Nozzle and vacuum unit with air and water
10920397 ยท 2021-02-16
Assignee
Inventors
- Brandon R. Buchleiter (Sterling, CO, US)
- Marcus A. Thomas (Weldona, CO, US)
- Christopher R. Hall (Fort Morgan, CO, US)
- Daniel J. Kluesner (Thornton, CO, US)
- Jason E. Habrock (Fort Collins, CO, US)
Cpc classification
E02F3/8825
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E02F3/8891
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E02F3/88
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
Apparatuses that include a nozzle, vacuum units, and vacuum trucks for excavating material, for instance, around buried utility lines. Multiple embodiments include an (e.g., air and water) nozzle, for instance, that breaks up material (e.g., earth) that is picked up with vacuum. Various embodiments include vacuum, compressed air, and water systems. Various nozzles include two passageways or tubes (e.g., one inside the other), exit orifices (e.g., from each passageway), or a combination thereof. Tubes may be concentric or a passageway may be between inner and outer tubes. Nozzles may be configured to be hand guided by an operator while excavating the material. Embodiments may include air and water valves, controls, or both.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: an air and water nozzle comprising: a first tube; a second tube; a first exit orifice from a first space inside the first tube; and two second exit orifices from a second space inside the second tube; a water system that delivers water to the air and water nozzle; and a compressed air system that delivers compressed air to the air and water nozzle; wherein: water passes through the first space from a first end of the air and water nozzle to the first exit orifice at a second end of the air and water nozzle opposite the first end; air passes through the second space from the first end of the air and water nozzle to the second exit orifices at the second end of the air and water nozzle; and the air and water nozzle is configured so that an operator, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle, can select between: delivering compressed air only from the second exit orifices; delivering water only from the first exit orifice; and delivering compressed air only from the second exit orifices and delivering water only from the first exit orifice.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first tube is concentric with the second tube.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second space is between the first tube and the second tube.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a vacuum system.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the vacuum system comprises: a tank that holds material that has been picked up by the vacuum system; a blower that draws air out of the tank to create vacuum; and a vacuum conduit that extends from the tank to a site where the material is picked up by the vacuum system.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the air and water nozzle is used to break up the material at the site where the material is picked up by the vacuum system.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two second exit orifices and the first exit orifice are arranged in a line with the first exit orifice in between the two second exit orifices at the second end of the air and water nozzle.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first tube is inside the second tube.
9. The apparatus of claim 8: wherein the second space is between the first tube and the second tube.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the apparatus further comprises a vacuum system.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the vacuum system comprises: a tank that holds material that has been picked up by the vacuum system; a blower that draws air out of the tank to create vacuum; and a vacuum conduit that extends from the tank to a site where the material is picked up by the vacuum system.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the nozzle is used to break up the material at the site where the material is picked up by the vacuum system.
13. A vacuum unit for excavating material, the vacuum unit comprising: a vacuum system; a compressed air system; a water system; an air and water nozzle configured to be hand guided by an operator of the vacuum unit while excavating the material, the air and water nozzle comprising: a body that is hand held by the operator while excavating the material; an air passageway through the body wherein compressed air passes through the air passageway when being used to break up the material; at least one air exit orifice from the air passageway through the body wherein the compressed air passes through the at least one air exit orifice from the air passageway when the compressed air is being used to break up the material; a water passageway through the body wherein excavation water from the water system passes through the water passageway when the excavation water is being used to break up the material; at least one water exit orifice from the water passageway through the body wherein the excavation water passes through the at least one water exit orifice from the water passageway when the excavation water is being used to break up the material; an air valve wherein the compressed air passes through the air valve when the compressed air is being used to break up the material; a water valve wherein the excavation water passes through the water valve when the excavation water is being used to break up the material; an air control that opens and closes the air valve; and a water control that opens and closes the water valve; wherein: the air and water nozzle is configured so that the operator, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle, can use the air control and the water control to select between: delivering the compressed air only from the air exit orifice; delivering the water only from the water exit orifice; and delivering both the compressed air from the air exit orifice and delivering the water from the water exit orifice; the air control is configured to be operated by the operator while hand guiding the air and water nozzle and while breaking up the material; and the water control is configured to be operated by the operator while hand guiding the air and water nozzle and while breaking up the material.
14. The vacuum unit of claim 13 wherein the air and water nozzle is configured so that the operator, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle at the excavation site, and while breaking up the material, can continuously adjust flow rate of the excavation water with the water control.
15. The vacuum unit of claim 13 wherein the at least one air exit orifice from the air passageway through the body comprises two air exit orifices from the air passageway through the body.
16. The vacuum unit of claim 15 wherein the two air exit orifices from the air passageway through the body and the at least one water exit orifice from the water passageway through the body are arranged in a line with the at least one water exit orifice from the water passageway through the body between the two air exit orifices from the air passageway through the body.
17. The vacuum unit of claim 13 wherein the water passageway through the body is inside the air passageway through the body.
18. The vacuum unit of claim 13 wherein the water passageway through the body is concentric with the air passageway through the body.
19. The vacuum unit of claim 13 wherein the vacuum system comprises: a tank that holds material that has been picked up by the vacuum system; a blower that draws air out of the tank to create vacuum; and a vacuum conduit that extends from the tank to a site where the material is picked up by the vacuum system.
20. The vacuum unit of claim 19 wherein the air and water nozzle is used to break up the material at the site where the material is picked up by the vacuum system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The drawings provided herewith illustrate, among other things, examples of certain aspects of particular embodiments. Other embodiments may differ. Various embodiments may include aspects shown in the drawings, described in the specification (including the claims), known in the art, or a combination thereof, as examples.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
(13) This patent application describes, among other things, examples of certain embodiments, and certain aspects thereof. Other embodiments may differ from the particular examples described in detail herein. Various embodiments are or concern vacuum units, vacuum trucks, components and systems thereof (e.g., including apparatuses that include nozzles, including air and water nozzles), excavation systems, and methods associated therewith. Certain embodiments of a vacuum unit or vacuum truck for excavating material include, for example, a vacuum system, a compressed air system, a water system, an air and water nozzle (e.g., lance), or a combination thereof. Vacuum unit 100 shown in
(14) Various embodiments include, for example, vacuum units, for instance, for excavating material. In a number of embodiments, for example, a vacuum unit includes a vacuum system, a compressed air system, a water system, and an air and water nozzle. In a number of embodiments, for instance, the air and water nozzle is configured to be hand guided at the excavation site by an operator of the vacuum unit while excavating the material. Further, in various embodiments, the vacuum system picks up the material. In various embodiments, for example, the air and water nozzle is configured so that the operator, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle at the excavation site and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system, can select between breaking up the material with the compressed air only, breaking up the material with the excavation water only, and breaking up the material with both compressed air and excavation water.
(15) In various embodiments, the air and water nozzle includes a body, for example, that is hand held at the excavation site by the operator while excavating the material. Further, a number of embodiments include an air passageway through the body, a water passageway through the body, an air valve, a water valve, an air control, a water control, or a combination (e.g., all) thereof. Still further, in a number of embodiments, the compressed air passes through the air passageway when the compressed air is being used to break up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system, the excavation water passes through the water passageway when the excavation water is being used to break up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system, or both.
(16) In a number of embodiments, for instance, the compressed air passes through the air valve when the compressed air is being used to break up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. Further, in various embodiments, the air valve is used to throttle the compressed air that is being used to break up the material. Further still, in a number of embodiments, the excavation water passes through the water valve when the excavation water is being used to break up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. Even further, in various embodiments, the water valve is used to throttle the excavation water that is being used to break up the material. Even further still, in a number of embodiments, the air control is configured to be operated by the operator while hand guiding the air and water nozzle and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. In various embodiments, for example, the air control opens and closes the air valve used to throttle the compressed air that is being used to break up the material. Moreover, in various embodiments, the water control is configured to be operated by the operator while hand guiding the air and water nozzle and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. In a number of embodiments, for example, the water control opens and closes the water valve used to throttle the excavation water that is being used to break up the material.
(17) Still further, in a number of embodiments, the vacuum system includes a debris tank that holds the material once excavated, a blower that draws air out of the debris tank to create vacuum, a vacuum conduit that extends from the debris tank to an excavation site where the material is excavated, or a combination (e.g., all) thereof, as examples. Even further, in various embodiments, the compressed air system breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. Further still, in a number of embodiments, the compressed air system includes an air compressor that compresses air, a compressed air conduit that extends from the air compressor to the excavation site, or both, as examples. Even further still, in various embodiments, the water system breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the water system includes a water tank that stores excavation water used in the water system, a water pump that pumps the excavation water from the water tank, a water conduit that extends from the water pump to the excavation site, or a combination (e.g., all) thereof, as examples.
(18) In particular embodiments, the air and water nozzle is configured so that the operator, for example, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle at the excavation site and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system, can continuously adjust the flow rate of the compressed air with the air control, can continuously adjust flow rate of the excavation water with the water control, or both. Further, in certain embodiments, the compressed air system includes at least one of an air receiver that stores compressed air or an air compressor that compresses air. Still further, in a number of such embodiments, the compressed air system further includes a compressed air conduit that extends from the air receiver or the compressor to the excavation site. Even further, in particular embodiments, the water system includes a water tank that stores excavation water used in the water system and a water conduit that extends from the water pump to the excavation site.
(19) In various embodiments, the vacuum unit includes a truck, for example, that includes an engine, a transmission, multiple wheels, or a combination thereof. In a number of embodiments, the vacuum system, the compressed air system, and the water system are mounted on the truck, for instance. Further, in a number of embodiments, the operator can control flow of compressed air and can control flow of excavation water without adding parts to the air and water nozzle, without removing parts from the air and water nozzle, or both.
(20) In some embodiments, the body of the air and water nozzle has an overall body length that is at least five times greater than any overall dimension of the body that is perpendicular to the overall body length, the air passageway is parallel to the overall body length, the water passageway is parallel to the overall body length, or a combination (e.g., all) thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the air and water nozzle has an overall nozzle length that is at least three times greater than any overall dimension of the air and water nozzle that is perpendicular to the overall nozzle length, the air passageway is parallel to the overall nozzle length, the water passageway is parallel to the overall nozzle length, or a combination (e.g., all) thereof. Still further, in some embodiments, the body of the air and water nozzle includes a water tube, an air tube, or both. Even further, in particular embodiments, the water tube is parallel to the air tube, the water tube is concentric with the air tube, or both.
(21) In a number of embodiments, the air and water nozzle has a first end where the air conduit and the water conduit attach to the air and water nozzle, the air and water nozzle has a second end where the compressed air and the excavation water exit the air and water nozzle when breaking up the material with both compressed air and excavation water, the second end is opposite the first end or a combination (e.g., all) thereof. Further, in particular embodiments, the air valve is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, the water valve is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, or both. Still further, in certain embodiments, the air control is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, the water control is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, or both. Even further, in a number of embodiments, the air and water nozzle includes at least one air exit orifice located at the second end of the air and water nozzle, the air and water nozzle includes at least one water exit orifice located at the second end of the air and water nozzle, or both. Even further still, in particular embodiments, the air control is a handle connected to the air valve, the water control is a handle connected to the water valve, or both.
(22) In certain embodiments, the body of the air and water nozzle includes an inner tube and an outer tube, for example, concentric with the inner tube. Further, in some embodiments, the air and water nozzle includes a first exit orifice extending to the inner tube, at least one second exit orifice extending to an interstitial space between the inner tube and the outer tube, or both. Still further, in particular embodiments, for example, the at least one second exit orifice includes two second exit orifices extending, for example, to the interstitial space between the inner tube and the outer tube. Even further, in certain embodiments, the two second exit orifices and the first exit orifice are arranged in a line, for example, with the first exit orifice in between the two second exit orifices.
(23) In the embodiment shown (e.g., in
(24) In various embodiments, the compressed air system (e.g., 200) breaks up the material (i.e., supplies compressed air that breaks up the material) that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600). In the embodiment illustrated (e.g., in
(25) Some embodiments further include an air receiver (e.g., 212 shown in
(26) Further, in various embodiments, the water system (e.g., 400 shown in
(27) In various embodiments, the lance, digging tip, or air and water nozzle (e.g., 800 shown in
(28) Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the vacuum unit or the air and water nozzle includes an air valve, a water valve, an air control, a water control, or a combination (e.g., all four) thereof. In the embodiment illustrated (e.g., in
(29) Further still, in some embodiments, the air control (e.g., 825) is configured (e.g., including being appropriately positioned within reach) to be operated by the operator (e.g., 110), for example, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle (e.g., 800) and while breaking up the material (e.g., at excavation site 150) that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600). Even further still, in the embodiment shown, air control 835 opens and closes (i.e., when moved by operator 110) air valve 820 used to throttle the compressed air that is being used to break up the material. Moreover, in the embodiment shown, water control 835 is configured to be operated by operator 110 while hand guiding air and water nozzle 800 and while breaking up the material at excavation site 150 that is picked up by vacuum system 600.
(30) Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, water control 835 opens and closes water valve 830 used to throttle the excavation water that is being used to break up the material (i.e., when moved by operator 110).
(31) Moreover, in various embodiments, the air control, the water control, or both, are mechanical, and can include, in different embodiments, a handle, shaft, knob, or linkage connected to the air valve or water valve. For instance, in some embodiments, the air control is a handle connected to the air valve, the water control is a handle connected to the water valve, or both. In the embodiment shown, for example, air control 825 is a first handle connected to air valve 820, and water control 835 is a second handle connected to water valve 830. In other embodiments, however, the air control, the water control, or both, are electrical, as another example, and can include a switch, button, or keypad, that is electrically connected to an electrical actuator or solenoid at the air valve, water valve, or both, as other examples. Still further, in certain embodiments, the air and water nozzle (e.g., 800) is configured so that the operator, (e.g., 110, for instance, while hand guiding air and water nozzle 800 at excavation site 150 and while breaking up the material that is picked up by vacuum system 600), can select (e.g., by moving one or both of controls 825 and 835) between (1) breaking up the material with the compressed air (e.g., from compressed air system 200) only, (2) breaking up the material with the excavation water (e.g., from water system 400) only, or (3) breaking up the material with both compressed air and excavation water. In other words, in certain embodiments, the air and water nozzle (e.g., 800) is configured so that the operator, (e.g., 110, for example, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle at the excavation site, for example, 150, and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system, for instance, 600), can deliver air (e.g., compressed air from system 200), water (e.g., pressurized excavation water from system 400), or both, (e.g., to break up the material that is being excavated, for instance, at site 150).
(32) In some embodiments, the air and water nozzle (e.g., 800) is configured so that the operator, (e.g., 110, for instance, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle at the excavation site and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system), can continuously adjust flow rate of the compressed air with the air control (e.g., 825), can continuously adjust flow rate of the excavation water with the water control (e.g., 835), or both. As used herein, an operator (e.g., 110) being able to continuously adjust a flow rate means that the operator can adjust the flow rate to be essentially any flow rate within a range of flow rates. In contrast, in other embodiments, the air and water nozzle is configured so that the operator, for example, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle at the excavation site and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system, can adjust flow rate of the compressed air with the air control (e.g., only) at multiple different discrete airflow rates and can adjust flow rate of the excavation water with the water control at (e.g., only) multiple different discrete water flow rates. In various embodiments, for example, there may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, or another number of different discrete flow rates that the operator may be able to choose from, for instance, over a range of flow rates. In some embodiments, these different discrete flow rates may include no flow. In a number of embodiments, the actual flow rate (e.g., of each discrete flow rate, of each non-zero flow rate, or at the limits of the range of flow rates) may depend, for example, on air or water pressure. Even further still, in various embodiments, the operator (e.g., 110) can control flow of compressed air and can control flow of excavation water, for example, for excavation, without adding or removing parts to or from the air and water nozzle (e.g., 800, for instance, without changing an exit orifice).
(33) In a number of embodiments, the air and water nozzle is elongated or slender.
(34) Further still, in some embodiments, the air and water nozzle has an overall nozzle length (i.e., length of the air and water nozzle) that is at least three times greater than any overall dimension of the air and water nozzle that is perpendicular to the overall nozzle length. In the embodiment depicted, for example, air and water nozzle 800 has an overall nozzle length 880 that is at least three times greater than any overall dimension of air and water nozzle 800 that is perpendicular to overall nozzle length 880. In the embodiment shown, for instance, dimension 999 is an example of an overall dimension of air and water nozzle 800 that is perpendicular to overall nozzle length 880. In various embodiments, the air and water nozzle has an overall nozzle length that is greater than any overall dimension of the air and water nozzle that is perpendicular to the overall nozzle length by a factor of at least 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, as other examples. Still further, in some embodiments, the air passageway is parallel to the overall nozzle length, the water passageway is parallel to the overall nozzle length, or both. In the embodiment shown, for example, air passageway 902 is parallel to overall nozzle length 880 and water passageway 903 is parallel to the overall nozzle length 880.
(35) In a number of embodiments, the air and water nozzle has a first end where the air conduit and the water conduit connect or attach to the air and water nozzle, the air and water nozzle has a second end where the compressed air and the excavation water exit the air and water nozzle (e.g., when breaking up the material with compressed air, excavation water, or both), and the second end is opposite the first end. In the embodiment shown, for example, air and water nozzle 800 has first end 801 where air conduit 222 and water conduit 424 connect or attach (e.g., as shown in
(36) Further, in some embodiments, the air valve is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, the water valve is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, or both. Still further, in some embodiments, the air control is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, the water control is located at the first end of the air and water nozzle, or both. In the embodiment shown, for example, air valve 820 is located at first end 801 of air and water nozzle 800, water valve 830 is located at first end 801 of air and water nozzle 800, air control 825 is located at first end 801 of air and water nozzle 800, and water control 835 is located at first end 801 of air and water nozzle 800. Still further, in some embodiments, the air and water nozzle includes at least one air exit orifice located at the second end of the air and water nozzle, the air and water nozzle includes at least one water exit orifice located at the second end of the air and water nozzle, or both. In the embodiment shown, for example, (e.g., in
(37) In some embodiments, the air and water nozzle or the body of the air and water nozzle includes a water tube, an air tube, or both. Further, in a number of embodiments, the water tube is parallel to the air tube, the water tube is concentric with the air tube, or both. Even further, in various embodiments, the body of the air and water nozzle includes an inner tube and an outer tube, for example, that are concentric. In the embodiment shown, for example, air and water nozzle 800, and specifically, body 880 of air and water nozzle 800, includes water tube 1003 and air tube 1002. See, for example,
(38) In a number of embodiments, the air and water nozzle includes a first exit orifice, at least one second exit orifice, or both. For example, in some embodiments, the air and water nozzle includes a first exit orifice extending to the inner tube, at least one second exit orifice extending to an interstitial space between the inner tube and the outer tube, or both. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one second exit orifice includes two second exit orifices, for instance, extending to the interstitial space between the inner tube and the outer tube. Further still, in some embodiments, the (e.g., two) second exit orifices and the first exit orifice are arranged in a line, for example, with the first exit orifice in between the two second exit orifices. An example is illustrated. In the embodiment shown, air and water nozzle 800 includes first exit orifice 1131, and two second exit orifices 1121 and 1122. Even further, in the embodiment illustrated, air and water nozzle 800 includes first exit orifice 1131 extending to inner water tube 1003 and second exit orifices 1121 and 1122 extending to the interstitial space 1022 between inner water tube 1003 and outer air tube 1002. Even further still, in the embodiment shown, the two second exit orifices 1121 and 1122, extending to interstitial space 1022, and first exit orifice 1131, are arranged in a line, as shown in
(39) In a number of embodiments, a vacuum truck includes, for instance, among other things, an engine, a transmission, multiple wheels, and a vacuum unit, for example, as described in various embodiments herein. Further, in some embodiments, a vacuum unit (e.g., 100) includes a truck, for example, that includes, among other things, an engine, a transmission, multiple wheels. In the embodiment shown, for example, vacuum unit 100 includes truck 170 (shown fully assembled in
(40) In various embodiments (e.g., having three hydraulic systems), the internal combustion engine (e.g., 275) powers the first hydraulic system, the internal combustion engine powers the second hydraulic system, the internal combustion engine powers the third hydraulic system, or a combination thereof. Further, in a number of embodiments, the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) or vacuum system (e.g., unit 100) includes a debris tank (e.g., 616) that holds the material once excavated and a blower (e.g., 606) that draws air out of the debris tank to create vacuum. Still further, in various embodiments, the vacuum system (e.g., 600) includes the vacuum conduit (e.g., 626) that extends from the debris tank to the excavation site (e.g., 150) where the material is excavated. Even further, in a number of embodiments, the first hydraulic system drives the blower (e.g., 606). Even further, in some embodiments, the compressed air system (e.g., 200) includes an air compressor (e.g., 202) that compresses air delivered to the excavation site where the material is excavated and a compressed air conduit (e.g., 222) that extends from the air compressor to the excavation site where the material is excavated and the second hydraulic system drives the air compressor. In a number of embodiments, the compressed air from the air compressor breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600). Further, in some embodiments, the third hydraulic system drives (e.g., in addition to the boom) at least one auxiliary system. For example, in some embodiments, the third hydraulic system includes multiple connections (e.g., quick disconnects or quick couplers) to drive at least one auxiliary system external to the vacuum truck (e.g., 170 or vacuum unit 100). Some embodiments provide, for instance, 8-12 gpm of hydraulic power to various power tools (e.g., core drills, trench stabilizers, etc.), for instance, that may be carried on the vacuum truck.
(41) Some embodiments of a vacuum truck (e.g., 170 or unit 100) include a water system (e.g., 400) and one of the (e.g., 3) hydraulic systems drives the water system or a water pump (e.g., 504) within the water system. In some embodiments, for example, a vacuum truck for excavating material includes multiple wheels (e.g., 177), an internal combustion engine (e.g., 275) that provides power to turn at least a subset of the wheels, a vacuum system (e.g., 600) that picks up the material, a boom (e.g., 126) that includes a vacuum conduit (e.g., 626) that extends to an excavation site (e.g., 150) where the material is excavated, a water system (e.g., 400), a first hydraulic system that drives the vacuum system that picks up the material, a second hydraulic system that drives the water system, and a third hydraulic system that drives the boom. Moreover, in some embodiments, a vacuum truck (e.g., 170), for instance, for excavating material includes (e.g., in addition to multiple wheels, an internal combustion engine that provides power to turn at least a subset of the wheels, a vacuum system that picks up the material, a boom that includes a vacuum conduit that extends to an excavation site where the material is excavated, and a water system), an air compressor (e.g., 202), a first hydraulic system that drives the vacuum system that picks up the material, a second hydraulic system that drives the water system (e.g., 400), accessories, and hydraulic controls, and a third hydraulic system that drives the air compressor. Further, in other embodiments, a vacuum truck includes multiple wheels that support the vacuum truck, an internal combustion engine that drives the truck, a vacuum system that picks up the material, a compressed air system, a water system, a first hydraulic system that drives the vacuum system, a second hydraulic system that drives the compressed air system, and a third hydraulic system that drives the water system. In a number of embodiments, the water system (e.g., 400) provides excavation water that breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600). Further still, in various embodiments, the water system includes a water tank (e.g., 414) that stores excavation water used in the water system and a water conduit (e.g., 424) that extends (e.g., parallel to the vacuum conduit or separately) to the excavation site.
(42) In a number of embodiments, the vacuum unit (e.g., 100) or truck (e.g., 170) controls vacuum or suction pressure (e.g., within vacuum system 600 or conduit 626) by changing rpm of the internal combustion engine (e.g., 275 shown in
(43) Moreover, various such vacuum trucks (e.g., 170) further include a second hydraulic system, for example, where the internal combustion engine (e.g., 275) powers the second hydraulic system. In some such embodiments, for example, the vacuum truck further includes an air compressor (e.g., 202) and the second hydraulic system drives the air compressor. In a number of embodiments, for instance, the air compressor produces compressed air that breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600). Further, in some embodiments, the vacuum truck includes a compressed air system (e.g., 200), for example, that includes the air compressor and a compressed air conduit (e.g., 222) that extends from the air compressor to an excavation site (e.g., 150), and the air compressor compresses air that is delivered to an excavation site. Still further, in some embodiments, the vacuum truck includes a water pump (e.g., 504) and the second hydraulic system or a third hydraulic system drives the water pump, in different embodiments. In various embodiments, the water pump pumps excavation water that breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system. Further still, in some embodiments, the vacuum truck includes a water system (e.g., 400) that includes the water pump, and in a number of embodiments, the water system further includes a water tank (e.g., 414) and a water conduit (e.g., 424) that extends from the water pump. Even further still, in some embodiments, the vacuum truck further includes a boom (e.g., 126) that includes a vacuum conduit (e.g., 626) that extends to an excavation site (e.g., 150) where the material is excavated. In some embodiments, the second hydraulic system drives the boom. In other embodiments, however, the third hydraulic system drives the boom.
(44) Some embodiments include a suction relief valve (e.g., 660 shown in
(45) As used herein, stoppable, in this context, means that the operator (e.g., 110) of the vacuum unit (e.g., 100) or truck (e.g., while hand guiding the air and water nozzle, vacuum conduit, boom, or a combination thereof, or while excavating), can stop and set the suction relief valve (e.g., 660) at any opening (e.g., by releasing a suction relief valve control, such as a button, when the suction relief valve is at the desired opening), for instance, within a range of openings (e.g., from fully closed to fully open). Further, as used herein, a system varying pressure continuously over a range of pressures means that the operator or system can adjust the pressure to be essentially any pressure within a range of pressures. In contrast, in other embodiments, the suction relief valve is configured so that the operator, for example, while hand guiding the air and water nozzle (e.g., 800) at the excavation site, while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600), or both, can (e.g., only) adjust suction pressure to multiple different discrete openings (e.g., with a suction pressure control) to select one of multiple different discrete suction pressures. In various embodiments, for example, there may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, or another number of different discrete suction relief valve openings that the operator may be able to choose from, for instance, over a range of openings, and these different openings may each provide a different amount of suction pressure. In a number of embodiments, the actual suction pressure (e.g., at each suction relief valve opening) may depend, for example, on blower speed, airflow rate through the vacuum conduit, or other factors. In a number of embodiments, the suction relief valve opens to atmosphere (e.g., is connected on one side to atmosphere and when the suction relief valve opens, ambient air at atmospheric pressure flows through the valve into the debris tank or vacuum conduit).
(46) In some embodiments, the suction relief valve (e.g., 660) includes a movable plate that moves (e.g., translates) to open and close the suction relief valve. As used herein, translates means all particles of a body (e.g., the plate) move with the same velocity along parallel paths (i.e., moves without rotating), at least to within 10 percent. In other embodiments, however, the movable plate rotates to open and close the suction relief valve, for another example. In still other embodiments, the motion of the movable plate is a combination of translation and rotation. Further, in a number of embodiments, the movable plate blocks a round opening to close the suction relief valve. Further still, in various embodiments, the movable plate has a perimeter and includes multiple guide holes through the plate around the perimeter of the movable plate. As used herein, a feature is considered to be at or around a perimeter of a component if the feature is within 20 percent of an overall dimension of the component from the perimeter where the overall dimension is perpendicular to the perimeter and where the overall dimension extends through a center of the component. For example, as used herein, guide holes are considered to be around a perimeter of a round plate if the guide holes are with 20 percent of the diameter of the plate from the perimeter of the plate. In particular embodiments, however, guide holes are with 5, 10, or 15 percent of the diameter of the plate from the perimeter of the plate, as other examples.
(47) Further, in certain embodiments, the multiple guide holes are equally spaced around the perimeter of the movable plate. As used herein, equally spaced means to within 10 percent of the spacing distance. Still further, in various embodiments, the suction relief valve (e.g., 660) includes multiple (e.g., parallel) guide rods, for instance, extending through the multiple guide holes through the movable plate. In different embodiments, for example, there are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 guide rods, for instance, extending through an (e.g., equal) number of guide holes. Even further, in some embodiments, the suction relief valve includes a structural stationary plate, for example, that is parallel to the movable plate. In particular embodiments, for instance, the multiple parallel guide rods each attach to the structural stationary plate. Further still, in some embodiments, the suction relief valve includes an actuator, for example, mounted on the structural stationary plate, for instance, that moves the movable plate relative to the structural stationary plate. In certain embodiments, for example, the actuator includes an electric motor (e.g., 12 V DC), an (e.g., externally) threaded elongated member, a gear box, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, however, the actuator is hydraulic or includes a hydraulic motor or cylinder, as other examples. Even further, in some embodiments, the movable plate is a disk, the structural stationary plate is a disk, or both. As used herein, a disk is round to within 15 percent of the average diameter of the disk. In other embodiments, the moveable plate, stationary plate, or both, may be: oval, polygonal, a regular polygon, triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal, as other examples, and in some embodiments, may have rounded corners. In some embodiments, the guide holes or guide rods are located at the corners (e.g., of a regular polygon).
(48) In a number of embodiments, the vacuum unit (e.g., 100) includes an excavation nozzle, for example, configured to be hand guided by an operator (e.g., 110) of the vacuum unit at an excavation site (e.g., 150) while excavating the material. The air and water nozzle (e.g., 800) previously described is an example of an excavation nozzle.
(49) In some embodiments, the excavation nozzle includes a suction control, for example, configured to be operated by the operator, for instance, while hand guiding the excavation nozzle and while breaking up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600). In various embodiments, the suction control opens and closes the suction relief valve (e.g., 660) to control the suction pressure in the vacuum conduit, for instance, continuously over the range of suction pressures. In a number of embodiments, the suction relief valve includes an actuator (e.g., examples of which were described above) that opens and closes the suction relief valve. In certain embodiments, for instance, the actuator includes an electric motor. Other embodiments can differ. In various embodiments, however, the suction control includes a first operable position in which the actuator opens the suction relief valve and a second operable position in which the actuator closes the suction relief valve. In various embodiments, the suction relief valve opens, closes, or both, at a particular fixed rate of speed. In some embodiments, the suction control includes a first operable position in which the electric motor turns in a first direction to open the suction relief valve and a second operable position in which the electric motor turns in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to close the suction relief valve. In various embodiments, the suction control is in the first operable position only when held in the first operable position by the operator (e.g., 110) and the suction control is in the second operable position only when held in the second operable position by the operator. Further, in certain embodiments, the suction control comprises two buttons and the suction control is in the first operable position when and only when the first button is pressed by the operator and the suction control is in the second operable position when and only when the second button is pressed by the operator.
(50) In a number of embodiments, the boom (e.g., 126) of a vacuum truck (e.g., 170) is attached to the remainder of the truck closer to one side of the truck than the other side of the truck. This can, for example, give the boom a greater reach (e.g., in the direction of the one side of the truck). This can be an advantage, for example, in an urban setting where the truck is parked on a street when operated and the boom must reach to the excavation site, or in other circumstance where the vacuum truck must remain a significant distance from the excavation site. In some embodiments, a vacuum truck, for example, for excavating material, includes a front end, a back end opposite the front end, a first side extending from the front end to the back end, a second side opposite the first side, the second side extending from the front end to the back end, a length from the front end to the back end, and a width from the first side to the second side. In a number of embodiments, such a vacuum truck further includes a vacuum system (e.g., 600) that picks up the material, and a boom (e.g., 126) that includes a rotating mount (e.g., 106 shown in
(51) In different embodiments, the rotating mount (e.g., 106) has a center of rotation that is located on the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) within a percent of the width from the first side of the vacuum truck that can be 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, or 10 percent of the width from the first side of the vacuum truck, as other examples. In some embodiments, the first side of the vacuum truck is the right side (e.g., curbside or passenger side) of the vacuum truck, while in other embodiments, the first side of the vacuum truck is the left side of the vacuum truck. Further, in a number of embodiments, the center of rotation of the rotating mount of the boom (e.g., 126) is located on the vacuum truck within a certain distance (e.g., 30 percent) of the length of the vacuum truck from the back end of the vacuum truck. In various embodiments, for instance, the center of rotation of the rotating mount (e.g., 106) is located on the vacuum truck within a percent of the length from the back end of the vacuum truck that can be 75, 60, 50, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, or 10 percent of the length from the back end of the vacuum truck, as examples. In a number of embodiments, the boom is mounted at or near the passenger rear corner of the truck (e.g., as shown).
(52) In some embodiments, the vacuum system (e.g., 600) that picks up the material includes a debris tank (e.g., 616) that holds the material once excavated and the rotating mount (e.g., 106) is located on the debris tank. Further, in a number of embodiments, the debris tank includes a first internal support, located inside the debris tank, and the first internal support supports (e.g., along with other components) the load of the boom. The load of the boom can include, for example, the weight of the boom (e.g., 126) as well as moment forces resulting from the boom extending (e.g., cantilevering) outward from the truck (e.g., 170), as well as the weight of any material within the vacuum conduit (e.g., 626) within the boom, the weight of water within the water conduit within the boom (i.e., in embodiments that have a water system and the water conduit is part of the boom); dynamic forces resulting from movement of the boom, movement of the truck, and movement of the material, and forces resulting from the vacuum at the end of the vacuum conduit (e.g., at excavation site 150), among other things.
(53) Further, in some embodiments, the debris tank (e.g., 616) includes a second internal support, located inside the debris tank, that (e.g., also) supports the load of the boom (e.g., 126). Still further, in a number of embodiments, the first internal support includes a first plate, and in particular embodiments, the internal support or the first plate is substantially vertical. As used herein, substantially, when referring to an angle, means within 15 degrees. Even further, wherever the word substantially is used herein, when referring to an angle, other embodiments are contemplated where the angle is within 10 degrees, or within 5 degrees (e.g., of the stated angle or condition). Further still, when an angle is identified herein without using the word substantially unless indicated otherwise, the angle is within 10 degrees (e.g., from vertical, horizontal, perpendicular, parallel, tangent, or whatever other angle is indicated). Where a range of angles is provided herein, however, no such tolerance is intended for the endpoint(s) of the range unless the word substantially is used to indicate a tolerance of 15 percent. Examples of such ranges include where an angle is indicated to be between two stated angles or where an angle is indicated to be greater than or less than a stated angle. Even further still, in some embodiments, the second internal support includes a second plate, and in particular embodiments, the second internal support or the second plate is substantially vertical. In a number of embodiments, the first internal support, the second internal support, or both, are flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat. In other embodiments, however, the first internal support, the second internal support, or both, are curved. Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the second internal support is substantially perpendicular to the first internal support.
(54) Additionally, in some embodiments, the debris tank (e.g., 616) includes an approximately flat roof. As used herein, approximately flat means flat to within one inch over at least 75 percent of any major dimension.) Further, in some embodiments, the debris tank includes a substantially flat roof. As used herein, substantially flat means flat to within two inches over at least 90 percent of any major dimension.) Further still, in some embodiments, the debris tank includes a flat roof. As used herein, flat (without being preceded by substantially or approximately means flat to within one inch over at least 100 percent of any major dimension. Unless indicated otherwise, the flatness of the roof (e.g., whether it is flat or approximately or substantially flat) refers to the top surface of the roof. In a number of embodiments, the bottom surface of the roof includes gussets, but the gussets are not considered in determining whether the roof is flat. In various embodiments, the roof of the debris tank forms the top cover of the debris tank (e.g., for at least 75 percent of the area of the top of the tank). In some embodiments, the boom (e.g., 126), vacuum conduit, or other connections may connect to the debris tank at the top of the debris tank (e.g., at the roof of the debris tank). In some embodiments, however, some such connections may be at one or more sides of the debris tank. In a number of embodiments, the (e.g., approximately flat) roof of the debris tank is horizontal or substantially horizontal.
(55) In various embodiments, the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) or the debris tank (e.g., 616) includes a first weir located inside the debris tank. In particular embodiments, for example, the first weir is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the (e.g., approximately flat) roof. Further, in certain embodiments, the first weir is vertical or substantially vertical. Still further, in a number of embodiments, the first weir serves as a weir, serves as a structural gusset for vacuum, serves as a substantial structural support for the boom (e.g., as the first internal support or first plate), or a combination thereof (e.g., all three thereof). Even further, in some embodiments, a first weir angle between the first weir and the first side of the vacuum truck is between 10 and 70 degrees. Further still, in particular embodiments, the first weir angle between the first weir and the first side of the vacuum truck is between 15 and 60 degrees, the first weir angle between the first weir and the first side of the vacuum truck is between 18 and 45 degrees, or the first weir angle between the first weir and the first side of the vacuum truck is between 20 and 40 degrees, as examples. Moreover, in some embodiments, the (e.g., approximately flat) roof, further includes multiple first roof gussets, for example, located inside the debris tank. Further, in a number of embodiments, the multiple first roof gussets are each substantially perpendicular to the first weir. Still further, in some embodiments, the multiple first roof gussets are each supported at one end (i.e., one end of each of the multiple first roof gussets) by the first weir. Even further, in particular embodiments, the multiple first roof gussets are each attached to the first weir, for instance, by welding. Further still, in some embodiments, the multiple second roof gussets are located inside the debris tank. Even further still, in certain embodiments, the multiple second roof gussets are each parallel or substantially parallel to the first weir.
(56) In various embodiments, the debris tank (e.g., 616) includes one or more (e.g., multiple) debris walls, for example, that are each flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat, as examples. In a number of embodiments, each of the one or multiple debris walls is at an angle of at least 45 degrees from horizontal. Further, in some embodiments, at least two of the multiple debris walls are at an angle of at least 60 degrees from horizontal. Still further, in particular embodiments, three of the multiple debris walls are at an angle of at least 60 degrees from horizontal. Even further, in certain embodiments, one (or, in some embodiments, at least one) of the multiple debris walls is at an angle of at least 80 degrees from horizontal. In various embodiments, constructing the debris tank with steep walls can help to facilitate removal of the excavated material from the debris tank, for example, through the dump door described in more detail below. Further still, some embodiments include a vibrator that vibrates the debris tank to loosen the material within the debris tank when the material is being removed from the debris tank (e.g., through the dump door). In different embodiments, such a vibrator can be pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric, as examples, and can shake the debris tank, the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) or both, for instance. Even further still, in a number of embodiments, each of the one or multiple debris walls includes multiple external side gussets. In various embodiments, the side gussets are external to facilitate removal of the excavated material from the debris tank. Moreover, in a number of embodiments in which the vacuum unit vacuum unit (e.g., 100) or vacuum truck includes a debris tank that holds the material once excavated, the debris tank includes a top that has internal gussets and at least one side wall that has external gussets.
(57) In some embodiments, the debris tank (e.g., 616) includes a front debris wall, a back debris wall, a first side debris wall, and a second side debris wall. In some embodiments, for example, the back debris wall is opposite the front debris wall, the back debris wall is closer to the back end of the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) than the front debris wall, the first side debris wall extends from the front debris wall to the back debris wall, and the second side debris wall also extends from the front debris wall to the back debris wall and is opposite the first side debris wall. In a number of embodiments, the first side debris wall is closer to the first side of the vacuum truck than the second side debris wall. Further, in various embodiments, at least one of the front debris wall, the back debris wall, the first side debris wall, or the second side debris wall is flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat, as examples. Further still, in some embodiments, at least two of the front debris wall, the back debris wall, the first side debris wall, or the second side debris wall are flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat. Still further, in particular embodiments, at least three of the front debris wall, the back debris wall, the first side debris wall, or the second side debris wall are flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat. Even further, in certain embodiments, the front debris wall, the back debris wall, the first side debris wall, and the second side debris wall are all flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat.
(58) Furthermore, in some embodiments, the front debris wall is at an angle of at least 30 degrees from horizontal. Moreover, in various embodiments, the front debris wall is at an angle of at least 40 degrees from horizontal or at least 35, 45, 50, 55, or 60 degrees from horizontal, as examples. Further, in some embodiments, the front debris wall is at an angle of no more than 60 degrees from horizontal, the front debris wall is at an angle of no more than 55 degrees from horizontal, or the front debris wall is at an angle of no more than 50 degrees from horizontal, as examples. Still further, in a number of embodiments, the first side debris wall is at an angle of at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 or 65 degrees from horizontal, as examples. Even further, in some embodiments, the first side debris wall is at an angle of no more than 65, 70, 75, or 80 degrees from horizontal, as examples. Further still, in a number of embodiments, the second side debris wall is at an angle of at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 or 65 degrees from horizontal, as examples. Even further still, in some embodiments, the second side debris wall is at an angle of no more than 65, 70, 75, or 80 degrees from horizontal, as examples. Moreover, in some embodiments, the back debris wall is at an angle of at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or 85 degrees from horizontal, as examples. In particular embodiments, for instance, the back debris wall is vertical or substantially vertical.
(59) In a number of embodiments, the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) includes a water tank (e.g., 414). For example, in some embodiments, the vacuum truck includes a water system (e.g., 400) that breaks up the material that is picked up by the vacuum system (e.g., 600), and the water system includes the water tank that stores excavation water used in the water system. Further, in various embodiments, the vacuum truck or the water system includes a water pump (e.g., 504), for example, that pumps the excavation water from the water tank. Still further, a number of embodiments of a vacuum truck or a water system include a water conduit (e.g., 424), for example, that extends (e.g., as shown in
(60) In various embodiments, a vacuum truck (e.g., 170) includes a debris tank (e.g., 616) and a boom (e.g., 126) located on the debris tank. For example, in some embodiments, a vacuum truck for excavating material includes a vacuum system (e.g., 600) that picks up the material, and the vacuum system includes the debris tank (e.g., 616) that holds the material once excavated, a blower (e.g., 606) that draws air out of the debris tank to create vacuum, and a vacuum conduit (e.g., 626) that extends from the debris tank to an excavation site (e.g., 150) where the material is excavated. In a number of such embodiments, the vacuum truck further includes a boom (e.g., 126) that has a rotating mount (e.g., 106) and the boom includes at least a portion of the vacuum conduit that extends to the excavation site where the material is excavated. Further, in particular such embodiments, the rotating mount is located on the debris tank. In a further example, a vacuum truck (e.g., for excavating material) includes a vacuum system and a first weir, for example, located inside the debris tank, which in particular embodiments has a first weir angle between the first weir and a first side of the vacuum truck (e.g., as described herein). Further, in certain embodiments, the first weir angle is between 10 and 70 degrees, for example.
(61) In yet another example, a vacuum truck (for instance, for excavating material) includes a vacuum system (e.g., that picks up the material), a debris tank (e.g., that holds the material once excavated) and the debris tank (e.g., 616) includes certain walls. In a number of embodiments, for example, a vacuum truck (e.g., for excavating material) includes a vacuum system (e.g., that picks up the material), the vacuum system (e.g., 600) including a debris tank that holds the material once excavated, a blower (e.g., 606) that draws air out of the debris tank to create vacuum, and a vacuum conduit (e.g., 626) that extends from the debris tank to an excavation site (e.g., where the material is excavated). Moreover, in a number of such embodiments, the debris tank includes multiple debris walls that are each flat, approximately flat, or substantially flat, as examples. Common wall 417 shown in
(62) In a number of embodiments of a vacuum truck (e.g., 170), the debris tank (e.g., that holds the material once excavated) includes a bottom and a dump door at the bottom of the debris tank. In various embodiments, the debris tank is a non-tip tank (i.e., does not tip relative to the remainder of the truck to empty the tank) with a belly dump. As mentioned, in a number of embodiments, this is combined with an integrated water tank (e.g., 414) or a common wall (e.g., 417) with a water tank. Further, in various embodiments, the dump door is opened to remove the material from the debris tank. In particular embodiments, the vacuum truck includes multiple wheels (e.g., 177) that support the vacuum truck, the multiple wheels include at least two front wheels and at least two rearmost wheels, and the dump door is located behind the rearmost wheels (e.g., as shown). Still further, in some such embodiments, the vacuum truck includes an internal combustion engine (e.g., 275 shown in
(63) In various embodiments, the dump door includes a hinge and the dump door pivots at the hinge to open. Further, in some embodiments, the dump door has a front end and a back end, the front end of the dump door is closer to a front end of the vacuum truck (e.g., 170) than the back end of the dump door, and the dump door is hinged at the front end of the dump door. Still further, in various embodiments, the vacuum truck further includes a dump door hydraulic cylinder that opens and closes the dump door. Even further, in certain embodiments, the dump door hydraulic cylinder is located at the front end of the dump door. Further still, in some embodiments, the dump door has a first top surface and a second top surface. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first top surface, the second top surface, or both, are flat, substantially flat, or approximately flat, as examples. Even further still, in particular embodiments, the first top surface and the second top surface are at an obtuse angle (i.e., relative to each other).
(64) Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the first top surface and the second top surface are at a dump door surface angle of less than 170, 160, 150, or 140 degrees, as examples. Moreover, in particular embodiments, the dump door surface angle is greater than 100, 110, 120, or 130 degrees, as examples. Further, in various embodiments, the dump door includes a curved surface. For example, in some embodiments, the first top surface and the second top surface of the dump door are separated by the third dump door surface (e.g., that is a curved surface). For instance, in various embodiments, the curved surface of the dump door is concave upward (e.g., when the dump door is closed). Still further, in certain embodiments, the first top surface and the second top surface of the dump door are tangent or substantially tangent to or with the curved surface of the dump door. In various embodiments, for example, the first top surface of the dump door is (e.g., substantially) tangent with the curved surface of the dump door where the first top surface of the dump door abuts the curved surface of the dump door. Similarly, in a number of embodiments, the second top surface of the dump door is (e.g., substantially) tangent with the curved surface of the dump door where the second top surface of the dump door abuts the curved surface of the dump door.
(65) Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the dump door is horizontal when closed. For example, in some embodiments, an axis of curvature of the curved surface (e.g., the third surface) is horizontal when the dump door is closed. For another example, in some embodiments, a side of the dump door (e.g., parallel to the first side or second side of the vacuum truck or both) is horizontal when the dump door is closed. For yet another example, in some embodiments, a line that forms an intersection of the first top surface and the second top surface of the dump door is horizontal when the dump door is closed. Further, in a number of embodiments, the dump door moves downward to open. For example, in various embodiments, the dump door pivots or rotates downward about the hinge when the dump door opens.
(66) In other embodiments, however, including the embodiment shown, the dump door (e.g., 199 shown in
(67) Other embodiments include an apparatus (e.g., including or other than a vacuum truck) that includes a novel combination of the features described herein (e.g., a nozzle with certain features described herein). Further embodiments include various methods of excavating material that include a novel combination of the features described herein. Still other embodiments include various methods of obtaining or providing a vacuum truck (e.g., 170), where such a method includes acts of obtaining or providing a novel combination of the features described herein. Even further embodiments include a vacuum truck that includes at least one means for accomplishing at least one functional aspect described herein. Moreover, various embodiments include certain (e.g., combinations of) structural aspects described herein. All novel combinations are potential embodiments. Some embodiments may include a subset of elements described herein and various embodiments include additional elements as well.
(68) Further, various embodiments of the subject matter described herein include various combinations of the acts, structure, components, and features described herein, shown in the drawings, described in any documents that are incorporated by reference herein, or that are known in the art. Moreover, certain procedures can include acts such as manufacturing, obtaining, or providing components that perform functions described herein or in the documents that are incorporated by reference. The subject matter described herein also includes various means for accomplishing the various functions or acts described herein, in the documents that are incorporated by reference, or that are apparent from the structure and acts described. Each function described herein is also contemplated as a means for accomplishing that function, or where appropriate, as a step for accomplishing that function. Further, as used herein, the word or, except where indicated otherwise, does not imply that the alternatives listed are mutually exclusive. Even further, where alternatives are listed herein, it should be understood that in some embodiments, fewer alternatives may be available, or in particular embodiments, just one alternative may be available, as examples.