US1756596A - Sewer-flushing device - Google Patents

Description

April 1 3 L. F. KATONA 1,756,596

SEWER FLUSHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 21. 1929 l NVE'NTOR. I W

ATTORNEY mentsof the valve are so slow as to at times bodiment of the invention,

Patented Apr. 29, 1930 v r p p i UNITED STATES TT OFFICE,

LOUIS F. KATONA, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SEWER-FLUSHING nnvrcn Application filed February 21, 1929. Serial No. 341,598.

This invention relates to an improved type render the action quite unreliable and uncerof sewer flushing device and is particularly tain. directed to that general class of devices which It is therefore a further object of the presautomatically function to periodically disent invention to substitute for said overflow 5 charge a predetermined volume of flushing principle a principle of service water con water into a sewer system. trol in which an automatic service valve is A device of this general character comcontrolled by the level of water in the well prises a flushing well having a valved outlet to direct a full service flow into the operatcommunicating with the sewer conduit to be ing bucket when said well water reaches a 10 flushed, said valve being arranged to be auto predetermined height, so as to rapidly fill matically opened by mechanism controlled by said bucket, and to provide an arrangement a predetermined head of water which is perby means of which such full service flow into mitted to flow into the well at a predeterthe bucket is extended beyond the point of mined preferably slow rate. perfect counterbalance and until the weight 15 In a prior Patent, No. 1,642,659, issued of water thus flowing into the bucket appre- September 13, 1927, to C. R. Lion, there is ciably predominates over the opposed weight disclosed a device of this general nature havof the main flushing valve, thus insuring a ing a flushing valve which is operated by a positive and quick opening of said flushing V tripping pan or bucket situated in a pit below valve. e

20 the floor-board of the well and adapted to It is a further object to provide a device receive the overflow from the well until said of the above character, having a service valve pan contains a sufficient weight of water to which closes at a water level appreciably less overbalance the weight of the valve so as to than that required to open said service valve, open said valve and release the water conwhereby a full service flow is directed into 25 tained in the well, thus effecting the sewer the operating bucket an appreciable period flushing operation. of time after the flushing valve begins to In devices of this character, the position open. ing of the pan or bucket in a pit below the Many thousands of sewer flushing devices floor-board of the well, upon which floorof the character disclosed in the said patent 30 board the entire mechanism is supported and to C. R. Lion are now in actual service, par

from which said pan is suspended, has proven tieularly i th ity and nt f Los A to be oblectionable that. it is eXtremely geles, California, and on account of the suunaccessible for l dl m and for perior character of the herein described imthe reason that in order to substitute a new movements i is Very desirous f being able P one Whlch 18 no longer Servlcefible to economically apply such improvements to i it becomes necessary to dismount h entire such flushing devices, therefore such improveuppe? structure and remove the f ments are herein shown as being particularly 1 2 therefor? anroblect of h presetlt madaptable for convenient and quick applica- Ventlon to Provide a sewer fiushmg devlce of tion to the standard type of device illustrated the general character referred to, in which, all of the mechanism is positioned above the In i i and 1t 15 an qblect of the Pres ent lnvention to produce nnprovements of floor-board and is readily accessible for rethe above character which y be so com palr or replacement of Parts. 7 bined with such standard structure.

'1 a t d V r In the devlce Illustrated m'salc P en an Various other ob ects and advantages Wlll be more fully apparent from the following in other similar devices operating upon the overflow principle, it has been found that q the slow overflow brings about a tripping of ClQSPYIPlHOIl 0f the co pany ng raWlllgS the mechanism at such a delicate point of which form a part of thls disclosure and balance that the opening and closing movewhich illustrate a preferred form of em- In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical section illustrating the flushing device of the present invention as mounted for operation within the well of a sewer system.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed plan view of the operating bucket and the end of the walkingbeam to which it is connected.

' In the drawings, 10 designates a well of any particular desired design, having at its top a manhole ring 11 closed by an inner pan 12 and an outer manhole cover 13, preferably located approximately level with the street or ground surface.

Below the floor level of the well 10 is a pit 14 located at the head of a sewer conduit 15, and mounted between the well 10 and the pit l l is a floor-board 16, preferably formed of wood which has been treated with asphalt or other suitable material to render it watertight, said floor-board being preferably calked in a-metal frame 17 which is securely anchored in the masonry of the well.

The floor-board 16 forms a support for the entire mechanism of the device and has a valvedopening 18 therein constituting a dis charge, port establishing direct communication between the well and the sewer conduit 15. An annular tapered valve seat 19 is secured in said opening 18 by screws 20 and cooperating with said seat is a valve 21 having a tapered valve ring 22 preferably formed of rubber and held in an annular groove in said valve by its inherent tension.

Secured to the floor-board by bolts 23 is a tubular standard 24: extending upwardly to a point somewhat above a predetermined high water level and having an overflow opening 25 above said level, the interior of said standard communicating with the pit A so that in event of failure of the mechanism to open the flushing valve, the flushing fluid flowing into the well 10 may overflow through the overflow opening 25 and discharge through said standard into the sewer. The standard 24 has laterally and upwardly extending fulcrum arms 26 carrying,

a fulcrum pin 27 upon which fulcrums 'a walking-beam 28. To one end of said walking-beam is pivotally connected a valve rod 29 which extends downwardly through the outer end of a guide arm 26 extending outwardly from the medial portion of the standthose of the device disclosed in the Patent No. 1,256,656, issued February 19, 1918, to G. H. Burns.

The means which I employ for opening the flushing valve 21 includes an operating bucket 30 positioned abovethe body of flushing water in the Well and carried by the forked end of the walking-beam 28. In the particular embodiment herein illustrated the meansemployed for connecting the bucket 30 to the walking-beam 28 comprises an arm 31 which is preferably made of a flat metal bar having trunnion pins 32 welded to the edges thereof, as indicated at 32 in Fig. 3, and having a pivot bar 33 welded at its medial portion to the upper outer end of said arm 31 as indicated at 33 in Fig. 3. This arm 31 has an inner lower end 31 and the opposite free ends of the pivot bar extend into the bores of pivot blocks 3 1' which are secured to the respective upper marginal walls 35' at opposite ends of the bucket 3 The bucket 30 is thus dependingly and piv otally supported upon the outer upper end of the arm 31. In assembling the bucket supporting arm 31 upon the forked end of V the walking-beam 28, the inner lower end 31 of the arm 31 is inserted between the limbs 28 and beneath the arm 28 and the trunnion pins 32 are lowered into the depressions 28, as shown in Figs. 1, and 3. By reason of this particular arrangement, the

arm 31 and the operating bucket 30 may seat 43 secured in place by a lock-nut 44: 'engaging the screw-threaded shank of said seat and clamping against the bottom wallof the bucket. A cap 45 is screwed upon the lower end of said valve seat shank and is provided with a discharge orifice 46 through which the operating rod 47 of a drain valve 18 extends, said rod being considerably smaller in diameter than said discharge orifice, to permit free passage of fluid through said orifice. Said valve rod 47 extends downwardly to within a short distance of the upper surface of the floor-board 16 whenthe mechanism is in normal condition with the drain valve 48 closed, this slight spacing of the valve rod 47 from the floor-board being for the purposeof al lowing a free .closingof said valve.

The means'which I employ to slowly fill the flushing well and to quickly fill the operatingbucketwhen the well becomes full, will now be described. 7 v

A float controlled service valve mechanism includes a-valve body 51 suitably secured to I the standard by a bracket 35 and having a pressure chamber 52 communicating with a service pipe 53 conneetedtoithe ci'ty water'sys? tem or other source of water under pressure. A discharge chamber '54 communicates with .said pressure chamber 52, through a passage which is controlled by a service valve 55, and with a bucket filling conduit 56 of gooseneck form which extends upwardly a considerable distance and thence downwardly into the upper end of the bucket 30.

The stem 57 of the service valve extends downwardly through the valve body 51and through a guide bracket 58 formed on said body and between the body 51 and the bracket 58 said valve stem 57 has a reduced portion 59 (see Fig. 2) providing opposed shoulders 60. Extending on opposite sides of said reduced portion 50 so as to engage the opposed shoulders 60 are two fork arms 61 of a valve operating lever 62, said arms being pivoted on a pivot pin 63 in the bracket 58 and the lever 62 being provided with afloat 64 by means of which the valve 55 is operated. The wall of the pressure chamber 52 has a very small outlet port 65 through which the flushing water is discharged from the service line directly into the well,,as indicated in Fig. 1, and the wall of the discharge chamber 54 has a drain port 66, said outlet port 65 being very minute as compared to the size of the service pipe 53 and the filling conduit 56, for instance, where these pipes are one-half inch in size, said port 65 will preferably be the size of a standardnumber sixty drill.

Describing the operation of the device, it

is assmued that the mechanism is in a normal condition with the flushing valve seated and the service water turned on. Under these conditions the pressure of the service water acting upon the upper surface of the closed service valve 55 will tend to hold said valve closed and a very small portion of the service water will slowly discharge from the pressure chamber 52 through the minute port .65, thus slowly filling the main flushing well 10.

In practice a sewerflushing well of ordinary size will have a capacity of aboutSOO gallons of flushing water and the filling jet discharged from the port 65 will be of such small volume that from twenty to twentyfour hours time will be required in which to fill the flushing well.

As the water level reaches a proper predetermined height as illustrated in Fig. 1, the water will exert av buoyant force upon the float 64 but until this force is sufficient to over- 7 come the service water pressure exerted upon the upper surface of the closed service valve 55, the float 64 will remain in its normal lower position and become more submerged as the water level rises. When,'through such increased submergence, the float has sufiicient lifting power, the valve 55 will be opened. However, such opening will not be a slow gradual opening but will be a relatively quick opening since as soon as the valve 55 is cracked or just slightly opened to allow a counterbalancing of pressures, upon opposite sides of the valve, the full elevating force due- [to the excess subinergence of the float required to initially crackthe valve, is nolonger necessary; therefore, the float thus relieved of the majority of its burden, will immediately bob upwardly to seek a higher level, more nearly floating upon the surface ofthe water, and efiect a quick full opening of the service valve. This will be responsible for a corresponding lag in the time .of closing of this valve, as will be later referred to.

Uponthe opening of the service valve 55 when the well is filled to the desired level, approximately the full service supply (excepting the small amount whichcontinues to flow into the mainwell through the filling port 65, and a-small amount whichwill, as later described, fiowthrough a safety port 66) will flow through the gooseneck conduit 56 to fil the operating bucket 30. q

The flow of service water into the operating bucket 30 will increase the weight hanging upon the outer end of the arm 31 of the walking-beam which connects said bucket with the flushing valve 21 and when this weight overloalances the weight of the flush- 1 ing valve, the operating bucket will start to descend to correspondingly open the flushing valve. r l

Contributing to the positive opening of the flushing valve, will be the lag (previously re ferred to) in. the closing of the service valve 55. Of course it will be understood thatas soon as the'flushing valve starts to open, the flushing water in the well will start to discharge into the pit 14 and sewer 15, through the opening 18,- thus causing a lowering of the water level in the well. However, due to the upward bob of the float 64 during the openingof the servicevalve .55, said valve 55 will not completely close until the water is at a much lower level than that which was required to cause said valve to crack and byreason of this lag in the closing of the service valve, the maximum flow of service water into the operating bucket 30 will con tinue for an appreciable time after the flushingvalve starts to open.

The operating bucket 30-retains all of the water which flows into it until said bucket descends a sufiicient distance to cause the lower end of the stem 47 of the drain valve 48 to contact with the upper surface :of the floor-board 16, whereupon said drain valve of the flushing well before sufficient water has drained from the operating bucket 30 actual service, the full opening movement of the flushing valve is effected in a sub 'stantial ly instantaneous manner after the operating bucket is filled and an appreciable time will elapse before the water level in the well will lower sufficiently to effect a closing of the service valve and during this time the service water will continue to flow into the operating bucket at least as fast as it drains through the drain port 46.

The flushing opening 18 is of suflicient size to discharge the 300 gallons of. water in the well in about thirty seconds, and this discharge is so fast in relation to the draining of the weight water from the bucket through the drain port 46 that there is plenty of time for the well to fully discharge its flushing water before the mechanism again starts to normalize.

, As previously mentioned, the drain port 66 in the service valve body 52 is a safety feature intended to take care of any ordinary leakage in the service valve; that is, in case of ordinary leakage the water leaking past the closed service valve 55 will drain through the port 66 in preference to flowing upwardly over the gooseneck of the conduit 56, such port 66 being able to take care ofvalve leak: age up to at least a leakage equal to the full draining capacity of such drain port. This draining capacityis sufiicient to take care of all ordinary valve'leaka-ge, however, if a leakage greater than said capacity occurs, the excess leakage will of course pass over into the: operatingbucket but this will only cause more frequent operations of the device.

Such a situation will never occur in actual practice since this drain port 66 is approximately one-quarter of an inch in diameter and avalve leakage even approaching such volume would be readily noted and eliminated by repair upon one of the regular periodic inspections to which all municipal sewer flushing devices are subjected.

' Ithas been previously explained how the lag in the full closing of the service valve causes'the service waterto flow-into the operating bucket'for an appreciable time after the flushing valve 2lstarts to open. This is a: desirablefeature-which is further augmentedby the provision of th'edrain opening 66 reason of the fact that'after the" service valve 55 is" opened and. while the operating bucket 30" isbeing filled, said drain port 66 is discharging water into the well and thus" con; tinuing the raising of the waterlevel in the Welland thegrearer submergence of the then Stariena-ry float 4., with suchresulting delay Service Vail V8 55 in felt}- may be converted into the improved type of V device herein disclosed.

' In converting any of such standard flushing devices into one of my improved type, all that is required is to disengage the upper end of the bucket rod of such prior devices from the walking-beam thereof, lower the bucket to rest uponthe floor of the pit, then disengage said bucket rod from the bucket and withdraw said rod upwardly through the standard and from the well, the bucket 70 remaining in the pit where it will not interfere with the operation of my device. bucket 30 and arm 31 ofmy improved arrangement may be quickly installed upon the walking-beam 28, as previously explained, and the service valve supporting bracket may be conveniently attached to the side wall of the upper end of the standard 24, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have provided an improved sewer flushing device in which the flushing well is slowly filled by a minute flow from the After this is done, the

service line and when the flushing water It will also be apparent that the improved features of the device herein illustrated are particularly adapted for the converting of the old standard types of flushing devices herein referred to, into flushing devices embodying the features and advantages of the present invention.

The bucket draining valve 48 is of particular advantage when the service line pressure is relatively low. However, in cases where the service pressure is relatively high so that the water would flow into the bucket a great deal faster than it could possibly drain throughthe bucket drain port 46, the bucket drain valv'e48 could, if desired, be dispensed with without departing from the broad features of the present invention, and while the particular embodiment illustrated and described herein is fully capable of fulfilling the objects primarily stated. it is to be understood that I do not wish to limitthe invention thereto, 'f'or'i't' is" susceptible 6f embodiment iIi various other forms coming within the full scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention: I V

1. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; valve operating means including an actuatingbucket adapted to open said valve when saidv bucket receives apredetermined amount of water; a service municat-ing with a sewer;-a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; valve operating means including an actuating-bucket adapted to open said valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amount ofwater; a service. water pipe line having a goose-neck discharge conduit adapted to discharge service water directly into said actuating bucket; a'normallyclosed service valve in said pipe line; and means controlled by the body of flushing fluid in said well and functioning to open said service valve when said flushing fluid reaches a predetermined level and thereby cause said bucket to be filledto effect an opening ofthe flushing valve, there being a relatively small drain opening in the service pipe line between the service valve and the goose-neck discharge conduit for discharging leakage due to a faulty; closing of said service valve and for discharginga portion of said service water directly into the well when the service valve is open.

3. In a sewer flushing device, the combina tion of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; valve operating means including an actuating bucket adapted to open said valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amount of water; a service water pipe line having a relatively small port discharging a minor volume of the available service water into said well and a terminal discharge conduit adapted to discharge service water directly into said actuating bucket; a normally closed service valve in said pipe line between said port and said discharge conduit; and means controlled by thebody of fiushing fluid in said well and functioning to open said service valve when said flushing fluidreaches a predetermined bucket to effect an opening of the flushing valve. Y

4. In a sewer flushing device, the cornbination of: a well adapted to'contain a body. of clear flushing water and having an outlet communicating with a sewer a flushingvalve normally closing said outlet; valve operating means including an actuating bucket adapted to receiveonly clear water-and functioning to open said valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amount of said water; a service water pipe line having a discharge conduit adapted to discharge service water directly into said actuating bucket; a normally closed service valve in said pipe line; and float means controlled by the body of flushing water'in said well and functioning to open said service valve when said flushing water v reaches a predetermined level and thereby causesaid bucket to be filled with service water to efiect an opening of the flushing valve. i Y

5. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outletcommunicating with a sewer;,a flushing valve normally closingsaid. outlet; valve operating means including an actuating bucket adapted to open said valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amountofwater; a service water pipe line having a discharge conduit adapted to: discharge service water under pressure directly into said actuating bucket; a normally closed service valve in said pipe line; and float means controlled by the body of flushing fluid in said well and functioning to open said service valve when said flushing fluid, reaches a predetermined level and thereby cause said bucket to be filled touefl'ect an opening of the flushing valve,

said service valve being arranged to open against the service water pressure, whereby a major submergence of said float is required to overcome the service Water pressure and start to open the service valve to effect a counterbalance of pressure on opposite sides of said valve and thus relieve said float of its major burden whereupon said float immediately raises toa point of minor submergence'f to effect a quick full opening of the service valve.

6. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; valve operating means including 'an actuating bucket, said valve normally overbalancing the bucket to hold it elevated and the bucket being adapted to overbalance and open. said flushing valve when said bucket receives apredetermined amount of water; a service water pipe line having a discharge conduit adapted to dis- I resentecharge service; water directly into said" a ctu' ating bucket; anorm'ally closed service valve in saidpipe line; means controlled by" the bodyof flushingfluid in said well and functioning to opensaid service valve when the flushing fluidreaches a predetermined levelandthereby cause said bucket to be filled to' overbalance and open the flushing'valve and to close said service valve after the flushing valve is opened; and meanspermitting a relatively slow draining of the actuating bucket afterit operates the flushing valve.

' '7; r In a sewer flushing device, the combinamined amount of'wat'er, said bucket having a restricted drain orifice; a drain valve closing said drain orifice when'said bucket is in elevated position; a service water pipe line having a discharge conduit adapted to discharge service water'directly into said actuating bucket ;anormally closed service valve in said pipe line; means controlled by the body of flushing fluid in said well and functio'ning to open said service valve when the flushing fluid reaches a predetermined level and thereby cause said bucket to be filled to overbalance and open the flushing valve and to close'said service valve after the flushing valve is opened; and means functioning. to open said drain valve when the actuating bucket descends, for permitting a relativelyslow draining of the actuating bucket after it operates the flushing valve.

8'. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; a standard having a fulcrum arm; a walking-beam pivotally supported upon said fulcrum arm, said walkingbeam on one side of its fulcrum being connected to said flushing valve and having a forked end on the opposite side of its ful- 7 mm; an operating bucket normally positioned above the'maximum water level in said well; and a supporting arm for said bucket detachably engaging the forked end of said walking-beam in a manner to form a substantially rigid extension thereof. v

9. In combination: a walking-beam for a sewer flushing device; an operating bucket flushing device, said unit comprising' a bucket, a supporting arm connected to saidbucket and having "laterally projecting trunnions on its free end portion spaced from the terminal free end of said arm.

11. An operating bucket for opening the flushing valve of a sewer flushing device, said bucket having a drain opening {in its lower wall surrounded by a valve seat, and a drain valve independent of said flushing valve for closing said drain opening and having'adepending valve rod extending through'said' opening and adapted for engagement by a stationary object when said bucket is lowered, 12. An operating bucket for opening the flushing valve of asewer flushing devlce, said bucket havin a drain oaenin surrounded by a valve seat, a'dra-i'n valve independent of said flushing valve for closing said-drain opening, and means for opening said drain valve when said bucket is lowered. v

13; An operating bucket for opening the fiushingvalve ofa sewer flushing device, said bucket having a drain'opening, and'a, drain valve independent ofsaid'fiushing valve for controlling said drain opening.

1 1; An operating'bu'cket' for opening the flushing valve of a sewer flushing device, said valve independent of said flushing valve and having a valve rod adapted for engagement by a stationary object to open said drain valve when the bucket is lowered.

15. In asewer fi'ushingdevice, the combina tion of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve norinally closing said outlet; an actuating bucket adapted toopen sai'd flushing valve a'nd having a drain opening; a drain valve for closing said drain opening; and means for operating said drain valve. I

16. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of: a flushing valve; a standard; a walking-beam fulcrumed on said standard,

said walking-beam on one side of its fulcrum being connected to said flushing valve; an operating bucket; and a supporting arm for said bucket detachably engaging the oppo site free end of said walking-beam in a manner to form a'sub-stantially rigid extension thereof. j

17. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of z a well adapted to contain a body of flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; aflushing valve normally closing said outlet; a stationary support; a walking-beam fulcrumed on said support and having one end connected to said valve; an operating bucket normally positioned above the maximum water level in said well; and means for connecting, said bucket to the opposite free end of said walking; beam.

18; In a sewer flushing device, the combibucket having'a drain opening-and a drain nation of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing water and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; valve operating means including an actuating bucket adapted to open said valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amount of water, said bucket having a drain opening; a service water pipe line having a discharge conduit adapted to discharge service water directly into said actuating bucket; and means for controlling said drain opening.

19. In a. sewer flushing device, the combination of: a well adapted to contain a bodyof flushing fluid and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; and an actuating bucket adapted to open said flushing valve and normally situated above the maximum fluid level in said well.

20. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing water and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; an actuating bucket adapted to open said flushing valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amount of water; a service water pipe line discharging directly into said actuating bucket, said bucket having a drain opening; and float controlled means for controlling said drain opening.

21. In a sewer flushing device, the combination of: a well adapted to contain a body of flushing water and having an outlet communicating with a sewer; a flushing valve normally closing said outlet; an actuating bucket adapted to open said flushing valve when said bucket receives a predetermined amount of water; and a service water pipe line discharging directly into said actuating bucket.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California this 16th day of February, 1929.

LOUIS F. KATONA.

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