Patent ID: 7753126

Claim:
A vacuum system for transferring drill cuttings brought to the surface during drilling of an earth bore from the point of initial collection to a second location comprising: a. a quantity of liquid having a surface; b. a vacuum chamber having a top, sides and an open bottom, wherein said open bottom and a portion of said sides are disposed below said surface of said quantity of liquid, forming a level of liquid, and an air space above said level of liquid, in said vacuum chamber; c. means for connecting a vacuum source to a portion of the vacuum chamber which is above the level of the liquid in said vacuum chamber; d. means for connecting a line in communication with a source of drill cuttings to a portion of the vacuum chamber which is above the level of the liquid in said vacuum chamber; e. a vacuum source attached to said means for connecting a vacuum source to said portion of said vacuum chamber which is above the level of the liquid in said vacuum chamber; and, f. a suction line in communication with a source of drill cuttings which come to the surface during drilling of an earth bore attached to said means for connecting a line in communication with a source of drill cuttings to said portion of the vacuum chamber which is above the level of the liquid in said vacuum chamber, wherein said drill cuttings pass through said suction line into said air space of said vacuum chamber and under the influence of gravity fall into said liquid of said quantity of liquid.