Patent Publication Number: US-2023160736-A1

Title: Contactless waste tank level sensing systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, India Patent Application No. 202141054169, filed Nov. 24, 2021 (DAS Code 49AC) and titled “CONTACTLESS WASTE TANK LEVEL SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to drain systems and methods for improved waste tank level sensing and, more particularly, improved waste tank level sensing systems and methods for use in aircraft lavatories 
     BACKGROUND 
     Aircraft cabins include lavatories having drain systems disposed therein. Waste tank level sensing systems and methods may be prone to erroneous readings indicating a waste tank is in a full state when the waste tank is not. In this regard, an associated toilet may be inoperable during a period of time while the waste tank is deemed in the full state. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system is disclosed herein. The system may comprise: a contactless sensor configured to couple to a waste tank; a controller electronically coupled to the contactless sensor, the controller configured to: receive, via the contactless sensor, a waste water level data from the contactless sensor, calculate a waste water level based on the waste water level data. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further comprise a display device electronically coupled to the controller, the controller configured to send the waste water level to the display device. The system may further comprise the waste tank, wherein the waste tank is disposed on an aircraft. The system may further comprise an actuator electronically coupled to the controller, the controller configured to actuate the actuator in response to the controller determining the waste water level exceeded a level threshold. The actuator may be configured to lock a lavatory in an aircraft. The actuator may be configured to close a valve disposed between a toilet bowl and the waste tank. The contactless sensor may comprise a laser doppler sensor. The system may further comprise the waste tank and a transparent lens, the contactless sensor configured to transmit and receive a laser beam through the transparent lens, the transparent lens coupled to the waste tank. 
     A plumbing system for an aircraft is disclosed herein. The plumbing system may comprise: a waste tank; a toilet bowl; a fluid conduit extending from the waste tank to the toilet bowl; a valve at least partially disposed in the fluid conduit; and a contactless sensor coupled to the waste tank, the contactless sensor configured to emit a laser beam into the waste tank and receive a return signal of the laser beam to determine a waste water level in the waste tank. 
     In various embodiments, the plumbing system may further comprise a waste water level detection system comprising the contactless sensor, the waste water level detection system configured for rotatory motion of the contactless sensor. The plumbing system may further comprise a transparent lens coupled to the waste tank, the laser beam configured to travel through the transparent lens. The plumbing system may further comprise a controller in electronic communication with the contactless sensor, the controller configured to calculate the waste water level in the waste tank based on sensor data from the contactless sensor. The plumbing system may further comprise a display device electronically coupled to the controller, the display device configured to display the waste water level in the waste tank. The controller may be configured to send the waste water level in the waste tank to the display device. The plumbing system may further comprise an actuator electronically coupled to the controller, the controller configured to actuate the actuator in response to the controller determining a waste water level threshold has been exceeded. The actuator may be configured to at least one of lock a lavatory in the aircraft and close the valve. 
     An aircraft is disclosed herein. The aircraft may comprise: a waste tank; a contactless sensor coupled to the waste tank, the contactless sensor configured to emit a laser beam into the waste tank and receive a return signal of the laser beam to determine a waste water level in the waste tank; and a controller configured to receive data from the contactless sensor, the controller configured to determine a waste water level based on the data. 
     In various embodiments, the contactless sensor is a laser doppler sensor. The aircraft may further comprise a transparent lens coupled to the waste tank, the contactless sensor configured to emit the laser beam through the transparent lens. The contactless sensor may be disposed external to a cavity defined by the waste tank. 
     The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosures, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a lavatory for an aircraft, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a schematic view of a plumbing system for an aircraft, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a schematic view of a waste water level detection system, in accordance with various embodiments; and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a schematic view of a control system for a waste water level detection system, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. 
     Disclosed herein is waste water level detection systems and method for use in aircrafts. The waste water level detection system comprises a contactless sensor configured to emit a laser beam and receive a return signal from the laser beam within a waste tank to determine a waste water level within the waste tank. The waste water level detection system may reduce a part count of typical systems, increase accuracy relative to typical contact systems, and/or provide continuous monitoring, e, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a perspective view of a lavatory  100  of an aircraft is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. The lavatory  100  comprises a toilet  110 , a water basin  120  (e.g., a sink), and a faucet  130 . In various embodiments, the lavatory  100  further comprises a plumbing system  200 . The plumbing system  200  is in fluid communication with the toilet  110 , the water basin  120 , and the faucet  130 . In this regard, in response to flushing the toilet  110 , waste water may be transferred throughout the plumbing system  200  as described further herein. Similarly, in response to running water via the faucet  130 , waste water may be transferred throughout the plumbing system  200  as described further herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a plumbing system  200  comprising a waste water level detection system  201  is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the plumbing system  200  comprises a rinse valve  205  associated with each toilet bowl (e.g., toilet bowls  203 ,  204 ). The rinse valve  205  is configured to open in response to external activation (e.g., via flushing of a handle, via a sensor detecting a person is no longer in front of the sensor, or the like). In response to opening the rinse valve  205 , waste water may flow (e.g., via fluid conduits  206 ,  207 ) from the toilet bowl (e.g., toilet bowl  203  or toilet bowl  204 ) to a waste tank  208 . In various embodiments, during the flushing process, potable water may be dispensed through a potable water port  209  disposed in each toilet bowl (e.g., toilet bowls  203 ,  204 ). In this regard, any solid waste may be transported from the toilet bowl (e.g., toilet bowl  203  or toilet bowl  204 ) to the waste tank  208  as waste water, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, a contactless sensor  220  is coupled to the waste tank  208 . As described further herein, the contactless sensor  220  may be disposed within the waste tank  208 , coupled to an external surface of the waste tank  208 , or the like. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The contactless sensor  220  is in electronic communication with the controller  250 . 
     In various embodiments the contactless sensor  220  is in electronic (i.e., electrical or wireless) communication with a controller  250 . In various embodiments, controller  250  may be integrated into computer system of the aircraft. In various embodiments, controller  250  may be configured as a central network element or hub to access various systems and components of the system  201 . Controller  250  may comprise a network, computer-based system, and/or software components configured to provide an access point to various systems and components of the system  201 . In various embodiments, controller  250  may comprise a processor. In various embodiments, controller  250  may be implemented in a single processor. In various embodiments, controller  250  may be implemented as and may include one or more processors and/or one or more tangible, non-transitory memories and be capable of implementing logic. Each processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. Controller  250  may comprise a processor configured to implement various logical operations in response to execution of instructions, for example, instructions stored on a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable medium configured to communicate with controller  250 . 
     In various embodiments, the contactless sensor  220  comprises a laser doppler sensor. The contactless sensor  220  may be disposed proximate a top portion of the waste tank  208 . In this regard, the waste tank  208  may continuously or periodically provide a waste water level in the waste tank  208  to the controller  250 . Thus, in response to a waste level exceeding a predetermined threshold (e.g., 90% to 100% vertical height of the waste water level sensor), the controller  250  may send a signal to the display device  260  a waste tank full condition. Thus, the crew may be informed that the waste tank is full and appropriate actions may be taken. In various embodiments, the controller  250  may be configured to send a warning signal at a predetermined level (e.g., 80% vertical height of the waste water level sensor) to indicate the waste tank should be emptied soon (i.e., a waste tank near full condition signal). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a schematic view of the waste water level detection system  201  is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. The system  201  comprises the contactless sensor  220  coupled to the waste tank  208  of the plumbing system  200  from  FIG.  2   . In various embodiments, the contactless sensor  220  may be disposed external to the waste tank  220 . For example, a transparent lens  230  may be disposed between a cavity defined by the waste tank  208  and the contactless sensor  220 . In various embodiments, the transparent lens  230  is coupled to the waste tank  208  and the contactless sensor  220  is coupled to the transparent lens  230 . Although illustrated with transparent lens  230 , the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the contactless sensor  220  may be coupled directly to the waste tank  208  or disposed within the waste tank  208  and still be within the scope of this disclosure. Although illustrated as being coupled to the transparent lens  230 , the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the contactless sensor  220  may be spaced apart from the transparent lens  230  to facilitate motion of the contactless sensor  220  during use, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the transparent lens  230  may provide protection from waste water splash, or the like during operation of the plumbing system  200  from  FIG.  2   . 
     In various embodiments, the contactless sensor  220  comprises a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to emit a laser beam into the waste tank  208 , receive a return signal of the laser beam, calculate a time from emitting the laser beam to receiving the return signal, and determine a height of waste water within the waste tank  208  based on the time and a speed of the laser beam. 
     In various embodiments, the waste water level detection system  201  is configured to facilitate rotary motion  240  of the contactless sensor  220  (e.g., via a ball and socket joint, or the like) to allow the contactless sensor  220  to obtain various data points within the waste tank  208  and/or map a waste water profile within the waste tank  208 . 
     In various embodiments, the contactless sensor  220  may prevent any erroneous readings due to clogging of waste from contact sensors (e.g., point level sensors). Additionally, in various embodiments, as multiple contact sensors are typically used for waste water level detection, the contactless sensor  220  may reduce a sensor count from multiple to one, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, the contactless sensor  220  may provide continuous waste water level data to the controller  250 . In this regard, the controller  250  may be configured to send the waste water level data to the display device  260  to be displayed to any member of the cabin crew. Thus, the waste water level may be continuously monitored, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , a schematic view of a control system  400  for the system  201  from  FIGS.  2  and  3   . In various embodiments, the control system  400  comprises the controller  250 , the contactless sensor  220 , a power source  402 , and the display device  260 . The power source  402  may be electrically coupled, and configured to power, the contactless sensor  220 . In various embodiments, the power source is a battery, or any other power source disposed on an aircraft. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard. 
     In various embodiments, the control system  400  further comprises an actuator  404  electronically (e.g., via a wired connection or wireless connection) the controller  250 . In this regard, in response to the controller  250  determining the waste tank  208  from  FIGS.  2  and  3    is full, the controller  250  may actuate the actuator  404  to lock a respective lavatory, close a respective valve  205 , or the like. In this regard, a lavatory, or toilet may be decommissioned in response to the waste tank  208  for the respective lavatory or toilet being filled. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. 
     Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments. 
     Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.