Valve cartridges for a faucet are described herein. The valve cartridge has a body with a longitudinal passage, and a side opening. The cartridge has a spindle with a lower end portion in rotatable relationship with the body's interior surface, and an upper outwardly extending end portion. Included is a movable disk with a surface that contacts and interacts with the lower end portion of the spindle, an arcuate side wall portion and an inwardly extending side wall portion with a fluid receiving area that allows for fluid flow out of the body side opening. A stationary disk with a through opening allows passage of fluid from a body inlet through the side opening when the opening in the disk is aligned with the fluid receiving area. A sealing ring, which mates with the body, is provided to stabilize the stationary and movable disks within the body passage.

A valve arrangement comprises a rotatable part 32 rotatable relative to a stationary part 12, wherein one of the rotatable part 32 and the stationary part 12 includes an abutment surface 36a, 36b engageable with a stop associated with the other of the rotatable part 32 and the stationary part 12, wherein the stop comprises a stop pin 40 of hollow, substantially cylindrical form.

A valve arrangement comprises a rotatable part 32 rotatable relative to a stationary part 12, wherein one of the rotatable part 32 and the stationary part 12 includes an abutment surface 36a, 36b engageable with a stop associated with the other of the rotatable part 32 and the stationary part 12, wherein the stop comprises a stop pin 40 of hollow, substantially cylindrical form.

A method of controlling an operation of a toilet system on-board an aircraft is disclosed. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a fluid valve controlling input of fluid into the toilet bowl, a flush switch configured to be activated by a user, and a controller configured to operate the fluid valve. The method includes detecting an activation of the flush switch, monitoring a flush switch activation time period, and determining whether the flush switch activation time period exceeds a preset threshold time period. In response to determining that flush switch activation time period does not exceed the preset threshold time period, a standard flush cycle is initiated. In response to determining that the flush switch activation time period exceeds the preset threshold time period, a maintenance mode is initiated allowing a larger volume of fluid to fill the toilet bowl for maintenance.

A method of controlling an operation of a toilet system on-board an aircraft is disclosed. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a fluid valve controlling input of fluid into the toilet bowl, a flush switch configured to be activated by a user, and a controller configured to operate the fluid valve. The method includes detecting an activation of the flush switch, monitoring a flush switch activation time period, and determining whether the flush switch activation time period exceeds a preset threshold time period. In response to determining that flush switch activation time period does not exceed the preset threshold time period, a standard flush cycle is initiated. In response to determining that the flush switch activation time period exceeds the preset threshold time period, a maintenance mode is initiated allowing a larger volume of fluid to fill the toilet bowl for maintenance.

An apparatus for controlling the waste outlet of a toilet includes, according to an implementation, a motor comprising a Hall effect sensor that detects the rotation of the motor and generates a position signal in response thereto; a mechanical actuator coupled to the motor; a door coupled to the mechanical actuator, wherein the door is disposed at the waste outlet of the toilet; logic circuitry that receives the position signal, generates a control signal to move the door based at least in part on the position signal, and transmits the control signal to the motor. The motor operates according to the control signal to drive the mechanical actuator to move the door.

An apparatus for controlling the waste outlet of a toilet includes, according to an implementation, a motor comprising a Hall effect sensor that detects the rotation of the motor and generates a position signal in response thereto; a mechanical actuator coupled to the motor; a door coupled to the mechanical actuator, wherein the door is disposed at the waste outlet of the toilet; logic circuitry that receives the position signal, generates a control signal to move the door based at least in part on the position signal, and transmits the control signal to the motor. The motor operates according to the control signal to drive the mechanical actuator to move the door.

A dust and abrasive materials gate valve with an angled valve seat and pivotably mounted valve gate allows for a broad seal area around the periphery of the valve seat, which may be closed tightly by a wedging action due to increasing force applied by the valve actuator. The valve seal is thus not formed along a single, linear surface as in traditional gate valves and the force applied by the valve gate to the seat facilitates closing even if there is wear along the sealing surfaces. Due to the relatively large open area around the periphery of the valve gate just before closing or immediately upon opening, the velocity of particles in pressurized systems is reduced and erosion reduced accordingly.

A dust and abrasive materials gate valve with an angled valve seat and pivotably mounted valve gate allows for a broad seal area around the periphery of the valve seat, which may be closed tightly by a wedging action due to increasing force applied by the valve actuator. The valve seal is thus not formed along a single, linear surface as in traditional gate valves and the force applied by the valve gate to the seat facilitates closing even if there is wear along the sealing surfaces. Due to the relatively large open area around the periphery of the valve gate just before closing or immediately upon opening, the velocity of particles in pressurized systems is reduced and erosion reduced accordingly.

The current invention provides for a fog generator. More specifically, it provides for a housing comprising a fog generating liquid and a valve that, in a closed position, prevents the fog generating liquid from flowing out of the housing, in which the said valve is kept in a closed position by means of a fuse wire (6).