Water Pump With Safe Cross Connection

Abstract

A unique piping arrangement of a water pump system is designed to prevent backflow of non-potable liquid into a potable water source thereby complying with plumbing codes to provide a safe cross connection. These codes are required when a water ejector uses pressurized potable water as an energy source. When the water ejector valve is open due to a high sump level and when the potable water pressure drops below atmospheric, the non-potable liquid can be siphoned into the potable water source thereby causing contamination, a significant unsafe health hazard to consumers. The present invention complies with plumbing codes by creating the required vertical air gap from the potable water source down to the non-potable liquid in the discharge piping as well as the inlet piping, the sources of contamination. In the piping arrangement are vents and drains to create the required air gap and transparent piping to provide required inspection and verification of proper operation. The water ejector is commonly used as a back-up to a traditional electric sump pump. The invention provides simplicity to maximize system reliability. Two kits of commonly used applications, a residential full basement back-up water ejector sump pump and a residential crawlspace back-up water ejector sump pump, are described.

Claims

1. A water ejector apparatus and a process with steps for transferring liquids from one location to another location with a piping arrangement comprising: a vent pipe or opening to the atmosphere that allows the discharge piping which is at the same elevation to bleed dry of non-potable liquid and allows air to be drawn into the discharge piping and the water ejector; an inlet piping, completely unobstructed, acting as a drain pipe, allowing the air drawn into the discharge piping and water ejector which allows non-potable liquid to drain from the water ejector potable water valve and inlet piping downward into the sump; an airway in the discharge piping and water ejector, allowing the non-potable liquid to drain through the inlet piping back to the sump; and an inlet pipe equipped with a drain and a discharge pipe equipped with a vent, creating an air gap between the potable water valve and the non-potable liquid thereby providing a safe cross connection between the non-potable liquid and the potable water source.

2. The water ejector apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the piping arrangement satisfies the backflow prevention plumbing codes of federal and local state agencies of a minimum vertical air gap distance of 6 inches for a safe cross connection.

3. The water ejector apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inlet and discharge piping are partially or entirely constructed of a transparent material that satisfies the plumbing codes of federal and local state agencies by supplying a means of inspecting and testing by visual determination to ensure continued safe and secure cross connection operation.

4. The water ejector apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inlet extends downward the minimum vertical air gap distance and wherein the inlet is divided into a riser pipe with a check valve to retain non-potable liquid and a smaller completely open drainpipe.

5. The water ejector apparatus according to claim 1 that details a kit for a residential full basement water ejector sump pump.

6. The water ejector apparatus according to claim 1 that details a kit for a residential crawlspace water ejector sump pump.

7. The water ejector apparatus according to claim 1 which only needs a simple float device and water supply control valve and no other moving parts which provides a maximum of reliability to a sump back-up system;

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] In the drawings, the sizes and relative positions of the elements in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a General Embodiment of a unique piping arrangement of the inlet and discharge piping of a back-up water ejector sump pump system.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of an Energy Efficiency Embodiment of the unique piping arrangement of a back-up water ejector sump pump system invention with part of the inlet/drain separated into an inlet, a riser and a drain pipe.

[0063] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a first specific preferred embodiment of the invention: a Residential Full Basement Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump.

[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a kit for a Residential Full Basement Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump.

[0065] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second specific preferred embodiment of the invention: a Residential Crawlspace Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump.

[0066] FIG. 6 illustrates a kit for a Residential Crawlspace Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] There are several embodiments of the invention each accommodating the local installation geometry, the efficiency of the process and space limitations.

[0068] A General Embodiment of the back-up sump pump is a water ejector with a safe cross connection as shown in FIG. 1. The system comprises of a water ejector 1 with an internal potable water valve 2 fed with potable water through the potable water inlet pipe 3.

[0069] In FIG. 1, the General Embodiment, the water ejector is shown in a horizontal orientation. In fact, the water ejector can be oriented at any angle, horizontally or vertically with the outlet pointed downward or upward. The preferred orientation of the water ejector is determined by the specific dimensional limitations of the installation site, the minimum height required by the plumbing code, and the complexity of the water ejector valve actuator. The primary design objective of the orientation is to enable a safe cross connection made available by the ability to totally drain the non-potable liquid by gravity to below the potable water valve to the minimum height required by plumbing code.

[0070] In the General Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the potable water valve is opened or dosed by a horizontal actuator rod 4 which is subsequently driven through an actuator directional changer 5 and subsequently driven by a vertical actuator rod 7 and finally driven by an actuator float 9 that is driven by the height of the non-potable liquid in the sump vessel 10 fed by the sump inlet 11. The actuator directional changer is held up by a directional changer support 6. The vertical actuator rod is supported in several locations by guides 8 which are fastened to the inlet pipe 19 by hose clamps.

[0071] The water ejector is connected to an inlet pipe 19 that serves as an inlet and a drain. When the water ejector valve is actuated, the non-potable liquid is drawn up the pipe and the pipe acts as an inlet pipe. The direction of flow in this case 21 is shown in FIG. 1. When the water ejector operation stops due to the water ejector valve closing or a loss of water supply, the non-potable liquid is drained down the inlet pipe and the inlet pipe acts as a drainpipe. The direction of flow in this case 20 is shown in FIG. 1.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 1, the minimum air gap height 12 of 6 inches is required for a safe cross connection.

[0073] The discharge piping 13 is connected to the water ejector. The piping extends horizontally and downward to dimensionally achieve the minimum height drop. After the minimum height is achieved, a non-potable liquid discharge vent pipe 15 is attached to the discharge pipe, extending upward above the water ejector to a level which prevents non-potable liquid from escaping the vent pipe during active ejector operation. When the water ejector valve is actuated, the non-potable liquid is directed into and down the discharge pipe. The direction of flow in this case 13 is shown in FIG. 1.When the water ejector operation stops due to the water ejector valve closing or a loss of water supply, the open end of the non-potable liquid discharge vent pipe 17 admits air, allowing the liquid in the vent and the discharge pipe to drain completely from the discharge piping specifically from the potable water ejector valve to the level of the non-potable liquid receiving vessel 18.

[0074] Shown in FIG. 2 is an Energy Efficiency Embodiment of the back-up water ejector sump pump invention. The following components of this embodiment, are identical to the General Embodiment Water Ejector 1, Potable Water Ejector Inlet Valve 2, Potable Water Inlet Pipe 3, Water Ejector Valve Horizontal Actuator Rod 4, Water Ejector Valve Actuator Directional Changer 5, Water Ejector Valve Actuator Directional Changer Support 6, Water Ejector Valve Vertical Actuator Rod 7, Water Ejector Valve Vertical Actuator Rod Supports 8, Water Ejector Valve Actuator Float 9, Sump Vessel with Non-Potable Liquid 10, Non-Potable Liquid Inlet into Sump 11, Plumbing Code Air Gap Distance6 inches or greater 12, Non-Potable Liquid Discharge Piping 13, Non-Potable Liquid Discharge Piping Flow DirectionEjector On or Off 14, Non-Potable Liquid Discharge Vent Piping 15, Air Flow DirectionEjector Off 16, Discharge Vent PipingOpen to Atmosphere 17, Non-Potable Liquid Receiving Vessel 18.

[0075] The Energy Efficiency Embodiment of the invention in FIG. 2 differs in that the inlet/drainpipe 19 of FIG. 1 is replaced with three pipes. In FIG. 2 the first is a non-potable liquid riser inlet pipe 19. The riser inlet pipe's diameter is designed to accommodate the full flow of the water ejector. The riser also has a check valve 21 and therefore retains non-potable sump liquid. The second is the non-potable liquid ejector inlet pipe 24 whose diameter is also designed to accommodate the full flow of the water ejector. The third is the non-potable liquid drainpipe 22. The drainpipe is typically smaller one quarter to one third the diameter if the riser or inlet pipe.

[0076] Since the drainpipe has no check valve the riser pipe non-potable liquid ascends to the top of the drainpipe and no farther. In practice, prior to active operation, the riser inlet pipe is full of non-potable liquid and the inlet and drain are full of air.

[0077] When the water ejector valve is actuated, the non-potable liquid is drawn up the drainpipe 23 and joins the waiting riser inlet pipe's non-potable liquid 20 at the drainpipe's juncture. The combination then flows up into and through the inlet pipe 26. The arrangement of a check valve on the riser inlet and the smaller diameter drainpipe has three efficiency benefits. First, there is a lower energy requirement to draw a lesser amount of liquid vertically through the smaller drainpipe. Second, the check valve retains liquid so that a reduced liquid volume is returned to the sump, which would otherwise need to be pumped again. Third, the smaller volume drawn up in the smaller diameter drainpipe is a faster start up when the water ejector is reactivated.

[0078] When the water ejector operation stops due to the water ejector valve closing or a loss of water supply, the air gap created on the discharge allows non-potable liquid to flow down the inlet pipe 25 and then continue to flow down the drain pipe 22 creating air gap in the inlet pipe of the minimum height for a safe cross connection.

[0079] As before a transparent pipe is used as the inlet pipe and the discharge pipe. This provides for a visual inspection and the conclusion that an air gap has been created.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a Residential Full Basement Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump Embodiment. For this embodiment the vertical limit is the basement ceiling 1. An additional dimensional limit is the floor joists 2 in that the floor joists typically rest on the concrete foundation 9. The limitation is that the minimum height air gap must be achieved by the discharge pipe 13 by passing horizontally and downward vertically from the water ejector to a hole 14 in the exterior floor joist 15 to allow complete draining of the non-potable liquid upon the deactivation of the water ejector. The water ejector has a finite thickness, as does the discharge pipe diameter. Typically floor joists are 7.25 to 11.25 inches in vertical height so the six-inch ordinance requirement is possible if the piping and equipment are designed properly. An additional limitation is the vertical distance between the discharge pipe's 16 exit from the hole in the exterior floor joist and the exterior grade (flood level) 17.

[0081] The remaining piping arrangement follows the same configuration and operation of the General Embodiment or the Energy Efficiency Embodiment. The potable water supply 3 is routed to the water inlet valve in the water ejector 12. The water ejector float actuator rod 4 extends downward to the actuator float 7 in the sump vessel 8 recessed in the basement floor. The non-potable liquid inlet piping comprises the non-potable liquid riser inlet pipe 5, with a check valve 10, the non-potable liquid drainpipe 6, and the non potable liquid ejector inlet pipe 11.

[0082] As before a transparent pipe is used as the inlet pipe and the discharge pipe. This provides for a visual inspection and the conclusion that an air gap has been created.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a kit for a Residential Full Basement Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump 23. The kit contents are the water ejector 1 with a potable water actuator rod 2, a discharge port 3, a potable water inlet 4 and an inlet port 5. The piping needs consist of the transparent discharge piping 6, typically clear PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the transparent inlet piping 7, typically clear PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the opaque discharge piping 8, typically opaque PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the opaque inlet and riser piping 9, typically opaque PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal Inside diameter, the opaque drain piping 10, typically opaque PVC plastic pipe inches in nominal inside diameter. One 10-foot length of each is provided. Also shown is an actuator rod 11, typically inches in diameter. Three 4-foot lengths with connectors are provided. An actuator rod directional changer 12 is provided which attaches to the water ejector body for support and proper alignment. The actuator rod and the drainpipe are provided lateral support by guides 13 held to the riser pipe by 1 inch hose clamps 14. The actuator float 22 slides onto the bottom of the actuator rod and is held in place by 2 float actuator retainer rings 21. Various necessary pipe fittings include a check valve 15, typically 1 inches nominally, a water valve 16, typically inches nominally, 4 PVC elbows each of 45 degrees 17 and 90 degrees 18 of 1, 1 and inches, 1 PVC union 19 each 1, 1 and inches and 3 PVC couplings 20 each of 1, 1 and inches.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a Residential Crawlspace Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump Embodiment. For this embodiment the dimensional limit is the crawlspace and floor joist 2 height. The crawlspace is typically 18 inches to 5 feet high. The floor joists are typically 5.5 inches in vertical height. The grade 17 is typically 6 to 8 inches below top of the foundation 9 and the bottom of the floor joists. As such, considering the pipe diameter, the six-inch ordinance requirement is impossible to obtain if the water ejector potable valve is beneath the floor 1.

[0085] For this embodiment the water ejector 12 is located above the floor. Candidate locations include utility closets, cloth closets, a garage or any out of the way location. An enclosure box 18 with a door is used to provide security and prevent contact. The potable water inlet 3 enters through the crawlspace and rises through the floor to the water ejector typically 2 feet above the floor. The actuator rod 4 does not need a directional changer and extends vertically to the sump where the float 7 is situated. The inlet riser pipe 5 containing a check valve 10. The drainpipe 6 extends from the sump to connect with the inlet pipe 11. The discharge pipe 13 extends from the water ejector discharge port horizontally and downward vertically through the hole 16 in the exterior floor joist 14 out to the exterior 15 to create the minimum height air gap from the water ejector valve. This allows complete draining of the non-potable liquid upon the deactivation of the water ejector.

[0086] The remaining piping arrangement follows the same configuration and operation of the General Embodiment or the Energy Efficiency Embodiment. The potable water supply 3 is routed to the water inlet valve in the water ejector 12. The water ejector float actuator rod 4 extends downward to the actuator float 7 in the sump vessel 8 recessed in the basement floor.

[0087] As before a transparent pipe is used as the inlet pipe and the discharge pipe. This provides for a visual inspection and the conclusion that an air gap has been created.

[0088] FIG. 6 shows a kit for a Residential Crawlspace Back-Up Water Ejector Sump Pump 23. The kit contents are the water ejector 1 with a potable water actuator rod 2, a discharge port 3, a potable water inlet 4 and an inlet port 5. The piping needs consist of the transparent discharge piping 6, typically clear PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the transparent inlet piping 7, typically clear PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the opaque discharge piping 8, typically opaque PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the opaque inlet and riser piping 9, typically opaque PVC plastic pipe 1 inches in nominal inside diameter, the opaque drain piping 10, typically opaque PVC plastic pipe inches in nominal inside diameter. One 5-foot length of each is provided. Also shown is an actuator rod 11, typically inches in diameter. Two 4-foot lengths with connectors are provided. The actuator rod and the drainpipe are provided lateral support by guides 13 held to the riser pipe by 1 inch hose clamps 14. The actuator float 22 slides onto the bottom of the actuator rod and is held in place by 2 float actuator retainer rings 21. Various necessary pipe fittings include a check valve 15, typically 1 inches nominally, a water shut off valve 16, typically inches nominally, 4 PVC elbows each of 45 degrees 17 and 90 degrees 18 of 1, 1 and inches, 1 PVC union 19 each of 1, 1 and inches and 3 PVC couplings 20 each of 1, 1 and inches. The above floor equipment is housed in an enclosure 12.

[0089] While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.

[0090] Although a very narrow claim is presented herein, it should be recognized that the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by such claims. It is intended that broader claims will be submitted in an application that claims the benefit of priority from this application. Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.