Installation for Capturing Floods and Excess Water in Drainage Systems, As Well As Maintenance of Road Surfaces According to Warnings, Phenomena, and Weather Parameters Measured in Real Time

Abstract

An installation for the maintenance of road surfaces, or located on several sections of road, on the median line of the road or on one of its sides, which installation operates according to meteorological parameters measured in real time by the weather station associated with each section or during the issuing of a warning code in the geographical area of each section and which is composed of an air compressor, a compressed air tank, one or more reservoirs for the intervention fluids, connected by connections to a pump unit, controlled by a GSM module with remote relay according to the commands of a server, the fluids circulating through connections and pipe sections mounted underground in the roadway, compression collars being arranged on each pipe section and connected to spraying sub-assemblies consisting of direction valves, flow restrictors, movable quick couplers and nozzles, the installation allowing automated actions based on the interpretation of meteorological data received from weather stations.

Claims

1. An automatic road surface maintenance plant, located on road sections, on the centre line of the road or on one of its sides, operating according to the set time and duration of the issuing of a warning code in the geographical area of each infra-weather system, comprising an air compressor (1), a tank for compressed air (2), one or more tanks (3) for intervention fluids, connected via connections (6) to a pump unit (4) controlled by a GSM module with remote relay (9) according to the commands of a server (10), the fluids circulating through connections (6) and pipe sections (11) mounted underground in the roadway, each pipe section (11) being fitted with compression collars (12) connected to spraying sub-assemblies consisting of direction valves (13) and flow restrictors (14), movable quick couplers (15) and nozzles (16), the installation allowing automated actions based on the interpretation of meteorological data received from weather stations (19) and based on the recordings of sensors (191-197) with which they are provided and/or when severe weather warnings are issued and received, characterized in that a pump (7) for dirty water absorbs excess water from the roadway when the sewage system cannot cope and directs it to a dirty water tank (8), and there are arranged on the pipe section (11) between the nozzles (16) siphons (17) with one-way flaps, by means of which the sewage pump (7) sucks up water from the roadway when the amount of water is large, i.e. more than 3 cm, and when water level sensors (18) arranged on each siphon (17) actuate the sewage pump (7) by means of an electrical impulse.

2. Automatic road surface maintenance installation according to claim 1, wherein the water level sensors (18) report the critical level, transmit a signal to the server (10) which drives the dirty water pump (7) which starts the water absorption through the siphons (17) until the water level on the public roads drops and the dirty water pump (7) stops, the remaining silt being removed from the road by the action of washing the road surface with clean water from the washing tank.

3. An automatic road surface maintenance installation according to claim 1, wherein the unisense valves of the siphons (17) allow water to pass only in one direction, not allowing water to pass when the installation is active for operations to prevent ice, snow deposits, cooling or washing, the direction valves (13) blocking the water absorption through the nozzles (16), thus allowing the water or liquid substances to pass in both directions.

4. An automatic road surface maintenance installation according to claim 2, wherein the unisense valves of the siphons (17) allow water to pass only in one direction, not allowing water to pass when the installation is active for operations to prevent ice, snow deposits, cooling or washing, the direction valves (13) blocking the water absorption through the nozzles (16), thus allowing the water or liquid substances to pass in both directions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an installation according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an installation according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The following Legend identifies the reference numerals used in the figures:

LEGEND

[0026] 1Compressor [0027] 2Air compressor tank [0028] 3Water tank, solution to prevent ice [0029] 4Pump unit [0030] 5Electric switch [0031] 6Connections [0032] 7Dirty water pump [0033] 8Dirty water tank [0034] 9Communicator [0035] 10Server [0036] 11Pipe section [0037] 12Compression collars [0038] 13Direction valves [0039] 14Flow restrictors [0040] 15Movable quick couplers [0041] 16Nozzles [0042] 17Siphon [0043] 18Water level measurement sensors [0044] 19Weather station [0045] 19.sup.1Temperature sensor [0046] 19.sup.2Humidity sensor [0047] 19.sup.3Wind direction and speed sensor [0048] 19.sup.4Solar radiation sensor [0049] 19.sup.nOther sensors [0050] aFluid direction

[0051] In the following an example of embodiment of the invention is presented in connection with the figures representing the schematic view of the installation according to the invention:

[0052] The automatic plant for maintaining and maintaining in an optimum state of use road surfaces, railways, airports, heliports or other surfaces subject to bad weather, according to weather warnings, phenomena and weather parameters measured in real time according to the invention, consists of an air compressor 1, a tank for compressed air 2 and a tank 3 for intervention fluids, which tanks are connected to a group of pumps 4 which distribute said fluids from the selected tank to a spraying subassembly. An electrically operated switch 5 selects the source of fluid which is distributed through connections 6, a pump 7 for dirty water which absorbs excess water from the roadway when the sewage system cannot cope and directs it to a dirty water tank 8.

[0053] Remote operation of the pump unit 4 is performed by a GSM module with relay 9, according to commands given by a server 10.

[0054] Depending on the commands given by the server 10, the fluid chosen air or water is directed to a section of pipe 11 whose length may vary from 10 m to 3500 m and then to the spraying subassembly.

[0055] Compression collars 12 are mounted on the pipe section 11, which are internally threaded and into which directional valves 13 are fixed which can block the directions of fluid movement.

[0056] The pipe section 11 is provided at equal intervals with spray subassemblies, each subassembly consisting of flow restrictors 14 and movable quick couplers 15 which allow nozzles 16 arranged along the entire length of the pipe section 11 to enter the roadway when the wheels of vehicles press on them. Also on the section of pipe 11 are arranged at intervals greater than the nozzles 16, nozzles 17 by means of which the dirty water pump 7 sucks water from the roadway when the quantity of water is large, i.e. more than 3 cm.

[0057] Water level sensors 18 are mounted on the roadside, which transmit data to the server 10.

[0058] The pipe section 11 together with the spraying sub-assemblies is arranged on the median axis of two or more lanes per direction, it is buried, and the nozzles 16 for dispersing the materials on the corresponding surfaces as well as the nozzles 17 are arranged at different intervals depending on the road dimensions along the length of the section. On roads with only one lane in each direction, the system is mounted on one side of the road. They are able to spray the required fluid depending on the weather forecast, with a pressure of 8 bar for liquid and 12 bar for air, unidirectional or bidirectional, covering an area of between 10 m.sup.2 and 70 m.sup.2 for unidirectional spraying or bidirectional spraying, depending on the type of nozzle fitted.

[0059] On the basis of meteorological data from weather stations 19 and records from the sensors with which they are equipped, i.e. temperature sensor 191, humidity sensor 192, wind direction and speed sensor 193, global radiation sensor 194, atmospheric pressure sensor 195, rain quantity sensor 196, air quality sensor 197 and/or when severe weather warnings, imminent weather events (thunderstorm, lightning, wind, rain, snow, etc.) are issued and received, relevant to a specific geographic location/area identified by geographic coordinates and for a specific time interval, which data is also corroborated with other data received from other sources such as radars, satellites, other weather stations, the weather data provider sends weather warnings to the server 10, and the server will send a message to activate the pump unit 4, via the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module 9.

[0060] Server 10 manages the received data, its database also contains additional data such as the identification code of each section, the county code of the county where the installation is located, the GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates of the streets.

[0061] The automated system will confirm each action it takes, so that sections where malfunctions occur can be detected.

[0062] Severe weather warnings are transmitted according to the GPS coordinates of the sections on four alert levels: yellow, orange, red, purple or by generic descriptions in non-standard format, which will indicate the date, start and end time of the event. The data received is saved in the database of server 10 and at pre-determined intervals will generate reports that will be published on a publicly available map on the Intrernet via a web page. If there is a GPS-based warning system in the area or on the route of a section, it can communicate with server 10, which triggers the installation. In this way anyone accessing the interactive map can be informed about the activity on the stretch or the road conditions.

[0063] Depending on the colour of the warning code, the approximate duration of the weather event and the amount of precipitation is given.

[0064] The installation according to the invention will have set the type of intervention absorption or dispersion of the fluid used, the time and duration of operation according to the warning code or according to the parameters measured by the weather stations related to each section. This setting of the installation according to the warning code will allow preventive intervention on the road surface so that there is no water layer or snow/ice layer and to make road traffic more efficient.

[0065] In the event of extreme weather events, large amounts of rainwater, torrential downpours, or freezing temperatures, to prevent the formation of ice on the roads at a predetermined threshold, the installation automatically starts the absorption of excess water or the distribution of materials.

[0066] At a certain predetermined threshold of the parameters collected from a certain location, the server 10 gives the START command by a message, and the plant operation and/or material dispensing for the prevention of ice jam starts. The same can be done in case of blizzard, where the air blowing acts to disperse excess water, deposited snow cover, or melting of windblown snow on roads when water or de-icing fluid is spread.

[0067] Automated road washing or decontamination can also be carried out if necessary. The situations are determined by the public or private road administrator, and the type of intervention or the solution with which to intervene in road washing is also determined by the administrator of this road segment.

[0068] The installation, using via server 10 the data collected from each individual location, can also intervene to cool roads or to avoid the effect of aquaplaning on the road surface.

[0069] In another embodiment, the automatic installation can be designed for railways by placing tanks, connections 6, pumps 4, GSM module with relay 9 above ground and directional valves 13, nozzles 16 for dispersing materials on the related surfaces and siphons 17 underground between railway sleepers.

[0070] The automatic installation according to the present invention can also be used for the maintenance of runways at airports, on the surfaces of heliports or even in areas and on surfaces where it is necessary both to clear water from their surface and to clear snow, avoid the formation of ice, or to decontaminate them, and where mechanical or manual intervention is difficult to perform.

Examples of Operation of the Installation according to the Invention

[0071] 1. Absorption of torrents and water from public roads which cannot be collected by the public sewage system is carried out by absorbing it in tanks intended for such water. When the water level sensor mounted above the siphon measures a critical level, the dirty water pump is actuated by an electrical impulse and starts absorbing water from public roads via the siphon and pipes mounted underground. When the water level on the public roads drops, the level sensor gives another electrical impulse to the sewage pump and it stops. If there is still silt on public roads after flooding, the system automatically switches to washing the road with clean water from the wash tank. The directional valves on the siphons allow water to pass only in one direction, not allowing water to pass when the system is active for snow, ice, ice or wash operations. The directional valves block water absorption through the nozzles, allowing water or liquids to flow in both directions. [0072] 2. The prevention of ice formation is based on the weather parameters measured by the weather station located on each section, which transmits at predetermined intervals the measured weather data to the server, which based on a calculation algorithm identifies the optimal conditions for ice formation. Once these conditions have been identified, the server sends a START command to the system's control module, which activates the road maintenance system, applying liquid solution to prevent the formation of ice on the road surface. The prevention of snow deposition is based on weather forecasts and warnings for severe weather events that reach the server. After reading and interpreting, the server activates the road maintenance system by sending a START command to the control module. This command activates the road maintenance system, spreading the liquid solution to prevent snow deposition on the road surface. The start frequency and running time of the system is differentiated, depending on the colour of the severe weather warning codes, which contain the duration and amounts of precipitation or the intensity of the severe weather event. [0073] 3. The water is removed from the road and the phenomenon of aquaplaning is avoided by means of compressed air. The weather station at each section measures the amount of water deposited with a rain gauge, and if predetermined thresholds are exceeded, the road maintenance system is activated by the server. In the case of severe weather warnings, the amount of precipitation can be released by the default setting of the road maintenance system. The same can be used in case of blizzard weather. Depending on the warning codes or meteorological parameters (wind speed and direction) measured by the weather station the road maintenance facility is activated by the server. The blizzard brings snow already on the ground onto the road surface blocking the roads. By activating the maintenance facility, a quantity of compressed air at a pressure of 12 bar is released through the nozzles, dislodging the snow from the road. [0074] 4. Road cooling is done by the server operating the system, the weather station measures the meteorological parameters, transmits the data to the server and the server, after reading and interpreting these parameters, sends a START command to the system control module. This command activates the road maintenance system, spreading the liquid cooling solution on the road surface. Flushing is done as needed, a command that is given by the authorities via a customised message to the server. The server reads the message, interprets it and sends a START command to the system's control module, with this command it activates the road maintenance facility, spreading the liquid flushing solution on the road surface. The road can also be cooled by compressed air. Following real-time measurements of the meteorological parameters by the weather station, when a preset temperature threshold is reached, the compressed air is triggered by the server by a START command to the system's control module, and this command activates the road maintenance compressor.