Waste tank clog removal system

• US 5,975,111 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Galantowicz, Thomas J., Essman, Eric J., Feroy, Jon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US08/939,131
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 134/166 R, 134/104.1, 134/169 R, 134/94.1, 134/103.1, 134/166 C, 137/239, 137/240, 137/565.17, 137/899, 137/625.42, 137/899.2, 137/625.46, 137/625.47, 210/108, 210/411, 210/798, 210/797, 4/108, 222/148
• US Class Current: 137/239
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/08 Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/36 Other airport installations ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 9/00 Arrangements or fixed installations methods or devices for cleaning or clearing sewer pipes, e.g. by flushing sediment traps, rakes, screens, or the like, arranged in sewer lines E03F5/14; cleaning pipes in general, devices for cleaning pipes B08B9/02 ; gullies provided with flushing means for cleaning or emptying E03F5/0402; devices to remove obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks E03C1/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4252 Reverse fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4259 With separate material addition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6906 Aerial or water-supported [e.g., airplane or ship, etc.]

Abstract

A waste tank clog removal system is provided for removing clogs during draining of a waste tank through a drain line. This system removes the clog by flushing the clog back into the waste tank. A bypass valve and a hose assembly are added to an existing waste tank drain and rinse system. The hose assembly is connected to the bypass valve and routed to the drain line, between a ball valve and a drain valve. When clogging occurs, the bypass valve is rotated to a bypass position, the drain valve is closed, and rinse fluid fills the drain line to push the clog back into the waste tank.

Claims

1. In a clog removal system including a waste tank, a drain line coupled to the waste tank, an outlet valve movable between a closed position and an open position, coupled to the drain line, a rinse fluid supply line coupled to the waste tank for supplying a rinse fluid, the improvement comprising:

a bypass valve interposed in the rinse fluid supply line, said bypass valve movable between a rinse position that allows fluid to flow through the bypass valve to the waste tank for rinsing the tank such that the rinse fluid is then directed through an outlet of the tank through the drain line, and a bypass position that diverts rinse fluid from the rinse line to a bypass port; and

a bypass line coupling the bypass port to the drain line to route the rinse fluid back through the drain line and into the tank when the bypass valve is in the bypass position;

wherein during a clog at the outlet of the tank or in the drain line, the rinse fluid that is diverted through the bypass line forces rinse fluid back into the tank through the drain line thereby unclogging the system, and after said bypass valve is shutoff, the drain outlet valve is open for normal drain operation to allow the rinse fluid and waste to be drained through the drain outlet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bypass valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet and outlet ports being placed in fluid communication when said bypass valve is in the rinse position, said bypass valve further including a bleed port for coupling the inlet port to the outlet port and the bypass port when the bypass valve is in the bypass position so that a small amount of fluid may pass through said bleed port to said outlet port when said valve is in the bypass position.