STORM DRAIN FILTER SYSTEM AND METHOD.

Abstract

A storm drain filter system (10, 100) includes a closure (31, 131) for selectively closing a filter (26, 122) when the latter is filled with sediments (13) or when water flow (11) into the storm drain filter system (10, 100) exceeds a filtering capacity of the filter (26, 122). When the filter (26, 122) is closed, water (11) incoming at the storm drain filter system (10, 100) is diverted to a portion thereof allowing water (11) to enter a storm drain (12) without filtration. In some embodiments, any sediments (13) already collected in the filter (26, 122) are prevented from exiting the filter (26, 122) when the filter (26, 122) is closed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storm drains, and is more particularly concerned with a storm drain filter system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Draining systems including storm drains are used to evacuate rainwater, typically from impermeable surfaces, such as paved ground. Many environmental regulations require that at least part of the various particles that may be carried in the storm drain be collected before the collected water is disposed of by the draining system. Many implementations of draining system meet these regulations by having one or more centralized collection tank that allows water incoming from many storm drains to dispose of suspended particles before being discharged. However, such centralized collection tank are relatively expensive and complex.

Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide a novel storm drain filter system and novel methods of filtering particle ladder water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, there is provided a storm drain filter system for installation in a storm drain defining a storm drain top aperture leading into a storm drain cavity, the storm drain cavity being delimited by a storm drain bottom wall and a storm drain peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, the storm drain also including an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the storm drain cavity, the storm drain filter system comprising: a filter positionable in the storm drain cavity between the storm drain top aperture and the outlet pipe, the filter defining a filter outer wall, a filter inner wall located radially inside the filter outer wall and a filter bottom wall extending therebetween, the filter also defining a filter top aperture leading thereinto substantially opposite to the filter bottom wall, the filter defining a filter central passageway delimited radially outwardly by the filter inner wall; a support operational for supporting the filter in the storm drain; a deflector defining a deflecting surface between a deflector outer peripheral edge and deflector inner peripheral edge delimiting a deflector central aperture, the deflector deflecting surface sloping downwardly in a direction leading away from the deflector central aperture, the deflector being positionable in the storm drain with the deflector central aperture in register with the filter central passageway and the deflector outer peripheral edge in register with the filter top aperture; and a closure system for selectively obstructing at least part of the filter top aperture.

In another broad aspect, there is provided a storm drain filter system for installation in a storm drain operable for collecting sediment-laden water, the storm drain defining a water collecting aperture leading into a storm drain cavity, the storm drain including an outlet in fluid communication with the storm drain cavity and spaced apart from the water collecting aperture, the storm drain filter system comprising: a system support mountable to the storm drain; a filter for filtering at least part of the water and collecting at least part of the sediments, the filter being mounted to the system support and defining a filter top aperture leading into the filter, the filter extending between the water collecting aperture and the outlet and only partially obstructing the storm drain when the system support is operatively mounted in the storm drain so that the storm drain includes an unobstructed portion between the water collecting aperture and the outlet; and a closure system operatively coupled to the filter for selectively obstructing at least part of the filter top aperture, the closure system being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the closure system obstructing a larger portion of the filter top aperture in the closed configuration than in the open configuration; the filter top aperture being configured, sized and positioned for receiving at least part of the water collected by the storm drain when the closure system is in the open configuration.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the storm drain includes a storm drain bottom wall and a storm drain peripheral wall extending therefrom both peripherally relative to the storm drain cavity, the filter being adjacent the storm drain peripheral wall when operatively positioned in the storm drain and delimiting a central aperture spaced apart from the storm drain peripheral wall to create the unobstructed portion of the storm drain.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system further comprising a substantially annular deflector concentric with the central aperture, the deflector being positioned above the filter top aperture and obstructing a radially inwardly located portion thereof, the deflector having at least a portion thereof sloping downwardly towards the filter.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the closure system substantially completely obstructs the filter top aperture in the closed configuration.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the closure system is substantially completely retracted from the filter top aperture in the open configuration.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the closure system includes a door pivotable about a pivot axis adjacent the filter top aperture.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the door is substantially parallel to the filter top aperture in the closed configuration.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the door is substantially impermeable.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the door is floatable.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the door includes a float.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the float is provided at a free edge of the door opposed to the pivot axis.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filter defines a filter peripheral wall extending substantially downwardly from the filter top aperture, the door being substantially parallel to the filter peripheral wall in the open configuration.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filter includes a filtering element and a filtering element support mounted thereto, the filtering element support being mountable to the system support.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filtering element has a substantially annular configuration.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filter includes a plurality of filter components each including a filtering element and a filtering element support mounted thereto, the filtering element supports being mountable to the system support.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filter components are each individually removable from the system support independently from each other.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filtering element includes a geotextile.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filtering element defines a filtering element cavity for collecting the sediments.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the filtering element support includes a handle and is removable from the system support by pulling upwardly on the handle.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the system support includes legs supportable at a bottom of the storm drain cavity.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system wherein the system support includes a flange supportable by a ledge of the storm drain provided at the storm drain top aperture.

There may also be provided a storm drain filter system further comprising a seal positionable between the storm drain and at least one of the system support and filter.

In a another broad aspect, there is provided a method of filtering sediment-laden water in a storm drain, the method comprising: (a) filtering at least part of the water incoming at the storm drain using a filter and collecting at least part of the the sediments in the filter, the filter occupying only part of the storm drain so that the storm drain includes an unobstructed portion unobstructed by the filter; and (b) once a maximal filtering capacity of the filter has been reached, closing access to the filter and redirecting substantially all the water incoming at the storm drain to the unobstructed portion.

There may also be provided a method wherein the maximal filtering capacity is reached when the filter is filled with the sediments.

There may also be provided a method wherein the maximal filtering capacity is reached when the water flows into the filter at a rate large enough that water accumulates in the filter and fills the latter.

There may also be provided a method wherein, at step (b), the sediments already accumulated in the filter are substantially prevented from exiting the filter while the water is redirected.

There may also be provided a method further comprising (c) emptying the filter after step (b), reopening the filter to allow access thereto, and resuming the method at step (a).

There may also be provided a method wherein the filter is provided at a periphery of the storm drain and the unobstructed portion is surrounded by the filter.

In another broad aspect, there is provided a storm drain filter system for installation in a storm drain operable for collecting sediment water, the storm drain defining a water collecting aperture and an outlet, the storm drain filter system comprising: a support mountable to the storm drain; a filter mounted to the support and defining a filter top aperture leading into the filter, the filter extending between the water collecting aperture and the outlet and only partially obstructing the storm drain when the support is operatively mounted in the storm drain; and a closure system operatively coupled to the filter for selectively obstructing at least part of the filter top aperture, the closure system being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the closure system obstructing a larger portion of the filter top aperture in the closed configuration than in the open configuration.

Advantageously, the proposed system is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared with the use of centralized sedimentation tanks. Also, the proposed system may be installed only in some storm drains in a large rainwater collection system if many of the storm drain are located where no or minimal quantities of particles are expected in the water collected by these storm drains, so that they don't require sediment filtering. Also, the filter is typically relatively easily accessed for emptying.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1, in a perspective view, illustrates an embodiment of a storm drain filter system;

FIG. 2, in a perspective exploded view, illustrates the storm drain filter system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, in a side cross-sectional view, illustrates the storm drain filter system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4A, in a partial side cross-sectional view, illustrates storm drain filter system of FIGS. 1 to 3, here shown with a door thereof in an open position;

FIG. 4B, in a partial side cross-sectional view, illustrates storm drain filter system of FIGS. 1 to 3, here shown with the door in a partially closed position; and

FIG. 4B, in a partial side cross-sectional view, illustrates storm drain filter system of FIGS. 1 to 3, here shown with the door thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 5, in a perspective exploded view, illustrates part of the storm drain filter system of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 6, in a perspective exploded view, illustrates an alternative storm drain filter system;

FIG. 7, in a top plan view, illustrates the storm drain filter system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8, in a perspective view, illustrates a filter component part of the storm drain filter system of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9, in a side cross-sectional view along section line IX-IX of FIG. 7, illustrates the storm drain filter system of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms such as “substantially”, “about” and “essentially” are used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualified terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value or ideal shape that do not cause significant changes to the invention. These variations are to be interpreted from the point of view of the person skilled in the art.

Also, directional terminology, such as bottom and top, refers to use in a vertical storm drain This reference configuration is for reference and convenience purposes and should not be used to restrict the scope of the claims unless explicitly required by the structure of a specific claim. Notably, the structures described in this document could be modified from the described structures to be used in storm drains located at inclined ground surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a storm drain filter system 10, here shown installed in a storm drain 12 operable for collecting sediment-ladden water 11 containing suspended or otherwise transported sediments 13, both seen for example in FIG. 4C. The storm drain 12 defines a water collecting aperture 14 leading into a storm drain cavity 16. Typically, although other shaped of storm drains would be usable with the proposed storm drain filter system 10, the storm drain cavity 16 is delimited by a storm drain bottom wall 18 and a storm drain peripheral wall 20 extending upwardly therefrom. Typically, the storm drain 12 is recessed in a ground surface so that the water collecting aperture 14 is substantially flush with this ground surface. The storm drain 12 also includes an outlet 22, for example in the form of an outlet pipe, in fluid communication with the storm drain cavity 16 and spaced apart from the water collecting aperture 14. The outlet 22 typically empties the storm drain 12 towards a water collection system (not shown in the drawings), but effluents exiting the storm drain 12 could be directly rejected in the environment at a location adjacent or slightly spaced from the storm drain 12. Typically, the water collecting aperture 14 is covered with a grate 24 defining a plurality of apertures leading into the storm drain cavity 16. While a storm drain 12 of generally cylindrical configuration is shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention may be modified to operate in storm drains 12 of other shapes by changing the shape of the components of the storm drain filter system 10. The storm drain 12 typically also defines a storm drain ledge 15 adjacent the water collecting aperture 14, which typically supports the grate 24 so that a top surface thereof is substantially flush with adjacent ground surfaces.

The storm drain filter system includes a filter 26 between the water collecting aperture 14 and the outlet pipe 22, a system support 28 mounted to the storm drain 12, a deflector 30, which may be omitted in some embodiments, and a closure system 31, as seen in FIG. 4A for example. The filter 26 defines a filter top aperture 38 leading into the filter 26. The filter 26 is positionable in the storm drain cavity 16 and is supported therein by the system support 28. While the present document illustrates a filter 26 and a system support 28 as two different components that can be detached from each other, in alternative embodiments, the filter 26 and system support 28 may be permanently secured to each other or extend from each other integrally as a single piece of material. The deflector 30 is positioned above the filter 26 so as to direct at least part of the water 11 falling in the storm drain 12 towards the filter 26. The closure system 31 is operative for closing the filter 26 when the latter is full or almost full.

More specifically, the closure system 31 operatively coupled to the filter 26 for selectively obstructing at least part of the filter top aperture 38. The closure system 31 is movable between an open configuration, seen for example in FIG. 4A, and a closed configuration, seen for example in FIG. 4C. The closure system 31 obstructs a larger portion of the filter top aperture 38 in the closed configuration than in the open configuration. Typically, the closure system 31 substantially completely obstructs the filter top aperture 38 in the closed configuration and is substantially completely retracted from the filter top aperture 38 in the open configuration. The use of substantially in the present case refers to the possibility that small unobstructed gaps may be present between the closure system 31 and other components of the storm drain filter system 10 at the junction between the closure system 31 and the storm drain filter system 10 in the closed configuration. Also, a small part of the closure system 31 may extend across the filter top aperture 38 in the open configuration. Such gaps and small portions are small enough as to not adversely affect operation of the closure system 31 and filter 26, for example by extending across less than 95%, less than 97%, less than 99% or less than 99.9% of the area of the filter top aperture 38.

The filter 26 includes a filtering element 27 and filtering element support 29 mounted thereto and mounted to the system support 28, either permanently or removably. The filtering element 27 defines a filtering element cavity 25 for collecting the sediments 13 and is made of a suitable porous material having pores small enough to let water percolate therethrough, but small enough to retain particles suspended in the water falling in the storm drain 12. For example, the filtering element 27 may include a geotextile.

The filter 26 extends between the water collecting aperture 14 and the outlet 22 and only partially obstructs the storm drain 12 when the system support 28 is operatively mounted in the storm drain 12 so that the storm drain 12 includes an unobstructed portion 90 between the water collecting aperture 14 and the outlet 22. Typically, the filter 26 is adjacent the storm drain peripheral wall 20 when operatively positioned in the storm drain 12. The filter 26 in some embodiments extends along the whole storm drain peripheral wall 20 and delimits a central aperture 40 spaced apart from the storm drain peripheral wall 20 to create the unobstructed portion 90 of the storm drain 12, so that the filter 26 has a substantially annular configuration. However, if most of the water 11 incoming at the storm drain 12 is expected to arrive from a single direction, the filter 26 may extend only along a portion of the storm drain peripheral wall 20 where the water 11 is expected to arrive.

The filter 26 is configured for filtering at least part of the water 11 and collecting at least part of the sediments 13. Typically, when the flow of water 11 incoming at the storm drain 12 is small and the filter 26 is not filled with sediments 13, most of the water 11 falling through the storm drain 12 is filtered by the filter 26, which retains most of the particles suspended thereinto. Indeed, at low flow rates, water tends to fall in the storm drain 12 from the periphery thereof. At such low flow rates, the water 11 may be evacuated from the filter 26 quickly enough that the latter does not entirely fill. However, when the flow rate increases, the filter 26 cannot both let all the incoming water 11 flow therethrough while filtering the water 11. As such high flow rates, the filter 26 may overflow. Also some of the water 11 coming in the storm drain 12 can enter the storm drain 12 from the center of the grate 24. To allow water 11 to nevertheless be evacuated through the storm drain 12, the filter 26 is hollow in the center. Thus, the unobstructed portion 90 is present to receive water 11 incoming at the filter 26 when the latter is either full of sediments 13 or when water flow rate incoming at the filter 26 is too large to allow filtration, in which case the closure system 31 moves to the closed configuration, which redirects water 11 towards the unobstructed portion 90 while maintaining the sediments 13 accumulated in the filter 26 in the filtering element cavity 25.

More specifically, with reference to FIG. 3, when the filter 26 is annular, the filtering element 27 defines a filter outer wall 32 extending downwardly from the filter top aperture 38, a filter inner wall 34 extending downwardly from the filter top aperture 38 and located inside the filter outer wall 32 and a filter bottom wall 36 extending therebetween at the bottom of the filtering element 27. The filtering element 27 also defines the filter top aperture 38 leading thereinto substantially opposed to the filter bottom wall 36. The filter 26 further defines the central passageway 40 delimited radially outwardly by the filter inner wall 34. Typically, the filter inner and outer walls 34 and 32 are substantially parallel to each other and concentric. However, non-parallel and/or eccentric filter inner and outer walls 34 and 32 are within the scope of the invention. The filter bottom wall 36 may be flat or curved. The filter 26 it typically removable from the storm drain 12 for emptying, as detailed below. Typically, the filter outer wall 32 is substantially adjacent to the storm drain peripheral wall 20.

The system support 28 is any structure allowing to support the filter 26 in the storm drain 12. In some embodiments, the system support 28 is fixed in the storm drain 12, using for example fasteners such as bolts. The filtering element support 29 is typically removably mountable to the system support 28.

In a specific example of implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the system support 28 includes a generally cylindrical base body 46. The base body 46 is hollow and received in the filter central passageway 40 when the filter 26 is operationally mounted to the system support 28. The base body 46 defines a base body top end 48 and an opposed base body bottom end 50. Legs 51 extend from the base body bottom end 50 and support the base body 46 from the bottom of the storm drain 12 at a suitable height above the storm drain bottom wall 18. The base body 46 typically presents an open structure so as to allow water 11 to freely flow therethrough.

In a specific example of implementation, with reference to FIG. 5, the filtering element support 29 includes an outer ring 52 and an inner ring 54 linked to each other through generally radially extending linking members 55. As seen in FIG. 4A for example, the filter outer wall 32 is mounted to the outer ring 52 and the filter inner wall 34 is mounted to the inner ring 54. The filtering element 27 is for example secured using fasteners, such as nut and bolts combinations 94 (see for example in FIG. 5), extending through suitably located apertures in the filtering element 27 (not shown in FIG. 5) and in the inner and outer rings 54 and 52.

Referring for example to FIG. 4A, in some embodiments, the outer and inner rings 52 and 54 are terminated at their top end by a respective curved portion 56 and 58 defining a respective annular recess 60 and 62 facing downwardly. The recess 62 of the inner ring 54 is configured to receive the base body 46 at the base body top end 48 so that the inner ring 54 abuts against and is supported by the base body 46.

In some embodiments, an outer support 64 of generally annular shape is secured to the storm drain peripheral wall 20. The outer support 64 defines a flange 66 extending into the storm drain cavity 16 and defines an inner edge 68 curving upwardly that is received in the recess 60 of the outer ring 52. An annular seal 69, made for example of rubber, may be included in the outer support 64 to prevent water from flowing between the outer support 64 and the storm drain peripheral wall 20.

In some embodiments, the filtering element support 29 also includes a handle 71, seen in FIG. 2 for example. The handle 71 takes for example the form of a member extending diametrically across the inner ring 54 and secured thereto. The handle 71 may be used to install and remove the filter 26 on and from the system support 28.

Referring for example to FIG. 4A, the deflector 30 is above the filter top aperture 38 and obstructs a radially inwardly located portion thereof. The deflector is for example substantially annular, concentric with the central passageway 40, and defines a deflecting surface 70 between a deflector outer peripheral edge 72 and deflector inner peripheral edge 74 delimiting a deflector central aperture 76. In some embodiments, the deflector 30 is mounted to the inner ring 54. The deflecting surface 70 slopes downwardly in a direction leading away from the deflector central aperture 76, towards the filter top aperture 38. The deflector 30 is positioned so that the deflector outer peripheral edge 72 is in register with the filter top aperture 38 and the deflector inner peripheral edge 74 is flush with or radially inward of the filter central passageway 40. Thus, the deflector 30 obstructs a radially inward portion of the filter top aperture 38 and directs any water falling thereonto towards the filter top aperture 38.

The closure system 31 includes a door 80 movable between a door open position, seen in FIG. 4A, in which the door 80 is retracted from the filter top aperture 38, and a door closed position, for example see in FIG. 4C, in which the door 80 extends across the filter top aperture 38 and obstructs the gap between the filter outer wall 32 and the deflector 30.

In some embodiments, the door 80 is secured to the filter outer wall 32 and pivotable relative thereto. For example, the door 80 is made of geotextile and created by folding a suitable annular geotextile flap extending from the filtering element 27. The closure system 31 also includes a float 78 made of a material having a density smaller than the density of water and provided at a free edge 81 of the door 80. The float 78 may extend continuously around the door 80, or may include discrete elements distributed around the door 80.

In operation, water 11 carrying sediments 13 arrives at the storm drain 12 and enters the storm drain cavity 16 through the grate 24. At low flow rates, most of the water 11 falls at the periphery of the storm drain 12 and is directed in the filter 26 either by falling directly into the filter top aperture 38, or by the deflector 30 and system support 28. The filter 26 then allows water to exit towards the bottom of the storm drain 12 while collecting sediments 13. As the filter 26 fills up, the water level in the filter 26 increases and when the water 11 level reaches the door 80, which was up to then in the door open position, the float 78 starts to float to close the door 80.

If the filter 26 becomes filled with water 11, the door 80 will close completely, and any further incoming water 11 will be directed through the filter central passageway 40. This is possible at high enough flow rates as filtration through the filter 26 is typically not instantaneous. Overflow through the filter central passageway 40 allows evacuation of water 11 through the storm drain 12 even if the filter 26 is unable to filter the water 11 in real time. In such cases, sediments 13 carried by the water 11 will be evacuated out of the storm drain 12, which is allowed in many jurisdiction in case of heavy rainfall.

Another situation that may lead the door 80 to achieve the door closed position would be if the filter 26 is completely filled with sediments 13. In such cases, the sediments 13 will support the float 78 and the door 80 will be unable to open. In such cases, any incoming water 11 will also be evacuated through the filter central passageway 40. When the door 80 is closed, sediments 13 retained in the filter 26 are substantially prevented from being removed therefrom by incoming water 11 as the latter is redirected.

To empty the filter 26, one removes the grate 24 and pull on the handle 71, for example using an excavator, or manually for smaller systems. As the filtering element support 29 is simply abutted on the system support 28, the filtering element 27 and filtering element support 29 can be easily removed from the storm drain 12 for emptying, and then reinstalled on the system support 28.

FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate various aspects of an alternative storm drain filter system 100. As the storm drain filter systems 10 and 100 operate using similar principles, the latter is only briefly described herein, with more emphasis on the aspects thereof that differ from the former.

Referring to FIG. 6, the storm drain filter system 100 is supported on the ledge 15 of the storm drain 12 (only seen partially in FIG. 6), instead of at the bottom thereof. To that effect, the system support 102 includes a generally annular support body 104 defining a radially outwardly protruding support flange 106. When the system support 102 is supported by the storm drain 12, the support flange 106 is supported on the ledge 15 and the support body 104 extends downwardly from the support flange 106. A spider 108 extends from the support body 104 opposed to the support flange 106 and across the storm drain 12. Referring to FIG. 7, the spider 108 includes a central ring 110 delimiting the central aperture 112, a peripheral ring 114 extending radially inwardly from the support body 104, and arms 116 extending therebetween. The central ring 110, peripheral ring 114 and arms 116 together define a plurality of filter receiving apertures 118 and a top support surface 120.

In opposition to the storm drain filter system 10, the storm drain filter system 100 includes a filter 122 includes a plurality of filter components 124 each including a filtering element 126 and a filtering element support 128 mounted thereto, as seen in FIG. 8. Together, the filter components 124 extend around the whole periphery of the storm drain 12, as the filter 26 does in the storm drain filter system 10, but embodiments in which this is not the case are possible. The filtering element supports 128 are removably mountable to the system support 102. The number of filtering elements 126 is typically equal to the number of filter receiving apertures 118. In some embodiments, the filter components 124 are each individually removable from the system support 102 independently from each other, which allows for manual removal if the filter components are small enough so as to be light enough when filled by sediments 13.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a specific embodiment, each filtering element support 128 includes a support first component 130 shaped to conform to a shape of the filtering element 126 at a filter top aperture 132 thereof, and a support second element 134 configured so that the filtering element 126 may be gripped between the support first and second components 130 and 134 at the filter top aperture 132. For example, at least one of the support first and second components 130 and 134 is shaped similarly to the contour of an arcsegment of a ring. A handle 136 may also extend from one of the support first and second components 130 and 134, for example from the former. The filtering element support 128 is configured to be supported by the top support surface 120 so that the corresponding filtering element 126 may be inserted through one of the filter receiving apertures 118. For example, the filtering element support 128 is configured and sized to extends around a whole periphery of one of the filter receiving apertures 118.

Also, referring to FIG. 7, the closure system 131 includes doors 138 pivotable about a pivot axis 140 adjacent the filter top aperture 132. For example, a pair of circumferentially opposed doors 138 is pivotally mounted to each filtering element support 128 about a substantially radially extending pivot axis 140, through a hinge 142 for example. In some embodiments, the doors 138 are substantially impermeable, made of a suitable polymer or metal for example. The doors 138 are floatable, so that as the filtering element 126 fills up with water, the doors 138 may move from the open configuration, wherein the doors 138 are hanging, as seen in FIG. 8 for example, to the closed configuration, wherein the doors 138 extend across the filtering element 126, substantially horizontally, as seen ion FIG. 6. The doors 138 may be made of a material of low density so that the doors 138 inherently float, or the doors 138 may be provided with a float 144, for example at a free edge 146 thereof opposed to the pivot axis 140. Operation of the doors 138 is similar to operation of the doors 80.

The filtering element 126 is typically made of a material similar to that of the filtering element 126, for example of geotextile. The filtering elements 126 may in some embodiments taper in a direction leading downwardly, so that adjacent filtering elements 126 can filter water 11 through their oppositely facing surfaces, thereby increasing the effective are through which water 11 can be filtered. The filtering element 126 may be secured to the filtering element support 128 through nuts and bolts combinations (now shown for the storm drain filter system 100), similarly to the filter 26.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storm drain filter system for installation in a storm drain operable for collecting sediment-laden water, the storm drain defining a water collecting aperture leading into a storm drain cavity, the storm drain including an outlet in fluid communication with the storm drain cavity and spaced apart from the water collecting aperture, the storm drain filter system comprising: a system support mountable to the storm drain;a filter for filtering at least part of the water and collecting at least part of the sediments, the filter being mounted to the system support and defining a filter top aperture leading into the filter, the filter extending between the water collecting aperture and the outlet and only partially obstructing the storm drain when the system support is operatively mounted in the storm drain so that the storm drain includes an unobstructed portion between the water collecting aperture and the outlet; anda closure system operatively coupled to the filter for selectively obstructing at least part of the filter top aperture, the closure system being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the closure system obstructing a larger portion of the filter top aperture in the closed configuration than in the open configuration;the filter top aperture being configured, sized and positioned for receiving at least part of the water collected by the storm drain when the closure system is in the open configuration.

2. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the storm drain includes a storm drain bottom wall and a storm drain peripheral wall extending therefrom both peripherally relative to the storm drain cavity, the filter being adjacent the storm drain peripheral wall when operatively positioned in the storm drain and delimiting a central aperture spaced apart from the storm drain peripheral wall to create the unobstructed portion of the storm drain.

3. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 2, further comprising a substantially annular deflector concentric with the central aperture, the deflector being positioned above the filter top aperture and obstructing a radially inwardly located portion thereof, the deflector having at least a portion thereof sloping downwardly towards the filter.

4. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the closure system substantially completely obstructs the filter top aperture in the closed configuration and wherein the closure system is substantially completely retracted from the filter top aperture in the open configuration.

5. (canceled)

6. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the closure system includes a door pivotable about a pivot axis adjacent the filter top aperture, the door being substantially parallel to the filter top aperture in the closed configuration.

7. (canceled)

8. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the door is substantially impermeable and floatable.

9. (canceled)

10. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 8, wherein the door includes a float provided at a free edge of the door opposed to the pivot axis.

11. (canceled)

12. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 6, wherein the filter defines a filter peripheral wall extending substantially downwardly from the filter top aperture, the door being substantially parallel to the filter peripheral wall in the open configuration.

13. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the filter includes a filtering element and a filtering element support mounted thereto, the filtering element support being mountable to the system support, and wherein the filtering element has a substantially annular configuration.

14. (canceled)

15. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the filter includes a plurality of filter components each including a filtering element and a filtering element support mounted thereto, the filtering element supports being mountable to the system support, and wherein the filter components are each individually removable from the system support independently from each other.

16. (canceled)

17. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the filter includes a geotextile and defines a cavity for collecting the sediments.

18. (canceled)

19. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the filter includes a handle and is removable from the system support by pulling upwardly on the handle.

20. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system support includes at least one of legs supportable at a bottom of the storm drain cavity and a flange supportable by a ledge of the storm drain provided at the storm drain top aperture.

21. (canceled)

22. The storm drain filter system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a seal positionable between the storm drain and at least one of the system support and filter.

23. A method of filtering sediment-laden water in a storm drain, the method comprising: (a) filtering at least part of the water incoming at the storm drain using a filter and collecting at least part of the sediments in the filter, the filter occupying only part of the storm drain so that the storm drain includes an unobstructed portion unobstructed by the filter;(b) once a maximal filtering capacity of the filter has been reached, closing access to the filter and redirecting substantially all the water incoming at the storm drain to the unobstructed portion.

24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the maximal filtering capacity is reached when the filter is filled with the sediments.

25. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the maximal filtering capacity is reached when the water flows into the filter at a rate large enough that water accumulates in the filter and fills the latter.

26. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein, at step (b), the sediments already accumulated in the filter are substantially prevented from exiting the filter while the water is redirected.

27. The method as defined in claim 23, further comprising (c) emptying the filter after step (b), reopening the filter to allow access thereto, and resuming the method at step (a).

28. (canceled)

29. A storm drain filter system for installation in a storm drain operable for collecting sediment water, the storm drain defining a water collecting aperture and an outlet, the storm drain filter system comprising: a support mountable to the storm drain;a filter mounted to the support and defining a filter top aperture leading into the filter, the filter extending between the water collecting aperture and the outlet and only partially obstructing the storm drain when the support is operatively mounted in the storm drain; anda closure system operatively coupled to the filter for selectively obstructing at least part of the filter top aperture, the closure system being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the closure system obstructing a larger portion of the filter top aperture in the closed configuration than in the open configuration.