US20040188357A1

US20040188357A1 - In-line storm water filter

Info

Publication number: US20040188357A1
Application number: US10/397,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-25
Filing date: 2003-03-25
Publication date: 2004-09-30

Abstract

An in-line filter and method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a storm sewer line. The frame of the filter is provided with a screen and optionally, filter media, and is decreased in size until the frame is small enough to fit into the storm sewer line into which liquids carrying solids and pollutants pass. The frame is then expanded into frictional engagement against the inside surface of the line.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the pollutants in storm water runoff passing through a storm sewer line. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for easily mounting a reusable filter inside a line for removing pollutants from a liquid passing through a storm sewer line.

The present invention has particular application to disturbed construction sites, where rain on bare ground has the result of washing large quantities of solids from the site and into the storm drainage system. In addition to the undesirable removal of soil from the site, the solids washed from the site can settle in the storm sewers and/or receiving streams or channels, and can have the result of interfering with the function of the receiving streams or channels and/or contaminating the receiving streams or channels. Of course the solids that wash off of the construction site are often not just dirt and particulate solids—it is not uncommon for the run-off to include trash, building materials, and other solids that can do more than just interfere with the function of the drain and/or sewer.

For these, and other reasons, it is desirable to prevent entry of the solids in the run-off from disturbed construction sites. The importance of preventing the entry of solids from such sites into the storm sewer lines has even prompted regulatory action, and the present invention therefore provides a method to aide in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations as set out in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and specifically, the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System regulations.

One method that has been used to address this problem is to build a wood frame, staple fabric over the frame, position the frame over the opening of the storm sewer in the inlet box, and brace the frame against the inlet box walls. Although this construction can function to reduce the solids entering the drain, its relatively bulky construction makes it difficult to remove collected pollutants from the inlet box and to replace and/or maintain the fabric, which can compromise its effectiveness. Further, it must be purpose-built on-site and cannot be easily re-used.

There is, therefore, a need for improvements in reducing the volume of pollutants contained in the water washing off a disturbed construction site, and it is an object of the present invention to provide such an improvement, specifically in the form of a filter that is adapted to fit inside the storm sewer line connected to the inlet box.

However, those skilled in the art will understand from the following description that the present invention, while being originally intended for application in the above-described environment, has broader application in that it is useful in any environment in which it is desired to reduce the solids content of a liquid that is passing through a line. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved in-line filter for use in wide variety of applications in reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line that is easily and quickly installed before or as soon as the line is put into service.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line that is durable and reusable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line that is easily cleaned and maintained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for in-line filtering of solids from a liquid passing through the line that functions to allow the liquid to pass on through the line even when the filter of the present invention has trapped sufficient solids as to occlude a portion of the filter area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that is adapted for easily switching the filter material mesh size and/or effective opening so as to remove the desired amount of solids from the liquid passing through the line and/or to remove solids of certain sizes from the liquid passing through the line.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that is adapted to provide for a variable by-pass area easily and economically so as to allow for adjustable by-pass flow to coincide with varying stages of development and pollutant levels in the storm water runoff.

Other objects, and the advantages, of the present invention will be made clear to those skilled in the art by the following description of the presently preferred embodiments thereof

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved by providing an in-line filter for reducing the pollutant content of a liquid passing through a storm line comprising a first frame adapted for frictionally engaging the inside surface of a line and a second frame having a size and shape that allows the second frame to fit into the first frame after the size of the first frame is increased by expanding the first frame outwardly to receive the second frame therein. The filter media is retained between said first and second frames and an adjustment nut and bolt are mounted on the first frame for decreasing the size of the first frame after the second frame is received therein until the outside diameter of the first frame, having the second frame and the filter media assembled thereto, is small enough to fit into and frictionally engage the inside surface of the line.

The present invention also provides a method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line comprising the steps of increasing the size of a first frame to accept a second frame therein, said second frame supporting the filter media, decreasing the size of the first frame to a size small enough to fit within the line in which it is desired to reduce the solid content of a liquid passing there through, and increasing the size of the first frame until the first frame frictionally engages the inside diameter of the line.

These objects are also achieved by providing an in-line filter for reducing the pollutant content of a liquid passing through a line comprising a single frame adapted for frictionally engaging the inside surface of a line. The size of the first frame is increased by expanding the frame outwardly to frictionally engage the inside surface of a line. The filter media is retained between said frame and the inside surface of the line and an adjustment nut and bolt are mounted on the frame for decreasing and increasing the size of the frame until the outside diameter of the frame, is small enough to fit into the line and large enough to frictionally engage the inside surface of the line and retain the screen and/or filter media.

The present invention also provides a method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line comprising the steps of increasing the size of the frame to the size of the line, said frame is covered with filter fabric and then covered with a stiff screen that is wrapped around said frame to hold the filter fabric in place, decreasing the size of the frame to a size small enough to fit within the line in which it is desired to reduce the solid content of a liquid passing there through, and increasing the size of the frame until the frame and filter media frictionally engage the inside diameter of the line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for reducing the solid content of a liquid passing through a line that is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and that is frictionally engaging the inside surface of a storm drain pipe. [0018]
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the lines A-A in FIG. 1. [0019]
FIG. 3 is a detail view of the adjustment nuts and bolt of a presently preferred embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [0020]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. [0021]
FIG. 5 is a detail view of the adjustment nuts and bolt of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, a preferred embodiment constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is indicated generally at [0023] reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a first frame 12 adapted for fitting into and engaging the inside surface of a storm sewer pipe 14 of conventional construction. By referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the first frame 12 is concentric with a second frame 16 and that a layer of wire mesh 18 is sandwiched between the two frames 12, 16. In the particular embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the wire mesh 18 serves as a backing for a section of filter media 20 that is also sandwiched between the two concentric frames 12, 16 and that acts as a filter to reduce the solids content of liquid passing through the drain pipe 14.
It will be noted that, in the preferred embodiment shown, the [0024] filter media 20 does not necessarily cover the entire layer of wire mesh 18 or the second frame 16. When the apparatus 10 of the present invention is placed into the drain pipe 14 with the first frame engaging the inside surface of pipe 14, the filter media 20 functions to filter the solids from the water passing there through, with the resulting accumulation of solids at the upstream side of the apparatus 10. Although not immediately apparent from the drawings, the size of second frame 16 is fixed, i.e., not adjustable. In the case of the round drain pipe 14 shown in the figures, because the drain pipe 14 is round, it is the diameter of the second frame 16 that is not adjustable, but those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that the line in which the apparatus 10 is utilized need not be round such that the apparatus 10 may be shaped in any shape as required by the shape of the particular line in which the apparatus 10 is to be positioned. It is for this reason that the present specification refers to the “size” of the frames 12, 16 rather than using words such as “~diameter,” which carry connotations of shape, to describe the frames 12 and 16. By contrast, the size of first frame 12 can be changed, and in particular, as best shown in FIG. 3, first frame 12 is provided with integral collars 22A and 22B, one on each free end of frame 12, having an adjustment bolt 24 and nut 26 positioned thereon. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the adjustment bolt 24 is threaded and extends through collar 22B, adjustment nut 26 and collar 22A and into a fixed threaded nut 28 that is fixedly attached to collar 22A. Collar 22A and threaded fixed nut 28 is arranged such that the rotation of bolt 24 causes collar 22B to travel along the length of bolt 24, thereby decreasing the size of the first frame 12 to which collars 22A and 22B are mounted. Similarly, the size of first frame 12 is increased by rotating bolt 24 until the head of the bolt 24 disengages the collar 22B and creates a space between the head of bolt 24 and collar 22B. Then, by rotation of the adjustment nut 26 while holding the bolt 24 fixed, collar 22B travels along the length of bolt 24, thereby increasing the size of the first frame 12 to which collars 22A and 22B are mounted.
Those skilled in the art will, however, recognize that the size of [0025] first frame 12 can be changed in a number of ways that do not involve the adjustment bolt 24 and nut 26 such that the present invention should not be considered restricted in its scope to the particular size adjusting means shown in FIG. 3. It does happen, however, that a threaded adjustment bolt such as the bolt 24 is particularly useful for this purpose because it easily allows for varying degrees of change in size, thereby insuring secure engagement of the first frame 12 and the inside surface of the drain pipe 14. Further, in the particular embodiment shown, the threaded adjustment bolt 24 is provided with an adjustment nut, 26 that rides on the threads of bolt 24. When the apparatus 10 of the present invention is inserted into the storm drain pipe 14, rotation of adjustment nut 26 toward the collar 22B causes movement of collar 22B relative to bolt 24, and because collar 22B is integral with first frame 12, the movement of collar 22B relative to bolt 24 causes the size of first frame 12 to increase so as to securely engage the inside surface of the drain pipe 14.
In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, and specifically by reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the first and [0026] second frames 12, 16 are both “C”-shaped when viewed in section. This “C”-shape of first and second frames 12, 16 functions to resist movement of second frame 16 relative to first frame 12, thereby affirmatively retaining the wire mesh 18 and filter fabric 20 therebetween. It will be recognized, however, by those skilled in the relevant art that the same goal is accomplished by rolling the edge of one or the other (or both) of first and second frames, 12, 16 to create a lip along the edge of the frames 12, 16 and/or by a detent or nipple formed in one or the other of frames 12, 16 to provide a snap or friction fit between frames 12, 16.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the [0027] apparatus 10 of the present invention in which like numerals are used to identify parts corresponding to the component parts of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this alternate embodiment, instead of two “C”-shaped frames, one frame 12 is covered with filter media 20 and the wire mesh 18 wrapped around the exterior surface and into the interior surface of frame 12. Just as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the size of the frame 12 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-5 can be changed. In particular, and as best shown in FIG. 5, frame 12 is provided with integral guides or collars 23A and 23B, one on each free end of frame 12, having an adjustment bolt 24 and nut 26 positioned thereon. In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the adjustment bolt 24 is threaded and extends through the guide or collar 23B, adjustment nut 26 and guide or collar 23A, and into a threaded nut 28 that is fixedly attached to guide or collar 23A. Guide, or collar, 23A and threaded fixed nut 28 are arranged such that the rotation of bolt 24 causes guide or collar 23B to travel along the length of bolt 24, thereby decreasing the size of the frame 12 to which guides or collars 23A and 23B are mounted. Similarly, to increase the size of the frame 12, bolt 24 is rotated until the head of bolt 24 disengages the guide or collar 23B and creates a space between the adjustment bolt 24 and collar 23B. Then, by rotation of adjustment nut 26 while holding the bolt 24 fixed, guide or collar 23B is caused to travel along the length of bolt 24, thereby increasing the size of the frame 12 to which guides or collars 23A and 23B are mounted.
Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that certain changes can be made to the component parts of the apparatus of the present invention without changing the manner in which those parts function to achieve their intended result. All such changes, and others which will be clear to those skilled in the art from this description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended to fall within the scope of the following, non-limiting claims. [0028]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An in-line filter for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a storm sewer line comprising:

a frame adapted for frictionally engaging the inside surface of a storm sewer line;

by expanding outwardly into engagement with the inside surface of the storm sewer line;

a screen and/or filter fabric retained on said frame; and

an adjustment nut and bolt mounted on said frame for decreasing the size of said frame until the outside diameter of said frame, having said screen and/or filter fabric assembled thereto, is small enough to fit into the storm sewer line and then increasing the size of said frame until said frame is large enough to frictionally engage the inside surface of the storm sewer line.

2. The in-line filter of claim 1 wherein said frame additionally comprises two collars or guides for receiving said adjustment bolt therethrough.

3. The in-line filter of claim 2 additionally comprising a nut for riding on said bolt for bearing against a collar or guide on said frame that, when turned, causes said frame to expand outwardly.

4. The in-line filter of claim 1 wherein said frame is provided with means for resisting undesired movement of said screen and/or filter fabric relative to said frame and inside surface of said storm sewer line.

5. The in-line filter of claim 4 wherein said movement resisting means is accomplished by frictionally engaging the inside surface of said storm sewer line with the screen and/or filter fabric and said frame with said outward expansion.

6. The in-line filter of claim 1 additionally comprising an inner frame member adapted for supporting a screen and/or filter fabric.

7. A method for reducing the solids content of a liquid passing through a line comprising the steps of:

increasing the size of a first frame to accept a second frame therein, said second frame supporting a screen and/or filter fabric;

decreasing the size of said first frame to a size small enough to fit within the line in which it is desired to reduce the solid content of a liquid passing therethrough; and

increasing the size of the first frame until the first frame frictionally engages the inside diameter of the line.

8. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising resisting movement of the inner frame relative to the said first frame.