Patent Abstract:
A waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with pressurized water jets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a toilet bowl, a toilet trap, a water supply, and a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles. The oscillating water jet nozzles are located within line of sight of recurrent waste blockage zones, interior to the toilet trap and/or toilet bowl. When actuated, the oscillating water jet nozzles inject pressurized water into a trap area breaking up waste material as it passes through. The oscillating water jet nozzles may be used to preemptively prevent blockages and to remove existing blockages.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to an integrated toilet system for removing or preventing waste obstructions. More particularly the present invention relates to using fluid means to unblock or prevent blockages in a toilet system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is common for current toilet systems to become blocked by waste. Often the waste which clogs a toilet is hard and unyielding, clinging to the walls of toilet traps. This can cause toilets to overflow, and impedes their use. Many methods and apparatuses in the art have employed the use of variations of plungers. The use of plungers and other external apparatuses present a number of problems concerning sanitation and ease of use. Sanitation is a problem because after an apparatus is removed from the toilet, it has unsanitary water and waste material clinging to one or more of its surfaces. Additionally, while in use, many plungers cause splashes of contaminated water to exit toilet bowls. 
         [0003]    For users who don&#39;t have an external apparatus conveniently located with respect to the toilet, it is sometimes inconvenient and/or embarrassing to retrieve it. Another problem presents itself for users of lesser skill or physical agility, which may find it difficult to use an external apparatus, such as, for example, a toilet plunger. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with pressurized water jets is disclosed which overcomes or improves upon the problems discussed above. In general, the apparatus includes a toilet bowl, a toilet trap, a water supply, and a plurality of water jet nozzles. The water jet nozzles are located within line of sight of recurrent waste blockage zones, interior to the toilet trap and/or toilet bowl. When actuated, the water jet nozzles inject pressurized water into the waste blockage zones, which weakens and/or fragments any blockages. Subsequently, a water pressure head, vacuum, pressurized air, or other means are used to flush the weakened and/or fragmented waste out of the trap and/or toilet bowl. 
         [0005]    Due to the integral nature of the apparatus with respect to a toilet, unsanitary water and other waste that may otherwise splash out of the toilet bowl are flushed down the toilet. Additionally, the apparatus is easy to use and requires little, if any, physical agility or skill to actuate. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a waste fragmenting toilet is disclosed that includes a toilet bowl, a toilet trap, and a water supply. The toilet bowl includes a bottom which is coupled to a toilet trap. The toilet trap includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles positioned along one or more walls of the toilet trap. The water supply includes one or more controllable water valves. The controllable water valves control water flow to the plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles. The plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles may inject pressurized water into the toilet trap in an oscillating arc or pattern. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A more particular description of the invention briefly described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments. Several embodiments are depicted in drawings included with this application, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with oscillating water jet nozzles; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including oscillating water jet nozzles in a toilet bowl; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , including some electronic components; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , including capacitive sensors; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with buttons; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally having an enzyme reservoir; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including infrared lights and sensors; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including a pump; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 8 , additionally including a pressure regulator and valve; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10A  depict a perspective view of a manually actuated waste fragmenting toilet apparatus; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10B  depict perspective view of a manually actuated waste fragmenting toilet apparatus; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including a water tank; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12A  depicts a perspective view of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with a pump inside a water tank; 
           [0021]    and  FIG. 12B  depicts a side view of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with a pump inside a water tank; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including pressure sensors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0024]    In some instances, features represented by numerical values, such as dimensions, mass, quantities, and other properties that can be represented numerically, are stated as approximations. Unless otherwise stated, an approximate value means “correct to within 50% of the stated value.” Thus, a length of approximately 1 inch should be read “1 inch+/−0.5 inch.” 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with oscillating water jet nozzles  108 . Toilet apparatus  100  includes toilet bowl  102 , toilet trap  104 , and water supply  106 . Toilet bowl  102  includes a bottom which is coupled to toilet trap  104 . Toilet trap  104  includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  108  positioned along the toilet trap  104 . Water supply  106  includes one or more controllable water valves  110  that control water flow to the plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  108 , wherein the plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  108  inject pressurized water into toilet trap  104  in an oscillating arc or pattern. The oscillating water jets  108  may be formed of compliant orifices which oscillate due to water pressure bending and moving the compliant orifices causing an oscillating arc or pattern. 
         [0026]    When the waste fragmenting toilet apparatus  100  is actuated, water valves  110  receive pressurized water from water supply  106 . Water valves  110  then distribute the water to oscillating water jet nozzles  108 . Subsequently, nozzles  108  may inject water in a stream in sequential directions, one direction at a time per nozzle  108 , along their respective arcs. In other words, when actuated, each nozzle  108  may inject a single beam of water into toilet trap  104  at any instant in a downstream drainage direction. Over a period of time, the angle of each nozzle  108  changes and so the direction of its corresponding beam of water changes, while the location of each nozzle  108  stays the same. Due to the oscillating movement of each nozzle  108 , it traces out the same path repeatedly over a period of time; in this way, the water injected from nozzles  108  may impact any waste present in the same locations repeatedly, rapidly eroding parts of the waste until it is sufficiently eroded to be forced down toilet trap  104  by a pressure head, siphon jet, pressure difference, and/or other means used to flush toilet apparatus  100 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the oscillating arcs of nozzles  108  include angles between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to a direction which is normal to a surface whereon a respective water jet nozzle of the plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles is positioned. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, nozzles  108  change the angles of their respective fluid streams simultaneously, sequentially, and/or selectively depending on location of a waste blockage. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, nozzles  108  inject water in an oscillating arc because each nozzle  108  includes a compliant member, integral to nozzle  108 , which vibrates at a certain frequency. The frequency at which the compliant member vibrates changes a range of motion of the oscillating arc of each nozzle  108 . The frequencies of vibration are dependent on the pressures and flow rates of the water which is injected by nozzles  108 . In another embodiment, nozzles  108  inject water in an oscillating arc enabled by integrated servo motors included in each nozzle. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, nozzles  108  inject pressurized water into toilet trap  104  in a circular arc, the injected water cleaning the one or more walls of toilet trap  104  while impinging on any waste blockages. 
         [0031]    Controllable water valves  110  are controlled using any of a variety of means including a continuously rotating shaft, a valve manifold, a pressure difference, etc. In embodiments using a continuously rotating shaft to control valves  110 , the rotating shaft is driven by a motor which is connected to a power supply. When the power supply is attached, or when a power switch is closed, the shaft rotates. At specific shaft angles or over shaft angle ranges, different valves  110  are opened or closed to allow water to flow to their respective nozzles  108 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the rotating shaft is powered manually. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments using a valve manifold to control valves  110 , the valve manifold uses solenoids which open and close valves  110 . In these embodiments, the valve manifold includes a power source to energize the solenoids and to power circuitry that switches the solenoids for different valves  110  on and off. In some further embodiments, the circuitry includes one or more processors and memory. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments using a pressure difference to control valves  110 , when valves  110  are pressurized using water pressure from any of a variety of sources including water supply  106 , a manually actuated pressure, a mechanical pump, etc., one or more of valves  110  open or close. This may be accomplished using any of a variety of means including a diaphragm, one or more pressure sensors, pistons, etc. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments using a diaphragm, when the diaphragm is strained it also pushes and/or pulls open valves  110 . In some embodiments using pressure sensors, the sensors, by means of a wire or wirelessly, communicate a pressure to circuitry which will open and/or close valves  110 . The pressure is communicated and utilized by any of a variety of means, including via a voltage difference, a change in current, a change in capacitance, a change in inductance, a change in resistance, a time rate of change of any of the preceding, etc. The circuitry often includes one or more power sources. In a further embodiment, a pressure sensor receives power from a power source. The sensor&#39;s output is a voltage difference which is proportional to the pressure. This output is connected to a base of a transistor, which signal is amplified and used to supply voltage to a solenoid to open valves  110 . In some embodiments using pistons, as water pressure increases or decreases, the pistons change their positions. These changes in position are used to actuate the opening and closing of valves  110 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, for example, a piston is positioned inside a hollow shaft, sealing one side of the shaft from the other. The shaft is connected at one end to a body of water connected to water supply  106  and at the other end the shaft includes a compressible gas which is isolated by a closed end of the shaft. The piston separates the gas from the water, and moves in one direction toward the gas when the water pressure increases. The piston moves toward the water side of the shaft when the water pressure decreases. The piston is connected to valve  110  by means such as a wire, chain, connecting rod, etc. such that when the water pressure increases, the piston moves toward the gas and valve  110  opens. When the water pressure decreases, the piston moves toward the water and valve  110  closes. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments using a pressure difference to control valves  110 , pressure sensors  112  are included in toilet trap  104 , which are positioned on walls of toilet trap  104 , in locations between oscillating water jet nozzles  108 . These sensors  112  are used to determine where a waste blockage is located, as a sensor on one side of the blockage will read a different pressure than that on another side of the blockage. For example, in some embodiments, valves  110  include a microcontroller which includes instructions for determining a location of a blockage based on pressure readings. The microcontroller also includes instructions for opening or closing solenoids, which then control valves  110  based upon the location of the blockage. Valves  110  also often include a power source for powering the solenoids, the pressure sensors, and the microcontroller. 
         [0037]    In the depicted embodiment, the one or more valves  110  are placed in the same location. In some embodiments, this is done with a valve manifold. In some other embodiments, valves  110  are positioned in different locations within toilet apparatus  100 . In yet other embodiments, water supply  106  includes a number of valves  110  equivalent to a total number of oscillating water jet nozzles  108 , such that each valve  110  controls flow of water to a different water jet nozzle  108 . 
         [0038]    In the depicted embodiment, toilet apparatus  100  includes 6 oscillating water jet nozzles  108  positioned along toilet trap  104 . Nozzles  108  are positioned at intervals to enable better coverage of all of toilet trap  104 . In some embodiments, nozzles  108  are positioned such that a waste blockage at any position within toilet trap  104  can be impinged upon by water from nozzles  108  injected in a direction which coincides with a direction of water flow when toilet apparatus  100  is flushed. This is for the purpose of increasing a pressure difference between an impinged side of the blockage and an opposite side of the blockage. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, water supply  106  connects directly to a potable water line with a water pressure great enough to flush waste in toilet bowl  102  and toilet trap  104  down a drain. In some other embodiments, water supply  106  connects directly to a gray water line. In such embodiments, water from the gray water line may need to be filtered sufficiently so as to not block or cause undue sediment buildup on valves  110  or nozzles  108 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the water pressure in a water line connected to water supply  106  isn&#39;t great enough on its own to flush waste in toilet bowl  102  and toilet trap  104  down the drain. In such embodiments toilet apparatus  100  includes an elevated body of water, a pressurized body of fluid, and/or a vacuum-assisted flushing system in order to help with flushing. In some embodiments, in addition to oscillating water jet nozzles  108 , toilet trap  104  includes a siphon jet which actuates upon flushing toilet apparatus  100 . 
         [0041]    Oscillating water jet nozzles  108  inject water with a kinetic energy. In embodiments where the kinetic energy of the water is great enough to cut through materials of toilet trap  104  and/or toilet bowl  102 , a material of higher wear resistance is included in regions where the injected water strikes toilet trap  104  and/or toilet bowl  102 . In one embodiment, the material included in regions where the injected water strikes toilet trap  104  is made of silicon carbide (SiC). In another embodiment, toilet bowl  102  and toilet trap  104  are comprised of a more erosion and wear resistant ceramic material than porcelain, such as fused alumina (Al 2 O 3 ). 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, toilet trap  104  includes a last water jet nozzle of oscillating water jet nozzles  108  which injects water in a direction toward a drain exit of toilet trap  104 . In some further embodiments, the last water jet nozzle injects water with such a high kinetic energy that the water that impinges waste and any piping connected to the drain exit of toilet trap  104  pierces any of a variety of pipe materials common to such systems that it impinges on, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), 316 stainless steel, etc. In such embodiments, the piping impinged upon includes sections or interior coverings made of high erosion and wear resistant materials, such as SiC, fused Al 2 O 3 , titanium nitride (TiN), etc. In some other further embodiments, the last water jet nozzle injects water in a circle pattern, or other pattern, in order to cut away any obstructions which are lodged at and/or near the drain exit of toilet trap  104 . Some examples of items which are commonly lodged at the drain exit include children&#39;s toys, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, needles, cigarette butts, sanitary napkins, and elastomer items such as latex balloons or nitrile gloves. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including oscillating water jet nozzles in a toilet bowl. Toilet apparatus  200  includes toilet bowl  202 . Toilet bowl  202  includes one or more oscillating water jet nozzles  208  positioned along one or more walls of toilet bowl  202 . Oscillating water jet nozzles  208  inject pressurized water into toilet bowl  202  in an oscillating arc. In addition to breaking up waste blockages, in some embodiments, oscillating water jet nozzles  208  inject pressurized water in an oscillating arc such that the injected water cleans the surface of toilet bowl  202 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , including some electronic components. Toilet apparatus  300  includes one or more processors  312  and memory  314 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , including capacitive sensors. Toilet apparatus  400  includes toilet trap  404 , water supply  406 , and capacitive sensors  416  positioned on and/or in walls of toilet trap  404 . Toilet trap  404  includes one or more oscillating water jet nozzles  408 . Water supply  406  includes one or more controllable water valves  410 . When a waste blockage is located in toilet trap  404  between a first set of capacitive sensors  416 , the first set of capacitive sensors  416  has a different capacitance than when no waste blockage is located between the first set. This is similarly true with a second set, a third set, etc. In this way, capacitive sensors  416  are used to determine general locations of waste blockages within toilet trap  404 . In some embodiments, for example, a change in capacitance of a set of capacitive sensors  416  is found using electronic components such as those found in a capacity meter. This information is then used to actuate one or more valves  410  via other electric circuitry, which cause certain nozzles  408  to inject water into toilet trap  404 . For example, in a further embodiment, toilet apparatus  400  includes a microcontroller which includes instructions for controlling valves  410 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with buttons. Toilet apparatus  500  includes one or more tactile control buttons  518  and a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles (not shown) which inject pressurized water into a toilet trap (not shown). Control buttons  518  actuate the oscillating water jet nozzles when depressed. In the depicted embodiment, toilet apparatus  500  includes three control buttons  518  which each have a different function. In a further embodiment, the three buttons  518  flush toilet apparatus  500 , actuate all nozzles, and actuate each nozzle one at a time in a pattern beneficial to flushing, respectively. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally having an enzyme reservoir. Toilet apparatus  600  includes enzyme reservoir  620 , water supply  606 , and toilet trap  604 . Water supply  606  includes one or more controllable water valves  610 . Toilet trap  604  includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  608 . Enzyme reservoir  620  includes a concentrated enzyme solution which breaks down fecal and other waste matter. Enzyme reservoir  620  is coupled to valves  610  such that water from water supply  606  is mixed with the concentrated enzyme solution to form a less concentrated enzyme solution. The less concentrated enzyme solution is then injected into toilet trap  604  via nozzles  608 . This less concentrated enzyme solution then partially or completely breaks down waste in toilet trap  604 . Additionally, the less concentrated enzyme solution continues to break down waste in subsequent waste pipes such as a drain and sewer. This decreases the amount of breaking down waste from toilet apparatus  600  which is needed to be done in a septic system and/or in a reclamation plant. Since nozzles  608  inject the less concentrated enzyme solution into the toilet trap in an oscillating arc (as described previously), the enzyme solution also mixes more fully with waste in toilet trap  604 , increasing the efficiency of the enzymes&#39; processes of breaking down waste. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including infrared lights and sensors. Toilet apparatus  700  includes toilet trap  704 . Toilet trap  704  includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  708 , one or more infrared (IR) lights  722  (meaning infrared light emitting devices), and one or more infrared (IR) light sensors  724  positioned on one or more walls of toilet trap  704 . IR lights  722  each contain an IR light transmitter, and IR light sensors  724  each contain an IR light receiver. When an IR light  722  transmits an IR signal, a number of IR light sensors  724  do or do not receive the signal. A location of a waste blockage is determined dependent on IR signal strength, which IR light sensors  724  receive the IR signal, reflectivity of walls of trap  704 , positioning of IR lights  722  and IR light sensors  724 , and orientations of IR lights  722  and IR light sensors  724 . Based upon this determination, certain nozzles  708  actuate to break up the waste blockage. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, toilet trap  704  includes a number of IR lights  722  equal to a number of IR light sensors  724 . Each IR light  722  is included in an IR pair with an IR light sensor  724 . In some further embodiments, each IR pair is set to send and receive a specific IR wavelength. In some other embodiments, toilet trap  704  includes a number of IR lights  722  which isn&#39;t equal to a number of IR light sensors  724 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including a pump. Toilet apparatus  800  includes water supply  806  and toilet trap  804 . Toilet trap  804  includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  808 . Water supply  806  includes pump  826  and one or more controllable water valves  810 . Pump  826  includes an inlet and one or more outlets. Toilet trap  804  includes oscillating water jet nozzles  808 . Pump  826  pressurizes water between water supply  806  and nozzles  808 . Subsequently, nozzles  808  inject the pressurized water into toilet trap  804 . In some embodiments, water supply  806  has a water pressure magnitude which isn&#39;t high enough for nozzles  808  to inject water with a high enough kinetic energy to effectively break up waste blockages. It is for this reason that pump  826  increases water pressure. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 8 , additionally including a pressure regulator and valve. Toilet apparatus  900  includes water supply  906 , toilet trap  904 , pressure regulator  928 , pressure relief valve  930 . Toilet trap  904  includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  908 . Water supply  906  includes pump  926  and one or more controllable water valves  910 . Pump  926  includes an inlet and one or more outlets. Toilet trap  904  includes a plurality oscillating water jet nozzles  908 . As shown, pressure regulator  928  and pressure relief valve  930  communicate fluidly with one or more of the same outlets of pump  926 . Pressure regulator  928  additionally communicates fluidly with the plurality of controllable water valves  910 , while pressure relief valve  930  communicates fluidly with the inlet of pump  926 . When water pressure in one or more outputs of pump  926  reach a threshold pressure, pressure regulator  928  stops excess pressure from reaching controllable water valves  910 . Pressure relief valve  930  lowers the water pressure of the outlet of pump  926  by opening, allowing the pressurized water to flow into the inlet of pump  926 ; this continues until the water pressure is low enough at the outlet of pump  926  that pressure relief valve  930  closes. 
         [0052]    For example, in some embodiments, the threshold pressure is 120 pounds per square inch (psi). When the pressure in the outlet of pump  926  is higher than 120 psi, pressure regulator  928  is open enough to let water at 120 psi through it, and as a result, the water pressure of water in controllable water valves  910  is 120 psi. By-pass valve  930  divers water around pump  926  when the supply water pressure is all that is needed to clear a blockage or a lower pressure option is selected by a user. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, pump  926  includes a pressure sensor positioned at an outlet of pump  926 . When water pressure at the outlet of pump  926  reaches a determined water pressure level, pump  926  slows down and/or shuts off. This can save power and prevent pump  926  from overly pressurizing the outlet of pump  926 , and any connecting piping. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, pump  926  is an electrical pump. In some other embodiments, pump  926  is manually actuated. 
         [0055]      FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  depict perspective views of a manually actuated waste fragmenting toilet apparatus. Toilet apparatus  1000  includes a manually actuated hand pump  1026 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , the depicted embodiment includes a manual pump  1026  which is easily actuated by a user using his or her hands. As shown in  FIG. 10B , the depicted embodiment includes a manual foot pump  1026  which is easily actuated by a user using one or more of his or her feet. The hand and foot pump may be used to increase water pressure to the oscillating water jets in the toilet. 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including a water tank. Toilet apparatus  1100  includes water supply  1106  and toilet trap  1104 . Water supply  1106  includes water tank  1132 . Water tank  1132  fluidly communicates with water supply  1106  such that water tank  1132  stores water from water supply  1106 . Water tank  1132  may include a water pump  1108  for increasing water pressure within tank  1132  before delivery through the oscillating water jets. 
         [0057]      FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B  depict a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with a pump inside a water tank. Toilet apparatus  1200  includes water supply  1206 . Water supply  1206  includes water tank  1232  and pump  1226 . In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 12B , pump  1226  communicates fluidly with water tank  1232 . Water stored in water tank  1232  flows, due to a pressure difference, through pump  1226 . In another embodiment, pump  1226  fluidly communicates directly with water supply  1206 . In one embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 12A , water tank  1232  includes an orifice, inside which pump  1226  is at least partially seated, such that pump  1226  is actuated from outside water tank  1232 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 13  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , additionally including pressure sensors. Toilet apparatus  1300  includes toilet trap  1304  and toilet bowl  1302 . Toilet trap  1304  includes a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles  1308  and pressure sensors  1334  positioned on one or more walls of toilet trap  1304 . Pressure sensors  1334  read different pressures around a blockage than they normally would when no blockage is present. In this way, the location of a waste blockage in toilet trap  1304  can be determined, and nozzles  1308  are actuated where the blockage is located to break it up. For example, in some embodiments, when a toilet is flushed a water level within toilet bowl  1302  increases due to a waste blockage, which doesn&#39;t allow water to leave the system. The increased water level applies a greater than normal pressure to pressure sensors  1334  and to walls of toilet trap  1304  at a toilet bowl side of the waste blockage. The water pressure at a drain side of the waste blockage will be less than normal or the same.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4