Portable, reusable, long-term, self-sustaining disaster relief structure

Abstract

The subject matter described herein includes a transportable, self-sustaining house or structure for use in disaster relief comprising, a substantially rectangular, steel living section, a water tank connected to and placed on top of the occupied area, a sewer tank connected to and placed below the occupied area, a plurality of solar panels on top of the water tank, a plurality of lines configured for transferring fluid from the water tank to the occupied area and from the water tank to the sewage tank, a plurality of lines configured for transferring waste from the occupied area to the sewage section, wherein, in operation the structure is transported with a substantially empty water tank and charged battery.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A transportable, self-sustaining structure for use in disaster relief comprising:
 a substantially rectangular, steel occupied area;   a water tank connected to and placed on top of the occupied area;   a sewer tank connected to and placed below the occupied area;   a plurality of solar panels on top of the water tank;   a rechargeable battery and electrical system wired to receive and store electricity from the solar panels;   at least one line configured for transferring fluid from the water tank to the occupied area and from the water tank to the sewage tank;   at least one line configured for transferring waste from the occupied area to the sewage section;   wherein, in operation the structure is transported with a substantially empty water tank and fully charged battery.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the sewer tank defines a “V” shaped angled floor to facilitate waste removal. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable awning. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising two lines configured for transferring fluid from the water tank to the sewage tank. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising two lines configured for transferring waste from the occupied area to the sewage tanks. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a foldable porch. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a top utility frame placed above the occupied area for receiving the water tank and solar panels. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising motorized roller shutters placed above the solar panels and configured for being closed remotely. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising insulation having an R-value between R12-R18. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom utility frame placed below the occupied area for receiving the sewage tank. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein sewage and water tanks have smart level measuring systems to indicate when levels are either too low or too high. 
     
     
         12 . A structure comprising:
 a water tank;   an occupied area placed entirely below the water tank and connected to the water tank by one or more pipes; and   a sewer tank having an inside and placed entirely below the occupied area and connected to the occupied area by one or more pipes,   wherein the sewer tank is also connected to the water tank by one or more pipes,   wherein the pipes are configured to only allow flow in a downward direction.   
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 12 , further comprising a detachable top utility frame configured for receiving and securing the water tank and solar panels. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 13 , further comprising a detachable bottom utility frame configured for receiving and securing the sewer tank. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the sewer tank comprises a stabilizer tank, fixedly attached to a topmost portion of the inside of the sewer tank, wherein the stabilizer tank is configured for holding liquid and preventing the liquid from contacting the inside of the sewer tank. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 15 , wherein the stabilizer tank is filled with fresh water prior to transporting the structure. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the sewer tank defines a “V” shaped angled floor to facilitate waste removal. 
     
     
         18 . A method of building and transporting a structure to a disaster relief area comprising:
 constructing a sewer tank with a separate stabilizer tank located inside the sewer tank;   constructing a steel occupied area above the sewer tank, the occupied area having a bottom and top;   placing an insulated floor board on the bottom of the occupied area;   welding a water tank on the top of the occupied area;   fitting solar panels above the water tank;   connecting pipes between the occupied area and the water tank, the water tank and the sewer tank, the occupied area and the sewer tank, and the stabilizer tank and the water tank;   filling the stabilizer tank with fresh water;   loading the structure onto a truck; and   delivering the structure to the disaster relief area.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising adding a smart battery system to the occupied area; and connecting the smart battery system with the solar panels. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising charging the smart battery system before delivering the structure to the disaster relief area.