US 8,527,103 B2 · Method and system for mortar removal

Abstract

A method and system for removing mortar from a plurality of joints between a plurality of masonry units in a masonry structure is provided. The steps for accomplishing the method include sensing the location of at least one of the plurality of joints between the plurality of masonry units and transmitting joint location data to a computer control system. Next, the computer control system computes a work path based upon the joint location data. In a further step, the computer control system controls the position and operation of at least one work tool such that the work tool moves along the work path to remove mortar from a portion of one of the plurality of joints along the work path. Finally, the dust and debris generated when the work tool removes mortar from a portion of one of the plurality of joints along the work path is contained and removed.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for removing mortar from a plurality of joints (J) between a plurality of conjoined masonry units (MU) in a vertical stationary masonry structure (MS), comprising:

a) sensing the location of at least one of the plurality of joints (J) between the plurality of conjoined masonry units (MU) of the vertical stationary masonry structure (MS) and transmitting joint location data to a computer control system (400);
b) identifying a work path (WP) with the computer control system (400) based upon the joint location data;
c) controlling the position of at least one work tool (200) with the computer control system (400) such that the at least one work tool (200) moves along a portion of the work path (WP);
d) operating the at least one work tool (200)) with the computer control system (400) to remove mortar from at least a portion of one of the plurality of joints (J) along the work path (WP);
and
e) containing and removing dust and debris generated when the at least one work tool (200) removes mortar from the plurality of joints (J) along the work path (WP).

3 more elements

A mortar removal system (10) for removing mortar from a plurality of joints (J) between a plurality of conjoined masonry units (MU) in a masonry structure (MS), comprising:

a) a joint identification device (100) for sensing the location of at least one of the plurality of joints (J) between the plurality of conjoined masonry units (MU) and transmitting joint location data;
b) at least one work tool (200) for removing mortar from at least a portion of one of the plurality of joints (J) between the plurality of conjoined masonry units (MU);
c) a containment system (300) for collecting dust and debris generated as the at least one work tool (200) removes mortar from at least a portion of one of the plurality of joints (J) between the plurality of masonry units (MU), the containment system (300) including:
i) a suction hood (310) enclosing the at least one work tool (200) and forming a seal against the masonry structure (MS);
and
ii) a vacuum system (320) secured to the suction hood (310) for removing dust and debris from the suction hood (310);
and
d) a computer control system (400) in communication with the joint identification device (100) and the at least one work tool (200), the computer control system (400) receiving the joint location data and computing a work path (WP) based upon the joint location data, and wherein the computer control system (400) controls the position and movement of the at least one work tool (200) such that the at least one work tool (200) removes mortar from at least a portion of one of the plurality of joints (J) along the work path (WP).

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for mortar removal

Life of this patent

Method and system for mortar removal

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21