Patent Grant
11280077
One of the most common types of flush toilet has a water tank that is elevated above the toilet bowl. The water tank typically occupies space that might be useful to have available for other purposes. The relative elevation of the water tank with respect to the toilet bowl gives a difference in the potential energy density of the water in the tank as compared to the potential energy density of the water at the height of the bowl, thus creating water pressure at the height of the toilet bowl. This water pressure provides the energy and power to produce an effective flush. Notice that the potential energy of the water in the elevated tank comes entirely from the household water pressure.
However, if household water pipes were connected in the simplest way directly to the toilet bowl, not by an indirect path through an elevated tank, the flush is generally much weaker, and for typical household piping, insufficient.
Because of conservation of energy and mass, and the fact that in the indirect path (first to an elevated tank from there to the toilet bowl) there are more opportunities for the water to lose energy, one might expect pipes directly connected to the toilet bowl to give a stronger flush, that is, with more energy and momentum.
The two paragraphs above pose a paradox. The paradox is resolved by the realization that (1) when water flows quickly in the piping upstream of the toilet, energy is lost due to, for example, friction between fast-flowing water and the pipes, and turbulence created by fast-flowing water in bends in the pipes; and (2) the narrowness of household pipes means that without a tank the water needed to flush has a long length to travel in the interim between the command to flush and the time after which the flush should be completed.
Let us give quantitative values to the demands of a toilet and the standard capabilities of household water pipes. In a direct path through household water pipes (not via an elevated tank), the distance from the initial position of the flushing water in the household pipes to the toilet bowl may be relatively long. A standard flush is eight (8) litres of water in one second. Eight (8) litres occupies more than 16 meters of 25 mm diameter pipe, or more than 63 meters of a 12.5 mm diameter pipe. Those distances are much longer than the distance between water tank and toilet bowl in standard toilets with elevated tanks, which means that, by comparison, the water must move more quickly to create an adequate flush. The long distances may also mean that the piping may need to bend to fit in a given space; these bends in the piping cause additional energy losses in the flowing water.
Let us examine the dynamics Standard minimum water pressures are roughly 1 or 2 atmospheres greater than the air pressure; typical and desirable water pressures are about 4 or 5 atmospheres. Occasionally water pressure may be up to 8 atmospheres. The damage threshold of typical household water pipes may be approximately 10 atmospheres.
As an example, let us assume: A device having a relatively low water pressure of 1 atmosphere; 12.5 mm diameter pipes; a pump that is 100% efficient, that there is no friction in the pipes; and the water tank is at the same height as the inlet to the toilet relative to the horizontal floor upon which the toilet bowl rests. We'll do the calculations using bars rather than atmospheres; one (1) atmosphere is equal to 1.013 bars. The force available from the pipe is
A standard flush is 8 litres in 1 second. 8 litres weighs 8 kg. The rate of acceleration of that weight of water is
If the water starts from zero velocity, that acceleration will let the water move by
in the flush time of one second.
The length 75 centimetres is not nearly enough to move a sufficient volume of water in 12.5 mm diameter pipes, in which the volume of water in a flush occupies 63 meters of the pipe, from the pipes to the toilet bowl. Even a water pressure of 8 atmospheres or 10 atmospheres, which is close to the limit that typical household pipes can withstand, with 12.5 mm pipes, is insufficient to create a standard flush of 8 litres in a second. In pipes with a diameter of 25 mm, where 8 litres of water occupies 16 meters of pipe, the minimum standard water pressure is an order of magnitude (that is, roughly a factor of 10) too small to provide an adequate flush, and the high end of realistic household water pressures, 8 or 10 atmospheres, is just on the margin of enough pressure for an adequate flush.
Pump inefficiencies and friction can be expected to reduce the flow rate by a few tens of percent. If the water tank is below the inlet to the toilet, the flow could be significantly slowed by the need to overcome gravity.
The above calculations show that standard household water systems cannot create a sufficient flush using the simplest direct connection between the household water pipes and the toilet bowl. (The same calculations also point to what is possible, even if not currently obtained.)
Different configurations are necessary to produce a sufficient flush. An elevated water tank close to the toilet bowl (that is, the most common household toilet) is a configuration for bringing the water closer to the toilet bowl in preparation for a flush and for storing and releasing some of the energy from the pressure of the water in the household water supply. A disadvantage of this is that the position of the elevated water may be obtrusive and space-consuming.
Another configuration has the household water pipes go directly to the toilet bowl and has electric pump/s in the water pipes upstream of the toilet bowl to increase the water pressure and therefore the acceleration and velocity of the water, so that a sufficiently large volume of water flushes in the required time. The disadvantage of this is that connecting to electricity adds complications to the configuration.
According to one aspect a device is provided which is a flush toilet. The water for the flush is drawn from a tank. The water tank is not necessarily elevated above the toilet, and does not rely solely on the potential energy due to the elevation and the pressure created by the elevation to force the flushing water into a toilet bowl. The water tank is positioned so that the water in a flush has a shorter path from the water tank to the toilet bowl than the flushing water's path from water pipes, without a water tank, to the toilet bowl. When a valve from an input water source (which is pressurized) is opened, water is propelled from the tank to the toilet bowl by a pump. The pump is driven by mechanical power (generally not by an electric motor), and that mechanical power is harvested from the water pressure of the external water pipes. The flushing water in the tank is replenished from the same external water supply.
Compared to simply opening a spigot from the external water pipes and having the water empty from the pipes into the toilet bowl, which tends to give an insufficient flush, this device's relatively short water path and indirect power transfer reduces energy dissipation and can therefore give a sufficiently strong flush. Because the water tank need not be as elevated as in conventional flush toilets, the tank may be located in a more advantageous position, such as behind, beside, or underneath the toilet bowl, which may save much space and optionally make the toilet more visually pleasing, being without an overhead tank and pipe.
According to one aspect a flush toilet is provided comprising: a toilet bowl;
a first water conduit comprising a first conduit—first end and a first conduit—second end;
a second water conduit, comprising a second conduit—first end and a second conduit—second end, and;
at least one water pump water-powered and not electrically powered; wherein:
the first conduit—first end is operationally connectable to an external water pipe comprising pressurized water;
the first conduit—second end is positioned to allow providing the pressurized water to the water pump;
the second conduit—first end is operationally connected to receive water from the water pump;
wherein the water pump is positioned proximal to the bowl and between the bowl and a floor, and wherein the toilet is configured such that action of water on the at least one pump allows the flush of at least 6 liters per second.
Some embodiments further comprise at least one water-driven turbine not electrically powered;
the toilet configured to allow water going through the first conduit to drive the at least one water-driven turbine;
the at least one water-driven turbine operationally connected to the at least one water pump so that mechanical power from the at least one water-driven turbine can drive the at least one water pump.
In some embodiments the at least one water-driven turbine is selected from the list consisting of:
an impulse turbine,
a reaction turbine, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments the at least one water pump is independently chosen from the following list:
a positive displacement pump,
a reciprocating pump,
a rotary pump,
a rotodynamic pump,
a centrifugal pump,
a mixed flow pump,
a radial pump,
and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments a powertrain defines an operational connection from the at least one fluid-driven turbine to the at least one pump, and wherein the powertrain comprises a plurality of interconnected items selected from the following list:
gears,
wires with torsional rigidity,
rods with torsional rigidity,
chains,
inelastic belts, and
inelastic wires.
In some embodiments action of water on the at least one pump allows the flush of at least 8 liters per second.
Some embodiments further comprise a water tank, and the bowl comprises a stem, and the tank at least partially surrounds or partially wraps the bowl's stem.
Some embodiments further comprise a water tank, and a permeable partition between the turbine and the at least one pump,
the toilet configured to allow preventing vorticity, turbulence, or other movements of the water in the tank from degrading the performance of the at lesst one pump by the turbine or of the turbine by the pump.
In some embodiments the at least one turbine and the at least one pump are both immersed in water and and both churn the water in similar ways.
Some embodiments comprise units each including one turbine of the at least one turbine and one pump of the at least one pump.
In some embodiments the at least one pump is primable by feeding water therein before the flushing time.
Some embodiments further comprise a first valve, wherein while the pump is being emptied, water is prevented from entering the pump by closing the valve, thereby preventing back-pressure on the pump.
In some embodiments the second conduit comprises a second, typically normally closed (NC) valve, the toilet configured to allow while refilling the at least one pump, the NC valve to be closed so as to allow resumption of build up of pressure in the at least one pump.
In some embodiments the second conduit comprises a second, typically normally closed (NC) valve, the toilet configured to allow while refilling the at least one pump, the NC valve to remain open for a while to allow a continued, weaker flush for the while.
Some embodiments are further configured to allow controlling the weaker flush to be prolonged or shortened.
In some embodiments the first conduit comprises a float and a main valve controlled by the float, the toilet configured to allow the main valve to close when level water in the tank reaches the float, thereby keeping the at least one turbine above the level of the water in the tank.
In some embodiments the second conduit comprises one or more check valves, capable of preventing waste from reaching the at least one pump.
Some embodiments further comprise a moisture trap.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Brief Description of the Figures and the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The figures illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below.
The number of elements shown in the Figures should by no means be construed as limiting and is for illustrative purposes only.
We have shown in the Background section that connecting standard household water pipes directly to a toilet will generally not provide an adequate flush. However, those same calculations show that if a large portion of the flush water were to be positioned closer to the toilet bowl at the flush time than would be allowed in the scenario in which all the water starts at that time in a the household piping, standard household pressurized water supplies would have more than enough power to push an adequate amount of water in a short enough time into a toilet bowl to produce an adequate flush.
There is a history of using water pressure to create mechanical power. Most people are aware that waterwheels and windmills have been used to drive mills. In addition to that, there were many no-longer well-known water-powered machines that have been replaced by electric power when that became more easily available. There were especially significant improvements in the technology and growth in the usage of the technologies towards the end of the 19th century. Some of the details may be found in this link, <https://www.resilience.org/stories/2013-09-09/power-from-the-tap-water-motors/>: “The smallest water motors were used to run sewing machines, jigsaws, fans, and other similarly mechanized items. The somewhat larger water motors were recommended for operating coffee grinders, ice cream freezers, jeweller's and locksmith's lathes, grindstones, church organs, or drug and paint mills. The largest water motors were used to run elevators or circular saws. In water powered washing machines, the water that was needed to wash the clothes was capable of providing power to the machine simultaneously.”
There is an opportunity to provide a toilet to make fuller and better use of the energy that exists in a household pressurised water supplies and to improve use of space in a bathroom by implementing one or more of the following: (1) shortening the distances that flushing water needs to travel, (2) reducing wasted energy, (3) using the greater energy efficiency to improve the flushing action, and (4) using the improved flushing action to avoid the need to have the water tank elevated, and (5) improving the ergonomics of the toilet.
The calculations in the Background section show that if the water to be flushed is brought to within roughly a meter of the toilet bowl, standard household water pressures could provide sufficient power to produce a sufficient standard flush of eight (8) litres in one (1) second.
Referring to
the water tank 21 is positioned proximal to the bowl 31 such that action of water on the at least one pump 23 is necessary to allow the flush of at least 8 L/second. The toilet 1 and components therein are not electrically powered but rather the toilet 1 is entirely powered by water pressure.
The configuration for allowing a flush of at least 8 liters per second includes using components of suitable dimensions and structure to effect such flush as is further discussed below.
The water tank 21 may be positioned in an elevated position, i.e., relative to a floor upon which the bowl 31 rests. The tank 21 is above the bowl 31, to boost the flushing or help bring the flushing power to at least 8 liters per second.
However, in some embodiments the toilet is configured to power the flushing entirely or predominantly from the action of the pressurized water on the water-powered components of the toilet, e.g. water pumps; the tank is placed in proximity to the bowl, for example the tank may rest on the floor, in some embodiments at least partially surround or even partially wrap a bowl's stem 15. Such design may be ergonomic and most economical in terms of compactness of the toilet.
We turn now to
The water for the flush is drawn from a water tank (21, 21′, 21″21a′, 21b′, 21c′). The water tank (21, 21′, 21″, 21a′, 21b′, 21c′) is not necessarily elevated above the toilet bowl (31, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′) and does not rely solely on the potential energy due to the elevation and the consequent pressure created by the elevation to force the flushing water into the toilet bowl (31, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′).
A first conduit is operationally connectable to an external water pipe 11. The operational connection may allow a flush. For example, a flush mechanism 20 may be activated, in some embodiments, by a button (29, 29a′, 29b′, 29c′). A valve (25, 25′, 25″, 25a′, 25b′, 25c′) may be provided that opens the first conduit (12, 12′, 12″, 12a, 12b, 12a′, 12b′, 12b″, 12c′, 12c″) to the external (typically household) water pipes (11). The household water supply is pressurized, so when the first conduit (12, 12′, 12″, 12a, 12b, 12a′, 12b′, 12b″, 12c′, 12c″) to the toilet (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1′a, 1′b, 1′c) is open—that is, not blocked by a closed valve (25, 25′, 25″, 25a′, 25b′, 25c′)—water is propelled into the tank. Energy from the water flow is harvested by a turbine (22, 22′, 22″, 22′″), and following acting on the turbine the water goes into the tank (21, 21′, 21″, 21a′, 21b′, 21c′).
Referring to
Referring to
Advantages
Some toilet embodiments described herein may reduce energy requirements and energy losses in the following manner. The water tank (21, 21′, 21″, 21a′, 21b′, 21c′) may hold water to be flushed in a position that is not necessarily elevated with respect to the toilet bowl (31, 31′″, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′). Optimal positions for the water tanks (21, 21′, 21″, 21a′, 21b′, 21c′) in many embodiments may be behind and/or below the toilet bowl (31, 31′″, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′), which in many embodiments is itself close to a wall (10, 10a, 10b, 10c). This placement can make better use of space than conventional toilets with tanks, since the location behind or below the toilet bowl (31, 31′″, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′) is usually space for which there is no good use, in contrast to the conventional tank position above the toilet bowl (31, 31′″, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′), which is usually space that could be put to better use.
Technical Problem Overcome
A complication entailed by placing the water tank (21, 21′, 21″, 21a′, 21b′, 21c′) below or behind the toilet bowl (31, 31′″, 31a′, 31b′, 31c′) is that there is no relative elevation to create pressure to power the flush. Some device embodiments (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1′a, 1′b, 1′c) use a pump (23, 23′, 23″, 23a′, 23b′, 23′″) to increase the flow rate of the water. The device (1) harvests energy from the water pressure in the household water supply (11) to drive the pump (23, 23′, 23″, 23a′, 23b′, 23′″), thereby avoiding the need to connect the toilet (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1′a, 1′b, 1′c) to a source of electricity to power an electric pump.
In some embodiments at least one electric pump may be used to boost the flushing power beyond that available from the household water line and action on water-pressure operated pumps, such embodiments may be used for example when the line has low pressure.
In some embodiments having at least one turbine, there is a permeable partition (not shown in any of the figures) between the turbine and the pump to prevent vorticity, turbulence, or other movements of the water in the tank from degrading the performance of the pump by the turbine or of the turbine by the pump. Inclusion of a partition is most likely to be advantageous when the turbine and the pump are both immersed in the water and both churn the water in similar ways.
Positioning of the Water Tank
The present device could also be positioned above the toilet bowl (not illustrated in a figure). The purpose of this arrangement could be to improve the strength of the flush rather than the avoid having a water tank above the position of the toilet bowl. Even the minimum standard water pressure, 1 atmosphere above the ambient air pressure, can lift water to a height of 10 meters; higher and more typical water pressures are several times that, which would allow the pressure to lift the water to a height of several tens of meters. If a standard toilet with an elevated tank only lifts the water about a meter above the toilet bowl, then 90% or more of the energy from the water pressure is dissipated. The present device is capable of well over 10% energy efficiency, so employing it in an elevated tank has the potential to significantly strengthen the flushing power.
Turbines and Pumps
Some embodiments of the present device use fluid-driven turbines, that is, devices to extract energy from a fluid flow. The choice of which turbine to use can depend on some of the following considerations: the dimensions of the turbine, the directions that fluid enters and exits the turbine, energy efficiency of the turbine, whether the turbine is fully submerged in the water or if it is not fully submerged, and how the harvested power is output from the turbine for delivery to the pump.
Suitable turbines include impulse turbines and reaction turbines, each of which are categories, and each of which are further divisible. The category impulse turbine comprises Pelton wheels 22″ as in
Similarly, some embodiments of the present device use pumps, that is, devices that impart momentum and kinetic energy to a fluid. The choice of which pump to use depends on many of the same criteria as for the turbine: the dimensions of the pump, the directions that fluid enters and exits the pump, how power is supplied to the pump, the energy efficiency of the pump, and whether the pump is fully submerged in the water or not fully submerged.
There exist hundreds of types of pumps. The selection can be simplified by grouping the different pumps by category. Pumps can be grouped into positive displacement pumps and rotodynamic pumps. Positive displacement pumps can be reciprocating, such as piston pumps, plunger pumps, and diaphragm pumps; or rotary, such as screw pumps as 23b′, 23′″ in
Transmission of Mechanical Power
There are many ways to transmit the power harvested by the turbine and deliver it to the pump. Some embodiments may include powertrains in a form of intermeshed gears. Some embodiments may use as powertrains wires with torsional rigidity (such as shown in
In some embodiments a train defines an operational connection from the at least one fluid-driven turbine to the at least one pump, and the powertrain comprises a plurality of interconnected items selected from the following list:
inelastic wires.
The power-conveying mechanical connections (“powertrain”) from the fluid-driven turbine (22, 22′, 22″, 22′″) to the pump (23, 23′, 23″, 23a′, 23b′, 23′″) that gives water the momentum to flush -may comprise interconnected gears, wires with torsional rigidity (such as in
In some embodiments of the device, the fluid-driven turbine may be a Kaplan turbine. This is the turbine (22′) shown in the embodiment in
In the embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment 1′ shown in
In some embodiments of the device, the fluid-driven turbine may be a Peloton wheel <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelton_wheel>. This is the turbine 22″ shown in the embodiment in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment 1″ shown in
a shows an embodiment 1, 1′ respectively in which the water tank is between the toilet bowl and the wall 10.
a,
3
b show external perspective views of embodiments 1a, 1b respectively comprising cartridges (35a, 35b) respectively, which are positioned within a toilet bowl (not shown). The water conduits (12a, 32a, 12b, 32b) into and out of the cartridges (35a, 35b) in
Note that this pump 23b′ may be primed by feeding water therein before the flushing time, so that at the time of flushing the pump 23b′ holds under pressure water for flushing.
In some embodiments while the pump 23b′ is being emptied water is prevented from entering the pump 23b′ by closing the valve 25b′, to prevent back-pressure on the pump 23b′. The valve 25b′ may be a normally open (NO) valve.
After the pump is emptied the pump 23b′ can be refilled. In some embodiments, while refilling, the normally closed (NC) valve 72 in the second conduit 32b′ is closed so as to allow resumption of build up of pressure in the pump 23b′.
In other embodiments, the valve 72 may remain open for a while to allow a continued, weaker flush for a while. The weaker flush in some embodiments can be controlled to be prolonged or shortened and in some embodiments has a default duration after which the valve 72 may be automatically closed. In some embodiments the flush can be in pulses: the initial flush is followed by a refill of the pump 23b′; upon full refill of the pump 23b′ another at least one flush can be made, either automatically or by command of a user via button 29b′ or another control device operationally coupling a control widget to the valve 72.
The spring 37 is preferably made of an elastomer since metallic springs tend to corrode.
Note that the device 1′b is a relatively simple embodiment and doesn't include a turbine. The device also has an advantage that the pump 23b′ can be pressurized at the instant of commanding a flush, rather than a turbine boosting the pump at the instant of commanding.
Experiments on the cartridge 35c demonstrated a very powerful flush. Two of the cartridges working in unison would be more than sufficient to effectively flush a toilet.
At present I believe that this embodiment operates best, but the other embodiments are also satisfactory.
Water enters the first conduit (12c′) from the household pipes (not shown) and flows onto the turbine 22′″ to turn thereof and consequently employ the pump 23′″ to provide the toilet bowl 31′c with a flush.
The main valve (25c′) on first conduit 12c′ is controlled by float 61. When the level 41 of the water in the tank 21c′ reaches the float 61 then the main valve 25′c closes. Keeping the level 41 of the water below the float 61 serves to keep the turbine 22′″ above the level of the water in the tank 21c′ and thus reduce loss of turbine kinetic energy due to contact with the water in the tank 21′c.
The first conduit 12′ comprises a flush conduit 62 equipped with a normally closed (NC) flush valve 63.
When the manual flush button 29c′ is pressed, the flush valve 63 is opened, allowing water to reach the turbine 22″. Movement of the turbine 22″ is effected, causing the drive shaft 57 to rotate. As the drive shaft 57 rotates water is pushed by the screw pump 23′″ forwards in the housing 59, displacing water out of the housing 59 and into the bowl 31c′.
Water continues to impinge upon the turbine 22′″ during the flush, and thus the capacity of the toilet 1c′ may be larger than the capacity of the toilet 1′b illustrated in
When the flushing stage ends, according to an arrangement such as time passing after the pressing of the manual flush button 29c′, the flush valve 63 may be closed. At this point the pump 23′″ may be at least partially depleted and needs to be refilled.
The flush conduit 62 is carefully positioned relative to the turbine 22′″ so that:
To be most effective, the pump housing 59 can be designed so that water can only enter therein, not leave thereout, so that during the flushing stage no water (and kinetic energy) is lost to the water tank 21c′. For this purpose, check valves 67 can be embedded in the housing 59 such as to allow water to enter the housing 59 but not leave the housing 59. The shaft 57 is sealed within the housing 59; that is, entrance of water into the housing is prevented or reduced by sealing around the shaft 57, for example with an o-ring 69. In other embodiments there are no check valves and water can freely enter the housing 59 to replace flushed water. Some water may be lost from the pump 23′″; however a suitable design of the pump 23′″ may minimize this loss and reduce it to a relatively small amount.
The refilling can continue until the pump 23′″ is entirely refilled or until the water tank 21c′ is refilled and the float 61 stops the refilling.
At times, the evacuation of waste from the bowl 31c′ may be delayed, or the bowl can become clogged, for example by a problem of the sewage system to which the toilet 1c′ is coupled. Therefore, valves 72, optionally one or more being check valves, can be placed in the second conduit 32c′ to prevent waste from reaching the pump 23′″.
Each toilet 21c′ may comprise at least one turbine 22′″ and at least one pump 23′″ on each side of the bowl. The turbines 22′″ and pumps 23′″ may share one water tank 21c′ or in other embodiments each side may have a separate water tank 21c′. Typically, the total volume of the housings 59 is at least 6 liters. The content typically can be delivered to the bowl 31′c within 1 second of pressing the flush button 29c′. The pressure of the incoming water, the design of the pumps, their size etc. may be adjusted to achieve the minimum flush rate of 6 liters per second or more or to reduce the flush rate to prolong the life of the components. In some embodiments the toilet includes two pumps and two turbines sharing a water tank.
In some embodiments including multiple pumps/turbines (not shown), they share at least some piping. For example, the second conduit 32c′ may be shared by the pumps. In such embodiments cost of the toilet is minimized and a flush initiation will provide a swift and strong flush. In other embodiments the piping is not shared (of the first and second conduit) and a partial flush may be feasible, allowing saving flushing water by performing a smaller flush. Such embodiments will also allow making a small flush while one of the pumps is undergoing maintenance or is malfunctioning.
The float 61 as shown in the figure controls main valve 25c′ via a wire. In other embodiments the control is remote e.g., via an electromagnetic signal. In other embodiments the control is mechanical, similar to many commercially available toilets. In yet other embodiments the control is electromechanical.
The valves 63 and 72 in the flush conduit 62 and the second conduit 32c′, respectively, as shown in the figure are activated and deactivated by electromagnetic pulses, the flushes being started by a user pushing the button 29c′. In other embodiments the valves are mechanically or electromechanically activated.
Referring back to
In some embodiments one or more of the at least one pump is electrical and the at least one turbine are all water powered.
Clarifications About Terminology
In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as “substantially” and “about” that modify a condition or relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment of the invention, are to be understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is defined to within tolerances that are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application for which it is intended.
It should be noted that the term “item” as used herein refers to any physically tangible, individually distinguishable unit of packaged or unpackaged good or goods. Positional terms such as “upper”, “lower” “right”, “left”, “bottom”, “below”, “lowered”, “low”, “top”, “above”, “elevated”, “high”, “vertical” and “horizontal” as well as grammatical variations thereof as may be used herein do not necessarily indicate that, for example, a “bottom” component is below a “top” component, or that a component that is “below” is indeed “below” another component or that a component that is “above” is indeed “above” another component as such directions, components or both may be flipped, rotated, moved in space, placed in a diagonal orientation or position, placed horizontally or vertically, or similarly modified. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the terms “bottom”, “below”, “top” and “above” may be used herein for exemplary purposes only, to illustrate the relative positioning or placement of certain components, to indicate a first and a second component or to do both.
“Coupled with” means indirectly or directly “coupled with”.
It is important to note that the methods described above are not limited to the corresponding descriptions. For example, the method may include additional or even fewer processes or operations in comparison to what is described herein and/or the accompanying figures. In addition, embodiments of the method are not necessarily limited to the chronological order as illustrated and described herein.
It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element or feature, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element. Hence, reference to “an element” or “at least one element” for instance, may also encompass “one or more elements”.
Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and/or” between the last two members of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made.
It is noted that the term “perspective view” as used herein may also refer to an “isometric view” and vice versa.
It should be appreciated that certain features which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, example and/or option, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment, example, and/or option are inoperative without those elements. Accordingly, features, structures, characteristics, stages, methods, modules, elements, entities or systems disclosed herein, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate examples, may also be provided in combination in a single example. Conversely, various features, structures, characteristics, stages, methods, modules, elements, entities or systems disclosed herein, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single example, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
It is noted that the term “exemplary” is used herein to refer to examples of embodiments and/or implementations, and is not meant to necessarily convey a more desirable use-case.
In alternative and/or other embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different elements may be used.
Throughout this description, various embodiments may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.
Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include—where applicable—any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.
While the aspects have been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as scope limitations, but rather as exemplifications of some of the embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of US provisional application 62/781287 filed on Dec. 18, 2018 by the same inventor according to 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e); said provisional application is fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8702387 | Gillette | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 9869079 | Boodaghians | Jan 2018 | B2 |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200190782 A1 | Jun 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62781287 | Dec 2018 | US |
