Abstract: A vacuum toilet system comprises a toilet bowl having a cover mounted for movement relative to the toilet bowl between an open position and a closed position, the cover being in at least partially sealing relation with the rim when in the closed position. A liquid supply opening is provided for introducing liquid into the toilet bowl when the cover is in the closed position. A discharge valve connects the outlet opening of the toilet bowl to a sewer pipe, in which a partial vacuum can be established. A reservoir has an inlet opening for receiving rinse liquid and an outlet opening in communication with the liquid supply opening. The inlet opening of the reservoir is exposed to substantially the same pressure as the liquid supply opening when the toilet bowl cover is in the open position and the discharge valve is closed. Rinse liquid is drawn from the reservoir into the toilet bowl by way of the liquid supply opening when the discharge valve is open and the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: A fluid-flow control valve comprises a valve housing bounding a chamber and defining an inlet port for entry of fluid into the chamber and a control port for egress of fluid from the chamber. The control port is of reduced cross-sectional area relative to the chamber. The valve also comprises a valve closure member disposed in the chamber. The valve closure member is less dense than the fluid that the valve is to be used to control, so that when the chamber contains that fluid and the control port is above the closure member, the valve closure member is urged toward the control port so as to obstruct the control port. The closure member can be displaced away from the control port so as to allow fluid to flow through the control port.

Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism is disclosed and includes deactivating override means responsive to valve malfunction, such as sticking or binding of the valve. A drive motor is operatively connected through a drive train to a rotatable clutch housing. The clutch housing carries a clutch in the form of an open-ended ring spring. The clutch ring drives an output sleeve which is splined to an output shaft of the valve. The output shaft is rotatably fixed to a rotatable member which is effective to engage the clutch ring to disengage the ring from the clutch housing and effectively deactivate the drive train. The spline connection between the output sleeve and the output shaft comprises frangible means capable of being broken in the event the valve becomes stuck, whereby the output shaft, through the rotatable member, deactivates the drive train. The rotatable member also operates an indicating means whereby failure of the valve also is effective to preclude operation of the indicating means.

Abstract: A breakaway valve fitting includes a housing which defines a passage therein and a breakaway assembly connecting the housing to a conduit. The breakaway valve fitting further includes a poppet valve element mounted for axial movement within the housing between open and closed positions, the poppet valve element defining a first axial fluid flow path about the perimeter thereof when in the open position. A first valve seat is defined in the housing passage and cooperates with the poppet valve element when in its closed position to obstruct the first fluid flow path. The breakaway valve fitting further includes a rotatable valve element mounted for axial and rotational movement within the housing between open and closed positions. The rotatable valve element includes a central bore which defines in conjunction with the poppet valve element a second axial fluid flow path when the rotatable valve element is in its open position.

Abstract: A gas generating device is disclosed which includes a substantially cylindrical outer sleeve defining groups of gas exit ports and a substantially cylindrical inner sleeve for containing a reactable gas-generating material defining groups of gas entrance ports with the inner sleeve being mounted generally coaxial to the outer sleeve. Annular side walls define a plurality of alternating first and second filter chambers in the annular space between the inner and outer sleeves. The first filter chambers are defined by adjacent pairs of annular side walls having a group of gas entrance ports therebetween and contain first filter means. The second filter chambers are defined by adjacent pairs of annular side walls having a group of gas exit ports therebetween and contain second filter means. The second filter chambers communicate with the first filter chambers by means of openings in the annular side walls. Means are provided for initiating reaction of the reactable gas generating material.