Vacuum motor airflow series/parallel switching apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for transitioning at least a first vacuum motor and a second vacuum motor between an air series configuration and an air parallel configuration is provided. The apparatus comprises a controllable switching valve, a first check valve, a second check valve and a plurality of chambers. The switching valve is positioned in communication with the first vacuum motor air outlet and the second vacuum air inlet. The apparatus is configured so that when the switching valve is opened the vacuum motors are configured air series and when the switching valve is closed the vacuum motors are configured air parallel. The first and the second check valves are opened or closed by pressure differential between chambers.

1 ) An automatic vacuum motor airflow switching apparatus which configures airflow paths for at least a first vacuum motor comprising a first vacuum motor inlet and a first vacuum motor outlet, and a second vacuum motor comprising a second vacuum motor Inlet and a second vacuum motor outlet, the apparatus comprises,
 a switching valve positioned in communication with the first vacuum motor outlet and the second vacuum motor inlet, wherein the switching valve is arranged and configured to transition the first vacuum motor and the second vacuum motor between an air series configuration and an air parallel configuration,   a first check valve in communication with the second vacuum motor inlet,   a second check valve in communication with the first vacuum motor outlet.   
     
     
         2 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a first chamber comprising a first chamber inlet and a first chamber outlet directly in communication with the first vacuum motor inlet, and   a second chamber comprising a second chamber inlet directly in communication with the first vacuum motor outlet, and   a third chamber comprising a third chamber outlet directly in communication with the second vacuum motor inlet.   
     
     
         3 ) The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the switching valve is disposed between the second chamber and the third chamber. 
     
     
         4 ) The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first check valve is disposed between the first chamber and the third chamber 
     
     
         5 ) The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first check valve is configured to allow airflow from the first chamber to the third chamber when the first check valve is open and is configured to block airflow from the third chamber to the first chamber when the first check valve is closed. 
     
     
         6 ) The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second chamber comprises the second Check valve. 
     
     
         7 ) The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the second check valve is configured to allow airflow out of the second chamber when open and block outside airflow into the second chamber when the second check valve is closed. 
     
     
         8 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 A controller configured to regulate to position of the switching valve.   
     
     
         9 ) The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first vacuum motor and the second vacuum motor are arranged in a parallel configuration when the switching valve is closed, and the first vacuum motor and the second vacuum motor are configured in series when the switching valve is open. 
     
     
         10 ) A system for automatically transitioning a first vacuum motor and a second vacuum motor between an air series configuration and an air parallel configuration, the system comprising; a first chamber comprising a first chamber inlet and a first chamber outlet directly in communication with the first vacuum motor inlet, and a second chamber comprising a second chamber inlet directly in communication with the first vacuum motor outlet, and a third chamber comprising a third chamber outlet directly in communication with the second vacuum motor inlet,
 a switching valve disposed between the second and the third chamber,   a first check valve disposed between the first chamber and the third chamber,   a second check valve comprised by the second chamber,   a controller to regulate position of the switching valve.   
     
     
         11 ) The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first vacuum motor and the second vacuum motor are arranged in an air parallel configuration when the switching valve is closed and the first check valve and the second check valve are open 
     
     
         12 ) The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first vacuum motor and the second vacuum motor are arranged in an air series configuration when the switching valve is open and the first check valve and the second check valve are closed.