Patent ID: 6837174

Claim:
A pneumatic bilge liquid removal system for a vessel having a bilge with bilge liquid therein, said system comprising: an air compressor having inlet and outlet ports pneumatically coupled to a valve system; a collection chamber having top and bottom segments, said top segment pneumatically coupled to said valve system; at least one collection tube extending from said bilge to said top segment of said collection chamber without any intervening valves; a discharge tube coupled to said bottom segment of said collection chamber and having a one-way valve therein; a control system means for energizing said air compressor and controlling said valve system such that said air compressor pressurizes said collection chamber via said outlet port for a first predetermined time interval causing said bilge liquid in said collection chamber to discharge through said discharge tube; and such that said air compressor creates a negative pressure in said collection chamber via said inlet port for a second predetermined time interval causing any said bilge liquid in said bilge to be drawn into and accumulate in said collection chamber via said at least one collection tube.