| WO/2010/022704 | CISTERN WITH A RAINWATER FILTER IN THE INFLOW, AND A FILTER HOUSING FOR A RAINWATER FILTER |
| JP2007126939 | RAINWATER STORAGE FACILITY |
| JP2007010155 | LIQUID SUPPLY CONTROL MECHANISM |
BOON, Dennis, Michael (27 Kent Road, Narre Warren, Victoria 3805, AU)
CLAIMS:
1. A liquid diverter having a chamber with an inlet for liquid, an outlet for the liquid, the inlet and outlet being disposed at spaced apart locations, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, the chamber having a sloping surface, the inlet, outlet and filter being disposed such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location and the outlet at a lower location, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes through the filter to the outlet, the sloping surface then being disposed facing downwardly at an angle to the horizontal and above the filter whereby at least part of the liquid entering the chamber via the inlet flows downwardly within the chamber along the sloping surface to the filter.
- 2. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 1 arranged whereby in said use condition liquid entering the chamber via the inlet and flowing downwardly within the chamber along the sloping surface to the filter so flows at least partly under action of surface tension of the liquid.
3. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 having an inlet duct positioned between said inlet and said filter and leading to an outlet aperture said inlet duct and outlet aperture being disposed so that liquid entering duct may in part pass to the filter by flow along a floor part defining a lower floor of the duct to exit the duct via said outlet aperture.
4. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 3 having upstanding spaced generally lengthwise extending ridges on the upper surface of said floor part for facilitating central flow of liquid along the floor part to said filter.
5. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said ridges diverge in the direction back from said outlet aperture.
6. A liquid diverter as claimed in any preceding claim, having a depending flow- directing lip adjacent the outlet aperture and adjacent said floor part, for inhibiting liquid exiting from the outlet aperture from passing back along an underside of the floor part.
7. A liquid diverter as claimed in ciaim 6, wherein said floor part presents an upper surface that is substantially "V"-shaped in transverse section.
8. A liquid diverter as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the filter has a perforate filter element for filtering the liquid and having outstanding projections arranged to at least partly maintain objects, pressing onto the filter by carriage thereto in the liquid from said inlet, spaced from the filter element, to at least party inhibit the objects from lying against the filter element.
9. A liquid filter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the filter has lengthwise extending members and cross members, defining openings therebetween, in use flow through the openings being filtered by said filter element, said projections being on at least one said cross member so as to tend to direct flow over the filter element and around the projections in streams on at least one said lengthwise extending member, for lifting of said objects from the filter element.
10. A liquid diverter having a chamber with an inlet for liquid, an outlet for the liquid, the inlet and outlet being disposed at spaced apart locations, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, an outlet duct being provided for conveying liquid from the chamber, the duct projecting within the chamber from a chamber base to an inner closed end, with the outlet positioned in the duct between the closed end and said base and between the filter and the base, such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location the base at a lower location and the duct projecting upwardly from the base so" that the outlet is positioned above the base, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes through the filter to accumulate on the base until the level of accumulated liquid rises to that of the outlet whereafter the liquid exits the chamber via the outlet and duct.
11. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 10 wherein the inner end of the duct is closed by a transverse wall element that is arranged at an angle such that it slopes downwardly and sidewardly in said use condition for at least partially inhibiting flow of particles carried with water entering the chamber through said filter into said outlet, by diverting the particles sidewardly into part of the chamber then below the outlet.
12. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, the outlet and duct being respective first ones of a plurality of outlets and associated ducts, each said outlet being disposed at a respective spaced location from the inlet, and each said duct for conveying liquid entering the outlet from the chamber, each said duct projecting within the chamber from said base to a respective inner closed end of the respective duct, with the respective outlet positioned in the respective duct between the respective closed end and said base, and between the filter and the base, such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location the base at a lower location and the ducts projecting upwardly from the base to the outlets, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes through the filter to accumulate on the base until the level of accumulated liquid rises to that of a said outlet whereafter the liquid exits the chamber via that outlet and the respective duct.
13. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 having a further outlet for egress of liquid from said chamber, said further outlet being positioned to be in the use condition below the or each other said outlet for egress of liquid in the chamber, outflow means being provided for at least partly inhibiting flow through the further outlet such that substantial flow of liquid through said filter into the chamber is not substantially inhibited from causing outflow through the or each other outlet.
14. A liquid diverter having a chamber with an inlet for liquid and an outlet for the liquid, the inlet and outlet being disposed at spaced apart locations, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location and the outlet at a lower location, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes into the chamber via the filter to exit the chamber via the outlet, the filter having a perforate filter element for filtering the liquid and having outstanding projections arranged to at least partly maintain objects, pressing onto the filter by carriage thereto in the liquid from said inlet, spaced from the filter element, to at least party inhibit the objects from lying against the filter element.
15. A liquid diverter as claimed in claim 14 having outflow means formed by a collection chamber for receiving liquid from the further outlet, and having an outlet affording only restricted outlet of liquid therefrom.
16. A liquid diverter as claimed in any one of claims 1, 10 and 14 wherein said chamber has a cavity into which, in use, liquid flow occurs after passage through said filter, and said outlet is formed in said cavity.
17. A liquid diverter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said internal sloping surface is disposed adjacent said inlet.
18. A rainwater system having a liquid diverter as claimed in any preceding claim, having said inlet coupled to receive rainwater.
19. A rainwater system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said outlet or at least one thereof is connected to a tank having an outlet opening designed for slow release of rainwater therein.
20. A liquid diverter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A rainwater system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
LIQUID DIVERTER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a water diverter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a liquid diverter having a chamber with an inlet for liquid, an outlet for the liquid, the inlet and outlet being disposed at spaced apart locations, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, the chamber having a sloping surface, the inlet, outlet and filter being disposed such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location and the outlet at a lower location, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes through the filter to the outlet, the sloping surface then being disposed facing downwardly at an angle to the horizontal and above the filter whereby at least part of the liquid entering the chamber via the inlet flows downwardly within the chamber along the sloping surface to the filter.
The diverter may be arranged whereby in said use condition liquid entering via the inlet and flowing downwardly within the chamber along the sloping surface to the filter so flows at least partly under action of surface tension of the liquid.
The invention also provides a liquid diverter having a chamber with an inlet for liquid, an outlet. for the liquid, the inlet and outlet being disposed at spaced apart locations,, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, an outlet duct being provided for conveying liquid from the chamber, the duct projecting within the chamber from a chamber base to an inner closed end, with the outlet positioned in the duct between the closed end and said base and between the filter and the base, such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location the base at a lower location and the duct projecting upwardly from the base so that the outlet is positioned above the base, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes through the filter to accumulate on the base
until the level of accumulated liquid rises to that of the outlet whereafter the liquid exits the chamber via the outlet and duct.
The inner end of the duct may be closed by a transverse wall element that is arranged at an angle such that it slopes downwardly and sidewardly in said use condition for at least partially inhibiting flow of particles carried with water entering the chamber tlirough said filter into said outlet, by diverting the particles sidewardly into part of the chamber then below the outlet.
The outlet and duct being respective first ones of a plurality of outlets and associated ducts, each said outlet being disposed at a respective spaced location from the inlet, and each said duct for conveying liquid entering the outlet from the chamber, each said duct projecting within the chamber from said base to a respective inner closed end of the respective duct, with the respective outlet positioned in the respective duct between the respective closed end and said base, and between the filter and the base, such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location the base at a lower location and the ducts projecting upwardly from the base to the outlets, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes through the filter to accumulate on the base until the level of accumulated liquid rises to that of a said outlet whereafter the liquid exits the chamber via that outlet and the respective duct.
The diverter may also have a further outlet for egress of liquid from said chamber, said further outlet being positioned to be in the use condition below the or each other outlet for egress of liquid in the chamber, outflow means being provided for at least partly inhibiting flow through the further outlet such that substantial flow of liquid through said filter into the chamber does not substantially inhibit outflow through the or each other outlet.
The outflow means may be formed by a collection chamber for receiving liquid from the further outlet, and having an outlet affording only restricted outlet of liquid therefrom.
The invention also provides a liquid diverter having a chamber with an inlet for liquid and an outlet for the liquid, the inlet and outlet being disposed at spaced apart locations, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, such that in a condition for use of the diverter with the inlet at an upper location and the outlet at a lower location, liquid entering the chamber via the inlet passes into the chamber via the filter to exit the chamber via the outlet, the filter having a perforate filler element for filtering the liquid and having outstanding projections arranged to at least partly maintain objects pressing onto the filter by carriage thereto in the liquid from said inlet spaced from the filter element, to at least party inhibit the objecxs from iying against the filter element.
The filter may have a perforate filter element for filtering the liquid and having outstanding projections arranged to at least partly maintain objects, pressing onto the filter by carriage thereto in the liquid from said inlet, spaced from the filter element, to at least party inhibit the objects from lying against the filter element. By this construction, a gap may be maintained between the object and the filter element such that liquid may still pass between the object and the filter element to pass through the filter element and filter. Also, this construction may facilitate clearing of the object from the filter by passage of the liquid between the object and filter and object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is perspective view of a liquid diverter formed in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a removable wall structure forming part of the diverter of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top view of the liquid diverter of Figure 1;
- A -
Figure 4 is a front view of the liquid diverter of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an underside view of the liquid diverter of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is an upright sectional front to rear view of the liquid diverter of Figure 1 ;
Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a receptacle forming part of the liquid diveπer of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an inlet structure incorporated into the liquid diverter of Figure 1;
Figure 9 is another perspective view of the inlet structure of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a filter incorporated into the liquid diverter of Figure 1;
Figure 11 is an opposite side perspective view of the filter of Figure 10;
Figures 12, 13 and 14 are respective perspective views of three outlet elements incorporated into the liquid diverter of Figure 1 ;
Figure 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a building incorporating the diverter of Figures 1 to 14;
Figure 16 is a side view part of a building incorporating a diverter as shown in Figures 1 to 14, arranged for feeding water storage tanks, and
Figure 17 is a fragmentary cross-section of the upper rear part of the liquid diverter of Figure 1, approximately on the line 17-17 in Figure 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The liquid diverter 10 of Figures 1 to 14 is designed to be incorporated into a rain water system 105 for a building in the manner shown in Figure 15. In Figure 15, the building 100 has a sloping roof 102 with a gutter 104 designed to capture rain water falling on the roof, the water flowing down the roof to the gutter, from whence it is directed away from the building via a downpipe 106. hi usual practice the downpipe leads to a suitable drainage system (not shown). In accordance with the to be described embodiment of the present invention, however, the diverter 10 is inserted into the downpipe at an upper location, so that water directed into an upper section 108 of the downpipe is directed into the diverter 10, at least part of the water so directed being diverted so as not to flow to a lower section 110 of the downpipe, while still permitting at least some of the water to pass into the lower section of the downpipe. under certain conditions as explained later. Water not passing from the diverter into the lower section 110 in the downpipe is directed selectively to a tank 116 incorporating a collection chamber and/or to pipes 112, 1 14 for distribution, e.g. to a garden adjacent the building.
Tank 116 is designed to receive, accumulate, and slowly release water received thereby, this water possibly having higher levels of particular contaminant. The tank has a small size lower outlet 126 which permits only slow outlet of water therefrom compared with the expected inflow rate.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 14, the diverter 10 is in the form of a receptacle 12 having an internal chamber 14. The receptacle has opposed generally parallel side walls 16, 18, a lower wall 20, a front wall 22, a rear wall 24 and a top wall 26. Front wall 22 has an upright lower part 30 and a rearwardly sloping upper part 32 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the front wall part 30 to the top wall 26.
The receptacle 12 is fitted with an upper rearwardly disposed inlet structure 34, shown in Figures 7 and 8. The structure 34 is in the form of a short duct 36 an upper part 38 of
which is designed to neatly receive the lower end of upper section 108 of the downpipe 106. An internal ridge 39 is provided in inlet 33, against which the lower end of the section 108 may rest, to limit inwards movement of section 108. Part 38 defines an inlet 33 for liquid entry into the diverter from section 108, and a lower angled part 40 which neatly fits inside the chamber 14, along the inside of the upper wall 26 and an adjacent portion of the sloping upper part 32 of front wall 22.
A lower section of upper wail part 32 is formed on a separable wall structure 140. At the upper end, v/all part 32 is formed by wall structure 140 and an underlying upper wall section 58 of part 40 of inlet structure 34. The upper wall 26 is similarly formed by the upper section of structure 140, and the underlying upper wall section of part 40.
Duct 36 is formed and arranged so that liquid entering via inlet 33 is directed to an outlet aperture 42 of the duct formed at the inner end of part 40 of the inlet structure 34, to flow therefrom within the receptacle 12 away from the outlet aperture 42 somewhat horizontally, so as to be directed along the under surface of upper wall 26 and against an inner sloping surface 44 of wall part 32, and to then flow therealong downwardly and forwardly. Not all water flowing into the inlet structure 34 flows along surface 44. Often, the flow will be too great for this to happen. In such cases, water tends to also flow down the rear wall 53 of the surface structure. A floor part 46 of part 40 is formed to facilitate water flow thereover downwardly and forwardly from the inlet 33 to the outlet aperture 42. It is generally of open "V"-shaped transverse cross section.
The inlet structure 34 has at an end edge thereof, adjacent outlet aperture 42, a depending flow directing lip 54 (Figures 8 and 9) which assists in directing flow from the inlet structure downwardly. This is positioned on the undersurface of the floor part 46, a short distance back from the outlet aperture 42.
An upright partition wall 50 extends within receptacle 12 upwardly from lower wall 20, being positioned between and generally parallel to rear wall 24 and lower part 30 of front wall 22. Wall 50 extends to an upper edge somewhat below outlet aperture 42. A cavity
60 is formed within receptacle 12 bounded by parts of side walls 16 and 18 extending rearwardly from front wall 22, front wall 22, wall 50 and, at the lower part thereof, by a base 182 formed by part of lower wall 20. Cavity 60 is formed at a forward location of the receptacle 12.
An interior opening 62 to the cavity 60 is defined at the upper end of the cavity between the walls 16, 18, 22 and 50. This extends forwardiy from an upper edge 52 of wall 50 to a position about midway along wall part 32.
An internal filter 70 covers opening 62. It extends substantially normally from wall part 32 to the upper edge of the wall 50 and transversely between walls 16 and 18. Liquid emerging from the outlet aperture 42 of duct 36 is directed onto the filter 70 and may pass therethrough into the cavity 60.
Cavity 60 has three outlets 76, 78 and 80 (Figures 6, 12, 13, 14). Outlet 78 is formed in an outlet element 84 sealingly mounted in an opening through lower wall 20. hi use, it is this outlet that communicates with the described tank 116 via pipe 111. Outlets 76, 80 are formed in respective outlet elements 82, 86 mounted in respective apertures in lower wall 20. The outlet elements 82, 86 project somewhat downwardly through the lower wall 20 and in use communicate with pipes 114, 112 described in relation to Figure 1. The elements 82, 86 define upstanding ducts 88, 89 within the cavity 60, these extending upwardly from base 182. The ducts are closed at upper ends by sloping roof elements 90, 92 that are of somewhat larger size that the transverse size of the respective ducts 88, 89 so as to extend outwardly beyond the peripheries the ducts when viewed in plan. Apertures formed in the duct side walls immediately below the sloping roof elements form the respective outlets 76, 80. In use liquid may flow from the cavity 60 through the elements 82, 84, 86 from the outlets 76, 78, 80 under conditions described later.
Filter 70 is shown in more detail in Figures 10 and 11. It is formed by a substantially rigid frame 95 which supports a filter element 97 in the form of a planar perforate mesh. The
frame has upstanding projections 94 distributed over the upper side thereof to assist in maintaining operation of the filter when leaves or the like pass to it, as also described later.
More particularly, the frame 95 is shown as having lengthwise extending spaced side members 145 interconnected at respective ends of the frame by cross members 149, 151, and at spaced intermediate locations by further cross members 153. Two intermediate lengthwise extending members 147 are each spaced inwardly from respective adjacent ones of the members 145, and are also spaced from each other. Two further cross members 155 extend in spaced relationship, and respectively spaced from but adjacent to the cross member 151, and the cross member 153 closest to cross member 151. The projections 94 are disposed in spaced relationship along the side to side extending lengths of the cross members 149 and 153. Filter element 97 covers the frame 95, particularly openings therethrough defined between the described frame members.
Within the receptacle 12, between wall 50 and walls 16, 18 and 24, there is an additionally defined a bypass duct 98 closed at the top by the floor of the inlet structure 34. The duct is at the forward side open at an upright side opening 99 extending between walls 16, 18, the lower edge of the inlet structure 34 and top edge 52 of the wall 50 and the adjacent edge of the filter 70.
Bypass duct 98 is open at the bottom of the diverter at an opening 132 in a depending tapered fitting part 134 formed on receptacle 12 and adapted to mate with the upper end of the lower section 110 of downpipe 106. Four small projecting stops 136 are provided at the upper end of part 134, two at each side of part 134. There are provided to inhibit direct rubbing of the lower section 110 of the downpipe 106 against the receptacle 12 at locations immediately above the fitting part 134.
The diverter 12 is designed to permit ready access to the interior thereof to access the filter, duct 98 and cavity 60 for cleaning. In particular, as mentioned, the sloping wall part 32 and upper wall 26 are formed as a unitary wall structure 140 (shown in Figure 2) removable from the remainder of the receptacle. When the wall structure 140 is removed,
an access opening 142 is defined at the upper end of cavity 60 between walls 16, 18, wall part 30, and the upper forward edge of filter 70. A further access opening 143 for accessing the top of the filter 70 and also the bypass duct 98 is also then defined.
Filter 70 is removable, to further facilitate cleaning thereof. It is supported within the receptacle 12 by resting of a lower transverse V-section formation 144 thereof on the upper edge 52 of wall 50 and, at two locations at either side of the filter by resting of underside portions 150 thereof on the upper ends of upstanding interior ribs 160, 162, 164, 166 formed on the inner surfaces of the walls 16, 18. Positioning of the wall structure 140 in place as shown in Figure 1 is effective to lock the filter in position by bringing an internal transverse rib 152 on the wall structure into engagement with an upper end transverse edge part 154 of the filter, so that the latter is gripped between the rib 152 and the upper ends of the ribs 160, 164 on the walls 18, 16. Then, movement of the lower part of the filter is inhibited by capture of the upper edge 52 of the wall 50 in V-section formation 144. When the wall structure 140 is removed, however, the upper edge of the filter 70 is freed, and the filter can be withdrawn, the lower edge of the filter being lifted from engagement with the wall 50.
When both the filter 70 and wall structure 140 are removed, ready access is provided to the whole of the cavity 60, and access to the lower part of the bypass duct 98 is facilitated.
The wall structure 140 may be constructed so as to be a snap fit with the remainder of the receptacle 12. As shown, at a forward location on part 38 of inlet structure 34 there is provided a transverse locating tab 170 and a groove 172 is defined between this and the upper external surface of the lower part 40 of the inlet structure. A transverse wall 174 is provided at the lower part of the interior surface of wall structure 140 to form with an adjacent end section 178 of the wall structure 140 a V-shaped formation 176. To attach the wall structure 140, the wall structure is moved so that the V-shaped formation 176 is positioned on to the upper edge 185 of the front v/all portion 30, so that the edge 185 is captured. . Then, by manual pressure, the structure 140 is bowed slightly against natural resistance thereof to permit the edge portion 180, of the wall structure 140 to be positioned
in the groove 172. After release of that pressure, the wall structure 140 ilexes back to its natural state with the upper edge portion 180 securely located within the groove 172 to securely lock the wall structure in position. The wall structure 140 can be removed by reversing the mentioned action, i.e. by bowing the wall structure under manual pressure. Lifting of the lower end of the wall structure to effect removal may be effected by lifting a lower end flange 181 on the wall structure 140.
With the di verier installed as shov/n in Figure 15, water from the gutter 104 and the upper section 108 of downpipe 106 enters the diverter through the inlet structure 34, passing from the outlet 42 so that at least part thereof passes onto and through the sloping filter 70 into the cavity 60. The filter mesh size (aperture size) of filter element 97 may for example be .995 mm by which relatively large contaminant particles are removed by the filter under water flow therethrough. These larger particles in the water, removed by the filter 70 before inflow into the cavity 60 are flushed from the filter by down flow of part of the water applied to the filter down the filter, to pass to the bypass duct 98. That water and contaminants will pass from the diverter via opening 132 to lower section 110 of downpipe 106.
Initially, water entering the cavity 60 passes therefrom through the lowermost outlet, namely outlet 78. That water passes through pipe 111 and into tank 116. Since outflow from the tank 116 occurs only through the small opening 126, substantial inflow into the cavity 60 will in time cause the level in water in the cavity to rise to the level of the outlet 80, which is shown in Figure 6 is above outlet 78 but below outlet 76. Then, water flow occurs through the duct 89 and pipe 112 for distribution by that pipe to a desired location. Subsequently, the water level may rise to the level of the outlet 76 and water is then additionally passed to pipe 114 to duct 88 for further distribution via that pipe. Of course, in heavy downpours water may rise such that substantial outflow occurs through the bypass duct 98, for exit to lower section 110 of the downpipe 106.
The describe arrangement has been found very satisfactory in use. The arrangement of the inner surface 44 of wall part 32 to receive flow there along from the duct 36 assists in self-
cleaning action, and collection of water even when the flow rate from the duct 36 is low. Particularly, surface tension effects tend to cause the water to flow along surface 44 to be transported to the filter even when flow is low, while heavier contaminant particles in the water will more likely fall directly downwardly to be flushed out via bypass duct 98.
It will be appreciated that water flowing down downpipe section 108 tends to flow mainly along the inner surface of the downpipe, particularly at corners of the cross-section thereof, because of surface tension effects. The diverter 10 is arranged so that water flowing at forward corners of the cross-section of the downpipe tends to correspondingly enter inlet 33 of duct 36 (of inlet structure 34) at corners of the cross-section of the duct 36. Water so entering the duct 36 at forward comers 35, 37 of the duct cross-section (Figures 3, 8 and 9) tends to flow directly along and under the inner surface 44 of the diverter, again under surface tension effects.
The arrangement of the collection tank 116 is useful in that because the outlet 78 to it is lowermost and, as described, water entering the diverter will at first proceed to tank 116 rather than through pipes 112, i 14, it is more likely that contaminants in the in flow water will pass to the collection tank 116 rather than to the pipes 112, 114. That is, for example during the initial part of a water downpour, the water from the roof 102 is more likely to contain flushed bird droppings, accumulated dust, dirt, or the like, so the earlier, more likely contaminated water does not tend to enter the pipes 112 and 114, ensuring a cleaner flow therethrough.
The arrangement of the filter 70 with its sloping upper surface generally contributes to self cleaning of the filter and some water passing there onto will run past to the bypass duct 98, tending to carry contaminants with it. This action is facilitated in the case of leaf contamination," for example by the described projections 94. Leaves carried to the filter in the inlet water tend to rest on or slide across the projections 94 so that they are maintained above the filter element 97, to permit flow under the leaves io the cavity 60. Also, the resultant spacing of the leaves above the filter element 97 permits water to flow between
the leaves and the filter element 97, so tending to dislodge them from the filter and flush them to the bypass duct 98.
The effect of the raised projections 94 is to break the surface tension that binds leaves and debris to the filter element 97, particularly when formed of fine mesh. It has been found that small streams of water flow down the members 145 and 157 to further lift and flush leaves and debris. The two cross members 153, which may about 15 mm wide, form horizontal platforms also serving to splash water to further aid this process.
The tendency for rainwater flow down the downpipe sides, and often down one side only, and resultant 'slippery dip' effect, which can result in the water being directed to the side walls of the receptacle 12 rather than to the filter 70, was found to often result in efficiency losses as high as 20% as water would, under surface tension, stream down the filter boundaries and diverter walls to the bypass duct 98. The floor part 46 of part 40 is provided with two upstanding ridges 48, designed to assist in disrupting this flow and to direct water more centrally to the filter 70. Ridges 48 extend generally lengthwise along the upper surface of floor part 46, but are symmetrically disposed so as to diverge in the direction back from the outlet aperture 42.
The depending lip 54 on inlet structure 34 at the lower edge of the outlet aperture 42 has been found effective in ensuring that water exiting the aperture 42 is directed downwardly with little or no backwards component of motion. This arises from surface tension effects and is effective to ensure good directing of water from aperture 42 to the filter 70, rather than to the bypass duct 98. This action is facilitated by the open "V-shaped" configuration of the lip as shown in particular in Figure 9, this presenting a central lip part that is lower than the outer parts thereof. Because of this arrangement, water also tends to be directed to the filter mesh rather than to the edges of the filter 70 adjacent walls, 16, 18. The lip 54 has been found to have an important effect on efficiency. In summary, it inhibits surface tension flow of water from 'curling' approximately 30 mm back to the downpipe, instead directing this water to the lower section of the filter to scavenge the water that flows down the filter.
The internal rib 152 on wall structure 140 which is, as mentioned, positioned to overly the upper edge of filter 70 to assist in locating the filter in position, also assists in diverting water flowing under surface 44 to the filter 70, by interrupting the surface tension effects of the so-flowing water.
The collection tank 116 may be foπned as shown, as a tube 118 with upper and lower end caps 120, 122 having respective inlet and outlet openings. One or both end caps may be removable to facilitate flushing of collected contaminants from the tank.
The provision of the multiple outlets 76, 78, 80 arranged at differing heights within the diverter is useful in providing automatic distribution υf water to different locations as may be required. For example, where the diverter is used to distribute water to a garden, a part of the garden having plants requiring more water may be supplied from pipe 112 and a part of the garden having plants requiring relatively less water may be supplied from pipe 114. This arises because water will not generally flow to pipe 114 until after water is being supplied via pipe 112, due to the relatively higher location of the outlet 76 as compared with the outlet 80.
The arrangement of the outlet 78 to be open flush with the upper surface of floor 20, as shown, assists in scavenging and removing heavier sediment in liquid entering the cavity 60.
The described liquid diverter is conveniently formed of moulded plastics Components such as the inlet structure 34 may be constructed so as to be snap fitted to other components and/or otherwise fixed to each other such as by ultrasonic welding.
While Figure 15 shows pipes 112 and 114 arranged to distribute water e.g. on to a garden, one or more both may be arranged instead to feed water elsewhere, such as to a swimming pool or, as shown in Figure 16, to water storage tanks 190, 192.
The described construction has been advanced merely by way of example and many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which includes every novel feature and combination of features herein disclosed.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge.
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