The invention relates to a ^' filtering device to be used in a channel of a sewage system, so that a liquid that flows in the channel and has exceeded a preset level can be discharged into a side discharge channel. The filtering device according to the invention can thus be used as a draining device.

Sewage systems comprise a plurality of channels used to convey civil or industrial wastewater toward a collection point, in which a purification plant may be provided. In the event of rain or storms, the rain water causes the level of liquid in the channels to rise rapidly. For this reason, side discharge channels are associated to the channels of sewage systems. Through the side discharge channels, the liquid exceeding a preset level can be discharged, for example into a river .

Since numerous solid objects are usually dispersed in the liquids that flow in sewage systems, it is necessary to use filtering devices to prevent said solid objects from passing into the side discharge channel and from there into the river. However, since the solid objects dispersed in the liquid easily clog the filtering devices, the quantity of liquid that passes into the side discharge channel drastically decreases in a short time. Consequently, an excessive quantity of liquid is conveyed toward the collection point, which may not have the capacity to receive such a quantity.

An object of the invention is to improve the functioning of sewage systems.

Another object is to provide a filtering device that is unlikely to be clogged by any solid objects dispersed in the liquid which circulates in the sewage system.

According to the invention, there is provided a filtering device comprising a grate suitable for being positioned in an opening made in a side wall of a channel of a sewage system, a cleaning device, a driving device for moving the cleaning device along the grate so that the cleaning device removes any solid objects from the grate, a control device programmed to activate the driving device when a liquid flowing in the channel exceeds a preset level.

Owing to the invention, it is possible to obtain a filtering device comprising a grate which has reduced risks of being clogged by solid objects dispersed in the liquid flowing in the channel. When the liquid exceeds the preset level and thus starts being discharged through the grate, the control device activates the driving device. The latter, in turn, moves the cleaning device along the grate. The cleaning device thus removes any solid objects that are trapped between the bars of the grate and reintroduces the solid objects into the channel.

In an embodiment, the cleaning device comprises at least one rake element.

The rake element is simple to construct and is effective in keeping the grate of the cleaning device clean.

The rake element can have a plurality of passage holes, for example shaped as slots, each passage hole being arranged for receiving a longitudinal bar of the grate. This conformation of the rake element allows a cleaning member to be defined between two consecutive passage holes, the cleaning member having a good stiffness and being capable of engaging a longitudinal slit of the grate .

In an embodiment, the rake element comprises a front portion shaped as a "V", which protrudes from a face of the grate.

The "V" shape of the front portion is very effective for pushing toward the middle of the channel any solid objects that are removed from the grate by the rake element, both during upward and downward movements of the rake element.

In an embodiment, the "V"-shaped front portion comprises an upper part and a lower part, the rake element comprising joining means for joining the upper part to the lower part.

The joining means are arranged on a side of the grate opposite the face from which the "V"-shaped front portion protrudes.

The joining means allow the stiffness of the rake element to be increased. This reduces the risks of the rake element being deformed as it removes from the grate particularly heavy solid objects, or objects that are firmly stuck in the grate.

In an embodiment, the cleaning device comprises two rake elements connected to one another on a back side of the grate, so that the two rake elements can be moved j ointly .

Using two rake elements it is possible to keep the grate clean in an effective manner without adopting excessive speeds for the rake elements. Moreover, since the rake elements are connected to one another, a single driving device can be used to move both the rake elements, which simplifies the structure of the filtering device.

In an embodiment, the filtering device comprises guide means arranged for guiding the cleaning device while the cleaning device is being moved by the driving device, in such a way that the cleaning device interacts with the grate both during a forward stroke and during a back stroke.

The cleaning device can thus remove solid objects from the grate during both strokes. The solid objects removed from the grate are subsequently carried away by the main flow of the liquid present in the channel.

In an embodiment, the driving device may comprise a hydraulic actuator containing a working fluid.

Detecting means can also be provided, the detecting means being suitable for detecting the pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic actuator in order to detect an end-stroke position of the hydraulic actuator. The detecting means can detect when the pressure of the working fluid inside a chamber of the hydraulic actuator reaches a preset value, which corresponds to the end- stroke position of the hydraulic actuator. When this occurs, the direction of movement of the cleaning device is reversed.

In this manner, the end-stroke position is detected without using any systems external to the hydraulic actuator, which would have to be submerged in the channel, so that their reliability could decrease over time .

The driving . means can use vegetable oil as a working fluid. The vegetable oil makes it possible to reduce the risks of contaminating the liquid flowing in the channel, in case the hydraulic actuator breaks and there is leakage of working fluid.

In an embodiment, the grate comprises an outer frame having a lower crossbar and an upper crossbar connected to one another by a pair of posts.

The grate comprises a plurality of longitudinal bars which can be substantially parallel to the posts.

The longitudinal bars can be delimited by respective side surfaces parallel to the posts or inclined in relation to the posts.

If the side surfaces of the longitudinal bars are inclined in relation to the posts, it is possible to decrease the resistance that the longitudinal bars offer to the passage of the liquid toward a side discharge channel .

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate some non-restrictive example embodiments, in which :

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a channel provided with a filtering device;

Figure 2 is a cross section of the channel in Figure 1, taken along a vertical plane passing through the filtering device;

Figure 3 is a front schematic perspective view of a filtering device;

Figure 4 is a perspective view, enlarged and interrupted, showing a rake element of the filtering device ; Figure 5 is a rear view of the filtering device shown in Figure 1, in a first working configuration;

Figure 6 is a side view of the filtering device of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the filtering device shown in Figure 1, in a second working configuration;

Figure 8 is a side view of the filtering device of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a schematic view from above showing a channel provided with a filtering device according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 10 is a view like the one in Figure 2, showing a channel according to another alternative embodiment.

Figures 1 and 2 show a channel 1 of a sewage system, the channel 1 being suitable for receiving the discharges, prevalently liquid, originating from civil or industrial installations in order to convey them toward a collection point, in which a purification plant may be provided. The channel 1 has a bottom 2 and a pair of side walls 3, the side walls 3 facing each other. In one of the side walls 3 a filtering device 4 is arranged. Through the filtering device 4, the channel 1 communicates with a side discharge channel not shown in Figures 1 and 2. The filtering device 4 is positioned at a height H from the bottom 2 of the channel 1, the height H being chosen so as to be greater than the height of the liquid flowing in the channel 1 under normal conditions. In this manner, the liquid will normally flow in the channel 1 without interacting with the filtering device 4 and therefore without passing into the side discharge channel. When, for example because of rainfall, the level of the liquid inside the channel 1 becomes greater than the height H, the liquid which exceeds the height H will pass into the side discharge channel, through the filtering device 4. The latter has the task of retaining inside the channel 1 any solid objects that may be dispersed in the liquid. Owing to the filtering device 4, the solid objects having a size larger than a minimum preset size will not pass into the side discharge channel. This prevents said solid objects from reaching the rivers which the side discharge channels of sewage systems usually empty into.

The filtering device 4 comprises a grate 5 suitable for being positioned in an opening 6 made in the side wall 3. As shown in Figures 3, 5 and 7, the grate 5 can comprise a plurality of longitudinal bars 7, between which a plurality of longitudinal slits 8 are defined. The liquid can pass through the longitudinal slits 8. During operation, the grate 5 can be positioned in such a way that the longitudinal bars 7 are vertical.

In the example illustrated, the grate 5 has a substantially flat shape, though it is possible to adopt geometries other than a flat geometry.

The longitudinal bars 7 are arranged inside an outer frame 9, having a substantially quadrangular shape. The outer frame 9 comprises a lower crossbar 29, an upper crossbar 30 and a pair of posts 31 which connect the upper crossbar 30 to the lower crossbar 29. In the example illustrated, the lower crossbar 29 and the upper crossbar 30 are parallel to each other and extend along respective horizontal directions. The posts 31 can extend vertically. The lower crossbar 29, the upper crossbar 30 and the posts 31 can be constructed from bent sheet metal.

The filtering device 4 further comprises a cleaning device 10, which is movable along the grate 5 so as to remove any solid objects that have remained trapped between the longitudinal bars 7.

The cleaning device 10 can comprise at least one rake element provided with a plurality of cleaning members which engage the longitudinal slits 8. In the example illustrated, the cleaning device 10 comprises two rake elements, i.e. an upper rake element 11 and a lower rake element 12. It is however possible to provide a single rake element or a number of rake elements greater than two.

Each rake element extends along a direction that is transverse, for example perpendicular, to the direction in which the longitudinal bars 7 extend. In the example illustrated, in which the longitudinal bars 7 are vertical, each rake element extends horizontally. The upper rake element 11 and lower rake element 12 are thus parallel to each other.

Each rake element has a length that is substantially equal to the width of the grate 5.

As shown in Figure 4, each rake element 11, 12 comprises a front portion 13 shaped as a "V" with a horizontal axis. The front portion 13 protrudes from a face of the grate 5 which is turned toward the inside of the channel 1. In other words, the front portion 13 partially projects into the channel 1.

Each rake element 11, 12 comprises an upper part 14 and a lower part 15, both inclined, which meet in front of the grate 5, in such a way as to form an angle of less than 180°, e.g. an acute angle. The upper part 14 and the lower part 15 define the front portion 13 of the grate 5 and can be shaped as inclined planes.

Each rake element 11, 12 has a plurality of holes, which can be shaped as slots 16, each of which is arranged for receiving a corresponding longitudinal bar 7. In particular, the upper part 14 has a first row of slots 16, whereas the lower part 15 has a second row of slots 16. Each slot 16 in the first row is aligned with a corresponding slot 16 in the second row, so that the two slots can receive the same longitudinal bar 7.

Each rake element 11, 12 comprises an upper edge zone 18 and a lower edge zone 19, which extend in a continuous manner from a right end to a left end of the rake element .

Two consecutive slots 16 of the same row are separated by a portion of material 17, which defines a sort of finger of the rake element 11, 12. When the cleaning device 10 is moved, the portion of material 17 slides in a longitudinal slit 8 and removes therefrom any solid objects. Each portion of material 17 thus acts as a cleaning member for keeping the corresponding longitudinal slit 8 clean. The cleaning members thus defined do not have a cantilever structure like the teeth of normal combs, but are rather joined to one another both in front of the grate 5 and behind the grate 5. This gives high stiffness to the cleaning members and reduces the risk of the cleaning members becoming deformed while they remove the solid objects from the longitudinal slits 8.

The upper part 14 and the lower part 15 of the rake elements 11, 12 are connected to one another by joining means positioned behind the grate 5, that is, on the side of the grate 5 facing the side discharge channel. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the joining means can comprise a plurality of joining elements 20, for example in the form of plates, which join the upper edge zone 18 to the lower edge zone 19. The joining means ensure that each rake element 11, 12 has a closed cross section, at least in certain areas, so as to increase the stiffness of the rake elements 11, 12. This decreases the risk of the rake elements 11, 12 becoming deformed while they detach the solid objects from the grate 5.

The upper rake element 11 and the lower rake element 12 are connected to one another on a back side of the grate 5, that is, on a side of the grate 5 opposite the one facing the channel 1. The upper rake element 11 and the lower rake element 12 can be connected to one another by means of a rear framework 21, comprising for example a pair of horizontal bars, each fixed to a rake element, and a pair of vertical bars which connect the horizontal bars together. In this manner the upper rake element 11 and the lower rake element 12 form a single unit and can be moved jointly.

The filtering device 4 comprises a driving device 22 for moving the cleaning device 10 along the grate 5 with alternating motion. The driving device 22 moves the cleaning device 10 along a direction F parallel to the longitudinal bars 7, as indicated in Figures 5 and 7. In the example illustrated, the direction F is vertical. The driving device 22 is positioned behind the grate 5, that is, in a semi-space opposite a further semi-space in which the front portion 13 of the rake elements 11, 12 is located, in relation to the grate 5. During use, the driving device 22 is therefore located inside the side discharge channel. This allows the driving device

22 not to occupy space alongside the posts 31.

Guide means are provided, the guide means being arranged for guiding the cleaning device 10 while the cleaning device 10 is moved along the direction F, in such a way that the cleaning device 10 interacts with the grate 5 both during a forward stroke, for example upwards, and during a back stroke, for example downwards.

The guide means can comprise a plurality of guide wheels 26 fixed to the rear framework 21 and movable inside respective seats formed on the outer frame 9. It is however also possible to use guide means of a different type. For example, in an embodiment that is not shown, the guide means can comprise at least a pair of sliding blocks, fixed to two opposite sides of the rear framework 21 and movable inside respective seats formed on the outer frame 9. The sliding blocks can be made of a material having a low coefficient of friction, for example a polymeric material.

The driving device 22 can comprise a hydraulic actuator

23 having a first end fixed to the outer frame 9 and a second end fixed to the rear framework 21. The hydraulic actuator 23 can comprise a cylinder 24 in which a stem 25 is received. The stem 25 is movable between an extended position, in which the stem 25 comes out the cylinder 24, and a retracted position, in which the stem 25 is almost entirely contained inside the cylinder 24. The retracted position is shown in Figures 5 and 6, while the extended position is shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the stem 25 moves between the extended position and the retracted position, the cleaning device 10 is moved between a low position and a high position. In the low position, the lower rake element 12 is near a lower end of the grate 5, whereas in the high position the upper rake element 11 is near an upper end of the grate 5. In the example shown, the low position of the cleaning device 10 corresponds to the extended position of the stem 25 and is shown in Figures 7 and 8, whereas the high position of the cleaning device 10 corresponds to the retracted position of the stem 25 and is shown in Figures 5 and 6, but the opposite could also occur.

Inside the hydraulic actuator 23 a working fluid is present. The working fluid can comprise vegetable oil. This makes it possible to limit the pollution of the liquid flowing in the channel 1 and in the side discharge channel, in case the hydraulic actuator 23 breaks and there is leakage of working fluid into the sewage system.

Detecting means can be associated to the driving device 22, the detecting means being arranged for detecting when the pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic actuator 23 exceeds a preset value, which may correspond to an end-stroke position of the hydraulic actuator 23. For example, the hydraulic actuator 23 can comprise a double-acting cylinder having a first chamber and a second chamber. The detecting means can comprise a first manostat arranged for detecting when the pressure of the working fluid present in the first chamber exceeds a first threshold value corresponding to a lower end- stroke position of the stem 25. A second manostat can furthermore detect when the pressure of the working fluid present in the second chamber exceeds a second threshold value, corresponding to an upper end-stroke position of the stem 25. The detecting means can be positioned in a hydraulic central unit which controls the operation of the hydraulic actuator 23.

The detecting means allow to determine when the stem 25 has reached the lower end-stroke position and the upper end-stroke position, corresponding to the low and high positions of the cleaning device 10. When one of the two above-mentioned end-stroke positions has been reached, the movement of the stem 25 can be reversed. In this manner it is possible to avoid using mechanical end- stroke detection devices positioned beside the grate 5, which mechanical end-stroke detection devices could rapidly break in contact with the liquid of the sewage system and would not be easy to be replaced.

The filtering device 4 comprises a control device, not shown, which is programmed to activate the driving device 22, and thus move the cleaning device 10, when the liquid present in the channel 1 has exceeded a preset level. For example, the control device can be programmed in such a way as to activate the driving device 22 when the level of the liquid present in the channel 1 has exceeded the height H. The control device comprises a control unit to which a level sensor can be connected, the level sensor being arranged for detecting when the liquid present in the channel 1 exceeds the preset level.

The control device can furthermore be so programmed as to move the cleaning device 10 for working periods of a preset duration, two consecutive working periods being separated by pauses having a pre-established length. Both the duration of the working periods and the length of the pause can be selected by an operator. For example, the cleaning device 10 can be activated for working periods of 3-4 minutes approximately every 36-48 hours. In this manner it is possible to avoid that the cleaning device 10 and the associated driving device 22 remain stationary for very long periods in the absence of rainfall, which could generate operating difficulties .

In an alternative embodiment, the filtering device 4 can have a discharge opening 28, shown only in Figure 3, located above the grate 5 in order to discharge the liquid whenever, in an emergency condition, the level of the liquid is higher than the grate 5. The discharge opening 28 allows any excess liquid to be discharged, which excess liquid accumulates in the channel 1 in the event of particularly violent storms, and which the grate 5 would not be able to dispose of.

The filtering device 4 is fixed to the edges of the opening 6 owing to fastening means which can comprise a plurality of threaded elements 27 that project from the outer frame 9. The threaded elements 27 are suitable for being anchored to the side wall, for example by means of a synthetic resin.

During operation, when the level of the liquid inside the channel 1 is lower than a preset level, the driving device 22 is not activated and the cleaning device 10 consequently remains stationary. The liquid flows inside the channel 1 without passing into the side discharge channel, whose inlet is located at a height above the level of the liquid. Consequently, the filtering device 4 does not work and the grate 5 cannot be dirtied. It is therefore not necessary for the cleaning device 10 to perform its cleaning action.

If, for example in the event of rainfall, the level of the liquid in the channel 1 rises and exceeds the height H, the liquid will start being discharged into the side discharge channel through the grate 5. When the height of the liquid in the channel 1 exceeds a preset level, which may (though not necessarily) coincide with the height H, the control unit will receive a signal from the level sensor. Consequently, the control unit will send a signal to the hydraulic central unit, which will activate the driving device 22. The latter will therefore move the cleaning device 10 alternately downwards or upwards along the grate 5. The cleaning members of the upper rake element 11 and of the lower rake element 12 will thus slide in the longitudinal slits 8 and remove therefrom any solid objects contained in the liquid which have remained trapped in the grate 5. These solid objects will be reintroduced into the channel 1, so that the liquid flowing in the channel 1 can carry the solid objects toward the collection point. Since the guide means ensure that the cleaning device 10 interacts with the grate 5 both during the upwards stroke and during the downwards stroke, the cleaning device 10 is capable of removing solid objects from the grate 5 during both strokes. In particular, when the cleaning device 10 moves upwards, any solid objects removed from the longitudinal slits 8 will fall on the upper part 14 of the rake elements 11, 12 and slide toward the inside of the channel 1 owing to the tilted configuration of the upper part 14. When, on the other hand, the cleaning device 10 moves downwards, any solid objects removed from the longitudinal slits 8 will be pushed toward the middle of the channel 1 by the lower part 15 of the rake elements 11, 12, owing to the tilted configuration of the lower part 15.

In this manner the grate 5 is kept constantly clean and can thus filter the liquid directed toward the side discharge channel with a high degree of efficiency.

The filtering device 4 designed as described above is simple and robust at the same time and does not require frequent maintenance operations. Such operations would be difficult to be performed in a hostile environment such as a sewage system.

In the example disclosed above, the longitudinal bars 7 which form the grate 5 have a quadrangular cross section and are arranged parallel to the posts 31.

Figure 9 shows a filtering device 104 according to an alternative embodiment, the filtering device 104 being positioned in an opening of a side wall of a channel 101 to enable the liquid which exceeds a preset level in the channel 101 to be discharged into a side discharge channel 32.

The filtering device 104 comprises a grate 105 having an outer frame that includes a pair of posts 131. The filtering device 104 differs from the filtering device 4 disclosed previously because the grate 105 has a plurality of longitudinal bars 107, which can be vertical, but are however arranged in a position that is inclined in relation to the posts 131. In more detail, the longitudinal bars 107 can each be shaped as a prism of rectangular cross section having a side surface that is inclined in relation to the post 131. In other words, the side surface of each longitudinal bar 107 can extend in a plane that forms an angle A with a plane defined by a side face of the post 131. The angle A is ^' other than 90°, in particular it is less than 90°, for example around 45 ° .

Owing to this conformation of the longitudinal bars 107, the liquid that exceeds a preset height can be discharged more easily into the side discharge channel 32. In fact, the longitudinal bars 107 are arranged obliquely, i.e. neither parallel nor perpendicular to a direction of flow Fl along which the liquid flows inside the channel 1. The tilted conformation of the longitudinal bars 107 prevents the liquid that is diverted from the direction Fl in order to pass into the side discharge channel 32, as shown by the arrow F2, from frontally impacting against the longitudinal bars 107, as would occur if the longitudinal bars 107 were arranged perpendicular to the direction of flow Fl .

Figure 10 shows a filtering device 204 according to a further alternative embodiment. The parts of the filtering device 204 that are common to the filtering device 4 shown in Figures 1 to 8 are indicated with the same reference numbers used previously and will not be described again in detail. The filtering device 204 is installed in an opening obtained in a side wall 203a of a channel 201, the channel 201 having a further side wall 203b opposite the side wall 203a. The filtering device 204 comprises a grate 205 positioned in such a way as to be tilted toward the inside of the channel 201. In other words, an upper region of the grate 205 is closer to the further side wall 203b compared to a lower region of the grate 205. In this manner, any solid objects removed by the cleaning device 10 will be more easily detached from the grate 205 and fall more easily, under gravity, into the channel 201.

In order to tilt the grate 205 toward the inside of the channel 201, it is possible to provide a side wall 203a that is inclined in relation to a bottom wall of the channel 201, as shown in the example in Figure 10. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to install the grate 205 in a tilted position in a vertical side wall, for example by inclining the outer frame of the grate in relation to the vertical side wall.

In an embodiment that is not shown, two or more filtering devices according to any of the previously disclosed embodiments can be positioned one beside the other. In this manner it is possible to obtain modular compositions in which the most suitable number of filtering devices can be chosen according to the dimensions and flow rate of the channel.

These modular compositions can be obtained very easily because the filtering devices according to the invention do not comprise driving or control mechanisms positioned beside the grate. Consequently, two or more filtering devices can be placed side by side without creating significant interruptions in the flow of liquid toward the side discharge channel between one grate and another .