US 12,258,230 B2
Offloading vacuum tank
Cody L. Sewell, Perry, OK (US)
Assigned to The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, OK (US)
Filed by The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, OK (US)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/400,717.
Application 18/400,717 is a continuation of application No. 17/371,981, filed on Jul. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,858,761.
Application 17/371,981 is a continuation of application No. 16/223,568, filed on Dec. 18, 2018, granted, now 11,059,682, issued on Jul. 13, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/609,070, filed on Dec. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0140739 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 67/04 (2006.01); B01D 45/12 (2006.01); B01D 50/20 (2022.01); B65G 33/10 (2006.01); B65G 33/14 (2006.01); E02F 7/00 (2006.01); E02F 5/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 67/04 (2013.01) [B01D 45/12 (2013.01); B01D 50/20 (2022.01); B65G 33/10 (2013.01); B65G 33/14 (2013.01); E02F 7/00 (2013.01); B65G 2812/0577 (2013.01); B65G 2814/0326 (2013.01); E02F 5/08 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
excavating a trench with a microtrencher to generate spoils;
transporting the spoils to a vacuum tank, wherein the vacuum tank is configured to maintain a continuous vacuum pressure;
conveying the spoils within the vacuum tank from an inlet to a discharge outlet using an internal conveyor;
transferring the spoils from the discharge outlet to an external conveyor disposed completely outside the vacuum tank, wherein the external conveyor is configured to receive the spoils in a continuous stream; and
depositing the spoils from the external conveyor into a dump container.