Apparatus for Suspending Filter in Manhole and Method for On-Route Decanting of Storm Drain Water

Abstract

An expansion ring has multiple adjustable expansion joints and plural bolts around the periphery of the ring that have pointed tips that bear into the sides of an existing manhole. The combination of the expansion joints and bolts allows the expansion ring to be securely affixed in the manhole. A filter basket assembly is suspended from the expansion ring into the manhole. Plural expansion rings with filter basket assemblies are strategically located along a clean-out route so that a full Vactor truck or sweeper may be emptied—decanted—into the filter basket assemblies on-route rather than at a traditional treatment plants.

1 . A method of on-route decanting of storm drain clean out, comprising the steps of:
 a) establishing a route having plural clean-out locations, each clean-out location defining a storm drain opening that will be cleaned;   b) identifying on the route selected manholes and installing in the selected manholes an expansion ring;   c) suspending in the selected manholes from the expansion ring a filter basket, each such installed expansion ring and filter basket defining a decanting location;   d) operating a clean-out vehicle to clean clean-out locations;   e) decanting the contents of the clean-out vehicle into a decanting location.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  in which there are plural clean-out locations between each decanting location. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  in which the storm drain opening that defines a clean-out location is further defined by a manhole or a curb-inlet vault. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2  in which plural clean-out locations are cleaned by the clean-out vehicle prior to decanting the contents of the clean-out vehicle into a decanting location. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  including the step of separating a first decanting location on the route from a second decanting location on the route by a sufficient distance, with plural clean-out locations between the first and second decanting locations, that the clean-out vehicle is filled by cleaning the plural clean-out locations subsequent to the first decanting location and prior to arriving at the second decanting location. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  including the steps of:
 a) decanting the clean-out vehicle at a first decanting location; 
 b) cleaning plural clean-out locations subsequent to step a); and 
 c) decanting the clean-out vehicle at a second decanting location. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  in which the step of decanting the contents of the clean-out vehicle into a decanting location includes the step of filtering the contents of the clean-out vehicle in said filter basket. 
     
     
         8 . A method of emptying a storm drain clean-out vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 a) operating a storm drain clean-out vehicle on a predetermined route;   b) with the storm drain clean-out vehicle, cleaning multiple storm drains on the route;   c) decanting the storm drain clean out vehicle at a decanting location on the route, said decanting location comprising a drain opening having a filter suspended therein.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  including the step of establishing plural decanting locations on the route, each decanting location separated from an adjacent decanting location with plural storm drains therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  in which the storm drains comprise either a manhole or a curb inlet vault. 
     
     
         11 . A method of on-route emptying of a storm drain clean-out vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 a) establishing a route, said route defining a plan of travel that the storm-drain vehicle will follow;   b) identifying on the route plural storm drains that the storm drain clean-out vehicle will clean;   c) identifying on the route plural decanting locations, each decanting location defined by a manhole;   d) suspending a filter in each decanting location;   e) operating said clean-out vehicle on the route;   f) cleaning at least one storm drain;   g) decanting said clean-out vehicle at a decanting location.