Patent · US Active

Maintenance mode for aircraft vacuum toilet

US10208468B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
100References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 2016
Grant dateFeb 19, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16K31/465
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method of controlling an operation of a toilet system on-board an aircraft is disclosed. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a fluid valve controlling input of fluid into the toilet bowl, a flush switch configured to be activated by a user, and a controller configured to operate the fluid valve. The method includes detecting an activation of the flush switch, monitoring a flush switch activation time period, and determining whether the flush switch activation time period exceeds a preset threshold time period. In response to determining that flush switch activation time period does not exceed the preset threshold time period, a standard flush cycle is initiated. In response to determining that the flush switch activation time period exceeds the preset threshold time period, a maintenance mode is initiated allowing a larger volume of fluid to fill the toilet bowl for maintenance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.