Vacuum flush toilet assembly

• US 5,271,105 A
• Filed: 04/02/1992
• Issued: 12/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Norcan Aircraft Corporation
• Original Assignee: Norcan Aircraft Corporation
• Inventors: Tyler, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US07/862,518
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 4/300, 4/316, 4/420, 4/431, 4/432, 4/433, 4/434, 4/435, 137/907, 251/30.01, 251/63
• US Class Current: 4/431
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/10 Bowls with closure elements provided between bottom or outlet and the outlet pipe; Bowls with pivotally supported inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/135 Supports for bowls
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/143 Mounting frames for toilets and urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/006 Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore

Abstract

A toilet assembly suitable for use on commercial passenger vehicles, including a bowl for receiving waste and waste outlet tubing connecting the bowl to a vacuum source. A flush valve assembly is provided in the outlet tubing and is selectively openable to connect the vacuum source to the bowl for sucking the waste out of the bowl. A disposable spray ring containing a plurality of holes and selectively coupled to a water source is wedged between the bowl and a separate lip member for dispensing water onto the interior surface of the bowl. The flush valve assembly includes a vacuum chamber with top and bottom vacuum inlet ports, a piston connected to a valve blade movable vertically within the chamber and a flush solenoid openable to selectively connect a second vacuum to the top and bottom inlet ports. The assembly is supported by a novel lightweight composite base having triangular composite legs.

Claims

1. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly for use on board commercial passenger aircraft, as well as trains, buses and ships, said assembly comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter;

a spray ring for supplying rinse water to said bowl, said spray ring having a disposable hollow tube selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispensing the water onto the interior surface of said bowl, said disposable spray ring obviating the need for routine chemical cleaning; and

a flush valve assembly coupled to a first vacuum source and to said bowl and being selectively openable to flush said bowl, said valve assembly including;

a valve blade movable between (i) an open position which opens the path between said first source of vacuum and to said bowl to suck waste out of said bowl, and (ii) a closed position which closes the path between said first source of vacuum and said bowl;

a vacuum chamber having first and second vacuum inlet ports substantially at opposite ends of said chamber;

a piston vertically movable within said chamber, said piston being attached to said valve blade so that said piston is substantially perpendicular to said valve blade so that translation of said piston in one direction causes said blade to be translated to its open position and translation of said piston in the opposite direction causes said blade to be translated to its closed position;

said piston having an internal cavity connected to outside ambient air;

a valve between said internal cavity and one side of said piston so that (i) said cavity is open to one side of said chamber when a vacuum is supplied to the opposite side of said chamber, and (ii) said cavity is closed to said chamber when vacuum is supplied to said one side; and

a flush solenoid which selectively connects a second source of vacuum to said first and second vacuum ports so that vacuum introduced at said first port causes movement of said piston in said one direction to translate said blade to said open position and vacuum introduced at said second port causes movement of said piston in the opposite direction to translate said blade to said closed position.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hollow tube coupling said vacuum source to said first vacuum inlet when said flush solenoid connects said source of vacuum to said first vacuum inlet, a pocket of air entrapped in said hollow tube bleeding into said chamber through said first vacuum port when said flush solenoid connects said vacuum to said second vacuum port for causing the movement of said piston toward said second vacuum port.

2. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly for use on board commercial passenger aircraft, as well as trains, buses and ships which reduced the tendency for forces to tip or rotate the toilet bowl relative to a support base, said assembly comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter having a front portion, a rear portion and a top portion;

a flush valve assembly connected to said bowl for selectively connecting a source of vacuum to said bowl to suck waste out of said bowl; and

a lightweight support base having a front end, a back end and side members including a pair of composite, slanted, obtuse triangular legs, said front portion of said bowl about halfway down from said top portion of said bowl resting on the front end of said base and said rear portion of said bowl being secured onto the back end of said base while said side members connect said front end of said base to said back end of said base so that said support base compensates for the center of gravity of the whole assembly.

3. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly for use on board commercial passenger aircraft, as well as trains, buses and ships, said assembly comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter; and

a flush valve assembly coupled to a first vacuum source and to said bowl and being selectively openable to flush said bowl, said valve assembly including;

a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, said valve blade in the open position connecting said first source of vacuum to said bowl to suck waste out of said bowl;

a vacuum chamber having first and second vacuum inlet ports substantially at opposite ends of said chamber;

a piston vertically movable within said chamber, said piston attached to said valve blade so that the movement to said piston in one direction opens said blade and the movement of said piston in the opposite direction closes said blade; and

a flush solenoid which selectively connects a second source of vacuum to said first and second vacuum ports so that vacuum introduced at said first port causes movement of said piston in one direction to move said blade to said open position and vacuum introduced at said second port causes movement of said piston in the opposite direction to move said blade to said closed position, said piston having a diaphragm which is selectively openable, so that when said flush solenoid connects said second source of vacuum to said first port, said diaphragm is opened and when said flush solenoid connects and second source of vacuum to said second port, said diaphragm is closed, said diaphragm in the open position causing movement of said piston in said one direction and said diaphragm in the closed position causing movement of said piston in the opposite direction.

4. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly for use on board commercial passenger aircraft, as well as trains, buses and ships, said assembly comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter; and

a flush valve assembly coupled to a first vacuum source and to said bowl and being selectively openable to flush said bowl, said valve assembly including;

a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, said valve blade in the open position connecting said first source of vacuum to said bowl to suck waste out of said bowl;

a vacuum chamber having first and second vacuum inlet ports substantially at opposite ends of said chamber;

a piston vertically movable within said chamber, said piston attached to said valve blade so that the movement of said piston in one direction opens said blade and the movement of said piston in the opposite direction closes said blade; and

a flush solenoid which selectively connects a second source of vacuum to said first and second vacuum ports so that vacuum introduced at said first port causes movement of said piston in said one direction to move said blade to said open position and vacuum introduced at said second port causes movement of said piston in the opposite direction to move said blade to said closed position.

5. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly for use on board commercial passenger aircraft, as well as trains, buses and ships, said assembly comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter;

a spray ring for supplying rinse water to said bowl, said spray ring having a disposable hollow tube selectively coupled to a first source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispensing the water onto the interior surface of said bowl, said disposable spray ring obviating the need for routine chemical cleaning; and

a flush valve assembly coupled to a second vacuum source and to said bowl and being selectively openable to flush said bowl, said valve assembly including;

a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, said valve blade in the open position connecting said first source of vacuum to said bowl to suck waste out of said bowl;

a vacuum chamber having first and second vacuum inlet ports substantially at opposite ends of said chamber;

a piston vertically movable within said chamber, said piston attached to said valve blade so that movement of said piston in one direction opens said blade and the movement of said piston in the opposite direction closes said blade; and

a flush solenoid which selectively connects said second source of vacuum to said first and second vacuum ports so that vacuum introduced at said first port causes movement of said piston in said one direction to move said blade to said open position and vacuum introduced at said second port causes movement of said piston in the opposite direction to move said blade to said closed position.

6. The assembly of claim 5, including a lightweight support base cradling said bowl, having a front end, a back end and side members including a pair of triangular composite legs for securely supporting said toilet assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said disposable spray ring is wedged between said bowl and a separate lip member for easy maintenance.

8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a drain tube is connected between said flush valve assembly and a down line waste tank.

10. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter having a front, a rear and a top;

a rinse water supply coupled to said bowl;

waste tubing connecting said bowl to a vacuum source;

a flush valve assembly coupled to said waste tubing, selectively openable to flush said bowl, said flush valve assembly in the open position causing said vacuum source to suck the waste out of said bowl;

a lightweight support base used to cradle said bowl, comprising a front end and a back end, said ends connected by a pair of triangular composite legs, said front of said bowl about halfway down from said top of said bowl resting on said front end of said base, and said rear of said bowl being secured to said back end of said base.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said triangular composite legs have openings for reducing the weight of said base.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said rinse water supply includes a disposable spray ring tube selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispersing the water onto said bowl.

13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said flush valve assembly includes a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, wherein said valve blade in the open position opens said valve assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said valve assembly further includes a vacuum chamber having first and second vacuum inlet ports at substantially opposite ends of said chamber, said chamber having a piston movable vertically within said chamber and connected to said valve blade such that the rise of said piston opens said blade and the descent of said piston closes said blade.

15. The assembly of claim 14, including a flush solenoid which selectively connects a second vacuum source to said first and second vacuum ports, vacuum introduced to said first port causing said piston to rise and vacuum introduced at said second port causing said piston to descend.

16. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the triangular composite legs of said support base provide working room between said base and a shroud encasing said base.

17. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter;

a rinse water supply for said bowl;

waste tubing to connect said bowl to a first vacuum source; and

a flush valve assembly connected to said tubing, selectively openable to flush said bowl, comprising;

a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, whereby said valve blade in the open position allows said first vacuum source to suck the waste out of said toilet bowl;

a vacuum chamber comprising a cylindrical housing having a top end and a bottom end, said housing further having a top vacuum inlet port located at said top end and a bottom vacuum inlet port located at said bottom end;

a piston movable vertically within said chamber, said piston attached to said blade such that the rise of said piston causes said blade to open and the descent of said piston causes said blade to close; and

a flush solenoid selectively openable to connect a second vacuum source to said top and bottom inlet ports, whereby said solenoid in the open position applies said second vacuum source to said top port and said solenoid in the closed position applies said second vacuum source to said bottom port, whereby vacuum introduced to said top port causes said piston to rise and vacuum introduced to said bottom port causes said piston to descend.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said rinse water supply comprises a disposable plastic tubing selectively coupled to a water source, containing a plurality of openings for the emission of water onto said bowl.

19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said valve blade contains a port, whereby said valve blade in the open position aligns said port with the interior bores of said waste tubing.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said piston contains a diaphragm which is selectively openable, so that when said flush solenoid valve connects said second vacuum source to said top port, said diaphragm is opened, and when said flush solenoid valve connects said second vacuum source to said bottom port, said diaphragm is closed, said diaphragm in the open position causing said piston to rise and said diaphragm in the closed position causing said piston to descend.

21. The assembly of claim 17, including means to selectively open and close said flush solenoid.

22. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said bowl is cradled and supported by a lightweight support base having a front end, a back end and side members including a pair of composite triangular legs, the front of said bowl about halfway down from the top of said bowl resting on said front end of said base and the rear portion of said bowl being secured onto the back end of said base.

23. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter;

a disposable spray ring for supplying rinse water to said bowl located peripherally around the rim of said bowl and wedged between a top portion of said bowl and a separate lip member which overhangs said top portion of said bowl, said spray ring selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispensing the water onto said bowl directly from said ring, said disposable spray ring obviating the need for routine chemical cleaning by being replaceable when said spray ring is no longer functional;

a flush valve assembly coupled to said bowl, selectively openable to flush said bowl, whereby said flush valve assembly in the open position causes a first vacuum source to suck the waste out of said bowl through a waste tubing; and

a lightweight support base cradling said bowl, having a front end, a back end and side members including a pair of triangular composite legs for securely supporting said toilet assembly.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein said spray ring is made out of malleable plastic conformed around the rim of said bowl, said spray ring being wedged between said bowl and said separate lip member for easy maintenance.

26. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter;

a spring ring for supplying rinse water to said bowl located peripherally around the rim of said bowl and wedged between said bowl and a separate lip member, said spray ring having a disposable tube selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispensing the water onto said bowl, said disposable spray ring obviating the need for routine chemical cleaning;

a flush valve assembly coupled to said bowl, selectively openable to flush said bowl, whereby said flush valve assembly in the open position causes a first vacuum source to suck the waste out of said bowl through a waste tubing;

a lightweight support base cradling said bowl, having a front end, a back end and side members including a pair of triangular composite legs securely supporting said toilet assembly;

wherein said flush valve assembly includes a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, wherein said valve blade in the open position opens said valve assembly; and

wherein said valve assembly further includes a vacuum chamber having a top end and a bottom end, said top end having a top vacuum inlet port and said bottom end having a bottom vacuum inlet port, said chamber further having a piston movable vertically within the interior of said chamber and connected to said valve blade, such that the rise of said piston opens said valve blade and the descent of said piston closes said blade.

27. The assembly of claim 26, including a flush solenoid which selectively connects a second vacuum source to said top and bottom inlet ports, wherein vacuum introduced at said top inlet port causes said piston to rise and vacuum introduced to said bottom inlet port causes said piston to descend.

28. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter having a front, a rear and a top;

a spray ring for supplying rinse water to said bowl, located peripherally around the rim of said bowl and wedged between said top of said bowl and a separable lip member which overhangs said top of said bowl, said spray ring having a disposable tube selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispersing the water onto said bowl;

a flush valve assembly coupled to said bowl, selectively openable to flush said bowl, having a valve blade movable between open and closed position, whereby said valve blade in the open position opens said valve assembly and causes a first vacuum source located in a waste outlet tubing to suck the waste out of said bowl; and

a lightweight support base used to cradle said bowl, comprising a front end and a back end, said ends connected by a pair of composite legs, said front of said bowl about halfway down from said top of said bowl resting on said front end of said base and said rear of said bowl being secured to said back end of said base.

29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein said valve assembly further includes a vacuum chamber having a top end and a bottom end, said top end having a top vacuum inlet port and said bottom end having a bottom vacuum inlet port, said chamber further having a piston movable vertically within the interior of said chamber and connected to said valve blade, such that the rise of said piston opens said valve blade and the descent of said piston closes said blade.

30. The assembly of claim 29, including a flush solenoid which selectively connects a second vacuum source to said top and bottom inlet ports, so that vacuum introduced at said top inlet port causes said piston to rise and vacuum introduced to said bottom inlet port causes said piston to descend.

31. The assembly of claim 28, wherein the triangulated structure of said composite legs provides for more working room between said base and a shroud encasing said base.

32. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter having a front, a rear and a top;

a rinse water supply coupled to said bowl;

waste tubing for connecting said bowl to a first vacuum source;

a flush valve assembly coupled to said tubing, selectively openable to flush said bowl, comprising;

a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, said valve blade in the open position allowing said first vacuum source to suck the waste out of said bowl through said waste tubing;

a vacuum chamber comprising a cylindrical housing having a top end and a bottom end, said chamber further having a top vacuum inlet port located at said top end and a bottom vacuum inlet port located at said bottom end;

a piston movable vertically within said chamber, said piston attached to said blade so that rise of said piston causes said blade to open and descent of said piston causes said blade to close; and

a flush solenoid selectively openable to connect a second vacuum source to said top and bottom inlet ports, said solenoid in the open position applying said second vacuum source to said top port and said solenoid in the closed position applying said second vacuum source to said bottom port, so that vacuum introduced to said top port causes said piston to rise and vacuum introduced to said bottom port causes said piston to descend; and

a lightweight support base used to cradle said bowl, comprising a front end and a back end, said ends connected to each other by side members including triangular composite legs, said front of said bowl about halfway down from said top of said bowl resting on the front end of said base and said rear of said bowl being secured to said back end of said base.

25. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said flush valve assembly includes a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, wherein said valve blade in the open position opens said valve assembly.

33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein said rinse water supply includes a spray ring having a disposable tube selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispersing the water onto said bowl.

34. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said spray ring is wedged between said bowl and a lip member for easy maintenance.

35. The assembly of claim 32, including means to activate said flush solenoid from closed to open positions and vice versa.

36. The assembly of claim 32, wherein said composite legs are not vertical but slanted such that the bottom of said legs are set back from the front of said bowl so that additional working room is provided between said base and a shroud encasing said base.

37. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter having a front, a rear and a top;

a spray ring for supplying rinse water to said bowl, said spray ring having a disposable tube selectively coupled to a source of water and having a plurality of openings for dispersing the water into said bowl;

waste tubing to connect said bowl to a first vacuum source;

a flush valve assembly coupled to said waste tubing, selectively openable to flush said bowl, comprising;

a valve blade movable between close and open positions, said valve blade int eh open position allowing said first vacuum source to suck the waste out of said toilet bowl through said waste tubing;

a vacuum chamber comprising a cylindrical housing having a top end and a bottom end, said chamber further having a top vacuum inlet port located at said top end and a bottom vacuum inlet port located at said bottom end;

a piston movable vertically within said chamber, said piston attached to said blade so that the rise of said piston causes said blade to open and the descent of said piston causes said blade to close; and

a flush solenoid coupled to said vacuum chamber for selectively connecting a second vacuum source to said top and bottom inlet ports, said solenoid in the open position applying said second vacuum source to said top port and said solenoid in the closed position applying said second vacuum source to said bottom port, so that vacuum introduced to said top port causes said piston to

rise and vacuum introduced to said bottom port causes

said piston to descend; and

a lightweight support base used to cradle said bowl, comprising a front end and a back end, said ends connected by a pair of triangular composite legs, said front of said bowl about halfway down from said top of said bowl resting on said front end of said base and said rear of said bowl being secured to said back end of said base.

38. The assembly of claim 37, including means to actuate said flush solenoid from close to open position and vice versa.

39. The assembly of claim 37, wherein said spray ring is wedged between said bowl and a separate lip for easy maintenance.

40. A vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly comprising:

a bowl for receiving waste matter; and

a flush valve assembly coupled to a vacuum source and to said bowl and being selectively openable to flush said bowl, said valve assembly including;

a valve blade movable between closed and open positions, said valve blade in the open position connecting said source of vacuum to said bowl to suck waste out of said bowl;

a vacuum chamber having first and second vacuum inlet ports substantially at opposite ends of said chamber;

a piston vertically movable within said chamber, said piston attached to said valve blade so that the movement of said piston in one direction opens said blade and the movement of said piston in the opposite direction closes said blade; and

a flush solenoid which selectively connects a source of vacuum to said first and second vacuum ports so that vacuum introduced at said first inlet port causes said piston to rise and vacuum introduced at said second port causes said piston to descend, said first inlet port connected to a hollow tube containing ambient air so that when said flush solenoid connects a vacuum to said second inlet port, ambient air contained in said hollow tube bleeds into said first inlet port and into said chamber causing said piston to descend.

41. The assembly of claim 40, including a lightweight support base cradling said bowl, having front end, a back end and side members including a pair of obtuse, scalene triangular composite legs for securely supporting said toilet assembly.

42. The assembly of 40, wherein said piston having a diaphragm which is selectively openable, so that when said flush solenoid connects said source of vacuum to said first inlet port, said diaphragm is opened and when said flush solenoid connects said source of vacuum to said second inlet port, said diaphragm is closed, said diaphragm in the open position causing movement of said piston in one direction and said diaphragm in the closed position causing movement of said piston in the opposite direction.

43. The method of controlling the vacuum discharge of waste from a vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly comprising the steps of:

continuously exposing an interior cavity of a piston located within a vacuum chamber to ambient air, said piston being attached to a movable valve member for selectively opening and closing a waste disposal path of said toilet assembly;

selectively opening said cavity to one side of said piston when a vacuum is drawn into the opposite side of said piston; and

selectively closing said cavity to said one side of said piston when a vacuum is drawn into the same side of said piston.

44. The method of claim 43, comprising the step of selectively bleeding a surplus of ambient air into said opposite side of said piston when a vacuum is drawn into said one side of said piston.

45. The method of controlling a vacuum-operated discharge of waste from a vacuum-operated flush waste disposal toilet assembly, comprising the steps of:

continuously exposing an interior cavity of a piston located within a vacuum chamber to ambient air, said piston being attached to a movable valve member for selectively opening and closing a waste disposal path;

creating a vacuum on a top side of said piston, so that said piston displaces upwardly toward said vacuum;

opening said cavity to a bottom side of said piston so that an are below said piston within said chamber will be exposed to ambient air;

creating a vacuum on said bottom side of said piston so that said piston displaces downwardly;

closing said cavity to said bottom side of said piston; and

bleeding a surplus of ambient air into an area in said chamber above said top side of said piston.