Preassembled modular vacuum plumbing assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12024868-B2
Application number	US-202318333163-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2023
Priority date	Aug 18, 2020
Publication date	Jul 2, 2024
Grant date	Jul 2, 2024

Abstract

A modular vacuum plumbing assembly includes a frame, a water supply conduit attached to the frame, and a wastewater outlet conduit attached to the frame. Water travels from a water supply system to a plumbing fixture via the water supply conduit and wastewater travels away from the plumbing fixture via the wastewater outlet conduit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A modular vacuum plumbing system comprising:
a frame;
a water supply conduit attached to the frame, wherein water travels from a water supply system to a plumbing fixture via the water supply conduit; and
a wastewater outlet conduit attached to frame, wherein wastewater travels away from the plumbing fixture via the wastewater outlet conduit.

2. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , wherein the water supply conduit further comprises:
a cold-water supply conduit; and
a hot water supply conduit.

3. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vacuum-assist waste removal system that provides suction to facilitate the wastewater travel away from the plumbing fixture.

4. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an accumulator that receives water from the plumbing fixture.

5. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
thermal insulation encasing at least a portion of the water supply conduit.

6. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wiring conduit attached to the frame, the wiring conduit including wiring for providing at least one of electrical power or electrical signaling; and
a junction box disposed at the first end of the wiring conduit, the junction box including at least one of an electrical connector or a signaling device.

7. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vacuum-assist waste removal system;
an accumulator that receives water from the plumbing fixture; and
a vacuum control valve located along the wastewater outlet conduit, wherein the vacuum control valve is operable by the vacuum-assist waste removal system to remove the water from the accumulator connected to the plumbing fixture through the wastewater outlet conduit via suction.

8. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a level sensor associated with the accumulator, wherein the level sensor detects a level of the water in the accumulator and sends a signal to the vacuum-assist waste removal system in response to detecting the level of the water has reached a predetermined level.

9. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vent conduit connected to an accumulator associated with the plumbing fixture, wherein air flow is provided into the accumulator via the vent conduit.

10. The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a recirculation conduit extending between the water supply conduit and the water supply system, the recirculation conduit redirecting the water from the water supply conduit back to the water supply system via the recirculation conduit.

11. A modular vacuum plumbing apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a water supply conduit attached to the frame, the water supply conduit routing water from a water supply system to a plumbing fixture; and
a wastewater outlet conduit attached to the frame, the wastewater outlet conduit routing wastewater away from the plumbing fixture.

12. The modular vacuum plumbing apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
an accumulator attached to the frame, the accumulator associated with the plumbing fixture and configured to receive the water routed from the water supply system.

13. The modular vacuum plumbing apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a vacuum-assist waste removal system that directs wastewater away from the plumbing fixture.

14. The modular vacuum plumbing apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a vacuum control valve located along the wastewater outlet conduit, wherein the vacuum control valve is operable by the vacuum-assist waste removal system to remove the water from the accumulator connected to the plumbing fixture through the wastewater outlet conduit via suction.

15. A method for distributing water via a pre-assembled modular vacuum plumbing assembly, the method comprising:
providing water from a water supply system to a plumbing fixture by a water supply conduit;
holding water provided by the water supply conduit in an accumulator attached to the plumbing fixture;
directing water away from the accumulator via a wastewater outlet conduit connected to the accumulator; and
providing a suction for moving the water away from the accumulator via the wastewater outlet conduit by a vacuum-assist waste removal system.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
providing the plumbing fixture with cold water from the water supply system by a cold-water supply conduit; and
providing the plumbing fixture with hot water from the water supply system by a hot water supply conduit.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
actuating the plumbing fixture by a user operable device, wherein the user operable device operates a valve to provide water from the water supply conduit to the plumbing fixture or actuate the vacuum-assist waste removal system to remove the water from the accumulator.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
actuating the plumbing fixture by a touchless sensor device, wherein the touchless sensor device operates a valve to provide water from the water supply conduit to the plumbing fixture or actuate the vacuum-assist waste removal system to remove the water from the accumulator.

19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
providing air flow into the accumulator by a vent conduit extending from the accumulator.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
sensing a level of water in the accumulator; and
sending a signal to the vacuum-assist waste removal system indicating the level of water reaches a predetermined level, wherein the signal actuates the vacuum-assist waste removal system to remove the water from the accumulator.

Assignees

• Walmart Apollo Llc

Inventors

• Massa Gabriel J

Classifications

• E03C1/1222 Primary

  Arrangements of devices in domestic waste water pipe-line systems · CPC title

• E03C1/304 Primary

  using fluid under pressure · CPC title