US 12,276,080 B2
Vacuum excavation apparatus having a deceleration vessel and methods for excavating a site
Andy Strobel, Knoxville, IA (US); Corey Lanoue, Pella, IA (US); Daniel Hofland, Pella, IA (US); Adam Bates, Leighton, IA (US); David Gift, Pella, IA (US); Tayte Askelsen, Pella, IA (US); James W. Skinner, Pella, IA (US); and Nathan J. Meyer, Knoxville, IA (US)
Assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/963,375.
Application 17/963,375 is a continuation of application No. 16/630,057, granted, now 11,499,290, previously published as PCT/US2018/041934, filed on Jul. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0030715 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B01D 45/16 (2006.01); B01D 33/03 (2006.01); B01D 33/80 (2006.01); B04C 5/14 (2006.01); B04C 5/28 (2006.01); B04C 9/00 (2006.01); E02F 3/88 (2006.01); E02F 3/90 (2006.01); E02F 3/92 (2006.01); E02F 3/94 (2006.01); E02F 5/22 (2006.01); E02F 7/06 (2006.01); F04B 15/02 (2006.01); F04B 23/02 (2006.01); F04B 23/04 (2006.01); F04B 43/12 (2006.01); B04C 5/26 (2006.01); B07B 1/30 (2006.01); E02F 9/14 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 5/226 (2013.01) [B01D 33/0353 (2013.01); B01D 33/804 (2013.01); B04C 5/14 (2013.01); B04C 5/28 (2013.01); B04C 9/00 (2013.01); E02F 3/8816 (2013.01); E02F 3/8891 (2013.01); E02F 3/907 (2013.01); E02F 3/925 (2013.01); E02F 3/9262 (2013.01); E02F 3/9268 (2013.01); E02F 3/9275 (2013.01); E02F 3/94 (2013.01); E02F 7/06 (2013.01); F04B 15/02 (2013.01); F04B 15/023 (2013.01); F04B 23/02 (2013.01); F04B 23/04 (2013.01); F04B 43/1253 (2013.01); B01D 45/16 (2013.01); B04C 5/26 (2013.01); B04C 2009/005 (2013.01); B07B 1/30 (2013.01); E02F 9/14 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydro excavation vacuum apparatus for excavating earthen material comprising:
a vacuum system for removing cut earthen material and water from an excavation site in an airstream;
a deceleration system for collecting cut earthen material and water from the airstream, deceleration system comprising:
a deceleration vessel adapted to reduce a velocity of the airstream to allow material to fall from the airstream, the deceleration vessel being adapted such that the airstream is not vortexed within the deceleration vessel, the deceleration vessel having an inlet and a spoil material outlet disposed below the inlet; and
a material-engaging face configured to contact material entrained in the airstream;
an inlet conduit connected to the deceleration vessel inlet, the inlet conduit having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit intersecting the material-engaging face, the material-engaging face forming an angle with a vertical axis of the deceleration vessel at the intersection between the longitudinal axis and the material-engaging face, the angle being from 5° to 60°;
a dewatering system comprising a vibratory screen for separating water from cut earthen material discharged from the spoil material outlet;
a cyclone fluidly connected to the deceleration vessel and downstream of the deceleration vessel; and
a wand for directing pressurized water toward earthen material to cut the earthen material.