Vacuum remediation system

• US 5,671,546 A
• Filed: 12/14/1995
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haala, David M.
• Original Assignee: Haala, David M.
• Inventors: Haala, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sollecito, John M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRAVINI, STEPHEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/572,551
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 34/531, 34/538, 34/562, 34/61, 34/69, 34/92, 34/164, 34/202, 34/404, 34/401, 34/418, 34/426, 34/446, 34/168
• US Class Current: 34/92
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 5/04 Cleaning by suction, with or without auxiliary action B08B9/035 takes precedence; suction cleaners A47L
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/02 by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned B08B7/0007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 5/04 by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum F26B11/049 and F26B17/128 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable

Abstract

A vacuum remediation system for remediating various devices and apparatus is shown. A moisture evaporation device including a vacuum system is described to provide a reduced level of pressure on the apparatus being remediated. A control circuit controls the operation of the moisture vaporization device and includes a timed control operation to limit and actuate operation of the remediation process. A resilient member having a vacuum aperture is described in combination with a removable encapsulation chamber having a fluid-sealing surface to cooperate with the resilient member. A vibration system is adapted to impart low levels of vibration to the apparatus being remediated. The operation is such that unwanted moisture is vaporized through action of a reduced atmospheric pressure produced by the pump, and the vibration in conjunction with the aspiration removes unwanted moisture and contamination particles from the apparatus being remediated.

Claims

1. For use in remediating apparatus, a vacuum remediation system comprising:

vacuum application means for applying a vacuum to the apparatus to be remediated;

vacuum means coupled to said vacuum application means for providing a reduced pressure sufficient to vaporize and evacuate moisture from the apparatus to be remediated;

control means coupled to said vacuum means for controlling the remediation of the apparatus; and

pulsation means for providing vibration to the apparatus being remediated for assisting in removing moisture vapor and contamination particles from the apparatus being remediated.

2. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 1, wherein said vacuum application means includes:

encapsulation means for enclosing the apparatus.

3. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 1, wherein said vacuum application means includes:

hose means for selectively applying vacuum to the apparatus.

4. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 2, wherein said encapsulation means includes:

resilient support means for supporting the apparatus, said resilient support means having an aperture for cooperating with said vacuum means; and

enclosure means for enclosing the apparatus and for providing a vacuum seal to said resilient support means.

5. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 1, wherein said control means includes:

timer means for controlling the duration of operation of said vacuum means.

6. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 5, wherein said timer means includes:

adjustment means for selectively adjusting the duration of operation of said vacuum means.

7. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 5, wherein said control means further includes:

vacuum release means for selectively releasing the vacuum formed in said encapsulation means by said vacuum means.

8. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 1, wherein said control means includes:

power receiving means for coupling to a source of electrical power;

ready means coupled to said power receiving means and to said vacuum means for selectively activating said control means to a ready state;

timer means coupled to said power receiving means and to said vacuum means for controlling the duration of operation of said vacuum means;

activation means coupled to said timer means for activating operation of said vacuum means.

9. For use in removing undesired moisture and contamination particles from an apparatus, a vacuum remediation system comprising:

a support member having an operation surface to support the apparatus to be remediated;

a moisture vaporization device coupled to said support member, said moisture vaporization device including a vacuum system adapted to provide a reduced level of pressure on the apparatus to be remediated;

a control circuit coupled to said moisture vaporization device, said control circuit including a selectively actuatable circuit to limit and actuate operation of said moisture vaporization device;

whereby undesired moisture and contamination particles are removed from the apparatus to be remediated; and

a vibration system adapted to impart a predetermined level of vibration to the apparatus to be remediated, said predetermined level of vibration enhancing vaporization of undesired moisture and loosening contamination particles.

10. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 9, wherein said vacuum system includes:

a resilient member supported by said support member, said resilient member having a vacuum aperture therethrough and a fluid-sealing surface; and

a removable encapsulation chamber having a fluid-sealing surface to operate in cooperation with said fluid-sealing surface.

11. A vacuum remediation system as in claim 9, wherein said vacuum system includes:

a vacuum aperture having a predetermined opening configuration; and

a flexible hose having first and second ends with at least said second end having a cross-section configuration substantially equal to said predetermined opening and slidably engaged therewith to substantially form a vacuum seal.

12. For use in remediating an apparatus by removing undesired moisture and contamination particles from the apparatus, an electrically operable vacuum remediation system comprising:

a housing having an operation surface, said operation surface having a mounting aperture;

a resilient member mounted in said mounting aperture, said resilient member having a vacuum aperture therethrough and a fluid-sealing surface;

a power receiving circuit adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical power;

a pump mounted within said housing, said pump having an exhaust port and an input port coupled to said vacuum aperture;

a motor coupled to said power receiving circuit and connected to said pump to cause said pump to operate when electrical power is provided to said power receiving circuit and applied to said motor;

a removable apparatus encapsulation chamber having a fluid-sealing surface to operate in cooperation with said fluid-sealing surface to inhibit flow of fluid therebetween;

an actuatable control circuit having a power circuit coupled to said power receiving circuit, said power circuit to apply electrical power to said motor when actuated and having a selectively actuatable circuit to limit and actuate said power circuit;

whereby said pump reduces fluid pressure within said removable apparatus encapsulation chamber thereby causing vaporization of moisture on and in said apparatus and aspirates vaporized moisture and contamination particles through said vacuum aperture and out said exhaust port, said pump being mounted in a predetermined proximity to said resilient member to cause said resilient member to vibrate in response to operation of said pump, the apparatus being remediated being subjected to vibration in a manner to improve vaporization of undesired moisture and to loosen contamination particles.

13. An electrically operable vacuum remediation system as in claim 12, and further including:

a flexible hose having a predetermined length and first and second ends, and at least said first end of a size to slidably insert in said vacuum aperture and form a substantial vacuum seal with said resilient member.

14. An electrically operable vacuum remediation system as in claim 12, wherein said actuatable control circuit includes:

a timer circuit for controlling the duration of operation of said pump.

15. An electrically operable vacuum remediation system as in claim 12, wherein said actuatable control circuit includes:

a ready switch coupled to said power receiving circuit for selectively activating said actuatable control circuit;

a timer circuit coupled to said power receiving circuit and to said motor to power to said motor for a predetermined amount of time; and

an activation switch coupled to said timer circuit to apply power to said motor when activated.