Lockable channel cover for plastic channels in tunnel drainage pipe shafts

Abstract

Channel cover for sealing a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized in that the channel cover (1 or 2) ensures a gas-tight closure of the drainage pipes in tunnel structures.

Description

[0001] For precast concrete tunnel drainage pipe shafts with an integrated shaft base made of thermoplastic or injection-molded plastics as a channel, it is advisable and necessary to install a watertight and airtight cover over the channel. Such a cover ensures the maintenance of the microclimate in the tunnel drainage pipes beyond the shafts.

[0002] The invention is based on the problem of sealing the pipeline and the pipe shaft in the sewer system in an airtight and watertight manner.

[0003] This problem is solved by the features listed in claim 1 and further claims.

[0004] The invention relates to a channel cover, e.g., made of plastic, which is detachably pressed onto a support surface in the shaft channel, thereby creating an airtight and watertight seal for the underlying pipe. The support surface for the cover can be arranged at different heights in the channel, whereby at least the pipe cross-section must be ensured for the passage of the drainage water.

[0005] The tunnel drainage pipe shaft is standardized as a rectangular shaft with clear dimensions of 1,000 mm by 600 mm. Exceptions are rectangular shafts with clear dimensions of 1,400 mm by 700 mm.

[0006] Tunnel drainage pipes are designed to keep a tunnel free of pressurized water from the surrounding rock. To achieve this, the groundwater level is lowered to the level of the tunnel floor using drainage pipes. This ensures that the tunnel drainage pipes will last a predicted 100 years. However, sinter deposits in the pipes reduce their performance and must therefore be removed regularly. For this reason, smooth, circular plastic pipes with wide slots, which have poor adhesion to sinter, are preferred. Sinter deposits can be easily flushed out.

[0007] The Guideline for Mine Water Drainage Systems in Road Tunnels (RI-BWD-TU) specifies the design of inspection shafts to be installed at regular intervals (≤ 70 m). Accordingly, the shaft consists of concrete with a channel formed as a half-shell (i.e., up to the impost) with a minimum internal diameter of ≥ 200 mm.

[0008] It has been proven that air exchange in the tunnel drainage pipes promotes the precipitation of sinter. A high CO2 content minimizes the precipitation of sinter. While the CO2 content in the pipes is higher than in the traffic route, air exchange takes place in the shafts. Channel covers can prevent this exchange.

[0009] The new channel cover is intended to prevent this exchange. The sinter material that has not yet precipitated can then be transported beyond the shafts. Flushing of the sections beyond the shafts will be possible.

[0010] It is known to make inspection and cleaning openings in sewer pipes closable. In the patent specification "DE 41 37 397 C2," a cover curved according to the contour of the pipe serves to close the opening. The opening in the pipe is closed with a half-shell, which is secured with clamps. The cover is made of ductile cast iron. DE 103 06 139 B4 discloses a tubular cleaning piece for pipelines. A design improvement is achieved by allowing the cleaning piece to also be used for pressure lines. The opening is always integrated into a pipe section.

[0011] A channel cover for manholes, as envisaged in the invention, could not be researched.

[0012] Sintering can be minimized by maintaining a high CO2 content in the system. Smooth drainage of the drainage water minimizes sinter failure; turbulence, on the other hand, promotes air exchange and thus the risk of sinter precipitation. The use of inspection shafts, particularly the newly developed tunnel drainage pipe shaft as a prefabricated concrete shaft with an integrated plastic channel (DE 20 2022 000 129 U1), can prevent the disadvantages of the traditional shaft design.

[0013] This is where the lockable channel cover comes in, as it serves as a channel that runs continuously through the shaft, thus preventing air exchange with the traffic route. The cover also prevents stubborn deposits from accumulating in the shaft. A raised berm, in particular, prevents turbulence above the impingement line. An airtight and pressure-tight cover facilitates flushing across multiple shafts.

[0014] The plastic channel in the manhole provides support surfaces for the manhole cover. The support surface for the cover can be positioned at different heights above the channel floor.

[0015] The support surface for the cover is usually positioned directly above the pipe crown. In the case of raised channels, a higher position of the cover can be achieved by widening the channel. Furthermore, two support surfaces can be combined within the channel. Depending on the intended function and use, the corresponding channel cover is placed in the lower or upper support surface of the plastic channel (two levels).

[0016] The channel cover can advantageously be equipped with mounts for monitoring units. Monitoring includes, in particular, measurements of air pressure, air velocity, temperature, CO2 content, flow, pH value, and electrical conductivity. Some of these measuring devices must be installed above the water level. The upper support surface for the channel cover (2) is used for this purpose. This creates a height that must be kept clear, a widened area that provides space for monitoring, for example. This allows for the optional installation of a camera / video unit.

[0017] For variants intended for monitoring tasks, the position of the support surface above the channel bottom is selected according to the height of the monitoring technology.

[0018] The invention relates to a closable channel cover, e.g., made of plastic, and is used in rectangular concrete shafts with an integrated plastic shaft channel. The following dimensions are used for a typical and preferred embodiment. The concrete shaft measures 1,000 mm in length and 600 mm in width. Exceptions exist for concrete shafts; these have a length of 1,400 mm and a width of 700 mm. The channel extends beyond the apex of the connected tunnel drainage pipe. The channel diameter should correspond to the inner diameter of the connected tunnel drainage pipe.

[0019] The rectangular channel cover (1), or alternatively channel cover (2), is placed and secured in an airtight and watertight manner onto the support surface of the plastic channel (3). This is achieved using locking mechanisms (8) attached to the channel cover; in one variant, three locking mechanisms are preferably provided. A sealing ring groove (9) with sealing rings beneath the cover ensures the necessary airtight and watertight seal. The channel cover (1) should sit over the apex of the connected tunnel drainage pipe (6). The plastic channel (3) is provided with bonding bridges (5) that ensure a secure connection to the concrete shaft (4).

[0020] The channel cover, a cover plate with an integrated sealing ring groove, sits on the support surface, and the locking mechanisms press the channel cover onto the plastic channel (3) when closed, creating an airtight and watertight seal. This is ensured by extendable latches (7), which can be conical, for example.

[0021] The locking mechanisms (8) are designed so that the channel cover opens and closes by rotating a rod. This allows the cover to be removed and installed even at greater shaft depths. The channel cover (1 or 2) can be lifted using attached handles (11). These handles allow the cover to be lifted and removed even at greater depths. The channel cover is designed so robustly that it can be accessed by personnel if necessary.

[0022] If the channel cover is positioned at a raised level, the impulse flushing method can be advantageously implemented with built-in access points. So-called shut-off bladders can be used to temporarily seal pipelines. A special version of the channel cover features a passage for compressed air and a shut-off unit for the tunnel drainage line.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 to 5 and is described in more detail below. Fig. 1 shows a spatial representation of the concrete shaft (4) with plastic channel (3), bonding bridges (5), tunnel drainage pipe (6) and connection zone (10) for the continuation of the pipeline. Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the tunnel drainage pipe shaft with installation options for the channel cover (1), installed in the lower position, directly above the pipe crown and alternatively the channel cover (2), installed in the upper position, for a higher positioning in the plastic channel. In Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view of a standard channel cover (1) with a locking mechanism (8), with the mechanism on the left representing the open function and the mechanism in the middle and on the right representing the locked function. Fig. 4 shows (partially sectioned) the simplified side view of Fig. 3. The channel cover with the locking mechanisms (8), the sealing ring grooves (9) and the handles (11) can be seen. Fig. 5 shows the simplified side view of Fig.4. The channel cover is shown with the locking mechanism level and sealing ring groove (9). The locking mechanisms (8) represent the closed state when extended. The handles (11) are used for lifting. Conical latches (7) press the channel cover plate in place when installed. 1 channel cover (bottom) 2 Channel cover (top) 3 plastic channels 4 concrete shaft 5 Bonding bridge 6 Tunnel drainage pipe 7 bars 8 Locking mechanism 9 Sealing ring groove 10 Connection zone 11 Handle 12 Widening QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 41 37 397 C2

[0010] DE 103 06 139 B4

[0010] DE 20 2022 000 129 U1

[0012]

Claims

[1] Channel cover for sealing a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized by that the channel cover (1 or 2) ensures a gas-tight closure of the drainage pipes in tunnel structures. [2] Channel cover for sealing a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized by that the channel cover (1, 2) is locked airtight and watertight in the plastic channel (3) via locking mechanisms (8). [3] Channel cover for sealing a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized by that the locking mechanisms (8) function by rotation in such a way that extendable bolts (7) engage in sealing ring grooves (9) of the channel and press the channel cover with the sealing element onto the support surface. [4] Channel cover for sealing a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized bythat the channel cover (1, 2) has sealing elements which are embedded in the sealing ring groove (9). [5] Channel cover for sealing a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized by that the channel cover in the plastic channel (3) can be arranged in different positions above the channel bottom. [6] Channel cover for covering a plastic channel in a tunnel drainage pipe shaft, characterized by that in one embodiment of the channel cover (1, 2) devices are arranged for the use of the pulse flushing process.

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