DEVICE FOR TROUBLESHOOTING, TESTING, AND REMOVING BLOCKAGES FROM PRESSSURIZED SEWERS

Abstract

A device and method for troubleshooting, testing, and removing blockages from low-pressure sewer systems (LPSSs) connects to a source of pressurized water and includes a controller for regulating pressure of the incoming pressurized liquid, a flow meter downstream of the controller that meters and totalizes liquid flow, a variable pressure relief valve downstream of the flow meter to protect against an over pressure event, and a check valve downstream of the variable pressure relief valve for preventing backflow from contaminating the cleaning liquid. A gauge on the backside of the check valve measures system pressure for monitoring the pressure delivered to the host pipe for the duration of the event. A quarter turn dump valve is provided downstream of the gauge for relieving any remaining pressure between the check valve and the host pipe, rendering it safe to disconnect the device from the LPSS.

Claims

1. A device for troubleshooting, testing and/or removing blockages from low-pressure sewer systems (LPSSs) comprising: a first coupling for connecting to a source of pressurized fluid; a controller for regulating pressure of the incoming pressurized fluid; a flow meter downstream of the controller that meters and totalizes fluid flow; a pressure relief valve downstream of the flow meter to relieve an over pressure event; a check valve downstream of the pressure relief valve for preventing fluid backflow; a pressure gauge on the backside of the check valve to measure system pressure for monitoring the pressure delivered to a host pipe of the LPSS for the duration of the event; a dump valve downstream of the pressure gauge for relieving any remaining pressure between the check valve and the host pipe of the LPSS; and a second coupling connected downstream of the dump valve.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid comprises a source of pressurized liquid.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure relief valve comprises a variable pressure relief valve.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the controller comprises a ball valve.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the dump valve comprises a ball valve.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the flow meter is configured for determining a pounds per square inch (psi) value of the pressurized liquid and a length of time required to complete a cleaning process.

9. The device of claim 1, further including a third coupling downstream of the dump valve configured to facilitate passage of an inline camera.

10. A method of troubleshooting, testing and/or removing blockages from low-pressure sewer systems comprising: providing a source of pressurized fluid; providing a device comprising: a first coupling for connecting to a source of pressurized fluid; a controller for regulating pressure of the incoming pressurized fluid; a flow meter downstream of the controller that meters and totalizes fluid flow; a pressure relief valve downstream of the flow meter to protect against an over pressure event; a check valve downstream of the pressure relief valve for preventing fluid backflow; a pressure gauge on the backside of the check valve to measure system pressure for monitoring the pressure delivered to a host pipe of the LPSS for the duration of the event; a dump valve downstream of the pressure gauge for relieving any remaining pressure between the check valve and the host pipe of the LPSS; and a second coupling connected downstream of the dump valve; connecting the second coupling to an LPSS; and manipulating the controller to provide a particular pressure to the second coupling.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a source of pressurized fluid comprises providing a source of pressurized liquid.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the relief valve comprises a variable pressure relief valve.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the controller comprises a ball valve.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the dump valve comprises a ball valve.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the testing for which the device is used comprises required hydrostatic pressure testing of LPSS directly after construction and prior to the system being placed in service.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the testing for which the device is used comprises employing the device for the general and/or preventive maintenance of the LPSS.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the flow meter determines a pounds per square inch (psi) value of the pressurized liquid and a length of time required to complete a cleaning process.

20. The method of claim 10, further including a third coupling downstream of the dump valve configured to facilitate passage of an inline camera.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention and its features will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary Low-pressure Sewer System (LPSS);

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a device for removing blockages from Low-pressure Sewer Systems fashioned in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective 3-D rendering of an exemplary device for removing blockages from Low-pressure Sewer Systems modeled after the schematic of FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing enclosing the device for removing blockages from Low-pressure Sewer Systems of FIG. 3;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 4;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the housing/device of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the housing/device of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the housing/device of FIG. 5 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective 3-D rendering of another exemplary device for removing blockages from Low-pressure Sewer Systems modeled after the schematic of FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 10 is a top view of the 3-D rendering of the exemplary device for removing blockages from Low-pressure Sewer Systems of FIG. 9; and

[0033] FIGS. 11-16 are various views of yet another alternative exemplary device for moving blockage from Low-pressure Sewers of the kind described herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] To promote an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the present invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiment or embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiment or embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles.

[0036] The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0037] It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing reference numbers, such as, for example, in cases where such labeling facilitates a clearer description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. Such labeling and drawing practices do not necessarily implicate an underlying substantive purpose.

[0038] Furthermore, certain views are side views which depict only one side of the device (or one set of components of a multi set array of components), but it will be understood that the opposite side and other component sets are preferably identical thereto. The present specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] It should also be appreciated that unless otherwise indicated, terms that relate to directions and placement, including, but not limited to terms such as front, rear, distal, proximal, radial, axial, forward, rearward, above, below, under, over, in front of, behind, and alongside of are provided for illustration to help the reader better visualize the relative placement of the components, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0040] For example, the designation of an end or portion an object as being proximal is in most cases arbitrary, and is employed to distinguish its placement from the other end, which may be labeled as distal. Nonetheless, unless otherwise indicated, there is no reason that the formerly labeled distal end could not be labeled the proximal end and vice versa.

[0041] Similarly, terms such as radial are employed to distinguish the direction from axial, but should not be limited to an interpretation where radial is disposed exactly 90 from axial. Rather, radial should be interpreted as any direction that his within 45 of a true radial that is perpendicular to axial. Similarly, axial should be interpreted as being any direction that is within 45 of a true axial that is perpendicular to radial.

[0042] FIG. 1, depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary low-pressure sewer system (LPSS), generally designated 10, of the type for which the present invention has been made. It should be appreciated that the LPSS 10 is one example of the many configurations of LPSSs. In the LPSS 10, there are a plurality of homes 11 representing residences, facilities, or the like.

[0043] Each home 11 has its sewer output connected to a grinder 12 which is connected to, or integral with a pump 13 and preferably disposed downstream thereof. The pump 13 is used to pressurize the waste being expelled from the residence 11 and grinder 12. A check valve 14 is positioned downstream of the pump 13 but upstream of the main community line 16 that serves a plurality of residences 11. Check valve 14 is designed to permit flow in a single direction (from the house 11 to the lateral sewer line 19) and prevent flow in the opposite direction (line 19 to the house 11).

[0044] The check valve 14, in turn, is connected to a main community pipe (mains) 16 via a lateral pipe 19. The mains 16 includes an upstream flush valve 17 with a connector 15 for connection to a liquid source (not shown).

[0045] Downstream, the sewer main 16 empties into a discharge manhole 18 or the like and likely feeds the waste to a larger collector sewer line (not shown). While not shown, the grinder/pump 12/13 and/or lateral line 19 may include a flushing station.

[0046] FIG. 2 presents a schematic diagram of a device, generally designated 20, fashioned in accordance with the present principles, for cleaning/clearing out, testing, troubleshooting, and/or removing obstructions or clogs in an LPSS as described herein. The device 20 is connectable to a source of pressurized liquid, such as a pressurized water storage tank (PWS) 9 via a suitable coupler 1A.

[0047] The PWS 9 may be a typical sewer cleaning truck or the like. Downstream of the coupler 1A is a controller in the form of a ball valve or flow limiting valve 2A for regulating the amount of flow exiting from the ball valve 2A. Downstream of the ball valve 2A is a flow meter 3 that meters and totals liquid flow from the ball valve 2A.

[0048] The flow meter 3 totalizes gallons per minute (but may be another volume), and it will totalize the amount of flow. The number of gallons needed to flush the main, no matter what kind of footage, can be calculated and used to determine how much water will be required to completely flush the line. The reason for employing the totalizer is to enable the user to know how many gallons of throughput per minute are being put through the totalizer 3, and to thereby verify that it has been flushed.

[0049] The psi and the length of time required for the cleaning, for example, can be calculated in addition to the flow volume. The flow meter 3 is connected preferably to a variable pressure relief valve 4 that protects against over pressure by rapidly diverting liquid before it can reach the host pipe of the LPSS. The diverted liquid is purged from the device 20.

[0050] The fresh water from the PWS is dumped if a blockage is encountered and thus the pressure is within the inflow pipe rises to a particular level (e.g., 90 psi). Subjecting the main and check valves to the high pressure that the water truck is capable of exerting if a blockage is present should be avoided.

[0051] Downstream of the pressure relief valve 4 is a check valve 5 for preventing backflow from the LPSS against the device flow (represented by the Flow arrow in the schematic 20). The fluid flowing out of the check valve 5 is directed to a T-connector 6.

[0052] A first connector port 6A receives the output of the check valve 5. A second connector port 6B is in communication with a pressure gauge 7 for monitoring device pressure. A third connector port 6C is in communication with a coupler 1C, while a fourth connector port 6D is in communication with a ball valve 2B.

[0053] The output of the ball valve 2B in communication with a coupler 1B. The use in this application of terms such as first, second, third, and fourth is arbitrary unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0054] A camera port/camera 8 may be provided to be inserted near or through coupler 1C to enable the user to monitor the flow of fluid at the coupler and in the LPSS piping. The camera port 8 allows an inline camera to be inserted into the line to help the user to determine how many gallons can be inserted in the system. The couplers 1A-C may be cam-lock style, threaded, or the like.

[0055] A coupler 1B is positioned downstream of the ball valve 2B Coupler 1B does not couple to anything but allows a port through which pressure can be released from the system. A pressure relief valve (not shown) may be coupled to coupler 1B to automatically open to relieve pressure in an over-pressure situation. When the system has been flushed, and the ball valve 2A is turned a quarter turn, and the sewer cleaning truck is isolated from the device 20, there could still be 110 psi in the system. The coupler 1B provides a port through which the pressure can be expelled.

[0056] The ball valve 2B may be opened up to release the pressure and any accompanying liquid atmosphere on the ground or a pipe or receptacle. The pressure within the system can be determined by the pressure gauge 7. The operator can verify the amount of pressure in the system, when he goes to disconnect it from the flushing station or the truck. If the pressure gauge 7 indicates that there is pressure within the system, the men can relieve the pressure before disconnecting the device 20 from the water truck 9. Coupler 1B is that serves as an exhaust coupler to depressurize the system.

[0057] Coupler 1C hooks to the flushing station system. The type and size of coupler 1C may vary depending on what the municipality may require on their standard design.

[0058] Once the intake coupler 1A is hooked up to be in fluid communication with the PWS, the ball valve 2A opened and flow is monitored by the flow meter 3 so one can determine the gallons per minute (or other measure) of flaw through the system. If the pressure reaches a certain amount, the pressure relief valve 4 releases air, water, or whatever one needs to be released to reduce the pressure.

[0059] The check valve 5 prevents water from flowing back to the PWS 9 from the T connector 6. The ball valve 2B allows controllable fluidic coupling via coupling 1B to atmosphere. At the conclusion of the flushing process when the device 20 is shut down, there is still going to be pressure within the device 20.

[0060] To release the pressure, the ball valve 2B is opened and pressure escapes through the coupler 1B. Downstream of T-connector 6, water will flow through coupler 1C which is connected to the sewer line into which the fluid that is introduced into the system is ultimately discharged.

[0061] The pressure gauge 7 is also downstream of connector 6, and is provided to indicate the pressure within the system so one can determine the amount of pressure within the system during use, and at the end of a cycle. At the end of a use cycle, the pressure gauge I can be used to determine whether any residual pressure exists within the system that needs to be vented through coupler 1C prior to the system being disconnected from the sewer line and PWS 9.

[0062] Without depressurizing the system first, waste water is likely to spray uncontrollably in the area around the device 20.

[0063] Preferably information from the pressure gauge 7 and the flow meter 3 is monitored and recorded. Historical data is maintained for particular systems, locations, facilities, buildings, homes, or the like. For instance, historical data may indicate that a particular system last had experienced 54 gym at 40 psi. This can be used in subsequent visits and/or events. This historical data can be useful in determining the condition of the system, servicing the system, and strategizing preservative maintenance for the system.

[0064] FIG. 3 depicts a 3-D model of the device 20 from the device schematic of FIG. 2. The coupler 1A includes a pipe coupling for releasable connection to a pressurized liquid source (not shown in FIG. 3). Liquid flows from the water source into the ball valve 2A via piping that connects the coupling to the water source and the coupling 1A to the ball valve 2A.

[0065] The ball valve 2A includes a handle 35 for allowing a user to adjust the position of the ball valve and thereby adjustably control the amount of liquid flow through the ball valve 2A. The ball valve 2A constitutes a flow controller to regulate the flow of pressurized liquid from the PWS into the device 20 and ultimately into the LPSS.

[0066] Fluid from the PWS 9 flows from the controller valve 2A into the flow meter 3. Flow meter 3 meters and totalizes liquid flow. Downstream of the flow meter 3 is the variable pressure relief valve 4 that provides release or purging of liquid from the device 20 should an over-pressure event occur.

[0067] The pressure at which the pressure relief valve releases the liquid may be fixed through an appropriate selection of the valve. Alternatively, a pressure relief valve 4 can be employed that permits a variable setting of the pressure at which the pressure relief valves releases in over-pressure event. The variable pressure relief valve 4 includes a port 4A to which a hose, pipe, conduit or the like may be attached for carrying away any liquid being released from the pressure relief valve 4.

[0068] The check valve 5 is connected to the downstream side of the relief valve 4 via piping 26 (see FIG. 8) to prevent back flow. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the downstream side of the check valve 5 is connected to the second connector port 6B of the 4-way connector/distributer/T-connector 6. This allows the cleaning liquid from the PWS or other connected liquid source to flow into the T-connector 6.

[0069] A pressure gauge 27 (FIG. 8) is provided in the connection piping 25 that connects the output of the check valve 5 and the second connector port 6B. The pressure gauge 27 may be a manually readable gauge, an appropriate computer controlled electronic gauge. The electronic gauge may have a visually readable output, or may have RF, near-field, or other communication capabilities, or a combination of both to connect the gauge to a readable output on a remote device, or a remote controller in communication with the gauge 27.

[0070] Connection port 6A is connected via piping 24 to a flow valve, such as a ball valve 2C having a handle 37 for manually controlling or regulating output flow from the coupling 1D and through the valve 2C connection 1D. The downstream side of the ball valve 2C is connected to the coupling 1D. Connection port 6D is connected to a ball valve 2B having handle 36 for manually controlling or regulating output flow from the coupling 1B. The downstream side of the ball valve 2B is connected to the coupling 1B. Connection port 6C is connected to the coupling 1C via piping.

[0071] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a housing or enclosure 22 that surrounds the device 20 of FIG. 3, while FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the housing 22 of the device 20 of FIG. 3. While not shown, the housing 22 may include handles or the like (not shown) for carrying the device 20, or include other means for transporting the device 20. FIGS. 6-8 depict various sectional views of the device 20 of FIG. 3 within the housing 22 taken along the various lines of FIG. 5.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one end of the housing 22/device 20 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the other end of the housing 22/device 20 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5, while FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the top of the housing 22/device 20 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

[0073] FIGS. 9 and 10 depict another 3-D model of a device 40 based on the device schematic of FIG. 2. The device 40 works in the same manner as the device 20 but has a slightly different configuration downstream of the check valve 5. Thus, the components of the device 40 that are the same as the device 20 will not necessarily be described with respect to the device 40. In the device 40, the pressure relief valve 4 is connected via piping 27 to a coupling 1E.

[0074] FIGS. 9 and 10 depict another 3-D model of a device 40 based on the device schematic of FIG. 2. The device 40 works in the same manner as the device 20 but has a slightly different configuration downstream of the check valve 5. Thus, the components of the device 40 that are the same as the device 20 will not necessarily be described with respect to the device 40. In the device 40, the pressure relief valve 4 is connected via piping 27 to a coupling 1E.

[0075] FIGS. 11-15 depict perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present disclosure. The device 60 works in the same manner as the device 20 but has a slightly different configuration. Thus, the components of the device 60 that are the same as the device 20, or other described embodiments, will not be described with respect to the device 60.

[0076] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered is illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention.