Ball valves for aircraft tanks

Abstract

A discharge ball valve (10) for an aircraft tank. Certain embodiments may be used in conjunction with an aircraft waste tank. The discharge ball valve has an upper housing (14) configured to be received within a piping system line (26) at the tank's discharge port. The discharge ball valve has a lower housing (30) configured to receive a funnel (44) and / or bellows component (50) to help direct waste or other fluids exiting the tank.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 892,298, filed on August 27, 2019, entitled “Ball Valve for Aircraft Tank,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Technical Field

[0002] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a drain ball valve for an aircraft tank is provided. Certain embodiments may be used in conjunction with an aircraft waste tank. The drain ball valve has an upper housing configured to be received within a plumbing line at the tank drain. The drain ball valve has a lower housing configured to receive a funnel and / or bellows component to help guide waste or other fluids exiting the tank. Background Art

[0003] Aircraft and other passenger vehicles often have onboard tanks that carry fluids, such as drinking water, waste, and fuel. Many of these tanks have certain vacuum / pressure requirements due to their use on aircraft and at high altitudes. Due to their closed nature, these tanks are also required to have leak-proof fittings.

[0004] The waste tank assembly typically has a waste inlet, a flush nozzle, and a tank drain or outlet. All of these areas of the tank and their accompanying connections must be able to withstand possible movement of the tank due to aircraft turbulence and possible expansion of the tank due to various temperature differences, while managing fluid flow without leakage or migration.

[0005] Regarding wastewater holding tanks, a further requirement is that the waste holding tanks can be emptied or drained. For example, certain types of ball valves have been used to manage waste discharge. Ball valves are typically spherical units with a cylindrical passage extending through the unit. Control of the discharge ball valve can be performed via a lever. Moving the lever into an open position aligns the cylindrical passage with the waste holding tank and the external outlet discharge port, so that opening the valve allows waste material to flow out. Moving the lever into a closed position can rotate the ball valve so that the valve body blocks both the holding tank and the outlet discharge port. This prevents waste material from flowing out of the waste tank. Typically, a service technician manages the opening and closing of the lever to drain the waste tank.

[0006] The present disclosure relates specifically to an improved discharge ball valve for managing the flow of fluid from a tank. Various valve types are provided for the flow of fluid from an aircraft waste tank. In most cases, a conduit or other fluid-carrying pipe is attached to the tank outlet to direct the fluid exiting the tank to its final destination. The exiting fluid (waste) is often delivered to a service panel for proper disposal. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The disclosed drain ball valve has an upper housing shaped to be received within a piping line of a tank drain port, and a lower housing shaped to receive a funnel and / or bellows component to help direct waste or other fluids out of the tank. The drain ball valve is particularly useful in conjunction with aircraft waste tanks.

[0008] The terms "invention," "said invention," "this invention," "present invention," "disclosure," "said disclosure," and "present disclosure" as used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims that follow. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims that follow. The embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the following claims, not by this Summary. This Summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section that follows. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0009] In one example, a discharge ball valve for use with a fluid-containing tank having a tank discharge is provided. The discharge ball valve includes an upper housing having an upper raised wall configured to be received within a piping line of the tank discharge; and a lower housing including a connection area for receiving a bellows component. The upper housing may have a first circular flange, a curved surface, and a second circular flange. The upper housing may also have a first upper peripheral edge and a second lower peripheral edge, wherein the second lower peripheral edge is larger than the first upper peripheral edge.

[0010] In use, the tank discharge port includes an interface flange, and when the discharge ball valve is positioned within the pipe system line, the interface flange and the first circular flange abut each other. A clamp may be used to secure the interface flange and the first circular flange to each other.

[0011] In a further example, the lower housing of the valve may have a connection region including a flanged end. If the valve is used with a bellows component, the bellows component may have an inner mating surface that cooperates with the connection region / flared end of the lower housing. A clamp may be used to secure the bellows component to the lower housing.

[0012] In a further example, the valve is used with a funnel.In one example, the funnel may have a hook, and the lower shell may have a recess configured to receive the hook of the funnel.

[0013] In a further example, the valve may have a handle that cooperates with the arm to actuate the discharge ball valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a drain ball valve is shown.

[0015] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 Side perspective view of a discharge ball valve.

[0016] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 A side plan view of a discharge ball valve with a V-band coupling and a bellows assembly secured to the discharge ball valve.

[0017] Figure 4 Shown Figure 2 Side cross-sectional view of a discharge ball valve.

[0018] Figure 5 Shown is a side perspective view of a prior art drain ball valve.

[0019] Figure 6 Shown are side-by-side perspective views of a prior art drain ball valve and one embodiment of the drain ball valve described herein.

[0020] Figure 7 Shown Figure 1 A side partial cross-sectional view of the lower shell of the discharge ball valve.

[0021] Figure 8A Shown Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of the lower shell with the funnel secured to the lower shell.

[0022] Figure 8B Shown Figure 7 Side cross-sectional view of the lower shell with the replacement funnel secured to the lower shell.

[0023] Figure 9 A side partial cross-sectional view of the lower housing, final, and service panel adapter is shown.

[0024] Figure 10 A side perspective view of one embodiment of a bellows component is shown.

[0025] Figure 11 Shown is a side plan view of a drain ball valve secured to a service panel.

[0026] Figure 12 A side cross-sectional view of a tank drain of a waste tank is shown.

[0027] Figure 13 Shown is a front perspective view of the drain ball valve secured to the waste tank and service panel.

[0028] Figure 14Shown is a full perspective view of a waste tank mounted on a service panel with a drain ball valve installed on the waste tank.

[0029] Figure 15 A side plan view of one embodiment of the actuation of the discharge ball valve described herein is shown.

[0030] Figure 16 An alternative embodiment of actuation is illustrated.

[0031] Figure 17 A further embodiment of actuation is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present disclosure is described with respect to a ball valve for use with an aircraft waste tank, but it should be understood that the disclosed ball valve can be used with any other type of tank on any other type of passenger vehicle. The disclosed discharge ball valve 10 incorporates a standard discharge valve body 12 with modified upper and lower shells. The valve 10 also incorporates a standard shaft 82 and handle 84 to actuate the discharge valve body 12.

[0033] Now refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2-4 In the exploded view of FIG. 1 , the upper shell 14 is shown as having an upper raised wall 16. The upper raised wall 16 defines a first upper periphery. The upper raised wall 16 extends upward from a first circular flange 18. Extending between the first circular flange 18 and the second circular flange 20 is a curved surface 22. The second circular flange 20 defines a second lower periphery. The second lower periphery is larger than the first upper periphery. The curved surface 22 curves outward from the first periphery to the second periphery. As shown by Figure 2-4 (and specifically by Figure 4 As shown in the assembled discharge ball valve 10 in the cross-sectional view of FIG, the upper raised wall 16 can be received by the upper docking type piping system line 26 of the waste tank. Figure 6 As shown, this lowers the plane of the upper raised wall 16, making the ball valve more compact and smaller than previous versions. Once positioned, the first circular flange 18 can abut the lower end face of the interface flange 74 of the tank discharge port. This is achieved by Figure 4 These abutting flanges 18, 74 may then receive a V-band coupling 24 which is secured about the first circular flange 18 and the V-band interface flange 74 to secure the upper shell 14 to the tank discharge port of the waste tank (described in more detail below).

[0034] This is in contrast to the fixed discharge ball valves of the prior art. Figure 5, which illustrates a prior art drain ball valve 100. Earlier valves had a flat top flange 102, which attached to the piping or line extending from the waste tank, and a flat bottom flange 104, which attached to the service panel. These types of prior art drain ball valves were not designed to be received by any portion of the tank or tank piping. Instead, they were attached in abutting relation. In contrast, the currently disclosed drain ball valve 10 has an upper shell 14 shaped and configured to be received by and housed within the piping line 26 of the waste tank outlet. From a side cross-sectional view, the upper shell 14 is essentially integrated into the waste tank outlet and extends within it. It reaches inside the tank piping line 26. This saves space compared to earlier drain ball valves. The new design does not require any changes to the tank outlet or piping line dimensions, nor does it require any changes or modifications to the prior art spring-loaded seal. This ensures that the sealing quality is maintained while reducing the required size of the ball valve.

[0035] By having the upper raised wall 16 reach inside the ductwork line 26, installation may also be facilitated because the raised wall 16 is centered relative to and fits within the ductwork line 26 without requiring alignment of the prior art flat top flange 100 with the lower end of the ductwork line. Figure 6 A side-by-side comparison between a prior art discharge ball valve 100 and the disclosed discharge ball valve 10 is illustrated, and shows the potential space saving features of the new valve for use in height-constrained environments.

[0036] The discharge ball valve 10 also has a lower shell 30, which is Figure 7 The lower shell 30 can be designed to be connected to the funnel (by Figure 8A and 8B Shown) and / or bellows component 50 docking, which Figure 9 and described in more detail below. Figure 10 A side view (partial cross-section) of the lower housing 30 is shown with the funnel 40 in place. Figure 11 A side view of the lower housing 30 is shown with the bellows member 50 in place. Figure 3 A side view of the lower housing 30 is shown with the bellows member 50 in place, the bellows member 50 being shown transparent so that the funnel 44 is visible.

[0037] Now return to reference Figure 7The lower housing 30 has a circumferential flange 32 that leads downwardly to a sidewall 34. This sidewall has a flanged end 36 that can be used to support a flexible bellows component 50. The flanged end 36 provides a side protrusion that can support the inner wall / inner mating surface of the bellows component 50. When the bellows component 50 is positioned over the flanged end 36, a clamp can be tightened around the bellows component to secure the bellows in place. The inner mating surface of the bellows component 50 can be generally flat and can conform to the ball valve flanged end 36 when the clamp is tightened around the bellows component 50 and the ball valve flanged end 36 to secure them together. Extending distally from the sidewall 34 is a ledge 38. Further distal from the ledge 38 is a lower wall 40 of reduced diameter. The lower wall 40 can include an optional notch 42 that can be used to support an optional funnel 44. The design principle of providing the funnel is to maximize the discharge opening and also provide a clear direction of entry into the service panel adapter 48. The funnel 44 may be an internal funnel that directs waste material through the bellows member 50 during discharge.

[0038] Two exemplary funnel 44 options are illustrated by Figures 8-9. These figures show a funnel 44 having a hook 46 that is configured to be received by the notch 42, thereby providing a mechanical lock. Figure 8A The funnel is shown with a lower angle being received by the service panel adapter 48 . Figure 8B A funnel with straight walls is shown being directed into the service panel adapter 48 .

[0039] The funnel can be made of a flexible material, such as nitrile rubber. Specific examples can be nitrile according to AMS-P-5315, 65+ / -5 durometer / hardness, and / or rubber (RUBBER) according to MIL-PRF-6855F. Other examples are possible and are considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0040] The overall goal is that it does not become brittle during use. The funnel may also be covered with a fiberglass layer and / or coated with neoprene. Any material suitable for the platform and waste application is possible. Other suitable material options are possible and are considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] The bellows member 50 is made of Figure 9 Shown (and in Figure 3 and Figure 11The bellows member 50 may be made of a flexible material so that it can be stretched to fit over the sidewall 34 of the lower housing 30 and remains flexible in the event of movement between the ball valve 10 and the service panel. The bellows member 50 may have an upper portion 52 with a first peripheral edge and a lower portion 54 with a second, smaller peripheral edge. In a specific example, the first peripheral edge may have a diameter of approximately 6 inches, and the second, smaller peripheral edge may have a diameter of approximately 4 inches. The upper portion 52 is shown as having an upper side 56, a groove 58, and a curved side 60. The upper side 56 is shaped and configured to fit over the sidewall 34 of the lower housing 30, and when positioned, the groove 58 receives the flanged end 36 of the sidewall 34. Once positioned, a clamp 62 may be positioned around the upper side 56 to secure the bellows member 50 relative to the lower housing 30. The clamp 62 may be a hose clamp or any other suitable clamp that can secure the bellows member 50 in place. It is generally desired that the bellows component 50 be made of a material that can withstand repeated freezing without damage under extreme conditions. The material should also be able to withstand deflection based on aircraft loads. Possible materials include, but are not limited to, rubber structures, such as nitrile rubber. The materials used for the bellows component and the funnel can be the same. These materials can have different numbers of layers and / or structures to achieve desired flexibility. The material can be coated with various fiberglass layers and / or with neoprene. Any material suitable for platform and waste applications is possible. Other appropriate material options are possible and are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 12-14 Illustrated is how the disclosed drain ball valve 10 may be assembled relative to a waste tank 70 . Figure 12 A close-up view of a tank drain 72 of a waste tank 70 is shown. The tank drain 72 is shown having a V-band interface flange 74. When the drain ball valve 10 is secured to the tank drain 72, a V-band clamp or coupling 24 may be secured around the first circular flange 18 of the upper shell 14 and the V-band interface flange 74 of the tank drain 72. Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view of the V-band clamp 24 securing the flanges 18 , 74 is shown. Figure 13 A view of the drain ball valve 10 mounted on the tank drain port 72 of the waste tank 70 is shown. Figure 14 Shown is a full perspective view of a waste tank with a drain ball valve installed on the waste tank.

[0043] Figure 15-17 Possible actuation assemblies are shown that may be associated with the shaft 82 and handle 84 to open and close the ball valve. In one example, the bracket 80 may be attached to an interface shaft 82 that cooperates with the handle shaft 82 and the handle 84 . Figure 15An arm 86 is shown which can be actuated to move an intermediate bracket 88 which is fixed to two points 90a and 90b on bracket 80. Fixing may be via a spring 92 or any other suitable connection mechanism. Figure 16 An alternative embodiment is shown which operates in a similar manner but uses only a single fixing point 90 on the handle 84. The arms 86 are connected without an intermediate bracket. Figure 17 A further embodiment for actuation is shown. In this example, an arm 86 is fixed to a rotatable member 94. Movement of the arm 86 causes movement of the rotatable member, thereby opening and closing the ball valve.

[0044] Beneficial features of the disclosed discharge ball valve include, but are not limited to, its low clearance installation envelope. Providing the described modified upper shell 14 geometry allows a portion of the shell 14 to be inserted into a butt-type piping system line 26. This can be accomplished while maintaining the current sealing principles and current ball opening diameters of currently available tanks and valve bodies. The disclosed upper / lower shell modifications allow the installation envelope to be reduced by approximately 2.5 inches. The disclosed V-bands can secure the shell to the tank discharge port. The disclosed bellows can help contain any waste material that might potentially leak from the connection area.

[0045] The disclosed V-belt connectors and flanged connectors are provided as examples only. It should be understood that other connector options are possible and are considered within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the connectors can be customized to fit the specific aircraft in use. These connectors can also be bolted, depending on the butt-type piping system line connection and clearance requirements.

[0046] The subject matter of certain embodiments of the present disclosure has been described with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. Except when the order of individual steps or the arrangement of elements is explicitly described, the description should not be construed as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between the various steps or elements.

[0047] It should be understood that different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described, are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and can be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. The embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A discharge ball valve (10) for use with a fluid containing tank (70) having a tank discharge port (72), the discharge ball valve (10) comprising: The upper shell (14) comprises: a first circular flange comprising a first peripheral edge; a second circular flange comprising a second perimeter, wherein the second perimeter is larger than the first perimeter; a curved surface extending between the first circular flange and the second circular flange; and an upper raised wall (16) configured to be received within a ductwork line (26) of the tank drain (72), wherein the upper raised wall extends upwardly from a first circular flange adjacent a lower end flange of the tank drain; A bellows component comprising: a groove including an outer peripheral edge; an upper portion including a third peripheral edge; and a lower portion comprising a fourth perimeter, wherein the fourth perimeter is smaller than the third perimeter, and wherein the outer perimeter is larger than the third perimeter and the fourth perimeter; The lower shell (30) comprises: a flange end for coupling to an inner periphery of the groove; a connecting region for receiving a bellows component (50); a recess configured to receive a hook of the funnel, wherein: The funnel is coupled to the lower shell; and The funnel is completely housed within the bellows component.

2. The valve (10) of claim 1, wherein the tank discharge port includes an interface flange (74), wherein the upper shell (14) includes a first circular flange (18), wherein when the discharge ball valve (10) is positioned within the piping system line (26), the interface flange (74) and the first circular flange (18) abut each other.

3. The valve (10) of claim 2, further comprising a clamp securing the interface flange (74) and the first circular flange (18) to each other.

4. The valve (10) of claim 1, wherein the connection region of the lower shell (30) comprises a flanged end (36).

5. The valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein The bellows member (50) includes an inner mating surface that cooperates with the connection area of ​​the lower shell (30).

6. The valve (10) of claim 1, further comprising a clamp configured to secure the bellows component to the lower housing.

7. The valve (10) of claim 1, further comprising a handle (84) cooperating with an arm (86) to actuate the discharge ball valve (10).

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the funnel is coated with a layer of fiberglass.

9. The valve of claim 1, wherein the funnel is coated with polychloroprene.

10. The valve of claim 1, wherein the tank drain comprises a curved surface that conforms to a surface of the containing tank.

11. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the bellows member is made of a first material and the funnel is made of a second material, and wherein the first material is the same as the second material.

12. The valve of claim 1, wherein the bellows member is made of a first material and the funnel is made of a second material, and wherein the first material is different from the second material.

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