Abstract: A multiple vortex separator for drawing a substantially moisture-free airstream from a waste stream having an annular channel defining a first vortex flow path for separating liquid and solid waste from this waste stream and an inverted conical cavity between nested inverted cones defining a second vortex flow path that is isolated from the first vortex flow path for separating additional liquid and solid waste from the waste stream before it exits the vortex separator.

Abstract: A vortex separator for drawing a substantially moisture-free airstream from a waste stream having an annular channel defining a first vortex flow path for separating liquid and solid waste from this waste stream and preferably a filter unit with an inverted conical cavity between nested inverted cones defining a second vortex flow path that is isolated from the first vortex flow path for separating additional liquid and solid waste from the waste stream before it exits the vortex separator. In preferred embodiments, the separator includes a removable filter unit cartridge positioned within the outer cone and a helix isolator to respectively make use of the separator more convenient to use and more efficient.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention provides for a flush valve for controlling the vacuum evacuation of waste from a receptacle. The flush valve comprises an inlet port for receiving the waste from the receptacle, an outlet port opposite the inlet port and in fluid communication therewith, a source of vacuum connected to the outlet port and a uniquely designed discharge disk disposed between the inlet and outlet ports for interrupting the flow of fluid therebetween. In the preferred embodiment the flush valve is integral with a latticed panel of the waste receptacle stand.

Abstract: A performance simulation infrastructure for predicting the performance of software systems separates the workload definition and performance evaluation components of the simulation into separate and distinct stages. Workload definitions are generated in the first stage as a sequence of associated resource usage requests (or “workload requests”). In a second stage, an evaluation engine receives the workload definition sequence and simulates the system performance, without continuously looping back to the workload definition generator for a new state of the workload. Scheduling simulation of request events to appropriate hardware models is deferred until the evaluation stage, thereby simplifying the workload definition operation.

Abstract: A performance prediction simulator gives effect to the resource contention among multiple resources in a simulated system by adjusting event durations appropriately. A resource topology tree defining the resource configuration of the system is input to the simulator. The simulator includes an evaluation engine that determines the amount of resource used during each simulation interval of the simulation and records the resource usage in a resource contention timeline, which can be displayed to a user. The amount of resource used during a simulation is also used to adjust the event duration calculations of the hardware models associated with each event.