Method and apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing HVAC systems
OwnerDonald H. Collettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Accumulated debris is removed from building ducts by agitating the debris, with a nozzle-headed air hose, as air flows through the ducts. The nozzle has ports arranged so that air jets cause the hose to whip around inside the ducts. A borescope is used to simultaneously monitor progress of the cleaning. Filters are provided over all duct openings to collect debris and prevent it from escaping during cleaning.
Claims18
A method of cleaning accumulated debris from the interior surfaces of HVAC ductwork in a building without having to disassemble the ductwork, the method comprising:
- installing a particle filter substantially transversely across the lumen of the ductwork downstream of the portion of the ductwork to be cleaned;
- agitating the accumulated debris on the interior surfaces of the ductwork such that the debris becomes detached from the underlying interior surface of the ductwork, thereby causing the debris to become suspended in air in the lumen of the ductwork;
- and
- moving the air containing suspended debris through the ductwork toward the filter, passing the air through the filter and capturing the debris on the filter.
A method of cleaning accumulated debris from the interior surfaces of HVAC ductwork in a building without having to disassemble the ductwork, the method comprising:
- partially inserting a hose, having a nozzle at its free end, through an opening into the ductwork;
- and
- supplying pressurized air to the hose such that the nozzle and hose whip around inside the ductwork to agitate the accumulated debris on the interior surface of the ductwork such that the debris becomes detached from the interior surface of the ductwork.
An apparatus for cleaning the debris from the interior surfaces of HVAC ductwork, the apparatus comprising:
- a source of pressurized air;
- a flexible hose having one end attached to the air source;
- and
- a nozzle attached to the other end of the hose, the nozzle having apertures positioned such that when the source is supplying air to the hose, the nozzle end of the nozzle is accelerated so that the hose whips around.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.