Device for troubleshooting, testing, and removing blockages from presssurized sewers

Abstract

A device and method for troubleshooting, testing, and removing blockages from low-pressure sewer systems (LPSSs) connects to a source of pressurized water and includes a controller for regulating pressure of the incoming pressurized liquid, a flow meter downstream of the controller that meters and totalizes liquid flow, a variable pressure relief valve downstream of the flow meter to protect against an over pressure event, and a check valve downstream of the variable pressure relief valve for preventing backflow from contaminating the cleaning liquid. A gauge on the backside of the check valve measures system pressure for monitoring the pressure delivered to the host pipe for the duration of the event. A quarter turn dump valve is provided downstream of the gauge for relieving any remaining pressure between the check valve and the host pipe, rendering it safe to disconnect the device from the LPSS.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for troubleshooting, testing and/or removing blockages from low-pressure sewer systems (LPSSs) comprising:
 a first coupling for connecting to a source of pressurized fluid;   a controller for regulating pressure of the incoming pressurized fluid;   a flow meter downstream of the controller that meters and totalizes fluid flow;   a pressure relief valve downstream of the flow meter to relieve an over pressure event;   a check valve downstream of the pressure relief valve for preventing fluid backflow;   a pressure gauge on the backside of the check valve to measure system pressure for monitoring the pressure delivered to a host pipe of the LPSS for the duration of the event;   a dump valve downstream of the pressure gauge for relieving any remaining pressure between the check valve and the host pipe of the LPSS; and   a second coupling connected downstream of the dump valve.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid comprises a source of pressurized liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief valve comprises a variable pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the controller comprises a ball valve. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dump valve comprises a ball valve. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flow meter is configured for determining a pounds per square inch (psi) value of the pressurized liquid and a length of time required to complete a cleaning process. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a third coupling downstream of the dump valve configured to facilitate passage of an inline camera. 
     
     
         10 . A method of troubleshooting, testing and/or removing blockages from low-pressure sewer systems comprising:
 providing a source of pressurized fluid;   providing a device comprising:
 a first coupling for connecting to a source of pressurized fluid; 
 a controller for regulating pressure of the incoming pressurized fluid; 
 a flow meter downstream of the controller that meters and totalizes fluid flow; 
 a pressure relief valve downstream of the flow meter to protect against an over pressure event; 
 a check valve downstream of the pressure relief valve for preventing fluid backflow; 
 a pressure gauge on the backside of the check valve to measure system pressure for monitoring the pressure delivered to a host pipe of the LPSS for the duration of the event; 
 a dump valve downstream of the pressure gauge for relieving any remaining pressure between the check valve and the host pipe of the LPSS; and 
 a second coupling connected downstream of the dump valve; 
   connecting the second coupling to an LPSS; and   manipulating the controller to provide a particular pressure to the second coupling.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing a source of pressurized fluid comprises providing a source of pressurized liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the relief valve comprises a variable pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the controller comprises a ball valve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the dump valve comprises a ball valve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the ball valve comprises a quarter-turn ball valve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the testing for which the device is used comprises required hydrostatic pressure testing of LPSS directly after construction and prior to the system being placed in service. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the testing for which the device is used comprises employing the device for the general and/or preventive maintenance of the LPSS. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flow meter determines a pounds per square inch (psi) value of the pressurized liquid and a length of time required to complete a cleaning process. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , further including a third coupling downstream of the dump valve configured to facilitate passage of an inline camera.