Sewage removal system

• US 6,038,710 A
• Filed: 05/30/1995
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cowater Alaska Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cowater International Inc.
• Inventors: Baron, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US08/454,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 4/316, 4/321, 4/322, 4/323, 4/431, 4/432, 4/433
• US Class Current: 4/321
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/006 Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 11/00 Cesspools emptying cesspools E03F7/00; features relating to treatment of sewage C02F

Abstract

A sewage removal system for low water use toilets within an insulated building, the system comprising a transfer tank to collect sewage by gravity from the toilet, a holding tank remote from the transfer tank, a sewage discharge pipe extending between the transfer tank and the holding tank for fluid communication between the transfer tank and the holding tank, the sewage discharge pipe rising to a point, along its length, which is significantly above the fluid level in each of the transfer tank and the holding tank, a vent pipe for the interior of the holding tank and blower associated with the vent pipe, when activated to create a sufficient vacuum within the holding tank to draw sewage from the transfer tank, through the discharge pipe, into the holding tank, and a switch associated with the transfer tank and arranged so as to activate the blower, when the level of the sewage in the transfer tank rises to a predetermined height and to deactivate the blower when that level falls to a predetermined height. This system avoids the requirement for valves, pumps or other mechanical devices for removal of sewage from the building to a remote holding tank through the use of pneumatics. The holding tank may be higher, lower or on the same level as the transfer tank.

Claims

1. An above-ground sewage removal system for a low water use toilet within a building, the system comprising an above-ground transfer tank to collect sewage by gravity from the toilet, a holding tank above-ground and remote from the transfer tank, a sewage discharge pipe extending between the transfer tank and the holding tank for fluid communication between the transfer tank and the holding tank, the sewage discharge pipe rising to a point, along its length, which is significantly above the fluid level in each of the transfer tank and the holding tank, a vent pipe for the interior of the holding tank and blower associated with the vent pipe, when activated to create a sufficient vacuum within the holding tank to draw sewage from the transfer tank, through the discharge pipe, into the holding tank, and switch means associated with the transfer tank and arranged so as to activate the blower, when the level of the sewage in the transfer tank rises to a predetermined height and to deactivate the blower when that level falls to a predetermined height.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the vent pipe is adapted to pass through the building, and the blower is adapted to be within the building.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the switch means is located within the transfer tank.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein the switch means is located within the transfer tank.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the sewage discharge pipe extends from a position near a floor in the transfer tank to an elevated position within the holding tank.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the sewage discharge pipe is provided with a fluid cutoff valve.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the vent pipe is provided with a cutoff valve.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein another plumbing fixture feeds to the transfer tank.