Water management device for a system including a basin

Abstract

The invention relates to a pond water management system, the system comprising a hydraulic assembly and a storage tank (220). The hydraulic assembly comprises a pond (200) provided with a water outlet (210) to be filtered and a filtered water inlet (214), a filtration assembly (202) configured to filter water received directly or indirectly from the water outlet (210) and supply the filtered water to the water inlet (214), and an overflow (218) for discharging excess water from the hydraulic assembly. The water storage tank (202) comprises a water inlet (222) connected to the overflow (218) and an outlet (224). The filtration assembly (202) is further configured to filter water received directly or indirectly from the water outlet (224) of the storage tank (220) and to supply the filtered water to the water inlet (214) of the basin (200) and / or to the water inlet (222) of the storage tank (220). (See Figure 2 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Water management device for a system comprising a basin. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention relates to water management in a system comprising a basin, for example a swimming pool. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is first observed that, due to the increasing number of heat waves affecting many regions, water becomes a precious resource that must be preserved and managed effectively in all its areas of use, particularly in the management of basins and swimming pools.

[0003] Figure 1 illustrates an example of water management for a swimming pool 100. As shown (the dashed arrows represent the direction of water flow in this figure and the following ones), the pool water is filtered in a filtration unit 102 comprising, in particular, a pump 104 and a filter 106, for example, a sand filter. For this purpose, the water is drawn in by a skimmer (or pool surface skimmer) 108 and / or a main drain 110 via a pipe 112, filtered in the filtration unit 102, and returned to a return nozzle 114 via a pipe 116.

[0004] The pool water is thus recycled.

[0005] Furthermore, a swimming pool generally includes an overflow, often located in a skimmer, for example the overflow 118, to discharge excess water, for example due to rain or overfilling. This excess water is generally discharged into a wastewater system, for example into a sewer 120, via a pipe 122.

[0006] However, it has been observed that the implementation of an overflow leads to the discharge of a quantity of water that is not in excess, but which reaches the overflow due to water movement, for example, caused by bathers. It is then necessary to consume water to compensate for this quantity of water discharged.

[0007] It is noted that swimming pools are often equipped with a sand filter comprising a multi-function valve and a tank containing sand, often in several layers of different grain sizes, to filter impurities from the water. Although very simple to operate and maintain, such a filter has drawbacks, particularly with regard to the amount of water discharged during filter cleaning. During this operation, called backwashing, The polluting load is partially removed by reversing the direction of the water in the filter and the dirty water is discharged to the sewer 120 via a pipe 124.

[0008] Water management in a swimming pool is therefore not optimal with regard to water consumption. There is thus a need to improve this water management in a swimming pool and, more generally, in a basin. Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to an improved water storage system.

[0010] The invention thus relates to a water management system for a basin, - the system comprising a hydraulic assembly comprising - at least one basin equipped with at least one outlet for water to be filtered and at least one inlet for filtered water, - a filtration system configured to filter water received directly or indirectly from at least one water outlet and to supply the filtered water to at least one water inlet and - at least one overflow to evacuate excess water from said hydraulic assembly, - the system further comprising at least one water storage tank including at least one water inlet connected to said at least one overflow and including at least one outlet, characterized in that said filtration assembly is further configured to filter water received directly or indirectly from at least one water outlet of said at least one storage tank and to supply the filtered water to at least one water inlet of said basin and / or to at least one water inlet of said at least one storage tank.

[0011] The invention makes it possible in particular to optimize water consumption by avoiding the discharge of excess water from a basin.

[0012] Preferred, simple, convenient and economical features of the device according to the invention are presented below.

[0013] For example, said at least one basin includes said at least one overflow.

[0014] According to particular embodiments, said at least one basin is a basin with overflow, said hydraulic assembly further comprising a buffer tank, said buffer tank comprising said at least one overflow.

[0015] According to particular embodiments, said at least one overflow includes a water outlet located at a predetermined water height representative of a nominal water volume of said hydraulic assembly.

[0016] According to particular embodiments, said at least one overflow comprises at least one water level sensor configured to detect an excess volume of water in said hydraulic assembly, said at least one overflow including further a discharge pump controlled by said at least one sensor to discharge said volume of excess water from said hydraulic assembly.

[0017] According to particular embodiments, said evacuation pump is a pump of said filtration assembly.

[0018] According to particular embodiments, said filtration assembly is configured to simultaneously filter water from said hydraulic assembly and from said at least one storage tank.

[0019] According to particular embodiments, said filtration assembly is configured to filter independently of the water of said hydraulic assembly and of said at least one storage tank.

[0020] According to particular embodiments, at least one water inlet of said at least one storage tank is connected directly or indirectly to a rainwater collector.

[0021] According to particular embodiments, said filtration assembly includes a membrane filter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices, system and methods of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: • Fig. 1 illustrates an example of prior art water management in a swimming pool and • Figures 2 to 6 illustrate examples of water management in a swimming pool, according to particular embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] According to embodiments of the invention, the excess water volume from a pool is recovered and stored in a storage tank, the contents of which are filtered with the same filtration system used to filter the pool water. The excess water volume is a volume of water that exceeds the nominal water volume of the pool, corresponding to a desired volume, for example, associated with a desired water level (in the pool or in a buffer tank, for example, in the case of an infinity pool), beyond the natural (or nominal or optimal) water level fluctuation. The excess water volume is, for example, due to rain. Indeed, due to its large surface area, a pool plays an important role in rainwater collection, like a building's roof. Collecting, storing, and filtering this water allows it to be preserved for later use, for example, to make add water to the basin as needed (especially in case of evaporation), water plants, wash a vehicle, etc.

[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a first example of water management for a swimming pool 200, according to particular embodiments of the invention. As illustrated, the pool water is filtered in a filtration unit 202 comprising, in particular, a pump 204 and a filter 206, for example, a membrane filter. According to this example, the water is drawn in by a skimmer (or pool surface skimmer) 208 and / or a main drain 210 via a pipe 212, filtered in the filtration unit 202, and returned to a return nozzle 214 via a pipe 216. The pool water is thus recycled.

[0025] According to the illustrated example, the pool 200 includes an overflow 218, here located in the skimmer 208, to discharge excess water, for example, due to rain. This excess water is discharged to a storage tank 220 via a pipe 222. As illustrated, the storage tank 220 includes a water outlet 224 for conveying the water it contains to the filtration unit 202 via the pipe 212.

[0026] The filtration unit 202 thus filters water from the pool 200 and the storage tank 220 and returns the filtered water to the pool via the pipe 216.

[0027] Naturally, the pool 200 (like the pools shown in Figures 3 to 6) can include several skimmers, several bottom drains, several return drains and / or several overflows.

[0028] It is noted here that valves or solenoid valves (not shown) can be used to select certain circuits. By way of illustration, solenoid valves can be placed upstream of the pump to select, as the source of water to be filtered, pool 200, storage tank 220, or pool 200 and storage tank 220.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates a second example of water management for a swimming pool 300, according to particular embodiments of the invention. In this example, the swimming pool 300 is an infinity pool comprising a surge tank 326. As illustrated, the pool water is filtered in a filtration unit 302 comprising a pump 304 and a filter 306, for example, a membrane filter. For this purpose, the water is drawn in through one or more drains 328 of the surge tank 326 (advantageously comprising at least one bottom drain) and, preferably, through one or more bottom drains 310 of the pool via a pipe 312, filtered in the filtration unit 302, and discharged to a discharge nozzle 314 of the swimming pool 300 via a pipe 316. The pool water is thus recycled.

[0030] When the filtration system is running, the water sucked into the buffer tank is pumped back into the pool, causing it to overflow into the buffer tank, as shown with the dashed arrow.

[0031] According to the illustrated example, the buffer tank 326 includes an overflow 318 to discharge excess water, for example due to rain falling in the pool 300. This excess water is discharged to a storage tank 320 via a pipe 322. The storage tank 320 further includes a water outlet 324 to the filtration assembly 302, via the pipe 312.

[0032] The filtration unit 302 thus filters water from the pool 300 and / or the buffer tank 326 and the storage tank 320 and returns the filtered water to the pool via the pipe 316.

[0033] Again, valves or solenoid valves (not shown) can be used to select certain circuits. By way of illustration, solenoid valves can be placed upstream of the pump to select, as the source of water to be filtered, the swimming pool 300, the storage tank 320 and / or the buffer tank 326.

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates a third example of water management for a swimming pool 300, according to particular embodiments of the invention. This example is similar to that illustrated in Figure 3, but includes a mechanism for draining a different volume of excess water. It is again an overflow swimming pool 400 comprising a surge tank 426. The pool water is filtered in a filtration unit 402 comprising a pump 404 and a filter 406, for example, a membrane filter. For these purposes, the water is captured by one or more drains 428 of the buffer tank 426 (advantageously including at least one bottom drain) and, preferably, by one or more bottom drains 410 of the pool via a pipe 412, filtered in the filtration unit 402 and pumped to a discharge nozzle 414 of the pool 400 via a pipe 416. The pool water is thus recycled.

[0035] According to the illustrated example, the buffer tank 426 includes a water height (or water level) sensor connected to a pump to remove excess water, for example due to rain falling in the pool 400. This excess water is discharged to a storage tank 420. The storage tank 420 includes a water inlet 422 to receive this excess water and a water outlet 324 to the filtration assembly 302, via the pipe 312.

[0036] The filtration unit 402 thus filters water from the pool 400 and / or the buffer tank 426 and the storage tank 420 and returns the filtered water to the pool via the pipe 416.

[0037] According to a particular embodiment, the water level sensor 430 and controlled valves or solenoid valves (not shown) are used in cooperation with the filtration assembly to draw water from the pool 400 and / or from the buffer tank 426 and pump it to the storage tank 420. According to other embodiments, a specific pump is used to remove excess water.

[0038] In particular embodiments, the buffer tank 426 comprises two water level sensors located at different heights: a high sensor and a low sensor. According to this embodiment, the pump used to remove excess water (e.g., a dedicated pump or a pump from the filtration system) is activated when the high sensor detects the presence of water. It is stopped as soon as the low sensor no longer detects the presence of water.

[0039] It is observed here that such a mechanism for evacuating an excess volume of water can also be implemented in a swimming pool that is not an infinity pool, the water level sensor(s) being placed directly in the pool or elsewhere, for example in one or more skimmers, and the water being evacuated by one or more specific drains and / or by one or more drains used for water filtration.

[0040] Figure 5 illustrates a fourth example of water management for a 500-liter swimming pool, according to particular embodiments of the invention. This example is similar to that illustrated in Figure 2, but the filtration of the pool water is separated from the filtration of the water in the storage tank, although the same filtration system is used.

[0041] As illustrated, the pool water 500 is filtered in a filtration unit 502 comprising a pump 504 and a filter 506, for example a membrane filter. For this purpose, the water is drawn in by one or more skimmers 508 and / or one or more main drains 510 via a pipe 512, filtered in the filtration unit 502 and discharged to one or more return jets 514 via a pipe 516. The pool water is thus recycled.

[0042] As illustrated, the pool 500 includes one or more overflows 518, here located in the skimmer(s) 508, to discharge excess water, for example, due to rain. This excess water is discharged to a storage tank 520 via a pipe 522. The storage tank 520 further includes a water outlet 524 to the filtration unit 502, via the pipe 526. After filtration, the water from the storage tank 520 is returned to the latter via a pipe 528 and a dedicated inlet 530, or via the same pipe and inlet used to discharge the excess water to the storage tank 520.

[0043] As illustrated, the filtration system 502 here comprises two separate inlets and two separate outlets, allowing the water in the pool 500 and the water in the storage tank 520 to be filtered separately. The selection of the water inlet to be filtered and the outlet to which the filtered water is to be discharged can be made using controlled valves or solenoid valves (not shown).

[0044] Thus, according to the example illustrated in [Fig.5], the pool water and the storage tank water are not mixed (apart from the amount of residual water present in the filtration assembly 502 when changing the selection of a filtration circuit).

[0045] It is observed here that such a mechanism allowing separate filtration of the pool water and the storage tank water can also be implemented in other types of basins or pools, for example in an infinity pool.

[0046] Figure 6 illustrates a fifth example of water management for a 600-liter swimming pool, according to particular embodiments of the invention. This example is similar to that illustrated in Figure 5, but also includes means for rainwater harvesting, in this case, rainwater from the roof.

[0047] As illustrated, the pool water 600 is filtered in a filtration unit 602 comprising a pump 604 and a filter 606, for example a membrane filter. For this purpose, the water is drawn in by one or more skimmers 608 and / or one or more main drains 610 via a pipe 612, filtered in the filtration unit 602 and discharged to one or more return jets 614 via a pipe 616. The pool water is thus recycled.

[0048] According to the illustrated example, the pool 600 includes one or more overflows 618, here located in the skimmer(s) 608, to discharge excess water from the pool, for example, due to rain. This excess water is discharged to a storage tank 620 via a pipe 622. The storage tank 620 further includes a water outlet 624 to the filtration assembly 602, via the pipe 626. After filtration, the water from the storage tank 620 is pumped back to the latter via a pipe 628 and a dedicated inlet 630 (as illustrated), or via the pipe and inlet used to discharge the excess water from the pool 600 to the storage tank 520 (not shown).

[0049] The filtration unit 602 thus filters the water from the pool 600 or the storage tank 620 separately, and pumps the filtered water back to the pool via pipe 626 or to the storage tank 6201a pipe 626. A selection device such as a controlled valve or a solenoid valve can be used at the outlet of the filtration unit 602 to pump the water back to the pool 600 or the storage tank 620.

[0050] According to the example illustrated in [Fig. 6], the storage tank 620 also collects rainwater from sources other than the swimming pool, in particular from the roofs 640 of one or more houses. This water is collected here via gutters 642, downspouts 644 and a pipe 646. The water thus collected can be pre-filtered in a pre-filter (not shown) before being discharged to the storage tank 620 where it is filtered by the filtration assembly 602.

[0051] It is observed here that such a rainwater harvesting mechanism can also be implemented in other types of swimming pools, for example in an infinity pool. Similarly, the water collected and directed to the storage tank can come from sources other than those mentioned above, for example from a stream, a well, a wastewater treatment system, etc.

[0052] It is further noted that while the examples illustrated in Figures 2 to 6 represent only a single storage tank, several storage tanks can be used. They can be connected in series and / or in parallel. According to some embodiments, the storage tank(s) include one or more overflows.

[0053] It is further observed that if the water contained in the storage tank(s) can be used to supply the swimming pool, for example to refill the level, it can be used for other purposes, for example for watering, washing, etc., in particular when it is not mixed with the pool water, for example in the case of separate filtration as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

[0054] Although not shown in the figures, the filtration assembly used to filter the water from the swimming pool or basin and the water from the storage tank(s), comprising a pump and at least one filter, for example a membrane filter, may also include other elements such as elements for controlling and / or adjusting the water chemistry.

[0055] Finally, it is noted that a membrane filter ensures a constant quality of the filtered liquid regardless of the incoming pollutant load. For example, the membrane can be a multichannel inorganic microfiltration membrane. The filter can thus use multilayer membranes of recrystallized silicon carbide (R-SiC) supported by a unique honeycomb monolithic geometry. An example of this is the Crystar filter from Saint-Gobain (Crystar and Saint-Gobain are trademarks).

[0056] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example. It extends to other variants.

[0057] Depending on the embodiment chosen, certain acts, actions, events, or functions of each of the methods described in this document may be performed or occur in a different order than described, or may be added, merged, or not performed or occur, as the case may be. Furthermore, in some embodiments, certain acts, actions, or events are performed or occur concurrently rather than sequentially.

[0058] Although described through a number of detailed embodiments, the proposed device, system, and method include various variants, modifications, and improvements that will be obvious to those skilled in the art, it being understood that these various variants, modifications, and improvements form part of the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. Furthermore, different aspects and features described above may be implemented together, separately, or substituted for one another, and all the different combinations and subcombinations of aspects and features form part of the scope of the invention. In addition, some of the systems and equipment described above may not incorporate all of the modules and functions described for the preferred embodiments.

Claims

Demands

1. Water management system for a pond, - the system comprising a hydraulic assembly including - at least one pond (200, 300, 400, 500, 600) provided with at least one outlet for water to be filtered (210, 310, 410, 510, 610) and at least one inlet for filtered water (214, 314, 414, 514, 614), - a filtration assembly (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) configured to filter water received directly or indirectly from said at least one outlet (210, 310, 410, 510, 610) and to supply the filtered water to said at least one inlet (214, 314, 414, 514, 614) said basin and - at least one overflow (218, 318, 518, 618) to evacuate an excess volume of water from said hydraulic assembly, - the system further comprising a water storage tank (220, 320, 420, 520, 620) comprising at least one water inlet (222, 322, 422, 522, 622) connected to said at least one overflow (218, 318, 518, 618) and comprising at least one outlet (224, 324, 424, 524, 624),characterized in that said filtration assembly (402, 502, 602) is further configured to filter water received directly from at least one water outlet (424, 524, 624) of said storage tank (420, 520, 620) and supply the filtered water to at least one water inlet (422, 522, 622) of said storage tank (420, 520, 620).

2. Water management system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one basin (200, 300, 500, 600) comprises said at least one overflow (218, 318, 518, 618).

3. Water management system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one basin (300, 400) is an overflow basin, said hydraulic assembly further comprising a buffer tank (326, 426).

4. Water management system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one overflow (218, 318, 518, 618) comprises a water outlet located at a predetermined water height representative of a nominal water volume of said hydraulic system.

5. Water management system according to claim 3, wherein said buffer tank (426) comprises at least one water level sensor (430) configured to detect an excess volume of water from said hydraulic assembly, said at least buffer tank (426) further comprising a discharge pump controlled by said at least one sensor (430) to discharge said excess volume of water from said hydraulic assembly.

6. Water management system according to claim 5, wherein said discharge pump is a pump (404) of said filtration assembly (402).

7. Water management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said filtration assembly (502, 602) is configured to independently filter water from said at least one basin (400, 500, 600) and said storage tank (420, 520, 620).

8. Water management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one water inlet (646) of said storage tank (620) is connected directly or indirectly to a rainwater collector (640, 642, 644).

9. Water management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said filtration assembly (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) comprises a membrane filter.

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