Abstract: A flat roof solar powered auxiliary drain system having master and satellite modules with respective drain lines and electric pumps for charging the drain lines for syphoning standing water from a flat roof, the master module having a battery and a solar cell for charging the battery for supplying power for operating the electric pumps and a control circuit for selectively energizing the electric pumps for removing standing water.

Abstract: Steam power plant having a steam line passing through a wall, and a valve disposed in the course of the steam line and formed with a housing, includes a plurality of additional valve fittings connected adjacent one another to the housing of the valve, each of the valve fittings having a smaller nominal diameter than that of the valve and having a respective housing joined to the valve housing and connected to respective additional lines downstream from the valve, the locations at which the valve housing and the respective housings of the valve fittings are joined having a bending resistance moment that is at least double the bending resistance moment of the additional lines.

Abstract: A collecting device for receiving and containing leaking water and falling debris of ceiling leaks. The device comprises a large collapsible funnel member, preferably of rectangular cross-section, a collapsible base for resting upon a floor surface beneath the leak, and an extensible post mounting the funnel member on the base. When a ceiling leak develops, the base is set on the floor surface therebelow, and the post is extended to position the funnel member close to the ceiling in the vicinity of the leak. A flexible drainage pipe is connected to the device below the funnel to carry collected water to a remote receptacle, sink on the like. A mesh screen is mounted at the bottom of the funnel member to collect falling debris while permitting the passage of water to the drainage pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic air valve device for sanitation waste pipes for preventing communication in the rooms between the waste pipes and atmosphere and to permit the introduction of fresh air into the pipes when a negative pressure occurs.It comprises a body formed by a vertical tube in communication with a waste pipe, the said body having at its upper part a constriction in the form of a Venturi cooperating with a cover so as to form a peripheral air inlet situated at the exterior of the constriction.The said air inlet is provided with an annular valve.Around the cover and the upper end of the cylindrical body there is an insulating covering in which there is formed a circular recess providing communication with the atmosphere (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A storm drainage system and a device for use in the system for restricting the rate at which water drains from an eavestrough is disclosed hereinafter. The storm drainage system includes a plurality of pitched roofed structures, a sewer service connection associated with each structure, a municipal sewer drainage system in direct fluid communication with the sewer service connection, an eavestrough system associated with each pitched roofed structure for collecting runoff therefrom and at least one downspout associated with each eavestrough system. The downspout has a through passage for conveying runoff water from its associated eavestrough to the sewer service connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a waste water outlet sanitary plant comprising a siphon forming a water seal to which is connected a waste pipe for connection with sewers and in which an automatic air valve device and a siphon are combined in one single apparatus so that their functions are complementary. A cylindrical body having a permanent water seal and in which a pipe or equivalent connected to an apparatus such as a sink, a basin, or waste outlet is dipping, is combined with an automatic air valve with peripheral air entry. An embodiment of the invention relates to a plant for dwellings in which a series of water outlets are provided at the height of different floors or sub-basements.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid flowing through a substantially vertical tube, particularly for dispensing rain water flowing through a drainpipe wherein a sleeve has a circumferential resiliently deformable wall portion which is adjustable into two different positions, namely a first position in which the inner surface of the wall portion, possibly together with the end portion of the pipe, provides the collecting pocket, and a second position in which the inner surface is substantially conical for not collecting and discharging any liquid letting the liquid pass through the sleeve.

Abstract: A drain cover assembly 10 for venting a drain 14 located below grade to the ground level is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow frustro-conical drain cover 12 which opens downward to cover the top of a floor drain 14. The lower annular end surface 64 of the drain cover 12 is provided with a rubber seal to engage the top of the drain 14. The drain cover is held in place by a jack screw which extends between a recess 46 in the top of the drain cover and the structure above, typically the ceiling of a basement. A flexible conduit is connected with the drain cover and extends upward through a window 20 or other opening to the ground level. When water from a sewer system backs up through the drain 14, hydrostatic pressure forces the water through the flexible conduit 18 to a location remote from the building in which the drain is located.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing water from a ponding area of a flat roof having a run-off system which is no longer operable to drain water from the ponding area which comprises a structure for directing a quantity of the run-off water flowing in the run-off system as a result of the commencement of a rain condition or the like into a priming chamber, a structure for displacing water from the priming chamber back into the run-off system in such a way as to establish a negative pressure condition within the priming chamber, and a structure for communicating the negative pressure condition to an end of a siphon hose at a vertical level below the level of the ponding area, the other inlet end of which is disposed in water sucking relation to the ponding area to thereby prime the siphon hose and commence the flow of water from the ponding area which flow after the cessation of the rain condition or the like continues until the water is substantially removed from the ponding area.

Abstract: A hollow cylinder or tube is buried in the ground with the upper end flush with or adjacent to the surface and a downspout from a building is connected underground through the wall of the cylinder to the interior thereof. A disc-like cover is mounted on the upper end of the cylinder for vertical movement so that when water passes through the downspout to the cylinder, the pressure moves the cover upwardly and allows the water to disperse around the periphery of the cylinder. When water stops flowing, the cover retracts upon the cylinder and seals it against the ingress of leaves, dirt and the like.

Abstract: A multi-level building has a water supply pipe extending upwardly through all levels. A closed chamber at each level receives water from the supply pipe at a position below the top of the chamber to trap and pressurize air therein. A plurality of distribution pipes extend from at least one end of each chamber to points of use at that level of the building. In one form the water pipe extends vertically through the chamber and in another form the chamber and water pipe are separate.

Abstract: An internal back vent system which includes a single vertical stack divided by concentric vertically disposed vent and drain pipes into a main central drain or waste passageway surrounded by an annular vent passageway. Adjacent the floors to be serviced, the vertical stack is provided with manifold assemblies which interconnect the ends of branch waste pipes to the main drain passageway while venting each branch pipe to the vent passageway. The manifold includes a plurality of radially extending connector pipes all communicating with the main drain passageway. These outwardly extending connector pipes are respectively connected to the branch waste pipes which form the drains of the various fixtures within the building. At each level, a corresponding number of upstanding, relatively short, vent pipes are disposed, circumferentially spaced, in the annular vent passageway and are respectively connected by their lower ends to the connector pipes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the temperature in a building having a heat transfer load, a temperature control circuit containing a temperature control fluid for transferring heat energy to or from the building load, and a heat energy storage reservoir for storing heat energy. Energy is transferred between the storage reservoir and the fluid in the control circuit at optimum times to reduce the external energy required to control the temperature of the building. The amount of heat energy required to be transferred to or from the building load during a predetermined interval is predicted from load profiles. The amount of energy in the reservoir is measured to determine the amount of existing available energy to be transferred between the building load and the reservoir.

Abstract: Sealing a building with flexible plastic sheets continuously wrapped and sealed therearound from base to above anticipated flood height. All glassed openings are covered with plywood before wrapping building, and drains below anticipated flood height are closed with inflatable bladders. Main application is to slab houses and wharehouses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the temperature in a building having a heat transfer load, a temperature control circuit containing a temperature control fluid for transferring heat energy to or from the building load, and a heat energy storage reservoir for storing heat energy. Energy is transferred between the storage reservoir and the fluid in the control circuit at optimum times to reduce the external energy required to control the temperature of the building. The amount of heat energy required to be transferred to or from the building load during a predetermined interval is predicted from load profiles. The amount of energy in the reservoir is measured to determine the amount of existing available energy to be transferred between the building load and the reservoir.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a ceiling terminating gas line to an item of equipment at floor level, which includes, a tubular outer member having a gas inlet end for connection to the ceiling outlet and a gas outlet end, a tubular piston rod, of substantially the same length as the outer tube, telescopically mounted in the outer tube with one end extending from the outlet end of the outer tube and having an internal diameter substantially smaller than the internal diameter in the outer tube, an annular piston mounted on the opposite end of the piston rod in the annular space between the piston rod and the outer tube which presents an annular piston surface to the opening of the gas inlet end of the outer tube and a spring mounted in the annular space between the piston rod and the outer tube having a biasing force greater than the force exerted on the piston by the gas entering the inlet end of the outer tube so that the piston is normally urged toward the inlet end of the outer tube when the apparatus is connect

Abstract: A basement sump construction characterized by a sump chamber including a side wall provided with a drain outlet opening. A trap apparatus for the unidirectional flow of water is removably mounted on the sump side wall so as to be easily accessible to cleaning and servicing through a top access opening in the sump.