Method and system for removing debris

Abstract

A debris removal system for removing debris from a surface. The debris removal system may comprise a first air supply duct positioned adjacent to the surface, a debris collection chute positioned adjacent to the surface and on the side opposite the first air supply duct, and a blower configured to intake air from the debris collection chute and exhaust air to the first air supply duct. The first air supply duct may be configured to direct airflow across the surface and the debris collection chute is configured to collect debris. The first air supply duct may direct airflow across the surface to move debris from the surface to the debris collection chute.

1 . A system for removing debris from a surface, comprising: 
 a first air supply duct positioned above the surface, wherein the first air supply duct is configured to direct airflow across the surface;    a debris collection chute positioned adjacent to the surface and on the side opposite the first air supply duct, wherein the debris collection chute is configured to collect debris; and    a blower configured to intake air from the debris collection chute and exhaust air to the first air supply duct,    wherein the first air supply duct directs airflow across the surface to move debris from the surface to the debris collection chute.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a deflector positioned upstream of the first air supply duct and configured to prevent objects on the surface from contacting the first air supply duct.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an air intake duct connected to the blower and configured to intake air from the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a filter within the air intake duct, 
 wherein the filter is configured to prevent debris from entering the blower.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a filter within the air intake duct, 
 wherein the filter is configured to remove dust from the air stream.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , where there are two openings of the air intake duct, one being configured to intake air outside the debris removal system and a second being configured to intake air from the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the opening of the air intake duct is positioned below the surface in the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the opening of the air intake duct is positioned above the surface in the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein there are two openings of the air intake duct, one being positioned below the surface and a second being positioned above the surface in the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an air intake duct connected to the blower and configured to intake air from outside the debris removal system.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein one opening of the intake duct is configured to intake air from outside the debris removal system and the second opening is configured to intake air from the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second air supply duct positioned on the same side of the surface as the first air supply duct, 
 wherein the second air supply duct is configured to direct airflow across the surface.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a deflector positioned upstream of the air supply duct and configured to prevent objects from contacting the air supply duct.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second deflector positioned upstream of the second air supply duct and configured to prevent objects from contacting the second air supply duct.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first air supply duct directs airflow down towards the surface and across the surface at an angle from the horizontal plane.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second air supply duct directs airflow down towards the surface and across the surface at an angle from the horizontal plane.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first air supply duct directs airflow opposite the direction of travel of the surface.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second air supply duct directs airflow opposite the direction of travel of the surface.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a door configured to access debris in the debris collection chute.  
   
   
       20 . A method for removing debris, comprising: 
 directing airflow across the surface via a first air supply duct positioned above the surface to move the debris from the surface to a debris collection chute;    collecting debris in the debris collection chute; and    circulating air from the debris collection chute to the first air supply duct.