent flow and thus risks retaining floating waste, which is not desired for pipes of small sections where such a retention risks to create a plug that will require the intervention of an operator. In addition, these solutions do not make it possible to ensure fine regulation of the flow of effluent crossing the pipe insofar as the shutter is either open or closed, without any adjustment of the position of the shutter being possible.

The object of the invention is in particular to respond to this problem.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for regulating a flow of effluent from a pipe comprising:

- a structural frame suitable for being fixed within the pipeline and defining a passage section for the flow of effluent through it,

- a valve mounted to move relative to the structural frame between a closed position in which it completely closes off the passage section, thus preventing the passage of effluent through said section, and an open position in which the entire passage section is accessible and can be traversed by the effluent stream, and

- valve return means exerting an adjustable return force on the valve in the direction of its closed position.

Thus, with the possibility of tilting the valve in the open position, it is possible to ensure a flow through the whole of the section defined by the structural framework, such a section being able to be very close to that of the pipe, this which is particularly advantageous in the context of regulating the flow of effluent from a pipe of small dimensions since the risks of creating plugs within the latter are minimized. In addition, it is possible with the device according to the invention to adjust the return means so as to vary the threshold at which the valve passes from the closed position to the open position. Greater flexibility in regulating the flow of effluent is thus permitted thanks to the device of the invention.

In order to regulate even more finely the flow of the flow of effluent within the pipe, the valve passes from the closed position to the open position when the level of effluent upstream of the valve, according to the flow direction of the flow of effluent in the pipe, is greater than a first predefined threshold.

Still with the aim of ensuring the finest possible regulation of the flow of effluent through the pipe within which the device according to the invention is positioned, the valve return means are sized to allow the valve to return to its closed position when the level of effluent upstream of the valve, according to the direction of flow of the effluent flow in the pipe, is below a second threshold .

In order to be able to adapt the regulation of the flow of effluent according to the variable needs in terms of storage or discharge of the effluents, the valve return means are arranged to maintain the valve in an intermediate open position, located between the position closed and the fully open position, when the level of effluent upstream of the valve, according to the direction of flow of the flow of effluent in the pipe, is below a predefined threshold.

In order to exert an effective return on the valve in the direction of its closed position, the valve return means comprise at least one spring connected to a first end of a cable, said cable also being integral with the movable valve.

In an advantageous configuration, the device comprises at least one arm linked to the movable valve and extending along the latter from its base, the arm being configured in its lower part so as to be able to accommodate a second end of said cable.

In order to guarantee good cable tension, the lower part of the arm is rounded, elliptical or oval, the second end of the cable winding around said lower part of the arm.

In order to be able to apply, remotely if necessary, a voltage of a value that can be modulated over time on the return means, the device further comprises a system for constraining the return means capable of exerting a voltage, the value of which can be modulated, on the means of recall. For example, such a constraint system comprises a hydraulic cylinder or a servomotor.

In order to be able to easily position the valve at different opening angles ranging from the fully open to fully closed position, the valve return means further comprise a torque limiter, the constraint system exerting tension on the torque limiter.

Advantageously, the torque limiter comprises at least two springs connected to each other, preferably the two springs have different resistance characteristics.

In order to prevent too sudden a discharge of the flow of effluent when passing from one position of the valve to another, in the direction of its open position, the device comprises delay means delaying the stroke of the mobile valve towards the open position, these means comprise at least one magnet.

In order to adapt to the typology of the pipeline and/or the needs concerning the regulation of the flow of effluent, the structural frame is arranged to be fixed to the floor and/or to the ceiling of the pipeline.

Advantageously, the structural frame is sized so that the passage section of the effluent flow that it defines is equal or substantially equal to the section of the pipe.

In order to be able to adapt the regulation of the flow of effluents and to provide, for example, an opening of the valve independent of the level of the flow of effluent downstream, the device comprises locking means capable of blocking the mobile valve when the latter is in the closed position, the locking means being capable of unlocking the movable valve in response to a predefined command.

In order to control the passage of the flow of effluent only through the section defined by the structural frame, the device comprises sealing means arranged to guarantee the sealing of the device when the movable valve is in the closed position.

In order to accompany the valve during these different strokes, thus making it possible to ensure their repeatability over time, the device comprises means for guiding the stroke of the mobile valve. Such guide means may advantageously comprise side walls arranged to accompany the stroke of the valve.

In order to prevent the floating waste (also called visual pollution) carried by the flow of effluent from crossing the device, thus risking damaging it or blocking the stroke of the valve, the device includes a system for retaining floating waste. carried by the flow of effluents. Such a retaining system comprises a floating retaining bar configured to be half submerged and circulating between guides so as to form a barrier retaining the floating waste carried along by the flow of effluents.

Brief description of figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

there is a schematic view showing an intersection between a main pipeline and a storm spillway according to the prior art;

there is a schematic view representing an intersection between a main pipe and a storm overflow within which a device according to the invention has been fixed;

there is a set of schematic front views representing a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

there is a set of schematic views representing the operation of the device of the ;

there is a set of schematic perspective views representing in greater detail the device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

there is a schematic top view of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

there is a set of schematic sectional views representing the device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

there is a schematic front view of a device according to a first variant embodiment of the invention;

there is a schematic perspective view of a device according to a second variant embodiment of the invention;

there is a schematic perspective view of a device according to a third variant embodiment of the invention;

there is a set of schematic views representing the operation of the device of the ;

there is a schematic perspective view of a device according to a fourth variant embodiment of the invention;

there is a schematic perspective view of a device according to a fifth variant embodiment of the invention;

there is a set of schematic views representing the operation of the device of the ;

there is a schematic perspective view of a device according to a sixth variant embodiment of the invention;

there is a schematic view of a device according to a seventh variant embodiment of the invention;

detailed description

There is shown in Figures 2 to 16 a device for regulating an effluent flow from a pipe, designated by the general reference 10.

In all of the variant embodiments of the invention represented, the device 10 for regulating an effluent flow from a pipe 1 or 2 comprises:

- a structural frame 11 capable of being fixed within the pipe 1 or 2 and defining a passage section for the flow of effluent through it,

- a valve 12 mounted to move relative to the structural frame 11 between a closed position in which it completely closes the passage section thus preventing the passage of effluent through said section and an open position in which the entire passage section is accessible and can be traversed by the effluent stream, and

- valve return means 12 exerting an adjustable return force on the valve 12 in the direction of its closed position.

The device 10 according to the invention is intended to be fixed within a pipe (which may be a main pipe 1 or a storm overflow 2) so as to regulate the flow of effluent. To meet other needs for regulating the flow of effluent, it can also be fixed to other places of the pipe 1 or 2, for example be fixed to the ceiling 7 of the latter ( ) and thus form a vault under which a minimum level of effluent flow can flow continuously (Figure 14a). Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee that a minimum level of flow, suitable for the installations located downstream of the device 1, constantly circulates within the sewerage network.

As depicted at , it is necessary to regulate the flow of effluent in order to avoid as much as possible undesirable spills of the flow of effluent into the natural watercourses 3, via the storm overflows 2. To do this, the device 10 according to the invention can be positioned within the storm overflow 2 (see in particular FIGS. 3a to 4b). As shown in Figure 5a in particular, the structural frame 11 consists of two side flanks, each fixed to a side wall 5 of the pipe 2, these two side flanks being connected by a lower crosspiece, placed on the ground 6 of the pipe . The structural frame 11 may also comprise, according to certain variants of the invention, an upper crosspiece ( ) which can be fixed to the ceiling 7 of the pipe and making it possible to define an effluent flow passage section equal or substantially equal to the section of the pipe 1 or 2.

When the level 8 of the effluent flow upstream of the device 10 of the invention remains below a first threshold level for which discharge into the natural environment 3 is required, the valve 12 remains in its closed position (figures 3a and 4 ). Maintaining in this vertical position of the valve 12 is achieved by the return means, described later, which exert a pulling force forcing the valve 12 to be held at rest in its vertical closed position. Conversely, when the level 8 of the flow of effluent upstream of the device 10 exceeds said predefined threshold level, which means that an overflow is necessary, the valve 12 tilts in the direction of the horizontal open position, under the action of the hydrodynamic and hydrostatic thrusts of the effluent flow, which can therefore cross the passage section defined by the structural frame 11 and flow into the natural watercourse 3. Then, when the level 8 of the effluent flow has fallen below a predefined threshold level (which may be identical to or different from the first threshold level), the valve 12 is returned towards its closed position under the action of the return means.

To do this, the return means comprise a tension bar 20 integral with sidewalls 15 and intended for fixing the device 10 to the ground 6. This tension bar 20 also allows the reception of threaded rods for adjusting the tension 19 of the springs 16. The springs 16 are each connected to a first end of a cable 17, said cable 17 being secured to the movable valve 12 via arms 13, fixed to the valve 12. More specifically, these arms 13 each have a lower end of rounded, elliptical or oval shape which passes through the structural frame 11, and which make it possible to guide the end of the cables 17 concerned in order to tighten them. This makes it possible to transmit the forces of spring 16 to valve 12 (see FIG. 7a and 7b). Cable guides (not shown) are placed on each side of the lower end of the arms 13. In other words, a cable 17 is fixed within the lower part of an arm 13, then passes through a cable guide to be connected to one end of the spring 16. The spring 16 is fixed at its other end to a tension rod 19, itself fixed to a tension bar 20 via an adjustment nut 18. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the tension applied to the spring 16 and therefore, ultimately, to adjust the return forces exerted by the spring 16 on the movable valve 12.

Provision is also made, according to certain variants of the invention, for the return means to comprise one or more angle return pulleys 22 (FIGS. 8, 13 and 16a). Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the compactness of the device 10 and to position the latter more easily within pipes 1 or 2 of small dimensions.

Shafts (not shown) are integral with the valve 12 and are fixed on each side of the latter, at its low point and at intermediate points. The end of these axes pass through an orifice located in each lateral side of the structural frame 11 in order to ensure a pivoting articulation for the valve 12. The movement of the valve 12 between its closed position and its open position is guided thanks to a pair of side walls 13 provided for this purpose and fixed to the structural frame 11 in the downstream part of the device 10.

There are also seals 14 located on either side of the valve 12 in order to ensure the overall tightness of the device 10.

As depicted at , the device 10 comprises magnets 26 fixed to the lateral sides of the structural frame 11 and intended to provide resistance to the opening of the valve 12. Thus the opening threshold of the valve 12 can be regulated with even more precision and the opening movement of valve 12 can be made less abrupt. Alternatively or in addition, the regulation device 10 is provided with locking means capable of blocking the movable valve 12 when the latter is in the closed position ( ). Such locking means comprise an electric strike 24 fixed on the structural frame 11 (more precisely on its upper crosspiece) and controlled electrically remotely by means of a power supply 23. It is thus possible to prevent any movement of the valve 12 even when the level of effluent 8 exceeds the first predefined threshold. Such prohibition of movement of valve 12 may be required for several circumstances.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16a and 16b, the return means further comprise two torque limiters 32, each connected to a servo motor 21 making it possible to remotely modulate the tension of the torque limiter 32 and therefore the force opposing the opening of the movable valve 12. The torque limiters 32 each comprise a primary spring 33 connected on the one hand to the servo motor 31 and on the other hand to a secondary spring 34 having different resistance characteristics, these two springs being compressed within a box 35. The secondary spring 34 is itself connected to one of the lower ends of an arm 13 in order to exert the return forces on the valve 12.

In order to ensure regulation in large pipes, the device 10 comprises two valves 12 adjacent to each other and allowing finer regulation ( ). Of course, the device 10 can comprise more than two valves adjacent to each other, depending on the size of the pipe in which the device 10 is fixed.

In order to retain visual pollution (corresponding to floating surface waste) and allow it to continue its path further within the sewerage network rather than flowing into the natural waterways 3, the device 10 comprises a system of retaining floating waste carried by the flow of effluent comprising a floating retaining bar 27 configured to be half submerged and circulating vertically between guides (in the form of slides 28), until it comes into contact with an abutment 30.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is in particular possible to combine several of the variants described above, for example, a regulation device positioned in the vault of the structure and equipped with an electric strike. The device can also be provided with delay means delaying the stroke of the movable valve towards the open position, these means taking the form of magnets distributed along the lateral flanks of the structural frame. In such a case, the valve is made of magnetizable materials, such as F17 stainless steel.

List of references

1: channeling

2: storm overflow

3: natural watercourse

4: threshold

5: side wall of the pipe

6: floor of the pipeline

7: pipe ceiling

8: effluent flow level

9: /

10: device for regulating an effluent flow

11: structural frame

12: valve

13: arms

14: seal

15: wall

16: spring

17: cable

18: adjustment nut

19: tension rod

20: voltage bar

21: /

22: angle transmission pulley

23: power supply

24: electric strike

25: magnet support

26: magnet

27: floating retaining bar

28: slider

29: deflector

30: retainer bar locking stop

31: servo motor

32: torque limiter

33: primary spring

34: secondary spring

35: box

Claims (15)

Device (10) for regulating a flow of effluent from a pipe (1, 2), characterized in that it comprises:
- a structural frame (11) capable of being fixed within the pipe (1, 2) and defining a passage section for the flow of effluent through it,
- a valve (12) mounted to move relative to the structural frame (11) between a closed position in which it completely closes off the passage section, thus preventing the passage of effluent through said section, and an open position in which the entire passage section is accessible and can be traversed by the effluent stream, and
- return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) of the valve (12) exerting an adjustable return force on the valve (12) towards its closed position. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the valve (12) passes from the closed position to the open position when the level of effluent upstream of the valve (12), according to the flow direction of the flow of effluent in the pipe (1, 2), is greater than a first predefined threshold. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the valve return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) are dimensioned to allow the return of the valve (12) to its closed position when the level of effluent upstream of the valve (12), according to the flow direction of the flow of effluent in the pipe (1, 2), is below a second threshold. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) of the valve (12) are arranged to hold the valve (12) in an intermediate open position, located between the closed position and the completely open position, when the level of effluent upstream of the valve (12), according to the direction of flow of the flow of effluent in the pipe (1, 2), is lower at a predefined threshold. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) of the valve (12) comprise at least one spring (16) linked to a first end of a cable (17), said cable also being secured to the movable valve (12). Device (10) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one arm (13) linked to the movable valve (12) and extending along the latter from its base, the arm (13) being configured in its lower part so to be able to accommodate a second end of said cable (17). Device (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the lower part of the arm (13) is of rounded, elliptical or oval shape, the second end of the cable (17) winding around the said lower part of the arm (13) . Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a constraint system (31) of the return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) able to exert a tension, the value of which can be modulated, on the recall means. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the constraint system (31) comprises a hydraulic cylinder or a servomotor (31) and in which the return means (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32) of the valve (12) further comprise a torque limiter (32) comprising at least two springs (33, 34) connected together, preferably the two springs (33, 34) have different resistance characteristics, the restraint system (31) exerting a tension on the torque limiter (32). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising delay means delaying the travel of the movable valve (12) towards the open position, these means comprising at least one magnet. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the structural frame (11) is arranged to be fixed to the floor (6) and/or the ceiling (7) of the pipeline (1, 2). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising locking means (24, 25, 26) capable of blocking the movable valve (12) when the latter is in the closed position, the locking means (24 , 25, 26) being capable of unlocking the movable valve (12) in response to a predefined command. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising sealing means (14) arranged to guarantee the sealing of the device (10) when the movable valve (12) is in the closed position. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (15) for guiding the stroke of the movable valve (12). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a system for retaining floating waste carried by the flow of effluent, said system comprising a floating retaining bar (27) configured to be half submerged and circulating between guides (28) so as to form a barrier retaining the floating waste carried by the flow of effluents.