US 10,864,990 B2Granted

Manifold assembly with integrated vent and flow control ports

AssigneeB/E Aerospace, Inc.

InventorsJohn H. Beard, Brian P. Mills

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Abstract

A hot beverage maker manifold assembly is disclosed integrating components into the manifold body minimizing leak paths and creating efficient overall drain and vent performance of the aircraft hot beverage maker. A top vent valve is integrated into the manifold body for complete venting and draining performance in the manifold assembly as well as in an associated hot water tank and tank lines. An incorporated flow regulator housing within the manifold body at a tea line exit fitting limits the number of downstream leak paths and complexity. An integrated lower manifold clean out port allows for efficient bi-directional service of the manifold and efficient descaling and flushing.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A manifold assembly system, comprising:

a manifold body configured for coupling with an aircraft beverage maker, the manifold body having:
(1) a center channel having an input port,
(2) at least three distribution ports aligned along, oriented normal in a range of 72 to 108 degrees to the center channel, and in fluid connectivity with the center channel,
(3) a top vent port aligned and in fluid connectivity with the center channel, and
(4) a bottom flush port aligned and in fluid connectivity with the center channel;
a solenoid valve mechanically coupled and associated with each distribution port of the at least three distribution ports;
a vent valve mechanically coupled and associated with the top vent port;
an exit fitting associated with each distribution port of the at least three distribution ports, each exit fitting in valved fluid connectivity with its associated distribution port;
a controller operatively coupled with each solenoid valve;
a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored therein that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to:
receive an input from a user of an aircraft hot beverage device;
and
control a flow of hot water from the center channel to at least one of the exit fittings via a signal sent to operate at least one solenoid valve.

10 more elements

A manifold assembly, comprising:

a manifold body having a top end and an opposite bottom end;
a center channel extending along a vertical axis from the manifold body top end to the manifold body bottom end, the center channel having an input port;
a top vent port proximal with the manifold body top end and in fluid connectivity with the center channel;
a top vent valve coupled with the top vent port, the top vent valve comprising a connection port, a float, and a vent fitting;
a bottom flush port proximal with the manifold body bottom end and in fluid connectivity with the center channel;
the top vent port, the center channel, and the bottom vent port comprising an open center conduit, the open center conduit aligned with the vertical axis;
at least three distribution ports aligned along the vertical axis and oriented approximately normal to the vertical axis, the at least three distribution ports in fluid connectivity with the center channel, each distribution port configured to receive a solenoid valve;
and
an exit fitting associated with each distribution port of the at least three distribution ports, each exit fitting oriented normal in a range of 72 to 108 degrees with both of the vertical axis and its associated distribution port, each exit fitting in valved fluid connectivity with its associated distribution port, at least one exit fitting comprises a flow regulator.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/293,368Filed 5 Mar 2019
Published: US 2020/0283152 A110 Sep 2020
Granted: 15 Dec 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B64D 11/0007
Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for: devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution…
F16K 27/003
Construction of housing ; Use of materials therefor: housing formed from a plurality of the same valve elements
A47J 31/461
Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices: valves, e.g. drain valves
A47J 31/469
Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices: details of hydraulic circuits

Family

US 2020/0283152 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Sep 2020
US 10,864,990 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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