Sink stations for galleys of aircraft and other vehicles, methods of operating such sink stations, and aircraft equipped with galleys having such sink stations. A sink station includes a sink cover, which may fully or partially cover a sink and extend the countertop space over the sink cavity. When covering the sink, the sink cover may support a set weight corresponding to objects typically used in galleys, such as pots, cups, and the like. The sink cover allows for liquid to pass into the sink cavity even when the sink cover is used to cover the sink thereby reduce spill clean-ups. The sink cover is movable and may partially or completely expose the sink cavity or keep it completely covered. For example, the sink cover may be folded and/or rolled away and stored at the sink station for periodic use.

Sink stations for galleys of aircraft and other vehicles, methods of operating such sink stations, and aircraft equipped with galleys having such sink stations. A sink station includes a sink cover, which may fully or partially cover a sink and extend the countertop space over the sink cavity. When covering the sink, the sink cover may support a set weight corresponding to objects typically used in galleys, such as pots, cups, and the like. The sink cover allows for liquid to pass into the sink cavity even when the sink cover is used to cover the sink thereby reduce spill clean-ups. The sink cover is movable and may partially or completely expose the sink cavity or keep it completely covered. For example, the sink cover may be folded and/or rolled away and stored at the sink station for periodic use.

An apparatus includes a base, a reservoir, a vessel, a conduit, a sensor, a resistance measurement wire connected to the conduit, a microprocessor, and a pump. The reservoir is configured to hold a fluid such as water or soap. The microprocessor is configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of whether an object (such as a user's hand) is disposed proximate the sensor and receive a second signal from the resistance measurement wire indicative of a resistance measurement of the conduit. The pump is configured to provide a motive force to the fluid through the conduit in a circumstance in which the signal indicates that the object is disposed proximate the sensor and the second signal indicates that the resistance measurement of the conduit is above a threshold, wherein the threshold corresponds to a lack of the fluid in the conduit.

An apparatus includes a base, a reservoir, a vessel, a conduit, a sensor, a resistance measurement wire connected to the conduit, a microprocessor, and a pump. The reservoir is configured to hold a fluid such as water or soap. The microprocessor is configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of whether an object (such as a user's hand) is disposed proximate the sensor and receive a second signal from the resistance measurement wire indicative of a resistance measurement of the conduit. The pump is configured to provide a motive force to the fluid through the conduit in a circumstance in which the signal indicates that the object is disposed proximate the sensor and the second signal indicates that the resistance measurement of the conduit is above a threshold, wherein the threshold corresponds to a lack of the fluid in the conduit.