1975-03-10
1976-05-18
Envall, Jr., R. N.
4DIG3, 3171485B, E03D 13100
Patent
active
039581586
ABSTRACT:
A control circuit for the motor of an electric marine toilet which, effectively, causes the toilet to flush. A conventional D.C. source of potential is employed with a conventional marine toilet including a motor, a pump driven by the motor and a macerator driven by the motor. The lid of the toilet operates a normally open switch. An advantage of the invention is that the lid-operated switch prevents injury to the operator. Moreover, the lid-operated switch provides a motor control override. That is, the motor can be turned off whenever the lid is lifted. A control circuit is provided between the source and the motor to control the motor, the lid operating, for example, by a magnet, a reed switch in the control circuit. The flush cycle may extend over any period. However, a three-second flush cycle is typical. The control circuit includes a momentary contact push button to operate the motor for a three-second interval timed by the control circuit. If the push button is held down for more than three seconds, there is a timing override which causes a flushing action that continues indefinitely until the push button is no longer held down. The structure disclosed has several advantages, one of which is that it is not, in the hazardous location on board a small boat, subject to breakage or corrosion. Further, its useful life far exceeds prior control devices for timing the flush cycle of an electric marine toilet. The structure disclosed also operates within small timing tolerances, and the timing thereof is independent of the D.C. input voltage magnitude impressed thereupon. Still further, the control circuit disclosed has an extremely small leakage current and power loss when the push button is not depressed. For example, the total leakage current may be 50 microamperes through a silicon controlled rectifier T1C45. This current may cause a power loss through a relay coil, the said silicon controlled rectifier and a resistor, all being connected in series, where the resistor may have a resistance of 0 ohms, 40 ohms or 75 ohms. If the lid is raised, there is no leakage current and there is no power loss. The timing is accomplished by applying a negative spike at an appropriate instant in time to the anode of the silicon controlled rectifier.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3590397 (1971-07-01), Akumatsu et al.
patent: 3668479 (1972-06-01), Weston et al.
patent: 3718839 (1973-02-01), Conti et al.
Envall, Jr. R. N.
International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
Stolzy A. Donald
LandOfFree
Head does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Head, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Head will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2238772