Device for draining recreational vehicles

Abstract

 The system according to the invention for draining sewage from vehicles (14) comprises: a) a transit surface (102) on which vehicles (14), such as coaches or campers, can pass and stop; b) a collecting tank (1) arranged on the transit surface (102) and comprising in turn a collection area (100) arranged to collect and contain sewage drained from the vehicle (14) located above the same collection area. The collection area has such a size that it extends over at least half the predetermined maximum width (Lmax) of the vehicle. A vehicle can transit above the collecting tank (1) with at least one wheel resting upon the collection area. This facilitates the manoeuvres for bringing the vehicle (14) to the draining position, and allows eliminating the grids covering the draining area (14), as well as better cleaning and sanitising the tank (1).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for and a method of draining sewage from vehicles, such as for instance campers, caravans, coaches and so on. Such system could be installed for instance in motorway service areas, equipped parking areas, campsites, and holiday camps.

State of the art

[0002] According to the prior art, draining of sewage from the above vehicles takes place by using various kinds of wells, closed by grids or covers. Sewage channelling is carried out by using conventional technologies relying on gravity or by vacuum systems, known as well. In any case, even where automatic washing systems are provided, such systems only clean the well bottom, or at best, they try to remove solid parts and deposits from the grids, without however being successful. In short, such prior art systems cannot achieve disinfection of the grid and well portions affected by sewage flow. Any grid covering a well unavoidably retains solid parts (toilet paper, sanitary towels, etc.) present in sewage, as well as sewage particles that, by the time, form deposits on the grid meshes.

[0003] Even assuming that those prior art systems attain the object of draining sewage from vehicles, in any case they do not allow automatically washing and disinfecting the area affected by sewage flow. Thus the grids are sources of bad smells and often are focuses of bacterial epidemics.

[0004] In other cases the user or the attending staff even have to touch parts potentially contaminated by human excrements, for instance, when a cover is to be opened, or when a flexible pipe is to be used for sucking sewage from the vehicle tank.

[0005] The risks, especially for the health of concerned people, inherent in manipulation of contaminated components, are to be held in due consideration.

[0006] Moreover, nobody has so far considered a risk that always exists in systems of such kind.

[0007] Indeed, whenever water is used for cleaning wells, the risk exists that more or less important amounts of sewage can flow back into the aqueduct pipes.

[0008] Such problems can arise when, upon aqueduct repairs, a vacuum occurs in the water supply line: in such case, said line can suck sewage present in the well.

[0009] Since the risk of potential contamination of the aqueduct delivery system is real and has very serious consequences for public health, the Applicants deem elimination of such possibility suitable.

[0010] Thus it is a first object of the present invention to provide systems for draining sewage and/or lavatory water from vehicles, such as for instance campers, which systems are suited to be automatically cleaned and disinfected, without any intervention of attending staff or of the users.

[0011] Then, it is a second object of the present invention to provide a solution allowing protecting water supply lines.

Summary of the invention

[0012] The above objects are achieved, according to a first aspect of the present invention, by a system for draining non-gaseous fluid wastes from road vehicles, which system has the features as claimed in claim 1.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, a system according to the invention for draining sewage from vehicles is equipped with a collecting tank of stainless steel, which tank is smooth, has no roughness and can be easily washed by means of jets of water and disinfectant under pressure coming from side ducts mounted on the tank edges, in central position on the side opposite to the well or drain.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is equipped with a washing pump, having an accumulation reservoir, upstream of the tank, which pump sends the water - disinfectant mixture under pressure to the tank ducts having micro-holes.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is equipped with a proportioning pump having a reservoir for a disinfectant stock and injecting an adjustable amount of disinfectant into the accumulation reservoir of the washing pump.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is equipped with an original well/drain located by the side of the washing tank just below the pavement surface.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is equipped with two photoelectric cells, which manage the automatic wash operations in conjunction with the PLC included into the electric panel.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is equipped with a vacuum breaker valve protecting the water supply line of the organisation providing for the service.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is equipped with a motor-driven breaking valve connecting the draining duct either to the siphon or to the accumulation tank.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, in the system according to the invention the collection area is arranged relative to the transit surface so that the bottom of the collection area has an increasing depth in a longitudinal direction of the same collection area.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above objects are achieved by a method of draining non-gaseous fluid wastes from road vehicles, which method has the features as claimed in claim 15.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the system for draining sewage and other non-gaseous waste fluids, for carrying out the method, comprises means for guiding the vehicle so that it passes on the collection area, to perform draining, according to a predetermined transit direction, and the vehicle discharging liquids at the collection area has a width not exceeding twice the maximum size of the collection area transversally to the predetermined transit direction of the vehicle on the same collection area.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention includes a preliminary step consisting of a previous sprinkling of the whole tank, this being to be made before the user has discharged into the same tank.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the above objects are achieved by a program for a programmable logic unit, comprising program code means arranged to perform all operations of the method according to the invention when the program for logic unit is run on a logic unit.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the above objects are achieved by a program product for a programmable logic unit, which product comprises program code means stored on a memory support readable by a programmable logic unit and arranged to perform the method according to the invention when the program for logic unit is run on a logic unit.

[0026] The present invention further concerns a tank arranged to be installed in a system according to the invention and having the features as claimed in claim 14.

[0027] The advantages attainable by the present invention will become more apparent, for the skilled in the art, from the following detailed description of a particular and nonlimiting embodiment, given with reference to the following schematic Figures.

List of the Figures

[0028] 

Fig. 1 is a top view of a particular embodiment of a system for draining sewage and wastewater according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the fluidic diagram of the system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view, in cross-section along plane A - A, of the installation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view, in cross-section along plane B - B, of the installation of Fig. 1.

Detailed description

[0029] In synthesis, the draining system according to the particular embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, includes a self-cleaning and self-sanitising rectangular tank 1 of stainless steel, which can be for instance about 2000 mm long and about 800 mm wide: thus its size is such as to facilitate the manoeuvres the user is to effect in order to bring his/her vehicle above the tank. In the present exemplary embodiment, tank 1 is installed in the asphalt paving of the equipped area, as shown in Fig. 1, or on another transit surface 102 (Fig. 2) on which a road vehicle 14 can pass.

[0030] In the present exemplary embodiment, collecting tank 1 defines a concave collection area 100, which is substantially elongated and is arranged transversally to the predetermined transit direction DT (Fig. 1) along which pavement 9 and girder 10 guide vehicle 14 approaching the draining position. More particularly, in the present exemplary embodiment, tank 1 has substantially the shape of a big gutter or channel and of a portion of conical, cylindrical or prismatic surface.

[0031] Advantageously, collection area 100 has such a size that it extends over at least half the width of a vehicle 14 having the maximum size for which the draining position is designed. For instance, if the draining position is designed to allow draining from vehicles with maximum width Lmax equal to 2.30 m, collection area 100 advantageously extends over a width Lzr (Fig. 1) equal to at least 1.15 m. More advantageously, collection area 100 extends over a width Lzr equal to or greater than maximum width Lmax of a vehicle 14 of the maximum size for which the draining position is designed. More advantageously, collection area 100 extends over a width Lzr equal to at least 2.00 m. Still more advantageously, collection area 100 extends over a width Lzr equal to at least 3.00 m or collection area 100 extends over a width Lzr equal to at least 4.00 m.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, collection area 100 has substantially V-shaped cross-sections. In other embodiments, not shown, collection area 100 has substantially U-shaped cross sections, or other suitably rounded shapes. In any case, it has shapes allowing a vehicle 14 to transit above tank 1 without its wheels sinking and remaining blocked in collection area 100. To that aim, collection area 100 advantageously has a maximum depth Pmax (Fig. 4) not exceeding maximum width Lxmax of the transversal cross section of collection area 100 in correspondence with maximum depth Pmax. More advantageously, collection area 100 has a maximum depth Pmax not exceeding half the maximum width Lxmax of the transversal cross section of collection area 100 in correspondence with maximum depth Pmax. Still more advantageously, collection area 100 has a maximum depth Pmax not exceeding one third of maximum width Lxmax of the transversal cross section of collection area 100 in correspondence with maximum depth Pmax. Still more advantageously, collection area 100 has a maximum depth Pmax not exceeding one fourth of maximum width Lxmax of the transversal cross section of collection area 100 in correspondence with maximum depth Pmax. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 4, ratio Pmax to Lxmax is about 0.2.

[0033] The advantages resulting from such shapes of collection area 100 will be disclosed below, while describing the use of the draining position described above.

[0034] Moreover, the bottom of the collection area is preferably inclined so as to have an increasing depth from one end to the opposite one - in the example of Fig. 2 from the right towards the left - of collection area 100. As it will be disclosed also below, this assists the flow of the drained liquids down to well or drain 15.

[0035] Tank 1 of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 has moreover the peculiar feature of having, in the upper portion of its long sides, two pipes 7 having a set of several micro-holes, for instance and just as an indication, 210 micro-holes per pipe, or 40-50 holes per pipe metre, which are suitably oriented and are such that they are capable of sprinkling each portion of tank 1 with water and disinfectant. Possibly, a pipe section 7 may be provided also centrally of collection area 100, in a portion thereof on the opposite side to well or drain 15.

[0036] The draining system of the present embodiment further includes a column 8, which is mounted on the pavement by the side of tank 1 and houses, in the present exemplary embodiment, the following components (Figs. 3 and 4):

• a proportioning pump 2 with a disinfectant reservoir;
• a centrifugal washing pump 13 with an independent supply reservoir 4;
• a so-called "vacuum breaker" 5, located on the inlet of the water supply from the delivering organisation;
• two photoelectric cells 6 detecting the presence of the caravan or other vehicle;
• an electric panel having the PLC and the relevant software for managing the equipment;
• a pedal pushbutton 11 for wash activation, said button being preferably, but not necessarily, of stainless steel.

[0037] Column 8 acts as a reference for the user, which can see instructions 13 for using the system affixed to the column. The column is preferably made of smooth plate, without any accessory than can be turned off by vandalism actions.

[0038] It is possible and advantageous to build pre-fabricated modules each comprising a tank 1, e.g. of stainless steel, and a concrete sheet integral with the rear face of the same tank 1, i. e. the face opposite to the one on which water and wastes will flow in use.

[0039] A possible way of operation and use of such a draining system is now disclosed.

[0040] The user desiring to empty the sewage tank of its caravan 14 is obliged to proceed along a set path between a pavement 9, where column 8 is located, and a girder 10, which facilitate vehicle positioning above collecting tank 1. The above described shapes and sizes make the manoeuvres required to correctly position vehicle 14 above collection area 10 considerably easier and simpler. Moreover, the relatively limited maximum depth Pmax and the relatively very open U or V shape make the transit of vehicle 14 easier, causing the vehicle wheels to rest directly on the surface of collection area 100, without remaining sunk or blocked there. Thus, the concave collection area 100 needs not to be covered with grids, gratings or other bored covers to allow a camper 14 to pass over tank 1. The area can thus be easily washed and the hygienic problems mentioned above and resulting from the use of gratings, grids or other members with indented shapes are avoided. Also well or drain 15 and the other parts that subsequently come into contact with the sewage can be washed as easily.

[0041] Vehicle 14, as soon as it is properly positioned above collecting tank 1, is detected by photoelectric cells 6 located on column 8, which cells actuate the system and wet tank 1 with a water film. Such an important preliminary step will prevent sewage from adhering to the plate. The user will then open the discharge valve of the tank of his/her vehicle, thereby discharging the tank contents into tank 1.

[0042] Thanks to a suitable positioning of pipes 7, for instance at least along the longitudinal edges of collection area 100, and to actuation thereof before sewage is drained from vehicle 14, the powerful jets or sprays generated by pipes 7 repel sewage splashes falling down onto the bottom of tank 1 towards the centre of collection area 100, thereby confining such splashes and preventing them from dirtying the areas outside tank 1 itself.

[0043] If the user has read the instructions placed on column 8 and has a good civic spirit, he/she will actuate the wash of tank 1 by pressing the suitable pushbutton or pedal 11 placed at the base of the same column with his/her foot. Otherwise, as soon as the vehicle moves away from the tank, photoelectric cells 6 no longer detect its presence and the washing system automatically carries out wash and disinfection of tank 1. The provision of two or more photoelectric cells 6 suitably spaced from each other in the horizontal direction, according to the travel direction envisaged for vehicles 14, advantageously allows the automatic system to properly discriminate situations in which a vehicle 14 is present and properly parked relative to tank 1 and/or column 8 to perform draining (in which case both photoelectric cells 6 may be on), situations in which there is no vehicle 14 (in which case both photoelectric cells 6 may be off), and situations in which vehicle 14 is not properly positioned to perform draining (in which case it is possible to have one photoelectric cell 6 on and the other off).

[0044] In other embodiments, not shown, only one photoelectric cell 6, more than two photoelectric cells 6 or other kinds of detectors may be provided to detect the presence and/or the position of a vehicle 14 in the draining area.

[0045] The discharged sewage, pushed by the flow of the water/disinfectant mixture, is channelled by the twofold slope of collection area 100 both towards the central line of the tank and towards pavement 9. Sewage is then collected into a well or drain 15 formed below the pavement surface. That particular feature allows leaving wide sections open to sewage flow, without exerting any restriction and/or resistance, and at the same time ensures that the user cannot stumble over holes, wells or hindrances of various kinds. Advantageously, well 15 is integrally formed with tank 1, for instance of stainless steel.

[0046] Both the well and any part affected by sewage flow are always smooth, drafted and with suitable cross sections, so as to prevent any clogging, staunching and deposit.

[0047] In known manner, well 15 where sewage is conveyed is connected with a siphon 12, upstream the latter, so as to eliminate bad smells, and it can communicate for instance with the sewer system, a redirecting tank, an Imhoff pit, etc.

[0048] Washing pump 3 located in column 8 sends an amount of water-disinfectant mixture, as an indication, about 50 litres, under pressure, to pipes 7 with micro-holes of tank 1.

[0049] By means of such powerful under pressure jets the whole surface of tank 1 is cleaned and disinfected, and no trace of the discharged sewage remains even in collecting well 15 located below the pavement.

[0050] Washing pump 3, in order to be able to effect that operation in a few seconds (as an indication about 15 - 20 sec) must be adequately fed. Since the flow rate of the aqueduct may be insufficient to that aim, column 8 advantageously includes an accumulation reservoir 4.

[0051] Such an accumulation reservoir 4 is filled with water from the aqueduct up to a maximum level and, when that level is attained, a float connected with a needle valve 16 stops water entry into reservoir 4.

[0052] Disinfectant is injected into reservoir 4 by a proportioning pump 2, which adjusts the proper amount in dependence on the actuation time, which is adjustable.

[0053] The wash/disinfection cycle may possibly be started by both the pedal control 11 provided on the column, and photoelectric cells 6 detecting first the presence of the camper, then the leaving of same.

[0054] In order to protect the drinking water delivery system from contamination, a so-called "vacuum breaker" valve 5 is provided, for instance the valve commercially available from company ORAS of Rauma (Finland) under part number 261032, which valve has to prevent return flow from the draining system into the water supply system. Such kind of valve 5, especially known in ship industry, prevents such a return flow. Essentially, besides operating as any conventional nonreturn valve, it injects air into the water supply pipe, should unfortunately that pipe be at sub-atmospheric pressure. Other examples of "vacuum breaker" valves or systems are known for instance from documents US4819279 or US6823535.

[0055] A motor-driven and tightly sealing flap valve 18 can be advantageously located immediately downstream the well and upstream the siphon. That valve is to prevent rainwater from being conveyed towards the accumulation pit, with the risk of filling it. That valve is normally kept closed, and it is opened only when the photoelectric cells detect the presence above the tank of a vehicle that is about to discharge. Flap valve 18 may however be replaced by other breaking devices 18 capable of closing or opening the draining duct.

[0056] Various changes and modifications to the exemplary embodiments described above are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, jets of hot vapour or of other washing and/or sanitising fluids, even in non-liquid form, could also be used in place of water or a mixture of water and disinfectant to sanitise collection area 100 of tank 1. "Vacuum breaker" valve 5 may be replaced by other vacuum compensating devices 5, arranged to prevent any contaminant from penetrating into the supply duct, by introducing air, water or other compensation fluids into the discharge duct so as to increase pressure therein. The systems and methods according to the invention can be modified to allow discharging and draining not only liquid wastes such as sewage or wastewater of a camper 14, but also other kinds of non-gaseous fluid wastes, such as for instance muds, greasy deposits, mucilages or solid-liquid mixtures.

Claims

1. A system for draining non-gaseous fluid wastes from road vehicles (14) having a width substantially not exceeding a predetermined maximum width (Lmax), the system comprising:

a) a transit surface (102) on which road vehicles can pass and stop;

b) a collecting tank (1) located on the transit surface (102) and comprising in turn a substantially concave collection area (100) capable of collecting and containing the non-gaseous liquid and/or fluid wastes drained from a road vehicle (14) positioned above the same collection area (100), wherein the collection area has such a size that it extends over at least half the predetermined maximum width (Lmax), and is located on the transit surface (102) so that a vehicle can transit above the collecting tank (1) with at least a wheel thereof resting upon the collection area.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collection area (100) has a maximum size, in plan, of at least 1.5 m.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collection area (100) has a substantially elongated shape.

4. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein the collection area (100) has a maximum depth (Pmax) substantially not exceeding the maximum width (Lxmax) of the transversal cross section of the collection area in correspondence with said maximum depth (Pmax).

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the collection area (100) has a maximum depth (Pmax) substantially not exceeding half the maximum width (Lxmax) of the transversal cross section of the collection area in correspondence with said maximum depth (Pmax).

6. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein the collection area (100) has substantially U or V-shaped cross sections, so as to facilitate exit from the same area of the wheels of the vehicle passing above it.

7. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein the collection area (100) is arranged, relative to the transit surface, so that the bottom of the collection area has an increasing depth from one end to the other one of the collection area.

8. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, comprising at least a pipe (7) arranged along at least one side and/or one edge of the collection area and having one or more spraying devices arranged to spray a washing fluid and/or sanitising substances to wash and/or sanitise the collection area.

9. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, comprising a vehicle detecting sensor (6) arranged to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle (14) at the collection area (100).

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, comprising a logic unit arranged to control washing and/or sanitising the collection area (100) in dependence on the signals exchanged with the vehicle detecting sensor (6).

11. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, comprising:

- a water supply duct arranged to supply the draining system with water for washing and/or sanitising the collection area (100);

- a vacuum compensation device (5), arranged to prevent any contaminant penetration into the supply duct, by introducing a compensation fluid into the supply duct so as to increase pressure therein.

12. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, comprising:

- a draining duct arranged to drain the wastes and other liquids accumulated in the collection area (100) away from the same collection area (100);

- a breaking device (18) arranged to close or open the draining duct.

13. The system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, comprising an accumulation reservoir (4) arranged to accumulate water for washing and/or sanitising the collection area (100).

14. A tank (1) arranged to be installed in a system as claimed in one or more of the previous claims.

15. A method of draining non-gaseous fluid wastes from road vehicles (14), comprising the following steps:

- draining liquid wastes from a road vehicle (14) into the collection area of a system as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 13, wherein during draining the vehicle (14) is located above the collection area (100);

- make the vehicle (14) transit, before and/or during and/or after the discharging step, with at least a wheel resting upon the collection area.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, during the discharging step, the collection area (100) is substantially not covered by grids, gratings or other bored covers on which the wheels of the vehicle (14) could rest.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, comprising the step of previously sprinkling at least the collection area (100) with the washing and/or sanitising fluid before discharging therein the non-gaseous waste liquids and/or fluids of the vehicle (14).

Drawing