Abstract:
A sanitary sewer cleaning apparatus for removing roots and debris with a segmented circular brush attached to a rodder root removal tool. As the apparatus travels through a sewer line, the segmented brushes, which are mounted on hinges, fold back to reduce drag and facilitate movement through obstructed sewers. As the rodder pulls back the apparatus, the brushes engage the walls of the pipe to pull roots and debris to the sewer access point. The preferred embodiments comprises rodder coupler, an extension arm for coupling a plurality of brushes in a radial configuration, a plurality of brushes for collecting the root infiltration debris, and a plurality of hinges for angularly altering the plurality of brushes relative to the apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/305,405 titled “SEWER CLEANING APPARATUS” filed Feb. 17, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to equipment for clearing pipe blockages, and particularly to an apparatus for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sewer pipe. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Roots grow into cracks and joints in sanitary sewer pipes while in the search of water and nutrients. A major cause of sanitary sewer pipe blockages is root infiltration, and it is common for a root to completely fill a sanitary sewer pipe and block flow. One method of root removal is insertion a tool called a rodder into the sanitary sewer pipe via a access manhole. The rodder tool rotates about 150 times per minute. The expandable blades of the rodder tool cut the roots from the inside the sanitary sewer line but leave the root debris in the pipe. Sanitary sewer flows push the root infiltration debris downstream to an outflow point, or to a point where the root infiltration debris is either blocked by a restriction in the sewer pipe, or the root infiltration debris collects sufficiently during low flow to block the pipe. Either situation effectively dams the sanitary sewer pipe and causes an upstream sanitary sewer overflow. The primary goal of all wastewater collection systems maintenance groups is the prevention of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO&#39;s). An SSO is both a public health risk and can result in a significant regulatory fine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is an apparatus for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rodder coupler for connecting a rodder tool to an apparatus for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe, a flexible joint coupled to the rodder coupler for allowing the apparatus to comport to circular bends in the sanitary sewer pipe and for reducing skew misalignment of the apparatus, a flexible arm coupled to the rodder coupler and concentrically proximate to the flexible joint for providing stiffness to the apparatus to decrease droop from gravity and loss of root infiltration debris, an extension arm coupled to the rodder coupler for coupling a plurality of brushes in a radial configuration relative to the rodder coupler, a plurality of brushes coupled to the extension arm for collecting root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe, a plurality of brush springs coupling the plurality of brushes to the apparatus for orienting the plurality of brushes relative to the sanitary sewer pipe to facilitate orientation of the plurality of brushes for collecting the root infiltration debris for removal, a plurality of hinges coupling the plurality of brushes to the extension arm for angularly altering the plurality of brushes relative to the apparatus for orienting the plurality of brushes to facilitate orientation of the plurality of brushes for collecting the root infiltration debris for removal, and a penetrating tip coupled to the extension arm for pushing aside root infiltration debris to allow the apparatus to travel through root infiltration. 
     Alternate embodiments may comprise a swivel coupled to the rodder coupler for isolating rotation of the rodder tool from the apparatus for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe, or an extension rod for providing a clearance distance between the rodder tool and the plurality of brushes. 
     In some embodiments, the flexible joint is a universal joint. In some embodiments the flexible arm may be a compression spring or a torsion spring. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of brushes is affixed to the extension arm at an angle less than or equal to ten degrees relative to a longitudinal centerline of the apparatus. In other embodiments, at least one of the plurality of brushes is affixed to the extension arm at an angle exceeding ten degrees relative to a longitudinal centerline of the apparatus. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of brush springs may be a torsion spring, a compression spring, or a tension spring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary apparatus  100  for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the components of the apparatus  100  for folding and deploying the plurality of brushes. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the exemplary embodiment  300  to show the plurality of brushes in the deployed position as viewed from the rodder tool. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the exemplary embodiment  400  to show the oncoming apparatus  100  as viewed from uncut root infiltration into which the apparatus  100  is moving. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary embodiment  500  of the apparatus  100  showing the plurality of brushes in the folded position. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  600  of the apparatus  100  showing the plurality of brushes in the folded position. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  700  of the apparatus  100  showing the plurality of brushes in the folded position. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  800  of the apparatus  100  showing at least one of the plurality of brush springs as a compression spring. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  900  of the apparatus  100  showing at least one of the plurality of brush springs as a tension spring. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary apparatus  100  for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe. The apparatus may comprise a rodder coupler  105 , a swivel  110 , an extension rod  115 , a coupler nut  120 , a flexible joint  125 , a flexible arm  130 , an extension arm  135 , a plurality of hinges  140 , a plurality of brush springs  145 , a plurality of brush supports  150 , a plurality of brushes  155 , and a penetrating tip  160 . 
     The rodder coupler  105  provides for connecting the apparatus  100  for removing root infiltration debris from inside a sanitary sewer pipe to a rodder tool (not shown). The rodder coupler  105  may comprise one or more fastening systems. In an exemplary embodiment, the rodder coupler  105  may be a threaded nut. In some embodiments, the rodder coupler  105  is connected to the swivel  110 . The rodder coupler  105  may be formed from any material of sufficient strength to securely fasten the apparatus  100  to the rodder without fracture or other failure that could leave the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer pipe. In some embodiments, the rodder coupler  105  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. To assure that the rodder coupler  105  does not loosen, the rodder coupler  105  should be appropriated threaded so as to not loosen during rodder rotation. 
     The swivel  110  provides for separating the rotation of the rodder from the apparatus  100 . While the rodder blades must rotate, rotation of the apparatus  100  could allow debris to escape. Consequently, the swivel  110  is used to prevent rotation of the apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the swivel  110  may be a ball and socket with the ball (vice versa, the socket) attached to the rodder coupler  105  and the opposing portion of the swivel  110  connected to the extension rod  115 . In some embodiments, the swivel  110  is connected elsewhere between the rodder tool and the extension arm  135 . 
     The swivel  110  may be formed from any material of sufficient strength to function without fracture or other failure that could leave the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer pipe. In some embodiments, the swivel  110  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The extension rod  120  connects the swivel  110  to the coupler nut  120 . In some embodiments, the extension rod  120  may have a ball or socket at one end coupled to the swivel  110  (if present) with “all-thread” coupled to the coupler nut  120 . 
     The extension rod  115  may also provide a clearance distance between the rodder tool and the plurality of brushes  155 . Cumulatively, the extension rod  115  must be of sufficient length so that with the length of the coupler nut  120 , and the length of the flexible joint  125 , that the plurality of brushes  155  do not contact the rodder blades, which could damage the rodder blades (as well as the plurality of brushes  155 ), or add further debris to the sanitary sewer pipe. Consequently, the length of the extension rod  115  is proportional to the height of the plurality of brushes  155  and is inversely proportional to the length of the flexible joint  125 . 
     Some embodiments may omit the extension rod  115  as a separate component and incorporate the core functions of component connectivity and clearance distance into other components. 
     The extension rod  115  may be formed from any material of sufficient strength to function without fracture or other failure that could leave the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer pipe. In some embodiments, the extension rod  115  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The coupler nut  120  provides for connecting the extension rod  115  to the flexible joint  125 . In some embodiments, the coupler nut  120  may be threaded for coupling to the extension rod  115 , or to the flexible joint  125 , or to both. In some embodiments, the coupler nut  120  may be a plurality of nuts secured to the opposing ends of a tube or rod, so that a nut at one end is secured to the extension rod  115  while another nut at the opposing end of the tube or rod is secured to the flexible joint  125 . 
     In some embodiments, the coupler nut  120  also provides a securing one end of the flexible arm  130 . In these embodiments, the coupler nut  120  may incorporate a weld or a mechanical coupler, including but not limited to a circumferential clamp, or interlocking bolts with or without pins, etc. Any form of coupling for connecting the extension rod  115  to the flexible arm  130  is sufficient. 
     The coupler nut  120  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer pipe. To assure that the coupler nut  120  does not loosen, the coupler nut  120  should be appropriated threaded so as to not loosen during rodder rotation. 
     The flexible joint  125  connects the coupler nut  120  to the extension arm  135  and provides the ability of the apparatus  100  to conform to circular bends in the sanitary sewer pipe as the apparatus  100  moved through the sanitary sewer pipe. In some embodiments, the flexible joint  125  provides one-degree of freedom of bending for the apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the flexible joint  125  provides two-degrees of freedom of bending for the apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the flexible joint  125  may be a universal joint (‘u joint’). 
     The flexible joint  125  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the flexible joint  125  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The flexible arm  130  provides a nominal resistive force to bending to allow the apparatus  100  to bend at the flexible joint and yet maintain a nominally straight configuration. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible arm  130  is secured between the coupler nut  120  and the extension arm  135 . The flexible arm  130  may be secured to the coupler nut  120  by welding, with a mechanical clamp, or by any material and method of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. The flexible arm  130  may be secured to the extension arm  135  by welding, with a mechanical clamp, or by any material and method of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible arm  130  is a compression spring with the flexible joint  125  inside the flexible arm  130 , i.e. the flexible arm  130  is concentrically proximate to the flexible joint  125 . This configuration improves and stabilizes the operation of the apparatus  100 . The flexible joint  125  adds rigidity, which aids to avoid damage or failure from skew misalignment, which may occur with the flexible arm  130  alone. The flexible arm  130  provides stiffness along the direction of travel so that plurality of brushes are less likely to droop from gravity and lose debris, which may occur with the flexible joint  125  alone. 
     In some embodiments, the flexible arm  130  comprises steel. In other embodiments, the flexible arm  130  may comprise another metal. In some embodiments, the flexible arm  130  may comprise another flexible element. The embodiments may comprise a rubber or elasticized plastic tube or pipe, or other flexible material. 
     The extension arm  135  provides for securing the plurality of brushes  155  to the apparatus  100 , as well as for connecting the penetrating tip  160  to the apparatus  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, the extension arm  135  is secured on one side to the flexible joint  125  with the flexible arm  130  outside the flexible joint  125 , with the penetrating tip  160  secured on the opposing side of the extension arm  135 , while the plurality of brushes  155  are secured around the circumference of the extension arm  135  at the plurality of hinges  140 . 
     The extension arm  135  may have any geometry for attaching the plurality of brushes  155  to the apparatus  100  via the plurality of hinges  140 . In an exemplar embodiment, the extension arm  135  is a square tube of flat sides with a nut welded at one end for the flexible joint  125  and four flat sides. Secured to each flat side of the extension arm  135  at one of the plurality of hinges  140  is one of the plurality of brush springs  145 . Also attached to the extension arm  135  is the penetrating tip  160 , as described herein. 
     The extension arm  135  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the extension arm  135  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The plurality of hinges  140  provide for affixing the plurality of brushes  155  to the apparatus  100  and for altering (rotating) each of the plurality of brushes  155  relative to the apparatus  100 . See  FIG. 2 . 
     The plurality of hinges  140  may be attached to, or may be a part of the extension arm  135 . In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of hinges  140  is welded to the extension arm  135 . In some embodiments, the plurality of hinges  140  may be affixed to the extension arm  135  by another material blending technique. In some embodiments, the plurality of hinges  140  may be bolted or fastened in some other technique to the extension arm  135 . 
     The plurality of hinges  140  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the plurality of hinges  140  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The plurality of brush springs  145  provide for deploying the plurality of brushes  155  to an extended position so the plurality of brushes  155  can collect root infiltration debris as the rodder tool and the apparatus  100  are retrieved from the sanitary sewer pipe. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of brush springs  145  is attached to one of the plurality of brush supports  150 , with each of the plurality of brush supports  150  holding one of the plurality of brushes  155 . See  FIG. 2 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of brush springs  145  is a torsion spring as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments at least one of the plurality of brush springs is a compression spring as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments at least one of the plurality of brush springs is a tension spring as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of hinges  140  and each of the plurality of brush springs  145  may be incorporated concentrically so the that each of the plurality of hinges  140  and each of the brush springs  145  rotate together as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of hinges  140  may be installed separated to the extension arm  135 , with each of the plurality of brush springs  145  affixed to a side of each of the plurality of hinges  140  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The plurality of brush springs  145  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the plurality of brush springs  145  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The plurality of brush supports  150  hold and support the individual brushes of the plurality of brushes  155 . In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of brush supports  150  is affixed to one of the plurality of brushes  155 , and is attached to one of the plurality of hinges  140  to hold the plurality of brushes  155  to the apparatus  100 .  FIG. 2  provides addition support on the function of the plurality of brush supports  150 . 
     The plurality of brush supports  150  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the plurality of brush supports  150  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The plurality of brushes  155  provide for collecting root infiltration debris as the rodder tool and apparatus  100  are retracted. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of brushes  155  are coupled to the extension arm to have a radial configuration relative to the rodder coupler. Further details regarding the plurality of brushes  155  are discussed in regards to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 . 
     The plurality of brushes  155  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the plurality of brushes  155  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
     The penetrating tip  160  provides for moving aside uncut root infiltration as the apparatus  100  moves through the sanitary sewer pipe. The penetrating tip  160  may have any geometry suitable for moving aside uncut root infiltration. In some embodiments, the penetrating tip  160  may be circular, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal, etc. 
     The penetrating tip  160  may be secured to the extension arm  135  by any material and method of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In an exemplary embodiment, the penetrating tip  160  is welded to the extension arm  135 . In some embodiments, the penetrating tip  160  may be secured to the extension tip  135  by another material blending technique. In some embodiments, the penetrating tip  160  may be bolted or fastened in some other technique to the extension arm  135 . 
     The penetrating tip  160  may be formed of any material of sufficient strength to prevent fracture or other failure that could leave any part of the apparatus  100  in the sanitary sewer system. In some embodiments, the penetrating tip  160  may be steel, iron, aluminum, brass, chrome steel, etc. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the components of a exemplary embodiment  200  for folding and deploying the plurality of brushes  155 . The components of the exemplary embodiment  200  shown are the extension arm  135 , the plurality of hinges  140 , the plurality of brush springs  145 , the plurality of brush supports  150 , and the plurality of brushes  155 . 
     The apparatus  100  moves into uncut root infiltration as shown by the Direction of Travel arrow. The penetrating tip  100  ( FIG. 1 ) at the forward portion of the apparatus  100  moves aside the uncut root infiltration, which may then block the plurality of brushes  155 . To lessen the resistive force of the plurality of brushes  155 , which may bind the apparatus  100  in the uncut root infiltration, the plurality of hinges  140  allows the plurality of brushes  155  to change the angular relationship with respect to the extension arm  135 . The plurality of brushes  155  may travel (rotate) from 30 to 80 degree or more from the extended position “A” toward the extension arm  135  to the folded position “B,” thereby permitting the apparatus  100  to move with ease through the sanitary sewer pipe. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of brushes  155  comprises a solid scraping surface. 
     Once the apparatus  100  is clear of the uncut root infiltration, the plurality of brush springs  145  press the plurality of brush supports  150  and the plurality of brushes  155  from the folded position “B” to the extended position “A.” 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the exemplary embodiment  300  to show the plurality of brushes  155  in the deployed position as viewed from the rodder tool. The components of the exemplary embodiment  300  shown are the extension arm  135 , the plurality of hinges  140 , the plurality of brush springs  145 , the plurality of brush supports  150 , and the plurality of brushes  155 . 
     As the rodder moves along, the rotating blades cut the root filtration into small pieces. After cutting is completed, the rodder retraction begins and the apparatus  100  is pulled back toward the sanitary sewer pipe access manhole. At this point, each of the plurality of brush supports  150  work in tandem with the plurality of hinges  140  and the plurality of brush springs  145  to provide a positive force on the plurality of brushes  155  towards the extended position “A” of  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of brush springs  145  has pressed the plurality of brush supports  150  and the plurality of brushes  155  into the extended (deployed) position. In this extended (deployed) position, the plurality of brushes  155  can collect root infiltration debris and move the root infiltration debris through the sanitary sewer pipe towards the operators for removal as the rodder tool and apparatus  100  are retracted. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of brushes  155  comprises a plurality of wires. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the exemplary embodiment  400  to show the oncoming apparatus  100  as viewed from uncut root infiltration into which the apparatus  100  is moving. The components of the exemplary embodiment  400  shown are the plurality of brushes  155  and the penetrating tip  160 . In this view, the penetrating tip is positioned to move aside uncut root infiltration, which the plurality of brushes  155  are still in the deployed position before folding back under the resistive force of the uncut root infiltration. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary embodiment  500  of the apparatus  100  showing the plurality of brushes  155  in the folded position. The components of the exemplary embodiment  500  represented are the coupler nut  120 , the flexible joint  125 , the flexible arm  130 , the extension arm  135 , the plurality of hinges  140 , the plurality of brush springs  145 , the plurality of brush supports  150 , and the plurality of brushes  155 . Not shown are the rodder coupler  105 , the swivel  110 , the extension rod  115  and the penetrating tip  160 . 
     As shown in exemplary embodiment  500 , one set of the plurality of brush supports  150  and the plurality of brushes  155  in the folded position may overlap an adjacent set. This embodiments may suffer damage to the plurality of brush supports  150  or the plurality of brushes  155 . In some embodiments, the plurality of brush supports  150  and the plurality of brushes  155  are reduced in size to avoid such contact. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  600  of the apparatus  100  showing the plurality of brushes  155  in the folded position. The components of the exemplary embodiment  600  represented are the coupler nut  120 , the flexible joint  125 , the flexible arm  130 , the extension arm  135 , the plurality of hinges  140 , the plurality of brush springs  145 , the plurality of brush supports  150 , and the plurality of brushes  155 . Not shown are the rodder coupler  105 , the swivel  110 , the extension rod  115  and the penetrating tip  160 . 
     Unlike exemplary embodiment  500 , however, the plurality of hinges  140 , the plurality of brush springs  145 , the plurality of brush supports  150 , and the plurality of brushes  155  are rotated with respect to the coupler nut  120 , the flexible joint  125 , the flexible arm  130  and the extension arm  135 . Consequently, in the exemplary embodiment  600 , each set of the plurality of hinges  140 , the plurality of brush springs  145 , the plurality of brush supports  150 , and the plurality of brushes  155  are less likely to contact one another. 
     In some embodiments, the rotation of the plurality of brushes  155  may be accomplished by rotating the plurality of hinges  140  with respect to the extension arm  135  prior to affixed the plurality of hinges to the extension arm  135 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  700  of the apparatus  100  showing the plurality of brushes  155  in the folded position. In some embodiments, the rotation of the plurality of brushes  155  may be accomplished by installing the plurality of brush supports  150  brushes rotated with respect to the plurality of hinges  140 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  800  of the apparatus  100  showing at least one of the plurality of brush springs as a compression spring. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment  900  of the apparatus  100  showing at least one of the plurality of brush springs as a tension spring. 
     While the described and illustrated invention is in context of a limited number of embodiments, the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics. These embodiments are illustrative and are not restrictive. All meanings and equivalency of the claims and description are embraced.