Patent Application
20160340117
The field of the disclosure relates generally to waste management systems, and more specifically, to transferring waste from an elevated platform to ground level.
At least some known manufacturing facilities include elevated platforms that provide technicians access to a specified work site on a product, such as an aircraft. As the technicians perform their duties, an amount of waste is generated that requires sorting into various categories. For example, when working on an aircraft, waste is generally sorted into three different types: flammable waste, corrosive waste, and general foreign object debris (FOD) waste. At least some known facilities store a separate waste container for each waste type on the platform. Each waste container also includes a lid to contain not only the waste, but also any potentially harmful vapors from escaping the waste container.
A waste collection team is responsible for emptying the waste containers, often multiple times per day, on each platform. At least some known manufacturing facilities require the waste collection team to ascend a set of platform stairs to retrieve a waste container and descend the stairs, while carrying the heavy waste container, to empty the waste container at ground level. The waste collection team then ascends the stairs to replace the first waste container and retrieve a second waste container. As a result, members of the waste collection team may ascend and descend stairs between 75-100 times per day. Furthermore, the waste collection team is often carrying a waste container each time they ascend and descend the stairs, which may lead to a loss of balance or other safety concerns.
One known solution is to provide a chute at the platform that deposits waste into an associated container. The waste travels down the chute from the platform and impinges a pair of hinged flaps that open upon impact to allow the waste to fall into the container. The hinged flaps include a spring mechanism that returns the flaps to a position that covers an opening in the chute to reduce an amount of waste vapor from traveling up the chute. The mechanical springs may have decreased performance over time, causing the spring to be replaced periodically to maintain the performance desired to prevent vapors from escaping back up the chute.
Additionally, storing the waste containers on the platform itself limits the space available to the technicians to move around on the platform and perform their duties and also represents a possible trip hazard for the technicians.
In one aspect, a waste containment system for use with a waste management system having a chute and a container is provided. The waste containment system includes a sensor configured to determine a position of a chute top lid and at least one pivoting mechanism operatively coupled to at least one flap of a container top lid. The pivoting mechanism is configured to move the at least one flap between an open position and a closed position. The waste containment system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and to the at least one pivoting mechanism. The controller is configured to control the pivoting mechanism based on the determined position of the chute top lid.
In another aspect, a waste management system is provided. The waste management system includes a chute comprising a bottom end, a top end, and a chute lid coupled at the top end. The waste management system also includes a container having a container lid coupled to the bottom end. The container lid includes an opening defined therein and at least one flap configured to selectively cover at least a portion of the opening. The waste management system further includes a waste containment system including a sensor configured to determine a position of the chute lid and at least one pivoting mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one flap. The pivoting mechanism is configured to move the at least one flap between an open position and a closed position. The waste containment system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and to the at least one pivoting mechanism. The controller is configured to control the pivoting mechanism based on the determined position of the chute lid.
In yet another aspect, a method of assembling a waste containment system for use with a waste management system, having a chute and a container, is provided. The method includes coupling a sensor to a chute top end proximate a chute top lid. The sensor is configured to determine a position of the chute top lid. The method also includes coupling at least one pivoting mechanism to a flap of a container top lid. The pivoting mechanism is configured to move the flap between an open position and a closed position. The method further includes coupling a controller to the container top lid. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensor and to the at least one pivoting mechanism such that the controller moves the pivoting mechanism based on the determined position of the chute top lid.
The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
The embodiments described herein facilitate depositing various types of waste into a respective chute on a platform and collecting the waste in containers located at ground level. A technician determines whether they have FOD (foreign object debris) waste, corrosive waste, or flammable waste and deposits the waste into an appropriate chute at a waste disposal station located on the platform. An electronic vapor lock system detects that a chute lid has been opened on the platform and activates an actuator on the container lid to pivot a flap to allow the waste to fall into the container. When the technician closes the chute lid, the electronic vapor lock system again activates the actuator, after a predetermined time delay, to close the container lid and contain any waste vapors or particulate within the container.
In the exemplary implementation, plurality of chutes 106 includes a first chute 114, a second chute 116, and a third chute 118. Similarly, plurality of containers 104 includes a first container 120 coupled to first chute 114, a second container 122 coupled to second chute 116, and a third container 124 coupled to third chute 118. First chute 114 channels general foreign object debris (FOD) waste between waste disposal station 102 at platform 110 and first container 120, while second chute 116 channels flammable waste, and third chute 118 channels corrosive waste. According to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, different types of waste must be separated and clearly identified by color. More specifically, second container 122 is colored red to indicate flammable materials contained therein, while third container 124 is colored yellow to indicate corrosive materials contained therein. Although waste management system 100 illustrates three separate chutes and containers in
In one implementation, first chute 114 includes a top end 134 that extends upwards through bottom wall 132 of housing 126. As such, both a top surface 136 and a bottom surface 138 of bottom wall 132 are coupled to top end 134 to provide structural integrity to first chute 114. Furthermore, top end 134 also defines an opening 140 into which the technicians may deposit the waste. Similarly, second chute 116 includes a top end 142 that extends through bottom wall 132 and defines an opening 144 and third chute 118 includes a top end 146 that extends through bottom wall 132 and defines an opening 148. Alternatively, chutes 114, 116, and 118 are coupled to housing 126 in any manner that enable operation of waste disposal station 102 as described herein.
Similarly, second chute 116 includes a lid 158 that includes a handle 160 and a stopper 162, and third chute 118 includes a lid 164 that includes a handle 166 and a stopper 168. In the exemplary implementation, lids 150, 158, and 164 are each colored a different color to indicate which type of waste is meant to be deposited therein. For example, lid 150 on first chute 114 is colored grey to indicate general FOD waster, lid 158 on second chute 116 is colored red to indicated flammable waste, and lid 164 on third chute 118 is colored yellow to indicate corrosive waste. As such, lids 150, 158 and 164 are colored in accordance with OSHA regulations to indicate a specific type of waste to be deposited therein.
In the exemplary implementation, waste management system 100 also includes an electronic vapor lock system 200 that facilitates preventing vapors and other waste particulates from escaping any of containers 120, 122, and 124 and traveling up associated chutes 114, 116, and 118. Vapor lock system 200 includes a first sensor 202 coupled to top end 134 of first chute 114. Sensor 202 includes a housing 204 coupled to top end 134 and a sensor pin 206 extending upward from housing 204. When lid 150 is in the closed position, as shown in
Similarly, although not shown, second chute 116 and third chute 118 each include a sensor having a housing, pin, and signal wire. Alternatively, vapor lock system 200 is a wireless system that includes a wireless transmitter to transmit a signal rather than signal line 208. In the exemplary implementation, manual opening of lid 150 by the technician is preferred. Alternatively, vapor lock system 200 may include another sensor (not shown) proximate lid 150 that senses a technician in proximity to chute 114 and causes lid 150 to automatically open.
Referring again to
Except as specifically described otherwise, chutes 114, 116, and 118 of plurality of chutes 106 are substantially similar to each other. As such, only first chute 114 is described herein in detail. However, second and third chutes 116 and 118 include similar features and components. First chute 114 extends between waste disposal station housing 126 and a lid 172 of first container 120. In the exemplary implementation, first chute 114 includes a rigid portion 174 and a biasing portion 176. Rigid portion 174 is coupled to housing bottom wall 132 and includes top end 134. Biasing portion 176 is coupled to lid 172. In the exemplary implementation, rigid portion 174 may be formed from at least two rigid sections. In such a configuration, the rigid sections are coupled together using a clamp 178 (shown in
In the exemplary implementation, chute 114 also includes a gate assembly 180 coupled between rigid portion 174 and biasing portion 176 of chute 114, as shown in
In the exemplary implementation, biasing portion 176 includes a flexible coil 194 that enables biasing portion 176 to stretch and compress in length. In operation, when lid 172 is coupled to container 120 in a snap fit relationship, coil 194 is compressed from a resting length to a shorter compressed length such that coil 194 biases lid 172 downward onto container 120. As such, biasing portion 176 applies a positive pressure to lid 172 that maintains engagement between lid 172 and container 120. A technician may easily break the biased engagement and lift lid 172 from container 120 when container 120 is to be emptied. When lid 172 and container 120 are decoupled, lid 172 then remains coupled to biasing portion 176 as biasing portion 176 extends into its resting length until the technician again compresses coil 194 in biasing portion 176 to couple lid 172 to container 120.
In the exemplary implementation, each pivoting mechanism 212 includes a motor housing 214, a first gear 216, a pivoting housing 218, and a second gear 220. Motor housing 214 is coupled to a bottom surface 195 of coupling flange 192 and houses a motor (not shown) communicatively coupled to and controlled by controller 210. The motor is coupled to first gear 216 and facilitates rotation of first gear 216 upon receipt of a signal from controller 210. Each pivoting housing 218 is coupled to a separate flap 222, which, in combination, substantially cover opening 196. Second gear 220 is coupled to pivoting housing 218 and is rotatably coupled to first gear 216 such that rotation of first gear 216 causes rotation of second gear 220 and pivoting housing 218. As such, controller 210 automatically controls the motors within housings 214 to rotate first gear 216 to cause rotation of second gear 220 and pivoting housing 218 such that the associated flap 222 is pivoted from a first, closed, position to a second, open, position.
In the exemplary implementation, at least one of motor housing 214, first gear 216, pivoting housing 218, and second gear 220 is fabricated from an electrically non-conductive material, such as, but not limited to, plastic or rubber to reduce a risk of sparking within container 120. Alternatively, motor housing 214, first gear 216, pivoting housing 218, and second gear 220 are each fabricated from any material that enables vapor lock system 200 to operate as described herein.
In operation, a technician lifts lid 150 (shown in
Upon closure of lid 150, sensor 202 indicates as such by transmitting a signal to controller 210. Controller 210 receives the signal and executes a delay for a predetermined amount of time before controlling pivoting mechanisms 212 to pivot flaps to the second position to close opening 196. The delay between lid 150 closure and flap 222 pivoting ensures that all material has left chute 114 and has been deposited into container 120. This prevents material from becoming trapped on the top side of flaps 222. After the delay has expired, controller 210 causes flaps 222 return to the closed position to substantially prevent vapors or airborne particles in the waste from traveling up chute 114. As described above, each of chutes 116 and 118 includes a containment lid assembly and a vapor lock system similar to assembly 188 and system 200 as described with respect to chute 114. Alternatively, chutes 114, 116, and 118 have any combination of assembly 188 and system 200 that enables waste management system 100 to operate as described herein.
The embodiments described herein facilitate depositing various types of waste into a respective chute on a platform and collecting the waste in containers located at ground level. A technician determines whether they have FOD waste, corrosive waste, or flammable waste and deposits the waste into the appropriate chute at a waste disposal station on the platform. The waste then travels through the chute and into a corresponding container located at ground level. When the container is full, another technician slides the gate inward to block the chute and removes the lid from the container. The lid remains coupled to the biasing portion of the chute while the technician empties the container. Once the container is emptied, the technician at least partially compresses the biasing portion of the chute to lift the lid above the container and then couples the lid to the container. The coil within the biasing portion causes the lid to apply a downward force onto the container to maintain a tight engagement.
As described herein, the waste management system allows technicians to deposit waste into an appropriate chute from a working platform such that the waste collects in containers at ground level. Therefore, technicians responsible for emptying the container are no longer required to climb a set of stairs onto the platform to empty the containers. Storing the containers at ground level provides cost savings in that technicians do not have to climb stairs 75-100 times per day as with at least some known waste management systems. Furthermore, any potential safety risks from the technicians carrying containers or bags of waste down from the platform are mitigated. Additionally, storing the containers at ground level and providing an over-the-rail waste disposal station provides for additional work space on the platforms for the technicians to perform their duties without the risk of tripping on one of the containers.
Furthermore, the embodiments described herein illustrate a vapor lock system that enables automated opening and closing of flaps on the container at the bottom of the chute. The vapor lock system includes a sensor positioned at the chute lid to determine the position (open or closed) of the chute lid. The sensor transmits the position signal to a controller that operates a pair of pivoting mechanisms based on the position signal from the sensor. Each pivoting mechanism includes a pair of wheel gears that are driven by a motor controlled by the controller. The wheel gears rotate to pivot an associated flap between the open and closed positions to selectively enable waste to be deposited into the container. The wheel gears are driven by a motor to open and close an associated flap, rather than using springs or biasing mechanisms that may wear out. As described above, the controller is positioned outside the chute and container and the components of each pivoting mechanism positioned inside the container are either housed in or formed from a non-conductive material to prevent sparks, ignition, and contamination
Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments, which include the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art to practice those embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
