Self-Actuating Sewer Gate for Automatic Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sewage systems face blockages due to deposit accumulation, leading to flooding and environmental hazards, and existing flushing devices are not self-sufficient, require human intervention, and cannot prevent upstream sewage backup.
Innovation Solution
A self-sufficient sewer flushing device with a pivotally supported gate and counterweight that automatically opens when sewage reaches a predetermined level, ensuring downstream flow while preventing upstream backup, and featuring an overflow mechanism to prevent flooding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a gate is installed in an inspection chamber to control sewage flow, then downstream flow is controlled, but the device requires human intervention for installation and cannot prevent upstream backup
Solution Approach 1:
The gate device is designed to operate automatically based on sewage level without requiring human intervention. The counterweight mechanism self-activates when sewage reaches a certain level, opening the gate to release pressure and then automatically closing when the level drops, creating a self-regulating system that prevents both downstream blockages and upstream backups.
2Ease of manufacture
If pressurised water jetting systems are used to clean sewer pipes, then deposits are removed, but the pipes are damaged and ambient air is polluted
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts the harmful effect of high-pressure sewage flow into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. When the gate opens to release built-up pressure, the resulting high-velocity sewage jet naturally flushes deposits from the pipe walls downstream, transforming what would be a damaging force into an effective cleaning action without requiring external water jetting equipment.
3Reliability
If the gate is held closed to prevent upstream backup, then sewage build-up is controlled, but downstream flushing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gate operates periodically rather than remaining continuously closed or open. The counterweight mechanism causes the gate to open automatically when sewage reaches a predetermined level, allowing periodic flushing bursts that maintain downstream productivity while remaining closed most of the time to prevent upstream backup, thus achieving both reliability and productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively flushes sewage systems without human intervention, prevents upstream backup, and minimizes disruption to public services by automatically regulating sewage flow and incorporating an overflow mechanism to manage excess sewage.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means in the form of a counter weight supported on a lower portion of the gate, and configured to bias the gate to a closed position
Implementation Method 2
the gate being urged towards its open position only when the build-up of sewage reaches a predetermined level thus causing the build-up of sewage to be rapidly released
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a sewer flushing device for location in a sewage system. The device comprises a housing (21) with an inlet (31), an outlet (33) and a sewage flow path defined between said inlet and outlet. At least one of the inlet or outlet is adapted to connect to a conduit of the sewage system. A gate (22) is pivotally supported on the housing (21) for movement between open and closed positions and the gate has a pivot axis between the upper and lower ends. Biasing means (65) are configured to urge the gate to a closed position whereat the flow path is substantially blocked causing a build-up of sewage upstream of the gate. The gate is moved to its open position only when the build-up of sewage behind the gate reaches a predetermined level thus causing the built-up sewage to be rapidly released to flush the sewage system downstream of the flushing device.