Abstract:
A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously. This compact design provides efficient interaction and plumbing between the water tank, vacuum tank and filter housing as well as concentrating weight and reducing floor space.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a vacuum boring and mud recovery container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Current state of the art vacuum boring and mud recovery systems, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,584 by the present inventor, have a vacuum container having a vacuum capable of boring and mud recovery and provide simultaneously, vacuum fill, store and dispense. However problems arise from the horizontally mounted debris tank when trying to dispose of the debris.  
         [0003]     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum boring and mud recovery container having a fixed slope to allow a greater percentage of fill of the debris tank before the debris full level reaches the vacuum cut off valve, provides compact size, concentrated weight, efficient plumbing and debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The above described objectives and others are met by a vacuum container mounted at a fixed slope and supported by a liquid water container. The fixed slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing. with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously. This compact design provides efficient interaction and plumbing between the water tank, vacuum tank and filter housing as well as concentrating weight and reducing floor space. Two parallel tubular support means may be added at the base of the above described unit and extended past the water container sufficient length to mount a support base for a power plant, which may consist of an engine, a vacuum producing means, a vacuum/blower, a water pump, a water jetter pump, a hydraulic pump and reservoir, an air compressor and air tank, an electric generator, a heater, controls, monitor, sensors, or a goose neck trailer coupler.  
         [0005]     The above described unit may be efficiently and quickly convertible from a skid mount unit to a pick-up truck bed mounted unit secured by the goose neck ball located in the bed of a pick-up truck, converted to a forklift mounted unit or a skid steer mounted unit or be converted to a trailer mounted unit dependent on the users need for the days activity. A vibrating screen may be mounted by flexible connections on the inside of the vacuum container, preferably to the inside of the access door, to separate liquids from solids.  
         [0006]     Liquid cleaning, purification or sterilizing means may be added within the vacuum container or be mounted to the exterior of the vacuum container for the purpose of pretreatment of the water as it is recycled. A liquid dispensed means, such as a pump, may dispense liquid from the vacuum container vibrating screen effluent through the desired pretreatment means and into the liquid holding container with or without eliminating the vacuum within the vacuum container, thus recycling liquid for reuse. This technique allows the original liquid carried to a work site to be reused multiple times.  
         [0007]     The vacuum container may have a screw conveyor means attached so as to dispense solids from the vacuum container with or without eliminating the vacuum within the vacuum container. An air nozzle means may be attached to the discharge orifice of the screw conveyor so as to further convey the solids by air. The air discharge from the vacuum-producing device may be utilized as the source of air supplied to the air nozzles for the purpose of conveying the solids dispensed by the screw conveyor. The air blower technique further improves efficiency and provides a compact system by using a single air blower device to provide both a vacuum for the vacuum container and an air volume under pressure to convey the dispensed solids.  
         [0008]     A powered rotating, telescoping articulated boom with one or more arms, elbows and knuckles may be attached so as to convey through the boom conduit the air conveyed solids to a dispensing point of choice such as a dump truck bed or recycled back into a ditch or hole from which it was removed. A cyclone may be attached to the end of the boom conduit to separate the solids from the air volume used to convey the solids.  
         [0009]     The above described system may be stationary or mobile. Mobility may be obtained by mounting the system on a trailer, powered vehicle, truck, zero turn radius drivable vehicle, fork lift, skid steer, barge, or railcar.  
         [0010]     The above vacuum system is further empowered by vacuum hose end attachments, which may be applied so as to improve the vacuum ability of substances such as dirt, gravel, asphalt, concrete, or surface cleaning such as hydrocarbons, rust, or paint. The above vacuum system processes wet and/or dry material, thus providing means to separate rust, paint chips, sand, dirt, or asphalt from liquids, and further remove hydrocarbons from water and sterilize the cleaned water if needed. The high pressure water pumps provide water to a wide variety of spray nozzles at a variety of pressures for cleaning, cutting, emulsifying or demolition.  
         [0011]     Numerous other embodiments are also possible. These elements of the embodiments described herein can also be combined in other ways, or with other elements to create still further embodiments.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which may be regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a vacuum container mounted at a fixed slope according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , arranged on the bed of a pick-up, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , showing the solids/liquid separator and jetter water pump, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , arranged on a skid steer according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , showing the rotating, articulating, telescoping, vacuum conduit boom, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , showing the solids dispensing unit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1 , arranged on a trailer towed by a truck according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of FIG. I arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a vacuum container unit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a side view of an articulating jetter boom according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a vacuum container according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a vacuum container unit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a vacuum container unit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a vacuum container unit arranged on a skid steer, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1  arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1  arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 21  is a side view of a vacuum container unit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 22  is a side view of a vacuum container unit arranged on a zero turn radius vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 23  is a side view of a vacuum container unit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 24  is a side view of the vacuum container unit of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 25   a  is a plan view of a rotating head sprayer according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 25   b  is a side sectional view of a sprayer according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 26  is a side view of the vacuum conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 27   a  is a side view of a sound reduction muffler according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 27   b  is a side view of a sound reduction muffler according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 28  is a cross sectional side view of a vacuum hose end according to an embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vacuum container ( 12 ) is mounted at a fixed slope and supported by a liquid water container ( 8 ). The fixed slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to empty by gravity when the access door ( 18 ) is opened. This arrangement creates a compact package unit, reduces floor space needed to contain both liquid container ( 8 ) and vacuum debris container ( 12 ) and condenses the weight of the water container ( 8 ) and vacuum debris container ( 12 ) combination. The dual container combination lends itself, by compactness, to use as a multifunctional convertible unit capable of being quickly converted from a skid mount unit ( 64 ) to a trailer mount unit, to a gooseneck hitch coupled ( 63 ) pick up truck bed unit, to a fork lift or skid steer transported unit. A filter housing ( 62 ) may be mounted piggyback onto the outer shell of the vacuum debris container ( 12 ) thus further compacting the space required for the system and again condensing weight and increasing the efficiency of interaction between the water tank ( 8 ), vacuum container ( 12 ) and filter housing ( 62 ). By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing ( 62 ) with the clean out access end of the vacuum container ( 12 ), a single door ( 18 ) may be utilized to access both vacuum container ( 12 ) and filter housing ( 62 ) simultaneously. A power plant ( 67 ) may consist of an engine, vacuum/blower, water pump, hydraulic pump, air compressor or electric generator and may be mounted with the vacuum tank and water tank. A hose reel ( 37 ) and water fill pipe ( 65 ) are attached to water tank ( 8 ).  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a vacuum debris tank ( 12 ) is mounted at a fixed slope and supported by a water tank ( 8 ). A filter housing ( 62 ) is mounted on the vacuum debris tank ( 12 ). The water tank ( 8 ) is mounted on the bed of a truck secured by the goose neck trailer coupler ( 63 ) for easy transportation means. Alternative means for easy transportation can also be achieved through mounting the system on a trailer ( 31 ,  FIG. 3 ), a skid steer ( 36 ,  FIG. 4 ), or a zero turn radius vehicle ( 31 ,  FIG. 6 ). The zero turn radius vehicle operates by maneuvering a tilt-away tow hitch and 360 degree swivel front wheels.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , a vibrated screen ( 21 ) may be mounted by flexible connector ( 68 ) to the inside of the vacuum debris container access door ( 18 ) to separate liquids ( 2 ) from the solids ( 6 ), which have been vacuumed into the vacuum container ( 12 ). Liquids ( 2 ) may be piped from the inner part vibrated screen ( 21 ), through the access door ( 18 ) and into a pump dispensing means ( 1 ) strong enough to overcome vacuum within the vacuum container. A liquid conduit ( 5 ) recycles the liquid ( 2 ) through a liquid purification or sterilization means ( 74 ) then back to the water tank ( 8 ). The liquid purification or sterilization means ( 74 ) may include a hydro cyclone ( 25 ), vortex generator, sand filter, activated carbon, zealite, sterilizing elements, filters, ozone, peat, sawdust, shavings, or hydrocarbon absorbing means which may be added in the vacuum container ( 12 ) or external to the vacuum container ( 12 ) to clean, or sterilize the recycled liquid. A jetter water pump ( 7 ) is attached to the water tank ( 8 ) and used to pressurize the water to the hose conduit ( 5 ).  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a skid steer ( 36 ) can be used for easy mobility of the mounted system as well as providing direct power to the system by connecting the system&#39;s engine and vacuum blower power supply ( 67 ) to the skid steer&#39;s hydraulics.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-14 , a powered, rotating, articulating, telescoping vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) may be mounted onto the vacuum debris tank ( 12 ) in order to move the vacuum hose and it&#39;s attachments into place for vacuuming at a desired place to vacuum solids or liquids. The vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) may be light weight to only move a vacuum hose or the boom ( 36 ) or may be strong enough to support and operate both a telescoping vacuum conduit and a bucket for digging or motorized attachments to pull a vacuum hose into and through a lateral drainage pipe which needs cleaned. The vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) may also have multiple rotating swivel knuckles to aid in directing the vacuum hose into horizontal as well as vertical locations. The vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) may also be equipped with hose reels and means to dispense both vacuum hoses and/or water jetter hoses to a point of use along with their individual attachments, such as jetter nozzles or tractors to pull a hose or operate sensors or digging or cleaning means.  
         [0048]     The same boom ( 36 ) may have one or more hose reels attached so as to dispense vacuum hose ( 17 ), and/or water hose ( 5 ), and/or air hose, and/or hydraulic hose, and/or electrical power cords to a desired location for the purpose of vacuuming solids or liquids or making solids or liquids vacuumable, or monitoring or controlling the progress of the vacuuming process, or distributing a power source, for example, to a tractor or jetter nozzle, to pull a hose to a further location. The vacuum hose boom may also have multiple powered articulating arms, elbows, and knuckles to allow it to reach into manholes, or lateral lines leading to or from a manhole, or into silos or storage bens or railcar or tankers.  
         [0049]     The vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) may be constructed of sufficient strength to support and operate a bucket for digging as needed. The boom may also have quick change end attachments for vacuuming, surface cleaning with water pressure, demolition, grinding, jettering, or preparing surfaces as well as attachments to remove or replace manhole covers, or monitor or control the operation of attachments or sensors to detect obstacles or located utilities.  
         [0050]     A screw conveyor ( 10 ) is used to move solids from the vacuum debris tank ( 12 ) to the solids dispensing telescoping and articulating boom ( 70 ) for disposal. The boom ( 70 ) could dispose of the solids within the bed of a dump truck ( FIG. 10 ), within a disposal pile away from the digging site, or any other means necessary. The conveyor ( 10 ) may be a compacting screen conveyor emptying into an air conveyor discharged from a blower ( 11 ) to convey solids.  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a sensor/monitor may be used in order to detect buried utilities for the purpose of finding the utilities so they can be serviced, or in order to avoid damage to the utilities. The sensor my be located on the end of an articulating vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) and be connected to a monitor located near the operator for ease of viewing. An attachment on the end of the articulating vacuum conduit boom ( 36 ) may include one or more of a water jet, vacuum, cleaning, demolition or sand blasting attachment in order to help in loosening the digging area.  
         [0052]     A jetter nozzle ( 39 ) may be attached to a jetter hose ( 58 ) on the end of a dual articulating knuckle joint to align the jetter and/or vacuum hose ( 17 ) into a lateral drainpipe or manhole lateral. Water jets ( 40 ) on the jetter nozzle ( 39 ) are used to propel debris ( 45 ) towards the vacuum hose ( 17 ) and to move the jetter nozzle ( 39 ) along the drainpipe ( 38 ). A vacuum conduit tractor ( 51 ) may also be used to clean debris by clearing debris with an articulating suction head ( 53 ) connected to the vacuum conduit ( 17 ) and having a vacuum conduit tractor sensor controller ( 52 ) to guide the vehicle. Various other means of clearing the drainpipe ( 38 ) could be employed.  
         [0053]     A vacuum and water hose reel ( 54 ) may be attached ( FIG. 11 ) in order to keep the vacuum and water hose lines clear from kinks or getting tangled in order to provide for an easy means to dispense and retract the various hoses.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIG. 26 , vibrators may be added to the vacuum hose end to loosen hard to vacuum materials such as dry chemicals or elements in cyclones, storage bends, or railcars. Metal may be cleaned and prepared for welding or painting by water pressure. Adding lubricants to the water helps reduce the rust causing effect of using water pressure to remove scale, rust, primers, or paint from metals. Abrasive elements may also be added to the pressurized water to aid in loosing scale, rust, primers, or paint from metal. Once the pressure water loosens the above, the vacuum system described above vacuums the liquid and debris from the steel surface. Heated air under pressure may be blown onto the steel after vacuuming so as to remove remaining water residue. The vacuum/blower unit can double as both the source of vacuum and the source of heated air, since the vacuum producing means heats the air vacuumed from the vacuum container before the air is exhausted. The above described water pressure nozzle jet and vacuum system function as an alternative to using sand blasting as a means to clean and prep metal and clean welds.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIGS. 27   a  and  27   b , the air entering into or discharged from the combination blower/vacuum producing device may be passed through a muffler to reduce audible sounds conveyed by the blower air. The muffler of choice consists of passing the air through a perforated conduit wrapped with serwool or mineral wool or acoustic absorbing media. A protective outer surface is attached to contain and protect. The acoustic sound waves are absorbed into the wool or acoustic media For yet further sound reduction the air may then be diffused through additional tubes and orifices.  
         [0056]      FIG. 28  is a means of using a water header ( 78 ) as the outer circumference ( 80 ) of the suction end of a vacuum hose ( 17 ). The water header ( 78 ) is supplied by a water supply hose ( 5 ), which may be placed in parallel proximity to the vacuum hose ( 17 ) and may be articulated by the same vacuum boom. The vacuum hose ( 17 ) suction end circumference water header ( 77 ) may have two or more orifices ( 76 ) and/or spray nozzles ( 82 ) to distance the water under pressure. A pulsing jet of water is preferred in many applications. A rotary spray nozzle, jetter nozzle, or air or water pulsing means ( 82 ) often reduces water consumption and simultaneously improves mass impact for loosening or emulsifying items to be vacuumed. A preferred arrangement is to have a vacuum hose ( 17 ) and circumference ( 80 ) configured as a water reservoir ( 77 ) to supply water to two or more pulse spray nozzles or jetter nozzles ( 82 ) arranged as the circumference ( 80 ) of the vacuum hose ( 17 ) suction end. The circumference ( 80 ) water reservoir is supplied by a pressure water hose ( 5 ) or conduit, a water pump, pressure regulation, controller, and sensors incorporated within the system.  
         [0057]     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0000]     # Definition  
         [0000]    
       
         
           
               1 —Dispensing means  
               2 —Liquid  
               3 —Liquid Discharge conduit from Hydro cyclone  25   
               4 —Solids Discharge conduit from Hydro cyclone  25   
               5 —Discharge conduit from Liquid transfer pump  7   
               6 —Solids  
               7 —Liquid Transfer pump  
               8 —Container to hold dispensed liquids  
               9 —Container to hold dispensed solids  
               10 —Solids dispenser  
               11 —Vacuum producing means  
               12 —Vacuum container  
               13 —Conduit to connect Vacuum container  12 —vacuum producing means  11   
               14 —Discharge conduit from Vacuum producing means  11   
               15 —Utility  
               16 —Inlet conduit to Hydro cyclone  25   
               17 —Vacuum conduit  
               18 —End door to Vacuum container  12   
               19 —Means to secure end door  18   
               20 —Hinge for End door  18   
               21 —Screen  
               22 —Spring on Screen  21   
               23 —Vibrator  
               24 —Support for Springs  22   
               25 —Hydro cyclone  
               26 —Liquid sprayer  
               27 —Grinder  
               28 —Pivot support for Vacuum container  12   
               29 —Cylinder to Raise and Lower Vacuum Container  12   
               30 —Wheels on Mobile Platform  31   
               31 —Mobile Platform  
               32 —Cutting, Demolition, Cleaning and Blasting attachment means  
               33 —Utility Sensor means  
               34 —Monitor and/or Controller  
               35 —Ground Surface being dirt, asphalt, stone, or concrete  
               36 —Means to Mobilize Vacuum conduit  17  with attachment  32   
               37 —Hose Reel  
               38 —Drain Conduit  
               39 —Jetter  
               40 —Water Jet  
               41 —Means to power the Articulating Vacuum Boom  
               42 —Telescoping Vacuum conduit  
               43 —Digging Bucket  
               44 —Structural Means to Support and Articulate Vacuum Conduit  
               45 —Debris  
               46 —Man Hole Cover  
               47 —Means to Remove Man Hole Cover such as Electric Magnet, suction, mechanical fastener  
               48 —Power to Man Hole Cover removal means  47   
               49 —Solids Conveyer  
               50 —Boom Section  
               51 —Vacuum conduit Tractor  
               52 —Vacuum conduit Tractor Sensor Controller  
               53 —Vacuum conduit Tractor Articulating Suction Head  
               54 —Vacuum Hose Reel  
               55 —Purification Elements such as ozone, activated carbon or zealite  
               56 —Hydro carbon Absorbing means  
               57 —Sterilization means  
               58 —Jetter Hose  
               59 —Man Hole  
               60 —Articulating Jetter Boom  
               61 —Telescoping Jetter Conduit  
               62 —Filter Housing  
               63 —Goose Neck Trailer Coupler  
               64 —Skid and Lifting Receiver  
               65 —Fill Pipe to Water Tank  
               66 —Inside Debris Tank Center Door Closure Means  
               67 —Power Plant  
               68 —Flexible Connector for Vibrated Screen  
               69 —Air Nozzle Orifice to blow and convey solids and convey solids by air through the Boom Conduit  
               70 —Solids dispensing, telescoping and Articulating Boom  
               71 —Air Discharge from Vacuum Blower  
               72 —Combination Vacuum Hose and Jetter Water Hose articulated Telescoping Boom  
               73 —Swivel articulated Knuckle Joint to align Jetter and/or Vacuum Hose into a lateral line.  
               74 —Recycled Water Purification and Sterilization System  
               75 —Independent Hydraulic Drive Wheels  
               76 —Water Jet Orifice  
               77 —Water Reservoir Header  
               78 —Water Pressure  
               79 —Circumference of Vacuum Hose  
               80 —Circumference of Water Reservoir  
               81 —Center of Vacuum Hose  
               82 —Pulse or Rotary Jet or Jetter Nozzle  
               83 —Hydraulic Power Supply  
               84 —Hydraulic Tool and Equipment connection  
               85 —Hydraulic driven motor or Electric driven motor  
               86 —Articulating Boom Arm  
               87 —Control system for Drive Motor  
               88 —Revolution and/or Torque counter for Drive Motor  
               89 —.  
               90 —GPS (Global Positioning System) to map location of drive motor operation such as the location of a valve to be opened or closed or a core sample to be taken or a man hole location or repair point location or bored hole location  
               91 —Adapters for the drive motor such as extensions to reach and connect to valve stems or augers.  
               92 —Valve with valve stem  
               93 —Hose  
               94 —Hydrant  
               95 —Water pressure reducer-diffuser  
               96 —Hose Storage  
               97 —Liquid such as water from a hydrant  
               98 —In ground casing to valve stem  
               99 —Bafflers to absorb energy and reduce water pressure  
               100 —Hitch receiver  
               101 —Hitch receiver plugin  
               102 —Hitch stabilizing means  
               103 —Vehicle plug in power supply  
               104 —Power supply for drive motor