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US3939499A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Recirculating electrolytic toilet

Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries LLC
•
Filing: 1974-07-22
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Granted: 1976-02-24
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Expires: 1994-07-22
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Abstract

Abstract An electrolysis unit is used in conjunction with the holding tank of a self-contained recirculating toilet system. The liquid and solid waster material is macerated and recirculated by an external macerator pump as a fine slurry. The slurry material from the lowermost portion of the waste tank is treated by electrolysis producing oxygen and chlorine and an odor free water vapor exhaust. The residue from the electrolysis decomposition unit is periodically removed.

Inventors

  • 👤 George C. Roberts

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 15:03
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00; E03D5/016

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 188 words
A self-contained toilet system comprising: a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl for accepting a mixture of a salt-containing fluid, and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl; an electrolytic decomposition unit spaced from and separate from said holding tank and in fluid flow communication therewith, said unit having a pair of spaced electrodes disposed therein, and voltage means operatively connected to each of said electrodes; and macerating and communiting pump means separate from said tank and in fluid communication with both said unit and said holding tank for pumping the mixture of salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter from said holding tank, macerating and communiting said pumped matter into a fine slurry in colloidal solution and circulating said fine slurry back into said holding tank, then from said holding tank into the interior of said unit in an agitated state and into contact with said electrodes therein until liberated chlorine and oxygen produced by the contact of said slurry with said electrodes react with the remainder of the slurry to clarify said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 188 words
A self-contained toilet system comprising: a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl for accepting a mixture of a salt-containing fluid, and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl; an electrolytic decomposition unit spaced from and separate from said holding tank and in fluid flow communication therewith, said unit having a pair of spaced electrodes disposed therein, and voltage means operatively connected to each of said electrodes; and macerating and communiting pump means separate from said tank and in fluid communication with both said unit and said holding tank for pumping the mixture of salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter from said holding tank, macerating and communiting said pumped matter into a fine slurry in colloidal solution and circulating said fine slurry back into said holding tank, then from said holding tank into the interior of said unit in an agitated state and into contact with said electrodes therein until liberated chlorine and oxygen produced by the contact of said slurry with said electrodes react with the remainder of the slurry to clarify said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system according to claim 1, in which said pump means are connected to the lowermost portion of said holding tank for more thoroughly macerating said liquid and said solid matter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said pump means are connected to the lowermost portion of said decomposition unit for more thoroughly macerating said liquid and said solid matter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said electrodes are cylindrical and coaxially disposed in a manner forming inner and outer spaced electrodes and in which said outer electrode is a container for holding said slurry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 4 in which said paid of coaxial electrodes are both stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 4 in which said inner coaxial electrode is a screen mesh for increasing the active surface area of said electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said holding tank is made of an insulative material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 34 words
A system according to claim 1 further including timing means coupled to both said pump means and said unit for operating said pump means and energizing said electrolytic decomposition unit for pre-determined timed intervals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system according to claim 1 further including operating means coupled to both said pump means and said unit for activating said pump means whenever said electrolytic decomposition unit is energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
A system according to claim 9 further including power means coupled to the said operating means for activating said pump means and energizing said electrolytic decomposition unit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 185 words
A method for reducing the volume of waste matter accumulated in a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl wherein said tank receives a mixture of a salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl, and an electrolytic decomposition unit, spaced from and separate from said holding tank and in fluid flow communication therewith, said unit having a pair of spaced electrodes disposed therein, said method comprising the steps of: pumping said mixture from said tank; macerating and communiting said mixture pump from said tank into a fine slurry in colloidal solution; applying a voltage to each of said electrodes; circulating said fine slurry back into said tank and through said unit while agitating said fine slurry into contact with spaced electrodes in said unit; and continuing the circulation of said fine slurry into contact with said electrodes until chlorine and oxygen are liberated by the contact of said fine slurry with said electrodes and said liberated chlorine and oxygen reacts with the remainder of said slurry to thereby clarify said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 185 words
A method for reducing the volume of waste matter accumulated in a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl wherein said tank receives a mixture of a salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl, and an electrolytic decomposition unit, spaced from and separate from said holding tank and in fluid flow communication therewith, said unit having a pair of spaced electrodes disposed therein, said method comprising the steps of: pumping said mixture from said tank; macerating and communiting said mixture pump from said tank into a fine slurry in colloidal solution; applying a voltage to each of said electrodes; circulating said fine slurry back into said tank and through said unit while agitating said fine slurry into contact with spaced electrodes in said unit; and continuing the circulation of said fine slurry into contact with said electrodes until chlorine and oxygen are liberated by the contact of said fine slurry with said electrodes and said liberated chlorine and oxygen reacts with the remainder of said slurry to thereby clarify said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 11 including the step of recirculating said clarified slurry back into said tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 216 words
A self-contained toilet system comprising: a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl for accepting a mixture of a salt-containing fluid, and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl; an electrolytic decomposition unit spaced from and separate from said holding tank having an interior in fluid flow communication with said tank, said unit having at least a pair of spaced electrodes disposed in the interior therein, voltage means operatively connected to each of said electrodes, and heating means associated with said unit for heating the interior thereof; and macerating and communiting pump means separate from said tank and in fluid communication with both said unit and said holding tank for pumping the mixture of salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter from said holding tank, macerating and communiting said pumped matter into a fine slurry in collodial solution and circulating said fine flurry back into said holding tank and from said tank into the interior of said unit in an agitated state and into contact with said electrodes therein while heating the interior of said unit until liberated chlorine and oxygen produced by the contact of said slurry with said electrodes react with the remainder of the slurry to clarify and evaporate said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 216 words
A self-contained toilet system comprising: a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl for accepting a mixture of a salt-containing fluid, and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl; an electrolytic decomposition unit spaced from and separate from said holding tank having an interior in fluid flow communication with said tank, said unit having at least a pair of spaced electrodes disposed in the interior therein, voltage means operatively connected to each of said electrodes, and heating means associated with said unit for heating the interior thereof; and macerating and communiting pump means separate from said tank and in fluid communication with both said unit and said holding tank for pumping the mixture of salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter from said holding tank, macerating and communiting said pumped matter into a fine slurry in collodial solution and circulating said fine flurry back into said holding tank and from said tank into the interior of said unit in an agitated state and into contact with said electrodes therein while heating the interior of said unit until liberated chlorine and oxygen produced by the contact of said slurry with said electrodes react with the remainder of the slurry to clarify and evaporate said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 71 words
In the system of claim 13 wherein said electrodes includes a plurality of spaced electrodes mounted in the interior of said unit in fluid communication with said slurry, said spaced electrodes being staggered in a manner forming a tortious path through said unit, said path being in fluid flow communication at one end with the slurry entering said unit and at the other end communicating with a vent to the atmosphere.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 209 words
A method for reducing the volume of waste matter accumulated in a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl wherein said tank receives a mixture of a salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl, and an electrolytic decomposition unit spaced from and separate from said holding tank and in fluid flow communication therewith, said unit having at least a pair of spaced electrodes disposed therein and means for heating the interior associated therewith, said method comprising the steps of: pumping said mixture from said tank; macerating and communiting said mixture pumped from said tank into a fine slurry in colloidal solution; applying a voltage to said electrodes; circulating said fine slurry back into said tank and through said unit into contact with spaced electrodes in said unit; heating the interior of said unit in fluid communication with said slurry being circulated therethrough; and continuing the circulation of said fine slurry into contact with said electrodes while heating said slurry until chlorine and oxygen are liberated by the contact of said fine slurry with said electrodes and said liberated chlorine and oxygen reacts with the remainder of said slurry to thereby clarify and evaporate said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 209 words
A method for reducing the volume of waste matter accumulated in a holding tank in fluid flow communication with a toilet bowl wherein said tank receives a mixture of a salt-containing fluid and solid and liquid waste matter deposited in said bowl, and an electrolytic decomposition unit spaced from and separate from said holding tank and in fluid flow communication therewith, said unit having at least a pair of spaced electrodes disposed therein and means for heating the interior associated therewith, said method comprising the steps of: pumping said mixture from said tank; macerating and communiting said mixture pumped from said tank into a fine slurry in colloidal solution; applying a voltage to said electrodes; circulating said fine slurry back into said tank and through said unit into contact with spaced electrodes in said unit; heating the interior of said unit in fluid communication with said slurry being circulated therethrough; and continuing the circulation of said fine slurry into contact with said electrodes while heating said slurry until chlorine and oxygen are liberated by the contact of said fine slurry with said electrodes and said liberated chlorine and oxygen reacts with the remainder of said slurry to thereby clarify and evaporate said slurry and generate an odor-free effluent therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 89 words
In the method of claim 15 wherein said electrodes include a plurality of spaced electrodes mounted in the interior of said unit in fluid communication with said slurry, said spaced electrodes being staggered in a manner forming a tortuous path through said unit, said path being in fluid flow communication at one end with the slurry entering said unit and at the other end communicating with a vent to the atmosphere; and the step of circulating said slurry includes the step of circulating said slurry through said tortuous path.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2194781A Cited
US2773825A Cited
US3563879A Cited
US3568215A Cited
US3582485A Cited
US3706646A Cited
US3734291A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-02-23 1979-08-25 1980-02-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-02-23 1983-08-25 1984-02-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-02-23 1987-08-25 1988-02-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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