Dust removal apparatus

Abstract

A system includes a dust removal head having an air input assembly, a vacuum output assembly, a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone. The air input assembly is configured for connection to a pressurized air source. The vacuum output assembly is configured for connection to a vacuum machine. The high pressure zone is in fluid communication with the air input assembly. The low pressure zone surrounds the high pressure zone, is in fluid communication with the high pressure zone, and is in fluid communication with the vacuum output assembly. A method of removing dust from a surface using a machine comprises directing pressurized air toward the surface to dislodge the dust from the surface and entrain the dust in a moving air stream within a high pressure zone shroud, conveying the dust-entrained air flow to a low pressure zone container and removing it using a vacuum.

1 . A system comprising:
 a dust removal head comprising:   an air input assembly configured for connection to a pressurized air source;   a vacuum output assembly configured for connection to a vacuum machine;   a high pressure zone in fluid communication with the air input assembly; and   a low pressure zone:
 surrounding the high pressure zone; 
 in fluid communication with the high pressure zone; and 
 in fluid communication with the a vacuum output assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising the pressurized air source. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  comprising the vacuum machine. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the high pressure zone comprises a spinning arm assembly that is configured to receive pressurized air from the air input assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the spinning arm assembly comprises a substantially longitudinal conduit for the pressurized air. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  comprising a nozzle that is oriented at an acute angle relative to a direction that is orthogonal to the substantially longitudinal conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the acute angle is between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the spinning arm assembly comprises an arm having an airfoil shape. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the high pressure zone is defined by a first shroud covering the spinning arm assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the low pressure zone comprises a second shroud surrounding the first shroud. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second shroud extends closer to a surface from which dust is to be removed than does the spinning arm assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second shroud:
 extends closer to a surface from which dust is to be removed than does the first shroud; and   comprises a plurality of apertures between an edge of the first shroud and an edge of the second shroud.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the low pressure zone comprises a third shroud surrounding the second shroud. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dust removal head has a forward motion direction defining a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the low pressure zone has a greater volume proximate the trailing edge than proximate the leading edge. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the low pressure zone has a greater volume proximate the vacuum output assembly than distal from the vacuum output assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dust removal head has a forward motion direction defining a leading edge and a trailing edge, the system comprising a scraper positioned forward of the leading edge. 
     
     
         17 . A method of removing dust from a surface using a machine, the method comprising:
 directing pressurized air toward the surface to dislodge the dust from the surface and entrain the dust in a moving air stream within a high pressure zone shroud, thereby producing a dust-entrained air flow;   conveying the dust-entrained air flow to a low pressure zone container; and   removing the dust-entrained air flow from the low pressure zone container using a vacuum.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein directing pressurized air toward the surface comprises blowing the pressurized air from opposed ends of a rotating arm assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein conveying the dust-entrained air flow to the low pressure zone container comprises moving the dust-entrained air flow between the high pressure zone shroud and the surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein conveying the dust-entrained air flow to the low pressure zone container comprises moving the dust-entrained air flow through a plurality of apertures of the to the low pressure zone container.