Abstract: A compact dust separator and collector employs a generally cylindrical separator section having a inlet tube where air and entrained dust particles enters the separator section, a top plate with a vortex tube extending downward, and a separator baffle plate disposed at a lower end of said separator section below a lower end of the vortex tube. The baffle plate has peripheral geometry that defines a peripheral gap from the cylindrical separator section wall, with the gap increasing in width in the direction of air flow. There is a blower and filter section above the separator section and a collection section below. The vortex tube can have a cylindrical mesh extending down to the baffle plate, which may have a self-emptying dust cup.

Abstract: A high volume dust collector that is adapted and configured to reduce time associated with routine cleaning of an industrial tissue-machine and factory. The dust collector has a body, having an intake positioned to draw large volumes of air and dust from any area where dust is known to accumulate when engaged. The intake is taller than it is wide and is fitted with a grill to prevent larger maculature from clogging the system. An outlet on each collector connects to a fan or blower and sends collected dust to filtration system. An access hatch is positioned on the body of the collector to allow an operator to manually clear any clogs, should they occur.

Abstract: An upper reel hood in dust control system for the “dry” side of a through-air drying (TAD) papermaking system. The hood body has the general shape of a tapering trapezoidal pyramid, taller at one end than the other. The inlet of the hood body tapers inversely in height—broader where the hood body is shorter, and narrower where the hood body is taller in order to maintain uniform flow across the entire inlet. The hood body may be over 5 meters wide.

Abstract: A pneumatic hood for a tissue or papermaking machine is disclosed. The hood has an inlet to admit dust and air. The inlet is defined, in part, by an inlet flap that is hingedly connected to the body of the hood. The inlet flap is coupled to one or more linear actuators, such as pneumatic cylinders, by a linkage such that the linear actuators drive the inlet flap between positions in which the inlet is wider and positions in which the inlet is narrower. Thus, the size of the inlet can be increased to clear large obstructions.

Abstract: A gas cylinder cart includes a frame, a first control assembly composed of a first control panel wall and a first gas distribution assembly, a second control assembly composed of a second control panel wall and a second gas distribution assembly, and a central manifold connected to each of the first and second control assemblies. The central manifold includes a valve assembly allowing for connection of both the first and second control assemblies to gas cylinders, connection of only one of the first and second control assemblies to gas cylinders, or connection of the first and/or second control assemblies to remote gas sources. Inclusion of the first and second control assemblies within the gas cylinder cart allows for use of the gas cylinder cart in conjunction with different systems that might require different control assemblies.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a dust control system for the “dry” side of a through-air drying (TAD) papermaking system. A series of dust hoods are placed in specific locations, both above and below the web of paper or tissue that is being manufactured. Each hood spans at least a substantial portion of the width of the belt or web, and each hood is shaped and otherwise adapted for its particular position, both to accommodate the structure of the papermaking machine and to ensure that the airflow through the inlet of the hood is substantially uniform across its entire width. Baffles are provided between certain hoods in order to create dust-control zones around the hoods, and air ramps and other elements may be used to drive dust into the dust control zones and toward the hoods.

Abstract: A detachable handle includes a substantially U-shaped structural member and a second attaching member. A proximal end of the structural member includes a first attaching member and a distal end includes a plurality of clip members and at least one hole to hold a plurality of connection fittings and couplers respectively. A central opening is formed to hold at least one valve assembly when the second attaching member is connected to the first attaching member using at least one fastening member. The detachable handle is designed to keep the plurality of connection fittings and the at least one valve assembly away from the ground and out of the dirt.

Abstract: A universal-fit vacuum assisted router hood tool attaches to the router to capture dust and particles generated by the router bit. A generally planar base plate is adapted to mount to the fiat base of the router. The base plate has a central opening centered on the axis of the router so that associated router bit protrudes through. A dust collection dome is rotationally positioned in the central opening, and the dome has a central opening at the axis of the router A cuff connector extending out from the dust collection dome to a hose cuff that can receive a hose of a dust extractor. An annular flange within the dome at the top opening prevents dust and particulates from exiting the top opening of the dome.

Abstract: An air damper assembly for regulating an air flow includes a frame, a plurality of elongated damper blade rotatably mounted to the frame, and a drive mechanism for actuating the damper blades between open and closed positions. The drive mechanism includes a gear fixedly secured to a distal end of each of the damper blades and an elongated rack slidably coupled to the frame. The rack meshingly engages the gears such that linear movement of the rack in a first linear direction results in rotational movement of the damper blades in a first rotational direction and linear movement of the rack in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction results in rotational movement of the damper blades in a second, rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: An ergonomic vacuum-assist scraper tool has an arcuately curved head in which a scraper blade is mounted at either of a front position or a rear position, a handle or grip portion, and a tubular connector portion adapted to receive a male or female vacuum hose fitting. The head has a cavity defined between front and back walls, with the front and back walls converging along an arc to a mouth or slot opening. The grip portion is hollow and tubular, extending proximally from the head, to the vacuum hose-accepting tubular connector. A scraper blade can be removably mounted at either of the blade mounting positions. The tool is formed of upper and lower halves that snap together along a partition line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a drum filter medium are disclosed. Air with entrained particulate matter, e.g., from a papermaking process, flows through a filter medium positioned along the perforated circumferential surface of a rotating drum. At least some of the particulate matter is caught on or in the filter medium. A set of suction nozzles provided proximate to the surface of the filter medium is provided to draw the particulate matter off of the filter medium. A complementary set of compressed air nozzles simultaneously delivers compressed air to drive particulate matter off of the filter medium and into the suction nozzles. This cleans the filter medium in situ and extends its useful life.

Abstract: A pneumatic hood for a tissue—or papermaking machine is disclosed. The hood has an inlet to admit dust and air. The inlet is defined, in part, by an inlet flap that is hingedly connected to the body of the hood. The inlet flap is connected to one or more linear actuators, such as pneumatic cylinders, by a linkage such that the linear actuators drive the inlet flap between positions in which the inlet is wider and positions in which the inlet is narrower. Thus, the size of the inlet can be increased to clear large obstructions.

Abstract: An air filtering system and method for self-cleaning the same is provided. The system has a plurality of air filters including a first filter and at least one neighboring filter. A blower fan pulls air through the filters. A plurality of compressed air injectors are provided adjacent the filters including a first injector and at least one neighboring injector. Self-cleaning is achieved while the blower fan is running by preforming several steps including activating the first injector to force compressed air into the first filter and discharge particulate from the first filter followed by deactivating the first injector. The steps further provide reactivating the first injector and simultaneously activating the neighboring injector while the discharged particulate is airborne to provide an air shield about the first filter and force the discharged particulate away from the first filter and the neighboring filter. These steps are repeated for each filter.

Abstract: An ergonomic vacuum-assist scraper tool has an arcuately curved head in which a scraper blade is mounted at either of a front position or a rear position, a handle or grip portion, and a tubular connector portion adapted to receive a male or female vacuum hose fitting. The head has a cavity defined between front and back walls, with the front and back walls converging along an arc to a mouth or slot opening. The grip portion is hollow and tubular, extending proximally from the head, to the vacuum hose-accepting tubular connector. A scraper blade can be removably mounted at either of the blade mounting positions. The tool is formed of upper and lower halves that snap together along a partition line.

Abstract: A cyclonic portable vacuum cleaner/dust collector has a cyclonic chamber and a filter chamber. The filter chamber contains a filter cartridge with a hollow core positioned over the discharge opening of a motor plate that closes the filter chamber. A vacuum blower is mounted on the motor plate, with an intake tube at the discharge opening of the motor plate. An anti-deflagration screen mounted upon the discharge opening of the cover plate of the filter chamber. The anti-deflagration screen is in the form of a metal mesh creating a multiplicity of small passages to permit exhaust air flow from the filter chamber but blocking any flame front. The screen may be hemispherically domed.

Abstract: An across the wall pressure differential indicating apparatus comprising a wall duct having first and second open ends, first and second mounting plates respectively attached to the wall duct at the first and second open ends respectively, a low speed airflow indicator adapted to indicate a pressure differential and mounted in fluid communication with the wall duct such that substantially all airflow passing through the wall duct also passes through the indicator, and an intumescent material disposed in the wall duct between the first and second ends.