Vacuum pump seal-water recycling and waste disposal system for dental operatories

A water seal recirculating system used for evacuating oral cavity effluent from dental operatories comprising a collection tank having top and bottom walls and a side wall structure defining a collection chamber, a vacuum pump having a seal water inlet and a seal water outlet, at least one tube extending from the tank to an operatory for conveying effluent to the tank, the vacuum pump having an air inlet line communicating with the tank for drawing air from the tank thereby creating a partial vacuum in the tank and establishing a vacuum pull for effluent from the operatory through the conveying tube, a seal water recirculating system for the vacuum pump including a recirculating line for receiving seal water from the seal water outlet of the vacuum pump and returning the seal water to the seal water inlet of the vacuum pump, a gas/water separator forming part of the recirculating system and having an inlet opening for receiving the outflow of air and seal water from the vacuum pump outlet and for directing the air to ambience and the seal water to the inlet of the vacuum pump, the recirculating line forming part of the recirculating system for receiving return seal water from the separator, for receiving an inflow of air from the tank and for directing the air and water flows in heat transfer relationship so that the air cools the recirculating water moving to the vacuum pump inlet, means for augmenting the volume of recirculating seal water with fresh water, and means for periodically emptying effluent collected in the tank.

A water seal recirculating system used for evacuating oral cavity effluent from dental operatories comprising a collection tank having top and bottom walls and a side wall structure defining a collection chamber, a vacuum pump having a seal water inlet and a seal water outlet, at least one tube extending from the tank to an operatory for conveying effluent to the tank, the vacuum pump having an air inlet line communicating with the tank for drawing air from the tank thereby creating a partial vacuum in the tank and establishing a vacuum pull for effluent from the operatory through the conveying tube, a seal water recirculating system for the vacuum pump for receiving seal water from the seal water outlet of the vacuum pump and returning the seal water to the seal water inlet to the vacuum pump, a gas/water separator forming part of the recirculating system and having an inlet opening for receiving the outflow of air and seal water from the vacuum pump and for directing the air to ambience and the water to the vacuum pump inlet, a recirculating line forming part of the recirculating system for receiving return seal water from the separator, a heat exchanger for receiving and cooling the return seal water, the air inlet line for directing air through the heat exchanger for cooling seal water as the air flows to the vacuum pump, an eductor having a supply of pressurized fresh water for drawing the return seal water from the recirculating line and establishing a flow of commingled fresh and return seal water to the vacuum pump seal, and means for periodically emptying effluent collected in the tank.

A water seal recirculating system used for evacuating oral cavity effluent from dental operatories comprising a collection tank, a vacuum pump having a seal water inlet and a seal water outlet, at least one tube extending from the tank to an operatory for conveying effluent to the tank, the vacuum pump having an air inlet line communicating with the tank for drawing air from the tank thereby creating a partial vacuum in the tank and establishing a vacuum pull for effluent from the operatory through the at least one conveying tube, a receiving chamber located within the collection tank for receiving the out-flow of seal water and evacuated air from the vacuum pump, a well within the receiving chamber for collecting seal water for recirculation to the vacuum pump, an enclosed air water channel having an entry opening within the receiving chamber for directing the outflow of evacuated air, the entry opening being located at a predetermined level for collected seal water and for directing excess seal water along with evacuated air through the air water channel, an air-water separator for receiving evacuated air and seal water through the channel form the receiving chamber, the separator being an enclosed chamber within the collection tank having a open vent for releasing evacuated air to ambience and having a well for collecting received seal water, valve means for maintaining the seal water at a predetermined level in the well and for discarding excess water to a drain, a recirculating line which receives seal water from the seal water well of the receiving chamber and returning the seal water to the seal water inlet to the vacuum pump, means for directing the air from the tank in heat transfer relationship with seal water in the inlet to the vacuum pump, means for augmenting the volume of recirculating seal water with tap water, and means for periodically emptying effluent collected in the tank.

A water seal recirculating system used for evacuating oral cavity effluent from dental operatories comprising a collection tank, a vacuum pump having a seal water inlet and a seal water outlet, at least one tube extending from the tank to an operatory for conveying effluent to the tank, the vacuum pump having an air inlet line communicating with the tank for drawing air from the tank thereby creating a partial vacuum in the tank and establishing a vacuum pull for effluent from the operatory through the at least one conveying tube, an air-water separator for receiving evacuated air and seal water through an outlet line from the vacuum pump, the separator being an enclosed chamber having a open vent for releasing evacuated air to ambience and having a well for collecting received seal water, valve means for maintaining the seal water at a predetermined level in the well and for discarding excess water to a drain, a recirculating line which receives seal water from the separator well and returns the seal water to the seal water inlet to the vacuum pump, a metering valve in the recirculating line for establishing the volume of recirculating seal water entering the seal water inlet, means for directing the air drawn from the tank in heat transfer relationship with seal water in the inlet to the vacuum pump, means for augmenting the volume of recirculating seal water with tap water, and means for periodically emptying effluent collected in the tank.

A water seal recirculating system used for evacuating oral cavity effluent from dental operatories comprising a tank partitioned into upper and lower chambers, a vacuum pump having a seal water inlet and a seal water outlet, at least one tube extending from the tank to an operatory for conveying effluent to the lower chamber of the tank, the vacuum pump having an air inlet line communicating with the lower chamber for drawing air therefrom thereby creating a partial vacuum in the lower chamber and establishing a vacuum pull for effluent from the operatory through the at least one conveying tube, the upper chamber of the tank defining an air-water separator for receiving evacuated air and seal water through an outlet line from the vacuum pump, the separator having a open vent for releasing evacuated air to ambience and having a well for collecting received seal water, valve means for maintaining the seal water at a predetermined level in the well and for discarding excess water to a drain, a recirculating line which receives seal water from the separator well and returns the seal water to the seal water inlet to the vacuum pump, means for directing the air drawn from the tank in heat transfer relationship with seal water in the inlet to the vacuum pump, means for augmenting the volume of recirculating seal water with tap water, and means for periodically emptying effluent collected in the tank.

A water seal recirculating system used for evacuating oral cavity effluent from dental operatories comprising a vacuum pump having a seal water inlet and a seal water outlet, a tank partitioned into upper and lower chambers, the upper chamber of the tank defining an air-water separator for receiving evacuated air and seal water through an outlet line from the vacuum pump, the separator having a open vent for releasing evacuated air to ambience and having a well for collecting received seal water, means for maintaining the seal water at a predetermined level in the well and for discarding excess water to a drain line, at least one tube extending from the tank to an operatory for conveying effluent to the lower chamber, the vacuum pump having an air inlet line communicating with the lower chamber for drawing air therefrom thereby creating a partial vacuum in the lower chamber and establishing a vacuum pull for effluent from the operatory through the at least one conveying tube, the vacuum pump air inlet line passing through the upper chamber and there defining a heat exchanger for cooling the collected seal water in the well of upper chamber, a recirculating line which receives seal water from the separator well and returns the seal water to the seal water inlet to the vacuum pump, means for directing the air drawn from the lower chamber in heat transfer relationship with seal water in the inlet to the vacuum pump, means for augmenting the volume of recirculating seal water with tap water, and means for periodically emptying effluent collected in the tank.