VACUUM TOILET BOWL ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A vacuum bowl assembly for use in a vacuum toilet (10) positioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve (70). The vacuum bowl assembly comprises a frame (20) having a bottom member (24) adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member (28) defining a shoulder. A removable bowl (36) is provided having a flange (40) extending about an upper edge sized to engage the shoulder, and an outlet (42) adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve (70).

Description: VACUUM TOILET BOWL ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to toilets and, more particularly, to a waste receptacle for a vacuum toilet systems according to the preamble of claim 1 and a vacuum bowl assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vacuum toilet systems are generally known in the art for use in both vehicle and stationary applications. A vacuum toilet system typically comprises a bowl for receiving waste having an outlet connected to a vacuum sewer line. A discharge valve is disposed between the bowl outlet and vacuum sewer line to selectively establish fluid communication therebetween. The vacuum sewer line is connected to a collection tank that is placed under partial vacuum pressure by a vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump. When the discharge valve is opened, material in the bowl is transported to the sewer pipe as a result of the pressure difference between the interior of the bowl and the interior of the sewer line. Conventional vacuum toilet systems also include a source of rinse fluid and a rinse fluid valve for controlling introduction of rinse fluid into the bowl. Repair and maintenance of vacuum toilet systems is often overly time consuming and labor intensive. Maintenance concerns are particularly significant in aircraft applications, in which a number of subsystems are installed on board. According to general practice in the airline industry, each sub-system includes one or more components which must be replaced in the event of failure, such components being com ¬ monly referred to as line replaceable units (LRUs). Presently, the entire toilet assembly is defined as the LRU for the vacuum toilet system. As a result, an airline must stock one or more replacement toilets in case of a toilet failure, so that the replacement toilet may be swapped in for the faulty toilet. A "bench test" is then performed on the faulty toilet to determine which components have failed in the toilet. The faulty components are then repaired or replaced (which may include significant disas- sembly and reassembly of the toilet) so that the toilet may be reused on another aircraft. Each of the steps performed during a toilet repair is overly difficult and time consuming. To remove an entire toilet assembly from an aircraft requires disassembly of at least four self-locking mounting fas- teners, an electrical connection, a grounding strap, a potable water line connection, and a waste discharge pipe connection. Each connection may be difficult to access, and may require a particular tool in order to loosen and disconnect. The same connections must then be reconnected for the replacement toilet. Even if it were possible to remove and replace a single toilet component, it would be overly difficult and time consuming to do so. Removal of a component would require disconnection of several wires and pipes, and the components are often located in areas which are difficult to access. Furthermore, it would be difficult to diagnose whether one component or several components had failed. There exists a multitude of combinations of simultaneous component failures, which may lead to trouble-shooting errors and the replacement or repair of non-faulty components. Certain repairs, which may not require substantial amounts of trouble shooting to identify the failed components, still require significant amounts of disassembly and reassembly. The toilet bowl, for example, is typically formed of stainless steel covered with a non-stick coating that is subject to failure. In conventional toilets, the bowl is a structural, load bearing component that is attached to a base support. In some toi- lets, the base support is permanently attached to the bowl and therefore the entire toilet must be removed to replace the coating. In other toilets, the bowl is removable from the support base, and therefore fasteners must be removed and the bowl must be disconnected from the rinse fluid and discharge lines. In addition, the rinse ring or nozzle used to direct rinse fluid into the bowl must be removed. Furthermore, if the non-stick coating fails, the bowl must be removed from all of the other toilet components for a re-coating process, steps of which are performed at high temperatures to remove the old coating and apply a new coating to the toilet bowl surface. Accordingly, replacement of a conventional bowl is overly complicated and time consuming. In addition, the use of the bowl as a structural, load-bearing member in conventional toilets overly limits the selection of bowl materials. Because the bowl must be capable of supporting the weight of a user and any components mounted thereto, it is typically made of a metal such as stainless steel. Because only rigid materials may be used, the selection of materials for use in conventional toilet bowls is overly limited. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a waste receptacle is provided for use in a vacuum toilet system having a discharge valve with an inlet according to claim 1 . The waste receptacle comprises a support structure, and a bowl releasably attached to the support structure, the bowl defining an outlet adapted to engage and seal with the discharge valve outlet. In accordance with additional aspects of the present inven- tion, a vacuum bowl assembly is provided for use in a vacuum toilet positioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve with an inlet according to claim 12. The assembly comprises a frame having a bottom member adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member defining an opening, a pair of slots being formed in the top member. A remov- able bowl has a sidewall sized for insertion into the opening and a flange carrying a pair of tabs sized to lockingly engage the slots, the bowl de- fining an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve inlet. Other features and advantages are inherent in the apparatus claimed and disclosed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, by way of example only, and its accompanying schematic drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 A and 1 B are front and rear perspective views, re- spectively, of a vacuum toilet frame and bowl in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the vacuum toilet of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a top view of the bowl. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a tab used to secure the bowl to the frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 1 A, 1 B, and 2, a vacuum toilet 1 0 suitable for use in vehicle is shown including a frame 20 and bowl 36 in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle is provided with a sewer line 1 1 , a vacuum tank 1 3 connected to the sewer line 1 1 , and a vacuum source (not shown) for placing the vacuum tank 1 3 under partial vacuum pressure. The vehicle further includes a source of rinse fluid 1 5 connected to a rinse fluid supply line 1 9. The toilet 1 0 preferably includes a discharge valve 70 adapted for connection to the vacuum tank, and a rinse valve 72 adapted for connection to the source of rinse fluid. A flush control unit (FCU) 74 is also provided for controlling operation of the discharge valve 70 and rinse valve 72. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the discharge valve 70, rinse valve 72, and FCU 74 are preferably provided as an integral valve set 8, as described in greater detail in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/71 3,870, entitled "Integrated Valve Set For Vacuum Toilet" incorporated herein by reference. The frame 20 is provided for supporting the components of the vacuum toilet 10. As best shown with reference to FIGS. 1 A and 1 B, the frame 20 includes a bottom member 24 adapted for attachment to a support surface of the vehicle. Vertical supports 26 extend upwardly from the bottom member 24, and a top member 28 is attached to the vertical supports. The top member 28 is formed with an opening 30 near the front, and two slots 29 near the rear thereof. In the illustrated em- bodiment, an intermediate support 32 is attached between adjacent vertical supports 26, and a bracket 27 is attached to the bottom member 24. The bottom member 24, top member 28, and bracket 27 are preferably formed of sheet metal, while the vertical supports 26 and intermediate support 32 are preferably formed of tube steel, both of which are readily available and inexpensive. Other materials having sufficient rigidity, however, may also be used. The bowl 36 is provided for receiving waste material. The bowl 36 has a curved sidewall 38 and an out-turned flange 40 extending about an upper edge of the sidewall (FIGS. 1 A and 1 B). The out-turned flange 40 further includes tabs 39 sized for insertion through the slots 29 formed in the frame top member 28, as best shown in FIG. 4. A bottom of the sidewall is formed in an outlet 42, and the sidewall 38 is sized for insertion into the opening 30 of the frame top member 28. The outlet 42 fluidly communicates with the discharge valve 70 through a transfer pipe 44. The transfer pipe 44 preferably includes a collar 47 sized to friction- ally engage and seal with the outlet 42. To attach the bowl 36 to the frame 20, the bowl 36 is inserted through the opening 30 and positioned so that the tabs 39 are aligned with the slots 29 and the outlet 42 is aligned with the collar 47. The bowl 36 is lowered so that the tabs 39 pass through and lock with the slots 29. Simultaneously, the outlet 42 is inserted into and engages the collar 47. In this position, the out-turned flange 40 closely overlies the frame top member 28 so that downward forces applied to the bowl 36 are transferred to the frame 20. As a result, the bowl 36 is not a load-bearing component, and may be made of non-structural materials such as plastic, thin-walled metal (defined herein as less than approximately 1 mm (approximately 0.040") thick), or other known alternatives. In addition, the bowl 36 is separable from the frame 20 and therefore may be replaced independently from the rest of the toilet 1 0. Still further, the tabs 39 may be manipulated manually, and therefore no tools are re- quired to install or remove the bowl 36. At least one rinse fluid dispenser, such as nozzles 46, is provided inside the bowl 36 for directing rinse fluid over the surface of the bowl. As best shown in FIGS. 1 A and 1 B, a plurality of nozzles 46 are spaced about the bowl sidewall 38 and are oriented to direct rinse fluid over portions of the bowl surface. The number of nozzles may be more or less than that shown, depending on the size of the bowl surface to be rinsed. As used herein, the phrase "rinse fluid dispenser" includes the illustrated nozzles 46, as well as known substitutes, such as spray rings. A vacuum breaker 33 is positioned above the top edge of the bowl 36, and a first rinse fluid pipe 35a extends from the nozzles 46 to the vacuum breaker 33. A second rinse fluid pipe 35b extends from the vacuum breaker 33 to the rinse valve 1 6. Quick-disconnect couplings 1 08a, 1 08b are provided to connect the first and second rinse fluid pipes 35a, 35b to the vacuum breaker 33. The separate frame 20 advantageously allows the bowl 36 to be a line replaceable unit (LRU). When the bowl 36 becomes worn or otherwise needs replacement, a maintenance person may simply disconnect the first rinse fluid pipe 35a using the quick disconnect coupling 108a, manipulate the tabs 39 so that the are disengaged from the slots 29, and pull upward on the bowl 36 to remove the bowl 36 from the frame 20. A new bowl 36 may then be inserted into the frame 20 as de- scribed above, and the first rinse fluid pipe 35a may be connected to the vacuum breaker 33 using the quick-disconnect coupling 1 08a. As a result, the entire toilet need not be removed and serviced. The bowl replacement process is not only fast, but does not require the use of any tools. In addition to facilitating bowl removal and replacement, the frame 20 allows a wider range of materials to be used for the bowl 36, since the frame 20, rather than the bowl 36, supports the load. The foregoing detailed description has be given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be under- stood therefrom, as modifications would be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A waste receptacle for use in a vacuum toilet system having a discharge valve (70) with an inlet, characterised in that the waste receptacle comprises: a support structure (20); and a bowl (36) releasably attached to the support structure (20), the bowl (36) defining an outlet (42) adapted to engage and seal with the discharge valve outlet. 2. The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that the support structure (20) includes at least one slot (29), and in which the bowl (36) includes a tab (39) adapted to lockingly engage the slot, thereby to secure the bowl in place. 3. The waste receptacle of claim 2, characterised in that the tab (39) is manually releasable to disengage from the slot (29). 4. The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that the vacuum toilet system further comprises a rinse valve ( 1 6,72), and in which the waste receptacle further comprises a rinse fluid dispenser (46) associated with the bowl (36), and a rinse fluid pipe (35a, 35b) communicating between the rinse valve ( 1 6,72) and the rinse fluid dispenser (46), wherein the rinse fluid pipe is releasably attached to the rinse valve with a coupling (108a, 108b). 5. The waste receptacle of claim 4, characterised in that the coupling (1 08a, 1 08b) is manually releasable. 6. The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that it further comprises a transfer pipe (44) having a first end connected to the discharge valve (70) inlet and a second end adapted to releasably engage the bowl outlet (42). 7. The waste receptacle of claim 6, characterised in that the second end of the transfer pipe (44) includes a collar (47) sized to releasably engage and seal with the bowl outlet (42) . 8. The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that the bowl (36) comprises a non-structural material. 9. The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that the bowl (36) comprises a plastic material. 1 0. The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that the bowl (36) comprises thin-walled steel. 1 1 . The waste receptacle of claim 1 , characterised in that the support structure (20) further comprises a bracket (27) adapted to support the discharge valve (70) . 1 2. A vacuum bowl assembly for use in a vacuum toilet (1 0) posi- tioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve (70) with an inlet, characterised in that the assembly comprises: a frame (20) having a bottom member (24) adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member (28) defining an opening (30), a pair of slots (29) being formed in the top member; and a removable bowl (36) having a sidewall (38) sized for insertion into the opening (30) and a flange (40) carrying a pair of tabs (39) sized to lockingly engage the slots (29), the bowl (36) defining an outlet (42) adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve (70) inlet. 1 3. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the frame (20) further comprises a bracket (27) adapted to support the discharge valve (70). 14. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the bowl (36) comprises a non-structural material. 1 5. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the bowl (36) comprises a plastic material. 1 6. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the bowl (36) comprises a thin-walled steel. 1 7. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the tabs (29) are manually releasable to disengage from the slots (39). 1 8. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the vacuum toilet ( 1 0) further comprises a rinse valve ( 1 6,72), a rinse fluid dispenser (46) is associated with the bowl (36), and a rinse fluid pipe (35a, 35b) communicates between the rinse valve ( 1 6,72) and the rinse fluid dispenser (46), wherein the rinse fluid pipe (35a, 35b) is releasably attached to the rinse valve (1 6,72) with a coupling (108a, 1 08b). 1 9. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 8, characterised in that the coupling (1 08a, 1 08b) is manually releasable. 20. The vacuum bowl assembly of claim 1 2, characterised in that the vacuum toilet ( 1 0) further comprises a transfer pipe (44) having a first end connected to the discharge valve (70) inlet and a second end adapted to releasably engage the bowl outlet (42). 21 . The vacuum toilet system of claim 20, characterised in that the second end of the transfer pipe (44) includes a collar (47) sized to releasably engage and seal with the bowl outlet (42).

Inventors: ANDERSON WILLIAM BRUCE, HANCOCK MICHAEL B, MCGOWAN JR ARTHUR J, PONDELICK MARK, STRADINGER JAY D, TINKLER IAN, WALLACE DOUGLAS M, ANDERSON, WILLIAM BRUCE, HANCOCK, MICHAEL B., MCGOWAN, JR., ARTHUR J., PONDELICK, MARK, STRADINGER, JAY D., TINKLER, IAN, WALLACE, DOUGLAS M.
Applicants: ANDERSON WILLIAM BRUCE, EVAC INT OY, HANCOCK MICHAEL B, MCGOWAN JR ARTHUR J, PONDELICK MARK, STRADINGER JAY D, TINKLER IAN, WALLACE DOUGLAS M, ANDERSON, WILLIAM BRUCE, EVAC INTERNATIONAL OY, HANCOCK, MICHAEL B., MCGOWAN, JR., ARTHUR J., PONDELICK, MARK, STRADINGER, JAY D., TINKLER, IAN, WALLACE, DOUGLAS M.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: E03D11
IPC codes: E03D11, E03F1