WASTE TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR USE WITH LOW WATER OR WATER FREE WASTE DISPOSAL DEVICES

Abstract

A waste transport system may be used for transporting waste from low or no water disposal devices (e.g., low flow toilet fixtures, foam flush toilets and similar types of reduced water toilet fixtures) to remote areas that may not be functionally accessible by gravity. These areas may include, but are not limited to, composting units, sewers, septic systems, holding tanks or areas where the waste may be combined with additional water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/943,703 filed Jun. 13, 2007, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for waste transport, and more specifically, relates to waste transport systems and methods capable of transporting waste from low/no-water toilets to remote points of disposition that are not functionally accessible by gravity.

BACKGROUND

Low or no water toilets may be used in situations where standard water diluted gravity flushing systems and plumbing may not be possible. One example of a low or no water toilet is a composting toilet that uses biological processes to handle the disposal and processing of human excrement into organic compost material. The composting process may produce carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrates. The biological action of predator microbes and bacteria over time kills off any hazardous bacteria, viruses, or pathogens naturally. The process of converting waste material into a safe end product may take anywhere from 2-5 years depending upon the design.

Some types of composting toilets include self-contained composters as well as those that deposit waste from a low-water or water-free toilet. One type of low-water toilet utilizes a mixture of bio-compatible soap and water to remove the waste from the toilet. Waste from the toilet fixture may drop from the toilet into the composter by gravity only. For this to work in some existing systems, the composter must be located either immediately under the toilet with a vertical pipe or within a horizontal distance that may be reached by piping with a slope of 45 degrees or more. This type of system may be employed in new construction and may be designed with composter locations that meet this requirement and separate plumbing for graywater.

FIG. 1 shows one existing system 100 for recycling waste. System 100 includes first foam flush toilet 102, second foam flush toilet 104 and waterless toilet 106. Toilets 102, 104 and 106 are configured to gravity feed waste to a recycling composter 108 located therebelow (e.g., in the basement). In order to properly transport waste from each toilet, the piping from each toilet flange to recycling composter 108 provides a continuous, downward slope of at least 45 degrees. Composter 108 may include a variable speed fan, which may be configured to pull air down through each of toilets 102, 104 and 106, over the composting mass, and out a vent stack 110 on the roof. This airflow may provide oxygen to the composting process necessary for biological conversion, while at the same time preventing odor from going up through the toilet.

In some cases, however, it may not be feasible to install one of these systems. Many existing buildings may not be easily modified to meet the composter location requirements. For example, in some such cases a large number of composters may be required in already developed areas of the building, such as the basement. This presents a problem with transporting the waste from the low/no-water toilets to an appropriate disposal location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an existing waste recycling system having several composting toilets;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a waste transport system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a waste transport system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side and end views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a collection chamber coupled to a pump in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a waste transport system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a distribution arm coupled to a suction head in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a rotary union for coupling a distribution arm to a suction head in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are exploded and side views, respectively, of a further exemplary embodiment of a suction head in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side and front views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a flapper valve coupled to a suction head in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a suction head coupled to a distribution arm with an incorporated flapper valve in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an evacuation system including controls in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of exemplary embodiments of a drop chamber in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an in line valve that may be used in a suction line in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a waste transport system including a multi-unit drop chamber in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, this disclosure provides systems for transporting waste (e.g., feces, urine, tissue, etc.) and/or other waste from low or no water disposal devices (e.g., low flow toilet fixtures, foam flush toilets and similar types of reduced water toilet fixtures) to remote areas that may not be functionally accessible by gravity. These areas may include, but are not limited to, composting units, sewers, septic systems, holding tanks or areas where the waste may be combined with additional water.

The embodiments disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with a variety of different systems, including residential, commercial and industrial applications. Further, the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to the transport of non-human waste associated with various agricultural applications. For example, the embodiments described herein may be applied to farm and agricultural uses where animal waste may be collected from the source without adding water by analogous means such as specially designed collection troughs and receptacles. The principles described herein may be similarly applied to these applications.

One example of a waste disposal device that may be used in the waste transport systems described herein is a low/no-water toilet. The toilet primarily uses gravity to deliver waste material to a disposal vessel, such as a composter, a drop chamber, and/or a collection chamber, as described below. The toilet may use a layer of soap foam that may be created using an air pump to assist in waste disposal. The pump may create a continuous blanket of foam that coats the bowl and lubricates the piping system connecting toilet to a disposal vessel (not shown). Foam may be released from both the front and the back of the bowl when the toilet is flushed. Some toilets may require less than 5 oz. of water per flush, which may be mixed with a soap, such as Neponol. The embodiments described herein may be used in accordance with a variety of toilets, such as the Clivus 3-Ounce Foam Flush Nepon Toilet, commercially available from Clivus® New England, Incorporated. The embodiments described herein may also be used in accordance with a variety of composters, such as the Clivus Model M12, commercially available from Clivus® New England, Incorporated.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a waste transport system 200 is shown and described in greater detail. The waste transport system 200 may include drop chambers 202a-202c corresponding to one or more waste disposal devices (e.g., toilets). In some embodiments, each of drop chambers 202a-202c may receive waste via waste pipes 204a-204c (e.g., with a 4″ diameter), which connect waste disposal devices such as toilets with the respective drop chambers 202a-202c. In some embodiments, a drop chamber may be coupled to more than one waste disposal device or toilet. The drop chambers 202a-202c may be located immediately below the waste disposal devices or in a manner conducive to gravity piping (e.g., with a pipe providing a downward slope of at least 45°). Each of drop chambers 202a-202c may be located in the floors located below the toilet, in small closets, build-outs or any other suitable area. The waste from the waste disposal devices may collect in the respective drop chambers 202a-202c until it is evacuated by an evacuation system as described in greater detail below.

In addition to collecting waste from the waste disposal devices, each of drop chambers 202a-202c may also provide air passage to maintain an airflow down through the toilet (e.g., via the waste pipes 204a-204c). Each of the drop chambers 202a-202c may include a vent pipe 206a-206c operatively connected thereto to provide air flow from the drop chambers 202a-202c to a composter or other disposal vessel (not shown). To facilitate air flow, duct fans (not shown) may be connected to the drop chambers 202a-202c directly or through air-only plumbing that may be separate from the waste path. The duct fans may be operated to maintain the required negative pressure in the respective drop chambers 202a-202c so that air constantly flows down the respective waste disposal devices. Each of the drop chambers 202a-202c may be designed so that the air exiting the drop chamber pulls minimal or no foam with it. Further, each of the drop chambers 202a-202c may also be designed to minimize the amount of light items sucked into the exiting air stream, such as toilet tissue that may fall into the chamber from the toilet. Embodiments of drop chambers are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and are described in greater detail below.

The waste transport system 200 may further include one or more holding or collection chambers 208 to receive waste from respective drop chambers 202a-202c. The collection chamber 208 may be connected to drop chambers 202a-202c via conduits or piping 210. Thus, the collection chamber 208 may be configured to serve a number of waste disposal devices via piping 210. In some embodiments, collection chamber 208 may also be coupled directly to one or more waste disposal devices by a waste pipe 204d such that the collection chamber 208 also acts as a drop chamber. The collection chamber 208 may also include a vent pipe 206d and duct fan similar to the drop chambers described above.

The waste transport system 200 further includes a pump 212 coupled to the conduits or piping 210. The piping 210 forms a loop between the drop chambers 202a-202c, the collection chamber 208 and the pump 212. The pump 212 may operate to pump waste to the collection chamber 208 and/or to a disposal location (e.g., to a composter). The pump 212 may also create a vacuum pressure in the piping 210 that is capable of drawing the waste from the drop chambers 202a-202c. The conduits or piping 210 and the pump 212 thus provide an evacuation system capable of evacuating the waste from the drop chambers 202a-202c and/or from the collection chamber 208. The exemplary embodiment of the waste transport system 200 further includes valves 220a-220c and 221-225 that regulate or control passage of the waste through different sections of the piping 210. Some of these valves may include, but are not limited to, pinch valves activated by surrounding air pressure, cam/eccentrically actuated pinch valves, piston actuated pinch valves, check valves, etc. In some embodiments, pinch valves having smooth interiors may be used.

According to different modes of operation, the waste collected in the drop chambers 202a-202c may be evacuated into the collection chamber 208 and/or to other locations such as a composter (not shown). The waste transport system 200 may be capable of running multiple evacuations from the drop chambers 202a-202c, for example, and storing the collected waste in collection chamber 208 until enough waste had accumulated or enough time had passed that the material could be ejected under pressure out to a composter, composter farm, or other disposal vessel or location located some distance away. In the illustrated embodiment, the evacuation of waste from drop chambers 202a-202c may be initiated by the pump 212 configured to pump waste from each of the drop chambers 202a-202c through piping 210 and into the collection chamber 208. One or more of the valves 220a-220c and 221-225 may be operated to allow the evacuation from the drop chambers 202a-202c and/or the collection chamber 208.

Through the normal operation of the waste disposal device(s) any of the drop chambers 202a-202c may contain a quantity of foam and some waste material including tissue. When the waste transport system 200 evacuates one or more of the drop chambers 202a-202c according to one embodiment, it creates suction sufficient to pull the accumulated contents into the pipe 210 within several seconds. In some embodiments, evacuation of the drop chambers 202a-202c may be triggered by a sensor or controller that may be installed proximate to the drop chamber. In other embodiments, a controller may also initiate evacuation based upon a predetermined and/or dynamically changing time interval. The controller may also be configured to control the operation of the valves 220a-220c and 221-225.

The waste transport system 200 may be operated according to different modes of operation by controlling the opening and closing of the valves 220a-220c and 221-226. According to a direct flush mode of operation, transport to collection chamber 208 may be achieved directly by opening valves 221 and closing all other valves 222-225. One or more of the valves 220a-220c may then be opened (e.g., for a number of seconds) to evacuate the respective drop chamber(s) 202a-202c directly into the collection chamber 208. In this mode of operation, the waste material travels from the drop chambers 202a-202c to the collection chamber 208 and does not recirculate. A vacuum relief valve (not shown) may be used in the piping 210 if necessary to relieve vacuum pressure. Alternatively, the valve 224 may be opened to allow recirculation.

According to a “venturi” flush mode of operation, valves 220a-220c may be opened sequentially for approximately 5-10 seconds while the pump 212 continues running and valves 222 and 223 are closed and valves 221 and 224 are open. Of course, other time intervals are also possible. The venturi assisted flush may allow the material in collection chamber 208 to circulate and thus preserves the suction of pump 212. This flush of the drop chambers 202a-202c may allow some air into the pipe 210. However, as soon as the respective drop chamber valves 220a-220c are closed the full suction head may be restored to the piping 210.

Once a sufficient amount of waste has collected in collection chamber 208, these contents may be delivered to the composter or other disposal vessel or location. According to a collection chamber evacuation mode of operation, the loop may be closed off by closing valves 221 and 224, opening valves 222 and 223 and running the pump 212 as necessary. In some embodiments, an additional valve (not shown) may be located upstream of the pump inlet to close off the loop during evacuation of collection chamber 208.

System purges may also be performed to prevent damage to the waste transport system 200. According to an air loop purge mode of operation, for example, valves 221 and 225 may be opened while closing all others and running the pump 212. During an air loop purge, air may enter the loop from the top of collection chamber 208 and may circulate back through the loop, through pump 212 and back into collection chamber 208. This process may continue for as long as necessary in order to purge the loop and may be performed as frequently as necessary to clean the system. This purge allows suction to be created in the loop without drawing air in through any of the toilets and/or drop chambers (i.e., by closing the drop chamber valves).

According to a recirculation loop purge mode of operation, valves 221 and 224 may be opened while closing all others and running pump 212. Material from collection chamber 208 may pass out through the bottom exit of collection chamber 208, recirculate around the loop and back into collection chamber 208. The use of this purge may assist in removing waste material that may be clogged or hardening in the piping 210.

The components described herein may be constructed out of a variety of different materials. In some embodiments, drop chambers 202a-202c and collection chamber 208 may be constructed out of stainless steel, or other suitable materials. Similarly, piping 210 may be constructed out of a number of suitable materials, including clear materials and those having a low coefficient of friction. The materials used to construct any or all of the components described herein may be constructed out of fireproof materials. Although only one collection chamber 208 is shown, a waste transport system 200 may include multiple collection chambers at different locations. In other embodiments, a waste transport system may not use a collection chamber or may not have a collection chamber. For example, using a “direct transport” mode, the waste material may be evacuated from the drop chambers below the toilets and pumped directly to the composter(s) or other disposal vessel or location without using an intervening collection chamber.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment of a waste transport system 300 includes a clean water loop flush capability. This embodiment of the waste transport system 300 may include drop chambers 302a-302c, collection chamber 308, piping 310, pump 312 and valves 320a-320c, 321-325 similar to the system 200 described above. A clean water tank 314 may be coupled to the collection chamber 308 and may have a clean water feed and a vacuum breaker. The clean water tank 314 may serve to flush out piping 310 and/or other sections of system 300 as necessary. The waste transport system 300 may operate according to the modes of operation described above and may further have a clean water loop flush mode of operation. According to the clean water loop flush, valves 321 and 326 may be opened while keeping all other valves closed and running the pump 312. In operation, clean water from the tank 314 enters the loop, circulates around the loop and discharges into the collection chamber 308. This purge may be combined with any or all of the other purges described herein. Once the purge is complete, the water may be delivered to either collection chamber 308 or to the composter or other disposal vessel or location. In another mode of operation, flushing of the system may also involve opening valves 321 and 325 while keeping all others closed. Of course, the timing of the opening and closing of various valves may be altered depending upon the desired result.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an embodiment of a collection chamber 408 coupled to a pump 412, which may be used in accordance with any or all of the embodiments described herein. The pump 412 may be connected to the collection chamber 408 and may be configured to control the flow of waste between collection chamber 408, drop chambers (not shown) and the composter or other disposal vessel or location (not shown). One example of the pump 412 is a Pondorff Tube pump. A motor 414, such as a compact sun gear motor, may be mounted directly to the pump 412. A control and relay box 416 may house controls for the pump 412 as well as for other components in the system (e.g., valves). In some embodiments, the control and relay box 413 may include a microprocessor and status indicators (e.g., LEDs).

This embodiment of the collection chamber 408 is configured to funnel waste material to an opening or outlet 430 located at the bottom of the collection chamber 408. For example, the collection chamber 408 may have sides at an angle of 45 degrees or steeper to allow waste material to flow towards the opening 430. The collection chamber 408 may be constructed in a variety of different arrangements, such as a diamond, or similar shape, which allows for steep walls. The outlet 430 may be configured to prevent an object from entering the piping system, which may not pass through the pump 412 and/or any other valves or devices in the system. In some embodiments, none of the devices in the piping or pump have openings smaller than the collection chamber outlet 430. The chamber 408 may be sized according to the number of pipes, as well as the volume of waste entering.

The collection chamber 408 may include a cleanout 432, which may be located in the top of the collection chamber 408 or on the side where access is easiest. The cleanout 432 allows maintenance personnel to access the chamber 408 in order to remove debris, prevent clogging, etc. The collection chamber 408 may further include an air exit 434 to a negative pressure fan. The air exit 434 may include couplings in the top of the collection chamber 408 for one or more pipes. These pipes may move enough air to create negative pressure in the chamber 408 for a plurality of waste disposal devices (e.g., toilets) and to create a reasonably balanced airflow. The collection chamber 408 may also include a waste gravity inlet 436 configured to accommodate one or more waste input pipes. The waste pipes from each waste disposal device may enter collection chamber 408 via the inlet 436 at an angle that provides minimal resistance to the incoming waste. In some embodiments, these pipes may be configured to direct waste straight towards the outlet hole 430 of the chamber 408.

The chamber 408 may further include a vacuum breaker 440 configured to provide a release for the system. The vacuum breaker 440 may be suction actuated and set to relieve the system at a certain pressure. The vacuum breaker 440 may be located in a variety of different locations around the chamber. A loop inlet control valve 442 may be provided to allow and/or stop material from the chamber 408 from entering the flushing loop for recirculation. The collection chamber 408 may also include a collection chamber exit control valve 444 configured to open to allow the pump 412 to draw material from the collection chamber 408 and eject that material out to the composter. The exit control valve 444 may be closed when the loop inlet control valve 442 is open or the suction head on the loop may decrease. The loop inlet control valve 442 may be closed when the exit control valve 444 is open or the pump 412 may have to draw the required vacuum in the entire loop before achieving the vacuum necessary to evacuate the chamber.

In some embodiments, a vacuum flush control valve 446 may open during the flushing cycle in order to draw material from the drop chambers (not shown) and closed when the pump 412 is drawing material from the collection chamber 408 and ejecting material out to the composter. A collection chamber inlet valve 448 may be a control valve that opens during the flushing cycle so that material drawn from the drop chambers and loop may be sent to the collection chamber 408. The collection chamber inlet valve 448 may be closed when the pump 412 is drawing material from the chamber 408 and ejecting that material out to the composter. A composter ejection valve 450 may open during the chamber evacuation cycle so that material drawn from the collection chamber 408 may be ejected out to the composter. A backflow preventer 452 may be configured to provide a sure stop during air ejection from an air ejection input 454. The air ejection input 454 may provide a high pressure input for compressed air so that the pipe to the composter may optionally be blown clean with compressed air, for example, as part of the chamber evacuation ejection cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a further embodiment of a vacuum pressurized waste transport system 500 is described. The vacuum pressurized waste transport system 500 may utilize vacuum pressure to transport waste material from individual drop chambers 502a-502c and/or from a holding or collection chamber 508 to a composter 501 or other disposal vessel. The waste transport system 500 may include a suction head 503 attached to the composter 501 or other disposal vessel. The waste transport system 500 may create a vacuum charge in the suction head 503, which is used to draw the waste material from the drop chambers 502a-502c and/or from the collection chamber 508 into the composter 501.

The waste transport system 500 may also include pump 512, such as a peristaltic pump (e.g. a Ponndorf pump), which may be configured to create a vacuum in and/or to pressurize various segments of piping located throughout the waste transport system 500. The waste transport system 500 may further include a vacuum pumping system 513 including, for example, a vacuum pump 514 having a vacuum reservoir 516. The vacuum pressurized waste transport system 500 may further include piping 510 connecting the drop chambers 502a-502c, the collection chamber 508, the suction head 503, the pump 512 and the vacuum pressurization system 513. The piping 510 may include an air only line 510a between the vacuum pumping system 513 and/or the pump 512 and the suction head 503. The piping 510 may include a waste material line 510b from the drop chambers 502a-502c and/or the collection chamber 508 to the suction head 503. The piping 510 may also include a composter purge line 510c and a drop chamber purge line 510d that may be used to provide purge operations similar to those described above.

In some embodiments, vacuum pump 514 may serve as the primary source of vacuum in the system and the pump 512 may serve as the secondary source of vacuum. The pump 512 may also be used to pump the waste to the collection chamber 508, for example, using the modes of operation described above. Any or all of the pumps described herein may utilize tube pumps configured to move material through an internal tube without allowing the material to contact the mechanics of the pump itself. Other embodiments of the waste transport system 500 utilizing vacuum pressure may include only the pump 512 or only the vacuum pump 514. Other vacuum systems may also be used to provide a vacuum charge in the suction head 503.

The suction head 503 may be operatively connected to composter 501 or other disposal vessel and may be configured to receive waste material directly from the individual drop chambers 502a-502c. The suction head 503 may include a body portion 530 defining a vacuum chamber, a vacuum port 532 coupled to the vacuum pumping system 513 (via the air only line 510a), a waste input 534 coupled to drop chambers 502a-502c and/or collection chamber 508 (via the waste material line 510b), and a waste output 536 coupled to the composter 501 or other vessel. In operation, vacuum pump 514 may pre-charge suction head 503 with vacuum via the vacuum port 532. The charged suction head 503 may then wait in a charged state for one or more of the drop chambers 502a-502c to be flushed. When a drop chamber is flushed, the material from the drop chamber may be pushed into the suction head 503 via the waste input 534 by the in-rush of air into the respective drop chamber. When the pressure in the suction head 503 reaches equality with the air pressure in composter 501, the material may be released by gravity into composter 501 via the waste output 536. In some embodiments, the flushing aspect of the cycle may take only a few seconds. The suction head 503 may similarly receive waste material from the collection chamber 508.

In some embodiments, a waste transport system may include a plurality of composters 501 or disposal vessels each having their own suction head 503. For purposes of simplicity FIG. 5 shows only one composter 501 and suction head 503, which will be referenced when describing operation of a system with multiple suction heads. The plurality of suction heads may be pre-charged and “fired” in a round-robin fashion to receive the waste material. In this embodiment, the suction head charging piping and intake piping may include manifolds. When any one suction head 503 is next called to provide vacuum to the system, a valve 540 at the top of that suction head 503 may open and release the vacuum to the incoming waste pipe (e.g., line 510b). The system may then sit in that state with the pipe charged, perhaps for some number of minutes, until it is next called on to evacuate a drop chamber 502a-502c (or collection chamber 508).

When a drop chamber (or collection chamber) is evacuated, some material in the pipe may move into the suction head 503. That evacuation may conclude when the vacuum in both the suction head 503 and the incoming waste pipe is dissipated and restored to atmospheric pressure. At that point the suction head 503 may open and the waste may drop into the composter 501. At the same time as the suction head 503 reaches an atmospheric pressure, the valve 540 at the top of that suction head closes to seal the now discharged suction head 503 off the incoming waste pipe. The next suction head in the loop may then take over, opening its valve to release its pre-charged vacuum to the incoming waste pipe, thereby restoring the vacuum in the pipe so that the system is prepared to evacuate the next drop chamber in as short a time as possible.

Sizing of each suction head may take into account a variety of different factors. The amount of vacuum needed to pre-charge any size suction head may be determined so that when the valve at the top is opened, the vacuum in the incoming waste pipe will be restored sufficiently for the system to perform the next evacuation. The equilibrium vacuum in the combined suction head and pipe may be less than the pre-charged vacuum in the suction head alone. Calculations involving the size of the suction head in gallons, the pre-charged vacuum and the volume of the incoming waste pipe may be required to properly size the suction head.

FIGS. 6-10 show exemplary embodiments of a suction head with a distribution arm, which may be used in embodiments of the vacuum pressurized waste transport system described above. Referring to FIG. 6, a suction head 603 may be coupled to a distribution arm 605 configured to evenly distribute waste material throughout composter 601 or other disposal vessel. The distribution arm 605 may be configured to rotate and may be constructed at a variety of different angles and lengths. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the suction head 603 includes a flapper valve 607 at an outlet 608 of the suction head 603. The flapper valve 607 may be positioned within a coupling portion 609 coupling the suction head 603 to the distribution arm 605. During operation, when the pressure in the suction head 603 reaches equality with the air pressure in composter 601, the flapper valve 607 opens and the material is released by gravity into composter 601.

The distribution arm 605 may be connected to suction head 603 and mounted to the composter 602 via a rotary union 604. The rotary union 604 may allow distribution arm 605 to rotate, oscillate and/or change the angle of the waste entering composter 601 or other disposal vessel. The rotary union 604, suction head 603, and distribution arm 605 may be connected using a variety of different techniques, including, but not limited to, threading and snap-fit. The rotary union 604 may be constructed to have an operating torque such that the energy of the incoming waste material may provide rotation of the distribution arm 605.

One embodiment of a rotary union 704 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 7. The rotary union 704 may include end portions 710, 712 and a bearing 714 that allows relative rotation between the end portions 710, 712. The rotary union 704 may also be made vacuum tight.

One embodiment of a suction head 803 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The suction head 803 may include a body portion 810 defining a vacuum chamber and an outlet portion 812 extending from the body portion 810.

One embodiment of a flapper valve 907 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The flapper valve 907 may hang vertically on a beveled pipe 913 that is located at an outlet of the suction head, for example, as described above. A seal 909 (e.g. closed cell foam) may be located between the flapper valve 907 and the end of the pipe 913. The flapper valve 907 may be free to move open and shut on its own with no mechanical actuation. When the suction head is at equilibrium, flapper valve 907 may hang at rest against the end of the pipe 913. When vacuum is applied, flapper valve 907 may be pulled in tight to the end of pipe 907 and seal against the seal 909 allowing vacuum to build up in the suction head. When the vacuum in the suction head is released by a drop chamber flush, flapper valve 907 may open on its own when the suction head vacuum reaches equilibrium with the atmosphere and the material passing through the suction head may be ejected through the open flap. The timing of opening may be controlled by the discharge event itself and thus does not become out of phase with the discharge. Flapper valve 907 may be held in place by a strap hinge 911 or similar device that may be configured to create the best seal.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a suction head 1003 coupled to a distribution arm 1005. In this embodiment, the suction head 1003 is positioned vertically over the entry into the distribution arm 1005 and the distribution arm 1005 includes the flapper valve 1009. The suction head 1003 may be coupled to the distribution arm 1005 using a rotary union 1004.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of an evacuation system 1100 including controls for the suction head system. The evacuation system 1100 may include a pump 1102 (e.g., a Pondorf pump) coupled to a vacuum reservoir 1104 with a vacuum relief valve 1130. A vacuum differential valve/control 1110 with a delay open timer 1112 and a hold open timer 1114 may be coupled between the vacuum reservoir 1104 and a vacuum chamber 1106 of a suction head. A vacuum sensor 1113 may sense a vacuum pressure condition in the vacuum chamber. A flush valve 1120 with hold open timer 1122 may be coupled to the outlet of a drop chamber 1108.

During setup, the vacuum pump 1102 may be activated and the vacuum sensor 1103 may signal a vacuum solenoid to open for sufficient time to charge the vacuum chamber 1106. After a flush, the hold open timer 1122 may shut the flush valve 1120 after a period of time, preventing waste from the toilet from exiting. When the vacuum sensor 1113 senses atmospheric pressure, the delay open timer 1112 may be started to open the vacuum solenoid. The vacuum solenoid opens for a number of seconds and is subsequently closed by the hold open timer 1114. At this point, the vacuum chamber 1106 may be charged. A controller may be included and configured to communicate with timers and/or perform various operations. Sensors (e.g., indicating waste in drop chamber, etc.) may be in communication with the controller without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an exemplary embodiment of a drop chamber 1200 is shown in greater detail. Drop chamber 1200 may include air inlet 1204 and waste inlet 1205, which may be configured to feed a variable reservoir 1206. Although only one air inlet 1204 and one waste inlet 1205 is shown, the drop chamber 1200 may include multiple air inlets and multiple waste inlets. The waste inlet 1205 may have a curved profile at the opening to allow higher levels of waste material in the drop chamber 1200 without completely covering the opening of the waste inlet 1205. Variable reservoir 1206 may be connected to a normal reservoir 1208, which may slope downward at a particular angle. For example, FIG. 12 shows a normal reservoir 1208 having a 45 degree downward slope. Other embodiments of the drop chamber may include normal reservoirs with others slopes, such as, for example, a 60 degree downward slope. The drop chamber 1200 may further include a threaded cleanout cover 1210 as well as an exhaust 1212. In other embodiments, drop chambers may have different sizes and may have only a waste inlet pipe. Of course, the dimensions shown on any of the Figures included herein are shown merely for exemplary purposes.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a back vacuum containment or prevention valve 1300 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Valve 1300 may include a back vacuum duckbill flange 1302 configured to produce a pressurized seal. The back vacuum containment or prevention valve 1300 may be used in the conduits or piping to segment the evacuation system, for example, to reduce the amount of vacuum energy needed to operate the system.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a collection chamber 1402 such as that described above coupled to multiple waste disposal devices 1501 (e.g., no or low flow toilets). The collection chamber 1402 may have a cleanout 1404 and other features described above. The collection chamber 1402 may be connected to a valve 1406 (e.g., a pneumatic actuated pinch valve). The valve 1406 may be connected to a pipe 1408 (e.g., 1.5″ CPVC pipe), which may lead to an evacuation system, such as a vacuum pumping system (not shown).

Exemplary operations of embodiments of a waste transport system are described in greater detail below. A motion sensor and a pancake style flush button may be mounted on or in the wall near the toilet. The motion sensor may be mounted on or in the wall immediately behind the toilet at a height that may allow it to just see over the toilet tank. This sensor may be positioned so that it may determine the presence of a user when they are standing immediately in front of the toilet, either approaching or departing. The sensor may also be activated by, the presence of users back while they are sitting on the toilet. The Flush button may be mounted where the user can press it either while they are sitting on the toilet or after they arise. When the user first approaches the toilet, the sensor may activate and trigger a foaming cycle in the toilet. This will start the foaming action a few seconds before the user sits down or otherwise uses the toilet. The sensor and the toilet may be configured so that the toilet does not continuously activate or re-activate the foaming action if the user remains on or in the presence of the toilet for longer than a usual pre-determined amount of time.

Once the user has finished or otherwise wishes to flush the toilet, they will press the flush button. When the button is pressed, a light (either a labeled light or preferably the word “Flushing” under a translucent template” may come on and flash to confirm the action and let the user know that flushing is taking place. The toilet may begin its normal foaming action emitting the usual soft buzz in the process. The light may continue to flash while the toilet is foaming/flushing and further continue to flash (even after the toilet is done foaming if necessary) until the presence sensor no longer sees the user. The toilet foaming cycle may be considered to be the minimum flushing time (and therefore the minimum duration of the flashing of the light. When the toilet has completed foaming and the presence sensor no longer senses the presence of the user, the system may trigger the evacuation of the drop chamber. In some embodiments, if more than one toilet is connected to a single drop chamber, the drop chamber may only be evacuated when none of the sensors for any of the connected toilets see a user. In some embodiments, sound or other feedback may be used to alert the user that the toilet has been flushed.

In some embodiments, sensors may be added to the drop chamber that confirm that the pipe downstream of the valve reached atmospheric pressure momentarily before the evacuation cycle was considered complete. In some cases, the system may occasionally need to automatically evacuate the drop chambers under certain circumstances. These automated functions may first check to see that no presence is being detected in any toilet attached to the drop chamber in question and then, if this condition is fulfilled, evacuate the chamber. This restriction may be by-passed if the level sensor in the drop chamber is signaling a high-level condition. When this condition is sensed, the chamber may be evacuated automatically, perhaps after a short but limited delay while the flushing indicator is turned on and also to see if the presence will disappear shortly.

In some embodiments, feedback pertaining (e.g., presence sensor) to the status of a given toilet may need to be made available to an automated master system control. This may be a simple open or closed circuit whose state may be read by the interrogating master control process.

In operation according to one embodiment, the vacuum system may maintain a vacuum in the vacuum reservoir tank that is within a predetermined operating range. This reservoir of vacuum may be sufficient to recharge a discharged suction head within a predetermined time, in some cases, in under five seconds. If a main system vacuum pump is taken out of service, locks out or otherwise becomes unavailable, a secondary pump (e.g., Pondorf) may take over automatically and maintain the vacuum reservoir charges. In some embodiments including two suction heads, both suction heads will have drawn a pre-determined vacuum from the reservoir and be in a charged state.

As used herein, the term “on suction” may refer to a condition in which the suction head is functionally charged, its intake valve is open and the unit is supplying vacuum to the system piping. The term “in waiting” refers to a condition wherein the suction head is functionally charged with its intake valve closed and waiting its turn to go on suction. The term “low vacuum threshold” refers to a low vacuum level that triggers a recharge action. Similarly, “high vacuum threshold” indicates the high vacuum level at which charging ceases. The term “functional charge” may refer to any vacuum level between the low and high vacuum threshold.

If, at any time, the vacuum in either of the suction heads falls to the low vacuum threshold for any reason (including slow leakage of air into the system from any source) the system may immediately take action to restore the vacuum to the high vacuum threshold. First, no matter what the vacuum level is in the in waiting unit, the system may recharge the in waiting unit to the high vacuum threshold. The on suction state may then be assigned to the unit that has just been freshly charged to the high vacuum threshold. The unit that triggered the low vacuum condition may then be recharged to the high vacuum threshold. The system may alternate the on suction state back and forth between the two suction heads as either one triggers a low vacuum condition.

In situations where an operating suction head is off-suction, any potential action of its intake valve may be momentarily blocked so that it cannot otherwise take over the on-suction state while it is being recharged. In some embodiments, the recharge may occur very quickly. The unit may be recharged and then the intake valve may be unblocked making the unit available to go on-suction. In some embodiments an inch and an half pipe may be used between the vacuum reservoir and the suction heads.

In some embodiments, a recharge attempt while the suction head is evacuating the pipe and the drop chamber may counteract the need for the interior of the suction head to reach atmospheric pressure as quickly as possible when it is called on to discharge. If recharging were attempted during action of the suction head, the stored energy from the vacuum reserve tank may be unnecessarily dissipated attempting to create a vacuum out through the open drop chamber valve to atmosphere.

When a suction head is on suction, its intake valve may be open and it may be providing vacuum to all piping and all drop chambers in the system. When a drop chamber is evacuated, atmospheric pressure in the drop chamber may push the material into the pipe and cause the material to travel some distance down the pipe toward the suction head. Depending on the amount of material and the distance from the drop chamber to the suction head, none, some or most of the material from any given evacuation may make it to the suction head on the evacuation cycle that caused it to exit the drop chamber. In some cases, it may take more than one cycle for the material from any given evacuation to reach the suction head. When the suction head reaches atmospheric pressure, the flap valve at the bottom may open and the waste material may flow out through the valve, through the rotary union into the composter or other disposal vessel. The residual energy in the material as it falls down into the composter or other disposal vessel through a swing arm may cause the swing arm to rotate at least a few degrees and, over multiple cycles, distribute the material uniformly in the composter or other disposal vessel.

Once atmospheric pressure inside the suction head has been reached and maintained so that the bulk of the material moved into the suction head in that cycle may drain out through the flap valve (predetermined), the intake valve to that suction head may be closed. The on suction state may be immediately transferred to the other suction head. This may restore the vacuum to the pipe system and enable the system to respond to the next evacuation request. In some embodiments, a suction head may remain at atmospheric pressure for at least 5 seconds before atmospheric pressure may be reached and its intake valve may be closed. The intake valve may be closed and suction head may stay at atmospheric pressure after that time to allow further drainage. In some embodiments, the flap valve may open before the intake valve may be closed.

Once the system determines that it is time to purge, the system may begin the cycle by injecting a (settable) time-determined amount of water into the collection chamber. During a purge cycle, all the drop chambers may be evacuated one at a time as the system determines that the presence sensor is clear for that drop chamber. All of the presence sensors must clear allowing the purge to take place for each drop chamber before the purge is considered done. The minimum purge time may be set (e.g., 2 minutes). The system may be designed in segments so that each segment may be purged individually. This may allow smaller amounts of water to be used and therefore reduce the amount of water that must be injected into the composter and conclusion of the purge.

Once the purge is completed, the collection chamber may then be treated much like a drop chamber and the evacuation system may receive the material from the collection chamber in a similar manner, for example, using suction heads as described below. The collection chamber may be configured to hold more material than should be injected into one composter. There may be some means of “dosing” out the collection chamber for this purpose. A “dosing chamber” may be constructed, which receives a fixed quantity of material from the collection chamber. Here, the inlet valve would be closed, thus sealing off the remaining material and then the material in the dosing chamber would be evacuated into the evacuation system (e.g., into a suction head). This may be performed using gravity from the bottom of the collection chamber with a separate air relief back to the top of the collection chamber. Sensors may be used to determine if the collection chamber is empty. In some embodiments a fixed number of cycles may be performed. The purge cycle may end by applying the vacuum on the material pipe from the empty collection chamber, thus clearing the entire circuit.

Accordingly, embodiments of the waste transport system and method described herein allow waste to be transported from a no or low water waste disposal device to a disposal location that is not accessible by gravity.

Consistent with one embodiment, a waste transport system includes a plurality of drop chambers configured to receive waste via gravity from a plurality of low or no water disposal devices. An evacuation system is operatively coupled to the drop chambers and configured to evacuate the waste from the drop chambers and to transport the waste to a distribution location not accessible by gravity. The evacuation system is configured to draw the waste from the drop chambers via vacuum pressure.

Consistent with another embodiment, a waste evacuation apparatus includes a suction head including a body defining a vacuum chamber configured to maintain a vacuum charge, a vacuum port configured to be coupled to a vacuum pumping system, a waste inlet configured to receive waste into the vacuum chamber, and a waste outlet configured to pass the waste out of the vacuum chamber. A distribution arm is coupled to the waste outlet of the suction head and configured to deliver the waste to a waste disposal vessel.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A waste transport system comprising:

a plurality of drop chambers configured to receive waste via gravity from a plurality of low or no water disposal devices; and

an evacuation system operatively coupled to the drop chambers and configured to evacuate the waste from the drop chambers and to transport the waste to a distribution location not accessible by gravity, wherein the evacuation system is configured to draw the waste from the drop chambers via vacuum pressure.

2. The waste transport system of claim 1 further comprising a disposal vessel at the distribution location, the disposal vessel being connected to the evacuation system and configured to receive the waste transported by the evacuation system.

3. The waste transport system of claim 1 further comprising a collection chamber configured to receive the waste from the plurality of drop chambers via the evacuation system before being transported to the distribution location.

4. The waste transport system of claim 3 wherein the collection chamber is coupled directly to at least one of the waste disposal devices and also acts as a drop chamber.

5. The waste transport system of claim 1 wherein the evacuation system includes at least one pump configured to generate the vacuum pressure in the evacuation system.

6. The waste transport system of claim 1 further comprising a collection chamber configured to receive the waste from the plurality of drop chambers via the evacuation system before being transported to the distribution location, wherein the evacuation system includes at least one pump configured to pump waste to the collection chamber and/or to the distribution location.

7. The waste transport system of claim 1 wherein the evacuation system includes a suction head configured to maintain a vacuum charge for evacuating the waste from the drop chambers.

8. The waste transport system of claim 1 wherein the evacuation system is triggered by time intervals and/or by sensing content in the drop chambers.

9. The waste transport system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the drop chambers is configured to be coupled to a plurality of waste disposal devices.

10. The waste transport system of claim 1 further comprising at least one disposal vessel at the distribution location, the disposal vessel being configured to receive the waste transported by the evacuation system, and wherein the evacuation system includes at least one suction head coupled to the disposal vessel, the suction head being configured to maintain a vacuum charge for evacuating the waste from at least one of the drop chambers into the disposal vessel.

11. The waste transport system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of low or no water disposal devices, wherein the drop chambers are coupled to the low or no water disposal devices such that waste moves by gravity from the low or no water disposal devices into the drop chambers.

12. The waste transport system of claim 1 wherein the evacuation system includes a suction head configured to maintain a vacuum charge for evacuating the waste from the drop chambers and a vacuum pumping system configured to provide the vacuum charge.

13. The waste transport system of claim 12 wherein the evacuation system further includes conduits coupled between the suction head, the drop chambers and the vacuum pumping system, and back vacuum prevention valves coupled to the conduits to form segments.

14. A waste evacuation apparatus comprising:

a suction head including a body defining a vacuum chamber configured to maintain a vacuum charge, a vacuum port configured to be coupled to a vacuum pumping system, a waste inlet configured to receive waste into the vacuum chamber, and a waste outlet configured to pass the waste out of the vacuum chamber; and

a distribution arm coupled to the waste outlet of the suction head and configured to deliver the waste to a waste disposal vessel.

15. The waste receiving system of claim 18 wherein the distribution arm is fixed relative to the suction head.

16. The waste receiving system of claim 18 wherein the distribution arm is rotatable relative to the suction head.

17. The waste receiving system claim 18, further comprising a flapper valve operatively coupled to the suction head, the flapper valve configured to close and form a seal when a vacuum occurs in the suction head, the flapper valve further configured to open and release the seal in response to the pressure within the suction head reaching equilibrium with atmospheric pressure.

18. The waste receiving system claim 21 wherein the flapper valve is coupled to the distribution arm.

19. The waste receiving system claim 21 wherein the flapper valve is coupled to an outlet of the suction head.