WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CH2023001061
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CH · CH
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-09-25
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing drainage systems for engineering structures, particularly motorway bridges, suffer from direct water runoff onto exterior concrete walls, which can be corrosive due to chloride-based salts, and lack robustness and ease of implementation.
A water evacuation device comprising a tubular element with a conical outer surface and a compressible annular locking element, secured by a retaining ring, to be inserted into drainage pipes, ensuring water is evacuated at a distance from the exterior wall, with seals and optional removable tubes for direction control.
The device effectively prevents direct water runoff onto exterior walls, maintains secure attachment, and is cost-effective with easy installation, enhancing durability and maintenance flexibility.
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a water evacuation device for draining civil engineering structures, in particular motorway bridges. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] The evacuation of roadway and runoff water for the purpose of draining and drying out civil engineering structures is the subject of particular attention, particularly in Switzerland. Guidelines are established in this regard by the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). It is therefore customary to equip concrete motorway bridges with drainage pipes for water evacuation. Roadway and runoff water are collected at various points on the civil engineering structure and conveyed via drainage pipes to specific evacuation points where the water is evacuated by runoff. Drainage pipes are typically made of polyethylene (PE) tubes which open out at the periphery of the civil engineering structure, flush with or close to the external concrete wall.During the winter period, the water is typically laden with de-icing agents (in particular chloride-based salts) intended to delay the formation of ice on the roadway, which de-icing agents give the water a particularly corrosive and potentially harmful character for the structure.
[0003] It is also customary, when pouring concrete, to regularly place spacers inside the formwork, which are typically made of sections of tubes, for example polyethylene (PE), which remain in the concrete structure. These formwork spacers are normally closed by plugs, but can where appropriate be used to serve as drainage pipes for the purpose of evacuating water likely to accumulate in the concrete structure.
[0004] It is desirable that the water be evacuated from the drainage pipes at a distance from the concrete exterior wall in order to limit, or even avoid, the runoff of water directly onto the exterior wall of the structure. There remains a need to propose such a solution which is particularly robust in use and easy to implement. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A general aim of the present invention is to propose a water evacuation device for the drainage of engineering structures, in particular motorway bridges, which overcomes the drawbacks and limitations of the solutions of the state of the art.
[0006] In particular, an aim of the present invention is to propose such a solution which limits, or even prevents, the runoff of water directly onto the concrete exterior wall of the structure and ensures that it flows out at a sufficient distance from this exterior wall.
[0007] Another aim of the invention is to propose such a solution which is relatively inexpensive to produce and is also robust in use.
[0008] Yet another aim of the present invention is to propose such a solution which ensures adequate holding of the water evacuation device at the end of the drainage pipe, and in particular avoids unexpected disengagement of the evacuation device from said end.
[0009] The present invention meets at least in part these aims by proposing a water evacuation device for draining civil engineering structures, in particular motorway bridges, the characteristics of which are listed in claim 1, namely such a water evacuation device comprising a tubular element designed to be partially inserted inside an opening end of a drainage pipe of a civil engineering structure, which tubular element has a coupling section intended to be inserted inside the opening end of the drainage pipe and an outlet section intended to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the opening end of the drainage pipe. According to the invention, the tubular element has a middle section, between the coupling section and the outlet section, having a substantially conical outer surface whose outer diameter is smallest near the outlet section.The water evacuation device further comprises a compressible annular locking element arranged around the middle section of the tubular element and intended to be interposed between the substantially conical outer surface of the middle section and an inner circumference of the outlet end of the drainage pipe in order to ensure longitudinal locking of the water evacuation device on the outlet end of the drainage pipe. The water evacuation device further comprises a retaining ring arranged around the tubular element, downstream of the annular locking element, and intended to bear axially against the outlet end of the drainage pipe, which retaining ring is arranged so as to prevent axial movement of the annular locking element in the direction of the outlet section of the tubular element.
[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the annular locking element is an O-ring preferably having a hardness of at least 70 Shores, which O-ring is arranged so as to be compressed between the substantially conical outer surface of the middle section and the inner circumference of the opening end of the drainage pipe. The annular locking element is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR), also called "nitrile rubber", namely an elastomer material based on butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer.
[0011] The retaining ring is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, in particular a polymer material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
[0012] According to an alternative embodiment, the device further comprises an outer elastic ring ensuring axial retention of the retaining ring. This outer elastic ring is preferably made up of a radially mounted circlip inserted around a neck of the tubular element, at a downstream end of the middle section of the tubular element.
[0013] Alternatively, the outlet section may be a removable section comprising a first portion, integral with the middle section, and a second portion, selectively detachable from the first portion, in which case the device further comprises a retaining element capable of being made integral with the first portion of the outlet section in order to ensure axial retention of the retaining ring. This retaining element may in particular be a flanged nut capable of being made integral with the first portion of the outlet section by screwing onto a threaded portion provided on the first portion of the outlet section.In this latter context, the first and second portions of the outlet section may in particular be joined by means of a sliding nut mounted on the second portion of the outlet section and capable of cooperating with the threaded portion provided on the first portion of the outlet section, a seal preferably being interposed between the first and second portions of the outlet section.
[0014] Advantageously, the device further comprises a shim interposed between the annular locking element and the retaining ring. This shim may in particular be a quadrilobe seal preferably having a hardness of 90 Shores or a tubular sleeve. This shim is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR) or Teflon.
[0015] Preferably, the device further comprises a removable tube held by the outlet section of the tubular element and projecting axially beyond the outlet section of the tubular element. This removable tube may in particular be made of stainless steel.
[0016] The device may further comprise an adapter elbow interposed between the outlet section of the tubular element and the removable tube.
[0017] According to an alternative embodiment, the outlet section of the tubular element is provided with at least one internal groove each receiving a sealing gasket ensuring sealing between the removable tube and the outlet section of the tubular element.
[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, the coupling section of the tubular element is likewise provided with at least one external groove each receiving a sealing gasket ensuring sealing between the coupling section of the tubular element and the internal circumference of the opening end of the drainage pipe.
[0019] According to an alternative embodiment, the water evacuation device may further comprise at least one sealing joint arranged immediately downstream of the annular locking element in order to ensure sealing between the tubular element and the internal circumference of the opening end of the drainage pipe.
[0020] The aforementioned sealing gasket(s) may in particular be made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR) or a fluorinated elastomer material (FKM), also called “fluorinated rubber”, namely a fluorocarbon-based elastomer material.
[0021] Particularly advantageously, a sharp-angled bore may be made at the inlet of the coupling section in order to allow the removal of residues possibly present on the internal circumference of the opening end of the drainage pipe during insertion of the tubular element inside the opening end of the drainage pipe. This sharp-angled bore may in particular have the shape of a chamfer, for example at 45°, made at the inlet of the coupling section.
[0022] The tubular element can in particular be made of stainless steel.
[0023] Other aspects of the invention are set out in the remainder of this description. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are presented solely as non-limiting examples and are illustrated by the appended drawings where: – Figure 1A is a schematic view of a part of a drainage pipe equipping a work of art; – Figure 1B is a schematic view of the drainage pipe of Figure 1A equipped with a water evacuation device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; – Figure 2 is a perspective view of the water evacuation device of Figure 1B; – Figure 3A is a perspective view of the water evacuation device of Figure 2 without its removable tube normally held by an outlet section of a tubular element constituting said water evacuation device;– Figure 3B is a side view of the water evacuation device without its removable tube as shown in Figure 3A; – Figure 3C is a longitudinal sectional view of the water evacuation device without its removable tube as shown in Figures 3A and 3B; – Figure 4A is a photographic illustration of the water evacuation device according to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1A-B to 3A-C, shown on the left, arranged next to a larger water evacuation device, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown on the right; – Figure 4B is a photographic illustration of the water evacuation device according to the alternative embodiment of Figure 4B, shown in a configuration where the outlet section of the water evacuation device is partially disassembled;– Figure 4C is a photographic illustration of the disassembled portion of the water discharge device of Figures 4A and 4B, including the coupling section and the mid-section of the water discharge device; – Figure 4D is a photographic illustration of the water discharge device of Figures 4A to 4C where the outlet section of the water discharge device is alternatively without the adapter elbow visible in Figures 4A and 4B and where the straight removable tube is attached directly to the outlet section of the tubular element of the water discharge device; – Figure 5A is a photographic illustration of the water discharge device of Figure 4D viewed from the coupling section side; and – Figure 5B is a photographic illustration of the water discharge device of Figure 5B showing an enlarged view of a sharp-angled bore which is preferably made at the inlet of the coupling section.; MODES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention will be described with reference to various preferred embodiments as illustrated in particular by Figures 1A-B to 3A-C and 4A-D to 5A-B.
[0026] Figure 1A is a very schematic view of a part of a drainage pipe, designated by the reference numeral 1500, equipping a civil engineering structure, such as a motorway bridge, designated by the reference numeral 1000. This drainage pipe 1500 is conventionally produced in the form of a polyethylene (PE) tube, with an internal diameter of the order of 20 to 25 mm, one end (or “outlet end”) 1500A of which opens out at the periphery of the civil engineering structure 1000 in order to allow evacuation of roadway and runoff water into or towards a dedicated collection zone.
[0027] In the example illustrated, the drainage pipe 1500 may in particular consist of a section of tube conventionally forming a formwork spacer used during the pouring of the concrete and which remains in the civil engineering structure 1000, as mentioned in the preamble. Thanks to the invention, this formwork spacer can advantageously be used as a drainage pipe 1500, it being understood that the closure elements conventionally placed at each end of the formwork spacer are removed in order to allow the water to flow away.
[0028] Figure 1B shows the emerging end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 equipped with a water evacuation device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, designated overall by the reference numeral 100, which is shown in isolation in Figure 2. In the example illustrated, the device 100 essentially comprises a tubular element 200 which is partially inserted inside the emerging end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 (and retained axially in the latter as explained below), as well as a removable tube 500 held at a downstream end, 250, of the tubular element 200 so as to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the emerging end 1500A. In the example illustrated, the removable tube 500 has a total length of around 150 mm, but other lengths are perfectly possible.The removable tube 500 is not necessarily straight and may, if necessary, be bent or have any other desired geometry in order to direct the flow of water in any desired direction. An adapter elbow may also optionally be interposed between the outlet of the tubular element 200 and the removable tube 500. The tube 500 is removable in the sense that it can be removed from the tubular element 200 which, once mounted on the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, is retained axially in this drainage pipe 1500. The removable tube 500 can thus be removed, without affecting or impacting the retention of the tubular element 200 at the end of the drainage pipe 1500, in particular for maintenance purposes or in order to be exchanged as needed.
[0029] Preferably, the tubular element 200 and the removable tube 500 are made of stainless steel, but other materials could possibly be considered, in particular materials having good resistance to corrosion.
[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the use of a removable tube could be dispensed with and the tubular element 200 could be made so as to itself have an extension allowing the evacuation of water at a distance from the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. The illustrated configuration is preferably adopted insofar as it offers advantages with regard in particular to the increased ease of maintenance and the capacity to adapt the direction of water flow according to requirements.
[0031] As illustrated in Figures 1B and 2, as well as in Figures 3A to 3C, the tubular element 200 has a coupling section 210 intended to be inserted inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 (as illustrated in Figure 1B) and an outlet section 250 intended to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, namely via the removable tube 500. Between the coupling section 210 and the outlet section 250 is arranged a middle section 230, which has a substantially conical outer surface 230A (see in particular Figure 3C) whose outer diameter is the smallest near the outlet section 250, namely here at a portion 230B forming a neck.
[0032] In the example illustrated, the substantially conical outer surface 230A has an outer diameter of approximately 22 mm on its upstream portion, at the junction with the coupling section 210, and an outer diameter of approximately 15 mm on its downstream portion, at the neck 230B. The angle formed by the outer surface 230A relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 200 is here of the order of 15°, the outer surface 230A extending over an axial distance of a little more than 13 mm. It is of course understood that these dimensions are mentioned for purely illustrative purposes and are not as such limiting.
[0033] The casting section 210 here comprises a portion of essentially cylindrical shape whose external diameter corresponds substantially to the internal diameter of the emerging end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, namely around twenty millimeters in this case. In the example illustrated, the portion of essentially cylindrical shape of the casting section 210 is provided with two external grooves 210A each receiving a seal 210B ensuring the seal between the coupling section 210 of the tubular element 200 and the internal circumference of the emerging end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.
[0034] Similarly, in the example illustrated, the outlet section 250 comprises a portion of essentially cylindrical shape whose internal diameter corresponds substantially to the external diameter of the removable tube 500 (namely around fifteen millimeters in this case) and which is provided with an internal groove 250A (visible in Figures 3A and 3C) receiving a seal 250B ensuring the seal between the removable tube 500 and the outlet section 250 of the tubular element 200.
[0035] The sealing gaskets 210B, 250B are made of any suitable material to ensure the desired seal. In particular, use may be made of O-rings made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR), namely an elastomer material based on butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, or a fluorinated elastomer material (FKM), namely an elastomer material based on fluorocarbon. A combination of O-rings of various types (for example a nitrile elastomer seal and a fluorinated elastomer seal) is not excluded.
[0036] It will be understood that the number and / or type of seals, as well as the arrangement of the associated grooves, may vary and that the configuration shown in the Figures is merely illustrative of the preferred embodiment considered.
[0037] Adequate axial retention of the tubular element 200, and therefore of the evacuation device 100, at the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 is ensured thanks in particular to the middle section 230 of the tubular element 200 and to the use of a compressible annular locking element 300, which is arranged around the middle section 230 of the tubular element 200 so as to be interposed between the substantially conical outer surface 230A of the middle section 230 and the inner circumference of the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. More specifically, the device 100 further comprises a retaining ring 400 which is arranged around the tubular element 200, as illustrated, downstream of the annular locking element 300, so as to come into contact with the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. axial against the outlet end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, as illustrated in Figure 1B.This retaining ring 400 is arranged so as to prevent axial displacement of the annular locking element 300 towards the outlet section 250 of the tubular element 200.
[0038] It will be understood that the configuration set out above allows the insertion of the tubular element 200 inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, insertion which is not hindered due to the compressible nature of the annular locking element 300 which deforms under the effect of the insertion. Once inserted a good distance inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, retaining ring 400 bearing against the opening end 1500A, any axial traction, in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion, has the effect of compressing the annular locking element 300 between the substantially conical outer surface 230A of the middle section 230 and the inner circumference of the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, opposing this axial traction.Adequate sizing of the upstream portion of the substantially conical outer surface 230A and of the annular locking element 300 ensures sufficient strength to prevent any inadvertent dislodgement of the discharge device 100 from the end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.
[0039] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the annular locking element 300 is advantageously constituted by an O-ring, which O-ring is arranged so as to be compressed between the substantially conical outer surface 230A of the middle section 230 and the inner circumference of the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. This O-ring is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR), but other materials could be used if necessary. In the example illustrated, the annular locking element 300 is constituted by an O-ring according to the international standard DIN 3771 having a nominal internal diameter (ID) of 18 mm and a cross-section (CS) of 2.65 mm, these dimensions being again mentioned for illustrative purposes.
[0040] The retaining ring 400 is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, in particular a polymer material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This retaining ring 400 is itself retained axially by an external elastic ring 450. In the example illustrated, it is advantageously a radially mounted circlip inserted around the neck 230B of the tubular element 200, at the downstream end of the middle section 230 of the tubular element 200. It will be understood that this circlip 450 is here inserted radially, once the tubular element 200 is inserted at a good distance inside the drainage pipe 1500 and so that the retaining ring 400 is placed against the emerging end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.
[0041] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the water evacuation device 100 further advantageously comprises a shim 350 which is interposed between the annular locking element 300 and the retaining ring 400, as illustrated in Figures 3B and 3C. In the illustrated example, this shim 350 is made of a quadrilobe seal, or X-seal, namely a seal having the particularity of having an “X”-shaped cross-section. Like the O-ring forming the annular locking element 300, the quadrilobe seal is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR), although other materials may be considered. In the illustrated example, the shim 350 is made of a quadrilobe seal having a nominal internal diameter (ID) of 16 mm and a cross-section (CS) of 3 mm, these dimensions being again mentioned for illustrative purposes.
[0042] It will be understood that the quadrilobe seal acting as a wedge 350 constrains the annular locking element 300 in a substantially determined axial position relative to the substantially conical outer surface 230A of the middle section 230, thus ensuring that the annular locking element 300 is correctly arranged in order to ensure the desired longitudinal locking function of the water evacuation device 100 on the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.
[0043] Failing to specifically use a shim 350, as illustrated, one could alternatively envisage configuring the retaining ring 400 so as to itself have an axial projection acting as a shim in order to axially position the annular locking element 300.
[0044] By way of illustration, the O-ring forming the annular locking element 300 and the quadrilobe seal forming the wedge 350 preferably have a hardness of 70 Shores and 90 Shores, respectively. The tests carried out by the Applicant made it possible to verify and validate perfectly adequate axial strength on polyethylene (PE) tubes from which drainage pipes are typically made.
[0045] An alternative embodiment of the water evacuation device according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 4A-D and 5A-B.
[0046] Figure 4A is a photographic illustration showing two alternative embodiments of the water evacuation device according to the invention. The device shown on the left in Figure 4A is substantially in accordance with the embodiment of the water evacuation device previously described with reference to Figures 1A-B to 3A-C and is generally designated by the same reference numeral 100. The reference numerals 200, 210, 230, 250, 300, 350 and 500 in Figure 4A designate in this regard the same elements already described with reference to Figures 1A-B to 3A-C. The device shown on the right in Figure 4A, generally designated by the reference numeral 100*, illustrates an alternative embodiment of the water evacuation device according to the invention, which has a comparatively larger size than that of the device 100.According to this embodiment variant, the device 100* has in particular the particularity that the outlet section 250* of the tubular element 200* is removable and produced in two parts, as described below.
[0047] The device 100* generally has a configuration similar to the device 100 and thus comprises a tubular element 200* which is capable of being partially inserted inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 (and retained axially in the latter), like the device 100. The device 100* likewise comprises a removable tube 500* held at a downstream end of the tubular element 200* so as to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the opening end 1500A. In the example illustrated in Figure 4A (as well as in Figure 4B), the removable tube 500* is made integral with the outlet section 250* by means of an adapter elbow 255*, thus advantageously making it possible to direct the evacuation of water in a desired direction. As illustrated in Figure 4D, the removable tube 500* can however be made integral directly with the outlet section 250*.The considerations already mentioned above regarding the removable tube 500 are moreover applicable by analogy to the removable tube 500*.
[0048] Preferably, the tubular element 200* and the removable tube 500* are also made of stainless steel, but other materials could again be considered, in particular materials having good resistance to corrosion.
[0049] Like the first embodiment described above, the tubular element 200* has a coupling section 210* intended to be inserted inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 (like what is illustrated in Figure 1B) and an outlet section 250* intended to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, namely via the removable tube 500*. Between the coupling section 210* and the outlet section 250* is arranged a middle section 230*, which has a substantially conical outer surface 230A* (see in particular Figures 4C and 4D) whose outer diameter is the smallest near the outlet section 250*.
[0050] In the illustrated example, the substantially conical outer surface 230A* has an outer diameter of approximately 29 mm on its upstream portion, at the junction with the coupling section 210*, and an outer diameter of approximately 26 mm on its downstream portion. The angle formed by the outer surface 230A* with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 200* is here of the order of 20°, the outer surface 230A* extending over an axial distance of a little more than 4 mm in the illustrated example. It is of course understood that these dimensions are again mentioned for purely illustrative purposes and are not as such limiting.
[0051] Adequate axial retention of the tubular element 200*, and therefore of the evacuation device 100*, at the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 is ensured thanks in particular to the middle section 230* of the tubular element 200* and to the use of a compressible annular locking element 300*, which is arranged around the middle section 230* of the tubular element 200* so as to be interposed between the substantially conical outer surface 230A* of the middle section 230* and the inner circumference of the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, as already described.Like the first embodiment, the device 100* further comprises a retaining ring 400* which is arranged around the tubular element 200*, as illustrated, downstream of the annular locking element 300*, so as to come into axial abutment against the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, like what is illustrated in Figure 1B. This retaining ring 400* is arranged so as to prevent axial displacement of the annular locking element 300* in the direction of the outlet section 250* of the tubular element 200*.
[0052] In this alternative embodiment, the annular locking element 300* is again advantageously constituted by at least one O-ring, which O-ring is arranged so as to be compressed between the substantially conical outer surface 230A* of the middle section 230* and the inner circumference of the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. This O-ring is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR), but other materials could be used if necessary. In the example illustrated, the annular locking element 300* is constituted by several O-rings according to the international standard DIN 3771 each having a nominal internal diameter (ID) of the order of 28 mm and a cross-section (CS) of the order of 2 mm, these dimensions being again mentioned for illustrative purposes.
[0053] The retaining ring 400* is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, in particular a polymer material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This retaining ring 400* is itself retained axially by a retaining element 450*. In the example illustrated, it is advantageously a flanged nut 450* which is screwed onto a first portion 251*, provided with a thread 450a*, of the outlet section 250* which is here removable and made in two parts 251*, 252* separable from each other as illustrated by Figures 4B and 4C. It will be understood that this flange nut 450* is here screwed onto the first portion 251*, before joining the two portions 251*, 252*, and can be tightened, once the tubular element 200* is inserted at a good distance inside the drainage pipe 1500 and so that the retaining ring 400* is placed against the emerging end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.
[0054] More specifically, in this variant embodiment, it will therefore be understood that the outlet section 250* of the tubular element 200* is a removable section comprising a first portion 251*, integral with the middle section 230*, and a second portion 252*, selectively detachable from the first portion 251*. The retaining element 450* is thus capable of being made integral with the first portion 251* of the outlet section 250* in order to ensure axial retention of the retaining ring 400*, as illustrated. In the exemplary embodiment, the flanged nut 450* acting as a retaining element is thus capable of being made integral with the first portion 251* by screwing onto the threaded portion 450a* provided on the first portion 251* of the outlet section 250*, as illustrated in particular in Figures 4B and 4C.
[0055] It may also be noted that the first and second portions 251*, 252* of the outlet section 250* are advantageously joined by means of a sliding nut 460* mounted on the second portion 252* of the outlet section 250* and capable of cooperating with the threaded portion 450a* provided on the first portion 251* of the outlet section 250*. A seal 465*, visible in Figure 4B, is also preferably interposed between the first and second portions 251*, 252* of the outlet section 250*.
[0056] According to the illustrated embodiment variant, the water evacuation device 100* further advantageously comprises a shim 350* taking the form of a tubular sleeve, for example made of Teflon, which is interposed between the annular locking element 300* and the retaining ring 400*, as illustrated in Figures 4A to 4D. In the illustrated example, the shim 350* consists of a tubular sleeve having an axial length of the order of 20 mm, these dimensions being again mentioned for illustrative purposes.
[0057] It will again be understood that the tubular sleeve acting as a wedge 350* constrains the annular locking element 300* in a substantially determined axial position relative to the substantially conical outer surface 230A* of the middle section 230*, thus ensuring that the annular locking element 300 is correctly arranged in order to ensure the desired longitudinal locking function of the water evacuation device 100* on the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.
[0058] Figures 5A-B illustrate a further refinement of the water evacuation device 100* according to a preferred variant of the invention. As highlighted in Figures 5A-B, a sharp-angled bore 215* is advantageously provided at the inlet of the coupling section 210* in order to allow the removal of residues possibly present on the internal circumference of the outlet end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500, such as bituminous residues or other residues likely to be deposited and adhere to the surface of the internal circumference of the outlet end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. In this regard, the inlet of the coupling section 210* ideally has a sufficient sharpness to act as a reamer, the sharp-angled bore 215* acting as a cutting or scraping tool when inserting the drainage device 100* inside the outlet end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500.This sharp-angled bore 215* preferably has the shape of a chamfer, for example at 45°, made at the inlet of the coupling section 210*, so as to detach any residues during the insertion of the coupling section 210* inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 and direct them towards the central part of the tubular element 200* in order to be evacuated with the runoff water. It will thus be understood that the sharp-angled bore 215* makes it possible both to clean the surface of the internal circumference of the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 of any residues that may be present in order to guarantee good sealing and to ensure that these residues do not obstruct the drainage device 100*.
[0059] It can also be seen in Figures 5A-B that a set of seals 310* are arranged immediately downstream of the annular locking element 300*. This may for example be an alternation of O-rings and quadrilobe seals, like the arrangement of the seals 300 and 350 in Figures 3B and 3C, (or any other suitable sealing element) intended to ensure a seal at the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500. In this regard, it is therefore possible to dispense with the use of external grooves made on the coupling section 210* (unlike the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1B to 3A-C) and configure the coupling section 210* so that it has a substantially cylindrical outer circumference as illustrated. These 310* seals can also be made from a nitrile elastomer material (NBR) or a fluorinated elastomer material (FKM).
[0060] It will be generally understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.
[0061] In particular, as already mentioned, the use of the removable tube 500, resp. 500* is particularly preferred, but is not as such limiting.
[0062] Furthermore, it will be understood that any type of suitable materials may be used for producing the various components of the water evacuation device according to the invention and that the materials mentioned above must be understood as preferred materials, but which do not specifically limit the scope of the invention.
[0063] Furthermore, it should be understood that the use of one or more O-rings as an annular locking element constitutes a preferred variant of the invention, but that other compressible annular locking elements could be envisaged, such as tubular rings or sleeves having at least partially the capacity to be compressed between the substantially conical outer surface of the middle section of the tubular element and the inner circumference of the opening end of the drainage pipe.
[0064] Finally, other solutions could be envisaged with regard to the axial retention of the retaining ring 400, the use of a radially mounted circlip 450, as described above, mounted directly on the neck 230B of the tubular element 200, remaining a particularly robust and simple solution to implement. The same applies with regard to the axial retention of the retaining ring 400*, the use of a flanged nut 450* capable of being screwed onto the threaded portion 450a* provided on the first portion 251* of the outlet section 250* likewise remaining a particularly robust and simple solution to implement. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS USED IN THIS DESCRIPTION AND IN THE DRAWINGS
[0065] 100 water evacuation device for draining civil engineering works 100* water evacuation device for draining civil engineering works (alternative embodiment) 200 tubular element of the device 100 (e.g. made of stainless steel) 200* tubular element of the device 100* (e.g. made of stainless steel - alternative embodiment) 210 coupling section of the tubular element 200 intended to be inserted inside the opening end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 210A external grooves made on the coupling section 210 210B sealing joints (e.g.O-rings made of nitrile / NBR or fluorinated / FKM elastomer) 210* coupling section of the tubular element 200* intended to be inserted inside the outlet end 1500A of the drainage pipe 1500 (alternative embodiment) 215* sharp-angled bore made at the inlet of the coupling section 210* 230 middle section of the tubular element 200 230A substantially conical outer surface of the middle section 230 230B neck of the tubular element 200 (downstream end of the middle section 230) 230* middle section of the tubular element 200* (alternative embodiment) 230A* substantially conical outer surface of the middle section 230* 250 outlet section of the tubular element 200 intended to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the end through 1500A 250A inner groove made on the coupling section 210 250B seal (eg.nitrile / NBR elastomer O-ring) 250* removable outlet section of the tubular element 200* intended to allow the evacuation of water away from the opening end 1500A (alternative embodiment) 251* first portion (upstream portion) of the outlet section 250* secured to the middle section 230* 252* second portion (downstream portion) of the outlet section 250* capable of receiving the adapter elbow 255* or the removable tube 500* 255* adapter elbow for connecting the removable tube 500* to the outlet section 250* 300 compressible annular locking element (e.g. O-ring(s)) 300* compressible annular locking element (e.g. O-ring(s)) 310* sealing gasket(s) arranged immediately downstream of the annular locking element 300* 350 wedge interposed between the annular locking element 300 and the retaining ring 400 (eg.quadrilobe seal made of nitrile elastomer / NBR) 350* shim interposed between the annular locking element 300* and the retaining ring 400* (e.g. tubular Teflon sleeve) 400 retaining ring (e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene / PTFE ring) 400* retaining ring (e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene / PTFE ring) 450 axial retaining element of the retaining ring 400 / outer elastic ring for axial retention of the retaining ring 400 (e.g.radially mounted circlip) 450* axial retaining element of the retaining ring 400* / flanged nut screwed onto the threaded portion 450a* for the axial retention of the retaining ring 400* 450a* threaded portion formed on the first portion 251* of the outlet section 250* 460* sliding nut mounted on the second portion 252* and designed to cooperate with the threaded portion 450a* in order to ensure the junction of the first and second portions 251*, 252* of the outlet section 250* 465* sealing gasket interposed between the first and second portions 251*, 252* of the outlet section 250* 500 removable tube (e.g. stainless steel) held by the outlet section 250 of the tubular element 200 500* removable tube (e.g.stainless steel) held by the outlet section 250* of the tubular element 200* optionally via the adapter elbow 255* 1000 civil engineering structure (e.g. motorway bridge) 1500 drainage pipe of the civil engineering structure 1000 1500A outlet end of the drainage pipe 1500 for the evacuation of roadway and runoff water.
Claims
1. Water evacuation device (100; 100*) for draining civil engineering structures, in particular motorway bridges, comprising a tubular element (200; 200*) designed to be partially inserted inside an opening end (1500A) of a drainage pipe (1500) of a civil engineering structure (1000), which tubular element (200; 200*) has a coupling section (210; 210*) intended to be inserted inside the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500) and an outlet section (250; 250*) intended to allow the evacuation of water at a distance from the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500), characterized in that the tubular element (200; 200*) has a middle section (230; 230*), between the coupling section (210; 210*) and the outlet section (250; 250*), having a substantially conical outer surface (230A; 230A*) whose outer diameter is smallest near the outlet section (250;250*), in that the water evacuation device (100; 100*) further comprises a compressible annular locking element (300; 300*), arranged around the middle section (230; 230*) of the tubular element (200; 200*) and intended to be interposed between the substantially conical outer surface (230A; 230A*) of the middle section (230; 230*) and an inner circumference of the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500) in order to ensure longitudinal locking of the water evacuation device (100; 100*) on the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500), and in that the water evacuation device (100; 100*) further comprises a retaining ring (400; 400*) arranged around the tubular element (200; 200*), downstream of the annular locking element (300; 300*), and intended to come into axial support against the emerging end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500), which retaining ring (400;400*) is arranged so as to prevent axial displacement of the annular locking element (300; 300*) towards the outlet section (250; 250*) of the tubular element (200; 200*).; 2. Device (100; 100*) according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular locking element (300; 300*) is an O-ring preferably having a hardness of at least 70 Shores, which O-ring is arranged so as to be compressed between the substantially conical outer surface (230A; 230A*) of the middle section (230; 230*) and the inner circumference of the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500), and in that the annular locking element (300; 300*) is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR).
3. Device (100; 100*) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining ring (400; 400*) is made of an elastically deformable material, in particular a polymer material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
4. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an outer elastic ring (450) ensuring axial retention of the retaining ring (400), the outer elastic ring (450) preferably consisting of a radially mounted circlip inserted around a neck (230B) of the tubular element (200), at a downstream end of the middle section (230) of the tubular element (200).
5. Device (100*) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outlet section (250*) is a removable section comprising a first portion (251*), integral with the middle section (230*), and a second portion (252*), selectively detachable from the first portion (251*), and in that the device (100*) further comprises a retaining element (450*) capable of being made integral with the first portion (251*) of the outlet section (250*) in order to ensure axial retention of the retaining ring (400*).
6. Device (100*) according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining element (450*) is a flanged nut capable of being made integral with the first portion (251*) of the outlet section (250*) by screwing onto a threaded portion (450a*) provided on the first portion (251*) of the outlet section (250*).
7. Device (100*) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first and second portions (251*, 252*) of the outlet section (250*) are joined by means of a sliding nut (460*) mounted on the second portion (252*) of the outlet section (250*) and capable of cooperating with the threaded portion (450a*) provided on the first portion (251*) of the outlet section (250*), and in that a seal (465*) is preferably interposed between the first and second portions (251*, 252*) of the outlet section (250*).
8. Device (100; 100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a shim (350; 350*) interposed between the annular locking element (300; 300*) and the retaining ring (400; 400*), in that the shim (350; 350*) is in particular a quadrilobe seal preferably having a hardness of 90 Shores or a tubular sleeve, and in that the shim (350; 350*) is preferably made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR) or Teflon.
9. Device (100; 100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a removable tube (500; 500*) held by the outlet section (250; 250*) of the tubular element (200; 200*) and projecting axially beyond the outlet section (250; 250*) of the tubular element (200; 200*), which removable tube (500; 500*) is preferably made of stainless steel.
10. Device (100*) according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises an adapter elbow (255*) interposed between the outlet section (250*) of the tubular element (200*) and the removable tube (500*).
11. Device (100; 100*) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the outlet section (250; 250*) of the tubular element (200; 200*) is provided with at least one internal groove (250A) each receiving a seal (250B) ensuring sealing between the removable tube (500; 500*) and the outlet section (250; 250*) of the tubular element (200; 200*).
12. Device (100; 100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling section (210; 210*) of the tubular element (200; 200*) is provided with at least one external groove (210A) each receiving a seal (210B) ensuring sealing between the coupling section (210; 210*) of the tubular element (200; 200*) and the internal circumference of the emerging end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500).
13. Device (100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized that it further comprises at least one seal (310*) arranged immediately downstream of the annular locking element (300*) in order to ensure sealing between the tubular element (200*) and the internal circumference of the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500).
14. Device (100; 100*) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the sealing gasket(s) (210B, 250B; 310*) are made of a nitrile elastomer material (NBR) or a fluorinated elastomer material (FKM).
15. Device (100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sharp-angled bore (215*) is made at the inlet of the coupling section (210*) in order to allow the removal of residues possibly present on the internal circumference of the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500) during the insertion of the tubular element (200*) inside the opening end (1500A) of the drainage pipe (1500), and in that the sharp-angled bore (215*) preferably has the shape of a chamfer, for example at 45°, made at the inlet of the coupling section (210*).
16. Device (100; 100*) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular element (200; 200*) is made of stainless steel.