Wastewater control system

• US 20050072465A1
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Herbert C. Preul
• Original Assignee: Herbert C. Preul
• Inventors: Preul, Herbert C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,201 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/79
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/00 Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 2201/20 Measuring flow in sewer systems
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/102 using already existing parts of the sewer system for runoff-regulation
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/105 Accessories, e.g. flow regulators or cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/02 Shut-off devices in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 10/30 Flood prevention; Flood or storm water management, e.g. using flood barriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1963 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6991 Ground supporting enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/731 With control fluid connection at desired liquid level

Abstract

A wastewater control system for use with a sewer service line conducting a flow of wastewater from a building to a sewer main. A flow control device is installed in the sewer service line; and an actuator, in electrical communication with the sensor, is connected to the flow control device. The actuator in response to an output signal from a hydrologic sensor causes the flow control device to block the flow of wastewater to the sewer main and detain the wastewater in the sewer service line.

Claims

1. A wastewater control system for use with a sewer service line conducting a flow of wastewater from a building to a sewer main, the wastewater control system comprising:

a hydrologic sensor providing an output signal;

a flow control device adapted to be installed in the sewer service line; and

an actuator in electrical communication with the sensor and connected to the flow control device, the actuator in response to the output signal causing the flow control device to block the flow of wastewater to the sewer main and detain the flow of wastewater in the sewer service line.

2. The wastewater control system of claim 1 wherein the hydrologic sensor comprises a flow sensor providing the output signal in response to the flow sensor measuring a greater than normal flow in the sewer main.

3. The wastewater control system of claim 2 wherein the sewer main extends through a manhole and the flow sensor is located in the sewer main near the manhole.

4. The wastewater control system of claim 1 wherein the hydrologic sensor comprises a flow level sensor providing the output signal in response to the flow level sensor detecting a higher than normal level of flow in the sewer main.

5. The wastewater control system of claim 1 wherein the hydrologic sensor comprises a rainfall sensor providing the output signal in response to the rainfall sensor detecting an amount of rain likely to lead to a greater than normal flow in the sewer main.

6. The wastewater control system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter electrically connected to the hydrologic sensor; and

a receiver electrically connected to the actuator and in electrical communications with the transmitter.

7. The wastewater control system of claim 3 further comprising a transmitter disposed in the manhole and electrically connected to the hydrologic sensor.

8. The wastewater control system of claim 3 further comprising a service box near a downstream end of the sewer service line, and the flow control device is disposed in the service box.

9. The wastewater control system of claim 8 further comprising a receiver disposed in the service box, the receiver being electrically connected to the actuator and in electrical communications with the transmitter.

10. A wastewater control system for use with a sewer service line conducting a flow of wastewater from a building to a sewer main, the wastewater control system comprising:

a hydrologic sensor providing a first output signal;

a flow control device adapted to be installed in the sewer service line;

a detention tank disposed in the sewer service line; and

an actuator in electrical communication with the sensor and connected to the flow control device, the actuator in response to the first output signal causing the flow control device to divert the flow of wastewater from the sewer main and into the detention tank.

11. The wastewater control system of claim 10 wherein the detention tank and flow control device are disposed near a downstream end of the sewer service line.

12. The wastewater control system of claim 10 wherein the detention tank and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line.

13. The wastewater control system of claim 10 wherein the detention tank and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line and inside the building.

14. The wastewater control system of claim 10 further comprising a sump pump disposed in the detention tank.

15. The wastewater control system of claim 14 wherein the detention tank, the sump pump and flow control device are disposed near a downstream end of the sewer service line.

16. The wastewater control system of claim 14 wherein the detention tank, the sump pump and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line.

17. The wastewater control system of claim 14 wherein the detention tank, the sump pump and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line and inside the building.

18. A system for use with a plurality of first sewer service lines conducting a flow of wastewater from a respective plurality of first buildings to a sewer main, the system comprising:

a first hydrologic sensor providing a first output signal;

a plurality of first flow control devices, each first flow control device adapted to be installed in one of the first sewer service lines; and

a plurality of first actuators, each first actuator being in electrical communication with the first hydrologic sensor and connected to a respective one of the first flow control devices, each first actuator, in response to the first hydrologic sensor providing the first output signal, causing a respective one of the first flow control devices to block the flow of wastewater from a respective one of the first sewer service lines into the sewer main and retain the flow of wastewater in the respective one of the first sewer service lines.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein a plurality of second sewer service lines conducting a flow of wastewater from a respective plurality of second buildings to the sewer main, the system further comprising:

a second hydrologic sensor providing a second output signal;

a plurality of second flow control devices, each second flow control device adapted to be installed in one of the second sewer service lines; and

a plurality of second actuators, each second actuator being in electrical communication with the second hydrologic sensor and connected to a respective one of the second flow control devices, each second actuator, in response to the second hydrologic sensor providing the second output signal, causing a respective one of the second flow control devices to block the flow of wastewater from a respective one of the second sewer service lines into the sewer main and retain the flow of wastewater in the respective one of the second sewer service lines.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a central wastewater management facility receiving the first output signal and the second output signal and causing

in response to the first output signal, the respective one of the first flow control devices to block the flow of wastewater from a respective one of the first sewer service lines into the sewer main and retain the flow of wastewater in the respective one of the first sewer service lines, and

in response to the second output signal, the respective one of the second flow control devices to block the flow of wastewater from a respective one of the second sewer service lines into the sewer main and retain the flow of wastewater in the respective one of the second sewer service lines.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising a computer receiving the first output signal and the second output signal and causing

in response to the first output signal, the respective one of the first flow control devices to block the flow of wastewater from a respective one of the first sewer service lines into the sewer main and retain the flow of wastewater in the respective one of the first sewer service lines, and

in response to the second output signal, the respective one of the second flow control devices to block the flow of wastewater from a respective one of the second sewer service lines into the sewer main and retain the flow of wastewater in the respective one of the second sewer service lines.

22. A method of reducing wastewater in a sewer main receiving the wastewater from a sewer service line connected to a drain pipe in a building, the method comprising:

detecting a first flow in the sewer main being greater than a normal flow; and

blocking wastewater in the sewer service line from flowing into the sewer main in response to detecting the first flow.

23. A method of claim 22 further comprising:

detecting a second flow in the sewer main being less than the greater than normal flow; and

releasing the wastewater in the sewer service line into the sewer main in response to detecting the second flow.

24. A method of claim 23 further comprising:

producing a first signal with a flow sensor in response to detecting the first flow; and

transmitting the first signal to a flow control device disposed in the sewer service line;

causing the flow control device to change state in response to the first flow signal to block the wastewater in the sewer service line from flowing into the sewer main.

25. A method of claim 22 further comprising:

producing a second signal with the flow sensor in response to detecting the second flow; and

transmitting the second signal to the flow control device; and

causing the flow control device to change state in response to the second flow signal to release the wastewater in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

26. A method of reducing wastewater in a sewer main receiving the wastewater from a sewer service line connected to a drain pipe in a building, the method comprising:

detecting a rainfall capable of creating a flow in the sewer main greater than a normal flow; and

blocking wastewater in the sewer service line from flowing into the sewer main in response to detecting the rainfall.

27. A method of claim 26 further comprising thereafter releasing the wastewater in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

28. A method of claim 27 further comprising:

producing a first signal with a rainfall sensor in response to detecting the rainfall; and

transmitting the first signal to a flow control device disposed in the sewer service line;

causing the flow control device to change state in response to the first flow signal to block the wastewater in the sewer service line from flowing into the sewer main.

29. A method of claim 28 further comprising:

producing a second signal; and

transmitting the second signal to the flow control device; and

causing the flow control device to change state in response to the second flow signal to release the wastewater in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

30. A method of reducing wastewater in a sewer main receiving the wastewater from a sewer service line connected to a drain pipe in a building, the method comprising:

detecting a first flow in the sewer main being greater than a normal flow; and

storing the wastewater from the sewer main and into a detention tank in response to detecting the first flow.

31. A method of claim 30 further comprising:

detecting a second flow in the sewer main being less than the greater than normal flow; and

releasing the wastewater from the detention tank and into the sewer main in response to detecting the second flow.

32. A method of claim 31 further comprising pumping the wastewater from the detention tank and into the sewer main in response to detecting the second flow.

33. A method of claim 32 further comprising:

producing a first signal with a flow sensor in response to detecting the first flow; and

transmitting the first signal to a flow control device disposed in the sewer service line;

causing the flow control device to change state in response to the first flow signal to divert wastewater from the sewer main and into the detention tank.

34. A method of claim 33 further comprising:

producing a second signal with the flow sensor in response to detecting the second flow; and

transmitting the second signal to the flow control device; and

causing the flow control device to change state in response to the second flow signal to release the wastewater in the sewer service line and cease collecting wastewater in the detention tank.

35. A method of claim 34 further comprising:

transmitting the second signal to a sump pump disposed in the detention tank to operate and pump wastewater from the detention tank into the sewer service line.