Toilet

Abstract

In one embodiment, a vacuum toilet includes a base including a toilet bowl, a sump pipe, and a tank coupled to the bowl via the sump pipe. A vacuum generator is coupled to the tank. The vacuum generator is configured to apply a first pressure during a flush cycle and a second pressure during a drain cycle. In one embodiment, a vacuum toilet includes a toilet bowl, a drain pipe valve compartment, a tank coupled to the toilet bowl, and a vacuum generator including a high pressure outlet connected to the drain pipe valve compartment and a low pressure outlet connected to the tank.

1 - 171 . (canceled) 
     
     
         172 . A vacuum toilet comprising:
 a toilet bowl;   a drain pipe valve compartment;   a tank coupled to the toilet bowl; and   a vacuum generator including a high pressure outlet connected to the drain pipe valve compartment and a low pressure outlet connected to the tank.   
     
     
         173 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 172 , further comprising:
 a vacuum pipe connecting the tank and the toilet bowl.   
     
     
         174 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 173 , wherein the vacuum pipe is angled upward between the toilet bowl and the tank. 
     
     
         175 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 172 , further comprising:
 a flapper supported by the drain pipe valve compartment and configured to open and close an opening between the drain pipe valve compartment and the tank.   
     
     
         176 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 175 , wherein the vacuum generator provides a positive air flow to the high pressure outlet to apply a force to the flapper in a direction of sealing the drain pipe valve compartment. 
     
     
         177 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 176 , wherein when the flapper seals the drain pipe valve compartment, a negative air pressure is provided from the vacuum generator to the low pressure outlet causes a vacuum in the tank to extract contents from the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         178 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 177 , wherein the vacuum generator stops providing the positive air flow and negative air pressure, the flapper opens the seal of the drain pipe valve compartment and the contents from the bowl fall from the drain pipe valve compartment. 
     
     
         179 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 178 , wherein the contents from the bowl pass through the drain pipe valve compartment to a sanitary path. 
     
     
         180 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 172 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to provide a control signal to activate the vacuum generator for a predetermine duration.   
     
     
         181 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 180 , further comprising:
 a water inlet configured to provide water to the toilet bowl, wherein the control signal from the controller activates a valve for the water inlet.   
     
     
         182 . A method of operating a vacuum toilet, the method comprising:
 providing a high pressure flow of air from a pump to a high pressure outlet connected to a drain pipe valve compartment;   providing a low pressure vacuum from the pump to a tank coupled to a toilet bowl; and   closing a valve to the tank in response to the high pressure flow of air and the low pressure flow of air.   
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 182 , further comprising:
 activating the pump to provide the high pressure flow of air and the low pressure vacuum.   
     
     
         184 . The method of  claim 182 , further comprising:
 deactivating the pump, wherein the valve is opened, at least in part, in response to deactivating the pump.   
     
     
         185 . The method of  claim 182 , further comprising:
 opening a rinse water valve to release water to the toilet bowl.   
     
     
         186 . The method of  claim 185 , further comprising:
 generating a first control signal for the pump; and   generating a second control signal for the rinse water valve.   
     
     
         187 . The method of  claim 186 , wherein the second control signal is generated a predetermined time period after the first control signal is generated. 
     
     
         188 . A vacuum toilet comprising:
 a drain pipe valve compartment; and   a pump including a high pressure outlet connected to the drain pipe valve compartment and a low pressure outlet connected to a tank,   wherein the pump generates a vacuum through the low pressure outlet and pushes air through the high pressure outlet to close an opening between the tank and the drain pipe valve compartment.   
     
     
         189 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 188 , further comprising:
 a flapper supported by the drain pipe valve compartment and configured to close the opening between the drain pipe valve compartment and the tank under air pressure.   
     
     
         190 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 189 , wherein when the flapper seals the drain pipe valve compartment, a negative pressure is provided from the vacuum generator to the low pressure outlet causes a vacuum in the tank to flush the vacuum toilet. 
     
     
         191 . The vacuum toilet of  claim 190 , wherein the vacuum generator stops providing the negative pressure, the flapper opens the seal of the drain pipe valve compartment and contents from the bowl fall from the drain pipe valve compartment. 
     
     
         192 - 251 . (canceled)