Patent · US Expired

Vacuum relief valve for sewage holding tank

US6065493A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 22, 1998
Grant dateMay 23, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 22, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7897
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A plastic sewage holding tank in a boat, associated with a toilet, includes a vent check valve assembly for providing vacuum relief. By mounting the vent check valve in the top of the tank, when the tank is being emptied by rapid pumpout implosion or other damage to the tank is prevented. The vent check valve assembly may include a valve body surface operatively connected to the tank and having a plurality of openings formed in it, and a flexible material diaphragm covering the openings adjacent the inside of the tank, and uncovering openings to allow air flow through the openings substantially only when a vacuum condition exists inside the tank. A plastic disk biases the diaphragm into its opening-covering position, but a partial vacuum of at least about 2-5 inches of water allows air to flow through the openings past the diaphragm.

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