Modular Faucet System for Aircraft

• US 20200130841A1
• Filed: 10/26/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Young, Stephen M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,994,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 15/00 Arrangements or adaptations of sanitation devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/02 Toilet fittings of general application A47K
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/04 Galleys
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0046 Modular or preassembled units for creating cabin interior structures
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0407 Spouts for unpressurized outflow of water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/042 Arrangements on taps for wash-basins or baths for connecting to the wall
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/00 Fluid-delivery valves, e.g. self-closing valvesfor liquid handling B67D; for flushing devices for water-closets or the like E03D

Abstract

A modular faucet system for an aircraft comprising a faucet outlet, a flow valve, and an actuator. The faucet outlet is configured to be installed on the aircraft. The flow valve is configured to be installed on the aircraft separately from the faucet outlet, to be connected by a first water line to a water supply comprising a water tank on the aircraft, and to be connected by a second water line to the faucet outlet. The actuator is configured to be installed on the aircraft separately from the faucet outlet and the flow valve. The actuator comprises a touchless sensor that is configured to detect a user of the modular faucet system. The actuator is configured to generate a control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to detection of the user by the touchless sensor.

Claims

1. A modular faucet system for an aircraft comprising:

a faucet outlet configured to be installed on the aircraft;

a flow valve that is configured to be installed on the aircraft separately from the faucet outlet, to be connected by a first water line to a water supply, wherein the water supply comprises a water tank on the aircraft, and to be connected by a second water line to the faucet outlet; and

an actuator that is configured to be installed on the aircraft separately from the faucet outlet and the flow valve, comprising a touchless sensor configured to detect a user of the modular faucet system, and configured to generate a control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to detection of the user by the touchless sensor.

2. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein:

more testing and qualification is required for using the flow valve and the actuator on the aircraft relative to the faucet outlet, wherein the flow valve and the actuator that satisfy the more testing and qualification required are certified for use on the aircraft; and

less testing and qualification is required for using the faucet outlet on the aircraft relative to the flow valve and the actuator.

3. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein the faucet outlet is selected from a plurality of different faucet outlets that are configured for use with the flow valve and the actuator on the aircraft.

4. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein the faucet outlet comprises:

a decorative outlet that is visible to the user when the faucet outlet is installed on the aircraft;

a mounting structure configured to attach the decorative outlet to a support structure on the aircraft; and

an adapter fitting configured to connect the decorative outlet in fluid communication with the second water line.

5. The modular faucet system of claim 4, wherein the decorative outlet is selected from one of a waterfall outlet and an outlet having an oval profile.

6. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein the flow valve comprises an adjustable mix valve that is configured to mix hot water with cold water to provide mixed warm water to the faucet outlet.

7. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein the touchless sensor is an infrared sensor.

8. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises a manual push button and wherein the actuator is configured to generate the control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to actuation of the manual push button by the user.

9. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein the touchless sensor comprises an adjustable detection range.

10. The modular faucet system of claim 1, wherein:

the faucet outlet comprises a mounting structure having mounting holes therein; and

the faucet outlet is mounted on a support structure by fasteners extending through the mounting holes into a back side of the support structure.

11. A method of installing a modular faucet system on an aircraft, comprising:

installing a faucet outlet on the aircraft;

installing a flow valve on the aircraft separately from installing the faucet outlet on the aircraft;

connecting the flow valve to a water supply by a first water line, wherein the water supply comprises a water tank on the aircraft;

connecting the flow valve to the faucet outlet by a second water line; and

installing an actuator on the aircraft separately from installing the faucet outlet and the flow valve on the aircraft, wherein the actuator comprises a touchless sensor configured to detect a user of the modular faucet system and is configured to generate a control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to detection of the user by the touchless sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

more testing and qualification is required for installing the flow valve and the actuator on the aircraft relative to the faucet outlet, wherein the flow valve and the actuator that satisfy the more testing and qualification required are certified for use on the aircraft; and

less testing and qualification is required for installing the faucet outlet on the aircraft relative to the flow valve and the actuator.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising selecting the faucet outlet from a plurality of different faucet outlets that are configured for use with the flow valve and the actuator on the aircraft.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the faucet outlet comprises:

a decorative outlet that is visible to the user when the faucet outlet is installed on the aircraft;

a mounting structure configured to attach the decorative outlet to a support structure on the aircraft; and

an adapter fitting configured to connect the decorative outlet in fluid communication with the second water line.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the decorative outlet is selected from one of a waterfall outlet and an outlet having an oval profile.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the flow valve comprises an adjustable mix valve that is configured to mix hot water with cold water to provide mixed warm water to the faucet outlet.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the touchless sensor is an infrared sensor.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the actuator further comprises a manual push button and wherein the actuator is configured to generate the control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to actuation of the manual push button by the user.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein installing the faucet outlet on the aircraft and installing the actuator on the aircraft comprises:

installing the faucet outlet on a backsplash assembly;

installing the actuator on the backsplash assembly; and

installing the backsplash assembly in a modular lavatory monument after installing the faucet outlet and the actuator on the backsplash assembly.

20. A method of removing and replacing a modular faucet system on an aircraft, comprising:

removing one of a faucet outlet, a flow valve, and an actuator from a lavatory on an aircraft without removing an other of the faucet outlet, flow valve, and actuator from the lavatory, wherein the faucet outlet, flow valve, and actuator are separate components of a modular faucet system, wherein the flow valve is connected to a water supply by a first water line, wherein the water supply comprises a water tank on the aircraft, wherein the flow valve is connected to the faucet outlet by a second water line, and wherein the actuator comprises a touchless sensor configured to detect a user of the modular faucet system and is configured to generate a control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to detection of the user by the touchless sensor; and

replacing the one of the faucet outlet, the flow valve, and the actuator removed from the lavatory without replacing an other of the faucet outlet, the flow valve, and the actuator.