초록 ▼

A method for providing a gray water reclamation system includes connecting one or more gray water sources and one or more black water sources to a main drain line. A collection valve is also connected to the main drain line, the collection valve having (i) an inlet connected to the main drain line d

A method for providing a gray water reclamation system includes connecting one or more gray water sources and one or more black water sources to a main drain line. A collection valve is also connected to the main drain line, the collection valve having (i) an inlet connected to the main drain line down stream from at least one of the black water sources, and (ii) an outlet connectable to either a gray water drain line or a black water drain line. A black water flow sensor is configured to detect water flow from a black water source, wherein the black water flow sensor is operable to transmit a black water event signal upon detecting water flow from the black water source, and wherein the collection valve is operable to connect the outlet to the black water drain line if the black water event signal is received thereby.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for providing a gray water reclamation system, comprising: connecting one or more gray water sources to a main drain line; connecting one or more black water sources to the main drain line; connecting a collection valve to the main drain line, the collection valve ha

What is claimed is: 1. A method for providing a gray water reclamation system, comprising: connecting one or more gray water sources to a main drain line; connecting one or more black water sources to the main drain line; connecting a collection valve to the main drain line, the collection valve having (i) an inlet connected to the main drain line down stream from at least one of the black water sources, and (ii) an outlet connectable to either a gray water drain line or a black water drain line; and configuring a black water flow sensor to detect water flow from a black water source, wherein the black water flow sensor is operable to transmit a black water event signal upon detecting water flow from the black water source, and wherein the collection valve is operable to connect the outlet to the black water drain line if the black water event signal is received thereby. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring a gray water sensor to detect water flow from a gray water source, wherein the gray water flow sensor is operable to transmit a gray water event signal upon detecting water flow from the gray water source, and wherein the collection valve is operable to connect the outlet to the gray water drain line if: (i) a gray water event signal is received thereby, and (ii) no black water event signal is received thereby. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more gray water sources are selected from the group consisting of a bathroom sink, a bathtub, a clothes washer, and a shower. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more black water sources are selected from the group consisting of a toilet, a kitchen sink in-line with a garbage disposal, and a water softening unit. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the black water drain line comprises a sewer line. 6. In a gray water reclamation system having one or more gray water sources connected to a main drain line, one or more black water sources connected to the main drain line, a black water flow sensor configured to detect water flow from a black water source, and a collection valve having an inlet connected to the main drain line down stream from at least one of the black water sources and an output connectable to either a gray water drain line or a black water drain line, a method for operating the gray water reclamation system, comprising: detecting water flow from the black water source; transmitting a black water event signal in response to detecting the black water flow; and switching the outlet of the collection valve to, or retaining the outlet of the collection valve in the position of the black water drain line responsive to a received black water event signal. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more gray water sources are selected from the group consisting of a bathroom sink, a bathtub, a clothes washer and shower, and wherein one or more of the black water sources are selected from the group consisting of a toilet, a kitchen sink in-line with a garbage disposal and waters softening unit. 8. In a gray water reclamation system having one or more gray water sources connected to a main drain line, one or more black water sources connected to the main drain line, a gray water flow sensor configured to detect water flow from a gray water source, a black water flow sensor configured to detect water flow from a black water source, and a collection valve having an inlet connected to the main drain line down stream from at least one of the black water sources and an output connectable to either a gray water drain line or a black water drain line, a method for operating the gray water collection and distribution system, comprising: detecting water flow from the gray water source; transmitting a gray water event signal in response to detecting the gray water flow; and switching the outlet of the collection valve to, or retaining the outlet of the collection valve in the position of the gray water drain line in response to: (i) receiving the gray water event signal and (ii) not receiving a black water event signal, the black water event signal transmitted from the black water sensor when water flow from a black water source is detected. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more gray water sources are selected from the group consisting of a bathroom sink, a bathtub, a clothes washer and shower, and wherein one or more of the black water sources are selected from the group consisting of a toilet, a kitchen sink in-line with a garbage disposal and waters softening unit. 10. A gray water reclamation system, comprising: a main drain line; one or more black water sources connected to the main drain line; one or more gray water sources connected to the main drain line; and an electronically-switchable collection valve located down stream from at least one of the one or more black water sources, the electronically-switchable collection valve having: (i) an inlet connected to the main drain line, (ii) an outlet connectable to a black water drain line or a gray water drain line, and (iii) electronic means for receiving a signal operable to control the outlet to connect to either the black water drain line or the gray water drain line. 11. The gray water reclamation system of claim 10, further comprising one or more flow sensors configured to detect water flow from at least one of the gray or black water sources, wherein each of the flow sensors is operable to transmit a flow event signal to the electronically-switchable collection valve, whereby the flow event signal controls the electronically-switchable collection valve to connect the outlet to either the gray water drain line, or the black water drain line. 12. The gray water reclamation system of claim 11, wherein the one or more flow sensors comprise at least one black water sensor, and wherein the flow event signal comprises a black water event signal, wherein the black water sensor is operable to transmit the black water event signal upon detecting flow from a black water source. 13. The gray water reclamation system of claim 11, wherein the one or more flow sensors comprise at least one gray water sensor, and wherein the flow event signal comprises a gray water event signal, wherein the gray water sensor is operable to transmit the gray water event signal upon detecting flow from a gray water source. 14. The gray water reclamation system of claim 11, wherein the one or more flow sensors comprise: at least one black water sensor, and wherein the flow event signal comprises a black water event signal, wherein the black water sensor is operable to transmit the black water event signal upon detecting flow from a black water source; and at least one gray water sensor, and wherein the flow event signal comprises a gray water event signal, wherein the gray water sensor is operable to transmit the gray water event signal upon detecting flow from a gray water source; and wherein the electronically-switchable collection valve is operable to connect the outlet to (i) the gray water drain line when a gray water event signal is received and no black water event signal is received, or (ii) the black water drain line when a black water event signal is received. 15. In a gray water reclamation system having one or more gray water sources connected to a main drain line, and one or more black water sources connected to the main drain line, a method for operating the gray water reclamation system, comprising: connecting on the main drain line and down stream from at least one of the one or more black water sources, an electronically switchable collection valve having (i) an inlet connected to the main drain line, (ii) an outlet connectable to either a gray water drain line or a black water drain line, and (iii) electronic means for receiving a signal operable to control the outlet to connect to either the black water drain line or the gray water drain line; and upon receiving a black water event signal indicative of water flow from one or more of the black water sources, switching the outlet of the collection valve to, or retaining the outlet of the collection valve in the position of the black water drain line. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: detecting water flow into the collection valve; transmitting a flow event signal responsive to the detection of water flow into the collection valve; and receiving the water flow signal, wherein, responsive to the reception of the flow event signal, and wherein a black water event signal has not been received, the electronically-switchable collection valve operates to connect the outlet to the gray water drain line. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: detecting water flow from one or more of the gray water sources; transmitting a gray water flow event signal responsive to the detection of gray water; and receiving the gray water flow event signal, wherein, responsive to the reception of the gray water event signal, and wherein a black water event signal has not been received, the electronically-switchable collection valve operates to connect the outlet to the gray water drain line. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein if a black water event signal is received, the electronically-switchable collection valve operates to connect the outlet to the black water drain line. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein if a black water event signal is received, the electronically-switchable collection valve operates to connect the outlet to the black water drain line. 20. A computer program product, stored on a computer readable medium, operable to execute instructions for controlling the operation of a gray water reclamation system, the gray water reclamation system having one or more gray water sources connected to a main drain line, one or more black water sources connected to the main drain line, a black water flow sensor configured to detect water flow from a black water source, and a collection valve having an inlet connected to the main drain line down stream from at least one of the black water sources and an output connectable to either a gray water drain line or a black water drain line, the computer program product comprising: instruction code to control the black water sensor to detect water flow from the black water source; instruction code to control the black water sensor to transmit a black water event signal in response to detecting the black water flow; and instruction code to control the collection valve to switch the outlet of the collection valve to, or retaining the outlet in the position of the black water drain line responsive to a received black water event signal.