Bracket for water level sensor

Abstract

The disclosure provides a bracket for fixing a water level sensor to a wall of a manhole. The bracket has a base configured to be fixed to the wall and an arm connected to the base and extending away from the base as a cantilever. The arm is rigid and provides a plurality of positions at which the water level sensor can be releasably attached to the arm. The bracket has a deformable region configured such that, after fixing the base to a wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a plane transverse to the wall.

Description

[0001] BRACKET FOR WATER LEVEL SENSOR

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to water level sensing apparatus for mounting to a wall, for example in a manhole.

[0004] Background

[0005] Flooding is increasing due to climate change, urbanisation, and ageing infrastructure. Local sewage flooding in particular is a big problem as individuals repeatedly flush objects down toilets which are not meant to be flushed, such as wet wipes, which cause blockages in the sewage pipes. Often, a blocked pipe goes un-noticed until flooding has occurred and the source of the flood has been discovered. The current approach of major infrastructure operators is highly reactive due to a lack of adequate sensing technology and analytics. However, a reactive approach is costly from numerous perspectives including environmental damage, regulatory fines, legal cases, poor publicity, damage to assets, and high operational costs.

[0006] A proactive approach to flood prevention, including early detection of blocked pipes, allows for early and efficient intervention. Current sensors generally rely on welding or mechanical fixings to fix them within the pipe work. Welding, whilst it allows rough positioning of the sensor, is expensive, as it requires skilled labour and is time consuming to setup equipment and weld, and additionally poses a safety risk due to the presence of flammable gases in the sewage network. Mechanical mounting options, whilst they can be faster and more economical, often provide limited sensor positioning options, making the sensor difficult to install. The mechanical mounting options can themselves be challenging to install, such as a prop which applies external pressure on either wall of a manhole, which is tricky to install in a level position and can fall if incorrectly placed. Furthermore, both welded and mechanically mounted sensors can be difficult to retrieve for maintenance once installed and can hinder access required for maintenance of the pipework. Access may be required to permit entry of maintenance personnel, blockage clearing equipment and surveying equipment to assess and map pipework. The mounting options may entirely prohibit or restrict such access, and may result in damage to the sensor and mounting by the equipment, or forcible adjustment or removal by maintenance personnel for urgent access, damaging or removing the sensor.

[0007] Some sensors also can be positioned within the pipework, for example on an internal wall of a pipe, which reduces the cross-sectional area of the pipe and can contribute to blockages within the pipe. These types of sensors positioned within the pipework can also be challenging to install and retrieve for maintenance, and can be damaged by blockageclearing equipment such as high-pressure water jets, or prevent entry of surveying equipment, such as robotic cameras.

[0008] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved water level sensor mounting apparatus for use in preventing flooding due to blockages, which addresses at least some of the above problems.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] An aspect of the disclosure provides a bracket for fixing a water level sensor to a wall of a manhole, the bracket comprising any or all of the following features: a base configured to be fixed to the wall; and an arm connected to the base and extending away from the base as a cantilever; wherein the arm is rigid and is configured to provide a plurality of positions at which the water level sensor can be releasably attached to the arm; and wherein the bracket comprises a deformable region configured such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a plane transverse to the wall.

[0011] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a way of mounting a water level sensor to a wall of a manhole such that, after the bracket is fixed to the wall, the position of the water level sensor can be adjusted. In prior art arrangements, a water level sensor can only be positioned at the distal end of the bracket. As such, the bracket may need to be fixed to an inconvenient location on the wall to ensure that the water level sensor is positioned directly overhead the water whose level is to be measured. Alternatively, the size and shape of the bracket may need to be customised depending on the layout of the manhole. In the invention, providing a plurality of positions along the arm can be beneficial in allowing the water level sensor to be moved, for example, toward or away from the wall depending on the position of the water whose level is to be measured, even after the bracket has already been fixed to the wall. A further degree of freedom is provided by allowing the arm to be adjusted in a plane transverse to the wall, which may be a horizontal plane. In this way, when the bracket is mounted to the wall at a given position, the water level sensor can be suspended at various locations in the manhole by adjusting the position of the water level sensor along the arm and by adjusting the position of the arm relative to the base. This also allows repositioning of the sensor to improve access to the manhole. The deformable region can facilitate the arm being bent upwards, for example to a position in which the arm is substantially parallel to the wall, in order to provide more space for access to the manhole. This is particularly beneficial in small diameter manholes, where there is limited space for a person or equipment to enter the manhole. Using a deformable region can be beneficial by reducing the number of components required to provide multiple degrees of freedom of the water level sensor, which can simplify manufacture of the bracket. Furthermore, a deformable region can provide easier adjustment of the position of the arm, in contrast to arrangements that may include a latching component.

[0012] The base may be configured to be fixed to the wall by a wall mounting portion of the base. The deformable region may be configured to be positioned below the wall mounting portion when the base is fixed to the wall. The arm may be connected to the base by a movable portion of the base. The deformable region may be provided between the wall mounting portion and the movable portion. This can provide an advantageous arrangement in which the arm is configured to extend from the base below the wall mounting portion in order to contribute to the self-levelling capability of the bracket.

[0013] The base may comprise a tapered region. The tapered region may be located between the deformable region and the movable portion. This can be beneficial in reducing the stress concentrations around the deformable region.

[0014] The deformable region may comprise a reduced width portion of the base. This can provide the advantage of simplifying manufacture of the deformable region and allowing the base to be formed of a single material. The bracket may further comprise a hinged connection. The hinged connection may be between the base and the arm. The hinged connection may facilitate adjustment of the arm in a vertical plane.

[0015] The deformable region may be comprised in the base. The deformable region may be structurally weaker than a remainder of the base. As such, the deformable region may be configured such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a horizontal plane.

[0016] The plurality of positions may comprise a first position configured to be located at a first distance from the wall and a second position configured to be located at a second distance from the wall. The second distance may be greater than the first distance. The base and the arm may be formed of an integral piece of material. The integral piece of material may be formed from a single metal sheet. This may further simplify manufacturing.

[0017] The arm may comprise a platform. The platform may be configured to receive the water level sensor on an underside thereof. The arm may comprise at least one raised edge. The at least one raised edge may extend along the platform from a distal end of the arm toward the base at a proximal end of the arm. The arm may comprise a U-shaped channel. This can provide the advantage of a rigid structure which can support the weight of the water level sensor.

[0018] The arm may comprise a gap between the at least one raised edge and the base. The gap may be configured to permit pitching of the arm relative to the base. This can provide a simple way to manufacture a bracket whose arm can pitch up and down relative to the base, which may be beneficial if the wall to which the base is fixed is not vertical.

[0019] The arm may comprise a plastic sheet. The plastic sheet may be configured to be sandwiched between the arm and the water level sensor. This can aid the ability for the water level sensor to move between the plurality of positions, for example by reducing friction. In the case of a magnetic attachment between the water level sensor and the arm, the plastic sheet can be beneficial in increasing the separation between the water level sensor and the arm in order to reduce the magnetic attraction force therebetween. The bracket may further comprise anchoring means. The anchoring means may be configured to provide a secondary attachment between the bracket and the water level sensor. The anchoring means may comprise a loop. The loop may extend laterally from the base and may be configured to receive a clip. This provides the advantage of aiding installation, such that the water level sensor can be anchored to the bracket before it is releasably attached to the arm. In the event that the deformable region should snap, for example following excessive adjustment, the anchoring means can ensure that the sensor and bracket arm are not lost (which would incur a significant expense) and do not block the pipe work (which is the very thing the apparatus is trying to identify and prevent).

[0020] An aspect of the disclosure provides a bracket for fixing a water level sensor to a wall of a manhole, the bracket comprising any or all of the following features: a base configured to be fixed to the wall; an arm connected to the base and extending away from the base as a cantilever; and a hinged connection between the base and the arm to facilitate adjustment of the arm in a vertical plane; wherein the arm is rigid and is configured to provide a plurality of positions at which the water level sensor can be releasably attached to the arm; and wherein the base comprises a deformable region which is structurally weaker than a remainder of the base such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a horizontal plane.

[0021] Adjustment of the arm in the vertical plane may facilitate pitching of the arm relative to the base. Adjusting the position of the arm in the horizontal plane may facilitate yawing of the arm relative to the base.

[0022] An aspect of the disclosure provides a bracket for fixing a water level sensor to a wall of a manhole, the bracket comprising any or all of the following features: a base configured to be fixed to the wall; and an arm connected to the base and extending away from the base as a cantilever; wherein the arm is rigid and is configured to provide a plurality of positions at which the water level sensor can be releasably attached to the arm; and wherein the bracket comprises a deformable region configured such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a plane transverse to the wall, and wherein: i) the deformable region comprises a reduced with portion of the base; and / or ii) the bracket further comprises a hinged connection between the base and the arm to facilitate adjustment of the arm in a vertical plane, and the deformable region is comprised in the base and is structurally weaker than a remainder of the base such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a horizontal plane.

[0023] An aspect of the disclosure provides a water level sensing apparatus comprising the bracket as described hereinabove and a water level sensor attached to the arm, preferably releasably attached to the arm. The water level sensor may be configured to detect a water level by measuring a distance between the water and the water level sensor.

[0024] An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of mounting a bracket for a water level sensor around a bottom edge of a manhole, the method comprising any or all of the following steps: providing a bracket comprising a base and an arm extending away from the base as a cantilever, wherein the base comprises a deformable region; fixing the base of the bracket to a wall of the manhole above the bottom edge such that the arm passes beneath the bottom edge; and adjusting the position of the arm in a plane transverse to the wall by deforming the deformable region.

[0025] Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of water level sensing apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a bracket of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 2A in an alternative mounting arrangement;

[0030] Figure 3 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of the bracket shown in Figure 2A;

[0031] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 2A shown in different mounting positions;

[0032] Figure 4B is a front view of the bracket shown in Figure 4A in two different mounting positions;

[0033] Figure 5A is an exploded view of water level sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5B is a perspective view of water level sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Detailed description of the drawings

[0036] Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus for sensing water levels. In particular, the disclosure relates to a bracket for mounting a water level sensor on a wall, for example in a manhole, in order to measure the water level of fluid in the pipeline below the manhole. The water level sensor may take the form of an ultrasonic sensor which is able to detect a distance between the sensor and the water level. This provides a contact- free distance measuring device which can measure the water level from above the fluid itself. It will be appreciated that references to water level include the level of any fluid not limited to water, such as sewage liquid.

[0037] The bracket comprises a base and an arm extending from the base. The base can be a plate, such as a metal plate, which can be screwed or otherwise securely attached to a wall. The arm is a cantilever arm which extends from the base transversely to the wall, for example perpendicularly to the wall. The arm is rigid and is arranged to hold a water level sensor in the manhole such that the water level of fluid in the pipeline or channel directly below can be measured.

[0038] There may be limited space in a manhole in which to mount the bracket such that the water level sensor can be placed directly above the pipeline or channel in question, and it is therefore desirable to allow the position of the water level sensor in relation to the manhole to be adjusted after mounting the bracket to the wall. In this respect, the water level sensor can be releasably attached to the arm at a number of different connection positions. For example, a first connection position may be towards the distal end of the arm and a second connection position may be towards the proximal end of the arm. To enable this, the water level sensor may be magnetically attachable to the arm, for example by providing magnets on a surface of the water level sensor configured to be attracted to a metallic surface of the arm. In addition to or instead of a magnetic attachment, the water level sensor can be mounted to the arm using loops of material, such as cable ties.

[0039] In addition to allowing the water level sensor to be positioned relative to the arm, for example forwards and backwards of the mounting position on the wall, the bracket can also allow the water level sensor to be positioned upwards and downwards, and left and right, with respect to the mounting position of the wall. To provide this, the bracket is configured to be adjusted, after mounting to the wall, in order to position the arm at a range of angles in a plane transverse to the wall, which may be a horizontal plane or a vertical plane, for example. In this respect, the bracket includes a deformable region to allow such adjustment. In some arrangements, the deformable region can be a necked region of the base in order to facilitate twisting of the base so as to adjust the position of the arm.

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a manhole 100. The manhole has a wall 110, which may be a circular wall such as the wall of a borehole, or may be a flat wall as part of a square or rectangular manhole. Mounted on the wall 110 is a water level sensing apparatus 1 . The water level sensing apparatus 1 comprises a water level sensor 2 and a bracket 30 for fixing the water level sensor 2 to the wall 110 of the manhole 100. The bracket 30 comprises a base 60 configured to be fixed to the wall 110. The bracket 30 further comprises an arm 40 connected to the base 60 and configured to extend away from the base 60 as a cantilever. In other words, the bracket is configured such that the arm 40 is fixed at only one end, i.e. a proximal end thereof.

[0041] In the illustrated arrangement, the base 60 and the arm 40 are formed of an integral piece of material. The piece of material may be a single sheet, such as a single metal sheet. In the arrangement shown, the bracket 30 is formed from a metal sheet that has been subject to a material removal process, such as machining or stamping, and a bending process. The water level sensor 2 is releasably attached to the arm 40 such that the water level sensor 2 can be retained at a plurality of positions along the arm 40. For example, the water level sensor 2 may be arranged at a distal end of the arm 40, or, as shown in Figure 1 , a water level sensor 2' in a different position may be provided towards the proximal end of the arm 40. As will be described in relation to later figures, the bracket 30 comprises a deformable region configured such that, after fixing the base 60 to the wall 110, the position of the arm 40 can be adjusted in a plane transverse to the wall 110. Figure 2A shows an example of a bracket 30 mounted to a wall 110. The bracket 30 is an example of the bracket 30 described in relation to Figure 1. The base 60 may be a plate comprising a flat surface configured to abut the wall 110. The base 60 can therefore be arranged to lie flat against the wall 110 in order to support the cantilevered arm 30. The base 60 may be configured to be mounted to the wall on both sides. In some arrangements, the base 60 comprises at least a portion that is flat, wherein such a portion may be flat on both sides. In this respect, the base 60 may comprise a plate that is flat on both sides, such that the base 60 can lie flat against the wall 110 irrespective of which side abuts the wall 110. The base 60 may be mounted to the wall 110 by a fastening means 80. In the arrangement shown, the fastening means 80 is a nut and bolt arrangement. The fastening means 80 may be provided at a top portion of the base 60, which may be at an opposite end of the base 60 to the arm 40.

[0042] The arm 40 may extend from the base 60 transversely. In the arrangement shown, the arm

[0043] 40 extends perpendicularly to the base 60. The arm 40 is configured to be rigid in that the arm 40 is not flexible. The arm 40 may comprise a platform 43 which may be configured to provide a flat surface extending from the base 60. As such, when the bracket 30 is mounted to the wall 110, the platform 43 can provide a flat horizontal surface. The platform 43 can be configured to receive the water level sensor (not shown). In this respect, the platform 43 may comprise a ferromagnetic material in order to allow permanent magnets on a water level sensor to be fixed to the arm 40 (see Figure 5B).

[0044] The length of the arm 40 may be at least twice, preferably at least three times, the height of the base 60. In the illustrated example, the length of the arm 40 is approximately three and a half times the height of the base 60. The length of the arm 40 may be at least three times, preferably at least four times, preferably at least five times the width of the arm 40, i.e., the width of the platform 43.

[0045] The arm 40 may comprise a first raised edge 41 and / or a second raised edge 42. In Figure 2A, the first raised edge 41 and the second raised edge 42 can be provided on opposite sides of the arm 40 and can extend upwards from the platform 43. The first raised edge

[0046] 41 and the second raised edge 42 are configured to provide structural support to the arm 40. In the arrangement shown, the first raised edge 41 and the second raised edge 42 extend from the distal end of the arm 40 toward the base 60 at the proximal end of the arm 40. In this way, the arm 40 can comprise a U-shaped channel.

[0047] In the illustrated mounting configuration, the bracket 30 is mounted to the wall 110 so as to extend transversely away from the surface of the wall 110. The bracket 30 may be configured to be mounted to the wall 110 such that it extends from the wall 110 in a direction normal to the wall 110. In particular, it will be appreciated from Figure 2A that the normal to the surface of the wall 110 points in the same direction as the direction in which the arm 40 extends from the base 60. In other words, the wall 110 has an outwardly-facing normal 110a, which in Figure 2A points toward the right-hand side. The arm 40 extends from the base 60 in the same direction as the normal 110a. It will be appreciated that the same direction as the normal 110a includes arrangements in which the arm 40 extends from the base 60 in a direction which has at least a component in the same direction as the normal 110a.

[0048] Figure 2B illustrates an alternative mounting configuration for the bracket 30. In this arrangement, the bracket 30 is mounted by facing the base 60 in an opposite direction to the configuration shown in Figure 2A. This allows the bracket 30 to be mounted around a bottom edge 108 of a wall 110. Such a bottom edge 108 may be found at the bottom of a manhole 100 where it meets a transverse channel 104. The normal to the surface of the wall 110 points in the opposite direction to the direction in which the arm 40 extends from the base 60. In the example shown in Figure 2B, the normal to the surface of the wall 110 points to the left-hand side, while the arm 40 extends from the base 60 to the right-hand side. In other words, the wall 110 has an outwardly-facing normal 110a, which in Figure 2B points toward the left-hand side. The arm 40 extends from the base 60 in the opposite direction as the normal 110a. It will be appreciated that the opposite direction includes arrangements in which the arm 40 extends from the base in a direction which has at least a component that is opposite to the normal 110a. In this way, the bracket 30 can be mounted to the wall such that the arm 40 can pass underneath a roof 106 of the transverse channel 104.

[0049] In some arrangements, such reverse mounting can be facilitated by forming the base 60 from a plate that is configured to lie flat against the wall 110 on both sides, as described above in relation to Figure 2A. By configuring the base 60 to be mounted by fastening means 80 at a top portion thereof, as described above, the arm 40 can hang from a portion of the base 60 that is configured to be below the top portion, such that the arm 40 can pass underneath the roof 106. Furthermore, the bracket 30 may be substantially L-shaped. The space between the base 60 and the arm 40, which may be defined by the inside corner of the bracket 30, may be configured to accommodate the bottom edge 108. In this respect, the space may be free of any obstructions which would otherwise limit the extent to which the bracket 30 could be mounted around the bottom edge 108. In particular, the bracket 30 in the example shown does not include any additional tensile support such as that found in some existing brackets (e.g., stay cables).

[0050] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the base 60 in further detail. The base 60 may comprise a wall mounting portion 61. The wall mounting portion 61 is configured to be arranged toward the top of the base 60 when mounted to the wall 110. In the illustrated example, the wall mounting portion 61 comprises a rectangular plate with a mounting hole 61a therethrough. The mounting hole 61a is provided along a centreline of the base 60 and may be provided toward a top half of the wall mounting portion 61 . The mounting hole 61a is configured to receive fastening means 80 (see Figure 2A) such as a screw. In the arrangement shown, the base 60 comprises a single (i.e., only one) mounting hole 61a for mounting the base 60 to the wall 110.

[0051] The bracket 30 comprises a deformable region 62, which may be provided by the base 60. In the illustrated arrangement, the deformable region 62 is configured to be positioned below the wall mounting portion 61 when the base 60 is fixed to the wall 110. The deformable region 62 is connected to the wall mounting portion 61 . The deformable region 62 may comprise any suitable material capable of being deformed when a user applies a force to the base 60. At least the deformable region 62 may comprise any metal, in particular a metal that is ductile to allow for high strain and / or that does not exhibit a significant degree of work hardening and / or that is corrosion resistant. The metal may be galvanised steel or a stainless steel alloy, for example. The deformable region 62 may be structurally weaker than the remainder of the base 60. In one example, the deformable region 62 comprises a reduced width portion. In particular, the deformable region 62 can provide a necked region which, by virtue of its reduced width, can be deformed so that the base 60 can be twisted about a vertical axis. The reduced width portion may comprise a rectangular plate whose width is less than that of the wall mounting portion 61. The deformable region 62 may have a width that is approximately one third less than the width of the wall mounting portion 61. The base 60 may comprise a smooth transition, such as a tapered region 62b, between the wall mounting portion 61 and the deformable region 62.

[0052] The bracket 30 further comprises a movable portion 63. The arm 40 may be connected to the base 60 by the movable portion 63. The deformable region 62 may be provided between the wall mounting portion 61 and the movable portion 63. In this way, the movable portion 63 is arranged at the bottom of the base 60 when the base 60 is mounted to the wall 110. The movable portion 63 is connected to the deformable region 63. In contrast to the wall mounting portion 61 which is configured to remain fixed to the wall 110 by the fastening means, the movable region 63 can be configured to move by virtue of the deformable region 62 being deformed. Such deformation may be provided by a user adjusting the position of the arm 40. In cases where the deformable region 62 is provided by a reduced width portion, it will be appreciated that this arrangement can provide a base 60 having an hourglass shape.

[0053] The base 60 may comprise a tapered region 62a between the deformable region 62 and the movable portion 63. The tapered region 62a is configured to reduce stress concentrations between the deformable region 62 and the movable portion 63. For example, the tapered region 62a may provide a smooth transition between the deformable region 62 and the movable portion 63. In the arrangement shown, the movable region 63 is at least twice the width of the deformable region 62. The angle of the tapered region 62a in the example shown is approximately 45 degrees.

[0054] The base 60 may comprise at least one loop configured to receive a secondary attachment means. The secondary attachment means may provide an attachment between the bracket 30 and the water level sensor (not shown). In the arrangement shown, the base 60 comprises a first loop 71. The first loop 71 comprises a loop of material having a hole 71a therethrough, wherein the hole 71a can be configured to receive the secondary attachment means. The first loop 71 extends laterally from the base 60, in particular from the movable portion 63, at an angle to the arm 40. In the arrangement shown, the secondary attachment means is provided by an anchoring means 85 (see Figure 5B). The same features may apply to a second loop 72, which may be provided on an opposite side of the arm 40 to the first loop 71. As such, the anchoring means 85 may be connected to either the first loop 71 or the second loop 72.

[0055] The movable portion 63 may be connected to the arm by a joint 53. In particular, the joint 53 may be provided between the movable portion 63 and the platform 43 of the arm 40. The joint 53 may provide a hinged connection and may be configured to facilitate pitching of the arm 40 up and down relative to the base 60. In the arrangement shown, the joint 53 comprises a bend in the material comprising the base 60 and the arm 40. The joint 53 can be considered a deformable region that allows the arm 40 to be adjusted in a vertical plane. A gap 51 may be provided in the arm 40 between the first raised edge 41 and the base 60. The gap 51 provides space between the first raised edge 41 and the base 60, in order to permit the arm 40 to tilt upwards with respect to the base 60. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that a second gap can be provided on the opposite side to the first gap 51 , in order to provide a gap between the second raised edge 42 and the base 60.

[0056] Figure 4A illustrates the bracket 30 in two different positions. As described above, the moveable portion 62 of the base 60 can comprise a reduced width or necked portion which permits the base 60 to twist about a vertical axis, thereby allowing the angle of the arm 40 in a transverse plane, such as the horizontal plane, to be adjusted. In the illustrated arrangement, the original, undeformed position of the arm 40 is shown in dashed or phantom lines while the adjusted position of an arm 40' is shown in solid lines. The bracket 30 can be arranged such that after mounting the base 60 to the wall 110, the angle of the arm 40 can be adjusted left and right in order to ensure that the water level sensor is placed directly above the fluid whose level is intended to be measured.

[0057] Figure 4B is an end view showing the bracket 30 in two different positions. As described above, the base 60 can be mounted to the wall 110 by a single fastening means 80, such as a screw. As such, the base 60 can be configured to rotate about the fastening means 80. This provides a self-levelling capability of the bracket. In particular, the bracket 30 can be configured to be symmetrical in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall 110. In this way, in view of the wall mounting portion 61 being located toward the top of the base 60, the bracket 30 is configured to have an equilibrium position in which the arm 40, in particular the platform 43, is horizontal. Although not shown, the arm may comprise a spirit level, such as a bubble level, in order to aid the positioning of the bracket after mounting the base 60 to the wall.

[0058] Figure 5A is an exploded diagram of a water level sensing apparatus 1 configured to magnetically receive a water level sensor 2. In this respect, the water level sensor 2 may comprise a housing 8 which may comprise at least one magnet configured for mounting to the arm 40 of the water level sensing apparatus 1 . In the arrangement shown, the water level sensor 2 comprises a first magnet 10a and a second magnet 10b provided at opposite ends of the housing 8 of the water level sensor 2. In this way the water level sensor 2 can be magnetically attached to the arm 40 by the magnets. In the arrangement shown, the bracket 30 of the water level sensing apparatus 1 comprises a sheet 83, which may be a plastic sheet. The plastic sheet 83 is configured to be sandwiched between the arm 40 and the water level sensor 2. The plastic sheet 83 provides an additional separation between the magnets on the water level sensor 2 and the arm 40 in order to decrease the magnetic attraction force therebetween, and to facilitate the sliding of the water level sensor 2 along the arm 40.

[0059] Figure 5B is a perspective diagram illustrating the water level sensing apparatus 1 in which the water level sensor 2 can be mounted to the arm 40 using ties, which may be provided in addition to, or instead of, the magnetic arrangement described in relation to Figure 5A. In the arrangement shown, the water level sensor 2 is mounted to the arm by a first tie 81 and a second tie 82. The first tie 81 and the second tie 82 may be provided as cable ties configured to be received in apertures of the housing 8 and loop around the arm 40 so that the water level sensor can hang from the arm 40. The first tie 81 may be provided at a proximal end of the housing 8 and the second tie 82 may be provided at a distal end of the housing 8. In this way, it will be appreciated that the position of the water level sensor 2 can be adjusted by sliding the first tie 81 and the second tie 82 along the arm 40, in particular along the first raised edge 41 and the second raised edge 42.

[0060] In order to limit the movement of the water level sensor 2 along the arm 40, the arm 40 may comprise at least one tab configured to prevent movement of the water level sensor beyond the extent of the arm 40. In the arrangement shown, the first raised edge 41 comprises a first proximal tab 41a at the proximal end of the arm 40 and a first distal tab 41 b at the distal end of the arm 40. Similarly, the second raised edge 42 comprises a second proximal tab 42a at the proximal end of the arm 40 and a second distal tab 42b at the distal end of the arm 40. The tabs may be provided as increased height portions of the arm 40 with respect to the height of the first raised edge 41 and the second raised edge 42. As shown in Figure 5B, the first distal tab 41b and the second distal tab 42b prevent the second tie 82 from sliding off the distal end of the arm 40. Similarly, the first proximal tab 41a and the second proximal tab 42a prevent the first tie 81 from sliding into the gap between the raised edges and the base 60.

[0061] The apparatus 1 may further comprise anchoring means 85. In the arrangement shown, the anchoring means 85 comprises a clip configured to clip onto the loop 71 of the base 60. The anchoring means 85 may be connected to a cable 86 which may be in turn connected to the water level sensor 2. This provides a secondary attachment means between the water level sensor 2 and the bracket 30.

[0062] It will be appreciated from the above description that many features of the different examples are interchangeable and combinable. The disclosure extends to further examples comprising features from different examples combined together in ways not specifically mentioned. Indeed, there are many features presented in the above examples and it will be apparent to the skilled person that these may be advantageously combined with one another.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bracket for fixing a water level sensor to a wall of a manhole, the bracket comprising: a base configured to be fixed to the wall; and an arm connected to the base and extending away from the base as a cantilever; wherein the arm is rigid and is configured to provide a plurality of positions at which the water level sensor can be releasably attached to the arm; and wherein the bracket comprises a deformable region configured such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a plane transverse to the wall.

2. The bracket of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be fixed to the wall by a wall mounting portion of the base, and wherein the deformable region is configured to be positioned below the wall mounting portion when the base is fixed to the wall.

3. The bracket of claim 2, wherein the wall mounting portion comprises a single mounting hole configured to receive fastening means for mounting the base to the wall.

4. The bracket of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the arm is connected to the base by a movable portion of the base, and wherein the deformable region is provided between the wall mounting portion and the movable portion.

5. The bracket of claim 4, wherein the base comprises a tapered region between the deformable region and the movable portion.

6. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the deformable region comprises a reduced width portion of the base.

7. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the deformable region is comprised in the base and is structurally weaker than a remainder of the base such that, after fixing the base to the wall, the position of the arm can be adjusted in a horizontal plane.

8. The bracket of any preceding claim, further comprising a hinged connection between the base and the arm to facilitate adjustment of the arm in a vertical plane.

9. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position configured to be located at a first distance from the wall and a second position configured to be located at a second distance from the wall, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

10. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the base and the arm are formed of an integral piece of material.

11. The bracket of claim 10, wherein the integral piece of material is formed from a single metal sheet.

12. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the arm comprises a platform configured to receive the water level sensor on an underside thereof.

13. The bracket of claim 12, wherein the arm comprises at least one raised edge extending along the platform from a distal end of the arm toward the base at a proximal end of the arm.

14. The bracket of claim 13, wherein the arm comprises a gap between the at least one raised edge and the base, the gap being configured to permit pitching of the arm relative to the base.

15. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the arm further comprises a plastic sheet configured to be sandwiched between the arm and the water level sensor.

16. The bracket of any preceding claim, further comprising anchoring means configured to provide a secondary attachment between the bracket and the water level sensor.

17. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the anchoring means comprises a loop extending laterally from the base and configured to receive a clip.

18. The bracket of any preceding claim, further comprising a bubble level attached to the arm.

19. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the arm comprises at least one tab configured to prevent movement of the water level sensor beyond the extent of the arm.

20. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket comprises a space defined at an inside corner between the base and the arm, the space being configured to receive a bottom edge of the wall.21 . Water level sensing apparatus comprising the bracket of any of claims 1 to 20 and a water level sensor attached to the arm.

22. The water level sensing apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the water level sensor is configured to detect a water level by measuring a distance between the water and the water level sensor.

23. A method of mounting a bracket for a water level sensor around a bottom edge of a manhole, the method comprising: providing a bracket comprising a base and an arm extending away from the base as a cantilever, wherein the base comprises a deformable region; fixing the base of the bracket to a wall of the manhole above the bottom edge such that the arm passes beneath the bottom edge; and adjusting the position of the arm in a plane transverse to the wall by deforming the deformable region.

Images