Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Bowl
Patent
1997-01-06
1998-05-26
Fetsuga, Robert M.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Bowl
4321, 417160, E03D 1100
Patent
active
057549877
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a unit for generating, maintaining and eliminating a vacuum in, for instance, a tank intended for collecting and further transporting waste in a vacuum toilet. The invention also relates to a system which includes a vacuum unit constructed in accordance with the invention.
BACKGROUND
Vacuum ejectors which work in accordance with the so-called venturi principle are known to the art and are used to generate a subpresssure, e.g., in a tank connected thereto. Such ejectors are able typically to generate a vacuum of up to 90%.
When an ejector of such a vacuum unit is coupled to a system which includes a tank and compressed-air conduits for the purpose of generating both pressure conditions and vacuum conditions, fitting and coupling of the system elements normally requires a large quantity of auxiliary material. A conventional ejector cannot be used in couplings such as these without providing a relatively large number of auxiliary devices, particularly in vacuum toilet systems.
In order to maintain the vacuum generated in the unit connected to the tank, the known vacuum units include a check valve between the ejector and the tank, so as to prevent the inflow of air from the system to the tank, via the ejector.
This check valve, however, presents a problem. Firstly, it makes it difficult to integrate all desired functions in the vacuum unit itself, since compressed air must then be delivered through a separate channel when the tank is to be emptied, and secondly, it is not possible to provide a self-cleaning unit because the check valve prevents air from flowing to the tank from the ejector.
The earlier known systems are also bulky and heavy.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the aforesaid problems, by providing a vacuum unit of the kind defined in the introduction in which all operationally necessary functions are integrated and which is self-cleaning and lighter in weight than known vacuum units and which can be installed more easily than said known units.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum toilet system which includes one such vacuum unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Fundamentally, the invention is based on the insight that these objects can be achieved with a vacuum unit in which the check valve is instead mounted in a unit-mounted ventilation connection.
Thus, there is provided in accordance with the invention a vacuum unit which includes a first valve that can be connected to a compressed-air source, a second valve that can be connected to a compressed-air source, an ejector that includes an inlet nozzle, an outlet nozzle and a vacuum opening, wherein the ejector is connected to the first valve via the inlet nozzle and to a first vacuum-mounted connection via the vacuum opening, and further comprises a piston valve having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet, wherein the piston valve is connected to the ejector outlet nozzle via the first inlet and to the second valve via the second inlet and to a second vacuum unit mounted connection via the outlet, and further comprises a check valve mounted between the piston-valve outlet and the vacuum unit mounted connection, and a passageway which connects the second valve and the second input of the piston valve to an ejector inlet.
With this arrangement, it is possible to provide a compact, integrated vacuum unit which includes an ejector placed in the centre of the unit, and also a unit which is self-cleaning. The ejector input is preferably directed generally at right angles to the ejector inlet nozzle and outlet nozzle.
It is preferred that the valves can be connected to one and the same compressed-air source, through a common inlet.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the vacuum unit, the unit includes a pressure sensor and a safety valve which are connected to the first unit-mounted connection.
A unit of this construction can be manufactured advantageously by injection-moulding with acetal resin.
In accordance
REFERENCES:
patent: 1121297 (1914-12-01), Schmitt
patent: 1678258 (1928-07-01), MacDonald
patent: 3730884 (1973-05-01), Burns et al.
patent: 4865631 (1989-09-01), Stroby et al.
patent: 5133853 (1992-07-01), Mattsson et al.
patent: 5214807 (1993-06-01), Terve
Johansson H.ang.kan
Johansson Karl-Erik
AVAC Ejektor AB
Fetsuga Robert M.
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