US20050230317A1

US20050230317A1 - Watershed runoff drainage device & method

Info

Publication number: US20050230317A1
Application number: US11/109,562
Authority: US
Inventors: David Belasco; Glenn Barth
Original assignee: Environmental Equipment Service Corp
Current assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICE CORP; Environmental Equipment Service Corp
Priority date: 2004-04-20
Filing date: 2005-04-19
Publication date: 2005-10-20

Abstract

A watershed runoff drainage device is adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain. It includes a funnel member to be inserted into an inlet of the vault for directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to flow there through prior to entering the vault. A floating hydrocarbon collector is positioned inside or outside the funnel member, and deflectors and other means within the vault inhibit the growth of mosquito larvae and the like within the vault and inhibit any mosquitoes within the vault from escaping the vault.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/563,862, entitled “Watershed Runoff drainage Device & method,” filed Apr. 20, 2004. This related application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. If any conflict arises between the disclosure of the invention in this utility application and that in the related provisional application, the disclosure in this utility application shall govern. Moreover, the inventors incorporate herein by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents, hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in this application.

DEFINITIONS

The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
“Rectangular-shape” includes square-shape and square.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices commonly referred to as “drain inlet inserts” or “catch basin inserts” now find increasing use as a Best Management Practice (BMP) to meet the environmental compliance requirements of property development environmental regulations which typically mandate that certain contaminants, such as Trash, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) or Total Oil & Grease (TOG) may not be discharged from such property post-development in concentrations exceeding pre-development levels. Devices are generally available to satisfy the requirements for trash discharge control, but control of smaller, more complex suspended solids, hydrocarbon-based contaminants and dissolved metals require equipment that is more complex and expensive . . . so much so, that the emerging trend is for property developers to use drain inlet inserts in drain inlet vaults. Examples of such inserts are disclosed by Abtech (U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,519), DrainPac (U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,233), and Fossil Filter (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,720,574; 5,744,048; 5,958,226; 6,080,307; 6,099,723). These inserts are efficient for trash removal but not necessarily for TSS or TOG, but they are less expensive, readily available, and standards for acceptability of such BMP's have not yet been promulgated or adopted.
Devices most efficient for capture of contaminants other than trash, will be those that function as a gravity clarifier, allowing TSS to settle to the bottom of a water-detaining container and TOG to float to the surface of water standing in such a container where it can be collected by a hydrocarbon absorbing media. Providing these characteristics is not only more expensive, but also introduces an additional problem which is beginning to further limit use of the most efficient drain inlet insert devices, such as the Hydro-Cartridge (U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,367). Namely, the problem of standing water that provides an environment for mosquito growth. Now that West Nile Virus has been identified across the country as a serous heath hazard, Vector Control Agencies are actively discouraging the use of inlet vault inserts which operate with standing water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a method of treating watershed runoff and a watershed drainage device that is convenient and economic to install in an inlet of a vault having its outlet in communication with a storm drain. This invention also includes the combination of the watershed runoff drainage device of this invention and either a bottom exit vault or a side exit vault.
In bottom-exit vaults the storm water drainage device produces temporarily standing water for more efficient gravity separation and then eliminates the standing water (once rainfall and storm water runoff has slowed sufficiently) in a short enough time to prevent flying mosquito development, even if eggs, larvae or pupae are washed into the drain inlet vault with watershed runoff. In side-exit vaults having permanently standing water, the device may utilize movable floating closures that move with the water surface level to prevent mosquito ingress/egress, or, in some cases, pumps for automatic water removal. This invention enables the capture, detention, removal and disposal of contaminants contained in watershed runoff entering inlet vaults in which such devices have been installed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. These functions are achieved most efficiently through the use of gravity separation to enable filtration of entrained suspended solids and media collection of metals and floatable hydrocarbons, while at the same time preventing mosquito development in the standing water by automatically removing standing water once rainfall and storm water runoff have ceased, or by providing means to prevent ingress/egress of flying mosquitoes. As the result of an accidental spill, hydrocarbon liquids such as, for example, gasoline, diesel fuel and motor oil, may flow into the inlet of the drain inlet vault. This invention prevents hydrocarbon liquids from such spills from by-passing the watershed drainage device of this invention and directly entering the inlet vault, or from exiting the drain inlet vault via the standing water removal pathway of the drainage device.
This invention provides for maximum possible collection of settled TSS within a given inlet vault. Further, it provides for maximum collection/removal of dissolved metals and TOG from storm water runoff entrained in the influent water. It enables disposal of collected TOG in a Class-A landfill to be possible, while, at the same time preventing spilled hydrocarbon-based liquids from by-passing the inlet vault or exiting the drain inlet vault by following the mosquito prevention water removal pathway. This invention also includes methods for inspection, determination of need for, and accomplishment of cleanout and disposal of captured contaminants from inlet vaults using the storm water drainage devices of this invention. This enables property developers to use this invention to remain functionally compliant with governmental environmental regulations throughout the life of their land development project. This invention has one or more features as discussed subsequently herein. After reading the following section entitled “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to: (1) improving the efficiency of detention and capture of contaminants contained in watershed runoff which would otherwise pass though a drain inlet vault and into the storm drain system, (2) preventing the release of flying mosquitoes from such drain inlet vaults, and (3) preventing spills of hydrocarbon-based liquids from passing through drain inlet vaults and entering the storm drain system.
Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its features are:
One, the watershed runoff drainage device includes funnel member and a housing both adapted to be mounted within the vault. The funnel member is adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault and it is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, this water runoff being retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault. The housing forms a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber.
Two, the housing may include a sidewall adapted to be positioned within the vault to provide a space between the sidewall of the housing and a sidewall of the vault. The sidewall of the housing functions as a weir enabling at least some water runoff within the retention chamber to flow over the sidewall of the housing into the space and out an outlet of the vault. An upper edge of an open top end of the sidewall of the housing may form a weir. A deflector member may be positioned in the space between the inlet of the vault and the exit end of the funnel member.
Three, the funnel member and housing may be configured to control the velocity of the water runoff. The funnel member and housing may each have cross-sectional configurations with the predetermined area of the housing being greater than the predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as the water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing. The funnel may be inserted longitudinally into the inlet of the vault The housing may be detached from the funnel member and adapted to be mounted within the vault downstream of the inlet of the vault. The housing may include an open top end that receives an exit end of the funnel member and an open bottom end that is upstream of an outlet of the vault. The sidewall may connect the top and bottom ends to form the retention chamber in which the water runoff is confined. A drain assembly may be at the open bottom end of the housing. The drain assembly may include a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber. The filter element may be oriented either substantially horizontal or substantially vertically. A weir member situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault may be employed that is substantially at a right angle to a horizontal filter element. The drain assembly may be connected to the bottom end of the housing and sealed thereto so that at least some of the water runoff within the retention chamber flows through the drain assembly prior to flowing from the outlet of the vault.
Four, the device may include a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff. At least one hydrocarbon buoyant hydrocarbon collection member may be within the funnel member and move up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes. The hydrocarbon collection member may comprise a plurality of porous pockets. Each pocket may contain a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon. The predetermined cross-sectional area of the funnel member may be substantially rectangular and the hydrocarbon collection member substantially fills this rectangular cross-sectional area of the funnel member as the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel member. The hydrocarbon collection member may be mounted to move longitudinally while floating on the surface of the water runoff. A guide member may be employed that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of this collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member. At least one hydrocarbon collection member may be mounted to pivot near the open bottom end of the housing. A hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism may be employed that in response to a high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of the hydrocarbon liquid from the device. The hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism is located in the drain assembly and includes a passageway into which flows at least a portion of the high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid, said passageway being filled with a material that absorbs said hydrocarbon liquid and blocks said passageway to prevent the outflow from the device of the hydrocarbon liquid.
Five, a metals collection member may also be employed. This metals collection member may be situated in a space formed between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault. The water runoff thus flows through the metals collection member prior to exiting the outlet of the vault.
The watershed runoff drainage device of this invention may be installed in either a bottom exit vault or a side exit vault
In a bottom exit vault, the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and may comprise vertical walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area. The cavity has at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level with an outlet thereat extending through one vertical wall so that substantially all runoff water entering the vault flows from the vault to a storm drain, substantially avoiding standing water within the vault, and a removable grating member covering the inlet. The funnel member used with such a bottom exit vault has an elongated body including a sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged entry end including a lip member having dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault. The lip member is seated between the grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault.
In a side exit drain inlet vault, the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and may comprise vertical walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area. The cavity has at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level, and an outlet above the bottom that extends through one vertical wall so that some of the runoff water entering the vault remains within the cavity, and a removable grating member covering the inlet. The funnel member used with such a side exit vault has an elongated body including a sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged entry end including a lip member having dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault that is seated between the grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault. Either the bottom exit or side exit vaults may be provided with at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the body of the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff and moves up and down as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.
When used with a side exit vault, the device of this invention may include a closure member at the outlet of the vault that includes a buoyant door that is closed until the surface of the water runoff in the vault reaches the door and causes said door to open as the door floats on the surface of the runoff water. The door may be mounted by a hinge and is above any filter element being employed. There is sufficient clearance between the open door and the grating member to enable runoff water to flow into the outlet. A water pump adapted to remove any standing water may also be positioned within the side exit vault. The water pump may be an electric battery powered pump or a running-water powered pump. The funnel member used in a side exit vault may also include an anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff in the funnel member. This anti-freezing mechanism may comprise an opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the exit end.
These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this list intended to be exhaustive.
This invention also includes a method of treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault in communication with a storm drain. This method involves removing suspended solids and removing hydrocarbons from the water runoff. It does this in a fashion that avoids or minimizes mosquito growth. The method includes the steps of

- (a) inserting a funnel member in an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault, and
- (b) providing a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.

A metals collection member and filters may be inserted into the vault upstream of an outlet of the vault. Visual inspection enables an inspector to determine that any standing water runoff disappears within a predetermined time period, and if not, the vault or devices used may be cleaned when the standing water runoff has not disappeared within the predetermined time period. A replaceable filter element may be positioned downstream of the funnel member that is periodically removed and replaced. This removed filter element may be backwashed into the drain inlet vault. The hydrocarbon collection member may include at least one disposable pad filled with a hydrocarbon adsorbent/absorbent material that is periodically inspected for saturation, removed when saturated, and disposed of when saturated. After disposal of the saturated pad, the pad may be replaced. Collected solids in the vault may be periodically removed and, if not sufficiently drained to remove water runoff entrained therein, may be transported to a remote location and dewatered. The solids in the vault may be periodically removed after being retained within the vault under conditions for a sufficiently long time period that remove water runoff entrained in the solids.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious watershed runoff drainage device and method of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only. This drawing includes the following figures (FIGS.), with like numerals indicating like parts:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical top-entry bottom-exit concrete drain inlet vault in which some of the embodiments of this invention will typically be utilized.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, with sections broken away, of one embodiment of the storm water drainage device of this invention.
FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view, with sections broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the storm water drainage device of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2A installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an Automatic Drain Down System shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a removable permeable weir element.
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the permeable weir element shown in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7 installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a typical top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault in which other embodiments of this invention will typically be utilized.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention, ready for installation in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 9.
FIG. 10A is an enlarged perspective view, with sections broken away, of a floatable, disposable hydrocarbon collection pad member.
FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention, ready for installation in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 9.
FIG. 10C is an exploded detail view of an alternative “Rubberizer” carrier sub-assembly used to deploy disposable “Rubberizer” pads for collection of hydrocarbons.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10 installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10B installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative configuration of a weir box subassembly 112 of FIG. 10, which can be substituted in both FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 for weir box subassembly shown in these figures.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 12 installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14A is an exploded perspective view of an alternative configuration of the weir box subassembly 121 of FIG. 12, which can be substituted in FIG. 11 for the weir box subassembly depicted therein.
FIG. 14B is an exploded perspective view of an alternative configuration of the weir box subassembly 131 of FIG. 14A, which can be substituted in FIG. 11 for the weir box subassembly depicted therein.
FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled alternatively configured device of FIG. 14A installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 1.
FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled alternatively configured device of FIG. 14B installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 11.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a specially modified open bottomed side-exit drain inlet vault.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention installed in the open bottomed side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective, with sections broken away, view of still another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
FIG. 19B is an enlarged perspective view, with sections broken away, of water-tight DC power and control subassembly shown FIG. 19A
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of the device of FIG. 19A.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION

The watershed runoff drainage device and method of this invention is adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain. The following embodiments illustrate this method and drainage device, which may include

- (a) means adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault for directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to flow there through prior to entering the vault,
- (b) means positioned within the directing means that floats on the surface of the water runoff, at all water levels, within said directing means for collecting hydrocarbon, and
- (c) means adapted to be positioned within the vault for inhibiting the growth of mosquito larvae and the like within the vault and for inhibiting any mosquitoes within the vault from escaping the vault.

Embodiment A

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is disclosed one embodiment of this invention, the watershed runoff drainage device 20.
This device 20 may be installed in a typical rectangular configured top-entry bottom exit drain inlet vault 10 (FIG. 1). The vault 10 has a top-entry grate 12 through which storm water runoff from the surrounding watershed enters the inlet vault 10. Steel or cast iron rails 14 support the grating 12 above a vault interior 16 in which the storm water runoff would normally accumulate and flow without pre-treatment to the storm drain system via a bottom-exit pipe 18 to vault discharge 19. Such inlet vault s 10 may be made of concrete, steel, fiberglass, plastic or other non-permeable material.
As shown in FIG. 2 the watershed runoff drainage device 20 of this invention including the stainless steel (SS) or formed plastic funnel sub-assembly 21 comprised of an SS or formed plastic funnel 22 connected to an SS or formed plastic throat 24, SS rods 54 removably connected to the throat 24 and serving to tether and control the floatation path of mesh plastic carriers 56 with pockets 57 containing disposable plastic mesh pads 55 filled with particles of “Rubberizer” media 44 to collect floatable hydrocarbons entrained in the storm water runoff, enabling the mesh plastic carriers 56 inside the throat 24 to float on the liquid surface 58 during all levels of fullness, thus maximizing liquid detention time and hydrocarbon collection efficiency, while the mesh plastic carriers 56 tethered to the SS ADDS mounting frame 32 serve the purpose of collecting hydrocarbons from the receding liquid surface 58 during drain down, and float into a vertical position in a housing or insert box 28 as the liquid surface 58 level rises. The funnel sub-assembly 21 is removably mounted below the grating 12 directly on the grating rails 14, or on additional separate mounting rails 26 bolted to the interior walls of the vault 16. The funnel sub-assembly 21 serves to channel storm water from the top-entry grating 12 and is sealed to the grating rails 14 and/or mounting rails 26 to prevent any liquid from by-passing the funnel sub-assembly 21 and passing directly into the vault 16. FIG. 2 also illustrates an SS or formed plastic insert box 28 with its SS hangers 30 and SS ADDS mounting frame 32 to which the Automatic Drain Down System (ADDS) device 34, described in detail in FIG. 4, is removably attached using SS rods 36, washers 38 nuts 40 and removable mounting straps 42, enabling the ADDS mounting seal 44 to prevent any liquid loss from the insert box 28 except by virtue of following the gravity drainage pathway down through a permeable weir element 46 of ADDS device 34, or by rising and flowing up over the four weirs 48 formed by the walls of the insert box 28. The insert box 28 hangs from SS box mounting rails 50 which are mounted to the interior walls of the vault 16, or from ledges formed in the vault 10. Liquid entering the permeable weir element 46 of the ADDS device 34 flows to the spill control drains 52 removably installed in the ADDS device 34 through which the liquid contained in the insert box 28 gravity drains into the vault 16 and automatically to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and vault discharge 19, leaving behind in the device 20 of this invention a significant fraction of the influent suspended solids and floatable hydrocarbons.
FIG. 3 depicts the device 20 as shown in FIG. 2 in its assembled state installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault 10. The funnel sub-assembly 21 is supported by grating rails 14 and extends into the interior of the insert box 28, which is removably suspended by its hangers 30 on box mounting rails 50 which are in turn bolted to the interior vault walls 16, enabling all entering liquid to be directed on top of the permeable weir element 62 of ADDS device 34 so that the liquid surface 58 level inside the suspended weir box 28 can rise sufficiently to enable suspended solids to settle on top of ADDS device 34 for later removal and any entrained hydrocarbons to float for collection by the “Rubberizer” particles 44. These “Rubberizer” particles 44 are contained in the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 which are in turn contained in pockets 57 of the mesh plastic carriers 56 located inside the funnel sub-assembly 21, and inside the SS ADDS device 34, producing the controlled pathway for liquid flow 33 which enables the ADDS device 34 to perform its unique functions.
Further, the ADDS device 34 is welded to the suspended weir box 28, or removably connected thereto as depicted in FIG. 18, to complete liquid-tight connection causing all liquid to either drain down under force of gravity and discharge via the spill control drain tubes 52, or rise and flow over the weir 48 edges of the insert box 28 into the interior vault space 16, to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and to vault discharge 19.
FIG. 4 illustrates the details and the sequence of liquid flow 33 which enable the ADDS device 34 to perform its unique functions. The SS outer cover 35 of the ADDS device 34 creates an opening through which liquid can enter the ADDS device 34 while it positions the permeable filter media 39 between the upper expanded SS screen 37 and the lower expanded SS screen 41 on SS support angles 43 inside the lower container 51, creating a collection cavity 45 in which liquid can accumulate and gravity flow into the open entry ends of the spill control drain tubes 52. These drain tubes 52 are supported on the drain positioning plate 47 after being inserted, threaded and sealed into the SS drain tube positioning flanges 49 which are welded into and penetrate the lower container 51 wall(s) as needed to enable discharge 33 via the spill control drain tubes 52. The spill control drain tubes 52 comprise a disposable PVC tube 53 removably positioned in an SS mounting nut 58 with threads matching the drain tube positioning flanges 49 and having a removable screen 59 at the inlet and outlet ends of each disposable PVC tube 53 to prevent the “Rubberizer” particulate 44 packed inside each disposable PVC tube 53 from becoming unpacked. The outer cover 35 is then removably sealed to the outside perimeter surface of the lower container 51.
FIGS. 2A and 3A depict an alternative configuration of the device of FIGS. 2 and 3 similarly installed in a top-entry bottom exit drain inlet vault 10. In this embodiment, an additional pair of mesh plastic carriers 56 a and 56 b are hinged or tethered to an ADDS device 34′ so that they float on the surface of the water in the ADDS device 34′. A U-shaped drain tube 52′ has an inlet I beneath the water level so that the water under the carriers 56 a and 56 b flows into the inlet I. Thread ends 49′ of the U-shaped drain tube 52′ receive the disposable PVC tubes 53. The thread ends 49′ are above the inlet I.

Embodiment B

Another embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the watershed runoff drainage device 60. This device 60 includes the funnel sub-assembly 21, an additional permeable weir sub-assembly 61 described in detail below, a horizontal permeable weir filter element 62, and a vertical permeable weir filter element 63. Both filter elements 62 and 63 are removably inserted into elements of the permeable weir sub-assembly 61, plus deflector plates 23 selectively attached to the throat 240D and to the vault interior 16, ready for installation into a rectangular top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault 10. The deflector plates 23 serve two purposes, they slow and deflect rising liquid slowing the liquid velocity and increasing the fraction of settled solids and they serve as barriers to the vertical movement of the larvae and pupae mosquito stages, reducing their survival.
The permeable weir sub-assembly 61 comprises a welded SS angle frame 64 further welded to three or more SS angle supports 65 which serve to space the welded SS angle frame 64 off the bottom of the drain inlet vault interior 16, providing a cavity for liquid to gravity-flow through the horizontal weir filter element 62 after it is removably inserted into the SS angle frame 64 and join liquid flowing through or over the vertical weir filter element 63. The vertical weir filter element 63 is removably inserted into the vertical SS c-channel frame 66 welded to the side of the SS angle frame 64 facing the pipe wall, to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and vault discharge 19. Also welded to the horizontal sides of the SS angle frame 64 and vertical sides of the vertical SS c-channel frame 66 are SS expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 which serve to fill the perimeter cavity space and provide support for strips of permeable filter media 39 cut to tightly fill the horizontal and vertical perimeter cavities and provide the seal necessary to ensure that entrained suspended solids do not by-pass the permeable weir sub-assembly 61. Additional SS expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 are bolted to the vault interior 16 using SS anchors with SS washers and SS nuts 68 after being positioned to sandwich the permeable filter media pieces 39 firmly in place against the SS expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 welded to the horizontal SS angle frame 64 and the vertical SS c-channel frame 66, thus filling the perimeter space against leakage of suspended solids and securing the permeable weir sub-assembly 61 in place in the vault interior 16. The horizontal weir filter element 62 and the vertical weir filter element 63 each comprises a piece of permeable filter media 39 sandwiched between two pieces of expanded SS screen 37 and secured inside a full-perimeter SS c-channel frame 69 sized to removably fit into the SS angle frame 64 or to fit into the vertical SS C-shaped channel frame 66, as appropriate.
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates the removable permeable weir element 46, typifying the construction of those depicted in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 10B, 11, 11A, 12, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 17 and 21. These permeable weir elements 46 may be deployed in horizontal, vertical, or slanted modes. Liquid velocities decrease as liquid passes through these permeable weir elements 46 and the liquid is filtered to collect suspended solids and enhance hydrocarbon liquid coalescing. They may also function as a weir to control flow. The weir element 46 is a welded assembly comprising a frame 66 constructed of SS c-channels surrounding a filter media 39 sandwiched between two layers of SS expanded metal screen 67.
FIG. 6 depicts the device 60 shown in FIG. 5 in its assembled state installed in the top-entry bottom exit drain inlet vault 10 of FIG. 1. In the device 60 the funnel sub-assembly 21 is supported by grating rails 14 and extends into the interior space below the top of the vertical SS c-channel frame 66 enabling all liquid entering through the grate 12 to be directed on top of the horizontal weir filter element 62 and behind the vertical weir filter element 63. Both in this view are not visible, sitting inside their respective holding frames which are sealed at the interface with the surrounding vault wall 16 in the horizontal plane perimeter of the horizontal SS angle frame 64 and in the vertical plane perimeter of the two opposite vault walls 16 adjacent the vertical SS c-channel frame 66 by the SS expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 and permeable filter media pieces 39. Entering liquid will gravity flow down through the horizontal weir filter element 62 into the cavity below to the bottom-exit pipe 18 to vault discharge 19. When sufficient liquid enters to cause the liquid surface 58 level to rise, liquid will also gravity flow through the vertical weir filter element 63. With high enough entering liquid flow, the liquid surface 58 level will rise to cover the bottom opening of the funnel subassembly 21, causing the mesh plastic carriers 56 to float on the liquid level inside the throat 24. With sufficient inflow liquid surface 58 will rise to flow past the deflector plates 23, over the top of the vertical weir filter element 63 to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and to vault discharge 19. At all inflow volumes entrained suspended solids will settle in the cavity above/behind the two weirs for later removal and disposal. Entrained hydrocarbons floating on the liquid surface 58 will be collected by the “Rubberizer” media particles 44 contained inside the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 inserted into the pockets 57 of the plastic mesh carriers 56 for later replacement and disposal.

Embodiment C

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of this invention, the device 70 of this invention. This device 70 comprises the funnel sub-assembly 21 and an ADDS device 34 specially wall mounted to enable drain-down and spill control in top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vaults which are not large enough to accommodate installation of the device 20. The special wall mounting ADDS support method comprises an SS angle frame 71 welded or otherwise connected and sized to enable the outer horizontal flange element of the SS angle frame 71 to reach within a fraction of an inch of the three vault interior walls 16 adjacent and opposite the pipe wall, and be positioned on top of three SS angle mounting brackets 72. Each has its top surface largely covered by a rubber or plastic seal 73, while the inner horizontal flange element of the SS angle frame 71 is recessed to allow the ADDS device 34 to nest inside the SS angle frame 71 once the upper surface of the inner horizontal flange element has been largely covered with a rubber or plastic seal 73. The side of the SS angle mounting frame 71 facing the pipe wall has welded or otherwise connected to it a vertical impermeable weir 74 with the vertical edges of the side facing the vault pipe wall largely covered with a rubber or plastic seal 73 and drain tube access ports 75 cut through the SS angle frame 71 and its vertical impermeable weir 74 to allow the spill control drain tubes 52 of the ADDS device 34 to penetrate the vertical impermeable weir 74 and nest inside the SS angle frame 71, where it can be secured in place through the drain tube access ports 75 by two swiveling latches 76 and, at the rear edge, by two hinged latches 77. The SS angle mounting brackets 72 are bolted to the vault interior 16 walls using SS anchors 78 and the SS angle frame is attached to the SS angle mounting brackets using SS sheet metal screws 79.
FIG. 8 depicts the device 70 in its assembled state installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault 10. The device 70 includes the funnel sub-assembly 21 supported by grating rails 14 and extending into the interior space below the top of the vertical impermeable weir 74, enabling all liquid entering through the grating 12 to be directed on top of the ADDS device 34 and behind the vertical impermeable weir 74. As liquid level rises above the ADDS device 34, the mesh plastic carriers 56 will float up and collect hydrocarbons from the liquid surface 58, while the head pressure of the rising liquid will force liquid to follow the ADDS device 34 drain path to discharge from the spill control drain tubes 52. Additional inflow will eventually cause the liquid surface 58 level to rise, overflow the vertical impermeable weir 74 to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and the vault discharge 19.
FIG. 9 depicts a typical rectangular top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 with top-entry grate 12 through which storm water runoff from the surrounding watershed enters the vault 80, steel or cast iron rails 14 which support the grate 12, and a vault interior 16 in which the storm water runoff would normally accumulate and flow without pre-treatment to the storm drain system via the side-exit pipe 81 to vault discharge 19, which allows standing liquid surface 58 level inside the vault 80 to enable maximum head differential between the bottom of the side-exit pipe 81 and the point of discharge of the liquid via buried piping through a nearby curb onto its adjacent street-side gutter to gravity flow to the nearest storm drain system.

Embodiment D

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of this invention, the device 90, which includes funnel sub-assembly 21 and deflector plates 23 of FIGS. 5 and 6. A “Rubberizer” carrier sub-assembly 100 has been added which floats on the liquid surface 58 inside the throat 24, just making contact with the ID surfaces of the funnel subassembly 21, and riding vertically on SS rods 54 which penetrate alignment holes 103, and which comprises four distinct layers of material positioned for assembly together as follows:
A “Rubberizer” carrier layer 102 made of mesh plastic material 110 with formed pockets 104 made to hold disposable plastic mesh pads 55, depicted in enlarged cutaway view in FIG. 10A, filled with “Rubberizer” particulate 44 and which also forms a separate pocket 105 to hold a plastic floatation tube 107, which can also be optionally added to the OD edges of the “Rubberizer” carrier layer 102, positioned between the SS rods 54 to provide buoyancy and stiffness along the material hinge axis. This “Rubberizer” carrier layer 102 is securely sewn to a layer of polypropylene felt 106 to assist in floatation, in wicking of hydrocarbons to the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 and to maximize formation of a hydrocarbon liquid surface layer surrounding the perimeter of the polypropylene felt 106 at the interface with the throat 24 ID for prevention of oxygen access by mosquitoes in their larvae or pupae stages. The “Rubberizer” carrier subassembly 100 is then completed by pop-riveting, or otherwise securing, an additional layer of polypropylene felt 106, two pieces of polypropylene sheet 108 and a piece of mesh plastic material 110 together so that the alignment holes 103 allow easy insertion of the SS rods. This “Rubberizer” carrier subassembly 100 serves to very efficiently collect hydrocarbons inside, and to prevent mosquito ingress/egress via the funnel subassembly 21.
FIG. 10 also shows, as an element of the device 90, a weir box subassembly 112, to surround the side-exit pipe 81. The weir box subassembly 112 comprises an SS weir box 114 including the bottom and two opposite ends with flanges to enable bolting to the vault interior 16, a vertical SS c-channel frame 66 sized to fit and welded to the weir box 114 and to SS top seal strap 115 which has been folded over across the top edge before also being welded to the weir box 114, into which a vertical permeable weir filter element 63 sized to fit will be removably inserted, a floating door mounting frame 120 with wall mounting flanges adjustably bolted to the weir box 114 and a PVC floating door 122 with perimeter seal 124, adjustable mounting slots 125 and fasteners 126.
FIG. 10B shows one embodiment of this invention, the device 90′, which includes the funnel sub-assembly 21′ and a funnel extender 25 to enable the funnel sub-assembly 21′ to be positioned on center or to one side within a given side exit inlet vault. For example, FIG. 11A depicts the device 90′ installed in the top-entry side exit vault 80. A floating mosquito control subassembly 100, depicted in exploded detail in FIG. 10, is positioned within the throat of the funnel sub-assembly 21′ to prevent mosquito ingress/egress via the funnel pathway. Removable vertical permeable weir filter elements 63 are positioned in a wall-mounted weir box subassembly 112′ containing a down-turned box 119 which in turn includes a hinged 128 lid 117 through which a floating door mounting frame 120′ with floating door 122′ can be positioned in vertical inner and outer mounting tubes 123 and 125, respectively, and secured with fasteners 126. The floating door 112′ stops mosquito ingress and egress. Any hydrocarbon floating on the surface of the water surrounds the perimeter of the down-turned box 119, remaining on the water's surface, and water beneath the surface hydrocarbon flows into an open bottom of the down-turned box. This water then flows out an open end of the down-turned box and out the outlet 81.
Also positioned on each permeable weir filter element 63 is an alternative “Rubberizer” carrier 111 depicted in detail in FIG. 10C comprising an SS expanded metal container 116 with lid 109 which positions disposable plastic mesh pads 55 at the waterline for maximum effective collection of hydrocarbons. A U-shaped filter felt media 106 is positioned between U-shaped expanded metal baskets 117 and 116 that are held by a holder 101 that fits snugly on the top of the weir filter element 63.
In the embodiments of this invention used with side exit vaults as discussed above, no housing or weir box 28 downstream of the funnel member is used. Instead, the water flows through a funnel sub-assembly and out the outlet of the vault. Upstream of this outlet is a floating door that may be within floating door mounting frame or near the outlet.
As shown in FIG. 11, the device 90 in its assembled state is installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 9. In the device 90 the funnel subassembly 21 is supported by grating rails 14 and extends into the vault interior 16, enabling all liquid entering through the grate 12 to be directed into the vault interior 16. As liquid level rises, the “Rubberizer” carrier subassembly 100 will float at the changing water level, collect hydrocarbons from the liquid surface 58 and prevent mosquito ingress/egress. Rising liquid will flow past the deflector plates 23 to reach the vertical permeable weir filter element 63 of the weir box subassembly 112 and pass through into the side-exit pipe 81 to vault discharge 19. Continued rising water will reach and begin to lift the PVC floating door 122 with its attached perimeter seal 124, allowing liquid to flow under the door into the side-exit pipe 81 to vault discharge 19.
FIG. 12 shows an alternative configuration of the weir box subassembly 112 of device 90. This alternative configuration is designated as slanted weir box subassembly 121. Weir box sub-assembly 121 has an SS slanted weir box 113 comprising the ends, bottom, wall mounting flanges and SS c-channel frame 66 angularly reoriented to prevent liquid from entering except via the floating door 122, which rotates on hinge pins 128 and/or via the replaceable weir filter element 63 and is mounted in a floating door mounting frame 120. This allows the floating door weir box approach to be used for mosquito ingress/egress prevention even when the side-exit pipe 81 is located within a very few inches of the top of the grate 12, such as in FIG. 13, and would otherwise prevent a horizontal floating door from lifting sufficiently to allow full vault discharge design volume to enter the side-exit pipe 81.
A replaceable permeable weir filter element 63 is positioned so that rising liquid can pass through into the side-exit pipe 81, having first passed through a final hydrocarbon collection step by filtering through a “Rubberizer” carrier layer 56 of mesh plastic with formed pockets 57 in which are positioned disposable plastic mesh pads 55 filled with “Rubberizer” particulate 44, and which is tethered to the bottom edge of the replaceable weir filter element 63, thus enabling easy positioning, removal and replacement for changing the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 as needed. Weir box subassembly 121 also has a floating door 122 with an attached perimeter seal 124 and an adjustable floating door mounting frame 120, adjustable mounting slots 125 and fasteners 126 to connect it to the SS slanted weir box 113.
FIG. 13 depicts an alternative configuration slanted weir box subassembly 121 of device 90 in its assembled state installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 11. FIG. 14A illustrates additional alternative configurations of the weir box subassemblies 112 and 121 of device 90. These alternative configurations are designated as slanted weir box subassemblies 131 (FIG. 14A) and 141 (FIG. 14B). Slanted weir box subassembly 131 is identical to slanted weir box subassembly 121, also having a floating door mounting frame 120, except that the SS slanted weir box 113 element thereof becomes welded to an SS rectangular coupling 114, enabling insertion into a rectangular side-exit pipe 81 for mounting of subassembly 131. Slanted weir box subassembly 141 comprises two back-to-back arrayed slanted weir box subassemblies 121, as depicted in FIG. 14B, wherein the SS slanted weir boxes 113 are welded to an SS round tee with back adapter closure 115 enabling insertion into a round side-exit pipe 81 for mounting of subassembly 141.
FIG. 14A illustrates an additional alternative configuration of the weir box subassembly 121 of device 90 as depicted in FIG. 12. This alternative configuration is designated as slanted weir box subassemblies 131. Slanted weir box subassembly 131 is identical to slanted weir box subassembly 121, also having a floating door mounting frame 120, except that the SS slanted weir box 113 element thereof becomes welded to an SS rectangular coupling 114, enabling insertion into a rectangular side-exit pipe 81 for mounting of subassembly 131.
FIG. 14B illustrates an additional alternative configuration of the weir box subassembly 131 of device 90 as depicted in FIG. 14A. Slanted weir box subassembly 141 consists of two back-to-back arrayed slanted weir box subassemblies 121, as depicted in FIG. 12, wherein the SS slanted weir boxes 113 are welded to an SS round tee with back adapter closure 115 enabling insertion into a round side-exit invert 81 for mounting of subassembly 141.
FIG. 15A depicts the alternative configuration slanted weir box subassembly 131 of device 90 as disclosed in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 14A, in its assembled state, installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 11.
FIG. 15B depicts the alternative configuration slanted weir box subassembly 141 of device 90 as disclosed in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 14B, in its assembled state, installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 11.

Embodiment E

This embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 depicts a standard bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200, modified only by the addition of a permeable weir support ledge 204 surrounding a vertical section of the interior vault wall 16 to function as full perimeter support of a horizontal permeable weir subassembly similar to that depicted in FIG. 5 The bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200 is inset into a large bed of gravel 202 which is in turn contained within woven construction fabric, as specified by the responsible civil engineer.
FIG. 16 shows a standard bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200, modified only by the addition of a permeable weir support ledge 204 surrounding a vertical section of the interior vault wall 16 to function as full perimeter support of a horizontal permeable weir subassembly similar to that depicted in FIG. 5 The bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200 is inset into a large bed of gravel 202 which is in turn contained within woven construction fabric, as specified by the responsible civil engineer.
FIG. 17 shows the device 200 installed in the bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200 including a funnel subassembly 21 with a “Rubberizer” carrier subassembly 100, a weir box subassembly 112 and a replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208. The weir filter 208 comprises permeable filter media 214 securely sandwiched between two pieces of expanded SS screen 212 inside a full-perimeter SS c-channel frame 210 which has been sized to closely fit onto the permeable weir support ledge 204, on top of a rubber or plastic seal 73, which largely covers the top surface of the ledge 204. The replaceable hydraulic permeable weir subassembly 208 is held in place by movable SS swiveling catches 216 anchored to the interior vault wall 16.

Embodiment F

FIG. 18 illustrates the device 300 of the invention, which is comprised of the device 20 of FIG. 2 altered by replacing the ADDS device 34 with an ADDS metals collection subassembly 302 and/or two metals collection subassemblies 303 described as follows:
Influent liquid enters the ADDS metals collection subassembly 302 through the standard SS outer cover 35 of ADDS device 34, admitting influent while it positions a layer of permeable filter media 39 between an upper expanded SS screen 37 and a lower expanded SS screen 41, as shown if FIG. 4, which in FIG. 302 is supported on SS vertical porous dividers 306 positioned inside the lower metals container 304, which is simply a deeper version of the ADDS lower container 51, to create porous, parallel compartments in which cylindrical disposable plastic mesh bags 308 filled with “SBH” acid-extracted soybean hull media 309 developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service for collection of dissolved metals from aqueous solutions, are located to maximize exposure of the influent to surface contact with the bagged media particles which have also demonstrated potential for dissolved metals reduction and aquatic toxicity reduction simultaneously. Liquid effluent accumulates in the bottom of the lower metals container 304 and gravity flows to the two SS drain tube positioning flanges 49 welded into a lower metals container 304 wall and into the vault interior 16, then to the bottom-exit invert 18 and on to vault discharge 19. The metals collection subassembly 302 can also be integrated into the device 20 of FIG. 7 by substituting it for the ADDS device 34.
Influent liquid enters the metals collection subassemblies 303 when they are installed in device 20 of FIG. 2 by lowering two of the four weirs 48 formed by the opposite walls of the insert box 28 not connected to the hangers 30, to provide a preferential pathway for liquid flow to rise over these two lower weirs 48 and into the open top of the metals collection subassemblies 303. The hangers 311 suspend one subassembly 303 from the rim of one weir 48 while the three taller walls 310 of each subassembly 303 retain liquid and enable the rising liquid head to force liquid through the array of cylindrical disposable plastic mesh bags 308 separated by SS screens 306 restrained where necessary by SS angle frames 312 to produce maximum liquid contact with the “SBH” acid-extracted soybean hull media 309 filled cylindrical disposable plastic mesh bags 308 inside the welded SS walls 310 of the subassembly 303 box and to gravity discharge out the open bottom.

Embodiment G

FIG. 19A illustrates another embodiment of this invention, the device 400 installed in a typical top entry side-exit vault 80 of FIG. 9 and comprising a funnel subassembly 21 and a replaceable electric permeable weir filter 214 sized to fully cover the vault cross-section and closely fit onto an SS angle support frame 418 anchored to the interior vault 16 wall and having a rubber or plastic seal 73 largely covering its horizontal surface as depicted in FIG. 17, and additionally with external SS rods 56 surrounding the OD of the funnel subassembly 21. Attached to the SS rods 54 of funnel subassembly 21 are mesh plastic carriers 56 containing disposable plastic mesh pads 55, which will float with the liquid level to collect entrained hydrocarbons. The replaceable electric permeable weir filter 214 is removably held in place by movable SS swiveling catches 216 anchored to the interior vault wall 16. The elevation of removably mounted permeable weir subassembly 208 creates an accessible cavity in which is installed a DC submersible pump 402 with float 404 connected by water-tight conduit 406 to a water-tight DC power and control subassembly 420 which is comprised of a multi-conductor power cable 425 into a water-tight container 421 with removable sealed lid 422 containing a timer control circuit board with distribution buss 423 and a DC battery pack 424 enabling pumped removal of liquid to be used as a mosquito control method, and still provide hydrocarbon spill control. The DC submersible pump 402 suctions filtered liquid through a DC-powered specific conductance sensor 412 (such as Myron-L “RO-CHECK”—U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,611). When the “RO-CHECK” senses conductivity below the set-point threshold between water and hydrocarbon-based liquids such as motor oil, diesel fuel or gasoline, the “RO-CHECK” output signal triggers shuts off the pump preventing any further discharge of liquid. Instead, a disposable PVC tube 53 filled with “Rubberizer” particulate 44 connected to a tube support 411 and a DC powered pressure switch 414 can be installed in place of the specific conductance sensor 412 to respond to increased suction pressure demand in the suction line caused by swelling of the “Rubberizer” particles reacting to the presence of hydrocarbon-based liquid, and shut off the pump preventing any further discharge of liquid.
FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative configuration of the device 400 of designated as device 500. This device 500 comprises a funnel subassembly 21, a replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 sized to fully cover the vault cross-section and to closely fit onto an SS angle support frame 418 anchored to the interior vault 16 wall and having a rubber or plastic seal 73 largely covering its horizontal surface and additionally having external SS rods 56 surrounding the OD of the throat 24. Attached to all the SS rods 54 are mesh plastic carriers 56 containing disposable plastic mesh pads 55 which will float with the liquid level to collect entrained hydrocarbons. The replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 is removably secured by movable SS swiveling catches 216 anchored to the interior vault wall 16. The elevation of removably mounted replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 creates an accessible cavity wherein the liquid becomes available to gravity-feed a suction tube of PVC pipe 512 feeding a hydraulically powered fluid jet ejector pump 502 (such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,623; 5,931,643; 6,017,195) mounted below the funnel subassembly 21 or, as depicted in FIG. 20, in a separate adjacent vault 504 with a solid cover 506 for fluid jet ejector pump 502 access and a feedwater water 508 line bringing pressure water into the vault 504 to power the pump.
FIG. 19B is an enlarged cutaway perspective view of the DC power and control subassembly 420 of FIG. 19A, depicting the watertight container 421, removable sealed lid 422, timer and control circuit board with distribution buss 423, DC battery pack 424, multi-conductor power cable 425 and water-tight conduit 406, all of which enable the DC submersible pump 402, DC powered pressure switch 414 and the specific conductance sensor 412 to function as described in FIG. 19A.
FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative configuration of the device 400 of FIG. 19, designated as device 500 and consisting of a funnel subassembly 21 a replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 sized to fully cover the vault cross-section and to fit closely onto an SS angle support frame 418 anchored to the interior vault 16 wall and having a rubber or plastic seal 73 largely covering its horizontal surface and additionally having external SS rods 56 surrounding the OD of the throat 24. Attached to all of these SS rods 54 are mesh plastic carriers 56 containing disposable plastic mesh pads 55 which will float with the liquid level to collect entrained hydrocarbons. The replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 is removably secured by movable SS swiveling catches 216 anchored to the interior vault wall 16. The elevation of removably mounted replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 creates an accessible cavity wherein the liquid becomes available to gravity-feed a suction tube of PVC pipe 512 feeding a hydraulically powered fluid jet ejector pump 502 (such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,623, 5,931,643, 6,017,195) mounted below the funnel subassembly 21 or, as depicted in FIG. 20, in a separate adjacent vault 504 with a solid cover 506 for fluid jet ejector pump 502 access and a feedwater water 508 line bringing pressure water into the vault 504 to power the pump.
Both the vault effluent liquid suctioned from below the permeable weir subassembly 208 and emitted by the fluid jet ejector pump 502, and the hydraulic powering feedwater passing through the fluid jet ejector pump 502 discharge via appropriately sized PVC piping 512 into the side-exit invert 81 and to vault discharge 19 at a sufficiently high flow rate to drain the vault of water rapidly enough to prevent mosquito emergence. Feedwater flow duration and cycle timing is controlled by valves and timers supplied by the feedwater provider and located at the local site feedwater source or an alternative location of their choice. In the hydraulic pumping mode, hydrocarbon spill control is accomplished by installing a “Rubberizer” filled disposable PVC discharge tube 53 at the point where vault effluent water emerging from the hydraulic pump enters the discharge invert pipe. Because liquid discharges from the hydraulic pump under such low pressure, the spill control method of FIG. 4 will also serve to prevent any further discharge of liquid until the disposable PVC discharge tube has been replaced.

Embodiment H

FIG. 21 illustrates device 600 of the invention, which provides a means to prevent intermittent freezing from causing Flo-Master equipment to become non-functional when installed in top-entry side-exit vaults 80 such as depicted in FIG. 9, in locales with seasonal climates. Device 600 consists of a funnel 22 and throat 24 modified by the addition of at least two fluid directing flumes 602 with floating lids 604 which lift under the force of incoming liquid to allow the liquid to enter the vault interior space 16, flooding the surface of the frozen floating door of the involved weir box 112, 121, 131 or 141 and causing the liquid level to rise until the frozen floating door thaws sufficiently to open on its own.
All water treatment equipment requires periodic inspection and servicing including removal and disposal of settled solids, cleaning/replacement/disposal of dirty filter media and replacement/disposal of hydrocarbon/metals collection media, all of which is subject to site-specific conditions in determining the appropriate intervals to select for inspection and for servicing. With the device of this invention, inspection is made easier to begin with, by being able to look directly into the vault or functional treatment “container” via the entry grate and entry funnel pathway and see if standing liquid is visible. In vaults with the device of this invention automatic drain-down equipment such as those depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 8, 17, 19 and 20 it is then possible to determine if visible standing liquid disappears within two days. If it does, the self-draining method employed in that deice is functional. If after two days, without the addition of runoff water during the interval, there is still visible standing liquid, it's time to open and inspect the vault, and perform service as needed. In vaults with the device of this invention that is not self-draining, such as those depicted in FIGS. 9, 11, 13, 15 and 21, the “Rubberizer” carrier sub-assembly 100 located inside the throat 24 floats on the standing water, expected to be typically present in such vaults, to prevent mosquito ingress/egress via the throat 24.
Determining when to open the vault for removal of settled suspended solids or for replacement of hydrocarbon collection media 44, or metals collection media 309, is most efficiently accomplished using the following periodic inspection method. If empirical inspection data establishes the need for vault/equipment service, removal of the grate 12 provides the access needed to effectively complete inspection of the device of this invention and vault conditions. Removal of the funnel subassembly 21 brings with it most (if not all) of the “Rubberizer” carriers 56 or 100 and enables direct access to the settled solids. The replaceable permeable filter modules 62, 63, 208, and/or 214 supporting or surrounding settled solids become easily accessible once drained solids have been vacuum-removed for disposal. The dirty modules can then be lifted out of the vault and replaced with the clean spare modules provided with the unit. The dirty modules can then be reverse-pressure washed with a hose/nozzle directly into the restored vault space, becoming spare “clean” modules for next use.
Removed settled solids are non-hazardous (except as described under Spent “Rubberizer” media) below, and can also be off-loaded into on-site gondola trash for Class A landfill disposal once the water removal criteria of EPA Method 9095 (in SW-846) Titled: Paint Filter Liquids Test has been met. The automatic self-draining features of the device of this invention will have met the criteria if the surface of the settled solids is free of standing water. Once removed from the vault space and wearing disposable gloves for cleaner hands, it is easy to open the plastic mesh “Rubberizer” carriers 56 or 100, inspect the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 filled with “Rubberizer” particles 44, replacing only those pads containing spent media, rather than the entire contents of a large pouch as is typical of other manufacturers using “Rubberizer” media. Wiping off the surface of the spent pads with a paper towel allows them to be disposed of in on-site trash headed for Class A landfills. Only in the event that disposable plastic mesh pads 55 have become “spent” as the result of a hydrocarbon-based liquid spill does this process become more complex. In such cases, it is still sufficient to wipe off the exterior surfaces of spent disposable plastic pads 55 as described above but, all free-standing spilled hydrocarbon-based liquid and liquid-saturated settled solids must be collected and disposed of as Hazardous Waste.
Following this the Flo-Master insert equipment and the vault interior must be cleaned and the cleaning water included with the bulk Hazardous Waste for disposal In the event of a hydrocarbon-based liquid spill, all disposable plastic mesh pads 55 and all permeable weir filter modules, including ADDS modules, must be considered “spent” and be replaced.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

Claims

1. A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including

a funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, said funnel member having an entry end and an exit end with water runoff first flowing into the entry end, through the funnel member, and out the exit end,

a housing detached from the funnel member and adapted to be mounted within the vault downstream of the inlet of the vault, said housing including an open top end that receives the exit end of the funnel member, an open bottom end that is upstream of an outlet of the vault, and a sidewall connecting said top and bottom ends to form a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber,

said sidewall having predetermined dimensions so said housing upon being mounted within the vault is separated from a sidewall of the vault to provide a space between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the vault,

said sidewall of the housing having an upper edge defining said open top end that functions as a weir enabling at least some water runoff within the retention chamber to flow over said upper edge, along said space, and out the outlet of the vault, and

a drain assembly at the bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber, said funnel member having a cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area and said housing having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing.

2. The drainage device of claim 1 including at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.

3. The drainage device of claim 2 where the hydrocarbon collection member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.

4. The drainage device of claim 2 where the predetermined cross-sectional area of the funnel member is substantially rectangular and the hydrocarbon collection member substantially fills said rectangular cross-sectional area of the funnel member as the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel member.

5. The drainage device of claim 2 including a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.

6. The drainage device of claim 1 including at least one hydrocarbon collection member mounted to pivot near the open bottom end of the housing.

7. The drainage device of claim 1 includes a hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism that in response to a high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of the hydrocarbon liquid from the device.

8. The drainage device of claim 7 where the hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism is located in the drain assembly and includes a passageway into which flows at least a portion of the high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid, said passageway being filled with a material that absorbs said hydrocarbon liquid and blocks said passageway to prevent the outflow from the device of the hydrocarbon liquid.

9. The drainage device of claim 1 where the filter element is oriented substantially horizontal.

10. The drainage device of claim 1 where the drain assembly is connected to the bottom end of the housing and sealed thereto so that at least some of the water runoff within the retention chamber flows through the drain assembly prior to flowing from the outlet of the vault.

11. A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including

a funnel member adapted to be inserted longitudinally into an inlet of the vault so that substantially all water runoff entering the vault flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, said funnel member having an entry end and an exit end with the water runoff first flowing into the entry end, through the funnel member, and out the exit end, and

at least one hydrocarbon collection member positioned within the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member, said hydrocarbon collection member being mounted to move longitudinally while floating on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and being retained within the funnel member as the position of said surface changes.

12. The drainage device of claim 11 including a drain assembly downstream of the exit end of the funnel member and upstream of an outlet of the vault, said drain assembly including a filter element that retains at least some of any solid material within the water runoff flowing through the funnel member

13. The drainage device of claim 12 where, upon installation of the device in the vault, the filter element is substantially vertically oriented and situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault.

14. The drainage device of claim 12 where the filter element is oriented substantially horizontal.

15. The drainage device of claim 14 including a weir member substantially at a right angle to the horizontal filter element and situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault.

16. The drainage device of claim 11 where, upon installation of the device in the vault, an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault form a space in which a deflector member is positioned between the inlet of the vault and the exit end of the funnel member.

17. The drainage device of claim 11 including a metals collection member.

18. The drainage device of claim 17 where, upon installation of the device in the vault, an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault form a space in which the metals collection member is positioned so that the water runoff flows through the metals collection member prior to exiting an outlet of the vault.

19. The drainage device of claim 11 including a water pump adapted to remove any standing water within the vault.

20. The drainage device of claim 19 where the water pump is an electric battery powered pump.

21. The drainage device of claim 19 where the water pump is a running-water powered pump.

22. The drainage device of claim 11 where the funnel member includes an anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff in the funnel member, said anti-freezing mechanism comprising an opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the exit end.

23. In combination, a bottom exit drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where

the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises vertical walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area, said cavity having at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level with an outlet thereat extending through one vertical wall so that substantially all runoff water entering the vault flows from the vault to a storm drain, substantially avoiding standing water within the vault, and a removable grating member covering the inlet, and

the watershed runoff drainage device comprises

a funnel member having an elongated body including a sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged entry end including a lip member having dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault that is seated between the grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and

downstream of the funnel member a housing forming a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber,

said housing comprising a body with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration of a predetermined area that is less than the area of the cavity, an open top end that receives the exit end of the funnel member, and an open bottom end that is upstream of the outlet of the vault, said housing being within the cavity and connected to at least one vertical wall to provide a space between the housing and the one vertical wall,

said predetermined area of the housing being greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing.

24. The combination of claim 23 including a drain assembly at the bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber.

25. The combination of claim 23 including at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.

26. The combination of claim 25 including a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.

27. The combination of claim 25 where the hydrocarbon collection member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff flowing through the funnel member.

28. The combination of claim 23 including a hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism that in response to a high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of the hydrocarbon liquid from the device.

29. The combination of claim 23 with the bottom of the vault is open and in communication with a bed of gravel and a filter element is at said open bottom,

30. In combination, a side exit drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where

the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises vertical walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area, said cavity having at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level, and an outlet above the bottom that extends through one vertical wall so that some of the runoff water entering the vault remains within the cavity, and a removable grating member covering the inlet,

the watershed runoff drainage device comprises

at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the body of the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.

31. The combination of claim 30 including a closure member at the outlet that includes a buoyant door that is closed until the surface of the water runoff in the vault reaches the door and causes said door to open as the door floats on the surface of the runoff water.

32. The combination of claim 31 including a filter element positioned nearby the outlet of the vault so that the runoff water flows through the filter element prior to flowing into the outlet.

33. The combination of claim 32 where the door is mounted by a hinge and is above the filter element.

34. The combination of claim 33 where there is sufficient clearance between the open door and the grating member to enable runoff water to flow into the outlet.

35. The combination of claim 30 including a water pump adapted to remove any standing water within the vault.

36. The combination of claim 30 where the water pump is an electric battery powered pump.

37. The combination of claim 30 where the water pump is a running-water powered pump.

38. The combination of claim 30 where the funnel member includes an anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff in the funnel member, said anti-freezing mechanism comprising an opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the exit end.

39. In combination, a drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where

the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises a cavity having a cross-section configuration of a predetermined area, an inlet at or near ground level, and an outlet below ground level in communication with a storm drain,

the watershed runoff drainage device is positioned within the cavity and comprises

a funnel member having an elongated body having a cross-sectional configuration of a predetermined area that is less than the area of the cavity, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an entry end seated at the inlet of the vault so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and

40. The combination of claim 39 including a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.

41. The combination of claim 39 where the hydrocarbon collection member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff flowing through the funnel member.

42. The combination of claim 39 where the hydrocarbon collection member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.

43. The combination of claim 39 where the hydrocarbon collection member substantially fills said cross-sectional area of the funnel member as the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel member.

44. A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including

means adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault for directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to flow there through prior to entering the vault,

means positioned within the directing means that floats on the surface of the water runoff within said directing means for collecting hydrocarbon, and

means adapted to be positioned within the vault for inhibiting the growth mosquito larvae and the like within the vault and for inhibiting any mosquitoes within the vault from escaping the vault.

45. A device for treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault to a storm drain to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water runoff, said device including a

funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault, and

a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.

46. A device for treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault to a storm drain to remove suspended solids, said device including a

funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and

a housing adapted to be mounted within the vault that forms a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber,

said housing including a sidewall adapted to be positioned within the vault to provide a space between the sidewall of the housing and a sidewall of the vault, said sidewall of the housing functioning as a weir enabling at least some water runoff within the retention chamber to flow over said sidewall of the housing into said space and out an outlet of the vault,

said funnel member having a cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area and said housing having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing.

47. The device of claim 46 including a drain assembly at an open bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber,

48. A method of treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault in communication with a storm drain to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water runoff, said method including the steps of

inserting a funnel member in an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault, and

providing a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.

49. The method of claim 48 where the funnel member includes a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.

50. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff flowing through the funnel member.

51. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.

52. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member covers substantially the entire surface area of the water runoff within the funnel member.

53. The method of claim 48 where a metals collection member is inserted into the vault upstream of an outlet of the vault.

54. The method of claim 48 where a filter is positioned with in the vault to retain suspended solids as the runoff water flows through the vault.

55. The method of claim 48 where visual inspection enables an inspector to determine that any standing water runoff disappears within a predetermined time period.

56. The method of claim 55 where the device is cleaned when the standing water runoff has not disappeared within said predetermined time period.

57. The method of claim 48 including a replaceable filter element positioned downstream of the funnel member that is periodically removed and replaced, said removed filter element being backwashed into the drain inlet vault.

58. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member includes at least one disposable pad filled with a hydrocarbon adsorbent/absorbent material that is periodically inspected for saturation, removed when saturated, and disposed of when saturated.

59. The method of claim 58 where, after disposal of the saturated pad, said pad is replaced.

60. The method of claim 48 where solids in the vault are periodically removed and, if not sufficiently drained to remove water runoff entrained therein, are transported to a remote location and dewatered.

61. The method of claim 48 where solids in the vault are periodically removed and have been retained within the vault under conditions for a sufficiently long time period that remove water runoff entrained in said solids.