RETROFIT CATCH BASIN FOR USE IN STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
A catch basin retrofit that allows stormwater to be diverted from an existing storm sewer to an alternative stormwater management practice (SMP), while maintaining functionality of the catch basin as an overflow device for the alternative SMP.
This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/691,869, filed Dec. 3, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of stormwater management. More particularly, the present invention is an adaptation to existing conventional stormwater infrastructure to retrofit for an alternative stormwater management practice (SMP). The present invention is particularly applicable where more modern “green infrastructure” technologies are being incorporated into existing urban drainage systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUrban stormwater management has historically involved collection of rainwater and conveyance via piping either directly to receiving waters or through via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In dozens of cities in the United States such conveyance has occurred through combined sewer systems (CSSs), which convey both stormwater and sewage to WWTPs. Such CSSs are typically equipped with overflow devices that allow discharge directly to receiving waters from the sewer system when the sewer capacity is exceeded. Such combined sewer overflow (CSO) events contain not only stormwater but also untreated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris. They are a major water pollution concern for the approximately 772 cities in the U.S. that have these CSSs.
Many communities, including New York, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa., Kansas City, Mo. and Syracuse, N.Y. are implementing green infrastructure (“GI”) techniques. GI is an approach that communities can choose to maintain healthy waters, provide multiple environmental benefits and support sustainable communities. Unlike single-purpose gray stormwater infrastructure, which uses pipes to dispose of rainwater, green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil to manage rainwater where it falls. By weaving natural processes into the urban constructed environment, green infrastructure provides not only stormwater management, but also flood mitigation, air quality management, and more. It is important to note that GI is a volume-based approach to stormwater management, not typically amenable to managing peak flows associated with storm events. Thus, where GI is being incorporated into urban infrastructure, it is usually required by the locality to incorporate an overflow outlet to provide for drainage during extreme events.
A component of conventional “gray” stormwater management systems for conveying street runoff to sewer systems are often street side catch basins 1 an example of which is depicted on
A common GI technique to managing street runoff is through the use of street-side bioretention or tree boxes, as is depicted in
Because, as discussed above, the location of stormwater catch basins are configured at low points in the streetscape in order to effectively capture stormwater runoff via gravity, retrofit curb inlets might be positioned on each side of the existing catch basin. This design allows effective capture of flow along the curbline 11 and 12 to the existing catch basin as is exemplified in
An alternative design involves the decommissioning and replacement of the existing catch basin with a curb inlet. This configuration effectively captures all runoff (for purposes of this invention, runoff, storm-water runoff and street runoff will be used interchangeably as would be understood by those skilled in the art) to the existing catch basin, up to the retentive capacity of the SMP, but a new overflow structure is required to accommodate runoff exceeding design events. An example of this prior art is shown on
While the aforementioned prior art catch basin designs and associated collection frames and grate fulfills certain objectives and requirements, a need exists for a more efficient, less expensive means for retrofitting such existing catch basins/rack and grate systems for adoption of alternative SMPs, particularly as it relates to GI. In one aspect, the current invention seeks to solve the problems associated with the prior art by utilizing a rack and covered grate assembly that will effectively divert runoff to a GI measure through a common curb inlet structure while allowing the existing catch basin to serve as an overflow device, and that also screens debris from the catch basin as effectively as the replaced system. In one aspect, the benefit of the current invention is the avoided cost of the dedicated additional overflow structure and the greater efficiency of collection of the curb inlet.
In the various figures, the prior art and SMP/GI technologies are illustrated as well as the exemplary features of the invention are demonstrated so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In no way should the following figures and examples limit the scope of the invention as would be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the aforementioned references are incorporated by reference.
Of course it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the slots in the grate can be of differing dimensions and spacing depending on the screening objectives, and that the frame, grate and cover can be constructed of different materials including but not limited to steel, galvanized steel, iron, galvanized iron, aluminum, or synthetic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that cover can be extended varying lengths into the SMP and equipped with a drip edge or other appurtenances to effect proper flow or to dissipate energy as flow occurs from the invention to the SMP. It will further be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention may be of different sizes and configurations to adapt to the many various designs of stormwater catch basins whether they may be located directly under the stormwater frame and grate as described above, or adjoining the assembly, located adjacent to the street or lot.
Referring back to the exemplary embodiment of
As conventional catch basin frame and grate assemblies are pre-manufactured in standard sizes, so would the claimed invention be fabricated to a number of common dimensions. The retrofit of existing installations would be performed by simply lifting out the existing assembly then placing the claimed invention while constructing the curb inlet.
Claims
1. A method of installing a stormwater diversion and overflow device, the method comprising replacing a frame and grate functioning as an opening for stormwater runoff to enter a catch basin with the stormwater diversion and overflow device to divert stormwater runoff to an alternative stormwater management practice device and redirect excess stormwater runoff exceeding the capacity of the alternative stormwater management practice device back to the catch basin, the stormwater diversion and overflow device comprising:
- a diversion and overflow frame; and
- a diversion and overflow cover,
- the frame comprising a perimeter member having a first portion extending less than 360 degrees around a perimeter of the frame, the perimeter member at least partially defining an opening through which fluid can flow,
- the cover extending beyond the frame on at least one side an amount sufficient to carry stormwater runoff to a storm water management practice system,
- the cover bounding the opening, the opening configured to allow stormwater to pass from the stormwater management practice system to the catch basin.
2. The method of claim 2, wherein the stormwater diversion and overflow device further comprises an overflow grate, the overflow grate comprising:
- a vertical portion which comprises at least a portion of a perimeter of the grate; and
- at least one slat extending from a first end connected to the vertical portion to a second, unconnected end,
- the vertical portion at least partially defining the opening.
3. A stormwater diversion and overflow device, the device comprising:
- a grate assembly,
- the grate assembly comprising a grate and a cover,
- the grate having a first side, a second side opposing the first side, a volume between the first side and the second side, and a perimeter member between the first side and the second side, the perimeter member surrounding the volume, the perimeter member defining at least a first opening extending through the grate from the first side to the second side, at least one of the at least a first opening extending through a portion of the perimeter member,
- the cover being directly on the first side of the grate and bounding each at least a first opening on the first side of the grate,
- the cover bounding at least a portion of each at least a first opening where each at least a first opening extends through the portion of the perimeter member of the grate.
4. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 3, wherein said stormwater diversion and overflow device is retrofitted to an existing street-side catch basin.
5. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 3, wherein the grate assembly further comprises a horizontal member, the horizontal member oriented parallel to the cover, the horizontal member adjacent to the opening.
6. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a plate.
7. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 3, wherein the device further comprises a structural frame into which the grate assembly is configured to set.
8. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 7, wherein the grate is in the structural frame and the cover extends beyond the grate and the structural frame.
9. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 3, wherein the grate comprises grate slats.
10. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 3, wherein the cover is equipped with a drip edge to facilitate distribution of flow off the cover.
11. A stormwater diversion and overflow device, the device comprising:
- a frame comprising an angle member having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented at an angle to the first portion, the first portion defining an opening through a perimeter of the frame; and
- a cover,
- the cover support by the frame,
- the cover extending beyond the frame and extending beyond the opening in a direction toward which the opening faces an amount sufficient to carry stormwater runoff to a stormwater management practice system.
12. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 11, wherein the first portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to the cover.
13. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the angle member is oriented substantially parallel to the cover, the second portion being connected substantially perpendicular to the first portion.
14. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the angle member extends 360 degrees around the perimeter of the frame.
15. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the angle member comprises an extension on each of four sides of the perimeter of the frame, each extension being substantially perpendicular to each adjacent extension.
16. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 11, wherein the perimeter of the frame has four sides, the first portion of the angle member extending on three sides of the perimeter of the frame, defining the opening on the fourth side of the perimeter of the frame.
17. The stormwater diversion and overflow device of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a grate supported by the frame, the grate adjacent to the cover, the grate further comprising:
- a first member; and
- a plurality of parallel slats having a first end and a second end, the parallel slats extending from the first member at the first end, at least one of the slats remaining free and unconnected at the second end.
18. A catch basin diversion system, the system comprising:
- the stormwater diversion and overflow device recited in claim 11, the stormwater diversion and overflow device being installed in a street;
- a catch basin under the street; and
- an alternative stormwater management practice positioned adjacent to and off the street.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2015
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2016
Inventor: Kyle Emmett THOMAS (Syracuse, NY)
Application Number: 14/817,587