Patents by Inventor Michael B. Hancock
Michael B. Hancock 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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Patent number: 6434759Abstract: A vacuum toilet for use with a waste pipe maintained under partial vacuum pressure. The vacuum toilet comprises a bowl having an upper surface defining an opening and a lid supported for pivotable movement between a lowered position, in which the lid covers the opening, and a raised position, in which the lid is rotated away from the opening. An actuator has a rod connected to the lid, the rod being movable between a first position, in which the lid is placed in the raised position, and a second position, in which the lid is placed in the lowered position. A controller is operatively connected to the actuator, wherein the controller normally operates the actuator with the rod in the first position. The controller automatically operates the actuator rod to the second position during a toilet flush cycle, and subsequently returns the actuator rod back to the first position after the toilet flush cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Mark A. Pondelick, Michael B. Hancock
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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: 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: 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: 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: 5806017Abstract: The present invention is an autorouting navigation system for directing one or more visually impaired persons to a physical location. The present invention includes a portable autorouting navigation unit that includes an input device for selecting a target location corresponding to a physical location of a plurality of location beacons, a receiver configured to receive signals from the location beacons, a memory storing information correlating the locations of the location beacons, and an output device for communicating with the user. A microcontroller or microprocessor under program control processes the signals received from the location beacons, analyzes those signals and correlation data, and determines a routing path from the user's present position to the target location. The microcontroller may also provide an indication, such as an audible sound, to the user of whether or not the user is following the routing path to the target location.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas SystemInventor: Michael B. Hancock