Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to the technical field of devices for containing and storing liquids such as aqueducts, purification plants, water vats and sewers.

As is known, tanks are artefacts widely used for water storage and are among the most important works of an aqueduct.

In the manufacture of a tank, some construction aspects must be considered, including for example the slope of the bottom of the tank towards the drainage point to allow, during the cleaning thereof, an easy disposal of the washing water.

Inspection units are currently known which are adapted to allow assigned staff to access inside the liquid containment tanks so as to implement routine or extraordinary maintenance.

The current installation procedure involves making, after the complete manufacture of the tank, a through opening on the wall of the tank itself and mounting the inspection unit inside such an opening.

Disadvantageously, the operations for making the through opening inside the tank are particularly onerous both from the point of view of timing and from the economic point of view.

Moreover, such operations subject the tank to intense mechanical loads which can deteriorate the operations thereof.

In particular, such loads can cause the development of cracks which, in addition to contributing to a fatigue failure of the tank, cause the occurrence of infiltrations which can contaminate the liquid contained inside the tank.

Therefore, the inspection units have generally reduced dimensions so as to limit the extension of the machining on the wall of the tank.

It follows that, very disadvantageously, the inspection units define a passage opening with particularly small dimensions, hardly facilitating the passage of the operators.

Furthermore, the inspection units can comprise covers or doors used to close the aforementioned passage openings.

Disadvantageously, the effectiveness of the clamping of such covers or doors is affected by the amount and/or pressure of the fluid present inside the tank, causing the occurrence of operating conditions which favour the contamination of the fluid.

Some examples of known inspection units are disclosed in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is that of proposing a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit which obviate the drawbacks of the prior art cited above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit which contribute to limiting the contamination of the liquid arranged inside the tank relative to the solutions of the prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit which allow to achieve a more effective containment of the liquid relative to the solutions of the prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit which allow to reduce the machining on the tank relative to the solutions of the prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit which allow to increase the operating life of the tank.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit which allow to facilitate the passage of an operator to and from the tank.

The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a manhole inspection unit, a tank and an installation method of an inspection unit as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In accordance with the accompanying drawings, a manhole inspection unit for vats or tanks has been indicated by the reference number <NUM>, which will hereafter be referred to as inspection unit <NUM>.

The inspection unit <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> at least partially housable inside a through opening "A" of a wall "P" of the vat or tank "S".

Generally, the tank "S" is made of cement and/or concrete material.

The frame <NUM> has a peripheral undercut <NUM> defining at least partially a passage opening between an inner environment and an environment outside the tank "S".

Furthermore, the inspection unit <NUM> comprises a door <NUM> hinged to the frame <NUM>.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the door <NUM> is reversibly movable relative to the frame <NUM> between a closing position (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>), in which it is substantially abutting against an abutment portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and an opening position (<FIG>).

Furthermore, the door <NUM> is arranged, in use, at least partially inside the tank "S".

Advantageously, the door <NUM> can have an opening direction towards the inside of the tank "S" so that, in use, the pressure of the water acts on the door <NUM>, keeping it in the closing position.

In particular, the door <NUM> can have an inner surface <NUM>, in use at least partially facing an inner environment of the tank "S", and an outer surface <NUM>, in use at least partially facing an environment outside the tank "S".

Furthermore, the abutment portion <NUM> is, in use, at least partially facing an environment inside the tank "S".

That is, the abutment portion <NUM> is configured to abuttingly receive at least one portion of the inner surface <NUM> of the door <NUM>.

Advantageously, the inspection unit <NUM> can comprise a sealing means <NUM> arranged between the door <NUM> and the abutment portion <NUM> during a closing position of the door <NUM> so as to ensure a hydraulic seal between the inside and the outside of the tank "S".

In accordance with the invention, the inspection unit <NUM> comprises a locking device <NUM> connected or connectable to the door <NUM>. The locking device <NUM> is activatable on a stop portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> to generate a clamping force "F" adapted to push the door <NUM> against the abutment portion <NUM>.

Thereby, the locking device <NUM> ensures an improvement of the safety of the inspection unit <NUM>, increasing the closing efficiency and limiting the possibility of contamination of the liquid contained inside the tank "S" relative to the devices of the prior art.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the stop portion <NUM> is, in use, outside the vat or the tank "S".

Furthermore, the aforementioned undercut <NUM> defines at least partially (preferably completely) the abutment portion <NUM> and/or the stop portion <NUM>. In practice, the undercut <NUM> is protruding internally towards the passage opening of the frame <NUM>.

Advantageously, the undercut <NUM> defines an inner seat <NUM> and/or an outer seat <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. In particular, the door <NUM> can be at least partially housed in the inner seat <NUM> during a closing position and/or the locking device <NUM> can be at least partially housed in the outer seat <NUM> when it is active on the stop portion <NUM>.

Thereby, the undercut <NUM> allows to reduce the operating dimensions inside and/or outside the tank "S".

That is, the undercut <NUM> defines on the one hand a support abutment of the door <NUM>, while on the other it defines an anchoring point for the locking device <NUM>.

According to the invention, the locking device <NUM> comprises at least one locking body <NUM>, activatable on the stop portion <NUM>, and at least one transmission body <NUM>, constrained or constrainable to the door <NUM> and connected or connectable to the locking body <NUM> to transmit the clamping force "F" to the door <NUM>.

Furthermore, the locking device <NUM> can comprise a clamping means <NUM> activatable between the at least one locking body <NUM> and the at least one transmission body <NUM> to generate the clamping force "F".

According to the invention, the inspection unit <NUM> comprises a plurality of locking bodies <NUM> and a plurality of transmission bodies <NUM> and the clamping means <NUM> being at least partially activatable between the plurality of locking bodies <NUM> and the plurality of transmission bodies <NUM> to generate the clamping force "F". Thereby, the inspection unit <NUM> allows to further increase the clamping efficiency relative to the devices of the prior art.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the transmission body <NUM> can be constrained or constrainable to the outer surface <NUM> of the door <NUM>.

In accordance with some possible embodiments of the present invention, the transmission body <NUM> can comprise at least one threaded bar <NUM> insertable in a through opening <NUM> of the locking body <NUM>. Furthermore, the clamping means <NUM> can comprise at least one clamping element <NUM> screwable on the threaded bar <NUM> and configured to abut on the locking body <NUM> so as to generate the clamping force "F".

For example, the transmission body <NUM> can comprise a support bar <NUM> rotatably connected to the door <NUM> and the threaded bar is protruding from the support bar <NUM> to be reversibly movable relative to the door "A" and/or the locking body <NUM> in a plurality of operating positions.

Furthermore, the transmission body <NUM> can be welded on the door <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the locking device <NUM> comprises a pair of transmission bodies <NUM> and a respective pair of locking bodies <NUM>. In particular, each transmission body <NUM> comprises a support bar <NUM> rotatably connected to the door <NUM> by means of the constraining elements <NUM> welded on the door "A". Furthermore, each transmission body <NUM> comprises a pair of threaded bars <NUM> protruding from the support bar <NUM> and configured to fit inside respective through openings <NUM> of the transmission body <NUM>.

In accordance with further possible embodiments and as shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> can comprise at least one coupling portion defining at least one coupling seat <NUM> adapted to receive in reversible insertion the transmission body <NUM> to make a shape coupling between the door and the transmission body <NUM>.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the present invention, the at least one locking body <NUM> can comprise at least one locking bar <NUM>. In particular, the locking bar <NUM> can have a first end and a second end each of which activatable on a respective stop portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> defined by the undercut <NUM>.

That is, the locking body <NUM> allows the door <NUM> to be locked against the frame <NUM> by means of the locking bar <NUM> so as to increase the closing efficiency of the inspection unit <NUM>.

Advantageously, moreover, the inspection unit <NUM> can comprise a plurality of stiffening elements <NUM> adapted to increase the strength of the frame <NUM> and/or the door <NUM>.

For example, such stiffening elements <NUM> can have a plurality of different geometries, for example angular and/or elongated, and be arranged at (and preferably aligned with the undercut <NUM>) the angles of the undercut <NUM> and/or on the door <NUM>.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention refers to a tank "S" configured for containing liquids and comprising at least one vertical wall "P" adapted to delimit a containment volume of the tank "S" and at least one inspection unit <NUM> in accordance with what has been described above.

In particular, the aforementioned at least one vertical wall "P" is made of cement or is cement-based.

Furthermore, the inspection unit <NUM> is mounted at a through opening of the vertical wall "P".

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to an installation method of a manhole inspection unit for vats or tanks on a vat or a tank.

The method comprises the steps of arranging a manhole inspection unit for vats or tanks.

Preferably, the inspection unit is an inspection unit <NUM> in accordance with what has been described above.

Furthermore, the method comprises a step of making an opening "A" on the wall "P" of the vat or tank "S" having a section area slightly greater than the section area of the frame so as to be able to at least partially house the inspection unit.

The method further comprises the step of introducing, at the installation site, the inspection unit inside the opening and the step of fixing the inspection unit to the wall "P".

In particular, the method can comprise the step of making at least one wall "P" of the vat or tank "S".

Advantageously, the step of making an opening on the wall "P" of the vat or tank "S" having a section area slightly greater than the section area of the frame can be carried out during the step of making at least one wall "P" of the vat or tank "S".

That is, the step of making said opening is carried out while making the wall "P".

Thereby, the present invention overcomes the problem related to the formation of cracks or breaks on the walls "P" of the tank "S", as it overcomes the need to carry out the removal machining on the walls "P" of the tank "S".

That is, the opening "A" is made on the tank "S" during the construction of the tank and not at a later time. That is, the opening "A" derives from a wall construction absence (not from a consequent split made on the wall) precisely at the area where the inspection unit <NUM> is pre-positioned.

Preferably, the inspection unit <NUM> is preferably positioned at the opening "A" and the wall "P" is constructed directly around such an inspection unit <NUM> already pre-positioned so that the latter is already integrated into the masonry under construction. It is then necessary to make a buffering, preferably in masonry, between the inspection unit <NUM> and the part of wall "P" surrounding such an inspection unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A manhole inspection unit (<NUM>) for vats or tanks comprising:
- a frame (<NUM>) at least partially housable inside a through opening (A) of a wall (P) of the vat or tank (S); said frame (<NUM>) has a peripheral undercut (<NUM>) protruding towards the inside of the frame (<NUM>) and defining at least partially a passage opening between an inner environment and an environment outside the vat or tank (S);
- a door (<NUM>) hinged to said frame (<NUM>) and reversibly movable between a closing position, in which it is substantially abutting against an abutment portion (<NUM>) of said frame (<NUM>), and an opening position; in use, said door (<NUM>) being arrangeable at least partially inside the vat or tank (S) and said abutment portion (<NUM>) can at least partially face an environment inside said vat or tank (S);
- a locking device (<NUM>) connected or connectable to said door (<NUM>) and activatable on a stop portion (<NUM>) of said frame (<NUM>) to generate a clamping force (F) adapted to push said door (<NUM>) against said abutment portion (<NUM>), said stop portion (<NUM>) being, in use, outside the vat or tank (S);
and wherein said undercut (<NUM>) defines at least partially said abutment portion (<NUM>) and/or said stop portion (<NUM>);
wherein said locking device (<NUM>) comprises:
- at least one locking body (<NUM>) activatable on said stop portion (<NUM>);
- at least one transmission body (<NUM>) constrained or constrainable to said door (<NUM>), said transmission body (<NUM>) being connected or connectable to said locking body (<NUM>) to transmit said clamping force (F) to said door (<NUM>);
- clamping means (<NUM>) activatable between said at least one locking body (<NUM>) and said at least one transmission body (<NUM>) to generate said clamping force (F);
characterised in that the inspection unit (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of locking bodies (<NUM>) and a plurality of transmission bodies (<NUM>); said clamping means (<NUM>) being at least partially activatable between said plurality of locking bodies (<NUM>) and said plurality of transmission bodies (<NUM>) to generate said clamping force (F).