Fluid handling – Systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-04-17
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
C137S578000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216733
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for the distribution of water or other liquids, comprising a tank with at least one inlet and two or more outlets adapted to deliver equal amounts of liquid.
This invention in a practical embodiment, concerns a distribution shaft or tank for water, in particular water either for infiltration in the soil or for irrigation of agricultural areas, where it is often desirable to distribute the water evenly over large areas. Normally the distribution shaft will be connected to an external water source, which distributes the water evenly to one or more outlets. After the setting up of the distribution shaft, its outlets must be adjusted with accuracy so that the water flux to the outgoing pipes/channels is distributed approximately evenly between these. This adjustment is not easy, as the outlets are usually to be found in the bottom of a narrow shaft, often two or three meters below ground level. The adjustment must be carried out, not only at the setting up of the shaft, but continually through the years because the least level difference between the lowest point of the water outlets, where water starts running out to the outlet pipes from the distribution shaft, entails large differences in the water volume from the outlet of the distribution shaft. There are distribution shafts that can be adjusted from ground level, but this is a time consuming process where one has to use tools with long handles, good lighting and adequate measuring devices. Furthermore, movable parts have a tendency to jamming, as they are exposed to influx of sludge to the areas about to be repaired.
2. Description of the Related Art
A distribution shaft or tank for infiltration, involving drawbacks as explained immediately above, is described in Norwegian patent specification No. 151,051. Also No. 176,976 shows a valve design of some interest in this connection. Other prior art, being of still less relevance, is represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,591,453 and 2,518,292.
There are many reasons why distribution shafts change their position across time. It often happens because of movements in the ground by loose fillers, generally unstable masses, for example by passage of a tractor nearby. In countries where the ground is normally frozen during certain periods, this is considered to be the main reason for the necessary frequent adjustments of distribution shafts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the existing drawbacks of distribution shafts it is therefore an objects of this invention to provide a new and improved solution which, among other things, results in automatic adjustment in a distribution tank, so that there is normally no need for later manual resetting or adjustment in order to obtain a long-term equal amount or flow of water in all outlets from the tank. According to the invention this is obtained primarily by means of a float body adapted to float on a water reservoir in the tank and provided with a distribution basin for receiving liquid from said inlet(s), said distribution basin having a number of outlet openings corresponding to said outlets and located at the same level in the distribution basin and being each adapted to discharge liquid to a separate outlet.
In other words influxed water or other liquids is distributed over a stably floating watertight body, centrally situated and equipped with a basin for reception and distribution of water.
In a practical embodiment features and functions may be included as follows: The water volume in the basin varies with the influx, and entails that the sides of the basin are kept free from possible sludge. The water then, runs down through the desired number of outlet openings (distribution holes) which can be equipped with a known type of V-overflows. Thereafter the water runs out through elbows of the outlets, which are connected with other installations. If the distribution shaft, and therewith also the in- and outlet devices, are put out of level, the floating body with its distribution holes will always keep a levelled stable position on the water phase of the shaft, as it is without contact with the fixedly installed devices for in- and outlet. The bottom of the water distributing basin is formed so that it can compensate hydrologically for slantingly installed inlets, which takes place when the distribution shaft becomes subject to greater angle deviations. Thus, preferably the basin bottom has a downward concave shape. Also, the bottom of the distribution shaft is formed so that it creates an evenly distributed “splash-effect”, resulting in an improved effect of infiltration pipes and ditches. This distribution shaft with its floating body compensates for as much as 15 degrees of angle deviation of the shaft or tank in all direction.
The invention will be explained more closely in the following description with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1591453 (1926-07-01), Heermans
patent: 1875544 (1932-09-01), Alphonso
patent: 2193696 (1940-03-01), Ramsaur
patent: 2518292 (1950-08-01), De Anglis
patent: 3776269 (1973-12-01), Watts
patent: 4015629 (1977-04-01), Morgan et al.
patent: 4094338 (1978-06-01), Bauer
patent: 4302338 (1981-11-01), Pfohl et al.
patent: 4505297 (1985-03-01), Leech, III et al.
patent: 5107892 (1992-04-01), Plachy
patent: 5241867 (1993-09-01), Cohen et al.
patent: 5407091 (1995-04-01), Wallis
patent: 431006 (1994-04-01), None
patent: 2297769 (1996-08-01), None
patent: 151051 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 176976 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 461407 (1990-02-01), None
Cleanpipe AS
Rivell John
Rothwell Figg Ernst & Manbeck
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