Grey Water Flow Control Unit for Aircraft Vacuum Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing grey water in passenger transport vehicles, such as aircraft, face challenges including separate disposal requirements for grey and black water, energy inefficiencies in heating grey water for discharge, environmental hazards, noise from vacuum systems, and unsightly staining of aircraft surfaces, particularly in smaller vehicles without separate grey water tanks.
Innovation Solution
A flow control unit with a series of valves and intermediate transfer tubes that direct grey water by gravity into an intermediate holding device, using a valving system to manage flow and route it to on-board waste tanks, balancing load between bilaterally symmetrical tanks and reducing noise through coordinated valve operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If grey water is discharged outside the aircraft via drain mast, then disposal is simple, but energy is consumed for heating and maintenance issues arise from clogs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines grey water disposal with the existing vacuum system used for black water, merging two separate disposal pathways into one unified system. This eliminates the need for separate heating equipment and drain masts, while utilizing the already-present vacuum infrastructure to handle both grey and black water together.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum system is designed to serve multiple functions: it originally handled black water disposal, and now also handles grey water disposal through the integrated flow control unit. This multi-functional approach eliminates dedicated grey water heating and disposal systems, reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements.
2Ease of operation
If grey water is discharged outside the aircraft, then disposal is straightforward, but safety problems occur if drain masts are not turned off and environmental hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
By combining grey water disposal with the enclosed vacuum system used for black water, the patent eliminates open discharge to the environment. Both waste streams are contained and delivered to sealed storage tanks, preventing environmental contamination and eliminating safety hazards associated with open drain masts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of grey water discharge (environmental pollution, safety risks) into a benefit by utilizing the existing vacuum infrastructure. The same vacuum system that efficiently handles black water is now employed for grey water, turning a problematic disposal issue into an opportunity for resource consolidation and hazard elimination.
3Productivity
If grey water is disposed outside during travel, then disposal capacity is utilized, but material paints the side of the plane creating unsightly streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges grey water disposal with the enclosed vacuum system, ensuring both waste streams are contained within the aircraft structure. This prevents grey water from contacting the aircraft exterior surfaces, eliminating the aesthetic degradation and cleaning costs associated with external discharge while maintaining full disposal capacity.
4Reliability
If separate grey water tanks are installed, then grey and black water can be disposed separately, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the vacuum system and flow control unit to handle multiple waste types (black water and grey water) through a single integrated pathway. The flow control unit automatically manages grey water flow using the existing vacuum infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate tanks and disposal systems while maintaining reliable handling of both waste streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control unit acts as an intermediary device that manages grey water flow without requiring separate storage tanks. It interfaces between the grey water source and the existing vacuum system, using the vacuum pressure differential to control grey water movement. This intermediary approach maintains separate handling capability while utilizing the unified vacuum infrastructure.
5Productivity
If vacuum system operates at high flow, then disposal efficiency is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control unit performs preliminary actions by collecting and holding grey water in transfer tubes before vacuum engagement. This pre-positioning allows the vacuum system to engage with a contained volume rather than high-velocity flowing water, reducing turbulence and noise while maintaining disposal efficiency. The valves are pre-positioned to control flow timing and minimize noisy operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables discreet, quiet, and environmentally friendly management of grey water, balancing load between waste tanks, reducing energy consumption, and preventing unsightly staining, while providing redundancy and noise reduction in vacuum operations.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum is generated either by the pressure differential between the pressurized cabin and the reduced pressure outside of an aircraft at high flight altitudes or by a vacuum generator at ground level or at low flight altitudes.
Implementation Method 2
Most passenger aircraft have a vacuum disposal system that applies vacuum to transport waste water from toilets and/or sinks into an on-board waste water storage tank.
Implementation Method 3
A flow control unit with a series of valves and intermediate transfer tubes that direct grey water by gravity into an intermediate holding device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a flow control unit (10) for controlling liquid flow in a vacuum waste system. In one embodiment, the flow control unit provides a series of valves that direct liquid flow. The unit may also have an intermediate transfer tube (14) that holds a portion of the liquid to be directed, prior to delivery of the liquid to left and right transfer tubes (26, 28). In one embodiment, the unit may be installed on board a passenger transport vehicle. A particularly beneficial use of the flow control unit is on a private aircraft for use as a shower control unit.