# US 10,118,702 B2 · Water management system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,702 B2 - Document ID: US10118702B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/728,326 - Filed: 2017-10-09 - Published: 2018-02-01 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-27 - Assignees: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC - Applicants: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC - Inventors: Keith Holmes; Razmik B. Boodaghians; John Yu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118702B2 ## CPC - B64D 11/00: Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for - B64C 1/067: {comprising means for preventing icing or condensation conditions} - B64C 7/00: Structures or fairings not otherwise provided for - B64D 11/02: Toilet fittings - B64C 1/1453: {Drain masts} - Y10T 137/0318: Processes - Y10T 137/6416: With heating or cooling of the system - Y10T 137/794: With means for separating solid material from the fluid - Y10T 137/8593: Systems - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide a water management system for use on board a passenger transport vehicle. The water management system may be used to address and manage excess humidity, water leaks, or any other instance when water or other liquid may collect at a certain location. The disclosure provides a system for managing excess water and for optionally delivering the water to another location. The removal location may be a disposal outlet or it may be a beneficial use of the collected water on-board the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A water management system for use on-board an aircraft, comprising: (a) a water collection device comprising one or more areas for receiving moisture or water, the water collection device fluidly coupled to a source of vacuum; (b) a conduit between the water collection device and a removal location to which the moisture or water is to be removed, through which there is created a pressure differential to cause the moisture or water to be pulled into and through the conduit; (c) a valve to control passage of moisture or water through the conduit; (d) a controller that directs opening and closing of the valve based on water levels sensed by a water sensor, wherein the valve is opened and closed periodically throughout an entire flight duration, wherein the water sensor comprises a flow detection sensor, a pressure sensor, a current sensor, a temperature sensor, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The water management system of claim 2, wherein the tube comprises one or more perforations, openings, or holes into which moisture flows. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a mat. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The water management system of claim 4, wherein the mat comprises one or more perforations, openings, or holes into which moisture flows. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the one or more areas for receiving moisture comprise perforations or openings. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water collection device, the conduit, or both are heated for freeze protection. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the water collection device or the conduit or both is coated with, impregnated with, or associated with an anti-microbial agent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor comprises a water sensor for detecting leaks in the vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The water management system of claim 9, wherein the water sensor measures conductivity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The water management system of claim 9, wherein the water sensor is mounted above the water collection device, fitted in various sections of the water piping and plumbing system to detect inflow velocity change, or both. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, further comprising a descaling device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor comprises an artificial haircell sensor, a smart hair sensor, or both. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The water management system of claim 13, wherein the artificial haircell sensor comprises a cilium extending from a piezoelectric base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The water management system of claim 13, wherein the smart hair sensor comprises carbon nanotubes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor functions via piezoresistance. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor comprises a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and one or more flow sensors. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, further comprising a control system that directs collected water to a desired removal location. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the removal location comprises an aircraft drain mast, a filtration system, an aircraft grey water flush system, an aircraft humidifier system, an aircraft waste tank, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor is retrofitted into the conduit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The water management system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor is monitored wirelessly. ### Claim 22 A method for collecting and removing undesired moisture or water from a location on an aircraft, comprising: (a) causing installation of a water management system on the aircraft, the water management system comprising: (i) a water collection device comprising one or more areas for receiving moisture or water; (ii) a conduit between the water collection device and a removal location to which the moisture or water is to be removed, through which there is created a pressure differential to cause the moisture to be pulled into and through the conduit; and (iii) a valve to control passage of moisture or water through the conduit wherein the valve is opened and closed periodically throughout an entire flight duration; (b) sensing presence of water via one or more water sensors; and (c) causing the water collected from the water collection device to be directed to the removal location. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the removal location comprises an aircraft drain mast, a filtration system, an aircraft grey water flush system, an aircraft humidifier system, an aircraft waste tank, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the water management system further comprises a control system that directs collected water to the removal location.