Extractor with segmented positive pressure airflow system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11530826-B2
Application number	US-201514801591-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 16, 2015
Priority date	Jul 16, 2015
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

An extractor system includes a negative pressure gas stream source, a negative pressure conduit, a positive pressure gas stream source, a plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds, and an operator interface. The negative pressure conduit is conveys the negative pressure gas stream from a work area. A first end of the negative pressure conduit is coupled to the negative pressure gas stream source, such that the negative pressure gas stream flows from the work area through a second end of the negative pressure conduit and toward the first end of the negative pressure conduit. The positive pressure gas stream manifolds are disposed about the negative pressure conduit at the second end of the negative pressure conduit, and fluidly coupled to the positive pressure gas stream source. The positive pressure gas stream is directed through the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds. The operator interface allows a user to control the positive pressure gas stream through each of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An extractor system comprising:
a negative pressure gas stream source;
a negative pressure conduit configured to convey a negative pressure gas stream from a work area, wherein a first end of the negative pressure conduit is coupled to the negative pressure gas stream source, such that the negative pressure gas stream is conveyed from the work area through a second end of the negative pressure conduit and toward the first end of the negative pressure conduit;
a positive pressure head connected to the second end of the negative pressure conduit, the positive pressure head including a plurality of positive pressure gas stream assemblies disposed at different positions about a circumference of the negative pressure conduit at the second end of the negative pressure conduit, at least one of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream assemblies comprising:
a positive pressure gas stream manifold coupled to a dedicated end cap;
a motor disposed within the positive pressure gas stream manifold; and
a fan coupled to the motor, wherein the fan is configured to draw ambient air into the end cap, generate a positive pressure gas stream from the air, and direct the positive pressure gas stream through the positive pressure gas stream manifold;

a handle at or near the second end of the negative pressure conduit; and
an operator interface, remote control, or control circuitry controls the positive pressure gas stream through the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds.

2. The extractor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream assemblies is configured to direct the positive pressure gas stream radially outwardly from the corresponding circumferential position about the negative pressure conduit.

3. The extractor system of claim 1 , wherein the operator interface, the remote control, or the control circuitry comprises user inputs for individually controlling the motors of the positive pressure gas stream assemblies, wherein each motor of the plurality of motors positive pressure gas stream assemblies drives at least one fan of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream assemblies.

4. The extractor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the positive pressure gas stream assemblies comprises a louver assembly disposed within positive pressure gas stream manifold, wherein the louver assembly limits the positive pressure gas stream through the respective positive pressure gas stream manifold when the louver assembly is closed, and wherein the louver assembly allows the positive pressure gas stream through the respective positive pressure gas stream manifold when the louver assembly is open.

5. The extractor system of claim 4 , wherein the operator interface comprises user inputs for individually opening and closing each louver assembly.

6. The extractor system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of positive pressure gas stream assemblies are configured to be retrofitted to an existing negative pressure conduit.

7. The extractor system of claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to be used to position the positive pressure head that is arranged on the negative pressure conduit.

8. An extractor system comprising:
a negative pressure conduit configured to convey a negative pressure gas stream from a work area, wherein a first end of the negative pressure conduit is coupled to a negative pressure gas stream source, such that the negative pressure gas stream is conveyed from the work area through a second end of the negative pressure conduit and toward the first end of the negative pressure conduit;
a positive pressure system, comprising a plurality of positive pressure assemblies disposed at different positions about a circumference of the negative pressure conduit at the second end, each positive pressure assembly comprising:
a positive pressure gas stream manifold coupled to a dedicated end cap;
a dedicated motor disposed within the positive pressure gas stream manifold; and
a dedicated fan coupled to the motor, wherein the fan is configured to draw ambient air into the end cap, generate a positive pressure gas stream from the air, and direct the positive pressure gas stream through the positive pressure gas stream manifold;

a handle attached to the negative pressure conduit; and
an operator interface, on the handle, configured to allow a user to individually control the plurality of motors, wherein each motor of the plurality of motors drives at least one fan of the plurality of fans.

9. The extractor system of claim 8 , wherein each positive pressure gas stream manifold is configured to direct the positive pressure gas stream radially outwardly.

10. The extractor system of claim 8 , wherein each of the dedicated end caps and the dedicated fans in the plurality of positive pressure assemblies are disposed upstream of the motor.

11. The extractor system of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of positive pressure assemblies comprises a louver assembly configured to limit the positive pressure gas stream through the positive pressure gas stream manifold.

12. The extractor system of claim 11 , wherein the operator interface is configured to allow the user to open and close any number of the plurality of louver assemblies.

13. The extractor system of claim 8 , wherein the motor is a DC motor.

14. The extractor system of claim 8 , wherein each of plurality of positive pressure assemblies are coupled to one another by hinge assemblies.

15. A method comprising:
directing a negative pressure gas stream through a negative pressure conduit;
directing a plurality of positive pressure gas streams through a plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds disposed at different positions about a circumference of the negative pressure conduit, wherein each positive pressure gas stream manifold comprises a dedicated motor and a dedicated fan coupled to the motor, wherein the fan is configured to draw ambient air through an intake at a dedicated end cap to generate a positive pressure gas stream from the air, and direct the positive pressure gas stream through the positive pressure gas stream manifold, wherein the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds are connected to a positive pressure head connected to a second end of the negative pressure conduit;
simultaneously with the directing of the plurality of positive pressure gas streams, limiting the positive pressure gas stream through at least one of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds; and
individually controlling the motor in each positive pressure gas stream manifold via an operator interface on a handle attached to the negative pressure conduit.

16. The extractor system of claim 8 , wherein the positive pressure system comprises a positive pressure head, and the handle is configured to be used to position the positive pressure head that is arranged on the negative pressure conduit.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the positive pressure gas stream is directed radially outwardly.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds through which positive pressure gas stream is limited face a nearby surface.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the nearby surface is a work surface or a wall.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein limiting the positive pressure gas stream through the one or more of the plurality of positive pressure gas stream manifolds comprises limiting one or more sources of the positive

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Moon Thomas Anthony
• Frank Adam Joseph
• Maske William Peter

Classifications

• B23K9/325

  Devices for supplying or evacuating shielding gas · CPC title

• B08B15/00 Primary

  Preventing escape of dirt or fumes from the area where they are produced; Collecting or removing dirt or fumes from that area · CPC title

• F24F7/025 Primary

  with forced air circulation by means of a built-in ventilator · CPC title

• B08B15/002 Primary

  using a central suction system, e.g. for collecting exhaust gases in workshops (removing dust from textile machines D01H11/00; ventilation of mines, galleries or tunnels, e.g. traffic tunnels, E21F1/00) · CPC title

• B08B15/02

  using chambers or hoods covering the area {(B08B15/002 takes precedence)} · CPC title