Waste transfer unit
AssigneeMAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
InventorsChristoph Goeschel, Martin Pieramico, Thomas Lee, James W. Pomeroy, Mohan Mittur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for managing waste (including liquid, solid, and mixed waste) without using a sink, worktop, or countertop disposal feature. Specific examples provide particular use in connection with an aircraft or other vehicle galley, lavatory, or any other location in which waste that requires disposal is generated. The disclosed embodiments may be installed in an initial galley or lavatory, or they may be used to retrofit an existing environment, such that an entire new disposal system or new sink footprint is not required.
Claims18
A waste transfer unit, comprising:
- a waste receiving portion comprising an opening for receiving waste;
- and
- a unit body supporting a waste-side conduit and a flush valve,
- wherein the waste receiving portion is configured to tilt, hinge, or slide away from the unit body in order to receive waste, and
- wherein the received waste is transferred to a main waste tank via vacuum.
A method for transferring waste on board a transportation vehicle comprising a main waste tank, comprising:
- installing a waste transfer unit on the vehicle, the waste transfer unit, comprising:
- a waste receiving portion comprising an opening for receiving waste;
- and
- a unit body enclosing a waste-side conduit, a vacuum-side conduit, and a flush valve positioned between the waste-side conduit and the vacuum-side conduit,
- wherein the waste receiving portion is configured to tilt, hinge, or slide away from the unit body in order to receive waste,
- wherein the received waste is transferred to the main waste tank via (a) opening of the flush valve, (b) creating vacuum between the waste-side conduit and the vacuum-side conduit in order to move waste therebetween, and (c) closing of the flush valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.