WO1998042927A1

WO1998042927A1 - Trade waste diversion valve

Info

Publication number: WO1998042927A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000193
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Christiaan Zwart
Original assignee: John Christiaan Zwart
Priority date: 1997-03-24
Filing date: 1998-03-24
Publication date: 1998-10-01
Also published as: NZ500522A; AUPO576097A0

Abstract

A liquid diversion apparatus (10) is disclosed which includes gate means (14) adapted for directing liquid across its upper surface, pivot means (15) operatively associated with said gate means (14) and providing for pivoting of said gate means (14) between a normal position and a diverted position, fixed biassing means for biassing the gate means (14) to pivot to said normal position, variable biassing means operably associated with said gate means (14), and being operable for variably biassing said gate means (14) to pivot from said normal position to said diverted position. The gate means (14) is operatively associated with a drainage pit (11) having two separate discharge ports, one discharge port being associated with the normal position of the gate means, and the other discharge port being associated with the diverted position of the gate means. Typically, the normal position directs liquid to the discharge port connected to a storm water drainage system (18), and the diverted position directs liquid to a sewerage collection system (17). Stop means (19) is also provided to limit the pivoting of the gate means (14). The stop means (14) is located in a position suitable for permitting liquid falling onto the gate means (14) to flow in the required direction.

Description

"TRADE WASTE DIVERSION VALVE" This invention relates to a trade waste diversion apparatus .

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to a trade waste diversion apparatus for use in outdoor automotive wash stations, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as where paved surface areas are cleaned and in particular, where it would be undesirable for cleaning fluids to be directed towards storm water drainage systems. This invention also may be used in applications where wash waters or other liquids are required to be directed to different locations.

Commercial wash bays for washing automobiles are frequently constructed without cover and consequently, are subjected to receiving natural precipitation such as storm water and such like. It is not appropriate for storm water to be eliminated through waste collection systems such as municipal sewerage networks, and it is equally or even more inappropriate for waste waters to be directed to storm water drainage systems.

Some systems already exist which provide an attempt to overcome the problem of eliminating storm water from trade waste collection systems. However, most require maintenance to valve systems which can be rendered unserviceable by grit and grease build up. Some systems also require mains pressure water supply to be activated.

The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and to provide a trade waste diversion apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means adapted for directing liquid across its upper surface; pivot means operatively associated with said gate means and providing for pivoting of said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position; fixed biassing means for biassing the gate means to pivot to said normal position; variable biassing means operably associated with said gate means, and being operable for variably biassing said gate means to pivot from said normal position to said diverted position.

Suitably, the gate means is operatively associated with a drainage pit having two separate discharge ports, one discharge port being associated with the normal position of the gate means, and the other discharge port being associated with the diverted position of the gate means.

In one preferred embodiment, the normal position directs liquid to the discharge port connected to a storm water drainage system, and the diverted position directs liquid to a sewerage collection system.

Preferably, stop means is provided to limit the pivoting of the gate means. The stop means is located in a position suitable for permitting liquid falling onto the gate means to flow in the required direction. In one preferred embodiment, the stop means are provided as abutments located internally within, and on each side of, the drainage pit. The abutments are located such that the gate means abuts one or the other abutment in either the normal or the diverted position respectively.

Preferably, the fixed biassing means is a weight operably fixed to, or formed with, one side of the gate means nearer the normal position. Although spring means and such like are contemplated by the scope of this invention, it is believed that such alternatives have limited life or are generally inferior due to corrosion and/or fouling of mechanical linkages. Preferably, the variable biassing means includes a reservoir for receiving some of the liquid to be diverted from the source of such liquid. For example, where the source of the liquid is a hose and nozzle for washing an automobile, the hose or nozzle may be provided with a bleed line whereby operation of the hose causes some of the liquid to be directed to the reservoir which fills with sufficient liquid to overcome the fixed biassing means and tilt the gate means to the diverted position.

Suitably, the reservoir is provided with drainage means so that when the liquid is no longer provided to the reservoir, it drains whereby the gate means tilts to the normal position.

In a preferred embodiment, the bleed line to the reservoir and the drainage means, are sized such that the gate means tilts before the liquid to be diverted reaches the drainage pit, and the reservoir drains slowly enough for substantially all of the liquid to be drained to reach the drainage pit. Preferably, the drainage means includes a drainage aperture attachable to a drainage line, and may further include a drainage line directing the liquid drained from the reservoir to the drainage pit.

In a further preferred form, the bleed line is also connected from the reservoir to an auxiliary reservoir or such like to provide an extra volume of liquid, so that the gate means is tilted in the diverted position for an initial period of time after receiving liquid to be diverted, such as, for example, a downpour of rain, thus providing a "first flush" of liquid in case there is any storm water contaminated by the wash liquid, the gate means being tilted to the diverted position for the time it takes to drain the reservoir, whereupon the gate means is tilted the other way back to the normal position.

It is also preferred that the drainage pit is provided with seal means for sealing either or both the exits from the drainage pit to the storm water drainage system, and the sewerage collection system. The purpose of the sealing means is to prevent waste water or storm water from overflowing into the wrong side of the drainage pit if either outlet becomes blocked.

Preferably, the sealing means operates to seal either outlet when the other outlet becomes blocked to the extent that liquid overflows from one side of the drainage pit to the other. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of hemispherical floats are attached one to each end of a balance tube by way of a respective bridle. The balance tube provides a small cross-section flow path between the chambers allowing one or the other to be filled with liquid and lose its buoyancy and seal the outlet in a sealing position for the sewerage collection system to a balance position where neither side of the drainage pit is sealed by the sealing means to a sealing position for the storm water drainage system.

After the blockage is cleared, the floats may be reset by inverting them to tip the liquid out. The balance beam may be biassed to a central position when neither float is floating to seal the other side, but preferably, the central biassing is achieved by having the pivot for the balance beam above its longitudinal axis.

In a further aspect, this invention resides in a method of diverting liquid, the method including: providing liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means; pivot means operatively associated with said gate means for pivoting said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position; fixed biassing means for biassing the gate means to said normal position; variable biassing means operably associated with said gate means, and being operable for pivoting said gate means from said normal position to said diverted position; operating the variable biassing means to overcome the fixed biassing means, thereby pivoting the gate means from the normal position to the diverted position, and directing a liquid across the upper surface of the gate means.

The method may further include subsequently operating the variable biassing means to be overcome by the fixed biassing means, whereby the gate means is pivoted from the diverted position to the normal position.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a diversion apparatus together with associated operational attachments, and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an alternative diversion apparatus to that of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, in which like elements are given the same reference numerals, a diversion apparatus 10 includes a drainage pit 11 covered by a cover 12 having a grate 13 installed therein to permit liquid drained across the cover 12 to fall through the grate 13 and into the drainage pit 11. The drainage pit 11 includes a gate 14 pivoted about a central weir 16 upon a pivot 15. The drainage pit 11 includes a sewer connection 17 and a stormwater connection 18, the sewer connection 17 being on the opposite side of the weir 16 from the stormwater connection 18.

The gate 14 is pivotable from the position shown (the diverted position) to the normal position shown in phantom outline at 24. Additionally, a gate abutment 19 in the form of a bar extending across the drainage pit 11 prevents the gate 14 from pivoting beyond the gate abutment 19.

The gate 14 also includes a weight 23 which is sufficient to cause the gate 14 to pivot to the normal position shown at 24, however, a gate reservoir 21 is provided which may be filled with a liquid which counterbalances against the weight 23 causing the gate 14 to pivot in the direction shown by the arrow. The gate reservoir 21 is filled with liquid through a bleed line hose 22 which is connected between the gate reservoir 21 and a bleed line connection provided in drainage pit 11. The bleed line connection is in fluid connection with a bleed line 27. A hose assembly 30 is operatively connected to the diversion apparatus 10 by way of the bleed line 27. The bleed line 27 is in fluid connection with a wash bleed line 34 connected to the hose assembly 30. The hose assembly 30 includes a nozzle 31 and control valve 32 connected to a wash supply 35. A check valve 36 prevents back flow of liquid into the wash supply 35, and a wash hose control 37 controls the form of wash liquid ejected from the hose assembly 30 when the control valve 32 is opened, such as from fine spray to solid jet.

Additionally, opening the control valve 32 permits some of the liquid to pass down the wash bleed line 34 and into the bleed line 27 and the gate reservoir 21, thereby permitting the gate reservoir 21 to fill with liquid and overbalance to the position shown. The gate reservoir 21 is also provided with a bleed aperture 25 which allows a slow leakage of liquid from the gate reservoir 21 whereby the gate 14 will pivot to the normal position 24 as liquid drains from the gate reservoir 21 when the control valve 22 is shut off.

Additionally, the bleed line 27 is connected to a flush headline 50 which is connected to a flush assembly 40. The flush assembly 40 includes a flush reservoir 41, a float valve 42 mounted in the flush reservoir 41 and having a float 43 connected thereto for opening and closing the float valve 42 as the liquid level rises or falls in the flush reservoir 41. The flush reservoir 41 is filled by storm water entering a roof gutter 49 through a filter 44 mounted on a flush liquid entry 45. A flush overflow 46 provides for excess liquid to flow out from the flush reservoir 41 once the level of liquid in the flush reservoir 41 has been raised above the level of the float 43.

Additionally, the flush reservoir 41 is provided with a flush bleed 47 which allows liquid in the flush reservoir to slowly escape. When the flush reservoir is filling with liquid, some of the liquid passes down the flush bleed head line 50 and bleed line 27 and into the gate reservoir 21 to fill the gate reservoir 21 and cause the gate 14 to overbalance to the diverted position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the flush reservoir 41 is filled, the float valve 42 is closed, preventing the liquid from entering into the flush head line 50, and thereby allowing the gate reservoir 21 to empty through the bleed aperture 25 and the gate 14 to return to the normal position 24. As the level in the flush reservoir drops, the gate valve 42 is opened again, and so, as the flush reservoir 41 is emptying, a small flush period occurs in which the gate 14 may be pivoted again to the diverted position.

The flush overflow 46 and the flush bleed 47 preferably empty into a down pipe 48 associated with the normal stormwater discharge. In use, a diversion apparatus 10 of the present invention may be installed at a site where different liquids are to be diverted to different drainage systems, particularly where wash liquids for outdoor washing must be directed to a sewer collection system but stormwater falling onto the outdoor wash area must be directed to a stormwater reticulation system.

A hose assembly 30 may be operatively connected to the diversion apparatus 10 by fluid connection lines so that operation of the hose causes the diversion apparatus to divert liquid to the sewerage collection system but, after the hose assembly has been turned off, to return to a normal position in which the diversion apparatus diverts liquid to the stormwater system. The flush assembly 40 permits initial rainwater collected on a wash surface to be directed towards the sewer, allowing the stormwater to provide an initial flush of the wash area and take any contaminants left on the wash area to the sewerage system. If the stormwater continues for sufficient time, then the diversion system return to the normal position and stormwater is directed to the stormwater reticulation system until the receipt of stormwater ceases. As the level in the flush assembly falls, the diversion apparatus 10 may revert to the diverted position, however, since there is unlikely to be any further liquid received through the grate 13, this should not have any significant effect on liquid being inadvertently directed towards the sewerage collection system.

Referring to Fig. 3, an alternative first-flush system is also provided which does not include the float 43 shown in Fig. 1, but in which like parts are given like reference numerals to those of Fig. 1. Instead, the flush head line 50 feeds directly from the flush reservoir 41 from an elevated position at 54.

Referring to Fig. 1 only, the diversion apparatus 10 also includes a seal assembly 50 with two float seals 51 each suspended by a respective bridle 52 from a balance tube 53. The balance tube 53 is in fluid connection with both float seals to permit one or the other float seal 51 to fill with liquid and seal the sewer connection 17 or the stormwater connection 18. To reset the seal assembly 50, the liquid tipped out of the float seals 51.

It will be appreciated that the hose assembly 30 or flush assembly 40 may be omitted from connection to the diversion apparatus 10, or both may be operatively connected as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means adapted for directing liquid across its upper surface; pivot means operatively associated with said gate means and providing for pivoting of said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position; fixed biassing means for biassing said gate means to pivot to said normal position; variable biassing means operably associated with said gate means, and being operable for variably biassing said gate means to pivot from said normal position to said diverted position.

2. Liquid diversion apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said normal position directs liquid to a discharge port connected to a storm water drainage system, and said diverted position directs liquid to a sewerage collection system.

3. Liquid diversion apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said gate means and said discharge ports are operatively associated with a drainage pit, and wherein one said discharge port being associated with said normal position, and the other said discharge port being associated with said diverted position of said gate means.

4. Liquid diversion apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said variable biassing means includes a reservoir for receiving some of the liquid to be diverted from a source of such liquid.

5. Liquid diversion apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reservoir includes with drainage means adapted to drain said reservoir whereupon, in use, said gate means tilts from said diverted position to said normal position when said reservoir is not supplied with liquid.

6. Liquid diversion apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and including an auxiliary reservoir adapted to provide an extra volume of liquid, whereby, in use, said gate means is tilted in said diverted position for an initial period of time after a receiving a liquid to be diverted, to divert said initial portion of said rain to said diverted position, and to divert the remainder of said liquid to said normal position.

7. Liquid diversion apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, and including seal means for sealing either or both said sewerage collection system and said stormwater drainage system.

8. A method of diverting liquid, the method including: providing liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means, pivot means operatively associated with said gate means for pivoting said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position, fixed biassing means for biassing said gate means to said normal position, variable biassing means operably associated with said gate means, and being operable for pivoting said gate means from said normal position to said diverted position; operating said variable biassing means to overcome said fixed biassing means, thereby pivoting said gate means from said normal position to said diverted position, and directing a liquid across the upper surface of said gate means.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 , and including operating said variable biassing means to be overcome by said fixed biassing means, whereby said gate means is pivoted from said diverted position to said normal position.