Particulate matter evacuation pump

A dry material transfer pump, comprising:

• an outer tube, comprising:
• an outer tube channel having an upstream end that is axially aligned with a downstream end of the outer tube channel,
• a plenum portion defined along a length of the outer tube channel and having a cross-sectional width that is larger than a cross-sectional width of the outer tube channel, and
• a pressurized gas inlet defined through the outer tube and in fluid communication with the plenum portion;
• an inner tube disposed annularly within the outer tube channel, the inner tube defining an inner tube channel having an inlet configured to receive particulate matter, at least one opening defined radially through a wall of the inner tube, the at least one opening fluidly coupling the plenum portion to the inner tube channel so as to allow pressurized gas provided via the pressurized gas inlet to flow from the plenum portion into the inner tube channel and create suction within the inner tube channel for drawing the particulate matter through the inner tube channel;
• and
• a valve coupled to a downstream end of the outer tube, the valve configured to:
• allow the particulate matter entrained in the pressurized gas to be expelled through the valve, when the pressurized gas is being provided to the dry material transfer pump, and
• prevent ambient air from entering the dry material transfer pump when the pressurized gas supply to the dry material transfer pump is stopped.

A dry material transfer pump, comprising:

• a tube assembly, comprising:
• an upstream tube portion, comprising:
• an outer tube defining an outer tube channel having an inlet configured to receive particulate matter,
• a pressurized gas inlet defined radially through the outer tube in a downstream portion of the outer tube, and
• an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube coupled to an inner surface of the outer tube at a location upstream of the pressurized gas inlet and extending axially through the outer tube, at least one opening defined through a wall of the inner tube;
• and
• a downstream tube portion, an upstream end of the downstream tube portion coupled to a downstream end of the outer tube such that the downstream portion of the outer tube and an annular wall of the downstream tube portion are disposed around the inner tube so as to form a plenum portion between the inner tube, the downstream portion of the outer tube, and the annular wall of the downstream tube portion, the at least one opening fluidly coupling the plenum portion to the inner tube.

A method for removing particulate matter from an air cleaner system comprising a precleaner, the method comprising:

• fluidly coupling a dry material transfer pump to a port of a particulate matter collection chamber of the precleaner;
• the dry material transfer pump comprising:
• an outer tube, comprising:
• an outer tube channel having an upstream end that is axially aligned with a downstream end of the outer tube channel,
• a plenum portion defined along a length of the outer tube channel and having a cross-sectional width that is larger than a cross-sectional width of the outer tube channel, and
• a pressurized gas inlet defined through the outer tube and in fluid communication with the plenum portion,
• an inner tube disposed annularly within the outer tube channel, the inner tube defining an inner tube channel having an inlet fluidly coupled to the port and configured to receive the particulate matter, at least one opening defined radially through a wall of the inner tube, the at least one opening fluidly coupling the plenum portion to the inner tube channel;
• communicating pressurizing gas to the pressurized gas inlet of the dry material transfer pump, the pressurized gas being provided from a pressurized gas system included in a vehicle, and
• wherein the pressurized gas creates suction in the dry material transfer pump causing particulate matter collected in the particulate matter collection chamber to be drawn into the dry material transfer pump and expelled into the environment through an outlet of the dry material transfer pump with the pressurized gas.