GB2321926A

GB2321926A - Water storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2321926A
Application number: GB9700768A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Payne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-01-15
Filing date: 1997-01-15
Publication date: 1998-08-12
Also published as: GB9700768D0

Abstract

Water storage apparatus 1 comprises a pair of elongate water storage containers 2, each with water inlet and outlet pipes 8. Each storage container 2 is of triangular cross-section, with a broad base and sloping side, such that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the lowermost region of the container is substantially greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the uppermost region of the said container. Each water storage container can support a fence panel. Outlet water pipes 20 extend from the lower region of each container 2 and are perforated so as to distribute a water spray.

Description

WATER STORAGE APPARATUS The present invention relates to water storage apparatus and systems, and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with water storage apparatus comprising fencing.

Recently there has been an increase in the frequency of water shortage within the UK. This is creating problems of replenishment of reservoirs, lakes and rivers. The shortage affects gardeners of all kinds and the lack of water damages not only people's gardens but also agricultural businesses such as market gardens, nurseries and farms.

It is an intention of the present invention to provide a solution to the above problem by providing water collection and storing means locally. One known prior art apparatus, as described in Patent Specification No.

WO93/11310, attempts to address this problem. The apparatus comprises a plurality of individual interconnected water panels forming a barrier around a building. However, the water panels are not self-supporting and have to be set into the ground or supported by an existing fence.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate water storage container comprising fluid inlet means, fluid outlet means and at least one sloping side such that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the lowermost region of the container is substantially greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the uppermost region of the said container.

The slope of the side is preferably such that in use, the centre of gravity of the filled or part-filled container is substantially lower than one half the overall height of the container.

Preferably the height of the centre of gravity in use is less than or equal to one third of the overall height of the container.

Preferably the container comprises two substantially vertical end walls, one substantially vertical side being disposed substantially perpendicular thereto and the sloping side being disposed substantially perpendicular to the two substantially vertical end walls, and a substantially flat enclosing base extending from the lowermost edge of the said sides and end walls.

Preferably the fluid outlet means comprises a plurality of outlet pipes. At least one outlet pipe is preferably formed with a plurality of holes extending substantially radially through a region of the pipe wall. The fluid flow through the fluid outlet means is preferably controlled by fluid output control means. Preferably the fluid output control means is in the form of a valve. Alternatively, the fluid output control means comprises controllable pump means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a water container and fence assembly comprises an elongate container supporting a fence panel.

The fence panel is preferably attached to the uppermost region of the container.

The fence is preferably attached to the container by pivotal adjustment means such that in use the fence may be rotated about the axis of the pivotal adjustment means.

The pivotal adjustment means preferably provides yielding means such that in use, the fence may rotate about the axis of the pivotal adjustment means in response to pressure being applied to the fence. The pressure could be in the form of wind pressure.

The assembly of the container and fence is preferably such that in use, the centre of gravity is substantially less than one half of the overall height of the assembly.

Preferably the container provides anchoring means for the fence, the container being adapted to stand directly on the ground in a stable condition.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a water storage system comprising a plurality of water containers in accordance with the first or second aspects of the present invention, the arrangement being such that in use adjacent water containers are provided with interconnecting fluid communication means.

Preferably the system also comprises collection means and a main reservoir tank, the arrangement being such that in use the fluid communication means comprises connection pipes between the various components. The fluid is preferably communicated from the reservoir tank to the various components by gravity. Alternatively, the system also comprises fluid pump means, level detection means and system control means, the arrangement being such that in use the operation of the pump means is triggered by the system control means preferably when the level detection means detects the fluid level in any one of the reservoir tanks below a preselected level.

Preferably the system comprises water output control means comprising a plurality of actuator valves controlled by the system control means, the valves being independently operable of one another such that the fluid within individual storage containers can be removed independently.

The fluid communication means preferably comprises water storage container bypass means; the arrangement being such that the water may be pumped through the system bypassing one or more water storage containers. The bypass means preferably comprises bypass piping connecting a plurality of actuator valves controlled by the system control means.

Preferably each water storage container is provided with bypass means comprising two three-way actuator valves and a bypass pipe therebetween.

The actuator valves are preferably electrically operated.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a water storage system in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a water container in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a water container and a fence panel assembly in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a water storage system in accordance with the third aspect of the invention comprising a system control means, level detection means and fluid output control means; and Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a water container comprising bypass means.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a water storage system 1 comprises a plurality of elongate water containers 2, collection means 4, a reservoir tank 6 and fluid communication means comprising connection pipes 8 extending from the end walls of the containers 2 and a valve 10.

The collection means 4 comprises a pitched roof 12 and "U"-shaped channel guttering 14 disposed around the lowermost peripheral edge of the roof 12. Rain water falling on the roof 12 flows downwardly along the surface of the roof and into the guttering 14 and is channelled by the guttering 14 into the reservoir 6 via a downpipe 16. When the reservoir 6 is full of liquid it will be allowed to overflow. The rain water 7 is stored within the reservoir 6 until valve 10 is opened and allows the water 7 to flow into the first water container 2 via the connection pipe 8. It will be appreciated that the water flows into the first container 2 due to the higher hydrostatic pressure within the reservoir at the point of the outlet pipe 8 than the hydrostatic pressure within the containers 2. However, if the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet pipe is not sufficient to force the water 7 through the pipes 8 and containers 2, a pump (not shown) may be provided to aid the fluid transportation through the system. The various containers 2 may be located conveniently near an area of land requiring watering.

With particular reference to Figure 2, the container 2 comprises a number of outlet pipes 20 extending from the lower region of the container 2. The end 22 of outlet pipes 20 may be conveniently located in different areas which require watering. The pipes may be formed with small holes 24 through the wall section of the pipe and a closed off end 26. This arrangement may be used to spray an area requiring watering or give a more controlled and even water flow. This particular type of pipe is used in a trickle pipe distribution system. The trickle pipe water outlet is gravity fed from the container 2. Alternatively, the trickle pipe can be provided with additional pump means, the arrangement being such that the pump means transports the water 7 from the container 2 and out through the holes 24. The pump means is conveniently controlled by control means.

Ideally, the containers 2 are disposed end to end in close proximity to each other so forming a barrier, such as a perimeter boundary.

The container 2 comprises two substantially vertical parallel end walls 30, a substantially vertical back panel 32 which is substantially perpendicular to the ends 30, a sloping front panel 34 and a flat base 36. The container shape provides a very stable structure due to the low centre of gravity. The stability of the container is improved by filling the container with water 7.

The broad base and narrow top region 38 helps to prevent the container toppling over. The dimensions of the container are conveniently: height h - lm; length I - 2m and width w - Im.

With reference to Figure 3, the container 2 supports a fence panel 40 comprising two end posts 42, 43 and a lattice panel 44 extending therebetween. The lowermost ends 46 of the posts 42, 43 are provided with an adjustable ratchet hinge 48 pivotally mounted about the centre of axis XX. The assembly of the fence 40 and container 2 is such that the fence is rotatable about the axis XX in directions A, B. The ratchet hinge 48 can provide yielding means whereby the fence 40 is pivotally rotatable about the axis XX due to excessive wind pressure. If there is an excessive pressure on one side of the fence, the yielding means may prevent the fence from breaking.

The container 2 provides anchoring means for the fence 40. Additional securing rings 50 are located at the lowermost perimeter 52 of the container 2. Anchoring pegs 54 are driven into the ground through the centre of the rings 50 thereby providing additional anchoring means helping to prevent the assembly from toppling over.

It will be appreciated that the water 7 in the reservoir tank 6 can be pumped or drained to the liquid containers 2. This may be triggered by the fluid level within the reservoir falling below a predetermined level so activating a switch which is part of a control means.

Figure 1 shows just one outlet pipe 8t. However, there could be a plurality of output pipes connecting the reservoir 6 to the individual containers 2 whereby individual containers can be selected for filling/refilling as required. Appropriate valve means between the containers 2 may be provided to enable sections of the system to be isolated. The control of the valve means and filling of the individual containers could be controlled by a suitable automated timer/distribution control means.

Referring to Figure 4, the water storage system 1 is provided with a system control means 60 comprising a central control box 62, a plurality of control junction boxes 64, input signal lines 66 and output signal lines 68. Control box 62 conveniently comprises a microprocessor and software determining the control functions.

Each water container 2 is provided with a respective control junction box 64, a water level detector 70 disposed within the container 2, two actuator valves 72 disposed in the flowline of each of the outlet pipes 20 and an air vent pipe 74 extending through the uppermost region of the container 2.

In use, when one or more of the water level detectors 70 detects that the water level within the respective container is below a predetermined level, a signal is sent by the detector along the input signal line 66 to the central control box 62 via the junction box 64.

The central control box 62 then sends an output signal, along a pump control line 76, which activates the pump 10 to transfer water 7 from the reservoir 6 through all the water containers 2 via the connection pipes 8.

The pump 10 will continue to operate until an upper level detector 80, disposed in the container 21 furthest from the reservoir 6, is triggered. The tank 2' also comprises an overflow output pipe 82 disposed above the upper level detector 80.

The output of water from the containers 2 through the outlet pipes 20 is controlled by the control box 62 via the output signal lines 68 and the respective actuator valves 72. The individual actuator valves 72 are electronically operated automatically in response to a signal from the control box 62. Alternatively, the individual actuator valves 72 can be operated manually.

Referring to Figure 5, the water container 2 is provided with a bypass means 84 comprising bypass water piping 86 connecting two three-way actuator valves 88 disposed in line with the input connection pipe 8 and the output connection pipe 8 respectively. Each of the valves 88 is controlled by the central control box 62 via the junction box 64 and valve signal output lines 90. The valves 88 are operated electronically. Alternatively, the valves 88 may be operated manually.

The central control box 62 selects which water container is to be filled when the pump is activated. It will be appreciated that individual containers 2 may be drained of water, through the output pipes 20, at different rates due to different water demands throughout the system.

The control box 62 receives signals from the individual level detectors 70 and the control software is configured so that the control box 62 utilises the appropriate bypass means 84 such that only the containers 2 requiring refilling are serviced with water from the reservoir.

Claims

1. Water storage apparatus comprising an elongate water storage container having fluid inlet means, fluid outlet means and at least one sloping side such that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the lowermost region of the container is substantially greater than the horizontal crosssectional area of the uppermost region of the said container.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sloping side is such, that in use, the centre of gravity of the container is substantially lower than one half the overall height of the container.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the height of the centre of gravity is less than or equal to one third of the overall height of the container.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the container comprises two substantially vertical end walls, one substantially vertical side being disposed substantially perpendicular thereto, together with said sloping side, which sloping side is disposed substantially perpendicular to the two substantially vertical end walls, plus a substantially flat enclosing base extending from the lowermost edges of the said vertical and sloping sides and said end walls.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid outlet means comprise a plurality of outlet pipes.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of said outlet pipes is formed with a plurality of holes extending substantially radially through the pipe wall.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein fluid flow through the fluid outlet means is controlled by fluid output control means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fluid output control means comprise controllable pump means.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the elongate container supports a fence panel.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fence panel is attached to the uppermost region of the container.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the fence is attached to the container by pivotal adjustment means such that in use the fence may be rotated about the axis of the pivotal adjustment means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pivotal adjustment means provides yielding means such that in use, the fence may rotate about the axis of the pivotal adjustment means in response to pressure being applied to the fence.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the container provides anchoring means for the fence, the container being adapted to stand directly on the ground in a stable condition.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a plurality of said water containers, arranged so that in use, adjacent water containers are provided with interconnecting fluid communication means.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, provided with collection means and a reservoir tank connected thereto.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the reservoir tank is disposed beneath the collection means whereby fluid flows from the collection means to the reservoir tank by gravity.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, provided with pump means, container level detection mans and system control means whereby in use, operation of the pump means is triggered by the system control means when the level detection means detects the fluid level in any one of the containers below a pre-selected level.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 where the system control means comprise a plurality of actuator valves, said valves being independently operable of one another such that the fluid within individual storage containers can be removed independently.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the fluid communication means comprises water storage container bypass means whereby water may be pumped through the apparatus bypassing one or more water storage containers.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bypass means comprise bypass piping connecting a plurality of actuator valves controlled by the system control means.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein each water storage container is provided with bypass means comprising two three-way actuator valves and a bypass pipe therebetween.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said three-way actuating valves are electronically operated.

24. A water container and fence assembly comprising an elongate water container supporting a fence panel.

25. A water storage system comprising a plurality of water containers with water interconnections therebetween.

26. Water storage apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Water storage apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. Water storage apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

29. Water storage apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

30. Water storage apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.