Pneumatic excavation system and method of use
OwnerSteve Harringtoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An excavation system employing a high-pressure pulsed air jet in combination with a low-pressure high velocity blower for excavating improvised explosive devices or other buried objects. The excavation system may also be employed to operate a pneumatic tool such as a cut-off tool or a chisel. The high velocity blower may incorporate a bifurcated fan duct having two air outlets. The system may include a pressure control module for regulating the from a high-pressure air source to an evacuation valve. The evacuation valve employs first and second valves where the second valve controls the operation of the first valve.
Claims30
An excavating system comprising:
- a robot including;
- a nozzle for delivering a high-pressure pulsed air jet through a first aperture;
- a first valve in fluid communication with the nozzle and in fluid communication with a high-pressure air source;
- and
- a low-pressure high velocity blower adjacent the first valve for delivering a low-pressure high velocity air stream through a second aperture.
A kit for use on a robot, the robot comprising an arm, the kit comprising:
- a nozzle for delivering a high-pressure pulsed air jet through a first aperture, wherein the nozzle adapted to be mounted on the arm;
- a first valve for connection with the nozzle;
- a high-pressure air source for connection to the first valve wherein the first valve and high pressure air source are adapted to be mounted to the robot;
- and
- a low-pressure high velocity blower for delivering a low-pressure high velocity air stream through a second aperture, wherein the blower is adapted to be mounted adjacent to the nozzle.
A method of excavating, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an excavating system, the excavating system comprising a robot including;
- a nozzle for delivering a high-pressure pulsed air jet through a first aperture;
- a valve in fluid communication with the nozzle and connected to a high pressure air source;
- a low-pressure high velocity blower adjacent the valve for delivering a low-pressure high velocity air stream through a second aperture;
- and
- actuating the valve to create a high-pressure pulsed air jet to dislodge a material from a target site;
- and
- actuating the low-pressure high velocity blower to create a low-pressure high velocity air stream remove the material from the target site.
A modified excavating system, the system comprising:
- a robot including;
- a first valve in fluid communication with a high-pressure air source for delivering a high-pressure stream of air through a first aperture;
- a low-pressure high velocity blower adjacent the first valve for delivering a low-pressure high velocity air stream through a second aperture;
- and
- a pneumatic tool in fluid communication with the first valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.