Black Tank Macerator Recirculation for Waste Blockage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Black tanks in vehicles, such as RVs, face issues with waste buildup due to inclined surfaces, leading to blockages, and existing solutions like macerators are expensive and power-dependent, while external flushing is cumbersome and water-intensive, especially in constrained spaces.
Innovation Solution
A selectively operable macerator recirculates fluid from the black tank outlet back to the inlet to flush waste, allowing for manual or automatic operation, reducing the need for additional water and power, and can be retrofitted into existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a macerator is incorporated into the toilet to grind waste, then waste buildup on inclined surfaces is prevented, but the cost significantly increases and electrical power connection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the black tank's own fluid (waste water) to flush the inclined surface, eliminating the need for external water supplies or power-dependent macerators. The macerator pump recirculates existing tank fluid to perform the flushing function, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional water storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The macerator pump serves multiple functions: it macerates waste at the toilet outlet and also recirculates fluid to flush the inclined surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flushing mechanisms and reduces overall system complexity compared to traditional macerator toilets.
2Reliability
If additional water supply is added to flush waste from inclined surfaces, then waste buildup is prevented, but the water supply requirements and black tank size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recirculates fluid already present in the black tank to perform the flushing function, eliminating the need for additional water supplies. The macerator pump draws from and returns fluid to the same tank, creating a closed-loop system that prevents waste buildup without increasing water consumption or tank size.
3Ease of repair
If external water supply and spraying apparatus is used to remove waste buildup, then blockage is removed, but the process is time-consuming and requires external water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary flushing action by recirculating fluid through the inclined surface regularly, preventing waste buildup before it becomes a blockage. This proactive approach eliminates the need for time-consuming external intervention and makes the system maintainable during off-season storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The black tank system performs its own maintenance by using the macerator pump to recirculate fluid and flush the inclined surface, eliminating the need for external water supplies and manual intervention for routine maintenance or blockage prevention.
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
This solution enhances black tank capacity, user convenience, and toilet reliability, minimizing water usage and maintenance efforts, while being cost-effective and adaptable to various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a macerator pump selectively operable to recirculate fluid from the sump area through the black tank from the outlet back toward the inlet
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle at the other end of the dispensing tube to spray the recirculated fluid onto the waste
Implementation Method 3
inclined lower surfaces between the inlet and the outlet of the black tank... allow waste to slide down to a lower, 'sump portion' of the black tank
Data Source
AI summary
A black tank arrangement is provided having a selectively operable macerator for recirculating fluid adjacent the black tank outlet back toward the black tank inlet, so as to flush or spray waste from that inlet toward the outlet. Selecting the fluid transfer components to be mountable adjacent the end face of the black tank near the black tank outlet allows the invention to be retrofit into previously installed black tanks in vehicles. Operation of the macerator can be manual, via a remote switch held down by the user for a given time period, and/or automatic, in sequence with toilet operation.