Combined non-return valve and rat killer

Abstract

Device in the form of a combined non-return valve and rat killer for internal fitting in a sewer pipe comprising a valve (2), which can swing between an open and a closed position, the valve (2) being able to serve as a seal against possible back-flow (B) and also as a rat killer. The valve (2) is fitted with a projection (2a) on its inner side near its lower end and when swinging down, the blow-impact of the valve with the rat (12) can kill it. The valve (2) is operated by an actuator (7), preferably in the form of a voice-coil linear motor, which is controlled by sensors in the sewer pipe. Due to a continuous flow (A) through the sewer pipe, the device will remain clean and thus functional.

Claims

1. Device comprising a combined non-return valve and rat killer for internal fitting in a piping system including a pipe, where the device comprises a swinging valve, which in a passive position is open in an up-swung position for continuous flow through the pipe and in an active position is closed in a down-swung position over a bottom end of the pipe, where the valve blocks back-flow, wherein the valve (2, 2a) is pivoted (8) at the top of the pipe (1) and connected to an automated actuator (7) with a reciprocating maneuver rod (6) for swinging the valve (2) between the passive position and the active position in response to signaling indicative of a sensed presence of a rat, and wherein the valve (2) on an inner side near a lower end of the valve is fitted with a projection (2a) with a cross section ending with a sharp or pointed edge to strike and kill or trap a rat sensed in the bottom end of the pipe when the valve is swung-down into the closed, active position after actuation of the valve into the active position is signaled to the automated actuator in the sensed presence of the rat.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the automated actuator (7) is signaled by at least one rat sensor to move to the active position.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the automated actuator (7) after each down-swinging of the valve (2, 2a) will raise it for free flow (A) through the pipe (1, 1a).

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the automated actuator (7), in the event of power failure, will disconnect and thus ensure that the valve (2, 2a) can swing freely and thereby serve as a non-return valve.

5. Device comprising a combined non-return valve and rat killer for internal fitting in a piping system including a pipe, where the device comprises a swinging valve, which in a passive position is open for continuous flow through the pipe and in active position is in a down-swung position, where the valve blocks back-flow, wherein the valve (2, 2a) is pivoted (8) at the top of the pipe (1) and connected to an actuator (7) with a reciprocating maneuver rod (6) for swinging the valve (2) between an open and a closed position and wherein the valve (2) on an inner side near a lower end of the valve is fitted with a projection (2a) with a cross section ending with a sharp or pointed edge, wherein the actuator (7) is an electrically driven voice-coil linear motor, which can be set to a uniform motion speed, a variable motion speed, a vibrating motion, or any combination thereof.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the actuator (7), in the event of power failure, will disconnect and thus ensure that the valve (2, 2a) can swing freely and thereby serve as a non-return valve.

7. Device comprising a combined non-return valve and rat killer for internal fitting in a piping system including a pipe, where the device comprises a swinging valve, which in a passive position is open for continuous flow through the pipe and in active position is in a down-swung position, where the valve blocks back-flow, wherein the valve (2, 2a) is pivoted (8) at the top of the pipe (1) and connected to an actuator (7) with a reciprocating maneuver rod (6) for swinging the valve (2) between an open and a closed position and wherein the valve (2) on an inner side near a lower end of the valve is fitted with a projection (2a) with a cross section ending with a sharp or pointed edge, wherein the actuator (7) is controlled by at least one sensor in the pipe, and wherein a control is responsive to a signal from the sensor for providing a signal to the actuator (7) when a rat is sensed approaching to start a partial speed down-swinging of the valve (2, 2a) and when the rat is sensed in position to complete the down-swinging of the valve (2, 2a) with full speed and force to kill or trap the rat.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the actuator (7), in the event of power failure, will disconnect and thus ensure that the valve (2, 2a) can swing freely and thereby serve as a non-return valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of embodiments will according to the invention be described in detail in the following with reference to the drawing where

(2) FIG. 1 shows a sectional drawing of a first embodiment of the device,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a section of the valve in its function as a rat killer,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a sectional drawing of a second embodiment, and

(5) FIGS. 4 and 5 show this serving as a rat killer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows a non-return valve mounted on a pipe 1, 1a and where a valve 2 serves as a seal in the event of back-flow B through the pipe.

(7) For movement of the valve 2, there is on top of the pipe 1 mounted an actuator 7 with a maneuver rod 6, which is movable in a longitudinal direction.

(8) To the rod 6 is mounted 5 an arm 4, which again is mounted 8 to a stationary arm 9.

(9) To the arm 4 is attached an additional arm 10, which is attached to the valve 2 in a fitting aperture 3.

(10) By activating the actuator 7 the valve 2 will thus be able to swing from the punctured open position to the closed position where the water in the flow direction B will be blocked. This is done by the valve 2 abutting the bottom/end of the pipe.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a section of the valve 2 functioning to kill a rat 12.

(12) Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3-5. This comprises an actuator 7, which is mounted on top of the pipe 1. The motion mechanism is simplified by a fixed angular link rod 4 between the maneuver rod 6 in the actuator 7 and the valve 2.

(13) The valve is in this example fitted with an internally extending projection 2a, said projection 2a having an approximate triangular cross section shape ending with a sharp or pointed edge.

(14) Furthermore, a seal 11 is shown, extending around the side edge of the valve and ensuring a close-fitted installation towards the end of the pipe in the event of back-flow B.

(15) The actuator 7 is in both embodiments preferably an electrical voice-coil linear motor, which is characterized by a considerable motion speed, the possibility for adjustment of said speed and finally, that it can provide the valve 2 with a vibrating motion, which has proved a highly efficient way to kill a rat, as the many successive blows guarantee an efficient and humane killing.

(16) The projection 2a ensures, besides being an impact device, that the rat is trapped effectively during the killing and without possibility of escape.

(17) Sensors, not shown, in the piping system will signal the actuator 7, when a rat 12 approaches, so that the valve 2 can start a slow down-swing for when the rat is in position to swing the valve down with great speed and force.

(18) This has been found to give a high degree of accuracy and this, combined with the self-cleaning construction, results in the device being virtually maintenance-free and well-functioning as the device only uses simple and plain mechanical elements and which are placed outside the extent of the sewage water.