Vacuum Sewage System with Wireless Alarm
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.
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This invention relates to a wireless alarm for a vacuum sewage system and a vacuum sewage system incorporating a wireless alarm system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to vacuum sewerage transport systems for conveying sewage collected in a holding sump to a downstream collection vessel maintained under the influence of vacuum or subatmospheric pressure, and more specifically to a wireless alarm or alarm system that signals when an undesired condition is present in the vacuum sewage system, e.g. a hung valve or undesired line pressure condition.
Vacuum sewage systems are becoming increasingly more popular, especially where common gravity-type sewage systems are unsuitable due to topographical (e.g., uphill gradient from sewage entry point to collection point) and/or underground conditions (e.g., rocks, pipes, and other underground barriers which reduce the depth at which pipes need to be buried to provide continuous downhill gradient). In general terms, in a vacuum sewage system sewage at atmospheric pressure is moved by means of differential pressure through a transport conduit maintained at vacuum or subatmospheric pressure by means of a vacuum pump operatively connected to a collection vessel.
A typical and basic vacuum sewage system configuration is shown in
In the vacuum sewage system shown in
Despite advancements made in valve and valve controller designs, problems with hung valves (i.e., valves stuck in an open position) still exist. Hung valves most often occur due to mechanical valve failure, obstructions that prevent the valve from closing, moisture in the valve controls or freezing winter conditions.
When a valve is hung open, the pressure differential required by the system is compromised, impairing system performance. Significant maintenance costs are associated with the identification and repair of hung valves. Moreover, the system may be inoperative for long periods of time due to unawareness of the problem. Localized alarms have been used to signal a malfunction in the system and produce a visual (light) and/or audible (buzzer) alarm signal, but very often these signals go undetected for long periods of time. Telephone alarm dialers have also been used to warn operators that low vacuum or other malfunction at a vacuum station, but such systems are frequently damaged and rendered ineffective due to lightning strikes.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a vacuum system that includes a warning or notification system to signal to the sewage system operator that a valve is hung open or to signal to the operator other important sewage system conditions, such as high sewage levels in the sump or low vacuum level in a vacuum sewer main.
The present invention relates to a wireless notification system that transmits signals to the sewage system operator when there is a malfunction (e.g., a hung valve) or other undesired condition (e.g., inadequate vacuum pressure conditions in transport lines) in the vacuum sewage system. Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and a more thorough and comprehensive understanding may be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vacuum sewage system having a first conduit associated with a vacuum source for creating a pressure vacuum in the vacuum sewage system and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit. A valve is operably associated with the second conduit and a valve position sensor capable of sensing whether the valve is open or closed is associated with the valve. The monitoring system further includes a valve position receiver for receiving a signal from the valve position sensor. The valve position receiver is designed and configured such that it is capable of broadcasting a signal signifying that the valve is in an open position. The system also includes a computer for receiving the signal from the valve position receiver. Preferably, the computer is located at a central vacuum station where the system operator is housed and receives signals from multiple valve position receivers associated with multiple valve pits. Alternatively or in addition to a central computer, the system includes a portable receiver for receiving signals from the associated valve position receivers allowing maintenance and operations personnel in the field to monitor valve positions.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve position receiver is set to broadcast a signal only if the valve position receiver receives an open valve signal from the valve position sensor for a duration greater than a predetermined period of time.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the signal broadcast to the computer provides an identifier associated the valve position receiver and the duration the valve was in an open position.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the computer and/or portable receiver is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from the valve position receiver.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the vacuum sewage system includes a plurality a valves, with at least one valve position sensor associated with each valve. In this configuration, each valve position sensor is designed to sense whether the valve associated therewith is open and a valve position receiver is associated with each valve position sensor for receiving a signal from the respective valve position sensor. The valve position receivers broadcast signals to the computer or portable monitoring receiver indicating when a valve or valves are in an open position. In a preferred embodiment, the signal broadcast to the computer provides (1) an identifier associated with the valve position receiver from which the signal emanated and (2) the duration the valve(s) was in an open position.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, system conditions other than or in addition to a hung valve are sensed and a signal is transmitted to the central computer or portable receiver respecting such other condition(s) in order to allow remote monitoring of the vacuum sewage system. Such other system conditions that can be monitored include high sewage levels in the sump and low vacuum level in the vacuum sewer main.
Preferred embodiments of the vacuum sewage system of the present, invention are shown in
Positioned on top of the top panel 24 is valve pit 26, which is accessed at ground level by a manhole cover 28. Located within valve pit 26 is vacuum interface valve 30. Vacuum interface valve 30 is operatively connected to sump pit 12 by means of suction pipe 36. When the sewage level in the sump pit reaches a predetermined evacuation or discharge level, a sensor-controller (not shown) operatively connected to valve 30 triggers the opening of valve 30 and a sewage transport cycle commences, whereby sewage from the sump pit is transported through transport conduit 22 to collection vessel 20 (
Still referring to
Referring to
Because a vacuum sewage system typically has multiple users (i.e., valve pits) and multiple valves (See
In a preferred embodiment, the valve position notification unit operates at a frequency between 902-928 MHz and voltage of 6.0 Vdc and has a range of at least about 1.5 miles. The Maxstream Xtend RF modem has been found to be particularly suitable for use in the present system.
In another preferred embodiment, the valve position notification device is powered by solar panels 76 and a 9-volt rechargeable battery 77. To conserve power, the unit preferably “wakes up” only every 20 seconds (or other regular interval) to check for a signal from the valve position sensor.
Thus, generally and preferably, the valve position notification device 70 is a device that includes a programmable chip, an input for receiving input from the valve position sensor, a connection to adjust time delays, a cycle counter, means to send a signal to the operator (e.g., to a computer at a vacuum station) that identifies the pit or unit with a malfunctioning valve or other problem, and a power source (e.g., a battery).
Referring to
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve position notification device includes a battery-power monitor. The benefit of this optional feature is that if at any time the battery voltage approaches the minimum operating voltage, the valve position notification unit sends an alarm signal to the computer, with the assigned unit ID number and an indication that the battery needs to be replaced.
Although the description of the present invention has primarily focused on the detection and signaling of hung valves, other critical or significant sewage system conditions can be detected and alarm signals transmitted for immediate attention by maintenance personnel. For example, the wireless alarm system described herein can be configured and used to detect high sewage levels in the sump, which fluid levels can be detected, for example, by well-known liquid float-type switches having a non-powered, dry contact with two-wire output. Additionally, the wireless alarm system described herein can be configured and used to detect low vacuum level in a vacuum sewer main, which vacuum levels can be detected, for example, by well-known non-powered, dry contact, two-wire output pressure switches used for monitoring vacuum levels.
Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made in the apparatus without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.
Claims
1. A vacuum sewage system comprising:
- a first conduit associated with a vacuum source for creating a pressure vacuum in said vacuum sewage system;
- a second conduit in fluid communication with said first conduit, said second conduit having a valve associated therewith;
- a valve position sensor associated with said valve, said sensor being capable of sensing whether the valve is open or closed;
- a valve position receiver for receiving a signal from said valve position sensor, said valve position receiver being capable of broadcasting a signal signifying that the valve is in an open position; and
- a means for receiving said signal.
2. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said valve position receiver broadcasts said signal only if said valve position receiver receives an open valve signal from said valve position sensor for a duration greater than a predetermined period of time.
3. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said signal broadcast to said signal receiving means provides an identifier associated with said valve position receiver and the duration said valve was in an open position.
4. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said signal receiving means is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from said valve position receiver.
5. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:
- a plurality a valves;
- at least one valve position sensor associated with each valve in said plurality of valves;
- each of at least one valve position sensor being capable of sensing whether the valve associated therewith is open; and
- a valve position receiver associated with each valve position sensor for receiving a signal from the respective valve position sensor, each said valve position receiver being capable of broadcasting a signal to said signal receiving means signifying that the valve associated therewith is in an open position.
6. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 5 wherein:
- said signal broadcast to said signal receiving means provides an identifier associated with said valve position receiver and the duration said valve was in an open position.
7. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 6 wherein:
- said signal receiving means is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from each of said valve position receivers.
8. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said signal receiving means is a computer.
9. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said signal receiving means is a portable signal receiving device.
10. The vacuum sewage system as set forth in claim 5 wherein:
- said signal receiving means is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from each of said valve position receivers.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 18, 2010
Applicant: AIRVAC, Inc (Rochester, IN)
Inventor: John M. Grooms (Rochester, IN)
Application Number: 12/513,571
International Classification: E03F 1/00 (20060101);