Wastewater source control system

• US 6,997,201 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herbert C. Preul
• Original Assignee: Herbert C. Preul
• Inventors: Preul, Herbert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/678,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20050072465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 137/78.1, 137/363, 137/393, 137/1, 137/12, 738/630.2
• US Class Current: 137/1
• 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 method of reducing entry of sanitary waste from a building drain wastewater source into a sewer main in response to a high flow in the sewer main, the method comprising:

providing a sewer service line having an upstream end connected to the building drain and a downstream end connected to the sewer main, the sewer service line conducting wastewater from the building drain to the sewer main;

detecting a first flow in the sewer main resulting from a high flow in the sewer main;

blocking the sewer service line in response to detecting the first flow;

accumulating the wastewater in the sewer service line to prevent its flow into the sewer main, thereby reducing entry of sanitary waste from the building drain into the sewer main;

detecting a second flow in the sewer main after the high flow; and

unblocking the sewer service line in response to detecting the second flow to release wastewater accumulated in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

2. A method of claim 1 further comprising:

producing a first signal in response to a flow sensor 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 signal to block the wastewater in the sewer service line from flowing into the sewer main.

3. A method of claim 2 further comprising:

producing a second signal in response to the flow sensor 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 signal to unblock the sewer service line and release the wastewater accumulated in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after blocking the sewer service line, accumulating the wastewater in a detention tank in fluid communication with the sewer service line.

5. A method of claim 4 further comprising releasing the wastewater accumulated in the detention tank and into the sewer main in response to detecting the second flow.

6. A method of claim 5 further comprising pumping the wastewater from the detention tank and into the sewer main in response to detecting the second flow.

7. A method of claim 6 further comprising:

producing a first signal in response to a first sensor 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 signal to accumulate wastewater in the detention tank.

8. A method of claim 7 further comprising:

producing a second signal in response to a second flow sensor 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 signal to release the wastewater accumulated in the detention tank.

9. A method of claim 8 further comprising:

transmitting the second signal to a sump pump disposed in the detention tank to operate and

operating the sump pump to pump wastewater from the detention tank into the sewer service line.

10. A method of reducing entry of sanitary waste from a building drain into a sewer main in response to a high flow in the sewer main, the method comprising:

providing a sewer service line having an upstream end connected to the building drain and a downstream end connected to the sewer main, the sewer service line conducting wastewater from the building drain to the sewer main;

detecting a rainfall with a potential of resulting in a high flow in the sewer main;

blocking the sewer service line in response to detecting the rainfall;

accumulating the wastewater in the sewer service line to prevent its flow into the sewer main, thereby reducing entry of sanitary waste from the building drain into the sewer main; and

thereafter, unblocking the sewer service line to release wastewater accumulated in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

11. A method of claim 10 further comprising:

producing a first signal in response to a rainfall sensor 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 signal to block the wastewater in the sewer service line from flowing into the sewer main.

12. A method of claim 11 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 signal to unblock the sewer service line and release wastewater accumulated in the sewer service line into the sewer main.

13. A wastewater source control system for reducing entry of sanitary waste from a building drain into a sewer main in response to a high flow in the sewer main, the wastewater control system comprising:

a sewer service line having an upstream end connected to the building drain and a downstream end connected to the sewer main, the sewer service line conducting a flow of wastewater from the building drain to the sewer main;

a hydrologic sensor producing

a first signal in response to detecting a high flow in the sewer main, and

a second signal in response to detecting a lesser flow in the sewer main after the high flow;

a flow control device connected in the sewer service line; and

an actuator in electrical communication with the sensor and connected to the flow control device, the actuator operating the flow control device to

block the sewer service line in response to the first signal and collect wastewater in the sewer service line, thereby reducing entry of sanitary waste from the building drain into the sewer main, and

unblock the sewer service line in response to the second signal and allow wastewater collected in the sewer service line to then flow into the sewer main.

14. The wastewater source control system of claim 13 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.

15. The wastewater source control system of claim 14 wherein the sewer main extends through a manhole and the flow sensor is located in the sewer main near the manhole.

16. The wastewater source control system of claim 15 further comprising a transmitter disposed in the manhole and electrically connected to the hydrologic sensor.

17. The wastewater source control system of claim 15 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.

18. The wastewater source control system of claim 17 further comprising a receiver disposed in the service box, the receiver being electrically connected to the actuator and in electrical communications with the transmitter.

19. The wastewater source control system of claim 13 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.

20. The wastewater source control system of claim 13 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.

21. The wastewater source control system of claim 13 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.

22. The wastewater source control system of claim 13 further comprising a service box having an upper end accessible from a grade surface and a lower end below grade adjacent to the sewer service line, the service box providing access to the flow control device and the actuator.

23. A wastewater source control system for reducing entry of sanitary waste from a building drain into a sewer main in response to a high flow in the sewer main, the wastewater control system comprising:

a sewer service line having an upstream end connected to the building drain and a downstream end connected to the sewer main, the sewer service line conducting a flow of wastewater from the building drain to the sewer main;

a detention tank in fluid communication with the sewer service line;

a hydrologic sensor producing

a first signal in response to detecting a high flow in the sewer main, and

a second signal in response to detecting a lesser flow in the sewer main after the high flow;

a flow control device connected in the sewer service line; and

an actuator in electrical communication with the sensor and connected to the flow control device, the actuator operating the flow control device to

block the sewer service line in response to the first signal and collect wastewater in the sewer service line, thereby reducing entry of sanitary waste from the building drain into the sewer main, and

unblock the sewer service line in response to the second signal and allow wastewater collected in the detention tank to then flow into the sewer main.

24. The wastewater source control system of claim 23 wherein the detention tank and flow control device are disposed closer to the downstream end of the sewer service line than the upstream end.

25. The wastewater source control system of claim 23 wherein the detention tank and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line.

26. The wastewater source control system of claim 23 wherein the detention tank and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line and inside a building.

27. The wastewater source control system of claim 23 further comprising a sump pump disposed in the detention tank.

28. The wastewater source control system of claim 27 wherein the detention tank, the sump pump and flow control device are disposed closer to a downstream end of the sewer service line than an upstream end.

29. The wastewater source control system of claim 27 wherein the detention tank, the sump pump and flow control device are disposed near an upstream end of the sewer service line.

30. The wastewater source control system of claim 27 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.

31. A wastewater source control system for reducing entry of sanitary waste from a building drains into a sewer main in response to a high flow in the sewer main, the wastewater control system comprising:

a first plurality of sewer service lines, each of the first plurality of sewer service lines having an upstream end connected to a respective building drain and a downstream end connected to the sewer main, each of the first plurality of sewer service lines conducting a flow of wastewater from the respective building drain to the sewer main;

a first hydrologic sensor producing

a first signal in response to detecting a high flow in the sewer main, and

a second signal in response to detecting a lesser flow in the sewer main after the high flow;

a first plurality of flow control devices, each of the first plurality of flow control devices connected in a different one of the first plurality of sewer service lines; and

a first plurality of actuators, each of the first plurality of actuators being in electrical communication with the first hydrologic sensor and connected to a different one of the first plurality of flow control devices, each of the first plurality of actuators operating a respective flow control device to

block a respective sewer service line in response to the first signal and collect wastewater in the respective sewer service line, thereby reducing entry of sanitary waste from the building drain into the sewer main, and

unblock the respective sewer service line in response to the second signal and allow collected wastewater to then flow into the sewer main.

32. The wastewater source control system of claim 31 further comprising a central wastewater management facility in electrical communication with the first hydrologic sensor and the first plurality of actuators, the central management facility operating the first plurality of actuators in response receiving the first signal and the second signal.

33. The wastewater source control system of claim 32 further comprising:

a second plurality of sewer service lines, each of the second plurality of sewer service lines having an upstream end connected to a respective building drain and a downstream end connected to the sewer main, each of the second plurality of sewer service lines conducting a flow of wastewater from the respective building drain to the sewer main;

a second hydrologic sensor in electrical communication with the central wastewater management facility and producing

a third signal in response to detecting a high flow in the sewer main, and

a fourth signal in response to detecting a lesser flow in the sewer main after the high flow;

a second plurality of flow control devices, each of the second plurality of flow control devices connected in a different one of the second plurality of sewer service lines; and

a second plurality of actuators in electrical communication with the central wastewater management facility, each of the second plurality of actuators being connected to a different one of the second plurality of flow control devices, the central wastewater management facility operating one of the second plurality of flow control devices to

block a respective sewer service line in response to the third signal and collect wastewater in the respective sewer service line, thereby reducing entry of sanitary waste from a building drain into the sewer main, and

unblock the respective sewer service line in response to the fourth signal and allow collected wastewater to then flow into the sewer main.