Abstract
A grey water toilet system utilizing a pedal interface to trigger the toilet flush and to resupply the toilet tank with grey water. The grey water is generally collected from a nearby water fixture such as a wash basin and placed in a storage reservoir until the user flushes the toilet. This invention can be used to retrofit most existing toilets without the need for remodeling thus making it possible to expand the use of grey water for toilets, potentially leading the way for significant fresh water savings. It is estimated that the average American residence uses in the range of 100,000 gallons of water annually and that more water is used to flush toilets than any other individual activity.
Claims
1. A method of flushing and filling toilets with grey water utilizing human energy comprising: a. collecting grey water in a reservoir; b. receiving human energy from a pedal; c. triggering a first flush cycle, using up a portion of said human energy; d. storing the remaining portion of human energy; and e. transferring said collected grey water to the toilet tank using said remaining portion of human energy, whereby completing said first flush cycle and supplying said toilet tank with said collected grey water for the next flush cycle.
2. The method of claim 1, step b wherein sufficient energy for a complete toilet flush and fill cycle is received from one actuation stroke of said pedal.
3. The method of claim 1, step b wherein the grey water toilet system operation is independent of the point in time when said pedal is released after the actuation stroke allowing the pedal to be released immediately or at any time after the actuation stroke.
4. The method of claim 1 further including an explicit delay step before introducing said grey water to said toilet tank, allowing enough time for said first flush cycle to progress to the point where said grey water is able to supply said toilet tank for said next flush cycle, preventing all of said grey water from flowing out prematurely with said first flush cycle.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said explicit delay duration is determined by a parameter indicative of flush progress such as, for example, the liquid level in said toilet tank.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the toilet's native mechanisms are applied comprising: a. applying the toilet tank's native fresh water fill mechanism to supplement said grey water during the fill cycle, ensuring that sufficient liquid is available in the toilet tank for the next flush cycle; b. applying the toilet tank's native water overflow mechanism to expel any excessive grey water introduced into said toilet tank; and c. applying the toilet tank's native flush mechanism when triggering a flush cycle.
7. A human powered grey water toilet flush and fill retrofit system comprising: a. a reservoir for collecting grey water in advance of a toilet flush; b. a pedal for receiving human mechanical energy from a user's foot actuation; c. an energy storage mechanism, connected to said pedal, capable of storing said human mechanical energy, in either kinetic or potential form, to provide a continued discharge of the stored energy allowing said pedal to be released immediately after said foot actuation; d. a flush adaptor connected to said pedal, via a flush adaptor link, used to actuate the toilet's native flush mechanism utilizing a first portion of said human mechanical energy received either directly from said pedal or indirectly from said energy storage mechanism; e. a liquid transfer mechanism or pump connected to said energy storage mechanism and said reservoir for the transference of said grey water to a toilet tank by applying a second portion of said human mechanical energy received either directly from the pedal or indirectly through said energy storage mechanism, allowing said transference to continue after said pedal has been released; and f. a grey water outlet connecting said reservoir with said toilet tank used to route said grey water into said toilet tank.
8. The human powered grey water toilet flush and fill retrofit system of claim 7 further comprising an explicit delay mechanism for postponing the transfer of said grey water into the toilet tank, allowing enough time for said first flush cycle to progress to the point where said grey water is able to supply said toilet tank for said next flush cycle, preventing all of said grey water from flowing out prematurely with said first flush cycle.
9. The delay mechanism of claim 8 wherein the delay duration is determined by a parameter indicative of flush progress such as, for example, the liquid level in said toilet tank.
10. The grey water outlet of claim 7, part f further comprising: a. an entrance port positioned outside of the toilet tank to receive grey water; b. an exit port positioned inside the toilet tank to direct said grey water into the said toilet tank; and c. a manifold body connecting said entrance port with said exit port which fits between said toilet tank and the toilet tank cover, wherein the cross sectional area is the same or greater than that of the entrance port to allow a non-restrictive flow rate.
11. The grey water outlet of claim 7, part f further comprising an entrance opening through the toilet tank or toilet tank cover.
12. The human powered grey water toilet flush and fill retrofit system of claim 7 further comprising a fresh water supply reduction mechanism, allowing the toilet tank to fill with a proportionately greater volume of grey water, achievable for example by adding a delay to the existing fresh water supply mechanism or by restricting the fresh water input supply by partially closing the fresh water supply valve.
13. A liquid level sensing valve for delaying abrupt, high flow liquid entry into a toilet tank which can also be applied in other applications where seepage is allowed comprising: a. a first housing used to convey liquid; b. an opening on said first housing where said liquid enters; c. one or more exit openings on said first housing where said liquid is expelled; d. a second housing which loosely fits over said first housing, such that a seepage gap is formed between the two, allowing this second housing to slide over said first housing; e. openings on said second housing which substantially align with said exit openings of the first housing when the valve is in the open position and substantially offsets with the exit openings of the first housing, interfering with the flow of liquid, when the valve is in the closed position; and f. a float component which moves with the level of the surrounding liquid, actuating at least one of the housings such as to substantially open and close the valve.
14. The valve of claim 13 further comprising intentional seepage flow of the conveyed liquid designed to reduce friction between the first and second housings allowing minimal actuation force.
15. The valve of claim 13 further comprising exit openings designed and positioned so that the flow of said liquid is orthogonal to and symmetric around the actuation axis resulting in net force cancellation thus substantially decreasing the required on/off state actuation force.
16. The valve of claim 13 further comprising intentional liquid seepage flow designed to hold it in its current state until said float component actuates the valve to change state to and from its open and closed positions.
17. The valve of claim 13 further comprising intentional liquid seepage flow designed to provide additional grey water to said current flush cycle enhancing flush performance.
18. The valve of claim 13 further comprising adjustable float limits to control when the valve is opened or closed based on the surrounding liquid level.
19. The valve of claim 13 further comprising intentional gaseous seepage flow to vent any trapped gasses.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 Grey water toilet system utilizing electric pump—Prior Art
(2) FIG. 2 Grey water toilet system with wash basin as toilet tank cover—Prior Art
(3) FIG. 3 Grey water toilet system with unified wash basin and toilet tank—Prior Art
(4) FIG. 4 Human powered grey water toilet retrofit system, concept view
(5) FIG. 5 Timing diagram, retrofitted grey water toilet flush and fill system
(6) FIG. 6 Flow chart, retrofitted grey water toilet flush and fill system
(7) FIG. 7 Energy E.sub.f from foot pedal as a function of force and stroke distance
(8) FIG. 8 Reservoir collecting grey water from wash basin prior to flush
(9) FIG. 9 Energy E.sub.w needed to transfer grey water from reservoir to toilet tank
(10) FIG. 10 Human powered grey water toilet retrofit system, example 1 embodiment
(11) FIG. 11A Pressure based transfer and energy storage mechanism in trigger/transfer phase, embodiment
(12) FIG. 11B Pressure based transfer and energy storage mechanism in refill phase, embodiment
(13) FIG. 11C Pressure based transfer and energy storage mechanism in ready phase, embodiment
(14) FIG. 12A Elevation based transfer and energy storage mechanism in trigger/transfer phase, embodiment
(15) FIG. 12B Elevation based transfer and energy storage mechanism in refill phase, embodiment
(16) FIG. 12C Elevation based transfer and energy storage mechanism in ready phase, embodiment
(17) FIG. 13 Handle pull flush trigger adapter, conceptualized drawing
(18) FIG. 14 Button press flush trigger adapter, conceptualized drawing
(19) FIG. 15 Internal actuated flush trigger adapter, conceptualized drawing
(20) FIG. 16 Grey water extraction adapter embodiment
(21) FIG. 17A-D Toilet tank fill adapter embodiment, without valve
(22) FIG. 18A Liquid level sensing valve embodiment, closed position
(23) FIG. 18B Liquid level sensing valve embodiment, closed position, cutout view
(24) FIG. 18C Liquid level sensing valve embodiment, open position
(25) FIG. 18D Liquid level sensing valve embodiment, open position, cutout view
(26) FIG. 19A-D Toilet tank fill adapter with liquid level sensing valve, embodiment
(27) FIG. 20A Liquid level sensing valve horizontal embodiment, closed position
(28) FIG. 20B Liquid level sensing valve horizontal embodiment, open position
(29) FIG. 20C Liquid level sensing valve horizontal embodiment, exploded view
(30) FIG. 21 Grey water toilet tank fill adapter, cover entry embodiment
(31) FIG. 22 Grey water toilet tank fill adapter with level sensing valve, cover entry embodiment
(32) FIG. 23 Grey water toilet tank fill adapter, tank entry embodiment
(33) FIG. 24 Grey water toilet tank fill adapter with level sensing valve, tank entry embodiment
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(34) As demonstrated by one or more of the embodiments, this invention relates to devices that utilize grey water for the flushing toilets. Central to the invention is the method and system to utilize human power to trigger a toilet flush cycle and re-supply the toilet tank with grey water for the next flush cycle.
(35) In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention comprises of a combination of pre-existing as well as new components and is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the devices and components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. There are many alternate forms of the described embodiments. Any suitable device, component, size, shape, position or type of materials can be used to implement this invention.
(36) The following are example embodiments covering the different components making up this system, see FIG. 4. The functions performed by this system may be combined and embodied in numerous ways. Modules can perform individual functions or, alternatively, multiple functions can be implemented together in the same module as in the following examples.
Example 1: Pressure Based Grey Water Toilet Retrofit System and Method
(37) This embodiment applies pressure directly to the grey water in order to force it out of the reservoir and into a toilet tank. In this example, the reservoir 71, pedal 77, energy storage 83, flush actuator link 74 and pump/liquid transfer mechanisms 90 are unified, decreasing the overall footprint of the system. While numerous mechanisms can be devised to pressurize the grey water, FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B and 11C are depictions of one embodiment based on a pedal operated mechanism during the three phases of operation: FIG. 11A, trigger/transfer; FIG. 11B, refill; and FIG. 11C, ready. This embodiment utilizes a direct pressure design applying principles of a hybrid diaphragm/displacement pump. This pump/liquid transfer mechanism is integrated with the grey water reservoir 71. The top of the reservoir incorporates a diaphragmed plunger 72 in contact with the grey water 73. Note that any alternate pump design, such as for example a piston and cylinder (not shown), which can move approximately 6.06 liters (1.6 gallons) of water up an elevation of approximately 0.610 meters (2 feet) utilizing approximately 36.2 Joules can also be applied in this example.
(38) The trigger/transfer stage FIG. 11A is initiated when the user depresses the pedal 77. Energy is received 51 from this pedal and applied 57 to triggering a toilet flush 53, by actuating the flush linkage 74, as well as stored 52 by compressing a spring 83. The compressed spring transfers this energy by applying pressure to the plunger 72. This plunger 72 in turn applies pressure to the grey water 73 in the reservoir 71 forcing it out 87 of the exit 88 and transferring 54 it to the toilet tank. An outlet check valve 80 at the reservoir exit 88 is used to prevent the backflow of water from the toilet back into the reservoir. An inlet check valve 81 at the reservoir entrance 82 prevents grey water from leaving the reservoir inlet during this phase. The spring 83 and catch 84 mechanism work together in order to store the energy so that continued pressure is applied to the grey water by the plunger even after the user releases the pedal 77. As the grey water empties from the reservoir, the spring 83 reaches its extended position and the catch mechanism releases 85, relaxing the plunger and advancing the embodiment to the refill phase FIG. 11B.
(39) In the refill phase, FIG. 11B, grey water enters through the inlet check valve 81 mounted in the entrance port 82 near the top of the reservoir. A vent valve 86 allows any air to rise and escape as grey water enters the reservoir. The float in this valve automatically closes as the grey water level rises filling the reservoir. In this phase, grey water is collected 50 in the reservoir over time as it becomes available from various sources, such as wash basins, filling it in preparation for the next flush cycle.
(40) Once the reservoir is filled, the embodiment is in the ready phase FIG. 11C of operation awaiting the next toilet flush. Although the pedal 77 can be depressed at any time, during any state of fill, only the amount of grey water 73 in the reservoir 71 at the time of the pedal actuation will be transferred to toilet tank. If there is not enough grey water to refill the entire toilet tank, the toilet's native automatic fill system will continue to refill the toilet tank as it would normally. If, on the other hand, too much grey water is sent to the toilet tank, the excess amount will be automatically discharged by the toilet tank's normal overflow system.
(41) A flush trigger adapter 32 is utilized to trigger the native flush mechanism of a toilet as part of this grey water toilet system. FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are conceptualized drawings of example flush trigger adapters which can be driven by the pedal mechanism to start a flush cycle. These sample embodiments simulate a user's action of triggering a toilet flush by depressing the toilet's flush lever, see FIG. 13, or button, see FIG. 14, or actuating the toilet's flush mechanism internally, see FIG. 15. A small amount of force, substantially equivalent to what is required to manually trigger a toilet flush, is needed for the flush trigger adapter to trigger the toilet's flush mechanism. New or pre-existing adapter designs can be used as part of this grey water toilet system.
(42) Electronic flush systems can also be remotely triggered by the foot pedal. Example designs include an electronic flush adapter connected to the internal flush electronics of the system or physically simulating the user's input (not shown).
(43) Grey water needs to be routed into the toilet tank as part of this grey water toilet system. A custom fill adapter 76 can be utilized for this purpose. FIG. 17A through FIG. 17D show an embodiment of one such grey water fill adapter. This embodiment allows existing toilet tanks to be retrofitted so that grey water is introduced without the need for modifications to the toilet or remodeling of the room in many situations. The toilet's pre-existing functionality such as its native water fill capability and flushing capability are retained. Installation is achieved by lifting the toilet tank cover, fitting this adapter over the edge of the toilet tank and repositioning the original toilet tank cover on top of the adapter along with spacers 130 as needed. Grey water is delivered into the toilet tank with this adapter through a gap 131 between the toilet tank and its cover. A large cross sectional area 132, 133 maximizes the rate grey water can flow into the toilet tank.
(44) This custom fill adaptor embodiment consists of a grey water entry port positioned outside of the toilet tank with a manifold body which channels the grey water to a contoured grey water exit port 134 inside the toilet tank. The manifold body 135 is designed to wrap over the upper edge of the toilet tank. This manifold body is positioned between the toilet tank and the toilet tank cover. Spacers 130 can be utilized to stabilize the toilet tank cover on top of the assembled adapter and toilet tank. Different variations of this embodiment (not shown) allow grey water to enter the toilet tank from different positions depending on the available clearance and specific layout needs within the room.
(45) Alternatives to utilizing a custom grey water fill adapter include creating a grey water entrance hole/port directly in the toilet tank cover FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 or directly on the toilet tank, FIG. 23 and FIG. 24.
(46) Grey water for this toilet system can come from any source. Typically, wash basins 78 can be tapped for grey water using standard drain pipe components (not shown) as well as utilizing a custom grey water extraction adapter 79, FIG. 16. In any case, the grey water extraction adapter should divert grey water from the normal drainage path to the storage reservoir. When the storage reservoir is filled to capacity with grey water, additional grey water automatically flows out through the normal drainage path 120.
(47) An embodiment of a level sensing, high flow rate valve that can be applied to provide an explicit delay 55 to the sudden entry of fluid into the toilet tank is shown in FIG. 18A through FIG. 18D. This explicit delay device 28 is needed in some installations where the inherent system delay is insufficient for preventing the grey water from being expelled with the current flush cycle. Desirable characteristics include: an on/off state based on the surrounding liquid level; an abrupt high flow capacity, since water is sent to the valve only during a flush; a compact form factor to fit into as many toilet tanks as possible; a low actuating force to allow smaller actuating components; and a simple low maintenance design. This embodiment uses two housings 140 and 141 with exit openings 142, 143 that align FIG. 18C and FIG. 18D to allow liquid flow. A seepage gap 144 between the housings allows liquid flow which essentially removes friction between the housings, enabling free movement. A float 145 follows the liquid level in the surrounding environment 146 moving the outer housing 141, aligning the exit openings 142 and 143 to open the valve and offsetting the exit openings 142 and 143 to close the valve. The exit openings are designed and positioned so that the flow of liquid is orthogonal to and symmetric around the actuation axis 147 resulting in net force cancellation from the flow, thus substantially decreasing the required on/off state actuation force. The low actuation force requirements in this embodiment, allow for smaller float dimensions to operate this valve. However, this very low on/off state actuation force may also result in the valve opening inadvertently when the float is mid transition between the valve's off and on states. To prevent premature opening of the valve, the exit openings are positioned such as to direct the liquid seepage flow 148 to hold the outer housing 141 up, in the valve's closed position, until the float is low enough to force this outer housing 141 down, opening the valve. This seepage flow also moderates the shock effect of abrupt flow changes. Open and close levels are calibrated with the open limit adjuster 150 and close limit adjuster 149. Gasses can also flow through this seepage gap 144 providing a venting capability through the valve.
(48) A horizontal embodiment, FIG. 20A through FIG. 20C, of a level sensing high flow rate valve is also possible and useful for certain toilet tank configurations where a vertical embodiment will not physically fit into a toilet tank. This embodiment use two housings 170 and 171 with exit openings 172, 173 that align, FIG. 20B, to allow liquid flow. A seepage gap (not shown) between the housings allows liquid flow which essentially removes friction between the housings enabling free movement. A float 175 follows the liquid level in the surrounding environment rotating the outer housing 171, aligning the exit openings 172 and 173 to open the valve and offsetting the exit openings 172 and 173 to close the valve. The exit openings are designed and positioned so that the flow of liquid is orthogonal to and symmetric around the actuation axis 177 resulting in net force cancellation from the flow, thus substantially decreasing the required on/off state actuation force. The low actuation force in this embodiment, allows for smaller float dimensions to operate this valve. However, this low on/off state actuation force may also result in the valve opening inadvertently when the float is mid transition between the valve's off and on states. To prevent premature opening of the valve, the exit openings are positioned such as to direct liquid seepage flow 178 to hold the housings in the closed position until the float is low enough rotate the outer housing 171 to open the valve. This seepage flow also moderates the shock effect with abrupt flow changes. The valve's close level is calibrated with a limit adjuster 180. The valve's open level is calibrated by rotating the entire valve assembly. Gasses can also flow through the seepage gap providing a venting capability through the valve. A locking ring 181 fits over a locking grove 182 holding the entire valve together.
Example 2: Elevation Based Grey Water Toilet Retrofit System and Method
(49) This embodiment replaces the reservoir, pedal, energy storage, flush actuator link and liquid transfer mechanisms of the first example with an elevation based mechanism. Numerous mechanisms can be utilized to raise the grey water high enough so that it will naturally flow into the toilet tank using gravity. These include displacing the grey water upward within the storage reservoir as well as physically raising the reservoir above the level of the water entrance to the toilet tank as in this embodiment. FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C, are conceptual depictions of a mechanical embodiment which utilizes a series of pulleys 100 to multiply the pedal 101 motion in order to raise the storage reservoir 102 high enough for the grey water 103 to flow to the toilet tank. In this embodiment, the kinetic energy received from the pedal is converted to and stored as potential energy when the reservoir is raised. The number of pulleys determines the ratio of pedal movement to reservoir lift distance. In this embodiment, the pulley system multiplies the pedal movement of distance h, FIG. 12C by three times as represented by 3×h in FIG. 12A. The three phases of operation are: FIG. 12A, trigger/transfer; FIG. 12B, refill; and FIG. 12C, ready. A counter weight in the pedal offsets the weight of the empty reservoir to minimize the actuation energy required on the pedal. Flexible hoses allow the storage reservoir to move up transferring the grey water to the toilet tank.
(50) The trigger/transfer stage FIG. 12A is initiated when the user depresses the pedal 101. Energy is received 51 from this pedal, applied 57 to triggering a toilet flush 53, by actuating the flush linkage 104, and then stored in potential form 52 by a series of pulleys 100 lifting the reservoir 102 up in elevation. The reservoir is raised high enough for the grey water to flow 54 into the toilet tank using gravity. An outlet check valve 105 at the reservoir exit 107 is used to prevent the backflow of water from the toilet back into the reservoir 102. An inlet check valve 106 at the reservoir entrance prevents grey water from leaving the reservoir inlet 108 during this phase. A vent valve 110 opens to allow air in as the grey water level drops. A catch mechanism 109 holds the reservoir in the upper position effectively storing the potential energy, so that grey water continues to flow even after the user releases the pedal 101. When the grey water becomes depleted from the reservoir, the catch mechanism releases 111, allowing the reservoir to descend and the embodiment to advance to the refill phase, FIG. 12B.
(51) In the refill phase, FIG. 12B, grey water enters through the inlet check valve 106 mounted in the entrance port 108 near the top of the reservoir. A vent valve 110 allows any air to rise and escape as grey water enters the reservoir. The float in this vent valve automatically closes as the grey water level rises filling the reservoir. In this phase, grey water is collected 50 in the reservoir over time as it become available from various sources, such as wash basins, filling it in preparation for the next flush cycle.
(52) Once the reservoir 102 is filled, it is in the ready phase, FIG. 12C, of operation awaiting the next toilet flush. Although the pedal 101 can be depressed at any time, during any state of fill, only the amount of grey water 103 in the reservoir 102 at the time of the pedal actuation will be transferred to toilet tank. If there is not enough grey water to refill the entire toilet tank, the toilet's native automatic fill system will continue to refill the toilet tank as it would normally. If, on the other hand, too much grey water is sent to the toilet tank, the excess amount will be automatically discharged by the toilet tank's normal overflow system.
(53) With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in components, size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
