Standpipe Recirculation System for a Material Removal Machine

Abstract

A recirculation system 200 for a material removal machine 102 and the material removal system 100 are provided. The material removal system 100 includes the recirculation system 200 in fluid communication with a material removal cabinet 104 that houses the material removal machine 102. The recirculation system 200 can include an upper reservoir 300 configured to drain the fluid into a lower reservoir 204 before recirculating the fluid. The upper reservoir 300 can include a standpipe 320 configured to allow swarf, debris, and / or other material within the fluid to be entrained before flowing across the standpipe 320.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to a standpipe recirculation system, and more particularly to a standpipe recirculation system for a material removal machine.

Background Art

[0002] Background Some material removal machines (e.g., saws, grinders, polishers, and / or more comprehensive material preparation and / or testing machines) use fluid to wash away debris and / or swarf generated during the material removal process. In some cases, a continuous supply of fluid is provided to the material removal machine during the material removal process. To provide a continuous supply of fluid to the material removal machine, the used fluid can be recaptured, recycled, and / or recirculated.

[0003] By comparing such a system with the present disclosure described in the remainder of this application with reference to the drawings, the limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Brief Summary The present disclosure relates to a standpipe recirculation system for a material removal machine, which is illustrated and / or described substantially in relation to at least one of a plurality of drawings and more fully described in the claims.

[0005] In addition to these advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as other advantages, aspects, and novel features, the detailed content of the illustrated examples of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description and the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The figures are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, the same or similar reference numerals are used to refer to like or identical components in the figures.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION Some conventional recirculation systems use filters and / or filter media to separate chips and / or other particulate materials from the fluid being recirculated to the material removal machine. However, cleaning these filters and / or filter media (in addition to other components) can be burdensome. Additionally, replacing the filters and / or filter media can be costly.

[0014] The disclosed exemplary standpipe recirculation system uses a standpipe instead of conventional filters and / or filter media to separate chips and / or other particulate materials from the recirculated fluid. In some examples, the standpipe prevents fluid from entering an outlet in an upper reservoir that leads to a lower reservoir. In some examples, the height of the standpipe may be sufficient to carry chips, debris, and / or other materials in the fluid over the standpipe and into the lower reservoir before flowing in.

[0015] Some examples of the present disclosure are recirculation systems for a material removal machine, including a first reservoir having a floor with an outlet, a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir via the outlet, and a standpipe having a wall that forms a boundary around the outlet within the first reservoir, the wall extending upward from the floor to a first height such that fluid accumulating on the floor within the first reservoir is prevented from flowing into the second reservoir via the outlet until the fluid level in the first reservoir exceeds the first height, and the first reservoir being configured to allow precipitation of material entrained within the fluid before the fluid exceeds the first height. The recirculation system includes the standpipe.

[0016] In some examples, the second reservoir is positioned below the outlet of the first reservoir and receives the fluid falling through the outlet. In some examples, the second reservoir is in fluid communication with a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine. In some examples, the material removal machine includes a saw. In some examples, the system further includes a recirculation pump configured to pump the fluid from the second reservoir to the material removal cabinet.

[0017] In some examples, the system further comprises a removable lid shaped to fit or conform to an opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the removable lid having a lid inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a cabinet outlet of a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine, whereby fluid can flow from the material removal cabinet to the first reservoir through the cabinet outlet and the lid inlet. In some examples, when the removable lid is fitted within the opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the lid inlet is misaligned from the discharge outlet. In some examples, the first reservoir is smaller than the second reservoir. In some examples, neither the first reservoir nor the second reservoir includes any filter or filtration media. In some examples, the height of the standpipe is based on a first volume of the first reservoir and a second volume of the second reservoir.

[0018] Some examples of the present disclosure include a material removal cabinet that houses a material removal machine and a recirculation system in fluid communication with the material removal cabinet, the recirculation system including a first reservoir having a floor with a discharge outlet, a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir via the discharge outlet, and a standpipe having a wall that forms a boundary around the discharge outlet within the first reservoir, the wall extending upward from the floor to a first height, whereby fluid accumulating on the floor within the first reservoir is prevented from flowing into the second reservoir through the discharge outlet until the top of the fluid within the first reservoir exceeds the first height, and the first reservoir is configured to allow sedimentation of material entrained within the fluid before the fluid exceeds the first height.

[0019] In some examples, the second reservoir is positioned below the outlet of the first reservoir and receives the fluid falling through the outlet. In some examples, the second reservoir is in fluid communication with a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine. In some examples , front The material removal machine includes a cutting saw. In some examples, the system further comprises a recirculation pump configured to pump the fluid from the second reservoir to the material removal cabinet.

[0020] In some examples, the system further comprises a removable lid shaped to fit into an opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the removable lid having a lid inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a cabinet outlet of a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine, whereby fluid can flow from the material removal cabinet to the first reservoir via the cabinet outlet and the lid inlet. In some examples, when the removable lid is fitted within the opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the lid inlet is misaligned with the outlet. In some examples, the first reservoir is smaller than the second reservoir. In some examples, neither the first reservoir nor the second reservoir includes a filter or filtering medium. In some examples, the height of the standpipe is based on a first volume of the first reservoir and a second volume of the second reservoir.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an example of a material removal system 100. In the example of FIG. 1, the material removal system 100 includes a material removal machine 102 enclosed within a cabinet 104 and a recirculation system 200 in fluid communication with the cabinet 104. In the example of FIG. 1, the material removal machine 102 includes a material removal tool 108, such as, for example, a (e.g., cutting) saw blade, a grinding saw, a grinder, a polisher, and / or any other such material removal tool. Also, in the example of FIG. 1, the material removal tool 108 is enclosed within a shield 112. As shown, the shield 112 is attached to a cooling system.

[0022] In the example of FIG. 1, the cooling system includes several coolant hoses 114 attached to the shield 112 via the manifold 116. Each hose 114 terminates at a nozzle 118. The nozzle 118 is configured to spray (and / or otherwise provide) coolant into the cabinet 104. In the example of FIG. 1, the hose 114 is configured to receive coolant from a hose inlet 120, which is also attached to the manifold 116. The hose inlet 120 is in fluid communication with the cabinet inlet 122 via a coolant pipe 124. As shown, the coolant pipe 124 is configured to deliver coolant from the cabinet inlet 122, through the coolant pipe 124, to the hose inlet 120. The coolant introduced into the cabinet 104 by the coolant system serves to cool and / or wash the material removal machine 102 and / or other components of the material removal system 100, and at the same time can also remove debris, chips, and / or other particulate materials from the cabinet 104.

[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, the cabinet 104 further has a cabinet outlet 126. As shown, the cabinet outlet 126 is configured to allow the passage of coolant while inhibiting the passage of larger particulate matter (e.g., misaligned, loose, and / or unattached components of the material removal machine 102) and includes a porous sieve (and / or mesh, filter, screen, etc.). In some examples, the cabinet outlet 126 may omit the sieve and simply include an opening. In the example of FIG. 1, the cabinet outlet 126 is in fluid communication with an outlet pipe 128 that leads to an inlet of the coolant recirculation system 200.

[0024] In the example of FIG. 1, the recirculation system 200 is positioned below the cabinet 104, such that gravity may be sufficient to propel the coolant through the outlet pipe 128 into the recirculation system 200. In some examples, the recirculation system 200 may alternatively be positioned above and / or on the side of the cabinet 104, and some other force (e.g., a pump) may be used to propel the coolant from the cabinet 104 into the recirculation system 200 through the outlet pipe 128. In the example of FIG. 1 (as well as FIGS. 2A and 2B), the recirculation system 200 further includes a pump 202 configured to propel the recaptured coolant from the recirculation system 200 through the conduit 130 to the cabinet inlet 122 of the cabinet 104.

[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively show a perspective view and a front view of an exemplary recirculation system 200. As shown, the recirculation system 200 includes an upper reservoir 300 and a lower reservoir 204. The pump 202 is held by the lower lid 206 of the lower reservoir 204 and extends some distance into the lower reservoir 204 to take in the coolant collected by the lower reservoir 204 and pump the fluid back to the cabinet 104. For purposes of illustration and / or understanding, the walls of the upper reservoir 300 and the lower reservoir 204 are depicted as being transparent in certain drawings (e.g., FIGS. 2A through 2C as well as FIGS. 3B and 3C).

[0026] In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lower reservoir 204 is significantly larger (e.g., three to four times) than the upper reservoir 300. In some examples, the larger size of the lower reservoir 204 may reflect the intention for the lower reservoir 204 to serve as the main reservoir and / or main storage for the coolant fluid prior to recirculation. In some examples, the smaller size of the upper reservoir 300 may make carrying and / or cleaning easier and allow the upper reservoir 300 to better serve as an intermediate and / or filtration reservoir.

[0027] Also, in some examples, the lower reservoir 204 (and / or generally the recirculation system 200) can be sized such that the recirculation system 200 can be comfortably housed under and / or substantially within the perimeter of the material removal cabinet 104. In FIG. 1, for example, the cabinet 104 and the recirculation system 200 are vertically aligned or aligned with similar widths such that the material removal cabinet 104 and the recirculation system 200 form a substantially rectangular or cubic shape. Such a configuration can enable the material removal system 100 as a whole to be stored together in an organized, compact, and / or aesthetically appealing configuration.

[0028] In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lower reservoir 204 is a hollow cube (and / or rectangular prism) with a lower floor 208 connected to four lower sidewalls 210, and the lower sidewalls 210 are connected together themselves and form an upper opening facing the floor 208. The lower lid 206 is shaped to fit into the opening and creates the ceiling of the lower reservoir 204 when inserted into the opening. In some examples, the lower lid 206 can be removable from the lower reservoir 204 (e.g., using a lower handle 212) so as to be able to access and / or clean the interior of the lower reservoir 204. In some examples, the lower lid 206 (and / or the lower sidewalls 210) can comprise shaped portions, such as complementary lips, rims, ledges, joints, columns, recesses, protrusions, and / or flanges, to facilitate the securing and / or removal of the lower lid 206. In some examples, the lower lid 206 can be fixed to the upper reservoir 300 using fasteners, and such fasteners can be configured to be relatively easily loosened and / or removable in order to enable the lower lid 206 to be removed without breaking it.

[0029] In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the upper reservoir 300 is held over the lower reservoir 204. However, in some examples, the upper reservoir 300 can be configured to be removed from the lower reservoir 204 and / or the recirculation system 200. FIG. 2C shows, for example, a view of the recirculation system 200 with the upper reservoir 300 removed. As shown, when the upper reservoir 300 is removed, a window 214 is visible in the lower lid 206 of the lower reservoir 204. In some examples, the window 214 can be sized and / or configured to receive the upper reservoir 300. In some examples, coolant fluid can flow from the upper reservoir 300 through the window 214 of the lower reservoir 204 to the lower reservoir 204.

[0030] In some examples, the lower lid 206 can include a retaining shape that aids in removably holding the upper reservoir 300 over the lower reservoir 204 (e.g., across and / or within the window 214). In some examples, the retaining shape enables the upper reservoir 300 to be firmly held over the lower reservoir 204 during operation and also enables the upper reservoir 300 to be removed from the lower reservoir 204 without breakage, if desired (e.g., for cleaning). In some examples, the upper reservoir 300 can include a complementary retaining shape. Such retaining shapes can include, for example, lips, rims, ledges, joints, columns, recesses, protrusions, fasteners, and / or flanges.

[0031] FIGS. 3A through 3E show various views of the upper reservoir 300. As shown, the upper reservoir 300 is a hollow cube (and / or rectangular prism) with an upper floor 308 connected to four upper sidewalls 310, and the upper sidewalls 310 are connected together such that they form an upper opening opposite the floor 308. The upper lid 306 is shaped to fit into its upper opening. The upper lid 306, when inserted into the opening, creates a ceiling for the upper reservoir 300, thereby helping to repel unwanted debris and / or limit fluid loss (e.g., by splashing).

[0032] In some examples, the upper lid 306 can be removable from the upper reservoir 300 (e.g., using the upper handle 312) so as to be able to access and / or clean the interior of the upper reservoir 300. In some examples, the upper lid 306 can be omitted entirely. In some examples, the upper lid 306 (and / or the upper sidewall 310) can include shaped portions that make it easier to secure and / or remove the upper lid 306, such as complementary lips, rims, shelf-like portions, joints, columns, recesses, protrusions, fasteners, and / or flanges configured to removably secure the upper lid 306 to the upper reservoir 300 so that the upper lid 306 can be removed without breaking it. FIGS. 3D and 3E show a perspective view and a top view of the upper reservoir 300 with the upper lid 306 removed.

[0033] In the examples of FIGS. 3A, 3D, and 3E, the upper lid 306 includes two lid inlets 302. In some examples, one of the two lid inlets 302 is aligned with the outlet pipe 128 and can receive coolant fluid from the cabinet 104. In some examples, having two lid inlets 302 can provide flexibility when positioning the upper reservoir 300 to align with the outlet pipe 128.

[0034] In some examples, the aligned lid inlet(s) 302 can assist in positioning the outlet pipe 128 at an appropriate height such that there is a gap between the top of the fluid retained within the upper reservoir 300 and the bottom of the outlet pipe 128. In some examples, this gap can assist in preventing backflow, clogging, and / or other adverse effects. In some examples, a lid inlet 302 that is not aligned with the outlet pipe 128 may be used as a vent. In some examples, a lid inlet 302 that is not aligned with the outlet pipe 128 may be covered. In some examples, two (or more) outlet pipes 128 may be present, and each outlet pipe 128 is aligned with a lid inlet 302. In some examples, the upper lid 306 may include only one lid inlet 302 or three or more lid inlets 302.

[0035] In the example of FIGS. 3B through 3E, the upper reservoir 300 includes a drain 304 in its upper floor 308. With the upper reservoir 300 positioned over the window 214 in the lower lid 206, the coolant fluid flowing through the drain 304 gravitates into the lower reservoir 204. In some examples, a drain pipe can assist in guiding the fluid flowing through the drain 304 into the lower reservoir 204.

[0036] In the examples of FIGS. 3B - 3E, the upper reservoir 300 also includes a standpipe 320. Although one standpipe 320 is shown, in some examples, multiple standpipes 320 (and / or multiple outlets 304) may be within the upper reservoir 300. In the examples of FIGS. 3D and 3E, the standpipe 320 and the outlet 304 are offset and / or misaligned with the lid inlet 302, and fluid entering the upper reservoir 300 through the lid inlet 302 does not flow directly into the outlet 304. In some examples, the fluid (and / or the outlet pipe 128) is directed through the lid inlet 302 to a location within the upper reservoir 300 that faces the standpipe 320 and / or the outlet 304, allowing the time and / or space of the fluid to settle and / or become less turbulent before approaching the standpipe 320 and / or the outlet 304.

[0037] As best shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the standpipe 320 has a base 324 below the upper floor 308. In some examples, the base 324 may be fixed to the lower surface of the upper floor 308 of the upper reservoir 300. In some examples, the base 324 (and / or the standpipe 320) may be fixed to the upper surface of the upper floor 308 of the upper reservoir 300. In some examples, the standpipe 320 may be molded with the upper floor 308. In some examples, the standpipe 320 may be friction - fit within the outlet 304.

[0038] In the examples of FIGS. 3B and 3C, the standpipe 320 has a wall 322 that extends upward from the base 324 through the outlet 304 into the upper reservoir 300. Within the upper reservoir 300, the wall 322 extends upward from the upper floor 308. As shown, the wall 322 forms a boundary around the outlet 304 so as to prevent fluid on the upper floor 308 from flowing directly into the outlet 304.

[0039] In the examples of FIGS. 3B and 3C, the wall 322 of the standpipe 320 extends upward from the floor 308 to the standpipe height. In some examples, only coolant fluid that accumulates and / or pools to a height above the standpipe height in the upper reservoir can flow through the wall 322 of the standpipe 320 and into the lower reservoir 204 via the outlet 304 (and window 214). In some examples, the time required for the coolant entering the upper reservoir 300 to reach the standpipe height can be sufficient to allow chips, debris, and / or other particulate material entrained in the coolant fluid to settle on the upper floor 308 of the upper reservoir 300. As a result, the chips, debris, and / or other particulate material settle below the top of the standpipe 320 and are not conveyed to the lower reservoir 204 via the outlet 304. Thus, in some examples, the standpipe 320 enables the recirculation system 200 to separate chips, debris, and / or particulate matter from the recirculating coolant fluid without using conventional filters and / or filter media.

[0040] In the examples of FIGS. 3B and 3C, the standpipe height is approximately one-quarter to one-third of the height of the upper reservoir 300. In some examples, the standpipe height may be higher or lower than this height. In some examples, the standpipe height may be larger or smaller. In some examples, the standpipe height is lower than an upper height threshold at which there is a risk of coolant fluid depletion from the pump 202. For example, at the upper height threshold, the standpipe 320 can hold enough fluid in the upper reservoir 300 such that the fluid level in the lower reservoir 204 remains too low for the pump 202 to draw fluid for recirculation into the cabinet 104 (i.e., such that the pump 202 runs dry). In some examples, the upper height threshold depends on the relative sizes of the upper reservoir 300 and the lower reservoir 204, the extent to which the pump 202 extends into the lower reservoir 204, the total amount of fluid in the system, and / or other factors.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an example of another exemplary standpipe 420 that can be used in place of the standpipe 320 shown in FIGS. 3A - 3E. As shown, the exemplary standpipe 420 has a base 424 that is secured to the upper floor 308 of the upper reservoir 300 using a fastener 426 that extends through a compressible spring 428. The spring 428 serves to bias the standpipe 420 upward. The fastener 426 is attached with a shaft that extends downward from the upper floor 308, and the base 424 (and the attached standpipe 420) can move downward onto and / or across the fastener 426 when a sufficient downward force (e.g., by an operator) is supplied that exceeds the biasing of the spring 428. Thus, the standpipe 420 can move to a lower height via the fastener 426 and the spring 428.

[0042] In some examples, the fastener 426 can have a shaft of sufficient length to allow it to move downward by half (or less) of the standpipe height, one - quarter (or less) of the standpipe height, the height of the upper floor 308 and / or the outlet 304, or slightly above the height of the upper floor 308 and / or the outlet 304. As the standpipe height decreases, the upper reservoir 300 can more easily drain the fluid. Once the fluid is drained, the upper reservoir 300 can be more easily removed from the recirculation system 200 (e.g., for cleaning). When the fluid is gone and the downward force is released, the biasing force of the spring 428 can push the standpipe 420 back up to its original standpipe height.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary standpipe 520. As shown, the standpipe 520 is configured to be pulled up rather than pushed down to remove residual fluid in the upper reservoir 300. As shown, the standpipe 520 has a lower portion 528 that is normally positioned below the base 524 and below the upper floor 308 of the upper reservoir 300. When pulled up (e.g., by an operator), the lower portion 528 of the alternative standpipe 520 enters the upper reservoir 300 from below and forms a boundary around the outlet 304.

[0044] In the example of FIG. 5, the lower portion 528 of the second alternative standpipe 520 has a slit 526. In some examples, the slit 526 can be made narrow enough to act as a coarse filter. In some examples, the slit 526 can alternatively be a hole or other shaped opening. In some examples, when the standpipe 520 is raised, the fluid in the upper reservoir 300 can flow into the outlet 304 through the slit 526 regardless of the fluid height. As shown, the lower portion 528 of the wall 522 further has a protruding projection 530 that prevents the second alternative standpipe 520 from being pulled up beyond the base 524. Thus, in some examples, the second alternative standpipe 520 can allow an operator to easily drain the fluid from the upper reservoir 300 by raising the lower portion 528 of the second alternative standpipe 520 and enabling the discharge of the fluid through the slit 526.

[0045] The exemplary recirculation system 200 disclosed in the present disclosure enables the separation of chips, debris, and / or other particulate materials from the recirculated fluid without using conventional filters and / or filtration media. The absence of conventional filters and / or filtration media can facilitate cleaning and / or reduce costs. However, if desired, conventional filters and / or filtration media may be used with the exemplary recirculation system 200 described in the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows an example of a filter 600 positioned within the upper reservoir 300. As shown, the filter 600 extends horizontally across the upper reservoir, from sidewall 310 to sidewall 310, at a height above the upper floor 308 and below the height of the standpipe 320. In some examples, the filter 600 can fit snugly around the standpipe 320. In some examples, the outlet pipe 128 of FIG. 1 discharges fluid from the cabinet 104 to the volume between the upper floor 308 and the filter 600. Thus, the fluid rising from the upper floor 308 to the height of the standpipe may need to pass through the filter 600 before passing through the outlet 304. In some examples, the filter 600 can have one or more openings aligned with the inlet(s) 302 to allow fluid to enter the upper reservoir 300 without passing through the filter 600. In some examples, the outlet pipe 128 can extend into the upper reservoir 300 (e.g., via the inlet 302) to better direct fluid to the opening(s) within the filter 600.

[0047] Although the method and / or system has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of the method and / or system. Additionally, many modifications can be made to adapt the teachings of the disclosure to a particular situation or material without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the method and / or system is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the method and / or system is intended to include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0048] As used in this disclosure, "and / or" means any one or more of the items in the list connected by "and / or". As an example, "x and / or y" means any element of the set of three elements {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, "x and / or y" means "one or both of x and y". As another example, "x, y and / or z" means any element of the set of seven elements {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, "x, y and / or z" means "one or more of x, y and z".

[0049] As used in this disclosure, the term "for example" emphasizes a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances or illustrations.

[0050] As used in this disclosure, the terms "about" and / or "approximately" mean reasonably close to the value, range of values, position, orientation, and / or operation when used to modify or describe a value (or range of values), position, orientation, and / or operation. Thus, the examples described in this disclosure are not limited only to the recited values, ranges of values, positions, orientations, and / or operations, but rather, conversely, will include reasonably achievable deviations.

[0051] As used in this disclosure, the term "coupled" means structural and / or electrical connection, whether by attachment, adhesion, connection, joining, fastening, linking, and / or otherwise fixed. As used in this disclosure, the term "attach" means to adhere, couple, connect, join, fasten, link, and / or otherwise fix. As used in this disclosure, the term "connect" means to attach, adhere, couple, join, fasten, link, and / or otherwise fix.

[0052] As used in the present disclosure, when used as a noun, the term "fluid" refers to a freely flowing deformable substance that does not have a fixed shape and includes, inter alia, liquids (e.g., water, solutions, etc.) and / or plasma. [Configuration 1] A recirculation system for a material removal machine, a first reservoir having a floor, the floor having a discharge port, a first reservoir; a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir via the discharge port; a standpipe having a wall that forms a boundary around the discharge port within the first reservoir, the wall extending upwardly away from the floor to a first height, whereby fluid accumulating on the floor within the first reservoir is prevented from flowing into the second reservoir via the discharge port until the top of the fluid within the first reservoir exceeds the first height, and the first reservoir is configured to allow precipitation of material entrained in the fluid before the fluid exceeds the first height, a standpipe; A recirculation system comprising. [Configuration 2] The recirculation system according to Configuration 1, wherein the second reservoir is positioned below the discharge port of the first reservoir and receives the fluid falling through the discharge port. [Configuration 3] The recirculation system according to Configuration 1, wherein the second reservoir is in fluid communication with a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine. [Configuration 4] The recirculation system according to Configuration 3, wherein the material removal machine includes a cutting saw. [Configuration 5] The recirculation system according to Configuration 3, further comprising a recirculation pump configured to pump the fluid from the second reservoir to the material removal cabinet. [Configuration 6] The recirculation system according to Configuration 1, further comprising a removable lid shaped to fit into an opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the removable lid having a lid inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a cabinet outlet of a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine, whereby fluid can flow from the material removal cabinet to the first reservoir via the cabinet outlet and the lid inlet. [Configuration 7] The recirculation system according to Configuration 5, wherein when the removable lid is fitted within the opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the lid inlet is misaligned with the discharge port. [Configuration 8] The recirculation system according to Configuration 1, wherein the first reservoir is smaller than the second reservoir. [Configuration 9] The recirculation system according to Configuration 1, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir do not include any filter or filtration medium. [Configuration 10] The recirculation system according to Configuration 1, wherein the height of the standpipe is based on the first volume of the first reservoir and the second volume of the second reservoir. [Configuration 11] A material removal system, comprising: A material removal cabinet that houses a material removal machine; A recirculation system that is in fluid communication with the material removal cabinet, the recirculation system comprising: A first reservoir having a floor, the floor having a discharge port; A second reservoir that is in fluid communication with the first reservoir via the discharge port; A standpipe having a wall that forms a boundary around the discharge port within the first reservoir, the wall extending upwardly away from the floor to a first height, whereby fluid accumulating above the floor within the first reservoir is prevented from flowing into the second reservoir via the discharge port until the top of the fluid within the first reservoir exceeds the first height, and the first reservoir is configured to allow precipitation of material entrained in the fluid before the fluid exceeds the first height; A recirculation system; A material removal system. [Configuration 12] The material removal system according to Configuration 11, wherein the second reservoir is positioned below the discharge port of the first reservoir to receive the fluid falling through the discharge port. [Configuration 13] The material removal system according to Configuration 11, wherein the second reservoir is in fluid communication with the material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine. [Configuration 14] The material removal system according to Configuration 13, wherein the material removal machine includes a cutting saw. [Configuration 15] The material removal system according to Configuration 13, further comprising a recirculation pump configured to pump the fluid from the second reservoir to the material removal cabinet. [Configuration 16] The material removal system according to Configuration 11, further comprising a removable lid shaped to fit an opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the removable lid having a lid inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a cabinet outlet of the material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine, whereby fluid can flow from the material removal cabinet to the first reservoir via the cabinet outlet and the lid inlet. [Configuration 17] The material removal system according to Configuration 15, wherein when the removable lid is fitted into the opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the lid inlet is disengaged from the discharge port. [Configuration 18] The material removal system according to Configuration 11, wherein the first reservoir is smaller than the second reservoir. [Configuration 19] The material removal system according to Configuration 11, wherein neither the first reservoir nor the second reservoir includes a filter or a filtering medium. [Configuration 20] The material removal system according to Configuration 11, wherein the height of the standpipe is based on a first volume of the first reservoir and a second volume of the second reservoir.

Claims

Claim 1 A recirculation system for a material removal machine, comprising: A first reservoir having a floor, the floor having an outlet, the first reservoir; A second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir via the outlet; A standpipe having a wall that forms a boundary around the outlet within the first reservoir, the wall extending upwardly away from the floor to a first height, whereby fluid accumulating on the floor within the first reservoir is prevented from flowing into the second reservoir via the outlet until the top of the fluid within the first reservoir exceeds the first height, and the first reservoir is configured to allow sedimentation of material entrained in the fluid before the fluid exceeds the first height; the standpipe; Comprising; The standpipe is attached to the floor of the first reservoir via a compressible spring that biases the standpipe upwardly, such that when a downward force acting on the standpipe exceeds the biasing of the spring, the standpipe moves downwardly to lower the height of the wall below the first height; Recirculation system. Claim 2 The recirculation system according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir is positioned below the outlet of the first reservoir to receive the fluid falling through the outlet. Claim 3 The recirculation system according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir is in fluid communication with a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine. Claim 4 The recirculation system according to claim 3, wherein the material removal machine includes a cutting saw. Claim 5 The recirculation system according to claim 3, further comprising a recirculation pump configured to pump the fluid from the second reservoir to the material removal cabinet. Claim 6 The recirculation system according to claim 1, further comprising a removable lid shaped to fit an opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the removable lid having a lid inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a cabinet outlet of a material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine, whereby fluid can flow from the material removal cabinet to the first reservoir via the cabinet outlet and the lid inlet. Claim 7 The recirculation system according to claim 6, wherein when the removable lid is fitted into the opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the lid inlet is misaligned with the discharge port.

8. The recirculation system according to claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is smaller than the second reservoir.

9. The recirculation system according to claim 1, wherein neither the first reservoir nor the second reservoir includes a filter or a filtering medium.

10. The recirculation system according to claim 1, wherein the height of the standpipe is based on a first volume of the first reservoir and a second volume of the second reservoir.

11. A material removal system, comprising: a material removal cabinet for housing a material removal machine; a recirculation system in fluid communication with the material removal cabinet, the recirculation system comprising: a first reservoir having a floor, the floor having a discharge port; a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir via the discharge port; a standpipe having a wall that forms a boundary around the discharge port within the first reservoir, the wall extending upwardly away from the floor to a first height, whereby fluid accumulating on the floor within the first reservoir is prevented from flowing into the second reservoir via the discharge port until the top of the fluid within the first reservoir exceeds the first height, and the first reservoir is configured to allow precipitation of material entrained in the fluid before the fluid exceeds the first height; and the standpipe is attached to the floor via a compressible spring that biases the standpipe upwardly, such that when a downward force acting on the standpipe exceeds the biasing of the spring, the standpipe moves downwardly to make the height of the wall lower than the first height. a recirculation system; A material removal system comprising the recirculation system.

12. The material removal system according to claim 11, wherein the second reservoir is positioned below the discharge port of the first reservoir to receive the fluid falling through the discharge port.

13. The material removal system according to claim 11, wherein the second reservoir is in fluid communication with the material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine.

14. The material removal machine is the material removal system according to claim 13, including a cutting saw.

15. The material removal system according to claim 13, further comprising a recirculation pump configured to pump the fluid from the second reservoir to the material removal cabinet.

16. The material removal system according to claim 11, further comprising a removable lid shaped to fit an opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the removable lid having a lid inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a cabinet outlet of the material removal cabinet that houses the material removal machine, whereby fluid can flow from the material removal cabinet to the first reservoir through the cabinet outlet and the lid inlet.

17. The material removal system according to claim 16, wherein when the removable lid is fitted into the opening in the ceiling of the first reservoir, the lid inlet is misaligned from the discharge port.

18. The material removal system according to claim 11, wherein the first reservoir is smaller than the second reservoir.

19. The material removal system according to claim 11, wherein neither the first reservoir nor the second reservoir includes a filter or a filtering medium.

20. The material removal system according to claim 11, wherein the height of the standpipe is based on a first volume of the first reservoir and a second volume of the second reservoir.

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