Method and pump unit for a pressure sewerage system

Abstract

A pump unit for a pressure sewage system, including a pump for insertion in a sewage holding tank, the pump being capable of activation for pumping sewage out of the holding tank to an external pipeline, and a timer unit enabling activation of the pump for a first predetermined time period and preventing activation of the pump for a second predetermined time period directly following the first time period.

1 . A pump unit for a pressure sewage system, including;
 a pump for insertion in a sewage holding tank, the pump being capable of activation for pumping sewage out of the holding tank to an external pipeline;   a timer unit enabling activation of the pump for a first predetermined time period and preventing activation of the pump for a second predetermined time period directly following the first time period.   
     
     
         2 . A pump unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump unit is provided as a kit. 
     
     
         3 . A pump unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the timer unit is provided as part of a controller unit that controls activation of the pump. 
     
     
         4 . A pump unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the timer unit is programmed to send start and stop signals to the controller unit. 
     
     
         5 . A pump unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump is activated by a switch triggered when the sewage in the tank reaches a first predetermined level. 
     
     
         6 . A pump unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the pump is deactivated by either a switch triggered when the sewage in the tank reaches a second predetermined level below said first level, or when the first predetermined time period ends, whichever occurs earlier. 
     
     
         7 . A pump unit according to  claim 6 , wherein, once the second predetermined time period ends, if the activation switch is still triggered, the pump will be activated. 
     
     
         8 . A pump unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time period is less than 60 seconds and the second predetermined time period is less than 10 minutes. 
     
     
         9 . A pump unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the activation and deactivation switches are level control devices, such as a float switch. 
     
     
         10 . A pump unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the timer unit is independently powered. 
     
     
         11 . A pump unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump includes an over-pressure cut-out device, which stops the pump from activating if the pressure at the outlet exceeds a set threshold. 
     
     
         12 . A sewage pump arrangement for a pressure sewage system, including:
 a holding tank for receiving and temporarily holding sewage from a building;   a pump housed in the tank, the pump being capable of activation for pumping sewage out of the holding tank to an external pipeline;   a timer unit enabling activation of the pump for a first predetermined time period and preventing activation of the pump for a second predetermined time period directly following the first time period.   
     
     
         13 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the internal diameter of the bottom section of the tank is less than the upper section of the tank. 
     
     
         14 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the bottom section of the tank is stepped into a smaller diameter, and is downwardly tapered. 
     
     
         15 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the volume of sewage capable of being held between the pump activation level and the pump deactivation level is preferably less than 20 litres. 
     
     
         16 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the volume is 10 litres. 
     
     
         17 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the timer unit is provided as part of a controller unit that controls activation of the pump. 
     
     
         18 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 17 , wherein the timer unit is programmed to send start and stop signals to the controller unit. 
     
     
         19 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the pump is activated by a switch triggered when the sewage in the tank reaches a first predetermined level. 
     
     
         20 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 19 , wherein the pump is deactivated by either a switch triggered when the sewage in the tank reaches a second predetermined level below said first level, or when the first predetermined time period ends, whichever occurs earlier. 
     
     
         21 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 20 , wherein, once the second predetermined time period ends, if the activation switch is still triggered, the pump will be activated. 
     
     
         22 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the first predetermined time period is less than 60 seconds and the second predetermined time period is less than 10 minutes. 
     
     
         23 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 19 , wherein the activation and deactivation switches are level control devices, such as a float switch. 
     
     
         24 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the timer unit is independently powered. 
     
     
         25 . A sewage pump arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the pump includes an over-pressure cut-out device, which stops the pump from activating if the pressure at the outlet exceeds a set threshold. 
     
     
         26 . A pressure sewage system, including:
 a plurality of holding tanks at spaced locations connected to a common sewage pipeline; and   each holding tank including a pump unit according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         27 . A method of controlling a pressure sewage system, including:
 providing each of a plurality of spaced buildings with:
 a holding tank for receiving and temporarily holding sewage from a building; 
 a pump housed in the tank, the pump being capable of activation for pumping sewage out of the holding tank to an external pipeline; 
 a timer unit in communication with the pump; 
 an over-pressure cut-out device for preventing activation of the pump when the pressure at the outlet exceed a set threshold; 
   wherein the timer units enable activation of the respective pumps for a first predetermined time period and prevent activation of the respective pumps for a second predetermined time period directly following the first time period, whereby the over-pressure cut-out device prevents simultaneous activation of a predetermined number of pumps, and the timer units allow for the random activation of the plurality of pumps.