Modular vacuum toilet

• US 20020069459A1
• Filed: 02/01/2002
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Evac International Oy
• Inventors: Tinkler, Ian, Pondelick, Mark A., Wallace, Douglas M., Anderson, William Bruce, McGowan, Arthur J. Jr., Hancock, Michael B., Stradinger, Jay D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,536,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/431
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/02 Water-closet bowls auxiliary chambers with connections to flushing water for bowl-cleaning utensils E03D9/06; modified for using upwardly-directed sprays E03D9/08; seats or covers A47K13/00 ; Bowls with a double odour seal optionally with provisions for a good siphonic action; siphons as part of the bowl parts or details of bowls E03D11/13
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/006 Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87161 With common valve operator

Abstract

A modular vacuum toilet, and a method of servicing such a toilet, are disclosed. The toilet is used with a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid. The modular vacuum toilet comprises a frame and a removable bowl engaging and supported be the frame, the bowl defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith. The modular vacuum toilet also has a valve set module. The valve set module includes a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the bowl outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a movable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and outlet. A rinse fluid valve is also incorporated into the valve set module and has an inlet in fluid communication with the source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a movable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and outlet. The valve set module further includes a flush control unit having a circuit board operably connected to the discharge valve and rinse fluid valve for controlling actuation of the discharge valve member and rinse fluid valve member.

Claims

1. A modular vacuum toilet for use in a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid, the modular vacuum toilet comprising:

a support structure;

a removable bowl supported by the support structure, the bowl defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith; and

a valve set module including;

a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the bowl outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a movable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and outlet;

a rinse fluid valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a movable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and outlet; and

a flush control unit having a circuit board operably connected to the discharge valve and rinse fluid valve for controlling actuation of the discharge valve member and rinse fluid valve member.

2. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which the support structure comprises a frame.

3. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 2, in which the frame defines an opening, and in which the bowl includes a sidewall sized for insertion into the opening.

4. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which the support structure includes slots, and in which the bowl includes tabs adapted to lockingly engage the slots, thereby to secure the bowl in place.

5. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 4, in which the tabs are manually releasable to disengage from the slots.

6. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which a rinse fluid pipe communicates between the rinse fluid valve outlet and the rinse fluid dispenser, wherein the rinse fluid pipe is releasably attached to the rinse fluid valve outlet with a coupling.

7. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 6, in which the coupling is manually releasable.

8. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which a transfer pipe has a first end connected to the discharge valve inlet, and a second end adapted to releasably engage the bowl outlet.

9. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 8, in which the second end of the transfer pipe includes a collar sized to releasably engage and seal with the bowl outlet.

10. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which a rinse fluid line communicates between the rinse fluid valve inlet and the source of rinse fluid, wherein the rinse fluid valve inlet is releasably connected to the rinse fluid line with a coupling.

11. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 10, in which the coupling is manually releasable.

12. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which a discharge pipe communicates between the discharge valve outlet and the sewer line, wherein the discharge pipe is adapted for releasable connection to the sewer line.

13. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 1, in which the support structure includes a bracket, and in which fasteners are provided for releasably securing the valve set module to the bracket.

14. The modular vacuum toilet of claim 13, in which the fasteners comprise knurled screws.

16. The method of claim 15, in which the first and second valve sets comprise a transfer pipe attached to the discharge valve inlet, the transfer pipe including a collar adapted to releasable engage and seal with the bowl outlet.

17. The method of claim 15, in which the first and second valve sets comprise a rinse fluid pipe communicating between the rinse fluid valve outlet and the rinse fluid dispenser, wherein the rinse fluid pipe is releasably attached to the rinse fluid dispenser with a coupling.

18. The method of claim 17, in which the coupling is manually releasable.

20. The method of claim 19, in which the coupling is manually releasable.

21. The method of claim 15, in which the first and second valve set comprise a discharge pipe communicating between the discharge valve outlet and the sewer line, wherein the discharge pipe is adapted for releasable connection to the sewer line.

22. The method of claim 15, in which the vacuum toilet further comprises a support structure having a bracket, and in which fasteners are provided for releasably securing the first and second valve set modules to the bracket.

23. The method of claim 22, in which the fasteners comprise knurled screws.

25. The method of claim 24, in which the vacuum toilet comprises a stationary support structure, and in which the bowl is adapted to releasably engage the support structure, the bowl being a line replaceable unit.

26. The method of claim 25, in which the support structure includes slots, and in which the bowl includes tabs adapted to lockingly engage the slots, thereby to secure the bowl in place.

27. The method of claim 26, in which the tabs are manually releasable to disengage from the slots.

28. The method of claim 24, in which the discharge valve, rinse fluid valve, and flush control unit are integrally provided in a valve set, the valve set being a line replaceable unit.

29. The method of claim 24, in which a rinse fluid pipe communicates between the rinse fluid valve outlet and the rinse fluid dispenser, wherein the rinse fluid pipe is releasably attached to the rinse fluid dispenser with a coupling.

30. The method of claim 29, in which the coupling is manually releasable.

31. The method of claim 24, in which a transfer pipe has a first end connected to the discharge valve inlet, and a second end adapted to releasably engage the bowl outlet.

32. The method of claim 31, in which the second end of the transfer pipe includes a collar sized to releasably engage and seal with the bowl outlet.

33. The method of claim 24, in which a rinse fluid line communicates between the rinse fluid valve inlet and the source of rinse fluid, wherein the rinse fluid valve inlet is releasably connected to the rinse fluid line with a coupling.

34. The method of claim 33, in which the coupling is manually releasable.

35. The method of claim 24, in which a discharge pipe communicates between the discharge valve outlet and the sewer line, wherein the discharge pipe is adapted for releasable connection to the sewer line.

36. The method of claim 24, in which the vacuum toilet includes a support structure having a bracket, and in which fasteners are provided for releasably securing the valve set to the bracket.

37. The method of claim 36, in which the fasteners comprise knurled screws.

39. The valve set of claim 38, in which the branch includes a pair of spaced pins and the discharge pipe includes a pair of spaced J-shaped slots sized to receive and engage with the pins.

40. The valve set of claim 39, in which the pins and J-shaped slots are spaced 180 degrees.

15. A method of servicing a vacuum toilet attached to a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid, the vacuum toilet including a waste receptacle defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith, the method comprising:

providing a first valve set module having a discharge valve with an inlet adapted to engage the receptacle outlet and an outlet adapted for releasable connection to the sewer line, a rinse fluid valve with an inlet adapted for releasable connection to the source of rinse fluid and an outlet adapted for releasable connection to the rinse fluid dispenser, and a flush control unit adapted to control operation of the discharge valve and rinse fluid valve;

detaching the discharge valve inlet from the bowl outlet, discharge valve outlet from the sewer line, the rinse fluid valve inlet from the rinse fluid source, and the rinse fluid valve outlet from the rinse fluid line;

removing the valve set module from the vacuum toilet;

inserting a second valve set module into the vacuum toilet, the new valve set module including a discharge valve with an inlet adapted to engage the receptacle outlet and an outlet adapted for releasable connection to the sewer line, a rinse fluid valve with an inlet adapted for releasable connection to the source of rinse fluid and an outlet adapted for releasable connection to the rinse fluid dispenser, and a flush control unit adapted to control operation of the discharge valve and rinse fluid valve; and

attaching the second valve set discharge valve inlet to the bowl outlet, the discharge valve outlet to the sewer line, the rinse fluid valve inlet to the rinse fluid source, and the rinse fluid valve outlet to the rinse fluid line.

19. The method 15, in which the first and second valve sets comprise a rinse fluid line communicating between the rinse fluid valve inlet and the source of rinse fluid, wherein the rinse fluid valve inlet is releasably connected to the rinse fluid line with a coupling.

24. A method of servicing a vacuum toilet having a receptacle for receiving waste defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith, a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the receptacle outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure, and a moveable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and the discharge valve outlet, a rinse fluid valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a moveable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and the rinse fluid valve outlet, and a flush control unit adapted to control actuation of the discharge valve member and rinse fluid valve member, in which at least one of the discharge valve, rinse fluid valve, flush control unit, and waste receptacle is a line replaceable unit, the method comprising:

removing the faulty line replaceable unit from the toilet; and

installing a new line replaceable unit into the toilet.

38. A valve set for use in a vacuum toilet system having a sewer pipe placeable under partial vacuum pressure, the valve set comprising:

a discharge valve having an outlet;

an outlet pipe attached to the discharge valve outlet and defining a branch;

a discharge pipe having a first end adapted to releasably engage the sewer pipe and a second end releasably attachable to the branch in at least a first position corresponding to a left-handed discharge configuration and a second position corresponding to a right-handed discharge configuration.