In-line vacuum lquid aspirator

Abstract

An apparatus for removing fluids from a vacuum flow path comprises a body defining a containment chamber having an inlet port connectable to a vacuum hose and a barrier wall within the containment chamber isolating a transfer chamber within the containment chamber. The containment chamber has an outlet port connectable to a vacuum hose. The transfer port has a suction port fluidicly connecting the transfer chamber and the containment chamber. The apparatus further comprises a float positioned below the transfer port and adapted to be raised into sealing contact with the transfer port as a fluid level in the containment chamber rises.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for removing fluids from a vacuum flow path comprising:
 a body defining a containment chamber having an inlet port connectable to a vacuum hose;   a barrier wall within said containment chamber isolating a transfer chamber within said containment chamber, said containment chamber having an outlet port connectable to a vacuum hose, said transfer port having a suction port fluidicly connecting said transfer chamber and said containment chamber   a float positioned below said transfer port and adapted to be raised into sealing contact with said transfer port as a fluid level in said containment chamber rises.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said float is substantially spherical. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said float is located within a guide positioned below said transfer port. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said guide comprises a cage. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one baffle member locatable between said inlet port and said transfer port. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said at least one baffle includes perforations therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said at least one baffle member comprises two baffle members. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said at least one baffle members are selectably removable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said body includes a selectably removable lid. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein at least one of said at least one baffle member is sized and positioned to support said lid. 
     
     
         11 . A method for removing fluids from a flow path through a vacuum hose path comprising:
 providing a body defining a containment chamber having an inlet port in fluidic communication with said vacuum hose;   isolating a transfer chamber within said containment chamber, said containment chamber having an outlet port connectable to a vacuum hose, said transfer port having a suction port fluidicly connecting said transfer chamber and said containment chamber;   providing a suction pressure at said outlet port so as to draw a liquid and gaseous mixture into said containment chamber though said inlet port; and   floating a float at a fluid surface at a location to engage and obstruct said transfer port when a predetermined fluid volume is located within said containment chamber.