AU2020204638A1

AU2020204638A1 - A vacuum assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2020204638A1
Application number: AU2020204638A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tracy Boxsell
Original assignee: D&t&g Pty Ltd
Current assignee: D&t&g Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-10
Filing date: 2020-07-10
Publication date: 2021-01-28

Abstract

AVACUUMASSEMBLY ABSTRACT A vacuum assembly (1) having a pump adapted to produce a suction airstream through the assembly, the vacuum assembly (1) including: a suction nozzle (5) adapted to be moved by a user about an operation site to remove particles from the site; a first chamber (10) connected to the nozzle (5) by a first duct (7) and adapted to remove large particles from the airstream; a second chamber (30) connected to the first chamber (10) by a second duct (42) and adapted to receive medium particles from the airstream; a third chamber (40) connected to the second chamber (30) by a third duct (51) and adapted to remove fine particles from the airstream; a fine filter (60) connected to the third chamber (40) by a fourth duct (61) and adapted to remove very fine particles from the airstream; and an exhaust (74) to outlet the airstream from the assembly (1). 1/2 0 0 h-r0 000 Do 00 00O 00 D00 00 a0 D00 0 D0 00 00 000 000000O 0 00000000 00000000 t0

Description

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AVACUUMASSEMBLY FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an industrial vacuum assembly and, in particular, to a vacuum assembly for use in environmental clean-ups in remote or rugged terrains such as beaches, or for use in confined spaces such as in mines and the like.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Vacuum devices are commonly used in domestic industrial applications and typically include an inlet connected to a fan operated by an electric motor. This arrangement creates suction to urge particles through the inlet into a chamber. The chamber typically includes an exhaust and an associated filter.

[0003] In cyclone-type vacuum cleaners, the airstream is passed through one or more cylinders along a high-speed spiral path. As the airstream moves along the spiral path, the particles being picked up go through a centrifugal force, which sends them outwardly and the particles are subsequently collected at the bottom of the chamber.

[0004] In the mining industry and in particular coal mining, for example, significant material particles are generated around machinery such as under conveyor belts and around transfer stations. This build-up of coal is essentially product which is lost to manufacturing processes and is not being recovered. Further, the build-up of coal around the machinery causes wear and tear on those machines, thus increasing maintenance costs and reducing the life of the componentry.

[0005] The build-up of coal particles may cause the edges of the belts to wear, which leads to the discharging of "strings" of the belt which wrap around the shaft of the rollers, which then leads to the lifting of the seals and increasing the wear and tear. This lifting contributes to the bearings being destroyed, jamming the roller, which "flattens out" and provides a sharp edge which cuts the belt. The build-up of coal particles also "unbalances" the belt, which leads to skewing and the cutting off of structures. The built-up of coal particles may also result in increased friction, which may result in a fire risk. The build-up of coal particles in walkway areas may also lead to significant occupational health and safety issues to workers. Previously, coal particles were removed by hand, e.g. by the use of brooms and shovels, which also contributed to occupational health and safety issues.

[0006] During environmental clean-ups, for example when cleaning up oil spills in the ocean, there is a need for vacuum devices that are sufficiently powerful to suck up the oil particles from the spills, and that are also appropriately sized for transportation to and from a remote beach or other rugged terrains.

OBJECT

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] There is disclosed herein a vacuum assembly having a pump adapted to produce a suction airstream through the assembly, the vacuum assembly including: a suction nozzle adapted to be moved by a user about an operation site to remove particles from the site; a first chamber connected to the nozzle by a first duct and adapted to remove large particles from the airstream; a second chamber connected to the first chamber by a second duct and adapted to receive medium particles from the airstream; a third chamber connected to the second chamber by a third duct and adapted to remove fine particles from the airstream; a fine filter connected to the third chamber by a fourth duct and adapted to remove very fine particles from the airstream; and an exhaust to outlet the airstream from the assembly.

[0009] Each chamber preferably includes a base having a door, said door being operable to permit removal of collected particles from the chamber.

[0010] The door preferably includes a solenoid valve adapted to operate the door.

[0011] One or more of the chambers preferably includes a cyclonic vacuum.

[0012] The first duct preferably includes a flexible portion.

[0013] The first chamber preferably includes a crane to assist with discharging particles from the first chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vacuum assembly; and

[0016] Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view of the vacuum assembly of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a vacuum assembly 1 having a pump (e.g. a vacuum or air pump) and an inlet (i.e. suction) nozzle 5 adapted to pick up particles and/or other objects and remove the particles and/or objects from an operation site. Examples of such particles and/or objects include environmental oil spillages, asbestos, dust products (e.g. from lime, cement, coal, or saw dust), dirt and spoils (e.g. from footings, piers, and non-destructive digging), and liquid waste.

[0018] It will be appreciated that the vacuum assembly 1 is adapted to be mounted on a trailer or the rear of a truck, and is thus moveable around an operation site. In embodiments, the vacuum assembly 1 is in a compact form and has a weight of between approximately 750 to 1000 kilograms, such that the vacuum assembly 1 may be safely accommodated in or on a single axle trailer, light truck, helicopter, or small shipping container for ease of transportation.

[0019] The inlet nozzle 5 is connected by an inlet duct 7 to a main (i.e. first) catchment tank or chamber 10. It will be appreciated that the inlet duct 7 may have a length of up to 100 metres to facilitate the removal of particles from areas that are remote or difficult to access. The tank 10 adapted to remove large particles or objects from an airstream created through the vacuum assembly 1 by the pump (not shown) during operation of the vacuum assembly 1.

[0020] The tank 10 includes a frame 12 to receive a bag (not shown), such as a bulka bag or the like, adapted to hold the particles or objects removed from the tank 10. The tank 10 has a lower portion 13 having a door 14 operated by a solenoid valve 15 or the like to open the lower portion 13 of the tank 10, thereby allowing the large particles or objects in the tank 10 to be removed into the bag. It should be understood that the large particles or objects could also be removed into other types of bags, liquid pod containers, skip bins, tip trucks, utes, conveyor belts or the like to allow for ease of storage, recycling, and transportation at a suitable time or volume load. It is envisaged that when the vacuum assembly 1 is being used to remove oil particles from an oil spill, the oil particles are removed into a liquid pod container having a volume of about 1000 L. Once the liquid pod container is filled with the oil particles or other matter, it is sealed or closed off with an associated lid and transported away by a vehicle for disposal. It will be appreciated that the large particles or objects may be transported away from the operation site without interfering with the continued vacuuming process, so as to maximise the amount of vacuuming time per day. In other embodiments (not shown), the tank 10 may be mounted on other types of frames.

[0021] In preferred forms, the vacuum assembly includes a crane 20 to allow for easy and precise discharge of the large particles or objects through the door 14. The tank 10 may also include a sensor 22 or the like to detect the amount of particles or objects in the tank 10. The sensor 22 is adapted to send a signal to an associated processor to provide an indication that the tank 10 is full of particles or objects, and thereby indicate to an operator that the tank 10 will need to be emptied to allow for further vacuuming.

[0022] The tank 10 further includes an opening (not shown) connected to a first duct 25, which connects the tank 10 to a further processing assembly, such as a coarse cyclone assembly 30. The coarse cyclone assembly 30 includes a chamber and is adapted to remove larger (i.e. coarse) particles or objects from the airstream that are not removed from the tank 10. The coarse cyclone assembly 30 includes a first cyclone vacuum device to facilitate the removal of the coarse particles or objects and further includes a chute hopper 32 along with a corresponding door 33 and solenoid valve 34 similar to those associated with the tank 10.

[0023] The coarse cyclone assembly 30 is connected to a medium cyclone assembly 40 by way of a second duct 42. The medium cyclone assembly 40 includes a chamber and a second cyclone vacuum device to facilitate the removal of medium-sized particles or objects. The medium cyclone assembly 40 further includes a chute hopper 42 having a corresponding door 43 and solenoid valve 44 similar to those associated with the tank 10.

[0024] In embodiments, the medium cyclone assembly 40 is connected to a swirler separator 50 having a fines catch can or chamber 52 by way of a third duct 51. The swirler separator 50 is connected to a fine particle filter 60 by way of a fourth duct 61. The swirler separator 50 is an in-line separator which assists in separating the particles and objects (e.g. dust) from the airstream before they reach the fine particle filter 60. Accordingly, the swirler separator 50 may at least reduce the need to frequently replace the fine particle filter 60. In embodiments, the fine particle filter 60 may be connected directly to the medium cyclone assembly 40 by way of the third or fourth duct 51, 61.

[0025] It will be appreciated that the fine particular filter 60 is a dust-free particle filter, for example, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The fine particle filter 60 includes a filter component 62 of a typical configuration and a filter cleaner 64. The fine particle filter 60 is connected to a motor or power unit 70 by way of a fifth duct 71 and a solenoid operated air break valve 72. The power unit 70 is connected to an exhaust 74.

[0026] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the use of the vacuum or air pump for the operation of the vacuum assembly described above may at least facilitate efficient removal of a large number of particles or objects. The presence of the cyclone assemblies in the vacuum assembly may also allow for the particles or objects to be removed with little loss of vacuum power.

[0027] It will also be appreciated that the various components of the vacuum assembly described above may be separated for easy disassembly (e.g. for transportation to another site) and re assembly. For example, the vacuum assembly may be disassembled such that the various components may be transported by helicopter to remote or inaccessible areas for environmental type cleanups. It will also be appreciated that the vacuum assembly is also sufficiently compact to be easily towed and maneuvered on beach sand with smaller vehicles, such as mini-loaders, tracked vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

[0028] It is envisaged that the vacuum assembly described above may also be utilised as an air pressure transport device to carry and relocate particles (or other objects). In this arrangement, the vacuum assembly incorporates a blower, a separate feed table and an air lock system to facilitate the vacuuming and retaining of particles and objects from one location, and to relocate the particles or objects by dispersing or blowing the particles away at another location in controlled amounts.

[0029] Although the invention isn't described with reference to specific examples, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A vacuum assembly having a pump adapted to produce a suction airstream through the assembly, the vacuum assembly including: a suction nozzle adapted to be moved by a user about an operation site to remove particles from the site; a first chamber connected to the nozzle by a first duct and adapted to remove large particles from the airstream; a second chamber connected to the first chamber by a second duct and adapted to receive medium particles from the airstream; a third chamber connected to the second chamber by a third duct and adapted to remove fine particles from the airstream; a fine filter connected to the third chamber by a fourth duct and adapted to remove very fine particles from the airstream; and an exhaust to outlet the airstream from the assembly.

2. The vacuum assembly of claim 1, wherein each chamber preferably includes a base having a door, said door being operable to permit removal of collected particles from the chamber.

3. The vacuum assembly of claim 2, wherein the door includes a solenoid valve adapted to operate the door.

4. The vacuum assembly of any of claims I to 3, wherein one or more of the chambers preferably includes a cyclonic vacuum.

5. The vacuum assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first duct includes a flexible portion.

6. The vacuum assembly of any one of claims 1 to5 , wherein the first chamber includes a crane to assist with discharging particles from the first chamber.

D&T&G Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON