Agitating system

Abstract

A system for agitating material includes a compressor unit for supplying a flow of oil-free compressed air by a centrifugal compressor; a controller to control the compressor unit; a power supply for

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to a agitating system, in particular to an agitating system for disturbing material using compressed air that is portable and manoeuvrable. BACKGROUND

[0002] Yellow goods provide a broad sector for construction and earth moving products, particularly those for the commercial sector. One area focusses on breaking up and removal of material from an area. For example, compacted ground such as soil or engineering fill may require decompaction and removal to allow for servicing underground assets. This is regularly required in the building industry, but also is essentially the same requirement in more purely scientific approaches such as archaeology.

[0003] Currently, an agitator is used to break loose a top layer of the compacted ground or to more generally agitate material. The agitator may be mechanical, but is typically a compressed fluid stream, typically compressed air. For compacted ground, this action loosens the top layer of ground, exposing buried services, tree roots, etc.

[0004] The compressed air is provided by an air lance, that directs a stream of compressed air from an external compressor unit through a nozzle and towards ground to be agitated. These compressor units are units readily present on construction sites and are petrol or oil driven units that operate a scroll pump compressor. Air speeds of 650 m / s and pressures of 1000 kPa are routine. This requires a compressor providing an air flow of up to 85 1 / s. These are currently mobile housings driven by a petrol generator, which creates a “dirty” air flow.

[0005] In addition to the air lance, a vacuum based excavator is typically separately used to remove the disturbed agitated debris or rubble. The debris is collected within a waste chamber for later disposal, with fresh material needed to re-fill the excavation hole due to oil contamination of the debris by the compressed air. These excavator devices are known; however, they are cumbersome and separate devices, typically unsuited to use in small spaces.

[0006] Accordingly, there are a number of compromises needed in order to try and agitate and excavate material - the use of multiple devices, and also the large size of existing devices.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to at least ameliorate the above-mentioned issues. SUMMARY

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for agitating and excavating material, said system may include: a compressor unit for supplying a flow of compressed air; a controller to control the compressor unit; a power supply for powering the controller and the compressor unit; an air lance that includes: a fluid inlet for receiving the compressed air; and an air jet for directing the flow of compressed air into a stream for agitating material; and wherein the power supply, compressor unit and controller are housed in a stand-alone unit that and fluidly coupled to the air lance; and wherein the compressor unit comprises a centrifugal compressor such that the stream of compressed air is substantially oil-free.

[0009] Reference to material is intended to cover stored materials or debris, as well as compacted material. It can be appreciated that agitation and excavation of stored materials from one location to another location may be desired, particularly during initial construction works, or when back-filling previously excavated materials back into an excavated area. Accordingly, where material is used, it is intended to cover any ground or material for agitation and excavation. Similarly, reference to debris is intended to cover part or all of the agitated material, as well as dust, leaves and other spoil.

[0010] The system provides a manoeuvrable air lance that is supplied a stream of clean, oil-free, compressed air from a centrifugal compressor powered by a stand-alone unit. This allows a user to quickly and easily excavate material as desired, with the removed material able to be used to re-fill the created hole when the desired work has been completed. This saves time, labour, and material costs. Additionally, the use of a stand-alone unit, coupled with the small footprint of the compressor unit, power supply and controller, makes the system far more portable than existing solutions which require large petrol driven compressor units.

[0011] In embodiments the air lance may include a control switch for controlling the operation of the compressor unit via the controller. In this way the user of the air lance can easily control the use of the agitator and the excavator. The control switch may be a direct electrical connection. The control switch may be a wireless control utilising Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® or the like.

[0012] The centrifugal compressor typically comprises a DC brushless motor operating between 666.7 - 3667 Hz (40 - 220 krpm). The centrifugal compressor may include air bearings to prevent oil contamination of the compressed air.

[0013] In embodiments, the system may further comprise a hand operated vacuum lance comprising a venturi pump for receiving a flow of compressed air and producing a vacuum, and a hose for directing the vacuum to excavate debris from the agitated material. By incorporating a vacuum lance the material agitated by the air lance can be easily moved away from the work site. The use of a venturi pump allows the vacuum to be created by the compressed air flow generated by the compressor unit.

[0014] The system may include a valve for diverting the compressed air from the compressor unit to either the air jet or the venturi pump. By providing an air jet and venturi pump , coupled to a single compressor unit, power supply and controller, the user can take advantage of the increased portability and manoeuvrability whilst using the valve to select whether the compressed air from the compressor unit is used for agitating via the air jet or excavating via the venturi pump. This negates the need for separate devices, one for the air lance and one for the vacuum lance as is currently required.

[0015] In some embodiments the air lance and the vacuum lance are provided on a single lance, allowing the user to use them interchangeably.

[0016] The compressor unit may further include a second compressor for producing a second flow of compressed air. This second flow of compressed air is fluidly coupled to the vacuum lance. It can be appreciated that the second compressor is typically also a centrifugal compressor of the type described above. The controller may be configured to isolate operation of the centrifugal compressor and the second compressor such that only one of the air lance or the vacuum lance can be used at once.

[0017] Typically, the venturi pump is fluidly in-line with a vacuum fluid inlet. This can provide for optimised use of the compressed air from the compressor unit. Typically, the pressure ratio of the venturi pump may be up to 3. The venturi pump may be a multi-stage venturi.

[0018] The air jet, and where provided the venturi pump, may be optimized for flow above 180 CFM (5.097 m3 / min) and pressures below 4 bar (400000 Pa) absolute.

[0019] The hand operated air lance may include a first hand-hold structurally in-line with the fluid inlet. A second-hand hold may be provided along the air lance to increase manoeuvrability of the air lance.

[0020] The air jet may include an air jet feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an air jet nozzle for producing the stream of compressed air.

[0021] The venturi pump may include a venturi feed fluidly coupled to the compressor unit, and an inlet for receiving said debris. The inlet may include castellations at the periphery for agitation of the material, such as to loosen compacted ground, and for surge relief of the compressor unit.

[0022] The venturi pump and the air jet may be mounted substantially parallel to the major axis of a hand operated support lance. In embodiments the air jet nozzle and an inlet of the hose may be substantially co-located and are typically at an end of the support lance opposite a main hand hold. The air jet nozzle may be located vertically offset and adjacent to the inlet such that the castellations of the inlet can be used in conjunction with the nozzle to agitate compacted ground.

[0023] The venturi pump may include an open loop such that excavated debris is directed through the hose to a secondary location. This can allow excavated debris or material to be directly deposited where desired, such as to a wheelbarrow or the like. It can also allow the vacuum pump to replace previously excavated and removed material from the secondary location back to the excavated location to re-fill the hole made.

[0024] By combining an air jet of an agitator and a hose of an excavator in a single system, the portability and ease of use is greatly increased. Additionally, by utilising a controller and compressor unit in a stand-alone cart a user can easily move the system around a worksite as needed. This is in contrast to traditional techniques that use large separate devices that typically require noisy and polluting petrol generators.

[0025] The controller may act to isolate operation of the first and second compressor such that only one of the air lance or vacuum lance can be used at any one time.

[0026] The power supply may comprise a battery. This can aid the portability of the cart. Alternatively, or additionally, the power supply may comprise a power controller for receiving a 3 phase mains supply.

[0027] The compressor unit may be controlled by the controller to supply the compressed air on demand by a user. For example, the controller may act to power on and off the compressor unit by controlling the supply of current from the battery to the compressor unit. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may act to control fluid coupling of the air lance and the compressor unit such that the air lance and the compressor unit are only fluidly coupled such that the compressor unit supplies compressed air to the air lance when compressed air is required by the user. It can be further appreciated that in embodiments where multiple compressors are provided within the compressor unit, then the controller may jointly or separately control the supply of compressed air according to the overall demand of the user and according to the desired use of the air lance and the vacuum lance (agitation or excavation).

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a highspeed portable compressor system for supplying compressed air to an air lance and / or to a vacuum lance, said system comprising: a centrifugal compressor for producing a flow of compressed air; a battery for powering the centrifugal compressor; a controller for controlling operation of the centrifugal compressor; and a connector, fluidly coupled to the centrifugal compressor, to attach an air lance and / or a vacuum lance wherein the centrifugal compressor, battery, controller and connector are provided in a single contained mobile unit.

[0029] The connector may further comprise a valve for diverting the flow of compressed air between the air lance and / or the vacuum lance and a waste outlet.

[0030] According to a general aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system for agitating and excavating material, said system may include: a compressor unit for supplying compressed air; a controller to control the compressor unit; a battery for powering the controller and the compressor; and a hand operated lance may include: a fluid inlet for receiving the compressed air; an air jet for directing the compressed air into a stream for agitating material; and a venturi pump for producing a vacuum from the compressed air to excavate debris from the agitated material via a hose; where the battery, compressor unit and controller are housed in a stand-alone cart that is manoeuvrable by hand and fluidly coupled to the hand operated lance.

[0031] By combining an air jet of an agitator and a vacuum hose of an excavator in a single handheld lance, the portability and ease of use is greatly increased. Additionally, by utilising a battery and compressor unit in a stand-alone cart a user can easily move the system around a worksite as needed. This is in contrast to traditional techniques that use large separate devices that typically require noisy and polluting petrol generators.

[0032] Reference to material is intended to cover stored materials or debris, as well as compacted material. It can be appreciated that agitation and excavation of stored materials from one location to another location may be desired, particularly during initial construction works, or when back-filling previously excavated materials back into an excavated area. Accordingly, where material is used, it is intended to cover any ground or material for agitation and excavation. Similarly, reference to debris is intended to cover part or all of the agitated material, as well as dust, leaves and other spoil.

[0033] In embodiments the lance may include a control switch for controlling the operation of the compressor unit via the controller. In this way the user of the lance is able to easily control the use of the agitator and the excavator. The control switch may be a direct electrical connection. The control switch may be a wireless control utilising Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® or the like.

[0034] The compressor unit may include a compressor for producing a flow of the compressed air. The lance may include a valve for diverting the compressed air to either the air jet or the venturi pump. By providing a air jet and venturi pump on a single lance, coupled to a single compressor the user can take advantage of the increased portability and manoeuvrability whilst using the valve to select whether the compressed air is used for agitating via the air jet or excavating via the venturi pump.

[0035] Typically, the venturi pump is fluidly in-line with the fluid inlet. This can provide for optimised use of the compressed air from the compressor unit. Typically, the pressure ratio of the venturi pump may be up to 3.

[0036] The hand operated lance may include a first hand-hold structurally in-line with the fluid inlet. A second-hand hold may be provided along the lance to increase manoeuvrability of the lance.

[0037] The air jet may include an air jet feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an air jet nozzle for producing the stream of compressed air.

[0038] The venturi pump may include a venturi feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an inlet for receiving said debris. The inlet may include castellations at the periphery for agitation of the material, such as to loosen compacted ground, and for surge relief of the compressor unit.

[0039] The venturi pump and the air jet may be mounted substantially parallel to the major axis of the hand operated lance. In embodiments the air jet nozzle and the inlet may be substantially co-located and are typically at an end of the lance opposite a main hand hold. The air jet nozzle may be located vertically offset and adjacent to the inlet such that the castellations of the inlet can be used in conjunction with the nozzle to agitate compacted ground.

[0040] The venturi pump may include an open loop such that excavated debris is directed through the hose to a secondary location. This can allow excavated debris or material to be directly deposited where desired, such as to a wheelbarrow or the like.

[0041] The fluid inlet may include a first inlet coupled to the air jet and a second inlet coupled to the venturi pump, and where the compressor unit may include a first compressor for producing a first flow of compressed air to the first inlet, and a second compressor for producing a second flow of compressed air to the second inlet. In this example each compressor provides a separate flow of compressed air, which can improve the operation of each device.

[0042] Additionally, it may be possible to operate both the agitator via the air jet and the excavator via the venturi pump simultaneously.

[0043] The control switch may include a toggle switch for operating the first compressor or the second compressor. The toggle switch may also allow for operating both the first and second compressor simultaneously.

[0044] The centrifugal compressor may include air bearings to prevent oil contamination of the compressed air.

[0045] The compressor unit may be controlled by the controller to supply the compressed air on demand by a user. For example, the controller may act to power on and off the compressor unit by controlling the supply of current from the battery to the compressor unit. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may act to control fluid coupling of the lance and the compressor unit such that the lance and the compressor unit are only fluidly coupled such that the compressor unit supplies compressed air to the lance when compressed air is required by the user. It can be further appreciated that in embodiments where multiple compressors and provided within the compressor unit, then controller may jointly or separately control the supply of compressed air according to the overall demand of the user and according to the desired user of the lance (agitation or excavation).

[0046] According to a further general aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system for agitating and excavating material, said system may include: a compressor unit for supplying compressed air; a controller to control the compressor unit; a battery for powering the controller and the compressor; and a hand operated lance may include: a fluid inlet for receiving the compressed air; an air jet for directing the compressed air into a stream for agitating material; and a venturi pump for producing a vacuum from the compressed air to excavate debris from the agitated material via a hose; where the battery, compressor unit and controller are housed in a stand-alone cart that is manoeuvrable by hand and fluidly coupled to the hand operated lance.

[0047] By combining an air jet of an agitator and a vacuum hose of an excavator in a single handheld lance, the portability and ease of use is greatly increased. Additionally, by utilising a battery and compressor unit in a stand-alone cart a user can easily move the system around a worksite as needed. This is in contrast to traditional techniques that use large separate devices that typically require noisy and polluting petrol generators.

[0048] Reference to material is intended to cover stored materials or debris, as well as compacted material. It can be appreciated that agitation and excavation of stored materials from one location to another location may be desired, particularly during initial construction works, or when back-filling previously excavated materials back into an excavated area. Accordingly, where material is used, it is intended to cover any ground or material for agitation and excavation. Similarly, reference to debris is intended to cover part or all of the agitated material, as well as dust, leaves and other spoil.

[0049] In embodiments the lance may include a control switch for controlling the operation of the compressor unit via the controller. In this way the user of the lance is able to easily control the use of the agitator and the excavator. The control switch may be a direct electrical connection. The control switch may be a wireless control utilising Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® or the like.

[0050] The compressor unit may include a compressor for producing a flow of the compressed air. The lance may include a valve for diverting the compressed air to either the air jet or the venturi pump. By providing a air jet and venturi pump on a single lance, coupled to a single compressor the user can take advantage of the increased portability and manoeuvrability whilst using the valve to select whether the compressed air is used for agitating via the air jet or excavating via the venturi pump.

[0051] Typically, the venturi pump is fluidly in-line with the fluid inlet. This can provide for optimised use of the compressed air from the compressor unit. Typically, the pressure ratio of the venturi pump may be up to 3.

[0052] The hand operated lance may include a first hand-hold structurally in-line with the fluid inlet. A second-hand hold may be provided along the lance to increase manoeuvrability of the lance.

[0053] The air jet may include an air jet feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an air jet nozzle for producing the stream of compressed air.

[0054] The venturi pump may include a venturi feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an inlet for receiving said debris. The inlet may include castellations at the periphery for agitation of the material, such as to loosen compacted ground, and for surge relief of the compressor unit.

[0055] The venturi pump and the air jet may be mounted substantially parallel to the major axis of the hand operated lance. In embodiments the air jet nozzle and the inlet may be substantially co-located and are typically at an end of the lance opposite a main hand hold. The air jet nozzle may be located vertically offset and adjacent to the inlet such that the castellations of the inlet can be used in conjunction with the nozzle to agitate compacted ground.

[0056] The venturi pump may include an open loop such that excavated debris is directed through the hose to a secondary location. This can allow excavated debris or material to be directly deposited where desired, such as to a wheelbarrow or the like.

[0057] The fluid inlet may include a first inlet coupled to the air jet and a second inlet coupled to the venturi pump, and where the compressor unit may include a first compressor for producing a first flow of compressed air to the first inlet, and a second compressor for producing a second flow of compressed air to the second inlet. In this example each compressor provides a separate flow of compressed air, which can improve the operation of each device.

[0058] Additionally, it may be possible to operate both the agitator via the air jet and the excavator via the venturi pump simultaneously.

[0059] The control switch may include a toggle switch for operating the first compressor or the second compressor. The toggle switch may also allow for operating both the first and second compressor simultaneously.

[0060] The centrifugal compressor may include air bearings to prevent oil contamination of the compressed air.

[0061] The compressor unit may be controlled by the controller to supply the compressed air on demand by a user. For example, the controller may act to power on and off the compressor unit by controlling the supply of current from the battery to the compressor unit. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may act to control fluid coupling of the air lance and the compressor unit such that the air lance and the compressor unit are only fluidly coupled such that the compressor unit supplies compressed air to the air lance when compressed air is required by the user. It can be further appreciated that in embodiments where multiple compressors and provided within the compressor unit, then controller may jointly or separately control the supply of compressed air according to the overall demand of the user and according to the desired user of the air lance (agitation or excavation).

[0062] According to a second aspect there is provided a hand operated lance that may include: a fluid inlet for receiving compressed air from a compressed air source; an air jet for directing the compressed air into a stream for agitating material; and a venturi pump for producing a vacuum from the compressed air to excavate debris from the agitated material via a hose; and a valve for directing the compressed air into either the air jet or the venturi pump.

[0063] The compressed air source may include a compressor unit, a controller and a battery, and where the compressed air source is housed in a stand-alone cart that is manoeuvrable by hand and fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet of the hand operated lance.

[0064] The compressed air source may include a compressor unit, a controller and a battery, and where the compressed air source is directly mounted to the hand operated lance.

[0065] The lance may further comprise a control switch operable by a user, said control switch communicatively coupled to the controller and operable to control supply of the compressed air from the compressed air source on demand by the user.

[0066] In one general aspect, the system may include a compressor unit for supplying compressed air; a controller to control the compressor unit; a battery for powering the controller and the compressor; and a hand operated lance having: a fluid inlet for receiving the compressed air; an air jet for directing the compressed air into a stream for agitating material, for example compacted ground; and a venturi pump for producing a vacuum from the compressed air to excavate debris agitated from the material or compacted ground via a hose. The system may also include where the battery, compressor unit and controller are housed in a stand-alone cart that is manoeuvrable by hand and fluidly coupled to the hand operated lance.

[0067] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The lances may include a control switch for controlling the operation of the compressor unit via the controller. The compressor unit may include a compressor for producing a flow of the compressed air. The toggle switch may include a valve for diverting the compressed air to either the air jet or the venturi pump. The venturi pump may be fluidly in-line with the fluid inlet. The hand operated air lance may include a first hand-hold structurally in-line with the fluid inlet. The air jet may include an air jet feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an air jet nozzle for producing the stream of compressed air. The venturi pump may include a venturi feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an inlet for receiving said debris. The inlet may include castellations at the periphery for agitation of the ground and for surge relief of the compressor unit. The venturi pump and the air jet may be mounted substantially parallel to the major axis of the hand operated air lance. The venturi pump may include an open loop such that excavated material is directed through the hose to a secondary location. The fluid inlet may include a first inlet coupled to the air jet and a second inlet coupled to the venturi pump, and where the compressor unit may include a first compressor for producing a first flow of compressed air to the first inlet, and a second compressor for producing a second flow of compressed air to the second inlet. The control switch may include a toggle switch for operating the first compressor or the second compressor. The centrifugal compressor may include air bearings to prevent oil contamination of the compressed air. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or a process.

[0068] In one general aspect, a hand operated air lance may include a fluid inlet for receiving compressed air from a compressed air source; an air jet for directing the compressed air into a stream for agitating material such as compacted ground; and a venturi pump for producing a vacuum from the compressed air to excavate debris from the agitated material of the compacted ground via a hose; and a valve for directing the compressed air into either the air jet or the venturi pump.

[0069] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. A hand operated air lance where the compressed air source may include a compressor unit, a controller and a battery, and where the compressed air source is housed in a stand-alone cart that is manoeuvrable by hand and fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet of the hand operated air lance. The compressed air source may include a compressor unit, a controller and a battery, and where the compressed air source is directly mounted to the hand operated air lance. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or a process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the following figures in which:

[0070] Figure la shows a schematic of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure lb shows a schematic of a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 2a shows a diagrammatic structural view of the system of Figure la according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 2b shows a diagrammatic structural view of the system of Figure lb according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 2c shows a diagrammatic structural view of the system of Figure lb according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of an air lance used in the embodiment shown in Figure 2b, although it can be appreciated that minor modifications may be implemented for use with the embodiment of Figure 2a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] Figure la shows a schematic of a system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 comprises a cart 1 and an air lance 8. The cart 1 provides a source of compressed air to the air lance 8 from a compressed air outlet 5 via a compressed air feed 9.

[0077] The cart 1 comprises handles 4 for manual operation of the cart to allow the cart to be easily manoeuvred by a user. Adjacent to the handles is a control panel 2 that comprises operating switches for turning on and off the compressed air supply and also has an emergency stop.

[0078] The cart 1 is manoeuvred by the handles 4 and runs on wheels 3 or the like. These are typically pneumatic tyres to provide stability on potentially uneven ground as regularly found on construction sites and the like.

[0079] The air lance 8 is connected to the cart 1 by an air feed 9, which is typically a flexible hose that allow a user to hold the air lance 8 and move away from the cart to the area to be agitated or excavated.

[0080] In addition to the air lance 8, a vacuum lance 15 may be provided in some embodiments. The vacuum lance comprises a venturi, which may be a multi-stage venturi. This uses the compressed air from the compressed air source to produce a vacuum that is fed into the vacuum lance via hose 12 connected to the system 10 at point 11. The vacuum lance 15 is used to direct excavated material into a secondary location, such as wheelbarrow 7 via hose 6. In some embodiments the vacuum lance and hose are an open loop system. Accordingly, excavated material may be collected back from the secondary location such as the wheelbarrow 7 and used to re-fill the hole created by the air lance 8.

[0081] Figure lb shows a schematic of a system 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The system 110 comprises a cart 101 and an air lance 108. The cart 101 provides a source of compressed air to the air lance 108 from a compressed air outlet 105 via a compressed air feed 109.

[0082] The cart 101 comprises handles 104 for manual operation of the cart to allow the cart to be easily manoeuvred by a user. Adjacent to the handles is a control panel 102 that comprises operating switches for turning on and off the compressed air supply and also has an emergency stop.

[0083] The cart 101 is manoeuvred by the handles 104 and runs on wheels 103 or the like. These are typically pneumatic tyres to provide stability on potentially uneven ground as regularly found on construction sites and the like.

[0084] In addition to the air feed 109, the air lance comprises an outlet hose 106 that receives evacuated material and directs it into a waste area or wheelbarrow 107 or the like. A clip or spike 120 may be used to secure the end of the hose 106 to the outlet location.

[0085] Figure 2a shows a diagrammatic structural view of the system 10 of figure 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 comprises a housing 36 of the cart 1. The housing comprises a battery 38, which is typically a lithium-ion battery rated at 36-400 V. The battery is electrically coupled to a high speed motor controller 46 that is configured to operate a high speed centrifugal compressor 56. In this embodiment, the compressor 56 is configured to provide a source of compressed air to an air lance 68 via a valve. The valve and air lance may be in a single housing 66.

[0086] In a second embodiment as shown in Figure 2b, there is provided a housing 136 of the cart 101, which may externally be substantially identical to the housing 136. Within the housing 136 is provided a battery 138, akin to battery 38. A high-speed controller 146 is provided, electrically powered by the battery. The controller 146 is configured to control a compressor 156, which is powered by the battery via the motor controller.

[0087] In this embodiment, there is an air lance housing 166 that comprises an air lance 168, venturi pump 176 and vacuum 178 coupled to the venturi pump. The air lance 168 and the venturi pump are fluidly coupled to the compressor 156 to receive compressed air. A two-way valve 167 is provided on the air lance. The two-way valve 167 acts to divert compressed air supplied by the compressor 156 to either the air lance or to the venturi pump 176 to produce the vacuum 178.

[0088] Figure 2c shows a diagrammatic structural view of the system 10 of Figure 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The system 210 comprises a housing 236 of the cart 1. The housing comprises a battery 238, which is typically a lithium-ion battery rated at 36-400 V. The battery is electrically coupled to a first high speed motor controller 246 that is configured to operate a first compressor 256. The battery is also electrically connected to a second motor controller 248 that is configured to operate a second compressor 258. Both compressors are powered by the battery via their motor controllers (although it can be appreciated that a single motor controller may be operable to control both compressors).

[0089] In this embodiment, the first compressor 256 is configured to provide a source of compressed air to an air air lance 268. The second compressor 258 is configured to provide a source of compressed air to a venturi pump 276 to in-turn produce a vacuum 278. The air air lance 268, venturi pump 276 and vacuum 278 are all mounted to a housing 266.

[0090] Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the air lance 108 In the example shown the air lance 108 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 2b and Figure lb, although it can be appreciated that minor modifications may be implemented for use with the embodiment of Figures 2a, 2c and la.

[0091] The air lance 108 comprises a main frame that provides a hand hold 111 that receives an air jet feed 119 from the compressor. In the example shown with the embodiment of Figure 2b, one feed is provided. It can be appreciated that the embodiment of Figure 2a and 2c may have two feeds. The air feed is fluidly coupled with an air jet feed 113 and a vacuum venturi feed 114 via a two-way valve 112. The valve may be a gate valve, which may be mechanically actuated or may be electronically actuated. The valve 112 acts to divert the flow of compressed air from the air jet feed 9 into either the air jet feed 113 or the vacuum venturi feed 114. In the embodiment of Figure 2a, the valve 112 is omitted and each compressed air feed is separately fluidly coupled to either the air jet feed 113 or the vacuum venturi feed 114.

[0092] The air jet feed 113 comprises a substantially rigid tube that directs the flow of compressed air to an air jet nozzle 117. The nozzle acts to focus the flow into a stream for directing towards the ground (or other material, such as stored material or previously excavated material) when operated by the user. The stream of focussed compressed air acts to agitate the ground, loosening compact earth. The stream is useful for construction, archaeological investigations and other earth loosening applications.

[0093] Substantially parallel to and adjacent to the air jet feed 113 is a venturi pump feed 114 that is configured to receive the flow of compressed air from the air inlet 109 and to create a vacuum within a hose 115. The hose 115 forms the main shaft of the air lance 108 and the air jet feed 113 and the venturi pump feed 114 are mechanically coupled to it. The hose has an outlet 106 as shown in Figure 3b and figure 1. A handle 118 is provided above the outlet 6 to help manoeuvre the air lance 108. The hose 115 has an end a series of castellations 115a that are typically a series of cutaways. These act two-fold, firstly to allow the user to further manually agitate the ground using the end of the hose, and secondly to prevent a surge condition in the compressor when using the vacuum in the event that the hose is placed against the ground.

[0094] The nozzle 117 is provided substantially adjacent to the end of hose 115, albeit offset away from the ground. This can help prevent the nozzle from clogging. Additionally, if the embodiment of Figure 2c is used and both the air jet and the vacuum are used simultaneously, this prevents a lateral airflow directly between the nozzle and the vacuum.

[0095] In use, with reference to Figure la the user may use the handles 1 of the cart 10 to move the cart to the desired location. The user then uses the controls, 2 on the cart 10 to activate and control the compressor 56 via the power from the battery 38 and the controller 46. With the compressor running, the supply of compressed air is active and is fed to the air lance 8 via the feed 9. The user then activates the air lance using controls 11 on the air lance 8 to select the air jet 13, diverting the air using the valve 12 / 67. Compressed air is then focussed into a stream onto the ground to be agitated via the nozzle 17. In embodiments with a vacuum lance, additional manual agitation may be undertaken using the castellated hose 15. Once the ground is sufficiently loosened, the user may use the controls to select the vacuum venturi feed 14 via the valve 12. This creates a suction vacuum within the hose 15 that is used to excavate the agitated and loosened ground, depositing the loosened ground via the output 6 to a wheelbarrow 7 or the like. The vacuum works on an open loop where the removed material can be directed to a secondary location such as a wheelbarrow and can operate continuously for a battery charge, i.e. there is no storage to be emptied once filled. Additionally, it is possible to run the vacuum in reverse, to use the deposited removed material to infill holes. This is possible due to the use of an oil-free centrifugal compressor, that utilizes air bearings to ensure a “clean” air flow from the air lance and within the vacuum lance. This saves considerable time and resources in making good any excavated ground.

[0096] In an embodiment, it can be appreciated that the compressor, controller, battery and controls are also mounted to the air lance 8. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the air lance is a portable handheld system for agitating and excavating earth, without the need for a separate cart 10.

[0097] The present invention allows for compressed air to be used on demand for either agitation or for excavation using a single air lance and typically driven by a single compressor unit. By combining an air jet and a venturi device on a single housing, driven by a single centrifugal compressor the user can select which operation is undertaken and change how the compressed air is used. This makes removing material much easier because only one person is needed to operate the air lance, rather than a separate person for the air jet and the vacuum. Additionally, less bulky carts are needed with no additional systems required. Such a device is useful in utility repairs and inspection, arborators and archaeology at least.

[0098] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behaviour of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code - it being understood that software and hardware can be used to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, and / or the like, depending on the context. Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification.

[0099] Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and / or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of’).

Claims

1. A system for agitating material, said system comprising:a compressor unit for supplying a flow of compressed air;a controller to control the compressor unit;a power supply for powering the controller and the compressor unit;an air lance comprising:a fluid inlet for receiving the compressed air; andan air jet for directing the flow of compressed air into a stream for agitating material; andwherein the power supply, compressor unit and controller are housed in a standalone unit and fluidly coupled to the air lance, and wherein the compressor unit comprises a centrifugal compressor such that the stream of compressed air is substantially oil-free.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the air lance comprises a control switch for controlling the operation of the compressor unit via the controller.

3. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the centrifugal compressor comprisesa DC brushless motor operating between 666.7 - 3667 Hz (40 - 220 krpm).

4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the centrifugal compressor comprisesair bearings to prevent oil contamination of the compressed air.

5. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising:a hand operated vacuum lance comprising:a venturi pump for receiving a flow of compressed air and producing a vacuum; anda hose for directing the vacuum to excavate debris from the agitated material.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system further comprises a valve for divertingthe flow of compressed air to either the air lance or the vacuum lance.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the compressor unit further comprises a second compressor for producing a second flow of compressed air, and wherein the second flow of compressed air is fluidly coupled to to the vacuum lance.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller isolates operation of the centrifugal compressor and the second compressor such that only one of the air lance or vacuum lance can be used at once.

9. The system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the second compressor is a centrifugal compressor.

10. The system of any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the venturi pump comprises a multistage venturi.

11. The system of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the venturi pump comprises an open loop such that excavated debris is directed through the hose to a secondary location.

12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the hand operated air lance comprises a first handhold structurally in-line with the fluid inlet.

13. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the air jet comprises an air jet feed coupled to the fluid inlet, and an air jet nozzle for producing the stream of compressed air.

14. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the power supply comprises a battery..

15. The system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the power supply comprises a power controller for receiving 3 phase mains supply.

16. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the air jet is mounted substantially parallel to the major axis of the hand operated air lance.

17. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the compressor unit is controlled by the controller to supply the compressed air on demand by a user.

18. A high-speed portable compressor system for supplying compressed air to an air lance and / or to a vacuum lance, said system comprising:a centrifugal compressor for producing a flow of compressed air;a battery for powering the centrifugal compressor;5 a controller for controlling operation of the centrifugal compressor; anda connector, fluidly coupled to the centrifugal compressor, to attach an air lance and / or a vacuum lance;wherein the centrifugal compressor, battery, controller and connector are provided in a single contained mobile unit.1019. The system of claim 18, wherein the connector further comprises a valve for diverting the flow of compressed air between the air lance and / or the vacuum lance and a waste outlet.

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