US 12,031,292 B2
Systems and methods for reducing or preventing pluggage in an excavation vacuum apparatus
Thor Anderson, Monroe, IA (US); Jacob Keeley, Ankeny, IA (US); Conner Converse, Oskaloosa, IA (US); Andrew Strobel, Knoxville, IA (US); and Brandon Lane Storm, Reasnor, IA (US)
Assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed on Sep. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/031,186.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/905,043, filed on Sep. 24, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0087784 A1, Mar. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. E02F 3/94 (2006.01); E02F 3/88 (2006.01); E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 9/26 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 3/94 (2013.01) [E02F 3/8816 (2013.01); E02F 9/2025 (2013.01); E02F 9/26 (2013.01)] 37 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mobile excavation vacuum apparatus comprising:
a vacuum system for removing spoil material from an excavation site by entraining the spoil material in an airstream;
a separation vessel for removing spoil material from the airstream, the separation vessel having an airlock at a first outlet through which spoil material is discharged from the separation vessel;
a cyclone for removing spoil material from the airstream, the cyclone having a cyclone discharge pump at a second outlet through which spoil material is discharged from the cyclone;
a pluggage monitoring system comprising a sensor system for measuring the weight of the separation vessel, the cyclone, and the spoil material within the separation vessel and the cyclone;
a chassis that supports the mobile excavation apparatus; and
one or more wheels mounted to the chassis.