Basement sewer drain recovery and discharge system

Abstract

Disclosed is a basement sewer drain pump housing that draws fluid from a drain into a housing, the fluid is discharged from the housing and out of the basement. The device comprises a pickup tube having a fluid level sensor, which is placed within a sewer main drain or floor drain. The housing comprises an enclosed volume, a suction tube connected to the pickup tube, a suction pump, and a discharge pump. The pump is activated by a switch controlled by the pickup tube fluid sensor, the fluid is drawn into the housing from the drain and discharged through a discharge pipe. The device operates from outlet or battery and serves as a basement drain pump that prevents fluid and sewage backflow during power outages and plumbing blockages. Another modification provides two donuts to prevent the flow of fluid blocking both the floor drain and the main sewer drain.

Claims

1. A basement drain sewage recovery and discharge device, the device comprising: a housing having a base, upstanding sidewalls, an interior volume, and a lid; a suction pump located within the housing; a discharge pump located within the housing; a power source for powering the suction pump and the discharge pump; a pickup tube connecting to a suction tube, said suction tube connecting to said housing for drawing fluid into said housing from a floor drain, the floor drain having a cap; a cylinder located on the pickup tube for inserting the pickup tube into the floor drain; a donut circumscribing the pickup tube, the donut connected to a second air line, the donut inflated by a compressor connected to the second air line; said discharge pump connecting to a discharge tube for discharging said fluid out of said housing; a fluid level sensor and a suction pump switch; wherein detection of fluid beyond a threshold level activates the fluid level sensor and the suction pump switch which energizes said suction pump; said lid further comprising an exhaust port fixed therein; said housing having an opening such that air is drawn from said housing interior and out of said exhaust port to draw suction on said suction tube; an electric motor driving an impeller; a discharge port connecting to said discharge tube; a fluid level sensor for energizing said electric motor when a fluid level within said housing interior reaches a threshold level, and; said pickup tube is positioned within the floor drain and sealed with a cap.

2. A basement drain sewage recovery and discharge device, the device comprising: a housing having a floor, side walls and a lid; the lid having an opening; a discharge pump located within the housing and attached to a discharge pipe; said discharge pipe exits the housing; a pump for pumping air from the interior of the housing, the pump attached to the lid; a suction tube connected to the housing; a pickup tube for insertion into a floor drain; a compressor for providing compressed air; an air cylinder affixed to the pickup tube, said cylinder attached to a second air line; said second air line attached to the compressor; an inflatable donut attached near the bottom of the pickup tube; a first air line attached from the compressor to the donut for inflation of the donut; a cap attached to the top of the floor drain for sealing fluids and gases but allowing movement of the of the pickup tube within the floor drain; an attachment affixed to the pickup tube; a spring located between the cap and the attachment on the pickup tube; a bracket attached between the cap and the air cylinder; a sensor attached to the pickup tube below the cap, the sensor attached to a switch and a power supply; and wherein when the fluid level reaches the sensor, the sensor activates the switch and power is provided to the air compressor and the pump, wherein the air compressor provides air to the air cylinder translating the pickup tube further into the floor drain and air is pumped to the donut such that the donut closes off fluid flow into the floor drain but allows fluid flow into the pickup tube and the pump in the housing draws fluid into the housing through the pickup tube and suction tube and the discharge pump activates to pump the fluid out of the housing through the discharge pipe.

3. A device for interconnection to a suction tube and a pump, the device comprising: a pickup tube affixed to the suction tube; an air cylinder affixed to the pickup tube; a bracket, a first end of the bracket affixed to the air cylinder and a second end of the bracket affixed to the pickup tube; the pickup tube extending through a cap, the cap on a floor drain such that the pickup tube is housed within the floor drain, a sewer drain in fluid communication with the floor drain; an inflatable donut circumscribing the pickup tube and located within the floor drain; a second donut circumscribing the pickup tube and located within the floor drain below the inflatable donut; a spring having two ends, a first end of the spring affixed to the underside of the cap and a second end of the spring affixed to an attachment, the attachment affixed to the pickup tube; a second sensor located on the pickup tube communicating with a power supply; a sensor located below the second sensor on the pickup tube communicating with the power supply; the power supply powering a compressor; a fill valve in communication with the inflatable donut, the fill valve in communication with the inflatable donut affixed to a first air line; the first air line affixed to the compressor; a fill valve in communication with the second donut, the fill valve in communication with the second donut affixed to a third air line; the third air line affixed to the compressor; a second air line in communication with the air cylinder and the compressor; wherein when fluid contacts the sensor this activates the power supply to provide power to the compressor which pumps air to the air cylinder causing the pickup tube to be inserted through the cap and deeper into the floor drain until the pickup tube bottoms out in the sewer drain, at the same time air is pumped to the inflatable donut sealing the floor drain and air is pumped to the second donut sealing the sewer drain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the characteristic features of these embodiments will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the device itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross section view of one embodiment of the device.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of another embodiment of the device.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view of one embodiment in operation, drawing fluid from a basement flood drain and discharging it outside of the basement.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view of one embodiment drawing fluid from a main sewer drain of a residence and discharging it outside of the basement.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section view of one embodiment of the pickup tube within a drain.

(7) FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a not to scale schematic of a discharge device.

(8) FIG. 7 Shows another embodiment of the battery backup system of a flow prevention portion of the discharge device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the drain pump device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the device, the preferred embodiments will be discussed as used for preventing fluid and sewage from backflowing through a drain and into a basement. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

(10) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross section view of the basement drain pump of the present device. The device comprises a housing 11 having a lid 14, sidewalls, and an interior volume for supporting the operational features of the system for sewage recovery and discharge. Within the housing is a suction pump 12 that connects to a suction tube 15 for drawing in fluid and sewage from a drain. The pump 12 is adapted to draw fluid from the drain to the housing 11 for collection and recovery, preventing the contents of the drain from backflowing into the house and causing flood damage. This generally occurs during periods of high water, when there is a blockage in the system or during power outages. Waste water and sewage can backflow from the household drainage system and leak into a homeowner's basement if not carefully monitored.

(11) The pump 12 creates suction on the tube 15 once a threshold water level within the drain is detected to suck wastewater from the drain and deposit it within the housing interior. In a first embodiment, the pump 12 is a water pump comprising an electric motor 19 connected to a centrifugal pump 18 or rotary pump having an inlet and outlet. The motor 19 spins an impeller within the pump 18, creating a suction that draws liquid through the inlet and causes it to be pumped out of the outlet. The pump outlet connects to a wastewater tube that terminates within the housing 11 to allow the wastewater to collect therein. Using a water pump requires keeping the pump 12 primed. Therefore a one-way valve 33 along the suction tube 15 keeps water within the pump between uses to prevent dry running or damage to the pump. Adjacent to the suction pump 12 and within the housing 11 is a discharge pump 13 that is adapted to monitor the level of wastewater 17 within the housing 11 and pump the fluid therefrom. The pump 13 is preferably a sump pump device or sewer pump that monitors the fluid level and pumps the fluid contents from the housing after a threshold level is passed. The fluid 17 is pumped into a discharge pipe 16 that is routed from the basement, thereby removing the sewage and wastewater from the basement before damage can occur.

(12) The discharge pump 13 comprises an electrically driven fluid pump having an intake that is along the base of the housing 11. An electric motor drives a motor shaft connected to an impeller, which draws fluid through the intake and into the discharge pipe 16 connected to the discharge port of the pump 13. Operation of the pump motor is controlled by a fluid sensor of fluid level float 20, which energizes the pump 13 once a threshold fluid 17 level is reached. This type of pump is well defined in the art of sump pump and sewage pump devices, where its operation is controlled by a fluid level sensor and an electric motor drives an impeller for discharging fluid from a location. It is not desired to limit the present discharge pump to a set of elements, but rather to disclose a working embodiment that provides a fluid level-activated pump mechanism for discharging fluid 17 from the interior of the housing 11 and out of the basement.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown another cross section view of another embodiment of the pump system, wherein the intake pump or suction pump 12 utilizes an air vacuum within the housing 11 rather than a pump having a liquid impeller. In this embodiment, the contents of the wastewater do not directly contact a spinning impeller, causing less contamination and risk of damage to the pump itself. In this embodiment, an electric motor 21 spins a fan or air impeller 22 and the assembly is placed within an enclosure attached to the lid 14 of the housing. Along the lid 14 and above the electric motor and fan is an air exhaust port 30. The port 30 is a slotted or has an aperture region that allows air to be discharged from the interior of the housing 11. The fan 22, as it spins at a high rate, draws 23 in air from the housing interior into the fan enclosure, over its fan blades and out of the exhaust port 30. The high flow rate of the fan creates a vacuum within the housing that draws wastewater through the suction tube 15 and into the housing interior in a similar fashion as a wet vacuum found in most garages. This assembly allows the motor and fan to remain separated from the wastewater, but requires the housing 11 to affect a tight seal against the lid 14 such that air is only drawn through the suction tube 15 and not the surrounding environment. The discharge pump 13 remains the same between embodiments, where an electrically driven impeller pumps the fluid 17 within the housing through a discharge pipe 16 out of the user's basement.

(14) Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of the pump system in a working state, connected to a floor drain 31 and pumping fluid out of the basement and discharging the fluid to the exterior of the building. To draw fluid from the drain, an elongated pickup tube 32 is provided, which is an extension of the intake suction tube 15 that is placed within the drain 31. The pickup tube 32 includes an internal water sensor device such that when the fluid level within the pickup tube 32 reaches a certain level, the sensor activates a switch that controls the operation of the suction pump within the housing, energizing the pump and drawing the drain fluid into the pickup tube 32, through the suction hose 15 and into the housing 11. The wastewater fluid accumulates within the housing to a given level, where after the discharge pump energizes and sends the fluid from the housing 11 through the discharge tube 16 and out of the basement. The end of the discharge tube 16 terminates 34 along the exterior of the house and out of the basement, while a one-way valve 33 prevents fluid from backfilling into the housing once the pump ceases to operate. Similarly on the suction hose 15 above the pickup tube 32 is another one-way valve 33 that keeps water within the suction hose 15 to prime the suction pump between uses. If the suction pump 12 within the housing 11 is a vacuum pump, this one-way priming valve is not required.

(15) The connection between the suction tube 15, the discharge tube 16 and the housing must be fluid tight, while the tubes 15, 16 themselves may be flexible or solid piping as desired by the user. Likewise the connection between the suction tube 15 and the drain 31 may be a secured connection, or alternatively the tube may simple be loosely positioned therein. Placement of the tube 15 into the drain is not desired to restrict fluid from entering the drain from the basement, as in normal operation, but rather the pickup tube is designed to monitor the fluid level within the drain and energize the suction pump in the event of backflowing wastewater or other fluid. The pumps themselves are ideally those suited for pumping sewage and thickened fluid, where more viscous fluids will not clog to seize the pumps during operation.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view of the device in a working state and in its preferred configuration: connected to the main sewer drain 53 of a residence. The main drain 53 collects all outgoing sewer waste from the residence and is downstream from the floor drain, therefore intercepting sewage from the main drain 53 is more effective than the upstream floor drain. In this deployment, a flexible suction tube 15 is used to place the pickup tube 32 within the main drain 53 through a clean-out 50. The clean-out 50 provides access to the main drain 53 and is normally plugged. The pickup tube 32 and suction tube 15 of the device is adapted to remove the clean-out plug and replace it with a wax ring seal 51, which seals any gaps between the suction tube 15 and the clean-out 50. The wax ring seal 51 prevents fluid and sewer gas from the existing clean-out 50 and entering the user's home. During operation, the pickup tube 32 monitors for backflowing sewage and triggers the suction pump within the housing 11, whereafter the sewage can be recovered therein and discharged 16 outside of the home.

(17) Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross section view of the pickup tube 32 within the drain. In this view, the interior of the tube 32 and the water sensor 36 are visualized. The water sensor 36 is an electrical device that closes a switch that controls the suction pump within the pump housing. When the water level 40 reaches the level of the sensor 36, the suction pump energizes to draw the water through the tube 32 and into the housing to be discharged. This in turn monitors the fluid level 40 within the drain and prevents water from flowing out of the drain and into the interior of one's basement. The water sensor 36 may be any suitable electrical assembly that is capable of detecting the presence of water and sending signals to a switch to control the suction pump. It is not desired to limit the device to the structural layout or design show in FIG. 5, but rather it is desired to show a working embodiment where the sensor is secured through the tube sidewall and wired 37 to the pump within the housing. The wire connections 37 preferably run along the exterior of the pickup tube 32, where they are secured 38 along regular intervals and kept away from contact with the wastewater within the drain. The preferred placement of the sensor 35 is at least one foot inward from the end of the pickup tube opening so as to prevent short-cycling of the pumps and false triggers from inadvertent contact with water that is not truly a backflow warranting the suction pump activation.

(18) FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the discharge device for installation into the floor drain 31 in a basement. The pickup tube 32 has a cap 27 affixed. The cap 27 is able to be threaded into the fitting at the top end of the floor drain 31. Near the bottom of the pickup tube 32 is affixed an inflatable donut 60 that surrounds the bottom of pickup tube 32 and is affixed there. The donut 60 has a fill valve 61 for both inflating and deflating the donut 60. The fill valve 61 is attached by a first air line 62 to the compressor 64 which inflates and deflates the donut 60. The compressor 64 is also attached to the top of the cylinder 58 with second air line 63. The bottom of cylinder 58 is fixed to the top of the pickup tube 32. The top of the cylinder 58 is attached with a second air line 63 to the compressor 60 and hence provides the air that cylinder 58 requires to function. The top of the cylinder 58 is also affixed to a bracket 57. The opposite end of the bracket 57 is affixed to the cap 27. Thereby when the air cylinder 58 is provided with compressed air, the cylinder 58 drives the pickup tube 32 down into the floor drain 31 relative to the cap 27.

(19) A spring 56 is located adjacent the pickup tube 32 and fixed to the underside of the cap 27 and to an attachment 55 nearer the bottom of the pickup tube 32. A sensor 36 is also affixed to the pickup tube 32 below the cap 27 and has a wire 37 which connects to a switch 41. The switch 41 plugs into the power supply 42. The power distributor 43 plugs into the switch 41 and when the switch 41 is closed, power flows from the power supply 42 to the power distributor 43. The power distributor 43 can be an extension cord type of device or any other device that will allow for the distribution of power to electrical devices. The power supply 42 can be a wall outlet or battery power for cases when the power is down in the house.

(20) To engage this embodiment of the discharge system requires that water or sewage be backing up in the main sewer drain 53 such that it rises to a level that causes the sensor 36 to send a signal to the switch 41. Switch 41 closes which provides power to the power distributor 43 from either the power supply (wall outlet) or battery (not shown). The power distributor 43 thus provides power to the compressor via compressor power 65. This provides compressed air to the second air line 63 which drives the cylinder 58 and pickup tube 32 into the floor drain 31. As this occurs, spring 56 is extended resisting the movement of pickup tube 32 relative to the cap 27.

(21) As the cylinder 58 is being driven, second air line 62 provides compressed air to the inflatable donut 60 which inflates in main drain 53 thereby retaining the pickup tube 32 within main drain 53. Concurrently, the pump 12 is provided power via vacuum power 24 from the power distributor 43 and begins to pull a vacuum from suction tube 15 which is connected to pickup tube 32. When the cylinder 58 and donut 60 reach a predetermined pressure, the compressor 64 shuts off. If the pressure for some reason falls below the predetermined pressure set, the compressor 64 will again engage providing compressed air to both the cylinder 58 and donut 60.

(22) As the pump 12 runs it pulls a vacuum on the suction tube 15 and thereby the pickup tube 32 and this pulls any materials from the main drain 53 into the housing 11. As the level of material in the housing 11 rises, the float 20 begins to rise and this causes the discharge pump 13 to begin to run pumping the material out from within the housing 11 via the discharge pipe 16 thereby protecting the basement from becoming flooded.

(23) It should be noted that the housing 11 and pump 12 could be a typical wet vacuum. The discharge pump 13 could also be located within the housing 11. This system could be portable or fixed.

(24) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the device that is meant to operate on battery power should the main power go out. This embodiment adds second donut 69 to near the bottom of the pickup tube 32. There is also an additional sensor 35 located in this embodiment about midway up the pickup tube 32. Operationally, if fluid began to backup in the main sewer drain 53 it would accumulate until sensor 36 was powered to turn the system on shown in FIG. 6 and explained previously. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is engaged if the power is out. If the power is out then sensor 36 would not be engaged and hence the unit shown in FIG. 6 would not be engaged and the fluid would continue to rise in the floor drain 31. When the fluid reaches sensor 35 it would activate the power supply 42 which in this embodiment can be a 12 volt battery or any other type of power that is not 110 volt power. When the sensor 35 turns on the switch to the power distributor it turns on the compressor 64 via compressor power 65 cord. The compressor 64 thereby provides compressed air to the air cylinder 58 which drives the pickup tube 32 into the main sewer drain 53. Simultaneously inflatable donut 60 and second donut 69 are inflated to a predetermined pressure. Inflatable donut 60 seals the flow of liquids into the floor drain 31 and second donut 69 seals the flow of liquids in the main sewer drain 53. This thereby prevents fluid backflow into the basement of the residence in the instance where the main household power is not on.

(25) In operation, the present device is designed for those homes having combined sewage and drainage systems, which are common in older homes. The device is an independent structure that can be rapidly deployed in an emergency situation or provide constant vigilance for such basement structures. The device power source is ideally outlet power; however battery pack backup may be utilized in the event of power outages. This is particularly useful during storm events, where the area is likely to flood and simultaneously cut off power to many homes.

(26) The present device describes a fluid suction pump and discharge pump system that is installed within a housing container. The discharge pump is ideally a sump or sewage pump style device while the suction pump may be a liquid or air suction pump. A built-in water sensor within the suction pick-up tube detects the water pressure or an elevation change such that the suction pump is energized to draw fluid into the container. Fluid is drawn into the container by a suction, which is then pumped by the discharge pump from the container and out of the basement. The present device removes sewage and sewage gas before the main drain or floor drain backs up and allows sewage into the homeowner's basement. The suction system draws the backup water into the container reservoir. Users finding themselves in a flood zone or living in older style homes having combined sewage and drainage systems will appreciate the ease of deployment and application of the present device to prevent flood and sewage damage in a basement environment.

(27) It is therefore submitted that the instant device has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of this disclosure and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the device, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosures.

(28) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the device. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the device 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 disclosures.