Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Patent
1995-09-26
1996-10-22
Moore, Chris K.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
15319, A47L 900
Patent
active
055664210
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to apparatus for vacuum or suction collection of material from a work site.
In vacuuming up material from a work site, particularly on large-scale jobs where large volumes of material may be involved, for example using equipment such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,454 by the present inventor, it is highly desirable to be able to use multiple collection hoses, so that material may be collected simultaneously by a number of workers from a variety of locations.
However, in using multiple hoses connected to the same vacuum source, the airstream will naturally take the path of least resistance. Therefore, if there is much debris to be collected at one location but very little at another location, most of the air will be drawn in at the location with little or no debris, drastically reducing the efficiency of collection where it is most needed.
Hitherto, there has been no satisfactory solution to this problem, to the best of the inventor's knowledge.
There is thus a need for apparatus in which multiple hoses can be run from a single vacuum source, without loss of efficiency. The need is particularly evident in applications where large volumes of solid materials are involved.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In view of the above need, it is the primary object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for the removal and collection of materials from a work site via vacuum collection, using multiple hoses connected to the same vacuum source.
The preferred embodiment of the invention provides apparatus for the removal and collection of material via a blower for creating a vacuum in a collection chamber or "displacement chamber". Multiple hoses are connected to the displacement chamber for collection of materials from various locations (whether immediately adjacent each other, where the hoses may be ganged together if desirable, or whether at various locations remote from each other).
To achieve the primary object of the invention, pressure sensors associated with each hose sense the pressure in the hose. Dampers are employed, in response to the relative pressures between the hoses, to vary the effective area of the connection between the hose and the displacement chamber, so as to equalize and optimize the relative pressures.
Although any suitable dampers may be employed, the preferred embodiment employs conical plungers or stoppers which are movable towards and away from corresponding seats by linear actuators.
Preferably, the dampers are controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) which receives signals from the pressure sensors and is programmed to move the dampers to their optimum positions for the sensed pressures.
Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, preferred and alternative embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a typical collection system;
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the principle of the invention; and
FIG. 3 is an elevation view corresponding to FIG. 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a typical collection system. The system is operated at negative pressure, i.e. under suction, by virtue of a large blower 4, which acts to draw air, through the system. The material to be collected is aspirated through a plurality of hoses from one or more removal locations. The inlet hoses are of indeterminate length, with any suitable number of sections coupled together to make up the hose lengths required to suit the particular job site(s). The hoses lead into a primary collection chamber or "displacement chamber" 2.
On entering the displacement chamber, most of the material falls through an outlet opening in the bottom, into a cylindrical discharge tunnel 8 via a transition housing 12.
The air leaves the d
REFERENCES:
patent: 3343197 (1967-09-01), Carsey
patent: 3443274 (1969-05-01), Rankin
patent: 4941230 (1990-07-01), Lamore
patent: 4977638 (1990-12-01), Best
patent: 4991253 (1991-02-01), Rechsteiner
Armstrong R. Craig
Moore Chris K.
LandOfFree
Vacuum compensation valve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vacuum compensation valve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vacuum compensation valve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2349705