Vacuworx Global, LLC

The Crosby Group, Inc.

Keith A Sparks, Ii

William J Solomon

Roger E Beall

Luis Guevara

A system and method for moving objects such as drill, pipe with vacuum power. A vacuum beam () is mounted on a boom. A vacuum pad () is pivotally attached to the vacuum beam (). A power device () is operatively connected to a vacuum pump () with a drive belt () for creating vacuum pressure. Vacuum pressure from the vacuum pad () is used to grasp and release the object, e.g., the drill pipe.

Belt drive for use with a vacuum material handler

A manifold block is provided for locating between a hydraulic pressure supply and a piece of equipment, such as a material handler. The manifold block allows for bidirectional flow and provides both flow and pressure control in the supply direction, but not in the return direction. The manifold block allows for the equipment to be protected from experiencing fluid pressure or a flow rate that is higher than limits set in the manifold block, thereby protecting hydraulically powered equipment, e.g., a material handler, regardless of the hydraulic supply parameters of a machine to which it is attached.

Flow control block for use with a vacuum material handler

Embodiments of a vacuum material handler or lifting device and system of this disclosure provide a modular design that allows a power pack to be mounted directly to the pad or remotely mounted on host equipment to minimize lift weight. The pad, which includes an integral, pad reservoir, may be arranged, to accept a rotator or a tilting mechanism for position when used on mobile equipment. The power pack is independent of the pad and can be transferred to multiple pads, thereby permitting a single power pack to service the different pads. The control mechanism may reside on the pad to further facilitate modularity. Safety checks used for remote operation may be used to minimize the risk of danger in the event of remote vacuum hose or vacuum failure.

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Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Keith A Sparks, Ii