Vacuum excavation suction hose attachment

Abstract

Dirt or earthen material may be made more vacuum able by first loosening dirt with a force of air or liquid. A water nozzle spray on dirt both loosens and dilutes the dirt into mud, which may then be easily vacuumed. The two-step process may be incorporated into a one-step process by attaching the water spray nozzle onto an indention in the circumference of the vacuum conduit. Making an indention in the circumference of the vacuum conduit reduces the outside protrusion of the nozzle, focuses the nozzle spray toward the entrance of the vacuum hose, thus efficiently loosening dirt directly at the entrance of the vacuum hose suction end. The inward protrusion of the indention reduces the size of debris, which may enter the inlet of the vacuum conduit. Reducing the size of debris to less than the inside size of the vacuum hose reduces the occurrence of debris clogging in the vacuum hose. The suction end of a vacuum conduit may have the inlet edge rolled inward to reduce the maximum size of debris which may enter the vacuum hose.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A vacuum boring and mud recovery vacuum hose attachment method, comprising the steps of providing a suction end of a vacuum conduit, a water spray nozzle and a means to attach said spray nozzle adjacent to said vacuum hose suction end, and said suction end of said vacuum conduit having an indentation in its circumference so as to restrict objects from entering said vacuum conduit which are too large in size to continue through said vacuum hose and said indentation in said vacuum conduit circumference also being the location of attaching said water spray nozzle so as to direct sprayed water under pressure to emulsify dirt located adjacent to said suction end of said vacuum conduit.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: having said vacuum conduit with a first circumference and said suction end of said vacuum conduit having a bell shaped portion having a second circumference larger than said first circumference, said bell shaped portion having said one or more indentation and having one or more water spray nozzles.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: said spray nozzle being selected from one of a pulse jet, a rotary jet, a jetter nozzle and a fixed spray jet.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: facing said spray nozzle housed within said indentation so as to spray towards the center of an area to be vacuumed.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: providing a second and third spray nozzle housed within a second and third indentation on said vacuum conduit.  
   
   
       15 . A vacuum boring and mud recovery vacuum hose attachment method, comprising the steps of providing a vacuum conduit having a vacuum source attached to a first end, a second end being a suction end of said vacuum conduit, said first end having a first circumference and said second end having an inward rolled edge with a second circumference smaller than said first circumference.  
   
   
       16 . A vacuum boring and mud recovery vacuum hose attachment method, comprising the steps of providing a vacuum conduit having a vacuum source attached to a first end, a second end being a suction end of said vacuum conduit, a spray nozzle hose connected to an aerodynamic support and a spray nozzle within said second end.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: providing said vacuum conduit with a first circumference and a vacuum conduit bell shaped portion having a second circumference larger than said first circumference and having an indention in the circumference of said conduit bell, and having a water spray nozzle positioned within said indention, and said water spray nozzle directed so as to emulsify dirt located at the suction end of said vacuum conduit.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: mounting said aerodynamic support within said bell portion and said aerodynamic support supporting said spray nozzle adjacent to the open end of said vacuum conduit bell.