Patent ID: 8228190

Claim:
A valve malfunctioning detection system for use in a vacuum sewer system including at least one vacuum pit in fluid communication with at least one vacuum station, the at least one vacuum pit including at least one vacuum sewer valve that is moveable between an opened position and a closed position, the valve malfunctioning detection system comprising: at least one radio unit adapted to be carried by the at least one vacuum pit of the vacuum sewer system, the at least one radio unit comprising a housing, a controller carried by the housing, a power source carried by the housing, a threaded attachment connected to an end of the housing, and at least one sensor carried by the threaded attachment and in communication with the controller; at least one gateway radio in communication with the at least one radio unit, the at least one gateway radio being positioned adjacent a respective at least one vacuum station of the vacuum sewer system to receive at least one signal transmitted by the at least one radio unit; a hub radio in communication with the at least one gateway radio to receive at least one signal transmitted by the at least one gateway radio; and at least one server in communication with the hub radio; wherein the signal transmitted by the at least one radio unit includes an indication of a status of the vacuum sewer valve.