VACUUM SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED MOBILITY

• US 20080244859A1
• Filed: 04/03/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: McLaughlin Group, Inc. (Vermeer Corporation)
• Original Assignee: McLaughlin Group, Inc. (Vermeer Corporation)
• Inventors: Maybury, Charles Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/695,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20080244859A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/340.2
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/8816 Mobile land installations
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/8891 wherein at least a part of the soil-shifting equipment is handheld
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/925 with jets

Abstract

A self-propelled mobile vacuum system comprising a vacuum source that provides suction for the removal of debris, a collection tank for storing debris collected by said vacuum source suction, and at least two rolling drive systems for maneuvering the vacuum system within a work space. A motor provides power to the vacuum source and the two rolling drive systems, and the system has an overall width within the range of 24 to 48 inches, an overall length within the range of 5 to 10 feet, and an overall height within the range of 60 to 84 inches.

Claims

1. A self-propelled mobile vacuum system comprising

a. a frame;

a vacuum pump mounted to said frame having

i. a low-pressure intake port, and

ii. a high-pressure outlet port;

b. a collection tank mounted to said frame and in fluid communication with said low pressure intake port, said collection tank for storing debris collected by said vacuum source;

c. at least two drive systems for maneuvering said mobile vacuum system into and around a work space; and

d. a motor that is operatively connected to said vacuum source and said at least two drive systems;

wherein said mobile vacuum system has a width of less than approximately about 36 inches for maneuvering through small openings.

2. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 1, wherein said mobile vacuum system has an overall length of approximately 8 feet and an overall height of approximately 72 inches.

3. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 1, further comprising a remote controller operatively connected to said at least two drive systems for actuating said at least two drive systems.

4. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 1, said at least two drive systems each further comprising a plurality of wheels.

5. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 1, said at least two drive systems each further comprising a tank tread.

6. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 5, wherein each tank tread operates independently of the other.

7. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 1, wherein said motor is a hydraulic motor.

8. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 1, wherein said collection tank is mounted at an angle of between approximately 30-60 degrees with respect to said frame.

9. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 8, wherein said collection tank is mounted at an angle of between approximately 35-45 degrees with respect to said frame.

19. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 9, wherein

a. said collection tank defines a longitudinal axis;

b. said frame defines a horizontal plane; and

c. said collection tank is mounted to said frame so that said collection tank longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle to said frame plane of at least approximately 20 degrees.

10. A self-propelled mobile vacuum system comprising

a. a frame;

b. a vacuum pump mounted on said frame and having

i. a low-pressure intake port, and

ii. a high-pressure outlet port;

c. a collection tank mounted on said frame at an angle of between approximately 30-60 degrees with respect to said frame, said collection tank being in fluid communication with said vacuum pump low pressure intake port;

d. at least two moveable treads operatively coupled to said frame and moveable with respect to said frame;

e. a water pump mounted on said frame; and

f. a hydraulic motor mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said vacuum pump, said water pump and said at least two moveable treads

wherein said mobile vacuum system has a width within the range of approximately 24 to 48 inches, a length within the range of approximately 5 to 10 feet, and a height within the range of approximately 60 to 84 inches.

11. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 10, further comprising a remote control operatively connected to said at least two moveable treads.

12. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 10, wherein said remote control varies the hydraulic pressure delivered to each of said at least two moveable tank treads.

13. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 10, wherein said vacuum system has an overall width of approximately 36 inches, an overall length of approximately 8 feet, and an overall height of approximately 72 inches.

14. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 10, further comprising a cyclone separator mounted intermediate said vacuum pump and said collection tank.

15. A self-propelled mobile vacuum system comprising

a. a frame;

b. a collection tank coupled to said frame and having

i. a first low-pressure intake port, and

iii. a first high-pressure outlet port;

b. a vacuum pump coupled to said frame and having

i. a second low-pressure intake port operatively connected to said first high-pressure outlet port, and

ii. a second high-pressure outlet port;

c. a tool detachably connected to said collection tank first low pressure intake port for channeling debris into said collection tank;

d. a drive system operatively mounted to said frame for maneuvering said mobile vacuum system into and around a work space;

e. a motor operatively coupled to said vacuum pump and said drive system for powering said vacuum pump and said drive system; and

f. a wireless remote control operatively coupled to said motor, said vacuum pump and said drive system for independently controlling each of said motor, said vacuum pump and said drive system,

wherein said self-propelled vacuum system has a width within the range of approximately 24 to 48 inches, a length within the range of approximately 5 to 10 feet, and a height within the range of approximately 60 to 84 inches.

16. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 15 wherein said motor is a hydraulic motor.

17. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 16 wherein each of said drive system further comprises at least two hydraulic-powered tank treads.

18. The self-propelled mobile vacuum system of claim 16, wherein said drive system is a hydraulic-powered wheel set.