WO2009031967A1

WO2009031967A1 - Waste pipe branching

Info

Publication number: WO2009031967A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/050966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tord Ringenhall; Stefan Karlsson; Hu Chun Yong
Original assignee: Envac Ab
Priority date: 2007-09-03
Filing date: 2008-08-26
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: EP2184972A4; CA2698217A1; BRPI0816305A8; BRPI0816305A2; EP2184972A1; CN101848636A; KR20100049612A; KR101516230B1; CN101848636B; KR100900299B1; KR20090023846A

Abstract

In waste transport piping of a waste collection sy stem that is sectioned and/or contains waste collection units communicating with the piping, branch pipes and/or waste collection units are connected to the piping through branching connections (10) and branching orifices in the waste transport pipe, for introducing waste into the transport pipe during an active phase of an associated branch pipe and/or waste collection unit. In such piping, substantially the full, uninterrupted circumferential surface of said transport pipe is completed in the area of the associated branch pipe or waste collection unit in an inactive phase of the latter. A branching connector (10) for performing such a completion of the transport pipe circumference has a connector valve (17) supported in the area of said orifice for movement between a transport position (TP) covering the orifice and a supply position (SP) exposing the orifice and at least partially blocking the cross section of the waste receiving transport pipe.

Description

TITLE: WASTE PIPE BRANCHING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally concerns vacuum operated waste collection and specifically relates to piping for transporting waste in such systems and being provided with one or several branchings that are diverted therefrom to conduct air and waste flow in and/or to the piping.

BACKGROUND hi vacuum operated waste collection systems, whether of the stationary or the mobile type, it is common that transport piping of the system contains a number of branchings connected to or diverted from a main pipe. Such branchings may be provided either for dividing a pipe system

(piping) into several branches or sections or for directly connecting a waste deposit and/or collection point, such as a free-standing waste inlet or a waste chute, to a transport pipe through a waste discharge valve. In the traditional waste pipe system such branchings form potential causes of disturbance to the operation of the system. By any branching provided in a waste pipe system, waste transported in an active branch or main pipe will, due to pressure variations, have a tendency toward backwardly entering a branched off pipe or waste deposit unit as it passes the latter, hi system sectioning branchings these types of problems may at least partly be solved by using comparatively expensive sectioning valves, hi the case of connections for waste deposit or waste collection points sufficient branching area is required below the discharge valves since they are mostly of the flap type requiring considerable space for their opening movement.

hi such vacuum operated waste transport pipe systems, each branching in itself and/or the area below each sectioning or discharge valve inevitably leads to a local widening of the pipe cross-sectional area, with a resulting demand for an increased overall vacuum capacity that in turn causes an increased energy consumption of the system. Specifically, the branching and/or waste collection unit connections cause general turbulence and pressure variation problems with substantial pressure drops and general air speed reduction problems, which all affect the required system vacuum capacity.

hi view of the above, there is a general demand within this technical field for improvements providing cost effective and thereby environmentally favourable waste transport. SUMMARY

It is a general object of the present invention to provide improved waste transport in transport piping of a vacuum operated waste collection system.

A specific object of the invention is to suggest a cost effective and environmentally favourable method of transporting waste in transport piping of a vacuum operated waste collection system containing branchings for sectioning the piping and/or for connecting waste collection units.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved branching connector for enabling cost effective and environmentally favourable waste transport in waste transport piping of a vacuum operated waste collection system containing piping having sectioning branchings and/or branchings for connecting waste collection units.

These and other objects are met by the invention as defined by the accompanying patent claims.

The invention generally concerns the transport of deposited waste by means of vacuum in waste transport piping of a waste collection system that is sectioned and/or contains waste collection units communicating with the piping. In such a system branch pipes and/or waste collection units are connected to the piping through branching connections with branching orifices in the waste transport pipe, for introducing waste into the transport pipe during an active phase of an associated branch pipe and/or waste collection unit. A basic idea of the invention is to achieve the above stated objects by providing essentially improved transport conditions in the system transport piping. Briefly, this is done by completing substantially the full, uninterrupted circumferential surface of said transport pipe in the area of the associated branch pipe and waste collection unit, respectively, in an inactive phase of the latter.

In an embodiment of the invention, branch pipe or collection unit communication with the waste transport pipe through the orifices is controlled by causing a respective valve to be extended into the waste transport pipe during active phases of associated branch pipes or waste collection units and by causing the valve to be extended flush with the surface of the waste transport pipe during inactive phases of the respective branching or collection unit, thereby closing the orifice. In accordance with another aspect of the invention efficient waste transport is achieved in transport piping of vacuum operated waste collection systems by including improved branching connectors therein, for connecting branch pipes and/or waste collection units in communication with waste transport pipes through branching orifices. A basic idea of this aspect of the invention is to provide a branching connector having a connector valve supported near the orifice for movement between a position covering the orifice in an inactive phase of an associated branch pipe and/or waste collection unit and a position exposing the orifice and partially blocking the waste transport pipe in an active phase of said branch pipe and/or waste collection unit.

hi one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the branching connector comprises a first connector portion having first and second open ends and hi an installed condition forming part of a waste transport pipe, a second connector portion having an upper end and a bottom end being attached to and opening into an orifice in the first connector portion and extending generally at an angle to the first portion, hi practical further developments of this embodiment, the first and second connector portions may each have a right-angular cross-section at least in an area of mutual attachment, the connector valve may consist of a single Kd that in the inactive phase of the branch pipe and/or waste collection unit provides an at least substantially fluid tight seal for the orifice and the single lid may be pivotal or alternatively slideable between positions covering and exposing the orifice.

hi another embodiment of this aspect of the invention the branching connector comprises a connector portion that with an upper end communicates with a waste collection unit of the waste collection system and that with a bottom end is attached to a waste transport pipe, enclosing a branching orifice in the transport pipe, and a connector valve consisting of two lids each being supported by the waste transport pipe close to an edge of the branching orifice. In practical further developments of this embodiment the valve lids are pivotal in opposite directions around a respective hinge, between open downwardly pivoted and closed upwardly pivoted positions.

In yet another aspect of the invention a branching connector of the invention is used to divide waste flows, whereby different waste fractions that at separate times are transported in the system are routed into different waste fraction storing or collecting members. Advantages offered by the present invention, in addition to those described above, will be readily appreciated upon reading the below detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematical illustration of exemplary vacuum waste collection systems wherein the invention may be applied;

Fig. 2 is a partial, schematical side view of a waste transport pipe branching area with a first embodiment of a branching connector of the invention installed;

Fig. 3 is a partial, schematical end view of the waste pipe branching area of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a branching connector of Figs. 2 and 3 ;

Fig. 5 is a partly schematical longitudinal section through the branching connector of Fig.

4, along line A-A in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a schematical perspective view of a longitudinal section through the branching connector of Figs. 4 and 5, in a first operating mode;

Fig. 7 is a schematical perspective view of a longitudinal section, like in Fig. 6, through the branching connector of Figs. 4 and 5, in a second operating mode;

Fig. 8 is a side view of a variation of the branching connector of Figs. 4 and 5, having an exemplary valve actuator therefore;

Fig. 9 is a schematical side view of a second embodiment of a branching connector of the invention, installed in a branching area;

Fig. 10 is a schematical perspective view of a third embodiment of a branching connector according to the invention, installed in a branching area;

Figs. 11-13 are cross-sections through the branching connector of Fig. 10, illustrating different operating modes thereof, Figs. 14A-B are schematical views illustrating the use of the branching connector of the invention for alternative purposes, and

Figs. 15A-B illustrate an alternative valve lid support configuration in schematical side and end views, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplifying embodiments and applications of inventive branching connectors, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures 2-15B. A first embodiment of a branching connector of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 2-8, and relates to an application of the inventive solution to a partially and schematically outlined waste transport pipe containing a branching used for sectioning waste transport piping of a vacuum operated waste collection system. Second and third embodiments of installations of branching connectors of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10-13, respectively, and relate to applications of the inventive solution to partially and schematically outlined waste transport pipes containing a branching used for connecting a waste deposit and/or collection unit of a vacuum operated waste collection system. It shall be emphasized, though, that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the details thereof.

It shall be clarified at this stage, that the term "waste receiving pipe" is used throughout the specification to denote any pipe to which is connected a branch pipe or a waste collection unit forming a pipe branching therewith. For any such pipe branching the pipe denoted the "waste receiving pipe" is therefore in each case the most downstream pipe of the waste transport branching and the term "waste supply pipe" on the other hand denotes the most upstream pipe of such a branching. To exemplify this, a piping main transport pipe is always a "waste receiving pipe" whereas a branch pipe may either be a "waste supply pipe" when interconnecting to such a main transport pipe or may in itself be a "waste receiving pipe" hi relation to a waste collection unit interconnecting therewith at another pipe branching.

In existing vacuum operated systems for the collection and handling of waste from residential, office or hospital areas, transport piping of the systems is, at least in all larger systems, provided with pipe branchings that are used either for directly connecting waste collection units or for sectioning the piping in several pipe branches. Fig. 1 illustrates typical examples of such prior vacuum operated waste systems used for collecting and managing waste, hi this drawing figure is illustrated a waste system 1 that may be either a stationary type system SS where waste is transported to a central station or terminal by means of vacuum generated at said station, a mobile type system MS where waste is transported to a waste truck by vacuum generated onboard the truck or alternatively a combination of such systems, as disclosed in our earlier International Patent Application PCT/SE2008/050569). The systems 1 typically contain waste transport piping 2 through which waste is transported from waste deposit or collection units in the form of free- standing waste inserts WI, waste chutes WC extending through multi-story buildings and/or waste tanks WT and to the waste truck or waste station, respectively. Such system piping 2 comprises a main waste receiving transport pipe 2A to which said waste collection units WI, WC, WT may be connected either directly or through several waste supply pipe branches 2B-2D. hi each case, a pipe branching 3 is provided, serving either to connect a waste deposit or collection unit WI, WC, WT directly to the waste receiving transport pipe 2A, 2B or to section the piping 2 by interconnecting one or several pipe branches 2B-2D with the main pipe 2A. In both cases the collection units/branchings communicate with a receiving transport pipe through a branching aperture or orifice (not illustrated in Fig. 1; refer to Figs. 4, 6, 7, 10) that forms a discontinuity in the circumferential surface of the waste receiving transport pipe and through which waste is introduced into said waste receiving transport pipe during an active phase of an associated waste supply pipe and/or waste collection unit.

hi such conventional systems 1 that are sectioned or branched into several pipe branches 2B-D, it is in most cases necessary to provide comparatively expensive sectioning valves SV in each pipe branch 2B-D. In the absence of such sectioning valves SV, the waste transport efficiency and not least the overall waste transport economy of the system 1 and its piping 2 would be extremely poor, due to the large volume of the open but inactive branches, in turn requiring a high air velocity and thus an overcapacity of the vacuum producing machines. However, even with the use of such sectioning valves SV there will be an increase in the piping cross-section at the branching 3, leading to the discussed higher air-speed requirement. As was discussed briefly in the introduction it is also a known fact that a further consequence of the conventional branching 3 is that when waste is transported in "a receiving pipe" past an inactive branching 3, waste will enter the inactive branch "backwardly". Although this is a manageable problem in systems where only one waste fraction is transported, it will cause serious problems in multi- fraction systems where it is necessary that each fraction arrives at a collecting station or truck at a set time so that it does not "pollute" other fractions.

The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplifying embodiments and variations thereof that are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures 2-15B. Said drawing figures very schematically illustrate embodiments of the invention that may be employed in waste collection systems 1 having the general configuration as illustrated in Fig. 1. It shall be emphasized, though, that the invention shall not be restricted to any such specific application but may instead be used for any applicable type of branching in piping of a vacuum waste collection system. It will become clear from the following description that, within practical limits, the invention covers embodiments for branching transport piping in optional ways, as required for different applications.

To eliminate the described problems and disadvantages, the invention suggests a new approach for configuring a branching for waste transport piping 2 of typical vacuum operated waste collection systems 1 as exemplified in Fig. 1. According to the invention, transport efficiency in such waste transport piping 2 is improved by temporarily completing substantially the full, un- interrupted circumferential surface of a waste receiving transport pipe in the area of an associated branching for a waste supply pipe or waste collecting unit, in an inactive phase of the latter. Expressed otherwise, in the operating phase when waste from other parts of the system 1 are to be transported past an inactive branching, the waste receiving transport pipe on both sides of such a branching is extended through or past the branching so that the cross-sectional area of the waste receiving transport pipe is maintained substantially continuous past the branching. Such a branching configuration will provide an efficient and cost effective waste transport causing essentially no air pressure reduction, no air speed reduction, no turbulence problems and/or no waste backflow into the branching as waste is transported past the latter.

The basic principles of the inventive branching solution for enhancing waste transport are described below with reference to Figs. 2-7 that schematically disclose a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive branching connector configuration 10 for use in waste transport piping 2 of typical vacuum operated waste collection systems 1, as exemplified in Fig. 1. This branching connector 10 comprises a first generally straight connector portion 11 that has first and second open ends 1 IA, 1 IB and that in an installed condition in the piping 2 forms part of a waste receiving transport pipe 2A of said piping 2; a second connector portion 12 that has a first upper end 12A and a second bottom end 12B for attachment to the first connector portion 11 and opening into a branching orifice 15 (see Figs. 4 and 7) therein. The second connector portion 12 extends generally at an angle α to the first portion 11. Said angle α may for different applications vary from 90° down to a practical lower limit that need not be specified here.

In the embodiment of Figs. 2-7 the branching connector first portion 11 has a right-angular cross- section, preferably a square cross-section, at least in the area thereof where the second connector portion 12 is attached thereto. The second connector portion 12 likewise has a right angular cross- section at least in the area of its attachment to the first connector portion 11. hi Figs. 2 and 3 the free ends HA, HB and 12A, of the first and second connector portions 11 and 12, respectively, are provided with transition portions 13 for connection to a waste receiving transport pipe 2 A and a waste supply pipe 2B-D, respectively, having a circular cross-section. The side or sides of the right-angular connector portions 11, 12 are preferably chosen so that said connector portions have a cross-sectional area being generally equal to that of the associated waste receiving and waste supply pipes 2A, 2B-D. This will secure that there is no substantial increase in the cross-sectional area that might otherwise cause turbulence and a decrease in air speed.

A connector valve 17 is supported close to the orifice 15 for movement (double arrow R in Fig. 5) between a transport position TP allowing air and waste flow AWl through the waste receiving pipe 2A and the first connector portion 11, and a waste supply position SP allowing air and waste flow AW2 from the branched off waste supply pipe 2B-2D to the receiving pipe 2A. In Fig. 5 the reference designation MP denotes a non-fixed transition position for the valve 17 in its movement between the two distinct end positions TP and SP. The valve 17 is moved to the transport position TP, at least partly or substantially covering the orifice 15, when waste is to be transported in the waste receiving pipe 2A-D in an inactive phase IP (see Fig. 6) of the branched off waste supply pipe 2B-2D, as will be explained further below. Likewise, the valve 17 is moved to the supply position SP exposing the orifice 15 and at least partially blocking the cross section of the waste receiving pipe and first connector portion 2A-D, 11, in an active phase AP (see Fig. 7) of the second connector portion 12 and an associated waste supply pipe 2B-2D.

hi this embodiment the connector valve 17 consists of a single valve lid that in the transport position TP at least substantially covers the orifice 15. hi fact, the lid 17 may or may not provide an at least substantially vacuum tight seal for the orifice 15. hi cases where the inventive branching connectors are used for sectioning transport piping and where the associated valve lids form a vacuum tight seal against the orifice 15, sectioning valves SV may be dispensed with altogether, hi the supply position SP the valve lid 17 may or may not leave open a reduced flow area in the first connector portion 11, past the valve lid 17. The valve hd 17 may be supported freely rotatable on or by means of a pivot pin 18, whereby the position of the valve hd 17 is controlled by gravity and by vacuum air flow through the first or second connector portions 11 and 12. In an alternative configuration of this embodiment of the branching connector 10 (see Fig. 8) the connector valve Hd 17 may likewise be supported on a pivot pin 18 but is rotatable (double arrow R) between the transport TP and supply SP positions by means of an actuator means 19. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the actuator 19 is in this case a fluid cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, being pivotally attached at its rear end 20 to the exterior of the connector 10. A free end 22 of the piston rod 21 of the actuator 19 is mechanically, pivotally connected to the valve lid 17 through a link arm 23 and the pivot pin 18. In the case where it is desirable to leave open a reduced flow area in the supply position (indicated at SP2 in Fig. 5) this is preferably achieved by physically stopping the lid 17 in a position where a free end thereof is distanced from a bottom wall of the first connector portion 11, such as by means of a not illustrated physical stop in association with the pivot pin 18 or the link arm 23.

A method of operating the described branching connector according to the invention shall now be briefly explained with reference specifically to Figs. 6-7. hi an inactive phase IP (Fig. 6) of the second connector portion 12 and of the associated waste supply pipe (not illustrated in Figs 6 and 7), coinciding with the system condition for allowing a flow AWl of suction air and waste W through the first connector portion 11 and the associated waste receiving pipe (likewise not illustrated here), the connector valve 17 is caused to at least partly cover the orifice 15. Specifically, this is done by causing the valve hd 17 to swing upwardly, as described either automatically by the air flow in the first connector portion 11 or forced by an actuator 19, to the transport position TP, being extended substantially flush with the upper circumferential surface of the first connector portion 11. This action closes the branching orifice 15 and serves to complete substantially the full, uninterrupted circumferential surface of said first connector portion 11 and thereby of the entire waste receiving transport pipe during said waste supply inactive phase IP.

In an active phase AP (see Fig. 7) of the second connection portion 12 and of the associated waste supply pipe, coinciding with the system condition for allowing a flow AW2 of suction air and waste W through said second connector portion 12, the connector valve 17 is caused to move to the supply position SP where it is extended into the first connector portion 11 and the associated waste receiving transport pipe, opening and exposing the branching orifice 15. This is done by causing the valve lid 17 to swing downwardly, as described either automatically by gravity and air flow in the second connector portion 12 or forced by an actuator 19, to the supply position SP. hi other words, in said supply position SP the valve 17 opens the branching orifice 15 to permit flow AW2 of air and waste W therethrough and to at least partially block the cross- sectional area of the first connector portion 11 and thereby of the waste receiving transport pipe.

The invention, as described, provides significant advantages over the prior art and the most important benefits obtained thereby, are as follows:

- By closing the inactive branch pipe, waste is prevented from entering the branch pipe back- wardly, which may otherwise occur due to turbulence-induced pressure variations resulting from the air and waste transport. In systems where different waste fractions are transported such closing of inactive supply branches leads to cleaner, non-polluted fractions.

- A vacuum tight closing of inactive supply branches also means that the conventional sectioning valves may in most cases be eliminated. Such an elimination of the sectioning valves results in a major cost reduction and also allows for a reduction of the air speed since the use of the connector valve removes an otherwise existing cross-sectional area increase under the sectioning valve, that adversely affects the waste transport.

For an entire waste collection system the use of branching connectors of the invention would additionally lead to reduced energy consumption due to the fact that leakage from inactive branches may be reduced, even in case the connector valve is not made completely fluid tight in the transport position and due to the fact that the air speed of the waste transport air flow may be reduced as a consequence of the eliminated cross- sectional area expansions in the transport piping. Likewise, a reduced pressure drop through the branchings is achieved due to the reduced turbulence and in turn allows for a reduction of the required fan capacity and installed effect.

The branching connector has a simple geometry and is easy to manufacture at a comparatively low cost. It may be regarded as a bend or alternatively as a straight pipe since the flow at all times goes only one way.

The overall volume of the piping will be reduced so that the system becomes "stiffer", meaning that there is a smaller active transport piping volume and that emptying may therefore be speeded up, since it takes less time to evacuate air and to build vacuum.

- Deteπnining the location of the main wear of the branching will be easier and it will likewise be easier to compensate for such wear at the actual "impact location" instead of over-dimensioning the entire branching. Wear plates may easily be applied to such "impact areas" that will be clearly definable already by the manufacturing. This means that it will not be necessary to provide thick and/or expensive material in the entire branching.

An alternative embodiment of the branching connector according to the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Here, the described basic inventive principles are employed for connecting the downstream outlet pipe 24 from a discharge valve 25 of conventional waste inlets WI (examples of such waste inlets are disclosed in our earlier European Patent No. EP 1 401 742 Bl) or waste chutes WC, to the waste receiving pipe in the form of a main transport pipe 2A or a branch pipe 2B-D in piping 2 of a waste collection system 1 of the general kind illustrated in Fig. 1. In this second embodiment the branching connector 10' is similar to the one of the described first embodiment. The main difference is that the second connector portion 12' of the branching connector 10' connects essentially at a right angle α' to the first connector portion 11', enclosing the orifice 15' therein. In the illustrated embodiment the outlet pipe 24 has a conventional circular cross-section and connects to the second connector portion 12' through a transition portion 13'. However, it shall be emphasized that the invention covers also configurations where the outlet pipe 24 from the discharge valve 25 has a corresponding right- angular cross-section and connects directly to said second connector portion 12' or where the connector portions likewise have a round or circular cross-section.

For the operation of this embodiment of the connector 10' and connector valve 17', the valve lid may preferably be directly mechanically connected, through an indicated link 19', to conventional means 26 - including a pneumatic cylinder and a linkage - for operating the respective discharge valve 25, so that the connector valve 17' follows the movement of the discharge valve 25. hi its fully open position the connector valve 17', shall preferably not completely close the waste receiving pipe 2A-D/first connector portion 11 ' but shall leave open a restricted flow area under or around the valve 17'.

The use of the branching connector 10' of the invention in the application of Fig. 9 gives most of the above indicated advantages to the waste transport. Specifically, in the waste transport position TP (Figs. 6 and 7), the connector valve 17' here closes off the enlarged space under the discharge valve 25 to prevent the turbulence of air flow and decrease of air speed that would otherwise occur. Since the waste transfer area inside the branching connector 10' becomes substantially equal in size to the area inside the transport pipe, there is no expansion from transport pipe to branching connector. Therefore, waste in the transport pipe can be easily transferred without any air turbulence and reduction of air speed when passing the branching connector 10'. By excluding turbulence and avoiding air speed as well as air flow reduction, transfer of waste to a collection station or truck will be easier, and pipe blocking can be prevented with unamended air volume and operation conditions. Therefore, the waste transport efficiency will be increased.

Specific for this application of the invention is also that, as the weight of waste temporarily stored on the discharge valve of today's waste inlets generally increases and waste on the discharge valve may therefore be compacted more and more, it will become vital to provide good emptying and transport conditions for the insert/chute connections, eliminating the risk of blockage caused by compacted waste. Therefore, in the case of waste discharge from a relevant inlet or chute, the valve lid will open downwardly with or shortly before the inlet discharge valve, so that a major part of the waste transport area of the waste receiving pipe upstream of the brandling connector is blocked. Thus, air speed inside the connector 10' is accelerated in a moment when waste is discharged, so the transport of the discharged waste from the inlet or chute can be easily started. A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 10-13. This embodiment is intended for an application similar to the one of the second embodiment disclosed in Fig. 9, likewise for use in waste insert or waste chute applications to secure that there is no difference between the air pressure in a branching connector 30 and the air pressure in a waste receiving transport pipe 2A-D during waste transport past the branching connector 30. As discussed above for the second embodiment, this third embodiment likewise eliminates turbulence of air flow and reduction of air speed at a branching area to promote effective and secure emptying of waste temporarily stored on a discharge valve 40 of a waste inlet WI or waste chute WC.

The branching connector 30 of the third embodiment is basically a conventional branching connection for use in connecting waste inlets WI and waste chutes WC to a transport pipe 2A-D. A main branching portion 31 accommodates a lower inlet/chute section 45, a discharge valve 40 associated with the end of the lower inlet/chute section 45 and means 39 (such as cylinder and linkage means not specifically shown here) for controlling movement of the discharge valve 40, as described briefly in relation to Fig. 9. The branching connector 30 has a lower connector portion 32 that upwardly communicates with the waste collection unit WC, WI of a typical waste collection system 1 and specifically with the outlet from the refuse discharge valve 40 thereof. A bottom end 33 of the connector 30 is attached to the waste receiving transport pipe 2A-D and encloses and downwardly communicates with a branching orifice 35 in the actual waste receiving transport pipe 2A-D.

The modified branching connector 30 of the invention is provided with a connector valve 37 consisting of two lid parts 37A, 37B that are each connected through a respective hinge 38 A, 38B to an area 36 of the waste receiving transport pipe 2A-D close to a respective edge of the branching orifice 35 inside the bottom end 33 of the connector 30. Said lid parts 37 A, 37B each have a generally curved shape having a curvature essentially corresponding to that of the normally circular waste transport pipe 2A-D and are pivotal around their respective hinges 38A, 38B. The lids are pivotal in mutually opposite directions, between a downwardly pivoted open, with regard to the branching orifice 35, position and an upwardly pivoted closed position. Said downwardly pivoted open position forms the supply position SP for the active phase AP that was described above in connection with the first embodiment and that allows for a waste discharge flow from the inlet or chute WI and WC, respectively, and the upwardly pivoted closed position forms the waste transport position TP for the inactive phase IP that was likewise described above. In the transport position TP the connector valve 37 covers and preferably provides a fluid tight seal for the orifice 35, so that waste may be transferred past the branching in a transport pipe that has an essentially uninterrupted circumference as well as transport area and that may therefore be said to have been extended into and past the branching. In the supply position SP the connector valve 37 partly blocks the waste receiving transport pipe 2A-D leaving open a reduced flow area past the connector valve lids 37 A, 37B.

The valve lids 37A, 37B are directly mechanically connected to a respective motor device 41 through a corresponding linkage 43 (Figs. 11-12). Said motor devices 41 are in the illustrated embodiment pneumatic cylinders that with the ends of their piston rods 42 are connected to said linkage 43 that includes plates 43 that are attached to an upper surface of the respective lid 37A, 37B and that will contribute to the above explained effect of reducing the waste transport pipe air flow area past the lids 37A, 37B in the supply position SP. It may also be possible to vary the size and/or shape of said plates 43 to further reduce the transport pipe flow area just before the valve 37 when the lids 37A, 37B are in the open supply position SP. This will increase air speed in the branch and may also be used to intentionally create turbulence at this position in order to spread out waste more effectively into the receiving transport pipe 2A-D.

As mentioned, the valve lids 37A, 37B are pivoted in opposite directions between the transport and supply positions TP and SP and reverse, and the pivotal movements are preferably linked to each other as well as to the movement of a discharge valve 40 of the associated waste collection unit WC, WI. In the latter case there will be no need to provide additional control or operating means, such as electric driving means, and there is no need to consider any additional design changes. Specifically, the motor devices 41 for the valve lids 37A, 37B may be drivingly connected to a discharge valve 40 control means (not illustrated), for controlling the position of the valve lids in dependence upon the position of the discharge valve 40. Thus, the lids 37A, 37B maybe opened as well as closed together with the associated discharge valve 40.

For both of the second and third embodiment that are used in combination with a waste inlet WI or waste chute WC discharge valve 25 and 40, respectively, the connector valve 17' and 37, respectively is preferably opened shortly before the opening of the associated discharge valve. This will in most cases secure optimal emptying conditions

A further advantage of the inventive branching configuration and especially of the third embodiment thereof, is that it can be easily applied to and also retrofitted in existing facilities for the enhancement of waste transport and collection efficiency therein. In fact, all or most of the inventive branching connector features may in many cases be retrofitted to branching connectors used in existing systems.

Finally, two embodiments of an alternative use of the branching connector of the invention will now be explained with reference to Figs. 14A-B. In these embodiments a branching connector, preferably having the general configuration of the alternative first embodiment of Fig. 8, is in essence reversed and used as a waste diverter valve 110; 210 for diverting different fractions Fl, F2 of waste into separate containers WCFl, WCF2 in a waste collection terminal CT and into different temporary storage pipes WSPFl, WSPF2, respectively, directly downstream of waste inlet um^'ts WIFl, WIF2.

Briefly, in such applications two waste fractions Fl, F2, such as recyclable paper/compostable matter and combustible household waste, are deposited into the waste collection system through separate and/or separately operated waste inlets WIFl and WIF2, and is transported separately, at different times to a waste collection terminal CT through a common transport pipe 102A; 202 A. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14A the branching connector 110 of the invention may in such an application be reversed and used as a diverter valve in the actual waste collecting terminal CT. Thereby one end HlA of the first connector portion 111 is connected to the transport pipe 102 A, in the relevant case through a transition portion 113 as described above. A second end 11 IB of the first connector portion 111 is connected to a waste container WCFl for the first fraction Fl and a free end 112A of the second connector portion 112 is connected to a waste container WCF2 for the second fraction F2. Redirection of the relevant fraction Fl, F2 from the transport pipe 102A to the designated container WCFl or WCF2 is performed by means of the valve lid 117 that is moved by an actuator 119 between the respective positions DPI and DP2 for conducting the first waste fraction Fl to the first container WCFl and the second fraction F2 to the second container WCF2, respectively. In the embodiment illustrated briefly in Fig 14B the two waste fractions Fl and F2 are again deposited in separately operated waste inlets WTFl and WIF2 that in this case are both connected to the same waste chute WC. The two different fractions Fl, F2 are at different times deposited in the chute WC and temporarily stored in an associated waste storage pipe WSPFl and WSPF2, respectively, by using a branching connector 210 of the invention. The fractions Fl, F2 are then stored in their respective storage pipes until they are ready to be transported separately to a central waste collection unit, such as the terminal CT of Fig. 14A, through a common transport pipe 202A and subsequent to the opening of a respective storage valve SVFl, SVF2. Thereby one end 21 IA of the first branching connector portion 211 is connected to the waste chute WC, in the relevant case through a transition portion 213 as described above. A second end 21 IB of the first connector portion 211 is connected to a waste storage pipe WSPFl for the first fraction Fl and a free end 212A of the second connector portion 212 is connected to a waste storage pipe WSPF2 for the second fraction F2. Redirection of the relevant fraction Fl, F2 from the designated waste inlet WTFl and WTF2, respectively, through the waste chute WC and to the designated storage pipe WSPFl or WSPF2 is, like in the embodiment of Fig. 14A, performed by means of the valve lid 217 that is moved by an actuator 219 between the respective positions DPI and DP2 for conducting the first and second waste fractions Fl and F2, respectively, to their respective storage pipes WSPFl and WSPF2, respectively.

Also, the invention is in no way restricted to the illustrated types of valve lid supports. Instead, the valve lid or lids of the illustrated valves may be supported in optional ways. One exemplifying alternative lid support configuration is very schematically illustrated in Figs. 15A-B. In this embodiment the valve lid 17" is supported and operated in a manner that is known per se from i.a. coach and bus doors. Here the schematically shown branching connector 10" is very similar to the one of the embodiment of Fig. 9 and the connector itself will not be described any further. However, the branching connector 10" valve lid 17" is pivotally carried, through pivot 22", by an angled swing or link arm 23" that is in turn pivotally supported, through pivot 18" in the second connector portion 12". A guide arm 28" is likewise pivotally connected, through pivot 28A' ', to the lid 17" and is stationary but pivotally supported, through pivot 28B", in a side wall 29" of the second connector portion 12". The swing arm 23" is positively swung around pivot 18" by a suitable, preferably pneumatic drive (not specifically illustrated) to move the lid 17" between the above discussed transport TP and supply SP positions. Through the combined action of the swing arm 23" and the guide arm 28" the lid 17" will move first in a direction outwardly from the second connector portion 12" and then in a sliding movement along the first connector portion 11" and will during the entire movement from position TP to position SP, and reverse, be maintained substantially parallel with a central plane CP of the first connector portion 11 " . As a further modification the lid might also have a support configuration such as that of sliding doors for mini vans etc. that are operated by means of pivoting link arms and/or guide tracks.

In further, alternative, but not specifically illustrated embodiments of the invention, variations of the illustrated branchings may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. One example thereof is the use of differently oriented branching connectors than the illustrated ones where the second connector portion (and the connected supply pipe) is always extended generally in a vertical plane. Thus, in the embodiments of Figs 2-8, of Figs. 14A as well as of Figs 15A-B the second connector portion might likewise be extended in a horizontal or other plane.

The invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The invention is therefore intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A method of improving transport efficiency in waste transport piping (2) of vacuum operated waste collection systems (1) wherein one or more waste supply pipes (2B-2D) and/or waste collection units (WC, WI, WT) are connected through pipe branching connections (3; 10; 10'; 10"; 30) to a respective waste receiving transport pipe (2A-D), communicating therewith through a branching orifice (15; 15'; 35) that forms a discontinuity in the waste receiving transport pipe and through which waste is introduced into the waste receiving transport pipe during an active phase (AP) of an associated waste supply pipe and/or waste collection unit, characterized by temporarily completing substantially a full uninterrupted circumferential surface and thereby a substantially continuous cross-sectional area of said transport pipe past the area of connection of the associated waste supply pipe and waste collection unit, respectively, in an inactive phase (IP) of the latter.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by opening the branching orifice (15; 15'; 35) by causing a respective lid or lids (17; 17'; 17"; 37A, 37B) to be extended into a waste receiving transport pipe (2A-2D) during an active phase (AP) of an associated waste supply pipe (2B-2D) or waste collection unit (WC, WI, WT) and by completing substantially the full, uninterrupted circumferential surface of said waste receiving transport pipe by causing the respective lid or lids to be extended substantially flush with the circumferential surface of the waste receiving transport pipe during an inactive phase (IP) of the respective waste supply pipe or waste collection unit, thereby closing said respective branching orifice (15; 15'; 35).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by causing the respective lid or lids (17; 17'; 17"; 37A, 37B) to be extended into the associated waste receiving transport pipe

(2A-D) and to be extended substantially flush with the circumferential surface thereof, respectively, through gravity and through the action of a suction air stream passed through a respective waste supply pipe (2B-2D) or collection unit (WC, WI, WT) or through the waste transport pipe (2A-2D), respectively.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by causing the respective lid or lids (17; 17', 17"; 37A, 37B) to be extended into the waste receiving transport pipe (2A-2D) and to be extended substantially flush with the circumferential surface of the waste receiving transport pipe, respectively, through the action of an actuator means (19; 26; 41).

5. A branching connector (10; 10'; 10"; 30) for performing the method of any of claims 1-4 in transport piping (2) of a vacuum operated waste collection system (1) having waste receiving transport pipes (2A-2D) and waste supply pipes (2B-2D) and/or waste collection units (WC, WI, WT) for connection to said waste receiving transport pipes, said branching connector communicating with a waste receiving transport pipe through a branching orifice (15; 15'; 35), characterized by a connector valve (17; 17'; 17"; 37) supported in the area of said orifice for movement between a transport position (TP) at least partly covering the orifice (15; 15'; 35) in an inactive phase (IP) of said waste supply pipe (2B-2D) and/or waste collection unit (WC, WI, WT) and a supply position (SP) exposing the orifice and at least partially blocking the cross sectional area of the waste receiving transport pipe in a waste supply pipe and/or waste collection unit active phase (AP).

6. A branching connector (10; 10'; 10") according to claim 5, characterized by a first connector portion (11; 11', 11") that has first and second open ends (1 IA and 1 IB, respectively) and that in an installed condition forms part of a waste receiving transport pipe (2A-2D), a second connector portion (12; 12'; 12") having a first upper end (12A) and a second bottom end (12B) being attached to and opening into an orifice (15; 15') in the first connector portion and extending generally at an angle (α; α') to the first portion.

7. A branching connector (10; 10'; 10") according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first connector portion (11 ; 11 ' ; 11 ") is generally straight and has a right-angular cross-section at least in an area of attachment of the second connector portion (12; 12'; 12") and in that the second connector portion has a right angular cross-section at least in an area of attachment thereof to the first connector portion.

8. A brandling connector (10; 10'; 10") according to claim 7, characterized in that the connector valve (17; 17'; 17") consists of a single lid that in the transport position (TP) provides at least a substantially fluid tight seal for the orifice (15; 15').

9. A branching connector (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the connector valve lid (17) is supported freely rotatable on a pivot pin (18) and in that the position of the valve lid is therefore controlled by gravity and by vacuum air flow through the first and second connector portions (11, 12).

10. A branching connector (10; 10') according to claim 8, characterized in that the connector valve lid (17; 17') is supported on a pivot pin (18) and is rotatable between the transport (TP) and supply (SP) positions by means of an actuator means (19; 26).

11. A branching connector (10") according to claim 8, characterized in that the connector valve lid (17") is pivotally (pivot 22") carried by an angled swing arm (23") that is in turn pivotally supported (pivot 18") in the second connector portion (12"), by a guide arm (28") that is pivotally (pivot 28A") connected to the lid and that is stationary, pivotally supported (pivot 28B") in a side wall (29' ') of the second connector portion (12' '), whereby a positive swinging of the swing arm will move the Hd between the transport (TP) and supply (SP) positions first in an direction outwardly from the second connector portion and then in a sliding movement along the first connector portion (11 ").

12. A branching connector (30) according to claim 5, having a connector portion (32) that up- wardly communicates with a waste collection unit (WC, WT) of said system (1) and that has a bottom end (33) being attached to the waste receiving transport pipe (2 A-D) and downwardly enclosing and communicating with a branching orifice (35) in the waste receiving transport pipe, characterized by a connector valve (37) consisting of two lids (37 A, 37B) each being connected through a respective hinge (38A, 38B) to an area (36) of the waste receiving transport pipe (2A- D) close to an edge of the branching orifice (35), inside the bottom end (33) of the connector (30).

13. A branching connector (30) according to claim 12, characterized in that the lids (37A, 37B) are pivotal around their respective hinge (38A, 38B), between a downwardly pivoted, open position and an upwardly pivoted, closed position.

14. A branching connector (30) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that in the transport position (TP) the connector valve (37) provides an at least substantially fluid tight seal for the orifice (35) and/or that in the supply position (SP) the connector valve (37) leaves open a reduced flow area in the waste receiving transport pipe (2A-D), past the valve lids (37A, 37B).

15. A branching connector (30) according to any of claims 12-14, characterized in that the valve lids (37A, 37B) are pivotal in mutually opposite directions between said transport and supply positions (TP and SP, respectively) and in that said pivotal movements are linked to each other as well as to the movement of a discharge valve (40) of the associated waste collection unit (WC, WI).

16. A use of a branching connector (110; 210) according to any of claims 6-11 as a divider valve, for directing either one of two different waste fractions (Fl, F2) deposited in separate waste inlets (WIFl, WIF2) of a waste collection system into a separate, designated waste fraction container (WCFl, WCF2) in a waste terminal (CT) or into a temporary storage pipe (WSPFl, WSPF2) of a waste chute (WC), whereby one end (11 IA; 211A) of the first connector portion (111; 211) is connected to a waste receiving transport pipe (102A) or to the waste chute (WC), another end (HlB; 211B) of the first connector portion (111; 211) is connected to one container (WCFl) or one storage pipe (WSPFl) and a free end (112A; 212A) of the second connector portion (112; 212) is connected to another container (WCF2) or storage pipe (WSPF2) .