U.S. patent application number 14/829882 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-25 for ice and snow removal system and apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles Raymond Treglown. Invention is credited to Charles Raymond Treglown.
Application Number | 20160053452 14/829882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55347813 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160053452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Treglown; Charles Raymond |
February 25, 2016 |
ICE AND SNOW REMOVAL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS
Abstract
An apparatus and method for snow and ice removal from a roadway
or other horizontal civil engineering structure. The apparatus may
include a conventional plow, a chipper to break apart ice, a nozzle
to project a hot liquid to melt snow and ice, a heater to further
melt snow and ice, and a vacuum to suction the melted snow and ice
slurry for containment in a holding tank. The system is preferably
mounted for carriage by a motor vehicle.
Inventors: |
Treglown; Charles Raymond;
(Cave Spring, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Treglown; Charles Raymond |
Cave Spring |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55347813 |
Appl. No.: |
14/829882 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62039000 |
Aug 19, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
37/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 5/06 20130101; E01H
5/106 20130101; E01H 5/108 20130101; E01H 5/104 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01H 5/10 20060101
E01H005/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for snow and ice removal, comprising: a head
operatively coupled to a motor vehicle; a sprayer operatively
coupled to a source of fluid carried by said motor vehicle and
projecting downwardly from said head; a heater enclosure
operatively coupled to a fuel source carried by said motor vehicle,
said heater enclosure projecting downwardly from said head; and a
vacuum head operatively coupled to a vacuum source and a suction
product holding tank carried by said motor vehicle, said vacuum
head projecting downwardly from said head, wherein said sprayer,
heater enclosure, and said vacuum head are contained within a hood
of said head.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising; a chipper
operatively coupled to said head.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said chipper is operable to
provide for a vertical reciprocating action.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said chipper is operable for
rotary action about a vertical axis.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said head is selectively
positioned between an operating position, with the head positioned
in proximity to a road surface, and a traveling position, with the
head positioned substantially elevated from the road surface.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plow operatively
coupled to said head.
7. An apparatus for snow and ice removal, comprising: a head
operatively coupled to a motor vehicle; a sprayer operatively
coupled to a source of fluid carried by said motor vehicle and
projecting downwardly from said head; a heater enclosure
operatively coupled to a fuel source carried by said motor vehicle,
said heater enclosure having an opening projecting downwardly from
said head; and a vacuum head operatively coupled to a vacuum source
and a suction product holding tank carried by said motor vehicle,
said vacuum head projecting downwardly from said head.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising; a chipper
operatively coupled to said head.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said chipper is operable to
provide for a vertical reciprocating action.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said chipper is operable for
rotary action about a vertical axis.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said head is selectively
positioned between an operating position, with the head positioned
in proximity to a road surface, and a traveling position, with the
head positioned substantially elevated from the road surface.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a plow
operatively coupled to said head.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 62/039,000, filed Aug. 19, 2014, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to roadway maintenance systems
and, more particularly, to a system and methods for the removal of
snow and ice from roadways and other horizontal civil engineering
construction works.
[0003] In winter many roads and parking lots are closed due to the
accumulation of snow and ice, causing major problems in
transportation. It would clear roads and parking lots days earlier
than they would normally be cleared. When vacuum tank gets full
water can be drained on side of road or into sewers.
[0004] In northern regions, where there are prevailing seasonal
winter storm conditions, affected states maintain fleets of snow
removal equipment, including snow plows and salt trucks. Snow is
shoveled with fleets of snow plows. Ice formation is combated with
salt trucks that disperse granular salt or spray the roadways with
a saline solution to prevent or impede the formation of ice on the
roadways. The dispersal of salt or saline solutions on roadways
requires substantial stockpiles of salt in order to adequately
combat the formation or incidence of ice on the roadways.
[0005] In southern tier states, the incidence of snow and ice
formation is a fairly uncommon phenomenon. Accordingly, these
states do not maintain fleets of snow removal equipment to combat
winter road hazards. Moreover, even where they do maintain show
removal equipment, these states seldom establish the requisite
stockpiles of salts to engage in any semblance of ice prevention or
remediation, which is usually limited.
[0006] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved snow and ice
removal system and apparatus that is not reliant on stores of
salt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for
snow and ice removal, includes: a head operatively coupled to a
motor vehicle; a sprayer operatively coupled to a source of fluid
carried by said motor vehicle and projecting downwardly from said
head; a heater enclosure operatively coupled to a fuel source
carried by said motor vehicle, said heater enclosure projecting
downwardly from said head; and a vacuum head operatively coupled to
a vacuum source and a suction product holding tank carried by said
motor vehicle, said vacuum head projecting downwardly from said
head, wherein said sprayer, heater enclosure, and said vacuum head
are contained within a hood of said head. Other aspects of the
apparatus include a chipper operatively coupled to said head. The
chipper may operable to provide for a vertical reciprocating
action. The chipper may alternatively be operable for rotary action
about a vertical axis.
[0008] In some aspects of the invention the head is selectively
positionable between an operating position, with the head
positioned in proximity to a road surface, and a traveling
position, with the head positioned substantially elevated from the
road surface. The apparatus may further include a plow operatively
coupled to the head.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention an apparatus for snow and
ice removal, is provided that includes a head operatively coupled
to a motor vehicle; a sprayer operatively coupled to a source of
fluid carried by the motor vehicle and projecting downwardly from
the head; a heater enclosure operatively coupled to a fuel source
carried by the motor vehicle, the heater enclosure having an
opening projecting downwardly from the head; and a vacuum head
operatively coupled to a vacuum source and a suction product
holding tank carried by the motor vehicle, the vacuum head
projecting downwardly from the head.
[0010] The apparatus may also be provisioned with a chipper
operatively coupled to the head. The chipper may be operable to
provide for a vertical reciprocating action or a rotary action
about a vertical axis. The head is selectively positionable between
an operating position, with the head positioned in proximity to a
road surface, and a traveling position, with the head positioned
substantially elevated from the road surface.
[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1: is a schematic section view of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2: is a schematic view of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3: is a detail schematic section view of the invention,
shown in use during road clearing, illustrating the flow of liquid
54 through sprayer 14, the heat emitting from heater 20, and the
flow of liquid 52 into vacuum 24.
[0015] FIG. 4: is a detail schematic section view of the invention,
showing the attachment of hose 48 to drain line 44 for draining
tank 40.
[0016] FIG. 5: is a flow chart of a method according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0018] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
snow removal and ice remediation apparatus. As best seen in
reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an apparatus 5 according to
the present invention may include a plow 10, for removing snow as
in conventional methods. The plow 10 is mounted to a multifunction
ice removal head 25, preferably positioned forward of the cab of a
motor vehicle, such as a truck 28, the size of the truck will vary
depending upon the intended area to be cleared of snow and ice 58.
For example, an apparatus 5 for clearing a parking lot of a small
office complex may be suited to a standard or small size pick-up
truck, whereas a larger office complex or commercial retail may be
suited to a utility truck, and a substantial roadway or road
network, may be better suited to a semi-tractor truck.
[0019] The ice removal head 25 may be secured to the truck via
support rigging 30 extending from a structural frame of the truck
32, or to the truck cab 28. The ice removal head 25 may also be
mounted to the truck via conventional mounting system, such as used
for snow plows. Preferably, the head 25 is selectively positioned
between a lowered, operational position in close proximity with the
roadway 60 and an elevated, traveling position for movement of the
system 5 over roadways without engaging in snow removal and
remediation purposes. Controls for the respective components of the
system 5 may be conveniently located within the truck cab 28.
[0020] The multifunction ice removal head 25 includes a hood 12
providing an enclosure for the various elements of the head 25. A
first component of the ice removal head may include a chipper 14,
which includes a bit that may be a reciprocating and/or radially
spinning for chipping engagement with accumulations of ice 58 on
the road surface. The chipper 14 breaks or fractures large ice
formations into smaller parts as the ice 58 enters underneath the
hood 12, to allow for subsequent treatment and remediation by other
components of the system 5.
[0021] Following the ice 58 the chipper 14, the system may further
include a spray nozzle 16, which is connected to a water holding
tank 40 via a sprayer hose 18. Water holding tank 40 may further
comprise a filter and pump unit 42 for providing a pressurized
source of water to the spray nozzle 16. The spray nozzle 16 is
capable of directing a spray of hot water at the road surface 60 to
assist in melting of the ice and snow 58 as the hood 12 traverses
the road surface 60. The water holding tank 40 should also include
a vent or fill port 50 positioned at the top of the tank 40 and a
drain line 44 and valve 46 for draining the water tank 40.
[0022] The system 5 may further include a heater enclosure 20,
which contains flames and heat from a combustion fuel, such as
propane, communicated from storage in a fuel tank 34 via a fuel
hose 22 to the combustion area within the heater enclosure 20. The
heat from the combustion provides an intense heat source to further
melt the snow and ice 58 from the road surface 60 beneath the hood
12.
[0023] Following the heater enclosure 20, the system 5 may further
comprise a vacuum head 24, operatively connected to the water
holding tank 40 via the vacuum hose 26. A vacuum pump 38 is
provided, preferable just forward of the water holding tank 40 to
provide a source of vacuum to the vacuum hose 26. An insulated wall
36 is preferably interposed between the fuel tank 34 and the vacuum
pump 38 so as to avoid hazardous spark conditions.
[0024] Suction applied at the vacuum head 24 suctions off the
heated water, melted snow and ice, road debris, and any remaining
ice particles from the road 60 and are stored in the water holding
tank 40. Particulates and road debris suctioned into the water
holding tank 40 are filtered at the filter element of the filter
and pump unit 42. The heated water, snow and ice suctioned from the
roadway 60 provides a replenishment source of water for the water
tank 40. Should the volume of water and ice removed from the
roadway 60 exceed the capacity of the water tank 40, the water tank
40 may be drained at a sewer opening or a drainage ditch proximal
to the roadway 60 via a drain hose connected to the drain line 44
line 44.
[0025] As seen in reference to FIGS. 3-5, the front plow 10 first
pushes excess snow 58 off the road surface 60. As the hood 12
passes over the road 60, the chipper 14 breaks up ice remaining on
the road 60. The sprayer 16 distributes hot water 54 onto the road
60 to melt the remaining chipped ice and snow 58. As the heater 20
passes over the road surface 60 it continues to melt remaining snow
and ice 58. The vacuum 24 suctions off liquid from the melted ice
and snow 52, thereby removing it from the road 60 so that it won't
re-freeze on the roadway 60.
[0026] The vacuumed liquid is stored in the water holding tank 40,
where a portion of the vacuumed liquid is available to be
recirculated to the sprayer 16. A driver uses controls in the truck
cab 28 to raise or lower the plow and hood and to control the
sprayer, chipper, heater, vacuum, and other functions of the system
5. When necessary, the holding tank 40 is drained by connecting a
drain hose 48 to the drain line 44 and the water is released into
the sewer system or other suitable location.
[0027] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
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