Grey water processing and distribution system

Abstract

The Grey Water Processing and Distribution System is a self-contained fully functional grey water collection, processing and dispersing system that runs on grey water collected from internal grey water sources and supplies filtered water to the house's landscaping irrigation system as well as filtered and sanitized flush water to the house's toilets and washing machine for usage and requires standard local power. It incorporates a unique self-cleaning fine screen filter system. The central digital control unit monitors and runs the various system components and manages the house's landscaping irrigation system. The digital control unit also makes sure that the toilets are never without flush water and protects the irrigation system against under and over watering. The internal and external plumbing also allows for the system to be completely bypassed in the event of power failure or the introduction of undesirable contaminants into the grey water source stream.

1 . A grey water processing and distribution system comprising:
 (a) a grey water and rainwater source collection sub-system;   (b) a digital control unit having input sensors to detect water levels, water flow, water pressure and having control outputs to control integrated pumps and valves;   (c) an automatically controlled multi-port valve;   (d) an irrigation sub-system; and   (e) a toilet flush water sub-system;   whereby said digital control unit directs said automatically controlled multi-port valve to send filtered grey water to said irrigation sub-system and to send grey water to said toilet flush water sub-system.   
     
     
         2 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , further including a self-cleaning fine screen filter ahead of a surge tank for temporary storage of the collected grey water and rainwater. 
     
     
         3 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 2 , wherein said surge tank is capable of simultaneous cleaning and filling with fresh water. 
     
     
         4 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said irrigation sub-system is controlled by said digital control unit and further wherein said digital control unit is programmable to irrigate a yard having one or more irrigation zones, and protect against over and under-watering of said yard. 
     
     
         5 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet flush water sub-system is controlled by said digital control unit which monitors the quantity of available toilet flush water, calls for gray water when the level is low, fills the tank with a supply of fresh water when the level is detected as critically low, and disables the flush water pressure pump when it is determined that such disablement is necessary, sending an alarm to indicate this disablement. 
     
     
         6 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises an integrated stand-alone compact appliance-sized cabinet capable of being installed indoors and outdoors. 
     
     
         7 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said digital control unit is programmable to adjust the functionality of each of the sub-systems, to protect sub-system components from harm, and further wherein when the system is in stand-by mode the system is left clean throughout by the action of self-cleaning. 
     
     
         8 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a multi-part filtration system which acts to reduce contaminants and protects said system components, is capable of moving grey water rapidly and does not require a bio-digester or settling tank component, thereby preserving the nutrients found in grey water for use in irrigating landscaping. 
     
     
         9 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet flush water sub-system includes a grey water sanitizer. 
     
     
         10 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 9 , wherein said grey water sanitizer includes an integrated toilet flush water supplemental sanitizing loop. 
     
     
         11 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , further having an integrated tank venting and overflow mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet flush water sub-system includes a 3-way valve enabling a user to switch between sourcing grey water from the system and sourcing city utility water, thereby preventing the sanitary function of the toilet from being lost to the user. 
     
     
         13 . A method for making a grey water processing and distribution system comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a grey water and rainwater source collection sub-system;   (b) providing a digital control unit having input sensors to detect water levels, water flow, water pressure and having control outputs to control integrated pumps and valves;   (c) providing an automatically controlled multi-port valve;   (d) providing an irrigation sub-system; and   (e) providing a toilet flush water sub-system;   whereby said digital control unit directs said automatically controlled multi-port valve to send filtered grey water to said irrigation sub-system and to send grey water to said toilet flush water sub-system.   
     
     
         14 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , further including a self-cleaning fine screen filter ahead of a surge tank for temporary storage of the collected grey water and rainwater. 
     
     
         15 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 14 , wherein said surge tank is capable of simultaneous cleaning and filling with fresh water. 
     
     
         16 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said irrigation sub-system is controlled by said digital control unit and further wherein said digital control unit is programmable to irrigate a yard having one or more irrigation zones, and protect against over and under-watering of said yard. 
     
     
         17 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said toilet flush water sub-system is controlled by said digital control unit which monitors the quantity of available toilet flush water, calls for gray water when the level is low, fills the tank with a supply of fresh water when the level is detected as critically low, and disables the flush water pressure pump when it is determined that such disablement is necessary, sending an alarm to indicate this disablement. 
     
     
         18 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said system comprises an integrated stand-alone compact appliance-sized cabinet capable of being installed indoors and outdoors. 
     
     
         19 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said digital control unit is programmable to adjust the functionality of each of the sub-systems, to protect sub-system components from harm, and further wherein when the system is in stand-by mode the system is left clean throughout by the action of self-cleaning. 
     
     
         20 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said system further includes a multi-part filtration system which acts to reduce contaminants and protects said system components, is capable of moving grey water rapidly and does not require a bio-digester or settling tank component, thereby preserving the nutrients found in grey water for use in irrigating landscaping. 
     
     
         21 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said toilet flush water sub-system includes a grey water sanitizer. 
     
     
         22 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 21 , wherein said grey water sanitizer includes an integrated toilet flush water supplemental sanitizing loop. 
     
     
         23 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , further having an integrated tank venting and overflow mechanism. 
     
     
         24 . The method for making a grey water processing and distribution system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said toilet flush water sub-system includes a 3-way valve enabling a user to switch between sourcing grey water from the system and sourcing city utility water, thereby preventing the sanitary function of the toilet from being lost to the user.