Sealand Technology, Inc.

Ronald J Bailey

James A Sigler

Edward F McKiernan

Richard W Sprang

Fred Leroy Lint

Pamela Kay Snyder

A vacuum tank assembly has a low volume configuration so that it can be used in boats and recreational vehicles where space is at a premium. A stack of components, with a waste tank at the bottom, then a vacuum tank with directly connected vacuum pump, and one or more fresh water tanks, is located remote from a vacuum toilet, with a discharge from the toilet (below a vacuum-tight ball valve) connected to the vacuum tank, which is in turn connected to the vacuum pump, in turn connected to the waste tank. A submersible centrifugal pump may be provided mounted to a cap of the water tank, with an anti-siphon device associated with it. The vacuum tank is of high density polypropylene having flat walls, with no continuous flat surface more than 80 square inches. Lipless duckbill check valves are provided on opposite sides of the vacuum pump, the valves of elastomeric material having a ratio of the wall thickness to thickness of the sealing edges of about 1:1. The waste tank may have a dip tube with a dog leg portion having a large cross-sectional are oval bottom opening to minimize the possibility of clogging.

Low volume vacuum toilet assembly

A vacuum toilet system for a vehicle (such as a boat) has numerous advantages. A single pump with valves on opposite sides of it may be used as both the vacuum source and for discharging sewage from a holding tank. Two sets of multiple heads may be selectively connected to two pumps for emergency purposes. The vacuum toilet includes a sealing element with an integral movable valve engaging element including polytetrylflouroethylene and synthetic rubber, and at the same durometer (55-65). The initial passageway provided by movement of the valve with respect to the seal is disposed directly above the center line of an orifice. An an anti-siphon valve assembly has a simple construction of a housing with parallel legs and anti-siphon air passage in alignment with one of the legs. A spray nozzle extends from the other legs of the anti-siphon valve assembly. The toilet funnel/orifice is universally connected to conduits. The vacuum tank is blow molded of plastic, has universal ports including one continuous from the tank walls so that no accumulation takes place in the tank. Longitudinal ribs along the tank provide for easy connection to a support. A vacuum sensor is mounted to one of the vacuum tank ports with fasteners disposed exteriorly of the tank, and without the need for an O-ring.

Vacuum toilet system

A level indicating assembly for use in a tank mounted in a vehicle, such as an RV or boat, includes a fitting body for mounting the assembly in the top of the tank, and probes extending through the body into the tank. At least one of the probes has a hollow probe shaft which is of a flexible material such as flexible pvc. One of the probes provides an 'empty' indication for the tank, while the other probes provide a 'full' indication, and a mid-level indication. A socket or like element with a knock-out plug optionally provides a vent in the fitting body. During installation the position of the probe shafts with respect to the fitting body are adjusted, and any unneeded portion of the probe shaft above the shaft fitting is cut off.

Level indicating in vehicle holding tanks

A vacuum toilet system for a vehicle (such as a boat) has numerous advantages. A single pump with valves on opposite sides of it may be used as both the vacuum source and for discharging sewage from a holding tank. Two sets of multiple heads may be selectively connected to two pumps for emergency purposes. The vacuum toilet includes a sealing element with an integral movable valve engaging element including polytetrylflouroethylene and synthetic rubber, and at the same durometer (55-65). The initial passageway provided by movement of the valve with respect to the seal is disposed directly above the center line of an orifice. An anti-siphon valve assembly has a simple construction of a housing with parallel legs and anti-siphon air passage in alignment with one of the legs. A spray nozzle extends from the other legs of the anti-siphon valve assembly. The toilet funnel/orifice is universally connected to conduits. The vacuum tank is blow molded of plastic, has universal ports including one continuous from the tank walls so that no accumulation takes place in the tank. Longitudinal ribs along the tank provide for easy connection to a support. A vacuum sensor is mounted to one of the vacuum tank ports with fasteners disposed exteriorly of the tank, and without the need for an O-ring. The pump comprises a rolling diaphragm pump in a housing with a sump, and the stem from the pump is plastic with pegs that are staked or ultrasonically welded to the movable pump element. A powdered metal crank arm connects the pump stem to a drive motor, the crank arm being the fail-safe part of the pump.

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Big Prairie, OH, United States of America

Ronald J Bailey