Vacuum waste system having a vacuum control valve
First Claim
1. A vacuum waste system comprising:
- a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an outlet;
a collection tank in fluid communication with the receptacle outlet;
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the collection tank to produce a partial vacuum in the collection tank;
a flush actuator operable to generate a flush command;
a flush valve disposed between the toilet outlet and the collection tank having a normally closed position, the flush valve actuating to an open position for a flush interval in response to the flush command, thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and toilet outlet; and
a vacuum control valve disposed between the vacuum source and the collection tank, the vacuum control valve being operable between open and closed positions thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and vacuum source, the vacuum control valve being operably linked to the flush valve so that the vacuum control valve is operated in the closed position during at least a portion of the flush interval.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum waste system is disclosed having a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an outlet, and a collection tank in fluid communication with the receptacle outlet. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the collection tank to produce a partial vacuum in the collection tank. A flush actuator is provided that is operable to generate a flush command, and a flush valve is disposed between the toilet outlet and the collection tank having a normally closed position, the flush valve actuating to an open position for a flush interval in response to the flush command, thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and toilet outlet. A vacuum control valve is disposed between the vacuum source and the collection tank, the vacuum control valve being operable between open and closed positions thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and vacuum source. The vacuum control valve is operably linked to the flush valve so that the vacuum control valve is operated in the closed position during at least a portion of the flush interval, thereby to control air flow through the system during operation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vacuum waste system comprising:
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a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an outlet;
a collection tank in fluid communication with the receptacle outlet;
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the collection tank to produce a partial vacuum in the collection tank;
a flush actuator operable to generate a flush command;
a flush valve disposed between the toilet outlet and the collection tank having a normally closed position, the flush valve actuating to an open position for a flush interval in response to the flush command, thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and toilet outlet; and
a vacuum control valve disposed between the vacuum source and the collection tank, the vacuum control valve being operable between open and closed positions thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and vacuum source, the vacuum control valve being operably linked to the flush valve so that the vacuum control valve is operated in the closed position during at least a portion of the flush interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vacuum waste system for use on an aircraft, the vacuum waste system comprising:
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a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an outlet;
a waste pipe having a first end connected to the receptacle outlet and a second end;
a collection tank having a waste inlet port connected to the waste pipe second end and a vacuum port;
a flush actuator operable to generate a flush command;
a flush valve disposed in the waste pipe having a normally closed position, the flush valve actuating to an open position for a flush interval in response to the flush command, thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and toilet outlet;
a common pipe having a first end attached to the vacuum port and a second end;
a vacuum pipe having a first end and a second end, the vacuum pipe first end being in fluid communication with the common pipe second end;
a bypass pipe having a first end in fluid communication with the common pipe second end, and a second end;
a discharge pipe having a first end in fluid communication with the vacuum pipe second end and bypass pipe second end, and a second end in fluid communication with atmosphere outside the aircraft, the atmosphere having a reduced pressure at higher altitudes to provide a vacuum source;
a vacuum generator disposed in the vacuum pipe for generating a partial vacuum in the collection tank when the aircraft is at lower altitudes;
a vacuum control valve disposed in the common pipe, the vacuum control valve being operable between open and closed positions thereby to control fluid flow through the common pipe, the vacuum control valve being operably linked to the flush valve so that the vacuum control valve is operated in the closed position during at least a part of the flush interval. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a vacuum waste system to control air flow through the system during a flush cycle, the vacuum waste system including a receptacle having an outlet, a collection tank in fluid communication with the receptacle outlet, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the collection tank to produce a partial vacuum in the collection tank, a flush actuator associated with the flush valve, the flush actuator operable to generate the flush command, a flush valve disposed between the toilet outlet and the collection tank operable between open and closed positions, and a vacuum control valve disposed between the vacuum source and the collection tank operable between open and closed positions, the method comprising:
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normally operating the flush valve in the closed position;
actuating the flush valve to the open position for a flush interval in response to the flush command; and
operating the vacuum control valve in the closed position during at least a part of the flush interval, thereby to limit air flow out of the collection tank. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification