Method of cleaning an hvac air duct

Abstract

An improved apparatus for cleaning ducts of a heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a pod having 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.

1 . A method of cleaning a heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) air duct, comprising:
 providing an apparatus for cleaning ducts of an HVAC system, said apparatus comprising:
 a man-portable pod having a vacuum chamber and a drive motor therein; 
 a conduit member located within said man-portable pod and having a vacuum chamber end and a vacuum hose end and an air path therebetween, said vacuum chamber end in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber; 
 a flexible vacuum hose having a conduit end and a duct end and wherein said flexible vacuum hose has a rotatable brush at said duct end, and wherein said flexible vacuum hose is coupleable to said vacuum hose end of said conduit member; and 
 a cart removably-coupleable to said man-portable pod and configured to provide rollable conveyance for said man-portable pod; and 
   opening a service opening in a duct of said HVAC system;   uncoupling said man-portable pod from said cart;   transporting said man-portable pod proximate said service opening; and   inserting said flexible vacuum hose through said service opening and into said duct.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein opening said service opening includes opening said service opening proximate an outlet plenum of said HVAC system. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising coupling said rotatable brush to said motor and rotating said rotatable brush with said drive motor. 
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising reversing a direction of said rotatable brush with said drive motor. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising passing said rotatable brush from said service opening along said duct to an outlet register. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising dislodging debris from an inside of said duct. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  further comprising:
 creating a vacuum within said vacuum chamber;   applying said vacuum to said duct end; and   collecting said debris in a bag within said vacuum chamber.   
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising:
 removing said flexible vacuum hose from said duct through said service opening; and   installing a cover over said service opening.