US3708806A

US3708806A - Filter and pump for a recirculating sanitary system

Info

Publication number: US3708806A
Application number: US00089385A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Kemper
Original assignee: Monogram Industries Inc
Current assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries LLC
Priority date: 1968-06-14
Filing date: 1970-11-13
Publication date: 1973-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-09
Also published as: NL163289C; DE1930458A1; NL163289B; BE734496A; NL6909113A; FR2010915A1; GB1280873A; GB1280874A; DE1930458B2; GB1280872A; US3567032A

Abstract

In a recirculating sanitary system, an improved filter and pump assembly provides a source of flushing liquid. A diaphragm pump is provided with a coupling to a plurality of needle members that reciprocate through an apertured plate. The needle members extend beyond the plate into the storage tank at all times, and the reciprocating motion imparted to the needle members tends to clean the needle-aperture combination, which acts as the filter. The pump also supplies a limited back flow through the filter for cleaning purposes during a portion of the operating cycle.

Description

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,708,806

Kemper 1 Jan. 2, 1973 [54] FILTER AND PUMP FOR A [56] References Cited RECIRCULATING SANITARY SYSTEM I UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: James M. Kemper, Hollywood,

C If 1,877,449 9/1932 Fulcher ..21o/413x 2,321,786 6/1943 Wotton ...210/413x 73 A M 2,994,434 8/1961 Mosercs ..210/413 Sslgnee l' Industries Inc L 3,079,612 3/1963 Corliss ..4/10

geles, Calif.

[22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1970 Primary Examiner-John Adee 1 pp No 89 385 Att0mey-Leonard Golove et al.

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 829,486, June 2, 1969, Pat. No. 3,567,032, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 737,232, June 14, 1968, abandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT In a recirculating sanitary system, an improved filter and pump assembly provides a source of flushing liquid. A diaphragm pump is provided with a coupling to a plurality of needle members that reciprocate through an apertured plate. The needle members ex 52 U.S. c1. ..4/10,210/152,210/413, beymld the Plate the Storage tank at 210/416 times, and the reciprocating motion imparted to the 51 1m.cl. ..B0ld 29/38 -,1? member; fi clganflthe ES I corn mation, w ic acts ast e iter. e um aso [58] Field of Search ..210/152,355,407,413,414, supplies a limit-ed back flow through thepfiltgr for 210/415, 416; 4/1, 78, 89 cleaning purposes during a portion of the operating cycle.

22 Claims, 7\Drawing Figures Toilet Flush line Storage f0 TGl'lk 4 Jl'li Source PATENTEDJAN 9 I975 3.708.806

SHEET 1 OF 3 I2 Fig. l.

Toilet Flush line 20 Storage Tank l4 Pump Filter Source 34 36 Fig. 2.

Fig. 5.

James M. Kem per,

INVENTOR.

PATENTEDJAH 9 I973 3,708,806

sum 3 BF 3 James M Kemper,

INVENTOR.

FILTER AND PUMP FOR A RECIRCULATING SANITARY SYSTEM The present invention relates to recirculating sanitary systems, and, more particularly, to a system including a toilet, a storage tank, and pumping and filtering means for providing a supply of flushing liquid to the toilet, and is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 829,486, filed June 2, 1969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,032, which was a continuation-in-part of the application filed June 14, 1968, Ser. No. 737,232 now abandoned.

Circulating sanitary systems in which the present invention is useful have been described and shown in the U.S. Pats. to W. F. Katona et al., No. 3,256,221 and J. W. Dietz et al., No. 3,067,433. Pneumatically operated recirculating systems have been disclosed, for example, in the recent U.S. Pats. to C. A. Garver, No. 3,024,933, and W. D. Hicks, No. 3,001,205.

In the recirculating sanitary systems, exemplified by the patent to Katona et al., or Dietz, above, utilize an electrically-driven rotary pump in combination with a rotating filter cup. A wiper assembly is provided to clean the filter during operation to remove solid or particulate residue from the filter itself. The pump is capable of reversible operation to allow limited back flushing through the filter for cleaning purposes. Since, in sanitary systems, fibrous materials such as paper or fabric, and yet other foreign objects may become entangled with the filter cup and cleaning scrapers or combs, the relative rotation as between the cup and the scraper or comb during operation, may cause the fibrous materials or other foreign objects to be wound around the filter or merely jammed in the assembly. ln either event, rotation is prevented, locking the filter and causing either a stalling and burnout of the electrical motor or a failure within the power train.

It is also noted that with impeller type pumps, the intake of flushing liquid is contemporaneous with the flushing operation, resulting in a requirement that a high volume of liquid be passed through the filter basket at a time when the storage tank contents are in agitation. Consequently, the high volume flow may be impaired by the circulation of the waste and solid matter being drawn toward the filter and pump.

What is needed, and what has been provided by the present invention, is an improved, recirculating system with a novel filter element, that is not subject to the problems of the prior art.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a large diaphragm pump is provided with a reciprocating arm connected to the diaphragm thereof. In the preferred embodiment, a pneumatic system drives the diaphragm and a bias spring returns the diaphragm to a set initial position.

The intake to the diaphragm pump includes an apertured plate member and a plurality of needle members connected to the reciprocating arm. The needle members reciprocate through the aperture on each actuation of the diaphragm. On the pump stroke of the diaphragm, the needle members move through the apertures into the storage tank portion and, on the return stroke, the needles are withdrawn into the filter assembly.

The clearance provided between each aperture and the corresponding needle member creates the filtering structure. In the preferred embodiment, the needle members at all times extend through the plate member and into the storage tank, to prevent an occluding of the apertures by impermeable foreign objects.

The diaphragm pump is provided with a first unidirectional flow valve, which is connected to the toilet flushing supply line, and a second, uni-directional flow valve which admits fluid from the storage tank. The reciprocating arm is loosely mounted in the pump housing so that on the pumping stroke, some fluid is permitted to flow through the filter assembly and into the storage tank, thereby back flushing the filter and clearning particulate residue from the vicinity of the filter apertures.

In the preferred embodiment, the pneumatic system drives the diaphragm pump and a novel, pneumatic time delay apparatus is provided to permit a complete cycle of operation to be triggered by the momentary actuation of a push button or other start mechanism. The pneumatic system is, at all times, isolated from the recirculating liquid system, and operates wholly independently therefrom. Because the pump stores the liquid to be used in the flush portion of the cycle, high volume flow through the filter is not required. Rather, the filter operates during a fill portion of a cycle and the rate of fill can be selectively adjusted so as not to disturb the sedimentary contents of the storage tank. Depending upon the demand cycle of the sanitary system, the fill portion of the cycle can be extended so that even a relatively fine filter can be utilized in the system.

In alternative embodiments, the placement of the return spring can be changed and the diaphragm pump can be operated utilizing a vacuum line rather than a pressure line. In yet other embodiments, a hydraulic system could be utilized, since the driving system is maintained isolated from the driven system.

Still other pumping mechanisms can be adapted for use in the present invention, including electrically driven systems which can provide a reciprocating motion to the filtering combination.

For systems wherein a ready supply of pneumatic fluid is not available, it has been deemed desirable to provide a system which incorporates the diaphragm pump and filter assembly of the copending application and the electrically operated pump of Katona, et al., supra.

In yet another alternative, of the present invention, a diaphragm pump acts as a partial reservoir of filtered flushing liquid. A conventional impeller pump drives filtered liquid through the system and a by-pass drives the pump diaphragm. The impeller pump draws additional liquid through the filter as needed and a portion of this liquid is returned, through a by-pass to drive the diaphragm, reciprocating the filter needles with respect to the plate- Because the pump stores some of the liquid to be used in the flush portion of the cycle, high volume flow through the filter is not required. Rather, the filter operates both during the flush and fill portions of a cycle. Further, the diaphragm pump, at the end of a flush stroke, refills itself, primarily through the filter.

The fluid that is expelled from the driving chamber of the diaphragm pump is returned, through the by-pass and will, during the intake stroke tend to stand in the discharge line. At the conclusion of the intake stroke, the standing fluid will provide a limited back flow through the filter and into the tank, tending to clean the filter plate.

The reciprocating filter assembly may, in alternative embodiments, utilize a reciprocating apertured plate in combination with stationary needle members. Further, the fineness of the filter can readily be modified by the appropriate choice of aperture size relative to the cross-section of .the individual needle members.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which several preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a recirculating sanitary system in which the present invention is useful;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an integral pump and filter unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view ofa preferred embodiment of a pump and filter adapted to be mounted below the storage tank of a sanitary system;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the filter portion of the unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a magnified side sectional view of the filter portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an alternative filter arrangement in which an apertured plate reciprocates and needle members are held stationary; and

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the alternative embodiment of an impeller and diaphragm pump and filter combination adapted to be mounted either within or below the storage tank ofa sanitary system.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown, in generalized diagrammatic form, the recirculating sanitary system according to the present invention in which general blocks have been utilized to represent each of the elements of such a system. Basic to the system 10 is a toilet element 12 which is mounted in conjunction with storage tank 14. A flush line 16 supplies flushing liquid to the toilet l2 and the flush liquid and waste matter exits from the toilet 12, directly into the storage tank 14.

A pump and filter combination 18 is connected to the storage tank 14 and is also connected to a source of power through an appropriate connection. The power may be electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic, or, may be solely mechanical, depending upon the intended location and use of the system 10.

An appropriate trigger and timing mechanism 20 controls the application of power to the pump and filter combination 18 for a predetermined period of time. The period depends upon the intended use of the system and the volume of flushing fluid required for normal operation of the toilet 12 relative to the storage capability of the storage tank 14.

In operation, actuation of the trigger assembly 20 permits the application of power to the pump and filter combination 18 for the predetermined period of time.

The pump and filter combination 18 draws and filters fluid from the storage tank 14 and pumps this fluid through the flush line 16 into the toilet 12. The fluid is then returned to the storage tank 14 for subsequent recirculation. Typically, recirculating sanitary systems 10 are utilized in mobile vehicles such as aircraft, trailers and mobile homes, busses, campers and boats.

Turning next to FIG. 2, there is shown a novel pump and filter assembly 30 according to the present invention, shown partially submerged in a storage tank 32. The storage tank 32 contains both liquid and solid matter, such as is generally found in a waste disposal system. As shown, the pump and filter assembly 30 is vention which is adapted to. be mounted below astorage tank. As shown, a pair of rectangular members are joined at a perimeter flange 40. A first rectangular member 42, which is on the driving" side of the pump, is provided with a fitting 44 to which is connected a flexible hose 46, that leads to the source of pneumatic fluid (air) under pressure.

An internal diaphragm 48 isolates a driving chamber 50 from a driven chamber 52 and may be made of a metal or other impervious material. The diaphragm 48 is mounted in the flange 40,- either by extending the diaphragm 48 into the flange 40 and capturing it therebetween, or, a flexing strip 49 of a more flexible material having a much higher resistance to fatigue and stress is bonded to the diaphragm 48 and is held by the flange 40. A second rectangular member 54 completes the pump portion and forms the driven chamber 52 of the pump.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the pump is driven by compressed air and, accordingly, a return spring 56 is provided to bias the diaphragm 48 into a first or rest position, representing the quiescent .portion of the pumping cycle. A reciprocating rod member 58 is concentrically mounted with respect to the return spring 56 and has a disc-shaped fitting 60 at one end, which is fastened to the diaphragm 48. The diaphragm is provided with a cup-shaped indentation 64 to receive the return spring 56. At the opposite end of the spring 56, a corresponding cup-shaped indentation 66 is provided in the second member 54 through which the reciprocating rod member 58 extends and which retains the return spring 56 in position.

An outlet fitting 68 is provided through'which filtered liquid can be provided, through a flexible line 70, to the flush inlet of the toilet. A unidirectional flow valve 72 permits the flush line to have filtered fluid standing therein at all times. The cup-shaped indentation 66 provides, external to the pump a filter cylinder which is connected to a filter plate 76. A plurality of circular apertures 78 are formed in the filter plate 76, into which are fitted a corresponding plurality of needle members 80.

The needle members 80 have a cross sectional area that is only slightly less than the area of the corresponding aperture 78, an annular flow space 82 is provided of limited area. The plurality of needle members 80 and apertures 78 function as a filter since, in general, the annular space 82 provided is sufficiently small to exclude most particulate matter that may be found in the storage tank and yet enable an adequate flow of filtered liquid to the pump 30.

The plurality of needle members 80 are fixedly mounted on a reciprocating plate 84 which is attached to the reciprocating rod member 58. The reciprocating rod member 58 extends through the aperture 86 of the cup-shaped indentation 66 and some clearance is provided, as between the rod member 58 and the aperture 86. A second, unidirectional flow valve 88 is positioned to permit a flow of filtered liquid into the driven chamber 52 from the inner volume of the cup 66.

In operation, air under pressure is connected to the pneumatic line 46, is applied to the driving chamber 50, forcing the diaphragm 48 upward, as viewed in FIG. 3. Motion of the diaphragm 48, assuming no fluid within the driven chamber 52, compresses the return spring 56 and moves the reciprocating arm 58 and the attached needle members 80 upward and through the apertures 78 of the filter plate 76, into the volume of the storage tank.

The diaphragm 48 is driven upward until a final position is reached, as indicated in FIG. 3, determined by the height of the cup-shaped

indentations

64, 66. After the predetermined period of time, the connection to the pressurized source is broken and the line 46 is then vented to atmosphere, permitting a reduction of the pressure in the driving chamber 50.

The diaphragm 48 then moves downward, under the force of the return spring 56. The increase in volume resulting thereby produces a pressure differential between the fluid in the storage tank and the driven chamber 52. Liquid then flows through the annular filtering spaces 82 between the needle members 80 and the filter apertures 78 and through the unidirectional valve 88 into the driven chamber 52.

At the same time, the reciprocating arm 58 moves downward, pulling the needle members 80 through the filter apertures 78, thereby removing any matter which might be adhering to the needle members 80. At the completion of the return stroke, the diaphragm 48 is at the rest position again shown in dashed lines and the driven chamber 52 is now filled with filtered liquid. Since the return or fill stroke is different from the pump or flush stroke, the flow rate of fluid through the filter is not critical.

On the next operation of the pump, the compressed air is again applied to the driving chamber 50 and the diaphragm 48 is driven upward at any desired velocity. The filtered fluid then in the chamber 52 flows through the unidirectional valve 72 into the outlet fitting 68 and into the flush ring of a toilet and the stored volume of fluid flushes the toilet.

At the same time, a limited amount of fluid flows through the aperture 86 surrounding the reciprocating member 58, and this limited flow of fluid is forced through the apertures 78 of the filter plate 76 thereby clearing the apertures 78 while the needle members 80 are moving upward. It will be seen that any matter I soon as the pumping, or flush stroke is completed, the

return, or fill stroke is instituted and the pump is refilled with fluid for the next operation. Since the rate of fill need not be as great as the rate of flow during the flush cycle, the filter need not draw-solids toward the filter plate. An appropriate bleed vent to atmosphere in the operating mechanism selectively determines the time required for the filling stroke, so that the complete cycle time from flush to flush can be kept as brief or as long as is desirable.

The reciprocating action of the filter needle members with respect to the filter aperture 78 keeps the filtering area clear, and the back flow of fluid during the pumping stroke helps to remove potentially clogging material from the vicinity of the filter opening. Also, the extent to which the needle members 80 project into the storage tank volume after the completion of the return stroke, determines the extent to which potentially clogging material of a relatively impermeable nature can be kept from the vicinity of the filtering openings.

Turning next to FIG. 4, there is shown a front view of the filter plate 76, the filter apertures 78, and the corresponding needle members 80. The size of the filtering annulus 82 formed by concentrically fitting a needle member 80 into a filter aperture 78 can be varied and is determined only by the number of annuli provided and the size of the smallest particle which may be passed by the filter without objection. If the fill time is extended, the filter can be relatively fine since a slower rate of flow will not adversely affect the flush portion of the cycle.

FIG. 5 shows, in somewhat greater detail, the arrangement of the filter plate 76, the apertures 78, the needle members 80 fitting therein and the annuli 82. Also, shown in dashed lines is the position of the needle members 80 relative to the filter plate 76 during a pumping stroke of the diaphragm 48. With reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that other variations are possible in which the needle members 80 might be provided with a cleaning collar or other appropriate fitting, so that at the end of a pumping stroke, the filter apertures 78 could be substantially occupied by the needle member 80, forcibly driving out foreign particulate matter. The plate carrying the needle members has been disclosed and separately claimed in a later application of the inventor, Ser. No. 65,095, filed Aug. 19, 1970.

Turning next to FIG. 6, there is shown a possible alternative embodiment in which a reciprocating arm 58' drives a reciprocating filter plate 176 that contains filter apertures 178. A corresponding plurality of filter needle members 180 is fixedly mounted with respect to the filter assembly. In all other respects the operation of the pump and filter assembly is substantially the same as the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

The difference in operation is that the coupling of the reciprocating arm 58' to the filter plate 176 is by means of a suitable linkage 190 to which is connected appropriate driving arms 192. A filter cylinder 174 is provided with a flexible, collapsible portion 175, so that the volume inside the filter cylinder can be changed during the reciprocation of the filter plate 176.

On a pump stroke, with the arm member 58' moving to the right, the filter plate 176 is moved to the left and the filter cylinder 174 is collapsed upon itself partially reducing the volume therein and resulting in an enhanced flow of fluid to the right, thereby clearing the apertures 178 and the filter plate 176. During the intake stroke, the reciprocating rod 58' moves to the left and the reciprocating filter plate 176 moves to the right. On the pump stroke, the limited flow of fluid from the pump into the filter cylinder 174 has an enhanced effect on cleaning the apertured plate in that the collapsing of the filter cylinder 174 also results in a flow of fluidto the right.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that particular pump arrangement illustrated herein is merely exemplary and that the present structure could easily be modified for use with a vacuum system by placing a return spring in the driving space of the pump. Other modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8, a pump assembly 30" includes a diaphragm pump 230 which is partially driven by fluid from the flush line, and partly by the action of an impeller pump assembly 232, which is the primary pumping element of the system. A return spring 256 is provided to bias a diaphragm 248 into a first or rest position, representing a relatively quiescent portion of the pumping cycle.

The impeller pump assembly 232 includes an electric motor 258 which may be substantially identical in placement and operation to the electric motor shown in the above-described patent to Katona et al., and is connected to a drive shaft, 260 which operates a rotating impeller member 262 in an appropriate pump cavity 264. Operation of the electroc motor 258 causes the impeller 262 to rotate, drawing fluid from the driven chamber 252 into a pump outlet fitting 268 which applies driven fluid through a flexible line 270. Fluid is also applied to the outlet 272.

As shown, the upper surface of the second rectangular member 254 is fitted with a plurality of filter apertures 278 and a corresponding plurality of needle member 280 are fitted therein. The needle members 278-are mounted on a plate member 284 which is held against the diaphragm 248 by the return spring 265, one end of which rests in a groove 276 provided for that purpose in the plate member 284.

In operation, the diaphragm 248 is normally biased into the driving chamber 250 and the return spring 256 is fully extended. Depending upon the level of fluidin a tank 32, filtered liquid will stand in the flushing system at that height and, generally, will be above the outlet 268 of the impeller pump 232. When the electric motor 258 is energized, the drive shaft 260 rotates to drive the impeller 262, which forces filtered fluid up through the outlet 268 and into the first and second

flexible connections

270, 246.

The action of the impeller 262 reduces the fluid pressure in the driven chamber 252 and the diaphragm 248 begins to move upwards. Further, the needle members 280 are set in motion through the apertures 278. Part of the output of the impeller 262 is fed back through the outlet 272 into the flexible line 246, which tends to drive the diaphragm 248 towards the upper surface of the driven chamber 252.

The volume of fluid flow into the

flexible lines

270, 246 exceeds the fluid storage capability of the driven chamber 252. Accordingly, while the needle members 280 are moving outward through the apertures 278, the reduced fluid pressure within the driven chamber 252 causes an inflow of liquid from the tank 32, through the filter in a direction opposite to the motion of the needle members 280.

When sufficient liquid has been pumped into the driving chamber 250, the diaphragm 248 advances to its limit of travel which is determined, either by the compressed height of the return spring 256, or by the upturned portion of the diaphragm edges. A timing device (not shown) on the motor 258 continues to operate the impeller pump 232 until a predetermined quantity of liquid has circulated through the flush line, at which time the power to the motor 258 is interrupted. During this operating interval, any fluid requirements of the impeller pump 232 are furnished through the needle-aperture filter combination.

When the impeller pump 232 stops, the weight of the liquid standing in the discharge line 270, and the force of the return spring 256 combined, fill the driven chamber 252 and the diaphragm 248 is forced downward, reversing the travel of the needles 280 through the apertures 278, thereby cleaning the needles 280. If the fluid standing in the discharge line is insufficient to fill the chamber 252, additional fluid will then be drawn in through the filter so long as a pressure differential exists as between the driven chamber 252 and the fluid standing in the tank 32'.

In addition, fluid is expelled from the driving chamber 250, back through the first flexible line 270 and into the impeller pump outlet 268. Generally, the volume of the fluid in the discharge line 270 plus the volume of fluid stored in the driving chamber 250, will exceed the volume of the driven chamber 252, even with the diaphragm 248 in its extreme rearward posi tion. Under those circumstances, a back flow will take place, from the driven chamber 252, through the filter and into the tank 32, thereby cleaning the area in the vicinity of the filter apertures 278 and needles 280.

Thus, there have been shown and described novel pump-filter combinations especially useful in recirculating sanitary systems. Variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and, accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the claims appended below:

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a recirculating sanitary system, filter means in the liquid recirculation path comprising in combination:

a.- a barrier member, interposed in the recirculation path, having an aperture for permitting liquid flow therethrough;

extending therethrough, said needle member and said barrier member being adapted for relative motion in the axial direction of said aperture and needle member; and

c. transmission means connected to the sanitary system for imparting relative reciprocating motion as between said needle member and said barrier member, said needle member remaining within said barrier member aperture at the extreme limits of movement,

whereby the spacing between said needle member and said aperture defines the particle size to be passed by the filter means, and, whereby reciprocating motion imparted as between said needle member and said barrier member, tends to clean said needle member and clear said aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, including reverse flow means in the recirculation path for causing liquid flow in the directions of reciprocating motion, whereby matter tending to clog said aperture during fluid flow in a first direction, is propelled away from said aperture by fluid flow in a second, opposite direction.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said barrier member has a plurality of apertures and further including, positioned in said apertures, a corresponding plurality of needle members, said transmission means imparting relative reciprocating motion as between said barrier member and said plurality of needle members.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said barrier member aperture is circular and said needle member is substantially cylindrical and concentrically positioned within said aperture.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmission means imparts motion to said needle member. I

6. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmission means includes means for reciprocating said barrier member.

7. Apparatus of claim 3, wherein said transmission means are coupled to reciprocate said plurality of needle members.

8. In a recirculating sanitary system including a storage tank and a toilet, means connected between the storage tank and the toilet for supplying filtered, flushing liquid to the toilet, comprising:

a. pumping means coupled between the tank and the toilet and adapted to store a predetermined quantity of filtered liquid;

b. means operating said pumping means including a reciprocating member whose motion is correlated with the operation of the pumping means;

c. filtering means connected between said pumping means and the storage tank for supplying filtered liquid from the tank to said pumping means, said filtering means including a plate member having an aperture, sealingly interposed between the storage tank and said pumping means, and a needle member fitted within said aperture, to define a fluid passage of predetermined size, said plate member and said needle member being adapted for relative motion therebetween with respect to said aperture axis;

d. coupling means connecting said reciprocating member to a one of said plate member and needle member for imparting reciprocal motion thereto; and

e. filter cleaning means, including a restricted fluid flow passage between said pumping means and said plate member, for enabling a limited flow of liquid into the storage tank during the pumping of liquid into the toilet;

whereby said needle member in said aperture prevents passage of particulate matter, the reciprocating motion imparted as between said plate member and said needle member continuously cleans said aperture and needle member, and the limited flow of liquid into the storage tank removes, from the vicinity of said plate member, any potentially occluding residue.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8, above, wherein said reciprocating member moves in the same direction as fluid flow between the storage tank and said pumping means and fluid flow is in a direction generally similar to the motion of said needle member relative to said plate member, whereby said limited fluid flow is accompanied by relative motion of said needle member in the same direction, cooperating to clear residual matter from the vicinity of said plate member.

10. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said needle member extends through said aperture into the storage tank at all times, to act as a barrier to matter tending to occlude said aperture.

11. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said plate member includes a plurality of apertures and said filtering means further include a corresponding plurality of needle members, respectively interfitting said plurality of apertures, each needle member and aperture defining a fluid passage of predetermined size, and wherein said coupling member imparts relative reciprocating motion as between said plurality of apertures and said corresponding plurality of needle members.

12. ln a recirculating system, including a pneumatic energy source, the combination comprising:

a. a pneumatically driven, diaphragm pump having a diaphragm separating the pump into a driving portion and a driven portion having an intake and an outlet;

b. reciprocating means coupled to said diaphragm for transmitting motion thereof;

0. filtering means interposed between said pump intake and a source of liquid to be pumped, said filtering means including an apertured plate, a needle member positioned within each of the apertures of said apertured plate, and means coupling said needle members to said reciprocating means for moving said needle members axially within the apertures.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12, above, said combination further including triggerable, pump operating means comprising:

a. a pneumatic valve body interposed between said pump and a pneumatic supply source, said body having an outlet to atmosphere, and a feedback control chamber coupled to said pump;

b. a movable control element in said valve body for alternatively connecting said pump to the pneumatic source and atmosphere in first and second positions, respectively, said control element normally being in said second position;

c. a push member in said valve body in cooperative relationship with said control element for moving said control element from said second to said first position;

d. magnetic holding means in said control chamber including a first member connected to said body and a second member connected to said control element, a one of said first and second members being a magnet, said control element in said first position bringing said first and second members into a magnetically attracting relationship; and

e, pneumatically driven means in said control chamber connected to said control element for moving said control element from said first position to said second position, whereby operation of said push member moves said control element into said first position operatively intercoupling said magnetic holding means to maintain said control element in said first position until pneumatic feedback into said control chamber operates said pneumatically driven means to overcome the attractive force of said magnetic holding means for driving said control element into said second position.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13, above, further including a controllable restriction interposed between atmosphere and said valve body outlet, for regulating the rate at which pneumatic pressure built up in said pump discharges to atmosphere.

15. Apparatus as in claim 13, above, further including a controllable restriction between said pump and said feedback control chamber for regulating the rate at which pneumatic pressure applied to said pump is applied to said control chamber for actuating said pneumatically driven means.

16. Apparatus as in claim 13, above, wherein said pneumatically driven means include a piston connected to said control element and movable therewith, and said second member is connected to said piston.

17. Apparatus as in claim 16, above, wherein said first member of said magnetic holding means is a permanent magnet.

18. In a recirculating sanitary system including a storage tank and toilet:

a. a primary, impeller pump coupled to the toilet for supplying flushing liquid thereto;

b. a secondary, diaphragm pump adapted to store filtered liquid coupled to said primary pump for supplying flushing liquid thereto;

0. hydraulic supply means coupling a portion of said impeller pump output to drive said diaphragm pump; and d. filter intake means coupled to the diaphragm of said diaphragm pump and adapted to reciprocate therewith, for drawing and filtering liquid from the storage tank in to said diaphragm pump for subsequent use by said impeller pump, whereby a substantial portion of the flushing charge of filtered flushing liquid is provided to said impeller pump by said diaphragm pump. 19. Apparatus of claim 18, wherein said filter intake means include:

a. filter plate means interposed between said secondary pump intake and the supply of liquid to be filtered and pumped, said filter plate means having at least one aperture communicating with the supply; needle means including at least one nee e member positioned in said aperture to restrict the flow of liquid therethrough;

c. motion transmission means coupling said diaphragm to said filter plate and needle means for imparting relative motion therebetween;

whereby said needle member and said plate aperture are in motion relative to each other, and whereby all fluid flow into said diaphragm pump intake is through said aperture partially blocked by said needle member acting in combination as a filter.

20. Apparatus as in claim 19, above, further including means for permitting a back flow of liquid through said filter plate intake during the pumping portion of an operating cycle, whereby fluid is forced through said filter plate and into the supply during relative motion, tending to clear the area of foreign matter in the vicinity of the filter plate means.

21. Apparatus of claim 19, wherein said needle member is coupled to said diaphragm and whereby said needle member reciprocates relative to said filter plate means, for cleaning said needle member and said aperture.

22. Apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said filter plate means include a plurality of apertures and said needle means further include a corresponding plurality of needle members, respectively interfitting said plurality of apertures, each needle member and aperture defining a fluid passage of predetermined size, and wherein said coupling plurality of apertures and said corresponding plurality of needle members.

Claims

1. In a recirculating sanitary system, filter means in the liquid recirculation path comprising in combination: a. a barrier member, interposed in the recirculation path, having an aperture for permitting liquid flow therethrough; b. a needle member, positioned in said aperture and extending therethrough, said needle member and said barrier member being adapted for relative motion in the axial direction of said aperture and needle member; and c. transmission means connected to the sanitary system for imparting relative reciprocating motion as between said needle member and said barrier member, said needle member remaining within said barrier member aperture at the extreme limits of movement, whereby the spacing between said needle member and said aperture defines the particle size to be passed by the filter means, and, whereby reciprocating motion imparted as between said needle member and said barrier member, tends to clean said needle member and clear said aperture.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmission means imparts motion to said needle member.

8. In a recirculating sanitary system including a storage tank and a toilet, means connected between the storage tank and the toilet for supplying filtered, flushing liquid to the toilet, comprising: a. pumping means coupled between the tank and the toilet and adapted to store a predetermined quantity of filtered liquid; b. means operating said pumping means including a reciprocating member whose motion is correlated with the operation of the pumping means; c. filtering means connected between said pumping means and the storage tank for supplying filtered liquid from the tank to said pumping means, said filtering means including a plate member having an aperture, sealingly interposed between the storage tank and said pumping means, and a needle member fitted within said aperture, to define a fluid passage of predetermined size, said plate member and said needle member being adapted for relative motion therebetween with respect to said aperture axis; d. coupling means connecting said reciprocating member to a one of said plate member and needle member for imparting reciprocal motion thereto; and e. filter cleaning means, including a restricted fluid flow passage between said pumping means and said plate member, for enabling a limited flow of liquid into the storage tank during the pumping of liquid into the toilet; whereby said needle member in said aperture prevents passage of particulate matter, the reciprocating motion imparted as between said plate member and said needle member continuously cleans said aperture and needle member, and the limited flow of liquid into the storage tank removes, from the vicinity of said plate member, any potentially occluding residue.

12. In a recirculating system, including a pneumatic energy source, the combination comprising: a. a pneumatically driven, diaphragm pump having a diaphragm separating the pump into a driving portion and a driven portion having an intake and an outlet; b. reciprocating means coupled to said diaphragm for transmitting motion thereof; c. filtering means interposed between said pump intake and a source of liquid to be pumped, said filtering means including an apertured plate, a needle member positioned within each of the apertures of said apertured plate, and means coupling said needle members to said reciprocating means for moving said needle members axially within the apertures.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12, above, said combination further including triggerable, pump operating means comprising: a. a pneumatic valve body interposed between said pump and a pneumatic supply source, said body having an outlet to atmosphere, and a feedback control chamber coupled to said pump; b. a movable control element in said valve body for alternatively connecting said pump to the pneumatic source and atmosphere in first and second positions, respectively, said control element normally being in said second position; c. a push member in said valve body in cooperative relationship with said control element for moving said control element from said second to said first position; d. magnetic holding means in said control chamber including a first member connected to said body and a second member connected to said control element, a one of said first and second members being a magnet, said control element in said first position bringing said first and second members into a magnetically attracting relationship; and e. pneumatically driven means in said control chamber connected to said control element for moving said control element from said first position to said second position, whereby operation of said push member moves said control element into said first position operatively intercoupling said magnetic holding means to maintain said control element in said first position until pneumatic feedback into said control chamber operates said pneumatically driven means to overcome the attractive force of said magnetic holding means for driving said control element into said second position.

18. In a recirculating sanitary system including a storage tank and toilet: a. a primary, impeller pump coupled to the toilet for supplying flushing liquid thereto; b. a secondary, diaphragm pump adapted to store filtered liquid coupled to said primary pump for supplying flushing liquid thereto; c. hydraulic supply means coupling a portion of said impeller pump output to drive said diaphragm pump; and d. filter intake means coupled to the diaphragm of said diaphragm pump and adapted to reciprocate therewith, for drawing and filtering liquid from the storage tank in to said diaphragm pump for subsequent use by said impeller pump, whereby a substantial portion of the flushing charge of filtered flushing liquid is provided to said impeller pump by said diaphragm pump.

19. Apparatus of claim 18, wherein said filter intake means include: a. filter plate means interposed between said secondary pump intake and the supply of liquid to be filtered and pumped, said filter plate means having at least one aperture communicating with the supply; b. needle means including at least one needle member positioned in said aperture to restrict the flow of liquid therethrough; c. motion transmission means coupling said diaphragm to said filter plate and needle means for imparting relative motion therebetween; whereby said needle member and said plate aperture are in motion relative to each other, and whereby all fluid flow into said diaphragm pump intake is through said aperture partially blocked by said needle member acting in combination as a filter.