US3922730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recirculating toilet system for use in aircraft or the like
Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries LLC
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Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A recirculating toilet system for use in an aircraft or the like having at least one toilet with a valve-controlled drain line and a waste tank connected to the drain line having a flushing fluid therein. A valve-controlled flushing line is in fluid communication with both the tank and the toilet and at least one pump is provided for pumping the flushing fluid from the tank to the toilet. Means are provided for forming a vacuum in the tank so that when the toilet is flushed, waste products are sucked into the tank while the toilet is flushed with the flushing fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 James M Kemper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:44
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00; E03D5/016; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A recirculating toilet system for use in a pressurized cabin of an aircraft or the like comprising: at least one toilet assembly disposed in said cabin having a valve-controlled drain line; a waste tank under vacuum operatively connected to said drain line having a pressure in its interior at a lesser pressure than the exterior pressure at the toilet assembly; vacuum controlling means associated with said tank for controlling the vacuum within the interior of the tank; a valve-controlled flushing line communicating with both the interior of said tank and said toilet assembly; and at least one pump disposed in said flushing line having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said toilet assembly; and at least one pump disposed in said flushing line having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said toilet assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A recirculating toilet system for use in a pressurized cabin of an aircraft or the like comprising: at least one toilet assembly disposed in said cabin having a valve-controlled drain line; a waste tank under vacuum operatively connected to said drain line having a pressure in its interior at a lesser pressure than the exterior pressure at the toilet assembly; vacuum controlling means associated with said tank for controlling the vacuum within the interior of the tank; a valve-controlled flushing line communicating with both the interior of said tank and said toilet assembly; and at least one pump disposed in said flushing line having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said toilet assembly; and at least one pump disposed in said flushing line having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said toilet assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein a pressurized surge tank having a portion of a flushing fluid therein is in selective fluid communication with the outlet of said pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 2 including pressure response means associated with said pump and said surge tank adapted to respond to fluid pressure in said system to maintain a predetermined pressure at said toilet assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of toilet assemblies and pumps are provided, each of said pumps being controllable volume pumps and means associated with each of said pumps adapted to respond to fluid pressure in the system to maintain a predetermined system pressure, said pumps being connected to parallel to supply fluid to the toilet system, fluid pressure sensing means connected to the toilet system for providing a first signal when sensed fluid pressure is less than a predetermined magnitude; control means, connected to said pumps and said pressure sensing means, operable in response to applied first signals for energizing one of said pumps for increasing the flow of fluid into the toilet system; a switch at each of the toilet assemblies connected to said control means, said control means being responsive to switch actuations for energizing one of said pumps, said control means being further operable in response to said first signals for energizing the other of said pumps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the system of claim 1 wherein a flushing fluid having a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of water is disposed in said waste tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the system of claim 1 wherein a predetermined amount of flushing fluid Having a specific gravity lesser than the specific gravity of water is disposed in said waste tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
In the system of claim 1 wherein said waste tank communicates with the exterior of said aircraft and said vacuum controlling means is associated with the communication between said waste tank and the exterior of said aircraft.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for flushing a toilet in a pressurized aircraft or the like wherein said toilet is installed in the interior of said aircraft and includes a valve-controlled drain line, a waste tank in fluid communication with the drain line, a valve-controlled flushing line communicating with both the interior of said tank and said toilet and at least one pump disposed in said flushing line having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said toilet, the method which comprises the step of: communicating the interior of said tank with the atmosphere outside of said aircraft; controlling the communication between the interior of said tank and the exterior of said aircraft to create a vacuum within said tank at a pressure lesser than the exterior pressure at said aircraft; activating the valve of said flushing line to flush said toilet with a flushing fluid; and sucking any waste products and flushing fluid in said toilet out of said toilet and into said tank due to the differential pressure between the exterior of said toilet and the interior of said tank thereby also removing any undesirable odors in the portion of said aircraft where said toilet is installed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for flushing a toilet in a pressurized aircraft or the like wherein said toilet is installed in the interior of said aircraft and includes a valve-controlled drain line, a waste tank in fluid communication with the drain line, a valve-controlled flushing line communicating with both the interior of said tank and said toilet and at least one pump disposed in said flushing line having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said toilet, the method which comprises the step of: communicating the interior of said tank with the atmosphere outside of said aircraft; controlling the communication between the interior of said tank and the exterior of said aircraft to create a vacuum within said tank at a pressure lesser than the exterior pressure at said aircraft; activating the valve of said flushing line to flush said toilet with a flushing fluid; and sucking any waste products and flushing fluid in said toilet out of said toilet and into said tank due to the differential pressure between the exterior of said toilet and the interior of said tank thereby also removing any undesirable odors in the portion of said aircraft where said toilet is installed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of maintaining a predetermined fluid pressure within said flushing line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the system of claim 8 including the step of initially placing a predetermined amount of flushing fluid having a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of water in said waste tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the system of claim 8 including the step of initially placing a predetermined amount of flushing fluid having a specific gravity lesser than the specific gravity of water in said waste tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |