Preassembled modular vacuum plumbing assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023072597-A1
Application number	US-202217985273-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 11, 2022
Priority date	Aug 18, 2020
Publication date	Mar 9, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A preassembled modular vacuum plumbing assembly for attaching a plumbing fixture to a water supply system and to a vacuum-assist waste removal system includes a frame having two upright members and at least one connecting member between the two upright members. At least one water supply conduit is attached to the frame, each water supply conduit having a first end configured for attachment to the water supply system and a second end configured for attachment to the plumbing fixture for providing water from the water supply system to the plumbing fixture. An accumulator is associated with the plumbing fixture for receiving and holding water provided by the at least one water supply conduit to the plumbing fixture. A wastewater outlet conduit is attached to the frame, the wastewater outlet conduit having a first end attached to the accumulator and a second end configured for attachment to the vacuum-assist waste removal system for directing water from the accumulator to the vacuum-assist waste removal system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A modular vacuum plumbing system comprising:
a frame comprising a first upright member connected to a second upright member via a connecting member; 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 comprising a first end attached to the plumbing fixture and a second end attached to a vacuum-assist waste removal system, wherein the wastewater outlet conduit directs the water away from the plumbing fixture via a suction provided by the vacuum-assist waste removal system.

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 , wherein the plumbing fixture is a first plumbing fixture, and wherein the water supply conduit further comprises:
a trunk portion adjacent to a first end of the water supply conduit that attaches to the water supply system; a first branch portion disposed between the trunk portion and a second end of the water supply conduit that attaches to the first plumbing fixture; and a second branch portion disposed between the trunk portion and a third end of the water supply conduit that attaches to a second plumbing fixture, wherein the first end of the wastewater outlet conduit attaches to a first accumulator of the first plumbing fixture and to a second accumulator of the second plumbing fixture.

4 . The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an accumulator receiving water from the plumbing fixture, wherein the accumulator comprises a container mounted to the frame.

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 a first end attached to the frame proximate to an attachment location of the plumbing fixture and a second end attached to the frame proximate to an attachment location of the vacuum-assist waste removal system, the wiring conduit including wiring for at least one of providing electrical power and providing 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 and at least one signaling device, wherein the at least one signaling device includes at least one of a user operable device for actuating the plumbing fixture, wherein the user operable device operates a valve to provide water from the water supply conduit to the plumbing fixture.

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

8 . The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vent conduit connected to an accumulator associated with the plumbing fixture, the vent conduit extending from the accumulator through the frame, wherein air flows into the accumulator via the vent conduit.

9 . The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a level sensor associated with an accumulator attached to the plumbing fixture, the level sensor detects a level of the water in the accumulator, wherein the level sensor sends a signal to the vacuum-assist waste removal system indicating the level of the water has reached a predetermined level.

10 . The modular vacuum plumbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a recirculation conduit extending from the water supply conduit and the water supply system, the recirculation conduit redirecting water from the water supply conduit back to the water supply system via the recirculation conduit; and a valve that controls flow of the water to the recirculation conduit and the plumbing fixture.

11 . 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, wherein a first end of the water supply conduit attaches to the water supply system and a second end of the water supply conduit attaches to the plumbing fixture, and wherein the water supply conduit attaches to a frame having a connecting member between a first upright member and a second upright member; holding water provided by the water supply conduit in an accumulator attached to the plumbing fixture; directing water away from the accumulator by a wastewater outlet conduit attached to the frame, wherein a first end of the wastewater outlet conduit attaches to the accumulator; and providing a suction for moving the water away from the accumulator by a vacuum-assist waste removal system, wherein a second end of the wastewater outlet conduit attaches to the vacuum-assist waste removal system.

12 . The method of claim 11 , 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.

13 . The method of claim 11 , 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 water from the accumulator.

14 . The method of claim 11 , 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 water from the accumulator.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
removing water from the accumulator through the wastewater outlet conduit via suction, wherein a vacuum control valve located along the wastewater outlet conduit is openable by the vacuum-assist waste removal system to remove water from the accumulator.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
allowing flow of air into the accumulator by a vent conduit extending from the accumulator through the frame, the vent conduit allowing flow of air into the accumulator when the vacuum-assist waste removal system is removing water from the accumulator.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
sensing a level of water in the accumulator; and sending a signal indicating the level of water reaches a predetermined level.

18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
redirecting water from the water supply conduit back to the water supply system via a recirculation conduit, wherein the recirculation conduit includes a valve for controlling flow of water to the recirculation conduit or the plumbing fixture.

19 . A modular vacuum plumbing apparatus comprising:
a water supply conduit attached to a frame; a first end of the water supply conduit that attaches to a water supply system; a second end of the water supply conduit that attaches to a plumbing fixture, wherein water travels from the water supply system

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