FR2749599A1 - Sanitary water collector for building roof - Google Patents

Abstract

The collector has a reservoir (5) with a volume sufficient to capture, fill and distribute water falling on the roof (4) to the cistern of a w.c. The reservoir is placed downstream of the gutters (6) and upstream of the reservoir. The maximum filling level of the reservoir is under that of the gutters (6) and the base (8), has a level superior to or equal to the maximum level (9) of the reservoir. A drain pipe (1) equipped with a filter (2) drains the gutters towards the reservoir. The tank has an overflow pipe (10).

Description

 The present invention relates to a hydrosensor for sanitary use making it possible to recover, store and redistribute rainwater which has fallen on roofs, continuously or temporarily, in the toilet flush tank, in replacement or back-up alternating with the d running water supply.

The toilet flush is usually supplied exclusively with potable running water Daily use of this sanitary appliance results in significant and expensive water consumption (approximately 1/3 of household consumption).

Flushing does not necessarily require the use of potable water. It is sufficient that it is clean, that is to say limpid and free from macroscopic impurities. On the other hand, the flow rate required to fill its tank does not specifically need to be significant or equivalent to the existing flow rate of running water, given the average time considered between two uses
Under article 641 of the French Civil Code Any owner has the right to use and dispose of rainwater that falls on his bottom ...

Rainwater falling on the roof of a house and flowing into gutters can therefore be domesticated for sanitary use, by retention in a tank downstream of these gutters and upstream of the flush tank .

The device according to the invention makes it possible to exploit this possibility and thus reduce its consumption of running water, without deprivation or restriction of any kind, the rain water constituting a replacement supply, remaining included in the overall consumption.

More broadly and hypothetically, the community can find a double advantage there, because this device also allows, even if it is not its initial vocation and insofar as a significant number of homes would be equipped, to lower the threshold evacuation and absorption of rainwater and therefore the risk of flooding, while contributing to the maintenance of drinking water resources.

Indeed, it is well known that small streams make big rivers. Likewise, a drop of water is sometimes enough to make a vase overflow. Built constructions retaining all or part of their rainwater, especially in the event of a storm, it is easy to understand that this retention could reduce the simultaneous influx of water in gutters and pipelines, and therefore delaying or reducing accordingly, the risk of overflowing rivers or basins located downstream.

On the other hand, the saving made by the user, already very interesting in itself, would collectively translate into a significant saving of the various sources of supply.

In the same vein and consequently logical, the community could find there indirectly, a third advantage. Indeed, the savings made on drinking water resources, and in particular on groundwater, would make it possible to reduce the rate of pollution of their content, since pollutants are counted by their quantity in a determined volume, that is to say say their density. The overall volume remaining greater, since it is less punctured, the pollution of these aquifers would be lower by increasing the dilution rate of undesirable materials (only in cases where the natural flow which feeds the aquifer is less polluted than the aquifer. herself ) .

The device according to the invention makes it possible to recover rainwater which has fallen on the roofs, thanks to
a gutter descent supplying a water retention tank.

The existing gutter descent or specially installed for this purpose, must convey the water either directly to the tank, if there is only one descent, or to a point of convergence in funnel if there are several , in which is fitted a collector descent connected to the tank.

Incidentally, a coarse pre-filter, such as for example a stainless mesh rolled in a ball, can be affixed in the funnel, fitted into the starting orifice of the single or collector descent, in order to retain any foams, leaves or any other impurity
This pre-filter must be accessible and removable so as to allow frequent cleaning and regulate
The collector descent must be deflected by connecting downward-sloping pipes to the supply port of the tank.

On this descent, a second filter will remove the smallest impurities.

For this purpose, a filtering fitting is installed on any part of the collector downpipe.
T, extended by a sleeve of about twenty centimeters, fitted vertically downwards and which can be opened at the base thanks to a screwed or encapsulated cap.

On the outlet branch of this T-fitting, just after the sleeve, a filter is affixed so that the impurities retained by the dead end effect are recoverable in the sleeve.

The stopper located at the base of the sleeve may possibly be pierced with a hole of very small diameter (about 1 mm), in order to allow the water to drip out, while retaining the impurities, and thus avoiding stagnation d dirty water that may eventually infect the contents of the tank
If this sleeve is installed inside a building, it must be emptied in a pipe evacuating the water to the outside, or more simply in a container that must be emptied regularly.

The mesh of the filter must have a minimum surface area of approximately Imm2 so as not to slow down the circulating water too much.

Thus a circular filter net, with a diameter greater than the pipe (at least 4 cm more, made of stainless steel wire or synthetic material such as nylon can be affixed by integrating its edges in the sliding zone between the male connector and female connector, from the outlet branch of the T, before bonding and sealing.

The recovery sleeve may possibly be transparent so as to constantly check its state of cleanliness.

The tank is preferably placed, protected from frost, either inside the house or in one of its outbuildings (garage, laundry, etc.).

This tank must be positioned so that its maximum filling level is at the bottom of the gutter, and its base at a level greater than or equal to the maximum water level in the flush tank, so as to allow a natural flow by gravity.

The shape of the tank can be arbitrary (cylindrical, rectangular etc ...), as well as the material constituting it.

Corrosive and unprotected ferrous metals are however not recommended.

In general, any closed rigid tank, which can be placed and fixed on a base allowing the adaptation of inlet and outlet pipes for a liquid material, may be suitable.

By way of example, the tanks sold for the storage of fuel in central heating installations can be used for this device.

The volume of the tank can be variable depending on the installation, but a minimum capacity of 1000 liters is recommended in order to allow correct, optimal and profitable use.
This volume should take into account:
- the location and the surface available for the installation of the tank.

- the area of the roof used and the average amount of water that we hope to recover depending on
rainfall and seasonal variations in the region considered.

 - daily water requirements for the use of toilet flushing So, for example, based on an average humidity of 600 mm / year (lowest annual average height in France), a house with an exploited 80 m2 roof can collect 48,000 liters of water per year, i.e. 131 liters of water per day or the equivalent of 12 flushes.

In theory, this rainwater can therefore largely cover the daily needs for the use of WCs.

It is also necessary that the rains are equally and regularly distributed throughout the year, which is rarely observed.

However, we can consider, taking into account the national average humidity (for France), seasonal variations, and needs for the use of the toilet flush.
that a tank of 1000 liters can recover 20,000 liters of rainwater over the year (the surplus could not be stored due to lack of capacity), equivalent to the average consumption of an average household for this use, ie 1/3 of its overall average consumption.

The running water supply is therefore only restored in the event of prolonged drought. Beyond a capacity of 1000 liters, any additional storage capacity delays or decreases the need to use it.

The single or collector gutter descent can be connected at any point in the tank, preferably on the top face, so as to allow it to be filled in rainy weather.

The receiving hole drilled in the tank must be of a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the downpipe so as not to slow its flow.

The connection can be made by sliding the inlet tube into the opening provided, then clogging the exterior around the pipe with a sealing paste.

On the top face of the tank or at the top of one of the side faces, must be connected, according to the same process. a pipe of the same diameter, acting as overflow and thus avoiding saturation and overflow of the tank in the event of heavy rain
This overflow pipe must be diverted downhill, either directly to a downstream channel, intended for the evacuation of rainwater, or to any other pipe intended for this use.

On the top face of the tank, an orifice with closing cap can be provided, allowing access to add from time to time and if necessary, antiseptic products such as chlorine (not recommended for sanitary installations with septic tank) or any other disinfectant, deodorant, detergent, descaling or coloring additive, suitable for the installation or necessary for maintaining the quality of the water, especially in the event of prolonged stagnation.

This faculty even constitutes an additional advantage compared to the existing installations functioning exclusively with running water, because it allows a preventive use, more homogeneous and therefore more effective, of the current maintenance products for the WC.

Indeed, their addition to the source in a larger volume allows a more regular, almost continuous and economical maintenance of the toilet bowl.

Optionally, if the tank is not transparent, a gauge to check its filling level can be installed. A transparent pipe of any diameter can be connected at its two ends, one on the base of the tank, L ' another end on the top of the tank, above the maximum filling level, so that, according to a principle of communicating vessels, the level of the contents of the tank is apparent.

On the underside or base of the tank, a copper pipe with a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the existing supply pipe of the flush tank will be connected.

The connection will be made using an outlet fitting with gasket, in the existing hole, or drilled for this purpose on the base of the tank.

This hose will be routed to the existing piped water supply hose to the flush tank.

Its circuit must always be below the base of the tank, the water flowing only by gravity and under low pressure.

The connection will be made by welding a T-connector at any point on this supply pipe, called the point of intersection.

Two taps will then be placed on these pipes.

A tap is installed on the piped water inlet pipe, another on the tub water outlet pipe upstream of the point of intersection.

Thus it is possible to alternate the supply of the flush tank, with running water or rainwater.

When the tank contains water, the rainwater tap must be open while the tap for running water is closed. If the tank becomes empty, just close the tap. rainwater supply and reopen the tap with running water supply.

This installation requires regular maintenance, because even filtered and disinfected rainwater carries impurities which can dirty the interior of the tank over the months.

It is therefore advisable to clean it at least once a year.

This operation can be done manually if a drain opening from the bottom and an access hatch from the top have been provided.

Cleaning can also be done automatically with running water by opening the two taps. The tank then fills and the arrival of running water creates a movement of mixing of the liquid on its internal walls. The prior addition of a powerful detergent will allow automatic cleaning and rinsing, the washing water draining itself towards the overflow of the tank.

The appended diagram illustrates the invention (Fig. 1).

In the embodiment according to the diagram, a gutter descent (1) equipped with a filtering connection (2) with collecting sleeve (3), conveys the water fallen on the roof (4) towards the retention tank (5 ), located downstream of the gutter (6) and upstream of the flush tank (7).

The base of the tank (8) is located at a level greater than or equal to the maximum water level (9) of the flush tank (7).

An overflow pipe (10) evacuating the water to the gutter (11) prevents the tank from overflowing.

A rainwater supply pipe (12) contained in the tank (5), and connected to the existing piped water supply pipe (13), at an intersection point (14).

It feeds the flush tank (7) when the tap (15) is open, while the tap (16) is closed.

When the tank (5) is empty, the circulation of running water is restored by opening the tap (16) and closing the tap (15).

Claims (7)

 1) Device for saving running water, characterized in that it comprises a retention tank (5) of any shape and volume, capable of recovering, storing and redistributing rainwater which has fallen on the roof (4 ) of a built construction, in the tank (7) of the toilet flush.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the tank (5) is placed downstream of the gutters (6) and upstream of the tank (7) of the flush, the maximum filling level of the tank being below the gutters (6) and its base (8) at a level greater than or equal to the maximum water level (9) of the flush tank (7).  3) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a downpipe (1), equipped with a filtering connection (2), conveys the water from the gutters (6) to the tank (5).  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an overflow pipe (10), discharging the water towards the gutters (11), prevents the tank (5) from overflowing.  5) Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that a supply pipe (12) for rainwater connects the base of the tank (5) to the existing running water supply circuit (13) feeding the flush tank (7), at an intersection point (14).  6) Device according to claim 5, characterized in that a tap (16) is installed on the running water inlet pipe (13), upstream of the point of intersection (14).  7) Device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that a tap (15) is installed on the outlet pipe (12) of the water from the tank (5).