The Dislodgment Unit

This consists of a small aluminum ball (referred to as the "AirBall") at the end of an air hose that is attached to an air compressor. The compressor, typically, is placed in the basement of a multi story building with the hose being taken up to the work area via a stairwell or service shaft etc.

The AirBall has a number of small holes angled towards the hose. Because of the angles, the size and weight of the ball etc, the compressed air forced through the holes allows the AirBall to be self-propelled and to be maneuvered to all sides of the duct. The high pressure of each jet of air is sufficient, when near the surfaces of the duct, to dislodge all dirt, dust and debris except that is fused to the surface. Very little material is left on the surface of the duct after the AirBall has passed by. The "AirBall" moves about in the duct as it travels along it covering all surfaces by partly, random motion, and by the operator control when required.

Once the "AirBall" has traversed the section of duct to be cleaned, it can be pulled back. The backward facing jets continue to abrade the surfaces as the "AirBall" returns down the duct, and the direction of the jet aids in moving the material towards and into the extraction component of the system.