GB2440535A

GB2440535A - Barrier apparatus for use with a manhole

Info

Publication number: GB2440535A
Application number: GB0615499A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fiona Meikle; Jack Bennett
Original assignee: MEIKLEWALL SCOTLAND Ltd
Current assignee: MEIKLEWALL SCOTLAND Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-04
Filing date: 2006-08-04
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-04
Also published as: GB2440535B; GB0615499D0

Abstract

The barrier apparatus, for use with manholes and the like to contain sewage surges, storm water and the like, comprises a collapsible tube 30 with a first end 32 coupled to the bore of the manhole 100 and a second closed end 34, the tube being movable between a first collapsed position and a second extended position in which the second end is at an elevated height from the first end. The tube is preferably formed from a flexible polymer which is folded in a number of locations when in the collapsed position. The apparatus preferably includes a capping element 40, supporting elements 36 for supporting the tube in the raised position and a pressure release system for releasing pressure within the tube. Also claimed is a method for preventing a sewage surge from a manhole.

Description

I

Sewage Surge Prevention System The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for preventing sewage surges from manholes and other access chambers. Within the present specification, the term manhole' is used to denote any artificial ground hole prone to flooding.

Manholes are provided at regular intervals for inspection of sewage pipe-work systems. During storm conditions, rain water can access the sewage system via the manholes causing the water level to rise until the water and sewage spills out of the manhole. Also, flooding can cause a surcharge or overflow of the sewage system due to the access of rain water at other parts of the system, again causing the spillage of water and sewage from the manhole. Thus, sewage can be displaced from the system to the area surrounding the manhole. This event is undesirable because of the environmental and health hazards that it creates.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrier apparatus for preventing a sewage surge from a manhole, the barrier apparatus comprising: a collapsible tube having a first open end which is couplable to the bore of the manhole and a second closed end, the tube being movable between a first collapsed position and a second extended position in which the second end is at an elevated height from the first end.

The term "collapsible" is intended to cover tubes which are foldable one or more times or are rollable or are telescopically retractable.

Preferably the tube has a plurality of folding locations. Preferably the tube is adapted to concertina as the tube moves to the first collapsed position.

Preferably the tube is substantially contained within the manhole when the tube is at the first collapsed position.

Preferably the tube has a circular cross section.

Preferably the tube is formed from a polymer. Preferably the tube is formed from a flexible material. Preferably the polymer comprises a reinforced polyester.

Preferably the second end of the tube is closed by a capping member.

At least a portion of the tube may be buoyant for causing the tube to move to the second position. At least a portion of the capping member may be buoyant. Alternatively, or in addition, the tube may move to the second position due to water pressure acting upon an undersurface of the capping member.

The first open end of the tube may be directly fastenable to the bore of the manhole. Alternatively, the first open end of the tube may be indirectly fastenable but fluidly couplable to the bore of the manhole. Preferably the barrier apparatus includes a capping member holder which is couplable to the bore of the manhole. Preferably the first open end of the tube is couplable to the capping member holder.

Preferably the bamer apparatus includes a frame member locatable at the bore of the manhole. Preferably the capping member holder is fastened to the frame member. Preferably the capping member holder is releasably attached to the frame member. Alternatively, the frame member may be releasably attachable to the bore of the manhole.

The barrier apparatus may include pressure release means, such as a relief valve, for releasing pressure within the tube.

Preferably the barrier apparatus includes supporting means for supporting the tube when the tube is at the second position. Preferably the supporting means is adapted to circumferentially support the tube.

Preferably the supporting means comprises one or more wire members.

Preferably the or each wire member comprises a wire ring connectable to the outer circumference of the tube. Alternatively, the wire member may comprise a wire helix connectable to the outer circumference of the tube.

Alternatively or in addition, the supporting means may include stabilising means for maintaining the tube in a substantially vertical orientation when the tube is at the second position.

The barrier apparatus may include manhole cover displacing means for laterally displacing the manhole cover as the tube moves to the second extended position.

Preferably the barrier apparatus includes tube protection means.

Preferably the barrier apparatus includes an additional cover. Preferably the additional cover comprises one or more leaves, each leaf being hingedly connectable to one of the capping member holder or frame member or the bore of the manhole.

Preferably the additional cover provides the tube protection means.

Alternatively, the capping member may include an annular flange which provides the tube protection means. The additional cover may provide the manhole cover displacing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manhole including a barrier apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing a sewage surge from a manhole, the method comprising: providing a collapsible tube having a first open end and a second closedend; and coupling the first open end to the bore of the manhole such that the second closed end is at an elevated height from the first end when the tube is in an extended state.

Preferably the method includes progressively folding the tube as the tube moves to a collapsed state.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a barrier apparatus with the tube at a first collapsed position; Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the barrier apparatus of Fig. 1 with the tube at a second extended position; Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional side view of a portion of the barrier apparatus of Fig. 1 with the tube at the first collapsed position; Fig. 4 is another detailed sectional side view of a portion of the barrier apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the barrier apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is another plan view of the barrier apparatus of Fig. 1 with the additional cover removed for clarity.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a barrier apparatus 10 for preventing a sewage surge from a manhole 100. The manhole 100 comprises a concrete casing 101 provided in the ground 110 and connected to the pipe-work (not shown) of a sewage system. Access to the manhole 100 is via a bore 102 which is closed off by a manhole cover 104.

The barrier apparatus 10 comprises a frame 20 and a collapsible tube 30.

The collapsible tube 30 has a circular cross section and is formed from a flexible and impermeable polymer material, such as reinforced polyester.

In Fig. 1, the collapsible tube 30 is in a first collapsed position or state. In Fig. 2, the collapsible tube 30 is in a second extended position or state.

The frame 20 is permanently fastened to the bore 102 of the manhole 100 using a number of fixing bolts 22. The outer geometry of the frame 20 is square shaped but it includes a circular aperture.

The second end 34 of the tube 30 is closed by a capping member or bucket 40. The first open end 32 of the collapsible tube 30 is fastened to a circular capping member holder 41 which is releasably attached to the frame 20.

During normal conditions, the tube 30 is collapsed and the tube 30 and bucket 40 are unobtrusively contained within the manhole 100. The tube is folded in a concertina fashion and stored in the annular space between the bucket 40 and the bore 102 of the manhole 100. The tube 30 may be formed to be conical for easier fastening to the bucket 40 and the bore 102 of the manhole 100 (since the outer diameter of the bucket 40 is smaller than the inner diameter of the bore 102). A conical shape may also assist during progressive folding or unfolding of the tube 30 or provide easier storing of the tube 30 within the annular space.

During storm conditions, any water and sewage rising in the manhole 100 cannot escape to the environment as it is contained within the tube 30. As the water and sewage level continues to rise, it acts upon an internal surface 42 of the bucket 40 such that the bucket 40 rises to an elevated height 44 and the tube 30 extends to the second position.

The length of the tube 30, and therefore the approximate height 44 of the bucket 40 when the tube 30 is extended, can be selected to accommodate most if not all practical water levels during storm conditions. If desired, pressure release means, such as a relief valve, can be provided for releasing the pressure within the tube during extreme conditions to avoid damage to the barrier apparatus 10.

Supporting means is provided for supporting the tube 30 when the tube 30 is at the second position. As best seen in Fig. 3, the supporting means comprises a number of wire rings 36 connected to the outer circumference of the tube 30 and spaced apart along the length of the tube 30. These wire rings 36 circumferentially support the tube 30. The supporting means may also include stabilising means for maintaining the tube 30 in a substantially vertical onentation when the tube 30 is at the second position.

The barrier apparatus 10 includes an additional cover 50. The additional cover 50 comprises one or more leaves 52, each leaf being connected to the capping member holder 41 by a hinge 54. The additional cover 50 provides tube protection means.

It is to be appreciated that the additional cover 50 could be omitted and the tube protection means could be provided in various other ways. For instance, the bucket 40 could include an upper annular flange.

It is desirable that the existing manhole cover 104 is laterally displaced as the tube 30 moves to the second extended position. This is relatively straightforward as typical manhole covers are formed from two (semicircular or triangular) portions, each portion having a three point support arrangement. Therefore, the centre of mass of each portion is offset from the axis of the bore 102 of the manhole 100.

The additional cover 50 can provide the manhole cover displacing means.

As the bucket 40 rises, it pushes against the leaves 52 of the additional cover 50 so that the leaves 52 pivot about the hinge 54. The leaves 52 then contact each portion of the manhole cover 100 at a location near to the axis of the bore 102 of the manhole 100 and offset from the centre of mass of each portion. Also, the pivoting of the leaves 52 applies a lateral force to the two portions of the manhole cover 100 such that they are laterally displaced.

The first end 32 of the tube 30 is releasably attached to the frame 20 via the capping member holder 41 to provide access to the manhole 100.

Four brackets 62 are circumferentially spaced at the frame 20. Four locking bolts 60 extend outwardly from the capping member holder 41 and are receivable within the bracket 62 when the capping member holder/bucket/tube assembly is at a particular rotational orientation.

Subsequently, a small degree of clockwise rotation of the assembly causes the locking bolts 60 to be received within a cavity 64 of the brackets 62. The capping member holder 41, and thus the bucket 40 and first end 32 of the tube 30, is then attached to the frame 20. The capping member holder 41 can be detached from the frame by rotating the assembly a few degrees in an anticlockwise direction and then lifting the assembly.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A barrier apparatus for preventing a sewage surge from a manhole, the barrier apparatus comprising: a collapsible tube having a first open end which is couplable to the bore of the manhole and a second closed end, the tube being movable between a first collapsed position and a second extended position in which the second end is at an elevated height from the first end.

2. A barrier apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tube has a plurality of folding locations.

3. A barrier apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the tube is adapted to concertina as the tube moves to the first collapsed position.

4. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tube is substantially contained within the manhole when the tube is at the first collapsed position.

5. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tube is formed from a polymer.

6. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tube is formed from a flexible material.

7. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first open end of the tube is fluidly couplable to the bore of the manhole.

8. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second end of the tube is closed by a capping member.

9. A barrier apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, including a capping member holder which is couplable to the bore of the manhole.

10. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a frame member locatable at the bore of the manhole.

11. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including pressure release means for releasing pressure within the tube.

12. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including supporting means for supporting the tube when the tube is at the second position.

13. A barrier apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the supporting means is adapted to circumferentially support the tube.

14. A barrier apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein the supporting means comprises one or more wire members.

15. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the supporting means includes stabilising means for maintaining the tube in a substantially vertical orientation when the tube is at the second position.

16. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including manhole cover displacing means for laterally displacing the manhole cover as the tube moves to the second extended position.

17. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including tube protection means.

18. A barrier apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including an additional cover.

19. A manhole including a barrier apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim.

20. A method of preventing a sewage surge from a manhole, the method comprising: providing a collapsible tube having a first open end and a second closed end; and coupling the first open end to the bore of the manhole such that the second closed end is at an elevated height from the first end when the tube is in an extended state.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 20, including the step of progressively folding the tube as the tube moves to a collapsed state.