MOBILE DEVICE FOR DISINFECTING DRINKING WATER PIPES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile device suitable for disinfecting drinking water pipes.

[0002] It is known to use a biocidal product such as chlorine in the treatment of drinking water pipes before they are put into service.

[0003] To do this, it is necessary to dose the chlorine to be diluted in order to dispense the desired amount of chlorine into the pipes. To do this, an operator doses the chlorine to dilute it in the water by handling it several times, particularly during the dilution and connection phase of the connectors.

[0004] However, even when taking the necessary precautions when using such a product, chlorine is a toxic product which disintegrates quickly and the user may be exposed to a risk to his health when handling it, particularly due to splashes, burns and irritation.

[0005] Thus, such an approach is not entirely satisfactory.

[0006] There is therefore a need to improve the safety of people working on pipelines.

[0007] Document FR 2 681 853 describes a suitable and secure mobile device for disinfecting drinking water pipes, the device comprising an external wall delimiting an internal housing, a hydraulic circuit and a tank designed to receive a pipe treatment product.

[0008] The invention aims in particular to remedy this drawback, by providing a mobile device suitable for the disinfection of drinking water pipes, making it possible to improve the safety of operators with regard to chemical products.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a mobile device according to claim 1.

[0010] Thanks to the device according to the invention, the product is ready to use directly installed in the device using the tank and dosed without handling by the dosing pump. The operator no longer has to dose the product himself, therefore the risks associated with exposure to chemicals are eliminated.

[0011] A device according to the invention may be according to any one of claims 2 to 10.

[0012] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, among which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of the front face of a mobile device according to the invention; the figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear face of the device of the Figure 1 ; there figure 3 is a sectional view of the device of the Figure 1 showing the hydraulic circuit and the reservoir in place; the figure 4 is a perspective view of the front face of the reservoir of the device of the Figure 1 ; and the figure 5 is a view of the upper face of the tank of the Figure 4 .

[0013] We have represented, on the figures 1 And 2 , a mobile device 10 suitable for the disinfection of drinking water pipes.

[0014] The device 10 has an external wall 12 delimiting an internal housing 14.

[0015] The device 10 comprises a hydraulic circuit 16 having a first end 18 capable of being connected to a water point and a second end 20 capable of being connected to a drinking water pipe to be disinfected.

[0016] The hydraulic circuit 16 is arranged in the internal housing 14 of the device 10.

[0017] The hydraulic circuit 16 is made of waterproof materials.

[0018] The hydraulic circuit 16 comprises pipes 22 advantageously made of Random polypropylene and polyvinyl fluoride.

[0019] The hydraulic circuit 16 is advantageously in a single block.

[0020] The device 10 comprises at least one reservoir 30 designed to contain a product, in particular a pipeline treatment or neutralization product, and to dispense said product when using the device 10.

[0021] The 30 tank shown on the Figures 3 And 4 has a shape making it suitable for being embedded in the internal housing 14 of the device 10 and for connecting to the hydraulic circuit 16 without human handling of the fittings, thus avoiding any contact with the biocidal product.

[0022] In particular, the reservoir 30 has a general shape that fits into a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0023] Thus, the reservoir 30 has six faces 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 comprising a front face 32, a rear face 34 opposite the front face 32, an upper face 36, a lower face 38 opposite the upper face 36, and two opposite side faces 40, 42.

[0024] The lateral faces 40, 42 are materialized by the faces of smaller dimension.

[0025] The front face 32 carries a drain outlet 44 for the tank 30.

[0026] The front face 32 and the rear face 34 each extend in a longitudinal direction X and an elevation direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

[0027] The upper face 36 carries a connector 46 called “click and dose” (“click and dose” in French) suitable for fluidly and tightly connecting the reservoir 30 to the hydraulic circuit 16.

[0028] The tank 30 has rounded edges 47.

[0029] The lateral faces 40, 42 each extend in a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and in the elevation direction Z perpendicular to the transverse direction Y and to the longitudinal direction X.

[0030] The side faces 40, 42 each have a first groove 48 and a second groove 50, the two grooves 48, 50 each extending from the front face 32 to the rear face 34.

[0031] Each second groove 50 is provided between one of the lateral faces 40, 42 and the lower face 38 of the reservoir 30.

[0032] Advantageously, the two grooves 48, 50 extend substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0033] The grooves 48, 50 of the lateral faces 40, 42 are preferably symmetrical from one lateral face 40 to the other lateral face 42 with respect to a median transverse plane P perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and separating the reservoir 30 into two halves of the same length.

[0034] The second grooves 50 are complementary to guide rails 51 provided in the internal housing 14 of the device 10.

[0035] The upper face 36 has a groove 52 extending from the front face 32 to the rear face 34.

[0036] Advantageously, the groove 52 of the upper face 36 extends substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0037] The groove 52 is preferably offset relative to the median transverse plane P, so that an operator wishing to slide the reservoir 30 into the internal housing 14 of the mobile device 10 cannot be mistaken as to the direction of installation of the reservoir 30.

[0038] The groove 52 makes it possible to interpose the reservoir 30 under a dosing pump 60 which will be described below, without there being any contact between the reservoir 30 and the dosing pump 60 when using the mobile device 10.

[0039] The groove 52 advantageously also has a portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0040] The upper face 36 has four studs 58 distributed in the vicinity of the four ends of the upper face 36.

[0041] The pads 58 allow the stacking of the tanks 30 on the elevation axis Z, facilitating their grouped transport.

[0042] The reservoir 30 advantageously has a capacity of between 10 L and 15 L, in particular substantially equal to 13 L.

[0043] The tank 30 is advantageously made of high density polyethylene in order to resist the chemicals it contains.

[0044] The tank 30 is for example produced by thermoforming or rotational molding.

[0045] The reservoir 30 being embedded in the device 10, it is thus not subjected to ultraviolet rays which affect the disintegration of many chemical products.

[0046] For example, tank 30 is filled in the laboratory with chlorine diluted in distilled water at a defined mass concentration, which, coupled with the dosage ratio, makes it possible to achieve the legal disinfection rate.

[0047] Alternatively, the product contained in the reservoir 30 is paracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium thiosulfate, or any other product suitable for the desired intervention.

[0048] To install the reservoir 30 in the internal housing 14, it is sufficient to slide the second grooves 50 of the side faces 40, 42 along the rails provided for this purpose in the internal housing 14 by placing the groove 52 of the upper face 36 under the dosing pump 60, then to snap the connector 46 to the hydraulic circuit 16.

[0049] Thus, the 30 tank is ready for use, it can be handled easily and without risk by an operator.

[0050] The device 10 comprises a dosing pump 60 received in the internal housing 14, placed downstream of the reservoir 30 and capable of dosing said product and diluting it with water coming from the water point to which the device 10 will be connected.

[0051] The 60 dosing pump is, for example, a piston pump.

[0052] The hydraulic circuit 16 further comprises a filter 61. The filter 61 makes it possible to retain coarse particles which could damage the mechanical operation of the dosing pump.

[0053] The hydraulic circuit 16 comprises at least one valve 62 capable of putting the reservoir 30, the water point to which the device 10 will be connected and the metering pump 60 into fluid communication when the at least one valve 62 is in the open position, and of isolating the reservoir 30, the water point to which the device 10 will be connected and the metering pump 60 when the at least one valve 62 is in the closed position.

[0054] In particular, the hydraulic circuit comprises two valves 62.

[0055] The 62 valves are, for example, quarter-turn ball valves.

[0056] The device 10 has at least one gripping element 70.

[0057] For example, the device 10 comprises two handles 72 placed on either side of a rear face 74 of the device 10.

[0058] The gripping element 70 provides a good grip on the device 10 when moving the latter.

[0059] The rear face 74 has a hatch 75 for access to the tank 30.

[0060] The device 10 is advantageously provided with a transparent window 76 on the side of a front face 78 of the device 10 opposite the rear face 74.

[0061] The transparent window 76 allows the hydraulic circuit 16 to be viewed.

[0062] The device 10 advantageously comprises at least one storage compartment 80. For example, the device 10 comprises a drawer 82 placed on the front face 78. The storage compartment 80 makes it possible to store equipment useful for an intervention, in particular a case and / or a beaker.

[0063] The device 10 comprises at least one lifting ring 86.

[0064] In particular, the device 10 has a lifting ring 86 on its front face 78, between the storage 80 and the window 76 for viewing the hydraulic circuit, and two lifting rings 86 on its rear face 74 at the level of the handles 72.

[0065] The at least one lifting ring 86 makes it easier to handle the device 10.

[0066] The device 10 advantageously has maximum external dimensions of 1.50 m x 1.50 m x 1.30 m.

[0067] The device 10 has, for example, a maximum height H in use of between 0.90 m and 1.50 m, in particular of between 1.15 m and 1.25 m.

[0068] Such a height is particularly suitable for pleasant and ergonomic use of the device 10.

[0069] For example, the device 10 has a maximum length L of between 0.90 m and 1.50 m, in particular of between 1.10 m and 1.30 m.

[0070] For example, the device 10 has a defined maximum width B of between 0.70 m and 1.30 m, in particular of between 0.95 m and 1.25 m.

[0071] The length and width of the device 10 are defined taking into account the wheels.

[0072] The device 10 advantageously has an empty mass, that is to say without product, of less than 35 kg, in particular between 25 kg and 35 kg.

[0073] Such mass contributes to the maneuverability of the device 10.

[0074] The device 10 is therefore very compact, and can be transported in a utility vehicle.

[0075] The device is preferably mounted on wheels.

[0076] In particular, the device comprises four wheels 90, 92.

[0077] The wheels 90, 92 comprise, for example, two directional wheels at the rear 90, and two single wheels at the front 92.

[0078] Each rear wheel 90 is advantageously provided with a foot brake.

[0079] The 90, 92 wheels are advantageously all-terrain, guaranteeing the versatility of the device.

[0080] Advantageously, the device 10 further comprises a chemical safety shower.

[0081] Such a shower allows an operator to spray himself with water in the event of accidental exposure to a chemical.

[0082] The device 10 advantageously comprises a plurality of sensors, and a data processing device.

[0083] The data processing device comprises, for example, a processor capable of receiving data from sensors collected during the disinfection of a pipeline and processing it, and a memory capable of recording the data.

[0084] For example, the sensors are suitable for measuring the volumes of liquid consumed, and the pressure at different locations in the hydraulic circuit 16.

[0085] The device 10 preferably further comprises a display system 110.

[0086] The display system 110 is for example a screen 110, preferably a touch screen.

[0087] The display system 110 is advantageously connected to the data processing device, and makes it possible to monitor the disinfection of the pipeline in real time.

[0088] In particular, the display system 110 is capable of indicating the pressure drop, the volumes consumed and the clogging indicator determined by the data processing device. The clogging indicator makes it possible to measure the clogging rate of the filter 61.

[0089] The display system 110 is advantageously arranged on the rear face 74 of the device 10, at a comfortable height for reading and handling by a human.

[0090] The device 10 advantageously comprises an output 112 allowing a terminal to be connected in order to retrieve the data recorded in the memory, for example a USB or USBC output.

[0091] The data processing device is further advantageously provided with a transmitter enabling communication with a terminal according to a remote communication protocol.

[0092] The remote communication protocol is for example WiFi.

[0093] The device 10 advantageously further comprises a pressure display 114 of the liquid circulating in the hydraulic circuit 16.

[0094] A method of using the device 10 described above will now be described.

[0095] The device 10 is moved to the location where an intervention, for example the disinfection of a drinking water pipeline, is desired.

[0096] The device 10 is advantageously moved thanks to the at least one gripping element and the wheels 90, 92.

[0097] The hydraulic circuit 16 is connected via its first end 18 to a water point.

[0098] The second end 20 is connected to the pipeline to be disinfected.

[0099] The reservoir 30 is installed by sliding the second grooves 50 along the rails provided for this purpose in the internal housing 14 and placing the groove 52 of the upper face 36 under the dosing pump 60, then snapping the connector 46 to the hydraulic circuit 16.

[0100] The water point is opened in order to flow water into the hydraulic circuit 16 and create suction in the dosing pump 60.

[0101] The product contained in the reservoir 30 is brought into the dosing pump 60 using at least one valve 62 in the open position.

[0102] The metering pump 60 ejects the product mixed with water in the desired proportions into the hydraulic circuit 16 downstream.

[0103] The product, correctly dosed and mixed with water, is sent into the pipe to be disinfected, without any direct contact with an operator.

[0104] Advantageously, during this process, the plurality of sensors collect data such as the volumes of biocidal liquid consumed, the fouling rate and the volume of potable water used.

[0105] The data processing device receives data from the sensors, and the memory stores the data.

[0106] The display system 110 displays the data processed by the data processing device.

[0107] In particular, the display system 110 displays the pressure drop and the volumes consumed determined by the data processing device.

[0108] Data stored in memory can be retrieved by connecting a terminal to the output provided for this purpose.

[0109] Alternatively, the data processing device communicates with a terminal by means of the transmitter according to a remote communication protocol, for example WiFi.

[0110] At the end of the intervention, for example when it is necessary to neutralize the product before using the pipeline, the tank 30 containing the product used is removed from the internal housing 14, still without chemical contact, and another tank 30 containing a different product is placed in the internal housing 14, in the same manner as described above.

[0111] The device described above therefore has many advantages compared to the methods usually used, many functionalities, suitable ergonomics and above all much greater safety due to the absence of contact between operators and corrosive biocidal products such as chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Claims

1. Mobile device (10) adapted and secured for disinfecting drinking water pipes, the device (10) having an external wall (12) delimiting an internal housing (14), a hydraulic circuit (16) received in the internal housing (14), and having a first end (18) able to be connected to a water point and a second end (20) able to be connected to a drinking water pipe to be disinfected, characterized in that it comprises at least one tank (30) designed to receive a product for treating the pipe, a metering pump (60) received in the housing, placed downstream of the tank (30) and suitable for metering the said product and mixing it with water, characterised in that the tank (30) has a shape making it suitable for being embedded in the housing of the device (10) and has a connector (46) suitable for connecting the tank (30) fluidically and in a sealed manner to the hydraulic circuit (16) by snap-fitting.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, in which the tank (30) has at least one groove (50) complementary to at least one rail (51) provided in the internal housing (14) of the device (10).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the tank (30) has an overall shape fitting within a rectangular parallelepiped, and comprises a front face (32), a rear face (34) opposite the front face (32), an upper face (36), a lower face (38) opposite the upper face (36), and two opposite lateral faces (40, 42) defined by the faces of smallest dimension, the lateral faces (40, 42) each extending along a transverse direction (Y) and along a vertical direction (Z) perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y), and in which the lateral faces (40, 42) each have a first groove (48) and a second groove (50), each extending from the front face (32) to the rear face (34), the two grooves (48, 50) extending substantially parallel to the transverse direction (Y), the two grooves (48, 50) on each lateral face (40, 42) preferably being symmetrical with respect to a median transverse plane (P) perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (X), which is itself perpendicular to both the transverse (Y) and vertical (Z) directions, the median transverse plane (P) dividing the tank (30) into two halves of equal length.

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, in which the upper face (34) of the tank (30) has a groove (52) extending from the front face (32) to the rear face (34), the groove (52) extending substantially parallel to the transverse direction (Y), the groove (52) being offset with respect to the median transverse plane (P).

5. A device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device (10) comprises at least one lifting ring (86).

6. A device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device (10) has maximum external dimensions of 1.50 m x 1.50 m x 1.30 m.

7. A device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the device (10) is mounted on wheels.

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, comprising four wheels (90, 92), each wheel (90, 92) being provided with a foot brake.

9. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of sensors, a data processing device configured to receive data from the sensors collected during disinfection of a pipe and to process it, and a display system (110) capable of displaying the data collected and processed by the data processing device.

10. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the hydraulic circuit (16) comprises at least one valve (62) capable of placing the tank (30), the point of water to which the device (10) will be connected and the metering pump (60) in fluid communication when the at least one valve (62) is in the open position, and of isolating the tank (30), the point of water to which the device (10) will be connected and the metering pump (60) when the valve (62) is in the closed position.