US 4,376,315 A · Vacuum flush valve

Abstract

A flexible valve element in the form of a flexible diaphragm movable between open and closed positions for opening or closing the drain. By operation of a control pressure chamber formed over the outer or exterior side of the diaphragm and which operates directly by application or pressure or vacuum to the same to move the diaphragm between the open and closed position. A control valve provides the connection from the control chamber to the passenger cabin to provide operating pressure for closing the valve and is alternatively connectable to an accumulator which stores vacuum normally supplied from a source such as that applied to the downstream side of the drain. The control valve is preferably operated by a solenoid which responds to an electrical signal. A manual override system is provided for closing the valve by hand. The invention finds particular application as a valve for use in a non-circulatory vacuum-operated waste disposal system for passenger conveyances such as aircraft in which a toilet bowl is connected to a vacuum-waste holding tank by a drain connected to the bowl and incorporating a valve.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A valve of a design suitable for for incorporating into a drain including:

a. a flexible diaphragm movable between a closed position within said drain to seal the same shut, whereby vacuum is isolated downstream of the diaphragm and cabin pressure is equalized upstream of said diaphragm and an open position out of said drain line so that the vacuum is applied through said valve and to said bowl to remove the waste therein and flushing liquid therefrom,
b. means forming a vacuum/pressure operated control chamber sealed across said diaphragm on the side opposite said drain for opening the diaphragm and flush valve by applying vacuum to said side and for closing said valve by applying pressure to said opposite side,
c. a source of vacuum for operating said control chamber, and
d. valve means for normally connecting said control chamber to cabin pressure so that the valve is closed across the drain by the combined action of cabin pressure on that opposite side of said diaphragm and vacuum applied to the downstream side of the diaphragm across the drain, and for intermittently connecting the control chamber to said source of vacuum to cause the diaphragm to said source of vacuum to cause the diaphragm to be pulled into an open position out of the drain.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vacuum flush valve

Life of this patent

Vacuum flush valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19