US3776107A

US3776107A - Diaphragm pump for a recirculating toilet

Info

Publication number: US3776107A
Application number: US00268928A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Molus
Original assignee: Monogram Industries Inc
Current assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries LLC
Priority date: 1972-07-03
Filing date: 1972-07-03
Publication date: 1973-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-04
Also published as: AR199291A1; BR7207914D0

Abstract

An improved pump filter for a recirculating toilet system includes a one-piece elastomeric diaphragm that is retained by a cover plate which is captured by a yieldable clamping ring. Normal pump operation is achieved through application of a pneumatic fluid such as compressed air. Potentially dangerous pressure excesses between the cover and the diaphragm can escape when the clamping ring holding forces are exceeded, and excess pressures tend to increase pressure to the ''''O'''' ring seal section thereby improving the liquid seal while relieving the excess or overpressure as the cover plate clamping ring yields in the preferred direction. A bead on the diaphragm periphery functions as an ''''O''''-ring seal when the pump is mounted below the waste tank.

Description

United States Patent 1 Molus 1 3,776,107 -Dec. 4, 1973 DIAPHRAGM PUMP FOR A RECIRCULATING TOILET [75] Inventor: Michael R. Molus, Chatsworth,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Monogram Industries, Inc.,

Chatsworth, Calif.

Filed: July 3, 1972 Appl. No.: 268,928

3,634,891 1/1972 Kemper 4/10 Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron Assistant ExaminerAbe Hershkovitz Attorney--William A. Kammel, Jr.

[5 7 ABSTRACT An improved pump filter for a recirculating toilet systern includes a one-piece elastomeric diaphragm that is retained by a cover plate which is captured by a yieldable clamping ring. Normal pump operation is achieved through application of a pneumatic fluid such as compressed air. Potentially dangerous pressure excesses between the cover and the diaphragm can escape when the clamping ring holding forces are exceeded, and excess pressures tend to increase pressure to the O ring seal section thereby improving I the liquid seal while relieving the excess or overpressure as the cover plate clamping ring yields in the preferred direction. A bead on the diaphragm periphery functions as an O-ring seal when the pump is mounted below the waste tank.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEnnEc 4 m5 3776;107

SHEET 2 OF 2 Ha..// I A A1 3 xa DIAPHRAGM PUMP FOR A RECIRCULATING TOILET The present invention relatesto a recirculating:sanitary system, and, more particularly, to-an improved pneumatic filter pump for providing filteredflushing liquid, to a toilet.

In the patent to James M. Kemper, US. Pat; No. 3,567,032, issued Mar. 2, I971, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, azfilter and pump fora recirculating sanitary system was shown which was adapted to be placedzwholly within thestorage tank of the sanitary system and was, in the preferred'embodiment, operated by a pneumatic system. Because the filter pump was intended to operate immersed in the storagetank, the apparatus was enclosed in mating-members which were sealed ataperiphei'aI'flange; A diaphragm member was captured within .theflange and defined driving and driven portionsof the pump; Pneu matic fluid was applied to the driving-side of: the

pump and filtered flushing liquid wasstored and'applied to the toilet bowlfrom the drivensidei More recently, a patent issuedto James M. Kemper on Jan. 18, 1972, US. Pat. No. 3,634,89l1and assignedto the assignee of the present invention, which dis-' closed a similar concept. A first embodiment'includeda diaphragm pump driven by apneumatic systemand an alternative configuration showed adiaphragma pump, which was mounted on the exterior. baseof; the

storage tank, andwhichwas driven by-a pedaLmember (of FIG. 18 of the patent).

The present invention concerns animproved'filter pump which, in the preferred embodiinentg, is also;

pneumatically operated and which is alsointended. to

be mounted to the outside'ofthe underside'of astoragetank in a recirculating sanitary system. According to the present invention, an improvedldiaphragm has beenable seal, which is held by a peripheral, resilient-clamp ing ring.

When the hydraulic pressure between the. plastic cover and the diaphragm exceedthe ambient pressure.

by a predetermined safe level, the holding ring has sufficient elasticity to permit an escape of'pneumatic fluid:- from between the diaphragm and the cover while still maintaining a fluid-tight seal between: the base' plate and the tank. Further, any leakage of flushing liquid from the pump would tend to be directed. into the tank since the peripheral bead of the diaphragm functions as A an o-ring seal.

An improved filter plateand comb conibinationis provided which is easily installed and removed from the base plate using a plastic, interrupted flat-washer,

which retains the filter plate in a recess thatisprovided for. it.

The presentinvention is deemed to have'specific util-:

ity in vehicles which have a ready supply of pneumatic fluid available, such as busses-and trains. The device is- The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which several preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and de scription only and are not intended as'a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in phantom-of a recirculating sanitary system incorporating an improved filter pump according to the present invention;

FIG. 2. is a top view, partly broken away of anim? proved filter pump according to the present invention, taken-along line 22 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 3is a side sectionalview of an improved filter pump ofFIG; 2 takenalong theline 3-3 in the directionof the appended'arrows; 7

FIG. 4. is .an enlarged side sectional view of the mounting flange shown in FIG. 3 and identified as Section4-4; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the retaining flange of FIG. 4 yielding to relieve excess pneumatic pressurewithin the pump of the present invention.

Turning first to FIG. 1', there is shown a typical recircul'ating sanitary system '10, including a toilet 12, a tank 1'4, and a pump 16. The pump 16 operates in response to applied pneumatic fluidsuch as compressed air in the preferred embodiment to pump filtered flushing liquid through the toilet. 12. On areturn stroke pump 16-fills with acharge-of. fluid that is filtered from the tank 14. As shown, the toilet is provided with a decorative access coverfor a-drain valve 18 and further includes alid' 20 and a seat 22.

Indicated in phantomview is a flush outlet line 24" .Pat. No. 3,634,891.-

As shown in FIG. 2, the pump 16 includes a flushing fluid outlet port 28 which connects to the flush line 24;

An-apertured filter plate 30 cooperates with a comb member having a plurality of pins 32', to permit flushing liquid topass fromthe tank 14 totheinterior of the pump 16. As taught in the prior Kemper patents, the combinationof the pins 32 and their associated apertures in plate 30, provides arestricted annular orifice which effectively prevents solid or particulate matter from passing from the tank 14 to the pump 16. A split washer member 34 similar to a circlip seats in a circumferential groove 36 to retain the filter plate 30 in place. A pump base plate 38 holds the filter plate '30 and fits into an opening provided in the tank 14. A peripheral flange 40 fits snugly within an opening provided in the bottom 42 of the tank 14.

A diaphragm member 44:is made of ian elastomeric material and is provided with a continuous peripheral head 46. The diaphragm 44 is molded with a folded flange 48 at the periphery that encloses the'base plate member 38, best seen in FIGS. 3-5,.described below.

In FIG. 3, the structural details-of the diaphragm pump 16 are shown more clearly. On the outer surface termines the extent of diaphragm 44 travel during the which bears against the diaphragm folded flange 48,

the edge of the base plate 38, and the exterior surface of the tank bottom 42. The inner surface of the cover flange 54 is provided with a series of vestigial ribs 56 which help grip and hold the folded flange 48. A peripheral ridge 58 cooperates with a flexible metallic holding ring 60 to maintain the cover 52 in a sealed relationship with the exterior of the tank 12, thus providing a fluid tight volume for driving the pump 16.

A heavy duty return spring 62 is provided to aid in the exhaust of the driving fluid and to provide an intake stroke for the pump operation when the flushing action is completed. A rigid plastic spring support member 64 protects the diaphragm 44 from the return spring 62. The return spring 62 and spring support member 64 urge the diaphragm 44 to the full open position. A unidirectional intake flow valve 66 and a unidirectional outlet flow valve 68 enable the driven side of the pump to fill during the intake stroke and to discharge the filtered flushing liquid into the flush outlet line 24 when driving fluid is applied to the volume between the diaphragm 44 and the pump cover 52.

The filter pins 32 are formed as an integral part of a filter comb assembly 70 which is mounted in a recess 72 that is provided in the base plate 38. A stem element 74 includes a shoulder portion 76 which rests against an opening 78 in the filter recess 72. The stem 74 extends into the driven chamber and contains a bias spring80 which holds the filter in a retracted position.

A reinforced strike plate 82 in the spring support member 64 moves the stem 74 and the comb assembly 76 when the driving fluid is applied to the pump and the support member 64 is driven toward the base plate 38. The return spring 62 is positioned to surround the exterior of the filter recess 72.

The diaphragm 44 includes a thickness ring 84 which spaces the diaphragm 44 away from the inner wall of the pump cover 52. The thickened ring 84 limits the travel of the bias spring 62. An'altemative configuration of the diaphragm 44 in the driving stroke is indicated in the dashed. outline. A driving fluid input line is provided but not shown.

The metallic holding ring 60 is fastened to a mounting ridge 86 with a plurality of screws 88 which, when secured, applies a compressive force to the cover flange 54. The compressive force acts to create fluidtight seals on both the driving and driven sides of the pump.

In operation, pneumatic driving fluid under pressure is applied to the driving side of the pump. As the pressure builds, the fluid applies a force to the diaphragm 44 which overcomes the resistive force of the return spring 62. The diaphragm 44 moves upward, (as seen in FIG. 3) until the strike plate 82 engages the stem 74. As the volume in the driven side decreases, filtered flushing fluid is forced out through, the valve 68.

At the end of the driving stroke, the stem 74 forces the filter comb assembly and the pins 32 through the apertures in the filter plate 30. The fully compressed return spring 62 and the spring support member 64 dedriving stroke.

Once the pressure of the driving penumatic fluid is released, the return spring (62 urges the diaphragm downward (as viewed inF'lG. 3). The bias spring retracts the filter comb assembly 70 as fluid is drawn into the driven side of the pump through the filter and the intake valve 66. The rate at which the pump fills with filtered liquid is determined by the return spring 62 and by the rate at which the pressure is relieved.

Turning next to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the manner in which the difierential in pressure as betweenthe interior of the driving side of the pump and ambient in excess of what might be considered a safe level is re-' lieved. The excess pressure in the interior is vented to ambient while maintaining a fluid tight seal of the tank and its contents by applying a force against the metal holding ring 60. As shown, the pneumatic fluid escapes between the folded flange 48 of the diaphragm 44 and the ribs 56 of the cover flange 54.

Thus there has been shown an improved, pneumatically operated recirculating toilet which includes a novel diaphragm member, that also functions as a sealing gasket. Further, the diaphragm is provided with a peripheral bead which functions as an O-ring seal.

A molded cover bears against the diaphragm and defines the driving side of the pump. The cover is held in place by a flexible retaining ring, which is prestressed to maintain a fluid-tight seal between the cover and the diaphragm. When excess pressure builds in the driving side of the pump, the retaining ring will, under such excess pressures, yield to permit the escape of pneumatic fluid between the cover and the diaphragm. The pneumatic fluid, acting upon the diaphragm, maintains a firm seal on the driven side of the pump and prevents the escape of any material from the driven side.

Other modifications and embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the an and, accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A diaphragm pump including:

a. a diaphragm member having an enlarged neck portion adjacent the periphery, said neck portion being adapted to receive a plate member;

b. a cover portion, including a flange adapted to seat against said neck portion and plate member, capturing a part of said neck portion therebetween to produce a fluid-tight seal; and

c. a flexible retainer ring member mounted adjacent said cover portion and prestremed to apply a seating force on said flange, said cover portion and ring member responding to driving fluid pressures between said cover portion and said diaphragm member that are greater by a predetermined amount than said seating force, to unseat said cover portion for relieving excess driving fluid pressures. v

2. The diaphragm pump of claim 1, above, wherein said diaphragm member has a bead at the peripheral edge thereof and said bead is adapted to function as an O-ring when said cover is seated.

3. The diaphragm pump of claim 1, above, wherein the surface of said cover portion flange adapted to bear against said diaphragm member includes a plurality of ribs for improving the seal between said flange and said diaphragm member.

4. For use in combination with a recirculating toilet create a driving chamber between said cover memhaving a storage tank, a diaphragm pump adapted to be her and said diaphragm member; and mounted in fluid communication with the Storage tank d. flexible retainer ring means mounted to the storage comprising, in combination: tank, including a ring member adapted to fitover a. a diaphragm member having a peripheral edge and 5 Said cover member flange, Said ring member being an elongated, fluid-receiving interior portion and an enlarged neck portion adjacent said peripheral edge;

b. a filterplate member adapted to be inserted into said enlarged neck portion to provide, in combina- 10 tion with said diaphragm member, upper and lower sealing surfaces, said filter plate member including whereby excesslve dflvmg u d pressure canovermeans for filtering the contents of said storage tank come the force of Said ring member to Permit to id fl hi fl id; driving fluid leakage between said diaphragm c. a cover member having a peripheral flange 5 member and said cover member.

adapted to fit against one of said sealing surfaces to prestressed to apply a sealing force against said flange, said neck portion, said filter plate member, and the outer surface of the storage tank to provide fluid-tight seals for retaining driving fluid and flushing fluid,

Claims

1. A diaphragm pump including: a. a diaphragm member having an enlarged neck portion adjacent the periphery, said neck portion being adapted to receive a plate member; b. a cover portion, including a flange adapted to seat against said neck portion and plate member, capturing a part of said neck portion therebetween to produce a fluid-tight seal; and c. a flexible retainer ring member mounted adjacent said cover portion and prestressed to apply a seating force on said flange, said cover portion and ring member responding to driving fluid pressures between said cover portion and said diaphragm member that are greater by a predetermined amount than said seating force, to unseat said cover portion for relieving excess driving fluid pressures.

4. For use in combination with a recirculating toilet having a storage tank, a diaphragm pump adapted to be mounted in fluid communication with the storage tank comprising, in combination: a. a diaphragm member having a peripheral edge and an elongated, fluid-receiving interior portion and an enlarged neck portion adjacent said peripheral edge; b. a filter plate member adapted to be inserted into said enlarged neck portion to provide, in combination with said diaphragm member, upper and lower sealing surfaces, said filter plate member including means for filtering the contents of said storage tank to provide flushing fluid; c. a cover member having a peripheral flange adapted to fit against one of said sealing surfaces to create a driving chamber between said cover member and said diaphragm member; and d. flexible retainer ring means mounted to the storage tank, including a ring member adapted to fit oVer said cover member flange, said ring member being prestressed to apply a sealing force against said flange, said neck portion, said filter plate member, and the outer surface of the storage tank to provide fluid-tight seals for retaining driving fluid and flushing fluid, whereby excessive driving fluid pressure can overcome the force of said ring member to permit driving fluid leakage between said diaphragm member and said cover member.