Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve head. A valve stem extends from the valve head and into a drain bore in a housing. A first guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a first axial location on the valve stem. A second guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a second axial location on the valve stem spaced apart from the first axial location.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve head. A valve stem extends from the valve head and into a drain bore in a housing. A first guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a first axial location on the valve stem. A second guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a second axial location on the valve stem spaced apart from the first axial location.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve head. A valve stem extends from the valve head and into a drain bore in a housing. A first guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a first axial location on the valve stem. A second guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a second axial location on the valve stem spaced apart from the first axial location.

Abstract: An inline vortex demister for removing moisture from an air stream is disclosed. In embodiments, the inline vortex demister includes one or more vortex-inducing structures disposed within a tube. In embodiments, the one or more vortex-inducing structures are configured to induce an air stream with a first moisture content into a vortex flow pattern in order to remove a first volume of moisture from the air stream by causing the first volume of moisture to adsorb to an inner tube surface of the tube. In additional embodiments, the inline vortex demister includes a demister element disposed within the tube, wherein the demister element is configured to remove a second volume of moisture from the air stream.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve head. A valve stem extends from the valve head and into a drain bore in a housing. A first guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a first axial location on the valve stem. A second guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a second axial location on the valve stem spaced apart from the first axial location.

Abstract: An integrated vortex separator (IVS) is disclosed. The IVS includes a housing in communication with a waste inlet via which a waste stream is drawn under suction into a waste tank. In a first stage, the waste stream is drawn into a centrifugal vortex flow to facilitate the removal of solid and liquid waste from the waste stream, leaving a primary airstream. Within the housing, a filter assembly includes outer and inner inverted cones with a conical cavity therebetween, the cavity serving as a second stage into which the vortex flow is redirected to remove additional liquid from the airstream. Radial vanes extending inward from the outer cone define portals between adjacent vanes, through which the redirected vortex flow is isolated from the original vortex flow. Exhaust ports in communication with the conical cavity allow the substantially moisture-free airstream to be drawn from the IVS via a vent line.

Abstract: An inline vortex demister for removing moisture from an air stream is disclosed. In embodiments, the inline vortex demister includes one or more vortex-inducing structures disposed within a tube. In embodiments, the one or more vortex-inducing structures are configured to induce an air stream with a first moisture content into a vortex flow pattern in order to remove a first volume of moisture from the air stream by causing the first volume of moisture to adsorb to an inner tube surface of the tube. In additional embodiments, the inline vortex demister includes a demister element disposed within the tube, wherein the demister element is configured to remove a second volume of moisture from the air stream.

Abstract: A bypass flow regulator for a vacuum waste system (VWS) is disclosed. The bypass flow regulator includes a valve assembly installable in an aircraft vent line leading outside the aircraft from an onboard VWS waste tank. The vent line directs an airstream pumped from the waste tank to an external outlet under suction (from which outlet the airstream is ejected from the aircraft). The valve assembly includes a group of valves (e.g., umbrella valves) set into the path of the airstream. The valves may collectively modulate the flow rate of the airstream by adjusting their effective flow area.

Abstract: A system and related method for touchless control of an aircraft lavatory water supply is disclosed. An aircraft lavatory touchless manifold includes dual solenoid powered water valves opening and closing to regulate water flow through each of a cold conduit and a hot conduit as commanded by user touchless input to a manifold microcontroller commanding the valves. An aircraft input commands a temperature range while a thermal sensor in a mixed water conduit provides output temperature feedback to the manifold microcontroller for positive control of the output temperature. The manifold microcontroller commands opening and closing of the dual solenoid powered valves to create a ratio of opening time between the valves. The solenoid powered valves provide a cost effective and reliable solution offering efficient linear valve operation and effective temperature and flow control.

Abstract: A bypass flow regulator for a vacuum waste system (VWS) is disclosed. The bypass flow regulator includes a valve assembly installable in an aircraft vent line leading outside the aircraft from an onboard VWS waste tank. The vent line directs an airstream pumped from the waste tank to an external outlet under suction (from which outlet the airstream is ejected from the aircraft). The valve assembly includes a group of valves (e.g., umbrella valves) set into the path of the airstream. The valves may collectively modulate the flow rate of the airstream by adjusting their effective flow area.

Abstract: An integrated vortex separator (IVS) is disclosed. The IVS includes a housing in communication with a waste inlet via which a waste stream is drawn under suction into a waste tank. In a first stage, the waste stream is drawn into a centrifugal vortex flow to facilitate the removal of solid and liquid waste from the waste stream, leaving a primary airstream. Within the housing, a filter assembly includes outer and inner inverted cones with a conical cavity therebetween, the cavity serving as a second stage into which the vortex flow is redirected to remove additional liquid from the airstream. Radial vanes extending inward from the outer cone define portals between adjacent vanes, through which the redirected vortex flow is isolated from the original vortex flow. Exhaust ports in communication with the conical cavity allow the substantially moisture-free airstream to be drawn from the IVS via a vent line.

Abstract: A system and related method for touchless control of an aircraft lavatory water supply is disclosed. An aircraft lavatory touchless manifold includes dual solenoid powered water valves opening and closing to regulate water flow through each of a cold conduit and a hot conduit as commanded by user touchless input to a manifold microcontroller commanding the valves. An aircraft input commands a temperature range while a thermal sensor in a mixed water conduit provides output temperature feedback to the manifold microcontroller for positive control of the output temperature. The manifold microcontroller commands opening and closing of the dual solenoid powered valves to create a ratio of opening time between the valves. The solenoid powered valves provide a cost effective and reliable solution offering efficient linear valve operation and effective temperature and flow control.

Abstract: A fluid-flow system includes a first plurality of substantially identical plate-like blocks. Each block has at least two fluid-flow through-passages extending between its front face and its back face. The blocks are connected to each other along their edge surfaces. A fluid component is affixed to the front face of each of the blocks, with its ports aligned and in fluid communication with the respective fluid-flow through-passages of the block to which it is affixed. A second plurality of fluid-flow block-interconnection tubes external to the blocks are affixed to the back face of a first block and to the back face of a second block. A first end of the fluid-flow block-interconnection tube is in fluid communication with one of the fluid-flow through-passages on the first block, and a second end of the fluid-flow block-interconnection tube is in fluid communication with one of the fluid-flow through-passages on the second block.

Abstract: A fluid-flow system includes a first plurality of substantially identical plate-like blocks. Each block has at least two fluid-flow through-passages extending between its front face and its back face. The blocks are connected to each other along their edge surfaces. A fluid component is affixed to the front face of each of the blocks, with its ports aligned and in fluid communication with the respective fluid-flow through-passages of the block to which it is affixed. A second plurality of fluid-flow block-interconnection tubes external to the blocks are affixed to the back face of a first block and to the back face of a second block. A first end of the fluid-flow block-interconnection tube is in fluid communication with one of the fluid-flow through-passages on the first block, and a second end of the fluid-flow block-interconnection tube is in fluid communication with one of the fluid-flow through-passages on the second block.