Pipes and tubular conduits – Plural duct – Longitudinally extending common wall
Utility Patent
1999-04-12
2001-01-02
Kashnikow, Andres (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
Plural duct
Longitudinally extending common wall
C405S149000, C405S154100
Utility Patent
active
06167916
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to the area of civil engineering and, more particularly, to a multi-use conduit system for the protection and integrated transmission or movement of various utilities, information or services whether solids, liquid, gas, fiber optic, magnetic, or electronic in nature. The same has particular application for location beneath transportation corridors and open space.
2. Description of Related Art
To the knowledge of the within inventors there has not existed in the prior art a multi-utility conduit system, and certainly has not existed a multi-purpose underground utility conduit system particularly adapted for disposition beneath the transportation corridor and open space. Therefore, to the knowledge of the inventors, the most applicable prior art relates to systems comprising a plurality of integral contiguous channels as, for example, exists in chemical engineering applications where it is desirable to simultaneously discharge or convey to a remote location a plurality of different fluids and gases, each typically hazardous or toxic, within a single integrated containment system. An example of such prior art appears in U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,945 (1988) to Williams, entitled Dual Containment Channel For Fluids. However, with respect to general civil engineering applications, that is, applications in which it is desirable to integrate into a single advantageously located utility conduit, substantially all utility and information services requirements of a community, e.g., electric power cables; drinking water, re-use water and sewer lines, storm water and drainage pipes; natural or synthetic gas lines; telephone, cable television, fiber optic and other communication and data transmission channels; pneumatic tubes; security services; fire services; a low current magnetic conductive track for vehicular propulsion, and storage, maintenance access or transit power equipment for the hybrid multi-use transit corridors, the prior art is entirely silent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose utility conduit system, definable in terms of an x, y, z Cartesian coordinate system, in which the utility conduit is typically symmetric about a yz or vertical plane, and in which an xz plane defines a truss-like structure having optionally removable lateral extremities. The inventive conduit system is proportioned to interface, at its x-axis extremities, with water drainage facilities and, proximal to said yz plane of the symmetry, with water main locations. Along the xy plane, that is, the ground level surface of the conduit system, is provided a layer of roadway material or equivalent thereof such as natural stone, tarmac or pre-manufactured brick, block or composite roadway material capable of supporting pedestrian, bicycle, and small greenway transit trains or service vehicles. Along the yz plane of symmetry is, in each embodiment of the invention, provided a central or primary, that is, large dimension sub-conduit together with smaller laterally (x-axis) disposed smaller sub-conduits within optional selectably attachable lateral extremities of the truss like structure of the conduit are included sub-conduits of smaller xz plane cross section which, thereby, are particularly suitable for use with all utility information and service requirements of a community such as: electric power cables; drinking water, re-use water and sewer lines, storm water drainage pipes; natural or synthetic gas lines; telephones service; cable television, and fiber optic communications and data transmission, pneumatic tubes; security services; fire services; low current magnetic inductive tracks for vehicular propulsion, and storage, maintenance access or transit power equipment for the ergonomic hybrid transit access corridors. The width (x-axis) and depth (z-axis) of the conduit system may be adapted in response to local ground conditions and design criteria, particularly relative to the parameters of the transportation corridor and open space which will typically overlay the conduit. In the y-axis or length dimension of the conduit are provided manhole-type points of access to the primary sub-conduit.
The invention is further definable as a method of housing a plurality of utility services within a single unitary channel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a plurality of utility services within a substantially integral longitudinal conduit having therein a plurality of sub-conduits each corresponding to a utility service or utility service group to be provided; (b) providing, to earth-embedded surfaces of said integral conduit, means for stabilization of said conduit within the earth; and (c) providing, to upwardly directed, non-embedded surfaces of said conduit, a substantially flat surface adapted in surface effect to aesthetically and functionally integrate into a surface environment associated with said conduit.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a conduit system having particular application underneath ergonomic hybrid transit access corridors as part of inner city and community center re-development efforts to effect the integration of all utilities aforementioned and services requirements of a planning region within a single utility delivery system.
It is another object to provide an integrated multi-purpose conduit system to provide, within a common conduit, all utilities, information and services requirement at an underground location which is easily accessible for purposes of service, maintenance and later modification thereof.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a conduit system of the above type which is compatible with, and integrable into, an ergonomic multi-use hybrid transit access corridor right-of-way.
It is a still further object to provide a conduit system of the above type which can be readily manufactured and simply installed at the construction site.
It is a yet further object to provide a conduit system of the above type which is modular and, at the ground level thereof, appears indistinguishable from the surface of a transportation corridor or other surfaces beneath which it is situated.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description of the Invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1987517 (1935-01-01), Porter et al.
patent: 3793793 (1974-02-01), Dobbins
patent: 5092710 (1992-03-01), Matiere
patent: 5507590 (1996-04-01), Argandona
patent: 5761872 (1998-06-01), Sanford et al.
Barr John J.
Gustafson, Jr. Thomas F.
Keller Walter D.
Hwu Davis
Kashnikow Andres
Silverman M. K.
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