A pipe unit for accommodating equipment

Abstract

The present invention concerns a sewer pipe unit for accommodating equipment in a sewage system, said pipe unit comprising a sewage pipe section having a first and a second opening providing a flow passage through said pipe section and for connection to a sewage drainage system; a shaft section for inspection, cleaning and / or insertion of equipment and which is substantially perpendicularly oriented to the sewage pipe section; wherein the shaft section comprises an inner wall and a receptacle along said inner wall, said receptacle comprising an annular flange thereby forming a receptacle opening to the flow passage of the pipe section so that the receptacle opening is adapted to receive a carrier insert holding an equipment in the pipe section.

Description

[0001] A PIPE UNIT FOR ACCOMMODATING EQUIPMENT

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a sewer pipe unit for accommodating equipment in a sewage system.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In sewer systems, it is advantageous to monitor the pipe system and to inspect the inside of the pipe, e.g. to monitor the condition of the pipes. Installation of instruments, such as measurement equipment or the like, is known e.g. from US 6,263,747 Bl and WO 2018 / 154330 Al. The equipment can also be for preventing vermin from entering the sewer pipe system. Accordingly, an installation of rodent barriers in the pipe systems is known from EP 2,113,615 A.

[0006] The installation of such equipment in the pipe sections is done via a vertical shaft, which is a shaft well through which the equipment can be inserted into the sewer pipes. However, this installation must take place remotely and this may cause the equipment to be improperly installed, such as incorrectly positioned in the sewer pipe or the like.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sewer pipe system and a pipe unit which facilitates the installation of equipment in the sewer pipe system and ensures correct mounting of the equipment therein.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] This object is achieved in a first aspect of the invention by providing a sewer pipe unit for accommodating equipment in a sewage system, said pipe unit comprising a sewage pipe section having a first and a second opening providing a flow passage through said pipe section and for connection to a sewage drainage system; a shaft section for inspection, cleaning and / or insertion of equipment and which is substantially perpendicularly oriented to the sewage pipe section; wherein the shaft section comprises an inner wall and a receptacle along said inner wall, said receptacle comprising an annular flange thereby forming a receptacle opening to the flow passage of the pipe section so that the receptacle opening is adapted to receive a carrier insert holding an equipment in the pipe section.

[0010] It is found advantageous to provide a pipe unit which is prepared to receive an insert with equipment mounted thereon. This ensures that the equipment can be positioned correctly in the well and in the pipe section. The invention is further advantageous as one or more pieces and / or types of equipment can be mounted on the insert and inserted into the pipe system. Accordingly, at least one piece of equipment is preferably accommodated in an insert in a predetermined position in relation to the sewage flow in the pipe section of said pipe unit.

[0011] Moreover, this is also advantageous as the insert can easily be detached and demounted from the well, e.g. in case of take up the equipment for service and maintenance.

[0012] The equipment may be a device for monitoring, sampling and / or manipulating the sewage flow in the pipe section. In particular, the equipment may comprise any one of a rodent barrier, a temperature gauge, a flow metering device or a sampling device for obtaining fluid samples from the sewage flow.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the pipe unit is configured as a T-shaped pipe connection where the first and second openings of the pipe section are adapted for being connected to a drain pipe system and the shaft section is adapted for being connected to an extension for providing an installation hole of a well. The pipe unit according to the invention may thereby be provided as a regular pipe section element for a sewer pipe system. The shaft pipe section may be provided orthogonally to the pipe section or in any other suitable angle.

[0014] By the invention it is also realised that the diameter of the pipe section may be substantially the same as the diameter of the shaft section, or the diameter of the pipe section may be larger than the diameter of the shaft section or the diameter of the pipe section may be smaller than the diameter of the shaft section.

[0015] Preferably, the annular flange along the inner wall of the shaft section is a planar inner flange defining a plane tangential to the circular pipe section wall. This allows for easy mounting of the insert in the receptacle.

[0016] Advantageously, a carrier insert is provided in said receptacle opening for receiving and accommodating at least one piece of equipment to be positioned in relation to the sewage flow in the pipe section. The carrier insert may be provided with a click-on annular mounting end flange for a snap mounting of the insert in the receptacle opening of the shaft section. This allows for easy mounting and ensures that a correct mounting is ensured of the carrier insert in the receptacle of the pipe unit.

[0017] To ensure a correct orientation of the insert in the pipe unit, it is further advantageous that the carrier insert is provided with a mounting plate which is provided with generally rectangular equipment opening and side walls axially extending upwards from said mounting plate for receiving and accommodating an equipment holder carrying the at least one equipment. Moreover, the carrier insert may be provided with rounded corners, wherein at least two of said corners abut the inside wall of the shaft section, said two corners being adjacent corners.

[0018] Preferably, the carrier insert is further provided with a guiding tab engaging with a guiderail provided on the inside of the shaft section in the axial direction of said shaft section. In particular, the guiding tab is preferably provided at the side opposite of the two adjacent corners. This ensures that the insert is correctly oriented when mounted.

[0019] Preferably, the insert is provided with locking slots through which locking tabs may be provided, which are extendable in the radial direction for engaging with receiving slots provide on the inside of the shaft section. The locking tabs are preferably provided on the equipment holder. Hereby, the insert is locked in position in the pipe unit as well as the equipment holder is locked in position in the insert. In the preferred embodiment, locking tabs are radially extendable out of two oppositely situated insert sides, said two opposite sides preferably being different from the side whereon the guiding tab is provided. Hereby a firm and symmetric locking of the parts of the pipe unit is achieved.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier insert and the equipment holder are provided as separate components. However, by the invention it is realised that the carrier insert and the equipment holder alternatively may be integrated in a single component which is fitted with the features for precise and easy mounting in the receptacle of the shaft section of the pipe unit and with receiving means for receiving and accommodating the one or more pieces of equipment.

[0021] By the invention it is realised that the pipe unit is suitable for various types of equipment, such as a rodent barrier, a temperature gauge, a flow metering device, a sampling device for obtaining fluid samples from the sewage flow, a non-return water valve, water / sewage analysis instruments, an image obtaining equipment, such as a camera, a water retarding device, and / or any combination thereof.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a sewer pipe system with a pipe unit with insert and equipment holder according to the invention;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the pipe unit assembly, i.e. the pipe unit with insert and equipment holder;

[0026] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional exploded side view of the pipe unit assembly;

[0027] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional front view of the pipe unit according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of said pipe unit;

[0029] Fig. 6 is a top view of said pipe unit; Fig. 7 is a side view of said pipe unit;

[0030] Fig. 8 is a top view of the carrier insert according to the invention;

[0031] Fig. 9 is a side view of said carrier insert;

[0032] Fig. 10 is an end view of said carrier insert;

[0033] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the pipe unit assembly with the equipment holder about to be mounted;

[0034] Fig. 12 is a perspective view from above of the equipment holder according to the invention;

[0035] Fig. 13 is perspective view from below of said equipment holder;

[0036] Fig. 14 is a bottom view of said equipment holder;

[0037] Fig. 15 is a top view of said equipment holder;

[0038] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional end view of the pipe unit assembly;

[0039] Fig. 17 is a top view of said pipe unit assembly;

[0040] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the pipe unit assembly with the equipment holder carrying a vermin barrier, which is about to be mounted; and Fig. 19 is the same when the vermin barrier is mounted in the pipe unit.

[0041] In fig. 1 there is shown a sewer pipe system, where a T-shaped pipe unit is mounted. The T-shaped sewer pipe unit comprises a pipe section 2 and a shaft section 4. The sewage pipe section 2 has a first opening 21 and a second opening 22 so that there is a flow passage through said pipe section 2, which is connected pipes 24 of the sewage drainage system via joint sleeve 23. Orthogonally to the pipe section 2 the shaft section 4 is provided for inspection, cleaning and / or insertion of equipment 10 (see figs. 18 and 19). As the sewage pipe system is provided underground, the shaft section 4 of the sewage pipe unit is connected to a well shaft pipe 41 whereby the sewer pipe system can be accessed from the ground. In the shaft section 4 there is provided a carrier insert 6. This insert 6 further accommodates an equipment holder 8 (see also figs. 2 and 3).

[0042] With reference to figures 2 to 7, the shaft section 2 comprises a receptacle along the inner wall, said receptacle comprising an annular flange 42 thereby forming a receptacle opening 43 to the flow passage of the pipe section 2 so that the receptacle opening 43 is adapted to receive a carrier insert 6 holding the equipment 10 in the pipe section 2 (see figs. 18 and 19). The receptacle opening 43 preferably has an essentially rectangular shape, but with chamfered or rounded corners.

[0043] The annular flange 42 is a planar inner flange 42 tangential to the circular pipe section wall of the pipe section 2. The carrier insert 6 is provided with a guiding tab 63 (see figs. 8 to 10) engaging with a guiderail 45 provided on the inside of the shaft section 4 in the axial direction of said shaft section 4. The carrier insert 6 is further provided with rounded corners 62a-62d (see figs. 8 to 10), so that at least two of said corners 62a, 62b abut the inside wall of the shaft section 4. These two adjacent corners 62a, 62b are on the opposite side 61b of the insert 6 of the side 61d whereon the guiding tab 63 is situated.

[0044] The inner wall of the shaft section 4 is provided with two receiving slots 44, situated opposite each other. The insert 6 is also provided with locking slots 68 through which locking tabs 83 (see figs. 12-15) can be extended into. The locking tabs 83 are provided on the equipment holder 8, as shown in figs. 12-15. The locking tabs 83 are extendable in the radial direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the pipe section 2, whereby the locking tabs 83 extend through the locking slots 68 of the inert 6 for engaging with receiving slots 44 provide on the inside of the shaft section 4. Hereby, the whole pipe unit assembly is locked into a predetermined position.

[0045] In the shown embodiment in the figures, the shaft section 4 of the pipe unit has a slightly larger diameter than the pipe section 2. In the transition between the shaft section 4 and the pipe section 2, there is provided transition segments 46 so that a smooth inner surface is provided and so that the carrier insert 6 can be guided during insertion and when mounted in the pipe unit.

[0046] The carrier insert is shown in more detail in figures 8 to 10. The rectangular insert 6 has four sides 61a-61d and rounded corners 62a-62d. The sides define a central opening 65 for the accommodation of the equipment holder 8. On one side 61d there is provided a guiding tab 63 for accurately positioning the insert 6 in the shaft section 4 and also to ensure that the insert 6 is mounted in the correct direction. The guiding tab 63 cooperates with the guiderail 45 to ensure that the insert 6 is mounted in the correct direction. Slots 66 and 68 are provided in the two sides 61a, 61c adjacent the guiding tab side 61d. The cross-sectional shape of the carrier insert 6 is preferably bigger than the receptacle opening 43 of the shaft section 4 and snugly fits into.

[0047] The carrier insert 6 may preferably be provided with a click-on mounting hooks 67 for a snap mounting of the insert 6 in the receptacle opening 43 of the shaft section. The two sides 61a, 61c of the carrier insert 6 are provided with locking slots 66, 68 as described above. The locking slots receive the locking tabs 83 of the equipment holder 8.

[0048] The equipment holder 8 is shown in detail in the figures 12-15. As apparent from these figures, the equipment holder 8 has a generally horizontal mounting plate 82, which is rectangular with chamfered corners. On the sides of the mounting plate 82 there are provided upright side flanges 85a-85d. Centrally, the mounting plate is provided with a vertical mounting shaft 84, which by rotation can extend the locking tabs 83 out of the opposite side flanges 85b and 85d. When the locking tabs 83 are extended the equipment holder, the carrier insert 6 are locked firmly in their correct positions in the shaft section 4, as shown in figs. 16 and 17.

[0049] On the lower side of the mounting plate 82 at least one piece of equipment 10 can be accommodated in the insert 6 in a predetermined position in relation to the sewage flow in the pipe section 2 of said pipe unit. The equipment 10 can include a device for monitoring, sampling and / or manipulating the sewage flow in the pipe section. In the example shown in figures 18 and 19, the equipment 10 comprises a rodent barrier, but by the invention it is realised that any other type of equipment can be mounted, such as a temperature gauge, a flow metering device or a sampling device for obtaining fluid samples from the sewage flow.

[0050] In general, when directional terms like "horizontal" and "vertical" or similar directional references are used in the present disclosure, these terms are meant to be understood as relative terms e.g. where the term "vertical" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to a substrate surface, such as a ground surface, and "horizontal" refers to a direction substantially parallel to the substrate. Above, the invention is described with reference to some currently preferred embodiments. However, by the invention it is realised that other embodiments and variants may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sewer pipe unit for accommodating equipment in a sewage system, said pipe unit comprising- a sewage pipe section (2) having a first and a second opening (21, 22) providing a flow passage through said pipe section (2) and for connection to a sewage drainage system;- a shaft section (4) for inspection, cleaning and / or insertion of equipment (10) and which is substantially perpendicularly oriented to the sewage pipe section (2); wherein the shaft section (4) comprises an inner wall and a receptacle along said inner wall, said receptacle comprising an annular flange (42) thereby forming a receptacle opening (43) to the flow passage of the pipe section (2) so that the receptacle opening (43) is adapted to receive a carrier insert (6) holding an equipment (10) in the pipe section (2).

2. A pipe unit according to claim 1, wherein the pipe unit is configured as a T- shaped pipe connection where the first and second openings (21, 22) of the pipe section (2) are adapted for being connected to a drain pipe system (23, 24) and the shaft section (4) is adapted for being connected to an extension for providing an installation hole of a well.

3. A pipe unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of the pipe section (2) is substantially the same as the diameter of the shaft section (4).

4. A pipe unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of the pipe section (2) is larger than the diameter of the shaft section (4).

5. A pipe unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of the pipe section (2) is smaller than the diameter of the shaft section (4).

6. A pipe unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular flange (42) is a planar inner flange tangential to the circular pipe section wall.

7. A pipe unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a carrier insert (6) is provided in said receptacle opening (43) for receiving and accommodatingat least one piece of equipment (10) to be positioned in relation to the sewage flow in the pipe section (2).

8. A pipe unit according to claim 7, wherein the carrier insert (6) is provided with a click-on annular mounting end flange for a snap mounting of the insert (6) in the receptacle opening (43) of the shaft section (2).

9. A pipe unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the carrier insert (6) is provided with a mounting plate (82) which is provided with generally rectangular equipment opening (65) and side walls (61a-61d, 62a-62d) axially extending upwards from said mounting plate(82) for receiving and accommodating an equipment holder (8) carrying the at least one equipment (10).

10. A pipe unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the carrier insert 86) is provided with rounded corners, wherein at least two of said corners abut the inside wall of the shaft section (4), said two corners being adjacent corners (62a, 62b).

11. A pipe unit according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the carrier insert 86) is provided with a guiding tab (63) engaging with a guiderail (45) provided on the inside of the shaft section (4) in the axial direction of said shaft section.

12. A pipe unit according to claim 11, wherein the guiding tab (63) is provided at the side opposite (61d) of the two adjacent corners (62a, 62b).

13. A pipe unit according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the insert (6) is provided with locking slots (68) through which locking tabs (83) may be provided, which are extendable in the radial direction for engaging with receiving slots (44) provide on the inside of the shaft section (4).

14. A pipe unit according to claim 13, wherein the locking tabs (83) are provided on the equipment holder (8).

15. A pipe unit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the locking tabs (83) are radially extendable out of two oppositely situated insert sides, said two oppositesides preferably being different from the side whereon the guiding tab (63) is provided.

16. A pipe system comprising a pipe unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one piece of equipment (10) is accommodated in an insert (6) in a predetermined position in relation to the sewage flow in the pipe section (2) of said pipe unit.

17. A pipe system according to claim 16, wherein the equipment (10) is a device for monitoring, sampling and / or manipulating the sewage flow in the pipe section(2).

18. A pipe system according to claim 17, wherein the equipment (10) comprises a rodent barrier, a temperature gauge, a flow metering device, a sampling device for obtaining fluid samples from the sewage flow, a non-return water valve, water / sewage analysis instruments, an image obtaining equipment, such as a camera, a water retarding device, and / or any combination thereof.

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