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Basic
Principles of the Ecogate "patented" Dust Collection
System (U.S. Patent No. 6, 012, 199)
- Electronically
controlled motorized blast gates are installed close to
the woodworking machines served by a dust collection system.
- A sensor
is placed on the machine to monitor machine operation.
- A control
unit, greenBOX® MASTER, using the computer and sensors
mentioned above closes gates to non-operating machinery
(and opens gates to operating machines).
- The
greenBOX® MASTER in connection with the Power MASTER
unit regulates the suction capacity of the dust collector.
- Part
of the system contains negative pressure sensors, which
guarantees a preset value of air for the best evacuation
of sawdust or other unwanted matter (preset values are user
selectable on the touch screen). This provides optimal operation
with maximum energy saving.
Each
workstation has a sensor (ECOde) and a dedicated motorized
gate (blast gate). The blast gates are operated by the greenBOX
MASTER control system. The Power MASTER (a variable speed
drive) controls energy input for the fan.
Technical
Details: The computer greenBOX MASTER has a table of both
minimum airflow and negative pressure requirements for each
workstation. Minimum airflow requirements from selected open
gates will be added for a total required CFM. Negative pressure
will be set by selecting the greatest required negative pressure
(i.e. from the furthest away gate). Power (RPM) delivered
to the dust collector will be calculated as a function of
these two values.
Appropriate
negative air pressure sufficient to overcome losses in the
ductwork as caused by distance from the dust collector needs
to be maintained. For each workstation this value depends
mainly on its distance away from the dust collector and on
diameter of ducts.
A
minimum airflow needs to be maintained to insure that particulate
does not drop out of the vacuum flow (and settle in the ductwork)
before it reaches the dust collector. The main duct has a
minimum value of air velocity depending on the diameter.
The
negative pressure requirement will be checked against a negative
pressure sensor located just ahead of the dust collector.
If this value is less than the largest negative pressure requirement,
then the dust collector power will be increased to correspond.
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