DK182007B1

DK182007B1 - Rainwater handling system and a method of handling rainwater

Info

Publication number: DK182007B1
Application number: DKPA202470155A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Priess Mikkel
Original assignee: Smartbroend Aps; Anker Steel Aps
Priority date: 2024-06-04
Filing date: 2024-06-04
Publication date: 2025-05-23
Also published as: DK202530158A1; DK202470155A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a rainwater handling system and method for handling rainwater. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for handling rainwater comprising a flow controller and flow restrictor located inside a well that allows controlled and a variated flow rate of the rainwater from the inlet of the well to the outside of the well.

Description

DK 182007 B1 1

RAINWATER HANDLING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF HANDLING

RAINWATER

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a rainwater handling system a method for handling rainwater using said system. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for handling rainwater comprising a flow controller located inside a well that allows controlled and a variated flow rate of the rainwater from the inside of the well to the outside of the well. The present invention relates to a water handling system comprising a flow controller located inside a well and wherein said flow controller provides a flow passage from the interior of a well to the exterior of the well with an inlet and outlet to/from the flow controller, and wherein the inlet of the flow controller is at a position lower than the position of the outlet from the flow controller. Furthermore, the flow controller comprises a flow restrictor that controls the flow rate of rainwater through the flow controller. The flow restrictor may increase or decrease the flow rate of rainwater by varying the opening degree of the inlet of the flow controller.

Background of the invention

In recent years there has been increased focus on collecting rainwater instead of just releasing the rainwater into the sewage, both from an economic and environmental point of view. By controlling the flow of rainwater to the sewage system or other form of recipient, the system may for example be prevented from being overloaded in periods with large amounts of rain.

Different systems for collecting the rainwater have been suggested. For example, one way may be by collecting rainwater in a container and draining the rainwater through an outlet of a certain size, which results in a given flow of water.

However, this results in the water being drained continuously from the surface level. By draining the water from the surface level, there is a risk that the water outlet will be partly or completely clogged by impurities in the water.

DK 182007 B1 2

Systems have also been provided that controls the flow rate of draining rainwater from a basin or pond by introducing a flow control unit. For example US 7,125,200 B1 discloses a flow control system when draining a pond. The system for draining fluid from a pond comprises a system that allows for a higher flow when the pond is at lower level. The system comprises a system where a control flow system is placed in a pond. The flow control system comprises an intake portion placed in the upper part of the pond and a vertical tube placed between the intake portion and an outlet from the pond placed in the lower end of the pond.

EP 3 064 668 B1 also discloses a system for regulating the flow of water from a water container source. In EP 3 064 668 B1 the water flow is controlled by placing inlet holes have a specific size in the inlet to a regulation unit. The inlet holes have an elongated shape and extends in a vertical direction from the inlet. The system disclosed in EP 3 064 668 B1 further comprises a buoyance device, a tube and a connecting piece inside the regulation unit. Water in the regulation unit is flowing into the buoyance device from the top and flows through it to an outlet.

EP 3 064 688 B1 therefore discloses a very complex system for controlling water drainage where the flow rate is not variated.

WO 2021/242 169 Al discloses a system for receiving and forwarding stormwater in a well. The system comprises an outlet pipe that is connected to an overflow pipe by a connecting pipe. The connecting pipe comprises a throttling device which is disclosed to be made of a plurality of holes drilled in the connecting pipe.

This is disclosed to control the amount of water flowing.

Hence, an improved water handling system would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient and/or reliable water handling system where the water flow rate easily can be adjusted would be advantageous.

Summary of the invention

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a rainwater handling system where the flow rate of the rainwater easily can be adjusted. It is a further object

DK 182007 B1 3 of the present invention to efficiently control the flow rate of rainwater while avoiding impurities blocking the system.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rainwater handling system that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art with not being able to easily variate the flow rate when draining rainwater.

Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to a rainwater handling system comprising: one or more receptacle(s) (1) configured to contain rainwater; e a well (5) having a lower end (16), said receptacle(s) (1) is(are) fluidly connected to feed rainwater into an interior of said well (5) at a position being elevated from said lower end (16), e a flow controller (9) o providing a flow passage from said interior of said well (5) to an exterior of said well (5), said flow controller (9) being arranged in said well (5) and has an inlet (20) and an outlet (21) leading to the exterior of said well (5), said inlet (20) being arranged at a position being lower than the position of said outlet (21), and o comprising a controllable flow restrictor (7), preferably being electrical controllable, said flow restrictor (7) forms part of the inlet (20) and is being configured to provide a controllable flow rate of rainwater through said controllable flow restrictor (7) into the inlet (20) by providing a through flow opening having variable opening degrees, characterised by e a level sensor (10) arranged inside said well (5), and being configured to sense the level of rainwater in a vertical distance region in said well (5) and provide a sensor readout (12) representing a sensed level of rainwater in said well (5).

DK 182007 B1 4

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of handling rainwater by using a rainwater handling system according to the invention characterised in that the method comprises: i. providing a rainwater handling system according to the invention; ii. receiving from the level sensor (10) a sensor readout (12) representing a sensed level of rainwater in the well (5), and receiving instructions about a desired opening degree of the inlet (20) to the flow controller (9) from the sensor readout (12); iii. adjusting the controllable flow restrictor (7) to vary the opening degree of the inlet (20) to correspond to the desired opening degree.

Further embodiments and aspects of the invention are presented in the following as well as in the accompanying claims.

Brief description of the figures

The present invention and in particular preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show ways of implementing the present invention and are not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a water handling system; the dotted line encircling the receptacle (1) indicates that the receptacle may be placed above ground level, at ground level or below ground level.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of a water handling system in which both a basin (2) and a reservoir (3) are essentially empty (no water).

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the second embodiment in which a basin (2) is essentially empty (no water) and where a reservoir (3) contains water. Water flow is illustrated by curved arrows.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the second embodiment in which both the basin (2) and the reservoir (2) contains water. Water flow is illustrated by curved arrows.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates details of another embodiment of the invention where receptacle(s) is(are) not illustrated to render the illustration of the details more clear. Fig. 5 A) is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a flow controller, 5 Fig. 5 B) is a front view of the flow controller of Fig. 5 A), Fig 5C is a preferred embodiment of a fitting configured for receiving the flow controller (as illustrated by dotted arrow) and Fig. 5 D) illustrates positioning of the fitting with flow controller in a well. Fig. 5D also shows the position of the level sensor in the well.

Fig. 6-11 show different embodiments of the flow restrictor adjusting the inlet to the flow controller.

The present invention will now be described in more detail in the following.

Detailed description of the invention

Rainwater handling system:

Reference is made to figure 1 that schematically illustrates a rainwater handling system according to the present invention. The rainwater handling system is in particular a system that give the possibility of adjusting or variating the flowrate of rainwater through the system by the use of a flow controller. With the rainwater handling system of the present invention an improved and more efficient use of the rainwater is obtained.

For example, when handling rainwater, it may be necessary to adjust the flow rate of the rainwater to a recipient, for example a sewer, dependent on the weather conditions. For example, if it is heavily raining, the flowrate could be increased to avoid flooding of receptables. The flow rate could then be decreased to make sure that some rainwater is always present in the receptacles for a drought period.

Terms used herein are used in a manner being ordinary to the skilled person.

Some of the used terms are elucidated below.

In the context of the present invention, the term "opening degrees” refers to the degree to which a variable flow area open. The term “opening degrees” refers to the size of the opening of the inlet into the flow controller, i.e. the size of the

DK 182007 B1 6 opening of the inlet to the flow controller based on the position of the flow restrictor, since the flow restrictor will decrease or increase the opening size of the inlet to the flow controller.

In preferred embodiments, the opening degree spans from being fully open to being fully closed.

The opening degree of the of the inlet into the flow controller is adjusted dependent on weather conditions. For example, if meteorologists are warning about heavy rain, it is possible to increase the opening degree of the inlet to the flow controller by adjusting the flow restrictor's position in the inlet and hereby drain the receptacle(s) before raining. However, typically it is not recommended to completely drain the receptacle(s) storing the rainwater, if for example it is not raining after all. Therefore, the flow restrictor could be adjusted to decrease the opening degree and hereby decrease the flow rate or to completely stopping the flow of rainwater into the flow controller when the capacity of the receptacles has reached a level of for example about 20%.

It would be desired to always have some rainwater in the receptacles for more dry periods.

In the context of the present invention, the term “rainwater” refers to all surface water obtained from rain. The rainwater is especially collected from urban surfaces, such as from roofs, gutter and streets.

As illustrated in figure 1, the rainwater handling system comprising one or more receptacles (1) configured to contain rainwater. The one or more receptacle(s) (1) may be located above ground level, at ground level or below ground level. This is indicated by the dotted line encircling the receptable (1) in figure 1.

Hence, the one or more receptacle(s) may be located below ground level as an underground reservoir (shown with reference number (3) in figure 2) or at ground level as a basin or pond (shown in figure 2 with reference number (2). The open- ended receptable may also be referred to as, or being in the form of, a wet basin, a dry basin or a rain garden.

DK 182007 B1 7

In the context of the present invention the term “one or more receptacles” comprises both an underground reservoir located below ground level and a basin/pond located at ground level that may be opened ended as shown in figure 2. The term “one or more receptacle(s)” shall not be seen as a limitation to a specific type of receptacle but may be any type of storing place where rainwater can be collected and stored. For example, the one or more receptacle(s) may be a closed receptacle, an open-ended basin, a rainwater harvester, a rain garden and the like.

Hence, in an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more receptacles (1) comprise an open-ended basin (2), such as a pond, arranged to receive rainwater directly into the basin through its open end.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more receptacles (1) comprise a reservoir (3), such as an underground reservoir, said reservoir (3) being configured to receive rainwater through a fluid connection. The water flows from the reservoir into the well (5) through a reservoir water flow (14), see figures 2, 3 and 4.

The term “reservoir” refers in the context of the present invention to a closed receptacle, while a “basin” is an open-ended receptacle.

The one or more receptacle(s) may also be a tank or the like stored above ground level and storing rainwater.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the one or more receptacle(s) comprises one or more open-ended basin and one or more underground reservoir.

As shown in figure 2, the reservoir (3) is fluidly connected to said basin (2) by a fluid connector (4), said reservoir (3) being arranged at a lower vertical height than a bottom level (15) of said basin (2).

As illustrated in figure 1, the rainwater handling system also comprises a well (5) having a lower end (16). The lower end (16) is the bottom of the well (5).

DK 182007 B1 8

The one or more receptacle(s) is(are) fluidly connected to feed rainwater into an interior of said well (5) at a position being elevated from said lower end (16) of the well (5).

In figure 1, the flow of rainwater, i.e. fluid connection, from the receptacle (1) to the well (5) is shown with reference number (18). The rainwater is led to the interior of the well from an inlet in the well (5) that is fluidly connected to the one or more receptacle(s) (1). The position of said inlet to the well (5) is at a position of the well (5) that is vertically above the position of the lower end (16) of the well.

Furthermore, the one or more receptacle(s) is(are) in an embodiment fluidly connected with said well (5) to feed rainwater into the interior of said well (5) at a position being in a vertical direction above the position of the inlet (20) to the flow controller (9).

The rainwater handling system according to the present invention also comprises a flow controller (9). The flow controller (9) is located inside the interior of the well (5). The flow controller is preferably placed in a fitting (23), see figures 5A- 5D. The fitting (23) may be mounted on the sides of the well. Such mounting of the fitting may be by different systems and is not to be seen as a limitation of the present invention.

The flow controller provides a flow passage from the interior of the well (5) to an exterior of the well (5), said flow controller (9) being arranged in said well (5) and has an inlet (20) and an outlet (21) leading to the exterior of said well (5), said inlet (20) being arranged at a position lower than the position of said outlet (21).

The outlet (21) from the flow controller (9) is preferably connected to the outlet of the well (5) by a fluid connector. For example, see figure 5D showing that the outlet (21) is connected to the outlet of the well (5) by a fitting device (23).

Further, it is an advantage if the inlet (20) is being located at a position lower than the water level in well (5). However, the position of the water level is dependent of the position of the outlet (21) and the water level will not be lower

DK 182007 B1 9 than the position of the outlet (21). Therefore, it is important that the inlet (20) is being arranged at a position lower than the position of said outlet (21). In some embodiments of the invention, where a lot of rainwater is let to the well (5), the water level may be higher than the position of the outlet (21).

The term “water level” refers in the context of the present invention to the height of water in the well (5). The water level in the well is shown in figure 2, 3 and 4 where water in the well (5) is shown as the shaded area. The water level is the line between water and no water. The term “water level” is commonly known by the skilled person.

In figure 2 is the water level below the position of the inlet from the one or more receptacle(s) to the well (5). The water level is in figure 2 close to the level of the outlet (21) from the flow controller. In figure 2, the receptacle (1) is completely emptied from rainwater.

In figure 3, the water level is at the same level as the water level in the reservoir (3).

In figure 4, the water level is at the same level as the water level in the basin (2)

The flow passage of rainwater from the interior of the well (5) through the flow controller (9) to the exterior of the well (5) is a flow passage of rainwater from the inlet (20) to the outlet (21) of the flow controller. The outlet (21) from the flow controller (9) may lead the rainwater to a recipient (6) and preferably from outlet (21) through a fluid connector located in a fitting (23), see figure 5D. The recipient is preferably a sewer or a stream of flowing water.

The flow controller (9) also comprises a controllable flow restrictor (7), said controllable flow restrictor forms part of the inlet (20) and is being configured to provide a controllable flow rate of rainwater through said flow restrictor (7) into the inlet (20) by providing a through flow opening having variable opening degrees.

DK 182007 B1 10

By the term “controllable flow restrictor” is in the context of the present invention meant a flow restrictor that can control and adjust the flow rate of rainwater by decreasing or increasing the flow rate.

The controllable flow restrictor (7) is adapted to be part of the inlet (20) and by adjusting the flow restrictor (7), the opening degrees of the inlet (20) can be variated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening degrees of the through flow opening includes a fully closed degree at which essentially no water flows through said through flowing opening. In another embodiment, the opening degrees include a fully open degree providing a maximum flow rate.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inlet (20) and the controllable flow restrictor (7) are located in the bottom of the flow controller (9), see for example figure 1. By placing the inlet (20) and controllable flow restrictor (7) in the bottom of the flow controller (9), impurities such as leaves and branches are avoided or at least reduced from entering the flow controller (9).

However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the inlet (20) may be located in the lower part of one of the sides in the flow controller.

In figures 6-10 are embodiments of the controllable flow restrictor (7) shown. The figure 6-10 shows the bottom of the flow controller (9). Said embodiments of the controllable flow restrictor (7) involve that the flow restrictor (7) is a device adopted to move back and forth over the inlet and thereby decrease or increase the opening degree of the inlet (20).

In one embodiment of the present invention (shown in figure 6A-F), the controllable flow restrictor is a plate of different size that is placed over the inlet (20) and thereby decrease or increase the opening size of the inlet (20). In figure 6A is a plate restricting the flow through the inlet to the flow controller largest, and the plate is smaller and smaller from 6A to 6E making opening degree of the inlet larger and larger. In figure 6F, there is no plate over the inlet (20) and the

DK 182007 B1 11 inlet opening degree is therefore not restricted and the flow through the flow controller is at a maximum flow.

In figures 7A-7C are another embodiment of the flow restrictor shown. Here two plates are placed on each side of the inlet (20) and the plates can be moved to cover the inlet (20) partly (figure 7B) or completely (figure 7C). The plates may be moved manually or automatic using the control unit (11).

In figures 8A-8C are a further embodiment of the flow restrictor shown. Here one plate is placed on one side of the inlet (20) and the plate can be moved to cover the inlet (20) partly (figure 8B) or completely (figure (8C). The plate may be moved manually or automatic using the control unit (11).

In figures 9A-9C are also an embodiment of the flow restrictor shown. Here the flow controller is formed as a square and a plate is placed on one side of the inlet (20) and the plate can be moved to cover the inlet (20) partly (figure 9B) or completely (figure (9C). The plate may be moved manually or automatic using the control unit (11).

In figures 10A-10C are a further embodiment of the flow restrictor shown. Here a device is inserted in the inlet (20) where said device is adopted to be either completely covering and closing the inlet (20) (figure 11 A), partly covering the inlet (figure 10B) or fully open the inlet to a maximum opening degree (figure 10C). The device may be moved manually or automatic using the control unit (11).

In figures 11A-11C are an even further embodiment of the flow restrictor shown.

Here a hinge is placed over the inlet (20) to completely cover and close the inlet (figure 11A) and the hinge can be moved to open up the opening degree of the inlet (20) partly (figure 11B) or completely open-up the opening degree of the inlet to a maximum opening degree (figure (11C). The hinge may be moved manually or automatic using the control unit (11).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rainwater handling system according to the present invention further comprises a level sensor (10)

DK 182007 B1 12 arranged inside the well (5) and being configured to sense the level of rainwater in a vertical distance region in said well (5) and provide a sensor readout (12) representing a sensed level of rainwater in said well (5).

Hence, the level sensor (10) is a sensor that can sense the level of the rainwater inside the well. The level sensor senses the level of rainwater in a vertical distance region in said well, i.e. the level sensor senses the height of the rainwater inside the well (5). This is referred to as the water level.

The level sensor (10) provides a sensor readout (12) representing a sensed level of rainwater in said well (5).

The level sensor (10) is preferably located in the lower end of the well (5), such as maximum 50 cm from the lower end, bottom, (16) of the well (5). Preferably, the level sensor (10) is located as close to the lower end (16) of the well (5) as possible. This is to improve the determination of the water level of the rainwater inside the well (5). However, if the level sensor (10) is not placed in the very bottom of the well (5), this can be compensated for when determining the water level (level of rainwater) inside the well (5).

Preferably, the level sensor (10) is located maximum 40 cm from the lower end (16) of the well (5), such as 30 cm from the lower end (16), preferably 20 from the lower end (16) of the well (5), and most preferably maximum 10 cm from the lower end (16) of the well (5).

The level sensor (10) is typically an IoT- level sensor. IoT level sensors are well known to the skilled person. IoT refers to "Internet of Things”.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the level sensor (10) senses or detects the water level of the rainwater inside the well (5) by using a pressure transducer that measures the pressure from the bottom of the well (5) to the top of the well (5). By the measured pressure, the height of the water level can be determined.

The measured pressure is proportional with the height of the water. Hereby, the water level can be determined.

DK 182007 B1 13

However, the method of determining the water level by using a pressure transducer is not a limited of the present invention. Other types of IoT level sensors may be used for sense the water level. For example, the water level may also be determined by using radar technology or ultrasound.

The level sensor (10) will besides from determining the water level also be able to determine the volume of water led to the well (5). Further, the level sensor (10) is able to determine the utilisation degree of the receptacle (1), (2) or (3), for example in cubic meter, and able to determine the utilisation percentage of the receptacle (1), (2) or (3).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the level sensor (10) is powered by a battery. Thus, the level sensor (10) is not powered by electricity.

The level sensor will sense or determine the height of the water level inside the well (5) and provide a sensor readout (12) representing the sensed level of rainwater in said well (5). Afterwards, the controllable flow restrictor (7) is adjusted to increase or decrease the opening degree of the inlet (20) of the flow controller (9) based on the sensor readout (12).

Preferably, the flow restrictor (7) will based on the sensor readout (12) adjust the opening degree of the inlet (20) such that the flow rate corresponds to the amount of rainwater led into the well (5).

In one example, the flow restrictor (7) will based on the sensor readout (12) continuously adjust the opening degree of the inlet (20) such that the water level of the rainwater inside the well (5) is constant.

In other situations, the flow restrictor will adjust the opening degree if there is a warning of heavy rain (cloudburst). The IoT level sensor will ensure that the receptacles are drained from rainwater to a desired volume of rainwater before it is raining. Afterwards, when raining, the inlet of the flow controller is closed, such that all water is detained.

The level sensor ensures that a desired amount of water can be drained and let to the recipient, such as a sewer, river or stream (of water).

The level sensor also ensures that rainwater may be detained in the receptacles for later drought periods. Further, the level sensor contributes to adapting the overflow pipe (19) to a defined situation.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the rainwater handling system further comprises an electronic control unit (11) configured to: o receiving said sensor readout (12) from the level sensor (10), and o controlling the controllable flow restrictor (7) to increase the flow rate or to decrease the flow rate in response to said sensor readout (12).

Hence, in an embodiment of the present invention the movement of the flow restrictor (7) to varying the opening degree of the inlet (20) of the flow controller (9) is electronically controlled. The electronic control unit (11) will based on the sensor readout (12) control the electronic control unit (11) to move between an open and closed position, or a position in between fully open and fully closed.

Based on the sensor readout (12), an electronic instruction, relating to the opening degrees of the inlet (20) of the flow controller (9) or relating to the flow rate, may be provided.

The electronic control unit (11) may be configured to in response to the electronic instruction to control the flow restrictor (7) to set the opening degree.

However, the present invention should not be limited to the flow restrictor (7) being electronically controlled. In embodiments of the present invention, the flow restrictor (7) may be manually controlled. For example, based on the sensor readout (12), the flow controller (9) can easily be taken up from the well without any specialised tool but merely by pulling the handle (22), see figure 5.

Afterwards, the flow restrictor (7) can be adjusted manually such that the opening degree of the inlet (20) is either increased or decreased.

DK 182007 B1 15

The flow restrictor (7) can decrease the opening degree of the inlet (20) such that the flow rate of the rainwater into the flow controller (9) is as low as 0.02 Liter per second.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the rainwater handling system comprises an overflow pipe (19) extending in a vertical direction from said flow controller (9) towards an upper end of the well (5), said overflow pipe (19) is at a lower end fluidly connected to said flow passage of the flow controller (9), and preferably connected to a fitting (23) for the flow controller (9). The overflow pipe is open ended at an upper end. See figure 5D.

The overflow pipe (19) will ensure that water is not flowing out of the top of the well, but that the water is maintained in the system. The overflow pipe (19) is used if the water level is so high that the water is about to flow out from the top of the well. In this situation the passage of water through the flow controller (9) is circumvented and the water is flowing through the overflow pipe (19). The height of the overflow pipe (19) can vary, but preferably the height of the overflow pipe (19) is about the same height as the top of the receptacle(s) (1).

In a preferred embodiment, the overflow pipe (19) is designed to fit into the outlet of the well, i.e. the overflow pipe has the same dimensions as the outlet to the recipient (6).

The rainwater handling system according to the present invention may also in the flow passage comprise a one-way valve (8). The one-way valve (8) is preferably located in the outlet (21) from the flow controller (9). Said one-way valve (8) prevents inflow through the outlet (21) and prevents for example flow from the sewer and rats in entering the flow controller (9).

The rainwater handling system according to the present invention further preferably comprises that the outlet (21) from the flow controller (9) is fluidly connected to a recipient (6) by a fluid connection, such as a fluid connector.

DK 182007 B1 16

In the context of the present invention, the term “fluid connection” and “fluid connector” refers to a device that can fluidly transport water. The fluid connection or fluid connector is preferably a pipe.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show the flow controller (9) according to the present invention from different positions.

Figure 5A shows the flow controller (9) from a side view of one embodiment of the flow controller. In this embodiment of the flow controller, the inlet (20) and the flow restrictor (7) (not shown) is positioned in the bottom of the flow controller (9). In figure 5A, the flow controller is outside the well and ready to manually adjust the flow restrictor (7) to a desired opening degree.

Figure 5B is a front view of the flow controller (9) shown in figure 5A. Figure 5B shows the outlet (21) from the flow controller and the one-way valve (8)

Fig 5C is a preferred embodiment of a fitting (23) configured for receiving the flow controller when inserted into the well (as illustrated by dotted arrow).

Fig. 5D illustrates the position of the fitting (23) with the flow controller (9), level sensor (10), overflow pipe (19) in a well (5). As shown in figure 5D, the overflow pipe (19) is located on the fluid connection connecting the flow controller (9) and the outlet from the well to the recipient (6).

The dimension of the inlet (20) of the flow controller (9) is preferably smaller than the size for a rat to enter, i.e. maximum 18 mm. However, the size of the inlet may be larger than 18 mm. In such situations, a grid will be mounted in the inlet (20) and the openings in the grid will be smaller than 18 mm.

The flow controller (9) and the fitting (23) are preferably made in a corrosion- resistant material, for example stainless steel Preferably, the material is ASIS 316 stainless steel which is resistant to acid corrosion.

DK 182007 B1 17

Method of the invention:

The method of the invention relates to a method of handling rainwater by using a rainwater handling system according to the invention, characterised in that the method comprises: i. providing a rainwater handling system according to the invention; ii. receiving from the level sensor (10) a sensor readout (12) representing a sensed level of rainwater in the well (5), and receiving instructions about a desired opening degree of the inlet (20) to the flow controller (9) from the sensor readout (12); iii. adjusting the controllable flow restrictor (7) to vary the opening degree of the inlet (20) to correspond to the desired opening degree.

The desired opening degree may be based on a desired flow rate through the flow controller (9).

The adjustment of the controllable flow controller (7) may either be by manually adjustment or by automatic adjustment using an electronic control unit (11).

If manually adjustment, the flow controller (9) may easily be pulled up from the well (5) and hereafter the flow restrictor (7) may be adjusted before the flow controller (9) is inserted in the well (5) again. As shown in figure 5 A, C and D, the flow controller (9) is preferably inserted in a fitting (23) and may be pulled up from the fitting (23) and well (5) by pulling the handle (22).

The controllable flow restrictor (7) can be amended by using any of the embodiments shown in figures 6 to 11.

However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method of handling rainwater furthermore comprises the use of an electronic control unit (11), and the electronic control unit (11) receives instructions from the sensor readout, and electronically controls the controllable flow restrictor (7) to provide the desired opening degree.

Hence, the controllable flow restrictor (7) is adjusted by using an electronic control unit (11), wherein the electronic control unit (11) is configured to:

DK 182007 B1 18 e receiving a sensor readout (12) from the level sensor (10), and e controlling the controllable flow restrictor (7) to increase the flow rate or to decrease the flow rate in response to the received sensor readout.

Therefore, the electronic control unit (11) receives instructions from the sensor readout (12), and electronically controls the controllable flow restrictor (7) to provide the desired opening degree.

In a further embodiment, the method of the invention comprises that the inlet (20) and the controllable flow restrictor (7) are located in the bottom of the flow controller (9) to allow rainwater to flow into the flow controller (9) from the bottom.

Furthermore, the rainwater handling system used in the method of the invention may comprise anyone of the embodiments earlier disclosed when discussing said rainwater handling system.

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

List of reference symbols used: 1 Receptacle 2 Open ended basin 3 Reservoir 4 Fluidic connection 5 Well 6 Recipient 7 Controllable flow restrictor 8 One-way valve 9 Flow controller 10 Level sensor 11 Electronic control unit 12 Readout from level sensor

DK 182007 B1 19 13 Basin water flow 14 Reservoir water flow 15 Bottom level 16 Lower end 17 Ground level

18 Flow of rainwater 19 Overflow pipe 20 Inlet 21 Outlet

22 Handle 23 Fitting

Claims

DK 182007 B1 20 Patent claims

1. A rainwater management system comprising: one or more container(s) (1) configured to contain rainwater; oe a well (5) with a lower end (16), said container(s) (1) being fluidly connected to supply rainwater to an interior of said well (5) in a position raised from said lower end (16), oe a flow control unit (9) o which provides a flow passage from said interior of said well (5) to an exterior of said well (5), said flow control unit (9) being arranged in said well (5) and having an inlet (20) and an outlet (21) leading to the exterior of said well (5), said inlet (20) being arranged in a position lower than the position of said outlet (21), and o which comprises a controllable flow restrictor (7), preferably electrically controllable, said controllable flow restrictor (7) being part of the inlet (20) and being configured to provide a controllable flow rate of rainwater through said controllable flow restrictor (7) to the inlet (20) by providing a flow opening with variable opening degrees characterized by a level sensor (10) arranged within said well (5) and configured to detect the level of rainwater in a vertical distance range in said well (5) and to provide a sensor readout (12) representing a detected level of rainwater in said well (5).

2. The rainwater management system according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (20) and the controllable flow restrictor (7) are located at the bottom of the flow control unit.

(9).

3. The rainwater management system according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the rainwater management system further comprises: an electronic control unit (11) configured to: o receive said sensor readout (12) from the level sensor (10), and

DK 182007 B1 21 o control the controllable flow restrictor (7) to increase said flow rate or to decrease said flow rate in response to said received sensor reading (12).

4. The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an overflow pipe (19) extending in a vertical direction from said flow control unit (9) towards an upper end of said well (5), said overflow pipe (19) being fluidly connected at a lower end to said flow passage of the flow control unit (9) and being open at an upper end.

5. The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said opening degrees of the flow opening include a fully closed condition at which substantially no water flows through said flow opening.

6. The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container(s) (1) is fluidly connected to said well (5) to supply rainwater to said interior of said well (5) at a position which is in a vertical direction above said position of said inlet (20).

The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flow passage comprises a one-way valve (8).

The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said outlet (21) is fluidly connected to a container (6) via a fluid connection.

9. The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more containers (1) comprise an open basin (2) arranged to receive rainwater directly into the basin through its open end.

The rainwater management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more containers (1) comprise a reservoir (3), such as an underground reservoir, said reservoir (3) being configured to receive rainwater through a fluid connection.

DK 182007 B1 22

The rainwater management system according to claims 9 and 10, wherein said reservoir (3) is fluidly connected to said basin (2) via a fluid connection (4), said reservoir (3) being arranged at a lower vertical height than a bottom level (15) of said basin (2).

12. A method for handling rainwater using a rainwater handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the method comprises:

i. — providing a rainwater management system according to any one of claims 1 to 11;

ii. receiving from the level sensor (10) a sensor readout (12) representing a registered level of rainwater in the well (5), and receiving instructions on a desired degree of opening of the inlet (20) to the flow control unit (9) from the sensor readout (12);

iii. — adjusting the controllable flow restrictor (7) to vary the opening degree of the inlet (20) to correspond to the desired opening degree.

The method of claim 12, wherein the method for handling rainwater further comprises the use of an electronic control unit (11), and the electronic control unit (11) receives instructions from the sensor readout (12), and electronically controls the controllable flow restrictor (7) to provide the desired degree of opening.

The method according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the inlet (20) and the controllable flow restrictor (7) are located at the bottom of the flow restrictor (9) to allow rainwater to flow into the flow control unit from the bottom.