GB2288413A

GB2288413A - Two-compartment toilet cistern incorporating water-powered turbine pump assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2288413A
Application number: GB9407147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edgar Lionel Elsom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-04-11
Filing date: 1994-04-11
Publication date: 1995-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2014-04-11
Also published as: GB9407147D0; GB2288413B

Abstract

A toilet cistern comprises two compartments (16, 17) moulded into the cistern body thus enabling both mains and grey water to be stored separately ready for a flushing application. A water powered turbine pump is fitted inside the cistern which utilises mains water at pressure as a motive force in order to lift grey water up into the cistern. A double-action syphon uses mains water stored in the cistern in one compartment to evacuate grey water also stored within the cistern in a separate compartment in one simultaneous flushing action. <IMAGE>

Description

WATER SAVER CISTERN This application refers specifically to the pump/cistern assembly as described in fig. 4 incorporating a turbine combination pump and a doubled syphon assembly. The inclusion of the Pump, Syphon and configurat ion of the Cistern with the separate grey water compartment make up the assembled system. This system as described sbove and illustrated at fig. 4 forms the basis of the invention being presented for patent application.

By re-using 'grey water' for a flushing application it is possible to save approximately 25 ó of household mains water consumption. As we bathe/wash our clothes and flush with the same regularity there is always a ready supply of 'grey water' which may also be supplemented by collecting rainwater into the same supply system. The 'grey water' is re-used quickly and with proper filtration within the storage system to remove any suspended solids, the system will work continuously saving water for the user and at the waste water reprocessing stages.

'Grey water' is the term normally used to describe water after use for washing purposes and is the product of baths/showers/washing machines/hand basins, and may be collected for re-use under certain conditions.

Rainwater collected from gutters and downpipes can also be re-used for flushing applications.

It is desirable to separate the mains and grey water both in the pump configuration and inside the cistern in order to comply with the applicat- ion of water bye-laws in certain areas.

Both paddle wheel and impeller systems are well known devices. However, the combination as designed in close proximity and applied to the present invention enables high pressure water power to lift and pump low pressure grey water for re-use.

The attached drawings illustrate the invention as follows: FIG. 1 shows the device attached to a valve assembly normally fitted to a lavatory cistern. By operating the cistern and causing water to flow through the valve assembly a high pressure jet is used to cause the paddle wheel, item 4 to rotate. Mains water pressure is the only power source required to run the pump. As water is restricted in any event in the standard cistern valve assembly, no additional power is required-to run the pump other than that which is normally supplied by the local water company. Grey water is pumped into cistern as a result of more efficient use of engery generated by the water pressure. This energy is normally wasted in a conventional cistern supply.

The paddle wheel, item 4, is driven by jetting water at pressure at a tangent causing rotation and transmitting via a centre spindle, item 7.

This spindle is connected to the impeller, item 6, which is enclosed within a volute chamber.

Grey water is pumped up to the cistern via the inlet (item 2) and on into the grey water compartment of the cistern via outlet (item 3). Mains water after entering the pump (at item 1) is slowed by the energy requirement and falls into the mains water compartment - (via outlet item 5).

WATER SAVER CISTERN FIG. 2 shows the tank used to store grey water collected from various sources for subsequent re-use with a typical application. A foot valve is fitted (item 8) in order to maintain a head of water to the low pressure side of the pump once primed.

FIG. 3 shows a typical household application. Grey water can be combined with mains water inside the cistern (item 10) or pumped via the cistern installation up to a storage tank (item 12) for subsequent re-use.

Rainwater and/or grey water is collected via downpipes and outlets from various sources both outside and inside the house for re-use and stored in the holding tank (item 9). Mains pressure is used and in the process of filling cistern (item 10) will pump grey water from the holding tank (item 9) up to the roof storage tank (item 12). An overflow is fitted to all storage tanks used, see (item 13) and an external downpipe, (item 14) is provided to carry any excess grey water back to the grey water/rainwater holding tank at item 9. Provided the mains pressure is sufficient any multiple of the above arrangement can be used to gain grey water storage at an advantageous height thus providing either a full grey water flush at item 11 or supplementing mains water in a combination cistern storage system as described at FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates the water saver cistern which is required where local bye-laws stipulate the separation of mains and grey water inside the cistern. Grey water is held in a separate compartment within the cistern, (item 17). The grey water is pumped into this compartment via the turbine pump at inlet (item 18) and does not come into contact with the mains water at any stage of the pumping or storage sequence. Mains water, (item 16) surrounds the syphon body, (item 15) as in a conventional cistern. On flushing, the mains water stored at item 16 enters both the grey water syphon tube and the main syphon downpipe therefore causing both storage areas to evacuate as indicated at the mains/grey exit. An overflow is fitted (item 20) as well as a vent (item 19) to the grey water compartment. The two separate compartments may be converted into one by removing the flexible covers fitted at item 21.

Claims

WATER SAVER CISTERN 1. A water saver cistern comprising two compartments wherein both mains and grey water may be stored separately prior to flushing.
2. A water saver cistern as claimed in claim 1 wherein a water powered turbine pump assembly is fitted inside the cistern and connected to a mains water inlet wherein high pressure water is utilised to drive the pump causing low pressure grey water to be lifted and stored within the cistern.
3. A Water Saver Cistern as claimed in claim 1. wherein a Double Action Syphon is fitted in order to utilise the mains water to evacuate the grey water compartment in one simultaneous action

3. A water saver cistern as claimed in (1) or (2) wherein a double action syphon is fitted in order to utilise the mains water flush to to evacuate the grey water compartment in one simultaneous action.

4. A water saver cistern utilising mains water pressure as claimed in claim 1 and 2 or 3 wherein the grey water by-passes the cistern containing the pump therein and is lifted to a higher point for storage and subsequent re-use.

5. A water saver cistern as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 which stores mains water only for flushing application.

6. A water saver cistern as claimed in 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 which stores grey water only for flushing application.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows WATER SAVER CISTERN 1. A Water Saver Cistern wherein a Water Powered Turbine Pump Assembly is fitted inside the cistern and connected to a mains water inlet normally used to fill the cistern so that high pressure water is utilised to drive the pump causing low pressure grey water to be lifted to the cistern and stored together with the mains water and used for flushing applications.

2. A Water Saver Cistern utilising mains water and pump assembly as claimed in claim 1. wherein the grey water by-passes the cistern containing the pump therein and is lifted to a higher point for storage and subsequent re-use.