Method of and apparatus for air and liquid vacuuming

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.

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 in  claim 23  wherein said housing has substantially cylindrical interior walls.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said air intake manifold is disposed in a substantially upper region of said housing.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said air intake manifold is vertically positioned above said intake fitting.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 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 in  claim 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 in  claim 28  wherein said internal conduit is angularly oriented on the order of 30 degrees relative to the horizontal.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 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 in  claim 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 in  claim 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.