GB186970A - - Google Patents

Abstract

186,970. Smith, W. I., and Burnette, A. R. June 10, 1921. Pneumatic collectors. - Consists in a combined air-blast and suction apparatus for disturbing and collecting dust and refuse from the walls, floor, and roof of a tunnel or subway, the apparatus being mounted upon a vehicle which is caused to travel through the tunnel. In the form shown as applied to a vehicle 10 mounted on rail trucks 12, air is forced radially on to the walls, roof, and floor of the tunnel from a series of nozzles 13 by ablower 14 to stir up dust and refuse, and is drawn in through a series of inlet nozzles 18, in rear of the nozzles 13, by an air suction device 19. The refuse is drawn through a conduit 20 and flexible coupling 21 to a trailer in rear of the vehicle 10, wherein it is passed through a screen which separates the coarser refuse. The air returns to thevehicle 10 through a return conduit, passes through a washer or filter 27, of any known type, which removes impurities and the finer refuse, and is led finally to the inlet of the air-blower 14. Two series of outlet nozzles 13, 13<1> may be employed, and a damper 17 in the air supply-pipe from the blower 14 is so adjusted as to deliver air to that series which is in advance of the inlet nozzles 18, according to the direction of motion of the vehicle.