Patent Grant
9920533
The invention relates to drains and gullies in general, and in particular, to a system and a method for effectively draining liquids through a gully.
Generally, open gullies are known, from gullies on roofs or in roads as well as in wash and laundry drains and sinks. The basic principle is that liquid flows due to its own weight by “gravity flow,” and these gullies can be called self-draining. These gullies are open and allow air to enter the outlet or drainage system, thereby limiting the amount of liquid to be drained. In addition, the employment of a manifold may hinder liquid flowing from a gully at a higher level through a lower gully.
A prior art referred to as NO Application No. 17591 of the same inventor discusses a gully having elongated channel parts extending radially from a central part.
There are also vacuum gullies, also called total flow gullies, where gases like air are excluded from the flow. The technical effect of this is that a liquid column is established from the gully to the outlet, the complete weight of said column generating a heavy suction to handle lager amounts of water than open gullies. In addition, this enables the use of manifolds so as to save pipes and simplify portions of the structure. Such systems are often called “full-bore flow” or “syphonic” (or “siphonic”). There are, however, a number of problems connected to such gullies.
In a first period, a vacuum gully will operate like a gravity flow gully, and only when the water level rises over the roof height of the inlet, gas will be expelled so the gully starts operating as a vacuum gully. The draining ability increases dramatically and is maintained until the water level has been reduced so far that also air (a gas) is drawn in, whereby the gully again changes to operate as a gravity flow gully. A vacuum gully having a 75 mm diameter can, as an example, handle 10 liters per second at a water level of 35 mm, and 19 liters per second at a water level of 55 mm.
When several vacuum gullies are connected together, the air intake from one gully will be sufficient for that liquid column to no longer be unbroken, so that all the gullies start to operate as gravity flow gullies. This can be remedied by using throttle disks so that the gullies, during operation, will be drained approximately at the same time, so that the complete system may operate as a vacuum gully for as long as possible.
Vacuum gullies can have an opening of 11 mm between surface and roof, but without a throttle disk. Also, vacuum gullies can be used with an opening of 19 mm and have throttle disks. A lower opening means that the gully operates as a vacuum gully even with a lower water level, but has the drawback that the resistance against flowing through also becomes higher.
Common for gullies of the gravity flow and vacuum gullies is that warm air rising from the outlet causes ice build-up on the roof surface. This happens because the gully remains at temperatures above the freezing point while the snow on the roof is holding temperatures below freezing. Ice will then build up in the area around zero degrees (0° C.). The build-up of ice will normally become greater for gravity-flow gullies due to the employment of greater outlet pipes that normally dissipate more heat and therefore melt more slow, which leads to the build-up of more ice.
The heat is generated by at least portions of the outlet pipes are in frost-free ground, and is brought up through building constructions having higher temperature. Warm air therefore ascends from the outlets and heats up the gullies in varying degrees, but common for all the gullies is that they receive a surplus heat, keeping them free from frost so that they are not frozen completely. This is a great benefit for the gullies themselves, as the entire outlet would become blocked if the gullies are frozen. The drawback is that the surplus heat also melts the snow around the gully so that the melted water can build up ice blocks around the gully on the roof surface.
For these reasons, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for effectively hindering gases/heat from the outlet that ascends from the gully and generates ice, in addition to the draining of liquids through a gully where the above mentioned problems are overcome.
The invention will be further described below and refer to the drawings presenting several exemplary embodiments, in which:
The reference numbers used in the drawings are as follows;
The present invention achieves the objects discussed above by a gully system (gully device) comprising a gully (200) for draining a liquid (210) to a drainage system (500), having the features of a float (420, 450) arranged so that the float and a portion of the gully (200) define a closable opening for through flow, and arranged so that the float (420, 450) prevents gas/heat from an outlet rising up from the gully (200) and forming ice (230).
The present invention also achieves the objects discussed above by a gully system comprising a gully (200) for draining of a liquid (210) to a drainage system (500), having the features of a float (420, 450) arranged so that said float and a portion of the gully (200) define a closable opening for the through flow, and arranged so that the float (420, 450) prevents gas (220) from being drawn into the gully (200).
The present invention further achieves the objects discussed above by a method for controlling a gully system (100) according to the above systems, and further comprising an actuator (422). The method includes the steps for adjustment of controlling the actuator (422) for lifting the float (420/450) until gas is drawn into the gully (200), and controlling the actuator (422) to lower the float (420/450) until gas is no longer drawn into the gully (200).
The present invention additionally achieves the objects discussed above by a method for flushing gullies, and further comprising an actuator (422) for flushing. The method includes the steps for adjustment of controlling the actuator (422) to close by using the float (420/450) until the liquid level above the gully (200) has reached a critical height, and adjusting the actuator (422) to open by using the float so that the draining system is filled with liquid.
The present invention also achieves the objects discussed above by a gully grid (700) for gullies, comprising a roof (702) in the gully grid, and further comprising at least one arm (704) extending outwardly and down from the roof (702).
The present invention is directed to, among other components, an adjustable float in a gully.
In a first aspect of the invention, the float is adjusted to prevent gases/heat from the outlet from rising from the gully and forming ice.
In a second aspect of the invention, the float is adjusted to prevent gas, typically air, from becoming sucked into the gully and stopping the vacuum gully effect.
Both aspects can be combined, but the first aspect is only relevant where building-up of ice is a problem. Common for both is that it is desired to prevent gas/air from passing into or out from the gully by an adjustable float that can be adjusted to block the down pipe from the gully. The combination also can be made by using a float adapted for performing both tasks, as well as two floats in tandem used in the same gully, as a first float prevents gas from being sucked into the gully, while a second float prevents gas from ascending from the gully and forming ice. In the first aspect, the adjustment is sufficiently taken care of by using a float having low specific weight so that it floats up when liquid enters the gully. Such a system does not need further operating or control systems.
In the second aspect, it is desirable to have sensors for initial adjustment of the float as well as adjustment during operation. This can be done by providing gullies with local pressure gauges, by providing the outlet system with a central pressure gauge and a central control unit, or in other ways to measure operating parameters.
The invention is a novel gully arranged locally or centrally and having sensors measuring, e.g., pressure, temperature, water level, and a float acting both as an automatic adjustable air lock and as an adjustable throttle or choke disk. The float is preferably controlled/regulated by an automatic unit.
As the float according to the present invention provides several technical effects connected to the build-up of ice and draining, where these are related to draining for surfaces, these are comprised by same inventive concept.
The technical difference from traditional gullies or drains in the first aspect is that the float reduces the heat supply from the outlet pipe and out from the gully. This involves moving the zero point from the roof surface and down into the gully, preferably just above the float, so that it is not in a position where it will freeze.
In a favorable embodiment, the gully is provided with a heating element so that the zero point can be adjusted upwardly.
The technical difference from a vacuum gully is that the roof in the housing part is replaced by a float defining an adjustable opening for liquid flowing into the gully and down in the outlet.
These effects provide in turn further favorable effects:
Calculations are made for giving approximately the same under pressure in all the gullies.
The control unit measures the pressure in all the gullies and adjusts its separate floats so that the same under pressure is obtained for the complete plant.
The described solution can be employed for all types of outlet and draining systems, but for systems of the gravity flow gullies, a simpler solution can be used.
The invention will be described in more details with references to the drawings showing several embodiments, in that
During operation, water will enter the gully and bring gas, typically air, with it, in the form of bubbles 220. This results in that the water is not in the form of a single column of water. A major part of the fluid flow cross section is of air, and the capacity thereby is correspondingly reduced.
If an additional gully is arranged on a terrace 620 at a level beneath the roof and is connected to a common outlet system, the risk is that, during heavy precipitations, water from the roof will flow up through the outlet system and out through the gully on the terrace.
During operation at a low water flow, the vacuum gully will act approximately as an open gully, but when the inflow exceeds a certain level so that the roof is submerged in water, air will no longer enter the gully, but just water enter into the outlet system, so there will exist an unbroken column of water from the gully to the outlet.
The weight of the column establishes a strong suction that effectively drains large amounts of water from the roof, and at the same time the complete column cross section is water, even if a manifold 520 to connect several gullies together to a common outlet.
The connection to open gullies or gullies at several levels will allow for gas in the column and then destroy the effect.
The roof can include a separate throttle disk 401 adapted for allowing large water through-put without also letting air enter. Throttle disks are typically provided in several sizes, and the choice of a throttle or choke disk will be a result from the calculations made when the complete plant is projected.
In a first aspect where the float 420 prevents heat from the outlet from rising up from the gully and forming ice, the float is in a closed position when there is no need for draining. When liquid 210 builds up, it flows into the gully and the float is lifted to allow the liquid in the gully to flow further down into an outlet pipe connected to the gully. In a simple embodiment, the float is a ball 450, see
In a second aspect of the invention, where the float is regulated for preventing gas, typically air, from being sucked into the gully and deteriorates the effect of the vacuum gully, the float is in a closed position when there is no need for draining.
In a first embodiment, the float is arranged for adjusting the through-put flow, about in the same way as throttling disks, while the gully head is provided with a roof, the height of which establishes a vacuum gully effect. In this embodiment, the roof height of the gully head is adjusted for each gully on the same surface, so that all the gullies are operating so long as possible as vacuum gullies, or for a given one under pressure, before air is sucked into one of the gullies connected together. The float then is used for throttling gullies starting to take in air, so that gullies becoming dry will not block other gullies from the loss of suction from an unbroken liquid column.
By using a central control unit, the performance of the gullies can be monitored, for possibly adjusting the roof height of the gully head in order to bring the draining capacity to a maximum.
In another embodiment, the float is arranged both to define the ceiling or roof height of the gully head and for controlling through flow, about in the same way as throttling disks. In this embodiment, the float is adjusted so that the gully stays as wide open as possible without taking in air, for in this way to drain as fast as possible. As the water level 212 is reduced, the float is adjusted downwards to a minimum height. Then, when the water amounts are so small that the pipes are not filled any longer, the outlet system can handle these small amounts of water as in a gravity flow system. In the case where the float is a ball, this will prevent air/gas from entering during the progress when gullies become empty of liquid.
The operation of gullies follows several phases, and an optimal control/adjusting of gullies involves a surveillance of changes or transfers.
In a first phase, there is nothing to drain, and gullies are preferably closed, both in the first and the second embodiment. In addition to protecting against ice building up, such a method will also prevent dust and particles from entering the outlet system, even at warmer seasons or global regions.
In a second phase, the outlet system works as a gravity flow system until the amounts of water are so great that they can fill the outlet pipes, in that the water level then will build up around the gullies. This transition can be registered by a sensor connected to a central unit or by measuring the build-up of water around the float. In this phase, it can be decided if a flushing operation should be carried out. This is performed by letting the water level build up to a defined height before then opening of the gullies. When the gullies are opened, the floats can be activated or controlled to a maximum opening before air is sucked into the gullies. This can be performed separately for each gully or in parallel, or in combination of such.
In a third phase, the water level is reduced so that air can enter into at least one gully. This can be registered by measuring the water level above the float or above the effective roof of the gully, or by registering the pressure reduction in the outlet pipe connected to the gully when an air bubble is taken in, or by registering an increasing number of air bubbles in an acoustic way, optically, or by other means.
The gullies are controlled either by choking or throttling by the float or by lowering the effective gully roof by use of the float, for maintaining an unbroken liquid column for the longest time possible. Ultimately, the gully can be completely closed.
Typically, the amount of water may rise, whereby gullies again open for taking down the entering water. This can be registered in the same way as described for the first phase. In such consecutive opening phases, it is probably not necessary to carry out flushings.
In a fourth phase, all the gullies have become dry and the water column is broken. This can happen due to a lack of water supply that causes air to enter the gullies from the outlet system, and it is then registered that the pressure reduction in the outlet system has vanished. In this phase, it may be an advantage that all the gullies are to be opened so that, in this way, they can take the last remains of water and then operate as gravity flow gullies. Such a phase can be time-controlled so that the gullies are closed and again are ready to start the process once more when it is estimated that all the water has dried away. Alternatively, the remaining amount of water can be registered by a separate sensor.
During an operation at a small water flow into the vacuum gully, it will behave approximately like an open gully, but when the water supply exceeds a certain level corresponding to the height of the gully head/air lock, so that the gully head will be beneath the water, air will no longer penetrate into the outlet system, only water, so there will be an unbroken column of water from the gully to the outlet. Then, it is desirable to use an adjustment process for control of the float. The pressure sensor detects that a suction is established, and the control unit send control signals to the actuator so that the float is raised and the openings or the through flow is increased. After a certain point, air will enter the gully and an air bubble is taken in. This is registered by the pressure gauge, which then sends a signal to the control unit which in turn sends control signals to the actuator so that the float is lowered and the opening for through flow becomes reduced until air is no longer drawn into the gully. When a proper adjustment is carried out, the position of the gully head and the float is locked. The plant or system is first regulated again for through flushing or pressure testing of the roof, possibly also other conditions calling for a new adjustment of that system.
When several gullies are connected together in manifold, the floats are controlled so that each gully on the same roof surface has the same under pressure, to ensure an optimal draining.
This ensures an optimal opening into the gully and reduces the demand for a housing part to prevent smaller extraneous elements being taken in, as such elements effectively will be sucked down, and the control provides that such elements will not function as embankments around the gully.
As the conditions change over time, such as if further extraneous matter enters and changes the conditions for the gully, it is desirable to repeat the process so that the amount of such matter will not build up over time, and so conditions are optimally maintained.
The control and adjustment process takes in air over a period during the adjustment, which is not favorable for an effective draining over this period. It is therefore desirable that not many gullies are adjusted at the same time. This can be done either by having the control unit centrally positioned and common for many or all gullies, in order to adjust one or a reduced number of gullies at the time. If each gully has its own local control unit, the amount of simultaneous adjustment can be reduced by having the adjustment process carried out with uneven intervals.
However, it is still an advantage to provide the gullies with a leaf grid to prevent larger objects like twigs from blocking the float, while smaller particles can be handled by the system itself.
There are also other situations calling for adjustment of the float.
On delivering a system or plant, it is often advantageous to bring a roof under pressure to see that the surfaces are fully tight, and can often be a requirement when taking over such system or plant. This can be done simply by using the present invention and adjust all the floats to a closed position and then to fill the roof surface with water, possibly to a water level of 100-150 mm over the roof surface and during a 24 hour period. This can be done during a rain period or by filling the roof up with water.
When a pressure test is carried out, and the roof is maintained under 100-150 mm of water, this is a good start for an initial adjustment or setting, so that the greatest possible number, and preferably all, of the gullies are emptied for water at about the same time, and then the position for each gully head and float is locked.
Such a pressure setting can verify not only that the roof is tight, but also, that it has a sufficient carrying capacity, that the outlet system has a capacity to handle a maximum load, and that outlet pipes are not cracking or in other ways not withstanding the load.
It is also advisable to flush the gullies and the draining or outlet pipes, to thereby remove undesired elements, sand and other material which can accumulate over time in gullies and outlet pipes. Especially where concrete tiles are used, smaller concrete particles can detach and build up a deposit. This can be remedied by holding the floats in a closed position until an approximately 60 mm water level is built up, and thereafter, opening the floats and, in this way, rapidly filling up the outlet system and flushing it clean. This avoids the necessity for an internal flushing and manual work, a great benefit.
With these methods for initial adjusting is that they are not in need of a manual calculation for each gully.
An embodiment of the invention is shown in
The actuator is itself controlled, e.g., based upon registered values from a pressure sensor 424.
The gully is preferably equipped with a heating element 426 to ensure that the float is not freezing to the gully bottom when it is in a locked position. The float will be closed when the air temperature is below the freezing point to prevent the gully from radiating heat, and in that way, to prevent ice building up on the roof surface.
The zero point will vary with the external temperature. At very low temperatures like −30° C., the zero point will be close to the float if a heating element is not used.
Correspondingly, zero point will be positioned further away at −1° C. By using a heating element, the zero point will be moved upwards, with the float remaining in a region above the freezing point, which also prevents the flow from freezing to immobility (congelation). The heating element, if used, can be controlled either locally by use of a thermostat, or use of a central control unit 428.
In another embodiment, a new or existing full flow system can be provided with a float, by retrofitting. Then, the float takes care of hindering warm air ascending into the gully to create ice build-ups. When the gully is filled with water, the float is lifted and lets the water pass. In this embodiment, the full flow function is separate from the prevention of ice build-up.
In such an embodiment, the float will often remain so deep under the gully head that it is maintained in a frost free region. The float does not necessarily need to be controlled by an electric actuator, but instead, it may be sufficient that the buoyancy of the float is sufficient for lifting it when water is flowing in.
In those cases where there is no need for the extended draining capacity in a full flow system, it is possible to provide a gravity flow gully with such a float for the purpose of ensuring that warm air is not entering up in the gully to make the growth of ice blocks possible. When the gully is filled with water, the float is raised and lets the water pass.
In systems having such a passive float, it is possible to use a ball. In a further advantageous embodiment, the float is inflated and set under pressure. If the ball should be damaged, it will burst and deflate to a size where it can be flushed out through the outlet, preventing it from blocking the gully or outlet pipes.
For gullies, and in particular full flow systems, it is an advantage that the water flow from the gully is meeting the ball at mainly the same side as the outlet to the draining pipe, so that the water flow from the gully presses the ball away from the opening to the outlet or drainage pipe. In particular, by large flows, the force from the water may exceed the buoyancy of the ball and therefore lock it. If not, the force from the water acts in a direction mainly being the same as the buoyancy. This can be arranged in several different ways. A first embodiment is shown in
A second embodiment is shown in
These embodiments can be provided by post mounting in already existing gullies, or as an independent insert to be mounted into the outlet system some distance farther down, which is within the building. Typically, then one side of the insert can be disassembled for simple inspection and maintenance.
It is advisable to use a float control 460 to hold the float within a defined region so that it will not come out of position or be lost. In many cases, a dowel acting as a guide pin can be used to let the float slide along or off. In cases where a ball is used, preferably an inflated ball, it is practical to avoid puncturing, and then a guide cylinder 464 is shown to be a suitable means for holding the ball within a defined area.
It is an advantage that the gullies are arranged at the lowest parts of the surface to be drained, and separate sensors for detecting liquid height over the surface should also be arranged at the lowest parts on the surface.
It is also advantageous to have a central unit for a synchronized start of the adjustment of all the gullies, and for the control of the heating elements. By using a central unit, the gullies may be synchronized so that the adjustment of them can be done individually. In addition, a registration of the start of intake of air in one gully be used for adjusting all other gullies.
It is foreseen that a number of variations are possible over the above. As an example, the pressure gauge can be replaced by other means for registration that air is sucked into the gully, such as acoustical and/or optical sensor devices, and/or meters for through flow velocity. It is also possible that the control unit, the pressure gauge and the actuator are combined mechanically for the steering or control of the float. Alternatively, the float can be controlled to a constant water level over each float, preferred under 100 mm, more preferably 10-60 mm, and most preferably around 25 mm water. It is advisable not to build up too great a water pressure on roof surfaces to avoid water penetration through the roof construction and into the underlying building structure, and for avoiding overloading in extreme conditions.
It is an advantage if the control system of the gully is communicating wirelessly with the central control unit, so that the installation can be simplified. This, however, calls for an electric power source in the gully head. This can be accomplished by using a battery, and preferably a rechargeable battery to be charged by a solar panel arranged on the roof of the gully head.
A local power supply can also be provided by extracting energy from the liquid flowing through the gully.
The energy can be taken out from a separate turbine or propeller, or alternatively, the float can be provided with blades so that it rotates about the dowel pin. In both cases, the power typically can be fetched as a rotating movement of a rotor.
In a first embodiment, the energy can be purely mechanical, as the rotational speed of the rotor corresponds to the speed of the flow and then may give an indication of the liquid level 212 of the gully. A centrifugal regulator can be used for raising and lowering the float. If air should be drawn into the gully, this will reduce the rotational speed so that the gully is lowered. A mechanical pressure transmitter can also be used for regulating the float.
In another embodiment, the mechanical energy can be used for driving a simple generator for providing electric power to drive an electric actuator as well as electric pressure meters and control/steering units.
Gullies at several heights can be connected together to a common outlet system, as each roof surface then is individually adjusted by lowering and raising the floats. The connection to a main down pipe 525 should, however, be made correctly by letting each roof have its own gravity flow height before the connection. This is illustrated in
In the case where the float should freeze and become immovable, it is an advantage if it is made by a material having a thermal expansion coefficient that, together with its form, will make itself become detached from the ice. An example is that an expansion with the increasing number of degrees below zero combined with a concave form in a bowl will enable the float to be pressed up and out from the ice, and thereby be detached.
A float in the form of a ball will, in a conical gully, become pressed upward when the float expands. It is therefore an advantage if the control cylinder surrounding the ball has a conical form or part enabling the ball to be detached from ice at a temperature change.
A float designed for disintegrating and being flushed out when damaged can be provided with a transmitter for warning the system when the float remains are flushed out. The sensor can be arranged at the outlet or a manifold to limit the number of possible gullies from which the float has been lost.
The transmitter is, in a simple embodiment, a magnet, and the sensor can then be a magnetic sensor. In a system having a large number of gullies, it is an advantage to provide the floats with an identification, such as a radio frequency (RF) RFID-tag which, when its passes a RFID-reader arranged at the outlet, will identify the float remains being flushed out, so that it is possible to determine the precise gully that is now missing a float.
For gullies provided with a pressure sensor, it is easy to find which gully or gullies is/are missing a functioning float, as it/they then will not change the pressure during draining.
In an embodiment having a ball, a somewhat greater ball can be used to block the gullies by a manual pressure testing of roofs.
In an alternative embodiment a ball can be equipped with a mechanism releasing it at a higher water level than when necessary for lifting the ball alone under its own buoyancy. For example, the ball can be equipped with a magnet holding it in a closed position until the force of the buoyancy becomes so strong that the ball is released. In another example, the ball can be equipped with a locking mechanism that detaches the ball first at a minimum height of the water.
It is an advantage to keep foreign elements a sufficient distance from the gully in order to maintain the best and most unhindered flow into the gully.
Particularly advantageous is to avoid such unwanted elements acting in a way that the liquid level 212 of the gully is reduced too much.
It is found that a gully grid having arms like in a star is effective in this way.
In an advantageous embodiment, the arms are pointing downwards and are aligned or flush with the roof 610. This causes foreign bodies or particles to meet minimal resistance, and they will more easily slide upwards along the arms.
Larger foreign elements like, for example, twigs, will be captured on the arms, and if these elements are pressed inwards towards the gully itself, they will be lifted up and let liquid pass at the underside. Another problematic type of foreign element is leaves, as when a single leaf may pack around a traditional gully head and obstruct the openings into it. With a gully grid according to the invention, leaves will be guided along the arms and in towards the center, then into the corners between the arms.
This means that the outer portions of the arms are extending outside the amount of leaves and still may have a good capacity to handle the liquid.
The gully grid therefore is particularly suitable for a gully system according to the present invention.
If the roof is inclined, it may be sufficient to have one arm, arranged upstream of the gully. On a flat roof, it is an advantage to have two arms, but considerably more effective to have three arms.
In a further favorable embodiment, the arms 704 and roof 702 are arranged to avoid catching foreign elements, such as by using smooth surfaces and avoiding projections. This makes maintenance easier, and in particular on inclined roofs, the foreign elements will then gather at the lowest parts and not be stuck in a number of gullies.
During operation, a system according to the present invention will provide unbroken water columns a great deal of the time, as the floats can be continuously adjusted to keep a water height at, for example, 5 cm, as long as possible. This makes the system particularly well suited for leading into turbines. For smaller and lower buildings, the outlet pipe leads directly to the turbine that normally is positioned near the outlet or the transfer to the drainage network. For large and, in particular, tall buildings having vacuum gullies, it is common to operate with fall heights up to typically 15 meters before the vacuum system is interrupted, to avoid noise, vibration etc. If one wishes to drive a turbine, the roof water can be lead to one or several basins some floors under the roof surface. From these basins, the water throughput can be regulated further down in a way suitable for turbine operation. Use of a turbine has the advantage that a good deal of mechanical energy can be extracted from the water flow, so the force of the water coming out from the turbines in the bottom of the building is lessened.
In a further embodiment, gullies are provided with a motor valve.
During operation, the water level and temperature on the roof surface are measured.
When the temperature is below the water freezing point, the valve is nearly closed and will thereby nearly hinder air/heat from rising into the gully, but should there arrive some water drops, these will pass through. This hinders the water that can build up from the valve arranged internal in the building from rising up into the gully and there blocking the outlet with ice.
When the temperature on the roof surface is above the freezing point, the valve is opened and the gully is ready to take water. When the water sensor registers water higher than the air lock, that is, approximately 25 mm, the valve is adjusted so that the water level can be kept between, for example, 25-30 mm of each gully.
The invention finds its use by being employed in an effective draining of surfaces like roofs, parking areas, etc. More generally, it is found useful in two phase systems where a liquid component is to be removed without also taking a gas component, so even if the examples above are examples with air and water, these are just examples for an invention generally covering liquids and gases.
The invention is particularly useful where it is preferable to have effective draining, and where installed parts have to be as small as possible, such as on runways and roads.
The system is very suitable for upgrading older municipal surface water pipes by entering new pipes having smaller pipe dimensions into older pipes, replacing old basins with new ones, having special gullies as described and control for these also as described, so that the completely renovated outlet network will work as an UV system.
Even if the new pipe dimensions are smaller, these pipes will, in this way, be handling much more water.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130895 | Jun 2013 | NO | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NO2014/050118 | 6/27/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014/209133 | 12/31/2014 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1791512 | Schurman | Feb 1931 | A |
| 4486906 | Meier | Dec 1984 | A |
| 4683685 | Ebeling | Aug 1987 | A |
| 5469670 | Thaler | Nov 1995 | A |
| 6318397 | Huber | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 8668105 | Al-Subaiey | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2621200 | Jun 2004 | CN |
| 101517174 | Aug 2009 | CN |
| 3737767 | May 1989 | DE |
| 20115386 | Dec 2001 | DE |
| 128021 | Feb 1974 | DK |
| 1203851 | May 2002 | EP |
| 1607542 | Dec 2005 | EP |
| 1375105 | Nov 1974 | GB |
| 2269402 | Feb 1994 | GB |
| 130697 | Oct 1974 | NO |
| 152020 | Apr 1985 | NO |
| 175912 | Sep 1994 | NO |
| 2458219 | Aug 2012 | RU |
| WO 198303114 | Sep 1983 | WO |
| WO 2010128283 | Nov 2010 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| English language Abstract of EP 1607542 A1. |
| English language Abstract of DE 3737767 A1. |
| English language translation of description and claims of DE 20115386 U1. |
| English language Abstract of EP 1203851 A1. |
| English language Abstract of WO 9401637 A1. |
| International Search Report dated Sep. 25, 2014. |
| Written Opinion of the International Search Authority dated Sep. 25, 2014. |
| English language translation of description of CN 2621200 Y. |
| English language translation of description of CN 101517174 A. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 22, 2016 in the related Chinese Patent Application No. 201480045468.0 (Publication No. CN105473799 A). |
| English language translation of Office Action dated Nov. 22, 2016 in the related Chinese Patent Application No. 201480045468.0 (Publication No. CN105473799 A). |
| Extended European Search Report dated Apr. 6, 2017 in corresponding European Patent Application No. 14817536.7. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160153195 A1 | Jun 2016 | US |
