Autonomous rainwater harvesting and storage system

Abstract

Title: Standalone Rainwater Harvesting and Storage System. Standalone rainwater harvesting and storage system, comprising a parallelepiped frame (1) with uprights (11) and crossbeams (12) forming a raised support (13) receiving the tank (2) and carrying a sloping cover (3) forming a rainwater collection surface, equipped with a gutter (51) connected by a pipe (52) to the inlet of the tank (2). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Autonomous rainwater harvesting and storage system. SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an autonomous installation for the recovery and storage of rainwater. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] We know of many types of rainwater storage tanks, generally installed in parallel next to a roof downpipe and which can be connected to this downpipe by a branch installed on the downpipe.

[0003] However, these installations are associated with a roof and are not self-contained.

[0004] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention aims to develop a rainwater harvesting and storage system that is autonomous and can be installed in any location.

[0006] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an autonomous rainwater harvesting and storage installation, characterized in that it comprises a parallelepiped frame forming a raised cage intended to receive a tank, four uprights connected by crossbeams and stringers forming: a base at the ends of the uprights, a base above the ends, a raised support constituting the underside of the cage, a framework connecting the top of the uprights and carrying a cover forming a collecting surface inclined towards one side of the frame bordered by a gutter equipped with a pipe opening above the cage.

[0008] This self-contained installation can be placed anywhere, independently of a roof, for example, in a pasture to ensure the supply of water to livestock.

[0009] This installation can be easily moved with, for example, a forklift truck which picks up under the chassis, to move the installation to the appropriate location, especially since, according to an advantageous feature, the base has two inverted U-shaped profiles connecting the front and rear cross members of the base and forming supports to receive the two tines of a forklift truck for transporting or moving the chassis.

[0010] This structure not only stiffens the installation, but also facilitates the handling and transport of the installation.

[0011] According to another feature, the intermediate support comprises cross members front and rear and side rails, formed by angle brackets delimiting the surface receiving the tank and intermediate rails connecting the cross members and completing the tank support surface.

[0012] According to another advantageous feature, the section inside the parallelepiped chassis is greater than the section of a pallet, which makes it possible to simply complete the chassis with a tank consisting of a palletized tank constituting in itself a rigid assembly.

[0013] According to another characteristic, the uprights are angle brackets which facilitates the construction of the chassis and reduces the bulk, particularly in the case of a tank consisting of a non-palletized tank closely framed by the angle brackets of the uprights.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature, the cover is composed of a main surface at the cross-section of the chassis and bordered by lateral or rear extensions, connected to a common gutter communicating with the inlet of the tank.

[0015] This increased collecting surface recovers a greater quantity of rainwater than that recovered by the collecting surface above the chassis alone.

[0016] In addition and if necessary, the tank can also be filled from a tanker vehicle to ensure the necessary distribution of water, for example, for livestock in the event of a prolonged absence of rain.

[0017] According to another advantageous feature, the installation comprises at least two twin frames whose gutters are connected by two pipes opening into a common pipe or directly connected by a distribution pipe to two inlet pipes respectively to one or the other of the tanks of the two frames. This multiplies the capacity of the installation and its autonomy, whether through rainwater harvesting or intermediate refilling from tanker trucks.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the installation comprises at least two frames whose tank outlets are freely connected to a connecting pipe equipped with a common outlet valve downstream of the two tank outlets. This free connection between the lower parts of the tanks allows the levels to be equalized by the principle of communicating vessels. This equalization is independent of the arrival of rainwater in either of the two tanks if one of the connections were blocked or reduced by an obstruction in the pipe.

[0019] According to another characteristic, the roof and its extensions are made up of corrugated, ribbed sheets or of photovoltaic panels. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments of a self-contained installation shown in the accompanying drawings. in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] Perspective view of a chassis of a self-contained recovery and storage installation,

[0022] [Fig.2] Front and side views of the chassis,

[0023] [Fig.3] stand-alone installation with the chassis of [Fig.1],

[0024] [Fig.4] perspective view of another embodiment,

[0025] [Fig.5] Perspective view of an installation with an increased water collection surface,

[0026] [Fig.6] Perspective view of another embodiment of an installation,

[0027] [Fig.7] Perspective view of an installation with two twin chassis,

[0028] [Fig.8] diagram of an embodiment of a twin-frame installation according to the invention.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] According to [Fig.1], the invention relates to an autonomous rainwater recovery and storage installation composed of a chassis 1 formed of uprights 11 and crossbeams 12 with a base 2 and a raised support 3 of a raised cage CS to receive a tank.

[0031] Under the raised support 3, the chassis 1 delimits a technical volume VT with the base 2 at a certain height from the ground to leave an access gap IT allowing the passage of the teeth of a forklift to transport or move the chassis 1 with or without tank.

[0032] The structure 1 is surmounted by a rigid framework 4 formed of crossbeams and stringers supporting a cover 5 creating a water collecting surface, inclined towards a gutter 51 connected by a pipe 52 opening above the inlet of the tank in the top of the chassis.

[0033] In more detail, according to Figures 1 and 2, the chassis 1 is a parallelepiped forming the raised cage CS for receiving a palletized or non-palletized tank and preferably occupying the entire rectangular or square cross-section of the parallelepiped. The raised cage CS receives the tank 6, preferably removable.

[0034] The four uprights 10 connected by crossbeams 11 and the stringers 12 form a base with the ends 101 of the uprights. These ends can be provided with bearing surfaces 102 to fix to the ground or to prevent the uprights from sinking under the load of the water-filled tank, especially if the installation is on soft ground and not on a solid, concrete surface.

[0035] The base 2 is completed by two inverted U-shaped profiles 21 to provide bearing surfaces, laterally edged and forming two channels receiving the fork tines of a forklift to securely hold the chassis 1 on the tines, especially if transport is carried out on uneven ground, for its placement, for example, in a pasture.

[0036] According to one variant, the two profiles 21 can be provided under the raised support 3 or the base with the profiles 21 can be provided in place of the raised support as shown in [Fig.6] which is a simplified version.

[0037] According to parts A and B of [Fig.2], the frame 4 consists of a front cross member 11-1 connected to a rear cross member 11-2 by two stringers 12-1 thus forming a rectangular frame carrying an intermediate cross member 11-3, for example, at mid-length of the stringers 12-1.

[0038] At the rear, the frame 4 is completed by the extension 103 of the two rear uprights 10. These extensions are connected by another cross member 11-4 at the top to support the roof 5.

[0039] The frame 4 thus constitutes a three-dimensional, undeformable assembly which, being attached to the top of the parallelepiped formed by the uprights and the other crossbeams and stringers, makes the chassis undeformable.

[0040] The gutter 51 is fixed to the front cross member 11-1 of the frame 4 and the conduit 52 connecting the gutter 51 above the location of the tank in the raised cage CS is supported by the intermediate cross member 11-3.

[0041] The pipe 52 is formed of elbows and sleeves allowing it to be easily installed between the gutter 51 and the inlet of the tank. The pipe 52 is equipped with an easily removable filter 521 to collect any debris not retained on the screen or in the gutter, for example, leaves that could partially clog the pipe or pass into the tank and pollute the water.

[0042] Figure 3 shows the installation 100, the frame 1 of which is equipped with a tank 6 comprising a cubical vessel 61, encircled by a frame 611 and fixedly mounted on a pallet 62, the sides of which define the channels 621 for the passage of the fork tines. The cross members 12 defining the pair of sides of the raised support 3 are angle brackets whose spacing corresponds to the dimensions of the pallet 62 so that the pallet is held by the support 3 and does not risk slipping during transport under the effect of an occasional push exerted on the vessel 61.

[0043] In its lower part, the reservoir 2 is equipped with a schematic distribution outlet 7. This is, for example, an outlet with a tap fitted with a nozzle allowing the connection of a hose or used as such.

[0044] The top of the tank 6 under the frame 4 is cleared to facilitate access to the connecting pipe 52 and possible intervention on it or on its connection to the gutter 51 or to the filter 521.

[0045] The assembly of the uprights 10, cross members 11 and stringers 12 is stiffened at the various junctions by gussets or non-point assembly surfaces that could be considered as hinges. The assembly is also stiffened by the framework 4 capping the uprights 10 by its triangular section ([Fig.2], part B) connecting the pairs of uprights 10 front or rear and blocking the connection against the stringers and uprights by the hypotenuse-shaped spacer that constitutes the roof 5 between the front front consisting of the two front uprights 10 connected by the front crossbeams 11 and the rear back consisting of the two rear uprights 10 and the crossbeams 11 which connect them.

[0046] The front (AV) / rear (AR) orientation is indicated in part B of [Fig. 2] without requiring any special suffixes for the references of the relevant uprights 10 and cross members 11. Ultimately, the stiffening of the chassis 1 achieved by the frame 4 and the roof 5 forming the hypotenuse simplifies the assembly of the chassis 1 and is sufficient to stiffen it.

[0047] The collecting surface formed by the cover 5 is a corrugated, rigid surface, made of sheet metal or plastic material.

[0048] According to one variant, the collecting surface consists of a solar panel connected to electronic / electrical equipment installed in the technical volume VT and allowing electricity to be stored to power equipment such as lighting or a pump or a valve system for water distribution.

[0049] Fig. 4 shows an installation 200 with a tank 6 consisting of a non-palletized tank 61, installed tightly in the cage CS of the chassis 1 which replaces the tank strapping as in the previous example.

[0050] In this case, the chassis 1 is assembled directly onto the tank 61, and the handling of the installation 200 incorporating the tank 61 is done solely using the base 2 receiving the teeth of a fork.

[0051] Fig. 5 shows a variant 300 of the installation 200 of Fig. 4. This variant is characterized by a development of the cover 5 forming the main cover 5a supplemented by lateral extensions 5b and rear extensions 5c; the front delimited by the gutter 51 remains free and directly accessible.

[0052] Extensions 5b,c are installed on supports not shown in detail pro running alongside the crossbeams of the frame 4, for example, telescopic elements which are stored in the chassis 1 in transport position.

[0053] The collecting surfaces of the extensions 5b,c can be elements connected by hinges to the cover 5 or to the frame 4 in order to fold up.

[0054] To avoid deformations and lifting under the effect of gusts of wind, the ends of the extensions 5b,c are connected by guy wires to the frame 1, which does not add weight to the whole but makes it more rigid since it is held by the load represented by the volume of water in the reservoir 6. This increased collecting area which represents (n) times the collecting area of ​​the base of the cover 5 thus multiplies, by this coefficient (n), the total level of rain that can be collected.

[0055] The reservoir 6 can also be used as a storage volume supplied with a mobile tank as needed, for example, for the water required for feeding livestock on a pasture equipped with the autonomous installation 100. The drinking troughs supplied from the reservoir 6 are not shown; they may be, for example, individual cups with a flap which the animals access and trigger the distribution of water themselves by leaning on the flap.

[0056] The increased collecting surface also has the advantage of protecting the tank 6 from the sun, which is all the more interesting as this surface can be composed of solar panels powering batteries combined with the chassis 1.

[0057] Figure 6 shows the simplified version 400 of the chassis in which the raised support 3 is combined with the base 2 and the two profiles 21. The cross members 11 and the side members 12 are connected to the uprights 10 by gussets 103, which stiffen the joints. The uprights 10, the cross members 11, and the side members 12 can also form frames to receive panels (not shown) that close certain sides of the chassis.

[0058] Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a self-contained installation 500 composed of two twin frames la,b, to double the capacity. These two juxtaposed frames la,b are joined together to form an assembly bordered by a common gutter 51 or by two gutter sections 5la,b, each with a separate conduit 52a,b connecting the gutter to the inlet of the tanks 6a,b.

[0059] Figure 8 shows the diagram of a combination of two frames 1a, b connected to a combined pipe 52 receiving water from the common gutter 51 or from two separate gutters or gutter sections 5a, b. The combined pipe 52 includes outlets 52a, b connected to a junction pipe 522 which receives the water and directs it to a distribution pipe 523 connected to the inlet of each of the reservoirs 6a, b by an inlet pipe 524a, b. The junction pipe 522 can be fitted with a removable filter.

[0060] Connecting the outlets of tanks 61a, 61b in series also facilitates filling from a mobile tank, which is then simply connected to the common outlet and functions as a supply input.

[0061] According to an unrepresented variant, the gutter 51 is covered by a grid which retains the leaves, preventing the gutters from clogging and the water in the tanks from being polluted.

[0062] For similar reasons, the conduit 52 includes, as already indicated, a removable filter 521 accessible from below the collecting surface and which retains coarse particles; this removable filter is cleaned periodically.

[0063] The two distribution outlets 7la,b of the two tanks 6la,b are connected to a common pipe 72 equipped with a single distribution valve 53.

[0064] This open communication in the lower part of tanks 61a,b allows the level of the two tanks 6a,b to be automatically balanced and compensated for any differences filling differences related to partial obstruction of a pipe or part of a gutter 51.

[0065] This parallel connection of the inlets of the tanks 6la,b, and its combination with a parallel assembly of the outlets 5la,b upstream of the common tap 73 balances the filling of the tanks by the principle of communicating vessels. The installation of two or more frames la,b,... to obtain an increased collecting surface area by complementary surfaces such as those described above, thus increases the collection of rainwater. The combination of the tanks also increases stability against animals that might lean against the installation.

[0066] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0067] 100 Standalone installation on a chassis

[0068] 200 Standalone installation on a chassis

[0069] 300 Two-chassis stand-alone installation

[0070] 1 Chassis

[0071] 10 Amount

[0072] 101 Extension forming the base

[0073] 102 Bearing surfaces

[0074] 103 Extension of the upright forming the frame

[0075] 11 Traverse

[0076] 11-1 Intermediate cross member

[0077] 12 Longeron

[0078] 12-1 Structural member

[0079] 13 Intermediate side member

[0080] 2 Base

[0081] 21 Inverted U-shaped profile

[0082] 3 Elevated support

[0083] 4 Framework

[0084] 5 Cover

[0085] 5a Main cover

[0086] 5b Lateral extension

[0087] 5c Rear extension

[0088] 51 Gutter

[0089] 5la,b Gutter parts

[0090] 52 Conduct

[0091] 52la,b Outputs

[0092] 522 Common Conduct

[0093] 523 Distribution line

[0094] 524a,b Inlet pipe

[0095]

[0096] 6 Reservoir 61 Tank

[0097] 611 Frame

[0098] 62 Pallet

[0099] 621 Fork tooth channel

[0100] 63 Fork tooth channel

[0101] 7 Distribution

[0102] 7a,b Tank outlets

[0103]

[0104]

[0105]

[0106] 72 Connecting pipe 73 Outlet valve AR Rear AV Front / front

[0107] CS Raised cage

[0108] IT Access gap

[0109] VT Technical volume

Claims

Demands

1. Self-contained rainwater harvesting and storage installation, characterized in that it comprises - a parallelepiped frame (11) forming a raised cage (CS) intended to receive a tank (6), - four uprights (10) connected by crossbeams (11) and stringers (12, 13) forming: * a base at the ends (101) of the uprights, * a raised support (3) constituting the underside of the cage (CS), * a framework (4) connecting the top of the uprights (10) and carrying a cover (5) forming a collecting surface inclined towards one side of the frame (1) bordered by a gutter (51) equipped with a pipe (52) opening above the cage (CS), * a base (2) above the ends (101).

2. Self-contained rainwater harvesting and storage installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the uprights (10) are connected to the base (2) above the ends (101) under the raised support (3) and forming a technical volume (VT).

3. Self-contained installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the base (2) or the raised support (3) comprises two inverted U-shaped profiles (21) connecting the front and rear cross members (11) and forming supports to receive the two tines of a forklift for transporting or moving the chassis (1).

4. Self-contained installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the raised support (3) comprises front and rear cross members (11) and side stringers (12), formed by angle brackets delimiting the surface receiving the tank (61) from the reservoir (6) and intermediate stringers (13) connecting the cross members (11) and completing the support surface of the tank (61).

5. Self-contained installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal section of the parallelepiped chassis is greater than the section of a pallet.

6. Standalone installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the uprights (10) are angle brackets.

7. Self-contained installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is composed of a main cover (5a) at the cross-section of the chassis (1) and bordered by lateral or rear extensions (5b,c), connected to a gutter (51) itself connected to the inlet of the tank (6).

8. Self-contained installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two frames (la,b) whose gutters (5la,b) are connected by two pipes (52la,b) opening into a common pipe (52) connected by a distribution pipe (523) to two inlet pipes (524a,b) connected respectively to one and the other inlet of the tanks (61a,b) of the two frames (la,b).

9. Self-contained installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two frames (la,b) whose outlets (71a,b) of the tanks (61a,b) are freely connected to a connecting pipe (72) equipped with a common outlet valve (73) downstream of the two outlets of the tanks (61a,b).

10. Self-contained rainwater harvesting and storage installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover (5) and the extensions (5a,b,c) are made of corrugated ribbed sheets or photovoltaic panels.

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