Patent US3959010A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3959010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vortex cleaner and method of cleaning
Assignee: Thompson Tank and Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1974-09-30
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Granted: 1976-05-25
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Expires: 1994-09-30
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a mobile cleaning unit which utilizes air vortexes to scour the surface of streets, pavement and the like and to remove finely subdivided debris therefrom. The vortexes are generated by a vacuum which is applied through a cleaning head bearing apertures of limited cross sectional area to provide a minimal air flow therethrough of at least about 200 cubic feet per minute per square inch of aperture area. The vacuum is at least about three, preferably at least five inches mercury beneath atmospheric pressure resulting in the development of a well defined air vortex at the inlet to each of the apertures of the cleaning head. The cleaning head is supported and moved across the surface to be cleaned at an elevation sufficient to place the base of the vortex on the work surface. In the preferred embodiment, the cleaning head also includes a plurality of water spray nozzles which are directed to impinge a water spray onto the work surface adjacent the vortex, thereby washing the surface and lifting all adsorbed or occluded debris therefrom. The invention also includes vacuum support facilities including an air separator which operates under "wet" conditions wherein the debris is centrifically separated from the air stream in the presence of water droplets which are coalesced by the centrifugal action and assist in washing the debris from the air stream.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Thompson
- 👤 Edward E. Headrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:05
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01H; E01H1/00; E01H1/10; E01H1/101; E01H1/103; E01H1/08; E01H1/0827
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for the removal of finely subdivided debris and foreign material from pavement and the like which comprises: passing an open ended tubular member bearing inlet aperture means in its undersurface over the surface of said pavement; developing a vacuum of at least about three inches mercury below atmospheric pressure in said member by removing air therefrom at a volumetric flow rate of at least about 200 standard cubic feet per minute per square inch of area of said aperture means to generate a well defined vortex in the air stream entering said member; positioning the tubular member over said surface at a distance of from 0.5 to about 5 inches to locate the base of said vortex on the surface of said pavement and thereby entrain said debris and foreign material in said air stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for the removal of finely subdivided debris and foreign material from pavement and the like which comprises: passing an open ended tubular member bearing inlet aperture means in its undersurface over the surface of said pavement; developing a vacuum of at least about three inches mercury below atmospheric pressure in said member by removing air therefrom at a volumetric flow rate of at least about 200 standard cubic feet per minute per square inch of area of said aperture means to generate a well defined vortex in the air stream entering said member; positioning the tubular member over said surface at a distance of from 0.5 to about 5 inches to locate the base of said vortex on the surface of said pavement and thereby entrain said debris and foreign material in said air stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of applying water spray onto said surface adjacent said vortex to wash said surface and entrain removed debris and wash water into said air stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said air stream is passed to an air separator and is introduced tangentially therein while air freed of said debris and foreign material is axially withdrawn from said separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 including the step introducing a water spray into said air stream before introduction of said air stream into said separator to facilitate separation of said debris and foreign material therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said air is evacuated from said tubular member at a flow rate of from 200 to about 500 standard cubic feet per minute per square inch of flow area of said circular aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vacuum is developed at a pressure of at least 5 inches mercury below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vacuum is developed at a pressure of at least 6 inches mercury below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A vacuum cleaning unit which comprises: a tubular cleaning head; a plurality of circular air intake apertures positioned along the undersurface of said tubular head; means connecting said spray nozzles to a pressured supply of water; and vacuum means connecting said header to air pump means having a capacity of at least about 200 standard cubic feet per minute per square inch of total flow area of said apertures at a subatmospheric pressure of at least 3 inches mercury below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A vacuum cleaning unit which comprises: a tubular cleaning head; a plurality of circular air intake apertures positioned along the undersurface of said tubular head; means connecting said spray nozzles to a pressured supply of water; and vacuum means connecting said header to air pump means having a capacity of at least about 200 standard cubic feet per minute per square inch of total flow area of said apertures at a subatmospheric pressure of at least 3 inches mercury below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cleaning unit of claim 8 wherein said circular air intake apertures are disposed in a longitudinal row along the undersurface of said tubular head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The cleaning unit of claim 8 wherein said tubular head bears a longitudinal plate extending along its forward edge and inclined to the horizontal to form a mounting plate and wherein a plurality of water spray nozzles are carried in a longitudinal row on said plate and oriented to direct their discharges beneath said air intake apertures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cleaning unit of claim 10 wherein said head bears two of said mounting plates, one each disposed along the forward and trailing edge of said cleaning head and each of said plate bears a longitudinal row of said water spray nozzles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
The cleaning unit of claim 8 wherein said tubular head includes a head housing defined by a upper, central plate and inclined side plates extending fore and aft thereof, each of said inclined plates bearing a return bend at its lower edge, a generally trough-shaped bottom plate having a flat central portion bearing said aperture means in a longitudinal row thereon and upwardly inclined side plates extending into engagement with the undersurface of said inclined fore and aft plates to thereby define a six-sided tubular compartment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cleaning unit of claim 12 wherein a plurality of water spray nozzles are disposed in longitudinal rows along the lower portion of said inclined fore and aft side plates and are directed to discharge their sprays beneath said circular air intake apertures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cleaning unit of claim 8 wherein said vacuum means includes an air entrainment separator comprising a circular vessel with air stream inlet means thereto to direct the air stream in a tangental direction as it enters said vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The cleaning unit of claim 14 wherein said air entrainment separator includes an arcuate baffle means carried on the inside wall of said vessel adjacent the air inlet thereto to deflect said air stream in a tangental direction about the inside wall of said vessel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cleaning unit of claim 15 wherein said air separator vessel includes a centrifugal separator centrally positioned therein to receive air from said vessel and to discharge clarified air therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cleaning unit of claim 16 wherein said centrifugal separator has an ejector leg for discharge of separated solids therefrom including check valve means carried on said leg to prevent the inflow of air through said ejector leg.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cleaning unit of claim 17 wherein said check valve means comprises an elbow carried on the end of said ejector leg with a flapper valve pivotally mounted thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cleaning unit of claim 8 including support facilities comprising an air entrainment separator in the form of a vessel surrounding said circular vessel with a plurality of transverse baffle plates therebetween to serve as vessel reinforcement means and splash plates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cleaning unit of claim 19 wherein said support facilities are carried on frame members pivotally mounted on a truck frame with bydraulic means to tilt said frame members and associated support facilities into an elevated position to permit water to be drained from said circular vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-25 | 1979-11-24 | 1980-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-25 | 1983-11-24 | 1984-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-25 | 1987-11-24 | 1988-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |