Patent Description:
According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a bellows member for use in connecting two plumbing interfaces to one another. The bellows member is a generally hollow design with cuff ends, each of which connects to an ends of another interface. The bellows member has a flexible bellows body center section that moves to accommodate operational off-axis misalignment, while being able to absorb vacuum and pressure differentials. The disclosed bellows resists vacuum implosion and internal pressurization. The flexible center section is provided with a plurality of convolutes oriented radially outwardly on a horizontal axis. The bellows functions to accommodate misalignment between the two plumbing interfaces.

Commonly, misalignment in plumbing lines may be addressed by using flexible components. For example, if a first plumbing interface is mounted such that it is offset from a corresponding plumbing interface to which it should connect, a flexible rubber or silicone component may be used to bridge the offset/gap connection. However, such components may have connections that provide only limited adaptability. Additionally, such components can tend to pucker or bow out when subjected to misalignment. The components may also implode when subjected to high vacuum levels, which are commonly used on-board plumbing systems of passenger transportation vehicles, such as aircraft. Accordingly, improved bellows members are desirable. Document <CIT> discloses bellows according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. Similar bellows are also known from <CIT>.

Accordingly, the present inventors have designed a bellows member that has a flexible bellows body center section that moves to accommodate operational off-axis misalignment, while being able to absorb vacuum and pressure differentials. Specific examples provide a bellows member for connecting two plumbing interfaces, the bellows member comprising: a first cuff end; a second cuff end; a central opening; a bellows body comprising at least one upper convolute, at least one lower convolute, and an outer convolute (<NUM>). The upper convolute may be a set of upper convolutes. The lower convolute may be a set of lower convolutes. There may be a space between each upper convolute in the set of upper convolutes and a space between each lower convolute in the set of lower convolutes. The convolutes may generally extend radially from the central opening along a horizontal plane. It is possible for the convolutes to comprise ridges that create the appearance of a ring. In a specific example, the convolutes create the appearance of two rings that encircle the central opening, a first inner ring with a smaller diameter than a second outer ring.

It is also possible for the at least one upper convolute, the at least one lower convolute, and the outer convolute to each have a partial outer curvature. The partial outer curvature(s) can define ridges. In one example, an interior space of each of the ridges may be filled with material, forming an internal smooth void within the bellows body. The bellows member may have a plurality of upper convolutes forming ridges and a plurality of lower convolutes forming ridges, and spaces between each ridge. The bellows member is designed to fit into a small envelope of space. In a specific example, the bellows member has a vertical height that is about <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM> inch) to about <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches).

The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" "the present invention," "disclosure," "the disclosure," and "the present disclosure," used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bellows member that can be used to compensate for misalignment between two plumbing interfaces. Embodiments find particular use on board passenger transportation vehicles, where space is a premium and where potential misalignment may occur during vehicle movement. In a specific example, the disclosed bellows member absorbs in-flight vibrational misalignment. For example, a first plumbing interface and a second plumbing interface may need to be secured to one another in such a way that slight movement between each interface will not affect the plumbing connection. In a specific example, this may occur in connection with an aircraft waste tank. The waste tank typically has a waste drain valve assembly (a first plumbing interface) at its outlet, and the waste drain valve assembly connects the waste tank to a service panel (which may be the second plumbing interface). If the waste drain valve assembly and the service panel are not perfectly aligned in the same plane (i.e., they do not share the same central longitudinal axis), a plumbing adapter (which instead may be the second plumbing interface) may be used in order to compensate for the misalignment. (These features and their cooperation with one another are described further below and are mentioned here for context only.

There is typically a bellows assembly positioned between these two plumbing interfaces, i.e., the waste drain valve assembly and the service panel or a plumbing adapter. The bellows assembly is generally designed to help secure the two plumbing interfaces and to help guide waste from the waste drain to the service panel (via the valve and adapter). The bellows is generally expected to withstand certain levels of vacuum and pressure, as well as certain levels of lateral misalignment due to in-flight motion or vibration.

This disclosure describes an improved bellows member for use in connection with an aircraft waste tank. It should be understood that although the disclosed bellows member may be described and used in conjunction with connecting an aircraft waste tank to a service panel, the bellows member described herein may be used in conjunction with any other types of tanks on board any other types of passenger transportation vehicles. It should also be understood that the bellows member described herein may be used in order to couple other interfaces that require a flexible coupling for securement. Any instance where a bellows or other securement can be used to secure to interfaces to one another may benefit from use of the bellows member described herein.

In addition to designing a bellows member capable of withstanding required levels of vacuum and pressure without imploding or laterally twisting to create bulges in the bellows, the inventors also sought to design a bellows member that could fit within a limited envelope of space. For example, distance between a first and second interface to be connected via the bellows member may be as little as one to five inches. Because of this, a large height bellows member that requires a good deal of space is not optimal. Instead, designing a bellows member with a smaller vertical height (e.g., a smaller top to bottom dimension) was one of the desired design features. Accordingly, the disclosed bellows member is capable of use in low space situations in order to span just a small gap between interfaces. Non-limiting exemplary top to bottom dimensions (e.g., the distance between first and second cuff ends <NUM>, <NUM>) may be between about <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM> inch) to about <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches). In a specific embodiment, the top to bottom dimension is about one inch. However, it should be understood that the disclosed bellows member may be scaled up in size in order to be used in environments that have a larger space between first and second interfaces to be connected.

Referring now to <FIG>, the disclosed bellows member <NUM> has first and second cuff ends <NUM>, <NUM> for cooperating with components of a plumbing system. <FIG> illustrate various views of the bellows member <NUM> and will be described in more detail below. In the specific example illustrated by <FIG> and <FIG>, the first cuff end <NUM> cooperates with a waste drain valve assembly <NUM>, and the second cuff and <NUM> cooperates with an adapter <NUM>.

An exemplary waste drain valve assembly is the waste drain ball valve <NUM> shown and described by co-pending <CIT>, relevant contents of which are incorporated herein. As described in that application, the waste drain ball valve <NUM> may have a lower flange <NUM> that cooperates with the bellows member (in this PCT application, the bellows member shown is a prior art bellows member, but the bellows member disclosed herein may be used in its place instead). In some embodiments, the lower flange <NUM> may have a beaded end that helps mate with the bellows member <NUM>. It is also standard to have a mechanical connection that tightens and secures the first plumbing interface to the first cuff end <NUM>. The figures illustrate the use of a clamp <NUM>, such as a band clamp, that secures the lower flange <NUM> to the first cuff end <NUM>. Although a waste drain ball valve <NUM> is described as a possible first plumbing component interface, it should be understood that this disclosure is intended to be exemplary only, and that it is possible to use the disclosed bellows member <NUM> with alternate interfaces.

The second cuff and <NUM> cooperates with an adapter <NUM>. One exemplary adapter <NUM> is shown and described by co-pending <CIT>, relevant contents of which are incorporated herein. As described in that application, the adapter has a raised shoulder that functions as an upper flange <NUM> that cooperates with the bellows member <NUM>. A second clamp <NUM>, such as a band clamp, secures the upper flange <NUM> to the second cuff end <NUM>.

These secure connections generally need to be able to withstand high levels of pressure and vacuum, as well as maintain integrity upon operational movement or lateral shifting. However, traditional prior art bellows do not always function optimally. For example, prior art bellows <NUM> illustrated by <FIG> have various problems. In one example, when pressure is applied to the components that are spanned by the bellows, the bellows member itself buckles outward, creating side bulges <NUM> illustrated by <FIG>. If the bellows <NUM> is then subjected to lateral misalignment as illustrated by <FIG>, the side bulges exhibit stress creases <NUM>. <FIG> shows a prior art bellows <NUM> when its connected interface components are aligned. <FIG> shows areas of shear stress during lateral misalignment or displacement of a prior art bellows <NUM>. These various pressures can weaken the bellows <NUM>, diminishing its useful lifetime.

By contrast, when pressure and lateral misalignment are applied to the disclosed bellows member <NUM>, its rings are caused to pivot, reducing shear stress. This is illustrated by <FIG>, in which the bellows member <NUM> is shown moving side to side in response to operational lateral misalignment. This response to operational lateral misalignment is also illustrated by the schematic of <FIG> illustrates a side schematic view of a bellows member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a force F being applied to one of the interfaces to which the bellows member is connected. As shown, the bellows member "hulas" from side to side upon vibration/lateral misalignment. It does not twist or shear.

Reference will now be made to the structural components of the disclosed bellows member <NUM>. Referring back to the perspective view of <FIG> and the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, the bellows member <NUM> is defined by a bellows body <NUM> that comprises a plurality of convolutes <NUM>. In the specific example shown, there are five convolutes <NUM> in total. There may be an upper set <NUM> of convolutes (two in total), a lower set <NUM> of convolutes (two in total), and a single outer convolute <NUM>. The convolutes collectively appear as "rings" that encircle a central opening <NUM>. The inner upper convolute 34a and the inner lower convolute 36a appear to form a first "ring" in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>. The outer upper convolute 34b and the outer lower convolute 36b appear to form a second "ring" in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>. The outer convolute <NUM> appears to form an outer ring in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>. The convolutes <NUM> are oriented radially outwardly from the central opening <NUM>. They generally form a series of concentric rings extending out from the central opening <NUM> on a horizontal plane <NUM>. It should be understood that although two "sets" of radial convolutes are illustrated, it is possible to provide only a single upper convolute, a single lower convolute, joined by a single outer convolute. It is also possible to provide more than two "sets" of convolutes, such that there are more than two upper convolutes <NUM> and more than two lower convolutes <NUM>. Any number of radial convolutes may be provided. It is expected that how ever many radial convolutes are provided, the outermost upper and outermost lower convolute will be joined by a single outer convolute <NUM>.

Each of convolutes <NUM> is generally shaped in cross-section like a semi-circle, such that it has a partial outer curvature <NUM>. The exterior surface of the bellows body <NUM> somewhat resembles a series of hills and valleys, with the "hills" created by the partial outer curvatures <NUM> that form ridges <NUM> and the "valleys" created by a space <NUM> between each convolute.

In one embodiment, the convolutes are similarly sized, such that the partial outer curvatures <NUM> are generally equal. It is possible for the partial outer curvature <NUM> of the outer convolute <NUM> to be larger than the curvatures of the other convolutes <NUM>. In an alternate embodiment, the convolutes <NUM> may have differently-sized partial outer curvatures <NUM>. It is also possible for the spaces <NUM> between the convolutes to be similarly-sized or varied in size.

As shown by the figures, two set of convolutes form the appearance of "rings" that are oriented radially about the Z axis and lying on or near the XY plane. A first inner ring has a first smaller diameter and a second outer ring has a second larger diameter.

The shape of the bellows body <NUM> allows it to move in order to accommodate off-axis lateral misalignment, as well as resist vacuum implosion and internal pressurization. The presence of the convolutes <NUM> allows the convolutes of the bellows body <NUM> to roll with respect to one another upon sideways pressure or off-axis lateral misalignment, as illustrated by <FIG>. In other words, the rings formed by the convolutes are allowed to pivot about a central axis <NUM>. The presence of the space <NUM> between each convolute allows the "rings" to squeeze into one another or to spread out horizontally, depending upon direction of the pressure. In effect, the bellows body <NUM> works somewhat like a spine, with space between each vertebrae that can allow compression or expansion or pivoting of the spine. It is allowed to flex upon application of movement. The convolutes <NUM> and spaces <NUM> absorb movement in various directions so they are not sheared. This dynamic pivoting and movement occurs rather than shear stress that is experienced by prior art bellows <NUM> during lateral misalignment.

<FIG> illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the upper set <NUM> and lower set <NUM> of convolutes have their internal ridges <NUM> filled in with material, such that there are not open internal spaces/ridges illustrated by <FIG>. This creates a smooth void <NUM> within the bellows body <NUM>. This smooth void <NUM> is a generally internal space <NUM> without internal bulges or ridges. (By contrast, the internal space of <FIG> has ridges <NUM> that extend outward from a bellows interior. ) It is believed that providing a generally smooth void <NUM> can help prevent debris from collecting within the internal ridges. It is further envisioned that this embodiment does not alter the alignment accommodating characteristics described herein.

The bellows member <NUM> is generally manufactured out of a material that can be as stiff as possible in order to absorb vacuum (and not implode upon application of vacuum pressure) and withstand pressure requirements, but not be so stiff that it loses its displacement ability during use. The material choice is also dependent upon required compatibility with certain chemicals or other environmental conditions in the environment of use. For example, if the bellows member <NUM> is intended to be used on board an aircraft or other aerospace usage, the material should be able to withstand a certain temperature requirements, such as repeated freezing without damage under extreme environments, should be able to withstand certain vacuum pressure requirements, should be able to withstand deflection based on aircraft loads, and should be able to meet other set regulation requirements without losing its shape. Exemplary materials that may be used include but are not limited to thermoplastic urethane polyester, polyurethane, nitrile, synthetic rubber, fluoropolymer elastomer, silicone, neoprene, or any combination thereof. Any materials that are suitable for platforms and waste applications are possible. Other appropriate material options are possible and considered within the scope of this disclosure.

Although previous bellows were manufactured of silicone or neoprene or other generally flexible material that could be stretched, it has been found that such flexible material is not optimal for the present design because it tends to implode upon application of vacuum (see <FIG>) and buckle or twist or otherwise be subject to shear stress upon application of lateral displacement (see <FIG>). By contrast, the disclosed bellows member tends to pancake upon itself, but it does not implode or twist.

The subject matter of certain embodiments of this disclosure is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

Claim 1:
A bellows member (<NUM>) for connecting two plumbing interfaces, the bellows member comprising:
a first cuff end (<NUM>);
a second cuff end (<NUM>);
a central opening (<NUM>);
a bellows body (<NUM>) comprising at least one upper convolute (<NUM>), at least one lower convolute (<NUM>), and an outer convolute (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one upper convolute (<NUM>) comprises a set (<NUM>) of upper convolutes (<NUM>) and wherein the at least one lower convolute (<NUM>) comprises a set (<NUM>) of lower convolutes (<NUM>), further comprising a space (<NUM>) between each upper convolute in the set (<NUM>) of upper convolutes (<NUM>) and a space (<NUM>) between each lower convolute in the set (<NUM>) of lower convolutes (<NUM>), characterized in that the at least one upper convolute (<NUM>) and the at least one lower convolute (<NUM>) comprise ridges (<NUM>) that create the appearance of rings that encircle the central opening,
wherein the space (<NUM>) between each convolute (<NUM>, <NUM>) allows the rings formed by the convolutes (<NUM>, <NUM>) to compress or expand horizontally.