The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1999
Mike M. Rozenblatt, Manhattan Beach, CA (US);
Robert G. Ratliff, Buena Park, CA (US);
MAG Aerospace Industries, Inc., Compton, CA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for reducing water consumption in a vacuum toilet on an aircraft. The system and method includes a weight sensing device that is mounted to an aircraft toilet and is responsive to weight applied to the bowl of the toilet. The weight sensing device detects that a toilet user is seated upon the toilet seat when it measures a weight applied to the toilet bowl. On the other hand, the weight sensing device detects that a toilet user is standing when the weight sensing device does not measure a weight applied to the toilet bowl. A flush control unit is connected to the weight sensing device and controls the amount of water utilized in the flushing of the toilet. When the toilet is flushed and the weight sensing device has detected that a toilet user has sat upon the toilet seat, the flush control unit commands that a standard amount of water be used to remove the solid waste of the toilet user. On the other hand, when the toilet is flushed and the weight sensing device has detected that the toilet user has stood, the flush control unit commands that a small amount of water be used thereby saving water.