WASTEWATER EVACUATION SYSTEM IN SANITARY MODULES

Abstract

WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM IN SANITARY MODULES The drainage system comprises a bowl connected to a supply system and an intermediate tank, connected to a final storage tank, by automated ball valves including a metal seat upstream and downstream of the closing ball, where each metal seat is independent of the valve body and where the two metal seats are in elastic contact with said valve body. Each metal seat contains at least one sealing gasket configured such that the metal seat protects said gasket from direct contact with solid elements during the closing movement of the ball and where the sealing gasket comprises a first sealing surface on the ball side and a second sealing surface on the seat side. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR DISPOSAL OF WASTEWATER IN SANITARY MODULES

[0001] The present invention relates to a wastewater evacuation system of the type usually used in sanitary modules installed in trains, airplanes, boats and other means of transport, or in buildings using said sanitary modules.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a wastewater disposal system having a pressure-vacuum system for transferring wastewater. Background of the invention

[0003] Wastewater evacuation systems in toilet modules transferring wastewater from the bowl to the storage and / or treatment tank for said water are known and therefore form part of the state of the art.

[0004] These known systems may correspond to gravity evacuation systems, permanent vacuum systems or depression-pressure systems. Conventionally and as appearing in document EP3078783A1, the operation of the latter is based on the creation of a vacuum in an intermediate tank located between the toilet bowl and the wastewater storage and / or treatment tank. The bowl and the intermediate tank are usually separated by a first valve making them independent of each other so that, when the bowl is cleaned with water, said first intermediate valve opens and the water and materials deposited in said bowl are sucked towards the intermediate tank in which a vacuum has previously been created.

[0005] In these conventional systems, a second valve is located between this intermediate tank and the wastewater storage and / or treatment tank. This makes it possible to make them independent of each other, so that when a vacuum is created in the intermediate tank in order to suck up the materials and cleaning water from the tank, this second valve is closed, while when pressure is applied in said intermediate tank in order to transport the wastewater sucked from the intermediate tank to the storage and / or treatment tank, the second valve is open and the first valve is closed.

[0006] The valves used in pressure-vacuum wastewater evacuation systems are conventionally of the sleeve type. The disadvantage of this type of valve is their behavior when solid materials, deposited in the toilets by mistake or following an act of vandalism, interfere with them at the time of closing. The disadvantage linked to these solid materials is the creation of a defect of closing the valve, if they become trapped in the said valve while closing occurs as they pass through the said valve. If they are hard and / or sharp solid materials, the trapping of solid material can even damage the closure of the sleeve valve and prevent any subsequent tight closure.

[0007] Ball valves provided with seats with seals made of polymer material having a certain elasticity in order to ensure the sealing of the seat-ball connection are known and are therefore part of the state of the art. Said seat is usually formed of a ring having a seal on the ball side and another on the valve body side, in an attempt to ensure the sealing of said configuration in closed positions.

[0008] The seal between the seat and the aforementioned ball is, as we have said, ensured by a usually polymer seal located between the two, the seat and the ball. The disadvantage is that this creates a considerable separation margin between the opening of the ball sphere and the inner edge of the seat ring. In certain cases, as mentioned for sleeve valves, when the ball valve is made to operate in environments containing solids, as is the case with toilet wastewater pipes, damage to said polymer seal may occur when the closure occurs precisely at the moment of passage of a solid element and, during the rotational movement of the ball closure, said solid element is directed against the polymer seal and the closing force exerted marks and deteriorates said seal, which ceases to correctly fulfill its sealing function.

[0009] Furthermore, for a type of floating ball valve, this type of valve means that the pressure compensation system provided by the fluid against the ball, by the corresponding downstream seat, can be ensured by a seal provided with a compensation system with specific springs located at different points of said seal. Description of the invention

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater disposal system, as well as a sanitary module containing it, capable of solving the mentioned drawbacks and having other advantages described below.

[0011] In accordance with this objective and in relation to a first aspect, the present invention is based on a wastewater evacuation system for a vacuum / pressure sanitary module comprising: - a bowl connected at least to a water supply system for its cleaning and to an intermediate tank; - an intermediate tank in which depression or pressure conditions are generated by a pneumatic system, depending on its operating stage; and - a final storage and / or treatment tank, at least connected to the intermediate tank.

[0012] The wastewater evacuation system is configured such that between the bowl and the intermediate tank, as well as between the intermediate tank and the final storage / treatment tank, there are at least two automated closing / opening valves, which make it possible to make certain elements independent of each other in a sealed manner, or to make them communicate with each other for the transfer of wastewater from one element to another, the opening / closing of these valves being at least controlled, as well as the generation of pressure or depression in the intermediate tank, by a control system belonging to or external to the evacuation system.

[0013] In the present invention and advantageously, the valves between the bowl and the intermediate tank, as well as between the intermediate tank and the final storage / treatment tank of the wastewater evacuation system, are ball valves comprising a metal seat upstream and downstream of the closing ball, where each metal seat is independent of the valve body and where the two metal seats are in elastic contact with said valve body.

[0014] Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that each of the metal seats contains at least one seal configured such that the metal seat protects said seal from direct contact with solid elements during the closing movement of the ball. This seal comprises a first sealing surface on the side of the ball and a second sealing surface on the side of the seat which contains it.

[0015] This configuration provides a pressure / vacuum wastewater disposal system that provides more reliable and safer operation through the integration of ball valves in a configuration that is advantageous for this application.

[0016] On the one hand, the inclusion of ball seats independent of the body on both sides of the ball, upstream and downstream, with an elastic position adjustment system, allows the two ball seats to compensate for changes in system pressure, between the depression generated during the transfer of wastewater to the intermediate tank and the pressure generated during the transfer to the final storage and / or treatment tank, maintaining an effective seal between the parts.

[0017] For clarification, when referring to the presence of a vacuum / pressure system and the generation of vacuum or pressure conditions, it is understood that the system generates vacuum conditions or pressure conditions in the intermediate tank, both being created at separate times in the wastewater transfer process.

[0018] On the other hand, the composition of the metal-type seats and the seals positioned inside said seats makes it possible to protect the seals from any solid materials that may become trapped during rotation of the ball and damage the sealing surfaces, these solid materials coming into contact first with the metal seat and breaking by shearing so as not to affect the internal seal.

[0019] In an optional but preferred embodiment of the invention, each elastic contact between the metal seats and the valve body is achieved by means of a corrugated compression spring which occupies the entire circular perimeter of the contact seat with the valve body.

[0020] This configuration of elastic contacts provided by corrugated compression springs allows space to be saved at the installation position between the seats and the valve body. Advantageously, this also allows compensation for both pressure and vacuum action, by allowing relative and sealed movement of the ball and each metal seat, inside the valve body and in both directions, depending on whether pressure or vacuum is applied.

[0021] In an optional embodiment of the invention, although preferably, at least one of the ball valves is a valve whose body is configured in two parts. This makes it possible to have a valve exhibiting better behavior in systems subject to vibrations such as, for example, evacuation systems installed in vehicles transporting people.

[0022] Also optionally, although preferably, the ball valve with a two-part body has a threaded connection system of the abutment type on one of the two bodies. This system of fitting the two-body valve with a direct fixing system by bolt / screw inserted in abutment on the body where the fixing is carried out, without the use of a nut and where the fixing is done by crossing the plate of one body to screw against the housing of the other body, makes it possible to reduce the fixing problems resulting from vibrations.

[0023] For its part, the composition of the sealing gasket housed by the metal seat, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, mainly comprises polytetrafluoroethylene - PTFE.

[0024] More specifically and optionally also, in addition to its majority composition of polytetrafluoroethylene - PTFE, its composition includes additives including at least stainless steel powder.

[0025] According to another possible embodiment of the invention, in addition to any of the preceding characteristics, the intermediate tank of the evacuation system comprises a conduit for generating depression / pressure in said intermediate tank, which communicates with the pneumatic system generating said depression / pressure, configured such that the open end of said pipe is at a level substantially identical to that of the wastewater inlet pipe in the intermediate tank.

[0026] This configuration of the position of the opening of the pipe connected to the pneumatic system where the depression / pressure is generated, makes it possible to reduce the risks of obstruction, due to clogging by paper during the creation of a vacuum for example, of the opening of said pipe and allows the depression / pressure generated by the pneumatic system to be effective in said intermediate tank where the pipe opens.

[0027] According to another alternative embodiment, the configuration of the intermediate tank where the depression / pressure is generated is reinforced to withstand the forces of the pressure differences. The structure of the shell / walls of the intermediate tank is thus provided with folds / creases at the walls. These folds and / or creases create ridges at the walls of the intermediate tank, which act as stiffening ribs of the structure of the intermediate tank and thus allow the tank to be less affected by the forces linked to the change in internal pressure, between positive pressure and depression values.

[0028] In accordance with the objectives and with respect to a second aspect, the present invention also relies on a sanitary module of the type mounted on passenger transport vehicles such as trains, airplanes or boats, or on building locations provided with spaces configured for receiving this type of sanitary modules. This sanitary module comprises at least one wastewater evacuation system as described in the first aspect of the invention in any of its embodiments shown. Brief description of the figures

[0029] To facilitate understanding of the elements presented, attached are drawings representing, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment.

[0030] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of the toilet wastewater disposal system.

[0031] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the evacuation system in a mode compact construction excluding the final storage and / or treatment tank.

[0032] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the ball valve as used in embodiments of the invention.

[0033] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the ball valve used in embodiments of embodiment of the invention and shown in [Fig.3].

[0034] Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0035] In the present preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wastewater disposal system (10) comprises a toilet bowl (11) intended to be used by the user and for collecting the materials rejected and deposited by said user. This bowl is connected to a water supply system (12) for cleaning said bowl and the rejected materials deposited, in this case belonging to a type of pressurized water supply by diaphragm pump, but which can alternatively be a gravity water supply or by another conventional supply mode.

[0036] The waste water contained in the bowl (11) at the time of its cleaning by the supplied water, is evacuated by a pipe (13) connected to an intermediate tank (14) in which it is temporarily deposited until its transfer to a final tank (15) for storage and / or treatment of the waste water, by a second pipe (13").

[0037] Between the bowl (11) and the intermediate tank (14), a first automated ball valve (16) is inserted, controlled by a control system, not shown in the figures. In the present embodiment, this is closed while the bowl (11) is in use or awaiting use by a user. The ball valve (16) receives an opening command when the water supply cleaning system (12) is actuated.

[0038] Firstly, a pneumatic system (17), with compressed air in the present embodiment, generating pressure / depression and connected to the intermediate tank by a pipe (18), creates a vacuum in said intermediate tank (14), initially under atmospheric pressure and isolated from the tank (11) by the first closed ball valve (16), and from the final tank (15) by a second ball valve (19), also closed.

[0039] The system preferably has a sensor at the first ball valve (16), so that the pneumatic system (17) does not generate pressure or vacuum until the first valve (16) is completely closed, in order to avoid, for example, recirculation and possible projection of waste water towards the user in the event of pressure.

[0040] When the first ball valve (16) is opened, the waste water is sucked by vacuum effect towards the intermediate tank (14). Once the supply of cleaning water to the toilet is finished and the waste water has been transferred to the intermediate tank, the first ball valve (16) closes again to isolate the intermediate tank (14) as well as to prevent odors from escaping into the bowl. It is thus possible to start a new cleaning process of the bowl (11), if the level of the waste water in said intermediate tank (14) allows it, or to create a change of state, from depression to atmospheric pressure and / or from atmospheric pressure to the transfer pressure in the intermediate tank (14) and, thus, to be able to give the opening order to the second ball valve (19), so that the transfer of the waste water retained in the intermediate tank (14) takes place towards the final tank (15), by the effect of a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure applied in the intermediate tank (14).

[0041] To avoid clogging or obstruction of the pipe (18) connecting the intermediate tank (14) to the pneumatic system (17) generating depression / pressure, when a depression is generated in said intermediate tank (14), the opening of the ends of the pipe (18) has been configured at a certain height depending on the entry of the waste water into said intermediate tank (14), remaining at the same height as the entry of the pipe (13) of the waste water towards the intermediate tank.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment which may contain all the features indicated in the previous preferred embodiment, the intermediate tank (14) comprises side walls provided with ridge-shaped folds, not shown in the figures, which make it possible to improve the structural stability of this intermediate tank (14) with respect to the pressure differences generated in said tank under the applied pressure and depression conditions.

[0043] Other operating features may be alternative, as indicated in the state of the art without altering the basic configuration of the evacuation system (10) proposed in the present invention.

[0044] To avoid malfunction of the waste water evacuation system (10), either due to the considerable pressure differences present in the inlet and outlet circuit of the intermediate tank (14), or due to the possible presence of solid materials introduced into the toilet by mistake or by act of vandalism by the user, the configuration of the ball valves (16, 19), as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is advantageously achieved by introducing two metal seats (20), one on each side of the ball (21).

[0045] These metal seats (20) are independent of the body (22) of the valve (16, 19) and elastically coupled to said body (22) of the valve (16, 19) by means of corrugated compression springs (23) covering the entire circular perimeter of the seat corresponding to the zone of interaction with the body (22) of the valve (16, 19). This allows the adaptation of the seats (20) on either side of the ball (21), to the pressure and vacuum conditions and to the multiple changes from one vacuum / pressure state to another in the transfer circuit, to maintain the sealing of the ball valve (16, 19) by compensating for said pressure / vacuum by the elastic movement of said seats, under the advantageous effect of the compensation in both directions of movement permitted by the corrugated compression spring (23).

[0046] Said metal seats (20) also house and protect seals (24, 25) having a sealing surface on the side of the ball (21), as well as a sealing surface on the side of the metal seat (20) itself. The seal (24, 25) is located inside the metal seat (20) so that if a solid material accidentally gets in the way of the ball (21) closing against the metal seat (20), the metal edge of the seat (20) would perform a shearing action with the edge of the ball (21) against the solid material before it can come into contact with the seal (24, 25), so as to prevent any failure of the ball (21) to close or any cut at the seals (24, 25).

[0047] The seals (24, 25) are mainly made with a polytetrafluoroethylene - PTFE type compound, although alternatively to this preferred embodiment, different compounds can be used.

[0048] Stainless steel powder has been added to the composition of one of the seals (25) in the present embodiment, which makes it possible to give it greater hardness because this seal is the most likely to present a risk of coming into contact with this type of solid materials.

[0049] The ball valves (16, 19) are fitted with two bodies (22', 22") instead of the more common three, which reduces the effects of vibrations when used in sanitary modules of vehicles such as trains, airplanes or boats, which cause play and possible hydraulic leaks. Alternatively, known alternative fittings may be used, with the consequence of increasing the risk of leakage.

[0050] The connection of the two bodies (22', 22") of the valve (16, 19) is carried out in the present embodiment, by means of screws passing through the fixing plate of a first body (22') of the valve (16, 19) on the second body (22"), threaded in abutment in the thread housing of said second body (22") without the use of through screws with tightening of a complementary nut. This type of closure with through screw and nut can be used alternatively.

[0051] This wastewater evacuation system is assembled in a compact manner, as can be seen in [Fig.2], that is to say by forming an installation assembly comprising in a single installation device, at least the bowl (11), the connection to the water supply system (12), the pipe (13) for the wastewater outlet to the intermediate tank (14), the intermediate tank (14) and the pipe (13") for the outlet from the intermediate tank (14) to the final tank (15), with ball valves (16, 19) at the inlet and outlet of said intermediate tank (14).

[0052] In a possible embodiment of the present evacuation system, in a manner complementary to the preceding preferred and alternative embodiments, said The evacuation system is installed on a sanitary module, where the sanitary module is configured to achieve modular installation in passenger transport vehicles such as trains, airplanes and ships, for example, as well as in buildings with modular construction allowing the installation of these ready-to-use sanitary modules. All that is required is the necessary installation space and supply connections as well as the final storage and / or treatment tank.

[0053] Although reference is made to a concrete embodiment of the invention, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the wastewater disposal system and the sanitary module described are subject to numerous modifications and variations, and that all the details indicated may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater evacuation system comprising: a bowl connected at least to a water supply system for its cleaning and to an intermediate tank; an intermediate tank in which vacuum or pressure conditions are generated by a pneumatic system, depending on its operating stage; and a final storage and / or treatment tank connected at least to the intermediate tank, wherein between the bowl and the intermediate tank, as well as between the intermediate tank and the final storage / treatment tank, there are at least two automated closing / opening valves which make it possible to make certain elements independent of each other in a sealed manner or to make them communicate with each other for the transfer of wastewater from one element to another, the opening / closing of these valves being at least controlled,as well as the generation of pressure or vacuum in the intermediate tank, by a control system, characterized in that the valves between the bowl and the intermediate tank, as well as between the intermediate tank and the final storage / treatment tank of the wastewater disposal system, are ball valves comprising a metal seat upstream and downstream of the closing ball, where each metal seat is independent of the valve body and where the two metal seats are in elastic contact with said valve body; and where each metal seat contains at least one seal configured so that the metal seat protects said seal from direct contact with solid elements during the closing movement of the ball and where the seal comprises a first sealing surface on the ball side and a second sealing surface on the seat side.,

2. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater disposal system according to claim 1, wherein each resilient contact between the metal seats and the valve body is made by means of a wave compression spring occupying the entire circular perimeter of the contact seat with the valve body.

3. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater disposal system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the ball valves is one of the valves having a two-part body configuration.

4. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater disposal system according to claim 3, wherein the ball valve with a two-part body has a threaded connection system abutting one of the two bodies.

5. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater disposal system according to claim 1, wherein the composition of the seal housed by the metal seat, comprises mainly polytetrafluoroethylene - PTFE.

6. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater evacuation system according to claim 5, wherein the seal housed by the metal seat is mainly composed of polytetrafluoroethylene -PTFE but also incorporates in its composition additives including at least stainless steel powder.

7. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater evacuation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate tank of the evacuation system comprises a conduit for generating vacuum / pressure in said intermediate tank, connected to the pneumatic system generating said vacuum / pressure and configured so that the open end of said conduit is at a level substantially identical to that of the wastewater inlet pipe in the intermediate tank.

8. A vacuum / pressure toilet wastewater disposal system according to claim 1, wherein the configuration of the intermediate tank in which the vacuum / pressure is generated is reinforced to resist the stresses of pressure differences, and consists of an intermediate tank shell / wall structure provided with folds / creases at the walls.

9. Sanitary module, of the type mounted on passenger transport vehicles such as trains, airplanes or boats, as well as in building locations with spaces configured to receive this type of sanitary module, characterized in that the sanitary module comprises at least one wastewater evacuation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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