Aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system

An aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system for high-efficiency collection of particulate debris generated in a machining area during machining of a workpiece, comprising:

• a vacuum subsystem for generating a localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system, said vacuum subsystem including
• a vacuum pump,
• a hose fluidically connected to said vacuum pump, and
• a nozzle fluidically connected to said hose distal said vacuum pump, said nozzle having a tapered configuration defining an attachment end and an inlet end and including means for removably attaching said nozzle by said attachment end in combination with a machine tool, and
• said nozzle being positioned with respect to the workpiece wherein said tapered configuration of said nozzle develops the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area;
• and
• particulate charging, electric field generating means integrated in combination with the workpiece and said vacuum subsystem for charging particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece and for creating an electric field between the workpiece and said nozzle that directs the charged particulate debris into the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system, said particulate charging, electric field generating means including
• a high voltage power supply,
• a first conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and the workpiece,
• a collection electrode in the form of a spiral wire physically integrated in combination with said inlet end of said nozzle, and
• a second conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and said collection electrode;
• the oppositely charged workpiece and said collection electrode in combination producing a corona discharge in the machining area that causes the particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece to become charged;
• the oppositely charged workpiece and said collection electrode in combination creating the electric field between the workpiece and said nozzle that is collinear with the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.