Abstract: A method of depowdering objects (e.g., heat exchangers) having small and/or complex internal geometries and manufactured using an additive manufacturing technique performed with a powder material. The method includes applying a pressurized fluid to the objects via a pressurized fluid applicator operatively coupled to the object, thereby removing a portion of unbound powder material on or in the object. The method further includes applying vortex vibration to the object via a vortex vibration source operatively coupled to the object, thereby loosening a portion of the unbound powder material remaining on or in the object, and applying the pressurized fluid to the object via the pressurized fluid application, thereby removing a portion of the loosened, unbound powder material from the object. The latter two applying steps are repeated until a specified amount of the unbound powder material has been removed from the object.

Abstract: An air conditioning appliance may have a telescoping plenum attached to a housing of the air conditioning appliance. The telescoping plenum may be receivable within a wall channel defined by a structure wall along an axial direction. The telescoping plenum may include an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interior portion may include a duct wall and an outer flange extending radially outward from the duct wall. The interior portion may sealingly engage the housing along the axial direction in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for dislodging material within an airfoil element is disclosed. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a robotic arm configured for multi-axis movement of a mounting head with respect to the airfoil element; a vibration mechanism connected to the mounting head; and a tip member connected to the vibration mechanism and configured for vibratory contact with a surface of the airfoil element.

Abstract: Process and device for pneumatically conveying a powdery material comprising the steps of Pneumatically conveying a powdery material in a pneumatic conveying pipeline (first) and into said recipient by a flow generated by a blower, A powdery material dosing step, A fluctuation step of pressure drop in said pneumatic conveying pipeline or up to said recipient, wherein a sonic device generates sonic waves inside said pneumatic conveying pipeline or up to said recipient and provides a counteraction on the fluctuation step of the pressure drop in said pneumatic conveying pipeline or up to said recipient.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a rotor disk of a spinning rotor has a cleaning head with at least one cleaning element, and a receptacle on which the cleaning head is mounted and which can be fed to the spinning rotor for cleaning the rotor disk. The cleaning head includes at least one bearing area by means of which the cleaning head is mounted on the receptacle. A longitudinal direction of the bearing area defines an axial direction of the cleaning head. The cleaning head is mounted in the axial direction in a floating manner on the receptacle, and/or the cleaning element is mounted in the axial direction in a floating manner on the cleaning head.

Abstract: A bolt installation and removal (BIR) system is used for assembling and disassembling a nuclear vessel. The BIR system includes a platform with a stand for supporting the nuclear vessel. A track extends around an outside perimeter of the platform and multiple tool carts include wheels that roll on the track. Tool towers are located on the carts and include tool assemblies configured to install and remove bolts on the nuclear reactor vessel. Magazine towers also extend up from the tool carts next to the tool towers and include magazines that hold bolts for exchanging with the tool assemblies. Drive mechanisms move tool heads in the tool assemblies around a first vertical axis, vertically up and down, and laterally to more simply and reliably install and remove the bolts in a radioactive underwater environment.

Abstract: A reclaiming apparatus includes: a container in which reclaiming process of an absorption liquid is performed; a waste liquid line configured through which a waste liquid from the container flows; a waste liquid cooler, installed in the waste liquid line, for cooling the waste liquid from the container; and a cleaning-water supply line for supplying the waste liquid cooler with cleaning water for cleaning the waste liquid cooler.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of induction cleaning, more particularly to chemically cleaning the induction system of the internal combustion engine. The carbon that accumulates within the induction tract of the internal combustion engine is very difficult to remove. Chemically these carbon deposits are very close to that of asphalt or bitumen. It has been found that if the induction cleaning chemicals are delivered in timed layered intervals the removal of such induction carbon can be accomplished. The Dual Solenoid Induction Cleaner uses electronically controlled solenoids to deliver at least two different chemistries in alternating layers to the engine's induction system. These electric solenoids are connected to a single induction cleaner nozzle. The induction cleaner nozzle is slipped through the vacuum port opening into the inside of the induction system where it will spray an aerosol of the chemistry directly into the moving air column entering the engine.

Abstract: A device for rinsing a container with a rinsing medium is described. The device includes a nozzle for introducing the rinsing medium into the container that is to be rinsed and a suction extractor for extracting by suction at least a portion of the rinsing medium that flows back out of the container. The nozzle has a medium outlet through which the rinsing medium enters the container that is to be rinsed. The nozzle is displaceably guided in a guide and is displaceable between a withdrawn position for positioning the container and a position in which it is inserted in the container for rinsing the container with the rinsing medium. A guide is disposed between the medium outlet of the nozzle and at least a region of the suction extractor.

Abstract: A machining system includes: a working machine that machines an article while supplying a dielectric working fluid to the article; a robot that transports the machined article from the working machine; a controller that controls the robot; and a recessed wall part that is provided outside the working machine so as to demarcate the transport path of the article. The robot includes a gripping part that grips the article and a rotating part that rotates the gripping part. The controller is configured to move the gripping part with the machined article along the transport path while rotating the gripping part in the recessed wall part by means of the rotating part.

Abstract: A fluid strainer assembly and a method of reducing an amount of fluid used during a cleaning cycle of the fluid strainer assembly including: a body defining a chamber; a screen positioned within the chamber; and a backwash port associated with an internal portion of the screen and rotatable about a central axis to cause a tangential flow and backflow of backwash fluid in order to dislodge and remove foreign material collected on the inner surface of the screen to flow into the backwash port and exit out a discharge outlet and backwash pipe, wherein the backwash port is configured such that the area of draw is determined by the equation: i) CS×1.875×1.5?A; and ii) A?CS of backwash pipe, where CS represents the internal transverse area of the backwash pipe and A represents the area of draw of the backwash port.

Abstract: A pneumatic air filter cleaning device is configured to clean an air filter, a cavity, a pair of openings, and a plurality of fibrous walls that capture contaminants. The device may comprise a first cap and a second cap disposed in a spaced-apart, coplanar relationship. A U-shaped tube extends between the caps in a rotatable relationship. The U-shaped tube has apertures offset from a radial vector configured to discharge pressurized air while rotating 360 degrees. An air tube feeds pressurized air into the U-shaped tube, creating inertia that rotates the U-shaped tube while simultaneously discharging pressurized air from the apertures. The air filter is cleaned from the inside out, and in a uniform manner. An attached container may capture dislodged contaminants.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine (1) for knitwear or hosiery, comprising a bearing structure (2), a needle cylinder (C), a plurality of needles and a plurality of thread feeding points, or feeders (3), positioned circumferentially about the needle cylinder, in which the thread is supplied to the needles. Each feeder is provided with at least a thread guide group (4), comprising a body (5), a pneumatic supply inlet (6), a plurality of feeders, a plurality of pneumatic actuators able to move the feeders, and a plurality of solenoid valves (8) mounted and connected directly to the body (5), wherein each solenoid valve activate or deactivates the pneumatic supply to a respective pneumatic actuator of the thread guide group.

Abstract: The chimney cleaning apparatus includes a soot-scraping scrubber attached to an adjustable handle. A receptacle is also attached to the handle for receiving the dislodged soot particles therein. In one embodiment, a vacuum system is attached to the receptacle for withdrawing the soot particles therefrom to facilitate cleanup. The apparatus can be adjusted to clean the chimney from hearth level or from roof level by switching the position of the soot-scraping scrubber and the receptacle.

Abstract: A water tank cleaning apparatus and kit of components, the apparatus utilizing a wet or dry vacuum source, an adapter having one part of a two-component separable connector with a thumb tab thereon to facilitate separation of the two-component separable connector, and a working tip element having a second part of the two-component separable connector and functional end.

Abstract: Internal cleaning of inverted cans includes engaging a can's cylindrical wall with a wall-conforming vacuum or adhesive gripper, causing a spraying unit to travel axially in and out of the can's opening while the can is inverted on a circular conveyor, and using a supporting arm or bottom stop to subject the can to a counterforce against a flushing force from sprayed cleaning medium. This prevents the can from being pressed out of a receptacle in which it sits during cleaning.

Abstract: A filter cleaning system for cleaning a filter element is provided. The filter cleaning system includes a set of pulse nozzles and a compressed air supply, which rotate together during a cleaning cycle to release pulse blasts at predetermined time intervals to clean the filter element.

Abstract: A filter cleaning system for cleaning a filter element is provided. The filter cleaning system includes a set of pulse nozzles and a compressed air supply, which rotate together during a cleaning cycle to release pulse blasts at predetermined time intervals to clean the filter element.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is generally composed of a suction unit provided with a suction source, a suction nozzle equipped with a suction port adapted to suck dust or like from a surface to be cleaned, a suction hose connected at one end to the suction nozzle and connected at another end to the suction unit, a low-center-of-gravity support member provided for the suction hose so as to serve as a fulcrum when the suction hose is bent and deformed, a wire member supported at a distal end by the suction nozzle and arranged along the suction hose, and a control unit used to bend and deform the suction hose by manipulating the wire member with the low-center-of-gravity support member serving as a fulcrum. This cleaning apparatus is specifically usable for a bottom surface of a reactor pressure vessel.

Abstract: A cleaning station and method for cleaning welding torches disposed on welding robots, in particular a cleaning station and method for cleaning the interior of gas nozzles on electrical arc welding torches, which has a simpler and more robust construction, while at the same time having a reliable cleaning effect. The cleaning station has a cleaning wire, one end of which is attached on one side to a base and extends from the base towards a free end, wound in a coil around a longitudinal axis, wherein the outer diameter of the coil formed by the cleaning wire is dimensioned in such a way that the coil at the free end of the cleaning wire is inserable, at least along a section of its length, into a welding torch, especially into a gas nozzle of an electrical arc welding torch.

Abstract: A cleaning device (1) for hose filters comprising a cleaning head (5) having at least one nozzle (11) rotating about a longitudinal axis (L), is characterized in that the cleaning head (5) comprises a fixed jacket (15) having a smooth outer surface which surrounds the at least one rotating nozzle (11) at a distance and in which a series of through holes (17) are formed, said holes being distributed over the circumference of the jacket (15) and being arranged with respect to each nozzle (11) such that a jet emerging from each nozzle (11) during operation can pass through a through hole (17) at least intermittently.

Abstract: With the device (1) according to the invention for blowing off impurities on bottle bottoms, in particular bottle inspection machines, a solution is to be created which makes it possible to achieve an optimum blow-off result at comparatively lower air volume flows. This is achieved according to the invention in that beneath the nozzle head (3) in the annular body (5) a channel (6) is provided, which is connected to a compressed air line (7), which in turn is linked to the compressed air feed line (9), wherein the channel (6) in the upper edge pointing to the nozzle head (3) forms an annular gap (14)—triggering the Venturi effect.

Abstract: Air rinse and transport apparatus (10) comprises a bottle air-rinsing device (12) for air rinsing a turned bottle (16) with ionized air, and an air conveyor (14) for moving a bottle (16) to and/or from the air-rinsing device (12). The air conveyor (14) includes a bottle guide (24) along which a bottle (16) is moved by air pressure. The guide (24) is at least in part helical so as to turn a longitudinal extent of the said bottle (16). Preferably, the turning causes the said bottle to be inverted.

Abstract: A treatment device for transport and storage boxes according to the invention comprises a plurality of decontamination modules (24-27) supported by a common chassis (100) and arranged in a row of at least one column (23c) of modules superposed one on top of the other. Each decontamination module (24-27) comprises its own pumping means (6) having at least a primary pump (8a) housed in a primary pumping compartment (8c) that is longitudinally offset from the decontamination chamber (5). Access to the decontamination modules (24-27) is had via side access doors which are all oriented on one and the same access side and which are acted upon by actuating means that automatically close and open them. A lateral transfer zone is provided on the access side, and comprises a robot (29) capable of moving the transport and storage boxes between a frontal loading-unloading station (23a) and the decontamination chambers (5) of each of the decontamination modules (24-27).

Abstract: A powder supplying device for a powder coating installation with at least one closed or closable powder container, which has a substantially cuboidal powder chamber for coating powder. In order to quickly change the powder, at least one cleaning compressed-air inlet to which a compressed air source can be connected in a cleaning operation of the powder coating installation for removing residual powder from the powder chamber, in order to introduce cleaning compressed air into the powder chamber, is provided in a side wall of the powder container. In addition, at least one residual powder outlet is provided, through which residual powder can be driven out from the powder chamber with the aid of the cleaning compressed air introduced into the powder chamber. The at least one cleaning compressed-air inlet has an inlet opening, which points in the same direction as the outlet opening of the residual powder outlet.

Abstract: A vacuum drainage system for unclogging a clogged drain comprises a source of vacuum, a hose having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of the hose being connected to the source of vacuum when the system is in use, and a drain clean-out device being received on the distal end portion of the hose when the system is in use. The drain clean-out device comprises a hollow tubular structure, a sealing member receiving portion located on the exterior surface of the hollow tubular structure at the first end portion of the structure, and a sealing member mountable on the sealing member receiving portion for creating a seal between the sealing member and the exterior service of the structure and between the sealing member and a clogged drain when the hollow tubular structure, with the sealing member mounted thereon, is positioned over a clogged drain, with the sealing member being in contact with an entrance to the drain or with a surface surrounding the entrance to the drain.

Abstract: A clean and purge tool (CAPT) is provided and includes a nest assembly that stows an open hard disk drive (HDD). The nest assembly is rotated from an upward facing position to a downward facing position to dislodge particles from a media clamp of the HDD. The CAPT also includes a cover hingedly attached to the nest assembly and encloses the HDD. The CAPT also includes a spindle clamp assembly (SCA) mounted on the cover and has a vacuum tube configured to encapsulate the media clamp. The SCA includes an air purge nozzle extending into the vacuum tube. The CAPT dislodges particles from the media clamp when pulses of compressed gas are applied to the media clamp by a compressed gas source via the air purge nozzle and evacuates the particles from the vacuum tube when a vacuum is applied to the vacuum tube by a vacuum source.

Abstract: A device for cleaning inside electrical-connection sockets, methods for constructing such cleaning devices, and methods for using such cleaning devices are illustrated herein. The device may be shaped like an electrical plug designed for coupling with the electrical-connection socket. The device includes a primary fluid-duct, ejection ducts, and ejection ports for allowing fluid to be injected into the chamber. A cleaning fluid is pushed through the device into the chamber. Air can then be pushed into the chamber.

Abstract: A container rinsing system has a nozzle adapted to be positioned proximate an opening of the container and adapted to direct a supply of air in any orientation to the container. A vacuum member is positioned around the air nozzle and adapted to vacuum foreign particles away from the container. A system comprises an air source and a manifold having a manifold inlet, an ionization unit, and a plurality of manifold outlets along with a plurality of air nozzles. Each nozzle has a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, and a nozzle passageway extending between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. The ionization unit is placed within the manifold, and the plurality of nozzles are located on the plurality of manifold outlets such that during operation air is ionized before entering the nozzles. The ionized air is used to clean containers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pulse cleaner for cleaning a diesel exhaust aftertreatment device. The pulse cleaner includes a cabinet, a diesel exhaust aftertreatment device mount positioned within the cabinet for mounting the diesel exhaust aftertreatment device during pulse cleaning, and a collection filter positioned within the cabinet for collecting material displaced from the diesel exhaust aftertreatment device during cleaning. The pulse cleaner can be equipped with features such as an exhaust aftertreatment device core temperature sensor, an air flow concentrator or an air swirling vane. The pulse cleaner can also include adapters for providing system compatibility with different styles of exhaust aftertreatment devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an air filter includes a body, a closed chamber formed within the body, a fluid dispersing member having a portion thereof mounted for rotation within the body and passing through the chamber, a plurality of orifices formed through the wall of the fluid dispersing member and an arrangement for rotating the fluid dispersing member. The arrangement either includes a combination of nozzles secured to the fluid dispersing member and positioned within the chamber and an irregular inner wall surface of the chamber capable of providing resistance to a fluid flow discharged into the chamber or fins disposed on the fluid dispersing member and a passageway through the body for directing fluid under pressure onto the fins. Fluid supplied under pressure to the fluid dispersing member exits through the plurality of orifices toward an inner surface of a air filter filtering medium causing contaminants to exit therefrom.

Abstract: A container rinsing system (10) has an air nozzle adapted to be positioned proximate an opening of the container and adapted to direct a supply of compressed air to the container. A vacuum member is adapted to be in communication with a vacuum source. The vacuum member is positioned around the air nozzle and adapted to vacuum foreign particles away from the container.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning assembly for an analytical furnace is detachable from the filter chamber above the combustion tube. The cleaning assembly includes a rotating brush which is lowered through the filter chamber and into the combustion tube while a vacuum is drawn through the lower seal of the combustion tube. This results in a higher vacuum pressure differential and improved flow rate for removing dust from the filter of the furnace and the combustion tube.

Abstract: A bottle cleaner that inverts the bottles to spray solutions into them. The bottles invert and receive, for example, a spray of a cleaning solution. The cleaner then returns the bottles to the upright orientation. Each pass of the bottles utilizes two sets of linked grippers arranged as a chain. One chain contacts the bottles on one side while the second chain contacts them on the other side. The two chains squeeze the bottles between them to firmly hold them. A single adjustment sets a uniform distance between the two chains of each path through the cleaner at four different locations, and the same adjustment equalizes the distances between the two chains of the two paths so that they will effectively retain the same bottles through two passes through the machine. Four motors running at the same speed keep the chains moving together.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a washing system including a nozzle assembly having a nozzle and having formed therein a rinse passageway and a waste passageway. Each passageway has first and second ends. The first end of the waste passageway is adapted to be coupled to a waste pump adapted to remove waste fluid via a waste aperture defining the second end of the waste passageway. The first end of the rinse passageway is adapted to be coupled to a rinse pump adapted to provide rinse fluid via a rinse aperture defining the second end of the rinse passageway. The nozzle is coupled to the rinse aperture and is adapted to rotate and direct flow of the rinse fluid outwardly while rotating.

Abstract: Air rinse and transport apparatus (10) comprises a bottle air-rinsing device (12) for air rinsing a turned bottle (16) with ionized air, and an air conveyor (14) for moving a bottle (16) to and/or from the air-rinsing device (12). The air conveyor (14) includes a bottle guide (24) along which a bottle (16) is moved by air pressure. The guide (24) is at least in part helical so as to turn a longitudinal extent of the said bottle (16). Preferably, the turning causes the said bottle to be inverted.

Abstract: A container cleaning apparatus comprising a table having holes in the top surface suitably arranged to deliver compressed air and a vacuum substantially simultaneously into the open top of an inverted reusable container placed on the table top and thereby remove debris from the inside of the container.

Abstract: A robot cleaning system and a dust removing method of the same that are capable of moving a first dust collector mounted in a robot cleaner to a docking station to remove dust collected in the first dust collector. The robot cleaning system includes a robot cleaner having an opening, though which a first dust collector to collect suctioned dust is carried in and out of the robot cleaner, a docking station, to which the robot cleaner is docked to remove the dust collected in the first dust collector, and a collector moving unit to move the first dust collector to the docking station.

Abstract: A dust remover for container comprises a holder for holding a plurality of cup-like containers in a stacked state, and air blower for blowing air to the containers in the direction perpendicular to the axis of stacked containers. Furthermore, it is preferable that the air blown from the air blowing means includes ions.

Abstract: A duct cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning and maintaining the interior of most types of ducts, including chimneys, air conditioning and heating ducts, dryer ducts, vents, plumbing and rain gutter ducts. The apparatus is made up of a flexible rope (24) connected to a cleaning brush (10) or tool further connected to a retrieval parachute (30). The flexible rope (24) can be extended through the use of additional attached ropes (26) to create an infinitely long cleaning apparatus. The cleaning brush (10) may be configured in a variety of sizes with differing configurations of bristles (14) or appendages for specific applications. The cleaning appendages are connected to a rope (24) or line B, the length of which extends beyond the length of the duct (12) to be cleaned. One end of the rope (24) or line A is connected to the parachute (30) adapted with a wind-expanded periphery greater than that of the perimeter of the inside wall (22) of the duct (12) to be cleaned.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a washing system including a nozzle assembly having a nozzle and having formed therein a rinse passageway and a waste passageway. Each passageway has first and second ends. The first end of the waste passageway is adapted to be coupled to a waste pump adapted to remove waste fluid via a waste aperture defining the second end of the waste passageway. The first end of the rinse passageway is adapted to be coupled to a rinse pump adapted to provide rinse fluid via a rinse aperture defining the second end of the rinse passageway. The nozzle is coupled to the rinse aperture and is adapted to rotate and direct flow of the rinse fluid outwardly while rotating.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning containers being transposed through a container cleaning line, including an open-ended housing, a predetermined container flow path defined by the line of moving containers traversing the enclosure defined by the housing longitudinally, a first set of ionizing air nozzles mounted within the housing for directing ionized compressed air toward the containers in the container flow path, with at least one of the nozzles directing air flow into an open side of each container as it passes the nozzle and a second set of high velocity air nozzles mounted within the housing for directing high velocity compressed air toward the container flow path, the second set of high velocity nozzles being disposed along a direction essentially parallel to the container flow path with at least one of the nozzles flows directing high velocity air flow into the open side of each container as it passes the nozzle. Nozzle guards are provided to prevent contact between the containers and the nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior sidewall of a large diameter tube includes a centrally-apertured circular brush plate adapted to fit within a lumen of the tube. A fluid conduit is mounted in the aperture so that an upper part of the fluid conduit is positioned above a plane of the circular brush plate and a lower part is positioned below the plane. A nozzle assembly is disposed in radial relation to the lower part of the fluid conduit. A hose provides fluid communication between a remote source of water under pressure and the fluid conduit. The circular brush plate is inserted into the lumen of the tube and is gradually advanced through the tube. The nozzle assembly is rotated about an axis defined by the fluid conduit as the circular brush plate is advanced through the tube so that water under pressure cleans the interior sidewall of the tube.

Abstract: The device according to the invention for cleaning a powder coating booth has a mobile frame, which can be moved along the insides of the booth. The frame includes suction nozzles for sucking off powder residues from the insides of the booth.

Abstract: A system for cleaning and inspecting stud bolt holes, and managing damage histories of the stud bolt holes is disclosed. The system allows an operator to clean stud bolt holes to inspect the stud bolt holes with the naked eye, and manage damage histories of the stud bolt holes. The stud bolt holes fix a nuclear reactor, a nuclear reactor coolant pump head and a pressure vessel main body thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted patching system for patching potholes and the like and incorporating method and apparatus for removing and flushing asphalt emulsion from the feed lines of the patcher which completely recycles the cleaning agent used to flush the feed lines, as well as eliminating any external discharge of potentially toxic materials.

Abstract: Brush head for cleaning a vessel and use in an automatic dissolution vessel cleaning apparatus which includes a rotatable shaft defining a through passage, an upper end of which is operatively connected to a vacuum source, an inflow housing having at least one channel through which cleaning fluid is pumped and to which the shaft is rotatably mounted, and a brush assembly mounted on the shaft below the housing such that a lower end of the passage is situated below the brush assembly. In use, when the brush head is inserted into the vessel, cleaning fluid is directed through the channel(s) into the vessel while the shaft rotates causing the brush assembly to rotate and clean an inner wall of the vessel with fluid in the vessel being drawn into the passage via its lower end upon coupling of its upper end to the vacuum source.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a top of a beverage can. The top of the beverage can to be cleaned is inserted into a can-receiving cavity in the body of the cleaning apparatus, and the top of the can contactingly engages an actuator that opens a valve to a source of pressurized air. First air jets in communication with the air source expel air onto the lip around the top of the can and also onto the lip groove adjacent the lip, thereby cleaning the lip and the lip groove. Second air jets may also clean the top of the beverage can and its mouth. The cleaning is assisted by condensed moisture on the top of the can that is blown by the air expelled from the air jets. Venting ports allow air expelled from the air jets to escape from the can-receiving cavity.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the inner walls (66, 75) of a receptacle (12), includes several cleaning stations of which one is fitted with an insufflation tube (36) that is connected to a source of pressurized gas and that is provided with a nozzle (38) insufflating the gas towards the inner walls (66, 75) of the receptacle (12) during a cleaning cycle including an ascending phase and a descending phase (Pd) of the insufflation tube (36), the nozzle (38) having an annular peripheral slot (64) that is capable of forming a peripheral jet (f2) of gas of generally frustoconical shape directed towards the inner side walls (66) of the receptacle (12) and towards the bottom, and the peripheral jet (f2) being triggered for at least a part of the descending phase (Pd).

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning ducts of a heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. In one embodiment, a pod has a vacuum chamber therein, a drive motor located within the pod and configured to receive a removable drive shaft therein, and a conduit member located within the pod adjacent the drive motor. The conduit member has a vacuum inlet opening at an exterior wall of the pod and a drive shaft exit opening formed in the conduit member through which the removable drive shaft can extend. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a man-portable pod and a cart removably-coupleable to the man-portable pod. A method of manufacturing the apparatus and a method of cleaning an HVAC duct is also provided.