APPARATUS FOR USE WITH HYDROVAC TRUCK
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to the technical field of (and is not limited to) an apparatus for use with a hydrovac truck (and method therefor).
BACKGROUND

[0002] A hydrovac truck (also called a suction excavator or a vacuum excavator) is a construction vehicle configured to remove materials (soil) from a hole on land or remove heavy debris from land. The hydrovac truck is configured to produce powerful suction through a suction hose. The suction hose may have two handles for the operator to hold. The handles may be on a collar which can be rotated to uncover suction-release openings (with grilles over) to release the suction to make the suction nozzle drop anything which it has picked up and is too big to go up the tube.
The end of the tube may be toothed. This helps to cut earth when used for excavating;
however, when it is used to suck up loose debris and litter, some types of debris items may snag on the teeth. The earth to be sucked out may be loosened first with a compressed-air lance or a powerful water jet. Excavating with the hydrovac truck may be called vacuum excavation or hydro excavation if a water jet is used. Vacuum excavation (also known as suction excavation) is considered a best practice for safely finding and seeing underground utilities, reducing by more than half the chance of damaging buried utilities.
SUMMARY

[0003] It will be appreciated that there exists a need to mitigate (at least in part) at least one problem associated with the existing hydrovac trucks (also called the existing technology). After much study of the known systems and methods with experimentation, an understanding of the problem and its solution has been identified and is articulated as follows:

[0004] To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with the existing technology, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) an apparatus. The apparatus is for use with a hydrovac truck having a vacuum assembly for connection to a holding tank, with a water supply configured to provide pressurized flowing water.
The apparatus includes an elongated hollow assembly that is movable along a longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow assembly. The elongated hollow assembly is configured to be fluidly connectable with the vacuum assembly. A water jet assembly is mounted to the elongated hollow assembly. The water jet assembly is configured to be fluidly connectable with the water supply. This is done in such a way that the water supply, in use, provides the pressurized flowing water to the water jet assembly, and the water jet assembly, in use, ejects the pressurized flowing water, which was received from the water supply, toward the soil. The pressurized flowing water, which was ejected from the water jet assembly toward the soil, cuts, in use, into the soil being positioned proximate to the water jet assembly, and urges, in use, the formation of a slurry having mixed water and soil positioned. The slurry is proximate to the water jet assembly with the slurry positioned, at least in part, within the elongated hollow assembly. In addition, the pressurized flowing water, which was ejected from the water jet assembly toward the soil, moves, in use, the water jet assembly along a circular path outlined by a cross-section of the elongated hollow assembly in the soil while the elongated hollow assembly and the water jet assembly move deeper into the soil. The vacuum assembly, in use, moves the slurry having mixed water and soil away from the water jet assembly along the elongated hollow assembly and toward the holding tank.

[0005] Other aspects are identified in the claims.

[0006] Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of an apparatus for use with a hydrovac truck;

[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a bottom end view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict side views of embodiments of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG, 1;

[0012] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 10 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 11 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG.
1; and

[0015] FIG. 12 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG.
1.

[0016] The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details unnecessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.

[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several figures of the drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, but well-understood, elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted to provide a less obstructed view of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS
100 apparatus 102 elongated hollow assembly 104 longitudinal axis 106 water jet assembly 108 relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 110 water connection assembly 112 relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 114 first end section 116 second end section 118 water line assembly 200 first end 202 second end 204 slurry 206 inner rotatable shell 208 outer stationary shell 210 water outlet 212 water inlet 214 bearing plate 215 rotatable body assembly 216 seal bearing 218 fin assembly 220 water seal 300 formed hole 900 hydrovac truck 902 vacuum assembly 904 holding tank 906 water supply 908 soil 910 pressurized flowing water DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)

[0019] The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments.
As used, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims. For the description, the terms "upper," "lower,"
"left," "rear,"
"right," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings. There is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory in the preceding Technical Field, Background, Summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It is understood that the phrase "at least one" is equivalent to "a". The aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options, variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described regarding the drawings.
It should be understood that the invention is limited to the subject matter provided by the claims, and that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects depicted and described.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for use with a hydrovac truck 900.

[0021] More specifically, the apparatus 100 is for use with the hydrovac truck 900 having a vacuum assembly 902 for connection to a holding tank 904, with a water supply 906 configured to provide pressurized flowing water.

[0022] The apparatus 100 includes a synergistic combination of an elongated hollow assembly 102 and a water jet assembly 106.

[0023] The elongated hollow assembly 102 is movable along a longitudinal axis 104 of the elongated hollow assembly 102. The elongated hollow assembly 102 is configured to be fluidly connectable (either directly or indirectly) with the vacuum assembly 902.
Specifically, the elongated hollow assembly 102 provides (includes) a first end 200 and a second end 202 that is positioned opposite from the first end 200.

[0024] The water jet assembly 106 is mounted to the elongated hollow assembly 102.
Specifically, the water jet assembly 106 is mounted to the second end 202 of the elongated hollow assembly 102. The water jet assembly 106 is configured to be fluidly connectable (either directly or indirectly) with the water supply 906. This is done in such a way that the water supply 906, in use, provides the pressurized flowing water to the water jet assembly 106 (as depicted in FIG. 1). In addition, the water jet assembly 106, in use, ejects the pressurized flowing water, which was received from the water supply 906, toward the soil (as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). In addition, the pressurized flowing water, which was ejected from the water jet assembly 106 toward the soil, cuts, in use, into the soil being positioned proximate to the water jet assembly 106, and urges, in use, the formation of a slurry 204 having mixed water and soil. The slurry 204 is positioned proximate to the water jet assembly 106 (as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG.
5), with the slurry 204 positioned, at least in part, within the elongated hollow assembly 102. In addition, the pressurized flowing water, which was ejected from the water jet assembly 106 toward the soil, moves (rotates), in use, the water jet assembly 106 along a circular path (as depicted in FIG. 2) that is outlined by a cross-section of the elongated hollow assembly 102 in the soil while the elongated hollow assembly 102 and the water jet assembly 106 move deeper into the soil (as depicted in FIG. 5). In addition, the vacuum assembly 902, in use, moves the slurry 204 having mixed water and soil away from the water jet assembly 106 along the elongated hollow assembly 102 and toward the holding tank 904 (as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6).

[0025] In view of the foregoing, there is provided a method of operating the hydrovac truck 900. The method includes (and is not limited to) a synergistic combination of operation (A), operation (B), operation (C), operation (D) and operation (E).

[0026] Operation (A) includes fluidly connecting (either directly or indirectly) the elongated hollow assembly 102 with the vacuum assembly 902. The elongated hollow assembly 102 is movable along the longitudinal axis 104 of the elongated hollow assembly 102.

[0027] Operation (B) includes fluidly connecting (either directly or indirectly) the water jet assembly 106 with the water supply 906. The water jet assembly 106 is mounted to the elongated hollow assembly 102.

[0028] Operation (C) includes providing the pressurized flowing water via the water supply 906 to the water jet assembly 106.

[0029] Operation (D) includes ejecting, via the water jet assembly 106, the pressurized flowing water, which was received from the water supply 906, toward the soil.
This is done in such way that the pressurized flowing water that is ejected from the water jet assembly 106 toward the soil: (a) cuts into the soil being positioned proximate to the water jet assembly 106, (b) urges formation of a slurry 204 having mixed water and soil positioned proximate to the water jet assembly 106 with the slurry 204 being positioned, at least in part, within the elongated hollow assembly 102, and (c) moves (rotates) the water jet assembly 106 along a circular path that is outlined by a cross-section of the elongated hollow assembly 102 in the soil while the elongated hollow assembly and the water jet assembly 106 move deeper into the soil.

[0030] Operation (E) includes moving the slurry 204 having mixed water and soil (via usage of the vacuum assembly 902) away from the water jet assembly 106 along the elongated hollow assembly 102 and toward the holding tank 904.

[0031] In summary, the apparatus 100 is configured, in use, to form a hole (also called, a pile hole) in the ground by making use of a pressurized flow of water (for formation of the hole in the ground) and making use of powered suction (for soil and water removal).
Preferably, the hole that was formed by the apparatus 100 forms a straight pile hole. A
technical effect of the apparatus 100 is a reduction of the risk of striking underground utilities (water pipes, power lines), etc. The apparatus 100 may be configured for use with any type of a hydrovac system (vehicle), etc.

[0032] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, the elongated hollow assembly 102 is adapted such that the elongated hollow assembly 102 includes a relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108. The relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108 is configured to be fixedly attachable (that is, fluidly coupled) to the vacuum assembly 902 of the hydrovac truck 900. This is done in such a way that the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108 is in fluid communication with the vacuum assembly 902 once the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108 is fixedly attached to the vacuum assembly 902.

[0033] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, the water jet assembly 106 includes a water connection assembly 110. The water connection assembly 110 is configured to be fluidly couplable (coupled, fixedly attachable, securely attached) to the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108. In addition, the water connection assembly 110 is also configured to be fluidly coupled to the water supply 906.
This is done in such a way that the water connection assembly 110, in use, receives the pressurized flowing water from the water supply 906.

[0034] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, the elongated hollow assembly 102 further includes a relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112. The relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 includes a first end section 114. The first end section 114 is configured to be fixedly attachable to the water connection assembly 110. This is done in such a way that once the water connection assembly 110 is fixedly attached to the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108 and the water connection assembly 110 is fixedly attached to the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112, the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 is rotatably movable relative to the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108, and the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 is in fluid communication with the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108.

[0035] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 further includes a second end section 116 . The second end section 116 is positioned opposite from the first end section 114. The second end section 116 is configured to be positioned proximate to the soil (as depicted in FIG. 3).

[0036] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the water jet assembly 106 is positioned proximate to the second end section 116 at a perimeter of the second end section 116. The water jet assembly 106 is fluidly connected to the water line assembly 118.

[0037] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 further includes a water line assembly 118. The water line assembly 118 extends (at least in part) along a longitudinal length of the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112. The water line assembly 118 is configured to be fluidly connectable with the water connection assembly 110. This done in such a way that the water line assembly 118 receives the pressurized flowing water from the water connection assembly 110 once the water line assembly 118 is fluidly connected with the water connection assembly 110. More specifically, there is provided three instances of the water line assembly 118 and three instances of the water jet assembly 106 (that is, one instance of the water line assembly 118 for each instance of the water jet assembly 106).

[0038] FIG. 2 depicts a bottom end view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG.
1.

[0039] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2, three instances of the water jet assembly 106 are positioned at the outer rim of the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112. The water jet assembly 106 is configured to move along a circular path that is outlined by a cross-section of the elongated hollow assembly 102 in response to the ejection of the pressurized flowing water 910 from the water jet assembly 106.
Preferably, the water that is ejected from the water jet assembly 106 is directed (at least in part) along a radial direction (extending radially from the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112).

[0040] FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict side views of embodiments of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[0041] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3, the second end section 116 is configured to be positioned proximate to the soil 908.

[0042] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4 and 30, the water jet assembly 106 is configured to eject, in use, the pressurized flowing water toward the soil. This is done in such a way that the pressurized flowing water that is ejected from the water jet assembly 106, in use, urges the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 to rotate while the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108 remains stationary.
In addition, the pressurized flowing water that is ejected from the water jet assembly 106, in use, loosens a portion of the soil positioned proximate to the perimeter of the second end section 116. In addition, the pressurized flowing water that is ejected from the water jet assembly 106, in use, mixes the soil that is loosened with the pressurized flowing water to form the slurry 204 having mixed water and soil.

[0043] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, once the vacuum assembly 902 of the hydrovac truck 900 is activated, the vacuum assembly 902 urges flow of the slurry 204 having the combination mixture of water and soil (also called, mixed water and soil) from the second end section 116 along the relatively rotatable hollow tube assembly 112 and along the relatively stationary hollow tube assembly 108 toward the vacuum assembly 902.

[0044] Referring to the embodiments as depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the apparatus 100 is removed from a formed hole 300 that was formed by the apparatus 100. It will be appreciated that the vacuum assembly 902 and the water supply 906 (as depicted in FIG. 1) may continue to operate while the apparatus 100 is removed from the formed hole 300.

[0045] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[0046] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 8, the water connection assembly 110 includes an inner rotatable shell 206 and an outer stationary shell 208.
The outer stationary shell 208 surrounds, at least in part, the inner rotatable shell 206. The inner rotatable shell 206 includes a water outlet 210. The water outlet 210 is configured to be fluidly connectable (either directly or indirectly) with the water jet assembly 106 (as depicted in FIG. 1). The outer stationary shell 208 includes a water inlet 212. The water inlet 212 is configured to be fluidly connectable (either directly or indirectly) with the water supply 906 (depicted in FIG.1). For instance, there are three instances of the water outlet 210 (one for each instance of the water jet assembly 106). The inner rotatable shell 206 includes a water outlet 210. The water outlet 210 is configured to be fluidly connectable (either directly or indirectly) with the water jet assembly 106 (as depicted in FIG. 1).

[0047] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[0048] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 9, the inner rotatable shell 206 includes a rotatable body assembly 215 configured to rotate. The inner rotatable shell 206 includes a first bearing plate 214 abutting one side of the rotatable body assembly 215. The first bearing plate 214 is configured to be relatively stationary. A
second bearing plate 214 abuts another side of the rotatable body assembly 215. The second bearing plate 214 is configured to be relatively stationary. The inner rotatable shell 206 further includes a seal bearing 216. The seal bearing 216 has an inside section that is configured to rotate. The seal bearing 216 is fixedly attached to the outer stationary shell 208. The seal bearing 216 is configured to friction fit to the inner rotatable shell 206.

[0049] A fin assembly 218 extends radially from the rotatable body assembly 215. The fin assembly 218 extends between the first bearing plate 214 and the second bearing plate 214. The fin assembly 218 is configured to turn the rotatable body assembly 215 in response to the fin assembly 218 receiving a flow of water from a water inlet 212.

[0050] FIG. 10 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[0051] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 10, instances of the fin assembly 218 are spaced apart along a circumference of the rotatable body assembly 215.

[0052] FIG. 11 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[0053] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 11, a water outlet 210 is configured to receive water that rotates along the rotatable body assembly 215.

[0054] FIG. 12 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[0055] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 12, the water connection assembly 110 includes a water seal 220. The water seal 220 is positioned between the inner rotatable shell 206 and the outer stationary shell 208.

[0056] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention.
The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

[0057] It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above may be connected with each other as required to perform desired functions and tasks within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations without having to describe each and every one in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly or component that may be superior to any of the equivalents available to the person skilled in the art. There is no particular mode of practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be performed.
It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) the description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for this document, that the phrase "includes" is equivalent to the word "comprising."
The foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.