RECYCLING OF WASTE WATER

• US 20080272057A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lorne Tontegode
• Original Assignee: Lorne Tontegode
• Inventors: TONTEGODE, Lorne
• Application Number:
  US12/114,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20080272057A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/739
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/04 for domestic or like local supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/042 Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 2001/045 using household water
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/30 Relating to industrial water supply, e.g. used for cooling

Abstract

An upstream conduit extends from a container containing reusable waste water to a junction and a downstream conduit extends from the junction to a destination for the waste water. There is a third conduit through which fresh water, under pressure, flows to the junction. The flow in the third conduit is controlled by a valve which is normally open but shuts when a flow switch in the downstream conduit detects the demand for the waste water at the destination. At that time the demand is satisfied by waste water from the container. However, should there be insufficient waste water in the container to satisfy the demand, a level switch in the container deactivates or overrides the operation of flow switch thereby causing the valve in the third conduit to open When the valve opens, fresh water from the third conduit satisfies the demand.

Claims

1. Apparatus for recycling waste water including:

a container in which said waste water is collected;

a first conduit extending from said container to a junction;

a level detecting means for detecting when the level of waste water in said container is below a predetermined value;

direction limiting means for restricting the flow within said first conduit to a direction toward said junction;

a second conduit extending from said junction to a destination for said waste water;

a third conduit through which alternative water, under pressure, flows to said junction, shut-off means for terminating the flow of alternative water through said third conduit;

flow detecting means for detecting the flow of water through said second conduit and for activating said shut-off means with resulting termination of the flow of alternative water in said third conduit;

an override for overriding said fourth means upon detection by said first means that the level of waste water in said container is below said predetermined value with resulting opening of the flow of alternative water in said third conduit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including pump means for causing waste water within said first conduit to flow downstream, said flow detecting means causing said pump means to activate upon detection of the flow of water through said second conduit and to deactivate upon detection by said level detecting means that the level of waste water in said container is below a predetermined value.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second direction limiting means for restricting the flow within said third conduit to a direction toward said junction

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said level detecting means is a level switch and said direction limiting means is a check valve.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shut-off means is a valve, said flow detecting means is a flow switch and said override means is a relay.

6. Apparatus for recycling waste water including:

a container in which said waste water is collected;

a first conduit extending from said container to a junction;

a level switch for detecting when the volume of waste water in said container is below a predetermined value;

pump means for causing waste water within said first conduit to flow;

a check valve for restricting the flow within said first conduit to a direction toward said junction;

a second conduit extending from said junction to a destination for said waste water;

a third conduit through which alternative water, under pressure, flows to said junction, a valve for shutting off the flow of water through said third conduit;

a flow switch for detecting the flow of water through said second conduit and for closing said valve and activating said pump;

means for overriding said flow switch upon detection by said level switch that the volume waste water in said container is below said predetermined value with resulting opening of said valve and de-activation of said pump.

7. A method of recycling waste water including the steps of:

(i) providing a source for said waste water;

(ii) providing a first conduit which extends from said source to a junction;

(iii) causing said waste water to flow downstream through said first conduit to said junction;

(iv) restricting the direction of said flow to a downstream direction;

(v) detecting when the volume of waste water at said source is below a predetermined value and generating a signal;

(vi) providing a second conduit which extends from said junction to a destination for said waste water;

(vii) providing a third conduit which extends from a source of alternate water downstream to said junction;

(viii) detecting the flow of water through said second conduit;

(ix) providing valve means for controlling the flow of alternate water through said third conduit;

(x) causing said valve means to close upon detection of the flow of water through said second conduit of step (ix); and

(xi) preventing said valve means from closing thereby overriding step (x) upon detection of said signal of step (v).

8. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of:

(xii) proving pump means for causing said waste water in said first conduit to flow downstream;

(xiii) causing said pump to activate upon detection of the flow of water through said second conduit of step (ix); and

(xiv) causing said pump to deactivate thereby overriding step (xiii) upon detection of said signal of step (v).

9. The method of claim 8 further including the stop of (xv) restricting the direction of flow of alternative water in said third conduit to a direction toward said junction.