Warning Device The present invention relates to a warning device, in particular, but not exclusively, a warning device for warning a user of rising sewerage water levels.
Buildings such as domestic dwellings are generally provided with sewer systems, which comprise a sewer water pipe running under or adjacent the dwelling for carrying waste water from the dwelling. One or more drainage connections are provided from the dwelling to the sewer pipe. These drainage connections carry, for example, soil pipe waste, water from roof guttering, washing machine and dishwasher waste, as well as, for example, waste from a domestic kitchen. Accordingly, the sewer system must be able to contend with a multitude of different materials. However, the sewer system can become overloaded as a result of unsuitable materials being poured or flushed down the drainage connections. Such unsuitable materials include, for example, cooking fats and solid debris. As a consequence, the sewer system, in particular the sewer pipe, can become blocked such that water entering the sewer system from the drainage connections cannot flow through the sewer pipe and the level of water in the sewer system will then begin to rise. The level in the sewer system will continue to rise to a point when it will then spill out of the system, typically from the lowest topographic point, such as an inspection chamber, gully or manhole. Only once water begins to overflow from the system, is it usually evident that the sewer system is blocked.
A sewer system may also begin to overflow as a result of excessive rainfall due to the limit in capacity of the sewer system. A sewer system may also begin to overflow if the sewer pipe collapses.
Overflowing sewer systems, particularly systems carrying soil waste, pose a potential public health risk. An overflowing sewer system may also result in water andlor flood damage being caused to the dwelling or property.
The present invention seeks to mitigate the aforementioned problems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warning system for a sewer system of a house, the system comprising:-a non-electrical sensor adapted to produce a non-electrical signal when a predetermined level is reached by water in the sewer system; a receiver unit for receiving said signal; said receiver unit being locatable remotely from the sewer system; and there being provided a non-electrical connection between said sensor and said receiver unit to provide the signal from the sensor to the receiver urnt.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a warning system, including the steps of: -feeding a non-electrical connection through a pipe into a sewer system; connecting a first end of said connection to a sensor located in the sewer system; and connecting a second end of said connection to a receiver unit located remotely from the sewer system.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a warning system, including the steps of:-feeding a first and second non-electrical connection through a pipe into a sewer system; locating a first and second sensor in the sewer system; connecting a first end of the first connection to the first sensor; connecting a first end of the second connection to the second sensor; and connecting a second end of each of said connections to a receiver unit located remotely from said sewer.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a warning system, including the steps of:-feeding a first and second non-electrical connection into a sewer system; locating a sensor in the sewer system; connecting a first end of the first connection and first end of the second connection via a split tee to said sensor; connecting a second end of the first connection to a receiver unit located remotely from said sewer; and connecting a second end of the first connection to a receiver unit located remotely from said sewer.
The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a warning system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a warning system according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention with two receiver units; Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the system is provided Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which two sensors are provided.
Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, there is shown a warning system generally indicated as I. Figure 1 shows a warning system I for a sewer system of a house, the system comprising:-a non-electrical sensor 5 adapted to produce a non-electrical signal when a predetermined level is reached by water in the sewer system; a receiver unit 7 for receiving said signal; said receiver unit 7 being locatable remotely from the sewer system; and there being provided a non-electrical connection 6 between said sensor 5 and said receiver unit 7 to provide the signal from the sensor 5 to the receiver unit 7.
Referring to Figure 2, the system 1 comprises a sensor 5 located within a sewer system.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sensor is attached to an internal side wall of an inspection chamber 3. A receiver unit 7 is located remotely from the sewer in which the sensor 5 is mounted. The receiver unit 7 is located such that it is external to the sewer system, preferably with an air gap separating the receiver unit 7 from the sewer system. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the receiver unit 7 is mounted on the wall of a house or property 12. The sensor 5 is a non-electrical sensor. Such a non-electrical sensor may include a sensor that is adapted to produce a signal, for example a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic signal. The sensor 5 has no electrically powered components. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sensor 5 comprises a pressure cone. The sensor 5 is connected to the receiver unit 7 via a plastic flexible tube 6. The bore of the flexible tube 6 is of a cross section smaller than the average cross-section of the pressure cone 5 such that the signal amplitude, i.e. a change in air pressure, produced in the pressure cone is multiplied. Waste water, e.g. from a kitchen of the property 12, passes through a vertical external pipe 11, adjacent the side of the property.
The water may contain a mixture of materials, including sewage and it is intended that the term "water" used in this specification includes any such mixture. The waste water flows into a sewer system comprising a waste gully 9, the waste gully being located below ground level under the external pipe 11, The waste gully 9 is connected via an inclined drainage pipe 10 to an inspection chamber 3. A sewer pipe 2 of circular cross-section is connected to the inspection chamber 3. The sewer pipe 2 is inclined to the horizontal to facilitate flow of the waste water away from the property to a septic tank or central sewage treatment facility.
During normal use, i.e. when there is no blockage in the sewer system, waste water flows through the waste gully 9, the drainage pipe 10 and the sewer pipe 2 without contacting the sensor 5. However, if a blockage should occur within the sewer system, for example in the sewer pipe 2, or if the volume of water flowing into the sewer exceeds the sewer system capacity, the level of water within the sewer system, e.g. in the inspection chamber 3, will rise. In the embodiment described, the sensor 5 is a pressure cone formed as a hollow cone or cylinder. An open end of the sensor 5 is located at a height which corresponds to a level in line with or just above the crown of the sewer pipe 2. As the water level rises above the crown of the sewer pipe 2, the water will contact the sensor 5. As the water level changes and reaches a predetermined level, e.g. a level which is in line with a point just above the lowest point of the sensor 5, there will be an increase in the air pressure in the sensor system comprising the sensor 5 and connection 6. The receiver unit 7 is activated by a signal produced by the sensor 5. In this regard, the receiver unit 7 is provided with activating means compatible with the signal produced by the sensor 5. The activation means may, for example, comprise a mechanical switch or a mechanical piston pressure switch. The receiver unit 7 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, comprises an air pressure diaphragm switch, which becomes activated as a result of an increase in air pressure in the sensor system. Such a switch comprises a sprung diaphragm, which is displaced as the air pressure in the sensor system rises above a predetermined level. The diaphragm is connected to an electrical switch. The displacement of the diaphragm thereby causes an electrical connection to be established. The use of a non-electrical sensor 5 and connection 6, seeks to reduce the risk of problems associated with electrical systems located in sewer systems, e.g. the risk of explosion.
The receiver unit is located remotely from the sewer system, e.g. not in contact with the sewer system or any of its associated pipework, for example on an external wall of the property 12, or a down pipe from roof guttering, away from the inspection chamber 3 and opening in the waste gully 9. The receiver unit 7 may therefore be discretely located. Alternatively, the receiver unit 7 may be located within the property 12. The receiver unit 7 is provided with warning indication means or an alarm, for example, in the form of an audible alarm and/or visual display for indicating to a user that the water level in the sewer pipe 2 is raised above a predetermined level, e.g. a level above the crown of sewer pipe 2. The warning indication means are activated or triggered as a result of the activating means being activated by the signal produced by the sensor 5, e.g. in the present embodiment, an increase in air pressure produced by sensor 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the warning indication means are part of an electrical circuit. An electrical connection established by the displacement of the diaphragm acts as a switch to activate the warning indication means. The warning indication means may include, for example, an audible buzzer or warning light, e.g. an LED display. The rise in water level may be indicative of a blockage in the sewer system, e.g. in sewer pipe 2, and a user can investigate the sewer system by opening a manhole cover 4 to view inspection chamber 3. Alternative embodiments are envisaged, wherein the receiver unit and/or warning indication means are non-electrical.
The receiver unit 7 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is powered by a power source, e.g. a battery or solar panel. The receiver unit 7 is provided with a weatherproof covering or container, e.g. a plastic cover. The air pressure diaphragm switch in the receiver unit 7 is only activated as a result of a rise in air pressure in the tube 6. The receiver unit 7 therefore remains in a passive, deactivated or off state until the water level rises above the level of the sensor 5. Accordingly, the receiver unit 7 uses no or very little power when inactive.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the receiver unit 7 is provided with a transmitter, e.g. a radio transmitter, for relaying an alarm signal to a remote alarm 8 located remotely from the receiver unit 7 or within the property 12. As such, no wiring is required. The remote alarm 8 within the property 12 may be in the form of a door bell chime or buzzer. A mute switch provided on the remote alarm 8 allows the alarm to be silenced when required.
When either the receiver unit 7 or the remote alarm unit 8 is activated, a user is given an early warning of a potential blockage within the sewer. The user may then take action to remove any blockage in the sewer system before the sewer system overflows or seek further assistance. The unit would also provide a warning to the user to limit the use of sanitary facilities until any blockage is cleared. As the level of water within the sewer system may rise above the sensor level and subsequently fall below the sensor level whilst the user is not present at the property, the receiver unit 7 or remote alarm unit 8 may be provided with a switch, or trip, such that the warning indication means or remote alarm continues to be activated even once the water level has receded. In this way, a user is warned of a blockage or problem that may have occurred during the absence of the user. The user can then reset the receiver unit 7 or alarm 8.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, two dwellings or properties 12a and 12b share a common sewer pipe 2 connected to inspection chamber 3. The sewer pipe 2 and inspection chamber 3 are connected to the respective properties 12a and 12b via inclined drainage pipes lOa and lOb respectively. Waste water flows from each property 12a and 12b via external pipes ha and hib and gullies 9a and 9b respectively.
Each property 12a and 12b is provided with a separate receiver unit 7a and 7b respectively. Each receiver 7a and 7b is connected via a flexible tubing 6a and 6b respectively to a single sensor 5 via a split tee 13. With such an arrangement only one sensor 5 need be located within the sewer system, thereby making efficient use of the space available within the sewer system, in particular in the inspection chamber 3.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, two properties 12a and 12b share a common sewer pipe 2 connected to inspection chamber 3. Waster water flows from each respective property 12 and 12b through external pipes 1 la and 1 lb into gullies 9a and 9b, through drainage pipes lOa and lOb respectively to sewer pipe 2. The warning system comprises a single sensor 5 located within the inspection chamber 3, which is located in line with the crown of sewer pipe 2. The sensor 5 is connected via a flexible small bore tube 6 to a receiver unit 7 on property 1 2a. The receiver unit 7 is provided with a transmitter, e.g. a radio transmitter, which is capable of transmitting an alarm signal to a remote alarm unit 8a located within property 12a and also a further remote alarm unit 8b located within property l2b. With such an arrangement, only one additional remote alarm unit 8b is required such that both properties 12a and l2b may receive a warning of a rise in water level in the sewer system from a single receiver unit 7.
Figure 5 shows a sewer system substantially as described above with reference to Figure 2. In addition, the system comprises a further sensor 14 connected via a flexible tube 15 to a single receiver unit 7. In the embodiment shown, the second sensor 14 is also in the form of a pressure cone and is provided at a level offset in relation to the first sensor 5.
The second sensor 14 may be located at a height above the height of the first sensor 5, for example twice the distance from the lowest point in the sewer pipe 2 to the first sensor 5. As such, the first sensor 5 may provide an initial warning of a rising water level within the inspection chamber 3 and sewer pipe 2. Such a system would enable a user to investigate whether there is a problem with the sewer system, before the water level within the sewer system reaches the level of the second sensor 14, indicating that a more serious overflow situation exists.
The receiver units 7, 7a, 7b and remote alarm units 8, 8a, 8b may be provided with a communication link, for example a telephone line or a GSM link, which would connect the receiver unit or alarm units directly to a monitoring station. The monitoring station can then automatically send assistance to the property to inspect the sewer as a result of receiving an alarm.
In order to fit the system within the inspection chamber 3, a sensor 5, in the present embodiment in the form of a pressure cone, is mounted on an internal sidewall of the inspection chamber 3. An open end of the pressure cone is located above the crown of a sewer pipe 2, i.e. out of the normal daily flow within the sewer. Alternatively the sensor 5 may be located at other heights within the inspection chamber 3, for example twice the distance from the bottom of the sewer pipe 2 to the crown. A connection 6, in the present embodiment in the form of a flexible small bore plastic tube, is routed through the raised gully 9 down the drainage pipe 10 to the inspection chamber 3. The flexible tube is then connected to the pressure cone 5. It is preferred to route the flexible tube through the drainage pipe from the kitchen gully 9 as the kitchen gully only conveys food waste, sink waste or washing machine and dish washer waste to the sewer. As the kitchen gully 9 connection typically does not convey toilet waste or paper for example, there is reduced risk of debris catching on the tubing. Alternatively, if necessary, for example if there is no gulley or drainage pipe, the flexible tube 6 can be routed out of the chamber 3 via, for example, an alternative pipe or passage or a conduit drilled through the wall of the inspection chamber 3. The end of the flexible plastic connection tube 6 from the sensor is then connected to the receiver unit 7. The receiver unit 7 is located remotely from the sewer system, for example on the wall of a property 12. The connection 6 may be rigid or semi-rigid in order to facilitate the routing or feeding of the connection through the sewer system.
Such a warning system may be provided as a retro-fit system for fitting to existing sewer systems, without any modification to the sewer system.
Although in the embodiments described, a sensor in the form of a pressure cone has been described, other sensors are envisaged including, for example, float sensors.
The warning system described may be adapted for use in alternative sewer systems than those described or for any application where water level detection is required.
The present invention has been described purely by way of example and various omissions, modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed herein, the invention extending to only such additions, modifications or omissions.