Vacuum tube assembly for material removal

A sorting system, comprising:

• a sensor configured to obtain sensed data of objects in a material stream;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• identify target objects in the material stream based at least in part on the sensed data;
• determine a timing associated with a target object entering a target area relative to a vacuum tube, wherein the vacuum tube is operable to be actuated, wherein the vacuum tube is configured to translate relative to the material stream, wherein the vacuum tube is translated towards or away from the material stream based on the timing;
• detect a clog has occurred in the vacuum tube;
• and
• cause a positive airflow to be channeled through the vacuum tube to remove the clog.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• a tube coupled to the vacuum generator, wherein the tube is configured to channel the vacuum airflow from the vacuum generator through the tube, wherein the tube is configured to be actuatable from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position;
• a sensor configured to determine a clog in the tube, wherein the vacuum airflow is controlled to remove the clog from the tube;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• detect the clog has occurred in the tube;
• and
• cause a positive airflow to be channeled through the tube.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• one or more tubes coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to channel the vacuum airflow;
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the one or more tubes, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate at least one tube from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position;
• and
• a clearing ring that the at least one tube is configured to pass through as the at least one tube is actuated from the second position to the first position.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• one or more tubes coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to channel the vacuum airflow;
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the one or more tubes, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate at least one tube from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• detect a clog has occurred in a first tube in the one or more tubes;
• and
• increase a pressure on the vacuum airflow that is channeled through the first tube to remove the clog.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• one or more tubes coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to channel the vacuum airflow;
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the one or more tubes, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate at least one tube from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• detect a clog has occurred in a first tube in the one or more tubes;
• and
• cause a cap to cover an end of the first tube to cause a buildup of pressure.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• one or more tubes coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to channel the vacuum airflow;
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the one or more tubes, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate at least one tube from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position;
• and
• a gravity trap that is coupled to the one or more tubes.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• one or more tubes coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to channel the vacuum airflow;
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the one or more tubes, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate at least one tube from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position;
• and
• an array of air orifices that is configured to channel airflow towards the material stream.

A sorting system, comprising:

• a vacuum generator configured to generate a vacuum airflow;
• one or more tubes coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to channel the vacuum airflow, wherein at least one tube comprises a knife edge at an end of the at least one tube;
• and
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the one or more tubes, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the at least one tube from a first position relative to a material stream to a second position relative to the material stream, wherein the first position is farther from the material stream than the second position.