Abstract: Early alert and automatic shutdown system for dust producing and/or dust collecting tools senses for smoke or an overheat or spark condition in the dust-collection barrel and/or dust conveying conduit. When an upset condition is detected, fire, smoke or spark, the system signals the operator e.g. with a flasher or an audible alarm, or mechanical indicator. The system can also shut down the dust producing tool and/or the dust collector. The unit is based on a plug-and-play control box coupled with smoke and heat/spark sensors and with the system power.

Abstract: A low-profile dust collector assembly incorporates a low-profile cyclonic separator into a lid for a dust collection bucket. An outer lid ring can be formed of coffers that add strength to the lid and also reduce swirl in the air below the lid. The cyclonic separator has a shell rising from an inner circumference of the lid ring and has a horizontal inlet tube and central vertical outlet tube. A baffle for the separator includes a baffle plate fitted within the inner circumference and a turret of vertical members arranged with a top ring that fits onto the outlet tube. This compact arrangement has improved performance in airflow and dust separation. A spring clamp assists in fitting onto buckets over a range of diameters, and a pair of circumferential gaskets at right angles to one another form an air-tight seal.

Abstract: The gate housing has a flow passage therethrough, the flow passage having an inlet and an outlet. The gate housing also includes a gate pocket configured to receive a blast gate and to allow the blast gate to slide therein between an open position and a closed position. The magnetic brake element is on the gate housing and includes a magnet mounted to the gate housing such that a magnetic force of the magnet extends into the gate pocket.

Abstract: The gate housing has a flow passage therethrough, the flow passage having an inlet and an outlet. The gate housing also includes a gate pocket configured to receive a blast gate and to allow the blast gate to slide therein between an open position and a closed position. The magnetic brake element is on the gate housing and includes a magnet mounted to the gate housing such that a magnetic force of the magnet extends into the gate pocket.

Abstract: A negative-pressure dust collector system employs a dust separator device to separate the dust that is entrained in a stream of dust-laden air, exhausts the air stream to a vacuum-inducing machine, and discharge the separated dust downward into a bagger arrangement. The latter employs an open-bottom generally rigid hopper with a grid across its open bottom. A flexible dust collection bag is clamped onto an exterior of the hopper and hangs from the hopper. Under vacuum, the bag closes off the open bottom of said hopper. The grid has openings dimensioned so that dust in the container passes freely through the grid when the vacuum-inducing machine is shut off, but so that the bag may be sucked up against the grid, but not sucked into the open-bottom hopper when vacuum is applied. A flexible apron may be attached to the bottom of the hopper between the grid and the dust-collection bag.

Abstract: A bench-top dust collector has a front or intake side where air is directed by a cowling into a pre-filter and then a final filter that are held in a frame. A rear compartment holds an array of small high velocity fans that pull the air through the filters to a plenum in the rear compartment. The filtered air in the plenum is discharged through a grill in a downward and rearward direction. The unit is compact and configured to be about the size and shape of an attaché case.

Abstract: A sound absorbing filter for a dust collector system is attached downstream of the system air blower and ahead of the cylindrical HEPA filter cartridge. The sound filter is formed of a cylindrical barrel or shell, favorably steel, another metal, plastics, or composite with end-caps bonded on. The cylindrical shell interior is lined with plural annular layers of sound absorbing materials. The sound absorbing elements are retained with two or more thin retainer plates The lining can comprise a radial outer layer of compressed fiber batting, and a radial inner layer of convoluted acoustic polyurethane foam 1 to 2 inches thick. The foam lining protects the fiberglass from the air flow reducing fiber shedding, and also absorbs higher frequencies, with the fiberglass being more absorptive of lower frequencies.

Abstract: A bucket lid for a cyclone dust collector is configured to fit onto a standard pail or bucket, with a circumferential rim forming an outer edge of the lid, a central mounting disk onto which the cyclone is mounted, and a series of baffles extending circumferentially around the lid between the mounting disk and the rim. These baffles extend downward into the bucket to interfere with swirl in the bucket from dust discharged from the cyclone. The baffles may be radial ribs alternating with ramped coffers. The lid may be formed of anti-static polypropylene.

Abstract: A bucket lid for a cyclone dust collector is configured to fit onto a standard pail or bucket, with a circumferential rim forming an outer edge of the lid, a central mounting disk onto which the cyclone is mounted, and a series of baffles extending circumferentially around the lid between the mounting disk and the rim. These baffles extend downward into the bucket to interfere with swirl in the bucket from dust discharged from the cyclone. The baffles may be radial ribs alternating with ramped coffers. The lid may be formed of anti-static polypropylene.

Abstract: A negative-pressure dust collector system employs a dust separator device to separate the dust that is entrained in a stream of dust-laden air, exhausts the air stream to a vacuum-inducing machine, and discharge the separated dust downward into a bagger arrangement. The latter employs an open-bottom generally rigid hopper with a grid across its open bottom. A flexible dust collection bag is clamped onto an exterior of the hopper and hangs from the hopper. Under vacuum, the bag closes off the open bottom of said hopper. The grid has openings dimensioned so that dust in the container passes freely through the grid when the vacuum-inducing machine is shut off, but so that the bag may be sucked up against the grid, but not sucked into the open-bottom hopper when vacuum is applied. A flexible apron may be attached to the bottom of the hopper between the grid and the dust-collection bag.

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 flat 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: A sound absorbing filter for a dust collector system is attached downstream of the system air blower and ahead of the cylindrical HEPA filter cartridge. The sound filter is formed of a cylindrical barrel or shell, favorably steel, another metal, plastics, or composite with end-caps bonded on. The cylindrical shell interior is lined with plural annular layers of sound absorbing materials. The sound absorbing elements are retained with two or more thin retainer plates The lining can comprise a radial outer layer of compressed fiber batting, and a radial inner layer of convoluted acoustic polyurethane foam 1 to 2 inches thick. The foam lining protects the fiberglass from the air flow reducing fiber shedding, and also absorbs higher frequencies, with the fiberglass being more absorptive of lower frequencies.