Multiple vortex waste separator apparatus
AssigneeB/E Aerospace, Inc.
InventorsMark A. Pondelick, Christopher Hardwick, Derek Vaughan, Thao Hoang, Michael Funk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multiple vortex separator for drawing a substantially moisture-free airstream from a waste stream having an annular channel defining a first vortex flow path for separating liquid and solid waste from this waste stream and an inverted conical cavity between nested inverted cones defining a second vortex flow path that is isolated from the first vortex flow path for separating additional liquid and solid waste from the waste stream before it exits the vortex separator.
Claims25
A multiple vortex separator for removing solid and liquid waste from a waste stream while withdrawing a substantially moisture-free airstream under suction comprising:
- a housing having an outer wall with an inner surface, a waste inlet for receiving the waste stream, and an enclosed top with an exhaust port for withdrawing the substantially moisture-free airstream from the housing;
- an annular channel along the inner surface of the wall defining a first vortex flow path for separating liquid and solid waste from the waste stream, the annular channel being in communication with the inlet;
- and
- inner and outer nested cones within the cylindrical housing defining an inverted conical cavity between the cones, the conical cavity being in communication with the exhaust port and forming a second vortex flow path isolated from the first vortex flow path for separating additional liquid and solid waste from the waste stream before it is withdrawn from the exhaust port.
A multiple vortex separator for removing solid and liquid waste from a waste stream from aircraft toilets or other receptacles while withdrawing a substantially moisture-free airstream under suction comprising:
- a housing having an outer wall with an inner surface, a waste inlet for receiving the waste stream, and an enclosed top with an exhaust port for withdrawing the substantially moisture-free airstream from the housing;
- an annular channel along the inner surface of the wall defining a first vortex flow path for separating liquid and solid waste from the waste stream, the annular channel being in communication with the inlet;
- inner and outer nested cones within the cylindrical housing defining an inverted conical cavity between the cones, the conical cavity being in communication with the exhaust port and forming a second vortex flow path isolated from the first vortex flow path for separating additional liquid and solid waste from the waste stream before it enters the exhaust port;
- an exhaust cap atop the housing and an exhaust port located in the cap;
- and
- a source of suction connected to the exhaust port for withdrawing the substantially moisture-free airstream from the housing and a waste stream containing liquid and solid waste connected to the inlet.
A method of drawing a substantially moisture-free airstream from a waste stream containing liquid and solid waste comprising:
- drawing the waste stream containing liquid and solid waste into an annular channel defining a first vortex flow path in a cylindrical housing so that heavier solids and liquids move to the outside of the housing and fall downwardly while a lighter airstream containing remaining moisture particles migrate to the center of the housing;
- and
- drawing the remaining lighter airstream into an inverted conical cavity in a second vortex flow path isolated from the first vortex flow path to produce a centrifugal force causing remaining heavier materials to fall through the conical cavity and the remaining lighter airstream to be drawn from the conical cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.