Water tank for a hydrovac

Abstract

A water tank for a hydrovac is provided. The water tank can have a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side defining an interior space, and at least one baffle port forming an aperture passing through the water tank from the first side to the second side, at least one baffle port passing through the interior space. The water in the interior space must flow around the at least one baffle ports. A bottom strap passing through the at least one baffle port can secure the water tank to the hydrovac. A front strap at the first end of the water tank, passing through the at least one baffle port can secure the water tank to the hydrovac.

1 . A hydrovac comprising:
 a frame;   a cab mounted near a front end of the frame;   an engine mounted on the frame;   steering wheels operative to steer the hydrovac;   ground wheels connected to the frame and operative to be driven by the engine;   a debris tank mounted on the frame;   a vacuum hose fluidly connected to the debris tank;   a boom pivotally mounted at a first end and carrying the vacuum hose; and   a water tank comprising:
 a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side defining an interior space; and 
 at least one baffle port forming an aperture passing through the water tank from the first side to the second side, the at least one baffle port passing through the interior space, 
 wherein water in the interior space must flow around the at least one baffle ports. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the water tank further comprises at least one vertical channel intersecting with the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrovac of  claim 2  wherein the at least one vertical channel runs from the bottom end of the water tank to one of the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the water tank further comprises at least one horizontal channel intersecting with the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrovac of  claim 4  wherein the at least one horizontal channel runs from the first end to the second end of the water tank, intersecting one of the at least one baffle ports. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrovac of  claim 5  wherein there is a plurality of baffle ports and the at least one horizontal channel intersects all of the plurality of baffle ports. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of baffle ports. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrovac of  claim 6  wherein all of the plurality of baffle ports are substantially horizontally aligned. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the water tank further comprises an access port in the top end of the water tank. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the at least one baffle port has a larger cross-sectional area at the first side of the water tank than the cross-sectional area at the second side of the water tank. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the water tank is rotational molded from a polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the at least one baffle port is elongate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  further comprising a bottom strap passing through the at least one baffle port, and wherein ends of the bottom strap are secured to the hydrovac. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrovac of  claim 13  wherein the water tank further comprises at least one vertical channel intersecting with the at least one baffle port, and wherein the bottom strap runs in the at least one vertical channel to the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrovac of  claim 14  wherein the bottom strap is metal. 
     
     
         16 . The hydrovac of  claim 13  further comprising a front strap at the first end of the water tank, the front strap passing through the at least one baffle port closest to the first end, and wherein ends of the front strap are connected to a structure on the hydrovac. 
     
     
         17 . The hydrovac of  claim 16  wherein the water tank further comprises a horizontal channel intersecting with the at least one baffle port closest to the first end, and wherein the front strap runs through the horizontal channel. 
     
     
         18 . The hydrovac of  claim 17  wherein the front strap is metal. 
     
     
         19 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  further comprising a substructure provided on top of the frame and having comprising outriggers extending outwards, the outriggers supporting the water tank. 
     
     
         20 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  further comprising a first water tank provided on a first side of the debris tank and a second water tank provided on a second side of the debris tank. 
     
     
         21 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  further comprising a panel attachable to a side of the water tank. 
     
     
         22 . The hydrovac of  claim 21  wherein the panel has attachment members extending perpendicularly from a back of the panel and positioned to correspond with the at least one baffle port on the water tank. 
     
     
         23 . The hydrovac of  claim 22  further comprising an elongate connection member attachable to ends of the attachment members passing through the at least one baffle port, the elongate connection member running through a horizontal channel on the water tank. 
     
     
         24 . They hydrovac of  claim 1  further comprising a water pump. 
     
     
         25 . The hydrovac of  claim 1  wherein the water tank supplies water to the water pump and the water pump supplies pressurized water to a dig wand. 
     
     
         26 . A water tank for a hydrovac, the water tank comprising:
 a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side defining an interior space; and   at least one baffle port forming an aperture passing through the water tank from the first side to the second side, at least one baffle port passing through the interior space,   wherein water in the interior space must flow around the at least one baffle ports.   
     
     
         27 . The water tank of  claim 26  further comprises at least one vertical channel intersecting with the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         28 . The water tank of  claim 27  wherein the at least one vertical channel runs from the bottom end of the water tank to one of the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         29 . The water tank of  claim 26  further comprises at least one horizontal channel intersecting with the at least one baffle port. 
     
     
         30 . The water tank of  claim 29  wherein the at least one horizontal channel runs from the first end to the second end of the water tank, intersecting one of the at least one baffle ports.