Waste water diverter apparatus

A waste water diverter apparatus enables an undisturbed flow of fluid and solids in the waste water through the apparatus. The waste water diverter apparatus includes a substantially Y-shaped valve housing with an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port, and an inner valve member having a circular aperture and rotatably mounted to the Y-shaped housing. The circular aperture has an angled pathway that extends through the inner valve member. The inner valve member adjusts to a first position to enable the aperture to connect the inlet port to the first outlet port and a second position to enable the aperture to connect the inlet port to the second outlet port.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to water diversion valves used in plumbing systems.

As fresh water resources become scarce and water demands continue to increase around the world, alternative water sources that previously were considered unusable are being captured for reuse. These potential new sources of supply include rainwater, gray water and black water. Rainwater generally refers to waste water deposited on roof tops by way of roof drains or roof leaders. Gray water generally refers to waste water generated from household uses such as remaining water from bathing and washing clothes. Black water refers to heavily contaminated water originating from waste sources such as toilets. As interest grows for capturing rainwater, gray water and black water for treatment and/or reuse, there is a corresponding need for plumbing systems to effectively divert these types of waste water to multiple pipes.

Several fluid diversion devices exist as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,972 and 925,053, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0096648. These devices include pivotably mounted flaps that connect an inlet pipe to one of two outlet pipes. However, these devices are disadvantageous because the flat-surfaced flaps reduce the cross-sectional flow area at the junction of the inlet pipe and outlet pipe. This disturbs and/or partially blocks the flow of waste water, which may include both liquids and solids.

As such, there is a need in the industry for a waste water diverter apparatus that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY

A waste water diverter apparatus configured to enable an undisturbed flow of fluid and solids in the waste water through the apparatus is provided. The waste water diverter apparatus comprises a substantially Y-shaped valve housing comprising an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port, and an inner valve member comprising a circular aperture and rotatably mounted to the Y-shaped housing, wherein the circular aperture comprises an angled pathway that extends through the inner valve member, wherein the inner valve member is configured to adjust to a first position to enable the aperture to connect the inlet port to the first outlet port and a second position to enable the aperture to connect the inlet port to the second outlet port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

As depicted inFIG. 1, waste water diverter apparatus10is configured for use with any plumbing system for a building such as a house. Waste water diverter apparatuses10may be used with any variety of pipes to transport waste water such as rainwater, black water or gray water, which may include both fluids and/or solids. In an exemplary configuration, waste water diverter apparatuses are connected to downspout12, rainwater pipe14, drain pipe16, black water pipe18, sewer pipe20and alternate pipe21.

As depicted inFIGS. 2-3, waste water diverter apparatus10comprises valve housing22, inner valve member34, knob26and cover24. Valve housing22comprises inlet port28, and a pair of outlet ports30. Inlet port28and outlet ports30are oriented to form a true Y-shaped housing. As depicted inFIG. 4, inlet port28and outlet ports30are offset by angle X. In a preferred embodiment, angle X is 22.5 degrees. However, angle X may also be 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or any alternative numbered degrees. Inlet port28and outlet ports30are circular tubular members configured to connect with any circular pipes known in the field. Valve housing22further comprises an opening on the top configured to receive inner valve member34. Knob26is affixed to the top of inner valve member34. In an alternative embodiment, knob26may be integrated into inner valve member34as a single component.

In one embodiment, inner valve member34comprises a cylindrical shape with a circular aperture disposed throughout the member at an angle. Inner valve member34comprises a pair of nubs affixed to the side walls, which slidably engage and disengage with corresponding openings disposed within valve housing22. As a result, inner valve member34is rotatably mounted to valve housing22. A first O-ring32is disposed on valve housing22and a second O-ring32is disposed on inner valve member34prior to being covered by cover24. In a preferred embodiment, O-rings32are made from rubber.

Cover24is a ring that is secured to valve housing22by press fit components. For example, cover24comprises four tabs that are configured to slidably engage and disengage with corresponding openings on valve housing22. It shall be appreciated that any alternative number of tabs on cover24and openings on valve housing22may be used instead. Once cover24is locked, inner valve member34is secured in place with knob26extending through the central opening of cover24. In a preferred embodiment, cover24, knob26, inner valve member34and valve housing22are made from plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, alternative materials known in the field may be used including, but not limited to, brass, copper, and other metals or alloys.

To operate waste water diverter apparatus10, a user manually rotates knob26by hand to adjust the circular aperture of inner valve member34so that the circular aperture connects inlet port28with one of the two outlet ports30. Once the circular aperture is properly aligned with inlet port28and one of the two outlet ports30, the nubs of inner valve member34slidably engage with a corresponding pair of openings disposed within valve housing22. The user can rotate knob26as needed to connect inlet port28with either outlet port30of valve housing22. As depicted inFIG. 5, the circular aperture comprises an angled pathway with a smooth and continuous inner wall that extends through inner valve member34. The circular aperture diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of inlet port28and the diameters of outlet ports30. This allows fluid and solid waste to flow through waste water diverter apparatus10undisturbed. This is because the flow area of the circular aperture matches the flow area of inlet port28and outlet ports30. O-rings32provide a seal and prevent waste water from leaking out of waste water diverter apparatus10. As depicted inFIG. 6, a first O-ring32is disposed between cover24and valve housing22and a second O-ring32is disposed between cover24and inner valve member34.

As depicted inFIGS. 7-8, an alternative embodiment 40 is disclosed, which comprises waste water diverter apparatus10configured to be operated automatically by a solenoid attachment or motor system (not shown). In this embodiment, waste water diverter apparatus10comprises valve housing22, inlet port28, output ports30and cover24, which are the same as discussed above. Stem42is integrated into the top of inner cylindrical valve member43as a single component. However, stem42may also be affixed to cylindrical valve member43as a separate component. Once inner cylindrical valve member43is rotatably mounted to valve housing22, stem43is operably connected to a solenoid attachment via arm44, pin 46 and solenoid rod48. Alternatively, stem42can be directly connected to a solenoid or motor system. The solenoid or motor system automatically adjusts waste water diverter apparatus10as desired such that the circular aperture of inner cylindrical valve member43connects inlet port28with one of the two outlet ports30. As depicted inFIG. 9, alternative shaped inner valve members may be used such as inner spherical valve member49.

FIG. 10depicts a schematic view of alternative embodiment 40 in use, which comprises waste water diverter apparatus10, sewer pipe20, alternate pipe21, controller62, tank64, high water sensor67and low water sensor68. Alternate pipe21is connected to tank64via connecting pipe65. Controller62comprises any computer processors or electrical components known in the field, and is operably connected to waste water diverter apparatus10, high water sensor67and low water sensor68via wires. High water sensor67and low water sensor68are mounted within tank64.

Once water level66reaches low water sensor68, low water sensor68transmits signals to controller62, which are forwarded to waste water diverter apparatus10. The solenoid or motor system then automatically adjusts inner cylindrical valve member43such that waste water is diverted to tank64via alternate pipe21and connecting pipe65. Once water level66reaches high water sensor67, high water sensor67transmits signals to controller62, which are forwarded to waste water diverter apparatus10. The solenoid or motor system then automatically adjusts inner cylindrical valve member43such that waste water is diverted to sewer pipe20instead. Once water level66drops below high water sensor67, controller62may be configured to enable waste water diverter apparatus10to automatically divert waste water back to tank64until water level66reaches high water sensor67. It shall be appreciated that controller62may be programmed in any way to enable waste water diverter apparatus10to function as desired.

It shall be appreciated that the components of waste water diverter apparatus10described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of waste water diverter apparatus10described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.