Permanent Inlet Flow Restrictor Assembly

Abstract

A flow restrictor assembly which is to be custom fitted to to the inside of catch basins attached to storm sewer systems, which flow restrictor assembly is sized so as to restrict the amount of fluid which can flow through the flow restrictor, and which has a hatch which can be easily lifted to allow for easy cleaning and maintenance of the catch basin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flow restrictor assembly comprising:
 a frame assembly with inner and outer edges, and   a hatch with inner and outer edges,   wherein the inner edges of the frame assembly define a first hole and the inner edges of the hatch define a second hole, and the hatch is connected to the frame assembly with a plurality of hinges.   
     
     
         2 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the hatch, when in the closed position, partially covers the hole defined by the inner edges of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the flow restrictor assembly is made of 316 stainless steel. 
     
     
         4 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the flow restrictor assembly is ⅛ inch thick. 
     
     
         5 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the flow restrictor assembly is generally in the shape of a rectangle. 
     
     
         6 . The invention as claimed in  claim 5  in which the frame assembly has rectangular shapes cut out from each of the corners. 
     
     
         7 . The invention as claimed in  claim 5  in which the frame assembly has raised saddles roughly in the center of each of the outer perimeter of the flow restrictor assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The invention as claimed in  claim 7  in which one of the saddles extends below the plane of the frame assembly, and in which there are at least one hole in the portion of the saddle which extends below the plane of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The invention as claimed in  claim 8  in which bolts extend through the at least one hole in the portion of the saddle which extends below the plane of the frame assembly and through a portion of the wall of the catch basin. 
     
     
         10 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the hatch rests atop the inner edges of the frame assembly, and is supported by them. 
     
     
         11 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the flow restrictor assembly is configured so as to fit within a catch basin. 
     
     
         12 . The invention as claimed in  claim 11  in which the flow restrictor assembly rests upon an interior lip of a catch basin. 
     
     
         13 . The invention as claimed in  claim 12  in which the boundary between the flow restrictor assembly and the lip of the catch basin is sealed with a sealing compound. 
     
     
         14 . The invention as claimed in  claim 13  in which the sealing compound is roofing sealing compound. 
     
     
         15 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the walls of the frame assembly, when the frame assembly is in position within a catch basin, slope down from the horizontal at an angle. 
     
     
         16 . The invention as claimed in  claim 15  in which the slope of the walls of the frame assembly is an angle between thirty and forty degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the inner edges of the frame assembly define a circular opening. 
     
     
         18 . The invention as claimed in  claim 17  in which the upper edge of a vertical ring having an upper and a lower edge is attached to the inner edges of the frame assembly, and the vertical ring extends below the frame assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The invention as claimed in  claim 18  in which the exterior edges of a horizontal ring are attached to the lower edges of the vertical ring. 
     
     
         20 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the plurality of hinges each have a first side and a second side, where each of the first sides of the hinges are attached to the frame assembly and each of the second sides are attached to the hatch. 
     
     
         21 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the walls of the hatch, when the flow restrictor assembly is in position within a catch basin and the hatch is in a closed position, slope down from the horizontal at an angle. 
     
     
         22 . The invention as claimed in  claim 21  in which the angle is between thirty and forty degrees from the horizontal. 
     
     
         23 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which a gasket is fits between the outer edges of the hatch and the inner edge of the horizontal ring of the frame assembly, sealing the joint between the hatch and the frame assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  in which the inner edges of the hatch define a circular opening. 
     
     
         25 . The invention as claimed in  claim 24  in which the circular opening is sized to allow a predetermined amount of liquid to flow through the flow restrictor.