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(11) | EP 2 317 238 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Ventilation element for control box of sewage pump |
| (57) The invention relates to a ventilation element (1-4) comprising a first connection
for connecting the ventilation element (1-4) to a pole part (1-6) and a second connection
for connecting the ventilation element (1-4) to a control centre (1-2). In the invention
the ventilation element (1-4) is provided with at least one ventilation hole (2-20,
3-20, 4-20, 5-20).
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Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to removal of harmful substances from the vicinity of electric appliances and particularly to removal of gases from the vicinity of a control centre.
Background of the invention
[0002] In cases where gases are present and where gases can pass close to electric components, the electric components may become damaged. In a control centre for a sewage pump, for instance, gases from sewage may cause defects for electric components in the course of time. Failures occur, because the gases have an influence on substances in the components and may, for example, corrode the components, after which the components will no longer function as planned or become damaged altogether. The gases access the centre via an electric cable channel, usually a steel pipe, leading to the pump. The prior art does not disclose an apparatus that would prevent gases from passing to a control centre or close to it.
Brief description of the invention
[0003] An object of the invention is to develop equipment so as to solve the above-mentioned problem. The object of the invention is achieved by a system, which is characterized by what is disclosed in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
[0004] The invention is based on providing a discharge route for gas removal in a support structure of a typical centre and preventing gases from accessing the inside of the centre. An advantage of the system of the invention is the possibility to use conventional enclosure and support structures in objects that usually require separate gas removal systems or structures.
Brief description of the figures
[0005] The invention will be described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an arrangement of the invention and its embodiment for gas removal;
Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show a ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment from the sides;
Figure 3 shows the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment from above;
Figure 4 shows the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment obliquely from above;
Figure 5 shows the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment obliquely from below; and
Figures 6 and 7 show the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment.
Detailed description of the invention
[0006] Figure 1 shows an arrangement of the invention and its embodiment for gas removal in the vicinity of a control centre. The arrangement according to Figure 1 comprises a control centre 1-2, a ventilation element 1-4 and a support part 1-6. In addition, the control centre may be provided with one or more signalling devices 1-8 and an opening 1-10.
[0007] The centre 1-2 on top of the ventilation element, which may also be called a control centre, comprises means for controlling an actuator, such as a sewage pump. These means may include various switches, controllers and automatic fuses. The centre may be used for controlling the discharge time or discharge amount of sewage and/or the switching-on or switching-off of a device. It is also possible to control, for example, the dosing of chemicals to be added to sewage in terms of quantity, quality and/or time. Also the operation of various signalling devices may be controlled by the centre.
[0008] The element 1-4, which may also be called a ventilation element, may be arranged at both the support part and the control centre. For gas removal, the element may comprise one or more holes or openings. For instance, there may be three holes on the front side and one on the back side, when viewed from the front of the control centre, or three holes substantially at uniform intervals. The number, shape, size, location and positioning of the holes and openings may be varied as a function of quality or quantity of gas to be removed or time of gas removal or so that it is easy to machine the holes in the ventilation element or to service the apparatus. The holes may also be at a different level or height with respect to one another. The ventilation element may be made of one or more materials, and it may comprise one or more parts.
[0009] The basic form of a ventilation element is similar: the bottom part is provided with a part to be attached to the pole, such as a part encircling the pole, and the upper part is provided with a part supporting the enclosure of the centre. However, according to the invention and its preferred embodiments, it is possible to modify the element with a basic form in various ways, such as in terms of its structure, material, fastening, support, sealing, ventilation or operation. Thus it is possible to mount one or more seals at the ventilation element, for instance at its bottom and/or upper part. Also the enclosure mounted onto the element, for example the bottom of the enclosure, may comprise one or more lead-through seals for cables. The seal/s prevent/s gases from accessing the control centre or the inside of the centre and, in Figure 1, from passing upwards. It/they may also guide the gases out through ventilation openings.
[0010] The support part or pole part 1-6 supports the control centre. The control centre may be attached to one end of the pole part via the ventilation element, for example, and the opposite end of the pole part may be fixed to, for instance, the ground, framework or support structure, such as a concrete element.
[0011] The ventilation element may be a separate part, which may be provided or arranged at either the pole part or the control centre in the first step and at the control centre or the pole part, respectively, in the second step. When the ventilation element is attached to the pole part, the element may be provided on top of the pole part or inside it. The fastening may be detachable and implemented by screws, nuts, latches or threads, for instance. The fastening may also be carried out by means of an adhesive or a component product. The ventilation element may also be arranged substantially at a buffer seam of the pole part. The ventilation element may also be integrated into the support part. Accordingly, the ventilation element may be attached to the control centre fixedly or detachably by screws, nuts, latches, threads or integration, for example. The connection to the control centre 1-2 may comprise threads and/or at least two attachment points.
[0012] In other words, the ventilation element comprises a first connection for connecting the ventilation element to the pole part and a second connection for connecting the ventilation element to the control centre.
[0013] The signalling device 1-8 in connection with the control centre may be a flasher or a siren, for example. In addition, the control centre may be provided with one or more openings 1-10 for locking purposes in order to open and close the control centre.
[0014] Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment from the sides so that by turning Figure 2A approximately 90 degrees anticlockwise, Figure 2B is achieved, and by turning this figure yet another 90 degrees, Figure 2C is achieved. Like reference numerals are used in Figures 2A to 2C to refer to the same elements.
[0015] The ventilation element 2-4 according to Figures 2A to 2C comprises a flange 2-12 and a tubular part 2-10. The flange may also be referred to as a support plate, because it supports the control centre. The edges of the flange comprise attachment points 2-14, by which the control centre may be attached to the flange and the ventilation element. The fastening may be implemented by screws, for example. The second connection of the ventilation element may be a connection to the control centre. According to Figure 2, the tubular part comprises one or more holes 2-20 so that the gas would not pass along the channel of the support part to the control centre but would be led out of the channel. The tubular part may additionally comprise a protrusion 2-16, by which the ventilation element may be attached to the support part or by which the fastening may be strengthened. The protrusion may have a region 2-18 for fastening elements, such as two screws, providing a tight fastening. The first connection of the ventilation element may be a connection to the pole part.
[0016] Figure 3 shows the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment from above. A flange part 3-12 surrounds an opening, through which the pole part may be connected to the ventilation element. The flange part of Figure 3 is quadrangular with rounded corners, but the shape, size, thickness, model, material, colour and other properties of the flange may vary as required. At each corner of the flange of Figure 3 there are attachment points 3-14, through which the flange and the control centre may be connected with one another. Figure 3 also shows a protrusion 3-16 and ventilation holes or hole positions 3-20 in the ventilation element at a distance of approximately 120 degrees from one another. Reference numeral 3-50 designates a tubular opening, in which the support part may be placed. The part 3-16 tightens the ventilation element to the support part by means of screws. It is also possible to provide the support part, control centre or ventilation element with threads, and by means of the threads the ventilation element may be connected to the support part and/or the control centre.
[0017] Figure 4 shows the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment obliquely from above. The ventilation element comprises the above-mentioned flange part 4-12 and the tubular part 4-10. The flange comprises one or more attachment points 4-14, with which the flange may be attached to the control centre. The tubular part comprises one or more openings 4-20 and a protrusion 4-16 and an attachment region 4-17 in the protrusion. The tubular part also comprises an inner surface 4-32, which may be chamfered 4-30 at the end on the side of the control centre. By using the tubular part, the ventilation element may be attached to the pole part. The fastening may be implemented or facilitated by threads 4-34. The openings of the ventilation element, the positions of the openings, the first and the second connection and the insertion of the pole part into the ventilation element are arranged, for example, in such a manner that when the ventilation element is attached to the pole part, the surface, e.g. a metal or a metal surface, of the pole part does not close the openings, i.e. the openings are not covered, but the gas flowing along the channel of the pole part can be discharged through the openings away from the electronics of the control centre.
[0018] Figure 5 shows the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment obliquely from below. A flange 5-12 comprises attachment points 5-14 and a tubular part 5-10 comprises openings 5-20 and a protrusion 5-16 and possibly guide protrusions 5-40 inside the tubular part. The openings may be provided close to the flange at the upper end of the tubular part and/or in the flange part. The inner surface of the tubular part may comprise a sill element 5-50 leading to the region of the openings so that the pole part inserted into the ventilation element cannot access the region of the openings to cover or close the openings but extends at its longest to the sill element. The openings may be provided with flaps or other closable and openable passive or active elements to adjust the amount of gas to be removed.
[0019] Figures 6 and 7 show the ventilation element of the invention and its embodiment. Instead of a plate-like flange (Figures 2A to 2C, 3, 4, 5), the ventilation element comprises a flange 6-12 (Figure 6), 7-12 (Figure 7) resembling an enclosure and a tubular part 6-10, 7-10 (according to Figures 6 and 7, respectively). The flange may also be called a support or a support enclosure, because it supports the control centre and the control centre may be placed on top of it. The edges of the flange comprise attachment points 6-14, 7-14, by which the control centre may be attached to the flange and the ventilation element. The fastening may be implemented by screws, for example. The space or surface 6-96, 7-96 of the attachment points may be shaped in such a manner, for example, that it can be placed inside the box-like flange part. In addition to these attachment points, the flange part may also comprise other attachment points, such as tubular attachment points 7-98.
[0020] According to Figures 6 and 7, the flange part comprises one or more holes 6-20, 7-20 to prevent the gas from passing along the channel of the support part to the control centre but to lead it out of the channel. The tubular part may additionally comprise one or more protrusions 6-16, 7-16, by which the ventilation element may be attached to the support part or by which the fastening may be strengthened. A seal 6-90, 7-90 may be mounted at the upper part of the ventilation element.
[0021] The apparatus of the invention and its preferred embodiments removes the gases or a sufficient amount of gases passively so that the gases cannot access the control centre, at least not to the extent that they could damage the components of the control centre. The gases may be removed from all channels leading to the centre, such as an electric cable channel leading to a sewage pump. The material of the channel and the ventilation element may be steel, iron, another metal or metal compound, plastic or glass, for example.
[0022] The best location for the pole or the support part, the end of which may be provided with a ventilation element solution with holes for gas removal, may be the immediate vicinity of a sewage container or sewage pump. The bottom part of the enclosure of the control centre may be provided with one or more sealing rubbers or lead-in rubber grommets preventing the gases from accessing from the tube into the enclosure. A simple lead-in rubber grommet without openings is not sufficient if incoming gases and gases to be removed are under pressure, i.e. they are supplied with some kind of pressure.
[0023] As appears from the attached drawings, the ventilation element is mounted below the centre. The size and shape of the holes of the element as well as the shape of the element itself may vary. In its basic form, one end of the ventilation element surrounds the pipe and the other end comprises an attachment point for the enclosure that is to be placed above.
[0024] According to an alternative embodiment, instead of a ventilation element between the pole part and the control centre and provided with holes, the gases may be led away by means of a pole part, the upper end of which, for example, is provided with holes. In this case, an additional part or additional parts may be used for supporting the centre on the pole.
1. A ventilation element (1-4) comprising:
a first connection for connecting the ventilation element (1-4) to a pole part (1-6); and
a second connection for connecting the ventilation element (1-4) to a control centre (1-2),
characterized in thatthe ventilation element (1-4) is provided with at least one ventilation hole (2-20, 3-20, 4-20, 5-20).
2. An element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the connection to the control centre (1-2) comprises at least two attachment points
(2-14, 3-14, 4-14, 5-14).
3. An element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation element (1-4) comprises one or more seals.
4. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ventilation element comprises a flange part (2-12, 3-12, 4-12, 5-12) and a tubular
part (2-10, 4-10).
5. An element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the flange part (2-12, 3-12, 4-12, 5-12) is provided with at least one ventilation
hole (2-20, 3-20, 4-20, 5-20).
6. An element as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the tubular part (2-10, 4-10) is provided with at least one ventilation hole (2-20,
3-20, 4-20, 5-20).
7. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the diameter of the tubular part (2-10, 4-10) of the ventilation element is larger
than that of the pole part (1-6).
8. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the inner surface of the tubular part (2-10, 4-10) comprises a sill element (5-50).
9. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the tubular part comprises a protrusion (2-16, 3-16, 4-16, 5-16) for attaching the
ventilation element to the supporting arm (1-6).
10. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the tubular part (2-10, 4-10) is integrated into the pole part (1-6).
11. A control pole comprising a control centre (1-2) and a pole part (1-6), characterized in that a ventilation element (1-4) provided with at least one ventilation hole (2-20, 3-20,
4-20, 5-20) is arranged between the control centre (1-2) and the pole part (1-6).