Abstract: A vacuum sewage system includes a sump pit for receiving sewage, a valve pit, a valve, a sensor-controller, a first sensor pipe, a sump breather and a second sensor pipe. The sensor-controller activates the valve so as to discharge sewage from the sump pit. The first sensor pipe communicates pressure to the sensor-controller as the level of sewage rises within the sump pit. The second sensor pipe communicates pressure to the sump breather to move the sump breather from a first state to a second state to prevent sewage from entering the sensor-controller and valve. Alternatively, the system may be provided with a single sensor pipe that communicates pressure to both the sensor-controller and to the sump breather.

Abstract: A vacuum sewage system includes a sump pit for receiving sewage, a valve pit, a valve, a sensor-controller, a first sensor pipe, a sump breather and a second sensor pipe. The sensor-controller activates the valve so as to discharge sewage from the sump pit. The first sensor pipe communicates pressure to the sensor-controller as the level of sewage rises within the sump pit. The second sensor pipe communicates pressure to the sump breather to move the sump breather from a first state to a second state to prevent sewage from entering the sensor-controller and valve. Alternatively, the system may be provided with a single sensor pipe that communicates pressure to both the sensor-controller and to the sump breather.

Abstract: A controller for a vacuum sewage system includes a housing having multiple chambers. Certain chambers are maintained under atmospheric pressure or vacuum prior to activation of the controller. Ports, valves, orifices and air flow paths located in the housing control the rate of air flow between groups of the chambers during activation of the controller.

Abstract: A pipe coupling that clamps onto an area adjacent the ends of abutting pipes. The pipe coupling includes first and second clamp members, and a fastener. The first clamp member is hinged to the second clamp member. Both the first and second clamp members are configured to pivotally wrap around a pipe. Each of the first and second clamp members also includes an arched hub portion configured such that when each of the clamp members engages each other the arched hub portions form an arcuate hub. The fastener is configured to couple the arched hub portions together thereby preventing the clamp members from opening.

Abstract: A controller for a vacuum sewage system includes a housing having multiple chambers. Certain chambers are maintained under atmospheric pressure or vacuum prior to activation of the controller. Ports, valves, orifices and air flow paths located in the housing control the rate of air flow between groups of the chambers during activation of the controller.

Abstract: A pipe coupling that clamps onto an area adjacent the ends of abutting pipes. The pipe coupling includes first and second clamp members, and a fastener. The first clamp member is hinged to the second clamp member. Both the first and second clamp members are configured to pivotally wrap around a pipe. Each of the first and second clamp members also includes an arched hub portion configured such that when each of the clamp members engages each other the arched hub portions form an arcuate hub. The fastener is configured to couple the arched hub portions together thereby preventing the clamp members from opening.

Abstract: A vacuum sewage system is provided having a sump pit (12) and a collection station (20) connected by a conduit (22). When a vacuum interface valve (30) is opened sewage is transported from the sump pit to the collection station by a pressure differential. A valve position sensor (40) associated with the valve is sensed by a valve monitoring system. The monitoring system is adapted to broadcast a wireless signal of valve status. A computer receives the broadcast signal and notifies an operator of the valve condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing waterlogging of the sensor and controller valves used to regulate operation of the vacuum interface valve in a sump vented vacuum sewerage system. A float valve operates in accordance with the sewage level in a sump pit and communicates atmospheric pressure to the sensor and controller valves while the sewage level is below a predetermined limit, but closes passage of sewage therethrough once the sewage level exceeds the predetermined limit. A pressure-relief valve may also be operatively connected to the float valve that vents excessive hydrostatic pressure buildups in the sump pit to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A vacuum toilet system efficient transport of waste material from a toilet bowl to a collection station by means of differential pressure, comprising an actuator button, a discharge valve, a water valve, and a controller valve. The various valves are simple in construction and operate on the basis of pneumatic pressure. The system is compact enough to fit into the cabinet of a conventional toilet fixture.

Abstract: A vacuum toilet system for efficient transport of waste material from a toilet bowl to a collection station by means of differential pressure, comprising an actuator button, a discharge valve, a water valve, and a controller valve. The various valves are simple in construction and operate on the basis of pneumatic pressure. The system is compact enough to fit into the cabinet of a conventional toilet fixture.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained, portable vacuum toilet system having a sump for collecting waste liquids by means of gravity, a differential pressure-operated discharge valve for regulating withdrawal of waste liquids from the holding sump for transport to a vacuum collection tank during a transport cycle, differential pressure-operated sensor and controller valves for regulating operation of the discharge valve in response to a hydrostatic pressure condition inside the holding sump, and a push button-operated water valve for adding water to the toilet bowl during and immediately after a flush cycle. A sink and its own push button-operated water valve may also be provided.

Abstract: An integral, vacuum operated, package system for collecting and transporting waste liquids from, e.g., a defrosted freezer, sink, bathtub, or water fountain, to a vacuum transport conduit connected to a vacuum collection station. The package system preferably includes a collection sump, sensor valve, controller valve, vacuum volume, and vacuum valve, which operatively communicate with each other by means of applied differential pressure to withdraw waste liquid from the collection sump and pass it through an opened vacuum valve during a transport cycle. The package system is compact, portable, and easily installed and maintained, and may be concealed in most applications, since it requires a mere volume generally measuring 12".times.8".times.31/2.

Abstract: A vacuum valve having a substantially tapered plunger for use in a vacuum operated sewerage transport system, the valve capable of facilitating a flow rate of thirty gallons per minute. It will not jam in the open or semi-open position as a result of repetitive cycling of the valve by the associated control unit. The plunger is mounted at one end of an axially disposed shaft of a piston operator in the valve chamber, which is effectively sealed to prohibit air leakage into a vacuum pressure conduit when the valve is in the closed position. Additional sealing elements are required and are designed to seal all liquids from entering the chambers containing the piston driving means or its associated control unit.

Abstract: An improved vacuum sewerage system for transmitting sewage, including at opposite ends a sewage collection tank at atmospheric pressure and a vacuum collection tank under vacuum pressure. The sewage is intermittently injected into a transport conduit under vacuum or subatmospheric pressure when a non-jamming vacuum control valve interposed in the conduit is opened in response to a predetermined pressure condition. The conduit is laid out in a saw-toothed fashion, having a riser, a low point, and a downslope. When no sewage is being transported through the conduit, any residual sewage collects in the low point, which generally does not completely fill with sewage so that vacuum or subatmospheric pressure is communicated throughout the conduit. When the control valve is opened, the sewage transported through the conduit forms a generally hollow cylindrical mass, which is propelled toward the vacuum collection tank.

Abstract: An improved vacuum sewerage system for transmitting sewage through an intermittently opened sewage control valve of a transport conduit by means of differential pressure. The vacuum conduit is laid out in a saw-toothed fashion, having a riser, a low point, and a downslope. When no sewage is being transported through the conduit, any residual sewage in the conduit collects in the low point, with minimal intermittent closure of the conduit over time to permit minimal drop in vacuum or subatmospheric pressure throughout the conduit such that there is more than adequate vacuum or subatmospheric pressure available to operate the control valve. When the control valve is opened, the sewage transported through the vacuum conduit forms a generally hollow cylindrical mass, which is propelled toward a vacuum collection tank.

Abstract: An electric air admission controller ("EAAC") for automatically opening and closing an air control valve connected to a vacuum sewage transport conduit with a sewage control valve, independently of the level of accumulated sewage upstream of the sewage control valve, in order to inject additional air at atmospheric pressure into the vacuum transport lines to apply additional fluid pressure to a mass of sewage therein, and to avoid a waterlogged condition by supplementary transport. In its simplest form, the EAAC system consists of a timer unit which, when activated, causes a solenoid valve to deliver vacuum/subatmospheric pressure or atmospheric pressure to the air control valve to open or close it, respectively, by application of differential pressure. Rather than rely upon the timer unit to determine a valve cycling frequency which will, on average, prevent waterlogging, however, a timer-delay module and pressure switch may be added to the system.

Abstract: A quick-release mounting apparatus for securing a unit controller assembly to the upper housing of an inlet vacuum valve for a vacuum sewerage system, for facilitating quick removal of the unit controller assembly, is disclosed. A base member, having slot-like shoulder portions on each respective side, is heat-staked to the top surface of the upper housing of the inlet vacuum valve. A quick-release mounting key member is then inserted into each of the respective shoulder slot openings on top of the mounting feet. The mounting key has respective keyed apertures to enable it to fit around certain portions of the unit controller. The mounting key has a centrally disposed spacer portion and a pair of elongated tine members, which are tapered and rounded at their respective ends. The mounting key is then pushed into the slot-like openings to secure a tight press fit of the mounting key, the mounting feet of the unit controlled assembly, within the slot-like openings of mounting base member.

Abstract: A vacuum sewerage transport system having a vacuum interface valve apparatus utilizing s sub-surface in-pit breathing, drainage and venting apparatus for a differential pressure controlled sensor-controller unit.

Abstract: A vacuum transport system for intermittently transporting sewage from a source to a collection station through a vacuum conduit under the differential influence of positive atmospheric pressure at the source and substantially lower or vacuum pressure in the vacuum conduit between a primary control valve and the collection station. The control valve of the system is operated by differential pressure to open and close the vacuum conduit at intervals for sewage transport to the collecting station when a pressure differential operated sensor-controller apparatus, which will automatically purge condensate accumulation, selectively controls the operation of the primary control valve.