Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – With holding tank
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-12
2001-06-19
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
With holding tank
C004S210000, C004S347000, C454S084000, C454S103000, C454S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247191
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of locomotives, and more specifically to the field of winterizing water containing components of the locomotive, and specifically to winterizing the sanitation equipment on-board a locomotive.
It is known to provide toilet facilities on-board a locomotive for use by the crew during the operation of the locomotive. A separate toilet room is typically provided adjacent the cabin to provide privacy for the user. The toilet room is generally provided with conditioned air, and in particular, with heated air during periods of operation of the locomotive in frigid environments. Because the toilet room is heated, there is little concern that the water contained within the toilet and associated piping within the toilet room will freeze and thereby cause structural damage due to the expansion of the water as it freezes. However, the toilet drain is typically piped to a treatment tank located outside the toilet room, and the treatment tank is usually located in an unconditioned air space. Therefore, some form of protection must be provided to prevent the water in the treatment tank from freezing.
It is known to surround the treatment tank and associated piping located in an unconditioned air space with heat trace. Heat trace is a term used to describe any of several forms of heat generating material that is wrapped around or layered over a component. Heat trace typically includes an insulated electrical resistance heater wire or mesh attached to a layer of thermal insulation or blanketing. The heat trace is supplied with an electrical current, thereby generating heat which is trapped against the component by the insulation. While effective to protect a component against freezing, heat trace is expensive to install, to maintain and to operate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Thus there is a particular need for an improved method for preventing the freezing of water in the sanitation system of a locomotive. There is also a need for a sanitation system for a locomotive that is less costly to install, to maintain and to operate.
A sanitation apparatus for a locomotive is described herein as having a first compartment; a toilet disposed within the first compartment; a second compartment; a treatment tank disposed within the second compartment; a drain line connected between the toilet and the treatment tank; an air supply connected to the first compartment for supplying air to the first compartment; a vent connected between the first compartment and the second compartment, the vent operable to deliver at least a portion of the air from the first compartment to the second compartment; and a suction line connected to the second compartment for moving the at least a portion of the air out of the second compartment.
A method for reducing the energy consumption of a locomotive is also described, the locomotive having a toilet room containing conditioned air from which air must be exhausted to the exterior of the locomotive, and further having a treatment tank that must be protected from freezing, the method comprising the steps of exhausting a flow of air from the toilet room to the exterior of the locomotive; and using heat energy from the flow of air to prevent the freezing of the treatment tank.
REFERENCES:
patent: 525104 (1894-08-01), Herrick
patent: 949212 (1910-02-01), Bogart
patent: 1021663 (1912-03-01), Cronk
patent: 3780677 (1973-12-01), Frankel
patent: 4214324 (1980-07-01), Kemper et al.
patent: 6038710 (2000-03-01), Baron
Detar Gail L.
Eisert Anne K.
Kindel Todd M.
Ledbetter Lamar K.
General Electric Company
Holland & Knight LLP
Huson Gregory L.
Maire, Esq. David G.
Prunner Kathleen J.
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