Low turbulence air blast system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6367175
  • Patent Number
    6,367,175
  • Date Filed
    Monday, April 23, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 9, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a low turbulence vehicle-mounted air blast for use in clearing snow or debris from a road or runway. An air blast system is mounted in the central portion of the vehicle underneath the chassis. An air duct is positioned on either side of the truck adjacent to a channel which passes under the truck. The air ducts are designed with minimal curvature and internal baffles in order to minimize air flow turbulence. During operation, the channel and air duct are lowered toward the ground and high velocity air passes through the channel. A vacuum is created which draws snow or debris from the runway, out of the air duct, and away from the truck. When turnaround is required at the end of a runway, the operator simply lifts the air duct currently in operation and lowers the air duct on the other side of the truck.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Technical Field




This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for directing a snow or debris blowing air blast under vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a low turbulence vehicle-mounted air blast for use in clearing snow or debris from a road or runway.




2. History of Related Art




Vehicle-mounted devices for use in clearing snow or debris from a road or runway typically include a front-mounted broom assembly and a rear-mounted air blast system as shown in FIG.


1


. Alternatively, some prior art air blast systems are mounted between the front and rear axles. As the truck moves down the runway, the spinning broom on the front of the truck contacts the snow or debris on the runway and brushes the snow or debris both to the front and to one side. Then the snow or debris which has been swept to one side is blown farther across the runway by the air blast system.




As may be seen in

FIG. 1

, when it is desired to push the snow or debris to one side of the runway, specifically the left side as shown in the figure, the truck moves along the right side of the runway until it reaches the end. Upon reaching the end of the runway, the operator must re-configure the truck by repositioning the broom and redirecting the air blast. Note that in the truck moving up the runway on the right side of

FIG. 1

, the broom is positioned so that the near end is closest to the left or driver side of the truck going up the runway and the air blast is exiting the truck on the left side.




This switching of the direction of the air blast system and the changing of the angular orientation of the broom keeps the snow or debris moving from the right side of the runway to the left side of the runway. In one prior art configuration, the direction of the air blast at the rear end of the truck is controlled by the use of two multi-curved air ducts mounted on either side of the truck. These bends in the air ducts induce unwanted turbulence into the high velocity air flow. When it is desired to push the snow or debris to the right side of the truck, the air duct on the left side at the rear of the truck comes down and the air blast system causes high velocity air to pass from the left side to the right side of the truck to blow the snow or debris in the same direction that it is pushed by the broom.




Alternatively, some prior art air blast systems use an air duct with vanes to regulate the flow of air to the left or right depending on the direction that the broom is facing. The vanes are switched in order to change the direction of air flow from one side of the truck to the other. In this configuration, the air blast is split in two, with only half of the air flow going to the left or right.




When the truck comes to the end of the runway in prior art systems, the orientation of the broom and the direction of the air blast system are both reconfigured for another pass in the opposite direction down the runway. This reconfiguration of the truck for the second pass down the runway begins by first changing the direction of the air flow in the air blast system from one side to the other by repositioning the ducts or vanes. Following this repositioning, the broom in the front of the truck is repositioned. Thus, in prior art systems, the truck turnaround and reconfiguration time is a problem. Moreover, in the prior art configuration that utilizes vanes, the system is less efficient due to the reduction of air flow and decreased air speed.




While it is intended that the front mounted rotating broom remove most of the snow or debris from the runway and the air blast system both blow the loose snow or debris to one side and dry the surface of the runway, in actual practice it has been found that the broom does not remove all the snow from the surface of the runway. Moreover, in those prior art systems which have the air blast system at the rear of the truck, the snow remaining on the runway is compacted by the rear wheels of the truck before it is impacted by the high velocity air from the air blast system. Additionally, in those prior art systems with air ducts vanes, even if the system is mounted between the front and rear axles, the force of air flow is not powerful enough to remove all the snow from the surface of the runway.




What is needed is a vehicle-mounted air blast system which eliminates the need for reconfiguration of the air ducts whenever the vehicle turns around. Additionally, the air blast system should be positioned on the truck such that the blast of air moves the snow or debris from under the truck before it is compacted by the truck wheels. The air ducts of the air blast system should be designed to minimize air turbulence and allow the air ducts to be pulled up under the truck when not in use. Finally, the air blast system should be configured to create a powerful and efficient air flow which also operates as a vacuum to suction as much snow as possible from the surface of the runway.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is an apparatus and method for directing a low turbulence vehicle-mounted air blast for use in clearing snow or debris from a road or runway. The high velocity air passes through the air ducts into the channel which passes under the central portion of the truck. The air flow is not split in half, but is delivered in a single blast which powerfully blows the snow across the runway. Additionally, the passage of the high velocity air through the channel creates a vacuum which efficiently draws the snow and moisture off the runway surface and removes the snow from cracks in the runway.

FIG. 5

illustrates the air duct on the left side of the truck engaging the channel passing under the central portion of the truck to provide an air blast exiting on the right side of the truck.




The turbulence of the air flow in the air blast system is minimized by the reduction in the amount and severity of the bends in the air ducts as compared to those used in prior art trucks. Additionally, internal baffles within the air ducts are used to further reduce the air flow turbulence. The air channel and air ducts are lowered toward the ground during operation. To eliminate the problem of the rear wheels compressing the snow on the runway, the air blast system has been moved to the central portion of the truck just behind the driver's cab. As may be seen in

FIG. 5

, the air duct on the left side of the truck is positioned adjacent to an air channel which passes under the truck. This positioning of the air blast system in front of the rear wheels also enables a better weight distribution on the truck.




When the truck reaches the end of the runway, the air duct currently in use is lifted and the other air duct is lowered. In this way, the operation is without interruption and the blast of snow or debris is sent to the same side of the runway upon turnaround. When the air blast system is not in use and the truck is prepared for road travel, both the air ducts and the channel may be pulled up under the chassis of the truck as shown in FIG.


4


and FIG.


7


.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES




A more complete understanding of the structure and operation of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:





FIG. 1

is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a truck mounted broom and air blast system in the prior art;





FIG. 2

is a schematic diagram of the air blast system of the present invention configured for left-sided air blast;





FIG. 3

is a diagram of the air blast system of the present invention configured for right-sided air blast;





FIG. 4

illustrates a lateral perspective view of the vehicle mounted air blast system of the present invention drawn upwardly for road travel;





FIG. 5

illustrates a lateral perspective view of the vehicle mounted air blast system of the present invention engaged for operation;





FIG. 6

illustrates a lateral perspective view of the air blast system with the left air duct engaged with the left air channel duct; and





FIG. 7

is a lateral perspective view of the air blast system with the air ducts and air channel withdrawn for road travel.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT




A still better understanding of the apparatus and method for of the present invention may be had by reference to the Drawing Figures.

FIG. 1

illustrates the configuration of a truck mounted broom and air blast system in the prior art. The vehicle


10


in

FIG. 1

is shown proceeding up the runway


40


with the broom assembly


20


and air blast system


30


configured for directing the snow or debris to the left side of the vehicle


10


and the left side of the runway


40


. When the vehicle


10


reaches the end of the runway


40


, the operator must reconfigure the broom assembly


20


and air blast system


30


to the right side of the vehicle


10


such that the snow or debris is still directed to the left side of the runway


40


.




In the present invention, as shown in

FIG. 2

, the operator has the retractable arcuate right air duct


57


fully extended from the right air duct


55


for engagement with the right air channel duct


67


in order to have the snow or debris directed to the left side of the runway. When the vehicle reaches the end of the runway in the present invention, the operator simply disengages the retractable arcuate right air duct


57


from the right air channel duct


67


and retracts the retractable arcuate right air duct


57


and raises the right air channel duct


67


. The operator then extends the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


from the left air duct


50


, and engages the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


with the left air channel duct


65


as shown in FIG.


3


. Thus, the flow of snow or debris exits the right side of the vehicle and is still directed to the left side of the runway.





FIG. 4

illustrates a lateral perspective view of the vehicle mounted air blast system of the present invention withdrawn for road travel. The retractable arcuate left air duct


52


is shown retracted into the left air duct


50


. The left air channel duct


65


is raised toward the vehicle


10


and the air channel


60


is pulled up toward the chassis of the truck. In

FIG. 5

, the air blast system of the present invention is illustrated while engaged for operation. The left air channel duct


65


has been lowered into position to receive the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


and to connect with the left end of the air channel


60


.





FIG. 6

illustrates a lateral perspective view of the air blast system


30


with the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


engaged with the left air channel duct


65


. The blower assembly


70


of the air blast system


30


has a motor


110


internally mounted on one side of the blower assembly


70


with a screen


80


located opposite the motor


110


. The blower assembly


70


is held in place on the vehicle


10


by the blower mount weldment


100


. The blower assembly


70


accelerates the air flow into a plenum chamber


35


. The left air duct


50


and right air duct


55


are connected to either side of the plenum chamber


35


. The left air duct


50


is connected to the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


, and the right air duct


55


is connected to the retractable arcuate right air duct


57


.




The air channel


60


is attached to the channel weldment


120


. The left and right air channel ducts


65


and


67


are attached to the left and right channel duct weldments


140


and


142


. The left and right channel duct weldments


140


and


142


are hingedly attached to the channel weldment


120


at either end. The channel duct hydraulic cylinders


130


and


132


operate to raise and lower the left and right air channel ducts


65


and


67


. In

FIG. 6

, the air blast system


30


is illustrated with the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


extended and engaged with the left air channel duct


65


. Thus, the accelerated airflow would travel from the blower assembly


70


through the plenum chamber


35


, through the left air duct


50


and the retractable arcuate left air duct


52


. The air flow would continue through the left air channel duct


65


and air channel


60


to exit on the right side of the air channel


60


. Baffles, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, are included within the ducts to minimize turbulence.





FIG. 7

is a lateral perspective view of the air blast system


30


with the retractable arcuate air ducts


52


and


57


, left and right air channel ducts


65


and


67


, and air channel


60


withdrawn for road travel. The retractable arcuate left air duct


52


and the retractable arcuate right air duct


57


are retracted into the left air duct


50


and right air duct


55


by the left and right air duct hydraulic cylinders


90


and


92


respectively. The left and right air channel ducts


65


and


67


are lifted by the left and right channel duct hydraulic cylinders


130


and


132


, respectively, and are shown in raised position in FIG.


7


. Likewise, the air channel


60


is lifted toward the chassis of the vehicle


10


by the air channel hydraulic cylinders


150


and


152


in preparation for road travel.




Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. The various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention, or their equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. A vehicle mounted air blast system comprising:means for accelerating the velocity of air flow; a channel member having a first end and a second end, said channel member being constructed and arranged to be mounted substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the vehicle, under the central portion of the vehicle and having its sides oriented downward; a first arcuate air duct hingedly mounted to temporarily connect said means for accelerating the velocity of air flow to said first end of said channel; a second arcuate air duct hingedly mounted to temporarily connect said means for accelerating the velocity of air flow to said second end of said channel; whereby air is caused to flow under the vehicle in a first direction by the engagement of said first arcuate air duct with said first end of said channel and air is caused to flow under the vehicle in a second direction by the engagement of said second arcuate air duct with said second end of said channel.
  • 2. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 1 wherein said channel is vertically positionable.
  • 3. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 2 wherein the lowermost range of said vertical positions of said channel with respect to the surface upon which the vehicle is travelling will provide a vacuum for removing debris from the surface on which the vehicle is travelling.
  • 4. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 2 wherein the uppermost range of said vertical positions of said channel with respect to the surface upon which the vehicle is travelling will protect said channel from damage when in a transport mode.
  • 5. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second end of said channel include channel extensions hingedly mounted thereto.
  • 6. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sides of said channel member include flexible extensions.
  • 7. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first arcuate air duct and said second arcuate air duct each contain at least one internal baffle.
  • 8. A system for blowing unwanted debris from the surface of a road or a runway, said system comprising:a vehicle having a front end, a back end and a central portion therebetween; means for accelerating the velocity of an air flow mounted on said vehicle; a channel member having a first end and a second end, said channel member being constructed and arranged to be mounted substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the vehicle, under the central portion of the vehicle and having its sides oriented downward; a first arcuate air duct hingedly mounted to temporarily connect said means for accelerating the velocity of air flow to said first end of said channel; a second arcuate air duct hingedly mounted to temporarily connect said means for accelerating the velocity of air flow to said second end of said channel; whereby air is caused to flow under the vehicle in a first direction by the engagement of said first arcuate air duct with said first end of said channel and air is caused to flow under the vehicle in a second direction by the engagement of said second arcuate air duct with said second end of said channel.
  • 9. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 8 wherein said channel is vertically positionable.
  • 10. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 9 wherein the lowermost range of said vertical positions of said channel with respect to the surface upon which the vehicle is travelling will provide a vacuum for removing debris from the surface on which the vehicle is travelling.
  • 11. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 9 wherein the uppermost range of said vertical positions of said channel with respect to the surface upon which the vehicle is travelling will protect said channel from damage when in a transport mode.
  • 12. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second end of said channel include channel extensions hingedly mounted thereto.
  • 13. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 8 wherein said sides of said channel member include flexible extensions.
  • 14. The vehicle mounted air blast system as defined in claim 8 wherein said first arcuate air duct and said second arcuate air duct each include at least one internal baffle.
  • 15. A method for directing a debris blowing air blast under a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:mounting a channel having a first end and a second end under the central portion of the vehicle substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the vehicle; mounting means for accelerating an air flow to the vehicle; hingedly mounting a first air duct between said means for accelerating an air flow and said first end of said channel; hingedly mounting a second air duct between said means for accelerating an air flow and said second end of said channel; whereby debris may be blown to a first side of the vehicle by moving said first air duct into contact with said first end of said channel and debris may be blown to a second side of the vehicle by moving said second air duct into contact with said second end of said channel.
  • 16. The method for directing a debris blowing air blast under a vehicle as defined in claim 15 further including the step of attaching at least one internal baffle to said first air duct and said second air duct.
  • 17. A vehicle mounted air blast system comprising:a blower for accelerating air flow; a plenum chamber having a first leg and a second leg mounted to said blower; means for directing air flow through either said first leg or said second leg of said plenum chamber; a channel member constructed and arranged to pass under said vehicle substantially perpendicular to the operational direction of the vehicle a first air duct hingedly mounted to said first leg of said plenum chamber; a second air duct hingedly mounted to said second leg of said plenum chamber; means for moving said first air duct from a position out of contact with said channel member to a position in contact with said first end of said channel member; means for moving said second air duct from a position out of contact with said channel member to a position in contact with said second end of said channel member; whereby air from said blower may be caused to pass through said first leg of said plenum chamber, said first air duct and through said channel in a first direction when said first air duct is in contact with said first end of said channel and in a second direction when said second air duct is in contact with said second end of said channel.
  • 18. The vehicle mounted air blast system defined in claim 17 further including at least one internal baffle in said first air duct and said second air duct.
Parent Case Info

This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/199,053, filed Apr. 22, 2000.

US Referenced Citations (2)
Number Name Date Kind
3099097 Simmons Jul 1963 A
5515623 Weeks May 1996 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/199053 Apr 2000 US