| WO/1997/025492 | ROOFING SHIELD AND EXTENSION THEREOF |
| WO/2010/132119 | DE-ICED GUTTER DEBRIS PRECLUSION SYSTEM |
| JP2000038817 | SNOW-THAWING DEVICE FOR SNOWFALL-PREVENTIVE ROOF |
| WO2015160239A1 | 2015-10-22 |
| JPH10317609A | 1998-12-02 | |||
| AU2003200646B1 | 2003-05-29 |
| The CLAIMS defining the invention are as follows: 1. An apparatus for separating leaves and debris from a water stream, comprising: A mesh strainer which is able to rotate freely, being concentrically mounted on an axle at one end of the strainer, the opposite end being open; A means of directing the flow of water through the mesh from the outside of the strainer in order to filter debris from the water stream; A collector for the water stream at the inner side of the strainer, in order to facilitate the recovery of the filtered water through the open end of the strainer. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein an overhead gutter has an outlet through which water flows onto the strainer, the outlet has a water guide for directing water and debris onto the upper surface of the strainer. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein a drain pipe or downspout has an outlet through which water flows onto the strainer, the outlet has a water guide for directing water and debris onto the upper surface of the strainer. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the strainer comprises a cone or a truncated cone with the smaller end being concentrically mounted on an axle such that the strainer is able to rotate freely. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the strainer comprises a semi sphere or a bowl shape with the centre being concentrically mounted on an axle such that the strainer is able to rotate freely. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the strainer comprises a cylinder with one end open and the other end being concentrically mounted on an axle such that the strainer is able to rotate freely. |
DESCRIPTION
0001 This invention relates to a device for separating debris such as leaves, twigs and other entrained material from a stream of water such as flows into or through a downspout, also known as a downpipe or leader, or drainpipe.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
0002 The primary intended application is for initial filtration of rainwater prior to storage in a tank, however there are many instances where the device could be utilised wherever it is desired to separate solids from a stream of liquid. Accordingly, the aperture size of the strainer mesh will depend on the types of solids to be excluded.
BACKGROUND ART:
0003 Many forms of separating devices have been developed over the years for this purpose. These devices generally rely upon fixed screens to deflect the debris, however the limitations of these conventional filtering systems include the
propensity to become blocked or clogged by small particles of matter which get trapped in the mesh, and frequently by leaves which tend to adhere to the mesh when wet. This can lead to water overflows, undesirable flooding, and loss of capacity for water collection in a tank. It also necessitates frequent cleaning and maintenance.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
0004 It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a separating device for the aforementioned purpose which is self-cleaning. This invention seeks to optimize removal of debris by the utilisation of a rotating mesh strainer such that the filtered matter is carried away from the water stream and discarded without causing a buildup of leaves or debris. Furthermore, the self-cleaning ability results in a greatly reduced maintenance requirement for this apparatus. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
0005 Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for separating debris and other such material from rainwater as it flows through a downspout or directly from a roof gutter. The construction requires that a drum or cylinder has a mesh outer surface and one end is open. The drum is mounted at the centre of the other end on an axle or spigot such that the drum can rotate freely due to the pressure of the water, which is channelled onto the upper side of the drum. The water therefore passes through the mesh surface of the drum, whereby leaves and debris are filtered out. The water then is collected at the inside of the drum and channelled out of the drum through the open end of the drum, and returned into the drainage system.
0006 When leaves and debris get caught on the mesh the pressure of the water flow causes the drum to rotate. This exposes a fresh portion of the filter to the water stream, whilst the rotation of the drum results in the leaves and debris being carried away from the water stream and discarded from the mesh at the lower side of the drum, assisted by gravity and rotational force. This eliminates a build-up of debris which would otherwise block or deflect water flow.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS:
0007 The critical feature of this invention is the rotational ability of the strainer. Depending on the application requirements, the strainer element may take many forms, including that of a parallel or tapered cylinder, a cone or a truncated cone, or a bowl shape or semi spherical component, provided that said strainer may be rotated about a mounting point centrally located at the closed end.
Several such embodiments are shown in the drawings:
Fig.1 shows a cylindrical strainer drum as mounted immediately below a roof gutter where the water flow is channelled onto the drum then retrieved and channelled away into the downspout. Fig.2 depicts a truncated cone strainer drum as mounted in a downspout system where the water flow is essentially vertical.
Fig.3 shows a tapered cylindrical strainer drum as mounted in an inclined pipe system where water flows from a higher pipe though the strainer drum into the lower pipe.
Fig.4 shows a conical strainer drum as may be applied in a wall mounted
downspout system.
Fig.5 depicts a tapered cylindrical strainer drum as mounted in a downspout system.
Fig.6 shows a tapered cylindrical strainer drum as may be applied in an eaves- mounted gutter system.
Fig.7 shows a parallel cylinder strainer drum as applied in an eaves-mounted gutter system utilising rectangular section downspout.
It is also envisaged that the apparatus would be housed in a protective shroud where it is considered necessary; however this shroud could take many forms and would be optional depending on the situation, and so is not an essential feature of this invention.
Similarly, a basket may optionally be mounted below the apparatus for catching of the discarded debris if desired.