Dust collection in a rotary floor finishing machine

Abstract

In a powered floor finishing machine or surface abrading machine, a housing encloses an abrading component. Dust is collected at the edge of the abrading component by an airflow drawn through the gap between the abrading component and the edge of the housing, through the housing to a suction port and on to a dust collection system. Supplemental air at relatively higher pressure is injected into the housing at a favorable position and angle as to the interior geometry and normal airflow pattern so as to inhibit dust collection within the housing and increase average airflow velocity from the gap to the suction port. Less dust is precipitated out of the airflow before it gets to the suction port, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of dust collection, and extending the intervals between which the interior of the housing need be cleaned.

1 . A powered, motion-based, surface abrading machine comprising:
 a housing within which a powered motion mechanism moves an abrasive element with respect to a target surface whereby dust is emitted at the periphery of the abrasive element, the housing being configured with at least one suction port, the suction port communicating with a dust collection system configured to transport the dust in an airflow drawn through a periphery gap between the abrasive element and an edge of the housing, through the housing to the suction port, and hence to the dust collection system; and   a supplemental air source communicating with an air inlet in the housing through which supplemental air is injected into the housing between the periphery gap and the suction port.   
     
     
         2 . The powered, motion-based, surface abrading machine of  claim 1 , comprising at least one supplemental air nozzle attached to said air inlet and configured to terminate at a selected position and angle of orientation within the housing so as to increase airflow velocity between the periphery gap and the suction port. 
     
     
         3 . The powered, motion-based, surface abrading machine of  claim 1 , configured to inject supplemental air into the housing at a volume high enough to increase minimum airflow velocity in the housing between the periphery gap and the suction port while maintaining dust supporting airflow in the periphery gap, and at a volume less than the maximum airflow volume capacity of the dust collection system. 
     
     
         4 . A rotary floor finishing machine comprising:
 a housing within which rotates a pad-lock, the housing being configured with at least one suction port, the suction port communicating with a dust collection system configured for transporting dust in an airflow drawn through an annular gap between the pad-lock and a lower edge of the housing, through the housing to the suction port, and hence to the dust collection system; and   a supplemental air source communicating with an air inlet in the housing through which supplemental air is injected into the housing between the annular gap and the suction port.   
     
     
         5 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 4 , comprising a least one supplemental air nozzle attached to said air inlet and configured to terminate at a selected position and angle of orientation within the housing so as to increase airflow velocity between the annular gap and the suction port. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , the selected angle of orientation comprising a bias towards the direction of rotation of the pad-lock. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , the selected angle of orientation comprising a bias opposing the direction of rotation of the pad-lock. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , the inlet being displaced from the suction port. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , the supplemental air source configured to provide supplemental air of at least ambient pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , the housing and the pad-lock incorporating vertical extensions whereby the interior volume between the housing and the pad-lock is enlarged. 
     
     
         11 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , further incorporating a brush skirt extending from the edge of the housing to the floor. 
     
     
         12 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 6 , the nozzle configured to inject the supplemental air so as to impinge on a selected surface of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 6 , the nozzle configured to inject the supplemental air so as to impinge on a selected surface of the pad-lock. 
     
     
         14 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 6 , the nozzle configured whereby injected supplemental air accelerates airflow within the housing in the direction of rotation of the pad-lock. 
     
     
         15 . The rotary floor finishing machine of  claim 5 , configured to inject supplemental air into the housing at a pressure and volume high enough to increase minimum airflow velocity in the housing between the annular gap and the suction port while maintaining dust supporting airflow in the annular gap, and at a volume less than the maximum airflow volume capacity of the dust collection system. 
     
     
         16 . A method for collecting and containing dust when using a rotary floor finishing machine comprising:
 providing a housing within which a powered motion mechanism moves an abrasive element with respect to a target surface whereby dust is emitted at the periphery of the abrasive element, the housing being configured with at least one suction port, the suction port communicating with a dust collection system configured to transport the dust in an airflow drawn through a periphery gap between the abrasive element and an edge of the housing, through the housing to the suction port, and hence to the dust collection system; and   providing a supplemental air source communicating with an air inlet in the housing through which supplemental air is injected into the housing between the periphery gap and the suction port.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing at least one supplemental air nozzle attached to said air inlet and configured to terminate at a selected position and angle of orientation within the housing so as to increase airflow velocity between the periphery gap and the suction port.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 injecting supplemental air into the housing at a volume high enough to increase minimum airflow velocity in the housing between the periphery gap and the suction port while maintaining dust supporting airflow in the periphery gap, and at a volume less than the maximum airflow volume capacity of the dust collection system.