WO1991005115A1

WO1991005115A1 - Sewage flushing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1991005115A1
Application number: PCT/CA1990/000328
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Heidebrecht; Clarence Robert Fiell; Earl Jerry Radu; Marcel O. Pelletier
Original assignee: Gmjr Controlled Flow Technology International Ltd.
Priority date: 1989-09-28
Filing date: 1990-09-28
Publication date: 1991-04-18
Also published as: AU6411090A; CA1334611C

Abstract

A sewer flushing apparatus includes means for providing a predetermined, intermittent flow of water into a sewer line (28) including timing means (20) for controlling a valve mechanism (18) to effect the intermittent flow. Means (34) are also provided to shut the system off in response to high fluid levels in the sewer line.

Description

SEWAGE FLUSHING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to arrangements in domestic sewer lines and specifically to a sewer flushing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sewage blockage problems are commonly found in residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional and industrial facilities and the clearing of such blockage problems normally utilizes mechanical and chemical cleaning arrangements which result in substantial down time of the systems. High costs are a result. Moreover, the use of chemicals for cleaning sewers are environmentally unacceptable today and creates problems with sewage treatment systems. Additionally, some chemical substances are hazardous to handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the elimination or reduction of many of the problems of the cleaning of sewers as conventionally practised. In this regard, the system according to the present invention substantially reduces the need for mechanical and chemical cleaning of sewage piping systems and one of the objectives of the present invention is to utilize clean potable water to maintain clean sewage piping systems.

The sewer flushing apparatus of the present invention introduces a clean stream of water into a sewage piping system, on an intermittent, regular basis in order to flush debris collecting in the sewer pipe before that debris effects a complete blockage. The use of this flushing arrangement has a wide breadth of application and is effective in various types of sewer systems which become blocked because of materials being introduced therein, minimum pipe slopes, and undersized piping systems. The amount of water to be flushed through the system to prevent and/or remove blockage is dependent upon the type of sewer to which the system is connected. Pipe size and slope must be of sufficient quantity to provide the necessary cleansing action.

According to a broad aspect, the invention relates to a sewer flushing apparatus for connection to a sewer line, the apparatus comprising first valve means for connection with a pressurized source of water; a water discharge conduit from the first valve means directed into the sewer line; means for supplying an intermittent flow of water from the source into said sewer line via the conduit and including solenoid control valve means in the discharge conduit, downstream of said first valve means; and timing means controlling the solenoid valve means to effect the intermittent flow.

A clean-out is provided in the upper terminal end of the sewer line and a probe means is located in the clean-out and is connected to the timing means to effect control of the solenoid control valve means in response to high fluid levels which may occur from time to time in the sewer line.

A lockable cabinet is provided to house the first valve means and the solenoid control valve means, timer control unit and a high level shut-off control unit as well as the lower voltage wiring between the probe and the control unit and between the solenoid control valve and the control unit. This limits access to the unit components. The first valve means is in the form of a shut- off ball valve located in the cabinet which is connected to a high pressure source of water (such as a domestic water line) and is for the purpose of isolating the water supply from the control valve and plumbing system in order that the solenoid control valve may be maintained and for isolating the unit when it is not in use.

The timing means may take several forms but preferably is a lower voltage (24 volt) programmable timer. This control unit will automatically control the opening and closing of the solenoid control valve to allow water to be flushed through the system at a predetermined time, for a predetermined interval. This timing unit is capable of controlling a multiple number of control valves.

The low voltage, high level shut-off unit consists of a fluid sensitive probe inserted in the sewer line below floor level. The unit also includes a manual reset button, a power on light, and a high level on light. The high level control unit will, on sensing a high level of water in the sewer pipe, signal the timer control unit which will then close the solenoid control valve. This will interrupt the flow of water into the sewer pipe, preventing flooding of the sewer system in the case of severe blockages.

The solenoid control valve operates automatically from a low voltage signal received from the timer control unit. The solenoid control valve has a normal flow control feature which can be preset to adjust the flow of water suitable for flushing a sewer line of a particular size and slope. This control valve has a slow closing feature, preventing water hammer shocking when closing. The extension for the sewer system comprises a clean-out for high level probe insertion, a plumbing trap for stoppage of sewer gases and a vertical extension and funnel means for acceptance of the water flow from the flushing unit. An approved plumbing air gap is provided between the sewer pipe funnel means and the flushing unit water discharge pipe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic line diagram illustrating the components of the present invention and the interconnection thereof to a sewage draining system and a potable water supply; FIGURE 2 is an elevation view of the control unit; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic line diagram similar to that of FIGURE 1 illustrating an alternative arrangement of certain of the components of the present invention, as interconnected to a sewage draining system.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

MODEfS) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the drawings, similar features have been given similar reference numerals.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, the sewer flushing apparatus is illustrated generally at 10 and includes a lockable cabinet 12 which serves to enclose a first valve means in the form of a shut-off ball valve 14 which is connected to a high pressure water supply pipe 16 and, downstream of the valve 14, the solenoid control valve 18 is located. Also enclosed within the cabinet 12 is the timer control unit 20. This unit is connected to a standard 24 volt power supply line 24 and is also connected for example by 24 volt wiring 26, to the solenoid control valve 18.

As shown in FIGURE 1, an existing sewer line 28 located below floor level 30 includes an accessible clean- out 32 into which a high water level probe means 34 is located, this probe being electrically interconnected to the timer control unit 20 by suitable wiring 36.

A water discharge conduit 40 is connected to the outlet end of the solenoid control valve 18. The terminal end 42 of the discharge conduit is directed into the funnel means 44 located on the upper end of the plumbing trap 46 leaving an air gap 47 as indicated is connected to the upper terminal end of the sewer line 28. The control valve 18 incorporates a manual flow adjustment as well as the electrically operated opening and closing feature.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement of the high water level probe 34 of the present invention. Instead of placing the probe in the clean out 32 of sewer line 28, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, probe 34 is inserted in an adjacent floor drain or riser pipe 50, connected in parallel by pipes 52 to riser pipe 54 extending between plumbing trap 46 and sewer line 28. Timer control unit 20 may be preferably programmed to cancel a scheduled flush from water supply pipe 16 through solenoid valve 18 if an obstruction exists in plumbing trap 46 or riser pipe 54, as evidenced by probe 34 sensing high water. Additionally, timer control unit 20 may be programmed to shut-off solenoid control valve 18 completely if two scheduled flushings in sequence are cancelled. It is also preferred that high water level probe means 34 be arranged to provide information with respect to flushings and water flow. While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof and in a specific use, various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The terms and expressions which have been employed in this specification area used as terms of description and not of limitations, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS;

1. Sewer flushing apparatus for connection to a sewer line, said apparatus comprising: first valve means for connection with a pressurized source of water; a water discharge conduit from said first valve means, directed into said sewer line; means for supplying an intermittent flow of water from said source into said sewer line via said conduit and including solenoid control valve means in said discharge conduit downstream of said first valve means; and timing means controlling said solenoid valve means to effect said intermittent flow.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including water probe means to be located in the upper terminal end of said sewer line, the probe means connected to said timing means to effect control of said solenoid control valve means in response to high fluid levels in said sewer line.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 including a plumbing trap in said sewer line adjacent the upper terminal end thereof; funnel means on the upper end of said trap to receive water from said water discharge conduit; and an air gap provided between the terminal end of said discharge pipe and said funnel means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2^"'including a clean out in the upper terminal end of said sewer line, the water probe means located in said clean-out.