Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
VACUUM LOADER WITH LOUVERED TANGENTIAL CYCLONE SEPARATOR
Field of the Invention
[0001] The following disclosure relates to a vacuum loader and in particular
to a pre-
separator disposed in the vacuum loader.
Cross Reference To Related Applications
[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No.
10/389,792, filed Mar. 17, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,085 that issued on
Aug. 30, 2005
and is entitled "Vacuum Loader"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/162,024
filed Aug. 25,
2005 and entitled "Vacuum Loader"; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/435,661, filed
on May 17, 2006 and entitled "Vacuum Loader with Filter Doors."
Background Of The Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to machines for removing or transfer dry and
wet liquid
particulates, and more particularly, to an industrial vacuum cleaner, vacuum
loader,
pneumatic conveyor, or industrial dust collector.
[0004] In industry, voluminous amounts of particulate matter, debris, and
waste are
emitted during machining, foundry, milling, shipment, warehousing, assembling,
fabricating,
and other manufacturing operations. Particulates of dust emitted during a
manufacturing
operation can include metal slivers, plastic chips, wood shavings, dirt, sand,
and other debris.
Dust accumulates on floors, machines, packaging materials, equipment, food and
personnel.
Dust is carried and circulated in the air and can be injurious to the health
and safety of
operating personnel and other on site employees. Dust can damage, erode, and
adversely
effect the efficiency and operability of equipment. It can also create a fire
hazard and cause
explosions in some situations, such as in grain elevators. Voluminous amounts
of dust can
pollute the atmosphere. Dust may also impair the quality of the products
manufactured.
[0005] Dust emissions are not only dangerous and troublesome, but are
particularly
aggravating and grievous where relatively dust-free conditions and sterile
environments are
required, such as in medical supply houses, the electronics industry, and in
food-processing
plants.
[0006] Over the years a variety of vacuum loaders, industrial dust collectors
and other
equipment have been suggested for removing industrial dust and debris and for
other
1 '
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
purposes. These prior vacuum loaders, dust collectors and equipment have met
with varying
degrees of success.
[0007] It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved vacuum loader,
pneumatic
conveyoi, or industrial dust collector which overcomes most, if not all, of
the preceding
problems. I
Brief Description Of The Drawings
(0008] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of a vacuum loader.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum loader having a filter
compartment with
side access doors;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the vacuum loader;
[0011] FIG. 4 front view of the vacuum loader with a diagrammatic illustration
of the side
access doors;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a back view of the vacuum loader;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of view of the vacuum loader
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tangential cyclone separator looking
from
underneath.
(0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the tangential cyclone separator.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the tangential cyclone separator taken along
line 9-9 in FIG.
7.
Detailed Description Of The Invention
[0017] FIG 1 is a greatly simplified schematic of an vacuum loader 10 with a
frame
assembly 12 supporting several components. The vacuum loader 10 includes a
primary inlet
conduit 46, a solids-gas separator 64 disposed in a solids-gas separator
compartment 48, a
hopper 16, a filter housing 70 that houses a plurality of air filters 72, a
blower line 52, a
vacuum motor 36 and air blower 38, a sound attenuating device 44, and a
exhaust pipe 62. In
use, dusty air is pulled in through the primary inlet conduit 46 and into the
solids-gas
separator 64. The solids-gas separator 64 swirls the air such that particulate
is discharged by
gravity downwardly into the hopper 16. The partially dedusted air then travels
up through the
filters 72 which remove substantially all remaining dust particulate. The
dedusted air then
travels through the blower line 52, down through the air blower 38, through
the sound
2
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
attenuating device 44, and then is discharged into the atmosphere through the
exhaust pipe
62. The following is a more detailed description of the vacuum loader 10, and,
in particular,
the solids-gas separator 64.
Frame Assembly
[0018] The vacuum loader 10 depicted in FIGS. 2-6 is an example of a heavy-
duty
vacuum-operated machine, industrial dust collector, vacuum cleaner, vacuum
loader, vacuum
conveyor and/or pneumatic conveyor. The vacuum loader 10 can efficiently
remove, collect,
and safely dispose or convey air-borne particulate matter, debris, and waste.
The vacuum
loader 10 can be made of steel or other metal. Other materials can be used.
The vacuum
loader 10 includes a frame assembly 12 with a base 14. The frame assembly 12
can be
equipped flanged plates 13 and 15 (PIG. 2) with openings therein and/or with
forklift-
-channels for receiving tines of a forklift truck. The frame assembly 12 can
have telescoping
upright legs 18, 19 with feet 20 and support members such as lateral bars 21
and diagonal
braces 22. The telescoping legs 18, 19 can be extended or retracted to adjust
the height of the
legs 18, 19 and frame assembly 12. The legs 18, 19 have bolt holes 23 that
receive bolts 24
and nuts to securely bolt the legs 18, 19 at the desired height. The frame
assembly 12 could
also include a skid with a coupling or tow bar for coupling and attachment to
a railway car,
truck or other vehicle. The frame assembly 12 can include wheels or casters
mounted on the
underside of the feet 20 to make the vacuum loader 10 mobile, portable,
moveable, and
towable.
[0019] The frame assembly 14 supports the hopper 16 such as a bin, end dump
hopper, or
other structure for gathering the particulate. In the depicted example, the
hopper 16 is
positioned below and supports the solids-gas separator compartment 48. The
hopper 16 is
also positioned below and supports the filter housing 70. The hopper 16
receives and collects
the large particulates of dust removed by the solids-gas separator 64 and the
smaller
particulates (fines) removed by the air filters 72. Preferably, the hopper 16
has a lower
portion with a manual or power-operated slideable valve to discharge the
collected
particulates (particles) of dust from inside the hopper 16. In this example,
the hopper includes
a downwardly inclined frustoconical portion 25 and a hopper outlet 17 at a
bottom end of the
hopper 16. The hopper outlet 17 can include a downwardly facing discharge
pipe, a discharge
door 26, a cutoff gate 27, and a rotary airlock valve 28 operatively connected
to and
controlled by a motor 29. The bin can be a stationary bin, a moveable bin, a
portable bin,
3
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
and/or.a towable bin. A pneumatically-operated expansion bellows can be
positioned on
bellows support pads of the frame assembly 12 to raise the hopper 16 during
assembly.
[00201 A control panel 30 can be mounted on the frame assembly 12. The control
panel
can have buttons 31, control knobs 32, and gauges 33 to control, activate, and
deactivate a
high level control 34 comprising an indicating gauge with a display screen,
the motor 29
which drives and controls the rotary airlock valve 28, the vacuum motor 36,
the air blower
38, air injectors 39, etc. via wires 40 or conduits. The control. panel 30 can
also be connected
to a sensor and limit switch in the hopper 16 to automatically shut off the
vacuum motor 36
or air blower 38 when the discharged collected dust in the hopper 16 has
reached a
preselected level. The control panel 30, which when energized and activated,
provides
voltage and power for the operation of a solenoid valve connected to a vacuum
breaker 45, as
well as solenoid air valves connected to a circuit controlling the filter
cartridge's reverse pulse
cleaning assembly. The electrical control panel 30 can be equipped with a air
blower gauge,
vacuum differential gauges, a filter differential.gauge, switches, starhlstop
push buttons, a . .
cartridge filter cleaning pulse timer circuitry package, indicating lights,
relays, and other
components, gauges, and devices.
Blower Assembly
[00211 The vacuum motor 36 (FIG. 2) and air blower 38 can be mounted on a
support
housing 42 of the sound attenuating device 44. The vacuum motor 36 is
operatively coupled
to and drives the air blower 38 by a drive coupling 43 (FIG. 6) such as a
drive shaft or drive
belts. The air blower 38 can include a compressor, air blower, turbine,
regenative (regen), or
fan. The vacuum loader 10 can also be equipped with a vacuum breaker 45
providing a relief
valve.
[0022] The air blower 38 creates a vacuum (suction) to draw dust and direct
influent dusty
air (air laden with particulates of dust) comprising the dusty gas stream
through one or more
inlet conduits, such as through a primary inlet conduit 46 (FIGS. 3-5) and an
optional
secondary inlet conduit. The primary inlet conduit 46 and optional secondary
inlet conduit
provide at least one material inlet port into a solids-gas separation
(separating) compartment
48 containing one or more solids-gas separators 64. A flexible, elongated
intake hose or metal
air duct tubing, with an optional nozzle or hood, can be connected to the
primary inlet conduit
46 to facilitate collection of the particulate material. As will be described
more fully, in the
depicted example, the primary inlet conduit 46 is tangential to the solids-gas
separation
4 .
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
compartment 48 and the solids-gas separator 64 contained therein. The primary
inlet conduit
46 directs the flow of the influent dusty gas streams into the solids-gas
separator 64, which
creates a turbulent or swirling action of the dusty gas streams.
[0023] The air blower 38 can be connected to the overhead blower line 52 (FIG.
2), which
in turn is connected to a filter housing outlet 54 of the upper portions of
the filter housing 70.
The air blower 38 can also be operatively connected to and communicate with an
exhaust
pipe 62 that emits the dedusted purified clean gas stream (air) to the
surrounding area or
atmosphere.
[00241 The vacuum loader 10 can be equipped with a sound attenuating device 44
(FIGS.
2-5) such as a muffler (FIG. 2) that can be connected to the air blower 38
'and the exhaust
pipe 62 to attenuate, muffle, suppress, and decrease noise and vibrations from
the air blower
38 and vacuum motor 36, and dampen the noise and sound of the'purified gases
passing and
being discharged through the exhaust pipe 62. The muffler 44 can be
constructed as described
in applicarit's U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,299 which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
Solids-Gas Separation Compartment
[00251 The solids-gas separation compartment 48 is a housing in fluid
communication with
both the hopper 17 and the filter housing 70 and houses the tangential cyclone
separator 64
and the primary inlet conduit 46. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the solids-gas
compartment
includes a top wall 80 and a plurality of sidewalls 82 extending downwardly
from the top
wall 80. A flange 84 extends outwardly from the bottom of the sidewalls 82
that can mate
with an upper flange of the hopper 16. Further, a gasket (not shown) can be
disposed between
the flanges to provide a substantially air-tight connection between the solids-
gas separation
compartment 48 and the hopper 16. A filter chamber 74 extends upwardly from
the top wall
80 of the solids-gas separation compartment 48. The air filters 72 are not
shown in this view.
[00261 The primary inlet conduit 46 is tube that extends linearly and inwardly
from a
sidewall 82 of the solids-gas separation compartment 48 to the cyclone
separator 64. Dusty
air from the interior of a machine shop may be sucked into the primary inlet
conduit 46 and
delivered to the tangential cyclone separator 64.
[00271 The tangential cyclone separator 64 (referred to hereafter as the
preseparator)
includes a support 86, a first sidewall 88 extending downwardly from the
support 86, and a
second sidewall 90 also extending downwardly from the support 86. The
preseparator 64 has
a top side 92 and a bottom side 94. In this example the support 86 is a plate
generally in the
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
shape of a circle and includes three tabs 96 extending outwardly. The tabs 96
include through
holes 98 enabling bolts or screws to mount the preseparator 64 to the top wall
80 of the
solids-gas separation compartment 48. Other structure and methods for mounting
the support
plate 86 of the preseparator 64 to the top wall 80 of the solids-gas
separation compartment
48, such as welding or bonding, can be used.
[0028] The first sidewall 88 is generally in the shape of a portion of a
circle and includes a
first endpoint 100 and a second end point 102. The first sidewall 88:includes
a plurality of
louvers 104 extending downwardly from the support plate 86. Each of the
louvers 104 is in
the shape of a rectangle with a bottom wall 106, a top wall 108, and an inner
side wall 110.
Each of the top walls 108 are fixed to the support plate 86, and each of the
louvers 104 has a
width and a height that is longer than the width. Each bottom wall 106 defines
a louver
direction D.
[0029] As-shown in Fig. 8, in a plan view of the preseparator 64; edges of the
inner side
walls 110 form points 112 that lie on a first circle 114. Each of the louver
directions D
intersect the first circle 114 at an intersection point P. Tangent lines L
that are each tangent to
the circle extend through each intersection point P. Each tangent line L is
associated with the
respective louver direction D, where the tangent line L and the louver
direction D share an
intersection point P. For each louver 104, each louver direction D and each
louver tangent
line L associated with that louver direction D form an angle A that is between
0 and 90 .
Preferably, the angle A for each louver 104 is between approximately 10 and
60 , and more
preferably approximately 45 . The term "approximately" is used herein to
reflect
manufacturing tolerances and variability.
[0030] Each of the louvers 104 are spaced from each other such that gaps G are
formed
between adjacent louvers 104 in the first sidewall 88. The gaps G provide open
areas in the
first sidewall 88 that can extend from greater than 0 to 360 , preferably 60
to 300 , and most
preferably 270 around the first circle. The size of the gaps G between
adjacent louvers 104
can decrease with angular distance from the primary inlet conduit 46.
[0031] The support plate 86 covers the top side 92 of the preseparator 64, and
in particular,
covers the first circle 114 on the top side 92. The first circle 114 is open
on the bottom side
94 of the preseparator 64. [0032] A portion of an annulus 116 can be disposed
on the bottom sides 106 of each of the
louvers 104. The annulus 116 connects the louvers 104 together to strengthen
the
6
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
construction of the preseparator 64. The louvers 104 can be connected to the
annulus 116 by
welding or other known method.
[0033] The second sidewall 90 can be a section of a cylinder 118. In contrast
to the first
sidewall '88, the second sidewall 90 can be imperforate. The cylinder section
118 can form a
portion of a second circle 120 that is concentric with the first circle 114.
The cylinder section
118 can be disposed approximately on the first circle 114 such that the first
circle 114 and the
second circle 118 have approximately same diameter and are thus approximately
the same
circle. The cylinder section 118 can extend from the first endpoint 100 of the
first sidewall 88=.
to the second endpoint 102 of the first sidewall 88. The second sidewa1190
includes an
opening 122 from which the primary inlet conduit 46 extends. The primary.inlet
conduit 46
extends generally tangentially from the first circle 114.
[0034] The preseparator 64 can be relatively short with a height of about
twice the
diameter of the primary inlet conduit 46, i.e. the ratio of the height of the
preseparator 64 to
the diameter of the primary inlet conduit 46 can be 2:1, e.g. a 12 tall
preseparator 64 is used
with a 6" primary inlet conduit 46. In contrast, conventional tangential
cyclones with cones
are relatively tall with a height of about ten times (10 fold) the diameter of
the inlet hose.
[0035] The preseparator 64 provides gross separation to remove large
particulates
(particles) of dust from an influent dusty gas stream (e.g. dust laden air) to
obtain a grossly
separated effluent dusty stream having a lower concentration of particulates
of dust by weight
than the influent dusty stream. The preseparator 64 separates the large
particulate from the air
stream by way of the different kinetic energies and inertias of the air and
the particulate. The
vacuum motor 36 and air blower 38 provide a low pressure within the solids-gas
separation
compartment 48 such that a dusty gas stream is sucked into the compartment 48
through the
primary inlet conduit 46. As the air stream enters the preseparator 64, the
layout of the
louvers 104 in a circle tends to direct the air stream into a swirling cyclone-
like path P1.
However, due to the gaps G between the louvers 104 and the low pressure in the
solids-gas
separation compartment 48, the air in the air stream is also sucked between
the louvers 104
through the gaps G and out from inside the preseparator in various exit
paths.P2, P3. Due to
the low kinetic energy and inertia of air, and due to the low pressure in the
solids-gas
separation compartment 48, air is able to make the relatively sharp turn from
the swirling
path P 1 to the exit paths P2, P3. However, the large particulates have a much
higher kinetic
energy and inertia and cannot make the turn from the swirling path P 1 to any
of the exit paths
P2, P3. Instead, the large particulates remain in the swirling path P1, but
are continually
7
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
pulled downwardly by gravity until they are below the preseparator and are
disposed in the
hopper 16.
[00361 Further, the gaps G between the louvers 104 can decrease about the
first circle 114
in the direction.of path P1. In other words, gap G1 is wider than gap G2, for
example.
Accordingly, as the air travels about the circle, and a portion of the air
travels through the
various exit paths P2, P3, less air is swirling inside the preseparator 64.
Therefore, the smaller
gaps G maintain the speed of the air through the louvers 104 throughout the
preseparator 64.
In other words, the speed of the air at path P2 is the same as the speed of
the air through path
P3. This maintains a constant kinetic energy. of the air through the gaps G.
[0037] The vacuum loader 10 with a louvered preseparator 64 provides a heavy
duty,
vacuum operated machine, dust collector, industrial vacuum cleaner, vacuum
loader, and
conveyor to efficiently remove, collect, and safely dispose of particulate
matter, debris; and
waste. The louvered preseparator 64 makes a gross cut and partially dedusts
the dusty
influent air, gas and/or liquid. The louvered preseparator 64 can be oriented
and arranged to
direct and blow the dusty air, gas and/or liquid counterclockwise or
clockwise, so that the
dusty air, gas and/or liquid flows downwardly through the solids gas
separation compartment
48, laterally through an upper portion of the bin or hopper 16, and upwardly
through a single
filter compartment or multiple filtering compartments 70. The louvered
preseparator 64
minimizes turbulence, clogging and, re-entrainment of particulates.
[0038] Alternatively, the vacuum loader 10 can include a preseparator(s) of
different
structure. For example, the vacuum loader can include a perforated plate or
foraminous
cyclone separator described in applicant's U.S. Patent No. 6,936,085, which is
hereby
incorporated by reference. The tangential cyclone separatorcan have angular
perforations,
such as described in applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/162,064
which is also
hereby incorporated by reference. Instead of or in addition to the perforated
tangential
cyclone separator, the solids-gas separator can comprise a perforated,
foraminous curved
barrier wall or perforated, foraminous angled impact plate separator (strike
plate). The
perforated tangential cyclone separator, curved barrier wall, and impact plate
separator all
provide a deflector(s) comprising an impingement surface(s) with angular
perforations which
change. the direction of the incoming dusty gas stream and grossly separates
and removes the
larger particulates of dust from the influent dusty gas stream.
Filter Compartment
8
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
100391 The partially dedusted gas stream can exit the tangential preseparator
through the
paths between the slats, or out the bottom of the preseparator and flow
upwardly through
open bottoms 68 (FIGS. 2-6) of the filter compartment 70 or multiple filter
compartments,
such as described in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,217 which is hereby
incorporated by
reference. Each filter compartment contains one or more filters 72 (FIGS. 6-
8), preferably a
set, series, or array of filters, such as four upright tubular filters. The
filter compartment
contains a plurality, set, or array of canister filters (annular, tubular or
cartridge filters) 72
(FIGS. 6-8).
[00401 The partially dedusted gas stream of air can pass (flow) upwardly and
be filtered by
filters 72 in the filter compartment 70 to remove most of the remaining
smaller particulates
(fines) of dust in the dusty stream. The partially dedusted gas stream can
flow upwardly,
annularly, and laterally through each filter 72,of,the filter.compartment;70
to remove
substantially all the remaining particulates of dust. In the
illustrative.embodiment, the filter
compartment 70 contains a set of four canister filters 72 which are positioned
in a.circular
array. While the preceding arrangement is preferred for best results, more or
less filters or
different types of filters can be used, if desired. The filtered dedusted air
can pass (flow)
upwardly and exit and be discharged from the filter compartments 70 through
the filter outlet
54 (FIG. 2). The filtered air can be drawn through the blower line 52 by the
air blower
(blower) 38 and can be discharged to the surrounding area and atmosphere by
the exhaust
pipe 62. A discharge outlet conduit 54 (FIG. 2) can be connected to and
communicate with
the filter compartment 70 to provide an outlet and passageway through which
the purified,
dedusted and filtered air is drawn from the filter compartment via the blower
line 52 into the
air blower 38 and muffler 44 for discharge via the exhaust pipe 62 to the
atmosphere or area
surrounding the vacuum loader 10.
[00411 The vacuum loader can have multiple filter (filtering) compartments 70
with two or
more filter (filtering) chambers. Advantageously, each filtering
compartment(s) 70 are
positioned generally along side and is spaced laterally away from the
preseparator 64and in
offset relationship thereto, rather than in vertical alignment or completely
above the
preseparator 64. While tubular filters 7.2 are preferred for more effective
filtering, in some
circumstances it may be desirable to use one or more other types. of filters,
such as Hepa-type
filters, bag-type filters, box-type filters, envelope filters, flat filters,
or conical filters. Other
types of filters can also be used, if desired. Each filter (filtering)
compartment can have a
pressure (vacuum) relief valve.
9
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
[0042] Reverse pulse filter cleaners comprising air injectors 39 (FIGS. 2-6)
can be
mounted and extend to the interior of the upper air chamber of the first
filtering compartment
70 to periodically inject intermittent blasts comprising pulses of compressed
clean air upon
the inside (interior) of the filters 72 to help clean the filters 72. The
injectors 39 can be
connected by pneumatic tubes or conduits to an-air supply source 74, such as
compressed air
tanks comprising compressed air canisters, or an auxiliary compressor. -In the
illustrative
embodiment, there is a circular array or set of -four upright compressed air
canisters
(compressed air tanks) 74 mounted about the exterior surface of the
cylindrical upright wall
of the filtering compartment 72 and there is a circutar set or array of four
downwardly facing,
overhead air injectors 76 (FIGS. 4-6) positioned above the centers of the
filters 72 and
connected to the compressed air canisters 74 to sequentially or simultaneously
inject pulses
of compressed ai'r into the center of the tubular filters 72 to shake loose
the dust collected,
accumulated, or the outside of the filter walls. More or less air injectors 76
and compressed
air canisters 74 can be used. While the illustrated arrangement is preferred
for best results, a
different airangement can be used, if desired. The filtered removed dust
collected and
accumulated on the bottom of the first filtering (filter) compartment can be
discharged into
the hopper 16 when the air blower 38 is turned off or by actuation of the
control panel 30
and/or when the discharge door or bottom of the first filter compartment 70 is
open. The open
bottoms of the filter compartments 70 can provide filter discharge openings to
discharge the
filtered and removed particulates of dust (fines) into the hopper 16.
[0043] In the preferred embodiment, the air injectors 76 are positioned at an
elevation
above the filters 72, air blower 38, vacuum motor 36, and preseparator 64. In
some
circumstances, it may be desirable to use other types of filter cleaning
equipment, such as
manual or powered mechanical shakers and vibrators.
Operation of Vacuum Loader
[0044] In operation, air laden with entrained particulates of debris, waste
and other dust is
drawn by the blower through the primary intake conduit 46 into the
preseparator 64 in the
solids-gas separation compartment 48. The preseparator 64 swirls the dusty air
tangentially
about the first circle 114 of the preseparator 64 and ejects the partially
dedusted air upwardly
into the filter compartment 70. Preferably, the preseparator 64 kinetically
and centrifugally
separates most of the carryover dust from the incoming air stream. The
cleaner, partially
dedusted air can be drawn (sucked) radially outwardly through the gaps G
between the
l0
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
louvers 104 of the preseparator 64, where it flows upwardly and is filtered by
the high
efficiency cartridge filters 72. The filters 72 can filter the particulates
(dust) to under 1
micron, preferably at an efficiency of about 99.5% at about 0.33 microns.
Collected diust on
the surface of the filters 72 can be cleaned by variable pulse speed, reverse-
air pulse injectors
39. The removed particulates are discharged by gravity downwardly into the
hopper 16
through the bottom outlet of the solids-gas separation compartment 48.
[0045] The vacuum loader 10 can incorporate a unique two stage separator
system which
provides for highly effective separation of the vacuumed dust-laden product
(wet, dry, or
fibrous, as well as liquids and slurries) thereby providing customers with
versatile, effective,
and substantially trouble-free dust collecting, vacuum cleaning, and loading.
The vacuum
loader 10 can provide capabilities for long distance vacuuming of very light
fibrous materials,
such as fiberglass to lumps, chunks, soda ash, steel shot and talconite
pellets. The vacuum
loader 10 can further effectively, efficiently, and safely collect and
discharge fibers, dust
laden liquids, dry dusty materials, contaminated sand and soil, slivers,
chips, granular
material, pellets, chunks, powders, slurries, liquids, debris, coal and other
minerals, soda ash,
metals, dense and heavy material, such as steel shot and talconite pellets,
waste, and other
particulate material. Additionally, the vacuum loader 10 provides a total
vacuuming system
which is under continuous negative pressure from the primary inlet conduit 46
to exhaust
pipe 62 during all vacuum cycles throughout the operating day and shift.
[0046] Among the many advantages of the preceding industrial vacuum loader 10
comprising dust collectors, pneumatic conveyors, vacuum conveyors, and
industrial vacuum
cleaners are: Superior vacuuming and removal of dust, particulate matter,
debris and waste;
convenient filter side doors for ready ingress and egress of the filters in
the filter
compartment to permit easy insertion, removal, inspection, or maintenance of
the filters;
better solids-gas separation; enhanced air purification; excellent dedusting;
greater efficiency
of operation; more economical to manufacture and operate; enhanced air
purification; greater
decreased operator exposure to dust; good load-carrying collection capacity;
flexibility and
better adaptability for moveable, towable, portable and stationary operations;
superb
performance; easy to use; dependable; quieter operation; easy to install,
remove and repair;
less maintenance; economical; efficient; and effective.
[0047] As used in this Patent Application, the term "dust" means particulate
matter, debris
and waste. The dust can comprise particulates of fiberglass, fibrous
materials, powder, coal
11
CA 02625386 2008-03-12
and other minerals, metal slivers and chips, sand, soda ash, steel shot,
talconite pellets and
other particulate material.
[0048] The term "fluid" as used herein means air and other gases and water and
other
liquids.
[0049] The terms "dedust" and "dedusted" as used herein mean removing a
substantial
amount of dust.
[0050] The term "fines" as used herein means small, minute, particulates.
[0051] The term "bulk" as used herein means the major portion of the vacuumed
materials.
[0052] A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the
following
description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
[0053] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it
is to be,
understood that various modifications and substitutions, as well as
rearrangements of parts,
components, equipment, apparatus and process steps, can be made by those
skilled in the art
without departing from the novel spirit and scope of this invention.
12
