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US 12,384,661 B2Granted
Belt drive for use with a vacuum material handler
AssigneeVacuworx Global, LLC
InventorKeith A. Sparks, II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for moving objects such as drill, pipe with vacuum power. A vacuum beam (14) is mounted on a boom. A vacuum pad (12) is pivotally attached to the vacuum beam (14). A power device (18) is operatively connected to a vacuum pump (16) with a drive belt (32) for creating vacuum pressure. Vacuum pressure from the vacuum pad (12) is used to grasp and release the object, e.g., the drill pipe.
Claims10
A vacuum material handler (10) comprising:
- a vacuum beam (14) having a lower end;
- a vacuum pad (12) proximate said lower end of said vacuum beam (14);
- a power device (18) carried by said vacuum beam (14), said power device (18) having an output shaft (22);
- a vacuum pump (16) carried by said vacuum beam (14), said vacuum pump (16) having an input shaft (26);
- a belt (32) spanning between said output shaft (22) of said power device (18) and said input shaft (26) of said vacuum pump (16) for transmitting power from said power device (18) to said vacuum pump (16);
- an output pulley (24) affixed to said output shaft (22) of said power device (18);
- an input pulley (28) affixed to said input shaft (26) of said vacuum pump (16);
- wherein said belt (32) spans between said output pulley (24) and said input pulley (28);
- said output pulley (24) defines a plurality of teeth;
- said input pulley (28) defines a plurality of teeth;
- and
- said belt (32) is a toothed drive belt for engaging teeth defined by output pulley (24) and for engaging teeth defined by said input pulley (28).
9 more elements
A method of lifting an object:
- lowering a vacuum pad (12) carried by a vacuum beam (14) over the object;
- aligning said vacuum pad (12) with the object;
- creating a vacuum seal between said vacuum pad (12) and the object by
- powering a vacuum pump (16) in said vacuum beam (14) with a power device (18), wherein said power device (18) delivers power to said vacuum pump (16) via a belt (32);
- wherein said belt (32) spans between an output pulley (24) of said power device (18) and an input pulley (28) of said vacuum pump (16);
- said power device (18) has an output pulley (24) defining a plurality of teeth;
- said vacuum pump (16) has an input pulley (28) defining a plurality of teeth;
- and
- said belt (32) is a toothed drive belt for engaging teeth defined by output pulley (24) and for engaging teeth defined by said input pulley (28).
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.