Waste disposal apparatus for an aircraft and aircraft comprising the waste disposal apparatus

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A waste disposal apparatus for an aircraft comprising: a basin for receiving liquid and/or solid pollutants, a lid for closing off the basin, 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, 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, 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.

2. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a water supply, wherein the water supply is fluidically connected to the nozzle and provides the pressurized water.

3. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is arranged centrally or centrically in the air duct.

4. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air duct has a cross-sectional area, in the region of a nozzle exit of the nozzle, of at least 3 square centimeters.

5. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air duct has a cross-sectional area, in the region of a nozzle exit of the nozzle, of at least 6 square centimeters.

6. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flow path starting from the air duct towards the nozzle and into the a free cross section greater than 3 square centimeters.

7. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flow path starting from the air duct towards the nozzle and into the a free cross section greater than 4 square centimeters.

8. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an injection direction of the air-water mixture into the basin is oriented tangentially to a vertical axis (H) of the basin and/or an outlet direction of the outlettangentially to the vertical axis (H) of the basin.

9. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid closes off the basin in an airtight and/or underpressure-resistant manner.

10. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lead-off arrangement has a lead-off line and an underpressure valve, wherein the lead-off line is fluidically connectable and/or connected to an underpressure region, and wherein the underpressure valve can open and close the lead-off line.

11. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feed arrangement has a water valve and a feed line, wherein the feed line connects the water supply via the water valve to the nozzle, wherein the water valve can open and close the feed line.

12. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 11, comprising a control mechanism and an actuating device, wherein the control mechanism is configured to, following activation by the actuating device, start a flushing operation, by the control mechanism driving the underpressure valve and the water valve.

13. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the basin is configured as a toilet bowl.

14. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the basin is configured as a sink and/or as a kitchen waste basin.

15. An aircraft comprising the waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and effects of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention and from the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a waste disposal apparatus configured as a kitchen sink as a first illustrative embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section through a or the waste disposal apparatus;

(4) FIGS. 3a, b show a schematic longitudinal section and cross section through the feed arrangement for the waste disposal apparatus according to one of the preceding figures;

(5) FIGS. 4a, b show a schematic representation of the basin of the waste disposal apparatus for illustration of the fluidic behaviour.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows in a schematic three-dimensional representation a waste disposal apparatus 1, which is configured as a kitchen sink or as a GWDU Galley Waste Disposal Unit, as an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(7) The waste disposal apparatus 1 comprises a basin 2, which in the illustrative embodiment is realized as the actual sink. In a schematic top view from above, the basin 2 has a rectangular base area. The waste disposal apparatus 1 further has a lid 3, which is disposed in hinged arrangement on a basic element 4 of the waste disposal apparatus 1. In the shown state, the lid 3 is open. For a flushing operation the lid 3 can be closed, whereupon the lid 3 rests with circumferential locating surfaces 5 sealingly on circumferential locating surfaces 6 of the basin 2 or of the basic element 4.

(8) The waste disposal apparatus 1 has a first connector 7 for the connection of a feed arrangement 8 (FIG. 2) and a second connector 9 for the connection of a lead-off arrangement 10 (FIG. 2). The waste disposal apparatus 1 is disposed in an aircraft 11, which is illustrated only as a schematic block. On the front side of the waste disposal apparatus 1 is located an actuating device 12, which is configured as a button or as a key, wherein the waste disposal apparatus 1, upon actuation of the actuating device 12, starts a flushing operation.

(9) For the description of the functional structure of the waste disposal apparatus 1 reference is made to FIG. 2, which represents a schematic cross section of the waste disposal apparatus 1 according to FIG. 1 or of any other waste disposal apparatus 1 which can also be configured, for instance, as an aircraft vacuum toilet.

(10) In the schematic representation, of the waste disposal apparatus 1 again the lid 3 can be recognized, this being shown, on the one hand, in dashed representation in the open state and, on the other hand, with continuous lines in the closed state, wherein it rests sealingly on the basin 2.

(11) Via the first connector 7 is provided the feed arrangement 8 and via the second connector 9 is provided the lead-off arrangement 10. The feed arrangement 8 has an air guidance pipe in the form of an air duct 13, which has a rectangular cross section and which is mounted on the first connector 7. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the air guidance pipe can also be plugged into the basin 2 or be integrally connected thereto. The first connector 7 is thus not imperative. The air duct 13 is fluidically coupled with the interior of the aircraft 11. In the air duct 13 is disposed a nozzle 14, wherein air duct 13 and nozzle 14 jointly form an air-water mixing device 15. The nozzle 14 is connected via a feed line 16, and with the interposition of a water valve 17, to a water supply 18. The water supply 18 is configured as an aircraft water supply, which in an on-board water supply system provides the water for a plurality of consuming units. The water supply 18 provides the water under an overpressure of at least 2 to 3 bar, wherein the overpressure is measured in relation to the cabin internal pressure. The feed arrangement 8 or the air duct 13 is connected, in particular via the first connector 7, to a distributing device 19, wherein the distributing device 19 forms an inlet 20 into the basin 2. In the simplest embodiment, the distributing device 19 can be configured as a recess in the basin 2.

(12) The lead-off arrangement 10 is connected, in particular via the second connector 9, to an outlet 21 of the basin 2. In this example, the outlet 21 is situated lower than the inlet 20 when the waste disposal apparatus 1 is in an operative position. The lead-off arrangement 10 comprises a lead-off line 22, via which the outlet 21 is connectable to an underpressure region 23. In the case of the aircraft 11, the underpressure region 23 can be, for instance, a region which is fluidically coupled with an outer region of the aircraft 11, since, at higher altitudes, the external air pressure is reduced in relation to the internal air pressure of the aircraft 11 such that an underpressure is obtained. Alternatively, and possibly reversibly, the underpressure is generated in the underpressure region 23 by an evacuating pump or a vacuum pump. The lead-off arrangement 10 further has an underpressure valve 24, wherein the underpressure valve 24 is configured as a check valve for shutting off and opening the lead-off line 22.

(13) For a flushing operation for flushing out liquid and/or solid pollutants in the basin 2, the lid 3 is firstly closed and the basin 2 thereby closed at the fill opening of the basin 3 in an underpressure-resistant, airtight or sealing manner.

(14) The waste disposal apparatus 1 has a control mechanism 25, which is configured to drive the water valve 17 and the underpressure valve 24. By actuation of the actuating device 12 or by another trigger, the control mechanism 25 is activated and controls the underpressure valve 24 and the water valve 17 simultaneously or with a stagger. Both the underpressure valve 24 and the water valve 17 are opened. As a result of the underpressure obtaining at the lead-off arrangement 10, via the outlet 21, the inlet 20 and the air duct 13, air is sucked in from the fluidically connected surroundings and accelerated in an air guidance direction L. At the same time the water valve 17 is opened, whereupon the water is pressurized and is thus present with overpressure at the nozzle 14. The obtaining underpressure also in the region of the air-water mixing device 15 means that the water is sucked out of the nozzle 14 and, as a result of the obtaining overpressure at the water supply 18, is additionally forced out, so that, in a mixing region disposed fluidically after the air-water mixing device 15, an air-water mixture 26 is obtained. This air-water mixture is configured, in particular, as an aerosol.

(15) The air-water mixture 26 is sucked into the basin 2 via the inlet 20. The distributing device 19 and optionally, in addition, the shape of the basin 2 are mutually coordinated such that the air-water mixture 26 is not sucked to the outlet 21 by the shortest route, but is conveyed to the outlet 21 via a cyclonic and/or helical path 27 which spirals about a vertical axis H. As a result of the helical path 27, a very high cleaning effect is produced within the basin 2. The conversion of the water into an air-water mixture 26 means that even very small quantities of water are sufficient to clean and flush the basin 2. The air-water mixture 26, possibly ridden with pollutants, or water containing the pollutant, is sucked at the end of the helical path 27 via the outlet 21, past the underpressure valve 24, into a collecting tank (not represented).

(16) It should be underlined that, insofar as the underpressure region 23 is formed by an outer region of the aircraft 11, the flushing of the basin 2 of the waste disposal apparatus 1 can be realized almost without the use of electrical energy and, moreover, with very small quantities of water.

(17) FIGS. 3a, b show a schematic representation of the air-water mixing device 15, wherein, in FIG. 3a, a schematic side view or a longitudinal section and, in FIG. 3b, an axial top view is shown. It can be seen that the nozzle 14 is arranged selectively from above or from below, via a support part 28, centrically or centrally in the air duct 13. In the top view, it can even be seen that a nozzle exit 29 of the nozzle 14 is arranged coaxially or concentrically to the air duct 13.

(18) The nozzle 14 is configured as a full-cone nozzle, which dispenses the water in a conical spray pattern 30 with a jet direction 31 which is equidirectional to the air stream or to the longitudinal extent of the air duct 13. In FIG. 3b, the conical spray pattern 30 is shown frontally from the front, wherein it can be seen that this is likewise arranged concentrically and coaxially to the air duct 13. It should further be underlined that the air duct 13 has a free diameter D of greater than 3 centimeters, preferably greater than 5 centimeters, so that a high-volume mixing between water and air stream can take place.

(19) The flow path between the air-water mixing device 15 and the inner region of the basin 2 has throughout a free cross section which is always configured greater than 3 or 4 square centimeters, so that a separation of the aerosol into the constituent parts air and water between the air-water mixing device 15 and the basin 2 is avoided. The aerosol has a different and/or better cleaning effect in relation to a water injected via spraying nozzles.

(20) FIGS. 4a, b show a schematic three-dimensional view and a top view of the basin 2 of the waste disposal apparatus 1 for the description of the fluidic function.

(21) The basin 2 has the vertical axis H, which is arranged perpendicularly and is located centrically in the basin 2. With reference to the vertical axis H, the first connector 7 with the feed arrangement 8 is higher than the second connector 9 with the lead-off arrangement 10. In the basin 2, the first connector 7 forms a injection opening 32, which constructively defines a injection direction 33 of the air-water mixture 26. The injection direction 33 is oriented tangentially to the vertical axis H, so that the injection direction 33 constitutes the beginning of the cyclonic and/or helical path 27.

(22) Secured by the second connector 9 is an outlet opening 34, which constructively defines an outlet direction 35. The outlet direction 35 is arranged tangentially to the cyclonic and/or helical path 27, wherein the injection opening 32 defines a beginning of the cyclonic and/or helical path 27, and the outlet opening 34 an end of the cyclonic and/or helical path 27. The inner wall of the basin 2 is configured such that the cyclonic and/or helical path 27 can develop. In particular, the inner wall is realized in the shape of a shell. The injection direction 33 and the outlet direction 35 are arranged in parallel, yet vertically offset from each other. In the top view according to FIG. 4b, it can be seen that the outlet opening 34 sits on a smaller radius in comparison to the injection opening 32. The injection opening 32 is configured greater than 3 or 4 square centimeters.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

(23) 1 waste disposal apparatus 2 basin 3 lid 4 basic element 5 locating surfaces 6 locating surfaces 7 first connector 8 feed arrangement 9 second connector 10 lead-off arrangement 11 aircraft 12 actuating device 13 air duct 14 nozzle 15 air-water mixing device 16 feed line 17 water valve 18 water supply 19 distributing device 20 inlet 21 outlet 22 lead-off line 23 underpressure region 24 underpressure valve 25 control mechanism 26 air-water mixture 27 cyclonic and/or helical path 28 support part 29 nozzle exit 30 conical spray pattern 31 jet direction 32 injection opening 33 injection direction 34 outlet opening 35 outlet direction D free diameter H vertical axis L air guidance direction