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A controller for a vacuum sewage system includes a housing having multiple chambers. Certain chambers are maintained under atmospheric pressure or vacuum prior to activation of the controller. Ports, valves, orifices and air flow paths located in the housing control the rate of air flow between grou

A controller for a vacuum sewage system includes a housing having multiple chambers. Certain chambers are maintained under atmospheric pressure or vacuum prior to activation of the controller. Ports, valves, orifices and air flow paths located in the housing control the rate of air flow between groups of the chambers during activation of the controller.

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1. A controller for a vacuum sewage system, the system including a holding tank at substantially atmospheric pressure, a valve pit, a sensor pipe having a first end extending into the holding tank and a second end extending into the valve pit, a valve located in the valve pit, a discharge conduit fo

1. A controller for a vacuum sewage system, the system including a holding tank at substantially atmospheric pressure, a valve pit, a sensor pipe having a first end extending into the holding tank and a second end extending into the valve pit, a valve located in the valve pit, a discharge conduit for conveying sewage from the holding tank to a location exterior to the holding tank, the discharge conduit having a first section and a second section, the first section having a first end located in the holding tank and a second end in fluid communication with the valve, the second section having an end in fluid communication with the valve and a vacuum source for maintaining the second section of the discharge conduit under vacuum, the controller including: a housing having an outer surface defining a housing interior;a first chamber located in the housing;a pressure sensor conduit having a first end in pressure communication with the sensor pipe and a second end in pressure communication with the first chamber;a second chamber located in the housing;a first port in communication with the second chamber and with a source of atmospheric pressure;a first flexible diaphragm located between the first and second chambers;a third chamber located in the housing;a second port extending between the second chamber and the third chamber;a first valve member located at least partially within the second chamber for selectively opening and closing the second port so as to selectively permit or prevent air flow between the second and third chambers through the second port;a third port in communication with the third chamber;a fourth chamber located in the housing;a second flexible diaphragm located between the third and fourth chambers;a first air flow path between the third and the fourth chambers, the first air flow path located on one side of the controller completely within interior of the housing;a fifth chamber located in the housing;a fourth port in communication with the fifth chamber and with the second section of the discharge conduit;a second air flow path between the third, fourth and fifth chambers, the second air flow path located on the same side of the controller as the first air flow path and located completely within the interior of the housing;a second valve member located at least partially in the second air flow path to selectively permit or prevent air flow between the third, fourth and fifth chambers;a sixth chamber located in the housing;a fifth port in communication with the fifth chamber and the sixth chamber;a sixth port in communication with the sixth chamber and with a source of substantially atmospheric pressure;a third valve member located at least partially in the sixth chamber for selectively opening and closing the fifth port so as to selectively permit or prevent air flow between the fifth and sixth chambers through the fifth port and for selectively opening and closing the sixth port so as to selectively permit or prevent air flow between the sixth chamber and the source of substantially atmospheric pressure through the sixth port;a seventh port in communication with the sixth chamber;a third air flow path between the second chamber and the seventh port, the third air flow path located completely within the interior of the housing on a side of the controller opposite the first and second air flow paths; anda fourth valve member located at least partially in in the third air flow path. 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the fourth valve member includes an eighth port through which air at atmospheric pressure can flow when the fourth valve member is closed. 3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the fourth valve member is a duckbill valve. 4. The controller according to claim 1, further including a biasing means for biasing the third valve member toward the fifth port. 5. The controller according to claim 1, further including a valve seat located adjacent the second port and wherein the first valve member disengages from the valve seat to open the second port and engages the valve seat to close the second port, the valve seat and first valve member configured such that the first valve member is centered with respect to the valve seat when the first valve member engages the valve seat. 6. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes and upper region, a lower region and an eighth port located in the sixth chamber, the third air flow path and the seventh port are positioned in the upper region such that liquid collecting in the upper region of the housing will flow from the third air flow path, through the seventh port, to the lower region of the housing and exit the controller through the eighth port. 7. The controller according to claim 1, further including a magnet connected to the first diaphragm, the magnet having a first polarity. 8. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the controller may be activated by applying to the magnet a magnetic force having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. 9. The controller according to claim 1, wherein movement of the first flexible diaphragm toward the second chamber activates the first valve member to open the second port. 10. The controller according to claim 9, wherein an increase in pressure in the first chamber causes the first flexible diaphragm to move toward the second chamber. 11. The controller according to claim 9, wherein a decrease in pressure in the second chamber causes the first flexible diaphragm to move toward the second chamber. 12. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the fourth valve member is a check valve. 13. The controller according to claim 12, further including an opening through a portion of the housing in the third air flow path and wherein the check valve includes a body extending through the opening, a head attached to the body on one side of the opening and a moveable flange connected to the body on the side of the opening opposite the head. 14. The controller according to claim 13, further including at least one passageway extending through the head. 15. The controller according to claim 14, including a passageway formed in the housing adjacent the moveable flange, the passageway extending from the opening in the housing beyond the outer perimeter of the moveable flange. 16. The controller according to claim 1, further including a rod having a first end extending from the second flexible diaphragm and a second end connected to the third valve member. 17. The controller according to claim 16, wherein the rod extends through the fifth port. 18. The controller according to claim 17, wherein a portion of the rod is tapered. 19. The controller according to claim 16, wherein movement of the second flexible diaphragm imparts movement to the rod and the third valve member to selectively open and close the fifth and sixth ports. 20. The controller according to claim 19, wherein an increase in pressure in the third chamber causes the second end of the rod to move toward the sixth port. 21. The controller according to claim 19, wherein a decrease in pressure in the fourth chamber causes the second end of the rod to move toward the sixth port. 22. The controller according to claim 19, wherein a decrease in pressure in the third chamber causes the second end of the rod to move toward the fifth port. 23. The controller according to claim 19, wherein an increase in pressure in the fourth chamber causes the second end of the rod to move toward the fifth port. 24. The controller according to claim 1, further including an adjustable orifice located at least partially within the first air flow path between the third and fourth chambers. 25. The controller according to claim 24, wherein the adjustable orifice regulates the rate of air flow from the third chamber to the fourth chamber. 26. The controller according to claim 24, wherein the adjustable orifice includes a member having at least two orifices of different sizes. 27. The controller according to claim 26, wherein the member is rotatable. 28. The controller according to claim 27, wherein the member is located on a shaft. 29. The controller according to claim 27, further including a lever located at least partially outside the housing for rotating the member. 30. The controller according to claim 27, further including a detent member for retaining the rotatable member in a selected position. 31. The controller according to claim 30, wherein the detent member includes a compressible member. 32. The controller according to claim 24, wherein the adjustable orifice includes a member having a first side, a second side and a first groove. 33. The controller according to claim 32, wherein the second groove varies in width. 34. The controller according to claim 32, wherein the second groove varies in depth. 35. The controller according to claim 32, wherein the first groove is located in the first side of the member and the member further includes an orifice extending from the first side to the second side. 36. The controller according to claim 35, wherein the orifice creates an air flow path from the first groove through the member to the second side of the member. 37. The controller according to claim 36, further including a second groove in the second side of the member. 38. The controller according to claim 37, wherein the orifice creates an air flow path from the first groove to the second groove. 39. The controller according to claim 38, further including a sealing member having an opening therein adjacent the second groove and wherein movement of the member selectively causes a larger or smaller volume segment of the second groove to be exposed within the opening in the sealing member to increase or decrease the rate of air flow through the adjustable orifice. 40. A controller for a vacuum sewage system, the controller including: a housing having a sidewall;a first chamber located in the housing and a second chamber located in the housing;an air flow path located in the housing sidewall, the air flow path extending between the first and second chambers; andan adjustable orifice located at least partially within the air flow path for controlling the rate of air flow between the first and second chamber, the adjustable orifice including a member having a first side, a second side, a first groove located in the first side of the member and a second groove located in the second side of the member, the second groove varying in depth. 41. The controller according to claim 40, wherein the second groove varies in width. 42. The controller according to claim 40, further including a sealing member having an opening therein adjacent the second groove and wherein movement of the member selectively causes a larger or smaller volume segment of the second groove to be exposed within the opening in the sealing member to increase or decrease the rate of air flow through the adjustable orifice. 43. The controller according to claim 40, wherein the member further includes an orifice extending from the first side to the second side. 44. The controller according to claim 43, wherein the orifice creates an air flow path from the first groove through the member to the second side of the member. 45. A controller for a vacuum sewage system, the controller including: a housing having a sidewall;a first chamber located in the housing and a second chamber located in the housing;an air flow path located in the housing sidewall, the air flow path extending between the first and second chambers;an adjustable orifice located at least partially within the air flow path for controlling the rate of air flow between the first and second chamber, the adjustable orifice including a member having a first side, a second side, an orifice extending from the first side to the second side and a first groove located in the first side of the member, a second groove in the second side of the member, the orifice creating an air flow path from the first groove through the member to the second groove on the second side of the member; anda sealing member having an opening therein adjacent the second groove and wherein movement of the member selectively causes a larger or smaller volume segment of the second groove to be exposed within the opening in the sealing member to increase or decrease the rate of air flow through the adjustable orifice.