US5547514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning sub-surface electrical enclosures and the like
Assignee: Pacific Gas and Electric Co
•
Filing: 1994-09-28
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Granted: 1996-08-20
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Expires: 2014-09-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus mounted on a vehicle frame for cleaning liquids and solids from a sub-surface enclosure. The apparatus comprises a water tank having a drain valve and a feed valve. A water pump is connected to the feed valve that supplies water to a high pressure cleaning device used for loosening waste solids in the sub-surface enclosure. A suction pump connected to a suction hose removes the waste from the sub-surface enclosure and directs it to either of two waste tanks through a valve configuration comprising an inlet valve connected to one waste tank and a second inlet valve connected to the other waste tank. The two inlet valves selectively allow the waste removed from the sub-surface enclosure to enter either the first waste tank, the second waste tank or both. A method for cleaning the sub-surface enclosure is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen W. Ward
- 👤 Ray E. Harwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:20
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/02; B08B3/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for cleaning liquids and solids from a sub-surface electrical enclosure that may have hazardous materials present, comprising: opening a water feed valve attached to a water tank for supplying water to a water pump to clean the sub-surface electrical enclosure; attaching a high pressure cleaning device to the water pump; starting the water pump; semi-liquefying the solids in the sub-surface electrical enclosure with the high pressure cleaning device to form a slurry; attaching a suction hose to a suction pump to draw the liquids and solids from the sub-surface electrical enclosure; opening a first waste inlet valve in fluid communication with a first waste tank so that liquids and solids can be received in the first waste tank; starting the suction pump; suctioning the liquids and solids from the sub-surface electrical enclosure through the suction hose to the first waste tank; stopping the water pump and the suction pump when the liquids and solids have been removed from the sub-surface electrical enclosure; attaching a clean-out attachment to the suction hose to flush the suction hose, the suction pump, and the first waste inlet valve; connecting the high pressure cleaning device to the clean-out attachment; and running the water pump and the suction pump until the suction hose, the suction pump, and the first waste inlet valve are clean of the liquids and solids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for cleaning liquids and solids from a sub-surface electrical enclosure that may have hazardous materials present, comprising: opening a water feed valve attached to a water tank for supplying water to a water pump to clean the sub-surface electrical enclosure; attaching a high pressure cleaning device to the water pump; starting the water pump; semi-liquefying the solids in the sub-surface electrical enclosure with the high pressure cleaning device to form a slurry; attaching a suction hose to a suction pump to draw the liquids and solids from the sub-surface electrical enclosure; opening a first waste inlet valve in fluid communication with a first waste tank so that liquids and solids can be received in the first waste tank; starting the suction pump; suctioning the liquids and solids from the sub-surface electrical enclosure through the suction hose to the first waste tank; stopping the water pump and the suction pump when the liquids and solids have been removed from the sub-surface electrical enclosure; attaching a clean-out attachment to the suction hose to flush the suction hose, the suction pump, and the first waste inlet valve; connecting the high pressure cleaning device to the clean-out attachment; and running the water pump and the suction pump until the suction hose, the suction pump, and the first waste inlet valve are clean of the liquids and solids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: opening a second waste inlet valve in fluid communication with a second waste tank so that liquids and solids can be received in the second waste tank; closing the first waste inlet valve; suctioning the liquid and solids from the sub-surface electrical enclosure to the second waste liquid tank; and cleaning the second waste inlet valve along with the suction hose and the suction pump through the clean-out attachment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising: closing the second waste inlet valve; opening the first waste inlet valve; and cleaning the first waste inlet valve along with the suction hose and the suction pump through the clean-out attachment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-20 | 2000-02-19 | 2000-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-02-19 | 2004-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-20 | 2008-02-19 | 2008-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |