Vacuum Sewage System with Wireless Alarm

Abstract

A vacuum sewage system is provided having a sump pit ( 12 ) and a collection station ( 20 ) connected by a conduit ( 22 ). When a vacuum interface valve ( 30 ) is opened sewage is transported from the sump pit to the collection station by a pressure differential. A valve position sensor ( 40 ) associated with the valve is sensed by a valve monitoring system. The monitoring system is adapted to broadcast a wireless signal of valve status. A computer receives the broadcast signal and notifies an operator of the valve condition.

1 . A vacuum sewage system comprising:
 a first conduit associated with a vacuum source for creating a pressure vacuum in said vacuum sewage system;   a second conduit in fluid communication with said first conduit, said second conduit having a valve associated therewith;   a valve position sensor associated with said valve, said sensor being capable of sensing whether the valve is open or closed;   a valve position receiver for receiving a signal from said valve position sensor, said valve position receiver being capable of broadcasting a signal signifying that the valve is in an open position; and   a means for receiving said signal.   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said valve position receiver broadcasts said signal only if said valve position receiver receives an open valve signal from said valve position sensor for a duration greater than a predetermined period of time.   
   
   
       3 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said signal broadcast to said signal receiving means provides an identifier associated with said valve position receiver and the duration said valve was in an open position.   
   
   
       4 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said signal receiving means is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from said valve position receiver.   
   
   
       5 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality a valves;   at least one valve position sensor associated with each valve in said plurality of valves;   each of at least one valve position sensor being capable of sensing whether the valve associated therewith is open; and   a valve position receiver associated with each valve position sensor for receiving a signal from the respective valve position sensor, each said valve position receiver being capable of broadcasting a signal to said signal receiving means signifying that the valve associated therewith is in an open position.   
   
   
       6 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein:
 said signal broadcast to said signal receiving means provides an identifier associated with said valve position receiver and the duration said valve was in an open position.   
   
   
       7 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein:
 said signal receiving means is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from each of said valve position receivers.   
   
   
       8 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said signal receiving means is a computer.   
   
   
       9 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said signal receiving means is a portable signal receiving device.   
   
   
       10 . The vacuum sewage system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein:
 said signal receiving means is configured to receive and log valve-open signals from each of said valve position receivers.