MANHOLE ANTI-INTRUSION SYSTEM

Description

State of the Art

[0001] The manholes are elements, situated on the surface of the roads, with the function of collecting the rain water and convey them to the purifiers via an underlying water network. Therefore the manholes are elements connecting the road surface with a wet and unhealthy underground network from which they come out bad smells, where insects (mosquitoes) reproduce themselves and which is the ideal, protected habitat for mice, coackroaches, All the above mentioned animals are annoying, harmful and disease-carrying animals.

[0002] On the market, there are solutions using barriers which divide the wells in a top and bottom part. These barriers are constituted of elements with hinges and counterweights or springs, which open under the action of weight (e.g. rain water).

[0003] The main problems linked to such solutions are due to the fact that when they open under the action of a weight, together with the water, they let through any element which rests on them. They are also subject to wearing, to jamming for excessive waste and for oxidation of the hinges, thus requiring a difficult maintenance, and finally they do not lend them to being used as a siphon.

[0004] Particularly, a patent is known EP 0 952 263 A2 (STRUFE UDO,KOWOL EWALD (DE))1999-10-27 which provides an annular floating body which can move vertically in an annular chamber when the water flows. A gas-tight apron is connected inferiorly, to seal, with the floating body and above an odour filter.

[0005] In this patent, the floating body is not protected from the entrance, by the grate of the manhole, of solid elements, with possible malfunction of the mechanism; furthermore the floating body closes externally at the level of the mouth of the reflux of water. This would enable coackroaches and mice which rise from the bottom of the small well, to position themselves on it.

[0006] Something that would be very difficult if the floating element was a sphere which would shut the housing opening, internally..

[0007] The patent GB 2 432 596 A (JANITOR LTD (GB)) 2007-05-30 is applied to the urinals, thus a different field from the manholes. A sleeve acts as a duct with a closing spheric float for a fluid. The sleeve has a dome cover. In this patent the water flow which comes from above invests the float on its entire surface, and in the case in which the dirt is accidentally deposited on all of its surface, it might prevent its movement. This would not happen if the flow of the water, along with any dirt, passes under the ball.

[0008] The patent WO 02/092926 A1 (WOO KYUNG SEO (KR)) 2002-11-21 is applied in a different field from the manholes i.e. to the small wells for domestic use to eliminate bad smells and noises.

[0009] The device comprises: a grate, constituted by a plate with a plurality of oblong holes, fixed with a pin, beneath and centrally, to a guide dome, a discharge pipe with an enlarged chamber and an oval float.

[0010] In this patent the dome and the grate are all one and not separate elements, therefore in case of lack of coaxiality between the dome and the hole, would lead to a system malfunction with the float that would not sit on the site or hole. This would not be the case when the grating and the dome are indipendent elements, for which the coaxiality is still guaranteed).

[0011] In addition, in case of a new asphalt layer on the road surface, the position of the grate would raise with respect to the dividing surface of the small well, and the dome would lose its protective function toward the float.

[0012] The patent CN 2771323 Y (SUN YUN (CN)) 2006-04-12 describes a siphon with sphere that achieves a unidirectional valve to prevent the escape of malodorous outflows from a sewerage pipeline

[0013] The surface that the sphere covers is only provided with a small opening, positioned below the surface of the level of the water, and the sphere has the function of a valve toward the flow coming from the bottom, as opposed to a manhole that has a different function and a different principle of operation.

[0014] The patent GB 2 286 207 A (PRE CON MARKETING PTE LTD (SG)) 1995-08-09 describes an application for small wells of domestic use, constituted by a hollow cylindrical body with a seat for a spherical floating valve and a lid.

[0015] When the stream is flowing down through the drain, the hydrostatic thrust lifts the valve, to allow the liquid to flow through the seat of the valve.

[0016] The spheric float is not protected by a dome and the water flows down vertically dipping the whole sphere, therefore what passes through the grate can lean on the float, producing the same disadvantages of the patent GB2432596.

SCOPES and ADVANTAGES of the INVENTION

[0017] The innovation which is being proposed is a spheric-float mechanism, independent of the street grate, which allows the rain water, possibly mixed with mud or other solid elements and without that these are deposited on the float or interfere with it, to cross the manhole and get into the sewers, and at the same time, does not allow the passage of bad odors, insects and other animals.

[0018] In other words it isolates the outside environment from that consisting of the groundwater collection of rainwater pipes with an effective, simple and easy to maintain solution.

[0019] The bumps possibly arising between the floating element and the dome are eliminated.

DESCRIPTION of DRAWINGS and WAYS OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

[0020] The characteristics and advantages of the proposed invention will be more clear from the following descriptions and from the enclosed drawings provided for illustrative purposes and not limiting purposes, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional view, in cross-section, a manhole with well.

Figure 2 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional view, a way of realizing the proposed invention.

Figure 3 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional sectional view, not falling within the scope of protection of the claims, the septum partition, the dome and the float without guide.

Figure 4 schematically shows, in a sectional view, not falling within the scope of protection of the claims, a dome and the float without guide

Figures 5 and 6 schematically show, not falling within the scope of protection of the claims, the well acting as a siphon and the float being without guide.

Figure 7 schematically shows, in a sectional view, the proposed invention where the float has a hole through which can slide on an inner guide.

Figure 8 schematically shows, in a sectional view, a way of realizing the proposed invention in which the float with the guide has a non-through hole by means of which it can slide on an inner guide.

Figure 9 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional view, not falling within the scope of protection of the claims, a manhole with a sidewalk (pavement) grate and in evidence the float without guide.

Figure 10 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional view, a way of realizing the proposed invention to a manhole with an elongated street grate.

Figure 11 schematically shows, in a sectional view, all which is described by Figure 10 with in evidence the float without guide, not falling within the scope of protection of the claims.

Figure 12 schematically shows, in a sectional view, not falling within the scope of protection of the claims, the floating device which has been shaped and provided with a flexible membrane.

Figure 13 schematically shows, in a sectional view, another way of realizing the proposed invention in which the floating device has been fractionated.

Figure 14 schematically shows, in a sectional view, another way of realizing the proposed invention in which the floating device and its supporting hole has been made rough with grooves.

Figure 15 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional view, another way of realizing the proposed invention in which the device can be applied as a discharge siphon and in which the water comes from the grate above and from other various traditional manholes.

[0021] The figures represent the various components of the invention in both a three-dimensional and a sectional view.

[0022] The mechanism which is the subject of the proposed invention consists of a septum partition (1) that divides the well (2) in two parts under the manhole (3) or the closed manhole (4), in an horizontal direction, having a hole (5) which forms the seat of a floating element (6) preferably of spherical shape, obviously lighter of water. The dividing septum partition (1) joined to the floating element (6), in the absence of rain, and therefore of water, forms a barrier separating the well (2) in an upper part (7) and a lower part (8) .

[0023] In the rainy conditions the water enters the upper part (7) of the well (2) through the manhole and/or by ducts (9) coming from other discharges, raises the float (6) and flows in the lower part (8) of the well (2) i.e. towards the rainwater drainage network.

[0024] The above is valid when the incoming water is clean but, in reality, dust, sand, leaves and other impurities end up in the manholes, together with incoming water which brings with it, a huge amount of dirt

[0025] All these foreign bodies can, once deposited on the floating element (6), prevent it from lifting itself in the presence of water, thus determining malfunction of the anti-intrusion manholes.

[0026] To prevent all of this, it is necessary to introduce another element in the shape of a dome (10) which has the function of protecting the floating element (6) from materials that leaning on it can prevent its movement, in other words, to ensure that the volume above the floating element (6) remains clean even when different types of materials end up in the upper part of the well and, at the same time, to allow the passage of water through or underneath it.

[0027] The dome (10) is fixed to the grate or to any point of the upper part of the well, has its upper surface in the shape of a dome (10) (which has a protective function), above the floating element ( 6), it contains and defines the volume within which it can move.

[0028] Therefore the proposed solution, essentially consists of three elements that added to a traditional well, confer to it the innovative features described above, these elements are:

1) perforated septum partition (1) (home of the float)

2) Floating element (6)

3) Dome (10)

[0029] Obviously, there could be two types of weather conditions, dry climate or rain-:
in the first case of dry climate, the floating element (6), due to its weight, rests on its perforated septum partition (1) separating the well into an upper part (7) and a lower part (8), thus constituting a physical barrier to insects, mice and vapors.

[0030] in the second case of rain, the water that enters the upper part of the well from the manhole and / or from other ducts (9), when reaching a certain level, raises the floating element (6) and flows through the lower part (8) of the well into the ducts of the discharge network of the rain water (11).

[0031] We have also seen that the floating element (6) can move, in the presence of a flow of water, in a volume included between the bearing septum partition (1) and the dome (10). These movements can lead to shocks resulting in production of noise.

[0032] To overcome this issue the floating element (6) is constrained via a guide(s) (12); the guide (12) is constituted by a rod which starts from the top of the dome (10) and slips into a hole (13) made in the floating element (6). Such guidance could also come from the bottom and anchored either to the partition septum, or to the bottom of the manhole. With this solution the floating element (6) is constrained to slide along the guide (12) and cannot hit the walls that constitute the dome (10) with a consequent reduction of the noise.

[0033] In order to eliminate bumps between the floating element (6) and the dome (10) and which simultaneously gives the certainty that no material can slip between them, a membrane (25) is located between the floating element (6) and the dome (10) so as to constitute a barrier. This membrane (25) must not be an impediment to the movement of the floating element (6), so it must also be very flexible and may be constituted by a simple net. The membrane (25) is delimiting an upper volume defined between the internal surface of the dome (10) and the surface of the membrane (25) facing said internal surface of the dome (10), as it appears to be disclosed in Fig.12.

[0034] It is now described how the solution proposed in the present patent application can be extended to the various types of commonly used manholes:

• road on a hill: it simply uses an inclined manhole.
• road and sidewalk grates: the road grate (14) or the sidewalk (pavement) grate (15) has an elongated shape and it is often thin; the system proposed according to the present invention can be placed under, respectively, the road (16) or the sidewalk (17), or at its side, receiving the water coming from the grate by means of a duct (9). The top can have a grate or can be closed.
• well (2) with reduced height: the proposed solution includes the use of a floating element (6) that has a certain size in order to ensure the disposal of a certain water flow (the water flow to be disposed determines the diameter of the seat of the floating element (6) and thus also the size of the floating element (6). If the well is low and there are problems in housing a floating element (6) of large dimensions (the upper part of the proposed well has a height which is proportional to the size of the float used) it is possible to use several floating elements (6) of reduced dimensions.
• siphon-well: if the well (2) has also to function as a siphon, it is sufficient to connect a duct (18) that goes from the hole (5) that serves as the seat for the floating elements (6) to the water which is present in the lower part (8) of the well (2).

[0035] The proposed system, subject of the present proposed invention, can also be used as a point in which is conveyed the water coming from different traditional manholes (19) in other words, it can represent their collection center (20), this solution may be useful when the manholes (19) are located at short distance between each other.

[0036] The proposed system divides the well (2) "hermetically", in the horizontal direction, into an upper part (7) and a lower part (8). Due to such a division, variations of pressure (Pi) may occur in the lower part (8) with respect to the atmospheric pressure (Pa) present in the upper part (7). Three conditions can happen: Pi is equal, greater or lower than the atmospheric Pa. In the first case (Pi = Pa) there is no consequence.

[0037] In the second case (Pi higher than Pa) the floating element (6) (being light) is lifted from its seat and tends to balance the two pressures by letting air pass from the bottom part to the top part of the well (2).

[0038] In the third case (Pi less than Pa) the floating element (6) is pushed on the seat by a force F due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower part of the well (F = (Pa-Pi) x area of the seat), this can lead to the failure of the system (the float does not go up to the upper part of the manhole (3), in the presence of water) therefore, in order to avoid all this, the following precautions may be taken:

• to use a floating element (6) which is not perfectly smooth.
• the perforated septum partition (1) of the floating element (6) has small grooves (21) and (21') or asperities.
• bothe the floating element (6) and the seat of the floating element (6) have small grooves (21) and (21') or asperities.
• the seat of the floating element (6) and the floating element (6) do not fit perfectly together.

[0039] The consequence of the grooves (21) or asperities which are present on the floating element (6) or on its seat (21 ') of hole (5) let pass the air through, thus determining the balance between the pressures Pi and Pa and ensuring the functioning of that mechanism i.e. the floating of the floating element (6) in case of rain, provided that these measures, while making pass the air, are such that they do not let pass insects, and mice.

[0040] So, using a perforated septum partition (1), a floating element (6) and a dome (10) we have the following advantages:

• absence of sharp reduction of vapours and bad odours coming from the manholes;
• elimination of the passage of animals and insects from the water drainage network to the inhabited area;
• easy cleaning (the dirt can accumulate only on the upper part of the well, leaving clean its lower part);
• elimination of the disinfestation problem with obvious benefits for the environmental and the economic management of the network;
• also applicable to traditional manholes (19) by means of fixing the separating septum to the walls, generally made of concrete, of the well. The proposed mechanism can also be efficiently used to realize siphons and anti-emptying wells in the civil dwellings. _In this case the function of the floating element (6) is no longer to obstruct the passage to animals etc. but it is to prevent the emptying of the water of the siphon or of the siphon-well.

Claims

1. Anti-intrusion system for a manhole having a well (2), the system comprising a septum partition (1), a floating element (6), a membrane (25), a protective element in the shape of a dome (10), a guide (12) for the floating element (6) and a duct (18) , wherein the septum partition (1) having a hole (5) representing the seat of the floating element (6), when installed, dividing the well (2) in the horizontal direction, into two parts and when the floating element (6) adhering to the hole (5), in installed condition, forms a barrier between the upper part (7) and the bottom part (8) of the well (2), wherein:

a) the floating element (6) is surmounted by the protective element in the shape of a dome (10), the surface of which forms the volume within which the floating element (6) can move and which allows the passage of water beneath itself;

b) the floating element (6) is constrained to the dome (10) by means of the membrane (25) that is located between the floating element (6) and the dome (10), defining an upper and a lower volume;

c) the floating element (6) is constrained to move along the guide (12), said guide being fixed to the element in the shape of dome (10); which guide is located over the floating element (6);

d) the hole (5), which is the seat of the floating element (6), communicates with the water which might be present beneath through the duct (18), to form a siphon.

2. The anti-intrusion system according to claim 1, wherein the floating element (6) and/or the seat of the floating element (6) have grooves (21) or asperities (21') in order to prevent the hermetic closure between the upper part (7) and the lower part (8) of the well (2).

Ansprüche

1. Anti-Eindringungssystem für ein Gullyloch mit einem Schacht (2), das System bestehend aus einer Septum-Trennwand (1), einem schwimmenden Element (6), einer Membrane (25), einem kuppelförmigen Schutzelement (10), einer Führung (12) für das schwimmende Element (6) und einem Kanal (18), wobei die Septum-Trennwand (1) ein Loch hat (5), das den Sitz des schwimmenden Elements (6) darstellt, im eingebauten Zustand, den Schacht (2) in horizontaler Richtung in zwei Teile teilt, und wenn das schwimmende Element (6), das an dem Loch (5) haftet, im eingebauten Zustand eine Barriere bildet zwischen dem oberen Teil (7) und dem unteren Teil (8) des Schachtes (2), wobei:

a) das schwimmende Element (6) von dem kuppelförmigen Schutzelement bedeckt wird (10), dessen Oberfläche das Volumen bildet, in dem sich das schwimmende Element (6) bewegen kann und das den Durchtritt von Wasser unter sich ermöglicht;

b) das schwimmende Element (6) mittels der Membran (25), die sich zwischen dem schwimmenden Element (6) und der Kuppel (10) befindet, an der Kuppel (10) festgehalten wird, wodurch ein oberes und ein unteres Volumen definiert werden;

c) das schwimmende Element (6) ist gezwungen, sich entlang der Führung (12) zu bewegen, wobei die Führung an dem kuppelförmigen Element (10) befestigt ist; wobei die Führung über dem schwimmenden Element (6) angeordnet ist;

d) das Loch (5), welches der Sitz des schwimmenden Elements (6) ist, berührt Wasser, das unter dem Kanal (18) vorhanden sein könnte, um einen Siphon zu bilden.

2. Anti-Eindringungssystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das schwimmende Element (6) und/oder der Sitz des schwimmenden Elements (6) Rillen (21) oder Unebenheiten (21') aufweist, um den hermetischen Verschluss zwischen dem Oberteil (7) und dem Unterteil (8) des Schachtes (2) zu verhindern.

Revendications

1. Système anti-intrusion pour un collecteur d'eaux pluviales comportant un puits (2) ainsi qu'une cloison de séparation (1), un élément flottant (6), une membrane (25), un élément de protection en forme de dôme (10), un guide en forme de tige (12) pour l'élément flottant (6) et un conduit (18) ; la cloison de séparation (1) comporte un trou (5) constituant le siège de l'élément flottant (6), une fois installé, divisant le puits (2) dans le sens horizontal en deux parties ; lorsque l'élément flottant (6) adhère au trou (5), une fois installé, il forme une barrière entre la partie supérieure (7) et la partie inférieure (8) du puits (2), dans lequel :

a) l'élément flottant (6) est surmonté de l'élément de protection en forme de dôme (10), dont la surface forme le volume à l'intérieur duquel l'élément flottant (6) peut se déplacer, permettant le passage de l'eau au-dessous ;

b) l'élément flottant (6) est contraint au dôme (10) au moyen de la membrane (25) qui est située entre l'élément flottant (6) et le dôme (10), définissant un volume supérieur et un volume inférieur ;

c) l'élément flottant (6) est contraint de se déplacer le long du guide (12), lequel guide étant fixé à l'élément en forme de dôme (10) ; ce même guide est situé au-dessus de l'élément flottant (6) ;

d) le trou (5), qui constitue le siège de l'élément flottant (6), communique avec l'eau qui pourrait être présente en dessous à travers le conduit (18), pour former un siphon.

2. Système anti-intrusion selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément flottant (6)
et/ou le siège de l'élément flottant (6) présente/nt des rainures (21) ou des aspérités (21') afin d'empêcher la fermeture hermétique entre la partie supérieure (7) et la partie inférieure (8) du puits (2).

Drawing