EP0235412A1 - Waste tank apparatus and hydraulic actuator - Google Patents
Waste tank apparatus and hydraulic actuator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0235412A1 EP0235412A1 EP86301339A EP86301339A EP0235412A1 EP 0235412 A1 EP0235412 A1 EP 0235412A1 EP 86301339 A EP86301339 A EP 86301339A EP 86301339 A EP86301339 A EP 86301339A EP 0235412 A1 EP0235412 A1 EP 0235412A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- fluid
- valve
- piston
- rinsing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
Definitions
- the present invention relates to waste tank apparatus and to hydraulic actuators.
- the invention is applicable inter alia to apparatus adapted to be installed in an aircraft lavatory waste tank.
- a waste tank is provided in conjunction with the lavatory.
- the waste tank which may be used with a recirculating toilet system or, alternatively with a fresh water system, is utilized to retain human wastes.
- the tank is drained by ground service personnel.
- the tank is rinsed out with a cleaning fluid which may include deodorants and disinfectants, and is provided with a predetermined quantity of precharge liquid (depending on the installation), prior to the next fight of the aircraft.
- the tank drain valve is connected through a cable assembly to a manual release mechanism, which is located at the service panel.
- a manual release mechanism which is located at the service panel.
- alignment problems were encountered with a valve that was manually operable through a cable.
- Prior art systems employed a long rigid extension tube to ensure continued alignment of the valve in the valve seat.
- the above-mentioned patent illustrated an elastomeric valve plug which could accomodate some degree of misalignment and still form an adequate seal for the tank.
- the tanks of the prior art also included a special fitting or nipple which was adapted to connect to a servicing vehicle.
- the vehicle supplied a cleaning and rinsing fluid which was applied to the interior of the tank through a spray system. After the drain valve was seated, the same spray system was used to impart a premeasured precharge to the tank.
- a technician In servicing a waste tank according to prior art, a technician would couple a waste line to the nipple at the service panel. The technician would then, manually, through use of a cable system, open the drain valve, dumping the contents of the tank into the coupled waste line. A cleaning fluid line would then be connected to an appropriate intake port through which a combination of a cleaning and disinfecting fluid could be applied, through a spray line to clean the interior of the tank while the drain valve was kept open.
- the drain valve would be closed by releasing the cable.
- the tank was then precharged by permitting additional, rinsing/cleaning fluid to be supplied for a timed interval or until the predetermined quantity of fluid had been furnished.
- the prior art system became a source of at least two major problems, even with the modified drain plug of the above-mentioned patent.
- One problem was cable side loads which made actuation difficult and which contributed to breakage.
- a partial disassembly of the tank and aircraft was required to reinstall a new cable system.
- the elements of the cable system required service and maintenance and, because of the hostile environment, from time to time would become inoperable, preventing the operation of the drain valve.
- a second, potentially more serious problem may be caused by a service technician, when, either through inattention or carelessness, he fails to shut off the cleaning/rinsing supply after the specified time interval has elapsed.
- the tanks are given an excessive precharge. In some instances, this would only require a premature limit on the usage of the lavatory, since, one the tank is determined to be full, further usage is prohibited. This circumstance will occur during the flight to the inconvenience of the passengers, and the lavatory must be taken out of service. In those aircraft which have a common tank for all of the lavatories, such an excessive precharge might require a shut down of all lavatories part way through a busy flight on a crowded aircraft, to the great distress and inconvenience of passengers and crew.
- a more serious consequence of an overflow of the tank during servicing is the possibility of serious structural damage to the aircraft.
- the cleaning/rinsing fluid tends to be highly corrosive to metallic parts and any overflow into the lavatory compartment or into the inaccessible interior of the fuselage of the aircraft, creates a potential hazard to the integrity of the structural and control elements of the aircraft.
- waste tank apparatus comprising a tank waste valve operator means arranged to open the valve automatically in response to the supply of servicing fluid.
- waste tank servicing apparatus comprising, in combination with a waste tank, a reservoir for containing a measured quantity of servicing fluid, and means for releasing fluid from the reservoir to the tank after a tank waste valve has closed.
- waste tank servicing apparatus comprising means arranged when supplied from a source of servicing fluid to perform the following operations in sequence automatically, open a tank waste valve, charge a fluid reservoir and spray or otherwise clean the tank with fluid from the source while the reservoir is filling or after it has been filled, and arranged after the supply of fluid has been cut off to close the valve and to discharge the contents of the reservoir into the tank.
- waste tank apparatus having a drain valve, a hydraulic valve actuator characterised by: (a) first means adapted to connected to a source of fluid under pressure; (b) piston means, connectable to the drain valve; (c) bias means acting upon said piston means to maintain the drain valve in the closed position; (d) cylinder means carrying said piston means for linear motion therein and coupled to said first means for applying fluid under pressure to drive said piston means against said bias means for opening the drain valve; and (e) outlet means coupled to said cylinder means for releasing fluid from said cylinder means into said tank; whereby applicable of fluid to said piston means under pressure greater than said bias means, moves said piston to open the drain valve and to supply fluid to the waste tank for cleaning while draining the tank and, in the absence of fluid under pressure, said bias means can return said piston means, thereby closing the drain valve.
- FIG. 1 a waste tank servicing assembly 10 is illustrated in idealized diagrammatic form.
- a waste tank 12 is installed in the aircraft and so much of the tank 12 as is necessary to illustrate the operation of the system is shown.
- a fluid intake line 14 leads to a fitting at a service panel 15 to which a service truck may attach a line providing cleaning and rinsing fluid to clean the tank 12.
- a check valve 16 is provided to supply the cleaning and rinsing fluid and is coupled, through a fluid line 18 to an intake port 19 of a fluid operated drain valve assembly 20.
- the drain valve assembly 20 includes a piston housing 22, a movable piston 24 and a return spring 25 ( Figures 2 and 3) that is adapted to bias the piston 24 toward the bottom of the housing in the fully extended configuration.
- a spider element 26 is mounted on the top of the piston 24 to permit manual actuation of the piston as explained below.
- a bellows assembly 32 surrounds the actuator rod 28 and excludes the contents of the waste tank 12 from the interior of the bellows 32 and the drain valve assembly 20.
- a drain orifice 34 is provided at the base of the tank 12 and is normally maintained closed by the fully extended piston 24 causing the valve assembly 30 to engage the valve seat 36.
- a pressure relief opening 38 extends through actuator rod 28 to equalize the pressure in the drain line with the ambient pressure in the tank 12 and to drain fluid that remains in the housing 22 when the cleaning and rinsing fluid is shut off.
- a bleed port 39 communicates through the piston 24 to permit flow from the housing interior to the relief opening 38. This also permits easy opening of the drain valve as well as the access port and plug of the drain line at the service panel 15 by preventing any pressure differential which could otherwise exist and tend to prevent easy opening.
- a fluid outlet port 40 is provided in the piston housing 22 at a location in the housing 22 near the upper end of the piston stroke. Cleaning and rinsing fluid exists the fluid pressure cavity and is diverted through a check valve 42 to a precharge tank 44.
- valve assembly 20 becomes seated in the valve seat 36.
- the precharge reservoir 44 includes a structure 46 that tends to be self emptying. Possible embodiments of the self emptying tank are shown in Figures 4 and 5 below.
- Figure 4 shows precharge reservoir 44 and structure 46 in more detail.
- Structure 46 comprises a pair of flat, flexible, elastic members joined in theirs side edges but not at the bottom.
- An elongate oval opening exist between reservoir portions 44 and the structure 46. Full communication exists therefore between the two parts, but while the reservoir 44 is filled above the top of tube 48 and primary outlet will be through rinse or spray ring 50.
- the liquid will flow slowly and steadily under its own weight between the elastic members of structure or valve 46.
- the precharge reservoir 44 includes an outlet line 48 which goes into a rotatable spray rinse nozzle assembly 50.
- the outlet line 48 could be coupled to a conventional spray ring (not shown) or other waste tank cleaning apparatus which may be found in the waste tank 12.
- An emergency cable assembly 60 includes a pull ring 62, and a rod 64.
- a cable 70 passes through the piston housing 22 and through an aperture in spider element 26 and an opening in the piston 24.
- the cable 70 terminates in a ball cable end 72.
- the aperture in spider element 26 does not permit the ball 72 to pass through and therefore upward movement of the pull ring 62 causes the ball end 72 to engage the spider 26, thereby lifting the piston 24 to its upper limit, opening the outlet port 40.
- the waste tank 12 is ready for draining the cleaning and the aircraft is under-going service.
- Maintenance personnel couple a fluid supply line to a port in the service access panel 15 and couple a waste drain line to the waste drain orifice in the service panel 15, as well. All plugs or valves at the service panel are opened in preparation for the draining of the tank 12.
- the service truck then supplies cleaning/rinsing fluid under pressure to the port and through the fluid intake line 14 through the check valve 16.
- the fluid under pressure then drives the piston 24 against the bias spring 25, thereby withdrawing the self aligning valve assembly 30 from the valve seat 36 and drain orifice 34 of the waste tank 12.
- the interior of the piston housing 22 fills with fluid driving the piston 24 upward.
- the drain valve is fully open and contents of the tank 12 flow out into the waste drain system.
- the piston 24 reaches a shoulder of the housing 22, fully opening the outlet port 40 and filling the precharge reservoir 44. Excess fluid from the reservoir 44 passes through the outlet line 48 into the spray rinse nozzle assembly 50. The interior of the tank 12 is then sprayed with cleaning and rinsing fluid which is permitted to drain from the tank 12, as well. A limited amount of fluid passes through the pressure relief opening 38 and also exits the tank 12.
- a prescribed time interval is allocated for this operation.
- the service technician is instructed to provide cleaning/rinsing fluid for the prescribed interval. So long as fluid is being supplied from the service truck, however, the piston 24will be held in its uppermost position and the contents of the tank 12 can freely drain into the waste line. At some point in time, however, the technician will shut off the fluid supply from the truck.
- the technician at this point may disconnect from the fluid port at the service panel 15 and, after a reasonable interval, may close any valves and/or plugs at the service panels, disconnect the drain line and secure the access port hatch.
- the technician has now completed his servicing of the waste tank 12.
- the precharge reservoir 44 When the valve assembly 30 is seated, sealing the tank 12, the precharge reservoir 44 still retains a supply of cleaning/rinsing fluid. The fluid retained within the reservoir 44 will be discharged either through the spray rinse nozzle 50 or through a reservoir drain 46 which has been provided for this purpose. The reservoir tank contents thereby become the waste tank precharge that is recommended prior to placing the waste tank into use. Such a precharge is essential if a recirculating toilet system is employed, and is nevertheless useful in conjunction with other types of toilet systems for odor control.
- a precharge reservoir 144 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
- the reservoir 144 includes a substantially rigid outer enclosure 146, in which is placed a collapsible bladder-reservoir 148.
- An inlet 150 supplies fluid to the reservoir 144 and an outlet 152 is adapted to be coupled to a rinsing apparatus such as the spray ring 50 illustrated in Figure 4 above.
- An outlet valve 154 releases the content of the collapsible bladder reservoir 148 into the outer enclosure 146.
- the opening of outlet valve 154 is sufficiently small so that the fluid under pressure, when applied to the inlet 150, fully expands the bladder reservoir 148 to the dotted position, shown in Figure 5.
- the pressure drops and the fluid held within the bladder-reservoir 148 is permitted to escape through the outlet valve 154 as the bladder collapses to its normal, uninflated state.
- Valve 154 may be of construction similar to that of valve structure 46 of Figure 4 in that it may comprise a pair of elastomeric sheets bound at the sides. The valve is sufficiently small that even if fluid escapes it is insufficient to prevent extension of the bellows. Valve structure 154 of structure 46 may simply be in effect a small orifice or may have outlet characteristics ranging in response to fluid pressure.
- valves might merely have limited orifices so that the flow is small compared to the volumes of fluid flowing through the rinse rings to flush the tank.
- the predetermined precharge can be added to the tank at a much slower rate which is controlled by the size and flow characteristics of the valve.
- a check valve 156 prevents fluid from leaving the bladder reservoir 148 except through the outlet valve 154. As fluid flows into the outer enclosure 146, it continues to exit through the outlet 152 into the spray ring 50 and supplies the precharge to the waste tank discussed above.
- precharge reservoir embodiments can be provided which are collapsible and tend to return to the collapsed state.
- Other embodiments of a hydraulic valve operating system can be devised according to the present invention and the scope of invention should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
- the described lavatory tank cleaning system includes a fluid operated waste drain valve and an auxiliary reservoir for precharge, serially connected thereto.
- the valve and tank are connected in the clean/rinse line between the intake port and the spray rinse elements.
- the fluid operated drain valve includes a hydraulic piston with a return spring whose force can be overcome by the fluid pressure available from the service vehicle.
- the piston in its housing, together with a rod that couples to the waste drain valve, provides substantial stability and rigidity without the usual side loads imposed by the manual pull cable, to assure continued alignment of the valve with the valve seat.
- the continued provision of cleaning/ rinsing fluid to the system maintains the drain valve in the open position.
- the flowing fluid fills the precharge reservoir and from there enters the spray rinse system.
- the technician can than continue to supply the cleaning/rinsing fluid for as long as is necessary or desirable. So long as fluid is provided under pressure, the waste valve remains open with no danger of overfilling the waste tank.
- a container has an elastomeric closure that can slowly drain.
- a normally closed bellows assembly or an elastic, balloon type receptacle which expands under pressure but can contract when source of pressure is removed, can be employed as reservoirs.
- the fluid is supplied to the tank, either through the spray rinse system or through a drain valve in the reservoir. Even a simple tank capable of draining slowly could be employed.
- the service technician need not be concerned with the precharge portion of the cycle, but rather merely turns off the fluid supply at the service panel. Next he can disconnect the waste and cleaning lines and secure the service panel. Although the actual precharging of the tank may require a finite time to complete, it will be completed long before the aircraft is placed into service.
- the system can be coupled to existing spray rings or can be part of a different, independent spray system, as an integral part of the tank draining and cleaning system.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to waste tank apparatus and to hydraulic actuators. The invention is applicable inter alia to apparatus adapted to be installed in an aircraft lavatory waste tank.
- In most aircraft lavatory systems currently in use, a waste tank is provided in conjunction with the lavatory. During a flight, the waste tank, which may be used with a recirculating toilet system or, alternatively with a fresh water system, is utilized to retain human wastes. At the conclusion of the flight, the tank is drained by ground service personnel. During that process, the tank is rinsed out with a cleaning fluid which may include deodorants and disinfectants, and is provided with a predetermined quantity of precharge liquid (depending on the installation), prior to the next fight of the aircraft.
- In waste systems of the prior art, the tank drain valve is connected through a cable assembly to a manual release mechanism, which is located at the service panel. As noted in our U.S. Patent No. 4,338,689, alignment problems were encountered with a valve that was manually operable through a cable. Prior art systems employed a long rigid extension tube to ensure continued alignment of the valve in the valve seat. The above-mentioned patent, however, illustrated an elastomeric valve plug which could accomodate some degree of misalignment and still form an adequate seal for the tank.
- The tanks of the prior art also included a special fitting or nipple which was adapted to connect to a servicing vehicle. The vehicle supplied a cleaning and rinsing fluid which was applied to the interior of the tank through a spray system. After the drain valve was seated, the same spray system was used to impart a premeasured precharge to the tank.
- In servicing a waste tank according to prior art, a technician would couple a waste line to the nipple at the service panel. The technician would then, manually, through use of a cable system, open the drain valve, dumping the contents of the tank into the coupled waste line. A cleaning fluid line would then be connected to an appropriate intake port through which a combination of a cleaning and disinfecting fluid could be applied, through a spray line to clean the interior of the tank while the drain valve was kept open.
- After a predetermined time interval, the drain valve would be closed by releasing the cable. The tank was then precharged by permitting additional, rinsing/cleaning fluid to be supplied for a timed interval or until the predetermined quantity of fluid had been furnished.
- The prior art system became a source of at least two major problems, even with the modified drain plug of the above-mentioned patent. One problem was cable side loads which made actuation difficult and which contributed to breakage. A partial disassembly of the tank and aircraft was required to reinstall a new cable system. In addition, the elements of the cable system required service and maintenance and, because of the hostile environment, from time to time would become inoperable, preventing the operation of the drain valve.
- A second, potentially more serious problem may be caused by a service technician, when, either through inattention or carelessness, he fails to shut off the cleaning/rinsing supply after the specified time interval has elapsed. As a result, the tanks are given an excessive precharge. In some instances, this would only require a premature limit on the usage of the lavatory, since, one the tank is determined to be full, further usage is prohibited. This circumstance will occur during the flight to the inconvenience of the passengers, and the lavatory must be taken out of service. In those aircraft which have a common tank for all of the lavatories, such an excessive precharge might require a shut down of all lavatories part way through a busy flight on a crowded aircraft, to the great distress and inconvenience of passengers and crew.
- A more serious consequence of an overflow of the tank during servicing is the possibility of serious structural damage to the aircraft. The cleaning/rinsing fluid tends to be highly corrosive to metallic parts and any overflow into the lavatory compartment or into the inaccessible interior of the fuselage of the aircraft, creates a potential hazard to the integrity of the structural and control elements of the aircraft.
- What is needed is a system than can automatically open the drain valve upon the application of use cleaning/rinse fluid, and at the same time provide a predetermined quantity of precharge fluid to the tank, specific to the type of aircraft being serviced, without any special attention required of the service technician.
- According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided waste tank apparatus comprising a tank waste valve operator means arranged to open the valve automatically in response to the supply of servicing fluid.
- According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided waste tank servicing apparatus comprising, in combination with a waste tank, a reservoir for containing a measured quantity of servicing fluid, and means for releasing fluid from the reservoir to the tank after a tank waste valve has closed.
- Another aspect of the invention provides waste tank servicing apparatus comprising means arranged when supplied from a source of servicing fluid to perform the following operations in sequence automatically,
open a tank waste valve,
charge a fluid reservoir and spray or otherwise clean the tank with fluid from the source while the reservoir is filling or after it has been filled,
and arranged after the supply of fluid has been cut off to close the valve and to discharge the contents of the reservoir into the tank. - According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided, waste tank apparatus having a drain valve, a hydraulic valve actuator characterised by:
(a) first means adapted to connected to a source of fluid under pressure;
(b) piston means, connectable to the drain valve;
(c) bias means acting upon said piston means to maintain the drain valve in the closed position;
(d) cylinder means carrying said piston means for linear motion therein and coupled to said first means for applying fluid under pressure to drive said piston means against said bias means for opening the drain valve; and
(e) outlet means coupled to said cylinder means for releasing fluid from said cylinder means into said tank;
whereby applicable of fluid to said piston means under pressure greater than said bias means, moves said piston to open the drain valve and to supply fluid to the waste tank for cleaning while draining the tank and, in the absence of fluid under pressure, said bias means can return said piston means, thereby closing the drain valve. - For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is an idealized sketch of a waste tank servicing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a detailed view of a fluid operated drain vale of the assembly of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a view of the valve of Figure 2 shown in an "open" configuration;
- Figure 4 is an idealized sketch of one embodiment of a precharge reservoir; and
- Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of a precharge reservoir suitable for use with the present invention.
- Turning first to Figures 1 and 2, a waste tank servicing assembly 10 is illustrated in idealized diagrammatic form. A waste tank 12 is installed in the aircraft and so much of the tank 12 as is necessary to illustrate the operation of the system is shown.
- A fluid intake line 14 leads to a fitting at a
service panel 15 to which a service truck may attach a line providing cleaning and rinsing fluid to clean the tank 12. Acheck valve 16 is provided to supply the cleaning and rinsing fluid and is coupled, through afluid line 18 to anintake port 19 of a fluid operateddrain valve assembly 20. Thedrain valve assembly 20 includes apiston housing 22, amovable piston 24 and a return spring 25 (Figures 2 and 3) that is adapted to bias thepiston 24 toward the bottom of the housing in the fully extended configuration. Aspider element 26 is mounted on the top of thepiston 24 to permit manual actuation of the piston as explained below. - Coupled to the
piston 24, is anactuator rod 28 that terminates in a self aligning valve assembly 30 (Figure 2) as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,338,689, cited above. Abellows assembly 32 surrounds theactuator rod 28 and excludes the contents of the waste tank 12 from the interior of thebellows 32 and thedrain valve assembly 20. - A
drain orifice 34 is provided at the base of the tank 12 and is normally maintained closed by the fully extendedpiston 24 causing thevalve assembly 30 to engage thevalve seat 36. Apressure relief opening 38 extends throughactuator rod 28 to equalize the pressure in the drain line with the ambient pressure in the tank 12 and to drain fluid that remains in thehousing 22 when the cleaning and rinsing fluid is shut off. Ableed port 39 communicates through thepiston 24 to permit flow from the housing interior to therelief opening 38. This also permits easy opening of the drain valve as well as the access port and plug of the drain line at theservice panel 15 by preventing any pressure differential which could otherwise exist and tend to prevent easy opening. - A
fluid outlet port 40 is provided in thepiston housing 22 at a location in thehousing 22 near the upper end of the piston stroke. Cleaning and rinsing fluid exists the fluid pressure cavity and is diverted through acheck valve 42 to aprecharge tank 44. - Should the pressure drop to a valve wherein the
bias spring 25 can overcome that pressure to return thepiston 24, when thepiston 24 passes theoutlet port 40, theport 40 is effectively closed. If the fluid pressure is sufficient, thepiston 24 will be held and theport 40 will remain open. Thepiston 24 andoutlet port 40 might act as a "servo" circuit maintaining thepiston 24 at a position wherein the fluid pressure on thepiston 24 just equals the restoring force of thebias spring 25. Any greater fluid pressure further drives thepiston 24, thereby passing more fluid to theoutlet port 40, whilst a lower pressure permits thepiston 24 to return, bleeding the contents of the chamber through thebleed port 39 and through thedrain valve 30. - As the
piston 24 returns, thevalve assembly 20 becomes seated in thevalve seat 36. - The
precharge reservoir 44 includes astructure 46 that tends to be self emptying. Possible embodiments of the self emptying tank are shown in Figures 4 and 5 below. - Figure 4 shows
precharge reservoir 44 andstructure 46 in more detail.Structure 46 comprises a pair of flat, flexible, elastic members joined in theirs side edges but not at the bottom. An elongate oval opening exist betweenreservoir portions 44 and thestructure 46. Full communication exists therefore between the two parts, but while thereservoir 44 is filled above the top oftube 48 and primary outlet will be through rinse orspray ring 50. When flow cases and the level inreservoir 44 falls below the top oftube 48, the liquid will flow slowly and steadily under its own weight between the elastic members of structure orvalve 46. - The
precharge reservoir 44 includes anoutlet line 48 which goes into a rotatable spray rinsenozzle assembly 50. In alternative embodiments, theoutlet line 48 could be coupled to a conventional spray ring (not shown) or other waste tank cleaning apparatus which may be found in the waste tank 12. - In Figure 3, the fluid operated
drain valve assembly 20 is shown in greater detail with thepiston 24 at its upper limit of travel, fully compressing thebias spring 25 and openingfluid outlet port 40. As can be seen, thebellows 32 is compressed and the self aligningvalve assembly 30 is fully disengaged from thedrain orifice 34 of the tank 12. - An
emergency cable assembly 60 includes a pull ring 62, and arod 64. Acable 70 passes through thepiston housing 22 and through an aperture inspider element 26 and an opening in thepiston 24. Thecable 70 terminates in aball cable end 72. - The aperture in
spider element 26 does not permit theball 72 to pass through and therefore upward movement of the pull ring 62 causes the ball end 72 to engage thespider 26, thereby lifting thepiston 24 to its upper limit, opening theoutlet port 40. - In use, it may be assumed that the waste tank 12 is ready for draining the cleaning and the aircraft is under-going service. Maintenance personnel couple a fluid supply line to a port in the
service access panel 15 and couple a waste drain line to the waste drain orifice in theservice panel 15, as well. All plugs or valves at the service panel are opened in preparation for the draining of the tank 12. - The service truck then supplies cleaning/rinsing fluid under pressure to the port and through the fluid intake line 14 through the
check valve 16. The fluid under pressure then drives thepiston 24 against thebias spring 25, thereby withdrawing the self aligningvalve assembly 30 from thevalve seat 36 anddrain orifice 34 of the waste tank 12. The interior of thepiston housing 22 fills with fluid driving thepiston 24 upward. At this point, the drain valve is fully open and contents of the tank 12 flow out into the waste drain system. - As the
piston 24 nears the upper limit of travel, the piston passes theoutlet port 40 allowing fluid to flow through thecheck valve 42 into theprecharge reservoir 44. - As the cleaning/rinsing fluid continues to be supplied from the service truck, the
piston 24 reaches a shoulder of thehousing 22, fully opening theoutlet port 40 and filling theprecharge reservoir 44. Excess fluid from thereservoir 44 passes through theoutlet line 48 into the spray rinsenozzle assembly 50. The interior of the tank 12 is then sprayed with cleaning and rinsing fluid which is permitted to drain from the tank 12, as well. A limited amount of fluid passes through thepressure relief opening 38 and also exits the tank 12. - Generally, a prescribed time interval is allocated for this operation. The service technician is instructed to provide cleaning/rinsing fluid for the prescribed interval. So long as fluid is being supplied from the service truck, however, the piston 24will be held in its uppermost position and the contents of the tank 12 can freely drain into the waste line. At some point in time, however, the technician will shut off the fluid supply from the truck.
- As the pressure drops in the fluid line 14, the
check valve 16 will close. The force of thebias spring 25 will now prevail, forcing thepiston 24 downward. Any fluid trapped within thehousing 22 is expelled through thebleed port 39 and will flow into thepressure relief opening 38 and then into themain waste line 34. As thepiston 24 continues downward, thevalve assembly 30 will seat itself in thevalve seat 36 and thedrain orifice 34 will be occluded. - The technician at this point may disconnect from the fluid port at the
service panel 15 and, after a reasonable interval, may close any valves and/or plugs at the service panels, disconnect the drain line and secure the access port hatch. The technician has now completed his servicing of the waste tank 12. - When the
valve assembly 30 is seated, sealing the tank 12, theprecharge reservoir 44 still retains a supply of cleaning/rinsing fluid. The fluid retained within thereservoir 44 will be discharged either through the spray rinsenozzle 50 or through areservoir drain 46 which has been provided for this purpose. The reservoir tank contents thereby become the waste tank precharge that is recommended prior to placing the waste tank into use. Such a precharge is essential if a recirculating toilet system is employed, and is nevertheless useful in conjunction with other types of toilet systems for odor control. - Turning next to Figure 5, there is shown, in side section view, a
precharge reservoir 144 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. As seen, thereservoir 144 includes a substantially rigidouter enclosure 146, in which is placed a collapsible bladder-reservoir 148. Aninlet 150 supplies fluid to thereservoir 144 and anoutlet 152 is adapted to be coupled to a rinsing apparatus such as thespray ring 50 illustrated in Figure 4 above. - An
outlet valve 154 releases the content of thecollapsible bladder reservoir 148 into theouter enclosure 146. The opening ofoutlet valve 154 is sufficiently small so that the fluid under pressure, when applied to theinlet 150, fully expands thebladder reservoir 148 to the dotted position, shown in Figure 5. When the fluid is no longer provided, the pressure drops and the fluid held within the bladder-reservoir 148 is permitted to escape through theoutlet valve 154 as the bladder collapses to its normal, uninflated state. -
Valve 154 may be of construction similar to that ofvalve structure 46 of Figure 4 in that it may comprise a pair of elastomeric sheets bound at the sides. The valve is sufficiently small that even if fluid escapes it is insufficient to prevent extension of the bellows.Valve structure 154 ofstructure 46 may simply be in effect a small orifice or may have outlet characteristics ranging in response to fluid pressure. - Thus these valves might merely have limited orifices so that the flow is small compared to the volumes of fluid flowing through the rinse rings to flush the tank. When the cleaning operation is completed, the predetermined precharge can be added to the tank at a much slower rate which is controlled by the size and flow characteristics of the valve.
- A
check valve 156 prevents fluid from leaving thebladder reservoir 148 except through theoutlet valve 154. As fluid flows into theouter enclosure 146, it continues to exit through theoutlet 152 into thespray ring 50 and supplies the precharge to the waste tank discussed above. - Clearly other precharge reservoir embodiments can be provided which are collapsible and tend to return to the collapsed state. Other embodiments of a hydraulic valve operating system can be devised according to the present invention and the scope of invention should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
- Thus, the described lavatory tank cleaning system includes a fluid operated waste drain valve and an auxiliary reservoir for precharge, serially connected thereto. The valve and tank are connected in the clean/rinse line between the intake port and the spray rinse elements.
- The fluid operated drain valve includes a hydraulic piston with a return spring whose force can be overcome by the fluid pressure available from the service vehicle. The piston, in its housing, together with a rod that couples to the waste drain valve, provides substantial stability and rigidity without the usual side loads imposed by the manual pull cable, to assure continued alignment of the valve with the valve seat.
- The continued provision of cleaning/ rinsing fluid to the system maintains the drain valve in the open position. The flowing fluid fills the precharge reservoir and from there enters the spray rinse system. The technician can than continue to supply the cleaning/rinsing fluid for as long as is necessary or desirable. So long as fluid is provided under pressure, the waste valve remains open with no danger of overfilling the waste tank.
- When the fluid flow is cut off, the pressure in the line drops and the drain valve closes, seating the drain valve in its set. The fluid remaining in the piston cylinder is vented to the center of the piston and then to the main waste line.
- When the drain valve is fully closed, there remains within the precharge reservoir a sufficient quantity of fluid to constitute a precharge for the tank to allow the recirculating pump to operate. In a preferred embodiment of the precharge reservoir, a container has an elastomeric closure that can slowly drain. Alternatively, a normally closed bellows assembly or an elastic, balloon type receptacle, which expands under pressure but can contract when source of pressure is removed, can be employed as reservoirs. As these reservoirs "collapse", the fluid is supplied to the tank, either through the spray rinse system or through a drain valve in the reservoir. Even a simple tank capable of draining slowly could be employed.
- The service technician need not be concerned with the precharge portion of the cycle, but rather merely turns off the fluid supply at the service panel. Next he can disconnect the waste and cleaning lines and secure the service panel. Although the actual precharging of the tank may require a finite time to complete, it will be completed long before the aircraft is placed into service. The system can be coupled to existing spray rings or can be part of a different, independent spray system, as an integral part of the tank draining and cleaning system.
Claims (20)
(a) hydraulic valve operating means operatively connected to the tank rinse intake line for opening the drain valve when applied rinsing fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value; and
(b) precharge storage means, interposed in the rinse liquid flow path between said valve operating means and the tank rinsing means;
whereby connection of a source of rinsing liquid under pressure to the rinse intake line first operates said hydraulic valve operating means to open the drain valve and then fills said precharge storage means before rinsing the tank, and whereby terminating the flow of rinsing liquid to said hydraulic valve operating means permits the drain valve to close, said precharge storage means then emptying its contents into the tank after the drain valve closes as a measured precharge of fluid to the waste system.
open a tank waste valve,
charge a fluid reservoir and spray or otherwise clean the tank with fluid from the source while the reservoir is filling or after it has been filled,
and arranged after the supply of fluid has been cut off to close the valve and to discharge the contents of the reservoir into the tank.
(a) first means (18) adapted to connect to a source of fluid under pressure;
(b) piston means (24), connectable to the drain valve (30);
(c) bias means (25) acting upon said piston means (24) to maintain the drain valve (30) in the closed position;
(d) cylinder means (22) carrying said piston means for linear motion therein and coupled to said first means (18) for applying fluid under pressure to drive said piston means (24) against said bias means (25) for opening the drain valve (30); and
(e) outlet means (40) coupled to said cylinder means (22) for releasing fluid from said cylinder means into said tank;
whereby application of fluid to said piston means under pressure greater than said bias means, moves said piston to open the drain valve (30) and to supply fluid to the waste tank for cleaning while draining the tank and, in the absence of fluid under pressure, said bias means (25) can return said piston means (24), thereby closing the drain valve (30).
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/629,058 US4584726A (en) | 1984-07-09 | 1984-07-09 | Fluid operated waste tank servicing assembly |
DE8686301339T DE3670114D1 (en) | 1986-02-25 | 1986-02-25 | RECOVERY TANK AND HYDRAULIC DRIVER. |
EP19860301339 EP0235412B1 (en) | 1986-02-25 | 1986-02-25 | Waste tank apparatus and hydraulic actuator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19860301339 EP0235412B1 (en) | 1986-02-25 | 1986-02-25 | Waste tank apparatus and hydraulic actuator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0235412A1 true EP0235412A1 (en) | 1987-09-09 |
EP0235412B1 EP0235412B1 (en) | 1990-04-04 |
Family
ID=8195905
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19860301339 Expired EP0235412B1 (en) | 1984-07-09 | 1986-02-25 | Waste tank apparatus and hydraulic actuator |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0235412B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3670114D1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1995011354A2 (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1995-04-27 | Roediger Anlagenbau Gmbh | Suction device |
CN112793718A (en) * | 2021-01-29 | 2021-05-14 | 孙团 | Pressure balance type underwater toilet pollution discharge device |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2838765A (en) * | 1955-08-12 | 1958-06-17 | Hosking Patent Corp | Liquid discharging control |
US4114203A (en) * | 1977-07-22 | 1978-09-19 | The Boeing Company | Water closet tank drain valve |
US4338689A (en) * | 1980-12-05 | 1982-07-13 | Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corporation | Self-aligning valve assembly |
EP0057087A2 (en) * | 1981-01-23 | 1982-08-04 | Robert Victor Wilson | Chemical toilets |
-
1986
- 1986-02-25 EP EP19860301339 patent/EP0235412B1/en not_active Expired
- 1986-02-25 DE DE8686301339T patent/DE3670114D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2838765A (en) * | 1955-08-12 | 1958-06-17 | Hosking Patent Corp | Liquid discharging control |
US4114203A (en) * | 1977-07-22 | 1978-09-19 | The Boeing Company | Water closet tank drain valve |
US4338689A (en) * | 1980-12-05 | 1982-07-13 | Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corporation | Self-aligning valve assembly |
EP0057087A2 (en) * | 1981-01-23 | 1982-08-04 | Robert Victor Wilson | Chemical toilets |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1995011354A2 (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1995-04-27 | Roediger Anlagenbau Gmbh | Suction device |
WO1995011354A3 (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1995-07-27 | Roediger Anlagenbau | Suction device |
CN112793718A (en) * | 2021-01-29 | 2021-05-14 | 孙团 | Pressure balance type underwater toilet pollution discharge device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0235412B1 (en) | 1990-04-04 |
DE3670114D1 (en) | 1990-05-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4905325A (en) | Automatic waste dump and cleaning system | |
US5454936A (en) | Vacuum toilet system | |
US4584726A (en) | Fluid operated waste tank servicing assembly | |
US4193417A (en) | Fluid check valve device | |
US4707868A (en) | Toilet flushing apparatus | |
US5010915A (en) | Two stage automatic shut off valve | |
AU2010200426A1 (en) | Valve assembly | |
AU724156B2 (en) | Float valve | |
USRE32750E (en) | Fluid operated waste tank servicing assembly | |
CA2447989C (en) | Lavatory service shut-off valve | |
EP0235412B1 (en) | Waste tank apparatus and hydraulic actuator | |
US2311697A (en) | Fluid segregating apparatus | |
US4882792A (en) | Auto-dump flow controller | |
US5524655A (en) | Precharge mechanism for vacuum toilet system | |
US3487475A (en) | Pneumatically operated self-contained sewerage system | |
JPH0250350B2 (en) | ||
US10197072B2 (en) | Waste water air stop valve | |
US7926505B2 (en) | Transfer unit | |
US4685293A (en) | Air bleeding system for hydraulic closed circuits | |
EP2628865A2 (en) | A spring loaded container for achieving a flush of a toilet bowl | |
US3550163A (en) | Toilet construction | |
DE3242117A1 (en) | REMAINING DEVICE FOR TANK SPACES IN SHIPS | |
US5105845A (en) | Control apparatus for regulating liquid levels in liquid storage tanks | |
SU1653585A1 (en) | Apparatus for pumping ammonia | |
EP0134295B1 (en) | Apparatus for preventing overfilling of liquid tanks, especially for liquid tanker trucks |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19880218 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19881118 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 3670114 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19900510 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19950113 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19950123 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 19950125 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19950126 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 19950228 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Effective date: 19960225 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Effective date: 19960228 |
|
BERE | Be: lapsed |
Owner name: KAISER AEROSPACE & ELECTRONICS COPR. Effective date: 19960228 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Effective date: 19960901 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19960225 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Effective date: 19961031 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 19960901 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Effective date: 19961101 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |