Vacuum Sewage Controller With Internal Pressure Chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum sewage systems rely on external dip tubes for air and pressure communication, which can be inefficient and require needle valves for airflow regulation, limiting the system's ability to manage sewage transport effectively.

Innovation Solution

A controller for a vacuum sewage system with a housing containing multiple chambers, pressure sensor conduits, valve members, flexible diaphragms, and adjustable orifices that utilize differential pressures to manage air flow and sewage transport without external dip tubes, incorporating a mechanism to regulate airflow through the use of valve members and orifices to control the rate of sewage discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If external dip tubes are used for air and pressure communication, then the system structure is simple, but the sewage transport efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesewage transport efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air communication function and pressure sensing function into the housing structure itself by creating internal chambers (first, second, third chambers) that are in direct pressure communication with the holding tank through the sensor pipe. This eliminates the need for external dip tubes while maintaining the pressure communication function, thereby improving sewage transport efficiency without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the dip tube component from the system by implementing internal pressure communication pathways within the housing. The sensor pipe extends into the holding tank and communicates pressure changes directly to the chambers, removing the external dip tube while preserving its pressure communication function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If needle valves are used for airflow regulation, then the device structure is simplified, but the control precision of air flow rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow control precisionVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs adjustable orifices that can be dynamically configured to regulate airflow rates. The orifices provide precise control over air flow between chambers, allowing the system to adapt airflow rates to different operating conditions without requiring complex needle valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of airflow regulation by using orifices with different sizes and configurations instead of needle valves. This allows precise control of air flow rate by selecting appropriate orifice dimensions, improving ease of operation while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple chambers with internal pressure communication are implemented, then the vacuum control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum control precisionVSAvoidchamber configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pressure control function into multiple distinct chambers (first chamber for sensing, second chamber for vacuum control, third chamber for additional pressure regulation) within the housing. Each chamber has a specific function in the vacuum control process, improving measurement precision through distributed pressure sensing and control while organizing complexity into functional modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it contains the chambers, provides pressure communication pathways, houses the vacuum valve, and facilitates airflow regulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, improving vacuum control precision without excessive increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances the efficiency of sewage transport by eliminating the need for external dip tubes and needle valves, allowing for precise control of air flow and pressure management, thereby improving the overall performance of the vacuum sewage system.

Implementation Method 1

The first diaphragm responds to pressure changes in the first and second chambers. A second diaphragm responds to pressure changes in the third and fourth chambers.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum source for maintaining the second section of the discharge conduit under vacuum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

which utilize differential pressures to produce sewage transport through the system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3149252B1Controller for vacuum sewage system
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 AQSEPTENCE GROUP INC
  • EP3149252B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3149252B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3149252B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

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.