Sanding system with water based dust collection

Abstract

A sanding system includes a wood sander that produces dust, a portable vacuum system, and a vacuum hose extending therebetween. The vacuum system includes a canister having a chamber configured to hold a liquid, a transfer conduit coupled to the canister and defining an inlet port into the chamber, means for coupling a fluid line to the vacuum hose or the transfer conduit so that a liquid can be delivered thereto, and means for producing a vacuum within the chamber. During operation, dust is drawn from the sander through the vacuum hose and a liquid is inserted into the dust in the vacuum hose or the transfer conduit. The dust and liquid mixture is drawn into the chamber through the inlet port.

1 . A sanding system comprising:
 a wood sander that produces dust;   a vacuum hose extending between a first end and a spaced apart second end, the first end of the vacuum hose being connected to the sander; and   a portable vacuum system comprising:
 a first canister having a chamber configured to hold a liquid; 
 a transfer conduit coupled to the first canister, the transfer conduit having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the transfer conduit being disposed within the chamber, the second end of the vacuum hose being connected to the first end of the transfer conduit and the transfer conduit defining an inlet port into the chamber; 
 means for coupling a fluid line to the vacuum hose or the transfer conduit so that a liquid can be delivered thereto; and 
 means for producing a vacuum within the chamber. 
   
   
   
       2 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wood sander comprises a wood floor sander. 
   
   
       3 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for coupling a fluid line comprises a hose coupling mounted on the vacuum hose or the transfer conduit. 
   
   
       4 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid line fluid coupled to the means for coupling a fluid line, the fluid line being configured to dispense the liquid into the transfer conduit or the vacuum hose. 
   
   
       5 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for producing a vacuum comprises a motor disposed within the chamber of the first canister. 
   
   
       6 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portable vacuum system further comprises a collecting cone disposed within the chamber, the collecting cone having a radially enlarged upper end configured to receive dust and liquid entering the chamber and an opposing constricted lower end. 
   
   
       7 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the portable vacuum system further comprises a filter apparatus coupled with the lower end of the collecting cone, the filter apparatus being configured to allow liquid to pass therethrough. 
   
   
       8 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first canister has an air outlet port, and wherein the portable vacuum system further comprises a tubular cyclonic separator disposed within the chamber and bounding an internal passageway, the separator having an exterior surface extending from an upper end to an opposing lower end, the lower end having a maximum outer diameter greater than a maximum outer diameter of the upper end, the upper end of the separator being in communication with the means for producing a vacuum such that air within the chamber exits the chamber by passing through the passageway from the lower end to the upper end. 
   
   
       9 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portable vacuum system further comprises:
 a filter apparatus disposed within the chamber of the first canister, the filter apparatus being positioned below the inlet port such that liquid entering the chamber through the inlet port subsequently passes through the filter apparatus; and   a support member disposed within the chamber of the first canister such that the support member supports at least a portion of the filter apparatus when the filter apparatus is at least partially filled with a collected material.   
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a liquid outlet port formed on the first canister; and   a pump disposed within the first canister and fluid coupled with the liquid outlet port.   
   
   
       12 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a flexible hose connected to the liquid outlet port and extending away from the first canister. 
   
   
       13 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the portable vacuum system further comprises:
 means for automatically turning on the pump when the liquid within the chamber rises to a predetermined upper level and for automatically turning off the pump when the liquid within the chamber drops to a predetermined lower level.   
   
   
       14 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the means for automatically turning on and off the pump comprises a float switch disposed within the chamber of the first canister. 
   
   
       15 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first canister is mounted on a portable cart. 
   
   
       16 . A sanding system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the portable cart comprises a hand truck. 
   
   
       17 - 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . A sanding system comprising:
 a wood sander that produces dust;   a vacuum hose extending between a first end and a spaced apart second end, the first end of the vacuum hose being connected to the sander; and   a portable vacuum system comprising:
 a first canister having a chamber configured to hold a liquid; 
 a transfer conduit coupled to the first canister, the transfer conduit having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the transfer conduit being disposed within the chamber, the second end of the vacuum hose being connected to the first end of the transfer conduit and the transfer conduit defining an inlet port into the chamber; 
 means for coupling a fluid line to the vacuum hose or the transfer conduit so that a liquid can be delivered thereto; 
 means for producing a vacuum within the chamber; 
 a filter apparatus disposed within the chamber of the first canister, the filter apparatus being positioned below the inlet port such that liquid entering the chamber through the inlet port subsequently passes through the filter apparatus; 
 a support member disposed within the chamber of the first canister such that the support member supports at least a portion of the filter apparatus when the filter apparatus is at least partially filled with a collected material; and 
 a basket disposed on the support member within the chamber of the first canister such that the basket constrains at least a portion of the filter apparatus.