Water backup preventing system and monitoring system therefor

• US 4,997,312 A
• Filed: 01/08/1990
• Issued: 03/05/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Regan
• Original Assignee: Patrick Regan
• Inventors: Regan, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Dennis L.
• Application Number:
  US07/462,105
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 405/36, 405/37, 405/40, 405/43, 405/45, 405/39, 405/52, 210/170, 137/236.1, 73/302
• US Class Current: 405/37
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/101 Dedicated additional structures, interposed or parallel to the sewer system
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/107 Active flow control devices, i.e. moving during flow regulation
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/22 Adaptations of pumping plants for lifting sewage wheeled apparatus for emptying sewers or cesspools E03F7/10; pumps, pumping plants, per se F04
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/04 Valves for preventing return flow in gullies, drains or the like E03F5/042
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 10/30 Flood prevention; Flood or storm water management, e.g. using flood barriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/20 Controlling water pollution; Waste water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/402 Distribution systems involving geographic features

Abstract

A water backup monitoring system for a buried sewer line is provided, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow. A manhole extends between the sewer line and the surface and surrounding said overflow opening to permit a man to gain access to the area of said overflow opening. A standpipe in the manhole communicates with the overflow opening, into which standpipe water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line. A backflow-indicating tube is provided outside of this standpipe, and into which backflow water flows from the overflow opening so that the water in the backflow-indicating tube and the standpipe are at the same level. The tube provides an indication of the level of the water therein. A one-way valve in the tube permits water to rise in the tube, but prevents it from draining therefrom. When flow conditions abate and water drains from the standpipe, a permanent record remains in the tube of the level to which the water rose in the standpipe.

Claims

1. A water backup monitoring system for a ground buried sewer line, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow, a manhole extending between said sewer line and the surface and surrounding said overflow opening to permit a man to gain access to the area of said overflow opening, a standpipe in said manhole communicating with said overflow opening, into which standpipe water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line, a backflow indicating tube on the outside of the standpipe and into which backflow indicating tube water flows from said overflow opening so that the water in the backflow indicating tube and the standpipe are at the same level, said tube providing an indication of the level of the water therein, and a one-way valve means in said tube which permits water to rise in said tube to prevent such water from draining therefrom, so that when overflow conditions abate and water drains from said standpipe a permanent record remains in said tube of the level to which the water rose in said standpipe.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein alarm means are provided above ground level for indicating to a person above ground level that backflow conditions have occurred at the location involved, and manually operable means for draining water in said backflow indicating tube to reset the system to indicate a new backup condition developing in the sewer line.

3. A water backup monitoring system for a ground buried sewer line, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow, a backflow chamber disposed above and communicating with said overflow opening, into which chamber water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line, means for providing an indication of the level of the water in said chamber, and a one-way valve means for permitting water to rise in said chamber and for preventing such water from draining therefrom, so that when overflow conditions abate a permanent record remains in said chamber of the level to which the water rose.

4. The monitoring system of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said chamber is transparent to provide a visible indication of the level of water therein.

5. The monitoring system of claim 4 wherein said chamber is a generally vertically oriented tube.

6. The monitoring system of claim 3 including reset means for draining water from said chamber to reset the system to indicate a later backup condition developing in the sewer line.