Vacuum line clean-out separator system

A vacuum clean-out system including a separator chamber and associated collection chamber for removing liquid material and debris from a vacuum output and providing a vacuum return line free of contaminants. A vacuum exhaust line is coupled to a cyclonic separator chamber that induces a circular rotation within the incoming vacuum stream, causing the liquid and debris to impinge the chamber's surfaces and fall to the bottom thereof while the “clean” vacuum is drawn upwards into a return line. The collection chamber is maintained at the same negative pressure as the separator chamber so that the accumulating liquid and debris easily drains into the collection chamber. A sensor associated with the collection chamber may be used to determine when the collection chamber is full and needs to be discharged. At that point, the separator chamber is isolated from the collection chamber, the collection chamber is vented and the accumulated material is discharged and/or analyzed. Advantageously, the separator chamber remains under negative pressure and continues the vacuum clean-out process uninterrupted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vacuum clean-out system and, more particularly, to a vacuum clean-out system including a multi-chamber arrangement for separating waste material from the vacuum stream and isolating the collected waste material from the vacuum flow, providing an uninterrupted vacuum return line free of contaminants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many applications, primarily industrial applications, where a vacuum system is used to hold semiconductor wafers in a fixture, create a controlled environment and/or remove various types of unwanted material. It is preferable to utilize a closed system where the negative pressure is constantly maintained and the removed material is separated out from the return vacuum flow so that the vacuum line returns to operation free from any contaminants which could otherwise cause problems with the vacuum pump.

Many appropriate vacuum systems are well known and used in the art, where such systems may be used in either a “dry” vacuum environment or a “wet” vacuum environment. A common problem with all systems, however, is the need to periodically clean the vacuum removal system to eliminate the particulate matter that has accumulated over time. In systems utilizing a separator as a holding tank for the particulate, the separator itself needs to be periodically cleaned, or the vacuum efficiency will begin to decrease and/or some of the particulate matter will pass through the separator and may re-enter the system.

Such periodic cleaning has previously been done by so-called “backflow” methods where a blast of pressure is directed in a reverse direction to unclog dry separators of any particulate matter. Such a system when used with a dry-type separator causes unnecessary mess due to particles or contaminants being blown out of the device into the environment or into a special receptacle. Such a system will still clog after a period of time and requires a manual teardown and reassembly of the separator to restore the proper vacuum flow through the system. Wet separators also require periodic shutdown of the system to drain and clean the separator and then replenish the separator material.

Thus, it would be desirable to develop a vacuum system that provides automatic, periodic cleaning of the accumulating waste in such a manner that the system does not need to be shut down, manually cleaned and then re-charged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The need remaining in the art is addressed by the present invention which relates to a vacuum clean-out system and, more particularly, to a vacuum clean-out system including an arrangement for separating waste material from the vacuum stream and isolating the collected waste material from the vacuum flow, providing a vacuum return line of constant pressure and free of contaminants, and permitting the discharge of isolated waste material without interrupting the vacuum flow.

In accordance with the present invention, a vacuum line clean-out system comprises a separator chamber and a collection chamber coupled to the separator chamber, where the collection chamber can be periodically isolated from the separator chamber to discharge accumulated waste material without interrupting the vacuum clean-out process within the separator chamber.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the separator chamber is configured to induce a cyclonic flow within the incoming vacuum waste stream, causing the liquid and debris within the stream to impinge the chamber's surfaces and fall towards the bottom of the chamber, while the “clean” vacuum flow is drawn upwards into a clean vacuum return line. The collection chamber is connected to a drain output of the separator chamber and receives the liquid/debris as it moves downward out of the separator chamber. The collection chamber is also coupled to the vacuum return line to maintain the same negative pressure as the separator chamber, allowing the liquid/debris to easily drain.

A sensor may be used in association with the collection chamber to indicate when then collection chamber needs to be emptied (referred to as a discharge process). Alternatively, the discharge of the collection chamber may be manually controlled, or configured to occur on a periodic basis regardless of the volume of accumulated waste material.

It is an aspect of the present invention that the separator chamber is isolated from the collection chamber during the discharge process, thus allowing for the vacuum clean-out process to continue within the separator chamber during discharge. Any liquid/debris that accumulates during the discharge process will thus collect at the bottom of the separator chamber and be transferred to the collection chamber once the discharge process is completed, the negative pressure is re-established in the collection chamber and the connection between the two chambers is re-opened.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum return line within the separator chamber may further include a filtering element, pressure reducing orifice, and/or condensing elements to further ensure that any liquid and/or debris within the separator chamber is not permitted to enter the vacuum return line.

Various arrangements for introducing cyclonic flow into the inventive system may be used including, but not limited to, tapered inner walls within the separator chamber itself, or the inclusion of a diverter within the separator chamber for initiating the cyclonic action.

Other and further embodiments and features of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following discussion and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary vacuum line clean-out separator system10formed in accordance with the present invention. System10is used to remove liquid waste material and debris from an associated industrial application (not shown), using a process vacuum line, such as vacuum line19shown inFIG. 1. System10functions in a manner that first separates out the liquid material and debris from the incoming vacuum flow within a separator chamber, then allows the liquid/debris to drain into an associated collection chamber while the “clean” vacuum is returned to the system via a clean vacuum return line. It is an important aspect of the present invention that system10is controlled by a number of valves and maintained under negative pressure (in both the separator and collection chambers) to ensure that the return vacuum line remains free of contaminants. Additionally, the valve controls of the system allow for the collection chamber to be periodically isolated from the separator chamber to permit the discharge of collected waste material without needing to shut down the vacuum clean-out process within the separator chamber.

Referring toFIG. 1, a first vacuum supply line12, as controlled by a first valve14, is used to draw the vacuum output from an associated application, such as any industrial application that utilizes a vacuum cleaning system. The vacuum output inevitably comprises fluids and/or debris that must be removed prior to recycling the vacuum flow back to the associated application. When first valve14is in the “open” position, the vacuum flowing along supply line12will be introduced through an input port16into a separator chamber18. The various valves depicted in the associated drawings are shown in outline form to define an “open” valve, and shown in darkened form to define a “closed” valve.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, separator chamber18is formed to induce a cyclonic vacuum flow to efficiently remove the waste material from the vacuum. In this particular embodiment, separator chamber18is formed to include tapered walls, denoted by wall area20inFIG. 1. Therefore, when the vacuum flow enters separator chamber18, tapered walls20will divert the flow of the vacuum into a cyclonic form. Other cyclonic flow configurations may be used, one alternative arrangement being illustrated in the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 4.

Referring again toFIG. 1, as the vacuum input flow repeatedly circles within separator chamber18, liquid material and debris will be forced against tapered wall area20, and travel downward toward apex22of separator chamber18. While the liquid material and debris are drawn towards apex22, the filtered vacuum flow will be directed upward through an outlet port24and into a clean vacuum return line26. To further ensure that the filtered vacuum flow is completely free of contaminants, a filter element28may be disposed to surround outlet port24and trap any remaining particulate debris.

In further accordance with the present invention, a second valve30is coupled to apex22of separator chamber18and is used to control the transfer of the accumulating liquid and debris into a connected collection chamber32. In operation, second valve30will normally remain “opened”, and only “close” when collection chamber32is full (determined in various ways, as described below). A third valve34is used to connect collection chamber to a vacuum line36that is coupled to clean vacuum return line26in the manner shown inFIG. 1. Vacuum line valve34is normally in the “open” position so that vacuum line36is coupled to collection chamber32and maintains a negative pressure within chamber32. The presence of the negative pressure within collection chamber32allows for the waste material to quickly and efficiently drain from separator chamber18into collection chamber32.

In order to prevent the accumulating waste material from overfilling collection chamber32and contaminating the return vacuum being drawn through vacuum line36, a discharge process is periodically used to empty, sample or dose (i.e., solvent, pH adjustment, rinse, etc.) collection chamber32. It is a significant aspect of the present invention that this discharge process occurs without affecting or needing to shut down the vacuum line clean-out process within separator chamber18.FIG. 2illustrates system10during the discharge process, particularly illustrating the settings of the various valves used to control the isolation between chambers18and22. As shown, second valve30is actuated to close during the discharge process, isolating separator chamber18from collection chamber32while maintaining a vacuum (negative pressure) within separator chamber18. Vacuum line valve34is also closed to prevent the accumulated waste from entering the return vacuum line. A vent valve33is opened to release the negative pressure and/or apply a positive pressure within collection chamber32, and a drain valve38is opened to discharge the accumulated waster material from collection chamber32.

Advantageously, the vacuum line clean-out process continues within separator chamber18uninterrupted while the discharge process is underway, since the chambers have been isolated and a negative pressure is maintained in separator chamber18. Therefore, the inventive system may be periodically cleaned or sampled while not requiring the vacuum process itself to be shut down or affected, realizing a significant savings in terms of time and expense.

The discharge process may be manually controlled or provided under the control of a timer (for example, to initiate the discharge process every thirty minutes). Various other procedures for initiating and controlling the discharge process are possible and are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Indeed, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, one alternative method of controlling the discharge process in accordance with the present invention utilizes a high level sensor40disposed along the sidewall of collection chamber32. High level sensor40is utilized to monitor the rising level of liquid/debris as the vacuum system is in operation and trigger the initiation of the discharge process. Rather than sensing the “level” of the collecting liquid, other sensing arrangements may be used and are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention (for example, monitoring the weight of the collecting liquid). In any circumstance, however, sensor40is preferably configured to initiate the discharge process before the accumulating waste material nears the intake of vacuum line36, thus preventing the intrusion of any debris into the return vacuum flow.

Additionally, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, an emergency shut-off sensor42may also be utilized in inventive system10. In particular, emergency shut-off sensor42is coupled to separator chamber18and utilized to shut down the entire system should there be a breakdown such that the waste material accumulates within separator chamber18to an undesirable or dangerous level. System10may further include a rinse application, periodically used to wash off the walls of separator chamber18and/or collection chamber32, to insure that all accumulated material is removed from the system. Referring toFIG. 1, one exemplary rinse application is shown as comprising a rinse water intake line21, controlled by a rinse valve23and a vent valve25. The rinse application is considered to improve the transport of the material through the system, where the rinse application may be controlled either manually or automatically, in a manner similar to the discharge process.

FIG. 3illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention where a discharge analysis unit44is coupled to collection chamber32through drain valve38. In this embodiment, analysis unit44functions to sample and evaluate the liquid waste and contaminant debris. Various chemical and physical properties of the material may, for example, provide indications associated with the specific industrial application that would be useful in a feedback system to control the application. Alternatively, the specific properties of the waste material may be evaluated to determine the best disposal mechanism from an environmental point of view. The particular/specific uses of the waste analysis are considered to be ancillary to the subject matter of the present invention, which is directed to accumulating the waste material in a controlled fashion so that it can likewise be analyzed in a controlled system.

It is to be understood that the clean-out and separator system of the present invention may also be utilized in a positive pressure environment instead of the negative pressure (vacuum) environment discussed above. A key aspect of the present invention is the automated, contained and isolated arrangement as shown inFIGS. 1-3, where the use of a separate collection chamber (maintained under essentially the same pressure as the separator chamber) allows for the removal and disposal of waste material without interrupting the clean-out process.

FIG. 4illustrates an alternative vacuum line clean-out system50formed in accordance with the present invention. As with the embodiment discussed above, system50includes a separator chamber52and a collection chamber54. An incoming vacuum line56from an industrial application (not shown) is controlled via a first valve58to enter separator chamber52. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, a separate diverter element60is disposed at the intake area of separator chamber52and functions to induce the cyclonic flow of the incoming vacuum stream. As with the embodiment described above, the cyclonic flow of the incoming vacuum flow will force the liquid and any particulate debris against the sidewalls62of separator chamber52, then fall towards the bottom thereof. The clean vacuum flow is drawn upward (e.g., through an opening63in diverter60) into a clean vacuum return line55of system50. As with the arrangement described above, an additional filtering element61may be disposed along the outlet path to ensure that any particulate remaining in the vacuum flow is prevented from entering clean vacuum return line55.

The accumulating liquid/debris thereafter drains into the connected collection chamber54. As with the embodiment described above, collection chamber54is maintained at essentially the same pressure as separator chamber52via a vacuum line66that is coupled to “clean” vacuum return line55.

An in-situ sensing element64is shown inFIG. 4as disposed between separator chamber52and collection chamber54, and used to determine when a predetermined amount of debris has accumulated within collection chamber54and needs to be discharged. When collection chamber54is sufficiently “full” (as determined by sensing element64), sensing element64closes the connection between separator chamber52and collection chamber54, isolating the vacuum clean-out process from collection chamber54and allowing the accumulated waste material to be removed from collection chamber54. As described above, a vent66is opened at collection chamber54to relieve the negative pressure and allow the waste to be discharged through a drain68. During discharge, separator chamber52remains under negative pressure (by virtue of being isolated from collection chamber54) and continues to filter the incoming waste vacuum line and return a ‘clean’ vacuum flow to return line55.

Again, system50may be configured in a manner similar to the previously-described embodiment, including the use of manual controls in place of in-situ sensing element64. Alternatively, a periodic discharge system may be employed that automatically drains the collected material in periodic time intervals. Regardless of the specific arrangement used to initiate the discharge procedure, it is a significant aspect of the present invention that the collection chamber is isolated from the separator chamber during discharge to allow for the vacuum line clean-out process to continue uninterrupted.

While the invention has been described with regard to the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereof, and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.