Apparatus for collecting process generated fume and/or slag

Claim 1

A system for collecting fume and/or waste particulate matter generated by process apparatus used to perform cutting, gouging, surface treatment or joining a workpiece which processes generate large volumes of molten metal, slag and/or fume comprising in combination: a mounting arm adapted for positioning adjacent to a workpiece upon which the process apparatus is to perform an operation; a hood on said mounting arm adapted to receive the process apparatus and position said process apparatus in relation to said workpiece for facilitating operation of said process apparatus; a nozzle assembly mounted on and positioned by said hood relative to said workpiece, said nozzle assembly comprising in combination; a hollow, generally elongated outer housing having a first end adapted for positioning toward said stream of fume and/or slag and a second end adapted for connection to a device for evacutating said nozzle; a plurality of fluid directing means disposed around the inner periphery of said nozzle to direct a plurality of streams of fluid toward said second end said streams converging at a point along the longitudinal axis defined by the center line of said second end of said nozzle; and means to direct a fluid to said fluid directing means so that a mixture of air and a cooling fluid can be introduced into said nozzle to produce jets converging along a center line of said nozzle and to cover the inside of said nozzle during operation of said process, said process apparatus and said nozzle assembly juxtapositioned so that fume and/or slag generated by said process apparatus is directly toward said nozzle assembly wherein said air and cooling fluid mixture in said nozzle assembly break up molten metal and/or slag into small pieces while quenching the metal and/or slag and keep collected material in suspension without compaction or segregation, said process apparatus and said nozzle assembly fixed at an angular relationship to each other so that said process apparatus directs generated fume and/or slag into such nozzle; and a pump to evacuate generated fume, metal particles slag particles and/or environment containing particulate matter and cooling fluid collected in said nozzle assembly from said nozzle assembly and direct said metal, to a separator for separating said fume, collect particulate matter and cooling fluid and return clean air to the surrounding environment.

Claim 2

A system for collecting fume and/or waste particulate matter generated by process apparatus used to perform cutting, gouging, surface treatment or joining a workpiece which processes generate large volumes of molten metal, slag and/or fume comprising in combination: a mounting arm adapted for positioning adjacent to a workpiece upon which the process apparatus is to perform an operation; a hood on said mounting arm adapted to receive the process apparatus and position said process apparatus in relation to said workpiece for facilitating operation of said process apparatus; a nozzle assembly mounted on and positioned by said hood relative to said workpiece, said nozzle assembly comprising in combination; a hollow, generally elongated outer housing having a first end adapted for positioning toward said stream of fume and/or slag and a second end adapted for connection to a device for evacutating said nozzle; a plurality of fluid directing means disposed around the inner periphery of said nozzle to direct a plurality of streams of fluid toward said second end said streams converging at a point along the longitudinal axis defined by the center line of said second end of said nozzle; and means to direct a fluid to said fluid directing means so that a mixture of air and a cooling fluid can be introduced into said nozzle to produce jets converging along a center line of said nozzle and to cover the inside of said nozzle during operation of said process, said process apparatus and said nozzle assembly juxtapositioned so that fume and/or slag generated by said process apparatus is directly toward said nozzle assembly wherein said air and cooling fluid mixture in said nozzle assembly break up molten metal and/or slag into small pieces while quenching the metal and/or slag and keep collected material in suspension without compaction or segregation, said process apparatus and said nozzle assembly fixed at an angular relationship to each other so that said process apparatus directs generated fume and/or slag into such nozzle; and a pump to evacuate generated fume, metal particles slag particles and/or environment containing particulate matter and cooling fluid collected in said nozzle assembly from said nozzle assembly and direct said metal, to a separator for separating said fume, collect particulate matter and cooling fluid and return clean air to the surrounding environment.

Claim 7

A system for collecting fume and/or slag generated by operation of Air Carbon-Arc Cutting and Gouging Process apparatus comprising in combination: a mounting arm assembly adapted for positioning adjacent to a workpiece upon which the air carbon-arc cutting and gouging apparatus is to perform an operation; a hood on said mounting arm assembly to position said air carbon-arc cutting and gouging apparatus at an angle to said workpiece; a nozzle assembly mounted on and positioned by said hood, said nozzle assembly comprising in combination, a hollow, generally elongated outer housing having a first end adapted for positioning toward said stream of fume and/or slag and a second end adapted for connection to a device for evacutating said nozzle; a plurality of fluid directing means disposed around the inner periphery of said nozzle to direct a plurality of streams of fluid toward said second end said streams converging at a point along the longitudinal axis defined by the center line of said second end of said nozzle; and means to direct a fluid to said fluid directing means and so relating to said process apparatus so that when said process apparatus is in operation fume, molten metal and/or molten slag generated by said cutting and gouging apparatus is directed toward said nozzle for collection inside thereof, said nozzle including means to introduce a cooling fluid mixed with air in the form of jets converging along the center line of said nozzle said jets of cooling fluid-air mixture serving to keep said generated fume and/or slag in suspension, break up large solid pieces of molten metal and/or molten slag, cool said particles and prevent particles adhering to the walls of said nozzle assembly said process apparatus and said nozzle fixed at an angular relationship to each other so that said process apparatus directs generated fume, metal and/or slag into said nozzle; and a pump to evacuate process environment containing fume, metal and/or slag suspended in said nozzle and cooling fluid from said nozzle and direct said suspension and cooling fluid to means to separate said fume, collect slag and cooling fluid and return clean air to the ambient environment.

Claim 8

A system for collecting fume and/or slag generated by operation of Air Carbon-Arc Cutting and Gouging Process apparatus comprising in combination: a mounting arm assembly adapted for positioning adjacent to a workpiece upon which the air carbon-arc cutting and gouging apparatus is to perform an operation; a hood on said mounting arm assembly to position said air carbon-arc cutting and gouging apparatus at an angle to said workpiece; a nozzle assembly mounted on and positioned by said hood, said nozzle assembly comprising in combination, a hollow, generally elongated outer housing having a first end adapted for positioning toward said stream of fume and/or slag and a second end adapted for connection to a device for evacutating said nozzle; a plurality of fluid directing means disposed around the inner periphery of said nozzle to direct a plurality of streams of fluid toward said second end said streams converging at a point along the longitudinal axis defined by the center line of said second end of said nozzle; and means to direct a fluid to said fluid directing means and so relating to said process apparatus so that when said process apparatus is in operation fume, molten metal and/or molten slag generated by said cutting and gouging apparatus is directed toward said nozzle for collection inside thereof, said nozzle including means to introduce a cooling fluid mixed with air in the form of jets converging along the center line of said nozzle said jets of cooling fluid-air mixture serving to keep said generated fume and/or slag in suspension, break up large solid pieces of molten metal and/or molten slag, cool said particles and prevent particles adhering to the walls of said nozzle assembly said process apparatus and said nozzle fixed at an angular relationship to each other so that said process apparatus directs generated fume, metal and/or slag into said nozzle; and a pump to evacuate process environment containing fume, metal and/or slag suspended in said nozzle and cooling fluid from said nozzle and direct said suspension and cooling fluid to means to separate said fume, collect slag and cooling fluid and return clean air to the ambient environment.