Automatic vacuum isolation valve network for a vacuum collection system
First Claim
1. An automatic vacuum isolation valve network for use in a vacuum collection system having at least two branches connected to a main vacuum pipe in fluid communication with a vacuum source, the network comprising:
- a first valve located in each branch and adapted to close when air pressure in the main vacuum pipe is greater than air pressure in the branch; and
a shut-off valve located in each branch upstream of the first valve, the shut-off valve adapted to close in response to vacuum loss in an upstream portion of a corresponding branch, thereby isolating the branch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic vacuum isolation valve network for use in a vacuum collection system having at least two branches connected to a main vacuum pipe maintained under negative pressure. The network includes a first valve located in each branch adapted to close in response to vacuum loss in the main vacuum pipe, thereby preserving a vacuum level in the associated branch. The network further includes a shut-off valve located in each branch upstream of the first valve, the shut-off valve adapted to close in response to vacuum loss in an upstream portion of a branch. The shut-off valve thereby isolates a broken branch, and allows a remainder of the vacuum collection system to return to normal operation. The isolation valve network further facilitates location of a breach in the vacuum collection system by rendering a faulty branch inoperable, thereby identifying the immediate vicinity of the breach.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic vacuum isolation valve network for use in a vacuum collection system having at least two branches connected to a main vacuum pipe in fluid communication with a vacuum source, the network comprising:
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a first valve located in each branch and adapted to close when air pressure in the main vacuum pipe is greater than air pressure in the branch; and a shut-off valve located in each branch upstream of the first valve, the shut-off valve adapted to close in response to vacuum loss in an upstream portion of a corresponding branch, thereby isolating the branch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vacuum collection system for evacuating waste water, the system comprising:
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a vacuum source adapted to generate a vacuum level; a tank having a vacuum intake in fluid communication with the vacuum source and a waste water intake; a main vacuum pipe connected to the waste water intake; and first and second branches, each branch including; a first valve located in the collection pipe, the first valve adapted to close when air pressure in the main vacuum pipe is greater than air pressure in the branch; and a shut-off valve located in the branch upstream of the first valve, the shutoff valve adapted to close in response to vacuum loss in a downstream portion of the branch, thereby isolating the branch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 9. The vacuum collection system 8, in which each shut-off valve is a normally closed valve operable to an open position when the upstream portion of the branch is under negative pressure.
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15. A method for maintaining vacuum in a vacuum collection system comprising at least two branches in fluid communication with a main vacuum pipe maintained under vacuum when one of the branches is faulty, each branch including a first valve and a shut-off valve located downstream of the first valve, the method comprising the steps of:
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closing the first valve of each unbroken branch thereby to maintain vacuum therein; closing the shut-off valve of a faulty branch thereby to isolate the faulty branch from the main vacuum pipe; and opening the first valve of each unbroken branch to reestablish fluid communication with the main vacuum pipe. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification