Active Vacuum Buffer for Sewer Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum sewer systems face challenges with low vacuum levels due to atmospheric air entry when the discharge valve is opened, which can impede the operation of both the discharge valve and water valve, especially when a large vacuum buffer is not feasible due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
An active vacuum buffer device with a variable volume enclosure, connected between the control mechanism and sewer piping, uses a spring mechanism to expand its volume and induce suction, ensuring a sufficient vacuum level for valve operation, even in compact installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large vacuum buffer container is used to provide sufficient additional vacuum volume, then the vacuum level for control mechanism is improved, but the device size and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic vacuum buffer system where a flexible diaphragm can change volume in response to vacuum fluctuations. The buffer expands when vacuum drops and contracts when vacuum is sufficient, providing adaptive compensation without requiring a large fixed-volume container. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by delivering reliable vacuum stabilization with a compact, space-efficient design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and volume parameters of the buffer device dynamically. By using a flexible diaphragm that responds to pressure differential, the buffer's internal volume changes based on the vacuum level in the sewer piping. This parameter change allows the system to provide sufficient vacuum buffer capacity only when needed, eliminating the requirement for a permanently large container.
2Reliability
If vacuum buffer volume is increased to compensate for vacuum drop, then the vacuum availability for discharge valve operation is improved, but the installation complexity and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the vacuum buffer device within the existing toilet cistern structure, nesting the buffer chamber inside the available space. The flexible diaphragm buffer is contained within the cistern's internal volume, utilizing the existing structural envelope. This nesting approach reduces installation complexity by eliminating separate external buffer containers and their associated piping connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum buffer device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a vacuum reservoir, a pressure equalizer, and a space-efficient integration within the cistern structure. The same flexible diaphragm mechanism that provides vacuum buffering also helps equalize pressure differences and can be installed using existing cistern components, reducing overall system complexity.
3Speed
If vacuum is taken from sewer piping adjacent to discharge valve, then the vacuum control responsiveness is improved, but the vacuum level drops too low when discharge valve opens
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible diaphragm buffer is pre-charged with vacuum when the vacuum pump operates, storing vacuum energy in advance. When the discharge valve needs to open, the pre-charged buffer immediately releases stored vacuum to maintain the control mechanism's vacuum level. This preliminary action ensures both rapid responsiveness and sufficient vacuum levels during valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum buffer acts as a cushion that absorbs the vacuum drop that occurs when the discharge valve opens. By having the buffer pre-filled with vacuum volume, it cushions the impact of atmospheric air entering the system during valve opening, preventing the vacuum level from dropping below the threshold needed for reliable valve control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active buffer device effectively raises the vacuum level for the control mechanism, ensuring proper valve operation while minimizing space requirements and reducing the risk of blockages, functioning as both a booster and pressure equalizer.
Implementation Method 1
a spring means arranged to expand the volume of the enclosure from a first mode to a second mode
Implementation Method 2
induce a suction effect to the first tubing through the flow port
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sewer system comprising a sewage receptacle (1), sewer piping (3) connected to the sewage receptacle by means of a discharge valve (2), a vacuum generating means (4) for generating vacuum in the sewer piping, a control mechanism (5) for controlling the discharge valve, and a vacuum buffer means. In order to provide a small volume vacuum buffer means that may provide a timely raising of the vacuum level available for the control mechanism (5), the vacuum buffer means comprises an active buffer device (10) in fluid communication with the control mechanism (5) and the sewer piping (3).