Debris exhaust system
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsDonald D. McBride, Dominic Bua, Yacov Domankevitz, Norman Nishioka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A debris removal system removes debris from a work site by flowing fluid away from the work site toward the periphery of a structure. The fluid flow can be kept constant around the periphery so that debris is removed evenly. The structure can have a reduced cross section between the fluid inlet and the work site so that the resulting increased fluid velocity works to prevent debris from escaping.
Claims9
An exhaust system for removing debris from a surface of a work site distinct from the exhaust system comprising:
- a) a structure at least partially enclosing a work volume adjacent to the work site, wherein the structure comprises a bottom edge proximal to the work site and an upper portion above the work site;
- b) supply means for introducing fluid into the structure;
- and
- c) removal means for removing debris and fluid from the structure at a fluid flow rate that is substantially uniform across the periphery of the work site surface in directions substantially parallel to the work site surface and substantially normal to the periphery of the work site surface.
A debris exhaust system to remove debris created at a work site region on a surface comprising:
- a) a confinement structure laterally surround the work site region, the confinement structure having a bottom edge contacting the surface and an upper region above the work site region containing means for supplying fluid into the structure;
- and
- b) means for removing the fluid from the structure at a substantially uniform rate measured about the periphery of the work site and substantially normal to the periphery of the work site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.