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US 7,243,478 B2Granted
Vacuum system manifold and related methods
AssigneeWalker-Dawson Interests, Inc.
InventorsRichard F. Dawson, Charles G. Walker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system which provides a first object defining a first volume and a second object defining a second volume wherein the second object contains the first object. A manifold apparatus is provided which allows a flowable material to flow by vacuum action into the first object and also allows any entrained gas to be transported from the first volume to the second volume without interrupting the vacuum. Methods of use of the system and structures for detachably attaching the manifold apparatus are also provided.
Claims16
A system comprising:
- (A) a first object defining a first volume;
- (B) a second object defining a second volume, which second object contains the first object;
- and
- (C) a manifold apparatus comprising:
- (I) a first flow controller;
- (II) a second flow controller;
- (III) a primary fluid conduit through which a flow of flowable material may be controlled by the first flow controller, the primary fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the first volume and with a source of flowable material;
- (IV) a secondary fluid conduit through which a flow of a gas may be controlled by the second flow controller wherein the secondary fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the primary fluid conduit;
- and
- (V) a housing surrounding at least a portion of the primary conduit, which housing defines a housing volume, which housing volume is in fluid communication with the second volume and with the secondary fluid conduit;
- whereby the flowable material may flow from the source of flowable material to the first volume through the primary fluid conduit upon sufficient application of a first motive force when the first flow controller is open and the second flow controller is closed, and whereby the gas may be transported from the first volume to the second volume by passing through the primary fluid conduit, the secondary fluid conduit and the housing volume, upon sufficient application of a second motive force when the first flow controller is closed and the second flow controller is open.
8 more elements
A method for loading a flowable material into a first object, which first object is contained by a second object, which method comprises:
- (A) attaching a manifold apparatus to a first object portal and to a second object portal, which apparatus comprises:
- (I) a primary fluid conduit and a first flow controller sized and configured to control a flow of the flowable material through the primary fluid conduit and which primary fluid conduit is in fluid communication with a first volume defined by the first object;
- (II) a secondary fluid conduit and a second flow controller sized and configured to control a flow of a gas from the first volume through the secondary fluid conduit, wherein the secondary fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the primary fluid conduit;
- and
- (III) a housing surrounding at least a portion of the primary fluid conduit, which housing is in fluid communication with the secondary fluid conduit and with a second volume defined by the second object which second volume is discrete from the first volume;
- (B) placing the primary fluid conduit into fluid communication with a source of flowable material;
- (C) opening the first flow controller and closing the second flow controller so that the flowable material can move from the source of flowable material into the first volume;
- (D) creating a vacuum in the second volume, such that pressure of the second volume is less than pressure of the first volume thereby causing the flowable material to move from the source of flowable material, through the primary fluid conduit and into the first volume;
- (E) removing substantially all of the gas from the first volume by (i) closing the first flow controller thereby interrupting movement of the flowable material into the primary fluid conduit, (ii) opening the second flow controller to place the first volume in fluid communication with the secondary fluid conduit, with the housing, and with the second volume thereby causing the gas to move from the first volume to the second volume, (iii) closing the second flow controller, and optionally (iv) opening the first flow controller to thereby re-establish movement the flowable material into the first volume;
- and
- (F) optionally, repeating (E) one or more times.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.