Wireless particle collection system

Abstract

A wireless particle collection system includes a dust collector and at least one power tool coupled to the dust collector. The power tool is associated with a unique identifier contained in a wireless signal transmitted from the power tool upon an activation event of the tool. The unique identifier is recognized by the dust collector, and the dust collector activates or de-activates upon receipt of the wireless signal.

1 . A wireless particle collection system, comprising:
 a dust collector, and   at least one power tool coupled to the dust collector, the at least one power tool having a unique identifier and configured to transmit a wireless signal upon sensing a tool state change event, the wireless signal including the unique identifier,   the dust collector configured to change state upon receipt of a wireless signal including a recognized unique identifier.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tool transmitter for transmitting the wireless signal with the unique identifier based on a sensed current in the power tool. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the tool transmitter is connected between an AC power source and the power tool. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the tool transmitter is integrated within microelectronics of the power tool. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the tool transmitter is a hand-held remote device independent of the power tool and dust collector. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collector includes a vacuum receiver for controlling a motor of the dust collector, the vacuum receiver adapted to recognize the unique identifier in the transmitted wireless signal to control the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless signal is an RF-coded signal with the unique address contained in a header thereof, the unique address stored or firmware-coded within the vacuum receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a relay device configured to receive and forward the wireless signal to the dust collector. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vacuum conduit coupled between the dust collector and the power tool for providing a vacuum pressure to the power tool,   a blast gate coupled to the vacuum conduit for selectively controlling the vacuum pressure to the power tool, and   a blast gate receiver for controlling the blast gate, the blast gate receiver adapted to actuate the blast gate based on a wireless signal received in response to the activation event.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein
 the wireless signal is an RF-coded signal with the unique address contained in a header thereof, and   the unique address is further stored or firmware-coded within the blast gate receiver.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transmitted wireless signal includes a command to open or close the blast gate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transmitted wireless signal includes a command to the blast gate receiver to transmit a wireless signal with the address of the unique identifier to the dust collector. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the wireless signal is simultaneously received at the blast gate and dust collector. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a relay device adapted to extend the range of the system and configured to receive and forward the wireless signal to a receiver or another system device. 
     
     
         15 . A particle collection system, comprising:
 a plurality of dust collectors,   a plurality of power tools,   at least one vacuum conduit coupled between the dust collectors and the power tools for providing a vacuum pressure to the power tools,   a plurality of blast gates coupled to the vacuum conduit for selectively controlling the vacuum pressure to the power tools, wherein   each of the power tools is associated with a given dust collector and blast gate, each power tool having its own unique identifier recognizable by its corresponding dust collector and blast gate, and   an address related to the unique identifier and included in a wireless signal transmitted in response to an activation event of a given power is received by the tool's corresponding dust collector and blast gate to activate or deactivate the dust collector and open or close the blast gate.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a remote control device configured to communicate with any of the power tool, dust collector and blast gates to initiate an activation event.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a relay device configured to communicate with any of the power tool, dust collector and blast gates extend system range.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the relay device is powered by AC mains power. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the relay device is powered by at least one of a replaceable, rechargeable, solar-powered and combination rechargeable and solar-powered battery. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a tool transmitter for transmitting the wireless signal with unique identifier based on a sensed current in the power tool.   a vacuum receiver for controlling a motor of the dust collector, the vacuum receiver adapted to recognize the unique identifier to control the motor, and   a blast gate receiver for controlling the blast gate, the blast gate receiver adapted to recognize the unique identifier to control the blast gate.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein
 the wireless signal is an RF-coded signal with the unique address contained in a header thereof, and   the unique address is further stored or firmware-coded within the vacuum receiver and blast gate receiver.