Patents by Inventor Douglas M. Wallace
Douglas M. Wallace has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6732386Abstract: A rinse fluid valve for use in a vacuum toilet system is disclosed. The vacuum toilet system includes a waste receptacle with a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith and a source of rinse fluid. The rinse fluid valve has a housing with an inlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid source and an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser. A flow path extends from the inlet to the outlet. A moveable rinse fluid valve member is disposed in the flow path and movable between open and closed positions. A fuse valve is also disposed in the flow path and has a normally open position to allow fluid flow therethrough. The fuse valve is actuatable to a closed position after a desired volume of fluid has passed therethrough, thereby to cease rinse fluid flow through the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: William B. Anderson, Douglas M. Wallace, Jay D. Stradinger, Mark A. Pondelick, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6704947Abstract: A discharge valve is disclosed for use in a vacuum toilet system having a waste receptacle defining an outlet and a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum. The discharge valve comprises a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and a rotatable discharge valve member disposed in the housing for selectively establishing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. A periphery of the disk valve member being formed with a series of gear teeth. An actuator is provided having a rotatable spur gear adapted to engage the periphery of the discharge valve member.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
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Publication number: 20030177569Abstract: A rinse fluid valve for use in a vacuum toilet system is disclosed. The vacuum toilet system includes a waste receptacle with a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith and a source of rinse fluid. The rinse fluid valve has a housing with an inlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid source and an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser. A flow path extends from the inlet to the outlet. A moveable rinse fluid valve member is disposed in the flow path and movable between open and closed positions. A fuse valve is also disposed in the flow path and has a normally open position to allow fluid flow therethrough. The fuse valve is actuatable to a closed position after a desired volume of fluid has passed therethrough, thereby to cease rinse fluid flow through the flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: William Bruce Anderson, Douglas M. Wallace, Jay D. Stradinger, Mark A. Pondelick, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6536055Abstract: A modular vacuum toilet, and a method of servicing such a toilet, are disclosed. The toilet is used with a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid. The modular vacuum toilet comprises a frame and a removable bowl engaging and supported be the frame, the bowl defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith. The modular vacuum toilet also has a valve set module. The valve set module includes a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the bowl outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a movable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and outlet. A rinse fluid valve is also incorporated into the valve set module and has an inlet in fluid communication with the source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a movable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Douglas M. Wallace, Ian Tinkler, Michael B. Hancock
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Patent number: 6536054Abstract: A vacuum bowl assembly for use in a vacuum toilet positioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve. The vacuum bowl assembly comprises a frame having a bottom member adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member defining a shoulder. A removable bowl is provided having a flange extending about an upper edge sized to engage the shoulder, and an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, Douglas M. Wallace, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Michael B. Hancock, Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6467497Abstract: A buffer box for use in a vacuum drainage system. The buffer box defines a reservoir of known effective size which provides substantially consistently sized slugs of liquid which may be efficiently pulled up a vertical lift. The buffer box includes an outlet and an air intake orifice which may be sized relative to one another so that only liquid from the reservoir is evacuated. The outlet has an upper edge which may be spaced from a base portion of the buffer box at a height which optimizes liquid velocity out of the box and defines a level above which only water is evacuated from the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock
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Publication number: 20020120982Abstract: A discharge valve is disclosed for use in a vacuum toilet system having a waste receptacle defining an outlet and a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum. The discharge valve comprises a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and a rotatable discharge valve member disposed in the housing for selectively establishing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. A periphery of the disk valve member being formed with a series of gear teeth. An actuator is provided having a rotatable spur gear adapted to engage the periphery of the discharge valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2002Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: EVAC INTERNATIONAL OYInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Ian Tinkler
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Publication number: 20020069459Abstract: A modular vacuum toilet, and a method of servicing such a toilet, are disclosed. The toilet is used with a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid. The modular vacuum toilet comprises a frame and a removable bowl engaging and supported be the frame, the bowl defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith. The modular vacuum toilet also has a valve set module. The valve set module includes a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the bowl outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a movable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and outlet. A rinse fluid valve is also incorporated into the valve set module and has an inlet in fluid communication with the source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a movable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2002Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: EVAC INTERNATIONAL OYInventors: Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Arthur J. McGowan, Douglas M. Wallace, Ian Tinkler, Michael B. Hancock
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Publication number: 20020062519Abstract: A vacuum bowl assembly for use in a vacuum toilet positioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve. The vacuum bowl assembly comprises a frame having a bottom member adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member defining a shoulder. A removable bowl is provided having a flange extending about an upper edge sized to engage the shoulder, and an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: EVAC INTERNATIONAL OYInventors: William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, Douglas M. Wallace, Arthur J. McGowan, Michael B. Hancock, Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6370709Abstract: A discharge valve is disclosed for use in a vacuum toilet system having a waste receptacle defining an outlet and a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum. The discharge valve comprises a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a rotatable discharge valve member disposed in the housing for selectively establishing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. A periphery of the disk valve member being formed with a series of ear teeth. An actuator is provided having a rotatable spur gear adapted to engage the periphery of the discharge valve member.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6353942Abstract: A modular vacuum toilet, and a method of servicing such a toilet, are disclosed. The toilet is used with a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid. The modular vacuum toilet comprises a frame and a removable bowl engaging and supported be the frame, the bowl defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith. The modular vacuum toilet also has a valve set module. The valve set module includes a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the bowl outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a movable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and outlet. A rinse fluid valve is also incorporated into the valve set module and has an inlet in fluid communication with the source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a movable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Evac International OYInventors: Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Douglas M. Wallace, Ian Tinkler, Michael B. Hancock
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Patent number: 6349425Abstract: An integrated valve set for use in a vacuum toilet system is disclosed. The vacuum toilet system includes a waste receptacle defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid nozzle, a source of rinse fluid, and a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure. The integrated valve set comprises a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the waste receptacle outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a rotatable discharge valve member adapted to selectively establish fluid communication between the discharge valve inlet and discharge valve outlet. An integrally mounted rinse fluid valve has an inlet in fluid communication with the pressurized rinse fluid source, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid nozzle, and a rinse fluid valve member adapted to selectively establish fluid communication between the rinse fluid valve inlet and the rinse fluid valve outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6349424Abstract: A rinse fluid valve for use in a vacuum toilet system is disclosed. The vacuum toilet system includes a waste receptacle with a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith and a source of rinse fluid. The rinse fluid valve has a housing with an inlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid source and an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser. A flow path extends from the inlet to the outlet. A moveable rinse fluid valve member is disposed in the flow path and movable between open and closed positions. A fuse valve is disposed in the flow path upstream of the rinse fluid valve and has a normally open position to allow fluid flow therethrough. The fuse valve is actuatable to a closed position after a desired volume of fluid has passed therethrough, thereby to cease rinse fluid flow through the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6347416Abstract: A vacuum bowl assembly for use in a vacuum toilet positioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve. The vacuum bowl assembly comprises a frame having a bottom member adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member defining a shoulder. A removable bowl is provided having a flange extending about an upper edge sized to engage the shoulder, and an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, Douglas M. Wallace, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Michael B. Hancock, Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6311717Abstract: A buffer box for use in a vacuum drainage system. The buffer box defines a reservoir of known effective size which provides substantially consistently sized slugs of liquid which may be efficiently pulled up a vertical lift. The buffer box includes an outlet and an air intake orifice which may be sized relative to one another so that only liquid from the reservoir is evacuated. The outlet has an upper edge which may be spaced from a base portion of the buffer box at a height which optimizes liquid velocity out of the box and defines a level above which only water is evacuated from the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock
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Patent number: 6305403Abstract: A vacuum drainage system having a vertical riser with an aeration point. The aeration point prevents stalls in the vacuum drainage system by breaking up the formation of a solid fluid column in the riser. In certain applications, the aeration point allows the vacuum drainage system to operate in a deliberately flooded condition by regulating air flow into the riser. The aeration point may be provided simply as a hole positions at an optimum height above a bottom of the riser, or it may include apparatus for retaining fluid inside the riser, such as a check valve. In addition, the aeration point may be provided with an automatically adjustable cross-section, so that aeration point is quickly and easily adapted to changing operating parameters in the vacuum drainage system.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Bjorn von Palffy, Douglas M. Wallace, Jay D. Stradinger
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Patent number: 6283140Abstract: A waste fluid discharge column for use in a vacuum drainage system. The discharge column comprises a vertical pipe maintained under negative pressure to create a liquid column inside the vertical pipe. A chamber is attached to an upper end of the pipe and defines a vacuum port and a fluid inlet port. The chamber allows for better separation of waste fluid and air, and provides a vacuum buffer for the drainage system. The present invention further comprises a vacuum drainage system capable of separately handling multiple waste fluid flows. Two or more waste fluid discharge columns may be connected to a single vacuum source. Because the different types of waste fluid are handled separately, treatment and other auxiliary apparatus needed for certain types of waste fluid may be sized properly since the vacuum drainage system may direct only the waste fluid requiring treatment to the auxiliary apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Bjorn von Palffy, Douglas M. Wallace