Patent Application
20070215176
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobile device for cleaning road and street surfaces. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a mobile, all water configuration, street sweeper and cleaning system and method of using the same.
Vehicles configured with street or road cleaning systems are well-known in the prior art. The systems commonly utilize combinations of brushes and water to collect debris and clean a subject road surface. Unfortunately, the prior art systems suffer from drawbacks, including inefficient operation, large water consumption, complex configurations and ineffective results. Often times the prior art systems simply use brushes which tend to move debris from one location to another without collecting the debris and leave large, hazardous pools of water. Additionally, the current systems cause dust to be disseminated throughout a wide area surrounding the cleaning system.
Even though the current street sweeper systems suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks, there is a tremendous need for such sweepers. Accidental and intentional litter, dust from construction projects, landscape remnants and similar debris commonly finds its way onto roads or streets. When on streets, these materials are unsightly and can create a hazard for drivers. In addition, construction sites and the like must abide by environmental regulations requiring a clean work site.
Thus, there is a need for a street sweeper that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art street sweepers.
Accordingly, a first apparatus embodiment of the present invention comprises: a storage system; a debris collection apparatus housing a series of brushes; a water pump operable to draw water from the storage system and discharge said water through one or more spray nozzles adjacent to, and directed into, the debris collection apparatus causing said discharged water to force debris into the debris collection apparatus; a debris conduit extending generally from the collection apparatus to the storage container; a drive means operable to rotatably drive the brushes about a horizontal axis such that collected debris and water is forced from the debris collection apparatus into the debris conduit; and one or more water spray nozzles and/or air spray nozzles operable to force the collected debris and water through the debris conduit and into the storage system.
A second apparatus embodiment of the present invention comprises: a storage system; a debris collection apparatus housing a series of rotatable brushes; a water pump operable to draw water from the storage system and discharge said water through one or more spray nozzles adjacent to, and directed into, the debris collection apparatus causing said discharged water to force debris into the debris collection apparatus; a debris conduit extending generally from the collection apparatus to the storage system; a drive means operable to rotatably drive the brushes about a horizontal axis such that collected debris and water is forced from the debris collection apparatus into the debris conduit; and an auger operable to transport the collected debris and water through the debris conduit and into the storage system.
A first method embodiment of the present invention comprises: projecting water against a road surface such that debris is directed into a debris collection apparatus; within the debris collection apparatus, rotating brushes about a horizontal axis in a direction corresponding to a direction of the projected water such that the debris, along with collected water, is forced adjacent to a first open end of a debris conduit wherein the debris conduit extends from the debris collection apparatus to a storage system; and forcing the debris and collected water from the first open end of the debris conduit through the debris conduit and into the storage system.
The street sweeper system of the present invention utilizes high velocity water or air streams to collect and, in some embodiments transport, debris to a storage container or tank. Other embodiments utilize an auger to transport debris to a storage container. In one embodiment, the tank includes three compartments into which the debris and water is collected. As described in more detail below, the compartments are each partially open to one another allowing water and debris to separate and collect into respective compartments.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.
The cross-sectional view of the liquid and debris storage tank 110 shows three individual compartments 140-1 through 140-3 partially separated by barriers 145-1 and 145-2. Upper sections of the compartments 140-1 through 140-3 are open to one another. Initially, prior to use, generally clean water or any desired liquid is pumped or otherwise deposited into compartments 140-1 through 140-3 and subsequently used to collect debris. As described in more detail below, compartments 140-1 and 140-2 function to retain debris and dirty water collected during use, while compartment 140-3 is designated for clean water.
More particularly, during use, a water pump 150 draws water from compartments140-1 through 140-3 via tube, pipe or hose 160 and forces the water through tube, pipe or hose 170. The water exits hose 170 through a series of nozzles 180 (only one nozzle is visible in
As shown in
Optionally, the debris collection apparatus 130 may include a hinged scoop 135 that contacts the subject street surface during operation. Hinge 138 connects the scoop 135 to the housing 200. In the event the surface topography changes, the attitude of the hinged scoop 135 changes automatically (i.e., adjusts about hinge 138) thereby maintaining contact with the street surface. Optional side walls 145 affixed to the debris collection apparatus 130 direct debris and water into the debris collection apparatus 130. The side walls 145 may automatically adjust in a vertical position by means of slidable rods 125. In this manner, as the side walls 145 encounter deviations in the street or road, the side walls 145 are able to adjust accordingly.
During operation, as best seen in
In one embodiment, one or more high pressure orbital spray nozzles 260 positioned near the entrance 270 of the debris conduit 120 discharge water (or air) at high pressure forcing the debris through the debris conduit 120 and into the liquid and debris storage tank 110. Additional spray nozzles may be positioned intermittently along the length of the debris conduit 120 and directed to continuously force the debris along the debris conduit 120 and into the liquid and debris storage tank 110. Water pump 150 or additional water pumps (not shown) force water through pipes, tubes and hoses (not shown) to and through the nozzles 250 and 260.
The liquid and debris storage container 110 includes three partially separate compartments 140-1 through 140-3. Upper sections of the compartments 140-1 through 140-3 are open to one another. As described above, compartments 140-1 through 140-3 initially contain substantially clean water. Compartments 140-2 and 140-3 are configured to capture and retain contaminated water and debris, respectively. Collected debris and water exits the debris conduit 120 into compartment 140-3 through channel 155 that directs the debris and water near a bottom half of compartment 140-3. A vent 165 near an upper portion of channel 155 provides a passageway for water in the event debris and water block a lower portion of the channel 155. By discharging debris and water near a bottom half of compartment 140-3, the debris and smaller particulates are not overly agitated and smoothly flow into a flocculent that encourages the debris and particulates to settle at the bottom of the compartment 140-3. Collected water is retained in compartment 140-3 until the water rises to a level defined by barrier 145-2 separating compartment 140-3 from compartment 140-2. Once the level of the collected water reaches a top of the barrier 145-2 it flows over the barrier 145-2 and into compartment 140-2.
The collected water flowing into compartment 140-2 is ideally rid of larger debris and particulates, but likely remains dirty or contaminated. As additional water flows into compartment 140-2, debris and particulates settle on a bottom of the compartment 140-2. The water level in compartment 140-2 rises to a level whereby relatively clean water flows over barrier 145-1 and into compartment 140-1. Like compartment 140-1, compartment 140-2 may contain a flocculent to trap any additional debris and particulates not captured in compartment 140-3. The water that reaches compartment 140-1 is relatively free of debris and many of the original particulates. Accordingly, the water from compartment 140-1 is passed through a filter 285 (e.g., carbon or sand filter) and reused to collect debris from the subject surface. In this manner a large amount of the water may be used on several occasions during a cleaning operation.
The liquid and debris storage container 110 further includes a series of vents 175 integrated into an upper surface. The vents 175 are designed to release any gases which may accumulate in the liquid and debris storage container 110. Screw augers 280 are incorporated in, and extend across, a bottom surface 195 of compartments 140-2, 140-3. The augers 280 function to remove the settled debris and particulates from compartments 140-2, 140-3. Accessible openings (not shown) in compartments 140-2, 140-3 provide means for the debris and particulates to be transported by the augers 280 into a disposal unit, truck or similar device. One or more wheels 115 provide mobility to the storage container 110.
In a second embodiment, as shown in
As represented in the figures herein, the street sweeper system 100 is installed on a tractor 105. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the street sweeper system 100 can be mounted on any suitable vehicle. Installing the street sweeper system 100 on a suitable vehicle is accomplished using conventional type connection means. Regardless of the type of transport vehicle, the vehicle operator may operate the street sweeper system 100 from a driver position in a closed or open vehicle cabin. A control panel (not shown) includes an on-off switch that causes the street sweeper system 100 to operate substantially as described herein. Operational parameters related to the water pumps, nozzles, collection apparatus brushes and augers may be individually controlled by the vehicle operator. The vehicle operator also controls the vertical position of the debris collection apparatus 130. During operation, the scoop 135 and defined opening of the debris collection apparatus 130 should be against the subject surface as near thereto as possible to ensure a maximum amount of debris and water is collected into the housing 200 of the debris collection apparatus 130. During non-operation, the debris collection apparatus 130 is maintained in an elevated position. With a tractor, the debris collection apparatus 130 is lifted akin to a conventional tractor scoop. A flexible hinge 215 integrated in the debris conduit 120 permits a lower portion 225 of the debris conduit 120 to move independently of an upper portion 235. A similar debris conduit 120 design may be used with a truck or other suitable vehicle. To accommodate the flexible hinge 215 in the debris conduit 120, the auger 255 may be formed of two separate members; a first member 215-1 in the lower portion 225 of the debris conduit 120 and a second member 215-2 in the upper portion 235 of the debris conduit 120.
The street sweeper system 100 of the embodiments of the present invention provide a thorough cleaning of a subject street or road surface while dramatically reducing the amount of consumed water. One embodiment of the present invention, having a four foot long spray tube 190, supporting three spray nozzles 180, is capable of cleaning a 60,000 square foot surface with 975 gallons of water. During the cleaning operation, only 97.5 gallons of water (i.e., 10% of the total water amount used) are lost such that 877 gallons are recovered during the operation. The recovered water can then be reused as described herein. Accordingly, a much larger area can be cleaned using a fixed amount of water.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
