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WO2007090039A2 - Dispositif de recyclage de l'eau - Google Patents

Dispositif de recyclage de l'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007090039A2
WO2007090039A2 PCT/US2007/061093 US2007061093W WO2007090039A2 WO 2007090039 A2 WO2007090039 A2 WO 2007090039A2 US 2007061093 W US2007061093 W US 2007061093W WO 2007090039 A2 WO2007090039 A2 WO 2007090039A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
toilet
tank
gray
gray water
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2007/061093
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007090039A3 (fr
Inventor
Mark Golightly Sanders
Thomas F. Reynolds
Gerald Cox
Wayne Streble
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WATERSAVER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Original Assignee
WATERSAVER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WATERSAVER TECHNOLOGIES LLC filed Critical WATERSAVER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Priority to EP07717432A priority Critical patent/EP1984577A2/fr
Priority to CA002638030A priority patent/CA2638030A1/fr
Publication of WO2007090039A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007090039A2/fr
Publication of WO2007090039A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007090039A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/003—Grey water flushing systems
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/003—Grey water flushing systems
    • E03D5/006—Constructional details of cisterns for using greywater
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/30—Relating to industrial water supply, e.g. used for cooling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a water recycling system. More particularly, it relates to a water recycling system that uses gray water from a bathroom sink or some other household source to fill a toilet tank.
  • U.S. Patent Number 6,276,005 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, describes a water recycling system that uses gray water from a bathroom sink to fill a toilet tank. That system collects water from the sink into a reservoir, and the gray water in the reservoir is pumped to the toilet tank whenever the system senses that the toilet tank is empty, thus conserving fresh water. The toilet tank is supplemented with normal potable water when the gray water does not supply all its requirements.
  • One embodiment of a device made in accordance with the present invention provides several improvements to the water recycling system described in the '005 patent.
  • the improvements include incorporating a disinfecting tablet dispenser, using hollow tank bolts to make it easier to route the gray water into the toilet tank, and having an electrical control system connected to the reservoir pump to control water flow.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic ⁇ 'iew of an example of a water recycling system made in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the gray water reservoir and disinfecting tablet dispenser of the water recycling system of Figure 1 :
  • Figure 2A is a sectional view of the tee in Figure 2;
  • Figure 3 is a side view of one of the hollow bolts used in the water recycling system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a broken away sectional view through the toilet showing the hollow bolt of Figure 3 connecting a toilet tank and toilet bowl together;
  • Figure 5 is a sectional view of the toilet tank of Figure 1:
  • Figure 6 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a fill control unit used in the water recycling system of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 6A is rear elevation view of the fill control unit of Figure 6;
  • Figure 6B is a detailed view of the portion 6B circled in Figure 6A;
  • Figure 7 is a broken away plan view of the fill control unit of Figure 6;
  • Figure 7 A is a view taken along line 7A-7A of Figure 6:
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of the fill control unit of Figure 6 in the process of being installed in a toilet tank
  • Figure 9 is a plan view of the fill control unit of Figure 6 installed in a toilet tank
  • Figure 10 is a view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 7;
  • Figure 11 is a view taken along line 1 1-11 of Figure 8;
  • Figure 12 is a schematic view of a toilet tank with a first embodiment of the water recycling system installed, and with the toilet in the default position awaiting a toilet flush;
  • FIG 13 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a control system, including a circuit board, made in accordance with the present invention as it is in the default position awaiting a toilet flush as in Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 is a schematic view of the toilet tank and water recycling system of Figure 12 just after the toilet has been flushed;
  • FIG 15 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 13 just after the toilet has been flushed;
  • Figure 16 is a schematic view of the toilet tank and water recycling system of Figure
  • Figure 17 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 13 during the initial stage of filling the toilet tank with gray water:
  • Figure 18 is a schematic view of the toilet tank and water recycling system of Figure
  • Figure 19 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 13 as it moves from the initial to the secondary tank filling stage:
  • Figure 20 is a schematic view of the toilet tank and water recycling system of Figure
  • Figure 21 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 13 during the secondary tank filling stage;
  • Figure 22 is a schematic view of the toilet tank and water recycling system of Figure
  • Figure 23 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 13 after the secondary tank filling stage, with the toilet tank and water recycling system back in the default position;
  • Figure 24 is a schematic view of the toilet tank and water recycling system of Figure
  • Figure 25 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 13 corresponding to the situation of Figure 24:
  • Figure 26 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a control system, including an infrared switch, made in accordance with the present invention as it is in the default position awaiting a toilet flush as in Figure 12;
  • Figure 27 is a schematic view of the control system of Figure 26 just after the toilet has been flushed;
  • Figure 28 is a perspective view of the infrared switch of Figure 26.
  • FIG. 1 shows a water recycling system 10 installed in a bathroom with a sink
  • the system 10 includes a gray water reservoir 16, a pump 13 inside the reservoir 16, a control unit 20 inside the toilet tank 14A. a tablet dispenser 30 for disinfecting the gray water as it goes into the reservoir 16, and hoses and piping to connect the parts together.
  • the system 10 collects water from the sink 12 into a gray water reservoir 16 and pumps the gray water into the toilet tank 14A, where it is used for flushing.
  • the control unit 20 includes a seesaw mechanism 11 (best shown in Figures 6 and 6A) that interacts with the existing toilet float 21 and toilet float valve 31.
  • the toilet float 21 and toilet float valve 31 are standard parts of the toilet that control the flow of fresh, potable water that enters the tank from the fresh water supply line 18.
  • the float valve 31 When the float 21 is lowered, the float valve 31 is open, and fresh water enters the tank. When the float 21 is raised, the float valve 31 is closed, and the flow of fresh water stops.
  • the system 10 By having a seesaw mechanism 1 1 that interacts with the toilet float 21, the system 10 not only pumps gray water collected from the sink 12 to the toilet 14; it simultaneously controls the flow of fresh, potable water entering the toilet tank 14A through the fresh water supply line 18. Thus, the system conserves fresh, potable water.
  • the water recycling system alternatively could be used with other gray water sources besides a bathroom sink, such as a shower, washing machine, or the like.
  • the system 10 shown in this embodiment is retrofitted to the existing sewage pipe 33 of the sink 12 via a tee 35.
  • the majority of the water from the sink 12 flows through the tee 35. then through a drainage pipe 32, a tablet dispenser 3O 1 and into the gray water reservoir 16.
  • some of the water is diverted into the sewage pipe 33 by means of a baffle 35A on the interior of the tee 35.
  • the baffle 35A (shown in Figures 2 and 2A) is angled downwardly toward the sewage pipe 33 in order to divert some of the water coming from the sink to the sewage pipe 33 to keep the P-trap 33A in the sewage pipe 33 primed with water. If . no water flowed into the sewage pipe 33, the water in the P-trap 33A could eventually evaporate over time, allowing sewage gases to back up into the bathroom through the sink.
  • the baffle ensures that the water in the P-trap 33 A is replenished.
  • a valve could be used in place of the baffle 35 A, or the pipes could be angled or otherwise configured to ensure that some water flows to the sewage pipe 33, while most of the water flows to the reservoir 16.
  • the gray water reservoir 16 completely fills up with water, the water fills up to the tee 35 and overflows into the sewage pipe 33.
  • the sewage pipe 33 is available as an alternate passageway to drain surplus gray water, preventing gray water from backing up into the sink 12.
  • the tablet dispenser 30 is used to disinfect the gray water as it flows into the reservoir 16.
  • the dispenser 30 has a threaded, removable cap 34, and disinfecting tablets 36 are placed inside the dispenser 30 by removing the cap 34, inserting the tablets 36, and then replacing the cap 34.
  • the disinfecting tablets 36 in this case are tablets that are typically used in swimming pools and spas, and the tablets contain chlorine. Of course, other known sanitizing ingredients alternatively could be used.
  • the dispenser 30 is shown holding three disc-shaped tablets 36 stacked directly on top of each other. As water travels from the sink 12. through the dispenser 30, to the gray water reservoir 16. it washes over the tablets 36. washing some chlorine into the reservoir 16 to disinfect the gray water in the reservoir 16.
  • the tablets 36 do not remain submerged as is normally the case for disinfecting tablets inside a toilet tank but rather remain dry until water from the sink 12 passes over them. As a result, the tablets 36 last a long time while still providing sufficient disinfectant to the reservoir 16. Three tablets typically last over a year when used for a bathroom sink under typical use by two people.
  • the reservoir 16 includes a screen or filter 15 that separates the reservoir into two sections.
  • water from the sink 12 enters on the right side of the filter 15, and there is a pump 13 on the left side of the filter.
  • the pump 13 pumps water from the reservoir 16 to the tank 14A of the toilet 14 via a primary gray water supply hose 50, and hollow bolts 4OA, 4OB provide passageways for the water into the toilet tank 14A.
  • gray water is routed to the toilet overflow tube 60 of the toilet 14 and to the fill control unit 20.
  • the fill control unit 20 controls the flow of gray water by activating or deactivating the pump 13 (as will be explained in detail later), and it controls the flow of fresh water by raising or lowering the regular toilet float 21 on the toilet float valve 31 (as will also be explained in detail later).
  • a control module 73 mounted to the top of the gray water reservoir 16, houses a circuit board 74 (shown in Figures 13-27) that controls the activity of the pump 13. as will also be explained in greater detail later.
  • FIGs 3 - 5 show the hollow threaded bolts 40 (4OA, 40B) used in the water recycling system 10.
  • the threaded bolts 40 (4OA, 40B) replace the regular bolts used to connect the toilet tank 14A to the toilet bowl 14B, and as previously mentioned, they provide gray water inlet passageways into the toilet tank 14A from the reservoir 16.
  • each hollow bolt 40 includes an inside end 41 with a head 42 on the inside of the toilet tank 14A and an outside end 43 with a nut 44 on the outside of the toilet bowl 14B.
  • Each bolt 40 is threaded through its central portion and has barbs on its ends 41, 43.
  • the nut 44 is threaded onto the bolt 40 for tightening the tank 14A and toilet bowl 14B together.
  • a rubber washer 46 is used inside the toilet tank 14A between the head 42 and bottom wall of the toilet tank 14A to create a watertight seal
  • a metal washer 48 is used on the outside of the toilet tank 14A between the nut 44 and the wall of the toilet bowl 14B.
  • the inside and outside ends 41, 43 of the hollow bolts 40 have barbed fittings for engaging with flexible hosing, as will be explained in detail shortly.
  • the hollow bolts 40 both secure the tank 14A to the bowl 14B and provide passageways for gray water to enter the tank 14A.
  • FIGS 1 and 5 show a pair of the hollow threaded bolts 40A, 4OB installed on the toilet 14 as part of the water recycling system 10.
  • a primary gray water supply hose 50 extends from the pump 13 in the gray water reservoir 16 to the toilet tank 14. Near the toilet 14. the primary gray water supply hose 50 splits into left and right gray water supply hose legs 5OA, 50B via a tee connection 52.
  • the left gray water supply hose leg 50A is secured to the outside end 43 A of the left hollow bolt 4OA
  • the right gray water supply hose leg 50B is secured to the outside end 43B of the right hollow bolt 4OB.
  • an extension 5OB ' of the right gray water supply hose 50B is secured to the inside end 41B of the right hollow bolt 40B.
  • the right extension 5OB' extends upwardly to an inlet port 26B (shown in Figure 6) on the fill control unit 20.
  • the gray water flows from the inlet port 26B to a balance cup 23 on one side of the seesaw mechanism 1 1 of the fill control unit 20, which will be explained in greater detail later.
  • the inside end 41 A of left hollow bolt 40A is connected to an extension 5OA' of the left gray water supply hose 5OA. which, in turn, is connected to a tee 55.
  • the tee 55 splits the water flow between a first path 54A going to an inlet port 26 A of the fill control unit 20 and a second path 54B going to the toilet overflow tube 60.
  • the toilet overflow tube 60 is a standard part of the toilet which allows water to flow into the toilet bowl 14B, and water typically fills the bowl 14B through the overflow tube 60 at the same time that the tank 14A is filled, as is well known in the art).
  • the tee 55 and the inlet ports 26A, 26B have barbed fittings for engaging the respective hoses.
  • the hoses could be clamped in place, or threaded connections or other known types of connections could be used.
  • the supply hoses alternatively could pass through the inside of the bolts. In that case, there would be a seal between the hose and the bolt to prevent leakage.
  • the pump 13 pumps gray water from the reservoir
  • the gray water supply hose would be routed through the single hollow bolt, and it would be configured on the inside of the toilet tank 14A to supply gray water to the balance cup 23 and to the overflow pipe 60.
  • FIGS. 6A. 6B. 7. and 7A show the fill control unit 20 of the water recycling system 10 in greater detail.
  • the fill control unit 20 is part of a control system that controls the flow of gray water and fresh water to the toilet tank.
  • the fill control unit 20 includes four main parts:
  • a bracket 22 which hangs on the back of the toilet tank.
  • a frame 17. which hangs from the bracket 22 and includes a top plate 19 and legs 19A, 19A ⁇ 19A " , 19B. 19C projecting downwardly from the top plate 19.
  • the legs 19A" support the inlet ports 26A, 26B.
  • a seesaw mechanism 1 which pivots relative to the frame 17 about a pivot point 25 on the legs 19A, 19A' of the frame 17 and includes a control arm 24 on one side of the pivot 25 and a fill cup 23 on the other side of the pivot 25.
  • a track bar 90 which mounts on top of the top plate 19.
  • the legs 19B. 19C of the frame 17 wrap around the back of the bracket 22. as shown in Figure 6A. and restrict the relative movement between the frame 17 and the bracket 22 to the vertical direction.
  • the left side of the bracket 22 has teeth 22 A
  • the leg 19B has an upwardly-projecting arm 2SB with a head 28 that engages between two of the teeth 22A to fix the vertical position of the frame 17 relative to the bracket 22.
  • the horizontal arm 28A which is attached to the head 28, is pushed downwardly, causing the vertical arm 28B to flex, thereby allowing the head 28 to move out of the space between the teeth 28A, as shown in phantom in Figure 6B.
  • FIGS. 6 and 6 A each show two positions of the seesaw mechanism 1 1.
  • the first (empty) position the balance cup 23 is up and the control arm 24 is down.
  • the second (full) position shown in phantom, the control arm 24 and balance cup 24 have pivoted in a clockwise direction about the pivot point 25, so the balance cup 23 is down and the control arm 24 is up.
  • the control arm 24 is raising the float 21 on the toilet float valve 31. preventing fresh, potable water from flowing into the tank.
  • the elongated track bar 90 is used to facilitate proper installation of the fill control unit 20 in the toilet tank 14A.
  • the elongated track bar 90 is essentially a thin, flat, elongated member with elongated openings 98 along its central axis.
  • the track bar 90 has thicker, upwardly-projecting edges 96, which function as tracks, and it has upwardly-projecting stops 97. located closer to one end. (The stops 97 can be seen in Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11.)
  • the track bar 90 is received by a pair of upwardly projecting guides 27 on the top plate 19 of the frame 17.
  • Figure 7 depicts the typical configuration of the track bar 90 and fill control unit 20 as it is shipped to a customer.
  • the track bar 90 fills the space between the guides 27 and slides within the guides 27 on the top plate 19, and it is secured to the top plate 19 by means of a screw 91.
  • the track bar 90 has a top side 92, a bottom side 93 (shown in Figure 9). a first end 94. and a second end 95.
  • the track bar 90 is shipped with the top side 92 facing up and the bottom side 93 facing down.
  • the stops 97 are positioned closer to the first end 94 of the track bar 90 than to the second end 95, and the elongated slots 98 allow the screw 91 to pass through the track bar 90 and secure the track bar 90 to the top plate 19 of the frame 17.
  • the first end 94 of the track bar 90 is to the left and the second end 95 is to the right.
  • the track bar 90 serves a dual purpose, functioning both as a positioning guide and as a brace.
  • the track bar 90 serves as a measuring stick to help the installer position the bracket 22 in the correct horizontal position so that, when the control arm 24 of the fill control unit 20 pivots upwardly, it properly interacts with the toilet float 21.
  • the track bar 90 is secured to the top plate 19 of the frame 17 in a position in which it is braced against the right side of the toilet tank 14A to prevent the bracket 22 from sliding horizontally as the fill control unit 20 operates.
  • the installer in order to use the track bar 90 as a positioning guide, the installer first removes the screw 91, and then flips and rotates the track bar 90 so that the top side 92 of the track bar 90 is facing down (and the bottom side 93 is facing up), the second end 95 of the track bar 90 is to the left, and the first end 94 is to the right.
  • the second end 95 of the track bar 90 is set against the right side of the fill control valve 31 , and the frame 17 and bracket 22 are slid to the left until the left side of the top plate 19 abuts the stops 97 of the track bar 90. which are now projecting downwardly.
  • the distance between the second end 95 of the track bar 90 and the stops 97 of the track bar 90 is equal to the desired distance between the fill control valve 31 and the left side of the top plate 19 of the fill control unit 20.
  • this position is marked or visually noted along the back of the toilet tank 14A, such as denoted by the dashed line 99 in Figure 8.
  • the fill control unit 20 is then hung along the back of the toilet tank 14A with the left end of the mounting bracket 22 at the position denoted by the dashed line 99.
  • the arm 24 properly contacts the float 21 when it is raised.
  • the track bar 90 is repositioned for use as a right side brace to prevent the fill control unit 20 from gradually "crawling" to the right along the back of the toilet tank 14A as it operates.
  • the track bar 90 is flipped back over so that the top side 92 is again facing up and the bottom side 93 is facing down.
  • the first end 94 is slid to the right until it abuts the right side wall of the toilet tank 14 A.
  • the screw 91 is screwed through one of the slots 98 and into the top plate 19 of the frame 17 to lock the track bar 90 in place relative to the frame 17.
  • the slots 98 of the track bar 90 may not align with the screw hole in the top plate 19 when the first end 94 abuts the toilet tank 14A.
  • the track bar 90 can be removed, rotated 180 degrees (putting the first end 94 on the left and the second end 95 on the right), and replaced so that the second end 95 abuts the right side wall of the toilet tank 14A.
  • one of the slots 98 will align with the screw hole, because the spacing of the slots 98 in the track bar 90 is not symmetrical, as best shown in Figure 7.
  • the slots 98 are located a different distance from the first end 94 than from the second end 95 of the track bar.
  • the slide bar 90 functions both as a measuring stick, to properly position the fill control unit 20 horizontally in relation to the toilet float 21. and as a brace to brace the fill control unit 20 against the right side wall of the toilet tank 14A in order to prevent horizontal movement of the fill control unit 20 during operation.
  • the fill control unit 20 also should be adjusted vertically once it is hung inside the toilet tank 14A. More specifically, the frame 17 should be adjusted vertically relative to the bracket 22 so that the control arm 24 is under the float 21 and parallel to the water line when the balance cup 23 is in the "up" position as shown in solid lines in Figures 6 and 6A, which is the position when the balance cup 23 is empty.
  • the water recycling system 10 now is properly installed.
  • the water recycling system 10 incorporates a control system that fills the toilet tank 14A with gray water when gray water is available in the gray water reservoir 16 and fills the tank 14A with fresh, potable water when gray water is not available.
  • the control system includes a control module 73 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) that houses a circuit board 74 (shown schematically in Figures 12 — 27).
  • the control module 73 is electrically connected to a power supply 82, to the pump 13. and to a snap-action switch 70.
  • the snap-action switch 70 is secured to the fill control unit 20 with a screw 71, as best shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the snap-action switch 70 is mounted such that it is switched on or off by a cam 72 which pivots with the seesaw mechanism 11 on the pivot point 25 of the fill control unit 20.
  • a cam 72 which pivots with the seesaw mechanism 11 on the pivot point 25 of the fill control unit 20.
  • the balance cup 23 When the balance cup 23 is full, it causes the seesaw mechanism 1 1 to pivot clockwise due to the weight of the water in the cup 23, causing the cam 72 to rotate clockwise away from the switch 70 (and deactivating the switch 70).
  • the weight of the control arm 24 causes the seesaw mechanism 1 1 to pivot counterclockwise, causing the cam 72 to rotate counterclockwise and contact the switch 70 (activating the switch).
  • the switch 70 is electrically connected to the circuit board 74, pump 13 and power supply 82.
  • the power supply 82 in this embodiment is a 120 V Volt AC to 12 Volt DC transformer plugged into a bathroom electrical outlet as shown in Figure 1.
  • a different power supply such as a battery, could be used.
  • the switch 70, circuit board 74. fill control unit 20 and pump 13 control the flow of water as will be explained in greater detail with reference to Figures 12-27.
  • Figures 12-25 are schematics of the toilet tank 14A and circuit board 74 at various stages of operation.
  • Figures 12 and 13 show the toilet tank 14A and circuit board 74 in the default position (i.e. awaiting toilet flush).
  • the circuit board 74 includes a pair of relay/timers 84. 86.
  • the first relay/timer 84 includes a switch 84A and a coil 84B, and the second relay/timer also includes a switch 86A and a coil 86B.
  • the relay/timers 84, 86 facilitate the flow of gray water to the toilet tank in two separate stages, but at this point, neither relay/timer has been activated.
  • the balance cup 23 and toilet tank 14A are full of water, and the cam 72 and switch 70 are in a first position 76 (see Figure 13) which yields an open circuit and means that the pump 13 is deactivated.
  • Figures 14 and 15 show the toilet tank 14A and circuit board 74 immediately after the toilet is flushed.
  • the toilet tank 14A has emptied, and the balance cup 23 has also emptied, because the balance cup 23 has at least one drain hole 29.
  • the seesaw mechanism 11 has pivoted counterclockwise, lowering the control arm 24 , which allows the regular toilet float 21 to lower as well, and the cam 72 has rotated counterclockwise, causing the switch 70 to move to a second (activated) position 78 (see Figure 15). which completes a circuit to the coil 84B of the first relay/timer 84 on the circuit board 74.
  • the coil 84B When the coil 84B is activated, it switches the relay 84A to complete a circuit to the pump 13, as shown in Figure 17.
  • the pump 13 is activated, and it starts to pump gray water to the balance cup 23 and toilet tank 14A. (This is assuming there is water in the reservoir 16. The scenario where there is no gray water in the reservoir 16 is discussed later.)
  • FIG 16 shows the cup 23 and tank 14A in the process of being filled
  • Figure 17 shows the relay/timer 84A activated to complete the circuit to the pump 13.
  • the first relay/timer 84 will remain in this position for a set time period that allows the balance cup 23 to fill with gray water (typically about 15 seconds).
  • the balance cup 23 has been filled, which pivots the seesaw mechanism 1 1 clockwise, causing the cam 72 to ph'ot back to the initial position in which the switch 70 is inactivated and raising the control arm 24.
  • the control arm 24 As the control arm 24 is raised, it raises the regular toilet float 21.
  • the regular toilet float 21 is mounted on the toilet fill valve 31 and controls the flow of fresh water to the tank 14A (according to the normal operating mechanism of the toilet). When the toilet float 21 is raised, the flow of fresh water to the toilet tank is shut off.
  • the second set time period is set to finish filling the tank 14A with water.
  • the second time period is manually adjustable from 1 minute to 4 minutes, with the specific time period depending primarily on the size and configuration of the toilet tank 14A.
  • the tank 14A is filled in two stages: an initial stage for a short period of time to fill the balance cup 23 (and rotate the seesaw mechanism 11 and the cam 72 and activate the switch 70); and a secondary stage for a longer period of time to fill the toilet tank 14A.
  • the system returns to the default position as shown in Figures 22 and 23, which are identical to Figures 12 and 13. and the system awaits another toilet flush.
  • Figures 24 and 25 represent the situation in which there is no gray water in the reservoir 16 when the toilet is flushed.
  • the seesaw mechanism 11 pivots counterclockwise, causing the cam 72 to pivot with it, and moving the switch 70 to the activated position 78, activating the first relay/timer 84, which activates the pump 13, but this time there is no water in the reservoir 16 to pump into the balance cup 23.
  • the balance cup 23 remains empty, which means the switch 70 remains in the activated position 78.
  • the switch 70 does not change positions in order to close the circuit that activates the second coil of the second relay/timer 86, the first relay/timer 84 simply times out without the second relay/timer 86 being activated.
  • the control system ensures that the pump 13 does not operate for an extended period of time without water in the reservoir (which could damage the pump).
  • the pump 13 operates only during the short initial stage, but it does not run during the longer secondary stage.
  • the tank 14A fills with fresh, potable water through the normal toilet fill valve 31 (according to the normal operating mechanism of the toilet) until the float 21 is raised by the incoming water. Once the tank 14A is full, the flow of fresh water is stopped by the toilet float 21 and toilet fill valve 31 in accordance with the normal operating mechanism of the toilet. As water fills the tank, it also fills the balance cup 23 through the drain hole(s) 29 until the balance cup is full causing the seesaw mechanism 1 1 to pivot clockwise, and raising the control arm 24 to the position shown in Figures 12 and 13.
  • FIGs 26 and 27 are schematics showing another embodiment of a water recycling system made in accordance with the present invention.
  • the cam-action switch 72 is replaced with an infrared switch 172.
  • Figure 28 is an illustration of the infrared switch 172. which is an off-the-shelf item.
  • the infrared switch 172 has an emitter 172A and a detector 172B, which are separated by a gap.
  • the emitter 172A transmits a light beam 172C toward the detector 172B to establish a first switch position 176.
  • the infrared switch 172 switches from the first switch position 176 to a second switch position 178 whenever an opaque object is inserted into the gap between the emitter 172A and detector 172B and interrupts the light beam l72C.
  • Figure 26 schematically shows the infrared switch in the first position 176, which is similar to the first position 76 of the cam-action switch of Figures 12-25.
  • the balance cup 123 is in the lowered position (full of water) and does not interfere with the light beam of the infrared switch 172.
  • Figure 27 schematically shows the infrared switch in the second position 178, which is similar to the second position 78 of the cam-action switch of Figures 12-25.
  • the balance cup is in the raised position (empty), and part of the balance cup 123 has broken the light beam 172C between the emitter 172A and detector 172B, switching the infrared switch 172 to the second position 178.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de recyclage de l'eau qui utilise de l'eau grise à partir d'une source d'eau grise, telle qu'un lavabo de salle de bain, pour actionner la chasse d'eau des toilettes.
PCT/US2007/061093 2006-01-31 2007-01-26 Dispositif de recyclage de l'eau Ceased WO2007090039A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07717432A EP1984577A2 (fr) 2006-01-31 2007-01-26 Dispositif de recyclage de l'eau
CA002638030A CA2638030A1 (fr) 2006-01-31 2007-01-26 Dispositif de recyclage de l'eau

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US76383806P 2006-01-31 2006-01-31
US60/763,838 2006-01-31

Publications (2)

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WO2007090039A2 true WO2007090039A2 (fr) 2007-08-09
WO2007090039A3 WO2007090039A3 (fr) 2007-11-29

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US (1) US20070174959A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1984577A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2638030A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007090039A2 (fr)

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EP2309064A2 (fr) 2009-10-06 2011-04-13 Roca Sanitario, S. A. Système et procédé pour la réutilisation de l'eau d'un évier dans un WC
ITRM20110236A1 (it) * 2011-05-12 2011-08-11 Paolo Fabrizi Cassetta alternativa procedimento atto al recupero delle acque di scarico riutilizzabili per scaricare il wc
ITCZ20100002A1 (it) * 2010-03-11 2011-09-12 Antonio Pilo' Dispositivo per il risparmio ed il recuparo dell'acqua per wc
WO2012101615A1 (fr) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-02 Antonio Rovira Auge Dispositif pour réutiliser des eaux ménagères dans des toilettes
WO2013027216A1 (fr) * 2011-08-21 2013-02-28 Mimone Izchak Gago Système d'utilisation d'eau efficace

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2009112612A1 (fr) * 2008-03-12 2009-09-17 Piscis System, S.L. Système de récupération d'eau
ES2338735A1 (es) * 2008-03-12 2010-05-11 Piscis System, S.L. Sistema para recuperacion de agua.
ES2338735B1 (es) * 2008-03-12 2011-02-10 Piscis System, S.L. Sistema para recuperacion de agua.
EP2309064A2 (fr) 2009-10-06 2011-04-13 Roca Sanitario, S. A. Système et procédé pour la réutilisation de l'eau d'un évier dans un WC
ITCZ20100002A1 (it) * 2010-03-11 2011-09-12 Antonio Pilo' Dispositivo per il risparmio ed il recuparo dell'acqua per wc
WO2012101615A1 (fr) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-02 Antonio Rovira Auge Dispositif pour réutiliser des eaux ménagères dans des toilettes
ITRM20110236A1 (it) * 2011-05-12 2011-08-11 Paolo Fabrizi Cassetta alternativa procedimento atto al recupero delle acque di scarico riutilizzabili per scaricare il wc
WO2013027216A1 (fr) * 2011-08-21 2013-02-28 Mimone Izchak Gago Système d'utilisation d'eau efficace

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007090039A3 (fr) 2007-11-29
CA2638030A1 (fr) 2007-08-09
US20070174959A1 (en) 2007-08-02
EP1984577A2 (fr) 2008-10-29

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