Vacuum-flush toilet arrangement for aircraft

A non-circulating vacuum operated flush waste disposal system for aircraft having a toilet, said system comprising:

• a. toilet bowl for receiving waste matter,
• b. a waste holding tank,
• c. means for applying a vacuum to said waste holding tank,
• d. a drain for said bowl connected to said waste holding tank and to said bowl,
• e. a flush valve in said drain, said flush valve having a valve element movable between open and closed positions whereby said drain may be opened or closed,
• f. a control pressure chamber adjacent said valve element, said valve element including a movable wall exposed directly to the pressure or vacuum within said control pressure chamber, said valve element being moved or held in open or closed position depending upon whether or not there is a pressure or a vacuum in said control pressure chamber,
• g. a source of vacuum and a source of pressure, and
• h. power means operable to connect said control chamber to said source of vacuum or to said source of pressure, whereby a vacuum or pressure in said control chamber may be applied to said valve element to open or close said valve depending upon whether there is a vacuum or a pressure applied to said valve element.

A non-recirculating vacuum-operated flush waste disposal system for aircraft having a toilet comprising:

• a. a toilet bowl for receiving waste matter,
• b. means for supplying potable rinse water to said toilet bowl,
• c. a waste holding tank having a vacuum therein,
• d. a drain connected to said bowl to receive all contents of said bowl,
• e. a flush valve in said drain to said waste holding tank, said flush valve being movable between open and closed positions, said flush valve in open position connecting said toilet bowl to said vacuum holding tank to apply a vacuum to said toilet bowl whereby all of the contents of said toilet bowl are removed to said holding tank by said vacuum,
• f. vacuum actuated means for opening said flush valve,
• g. a vacuum connection between said vacuum actuated means and said drain on the downstream side of said flush valve,
• h. a vacuum accumulator in said vacuum connection,
• i. a check valve in said vacuum connection between said vacuum accumulator and said drain,
• j. a manually operable power means in said vacuum connection including means for maintaining said vacuum connection open to said vacuum accumulator and thereby maintaining said flush valve open until all of the contents of said toilet bowl have been delivered to said holding tank, and
• k. means for disconnecting said vacuum connection from its vacuum source when said power means is de-energized, thus causing said flush valve to return to closed position.