CONNECTOR PIPE SCREEN

Abstract

A frameless, modular connector pipe screen insert designed for installation within storm water infrastructure, including a catch basin, for the treatment of storm water by removing trash and debris from incoming water flow. The connector pipe screen is optimally designed with perforation sizes and void areas to remove trash and debris; thereby preventing further pollution of nearby water systems including rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Claims

1. A modular connector pipe screen device for insertion into a stormwater catch basin, wherein the modular connector pipe screen device is mounted to the walls of the catch basin and is positioned to span across the outlet pipe of the catch basin to prevent debris from entering the pipe during low to moderate flow conditions, said modular connector pipe screen device is made of two end pieces and one middle piece, wherein said end piece has a curved surface with two flanges bent at a 90-degree angle from each end curved surface and extending vertically the full height of the end piece, wherein said end piece is made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, wherein said end piece is supported by one or more cross supports running horizontally from one of the curved surface to opposite end of the curved surface, wherein said cross support is bent into an L shape and is made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, wherein said side pieces with said cross supports each having an end securely mounted to the wall of the catch basin, wherein said securely mounted side pieces, on the ends not attached to the catch basin wall, connected together by a middle piece, wherein said middle pieces is has a flat surface with two flanges bent at a 90 degree angle from each end of the flat surface and extending vertically the full height of the middle piece, wherein the said middle piece is made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, wherein said end and middle pieces connected together with mounting pins.

2. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, wherein a top cover is above the screen, said top cover made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, said top cover spaced above the trash screen using one or more legs made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size.

3. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, wherein said screen is mounted to the concrete walls using wedge anchors imbedded into the concrete.

4. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, designed to be installed in storm water structures located above or partial above ground.

5. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, where more than one end or middle screen is installed.

6. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, wherein stainless steel is scrap metal.

7. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, wherein the screen material is comprised of another material other than stainless steel.

8. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 1, wherein a screen contains one or more additional flanges, vertically aligned away from the edges of a screen.

9. A modular connector pipe screen device for insertion into a stormwater catch basin, wherein the screen is mounted to the wall of the catch basin and is positioned to span across the outlet pipe of the catch basin to prevent debris from entering the pipe during low to moderate flow conditions, said modular trash screen made of two end pieces and one middle piece, wherein said end piece has a curved surface with two flanges bent at a 90 degree angle from each end curved surface and extending vertically the full height of the end piece, wherein the said end piece is made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, wherein said end piece is supported by one or more cross supports running horizontally from one of the curved surface to opposite end of the curved surface, wherein said cross support is bent into an L shape and is made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, wherein said side pieces with said cross supports each having an end securely mounted to the wall of the catch basin, wherein said securely mounted side pieces, on the ends not attached to the catch basin wall, connected together by a middle piece, wherein said middle pieces is has a flat surface with two tabs bent at a 90 degree angle from each end of the flat surface and extending vertically the full height of the middle piece, wherein the said middle piece is made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, wherein said end and middle pieces connected together with mounting pins.

10. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 9, wherein a top cover is above the screen, said top cover made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size, said void area of perforated stainless steel from 25% to 75%, said top cover spaced above the trash screen using one or more legs made of perforated stainless steel with round holes with a diameter of 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm in size.

11. A modular connector pipe screen device of claim 9, wherein said screen is mounted to the concrete walls using wedge anchors imbedded into the concrete.

12. The method of designing and installing a frameless modular connector pipe screen device for insertion into a storm water catch basin comprising of the steps of: identifying the size of modular connector pipe screen device desired, selecting and assembling the needed number of screens, flanges, and cross supports, identifying the perforation size and void area for each screen; and welding or otherwise mounting said modular connector pipe screen device flush against the walls of a catch basin and shielding an outlet pipe from untreated water filled with trash and debris.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 represents a perspective, front iso view of a nearly assembled, rounded connector pipe screen, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 represents a perspective, exploded iso of the elements of a rounded connector pipe screen with most elements unassembled, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3 represents a perspective, rear iso view of a nearly assembled, rounded connector pipe screen, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 4 represents a top view of the top screen, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 5 represents an isometric view of a right end rounded screen 6, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 6 represents an isometric view of a middle straight screen 4, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 7 represents a perspective, isometric of a left end rounded screen 1, connected to a right end rounded screen 6, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 8 represents a perspective view of a connector pipe screen installed within storm drain infrastructure, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 9 represents a top view of a mounting pipe 7 as part of the connector pipe assembly, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A preferred embodiment presents a CPS device, herein after modular connector pipe screen device 18 designed to capture trash and debris in a storm water infrastructure system, such as a catch basin. The frameless, modular connector pipe screen device 18 as presented offers enhanced strength, dependability, and low cost due to its design utilizing a singular material and the assembly of modular elements without the use of a frame. This design improves the ease of installation and maintenance. Modules can be assembled into various shapes and sizes to meet the size, space and shape restrictions of locations and anticipated storm water flow rates where the devices are being installed.

[0024] The frameless modular connector pipe screen device 18 can be installed at various depths and at various heights. The modular connector pipe screen device 18 can be located above the ground surface and placed water run-off areas of parking lots, landscape areas, and streets and can be designed to handle site specific, anticipated storm water flow rate conditions. The modular connector pipe screen device 18 can also be installed completely underground within a storm water system, such as a catch basin. The height of the modular connector pipe screen device 18 can be from a few inches to over a dozen feet in height.

[0025] The screen perforations sizing and spatial arrangement are designed to meet current regulation requirements while maximizing flow and minimizing the amount of smaller debris leaving the screen. The round hole diameter can range from 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm and the spatial void arrangement of the perforated holes can range from 25 to 75 percent.

[0026] FIG. 1 begins to illustrate an example of a modular connector pipe screen device 18 which is generally rounded in a C-shaped configuration. This shape deflects the flow of incoming storm water and decreases the circumstances in which a CPS device collapses as is commonly experienced in CPS devices with rectangular and flattened screens. In one embodiment, FIG. 1 depicts separate elements of the modular connector pipe screen device 18, including a top screen 10, top screen support legs 11, left end rounded screen 1, a middle straight screen 4 which can be flat, and a right end rounded screen 6, and a cross support 9. Additional screens (1, 4, and 6) can be added to the modular connector pipe screen device 18 to increase the width of the overall screen assembly. The concave portion of the screen assembly of FIG. 1 mounts against a storm drain outlet (not shown here but seen in FIG. 8). Although FIGS. 1-8 show the modular connector pipe screen device 18 as a generally curved shape, the basic shape could vary, including but not limited to a square shape. As an example, the left, 1, and right end, 6, screens could be assembled at 90 angles to the middle straight screen 4.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an unassembled, rounded embodiment of modular connector pipe screen device 18, particularly pointing out a series of flanges. The top screen 10 includes top screen support legs 11 and a top screen mounting flange 12. The top screen mounting flange 12 increases the overall strength of the modular connector pipe screen device 18 by mounting to a side wall of storm drain outlets or infrastructure. The left end rounded screen 1 also includes one or more left end rounded screen mounting flange(s) 2 and one or more left end rounded screen connection flange(s) 3. The middle straight screen 4 also includes one or more middle straight screen connection flange(s) 5. The right end rounded screen 6 includes one or more cross supports 9, one or more mounting pins 17, one or more right end rounded screen mounting flange(s) 7 and one or more right end rounded screen connection flange(s) 8.

[0028] Flanges as described herein are used to either connect the modular pieces of the modular connector pipe screen device 18 together, for example a right end rounded screen connection flange 8, or for mounting the screen to storm drain infrastructure and/or a storm drain outlet. The use of flanges increases the structural strength of the modular connector pipe screen device 18 presented herein as they eliminate the need of assembling the screen elements onto a structural frame. The flanges are generally flat to provide a flush mounting and/or connecting surface and can be reinforced with gaskets, attachment screws 16, mounting pins 17, and other bolts and other fasteners (none shown here). The flanges are not separate pieces of the screens, rather, they are constructed by bending, rolling, or otherwise manipulating the ends of the screens at a 90-degree angle from each end curved surface of a screen and extending vertically. Flanges can extend the full height of the end piece or portion of a screen.

[0029] FIG. 3 presents a perspective, rear iso view of an embodiment of the modular connector pipe screen device 18 and better illustrates the concave design of a rounded modular connector pipe screen device 18. The flanges are easily seen in FIG. 3, including a right end rounded screen mounting flange 7 a top screen mounting flange 12, and a left end rounded screen mounting flange 2. FIG. 3 shows a top screen 10 with, in this embodiment, two top screen support legs 11 and no bottom screen. Also depicted is a right end rounded screen 7 affixed to a middle straight screen 4, which in turn is affixed to a left end rounded screen 1. The screens include cross supports 9 placed to reinforce the modular connector pipe screen device 18 without detrimentally impeding water flow through the perforations of the screens.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a top screen 10 with mounting pins 17, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 5 presents an isolated view of a right end rounded screen with both a right end rounded screen mounting flange 7 and a right end rounded screen connection flange 8 and cross supports 9. As with flanges, cross supports 9 are not part of a frame assembly or independent pieces but are bent L shaped segments of a screen.

[0032] FIG. 6 provides an isolation view of a middle straight screen 4 with two middle straight screen connection flanges 5 on the side edges of the middle straight screen 4. Several middle straight screens 4 maybe assembled to each other to create a larger modular connector pipe screen device 18.

[0033] FIG. 7 demonstrates the various elements of the dorsal side of a left end rounded screen 1, including cross supports 9, left end rounded screen mounting flanges 2, a left end rounded screen connection flange 3 running along the midline of the left end rounded screen 1, and also depicts a mounting flange 7 and a connection flange 8.

[0034] FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment, presents the modular connector pipe screen device 18 mounted within a subterranean catch basin 13 in proximity of an outlet pipe 14 and can be installed and accessed via a manhole cover 19. The modular connector pipe screen device 18 as shown here is open on one side to demonstrate where the water flows from the outlet pipe 14 to the modular connector pipe screen device 18. In a normal installation, the arrangement of the side end screens (1 and 6) would be flush against the walls of storm water infrastructure to prevent trash and debris from moving outside of the modular connector pipe screen device 18. The modular connector pipe screen device 18 may be installed at varying distances from the side walls of storm water infrastructure and an outlet pipe 14 to adjust the flow rate of treated water moving through storm water infrastructure to accommodate for anticipated low and medium storm water flow rates at a particular site. Occasional maintenance is required to remove collected trash and debris from the modular connector pipe screen device 18. Maintenance can easily be completed by removing and then replacing the middle straight screen 4.

[0035] FIG. 9 presents an example of a screen fastener, in this case, a mounting pin 17. Other fastening mechanisms may be used, including screws and welding.