# US 2024/0189869 A1 · Ventilation and Particulate Matter Removal System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0189869 A1 - Document ID: US20240189869A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/238,557 - Filed: 2023-08-28 - Published: 2024-06-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-27 - Assignees: Synergetics Pty. Ltd. - Applicants: Synergetics Pty. Ltd. - Inventors: David Hayden Collins; James Brett; James Forsyth; Rolf Meumann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240189869A1 ## CPC - B08B 5/02: Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities {(airguns or nozzles per se B05B1/005)} - B08B 5/04: Cleaning by suction, with or without auxiliary action - B08B 9/093: by the force of jets or sprays ({B08B9/0813} , B08B9/20 take precedence) - B08B 13/00: Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning - B08B 15/02: using chambers or hoods covering the area {(B08B15/002 takes precedence)} - F24F 3/16: by purification, e.g. by filtering; by sterilisation; by ozonisation - G01N 15/06: Investigating concentration of particle suspensions (by weighing G01N5/00; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10) - H05K 7/20136: {Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans (H05K7/202 takes precedence)} - F24F 2110/64: Airborne particle content - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract An apparatus for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, includes a cover positionable adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening, a gas source external to the internal space, an inlet conduit that in use extends through the cover and is adapted to direct gas from the gas source to at least one gas outlet within the internal space, a source of partial vacuum to maintain a partial vacuum within the enclosed space and to draw gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space firstly through an outlet conduit and then through a particulate matter separation means comprising at least one filter, a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the enclosed space, and a display adapted to provide to a user information on concentration of particulate matter leaving the internal space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, comprising: a cover positionable adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening; a gas source external to the internal space; an inlet conduit that in use extends through the cover and is adapted to direct gas from the gas source to at least one gas outlet within the internal space whereby particulate matter within the internal space is dislodged and entrained in gas within the internal space; a source of partial vacuum adapted to maintain a partial vacuum within the enclosed space and to draw gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space firstly through an outlet conduit and then through a particulate matter separation means comprising at least one filter; a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the enclosed space; and a display adapted to provide to a user information on concentration of particulate matter leaving the internal space so that the operator can continue use of gas from the gas source to dislodge particulate matter in the internal space until a satisfactory value of the concentration is achieved. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet conduit is in use secured to the cover and draws gas through an opening in the cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one gas outlet is movable relative to the cover among multiple positions within the internal space. ### Claim 4 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the gas outlet is at an end of an elongate tubular lance comprised in the inlet conduit, the lance in use extending though a port in the cover so that a portion of its length is in the internal space and the user can manually move the lance to cause the gas outlet to takes up any of the said multiple positions within the internal space. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the port in the cover is one of a plurality of ports in the cover so positioned that the user can withdraw the lance from one port and enter the lance into another port as required to access multiple parts of the internal space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of ports has a restriction adapted to restrict flow of gas and particulates therethrough when the port does not have the lance extending through it. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising control apparatus for stopping flow of gas from the gas source to the at least one gas outlet by the user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control apparatus is operable automatically in response to sensed pressure within the internal space rising to a predetermined threshold level to interrupt flow to the at least one gas outlet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas discharged from the apparatus downstream of the source of partial vacuum. ### Claim 10 A method for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, comprising the steps of: positioning a cover adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening; providing a gas source external to the internal space; providing an inlet conduit that in use extends through the cover and is adapted to direct gas from the gas source to at least one gas outlet within the internal space whereby particulate matter within the internal space is dislodged and entrained in gas within the internal space; providing a source of partial vacuum adapted to maintain a partial vacuum within the enclosed space and to draw gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space firstly through an outlet conduit and then through a particulate matter separation means comprising at least one filter; providing a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the enclosed space; and using the sensor to derive and provide to a user information on concentration of particulate matter leaving the internal space; the user using gas from the gas source to dislodge particulate matter in the internal space until a satisfactory value of the concentration is achieved. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: repeatedly sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the internal space during cleaning thereof and making into digital records thereof; time stamping each digital record and transmitting using a digital data network the digital records to a remote location for recording and approval. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method of claim 11, further comprising the step of repeatedly sensing pressure within the internal space during cleaning thereof and including in the transmitted digital records sensed values of pressure within the internal space. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: further providing a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas discharged from the apparatus downstream of the source of partial vacuum; and repeatedly sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas discharged to atmosphere downstream of the source of partial vacuum and including in the transmitted digital records sensed values thereof.