US20040237486A1 - Method of and apparatus for air and liquid vacuuming - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid collection vessel for an air and liquid vacuum system of the type incorporating an air vacuum unit coupled to the vessel for drawing air and liquid therein. The vessel includes a generally cylindrical housing having an upper region. An ingress nozzle is disposed in the upper region of the housing and is adapted for receiving air and liquid there through and into the housing in response to low pressure created by the vacuum unit coupled thereto. The ingress nozzle is further disposed angularly within the housing for discharging air and liquid into the housing in a descending, tangential flow pattern. An air intake manifold is likewise disposed within the housing and coupled to the air vacuum unit for drawing air out of the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for air and liquid vacuuming and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved liquid collection vessel and fluid flow design for the suction of air and liquid from an area to be vacuumed.[0002]
• 2. History of Related Art[0003]
• It is common to utilize motorized systems to create low pressure for vacuuming areas such as floors and the like. Typically, such vacuum systems incorporate a collection vessel and blower combination which maximize fluid flow therein to facilitate the vacuuming operation for purposes such as cleaning, dyeing or tinting. Conventional systems are typically capable of extracting and reclaiming excess liquid such as water, dyes or tints. It is also typical to steam clean carpeted areas by discharging steam that condenses into water, and sucking such discharged water back into the vessel. Examples of such carpet cleaning and dyeing systems are set forth and shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,151,627; 3,942,217; 3,562,844; and 1,198,373. More specifically, carpet cleaning and dyeing machines of the type used by the assignee of the present invention include the following U.S. patents: D338,292, D287,655 and D274,851. As shown within the above-referenced patents, large vessels are typically utilized for housing the blowers typically needed for creating low pressure areas during the vacuuming operation and for storing water sucked therein. Flexible hoses are typically utilized in conjunction with the vessels for extending to the area to be cleaned, dyed or tinted, such as floor areas, and sucking both air and water there through for discharge within the vessel. The particular design of the vessel itself as well as the mechanism therein generally determines the efficiency of the vacuum operation.[0004]
• It is well known, for example, to utilize cylindrical vessels and blowers to create low pressure therein, which low pressure (or vacuum) causes a sucking action through the above-referenced flexible hose. The hose then draws or sucks water and air there through. The water leaving the hose in the area of the vessel is sometimes deposited directly into the vessel or upon a baffle secured therein that deflects the water downwardly into the vessel while allowing the air to flow at various angles therein. The baffle design has been utilized for decades with various vessel shapes and has been effective in separating water from the flowing air to allow acceptable operation of the vacuum system for carpet cleaning and the like. One distinct efficiency consideration is, of course, the degree of suction created by the mechanism and the efficiency afforded by the sucking operation. Improvements in the equipment, including the vessel and its associated plumbing could improve air flow and thereby improve the ability to remove more water from the area being vacuumed which is a distinct advantage.[0005]
• It is well known that increasing the size of the motor with a commensurate increase in the volume of air flow associated therewith can increase the suction ability of the unit. This improves the ability of the system to reclaim excess liquid from the surface being vacuumed. Increases in motor size may also create increases in cost, weight and size of the associated unit. In many instances, such increases are not commercially feasible, much less desirable. It would therefore be an advantage to increase the suction power of the unit without a commensurate increase in unit cost, size or weight. Such an increase could be affected by improvements in the design of the vessel and/or the system itself. The present invention is designed to provide such an improvement by utilizing a vortex fluid flow configuration as hereinafter described.[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for vacuuming air and liquid such as water. More particularly, one aspect of the present invention includes a vacuum system collection vessel incorporating a housing having a vortex fluid flow design incorporated therein. In this manner, air and liquid drawn into the vessel by a vacuum unit or the like connected thereto, is induced to swirl within the housing by virtue of tangential flow introduction therein. The tangential flow introduction which increases the fluid flow dynamics in a manner facilitating an increased suction effect therewith. The increased suction effect further facilitates the drawing of air and liquid from an area to be vacuumed without increasing the size of the blower and/or other aspects of the equipment associated therewith.[0007]
• In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a vacuum system collection vessel and method and collecting air and liquid such as water, and includes a cylindrical housing body having a top section constructed of a transparent material allowing visibility of the vessel contents. An inner chamber is formed by the cylindrical body and communicates with an ingress nozzle. The ingress nozzle is connected to the upper region of the cylindrical body and is adapted to receive the air and water there through. The ingress nozzle may have threads thereon for connection to a hose. The ingress nozzle is also oriented at an acute angle, relative to the horizontal, extending into the inner chamber to discharge liquid therein in a descending tangential pattern. A liquid discharge fitting is also mounted in the lower region of the cylindrical body for the selective elimination of liquid therefrom. A transparent top section is also provided and forms a dome which is sealed along a rectangular opening formed in the top of the housing. A standpipe is incorporated and upstands through the rectangular opening in the housing body beneath the dome. The standpipe has a top portion, a lower portion, and a filter secured to the top portion. The filter is disposed vertically above the intake fitting for preventing liquid from entering the standpipe during operation.[0008]
• During operation, an air vacuum unit coupled to the collection vessel sucks air and liquid through the intake tube and into the intake fitting through the angulated flow conduit. A vortex is formed by the tangential entry of the air and liquid in the inner chamber of the vessel. This vortex increases the efficiency of the suction of the air and liquid being drawn into the inner chamber. As a result, the efficiency of the system is improved by the assistance of the vortex created by the method and apparatus of the present invention.[0009]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:[0010]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vacuum system collection vessel constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;[0011]
• FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1;[0012]
• FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1;[0013]
• FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1;[0014]
• FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1;[0015]
• FIG. 6 is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1 taken along line[0016]6-6 thereof;
• FIG. 6A is a fragmentary, size elevational view of the angulated conduit section illustrating its angle to the horizontal;[0017]
• FIG. 7 is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1 taken along line[0018]7-7 thereof;
• FIG. 8 is a top plan, cross-sectional view of the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1 taken along line[0019]8-8 thereof; and
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hot water extractor system incorporating the vacuum system collection vessel of FIG. 1.[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the figures.[0021]
• Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a vacuum[0022]system collection vessel10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Thesystem collection vessel10 includes a generallycylindrical housing12 having a top14 opposite a bottom16. Thehousing12 further includes a generally cylindricalouter wall18. Thehousing12 may be roto-molded of polyethylene plastic or the like. A thickness in the range of ½″ has been utilized, although a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes is possible. Theparticular housing12 illustrated herein has such a ½″ wall thickness and a height of 15″ and a diameter of 14″. These dimensions are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the present invention, because a variety of sizes are contemplated.
• Still referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an ingress nozzle or intake fitting[0023]20 having a plurality ofthreads21, ridges or the like formed generally circumferentially therearound to provide securement of a hose (shown attached thereto in FIG. 9). Intake fitting20 permits the ingress of air and liquid, such as water, vacuumed by the vacuumsystem collection vessel10 in a manner described in more detail below. Liquid which enters through intake fitting20 into thehousing12 is stored therein for selective discharge through discharge fitting22. Discharge fitting22 is shown with adischarge valve23 and is mounted to a generallyplanar bulkhead25 formed within thesurface18 ofhousing12. Once thehousing12 is filled, the liquid may be drained through the fitting22. Acircumferential indentation24 is also provided around thehousing12 providing structural integrity thereto. Because a vacuum is being pulled inhousing12, theindentation24 helps prevent the housing from collapsing.
• Referring still to FIG. 1, the top[0024]14 of the vacuumsystem collection vessel10 is constructed with atransparent dome26 which may be formed of glass, plastic (such as Lexan®) or the like for sealing against a generallyrectangular opening27 formed therebeneath. Upstanding through therectangular opening27 is astand pipe28 having a screen, or filter30 secured to the top portion thereof. Standpipe28 further includes a lowerstand pipe region32 extending downwardly into aninner chamber34 ofhousing12 for collection of liquid therein and the flow of air therearound as described in more detail below.
• Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side elevational view of the vacuum[0025]system collection vessel10 of FIG. 1, wherein thedome26 is shown disposed around thefilter30. Thefilter30 ofstandpipe28 is disposed vertically above theintake20 for purpose of preventing the ingress of liquid into thestandpipe28 as described in more detail below. Also shown this figure is thedischarge valve22 withcontrol valve23 mounted thereto.
• Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front elevational view of the vacuum[0026]system collection vessel10 of FIG. 1, wherein the shape of thecircumferential indentation24 around thehousing12 is clearly illustrated. Likewise, the intake fitting20 is disposed generally vertically above thedischarge orifice22, although other arrangements may be preferable in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a top plan view of the vacuum[0027]system collection vessel10 which more clearly illustrates the placement of thetransparent dome26 overstandpipe28 andfilter30. Therectangular opening27 that provides access to theinternal chamber34 ofhousing12 includes a sealingsurface36 formed therearound. The sealing between thedome26 and thesurface36 is preferably facilitated by the utilization of gasket material or the like to promote sealing therebetween. Such sealing is necessary to facilitate the vacuum action wherein suction is provided through the vacuum associated with the vacuumsystem collection vessel10 as will be described in more detail below.
• Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a bottom plan view of the vacuum[0028]system collection vessel10 of FIG. 1 illustrating theterminal end38 ofstandpipe28 extending through the bottom16 ofhousing12. It is theterminal end38 ofstandpipe28 that is connected to an underlying air vacuum unit (shown in FIG. 9) to afford the vacuum operation disclosed herewith.
• Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the vacuum[0029]system collection vessel10 of FIG. 1 taken along line6-6 thereof. Thestandpipe28 is shown to extend from the top to the bottom of thehousing12 and to afford a means for communicating with a vacuum system underlying saidhousing12 for creating the suction utilized therewith, as will be shown in FIG. 9. Likewise, theintake fitting20 anddischarge manifold22 are shown to be constructed with regions extending inwardly into theinternal chamber34 ofhousing12. This discharge fitting22 includes aconduit section40 extending inwardly into thechamber34 ofhousing12 for purposes of channeling the liquid there through and outwardly thereof. Likewise, the intake fitting20 includes a angulatedconduit section42 which causes the entering air and liquid to enter thehousing12 tangentially in a downward direction and circulate therearound. A downward angle on the order of 30° from the horizontal has been shown to be most effective in maximizing the fluid flow dynamics and suction efficiency in the particular embodiment shown herein. This angle is shown most clearly in FIG. 6A. Other angles may also have good effectiveness, depending on the overall size and shape of, and operational parameters associated with, thehousing12 of the present invention. What has been discussed is that the circular flow pattern into thehousing12 through the downwardly angulatedsection42 of intake fitting20 produces a descending tangential flow of air and liquid that facilitates greater efficiency in operation.
• Referring now to FIG. 7, there is a shown a side elevational cross-sectional view of the vacuum[0030]system collection vessel10 of FIG. 1 taken along line7-7 thereof, wherein the flow of air and liquid is illustrated byarrow39 therewith. The descending, tangential flow depicted byarrow39 of the air and liquid around thestandpipe28 is facilitated by of the drawing of air through thestandpipe28 and through thefilter30. It may be seen that on the liquid level reaches the top of thehousing12, it will cover the discharge conduit42 (FIG. 6A) to thereby inhibit further sucking of air and liquid through the intake fitting20 (FIG. 6) and terminate the operation thereof, until the liquid can be dumped through the discharge fitting22 described above.
• Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a top plan, cross-sectional view of the vacuum[0031]system collection vessel10 of FIG. 1, taken along line8-8 thereof, illustrating the flow of air and liquid therearound as produced by the angulatedflow conduit42 ofintake fitting20. The air and liquid flow in the above-described descending, tangential pattern, illustrated byarrow39, causes the formation of a vortex therein. The vortex assists the vacuum operation by facilitating entry of the air and liquid into theinternal chamber34. The vortex is perpetuated by constant reintroduction of the air and liquid tangentially into theinternal chamber34 as herein described.
• Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of a complete vacuum system constructed in according to the principles of the present invention. The[0032]vacuum system200 is shown to be constructed with theliquid collection vessel10 for the air and liquid vacuum system mounted to aframe210. Astrap212 is shown extending therearound and positioned within the circumferentialindentation groove region24 of thehousing12 discussed above. Theframe210 includes awheel base215 which facilitates portability of the overall unit. It is typical for such systems to incorporate anair vacuum system44 which extends outwardly from thewheel base215. Anintake tube46 is shown extending between theair vacuum unit44 and the underneath side of thehousing12 and connected thereto. Theair vacuum unit44 is also a part of the assembly'soperational base100. Within theoperational base100, there typically exists a reservoir for water and a means for generating steam therefrom in association with power and motorized systems that are conventional in the art. It should be noted that the present invention relates directly to the method of and apparatus for air and liquid vacuuming as facilitated by thevessel12 herein defined. The utilization of vacuum hoses and steam lines associated therewith are for exemplary purposes only and may be selected from those typically used in the art. However, for purposes of specificity, there is shown a vacuumingwand120 connected to asteam line122 which extends from theoperational base100. Thesteam line122 is connected to thewand120 in a matter conventional in the art. Likewise, aflexible hose110 is shown coupled to the intake fitting20 (FIG. 8), shown on the rear side of thehousing12 and to thewand20 for purposes of facilitating the flow of air and liquid from thewand20 through thehose110 and into thehousing12 in the manner described above.
• Operationally, the present invention has enabled a functioning with 260″ of water lift where Applicant's older, square tank designs could only show 220″ of water lift. Moreover, the present invention can be built with a variety of sizes of[0033]housing12. A 16″housing12 may be constructed with but asingle indentation24, while a taller, 24″housing12 may require two indentations for structural integrity. Likewise the angle to the horizontal on the order of 30° for conduit section42 (as shown in FIG. 6) may vary as set forth above. The optimum angle would be that which produces the greatest water lift for the given housing size. In other words, the size and shape of thehousing12 and the operational parameters may necessitate different angles in certain cases.
• In operation, this particular type of unit may be used to discharge hot steam into a carpet where the steam condenses into hot water. The air and liquid vacuuming aspect thus permits the wand to[0034]wand120 to reclaim the discharged water from the surface being cleaned. Such surfaces are typically carpets and such units are typically used by professional carpet cleaners. It is desirable for such professional carpet cleaners to have units that are lightweight and extremely durable for movement on and around stairways and other regions of both commercial and residential areas. It is also typical to have several pump and vacuuming options available. A series ofswitches125 are shown diagrammatically atopbase unit100 for illustrating that various modes of operation may be afforded by thesystem200 as necessary for particular operations. Notwithstanding the above, the present invention is not to be considered to be limited by the utilization with such hoses and the related structure because variations in the creation of the vacuum within thehousing12 may also provide effective operation in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description of the preferred exemplary embodiments. It will be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.[0035]

Claims (11)

1-22. Canceled

23. Apparatus for drawing and collecting liquid from a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a suction means mounted relative to said housing and adapted for inducing a suction force therein for drawing said liquid from said surface and its collection therefrom;

a standpipe having an upper and lower portion disposed within said housing, said lower portion having a terminal end in flow communication with said suction means for effecting a suction force in said standpipe;

an air intake manifold in communication with said housing and disposed on said upper portion of said standpipe;

a liquid intake fitting for said liquid drawing and collection disposed in said housing at a vertical position beneath said intake manifold; and

an internal conduit attached in flow communication with said intake fitting and optimally oriented in angular relation within said housing such that a resulting tangentially descending vortex flow of liquid is created when said suction means induces said liquid to flow into said housing in a circumferentially descending vortex flow pattern for facilitating increased water lift efficiency.

24. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 23 wherein said housing has substantially cylindrical interior walls.

25. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 23 wherein said air intake manifold is disposed in a substantially upper region of said housing.

26. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 23 wherein said air intake manifold is vertically positioned above said intake fitting.

27. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 24 wherein said internal conduit is disposed substantially within an upper region of said housing for discharging liquids in a descending tangential vortex flow pattern against said housing interior walls.

28. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 27 wherein said internal conduit is movably oriented within said housing at an acute angle relative to the horizontal.

29. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 28 wherein said internal conduit is angularly oriented on the order of 30 degrees relative to the horizontal.

30. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 23 wherein said air intake manifold further includes a filter screen disposed thereacross to inhibit the intake of objects carried by air passing there through.

31. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 23 wherein an external fitting is constructed with an external coupling region projecting outwardly from said housing and being adapted for removable securement to and in flow communication with a vacuum system hose to facilitate the drawing of air and liquid therein in response to the creation of vortex air flow within said housing.

32. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 23 wherein said upper region of said housing includes a dome upstanding therefrom and facilitating the positioning of said air intake manifold therebeneath and above said intake fitting while permitting said intake manifold to be disposed above said liquid level within said housing.

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