Patent ID: 7523570

Claim:
A vacuum truck solids handling apparatus, comprising: a truck having an internal combustion engine and truck frame; a vacuum source mounted on the truck frame; a solids collection container mounted on the truck frame; a separator assembly mounted on the truck frame, the separator assembly being adapted to separate solids from a fluid stream drawn under vacuum by the vacuum source, the separator assembly comprising: a cyclone separation chamber adapted to receive an incoming fluid stream of air, fluid and solids and separate the incoming fluid stream into a first outgoing stream of air and a second outgoing stream of solids mixed with fluid, the second outgoing stream being discharged through an airlock exit for further treatment at atmospheric pressure; a solids screen positioned outside of the vacuum to separate solids in the second outgoing stream from the fluid, the at least one solids scene is positioned at an angle; and exhaust from the vacuum source is directed onto the angled solids screen; means to transport the second outgoing stream from the airlock exit to the solids screen; a pivotally mounted discharge which pivots between a closed discharge position and an open discharge position, in the closed discharged position the discharge discharging solids into the solids collection container in the open discharge position the discharge discharging solids externally; and means for moving solids from the solids screen to the discharge.