Debris level indicator in vacuum loaded mobile tanks

Abstract

A vacuum loader truck that includes a storage tank that can be loaded and unloaded with debris. The vacuum loader truck includes a debris level sensor that generates a sensing beam to detect the level of debris within the storage tank. The level of debris within the storage tank is determined by a control module and displayed. The debris level sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor that generates a sensing beam that is reflected off of the top surface of the debris within the storage tank. The control module determines the height of the debris within the storage tank based upon the time delay between the generation of the sensing signal and the reflected signal. The control system further includes a particle sensor to determine whether particles are entrained in the airflow from the storage tank. A pair of pressure sensors are located on opposite sides of an air filter to sense the differential pressure across the air filter. Based upon the signals from the debris level sensor, the pressure sensors and the particle sensor, the control module can control the operation of the vacuum loader truck.

1 . A system for monitoring the operation of a vacuum loader truck including a storage tank and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the storage tank, wherein the vacuum source operates to create a partial vacuum within the storage tank to draw material into the storage tank, the system comprising:
 a debris level sensor mounted at a top end of the storage tank, wherein the debris level sensor is a radio wave sensor that directs a sensing beam downward toward a bottom end of a storage tank and detects a reflected beam from the debris to sense a distance to a top surface of the debris in the storage tank; and   a control module connected to the debris level sensor to receive a signal from the debris level sensor and determine a level of debris in the storage tank.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control module modifies the operation of the vacuum source when the determined level of debris within the storage tank exceeds a threshold level. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the threshold level is stored within a memory location of the control module. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control module generates an output signal to a debris level indicator in communication with the control module, wherein the debris level indicator visually indicates the determined level of debris in the storage tank. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an air filter positioned between the vacuum source and the storage tank; 
 a first pressure sensor positioned between the air filter and the storage tank; and 
 a second pressure sensor positioned between the air filter and the vacuum source, 
 wherein the control module modifies the operation the vacuum source when the pressure difference between the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor and the pressure sensed by the second pressure sensor exceeds a maximum value. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a particulate sensor positioned between the storage tank and the air filter and in communication with the control module, wherein the control module modifies the operation of the vacuum source when the amount of sensed panicles by the particulate sensor exceeds a threshold value. 
     
     
         9 . A vacuum loader truck, comprising:
 a vehicle chassis having a plurality of wheels;   a storage tank mounted to the vehicle chassis and having an open interior to receive a supply of debris through a debris opening;   a vacuum source in communication with the storage tank to create a partial vacuum within the storage tank to draw debris into the storage tank through the debris opening;   a debris level sensor mounted at a top end of the storage tank, wherein the debris level sensor is a radio wave sensor that directs a sensing beam downward toward a bottom end of the storage tank and detects a reflected beam from the debris to sense a distance to a top surface of the debris in the storage tank; and   a control module connected to the debris level sensor to receive a signal from the debris level sensor and determine a level of debris in the storage tank,   wherein the control module indicates the level of debris in the storage tank.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum loader truck of  claim 9  wherein the control module modifies the operation of the vacuum source when the determined level of debris within the storage tank exceeds a threshold level. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum loader truck of  claim 11  wherein the threshold level is stored within a memory location of the control module. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum loader truck of  claim 9  wherein the control module generates an output signal to a debris level indicator in communication with the control module, wherein the debris level indicator visually indicates the determined level of debris in the storage tank. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum loader truck of  claim 9  further comprising:
 an air filter positioned between the vacuum source and the storage tank; 
 a first pressure sensor positioned between the air filter and the storage tank; and 
 a second pressure sensor positioned between the air filter and the vacuum source, 
 wherein the control module modifies the operation of the vacuum source when the pressure difference between the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor and the pressure sensed by the second pressure sensor exceeds a maximum value. 
 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum loader truck of  claim 14  further comprising a particulate sensor positioned between the storage tank and the air filter and in communication with the control module, wherein the control module modifies operation of the vacuum source when the amount of sensed particles by the particulate sensor exceeds a threshold value. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled)