A distributed control system for a vacuum sewer system comprising a suction pipe which is communicated with a vacuum source via a transport conduit (520) by opening a vacuum valve (530) using a solenoid valve is disclosed. The transport conduit is connected between the vacuum valve and a collection tank, with the collection tank having a vacuum source relative to atmospheric pressure applied thereto. The suction pipe is connected between the vacuum valve and a sewage sump, with the sewage sump have a source of sewage maintained at atmospheric pressure. Sewage (551) in the sump is sucked through the suction pipe and sent to the collection tank via the transport conduit by opening the vacuum valve. A transport conduit section is laid out in a sawtooth fashion, having in series transport conduit portions comprising a low-point conduit portion (522), a riser conduit portion (521), and a down-slope conduit portion (523). A valve pit apparatus (500) for control and monitoring the valve pit operations is provided with a battery powered electronic computer, a plurality of sensors, and a solenoid valve. A transport conduit apparatus for monitoring the transport conduit conditions is provided with a riser conduit sensor (550) capable of detecting sewage conditions within the riser and communicating the conditions to a computer (551) for processing. When the vacuum valve (530) is intermittently opened by control of the valve pit apparatus (500), sewage (551) in the sump is intermittently injected under the influence of atmospheric pressure into the transport conduit (520) for transportation to the collection tank, which passes through the transport conduit riser (521) and detected by the transport conduit apparatus for processing. The results of the valve pit apparatus and the transport conduit apparatus processing are stored in computer memory as operating parameters and then wirelessly communicated to devices external of the valve pit apparatus and transport conduit apparatus. The distributed control system provides an apparatus and method for control and monitoring of the vacuum sewer system, which is complex in sensor placement operating parameters processing but simple in structure, easy to maintain and capable of stable operation.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a reservoir (40) that is easily removed from a grey water flush system. The reservoir is made modular so that rather than removing an entire reservoir/pump/circuitry system, the reservoir (40) can be separately removed from the system. The reservoir can also be made disposable, which can save cleaning and refurbishment costs. This can also increase turn-around time for maintenance of the system.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

A waste disposal apparatus for an aircraft comprising a basin for receiving liquid and/or solid pollutants, comprising a lid for closing off the basin, comprising a feed arrangement for supplying an air-water mixture, wherein the feed arrangement has an air-water mixing device for providing the air-water mixture and a distributing device for distributing the air-water mixture in the basin, and comprising a lead-off arrangement for leading off the effluent formed from the air-water mixture containing the pollutants, wherein the lead-off arrangement opens out into an outlet from the basin and the lead-off arrangement can be subjected to an underpressure, so that the air-water mixture, when the lid is closed, is sucked into the basin via the distributing device is proposed, wherein the air-water mixing device has an air duct and a nozzle for the dispensing of water and the water can be subjected to an overpressure and wherein the distributing device and the basin are jointly designed such that the water-air mixture is guided in a cyclonic and/or helical path from the distributing device into the outlet.

A fluid removal system includes an operative sub-system, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizing system, that is configured to operate according to an operative cycle, such as a sanitizing cycle, and is configured to output an activation signal during the operative cycle. An actuator is operatively coupled to the operative sub-system and moveably connected to a fluid removal conduit. The fluid removal conduit is closed when the actuator is in a closed position, and opened when the actuator is in an open position. The actuator moves into the open position in response to the operative sub-system outputting the activation signal. Fluid, such as ozone, within a confined space is drawn into the fluid removal conduit when the actuator is in the open position and exhausted through an exhaust port.

Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet concepts, which can be useful particularly on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. Further embodiments relate to improved shroud components for toilets that help reduce splash. Further embodiments also relate to flushing systems for use with vacuum toilets.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a grey water interface valve liquid level sensor system. The liquid level sensor system may deliver information about the water level and the water movement that occurs in a water reservoir. A control unit may then activate a valve to open so that the water can be removed via vacuum.

Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide improved flush valves that are designed with improved venting features and improved inlet designs. The described venting features and inlet designs, either alone or in combination, can help prevent ingestion of waste into the interior of the valve.

A fluid-disposing system for a galley sink includes: a galley sink for a galley cabin monument, a self-regulating valve, a control unit, a sensor, and a signal connection between the sensor and the control unit. The valve input is connected to a fluid line, connected to a drainage opening of the galley sink. The valve is arranged underneath the drainage opening, such that fluid from the galley sink can flow through the associated drainage opening into the fluid line. The valve output is designed to be couplable with a source of negative pressure. The valve is designed to automatically open at a predetermined amount M1 of fluid in the fluid line, such that fluid can flow out of the fluid line, and to automatically close at a predetermined amount M2 of fluid in the fluid line, such that the predetermined amount M2 of fluid remains in the fluid line.

A rail vehicle includes a graywater line which is in communication with the surroundings of the rail vehicle directly or by way of a collecting container. The graywater line is equipped with a pressure protection valve, which protects a graywater line section upstream of the pressure protection valve from pressure surges occurring in the surroundings of the rail vehicle. The pressure protection valve is constructed as a pinch valve which is controlled by a control device in order to protect the graywater line section from pressure surges.