EP2489801A1 - Waste water hoisting facility - Google Patents

Abstract

The lifting unit has a level sensor (14) which is provided within a container (2). A tubular-shape protection sleeve is extended into the container. Several openings (12) are formed in upper and lower ends of protection sleeve. The opening formed in upper end of protection sleeve is closed, while the opening formed in lower end of protection sleeve is opened. The upper end of protection sleeve is connected with sensor housing. The level sensor is provided with a float portion.

Description

The invention relates to a wastewater lifting plant with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Wastewater lifting plants are used to raise or pump sewage, which is at a level below a sewage system, to the level of the sewage system. For this purpose, sewage lifting plants are known with a container in which the effluents to be lifted are introduced. On or in the container, at least one pump is arranged, which is switched on and off depending on the water level in the container and to pump the waste water from the container to a higher level. For this purpose, a level sensor is arranged in the container, which detects the height of the water level in the container.

Since contaminants are carried in the wastewater to be pumped, there is always the risk that the function of such a level sensor is affected by contamination. In addition, there is the problem that, as the effluent enters the container, turbulence may occur in it, which may cause the level sensor to malfunction so that the pump is inadvertently turned on too early or too late.

In view of this problem, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved sewage lifting system, which ensures reliable operation of a level sensor in this wastewater lifting plant.

This object is achieved by a sewage lifting plant having the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying figures.

The wastewater lifting plant according to the invention, like known wastewater lifting plants, has a container which has at least one inlet opening to which an incoming sewage pipe can be connected, through which waste waters are conducted into the tank. On or in the container, at least one pump is arranged, which can pump the waste water from the container via a to be connected outgoing sewer pipe or pressure line in a higher-lying sewer. In addition, at least one level sensor is arranged in the container, which detects the water level in the container and the pump on and off depending on the water level. Thus, the pump can be turned on reaching a predetermined water level and off again when falling below this predetermined water level. Alternatively, it would also be possible to turn on the pump at a predetermined water level and turn it off again at a second predetermined lower water level. In larger sewage lifting systems, several pumps can be provided, on the one hand to achieve greater performance, on the other hand, to ensure greater reliability. These pumps can be operated simultaneously, alternately or individually or jointly depending on the water level and the inflowing water quantity.

In order to ensure a reliable function of the level sensor, the invention provides that this is at least partially or partially surrounded by a tubular protective sleeve. This tubular protective sleeve preferably extends in the container in the Essentially in the vertical direction, which may also be an acute angle to the vertical. The protective sleeve has at least one opening in the region of its upper end and in the region of its lower end. Through the opening at the bottom of the water can enter the protective sleeve. The opening in the area of the upper end is used for ventilation, so that the air, which is displaced by the inflowing water at the bottom, can escape through the opening in the region of the upper end. If appropriate, a plurality of openings can also be arranged at the upper end. The openings may be formed in the axial end faces of the protective sleeve, but alternatively or additionally, an arrangement of openings in the peripheral region of the protective sleeve is possible. The protective sleeve causes in particular impurities which float on the surface of the wastewater, do not come directly with the arranged inside the protective sleeve parts of the level sensor into contact, so that it can be protected from contamination by the protective sleeve. In addition, the water surface can be calmed inside the protective sleeve. In particular, less turbulence occurs in the interior of the protective sleeve on the water surface due to water flowing into the container when the waste water is introduced into the container outside the protective sleeve. In this way, the influence on turbulence on the level sensor is reduced by the protective sleeve, so that more reliable switching on and off of the pump can be ensured via the level sensor even with turbulence in the container. Preferably, the protective sleeve is open at its lower end. Ie. the protective sleeve is preferably formed as a tube with a fully open lower end face. Through this lower end face, the wastewater can then enter the protective sleeve.

For this purpose, the at least one opening in the region of the lower end of the protective sleeve is further preferably arranged such that it is in operation Sewage lifting plant located below the minimum water level in the container. This ensures that the at least one opening in the region of the lower end of the protective sleeve is always located under water. This prevents surface water and contaminants, which float on the surface of the waste water in the container, from entering the protective sleeve from below, because only water from deeper layers of the waste water can penetrate into the protective sleeve in the container. In this way, floating impurities such as grease, oil and foam are kept away from the inside of the protective sleeve and the parts of the level sensor arranged therein on the surface of the waste water. Thus, these impurities can affect the function of the level sensor less.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one opening in the region of the upper end of the protective sleeve is not arranged directly at the upper end of the protective sleeve, but arranged vertically spaced from the upper end. However, the opening is arranged in the region of the upper end so that it is always located above the maximum occurring in the container water level during normal operation of the sewage lifting system, so that entry of water into the opening at the top is prevented. If, furthermore, the upper end of the protective sleeve is preferably formed closed, a bell-shaped, only downwardly open volume is thus created in the region of the upper end of the protective sleeve. In this accumulates, if the water level in the container should rise above the upper edge of the openings in the region of the upper end of the protective sleeve, an air cushion, since the air from this only downwardly open space can not escape. This air cushion can protect components of the level sensor, which are located at the upper end of the protective sleeve, from direct contact with the wastewater, so that these components in a Malfunction of the sewage lifting plant, in which the container should fully run, can not be impaired by the wastewater in their function.

More preferably, the protective sleeve is connected at its upper end to a sensor housing, in which at least one sensor element and / or switch of the level sensor is arranged. At the same time, the sensor housing can seal the upper end of the protective sleeve at the same time, in order to create the above-described volume, which is only open at the bottom, in the upper end of the protective sleeve. The sensor housing can in turn be designed to be closed relative to the protective sleeve, so that sensors or switches arranged therein are protected from moisture in the interior of the container and the protective sleeve. As sensors or switches, various components can be used here, which detect the water level in the interior of the protective sleeve by mechanical coupling with the water surface, for example in the form of a float, or non-contact, for example by ultrasound or as a pressure sensor.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the filling level sensor with the protective sleeve is designed as an assembly inserted into an opening of the container. This configuration makes it possible to pre-assemble the entire level sensor with the protective sleeve as a unit and then insert only in the opening of the container. Further, the assembly can also be easily removed for maintenance or repair purposes from the container, which is then released at the same time the opening which provides access to the interior of the container, which can be used for maintenance or Reparturzwecken of other components inside the container ,

Preferably, the assembly is sealed inserted into the opening of the container. This sealing prevents, in that case, if the tank should be completely drained with waste water, wastewater could escape to the outside from the opening into which the level sensor is inserted. Preferably, the container is completely sealed to the outside, so that leakage of sewage can be prevented.

The level sensor further preferably has at its upper end a sensor housing which is attached to the opening of the container. This can be a non-positive and / or positive connection. For example, the opening of the container may be surrounded by a thread into which the sensor housing is screwed with a corresponding thread. Thus, an easy-to-solve connection between the level sensor and the container can be created.

The fill level sensor may preferably have at least one float, a pressure sensor, an acoustic and / or an optical sensor element for detecting the water level in the interior of the container or the protective sleeve. A float can move up and down on the water surface with this in the container, in which case z. B. the float at a predetermined level of water, for example via a switch, the pump on and off. Such a float then moves according to the invention inside the protective sleeve. In addition, in the interior of the protective sleeve, a pressure sensor can be arranged, which detects the height of the water level above a pressure increase. For this purpose, a further closed tube can be arranged on the protective sleeve, in which an increase in the water level causes a rise in pressure, which can be detected by such a pressure sensor. An acoustic sensor may, for example, be an ultrasonic sensor which transmits an ultrasonic signal from above onto the water surface in the container and detects the reflected signal. From the runtime can then the distance of the Water surface to the sensor and thus changes in water level are detected. Correspondingly, an optical measurement would also be possible.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Abwasserhebeanlage,

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht der Abwasserhebeanlage gemäß Fig. 1 mit einem Füllstandsensor gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht durch eine Abwasserhebeanlage gemäß Fig. 1 mit einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Füllstandsensors,

Fig. 4

eine Schnittsansicht durch einen Füllstandsensor gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung und

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht eines Füllstandsensors gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these shows:

Fig. 1

an overall perspective view of a wastewater lifting plant according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a sectional view of the sewage lifting plant according to Fig. 1 with a level sensor according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

a sectional view through a sewage lifting plant according to Fig. 1 with a second embodiment of a level sensor,

Fig. 4

a sectional view through a level sensor according to a third embodiment of the invention and

Fig. 5

a sectional view of a level sensor according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The wastewater lifting plant described by way of example has a container 2, which is formed, for example, from plastic. The container 2 has at least one inlet opening 4, to which an incoming sewer pipe can be connected and through which to be pumped or lifted sewage flows into the container 2. On the container 2, a receptacle 6 is also formed for a pump not shown here. The pump serves the waste water from the container 2 through the pressure port or outlet port 8 formed on the container 2 in a subsequent Pressure line and pump through this to a higher level. Further, the container 2 at its top 10 an opening 12, in which a level sensor 14 is inserted.

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of such a level sensor. This level sensor 14, which in Fig. 2 is shown, has at its upper end a sensor housing 16, in which an ultrasonic sensor 18 is arranged. The ultrasonic sensor 18 is arranged to emit an ultrasonic signal downward in the vertical direction X and detect the signal reflected from the water surface 20. From the running time, the axial distance in the vertical direction X between the ultrasonic sensor 18 and the water surface 20 can be determined, from which in turn the water level in the container 2 can be determined. The fill level sensor 14 has a protective sleeve 22 which extends downwardly from the sensor housing 16 in the vertical direction and in the interior of which the ultrasonic measurement takes place. This protective sleeve 22 tapers at its lower end and has an axial opening 26 at the lower end 24. Spaced from the upper end, ie the adjoining sensor housing 16, a further opening 28 is formed in the protective sleeve 22 in the circumferential wall. The space 30 above the opening 28 in the interior of the protective sleeve 22 is closed by the sensor housing 16 above, so that this space 30 is opened only downwards.

The protective sleeve 22 is formed so long and arranged in the container 2 so that its lower end 24 is always located below the water surface 20, even at minimal occurring during normal operation of the sewage lifting system water level. In this way it is prevented that impurities which float on the water surface 20, such as oil, grease or foam can penetrate from below into the protective sleeve 22. In addition, the water surface 20 is protected inside the protective sleeve 22 from turbulence, which, for example may be caused by the inflowing through the inlet opening 4 wastewater in the container 2. In this way, a quiet impurity-free water surface 20 is created inside the protective sleeve 22, which can reflect the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic sensor 18 well.

The arrangement of the at least one opening 28 spaced from the upper end 32 has the advantage that in the case where the water level 20 in the container 2 should rise above the opening 28 to the upper surface 10 of the container 2, the water in the Room 30 above the opening 28 can not increase, since there is an air volume is included, which protects the ultrasonic sensor 18 as a poster air from direct contact with the wastewater.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view accordingly Fig. 2 with an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the protective sleeve 22 is surrounded by a further protective sleeve 34 radially spaced. The second protective sleeve 34 has a lower end 36, which is also formed open, but is located vertically below the lower end 24 of the first protective sleeve 22. The Unfangswandung the protective sleeve 34 is formed completely closed. The upper end 38 of the protective sleeve 34 is above the upper end 32 of the protective sleeve 22 and is also formed open, wherein a connection to the interior 40 of the container 2 is given by a vent channel 38 in the sensor housing 16. The second protective sleeve 34 provides even better protection against the entry of contaminants into the interior of the protective sleeve 22 and serves to calm turbulences, so that inside the protective sleeve 22 as quiet as possible water level 20 is created. Incidentally, the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the basis of Fig. 2 described embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a level sensor 14 ', which is insertable into the opening 12 of the container 2. This level sensor 14 'is designed as a pressure sensor and has a sensor housing 16', in which a pressure sensor 42 is arranged. Starting from the lower wall 44 of the sensor housing 16 ', a tube 46 extends in the vertical direction X down. The tube 46 is closed at its top by the wall 44 of the sensor housing 16 ', wherein in the wall 44, a pressure channel 48 is formed to the pressure sensor 42. Thus, the pressure sensor 42 can detect the internal pressure in the pipe 46 via the pressure channel 48. At its lower end 50, the tube 46 is open. Radially spaced, the tube 46 is surrounded by a protective sleeve 22 'extending downwardly from the sensor housing 16'. This protective sleeve 22 'has a lower end 24', which is formed open and is located vertically below the lower end 50 of the tube 46. In this case, the lower end 24 'of the protective sleeve 22' is located so that it is always located below the water level 20 in the container 2, even at the minimum water level, which can occur in the container 2 of the sewage lifting unit during normal operation. In this way, as described above, it is possible to prevent contaminants floating on the surface of the waste water in the container 2 from entering the inside of the protective sleeve 22 '. Thus, it is also prevented that such contaminants then enter the open lower end 50 of the tube 46 inside the protective sleeve 22 '. As the water level 20 increases, so that the lower end 50 of the tube 46 dips into the water, a further increase in water results in a pressure increase inside the tube 46, which is detected by the pressure sensor 42. With the pressure signal the height of the water level can be determined and on this basis the pump can be switched on and off.

The protective sleeve 22 'has at its upper end openings 52 to the interior 40 of the container 2, which the venting of the protective sleeve 22 'are used when the water level rises inside the protective sleeve, for example, to the level 20' in Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a level sensor 14 ", which is also insertable into the opening 12 of the container. This level sensor 14" is designed as a float switch. The level sensor 14 "has at its upper end a sensor housing 16", which is sealed in the opening 12 can be used. Disposed within the sensor housing 16 "is a switch 54 which is actuated by the float 56 which floats on the water surface 20. The float 56 moves up and down with the water surface 20 in a vertical direction and thereby operates at a certain temperature Height of the water level 20, the switch 54, which turns the pump on and off.

Also in this embodiment extends starting from the sensor housing 16 "a protective sleeve 22" vertically downwards. The protective sleeve 22 "has openings 52" in its peripheral wall in the region of its upper end and is likewise open at its lower end 24 ", the protective sleeve 22" being designed so long that the lower end 24 "is also at minimum water level, which occurs in the normal operation of the wastewater lifting plant, is located below the water level 20 and so immersed in the wastewater.Thus, impurities that float on the water surface 20 can prevent from below into the interior of the protective sleeve 24 "occur and so the function of the float 56 inside the protective sleeve 22 "could be impaired. The openings 52" are always located above the maximum water level during normal operation of the sewage lifting system and serve to vent the protective sleeve 22 "when the water level 20 inside the protective sleeve 22" rises ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 -

container

4 -

inlet port

6 -

Intake for pump

8th -

pressure port

10 -

top

12 -

opening

14, 14 ', 14 "-

level sensor

16, 16 ', 16 "-

sensor housing

18 -

ultrasonic sensor

20, 20 '-

water surface

22, 22 ', 22 "-

protective sleeve

24, 24 ', 24 "-

lower end

26 -

opening

28 -

opening

30 -

room

32 -

top end

34 -

protective sleeve

36 -

lower end

38 -

vent channel

40 -

Container interior

42 -

pressure sensor

44 -

wall

46 -

pipe

48 -

pressure channel

50 -

lower end

52, 52 "-

openings

54 -

switch

56 -

swimmer

X -

vertical direction

Claims (10)

Sewage lifting plant with a container (2), at least one pump and at least one in the container (2) arranged level sensor (14), characterized in that at least parts of the level sensor (14) within a tubular, in the interior of the container (2) extending Protective sleeve (22) are arranged, which in the region of its upper end and in the region of its lower end (24) each have at least one opening (26). Sewage lifting plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective sleeve (22) is open at its lower end (24). Wastewater lifting plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one opening (26) in the region of the lower end (24) of the protective sleeve (22) is arranged such that it in the operation of sewage lifting system below the minimum water level (20) in the Container (2) is located. Wastewater lifting plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one opening (28) in the region of the upper end of the protective sleeve (22) is arranged vertically spaced from the upper end. Sewage lifting plant according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper end of the protective sleeve (22) is formed closed. Sewage lifting plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve (22) is connected at its upper end to a sensor housing (16), in which at least one sensor element and / or switch of the level sensor is arranged. Sewage lifting plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling level sensor (14) with the protective sleeve (22) forms an assembly inserted into an opening (12) of the container (2). Wastewater lifting plant according to claim 7, characterized in that the assembly is sealed in the opening (12) of the container (2) is inserted. Sewage lifting plant according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the filling level sensor (14) has at its upper end a sensor housing (16) which is fixed to the opening (12) of the container (2). Wastewater lifting plant according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the filling level sensor (14) has at least one float (56), a pressure sensor (42), an acoustic (18) and / or an optical sensor element.

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