Edward X Lapointe

US Patent:

60631511, May 16, 2000

Filed:

Jun 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/097533

Inventors:

James E. Burns - Stafford Springs CT
James S. Yablonski - Simsbury CT
Crawford Allen - Old Saybrook CT
Brian Martin - South Windsor CT
Christopher Malone - Coventry CT
Edward LaPointe - Manchester CT

Assignee:

The Spencer Turbine Company - Windsor CT
Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

B01D 5000
B01D 4600

US Classification:

55360

Abstract:

A truck mounted vacuum system for clearing natural gas service lines includes an independently operable vacuum clearing unit having a frame supporting a centrifugal blower, an internal combustion engine for operating the blower and a bag separator connected to an air intake on the blower. The blower is exhausted above the truck through an absolute (HEPA) filter. A drum top separator selectively mounted on the open upper end of one of a plurality of waste barrels releasably secured in fixed position on the truck is connected between the vacuum clearing unit and an inlet port accessible externally of the truck. The inlet port is connected by an elongated flexible service hose and a service hose adapter to a gas service line to be cleared.

US Patent:

6245160, Jun 12, 2001

Filed:

May 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/570694

Inventors:

James E. Burns - Stafford Springs CT
James S. Yablonski - Simsbury CT
Crawford Allen - Old Saybrook CT
Brian Martin - South Windsor CT
Christopher Malone - Coventry CT
Edward LaPointe - Manchester CT

Assignee:

The Spencer Turbine Company - Windsor CT
Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

B08B 504
B08B 9027

US Classification:

134 21

Abstract:

A method for clearing natural gas service lines includes providing an independently operable vacuum clearing unit having a frame supporting a centrifugal blower, an internal combustion engine for operating the blower and a bag separator connected to an air intake on the blower. The blower is exhausted above the truck through an absolute (HEPA) filter. A drum top separator selectively mounted on the open upper end of one of a plurality of waste barrels releasably secured in fixed position on the truck is connected between the vacuum clearing unit and an inlet port accessible externally of the truck. The inlet port is connected by an elongated flexible service hose and a service hose adapter to a gas service line to be cleared. The vacuum clearing unit is then operated, thereby drawing any debris present in the gas line through the unit and into one of the plurality of waste barrels.