Vacuum boring and mud recovery system

• US 6,988,568 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lynn Allan Buckner
• Original Assignee: Lynn Allan Buckner
• Inventors: Buckner, Lynn Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US10/217,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 373/23, 373/30, 373/31, 175/67, 175/66, 175/42, 175/324, 220/212, 220/231, 210406-415, 210/767, 210/200, 210/787, 210/799, 210/295, 210/294, 210314-320, 210/348, 210/360.1, 299/10, 299/16, 299/17, 494/37
• US Class Current: 175/67
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/8816 Mobile land installations
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/9262 with jets
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/9268 with rotating cutting elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/066 with further treatment of the solids, e.g. for disposal

Abstract

A vacuum boring and mud recovery method comprising a vacuum container, a vacuum producing device to create a vacuum within said container, a conduit to vacuum solid particles and liquids into the vacuum container and a dispensing device to dispense the liquid or solid particles from the vacuum container without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container. Vacuum container contents are stored within the container while simultaneously dispensing the solid particles and or liquids. The vacuum container method may also have a separating device disposed within it to separate solids and liquids by category. The vacuum container method is a continuous operation vacuum container, which can simultaneously fill, store and dispense solid particles and liquids with the added ability to simultaneously separate the solids and or liquids before they are dispensed from the vacuum container. This is accomplished without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container. The vacuum container method can also include an articulated powered vacuum conduit boom, a vacuum conduit tractor, purification means, articulated powered jetter conduit boom, or fixed angle tank and attached liquid storage tank.

Claims

1. A method of boring in dirt, mud recovery and surface cleaning which comprises the steps of:

providing a vacuum container, said vacuum container having a vacuum producing means to create a vacuum within said container, providing a conduit to vacuum liquid or solid particles into said vacuum container, providing a means to allow a gas to go through said vacuum container while leaving said liquid or solid particles within said vacuum container and providing a dispensing means to dispense said liquid or solid particles from said vacuum container without eliminating said vacuum within said vacuum container, said solids and liquids are separated by an additional step of providing a separator means disposed within said vacuum, and said separator is chosen from one or more of a stationary screen, a filter, a vibrator, a vibrating screen, a hydrocyclone and a centrifuge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises the additional steps of providing one or more dispensing means.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing said dispensing means is chosen from one or more of a centrifugal pump, a diaphragm pump, a venture, and a progressive cavity pump.

4. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing said dispensing means is chosen from one or more of a screw conveyor, a series of valves, a rotary air lock and a grinder.

5. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises the additional step of providing one or more means of separating solids from liquids.

6. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of providing a purification means disposed within said vacuum.

7. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of providing a sterilization means disposed within said vacuum.

8. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step, of providing a hydrocarbon separation means disposed within said vacuum.

9. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of providing a purification and sterilization means disposed within said vacuum container and said purification and sterilization means is chosen from one or more of an ultra violet light, ozone injection, zealite, activated carbon, hydrocarbon absorbing means, phasing, ultra sonic sound, chlorine, peat, diatamatious earth and antibacterial element.

10. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, with an additional step wherein said liquid is made available for reuse.

11. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, with an additional step wherein said liquid is screened, pumped through a hydrocyclone, and reused to supply liquid to a pressure pump and jetter operation.

12. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, with an additional step wherein said solids are screened, dispensed out of said vacuum container and conveyed to a point for disposal or reuse.

13. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of having an articulated powered vacuum suction conduit boom with one or more articulated arms.

14. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of having an articulated powered vacuum suction conduit boom with one or more articulated arms, a retractable telescoping suction conduit section and a back hoe style excavation bucket.

15. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of having an articulated powered vacuum suction conduit and pressurized liquid conduit boom with one or more articulated arms.

16. A vacuum container method according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum container comprises an additional step of having an articulated powered vacuum suction conduit boom with one or more articulated arms with suction end attachments chosen from one or more of a directional rotary swivel means to dispense suction conduit into a lateral drainage line, a directional rotary swivel means to dispense a pressurized liquid conduit into a lateral line, a powered tractor to pull a suction conduit through a lateral line, a sensor means to monitor or control vacuuming, a sensor to locate utilities, a magnetic and suction and mechanical man hole cover removal means, vibrator, cutter, rotary brush cleaner, high pressure liquid discharge nozzle, high pressure liquid discharge jetter nozzle, back hoe style excavation bucket, telescoping vacuum conduit and hose heel.