Abstract:
A boom, most commonly used in conjunction with a cement truck to deliver cement a great distance from the cement truck to the work site, is adapted to be used with a truck mounted vacuum extraction system. In this instance, the boom is used in a completely backwards fashion. Instead of being connected to a pump, which pumps material to a work site, the boom is connected to the vacuum extraction vacuum blower in order to bring debris at the excavation site to the debris tank of the vacuum extraction system. The boom is able to reach up, over, under, or around barriers that stand in the way. In addition, the boom can also reach through or go under existing structures to reach the excavation site.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/991,468 filed on May 10, 2014 titled “LONG-REACH VACUUM EXTRACTION” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/991,471 titled “TRACKED VEHICLE VACUUM EXTRACTION” which was filed on May 10, 2014, and is incorporated by reference for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Vacuum extraction is a non-mechanical, non-destructive process that uses an industrial strength vacuum to simultaneously excavate and evacuate soil below grade or extract materials above grade. As vacuum extraction safely removes material above grade, or breaks up soil below grade, the material or soil is conveyed by high volume air vacuum through a suction hose to a debris tank. Instead of manual or mechanical digging methods, air pressure breaks up the soil, which virtually eliminates any risk of underground utility damage. The vacuum extraction process results in safe, fast, and precise excavations that require less backfill, labor, and restoration, and has less environmental impact than traditional extraction techniques. Hand dig tools or pneumatically driven dig tools may be used to help gently break up the soil to aid in the process. Similarly, hydro-excavation utilizes hand-held high-pressure wands to help break up the soil. Hydro-excavation trucks may have tanks to carry the fluid needed for the wand, which is typically water, but could be any other suitable fluid. The vacuum system sucks up a slurry of soil and fluid into the debris tank. Both types of extraction are referred to hereinafter as simply vacuum extraction. 
         [0003]    Excavating or exposing underground utilities using vacuum extraction is called potholing or daylighting. Since vacuum extraction is a non-mechanical, non-destructive process, it enables underground utilities to be exposed without the risks inherent in traditional manual or mechanical extraction methods. Potholing is also a generally accepted time and cost saving digging method for the installation of signs, telephone poles, fences, and the like. 
         [0004]    Digging narrow trenches for installing pipes, cables or other in-ground utilities is called slot trenching. Unlike traditional mechanical slot trenchers, which can cause serious and costly damage to buried infrastructure, vacuum extraction provides a non-destructive and efficient slot trenching method even on frozen surfaces. Vacuum extraction makes it easy and safe to install sprinkler systems, locate underground utilities, and perform similar installations without the risk of damaging previously installed systems or lines. 
         [0005]    With vacuum extraction&#39;s precise, non-destructive characteristics, it can be used to remove debris and clean out a variety of structures without damaging the surrounding area. Vacuum extraction is also an ideal solution for catch basin cleaning, sludge removal, and cleaning up spills. 
         [0006]    With vacuum extraction&#39;s precision, it is ideal for pile hole excavation. Underground utilities that may be uncovered during excavation are not harmed in contrast to the high risk of damage that exists with using manual or mechanical digging methods. 
         [0007]    Since hydro-excavation trucks are equipped with truck-mounted heaters, cold weather does not deter them from working. Unlike traditional ground thawing methods that use wood or coal, hydro-excavation is environmentally friendly and safe. 
         [0008]    When fiber optic cables, telephone lines, water mains, or other utility lines need to be repaired, or excavation needs to be done in tight or congested spaces, vacuum extraction equipment can be located a short distance away from the actual excavation site. This minimizes the impact and restoration requirements to the actual site, and may eliminate traffic congestion and inconvenience. 
         [0009]    Safety has become a top concern in recent years, and the importance has been greatly amplified. There has been an increase in fatalities from pipeline explosions. The Transportation Department cites the biggest cause of such accidents as excavations that disturb gas lines. As a result, most big pipeline companies are beginning to mandate safe digging methods such as vacuum extraction. The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, And Safety Act Of 2006 (Public Law 109-468—Dec. 29, 2006), the 811 One-Call regulations, and subsequent enhancements by a few states, have all increased the focus on safe extraction techniques. There are regulations that stipulate that there can be no excavation using power tools within 18″ to 24″ of marked utilities, and if excavators adhere to this requirement, they are not liable for any damages to underground utilities. 
         [0010]    All current vacuum extraction systems have one major common problem—they are all limited by reach. The current truck mounted vacuum extraction systems must be parked near the excavation site because the suction hose is limited in length. Extensions can be added to the suction hose if the path to the excavation site is substantially flat with no high-rise obstacles (see  FIG. 2 ). In other situations, structures of various heights, widths, and lengths, such as buildings, bridges, fences, and the like, block the path to the excavation site. Therefore, in some situations, truck mounted vacuum extraction systems cannot be used because the truck cannot get close enough to the excavation site or overcome barriers to reach the excavation site due to buildings or other objects and topographical conditions, such as draws, culverts, rivers, streams, trees, shrubs, and the like. Such objects/barriers/structures/topography are quite typical in oil fields, in cities, etc. Attempting to run extensions over such barriers/structures/topography would cause the suction hose to kink and collapse on itself, preventing the flow of debris and air through the extension hose. Thus, the ability to reach up, over, under, around, or through these existing objects is lacking. Moreover, in some applications, because of the limited reach, the truck has to be constantly moved to progress along the excavation site, which decreases efficiency. What is needed in the art is a truck mounted vacuum extraction system that overcomes the current limitations and inefficiencies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In one embodiment of the invention, a multi-segmented long boom, most commonly used in conjunction with a cement truck to deliver cement a great distance from the cement truck to the work site, is adapted to be used with a truck mounted vacuum extraction system. In this instance, the long boom is used in a completely backwards fashion. Instead of being connected to a pump that pumps cement or other materials to a work site, the long boom is connected to the vacuum extraction vacuum blower in order to bring debris at the excavation site to the debris tank of the vacuum extraction system. The long boom is able to reach over barriers that stand in the way. In addition, the long boom can also reach through or go under existing structures to reach the excavation site. The boom may also carry air hose and high-pressure water lines to accommodate different types of digging tools at the extraction site. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  shows a typical truck-mounted vacuum extraction system found in the prior art. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  shows a partial cross-section view of the truck-mounted vacuum extraction system shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a series of extensions added to the suction hose of a truck-mounted vacuum extraction system as is known in the prior art. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of  FIG. 3  with the long boom extended. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a view of the potential reach options of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of still another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of yet another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of yet another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    To assist in the understanding of the present disclosure the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Components 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Component 
                 # 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Suction Hose 
                  2 
               
               
                   
                 Suction Hose 
                   2′ 
               
               
                   
                 Suction Hose 
                   2″ 
               
               
                   
                 Suction Hose 
                     2′″ 
               
               
                   
                 Short Boom 
                  4 
               
               
                   
                 Stabilizer Jacks 
                  6 
               
               
                   
                 Ground 
                  8 
               
               
                   
                 Dig Tool 
                  9 
               
               
                   
                 Debris 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Debris Tank 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 Air Canal 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Opening 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 Air Flow Arrows 
                 18 
               
               
                   
                 Filter 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Air Outlet 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 Vacuum Blower 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 Extensions 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Excavation Site 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Truck Chassis 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 Truck Chassis 
                     32′ 
               
               
                   
                 Truck Chassis 
                     32″ 
               
               
                   
                 Fuel Tank 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 Vacuum Extraction Unit 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 Vacuum Extraction Unit 
                     35′ 
               
               
                   
                 Vacuum Extraction Unit 
                     35″ 
               
               
                   
                 Vacuum Extraction Unit 
                   35′″ 
               
               
                   
                 Sub-Assembly 
                 36 
               
               
                   
                 Sub-Assembly 
                     36′ 
               
               
                   
                 Sub-Assembly 
                     36″ 
               
               
                   
                 Sub-Assembly 
                   36′″ 
               
               
                   
                 Debris Tank 
                 38 
               
               
                   
                 Debris Tank 
                     38′ 
               
               
                   
                 Debris Tank 
                     38″ 
               
               
                   
                 Debris Tank 
                   38′″ 
               
               
                   
                 Long Boom 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Long Boom 
                     40′ 
               
               
                   
                 Long Boom 
                     40″ 
               
               
                   
                 Long Boom 
                   40′″ 
               
               
                   
                 Long Boom 
                     40″″ 
               
               
                   
                 Pedestrian Bridge 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 Water Line 
                 43 
               
               
                   
                 Excavation Site 
                 44 
               
               
                   
                 Air Line 
                 45 
               
               
                   
                 Debris Trailer 
                 46 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer Hitch 
                 47 
               
               
                   
                 Long Boom Trailer 
                 48 
               
               
                   
                 Connecting Hose 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 Connecting Hose 
                 52 
               
               
                   
                 Transport Trailer 
                 54 
               
               
                   
                 Vacuum Excavator 
                 100  
               
               
                   
                 Sky-Vac 
                 300  
               
               
                   
                 Sky-Vac 
                 300′     
               
               
                   
                 Sky-Vac 
                 300″  
               
               
                   
                 Sky-Vac 
                 300′″ 
               
               
                   
                 Sky-Vac 
                  300″″ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring now to the Figures, in which like reference numerals refer to structurally and/or functionally similar elements thereof,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an example of a truck-mounted vacuum extraction system as is known in the prior art. Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , Vacuum Excavator  100 , which may be a vacuum only excavation system or a hydro-excavation system, has Suction Hose  2  supported by Short Boom  4 . Typically, Short Boom  4  is telescopic in design, extending straight out a short distance. Alternatively, Short Boom  4  may have one or more segments, each segment capable of being rotated between zero to ninety degrees. These types of booms are available with a reach of only between twenty to thirty feet at the time of this writing. Therefore, Vacuum Excavator  100  must be able to be driven fairly close to the excavation site. The Vacuum Extraction Unit  35  has a Sub-Assembly  36  that includes a fluid tank, a pump, and optionally a boiler (for a hydro-excavation system), intake/discharge silencers, a cooling silencer, the vacuum blower, and control boxes. Vacuum Excavator  100 , if it is a hydro-excavation system, and based on a particular design, can typically carry anywhere between 1,500 to 2,500 gallons of fluid in the fluid tank. The pump can force fluid out of a handheld high-pressure fluid wand Dig Tool  9 , typically between 2,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) at about twenty gallons per minute (GPM). Dig Tool  9  may also simply be a hand dig tool, such as a bar or shovel, a pneumatically driven air-powered handheld dig tool, or a high air-pressure handheld tool, such as an Air-Spade®. Dig Tool  9  breaks up Ground  8  and the resultant Debris  10  (soil, rocks, and/or fluid) is vacuumed up through Suction Hose  2 , which is typically about eight inches in diameter, into Debris Tank  12 . Debris Tank  12  may have a storage capacity of between eight to fifteen cubic yards (CU YD). Air Flow Arrows  18  indicate the direction of airflow through Vacuum Excavator  100 . Air Canal  14  has an Opening  16  that allows the Debris  10  to drop into Debris Tank  12 . Air flows through Filter  20  and exits through Air Outlet  22 . Vacuum Blower  24 , which creates the vacuum, may typically output anywhere between 4,000 to 6,500 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) of air. One skilled in the art will recognize that other values and parameters than those discussed above are possible based upon the design of a particular Vacuum Excavator  100 . A significant disadvantage of Vacuum Excavator  100  is that vertical digging or potholing is limited to short distances. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a series of extensions added to the suction hose of a truck-mounted vacuum extraction system as is known in the prior art. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , Vacuum Excavator  100  cannot be parked directly near the above grade Excavation Site  30  so that Suction Hose  2  can be used directly. A series of Extensions  26  are connected together to extend the reach of Suction Hose  2  to Excavation Site  30 . This works well if there are no height barriers, structures, or other hazards that cannot be traversed by Extensions  26 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ground between Vacuum Excavator  100  and Excavation Site  30  is fairly flat and unobstructed, the ground providing the support that Extensions  26  need. Extensions  26  cannot be used unsupported, such as going up and over a wall or other structure, or to traverse a gap such as a trench or a gap between two walls or other structures. Without some sort of support, Extensions  26  will bounce, shake, and otherwise flop around when in use in a manner that may not be safe to any personnel standing next to Extensions  26 . Unsupported Extensions  26  may require one or more personnel to restrain Extensions  26  while in use, which would be a waste of manpower and cost prohibitive. However, use of Extensions  26  will not work for potholing or other vertical digging because they are not supported. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , long-reach vacuum extraction system, referred to as Sky-Vac  300  is built upon a Truck Chassis  32 , such as provided by CATERPILLAR® Inc., PETERBILT® Motors Company, KENWORTH® Truck Company, Mack® Trucks Inc., or any other suitable truck chassis manufacturer. Fuel Tank  34  provides fuel storage for Sky-Vac  300 . The Vacuum Extraction Unit  35 ′ has a Sub-Assembly  36 ′ that includes a fluid tank, a pump, and optionally a boiler (for a hydro-excavation system), intake/discharge silencers, a cooling silencer, the vacuum blower, and control boxes. The fluid tank stores the fluid pumped by the pump under pressure and delivered through a handheld dig tool to loosen the soil at an excavation site. The discharge silencer vents the air from the tank and out of the system and dampens the sound. The cooling silencer cools the air introduced into the vacuum blower to keep the temperature down. The vacuum blower provides the powerful vacuum to extract the debris, which is collected in Debris Tank  38 . With the aid of the boiler, the fluid is heated for conditions requiring digging in cold or frozen ground. The control boxes provide the operator with all of the controls necessary to operate Sky-Vac  300 . Long Boom  40  (shown in the folded position) provides support for Suction Hose  2 ′ and is extended to reach an excavation site located at a great distance from Sky-Vac  300 . A portion of Suction Hose  2 ′ extends from the end of Long Boom  40  and may be moved by hand by an operator at the excavation site. Long Boom  40  may be one of several types available from Schwing® America Inc., Putzmeister® America, Inc., Reed Manufacturing Company, or any other suitable boom manufacturer. Long Boom  40  is available in different sizes and designs (e.g., 3-section roll and fold; 4-section double z; 5-section telescoping boom; 4-section roll and fold; 5-section roll and fold; 4-section overhead roll and fold; and 5-section overhead roll and fold to name a few). Based upon the size and design, Long Boom  40  may reach between 50 to 160 feet at the time of this writing. Thus, Sky-Vac  300 , can be configured to be capable of reaching between two-times and up to eight-times as far as a typical Vacuum Excavator  100  and be fully supported by Long Boom  40  over that distance. A transfer case (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) in Truck Chassis  32  connects the transmission to the drive shaft and a second driveline connects to the vacuum blower. Sky-Vac  300  may be equipped with stabilizer Jacks  6  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of  FIG. 3  with the boom extended. Referring now to  FIG. 4 , Long Boom  40  of Sky-Vac  300  extends over a Pedestrian Bridge  42  in order to reach Excavation Site  44 . Laying Extensions  26  on the ground, up and over the rails of the Pedestrian Bridge  42  and on to the Excavation Site  44  is not practical or safe, or even possible, in this situation. In addition, potholing or vertical drilling would be impossible using Extensions  26 . 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, a Water Line  43  and an Air Line  45  are run along the length of the boom and flexed at each of the joints to allow for the bending required. A water-powered or air-powered Dig Tool  9  connected at or secured near to the end of Suction Hose  2 ′ assists in helping to break up and suction material. Through the use of water-powered or air-powered Dig Tools  9 , debris can be broken up and directed toward the end of Suction Hose  2 ′. The water pressure at the end of Water Line  43  may only need to be low pressure, around twenty to thirty PSI, or it could be a high-pressure line depending upon the application. Water, steam, oil, surfactants, or any other suitable fluids may be utilized for the Water Line  43  depending on the application. Compressed air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or any other suitable gas may be utilized for Air Line  45  depending upon the application. Having gas or fluid available at the end of Long Boom  40  gives the operators many options for effectively excavating a variety of materials. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a view of the potential reach options of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , various scenarios are shown regarding the flexibility of reach of Long Boom  40  of Sky-Vac  300 . Excavations can be made straight down for potholing immediately next to Sky-Vac  300 , horizontally in any direction, and most importantly, for going up, over, under, or around barriers of various shapes or through openings in existing structures. Thus, Long Boom  40  of Sky-Vac  300  enables extraction ranging from immediately proximal to Sky-Vac  300 , at great distances away from Sky-Vac  300 , and anywhere in-between, and also allows for potholing or vertical digging along the way. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, Sky-Vac  300 ′ has Vacuum Extraction Unit  35 ′ with a Sub-Assembly  36 ′, a larger Debris Tank  38 ′ on an extended Truck Chassis  32 ′. Long Boom  40 ′ is also larger, extending the reach of Sky-Vac  300 ′. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 7 , Sky-Vac  300 ″ has Truck Chassis  32 ″, Vacuum Extraction Unit  35 ″, Sub-Assembly  36 ″, and Long Boom  40 ″ and is capable of pulling a Debris Trailer  46  when coupled together, such as with a Trailer Hitch  47 . Debris Trailer  46  has a Debris Tank  38 ″. Connecting Hose  50  connects suction hose  2 ′ to Debris Tank  38 ″. Connecting Hose  50  may include any combination of reducers or adapters to make the connection to a flange at suction hose  2 ″ and a flange at Debris Tank  38 ″. Vacuum Connecting Hose  52  connects Debris Tank  38 ″ to the vacuum blower flange on Sky-Vac  300 ″ and may include any combination of reducers or adapters to make the connections. Debris Trailer  46  is uncoupled from Sky-Vac  300 ″ when the Debris Tank  38 ″ needs to be dumped. A second Debris Trailer  46  is coupled to Sky-Vac  300 ″ in place of the first Debris Trailer  46 . The first Debris Trailer  46  can then be hauled away to dump the Debris  10 . In this manner, Sky-Vac  300 ″ can stay actively engaged with the excavation site while multiple Debris Trailers  46  are ferried to and from the excavation site and the dumpsite. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of still another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 8 , Sky-Vac  300 ′″ has Vacuum Excavator  100  as known in the prior art (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) that pulls Long Boom  40 ″ mounted on a Long Boom Trailer  48  having a Trailer Hitch  47 . In this manner, Long Boom Trailer  48  is set up proximate to the excavation site and connected to Vacuum Excavator  100 . Long Boom  40 ′″ is extended so that the end of Long Boom  40 ′″ reaches the excavation site. Connecting Hose  50  connects suction hose  2 ″ to Debris Tank  12  located on Vacuum Excavator  100 . When Debris Tank  12  is full, Vacuum Excavator  100  is uncoupled from Long Boom Trailer  48 , and driven to the dumpsite. A second Vacuum Excavator  100  (not shown) can be coupled to Long Boom  40 ′″ on Long Boom Trailer  48 . In this manner, Long Boom  40 ′″ on Long Boom Trailer  48  can stay actively engaged with the excavation site while multiple Vacuum Excavators  100  are ferried to and from the excavation site and the dumpsite. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, Long Boom  40 ′″ is transported by Long Boom Trailer  48  to a location proximate to an excavation site, and lifted off Long Boom Trailer  48  and set on the ground for the duration of the extraction project. Long Boom  40 ′″ is once again connected to one or more Vacuum Excavators  100  and Long Boom  40 ′″ is extended so that the end of Long Boom  40 ′″ reaches the excavation site. Once the extraction project is over, Long Boom Trailer  48  is returned to the excavation site and Long Boom  40 ′″ is uncoupled from Vacuum Excavator  100  and lifted off the ground, placed on Long Boom Trailer  48 , and transported to the next excavation site. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of still another embodiment of a long-reach vacuum extraction system of the present invention. In this embodiment, Sky-Vac  300 ″″ is not built upon a Truck Chassis  32 , but is a standalone unit that is transported to and from the excavation site and lifted off a Transport Trailer  54  at the beginning of an extraction process and lifted back on to a Transport Trailer  54  at the end of an extraction process. Sky-Vac  300 ″″ has Vacuum Extraction Unit  35 ″+ that has Sub-Assembly  36 ″′, Debris Tank  38 ″′, and Long Boom  40 ″″. Long Boom  40 ″″ (shown in the folded position) provides support for Suction Hose  2 ′″ and is extended to reach an excavation site located at a great distance from Sky-Vac  300 ″″. Sub-Assembly  36 ″′ includes a fluid tank, a pump, and optionally a boiler (for a hydro-excavation system), and a discharge silencer, a cooling silencer, the vacuum blower, and control boxes. The fluid tank stores the fluid pumped by the pump under pressure and delivered through a handheld dig tool to loosen the soil at an excavation site. The discharge silencer vents the air from the tank and out of the system and dampens the sound. The cooling silencer cools the air introduced into the vacuum blower to keep the temperature down. This standalone unit may also be lifted onto a barge or other water vessel for transport to an excavation site. Alternatively, Sky-Vac  300 ″″ could be driven onto a barge, unhitched from the transport vehicle, and transported to an excavation site where it remains on the barge during the extraction process. 
         [0034]    Having described the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the present invention.