Excavator system

Abstract

An excavation system includes a shroud having a first opening and a second opening, a nozzle for directing an air stream in a first direction through the first opening of the shroud, wherein the nozzle is surrounded by the shroud, a first pump configured to apply a suction within the shroud in a second direction through the second opening of the shroud, and a collection area in fluid communication with the second opening of the shroud for receiving contaminated material. The collection area includes a collector for separating the contaminated material via an impact plate and a filter. The contaminated material is then deposited into a bag supported by a box. A method for excavating the contaminated material from the ground is also disclosed.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . An excavation system, comprising: 
 a shroud having a first opening and a second opening;    a nozzle for directing an air stream in a first direction through the first opening of the shroud, the nozzle surrounded by the shroud;    a first pump configured to apply a suction within the shroud in a second direction through the second opening of the shroud; and    a collection area in fluid communication with the second opening of the shroud.    
     
     
         2 . The excavation system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is connected to a barrel, the barrel positioned in and extending from the shroud.  
     
     
         3 . The excavation system of  claim 2 , wherein the shroud comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber adjacent to the first opening of the shroud and the second chamber adjacent to the second opening of the shroud.  
     
     
         4 . The excavation system of  claim 3 , further comprising a deflector plate received within the shroud, wherein the shroud defines a flow passageway adjacent to the deflector plate and an inner surface of the shroud.  
     
     
         5 . The excavation system of  claim 4 , wherein the deflector plate is positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber of the shroud.  
     
     
         6 . The excavation system of  claim 5 , wherein the deflector plate is substantially parallel to a ground area.  
     
     
         7 . The excavation system of  claim 6 , further comprising a flexible seal member positioned adjacent the first opening of the shroud.  
     
     
         8 . The excavation system of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible seal member comprises a plurality of bristles.  
     
     
         9 . The excavation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pump in fluid communication with the barrel, the second pump configured to create the air stream to be delivered through the barrel.  
     
     
         10 . The excavation system of  claim 1 , wherein the suction is sufficient to carry particles having a diameter of 2 millimeters or less.  
     
     
         11 . The excavation system of  claim 1 , wherein the collection area is comprised of a container with lid, the container lined with a removable liner.  
     
     
         12 . A method for excavating material from the ground, comprising the steps of: 
 directing an air stream in a first direction toward a material to be removed;    causing the material to be dislodged by the air stream to move the dislodged material in a second direction;    providing suction in the second direction to carry the dislodged material in the second direction; and    collecting the removed material and directly depositing the collected material into a bag.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a shroud having a first opening and a second opening;    providing a nozzle for directing the air stream toward the ground through the first opening of the shroud;    providing a first pump configured to apply the suction through the second opening of the shroud; and    providing a collection area in fluid communication with the second opening of the shroud to receive the removed material.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing a barrel positioned in and extending from the shroud, the barrel connected to the nozzle and a second pump.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second pump is configured to create the air stream to be delivered through the barrel.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of moving the nozzle over a ground area.  
     
     
         17 . An excavator head, comprising: 
 a shroud having a first opening and a second opening;    a nozzle for directing an air stream in a first direction through the first opening of the shroud, the nozzle surrounded by the shroud, wherein the nozzle is connected to a barrel, the barrel positioned in and extending from the shroud; and    a flexible seal member positioned adjacent to the first opening of the shroud.    
     
     
         18 . The excavator head of  claim 17 , further comprising a deflector plate received within the shroud, wherein the shroud defines a flow passageway adjacent to the deflector plate and an inner surface of the shroud for flow from the first opening to the second opening.  
     
     
         19 . A collector for receiving contaminated material, the collector comprising: 
 a chamber for receiving an air stream having contaminated materials;    an impact plate situated within the first chamber, the impact plate configured to remove the contaminated material from the air stream;    a filter situated within the chamber; and    means for cooperating with a bag suitable for collection and transportation of hazardous material.    
     
     
         20 . The collector of  claim 19 , further comprising a rotary valve positioned between the chamber and the container, the rotary valve configured to discharge the contaminated material into the container.