US3670890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid waste feed system
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-01-15
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A pressurized liquid waste tank feeds liquid waste into liquid waste processing equipment. The processed liquid is pumped into an accumulator tank which has an actuator that opens and closes microswitches as the accumulator tank is filled and emptied. These microswitches control solenoid valves which are located in the lines feeding the liquid waste processing equipment, the accumulator tank and the collecting tank. An electrical circuit ties together the switches and valves in a manner such that sufficient waste liquid is automatically maintained in the liquid waste processing equipment to give optimum system performance in a zero gravity environment.
Inventors
- 👤 John B Hall Jr
- 👤 Yi Tung
- 👤 Lavern E Winn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:44
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/006; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A waste liquid feed system comprising: means for containing waste liquid under pressure; means for pressurizing said means for containing waste; waste liquid processing means; means for collecting processed waste liquid; means to automatically maintain sufficient liquid in said liquid processing means in a zero gravity environment including accumulator means; actuator means positioned in said accumulator means operable by processed liquid flow in said accumulator means; and valve means controlled by said actuator means in lines providing fluid communication between said means for containing waste liquid, said liquid processing means, said accumulator means, and said collecting tank means to give optimum performance in a zero gravity environment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A waste liquid feed system comprising: means for containing waste liquid under pressure; means for pressurizing said means for containing waste; waste liquid processing means; means for collecting processed waste liquid; means to automatically maintain sufficient liquid in said liquid processing means in a zero gravity environment including accumulator means; actuator means positioned in said accumulator means operable by processed liquid flow in said accumulator means; and valve means controlled by said actuator means in lines providing fluid communication between said means for containing waste liquid, said liquid processing means, said accumulator means, and said collecting tank means to give optimum performance in a zero gravity environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 1 wherein switch means is associated with said actuator means for opening and closing said valve means, and electrical circuit means for controlling said switch means and valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 2 wherein said actuator is a piston and rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 2 wherein said actuator is a diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a first solenoid valve between said means for containing liquid and said liquid processing means; a second solenoid valve between a source of pressure and said accumulator tank means; and a third solenoid valve between said waste liquid processing equipment and said accumulator tank means and collecting tank means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a first throttling valve at the input of said waste liquid processing equipment; and a second throttling valve at the input of said collecting tank means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 1 wherein said accumulator tank means includes an actuator; a first solenoid valve located at the output of said means for containing liquid waste and regulating flow to said waste liquid processing equipment and to one side of said accumulator tAnk actuator means; and a second solenoid valve located between said waste liquid processing equipment and said accumulator tank means and collecting tank means; said second solenoid valve regulating flow to the other side of the actuator means and to said collecting tank means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 7 wherein switches are associated with said actuator means; said switches being opened and closed by movement of said actuator means and controlling said first and second solenoid valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A waste liquid feed system as in claim 7 wherein pump means draws processed liquid out of said processing equipment and pumps it into said accumulator tank means and said collecting tank means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |