US 12,385,215 B2
Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus and fluid storage and supply systems thereof
Andy Strobel, Knoxville, IA (US); Corey Lanoue, Pella, IA (US); Tayte Askelsen, Pella, IA (US); and James W. Skinner, Pella, IA (US)
Assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed on Jul. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/366,812.
Application 17/366,812 is a division of application No. 16/035,070, filed on Jul. 13, 2018, granted, now 11,085,171.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/532,853, filed on Jul. 14, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0332554 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. E02F 3/92 (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 3/94 (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); B01D 45/16 (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)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for hydro excavating a site with an excavation apparatus having at least three vessels for supplying and storing excavation fluid, the method comprising:
providing maiden water in a first vessel of the apparatus, the maiden water being at an initial level;
directing pressurized maiden water from the first vessel toward an excavation site, the pressurized water cutting earthen material;
removing cut earthen material and first cycle water from the excavation site;
separating first cycle water from the cut earthen material;
introducing the first cycle water into a second vessel, wherein a third vessel is selectively in fluid communication with at least one of the first vessel and the second vessel; and
introducing additional maiden water into the first vessel upon the maiden water level in the first vessel being reduced to below the initial level or less.