Apparatus for low noise flushing a vacuum toilet, especially in an aircraft

• US 5,317,763 A
• Filed: 01/25/1993
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimlerchrysler North America Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace Airbus GmbH
• Inventors: Sparr, Christian, Frank, Helge
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eloshway, Charles R.
• Application Number:
  US08/008,676
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 4/434, 4/435, 4/436, 4/437, 4/438, 4/439, 4/440, 4/441, 4/442, 4/316
• US Class Current: 4/434
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/02 Toilet fittings of general application A47K
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/00 Special constructions of flushing devices in motor vehicles or trailers B60R15/00; in railway carriages B61D35/00; in ships B63B29/14; in aircraft B64D11/02, e.g. closed flushing system
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/006 Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore

Abstract

The noise developed in a suction toilet system, for example in an aircraft, by the activation of a suction valve is substantially reduced by generating the required suction with the aid of two valves, one of which is a by-pass flow valve that can be arranged away from the toilet bowl itself. The air supply for the by-pass flow valve is provided through a noise damper, whereby a substantial reduction in the noise is achieved. The by-pass flow valve is connected to the conduit that connects the bowl to the collecting container with a T-coupling near the container.

Claims

1. An apparatus for flushing a vacuum toilet, especially in an aircraft, comprising a toilet bowl installed on a floor in said aircraft, a waste collecting container, a conduit connecting said toilet bowl to said waste collecting container, a suction valve in said conduit near said toilet bowl, a flush water valve connecting to said toilet bowl, means for energizing said suction valve and said flush water for predetermined lengths of time, a by-ass flow valve (9) for supplying waste transporting air into said conduit downstream of said suction valve as viewed in the flow direction from said toilet bowl to said waste collection container, a coupling connecting said by-pass flow valve to said conduit, and means connecting said by-pass flow valve for a fixed length of time, wherein said energizing means comprise a control unit including a timer for first energizing said suction valve (7) for a first length of time of about one second and then energizing said by-pass flow valve (9) for a second length of time of about three seconds, said apparatus further comprising an air intake connected to said by-pass flow valve, said air intake comprising noise damping features for damping noise caused by air flowing through said air intake and a one-way flow device (10) connected in a pipe between said air intake and said by-pass flow valve, said one-way flow device permitting air flow from said air intake to said by-pass flow valve and preventing fluid flow from said by-pass flow valve to said air intake.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air intake (11) is arranged at a level above a liquid level causing a liquid back flow through said air intake.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air intake (11) is mounted below said floor in said aircraft.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air intake (11) is adapted to be mounted on said floor in said aircraft.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said by-pass flow valve (9) is mounted below said floor in said aircraft.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said by-pass flow valve (9) is adapted to be mounted on said floor in said aircraft.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coupling comprises a T-connector arranged in said conduit close to said waste collecting container.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air intake is positioned above said floor in said aircraft.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said by-pass flow valve (9) is positioned above said floor in said aircraft.

10. An apparatus for flushing a vacuum toilet, especially in an aircraft, comprising a toilet bowl installed on a floor in said aircraft, a waste collecting container, a conduit connecting said toilet bowl to said waste collecting container, a suction valve in said conduit near said toilet bowl, a flush water valve connected to said toilet bowl, means for energizing said suction valve and said flush water for predetermined lengths of time, a by-ass flow valve (9) for supplying waste transporting air into said conduit downstream of said suction valve as viewed in the flow direction from said toilet bowl to said waste collection container, a coupling connecting said by-pass flow valve to said conduit, and means connecting said by-pass flow valve for a fixed length of time, wherein said energizing means comprise a control unit including a timer for first energizing said suction valve (7) for a first length of time of about one second and then energizing said by-pass flow valve (9) for a second length of time of about three seconds, said apparatus further comprising an air intake (11) connected to said by-pass flow valve, said air intake comprising noise damping features for damping noise caused by air flowing through said air intake and a one-way flow device (10) connected in a pipe between said air intake and said by-pass flow valve, said one-way flow device permitting air flow from said air intake to said by-pass flow valve and preventing fluid flow from said by-pass flow valve to said air intake, and wherein said air intake (11), said one-way flow device (10) and said by-pass flow valve (9) are all positioned below said floor in said aircraft.