System and method for excavating an aggregate through an access hole

Abstract

A system and method for excavating an aggregate from below or beside a foundation through an access hole is provided. The system includes an air compressor and an air line fluidly coupled to the air compressor. The system further includes a valve disposed in fluid communication on the air line, and an end effector in fluid communication with the air compressor. The end effector extends between a first end coupled to one of the air line or the valve and a second end. The end effector is sized to fit through the access hole. The system further includes a nozzle coupled to the second end of the end effector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for excavating an aggregate from below a foundation through an access hole, the system comprising:
 an air compressor;   an air line fluidly coupled to the air compressor;   a valve disposed in fluid communication on the air line;   an end effector in fluid communication with the air compressor, the end effector extending between a first end coupled to one of the air line or the valve and a second end, the end effector being sized to fit through the access hole; and   a nozzle coupled to the second end of the end effector, wherein the nozzle is configured to expel a flow of compressed air from the air compressor to loosen the aggregate.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle defines an internal passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, the internal passage including an outlet portion having a uniform diameter and an inlet portion, wherein the outlet portion extends from the outlet to the inlet portion, and wherein the inlet portion extends from the outlet portion to the inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein the outlet portion defines a ratio of length to diameter of between about 2:1 and about 5:1. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet portion converges radially inwardly in a downstream direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet portion includes a threaded segment extending from the inlet and aa tapered segment extending between the threaded segment and the outlet portion. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes a straight portion and a curved portion, wherein the straight portion extends from the first end to the curved portion, and wherein the curved portion extends from the straight portion to the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 6 , wherein the curved portion extends at least partially along a circular path having a radius of between about 1 inch and about 8 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the end effector is directly fluidly coupled to the valve. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the air compressor is a portable air compressor. 
     
     
         10 . A method of excavating an aggregate from below a foundation through an access hole, the method comprising:
 inserting an end effector through the access hole towards the aggregate;   supplying a flow of compressed air from an air compressor to the end effector at least partially with an air line fluidly coupled to the air compressor;   actuating a valve from a closed position to an open position to provide the flow of compressed air to the end effector, the valve disposed in fluid communication on the air line; and   expelling the flow of compressed air from a nozzle coupled to the end effector to loosen the aggregate.   
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising collecting the loosened aggregate with a vacuum. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein expelling the flow of compressed air from the nozzle to loosen the aggregate and collecting the aggregate with the vacuum occurs simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising creating a cavity below the foundation by loosening aggregate with the nozzle and collecting the loosened aggregate with the vacuum. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle defines an internal passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, the internal passage including an outlet portion having a uniform diameter and an inlet portion, wherein the outlet portion extends from the outlet to the inlet portion, and wherein the inlet portion extends from the outlet portion to the inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 14 , wherein the outlet portion defines a ratio of length to diameter of between about 2:1 and about 5:1. 
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the inlet portion diverges radially outwardly in a downstream direction. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the inlet portion includes a threaded segment extending from the inlet and a tapered segment extending between the threaded segment and the outlet portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the end effector includes a straight portion and a curved portion, and wherein the curved portion extends from the straight portion to the nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 18 , wherein the curved portion extends at least partially along a circular path having a radius of between about 1 inch and about 8 inches.