Patent Application
20190160396
The present invention relates to a method and a device/apparatus for use in precipitating out suspended solids, particularly those found in septic tanks, and having the particular objectives, features and advantages of: 1) special formed longitudinal collection panels and support structure which will not restrict or inhibit the flow-through of liquid in a treatment or septic tank; 2) liquid flow directing devices which define a low resistance flow path and cause undulating and directed liquid flow; 3) compatibility with existing septic tanks; 4) collection panels with collection surfaces which are oriented to be parallel to low resistance flow path current and the counter current flow path of the liquid flow within the tank and permitting a higher resistance flow path which is a cross current flow-through of the panels; and 5) specially structured or adapted to be collapsible for easy transport and to create separate and distinct zones within a tank.
The present invention is directed to a septic tank system for causing the incoming liquid, or flowable composition which may have solid waste, and having the suspended materials suspended therein to flow along a generally undulating path along and thorough collection surfaces of longitudinal collection panels. The suspended solids collect, at least in part, simply due to contacting the mesh or screen supported by the longitudinal collection panel, it is believed, to turbulence created in the zone, chamber or region proximate to the collection panel surfaces. The mesh or screen of the longitudinal collection panels have perforation therethrough to allow for minimal perpendicular flow (higher resistance path) through of liquid and also to reduce the surface area of the collection surface resulting in the dislodging of the collected solids when the mass becomes substantially large. The globules—the locally accumulated collected solids—will either fall from the collection surface onto the bottom surface of the septic tank or float off and remain in the tank and not flow out into the leach system. More particularly, the longitudinal collection panels are preferably used in multiples within the septic tank and have flow directing openings located in a manner so as to cause the liquid flow to be undulating through the septic tank from the inflow to the outflow. There is also provided means for keeping the collection panels optimally located within the septic tank.
Suspended solids have plagued the septic system industry more in the last ten (10) or more years than in previous years. The increase in the problems is due in substantial part to the evolution and development of some of the modern day cleaners which now make cleaning easier in that they cause grease and oil to dissolve into the water. The major problem with a conventional septic tank is that the suspended solids, when passing through the tank, neither sufficiently cool nor make contact at a slow enough pace to separate from the water.
The control of lint and fuzz has also been an ongoing problem for septic tanks. These materials stay suspended in the septic tank liquid and normally passes through the septic tank, remaining suspended in the effluent, and subsequently cause problems in the leach field or system connected downstream of the septic tank.
Presently there is nothing available that provides for the removal, in a manner which does not affect the cost and the performance characteristics of the septic treatment system, of suspended solids that are typically found in liquid of a septic tank. It is important that the suspended solids do not exit from the septic tank so as to adversely affect the subsequent treatment of the wastewater/effluent. A leach field, for example, is adversely affected because the suspended solids will clog drain openings and also adversely affect the absorption characteristics of the leach bed.
Currently there are designs and equipment that attempt removal of the suspended solids from the liquid before the liquid exits from the septic tank. All of those known systems and apparatus fail to sufficiently address the problem in an efficient manner because all the efforts attempt to “filter” the liquid. It is to be appreciated that filtration creates an additional set of problems. In particular, filters can quickly become clogged or plugged thereby slowing down or completely blocking the flow of the liquid through the treatment or septic tank. Moreover, filters are expensive and are costly to maintain.
It is advantageous to have a treatment system which, without a large expense, prevents suspended solids from exiting the treatment or septic tank, does not require any additional maintenance, is incorporatable into a standard septic tank or other treatment tank configurations without changing the geometry and the structure of the treatment or septic tanks, is easily installed into existing and in-place treatment or septic tanks and has flexibility to incorporate a variety of component geometries, component materials and orientations to result in a custom system based upon special or specific needs within the treatment system.
As is known in the art, an Imhoff tank is a chamber suitable for reception and processing of sewage. An Imhoff tank may be used for the clarification of sewage by simple settling and sedimentation, along with anaerobic digestion of the extracted sludge. It generally consists of an upper chamber in which sedimentation takes place, from which collected solids slide down an inclined bottom slope into a lower chamber where the sludge is collected and eventually digested. The two chambers are otherwise unconnected, with sewage only flowing from the upper sedimentation chamber. The lower chamber typically requires separate biogas vents and pipes for the removal of digested sludge. The Imhoff tank is in effect a two-story septic tank and retains the septic tank's simplicity while eliminating many of its drawbacks, which largely result from the mixing of fresh sewage and septic sludge in the same chamber.
Biological nitrogen removal is a bacterially-mediated process. The goal of the denitrification process is to establish a fluctuating aerobic/anaerobic environment with carbon that bacteria can use to grow. The specific bacteria involved in converting Nitrogen in the nitrate (NO3) form to diatomic nitrogen gas (N2) are facultative aerobic bacteria who operate well under anoxic conditions. Anoxic conditions are comparable to dusk or dawn in terms of light levels experienced during a 24-hour period. During anoxic conditions, there is no appreciable “free” oxygen, but oxygen is present, bound into compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrate (NO3). Denitrifying bacteria are uniquely able to “breathe” the oxygen off the nitrate atom, releasing diatomic nitrogen gas (N2) gas in the process, but must be fed carbon in order to survive. These denitrifying bacterial carry dual metabolic capabilities that allow them to thrive in both oxygen rich and oxygen deficient environments. Carrying both metabolic pathways exerts a high energetic cost to these bacteria. In exclusively anaerobic environments (like a standard septic tank) these denitrifying bacteria are outcompeted by more efficient obligate anaerobes. In exclusively oxygen rich environments (like mountain streams) they are outcompeted by more efficient obligate aerobes. A fluctuation between aerobic and anaerobic conditions (with a period of anoxic conditions between them) is a key requirement to encourage the presence and health of denitrifying bacteria and consequently a reduction of the nitrogen concentrations of discharges.
Currently, there is nothing currently available which satisfies all of the above noted needs and objectives.
None of the prior art known to the inventor hereof satisfies the need for removing solids which are suspended in the effluent liquid contained with a septic tank in an effective and high quality, simple and economically feasible way. It is to be appreciated that the precipitated solids form globules which then eventually either fall to the bottom of the treatment tank or float to the top surface. Most importantly, however, they stay in the tank for future removal by pumping. This prevents the suspended solids from flowing into the leach field or into a subsequent processing stage thereby keeping the leach system more effective for a longer period of time.
Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior art. The present invention disclosed herein meets all of the above needs and objectives. The present invention, however, is not a filter system which has not been found to be effective and also has been found to be too difficult and costly to maintain.
Another object of the present invention is to as to provide a septic system which is effective in removing both nitrogen and phosphorus from sludge or waste material which accumulates in the effluent of the septic tank and is cost efficient.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable and removable partition assembly which can be readily collapsed into a folded configuration or partially disconnected, in order to minimize transportation costs to a desired installation site and, thereafter, can be readily expanded/assembled into a use condition prior to installation.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a foldable and removable partition assembly which is configured to create separate and distinct zones or regions within a septic tank so as to control a flow of effluent through the septic system and enhance the functionality of the treatment capabilities of a septic tank. The interior of the septic tank being partitioned by the removable assembly so as to form at least an inlet/treatment zone or region in which the sludge or waste material is retained and a clarified effluent zone or region in which clarified effluent collects before flowing out of the septic tank.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a septic system in which treated effluent, previously processed and clarified by the septic tank, can be recirculated or introduced back into the inlet/treatment zone or region in the septic tank in such a manner that the sludge or waste material is retained in the inlet/treatment zone or region. The treated effluent assists with stirring and mixing of the sludge or waste material that collects and accumulates in the inlet/treatment zone or region on the bottom surface of the septic tank and thereby facilitates temporary suspension of the carbon source, contained within the sludge or waste material in the effluent contained within the inlet/treatment zone or region of the septic tank and eventual collection of such carbon source on the mesh or screen of the foldable and removable partition assembly to assist with removal of nitrogen from the sludge or waste material.
A still further object of the present invention is to facilitate adding chemicals and other additives to the effluent, contained within the septic tank, in order to achieve a more complete breaking down and processing of the sludge or waste material which collects and accumulates with the septic tank.
Another object of the present invention is to accommodate a sufficient quantity of a metal material within the clarified effluent zone or region in order to assist with removal of phosphorus, from the effluent being processed with the septic tank, and thereby minimize the discharge of phosphorus into the leach field or ground.
Still another object of the present invention is to manufacture the foldable and removable partition assembly from a lightweight plastic material, such as PVC, so that the foldable and removable partition assembly does not disintegrate or decompose, within the septic tank, during use.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a system which allows heavier materials to settle out and fall down to the bottom of the inlet/treatment zone or region in the septic tank while allowing the clearer effluent to flow toward the top surface of the septic tank and toward the clarified effluent zone or region of the septic tank.
Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the formation of iron phosphate, for example, which is heavier than water and typically settles along the bottom of the septic tank and thereby remove the phosphorus from the effluent.
Yet another object of this invention is to replicate an Imhoff process which allows increased retention of suspended solid particles within the effluent, for use as a carbon source during the denitrification process, as well as a mechanism for not disturbing the traditional processes of the septic tank.
The present invention also relates to a foldable and removable partition assembly having both a folded, collapsed configuration, which facilitates storage and transport of the foldable and removable partition assembly, and an expanded configuration which facilitates installation and use of the foldable and removable partition assembly within a septic tank. The foldable and removable partition assembly comprises a framework which supports at least an outlet plastic sheet for partitioning a clarified effluent zone or region of the septic tank from an inlet/treatment zone or region of the septic tank. The foldable and removable partition assembly may include at least one mesh or screen which can collect suspended particles in a treatment/sludge zone or region of the septic tank. A distribution tube returns treated effluent back to the septic tank for mixing up sludge or waste material contained on a bottom of the treatment/sludge zone or region the septic tank. The inlet/treatment zone or region can be subdivided by first and second baffles to form an inlet/scum zone or region above the baffles in which wastewater enters the septic tank and a treatment/sludge zone or region below the baffles of the septic tank and a supply of metal removes phosphorus from the sludge or waste material contained in the effluent of the septic tank.
The present invention is directed to a method and a device/apparatus/partition assembly for use in precipitating out—not filtering out—suspended solids, particularly those found in septic tanks. One or more collection panels are supported by a framework or structure. The framework or structure is preferably made of plastic tubing and is sized and configured to fit within a septic tank or other treatment tank. The collection panels are assembled onto the framework or structure at positions and in orientations which are predetermined to be most effective to precipitate out the types of suspended solids typically found in the incoming liquid to the treatment tank. The collection surface of the collection panels may all have the same texture and same sized apertures in the mesh or each of the panels may have different texture and mesh types or sizes. However, the optimum designed embodiment of the precipitation apparatus may be easily produced and installed.
An object of the invention is to provide a suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly which is effective in removes solids suspended in liquid flowing into a septic tank or treatment tank and causing the solid particles to remain in the tank for eventual removal by conventional pumping thereby making a conventional septic tank more efficient and more effective.
A further object of the invention is to provide a suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly which is easily and economically adaptable to meet specific design criteria which are based upon types and quantity of suspended solids found or expected in a treatment system and which when in use, will increase the life expectancy of a leaching system or field and reduce the normal size or area of a leach system.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly which is designed to reduce ground water contamination.
A further object of the invention is to adaptively locate the suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly within a sewage and wastewater treatment tank. The suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly, when placed within the treatment or septic tank, causes substantial amounts of suspended solids within the liquid flowing into the treatment or septic tank to remain within the treatment or septic tank thereby substantially reducing an amount of suspended solids flowing out of the treatment or septic tank. The suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly comprises at least one collection panel, but preferably a plurality of collection panels each having two back-to-back collection surfaces, each of the collection surfaces has a surface texture which promotes the precipitation thereon of the suspended solids.
A further object of the invention is to provide the texture of the collection surfaces with a mesh having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and the apertures each having a selected area measure. The area measure selected is a function of material characteristics of the suspended solids. The mesh may be selected from at least one of the materials selected from the group consisting of nylon mesh, metallic mesh, plastic mesh, fiberglass mesh, fabric mesh, woven wood and plastic or any other suitable material.
A still further object of the invention is to manufacture the suspended solids precipitation device/apparatus/partition assembly from a plastic tube framework or structure with a plurality of collection panel assembled thereon. Spacer members and a plurality of legs are also included. The legs and spacer members are adapted to locate and maintain the location of the collection panel or the number of collection panels relative to each other and positioned and oriented within the treatment tank spaced from the side walls.
A yet still further object of the invention is to support the collection panels (where more than one is used) in a manner such that the collection surfaces are substantially vertical to a bottom surface of the treatment or septic tank and each adjacent collection panel has a flow directing aperture therethrough.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of this disclosure or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The present invention will be understood by reference to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detailed description of various embodiments is by way of example only and is not meant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present invention.
Turning now to
The wastewater from the house, the building or the other structure 6 flows along the waste supply conduit 8, in a conventional manner, and enters into the septic tank 4 via an inlet T-shaped connector 7. The inlet T-shaped connector is arranged to discharge and direct the supplied wastewater toward a bottom surface of the septic tank 4. According to the prior art as show in
According to the present invention, a foldable and removable partition assembly 12 is installed within the septic tank 4, between the inlet and the outlet T-pipe connections 7, 9. A trailing end 43 of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 supports a barrier or a partition, e.g., an outlet membrane or sheet 60, discussed below in further detail, which is located between the inlet and the outlet T-pipe connections 7, 9. As generally shown in
The outlet T-shaped connector 9 of the septic tank 4 is connected, via an effluent exhaust conduit 24, to an inlet end of the leach field conduit 34 which, in turn, distributes the treated effluent, in a conventional manner, throughout the leach field 13 where the treated effluent is permitted to slowly and gradually permeate and leach into the ground over the course of time.
Since the leach field 13 does not form any part of the inventive aspect of the present invention, a further detailed description concerning the same is not provided. It is to be appreciated that, depending upon how clean the effluent is and the local, region, state and/or federal requirements for the discharge of treated effluent, the treated effluent may possibly be discharged directly into the ground or directly into a stream or other waterway, etc., rather than being transported to a leach field 13.
Turning now to
The basic differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is inclusion of an aerobic system 25 downstream of the septic tank 4, and a recirculating tank 18, downstream of the aerobic system 25, which pumps the treated effluent from the recirculating tank 18, a flow divider 27, either back to the septic tank 4 or to the leach field and into the ground 13, through spray irrigation or through discharge into a stream or other waterway, etc., depending upon how clean the treated effluent is and the local, region, state and/or federal requirements for the discharge of treated effluent.
According to the first embodiment, all the treated effluent from the septic tank 4 is permitted to flow either directly to the leach field 13 for leaching into the ground, in a conventional manner, or into the ground, into a stream or other waterway, etc., depending upon how clean the treated effluent is and what the local, region, state and/or federal requirements are for the discharge of treated effluent. According to the embodiment of
A recirculating tank pump 22 is accommodated within lower portion/bottom surface of the recirculating tank 18 and utilized for periodically pumping and at least partially emptying the treated effluent which eventually accumulates and collects in the recirculating tank 18. If desired, the recirculating tank 18 can be connected to an air inlet tube (not shown) for supplying air into the treated effluent which is pumped by the recirculating tank 18. It is to be appreciated that the overall size and shape of the recirculating tank 18 can vary, depending upon the particular application.
If desired, the recirculating tank pump 22 may possibly be equipped with a high level liquid sensor 26 and a low level liquid sensor 28 which facilitate automatic operation of the recirculating tank pump 22. That is, when the treated effluent level within the recirculating tank 18 is sufficiently high so that the high level liquid sensor 26 is activate or “tripped”, the high level liquid sensor 26 sends a signal to the recirculating tank pump 22 to commence pumping of treated effluent from the recirculating tank 18 until the low level liquid sensor 28 indicates that the treated effluent remaining within the recirculating tank 18 is at or below the position of the low level liquid sensor 28. Once this occurs, the low-level sensor 28 activates or “trips” and sends a signal to the recirculating tank pump 22 which shuts off the recirculating tank pump 22 and thereby discontinues further pumping of treated effluent from the recirculating tank 18. Alternatively, the recirculating tank pump 22 may be operated on demand or may be automatically operated periodically, e.g., every few hours or so, to partially empty the recirculating tank 18.
When the recirculating tank pump 22 is activated, the recirculating tank pump 22 pumps the effluent from the recirculating tank 18 via a recirculating tank discharge conduit 32. A “T” or a “Y” connector 36, for example, may be provided along the recirculating tank discharge conduit 32 from the holding tank 18, such as at the flow divider 27 for dividing or separating the pumped treated effluent into first and second supply sources. The first supply source of treated effluent is typically fed along a section of the holding tank discharge conduit 32 to the inlet end of the leach field conduit 34 where the processed fluid is typically distributed and permitted to slowly and gradually permeate and leach into the ground over the course of time or, depending upon how clean the treated effluent is and the local, region, state and/or federal requirements for the discharge of treated effluent, this treated effluent may possibly be sprayed or discharged into the ground, discharged into a stream or other waterway, etc. The second supply source, on the other hand, may be fed via a septic tank return conduit 38 directly to a distribution tube 40 which is located within the lower portion 12 within the septic tank 4.
As shown in
The holding tank discharge conduit 32 is typically equipped, downstream of the “T” or the “Y” connector 36, with a first regulatable switch, valve, flow regulator, etc., 42 while the septic tank return conduit 38 is typically equipped, downstream of the “T” or the “Y” connector, with a second regulatable switch, valve, flow regulator, etc., 44. Although the first and second regulatable switches, valves, flow regulators, etc., 42, 44 are illustrated as being located downstream from the flow divider 27 it is to be appreciated that the first and second regulatable switches, valves, flow regulators, etc., 42, 44 can alternatively be arranged within the flow divider 27. The first and second regulatable switches, valves, flow regulators, etc., 42, 44 permit the system 2 to easily adjust the amount of treated effluent that is pumped to either the septic tank 4 or the leach field 13, etc. It is to be appreciated that the first and second regulatable switches, valves, flow regulators, etc., 42, 44 may be controlled or adjusted by hand or may be coupled to a control system and controlled automatically. Typically, between little to all of the treated effluent, pumped from the holding tank 18, is supplied directly to the leach field 13 or other treated water discharge while between little to all of the treated effluent is returned back to the septic tank 4 to assist with stirring and mixing up of the sludge or waste material 46 which accumulates on the bottom of septic tank 4.
The distribution tube 40, as shown in
The discharged treated effluent, from the distribution holes 48, is designed to directly flow into the sludge or waste material 46, contained on the bottom of the septic tank 4, and mix, stir and at least temporarily suspend a portion of such sludge or waste material 46 within the effluent contained within the septic tank 4. Such suspension of solids material, within the effluent contained within the septic tank 4, facilitates accumulation and collection of solid particles of the sludge or waste material 46 on plastic meshes or screens 50 of longitudinal panels 52, discussed below in further detail. Such suspension, accumulation and collection of solid particles of the sludge or waste material 46 thereby results in improved processing of the sludge or waste material 46 and a further discussion concerning the same will be provided below.
It is to be appreciated that when the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 is in its transportation state (see
With reference now to
An outlet plastic membrane or sheet 60 extends completely across the trailing end 43 of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 for forming a barrier which partitions the clarified effluent zone or region 20 from the remainder of septic tank 4. The outlet plastic sheet 60 is secured to the trailing end 43 of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12, by a plurality of spaced apart plastic tie members 62, and the outlet plastic sheet 60 is sufficiently wide so that the opposed lateral edges of the outlet plastic sheet 60 abut and overlap along opposed lateral sidewalls 55 of the septic tank 4 to provide a seal therewith (see
It is possible to secure an inlet plastic membrane or sheet completely across the leading end 41 of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 to assist with partitioning the inlet chamber 51 from the treatment/sludge zone or region 64 while an outlet plastic membrane or sheet 60 extends completely across the trailing end of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 for partitioning the clarified effluent zone or region 20 from the remainder of septic tank 4. The inlet plastic sheet and the outlet plastic sheet 60 would be secured to the leading or the trailing ends of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12, by a plurality of spaced apart plastic tie members 62, and have a sufficient width so that the opposed lateral edges of the inlet plastic sheets would abut and overlap along opposed lateral sidewalls of the septic tank 4 to provide a seal therewith. A wastewater supply opening or inlet may be formed or cut in the inlet plastic sheet to facilitate the flow of the sludge or waste material 46 from the inlet chamber 51 into the treatment/sludge zone or region 64 of the septic tank 4 for processing. The supply opening or inlet would typically be formed or cut in the lowermost portion of the inlet plastic sheet.
It is to be appreciated that the foldable and removable partition assembly can be configured so as to form a zone toward the bottom of the inlet/treatment zone to hold or retain solids at the bottom of the tank. This could be accomplished by horizontal sheets having holes, slits or passages that would prevent the solids from rising above the sheet and as the effluent is treated. Such horizontal sheets can be, for example, at least one of the materials selected from the group consisting of nylon mesh, metallic mesh, plastic mesh, fiberglass mesh, fabric mesh, woven wood and plastic or any other suitable material. It is to be further appreciated that the septic tank 4 can be partitioned into any number of independent and separate zones or regions by means of different configurations of plastic sheets, e.g., plastic sheets arranged vertically, horizontally and vertically and/or horizontally.
As shown in
Each one of the longitudinal panels 52 generally comprising a leading and trailing pair of spaced apart vertical legs 70 which are interconnected with one another via at least two transverse arms 72 (see
As shown in
The vertical legs 70 of the laterally outer longitudinal panels 52 each support a laterally extending spacer 73 which generally communicate with the lateral sidewalls 55 of the septic tank 4 so as to laterally space the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 at a desired distance from the lateral sidewalls 55 of the septic tank 4. Generally, the laterally extending spacer 73 is connected to the vertical legs 70 of the outer longitudinal panels 52 by a fixed coupling 84.
Each of the lateral outer longitudinal panels 52 further includes a baffle support arm 76 which extends between an upper most portion of the pair of vertical legs 70. A respective rigid U-shaped baffle framework 78 is supported by each one of the baffle support arms 76. Both opposed free ends of the U-shaped baffle framework terminate at a pivotable T-shaped coupling 80 which has a through bore which is sized to be slightly larger in diameter than an external diameter of the baffle support arm 76. The baffle support arm 76 passes through the through bore of the T-shaped coupling 80 so as to form a pivotable coupling which facilitates pivoting or rotation of the U-shaped baffle framework 78 relative to the baffle support arm 76. An impermeable membrane 82 is supported by the baffle framework 78, via a plurality of spaced apart conventional tie members 62, and pivotable together with the baffle framework 78 (see
As shown in
The flow pattern of effluent and suspended solid waste is generally shown in
In order to permit folding of the foldable and removable partition assembly, the different elements of the framework such as the longitudinal panels and baffle frameworks and associated pipes, components, legs or arms are generally connected to each other by fixed couplings 84 or pivotable couplings 80, 85. These couplings are formed by T-shaped couplings 80, 85 and enable the baffle panels and frameworks to either be pivotable or fixed in relation to each other and the associated pipes, components, legs or arms. Pivotable couplings are formed by a T-shaped coupling 85 that has a through bore which is sized to be slightly larger in diameter than an external diameter of the section of the associated pipe, component, leg or arm, i.e., have a clearance fit therewith, so that the T-shaped coupling 85 is able to freely rotate or pivot with respect to the associated pipe, component, leg or arm. The section of the pivotable T-shaped coupling 85 that extends perpendicular to the through bore can be fastened or rigidly secured to a panel or framework by any appropriate means including adhesive, glue, bonding agent, compression fit, and/or nut and bolt connectors, for example. Due to the rigid connection with the panel or baffle framework and the rotatable connection with an associated pipe, component, leg or arm, pivotable T-shaped couplings 85 enable the longitudinal panels and baffle frameworks to pivot with respect to each other and enable the framework to be “folded” for transportation or storage.
Each one of the longitudinal panels 52 is coupled to the adjacent longitudinal panels 52 via pivotable couplings 85 (see
In contrast to a pivotable coupling 85, a fixed coupling 84 is to be understood as being a connection which prevents pivoting, rotation or movement between the associated pipes, components, legs or arms. For example, each longitudinal panel 52 is formed by means of four fixed T-shaped couplings 84 (see
It is to be appreciated that the particular arraignment of fixed couplings 84 and pivotable couplings 80, 85 of the foldable and removable partition assembly as shown in the Figures and described herein could be changed while still achieving the objective of enabling folding or the partition assembly. For example, the fixed couplings 84 connecting transverse arms 72 and the baffle support arm 76 to the vertical leg 70 could be pivotable couplings 85 and the pivotable couplings 85 connecting the lateral pipes or components 53 to the vertical legs 70 could be fixed couplings 84. This alternate arrangement of fixed and pivotable couplings could enable the longitudinal panels and baffle frameworks to pivot with respect to each other and enable the framework to be “folded” for transportation and/or storage.
If this alternate arrangement of fixed and pivotable couplings were used in the construction of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12, it may be necessary to have one or more vertical stop members. Stop members generally includes components having a larger diameter than the through bore of the pivotable T-shaped coupling, that are generally located vertically below the pivotable T-shaped coupling to maintain the pivotable T-shaped coupling at the desired vertical orientation along the vertical leg, for example.
The clarified effluent zone or region 20 of the septic system 2 accommodates a replaceable/replenishable supply of metal 86 which facilitates removing phosphorus-, in a conventional manner, from the effluent which eventually flows out of the septic tank 4 through the outlet T-shaped connector 9. As shown in
The support rack 88 is typically located within the clarified effluent zone or region 20 so as to facilitate access thereto and replacement of the metallic members or components 86, by service personnel, in the event that the metallic members or components 86 eventually become “spent” or depleted. The metallic members or components 86 may be either aluminum, steel, iron or virtually any other desired metal or may possibly comprise metal filings of one or more the above described metals. As generally shown, the support rack 88 is designed to support five separate metallic members or components 86. It is to be appreciated, however, that the number of and size of the separate metallic members or components 86 to be supported by the support rack 88 in the clarified effluent zone or region 20 as well as the spacing of the separate metallic members or components 86 from one another can vary from application to application. The separate metallic members or components 86 operate in a conventional manner to remove phosphorus from the effluent located within the clarified effluent zone or region 20 prior to the treated effluent being permitted to flow from the clarified effluent zone or region 20 toward the aerobic system 25 and/leach field 13
As shown in
A first end of the main waste removal conduit 90 is connected to coupling 94 which supports an expansion elbow, e.g., typically 4 inch PVC piping, that forms a discharge outlet of the waste removal conduit 90. An end surface 96 of the coupling 94 is partially open and thus forms a secondary inlet into the main waste removal conduit 90 (see
When excess sludge or waste material 46 accumulates on the bottom surface of the septic tank 4 so that the septic tank 4 is either is not operating efficiently or is no longer functioning properly, e.g., once every few years or so, then the excess sludge or waste material 46 is removed from the bottom of the septic tank 4. That is, the septic tank 4 is serviced by bringing conventional septic pumping equipment to the site. The conventional septic pumping equipment is connected to the discharge outlet of the vertical waste removal conduit 89 of the foldable and removable partition assembly 12 to facilitate removal of excess sludge or waste material 46 from the bottom surface of the septic tank 4. During operation of the conventional septic pumping equipment, the excess sludge or waste material 46 in the septic tank 4 flows into the main waste removal conduit 90 via either the primary or the secondary inlets. The conventional septic pumping equipment continues sucking and removing excess sludge or waste material 46 from the bottom of the septic tank 4 until the conventional septic pumping equipment commences sucking air, via the secondary inlet(s), into the main waste removal conduit 90. Once this occurs, the vacuum “seal” is broken and an operator of the conventional septic pumping equipment readily becomes aware that the level of the sludge or waste material 46, still remaining within the septic tank 4, is generally reduce to the height of the main waste removal conduit 90. This typically signifies that a sufficient amount of excess sludge or waste material 46 has been removed from the bottom portion of the septic tank 4. Thereafter, the conventional septic pumping equipment is disconnected from the septic tank 4 and the septic tank 4 then recommences normal operation.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that various modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to and be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various other related ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items while only the terms “consisting of” and “consisting only of” are to be construed in a limitative sense.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2017/018125 | 2/16/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62295835 | Feb 2016 | US |
