Liquid level sensor with odor reduction for waste holding tanks

• US 20050189275A1
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glen Harris Stewart
• Original Assignee: Glen Harris Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Glen Harris
• Application Number:
  US10/790,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20050189275A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/86
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 29/16 Soil water discharges arrangements of installations for treating waste water or sewage B63J4/006
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/008 Originating from marine vessels, ships and boats, e.g. bilge water or ballast water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/02 Odour removal or prevention of malodour
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/02 Aerobic processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Abstract

A sensor for determining liquid level while reducing odor for use in a marine vessel or RV waste holding tank. The sensor includes an aeration tube and a pressure sensor. The aeration tube is disposed in a bottom portion of the holding tank. An aeration pump is in fluid communication with the aeration tube and the pressure sensor and supplies pressurized air to the aeration tube. The aeration tube is disposed in a bottom-most portion of the holding tank and is submerged in sewage. The pressure in the aeration tube is measured by the pressure sensor and the pressure is correlated to liquid level in the waste holding tank. Pressurized air from the aeration pump is injected into the sewage via the aeration tube and creates an oxygen-enriched aerobic environment therein. Air from the holding tank is continuously vented to atmosphere via a vent in the tank.

Claims

1. A sensor for use in detecting the level of liquid in a waste holding tank, comprising:

a pressure sensor, an aeration tube, and a supply of air, said pressure sensor being disposed on the aeration tube;

said aeration tube being disposed in a holding tank, with one end outside the tank and connected to an air supply tube connected to an air pump, the other end of the aeration tube being disposed inside the holding tank as close to the bottom of the holding tank as possible;

said supply of air being substantially continuously supplied via an air supply tube connected to an air pump, wherein;

measurement of air pressure in said aeration tube, using said pressure sensor, is used to determine liquid level in said holding tank.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said pressure sensor and aeration tube are sealingly connected to one another.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substantially continuous supply of air into said aeration tube in said holding tank provides air to said sewage to create an oxygen-enriched environment in said sewage, thereby assisting in reducing the odors emanating from said sewage within said holding tank.