CA2032882C - Vacuum sewer arrangement - Google Patents
Vacuum sewer arrangement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2032882C CA2032882C CA002032882A CA2032882A CA2032882C CA 2032882 C CA2032882 C CA 2032882C CA 002032882 A CA002032882 A CA 002032882A CA 2032882 A CA2032882 A CA 2032882A CA 2032882 C CA2032882 C CA 2032882C
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- Prior art keywords
- sewer
- air inlet
- valve
- sewer pipe
- sewage
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
- E03F1/00—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
- E03F1/006—Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
- Sewage (AREA)
- Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
- Pipe Accessories (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
A vacuum sewer arrangement comprises a bowl connected to a sewer pipe provided with means for establishing, in the sewer pipe, a vacuum sufficient for obtaining efficient sewage transport. There is a normally-closed sewer valve connecting the bowl to the sewer pipe and a control device for controlling operation of the sewer valve to allow discharge of sewage from the bowl to the sewer pipe. There is also an air inlet duct for letting air into the sewer pipe separately from the bowl. For controlling flow of air through the air inlet duct into the sewer pipe, when the sewer pipe is under proper vacuum for effective sewage transport, there is an air inlet valve with means operating it in response to pressure variations in the sewer pipe. Such pressure variations occur when the sewage discharged from the bowl has passed the point where the air inlet duct is connected to the sewer pipe.
This ensures that the air inlet valve operates accurately and securely.
This ensures that the air inlet valve operates accurately and securely.
Description
VACUUM SEWER ARRANGEMENT
Background of the Invention The invention relates to a vacuum sewer arrangement.
In a vacuum sewer arrangement, a toilet bowl is connected to a sewer by means of a sewer valve, and a vacuum is maintained in -the sewer. In order to carry out a flushing operation, the sewer valve is opened and waste in the toilet bowl is inducted into the sewer. The flushing operation includes the following phases:
a) rinse water is introduced to flush the inside of the toilet bowl and the sewer valve opens, b) the waste in the bowl is pressed into the sewer by the pressure difference between the toilet bowl and -the sewer a) air enters the sewer behind the waste, and d) the sewer valve closes.
The waste forms a movable plug in the vacuum sewer, and the pressure difference across the plug propels the plug through the sewer to a waste receiving tank. Tn a conventional vacuum sewer arrangement, air for transportation of the waste plug enters the sewer by way of the sewer valve. when the sewer valve oloses, the plug stops moving almost immediately.
Two main factors determine how long the sewer valve remains open. First, the sewer valve must remain open for long enough to ensure, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that the waste in the toilet bowl has entered the sewer. Although normally the waste is pressed into the sewer almost instan-taneously, it is usual to allow about two secands for the waste to enter the sewer. Second, it is important for proper operation of a vacuum sewer arrangement that the chance of a waste plug merging with a preceding or succeeding plug in the sewer be very small, and therefore it must travel a .
substantial distance along the sewer, for example at least 10 m, before stopping. In vacuum sewer arrangements that are currently in use, the waste plug typically travels at a maximum speed of about 5-10 m/s. Therefore, in a typical vacuum sewer arrangement, the sewer valve remains open for abaut four seconds on each flush.
The waste will enter the sewer immediately the sewer valve opens, followed by a large quantity of air. This pauses considerable pressure variations in the toilet bowl, in particular during the opening and closing phase of the sewer salve when material (waste or air) is inducted through a relatively small opening. Due to this, a high noi~~ level is generated. The noise level is dependent on the pressure difference beicween the toilet bowl and the sewer - the greater the difference, the greater the noise.
The Patent Publication GB-A-2203461 discloses a vacuum sewer arrangement with a noise reducing air inlet device connected to the sewer immediately downstream of the sewer valve.
Summary of the Invention The object of the invention is to provide a simplified and more reliable versi~n of tha arrange-meat disclosed in GB-A-2203461.
A disadvantage of the vacuum sewer arrangement described with reference to Figure 1 in GB-A-2203461 is that a vacuum accumulator may be required in order to provide a sufficiently large volume under vacuum for proper functioning of the sewer valve and the air inlet valve. Also, since the air inlet valve opens after the sewer valve, and a single control device is used to contral both the sewer valve and the air inlet valve, a throttle is required in order to delay operation of the air inlet valve relative to the~sewer valve. Further, the proper location of the outlet of the air inlet duct depends on several factors, and i~t is not possible to be certain that these factors will remain constant or will be 'the same from installation to installation.
According to the invention a much simpler and more reliable system is obtained by applying means for operating the air inlet valve in response to the pressure in the vacuum sewer close to the sewer valve, as stated in claim 1.
The air inlet duct can be made sound insulated and can be provided with a muffler. Then air flowing through the air inlet duct will not cause a disturbing level of noise. The noise level of a vacuum toilet sewer arrangement according to the invention cars be further reduced by providing as know .her se, the toilet bowl with a lid forming a substan-tially airtight and sound--proof closure at the top of the bowl. In this oa~e, it is favorable that the lid be of r~lativeiy think sound insulating material.
Various plastic materials, sandwich structures etc.
are well suited for this purpose. If the lid provi-des a seal, the volume of air contained in the bowl may be too small for proper discharge of the sec~age from the bowl, in which case additional air can be provided -through a separate tube. This tube may have its inlet end connected to the air a.nlet duet upstream of the air inlet valve; but it may also b~
a completely separate tube. The lowest noise level is achieved if the tube is provided with a muffler, is sound insulated and has its inlet end outside the toilet compartment. The tube is preferably provided with a non-return valve in order to prevent escape of odours from the toilet bowl into the surroundings.
The connection of the air inlet duct to the sewer is sufficiently close to the sewer valve that l~
in narmal operation of the vacuum sewer arrangement, the sewage plug formed when the waste enters -the sewer through the sewer valve will pass the outlet of the air inlet duct :Less than one second after the sewer valve reaches its fully open condition, and preferably less than 0.5 seconds after the sewer valve reaches its fully open condition. The air inlet valve opens less than 2.5 seconds after the sewer valve opens, and preferably between 1 and 2 seconds after the sewer valve opens; and most preferably about 1.5 seconds after the sewer valve opens. However, the time at which the air inlet valve opens must be Selected relative to the distance between the sewer valve and the outlet of the air inlet duct and the expected speed of travel of the sewage plug so that the air inlet valve will not open before 'the sewage plug has passed the air inlet duct, since otherwise proper -transportation of the plug might not be aetaieved.
The air inlet valve stays open for about 5 seconds ox less. This introduces s:Lightly more transport air into the sewer than what is usual in conventional vacuum sewer systems. The increased amount of air provides a longer travel dlistance for the sewage plug.
Conventionally, the sewer valve of a vacuum sewer arrangement is operated by using the vacuum present in the vacuum sewer. Zn an ax°rangement according to the. invention the same vacuum can be used also for operating the air inlet valve. This gives a simple and reliable structure.
A check valve should be arranged between the sewer valve control device and the sewer, so that a pressure rise in the sewer is unable to have any influence on the pressure in the valve control device.
Zn this specification and in the claims the following terminology is used. The team "vacuum" means "partial vacuum" of a magnitude suitable far use in a vacuum sewer system. Conventionally, the vacuum in such a system is about ~ atmosphere, or about 38 ~~~c~'8~
cm Hg. The term "atmospheric pressure" means the pressure in areas where people may stay. Thus, in an aircraft at high altitude "atmospheric pressure"
means the cabin pressure, which may be considerably lower than the normal air pressure at ground level.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 schematically shows, partly at an enlarged scale, one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 schematically shows an arrangement according to the invention having multiple toilet bowls.
Detailed Description FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet bowl 1 and a sewer pipe 2 connected to the toilet bowl by a sewer valve assembly 3. The interior space of the sewer 2 is maintained under vacuum, which is provided, as known per se, by a vacuum purnp (not shown). This pump is usually connected to the downstream end of the sewer 2, or may be eonnecte~d to a sewage collecting tank (not shown). The sewer valve assembly 3 includes a sewer valve proper and a sewer valve operating device which opens the sewer valve by using vacuum. Various valve assemblies of this type are described in U. S. Patents Nos. 3,482,267, 3;807,431, 3,984,080 and 4,376,444. Since suitable vacuum operated valves are known, the structure of the sewer valve assembly will not be explained here.
An air inlet duct 4 opens into the sewer 2 through an outlet 36. An air inlet valve assembly 6 is connected to the air inlet duct 4. A control device 7, which contrals the valve assemby 3, is activated by a function impulse 8. Such an impulse may originate from a push button operated by the user of 'the toilet and may be transmitted, for instance mechanically, in the form of a pressure impulse, or electrically, to the control device 7. The function impulse 8 may be dependent on, for instance the closing of a lid 17 of the tailet bowl ar on other factors which are relevant to controlling the flushing of the toilet. Since these factors also are well known in the art, neither the creating of a function impulse nor the manner of operation of the control device 7 will be explained here.
A general principle in a vacuum sewer arrange-ment is that the sewer valve should apen only when there is sufficient vacuum in the sewer for effective transport of sewage. In order to achieve this, the vacuum required to open the sewer valve is taken from the sewer 2 or from another point of the vacuum system. If the available vacuum is too weak for effective transport of sewage, the sewer valve will not open. In the embodiment of FIU. 1 the vacuum required for the operation of the sewer valve is communicated from 'the sewer 2 to the control device 7 through a tube 9 and a check valve lp.
Upon receiving a function impulse 8; the control device 7 transmits vacuum x~eceived from the sewer 2 through a tube 13 to the sewer valve operating device, which then opens the sewer valve. At the same time the control device 7 transmits vacuum through a tube 34 towards the air inlet valve assembly 6.
The distance of the outlet 36 of the air inlet duct from the sewer valve assembly 3 and the delay between opening of the sewer valve and opening of the air inlet valve are selected so that, in normal operation, the air inlet duct 4 supplies air to the sewer soan after the sewage plug from the toilet bowl has passed the outlet 36. Since air for transporting the plug is then provided through the air inlet duct, the sewer valve need not be held open any longer than is necessary to ensure that the plug has passed the outlet 3S. When the sewer valve closes, air is no longer inducted through the toilet bowl and the noise level is reduced. More over, when both the sewer valve and the air inlet valve are open, air is inducted through the sewer valve at a lower rate and the noise level is reduced.
The basic structure of an arrangement according to the invention requires that air is led through the air inlet duct 4 to the vacuum sewer 2 when the sewage providing unit 1 is to be emptied.
This substantially reduces the noise level, but nevertheless, the noise level might be unpleasantly high. Eience, letting in air by way of an air inlet duct is not always sufficient to reduce the noise level to an acceptable value. Additional measures might be necessary for improving the technical effect of the basic embodiment of the invention. A
suitable additional measure is to provide the toilet bowl or the corresponding sewage providing unit with an airtight lid 17. Such a lid should be made relatively soundaproof. Opening of the sewer valve can, as known .~>e-r se, easily be made depen-dent on the olosing of the lid 17, so 'that the valve og~ens only when the lid is closed.
Using an airtight lid in a vacuum toilet may result in the amount of air present in the toilet bowl 1 being too small for efficient flushing.
This can be cured by connecting an air tube 18 to the bowl 1. Air is led into the bowl through the tube 18 without any substantial noise. The air supply for the tube 18 can be taken from any place, fox instance, from outside the toilet compartment.
In the embodiment shown in FIG, 1, the air inlet valve 6 comprises a diaphragm 30, for instance a rubber pad, that is deflectable towards and away from the upper end of the duct 4, depending on the difference in pressure between the duct 4 and a control chamber 32, which is connected by a narrow-bore tube 34 to the tube 13. The control chamber is bounded partially by the diaphragm 30 and partially by a rigid wall 38, to which the diaphragm 30 is connected through a flexible rubber skirt 42 and a flange 44. The flexible rubber skirt 42 biases the diaphragm 30 towards duct 4.
~lormally, the pressure in tube 13 is atmo-spherie, while there is a lower pressure in the duct 4 because it is directly connected to the sewer 2, which is under vacuum. As a result, the diaphragm 30 is held in firm sealing contact with the upper end of the duct 4. On receiving a function impu7~se 8, the cantrol unit 7 communicates vacuum from the sewer 2 to the -tube 13. This opens the sewer valve 3, and waste in the toilet bowl is drawn rapidly into the sewer 2.
The vacuum in tube 13 is communicated through 'the tube 34 to the control chamber 32 and the pressures on the two sides of the diaphragm are then equal. Hawever, owing to the bias provided by the resilient skirt 42, arnd the difference between the area of the diaphragm exposed to pressure in duct 4 and the area of the diaphragm and skirt effectively exposed to pressure in chamber 32, the diaphragm remains in contact with -the duct 4 and therefore the air inlet valve remains closed. When the waste passes the outlet 36 0~ the duct 4, and is followed by air from the toilet bowl 1, the pressure in the duct 4 rises, but the check valve prevents a corresponding rise in pressure in the tube 34. Consequently, the diaphragm 30 is unseated from the upper end of the duet 4, and air enters the sewer 2 through the duct 4. At about the same time as the air inlet valve opens, the control unit 7 communicates atmospheric pressure to the tube 13, causing the sewer valve 3 to close.
Atmospheric pressure is also communicated to the control chamber 32, with a slight delay due to the length of the tube 34, and the air inlet valve closes.
The toilet lid 17 is in sealing relationship with the rim of the toilet bowl 1, and the function impulse 8 can only be generated when the lid 17 is closed. When -the sewer valve opens and waste is drawn into the sewer, air for transporting the waste is induced into the toilet bowl through the tube 18 and the check valve 19 and the pressure in the sewer behind the waste remains close to atmospheric.
The outlet 36 of duct 4 is sufficiently close to the sewer valve that the operation of the sewer valve directly induces operation of the air inlet valve. Thus, when the sewer valve opens, it is the rise in pressure in the sewer when the waste from the toilet bowl passes outlet 36 that causes the air inlet valve to open, and when the sewer valve closes in response to control unit 7, the fall in pressure (increased vacuum) in the sewer causes the air inlet valve to close. Since the air inlet valve cannot open until the waste has passed outlet 36, there is no possibility of the air inlet valve opening too soon arid interfering with reliable transportation of waste from the toilet bowl into the sewer.
Since the tube 34 is narrow, it has a small volume and therefore a sufficient degree of vacuum can be communicated from tube 13 to chamber 32 to ensure that the air inlet valve 6 opens when the pressure in duct 4 rises without need for a vacuum accumulator.
F2G. 2 illustrates schema~ieally an arrange~-ment in which the sewer 2 has several branches 48 connected to respective toilet bowls 1 through respective sewer valves 3. An air inlet valve 50 and a control unit 7 are associated with each toilet bowl 1 and sewer valve 3. The arrangement of the toilet bowl, sewer valve, control unit and air inlet valve may be as shown in FIG. 1.
The air inlet valves operate independently of f~
one another, so that, for example, application of a function impulse to the control unit associated with one of the air inlet valves has no effect on the other air inlet valves.
Tt will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments that have been described, grad that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Background of the Invention The invention relates to a vacuum sewer arrangement.
In a vacuum sewer arrangement, a toilet bowl is connected to a sewer by means of a sewer valve, and a vacuum is maintained in -the sewer. In order to carry out a flushing operation, the sewer valve is opened and waste in the toilet bowl is inducted into the sewer. The flushing operation includes the following phases:
a) rinse water is introduced to flush the inside of the toilet bowl and the sewer valve opens, b) the waste in the bowl is pressed into the sewer by the pressure difference between the toilet bowl and -the sewer a) air enters the sewer behind the waste, and d) the sewer valve closes.
The waste forms a movable plug in the vacuum sewer, and the pressure difference across the plug propels the plug through the sewer to a waste receiving tank. Tn a conventional vacuum sewer arrangement, air for transportation of the waste plug enters the sewer by way of the sewer valve. when the sewer valve oloses, the plug stops moving almost immediately.
Two main factors determine how long the sewer valve remains open. First, the sewer valve must remain open for long enough to ensure, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that the waste in the toilet bowl has entered the sewer. Although normally the waste is pressed into the sewer almost instan-taneously, it is usual to allow about two secands for the waste to enter the sewer. Second, it is important for proper operation of a vacuum sewer arrangement that the chance of a waste plug merging with a preceding or succeeding plug in the sewer be very small, and therefore it must travel a .
substantial distance along the sewer, for example at least 10 m, before stopping. In vacuum sewer arrangements that are currently in use, the waste plug typically travels at a maximum speed of about 5-10 m/s. Therefore, in a typical vacuum sewer arrangement, the sewer valve remains open for abaut four seconds on each flush.
The waste will enter the sewer immediately the sewer valve opens, followed by a large quantity of air. This pauses considerable pressure variations in the toilet bowl, in particular during the opening and closing phase of the sewer salve when material (waste or air) is inducted through a relatively small opening. Due to this, a high noi~~ level is generated. The noise level is dependent on the pressure difference beicween the toilet bowl and the sewer - the greater the difference, the greater the noise.
The Patent Publication GB-A-2203461 discloses a vacuum sewer arrangement with a noise reducing air inlet device connected to the sewer immediately downstream of the sewer valve.
Summary of the Invention The object of the invention is to provide a simplified and more reliable versi~n of tha arrange-meat disclosed in GB-A-2203461.
A disadvantage of the vacuum sewer arrangement described with reference to Figure 1 in GB-A-2203461 is that a vacuum accumulator may be required in order to provide a sufficiently large volume under vacuum for proper functioning of the sewer valve and the air inlet valve. Also, since the air inlet valve opens after the sewer valve, and a single control device is used to contral both the sewer valve and the air inlet valve, a throttle is required in order to delay operation of the air inlet valve relative to the~sewer valve. Further, the proper location of the outlet of the air inlet duct depends on several factors, and i~t is not possible to be certain that these factors will remain constant or will be 'the same from installation to installation.
According to the invention a much simpler and more reliable system is obtained by applying means for operating the air inlet valve in response to the pressure in the vacuum sewer close to the sewer valve, as stated in claim 1.
The air inlet duct can be made sound insulated and can be provided with a muffler. Then air flowing through the air inlet duct will not cause a disturbing level of noise. The noise level of a vacuum toilet sewer arrangement according to the invention cars be further reduced by providing as know .her se, the toilet bowl with a lid forming a substan-tially airtight and sound--proof closure at the top of the bowl. In this oa~e, it is favorable that the lid be of r~lativeiy think sound insulating material.
Various plastic materials, sandwich structures etc.
are well suited for this purpose. If the lid provi-des a seal, the volume of air contained in the bowl may be too small for proper discharge of the sec~age from the bowl, in which case additional air can be provided -through a separate tube. This tube may have its inlet end connected to the air a.nlet duet upstream of the air inlet valve; but it may also b~
a completely separate tube. The lowest noise level is achieved if the tube is provided with a muffler, is sound insulated and has its inlet end outside the toilet compartment. The tube is preferably provided with a non-return valve in order to prevent escape of odours from the toilet bowl into the surroundings.
The connection of the air inlet duct to the sewer is sufficiently close to the sewer valve that l~
in narmal operation of the vacuum sewer arrangement, the sewage plug formed when the waste enters -the sewer through the sewer valve will pass the outlet of the air inlet duct :Less than one second after the sewer valve reaches its fully open condition, and preferably less than 0.5 seconds after the sewer valve reaches its fully open condition. The air inlet valve opens less than 2.5 seconds after the sewer valve opens, and preferably between 1 and 2 seconds after the sewer valve opens; and most preferably about 1.5 seconds after the sewer valve opens. However, the time at which the air inlet valve opens must be Selected relative to the distance between the sewer valve and the outlet of the air inlet duct and the expected speed of travel of the sewage plug so that the air inlet valve will not open before 'the sewage plug has passed the air inlet duct, since otherwise proper -transportation of the plug might not be aetaieved.
The air inlet valve stays open for about 5 seconds ox less. This introduces s:Lightly more transport air into the sewer than what is usual in conventional vacuum sewer systems. The increased amount of air provides a longer travel dlistance for the sewage plug.
Conventionally, the sewer valve of a vacuum sewer arrangement is operated by using the vacuum present in the vacuum sewer. Zn an ax°rangement according to the. invention the same vacuum can be used also for operating the air inlet valve. This gives a simple and reliable structure.
A check valve should be arranged between the sewer valve control device and the sewer, so that a pressure rise in the sewer is unable to have any influence on the pressure in the valve control device.
Zn this specification and in the claims the following terminology is used. The team "vacuum" means "partial vacuum" of a magnitude suitable far use in a vacuum sewer system. Conventionally, the vacuum in such a system is about ~ atmosphere, or about 38 ~~~c~'8~
cm Hg. The term "atmospheric pressure" means the pressure in areas where people may stay. Thus, in an aircraft at high altitude "atmospheric pressure"
means the cabin pressure, which may be considerably lower than the normal air pressure at ground level.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 schematically shows, partly at an enlarged scale, one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 schematically shows an arrangement according to the invention having multiple toilet bowls.
Detailed Description FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet bowl 1 and a sewer pipe 2 connected to the toilet bowl by a sewer valve assembly 3. The interior space of the sewer 2 is maintained under vacuum, which is provided, as known per se, by a vacuum purnp (not shown). This pump is usually connected to the downstream end of the sewer 2, or may be eonnecte~d to a sewage collecting tank (not shown). The sewer valve assembly 3 includes a sewer valve proper and a sewer valve operating device which opens the sewer valve by using vacuum. Various valve assemblies of this type are described in U. S. Patents Nos. 3,482,267, 3;807,431, 3,984,080 and 4,376,444. Since suitable vacuum operated valves are known, the structure of the sewer valve assembly will not be explained here.
An air inlet duct 4 opens into the sewer 2 through an outlet 36. An air inlet valve assembly 6 is connected to the air inlet duct 4. A control device 7, which contrals the valve assemby 3, is activated by a function impulse 8. Such an impulse may originate from a push button operated by the user of 'the toilet and may be transmitted, for instance mechanically, in the form of a pressure impulse, or electrically, to the control device 7. The function impulse 8 may be dependent on, for instance the closing of a lid 17 of the tailet bowl ar on other factors which are relevant to controlling the flushing of the toilet. Since these factors also are well known in the art, neither the creating of a function impulse nor the manner of operation of the control device 7 will be explained here.
A general principle in a vacuum sewer arrange-ment is that the sewer valve should apen only when there is sufficient vacuum in the sewer for effective transport of sewage. In order to achieve this, the vacuum required to open the sewer valve is taken from the sewer 2 or from another point of the vacuum system. If the available vacuum is too weak for effective transport of sewage, the sewer valve will not open. In the embodiment of FIU. 1 the vacuum required for the operation of the sewer valve is communicated from 'the sewer 2 to the control device 7 through a tube 9 and a check valve lp.
Upon receiving a function impulse 8; the control device 7 transmits vacuum x~eceived from the sewer 2 through a tube 13 to the sewer valve operating device, which then opens the sewer valve. At the same time the control device 7 transmits vacuum through a tube 34 towards the air inlet valve assembly 6.
The distance of the outlet 36 of the air inlet duct from the sewer valve assembly 3 and the delay between opening of the sewer valve and opening of the air inlet valve are selected so that, in normal operation, the air inlet duct 4 supplies air to the sewer soan after the sewage plug from the toilet bowl has passed the outlet 36. Since air for transporting the plug is then provided through the air inlet duct, the sewer valve need not be held open any longer than is necessary to ensure that the plug has passed the outlet 3S. When the sewer valve closes, air is no longer inducted through the toilet bowl and the noise level is reduced. More over, when both the sewer valve and the air inlet valve are open, air is inducted through the sewer valve at a lower rate and the noise level is reduced.
The basic structure of an arrangement according to the invention requires that air is led through the air inlet duct 4 to the vacuum sewer 2 when the sewage providing unit 1 is to be emptied.
This substantially reduces the noise level, but nevertheless, the noise level might be unpleasantly high. Eience, letting in air by way of an air inlet duct is not always sufficient to reduce the noise level to an acceptable value. Additional measures might be necessary for improving the technical effect of the basic embodiment of the invention. A
suitable additional measure is to provide the toilet bowl or the corresponding sewage providing unit with an airtight lid 17. Such a lid should be made relatively soundaproof. Opening of the sewer valve can, as known .~>e-r se, easily be made depen-dent on the olosing of the lid 17, so 'that the valve og~ens only when the lid is closed.
Using an airtight lid in a vacuum toilet may result in the amount of air present in the toilet bowl 1 being too small for efficient flushing.
This can be cured by connecting an air tube 18 to the bowl 1. Air is led into the bowl through the tube 18 without any substantial noise. The air supply for the tube 18 can be taken from any place, fox instance, from outside the toilet compartment.
In the embodiment shown in FIG, 1, the air inlet valve 6 comprises a diaphragm 30, for instance a rubber pad, that is deflectable towards and away from the upper end of the duct 4, depending on the difference in pressure between the duct 4 and a control chamber 32, which is connected by a narrow-bore tube 34 to the tube 13. The control chamber is bounded partially by the diaphragm 30 and partially by a rigid wall 38, to which the diaphragm 30 is connected through a flexible rubber skirt 42 and a flange 44. The flexible rubber skirt 42 biases the diaphragm 30 towards duct 4.
~lormally, the pressure in tube 13 is atmo-spherie, while there is a lower pressure in the duct 4 because it is directly connected to the sewer 2, which is under vacuum. As a result, the diaphragm 30 is held in firm sealing contact with the upper end of the duct 4. On receiving a function impu7~se 8, the cantrol unit 7 communicates vacuum from the sewer 2 to the -tube 13. This opens the sewer valve 3, and waste in the toilet bowl is drawn rapidly into the sewer 2.
The vacuum in tube 13 is communicated through 'the tube 34 to the control chamber 32 and the pressures on the two sides of the diaphragm are then equal. Hawever, owing to the bias provided by the resilient skirt 42, arnd the difference between the area of the diaphragm exposed to pressure in duct 4 and the area of the diaphragm and skirt effectively exposed to pressure in chamber 32, the diaphragm remains in contact with -the duct 4 and therefore the air inlet valve remains closed. When the waste passes the outlet 36 0~ the duct 4, and is followed by air from the toilet bowl 1, the pressure in the duct 4 rises, but the check valve prevents a corresponding rise in pressure in the tube 34. Consequently, the diaphragm 30 is unseated from the upper end of the duet 4, and air enters the sewer 2 through the duct 4. At about the same time as the air inlet valve opens, the control unit 7 communicates atmospheric pressure to the tube 13, causing the sewer valve 3 to close.
Atmospheric pressure is also communicated to the control chamber 32, with a slight delay due to the length of the tube 34, and the air inlet valve closes.
The toilet lid 17 is in sealing relationship with the rim of the toilet bowl 1, and the function impulse 8 can only be generated when the lid 17 is closed. When -the sewer valve opens and waste is drawn into the sewer, air for transporting the waste is induced into the toilet bowl through the tube 18 and the check valve 19 and the pressure in the sewer behind the waste remains close to atmospheric.
The outlet 36 of duct 4 is sufficiently close to the sewer valve that the operation of the sewer valve directly induces operation of the air inlet valve. Thus, when the sewer valve opens, it is the rise in pressure in the sewer when the waste from the toilet bowl passes outlet 36 that causes the air inlet valve to open, and when the sewer valve closes in response to control unit 7, the fall in pressure (increased vacuum) in the sewer causes the air inlet valve to close. Since the air inlet valve cannot open until the waste has passed outlet 36, there is no possibility of the air inlet valve opening too soon arid interfering with reliable transportation of waste from the toilet bowl into the sewer.
Since the tube 34 is narrow, it has a small volume and therefore a sufficient degree of vacuum can be communicated from tube 13 to chamber 32 to ensure that the air inlet valve 6 opens when the pressure in duct 4 rises without need for a vacuum accumulator.
F2G. 2 illustrates schema~ieally an arrange~-ment in which the sewer 2 has several branches 48 connected to respective toilet bowls 1 through respective sewer valves 3. An air inlet valve 50 and a control unit 7 are associated with each toilet bowl 1 and sewer valve 3. The arrangement of the toilet bowl, sewer valve, control unit and air inlet valve may be as shown in FIG. 1.
The air inlet valves operate independently of f~
one another, so that, for example, application of a function impulse to the control unit associated with one of the air inlet valves has no effect on the other air inlet valves.
Tt will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments that have been described, grad that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims (10)
1. A vacuum sewer arrangement comprising:
a sewage providing unit, a sewer pipe defining an interior space, means for establishing, in the interior space of the sewer pipe a vacuum sufficient for obtaining effective sewage transport, a normally closed sewer valve connected between the sewage providing unit and the sewer pipe, a control device for controlling operation of the sewer valve to allow discharge of sewage from the sewage providing unit to the sewer pipe, an air inlet duct for letting air into the sewer, separately from the sewage providing unit, and an air inlet valve provided with means for operating it in response to pressure variations in the sewer pipe, thereby controlling flow of air through the air inlet duct into the sewer pipe when the sewer pipe is under proper vacuum for effective sewage transport.
a sewage providing unit, a sewer pipe defining an interior space, means for establishing, in the interior space of the sewer pipe a vacuum sufficient for obtaining effective sewage transport, a normally closed sewer valve connected between the sewage providing unit and the sewer pipe, a control device for controlling operation of the sewer valve to allow discharge of sewage from the sewage providing unit to the sewer pipe, an air inlet duct for letting air into the sewer, separately from the sewage providing unit, and an air inlet valve provided with means for operating it in response to pressure variations in the sewer pipe, thereby controlling flow of air through the air inlet duct into the sewer pipe when the sewer pipe is under proper vacuum for effective sewage transport.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the air inlet duct is connected to the sewer pipe at a point close to and downstream of the sewer valve.
3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, in which the air inlet valve comprises an annular seat portion defining an opening that is in open communication with the air inlet duct, a sealing member separating the opening from the influence of ambient air, the sealing member being displaceable between a position in which it engages the seat portion and a position in which it is spaced from the seat portion, and means for controlling the position of the sealing member.
4. An arrangement according to claim 3, in which the means for controlling the position of the sealing member comprise preferably flexible wall means defining a control chamber bounded by the sealing member, and means for controlling the pressure in the control chamber.
5. An arrangement according to claim 4, in which the control device comprises means for communicating vacuum to both the sewer valve control device and the control chamber of the air inlet valve.
6. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the sewage providing unit is a toilet bowl having a lid that provides a substantially airtight closure thereto.
7. An arrangement according to claim 6, in which the toilet bowl is provided with a tube for delivering air to the bowl when the lid of the bowl is closed.
8. An arrangement according to claim 7, in which the tube for delivering air to the toilet bowl is provided with a check valve.
9. A vacuum sewer arrangement comprising:
a plurality of sewage providing units, a sewer pipe defining an interior space;
a plurality of sewer branches each defining an interior space in open communication with the interior space of the sewer pipe, means for establishing, in the interior spaces of the sewer pipe and the sewer branches, a vacuum sufficient for obtaining effective sewage transport, a plurality of normally closed sewer valves connected between respective sewage providing units and respective sewer branches, control means for controlling operation of the sewer valves, a plurality of air inlet ducts for letting air into the sewer branches respectively, separately from the sewage providing units, the air inlet ducts being connected to the respective sewer branches close to the respective sewer valves, and a plurality of air inlet valves, one associated with each sewer valve respectively, for controlling separately the flow of air through any of the air inlet ducts into the associated sewer branch, in response to the function of the associated sewer valve.
a plurality of sewage providing units, a sewer pipe defining an interior space;
a plurality of sewer branches each defining an interior space in open communication with the interior space of the sewer pipe, means for establishing, in the interior spaces of the sewer pipe and the sewer branches, a vacuum sufficient for obtaining effective sewage transport, a plurality of normally closed sewer valves connected between respective sewage providing units and respective sewer branches, control means for controlling operation of the sewer valves, a plurality of air inlet ducts for letting air into the sewer branches respectively, separately from the sewage providing units, the air inlet ducts being connected to the respective sewer branches close to the respective sewer valves, and a plurality of air inlet valves, one associated with each sewer valve respectively, for controlling separately the flow of air through any of the air inlet ducts into the associated sewer branch, in response to the function of the associated sewer valve.
10. A method of operating a vacuum sewer arrangement that comprises a sewage providing unit, a sewer pipe defining an interior space, a normally closed sewer valve connecting the sewage providing unit to the sewer pipe and an air inlet duct for letting air into the sewer pipe separately from the sewage providing unit, the air inlet duct being connected to the sewer pipe at a point close to the sewer valve, said method comprising a combination of the following steps:
establishing, in the interior space of the sewer pipe, a vacuum sufficient for obtaining effective sewage transport in the sewer pipe, thereafter opening the sewer valve, whereby sewage in the sewage providing unit is inducted into the sewer pipe to form a movable plug therein, immediately after the sewage plug has passed the point where the air inlet duct is connected to the sewer pipe introducing air into the sewer pipe by way of the air inlet duct, closing the sewer valve, and discontinuing introduction of air into the sewer pipe by way of the air inlet duct when the sewage plug has traveled the full length of the sewer pipe or is at least 10 m from the sewer valve,
establishing, in the interior space of the sewer pipe, a vacuum sufficient for obtaining effective sewage transport in the sewer pipe, thereafter opening the sewer valve, whereby sewage in the sewage providing unit is inducted into the sewer pipe to form a movable plug therein, immediately after the sewage plug has passed the point where the air inlet duct is connected to the sewer pipe introducing air into the sewer pipe by way of the air inlet duct, closing the sewer valve, and discontinuing introduction of air into the sewer pipe by way of the air inlet duct when the sewage plug has traveled the full length of the sewer pipe or is at least 10 m from the sewer valve,
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US46036090A | 1990-01-02 | 1990-01-02 | |
| US460,360 | 1990-01-02 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2032882A1 CA2032882A1 (en) | 1991-07-03 |
| CA2032882C true CA2032882C (en) | 2000-08-22 |
Family
ID=23828394
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002032882A Expired - Fee Related CA2032882C (en) | 1990-01-02 | 1990-12-20 | Vacuum sewer arrangement |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0436357B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3040493B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR0148792B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU634008B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2032882C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69012773T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0436357T5 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2062422T3 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI92085C (en) |
| NO (1) | NO315093B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6305403B1 (en) * | 1999-09-16 | 2001-10-23 | Evac International Oy | Aeration apparatus for a vertical riser in a vacuum drainage system |
| DE19949937C2 (en) * | 1999-10-16 | 2002-08-01 | Airbus Gmbh | Vacuum sewage system of a commercial aircraft |
| DE10117623A1 (en) * | 1999-10-16 | 2002-10-17 | Airbus Gmbh | Suction conveying system for commercial passenger aircraft, has branch pipe leg of pipe junction and a receptacle which is positioned on opposite sides of collection pipe |
| FI106220B (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2000-12-15 | Evac Int Oy | Vacuum drainage system |
| FI110536B (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-02-14 | Evac Int Oy | Process for transporting waste material in a vacuum sewer system |
| FI118232B (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-08-31 | Evac Int Oy | vacuum Drainage |
| CN108842879B (en) * | 2014-04-11 | 2020-07-24 | 嘉兴市品信电器有限公司 | Water closet |
| KR101506847B1 (en) * | 2014-12-22 | 2015-03-30 | 주식회사 호두 | Vacuum type ventilation device of vacuum toilet |
| CN105239638A (en) * | 2015-09-30 | 2016-01-13 | 苏州科博思流体科技有限公司 | Pretreatment device for sewer pipe |
| JP7406622B2 (en) | 2019-08-21 | 2023-12-27 | マジック リープ， インコーポレイテッド | Flat spectrally responsive gratings using high refractive index materials |
| CN113371019A (en) * | 2021-05-19 | 2021-09-10 | 青岛亚通达铁路设备有限公司 | Noise reduction method for vacuum toilet, noise reduction valve and vacuum excrement collection system |
| US20240101256A1 (en) * | 2022-09-23 | 2024-03-28 | B/E Aerospace, Inc. | Aircraft lavatory seat with reduced risk of injuries |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3623504A (en) * | 1970-04-14 | 1971-11-30 | Stewart Warner Corp | Check valve assembly |
| US4184506A (en) * | 1973-12-29 | 1980-01-22 | Krister Nordberg | Vacuum sewer system |
| FI840086A (en) * | 1984-01-11 | 1985-07-12 | Vaeinoe Johannes Kilpi | SPOLSTYRNINGSAPPARAT FOER VAKUUMKLOSETT. |
| DE8524288U1 (en) * | 1985-08-24 | 1985-11-14 | Michael, Harald, 2000 Hamburg | Diaphragm shut-off valve for negative pressure sewer pipes |
| DE3629484C2 (en) * | 1986-08-29 | 1995-07-27 | Waertsilae Oy Ab | Waste water discharge method and control device for carrying out the method |
| FI77082C (en) * | 1987-04-06 | 1989-01-10 | Waertsilae Oy Ab | Vacuum Drainage Device |
-
1990
- 1990-12-20 EP EP90313991A patent/EP0436357B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-12-20 CA CA002032882A patent/CA2032882C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-12-20 DE DE69012773T patent/DE69012773T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-12-20 DK DK90313991.3T patent/DK0436357T5/en active
- 1990-12-20 ES ES90313991T patent/ES2062422T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-12-27 JP JP2408307A patent/JP3040493B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-12-28 NO NO19905623A patent/NO315093B1/en unknown
- 1990-12-28 AU AU68527/90A patent/AU634008B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-12-31 KR KR1019900022754A patent/KR0148792B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1991
- 1991-01-02 FI FI910027A patent/FI92085C/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69012773T2 (en) | 1995-02-09 |
| CA2032882A1 (en) | 1991-07-03 |
| FI910027A0 (en) | 1991-01-02 |
| AU6852790A (en) | 1991-07-04 |
| JP3040493B2 (en) | 2000-05-15 |
| DK0436357T5 (en) | 1995-11-06 |
| FI910027A (en) | 1991-07-03 |
| KR0148792B1 (en) | 1998-10-15 |
| EP0436357A1 (en) | 1991-07-10 |
| NO905623L (en) | 1991-07-03 |
| NO315093B1 (en) | 2003-07-07 |
| EP0436357B1 (en) | 1994-09-21 |
| FI92085B (en) | 1994-06-15 |
| ES2062422T3 (en) | 1994-12-16 |
| DE69012773D1 (en) | 1994-10-27 |
| KR910014571A (en) | 1991-08-31 |
| NO905623D0 (en) | 1990-12-28 |
| FI92085C (en) | 1994-09-26 |
| AU634008B2 (en) | 1993-02-11 |
| JPH0438336A (en) | 1992-02-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |