Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Bowl
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-13
2001-06-05
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Bowl
C004S431000, C137S242000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240575
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a vacuum toilet discharge system, provided with a shutoff valve, in which the risk of blocking of the shutter member of the valve by scale, lack of lubrication, etc. is prevented.
The invention also relates to a method for keeping operative a shutoff valve of a vacuum toilet discharge system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vacuum toilet discharge systems often present problems because their components become stuck together, following different periods of inactivity. One of the components which usually suffers most in this respect is the shutoff valve. This is usually due to the fact that the substances which are in the water, such as lime and the like, often build up scale between the fixed and moving parts of the valve, hindering or even blocking its operation; moreover, if solid particles come between the fixed and moving parts the operation of the valve can become defective, leading to leaks, defective movements, abrasion, etc.
Where a toilet discharge system remains inactive for some time, the shutter member of the shutoff valve can easily adhere to its housing due to the remains of lime and the like, so that in the next operation cycle the normal driving system does not have sufficient force to move the shutter member; in such cases, the valve remains inoperative and has to be disassembled for cleaning, with the attendant disadvantages of down-time due to breakdown, labour cost, etc.
Another disadvantage of toilet discharge systems having valves with a moving part is that lubrication of the unit is sometimes insufficient, and this also has a negative effect on operation of the valve.
One example of a toilet discharge system with shutoff valve to which this invention can be applied is described in Spanish patent ES-A-2072176, in the name of the same Applicant.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has been developed in order to solve the disadvantages mentioned above, while also presenting other advantages, as will be explained below.
With this purpose, the vacuum toilet discharge system of the invention is provided with a shutoff valve which connects a bowl with a waste water reservoir, said valve including a valve body inside which is mounted a shutter member which can be driven between an opening position and a closing position of the valve, and is characterized in that it includes unblocking means for the shutter member which act to cause a displacement of the shutter member between the closing position and an auxiliary position, and the subsequent return of the shutter member to the closing position.
The valve and the toilet discharge system are always kept operative, since the displacement of the shutter member hinders the deposition of calcareous remains and the like on the walls, or between the body and the shutter member; if a small amount of scale forms, the force of the displacement of the shutter member is able to release it.
Moreover, this toilet discharge system prevents particles from penetrating between the valve body and shutter member, and thereby improves cleaning of the unit.
A third advantage presented by the described toilet discharge system with shutoff valve is that it facilitates good lubrication of the unit, since the lubricant flows regularly in metered amounts towards the wall of the valve thanks to the aforesaid displacement.
In a preferred embodiment of the toilet discharge system of the invention, the shutter member is a rotating element with a transverse through passage, displacement of the shutter member between the closing position and the auxiliary position taking place along the direction of the shutter member rotation axis.
The lineal displacement is much more vigorous than the normal rotation of the shutter member, thus being capable of moving the shutter member even if the latter is blocked, for example, by scale.
Advantageously, the unblocking means include a pneumatic system which injects air alternately into two chambers defined between the valve body and the shutter member, on two opposite sides of the latter; in the case of the rotating shutter member, the chambers are an upper chamber and a lower chamber, defined respectively above and below the shutter member, the upper chamber being an annular chamber formed around a rotating drive shaft of the shutter member and the lower chamber being a circular chamber.
Preferably, the two chambers are connected to sources of pressurized fluid through a two-position distribution valve, which in one position connects one of the chambers with a source of pressurized fluid and in the other position connects the other chamber with a source of pressurized fluid.
In one particular embodiment, the displacement of the shutter member between the closing position and the auxiliary position is of approximately 0.8 mm.
This small distance is sufficient to cause the release of the shutter member.
The present invention also provides a method for keeping operative a shutoff valve in a vacuum toilet discharge system, said valve including a valve body inside which is a shutter member which can be driven between an opening position and a closing position of the valve, characterized in that the shutter member is submitted to a cycle which includes a displacement between the closing position and an auxiliary position, and a subsequent return to the closing position.
With this method it is possible to prevent a shutoff valve from becoming blocked by scale or particles, while lubrication thereof is improved, so that the valve and the toilet discharge system are always in perfect operating condition.
Advantageously, said cycle is implemented before driving the valve between the closing position and the opening position, in each operation of the valve; alternatively, said cycle is implemented at predetermined intervals.
If the cycle is implemented at intervals, the valve never becomes stuck and always remains clean and well lubricated; in some cases, however, this periodic functioning will not be needed, and it will be sufficient to carry out the cycle in association with each operation of the valve.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2315058 (1943-03-01), Holt, II et al.
patent: 3984080 (1976-10-01), Varis et al.
patent: 4020864 (1977-05-01), Church, Jr.
patent: 4826132 (1989-05-01), Moldenhauer
patent: 5271105 (1993-12-01), Tyler
patent: 584 031 A2 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 90/11415 (1990-10-01), None
Eloshway Charles R.
Steinberg & Raskin, P.C.
Tecnicas Modulares e Industriales S.A.
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