Hydraulic and earth engineering – Subterranean or submarine pipe or cable laying – retrieving,... – With protection or indication of pipe or trench
Patent
1982-09-23
1984-12-04
Taylor, Dennis L.
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Subterranean or submarine pipe or cable laying, retrieving,...
With protection or indication of pipe or trench
52 20, 98119, 137846, 404 25, 405154, 405118, E03B 504
Patent
active
044861222
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and a device for reducing the risk of freezing of surface-water pipe-line systems which include a plurality of drains and other inlets, such as street drains, menholes, inlets from terrace and roof gutters, etc.
In regions of extreme cold the rain-water drains often freeze, resulting in great expense in thawing of the drains, and creating difficulties and costs as a result of flooding due, for example, to the melting of large quantities of snow. Freezing does not only occur in the actual intake of the drain, but also lower down in the pipe at a level which is normally considered free from frost. Various methods have been tried in an attempt to facilitate thawing of frozen pipes, one method being to provide the pipes with electric heating cables. This does not solve the basic problem of freezing, however, but merely simplifies thawing of the pipes when they are frozen.
The present invention is based on research in the causes of such freezing problems, and to provide means for eliminating or reducing these causes.
The present invention is based on the knowledge that a surface-water pipe-line system is normally so dimensioned that only a minor part of the total capacity is utilised under normal conditions. Drains and pipes forming part of a pipe-line system form a communicating system which permits air to pass freely between the various open connecting locations of the system. Large volumes of air can be carried in such a system, among other things because different drains lie at different levels. Moreover, certain inlets, for example terrace and roof gutters, can be connected to the system via drainpipes incorporated in heated buildings. At low ambient temperatures, for example, this gives rise to a marked chimney effect, causing cold air to be drawn into the system through the lowermost drains and to pass out through the highest drains. Strong air currents are also created by the pressure differences during a strong wind between the drains located on the windward side and those located on the leeward side of, for example, a large building.
During the wintertime, these air currents cause large volumes of very cold ground air to be drawn down into the pipe-line system, causing drains and adjacent pipe networks to quickly freeze-up, even at levels which are normally considered frost free, resulting in ice plugs, frost lift and other damage.
Thus, the invention is based on the understanding that freezing of surface-water systems is caused to a large extent by the cold ambient air drawn down into the system as a result of the strong air currents liable to occur in the system, as explained in the aforegoing. The problems created by air-flows through the pipe system could be solved by using known surface-water drains provided with water seals or traps, said seals either being incorporated in the drain or separate therefrom. In those regions which experience the problem of freezing according to the aforegoing it is not possible, however, to utilise a water seal or the like, since the seal would freeze.
As previously mentioned, a surface-water pipeline system must be excessively dimensioned relative to the normal quantities of surface water, and in principle constitute a communicating system within a restricted take-up area. Consequently, it is not possible to cut-off the airflow completely without endangering the function of the system.
The solution afforded by the present invention restricts the freedom to which the air can move freely in the pipe-line system to values which can be accepted in relation to the climate, without encroaching on the requirement for full water transportation
Accordingly, the invention is characterized by arranging means for preventing or reducing the flow of air in at least one of the drains and other inlets through which the flow of air would otherwise be excessive, said means being arranged so as to permit water to flow therethrough without any appreciable gathering of the water.
A preferred embodiment is characterized in that said means inclu
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Arntyr Oscar S.
Engstrom Thord I.
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