US2434027A - Sewage lift - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 6, 1948. w. P. wHrrTlNcaTN sEwAGE LIFT Filed April 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 6, 19.48.

w. P. wHxTTlNG'roN SEWAGE LIFT Filed April 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2v limew.

Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT QF'FICJE- SEWAGE MF1; William Pi, Whittington, mdianapeiis. met Application April all, 1946;: SerialpNo. 6631663' T'Qlaims; (01.103725) invention relates to means forelevatine ilowalole materials such as sewage which cannot be vhandled by the ordinary reci,procatine` or centrifugal pumps. Inl many instances, the

elevation at which sewage mustbe collected` buildings is below the elevation ofl the sanitary sewaee systems in nearby stores-V Tlils means that the. sewage moet be couected and then ele.-r rated` backup to the sewage. cases, such as with restaurants! the dischargingellllent. carries considernbl@ grew? and thl. areas@ frequently coagulates orsclidiiies to present. a

further problem `in the handling of the eiilueritu By use of my invention,y very simple means are. provided toeollect and eleva-tethe eliluent. in an. automatic manner without beine disturbed or hindered in its action hy the presence of suelo grease. A primary advantage oi the inventionA resides in the fact that it is practically troulole. free and will operate automatically over lone" periods of time with the minimum.V of attention.,

Qtherobjects and advantages of, the .iniientionl willbeccme apparent to those yersedrin the art in the following description o f 'alle` invention illustrated more or less diagrammatically the, accompanying drawings, wherein, *Y K Fie. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one formof the invention; and.

,Fig- 2, a like diagrammatic repre sentation4 0i a.- rnodii'led form of the invention.v Y l Like characters of reference indicateY like parts in the two views in the drawings.

Referring rst to that formof the' inventionas lllustratedein Fig. 1, a tank Ill is p1 ),vi c ed tgpayc a generally conical floorll. This tank can be made out of any suitable material practical Afor the purposeemployedy steel or iron.. beine por: mally satisfactory. A transverse iioor l2 le lined within the` tank I0 to be inclined frcrn the horif zontal suihciently to cause iluids to collect iitially or iinally at the lowermost portion ci that oor I2 adjacent the tank Wall therearound Thus the tank I0 is divided into the upperand lower Chambers I3 and III,respectivrely.`

A discharge pipe I5 leads ,from near the lowest. point of the floor Il upwardly through the. door l2v to discharge within the chamber I3 near the. top end thereofr. Theupper chamber I 3, has a cover I6 fixed thereacross. The dischargeof the pipe l5 is spaced a distance suiiiciently below' the cover I6 to permit overflow from thek pipe I5 into the chamber I3. In the present showing of the structure in Fig. 1, this pipe I5 is fixed along' the, wall of the oor II and thellQe upwardly along' the sie@ wan of the tank In. an entrance pipe systeme tte extend downwardly through the cnamher is', through the iloor l2'. and well down the @hamper-(4to terminate by an, open end inspaced relation from the apex of the floor It. 'ljis column luis communication at its.. upper end through,- tloe el 2o with a pressure actuated switchineellanismlzl oi the usualandwell-lmowri construction wherein a switch 2,2. is normallyl onen., and ie closedby a. predetermined press eine' creat-eil iu tliefcolumnv i9, the switch .2.2, ope ine aealnr following4 a predetermined drop tpressure, .In suoliv commercial pressure s .tch mechanisme, there is a. dllerential ope ha .essere raneeldetweentlle initial osine eftheswiteh and the subsequent open' .e of' itdetails of such mec anism do not. ioirm a part of my invention ne. .nd therefore not, leeren; illustrated since t. ,struc urv is. ,commerciallilfobtalilable and wellelsnown to those versed. in the. art4 chamber lil is Vented to the. atmosphere threes-lia vent pipe 2 3 openineby its lower end' ttl ou li thev iioori2 near the upper portion th ai., and carried onA upwardly through they cli meer lithreueli the cover ll Normally this teilt pipe 23x would be connected to some stack (not shown) Yleading to the hiehestmost eleva.-

A discnaee pire 2.4,?, herein shown as heine along the side wall of the. tank Ill leads from near the lowest portion of -the chamber I3 over the floor I2 and is Qarpied upwardly to the cover I6y from which a discharge ow pipe 25 leads. riterprjs'edl between the pipes 24 and 25, near the tgp of the chamber I3, isa valve of some sort normally closing off the pipe 24, but opening readily Vwith' upwardflow in the pipe 24. In the present show-ing, this valve consists oft a ball 26 jestingpy' gravity on a seat 2-I carried by the pipe 2,4 in its upper end portion. Srirnlarly the upper end ofthej'discharge pipe I5v leading from the lower chamber I4: is normally closed oit by a valve preventing backow down through that pipe. In the present showingZ this valve consists d a hall 28 dropping. by gravity on a seat 29Y carr1y d at upper end of. the pipe l5.- The ball i8 lspr'eieraloly carried at the lower end o i an outwardly ilarin'e mouth 3.0 at the upper end of te l so that the. `ball 1.8 will normally roll liaels` nto the seat 2s under the influence of:

gravity when there is no upwardly flow of the pipe I forcing it oir of that seat. Carried by the cover I6 is a pair of electrodes 3| and 32 hanging downwardly within the chamber I3. The electrode 3| extends well down into the chamber I3 to terminate by a lower end at a distance slightly above the discharge pipe 24. The other electrode 32 is considerably shorter than the electrode 3| and terminates by its lower end in the upper portion of the chamber I3, the dierence in the lengths of these two electrodes being further explained in describing below the operation of the invention. A vacuum pipe 33 leads from the chamber |3 through the cover I6 to a valve generally designated by the numeral 34. A vacuum producing device generally designated by the numeral 35 is operated by an electric motor 36. This vacuum producing device 35 has an intake pipe 31 interconnecting with the valve 34, and also a pressure discharge pipe 38 interconnecting with the valve 34. In other words the pipe31 is a vacuum line and pipe 38 is a pressure line. The exact construction of the vacuum producing device 35 is not herein shown but is preferably of a high vacuum type such as is produced by air ejectors operating under water all of a type commercially obtainable.

The valve 34 contains a central cylindrical chamber 39 within which is mounted a shitab-le cylinder 46'controlled as to position by the solenoid armatures 4| and 42 being shifted through energizing of their windings 43 and 44. The cylinder 40 has a longitudinalY side slot 45 within which the pipe 38 may discharge regardless of position of the cylinder 40 within the bore 39. A second side'slot 46 is formed along the cylinder 46 to be in communication with the outlet pipe 31 regardless of cylinder position. These two slots 45 and 46 are separate'one` from the other without intercommunication.

Diametrically extending across Ythecylinder 43 is a transverse passageway 41 leading from the slot 45 and opening from the opposite side of the cylinder 4|! to be selective in registry with a central chamber 48 in the body of the valve 34 and the orifice 49 at which the vacuum pipe 33 is connected. Likewise a transverse passageway 56 leads diametrically across the cylinder 40 from the slot 45 to bein selective registry with the center chamber 48 and thev orice 5| through which communication is had with the vacuum pipe 33. A valve intake pipe 52 leads from any suitable source such as the stack pipe 23 to discharge into the chamber 48.

Operation Assuming a ow of liquid comes through the pipe I1 and discharges through the opening I8 into the lower compartment I4 of the tank I0, the liquid mass will rise to rst close off the lower end of the column I9 and thus trap air therewithin. As the liquid continues to rise in the chamber I4, the air in Y become compressed to apply a pressure through the pipe 26 against the switch actuating mechanism in the unit 2|. Since the chamber I4 is vented to the atmosphere through the pipe 23, no restriction is applied to the liquid as it Irises in the chamber I4. In other words no pressure is applied to its surface so that the discharge into the chamber through the opening I8 is freely had.

When the pressure in the column I6 reaches a predetermined amount for which the mechanism 2| has been set or designed, the switch 22 is closed 4 by reason o that predetermined pressure being reached.

The motor 36 may be of any type desired, having the power lines 53 and 54 leading to the starting box 31, the wire 53 being connected to one end oi the starting coil 56. The exact details of the starting mechanism do not form a part of the invention per se, and since that mechanism is commercially obtainable and well-known to those versed in the art, the details of that mechanism are not herein shown. From one side of the switch 22 is carried a wire 51 to interconnect with the conductor or wire 53.

VFrom the other side of the switch 2| leads a wire 56to have connected across between it and a wire 56 connecting to the power conductor 54 three relay energizing coils 66, 6| and 62. A circuit is thus completed by the closing of the switch 22 between the power lines 53 and 54 to energize those three relay coils. Upon the energizing of these three coils, their respective armatures 63, 54 and 65 are lifted to close circuits to be described.

First it is to be observed however that in the valve 34, the cylinder 46 is maintained in the right hand position, Fig. 1, by reason of the fact that the coil 44 is energized to pull the armature 42 to the right, by reason oi the fact that the coil 44 is interconnected by the wires 66 and 61 between the power line 51 and the contactor bar 6B through the wire 69 to the wire 53.

At the relay operated by the coil 62, the contactor bar 10 interconnects the contact members 1I and 12 to close the circuit through the wire 'I3 leading to one side of the starting coil 56 and the wire 53 leading to the power line 54, this closed circuit causing the motor 35 to start and to continue in operation as long as that circuit is maintained. The operation of the motor 36 produces a'vacuum in the pipe 31 and thus across the valve cylinder 46, and the pipe 33, tending to create a vacuum in theupper chamber I3. The reduction in pressure tends to seat the ball 26 against entrance of atmospheric air and tends to unseat the ball 28 to produce the lowered pressure in the pipe I5 and thereby set up a iow of liquid from the chamber I4 upwardly through the pipe I5 to discharge over the member 36 into the upper chamber I3. When the liquid makes contact with the electrode 3l, it closes a circuit through itself between the tank wall and the electrode 3|. The

tank I6 being normally supported on the ground that column I5 tends to Y or within the ground is grounded itself in most instances, but in any event is grounded, as at 88, through the wire 51 to that side of the line 53. In thus closing the circuit from the ground 88 from the line 53, through the wire 51 (also possibly directly through the ground to the grounded line 53), the circuit continues through the electrode 3|, the wire 15, across the bar or bridge connector 14, through the Wire 58, thereby forming a parallel circuit with the switch 22 to include the relay windings 6D, 6I, 62, and the wire 59 to the line 54.

As the uid level rises within the chamber I3, the pressure in the column I6 drops to allow the switch 22 to open, but the relay windings 60, 6I, and 62 remain energized by the circuit just above described which has been closed through the electrode 3|.

Continued rising of the fluid level in the chamber I3 will cause the uid to reach and submerge at least the lower end of the electrode 32. Thereupon a new circuit is established between the line 53, through the ground 88, the fluid itself, the electrode 32, the wire 16, the two relay windings 'iiiena 1t; the' wipe 115,1 tiie-fe1y-bride'econnecter: adj enewire 59'; armenie-line y541.- Newv when theserellay windings1A 'PT-and V178 are energized through thi'sf particular' circuit;v their armaturesl {3i-and-vv 82arelilted'* to ythe'um'ne'r' circuit closing positions Afeireuit-'isestatiisiieci*from'l the line 5r; the wire 59, the Wire 69, the relay bridge 68, the Wire 83;-l thesolenbidWinding-3.5, tliefWireSKl-g and t-l-ie wire 51j to' the" other line-Wire 531 Theeriergizing o` the- Winding lle pulls" the armature el" t'o` the leftV to`A shift the V'alyecyl'i-nde'r' au z'wcordinglyY ItL ist`o be* understood; that'initially' with: the relay vs/"iiitl'inr'g`V 71V not' energized; the relay connecter br iire'mainsin` the",positionfshbwir'inL Fig;v 1"" Wherebyia circuit is*normallyr closed'frein*thelinev Wire5, through the Wire 59, thefvvire', the'b'ar 6B', tliewire E7",k the solenoidi Winding llift, thewiie ss aiiifthe Wires-1v eeniieetingwitiitheetrieriine wirees- 'rhisienergizes' initiaiiy the winding 4t* tomaintain' the valve" cylinderl tu in" thee right hendpositibn until'the'relay winding T is' ener`` gizdt break that circuit by lifting the bar' 68:- to" the uppermostpositionv to establish' the circuit above described through" the solenoid Winding 453i VV'thl the' cylinder 4U* shifted t0 the' left hand'4 pbsiti'orry theY orice 5| is closed' and' the crossy passageway 55 registerslwith' theI chamber'll to aiord- 'passage'A across` the* cylinder th'rb'ugh the si-ejtA fief from the pipe 52" te tnevaeuuni pipel er andthe-'pressure' pipe' efe-is their int-ereeiineeteei-A throulg'hth'e cross slot 45,' the transyerseipassage* 415, and tlie oricejlt'g'; to` provide a discharge' therethrough into" the' pipeS: and' consec lueilyf in'tbthe' chamber' I S'4 to' establivsl'iv a" pressureftherei' as opposed" tcthetlieretofore existing" Vacuum; It is to be remembered that the motor`fl conAlt'iuesj operating as long asv the" relay: wiiiei'iiigf s2 remains energized'. J A

With the closurez of the" circuit described by liquid contacting the' Short electrode' 32'; the lifting of) the' armature 8'2'l'at` the 1"elay" c'0i1E 'f8 closes a' circuit leading `from the" grcudl'ortlie" lirie' Wire'b through" thewire 57, the vtfire 85;," the" relay" connector 85, theWireSl, thetwo Win'din'g's 'Miene-it trie wirel'e; theI relay eenrieetiiig' bei: en; amrv the wire sai to" the line se; this circuit ieiiig-v established te maintain trie epergizatie'n iii the eoiis ift and# rs1 after the fluid crops-below the-"lower enr'd'fo'f-'tliev sh'ort electrode 32 to maine' tai'ftne Cylinder iuiii meier-theme 'positionunder this pressure cycle, the niidin] chamber' Hi` will continue t'odropf asitY isforced Quij'of" the' discharge pipe' 2e untill the" fluid level falls blbw'the lbweren'dfci'v t-'lie'long4i electrode Vilerrv this event* happens; the hbliingi circuit abbvef described from the ground-y 835 throug'li" the liquidlvtleelectrode 3|?, andthe'rellay Winding Di landi 621,' thrllgl the Wire 59 t`0 the line* Wire 54Yis* opened. Sincethe s'Witch 22 i's also open; the Iri'otr 35 is no longer energizedE andcomest-o' a? stop.4 In the meantime the fluid"draining,r from the pi'p'e I'iintfothe lo'W'er chamber l Will againv initiatethe vacuum' cycle first above described by protlli'rrgl the pressure ifi?` the column l5) t0" in* s'titutlthevacuum a'ndpressure cycles one after afliotl-ier.` The chambers I3 and lli are so` pro--y p'rtir'cl aSitO their relative Sizes in conj'lirici/libriY Withl the" size o'ifthe Vacuum-pressure pump 35; that the? upper* rl [S will' ll Silidf discharge before thepres'sur'e inthe column lgla'gaifn builds' up 'suiciently' tofy close'f the switch 2 2i- Referringfnow' toFig. 2 offthe drawingitoshow another form= o structurez Within' the spiritaot A drain pipe 941 diselia-rgesl trirciueliv the? si'df Wall o'fi the tank int the'y ulieripcrtnl df ldwen chamber' 9 |1.` lil-'discharge' pipei 95' susv pended from the floor 9 6 of the chamber"Biflgl-cerF-fy tally tl'ielfe'b,A t" termi-nat@ lower" erid'dbvn Withintleajpekportin ofithe'ioo"'S'Fol'tlielewer chamber ma Normaily this pipeSkiiuh'ieli opensE throuehi the ocr'f 9A`6'1i`sclsedl oft` ati upper endA by 'soief ser# OP a V`a']lVe'I,-` hereiiiE sh'owii as# byff a ball 93 resting gravity," overf the discharge? eiieeff thel pipe 95e Arif aieh pressure: Columnas leads .mp1threugirn tirer fine-r sieA fremi medewer chamber.' 9| f-urre'ugii'i trie' chamber 92 (it: bei outside ofthatljchamberfg but issliwnf as passing? theretrireugh ferreeiivenieiieefin asseiribiyir anni in-terc'o'riri'e'cts with af pressureik actuated? s-Witeli mechanism operatingv the switenf zlziby: changes. of pressure appearing within the column 95.; Af Vent piper |00: leads from the" uppermost' portion ofithe chamber 95|? tol" discharge intoj the ati-nose pher'eiatlay suitable' po'sitic'n.

In the upper chamber-lv- 92 there' is? suspeidd frornfthecover SSithroughoutlthe-maor lie'i'gl'it of' the chamber 921; adischar'ge" pipe |151 having" itsinlet operiingspaced a-v sh'crt dist-ance aber@ the ball? 98- Iii-'the upper"v end'- dff theedischarge* pipe IUI there is mouri'lt'edaivalveof?anyf'suitable nature adapted to close normally the outlet of the pipe IUI. In th forni herein shown, this Valve comprises'ay balli |02 normally dropping by gravity into1 closed position: across theL upper endr ofthe pipe lfl. A'belL Hlfforrnstheintercohb" nectionbet-Ween the upper end of thefpipe. |81` and the cover'93ftofgiveroomA for the' rollingfo the ball' |02 01T ofits seat andftopermt-discharge: therepast of theuid contentsifrom` the chamber 92`through the outer naldischarge pipe MJL.

There is suspended Withinr the chamber- 92"r 'ani electrode |05* insulated from'f the tank 9ffand' having its'loWer endfspaced' above the lbweni-rp-f takeA endof the pipe HJI-, but downf' withinith' conical portion of the chamber 92".v A-oat I'i is carried in the/upper ,portion of the chamber 92- by a bracket |01. Whenfthefluid-'level in the chamber 92`oa'ts them'ember Illlsu1iciently',va\-y valve plugA |08 carriect on thefupperl endoff the" float- I'DB is pushed into7 the lowerv orificel H19V at the end of the pipe H-tlleadingv exteriorly of the tank A's in the'rst f form? cfthe invention described; there v is employed a= vacm'imfn'pressure.7 pump` unit' 35 driven by the motor 36,"a'ndfhawingA the v-aouunr intake pipe 31 andthe pressure discharge pipe 38; botlfiA of which pipes connect with a cont-rolf valve IH'. This'ValVe |1| is f'that type actuated in one directionl by aspringt and in'` theVA other' direction by pressure- Within: the'valve IH'- is a' piston rod |'I2; ori'tle' right end of' Whicnis' m'oun'teda piston I It within' the bore H4. The rod ||2 extends axially'tlircug'liA a' smaller'diame'ter borez I"|'5Withinwhichv slidin'gly fit the spaced apart pistonsf H6 andi Mil, beth xed to thefroft` H2'.j Thenfthefroclf H22? extends onl tothei left through aborel 51:01? substantially.'

the same diameter as that of the bore ||4. A compression spring ||9 surroundsv the rod ||2to bear by one end against the valve head ||9 and by its other end against an abutment member |20 xed on the rod ||2 spaced between the head I|9 and the piston ||6. The body of the valve is provided with an upper chamber |2| from which leads the pipe ||0. The `body of the valve is provided with a central passageway |22 from which leads a pipe |23 to the atmosphere, herein shown as connected to the pipe |09. This passageway |22 opens into the smaller diameter bore at that position whereby the opening thereof will always be between the two pistons I|6 and ||1.

On the left hand side of the passageway |22 is a passageway |24 leading from the bore ||5 to be interconnected by the vacuum pipe 31. On the other side of the passageway |22, to the right, is shown a third passageway |25 to which is interconnected the pressure pipe 38.

A small diameter pressure line |26 leads from the pump unit 35 to connect into Vthe bore ||4. Interposed in this line |26 is a valve |21 normally closed to be opened by a solenoid, thewinding |28 of which is shown. A bleed line |29 interconnects the line |26 from a position'between the valve ,and the Valve |21 with the vacuum pipe 31.

A vacuum operated switch |30 is provided to be operated from the Vacuum pipe 31 Vfrom a normally open position at low vacuum to a closed position at the higher degree of vacuum produced by the unit 35. The mechanism for operating the switch |30 is of the usual and well-known type to those versed in the art and commercially obtainable, and therefore the details of which are not herein shown or described.

Operation Assuming the eiiluent to be pouring in from the pipe 94 into the collecting basin 9|, the level of this uid will reach and submerge the lower end of the pipe 99, and as the level continues to rise, pressure of the air entrapped within the column 99 will increase to close the switch 22 otherwise normally open. Since the upper portion of the basin 9| is vented through the pipe |00, no r..- striction is placed upon the fluid against rising Within the basin 9|. Oneside of the switch 22 is grounded as indicated at |3 l. A control switch |32 is closed for automatic operation initially to interconnect the line wire 53, the motor starting winding 55, the wire |33, and the wire |34. The closing of the switch 22, as indicated, closes a circuit from the ground |3I, through the switch 22, the wire |64, a relay winding |35, the wire |39, and the secondary winding |31 of a transformer |38, to the ground |39 of the winding |31. The primary winding |40 of the transformer |39 is normally energized through the circuit formed between the line wires 53 and 54 through the respective wires |4| and |42.

When that circuit is closed` by the switch 22, the armature |43 is elevated to close a circuit from the line wire 54, the wire |52, the relay connecting bar |44the wire |34, the switch |32, the wire |33, and winding 59, to the other line wire 53, thereby starting the motor 36 into operation. The switch |30 is open initially before this motor 35 starts.

The members within the valve il are initiaily in the position. indicated inthe drawing, Fig. 2, asydetermined by the spring |19. A vacuum is produced in the upper chamber 92 through the pipe ||0, the valve chamber |2 I, the bore |51 to the left of the piston |I6 and the bore V| l5 to the left of the piston ||6, the passageway |24, and the vacuum pipe 31. The pressure discharge from the unit 35 is through the pipe 38, the passageway |25, bore ||5, passageway |22, and the pipe |23.

Asthe air is exhausted from the chamber 92, to a. sufficient degree, the uid in the lower` chamber 9| is pulled upwardly past the ball 98, lifted olf its seat, into the upper chamber 92. As the degree of vacuum increases in the chamber 92, the switch |30 will close upon reaching the predetermined degree of vacuum to interconnect the line 54, wire |42, relay nterconnector |44, wire |34, wire |45, switch |30, wire |46, solenoid winding |28, wire |41, and wire |48, connecting with the line wire 53, also interconnecting from the wire |46, the relay winding |49, through the wire |46 with the line wire 53. Energizing the winding |49 causes the relay connector bar |50 to interconnect the wire |46 with the wire |5| establishing a partl of a circuit to be later utilized upon the opening of the vacuum switch |39. Incidentally the vacuum switch |30 does not close until the uid has lifted the float |06v to close off the orifice |09 by the plug |08.

Going back, as the fluid level rises in the chamber 92, the lower end of the electrode |05 becomes submerged to establish a current conducting path from the grounded wall of the tank through the electrode |05, the wire |52, the relay connecter bar |53, the relay winding |35, the wire |36, the transformer secondary winding |31, and the ground |39. This is in parallelism with the switch 22.

At the high vacuum condition in the chamber 92, which is that condition wherein the level of the fluid is well up in the upper portion of the chamber 92, and the switch |30 is closed to energize the solenoid winding |28, the valve |21 opens to cause a pressure to be produced in that part of the bore ||4 to the right of the piston ||3 and thereby forcing the piston ||3 to the left to position the pistons ||6 and ||1 to the left to set up an interconnection between the passageway |22 and |24 (pulling air from the atmosphere intothe vacuum line 31) and a pressure connection from the passageway |25 on the right side of the piston ||1 through the chamber |2| and the pipe line ||0. The pressure forces the float |06 downwardly and pushes the liquid contents of the chamber 92 outwardly through the dis charge pipe |0| past the ball |02 into the outer discharge pipe |04. As the fluid level drops, the switch 22 has opened during the upflow of the liquid from the chamber 9| to the chamber 92 byreason of the drop in pressure in the column 99, but the presence of the fluid about the electrode |05 forms the circuit above indicated to maintainv operation of the pump unit 35. The fluid in the chamber 92 will continue to be lowered in level until it drops below the lower end of the electrode |05 thereby interrupting the circuit through the fluid between that electrode and the ground. Immediately this happens, the relay winding |35 is de-energized and the connecters |44 and |53 drop to the open circuit positions. In so doing, the circuit to the motor starter winding 56 is broken and the motor 36 stops. Also the holding relay windingr |49 becomes de-energized to in turn drop the relay connecter |50 and thereby de-energizes the solenoid winding |28 to permit the valve |21 to close (switch |30 has opened upon the reduction of the vacuum in the vpipe lzinthepressurecycle) topermit .thespring H to return the various -valve pistons -toV the .positions as indicated in .the drawing. In this returning travel, the fluid-which may be en- Ytrappedin that end of the bore IM tothe vright f Vnl the piston yH3 may escape slowly through the `.bleedline '129 `connection with vthe vacuum line. All ofthe various circuits .arethen returned to rtheinitial position awaiting refilling of the colu .lecting basin 1791 for subsequent operations as Aabove described.

Thexswitch 1312 :may be thrown tothe ,upper rposition tointerconnectthe'wire 433 directly with v'loe employedzsuch the particular vacuumpressure control valve, .the tank structure .and valves therein, "all `.Without :departing from the spirit nf the invention, `.and.I therefore .do not .desire to be limitedtoithe precise :forms shown `and described 'beyond Athe limitations asmay he imposed by.thef.following claims.

I- :claim: 1. `'In .a sewage lift, a receiving basin; a dis- `charge :compartment: a "transfer .pipe leading `fromznfear the floor rof saidbasin to discharge.into

the upper 'portion of said compartment; .a 'discharge 'pipe leading from fnear 'the floorVv ofl .said compartment 'to discharge therewithouft; 1a lvalve `foreach of said fpipes normally seatingin the `opposite.direction :of normal iicw therein; vacuumepressure producing means; valvemeans .selectively applying tol said .dischargecompartment vacuum pressure from said "producing meansyelectric means for controlling the actuating of said valve means; a motor actuating said producing means;- an electrode extending into saiddischarge compartment tohave .a portion at least submerged at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electric control switch actuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; and electric circuit means automatically'venergized 'and deenergized `.by interconnection '.Wi'th a :source -fof currentwthrough said electrode and said switch by changes in levels of uid/insaid basin and said compartment to actuate said motor and said` valve means in accordance with said levels.

2. In a sewage lift, a receiving basin; a discharge compartment; a transfer pipe leading from near the oor of said basin to discharge into the upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipe leading from near the oor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; a valve for each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite direction of normal ow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve means selectively applying to said discharge compartment vacuum and pressure from said producing means; electric means for controlling the actuating of said valve means; a motor actuating said producing means; an electrode extending into said discharge compartment to have a portion at least submerged ata predetermined liquid level therein; an electric control switch actuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; and electric circuit means automatically energized and deener-` gized by interconnection with a source of current through said electrode and said switch by changes in levels of fluid in said basin and said compartment to actuate said motor and said valve means "inaccordance with .said levels; Asaid-electric circuit means including'a holding circuit maintained .through said electrode .when said switch opens uponpredetermined fall in liquid level in said basin, the holding circuit maintaining said .motor `in operation.

In a sewage lift, a 4receiving basin,- a dischange compartment; a transfer pipe leading .from near ythe :door of saidbasin -to discharge into theupper .portion of said compartment; a dis- .charge pipe-leading-irom nearthe floor of said. rvcompartment to discharge therewithout; ya valve vrfor .each 'of' said pipes normally seating in the `oppositedirection vof normal flow therein; vacuurnfpressure producing means; valve means se- Vlectively.applying l to said discharge comp artment 'vacuum andl pressure from saidv producing means;

.electric means `for controlling the actuating .of said valve means; a motor actuating .said producing means; an electrode extending into said dischargecompartment to have a por-tion at least submerged lat a predetermined liquid level therein an electric control switch .actuated bychange in -level of fluid in ,said basin; and-electriccircuit means automatically .energized and deenfergized by-interconnection witha source of cur;-

rent 'through saidelectrode and said switch by .changes '-in levels of .fluid in said .basin and said .compartment to actuate said motor and saidfvalve means in :accordance with vsaid levels; saidelec- 'tric circuit lmeans including a holding circuit maintained throughlsaid .felectrodeto retain vsaid valve means .controlling means in .an energized state while said :switch is :open and 'saidmotor is operating.

4..'.iln va .sewage lift, ia rreceiving basin; a discharge compartment; .a transfer :pipe leading yfrominear the oor'of said' .basin to .discharge into .the upper portion .of .said compartment; a ,discharge pipezleadingtfrom .near theiioor vof said compartment .to dischargetherewithout; a valve 4foreach of 'fsaidpipes normally .'seating'in the .opposite direction ofnormaltlowtherein; vacuum-pressure producing .mea-ns; valve lmeans seilectivelyy applying )to .said discharge compartment V.vacuumand 'pressure from said producing means.;

Yelectr-ic vmeans ffor controlling the .actuating of said .valve means; a motor actuating .said producinfgfmeans; :an electrode extending into said discharge fcompartment tov have ay .portion atleast l submerged at apredetermined l-iqnid level therein; an electric control switch actuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; and electric circuit means automatically energized and deenergized by interconnection with a source of current through said electrode and said switch by changes in levels of fluid in said basin and said compartment to actuate said motor and said valve means in accordance with said levels; means actuated by rise in liquid level in said discharge compartment cutting off said vacuum application independently of said valve means.

5. In a sewage lift, a receiving basin; a discharge compartment; a transfer pipe leading from near the floor of said basin to discharge into the upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipe leading from near the floor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; a valve for each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite direction of normal ow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve means selectively applying to said discharge compartment vacuum and pressure from said producing means; electric means fol` controlling the actuating of said valve means; a motor actuating said pro- 11 ducing means; an electrode extending into said discharge compartment to'have -a portion at least submerged at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electric control switch -actuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; and electric circuit means automatically energized and deenerg'ized by interconnection with a source of current through said electrode and said switch by changes in levels of uid in said basin and said compartment to actuate said motor and said valve means in accordance with said levels; said electric circuit means including a holding circuit maintained throughA said electrode when said switch opens upon predetermined fall in liquid level in said basin, the holding circuit maintaining said motor in operation; and said circuit means also including a holding circuit maintained through said electrode to maintain energization of said valve means controlling means when said switch opens while said motor continues to operate.

6. In a sewage lift, a receiving basin; -a discharge compartment; a transfer pipe leading fromnear the floor of said basin to discharge into the upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipe leading from near the iloor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; a valve for each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite direction of normal flow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve means selectively applying to said discharge compartment` vacuum and pressure from said producing means; electric means for controlling the actuating of said valve means; a motor actuating said producing means; an electrode extending into said discharge compartment to have a portion at least submerged at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electric control switch'actuated` by Vchange in level of fluid in said basin; and electric circuit meansautomatically energized and deenergized by interconnection with a source of current through said electrode and said switch by changes in levels of uid in said basin and said compartment to actuate said motor and said valve means in accordance with said levels; and a second electrode entering said discharge compartment in spaced relation fromvsaid firstelectrodeito be contacted by the liquid'therein upon reaching a higher level than Athat of initial first electrode contact; and 4said circuit means including a circuit through the second electrode upon being contacted by the fluid to include said valve means Vby changes in levels controlling means to actuate the valve means from vacuum to pressure application condition.

7. In a sewage lift; a receiving basin; a discharge compartment; a transfer pipe leading from near the floor of said basin to Vdischarge into the upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipeV leading from near the floor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; a valve for each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite direction of normal flow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve means selectively applying to said discharge compartment vacuum and pressure from said producing means; electric means for vcontrolling the actuating of said valve means; a motor actuating said producing means; an electrode extending into said discharge compartment to have a portion at least submerged'at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electric control switch actuated by :change in level of fluid in said basin; and electricA circuit means automatically energized and deenergized by interconnection with'a source of current through said .electrode andV said switch 'oflu'idin said basin and said compartment 'to actuate said motor and said valve means inaccordance with said levels; means actuated by rise in liquid level in said discharge compartment cutting off said vacuum application independently of said valve means; a

Ysecond pressure actuated switch normally open andautomatically closing only upon being subjected to a higher degree of vacuum than that existing inV said discharge compartment upon actuation of said level actuated vacuum cutting ofi means; and said circuit means including a circuit Vthrough 4saidsecond switch and said valve means control means to energize said last control means upon closing of said second switch to `apply pressure in said discharge compartment.

WILLIAM P. WHITTINGTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

`TJNlTillll) STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,238,597 Page Apr. 15, 1941 2,265,650 Lannert Dec. 9, 1941 2,280,930 Reeves Apr. 28, 1942

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