GB2369854A

GB2369854A - Rainwater collection apparatus`

Info

Publication number: GB2369854A
Application number: GB0123561A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Jamieson Wearing
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-03
Filing date: 2001-10-02
Publication date: 2002-06-12
Also published as: GB0123561D0; GB0024099D0

Abstract

Rainwater is collected on the roof 12 of a building 10 and directed through vertical pipes 18 and 20 and a connecting pipe 26 to a reservoir 28 until the reservoir 28 fills to a desired level. Once the reservoir 28 is filled to this level water is stored within the pipes 18, 20 and 26. The head of water stored within the system provides a pressure head which can then be used to provide the flushing operation of water requiring facilities such as toilet 16. The pipework 18, 20 and 26 is sealed and hence forms a pressurised water recycling unit.

Description

Rainwater Movement Apparatus This invention relates to rainwater movement apparatus. More particularly but not exclusively this invention relates to apparatus for moving rainwater for re-use, attenuation, infiltration or irrigation.

Conventionally, rainwater is collected through gutters and directed into drains or in some instances into rainwater butts for recycling for gardening purposes. It is desirable to provide a system for moving rainwater and storing it if required for re-use. However present systems require pumps to direct the rainwater to a desired location, or alternatively collect the water in an above ground storage unit in, or in close proximity to, a building upon which the rain has fallen.

According to the present invention there is provided rainwater movement apparatus, the apparatus comprising means for collecting rainwater at a first height, and substantially sealed fluid passage means extending from said collecting means for collected water to pass therealong, said fluid passage means extending downwardly and transversely to a second location for subsequent re-use or discharge of the water, the second location being at a lower height than the first height.

A reservoir may be provided at the said second location. Outlet means may be provided on the reservoir. The outlet means may be selectively openable. Alternatively or in addition, permanently open outlet means may be provided at a lower point on the reservoir to discharge the water. The permanently open outlet means may be of smaller internal diameter than the fluid passage means.

The fluid passage means may comprise one or more first pipes extending generally vertically from the rainwater collecting means, and a second pipe extending laterally from the lower end of the or each first pipe. The reservoir may be located substantially above the second pipe.

Means may be provided to permit re-use of the collected water, and the re-use means may comprise a connection to the fluid passage means at a height below the in-use water level in the reservoir.

The rainwater collecting means may be provided at an upper part of a building to collect rainwater falling on the building, and may be arranged to collect water falling on the roof of the building. The or each first pipe may

extend through the building. The second pipe may extend below the building. extend throticli the I) tiildin The connection to the fluid passage means to permit re-use of the water may be located in the building, or at least be arranged to permit re-use of the water in the building.

The reservoir may comprise a storage tank which may be spaced from

the building and may be located above the ground level of the building and may be located in a landscaped area. The storage tank may comprise an overflow outlet at an upper part thereof.

In an alternative embodiment d third transverse pipe may extend in the building spaced above ground level and connecting with each first pipe or directly with the rainwater collecting means, the third pipe also connecting with 9 a downwardly extending fourth pipe winch connects with the second pipe. The apparatus may be arranged such that in use negative pressure is created in at least an upper part of the fourth pipe such that water is pulled therethrough. A pressure release means is preferably provided partway down the fourth pipe such that negative pressure is relieved thereby and positive pressure is created therebelow by the head of water at least in the lower part of the fourth pipe. The pressure release means may comprise a valve which permits air ingress, or may comprise an area of increased diameter.

The apparatus may comprise a filtration unit to remove solids from the collected water. The filtration unit may comprise a chamber with an inlet and

outlet and may be arranged such that the velocity of water entering through the D 0 inlet reduces such that solids carried thereby settle in the chamber.

The filtration unit may comprise a discharge pipe located at a lower part of the chamber below the inlet and outlet, such that settling solids can be expelled through the discharge pipe, with the head of water in the apparatus urging the solids through the discharge pipe.

The filtration unit may be located in the second pipe.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of

example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :0 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention in use; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through filtration apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is an illustrative view of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is another illustrative view of a further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1 shows a building 10 having a roof 12 and a landscaped area 14. A toilet 16 is housed on the ground floor of the building and is shown simply for illustrative purposes. Vertical water collection pipes 18 and 20 are located within the structure of the building with their openings 22,24 located at the roof of the building 10 so as to collect rainwater.

Rainwater is collected and is directed through vertical pipes 18 and 20 into a connecting pipe 26 which runs beneath ground level. Connecting pipe 26 is substantially horizontal and connected to a reservoir 28 located at a desired distance from the building 10 within a landscaped area 14. Connecting pipe 26 also comprises an upwardly extending portion 30 which connects with the reservoir 28 which allows the pipe 26 to feed into the reservoir through an aperture 32. The reservoir 28 is located at a height slightly higher than the ground level of the building 10.

The aperture 32 is provided at a lower part of the reservoir 28. The water level of the reservoir is shown by dotted line 34. Pipes 18 and 20 deliver water to facilities within the building which require it, for example to toilet 16 through a second delivery pipe 36 connecting the toilet cistern to vertical pipe

20.

The vertical pipes 18 and 20 collect rainwater and transfer it to reservoir 28 until the reservoir fills to a desired level, and hence also at least partially fills water pipes IS and 20. Once the reservoir is filled to this level, water is stored within pipes 8, 20 and 26. The water le\cl in the pipes is the same as the reservoir 28 as indicated by hue 4. The liead of water stored within the system provides a pressure head which can then be used to provide the flushing operation of water requiring facilities such as toilet 16. The pipework 18, 20 and 26 is sealed and hence forms a pressurised water recycling unit.

It is the potential energ\ provilecl in the form of a pressure head above the toilet i6, when vertical pipes 18 and 20 are filled with water, which provides the pressure required to operate the toilet J6 and any other facilities which require a pressure head of water to operate. Thus rainwater is introduced into facilities requiring water within the building 10 without the need for additional pumps. It is envisaged that this sealed drainage system may be used for drinking water (after appropriate treatment), laundry facilities and toilet flushing. The water stored within the reservoir could also or alternatively be used to irrigate lawns or planted areas.

It is essential to substantially prevent egress of water from, or ingress of air into, pipes 18, 20, and 26 and thus to provide a pressure sealed system.

Thus the pipes may be fusion welded HDPE pipes, a flexible jointed cast iron pipe or stainless steel pipe, or a solvent welded PVC or ABS pipe. It is noted that these are examples only and any suitable sealed pipe system would be suitable.

In the present embodiment, the system is designed to operate with a standing head of water within pipes 18 and 20 and the reservoir 28 located slightly above ground level. A filtration unit 38 is provided part way along pipe 26 to remove sediment or silt present within the water and help prevent blockage of the pipe system. This is shown more clearly with reference to Fig.

2.

The filtration unit 38 comprises a collection container 40 which communicates with the pipe 26 and extends downwardly therefrom so as to provide a collection pit for silt and any other solids contained within water flowing within pipe 26. The container 40 is pressure sealed and of larger diameter than pipe 26. Accordingly the velocity of water entering into the container 40 reduces enough for solids to settle out into the container 40.

A pipe 42 provides an exit channel for the silt and comprises an inlet 43

attached to the base of the container 40 and extends therefrom in a U-shaped formation, its exit 44 being located at the end of the U-shaped portion. A valve 46 is located adjacent the exit 44 which when opened allows the silt to pass through the pipe due to the pressure release from container 40. The silt passes through exit 44 into a collection chamber (not shown). A pressure sealed cover 48 is provided to seal the container 40 and thus provides a fully pressurised system.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, vertical pipes 48, 50,52 and 54 are shown extending within a building 56, their openings being located at the roof 58 of building 56. This embodiment of the invention operates in the same way as that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 except that more vertical pipes are employed to direct rainwater collected at the roof 58 to pipe 60 and then to any of a reservoir below ground level, an attenuation tank or a discharge (not shown).

The dotted line 62 indicates the energy lost by friction losses within the pipes and where the dotted lines G2 meets the pipe 60 at 64, indicates the maximum distance that water may travel through pipe 60 to the reservoir/ discharge before the potential energy stored within the head of water in vertical pipes 48, 50, 52 and 54 is not sufficient to drive the water further along the pipe 60.

Now referring to Fig. 4 a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Again a number of shorter vertical pipes 66, 68, 70 and 72 extend

vertically within building 76. and join a lateral pipe 78. This system will run "siphonically"and will be at negative pressures. The system will discharge through a sigje vertical pipe 8C) with a break to atmospheric pressure at tillocation 81.

In this embodiment the potential energy is less as the combined vertical drop of pipes 66, 68, 70 and 72 must be removed from the total drop used in the previous embodiment. In this case the reservoir/discharge must be positioned nearer to the building 76 as shown by where the dotted line 86 meets the pipe 82 at 88, as the potential energy wouid otherwise be insufficient to drive the water any further distance. In this'siphonic'arrangement, point 81 indicates where pressure rchcf is rccmn'cd such as an expansion in the pipe or a relief valve. Am suitable arrangement ma\ be utilised.

There are thus described apparatus which permit collected rainwater to be moved over relatively large distances but yet at relatively low gradients. The reason for this is that the system is pressure sealed and hence the head of water in the system drives the water along the pipes In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 rainwater can be stored for re-use as described, the head of

water provided principally by the reservoir providing a driving force for water Z-1 in the pressure sealed system.

Apparatus according to the invention can be used for attenuation, i. e. to provide for slow discharge of water. In such an instance a similar apparatus could be provided, but with a small outlet in the reservoir which will cause water to be discharged slowly therefrom even if the system is filling quickly due

to heavy rain. Apparatus according to the invention could be used for ZD infiltration, i. e. where water is simply being discharged away from the building. The use of the pressure sealed system permits water to be moved a relatively long distance away from the building.

Apparatus according to the invention could be connected directly to irrigation apparatus which again can be located a relatively long distance away from the building. Various other modifications may be made including combinations of the described features, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. Rainwater movement apparatus, the apparatus comprising means for

collecting rainwater at a first height, and substantially sealed fluid passage tD n means extending from said collecting means for collected water to pass therealong, said fluid passage means extending downwardly and transversely to a second location for subsequent re-use or discharge of the water, the second location being at a lower height than the first height.

ccorcliii-her in a reservoir L*. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reservoir is provided at the said second location.

3. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim wherein outlet means are provided on the reservoir.

4. Rainwater movement apparatus accoi mg to claim , wherein the outlet means are selecti\ely openahle.

5. Rainwater movement apparatus according to an\ preceding claim,, wherein permanently open outlet means are provided.

G. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the permanently open outlet means are provided at a lower point on the reservoir than the selectively openable outlet means.

7. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the permanently open outlet means are of smaller internal diameter than the fluid passage means.

8. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid passage means comprises one or more first pipes extending generally vertically from the rainwater collecting means, and a second pipe extending laterally from the lower end of the or each first pipe. 9. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the reservoir is located substantially above the second pipe.

10. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to permit re-use of the collected water.

11. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the re-use means comprises a connection to the fluid passage means at a height below the in-use water level in the reservoir.

12. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the rainwater collecting means is provided at an upper part of a building to collect rainwater falling on the building.

13. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rainwater collecting means is arranged to collect water falling on the roof of the building.

14. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 when dependent on claim 8 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the or each first pipe extends through the building.

15. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the second pipe extends below the building.

16. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15 when dependent on claims 8 and 10 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the connection to the fluid passage means to permit re-use of the water is located in the building.

17. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 16 when dependent on claims 8 and 10 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the connection to the fluid passage means is arranged to permit re-use of the water in the building.

18. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon when dependent on claim 12 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the reservoir may comprise a storage tank which is spaced from the building.

19. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the storage tank comprises an overflow outlet at an upper part thereof.

20. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 12 and any claim dependent thereon, when dependent on claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon wherein the reservoir is located above the ground level of the building.

21. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the reservoir is located m a landscaped area.

22. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim) 2 and an) claim dependent thereon when dependent on claim 8 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein a third transverse pipe extends in the building spaced above ground level and connecting with each first pipe or directly with the rainwater collecting means, the third pipe also connecting with a downwardly extending fourth pipe which connects with the second pipe.

23. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that in use negative pressure is created in at least an I upper part of the fourth pipe such that water is pulled therethrough.

24. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a pressure release means is provided partway down the fourth pipe such that negative pressure is relieved thereby and positive pressure is created therebelow by the head of water at least in the lower part of the fourth pipe. 25. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the pressure release means may comprise a valve which permits air ingress.

26. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the pressure release means comprises an area of increased diameter.

27. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a filtration unit to remove solids from the collected water.

28. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the filtration unit comprises a chamber with an inlet and outlet.

29. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the filtration unit is arranged such that the velocity of water entering through the inlet reduces such that solids carried thereby settle in the chamber.

30. Rainwater movement apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the filtration unit comprises a discharge pipe located at a lower part of the chamber below the inlet and outlet, such that settling solids can be expelled through the discharge pipe, with the head of water in the apparatus urging the solids through the discharge pipe.

31. Rainwater movement apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 30 when dependent on claim 8 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the filtration unit is located in the second pipe.

32. Rainwater movement apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

33. Rainwater movement apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

34. Rainwater movement apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described

with reference to fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

0 35. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same

invention as any of the preceding claims. tD