# US 10,870,534 B2 · Supplemental lid for corrugated containment sump

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- Number: US 10,870,534 B2
- Document ID: US10870534B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/245,911
- Filed: 2019-01-11
- Published: 2020-07-16
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2019-01-11
- Applicants: David D. Russell; Robert Russell
- Inventors: David D. Russell; Robert Russell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870534B2

## CPC

- B65D 90/105: {for underground containers}
- E02D 29/14: Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers {(gully gratings E03F5/06)}
- E02D 29/149: {Annular gaskets}
- F16L 55/134: by means of an inflatable packing
- B65D 2590/0083: Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a water impenetrable barrier between an underground duct and an access opening. The apparatus may cover a secondary opening in a corrugated containment sump of an underground storage tank or the manway of a sanitary sewer, catch basin or other manhole system. The apparatus includes a cover, inflatable seal and a tank of compressed nitrogen to inflate the seal. When sealed to the access opening, the cover restricts the inflow of water or other debris into the interior of the underground duct and nitrogen may be released into the sealed access.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A secondary lid that restricts inflow of fluids into an interior of a containment sump of an underground storage tank having a secondary access opening, the secondary lid comprising:
a cover having a top and bottom surface;
a ring that is concentric with the cover, wherein the ring extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the cover to a free end of the ring;
a flange extending outwardly from at least one of the cover and the ring;
an annular expandable pneumatic seal engaged to an outer surface of the ring, wherein when the seal is expanded the seal expands outwardly, and expands upwardly towards the flange, and expands downwardly towards the free end of the ring;
a first tank containing a compressed gas and the first tank coupled in fluid communication with the pneumatic seal;
a first valve coupled inline between the first tank of compressed gas and the pneumatic seal, wherein the first valve actuates between an open and closed position to control inflation of the pneumatic seal and delivery of gas from the first tank to the pneumatic seal; and
a second valve coupled inline and in series between the first tank and the pneumatic seal wherein the second valve actuates between an open and closed position to control deflation of the pneumatic seal and a release of gas from the seal into space below the cover.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 1 further including a third valve coupled to the cover to form a conduit between the bottom surface of the cover and the top surface of the cover, wherein the third valve actuates to allow gases to flow through the third valve from the space below the cover to space above the cover.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 2, further including a fourth valve coupled inline between the first tank and pneumatic seal wherein the fourth valve is solenoid actionable between open and closed positions, and further including a microprocessor coupled to the fourth valve wherein the microprocessor controls actuation of the fourth valve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 3 further including a second tank containing compressed nitrogen pneumatically coupled to the fourth valve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 4, wherein the microprocessor selectively opens and closes the fourth valve to control flow of gas from the first and second tanks.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 5, further including a fifth valve coupled inline between the fourth valve and the second valve below the cover, and further coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor further controls actuation of the fourth and fifth valves to release nitrogen gas from the fifth valve into space below the cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 6, further including a pressure gauge pneumatically coupled inline between the fourth valve and the fifth valve, and further coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor further controls actuation of the fourth and fifth valves to control the pressure within the pneumatic seal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 3, wherein the microprocessor includes a wireless communicator to couple wirelessly to an external controller.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 3, further including a pressure sensor coupled to the microprocessor to provide data related to a pressure value corresponding to the space below the cover.

### Claim 10

A device for restricting water penetration through an upper portion of a secondary access port of an underground duct, said device comprising:
a cylindrical sidewall forming a portion of the secondary access port, wherein one end of the cylindrical sidewall terminates at an open top end of the secondary access port;
a cover having a top and bottom surface;
a collar that is concentric with the cover, wherein the collar extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the cover to a free end of the collar;
a flange extending outwardly from at least one of the cover and collar, wherein the collar is sized to fit within an interior space of the cylindrical sidewall of the access port and the flange is sized to engage with the open top end of the secondary access port;
an annular expandable pneumatic seal engaged to an outer surface of the collar, wherein when the seal is expanded the seal expands outwardly, and expands upwardly towards the flange, and expands downwardly towards the free end of the collar such that the seal engages with the cylindrical sidewall when the flange engages the top end of the secondary access port;
a first tank containing compressed nitrogen and coupled in fluid communication with the pneumatic seal;
a first valve coupled inline between the first tank of compressed nitrogen and the pneumatic seal, wherein the first valve actuates between an open and closed position to control inflation of the pneumatic seal and delivery of nitrogen from the first tank to the pneumatic seal;
a second valve coupled to the pneumatic seal wherein the second valve actuates between an open and closed position to control deflation of the pneumatic seal and a release of nitrogen from the seal into space below the cover; and
a third valve not coupled inline but coupled to the cover to form a conduit between the bottom surface of the cover and the top surface of the cover, wherein the third valve actuates to allow gases to flow through the third valve from the space below the cover to space above the cover.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 10, further including a fourth valve coupled inline between the first tank and pneumatic seal wherein the fourth valve is solenoid actionable between open and closed positions, and further including a microprocessor coupled to the fourth valve wherein the microprocessor controls actuation of the fourth valve.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 11 further including a second tank containing compressed nitrogen pneumatically coupled to the fourth valve.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 12, wherein the microprocessor selectively opens and closes the fourth valve to control flow of gas from the first and second tanks.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 13, further including a fifth valve coupled inline between the fourth valve and the second valve below the cover, and further coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor further controls actuation of the fourth and fifth valves to release nitrogen gas from the fifth valve into space below the cover.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 14, further including a pressure gauge pneumatically coupled inline between the fourth valve and the fifth valve, and further coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor further controls actuation of the fourth and fifth valves to control the pressure within the pneumatic seal.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 12, wherein the microprocessor includes a wireless communicator to couple wirelessly to an external controller.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The secondary lid as recited in claim 12, further including a pressure sensor coupled to the microprocessor to provide data related to a pressure value corresponding to the space below the cover.