Patent Application
20090166444
This invention relates generally to methods of attaching a blower unit to industrial equipment, such as construction equipment, and, fixtures used therewith. The disclosure also discussed methods of use of industrial equipment equipped with such a blower unit.
During a variety of work, including but not limited to, construction or demolition work or at coal powered power plants, steel mills, foundries, and other basic industries, a significant amount of dust and other small particles and contaminates is generated and introduced into the surrounding air. Furthermore, when using large machinery such as a backhoe or other excavating equipment, a significant amount of dust and debris is created at or around the point of impact with the ground. Generally speaking, where there is dust, smoke or other contaminants in the air, it is also common for there to be odors. In order to provide a safe working environment as well as inhibit any damage done to the equipment or structures, it is important to try and limit the amount of dust, smoke and odors. Therefore, there is a need to produce a device that provides an effective, portable and easy way to suppress dust, odors and provide cooling for personnel working in such environments.
In the past, attempts have been made to place large fans with misting capability on industrial and construction equipment. For instance, some have fitted a hydraulically activated blower fan on the implement end on construction equipment, such as a Caterpillar 330 Excavator. However, in such a retrofit, the excavator implement is removed and the fan is installed in its place thereby limiting the excavator to a fan/mister to be used in tandem with other excavator equipment. As construction excavators tend to be expensive pieces of capital equipment, this is often not an efficient use of resources. Additionally, a significant amount of structural modification needs to be performed to the implement end of the excavator to allow the implement end to accept the ducted blower fan. In view of the above, what is needed is a efficient way to provide an efficient and portable mechanism to suppress dust, odors and provide cooling for personnel working in such environments, and other useful applications as may be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
One aspect of the invention method encompasses a method comprising providing a blower unit comprising a base with a frame extending upward from the base and a fan propelled mister attached to the frame, wherein the fan propelled mister comprises a fan for drawing air into the fan propelled mister, a discharge tube for creating a high velocity airflow exiting from a distal end of the discharge tube, and a plurality of nozzles operatively connected to a fluid intake and located proximate the distal end of the discharge tube for creating a mist when placed in communication with a fluid source. In accordance with the method, a heavy industry, rigid frame, mobile, engine-powered machine is provided. The machine has a lift arm selectively vertically positionable between raised and lowered positions. The lift arm has an implement on its distal end adapted for remote operation by an operator of the machine, and a mount spaced from the implement. The mount is configured to enable securing an attachment to the lift arm. In accordance with the method, an attachment plate is provided having a first surface with a coupling portion adapted to secure the attachment to the mount on the lift arm and a second surface with a coupling portion adapted to secure the attachment to the base. The method further includes mounting the attachment to the mount of the lift arm with the first coupling portion of the first surface and mounting the attachment to the base with the second coupling portion of the second mounting surface. The method further includes positioning the distal end of the discharge tube generally toward the implement of the distal end of the lift arm, aligning a fluid source to the fluid intake, operating the blower unit to create a mist from the distal end of the discharge tube, and performing operations with the implement while operating the blower unit.
Another aspect of the invention encompasses a method comprising providing a blower unit comprising a base with a frame extending upward from the base and a fan propelled mister attached to the frame, wherein the fan propelled mister comprises a fan for drawing air into the fan propelled mister, a discharge tube for creating a high velocity airflow exiting from a distal end of the discharge tube, and a plurality of nozzles operatively connected to a fluid intake and located proximate the distal end of the discharge tube for creating a mist when placed in communication with a fluid source. The method further comprises providing a heavy industry, rigid frame, mobile, engine-powered machine having at least two lift arms selectively vertically positionable between raised and lowered positions. The lift arms have a standardized mounting surface adapted for receiving a variety of work implements. The standardized mounting surface is adapted to pivot relative to the lift arms from a remote location within the engine powered machine to position a work implement. The method further includes providing an attachment plate having a first surface with a coupling portion adapted to secure the attachment plate to the standardized mounting surface of the lift arms and a second surface with a coupling portion adapted to secure the attachment to the base. The method further includes mounting the attachment plate to the standardized mounting surface of the lift arm with the first coupling portion of the first surface, and mounting the attachment plate to the base with the second coupling portion of the second mounting surface. The method further comprises moving the lift arm and pivoting the mounting surface to angle the attachment plate in such a manner to position the distal end of the blower unit at a desired location.
Another aspect of the invention is a combination. The combination comprises a blower unit having a base with a frame extending upward from the base and a fan propelled mister attached to the frame. The fan propelled mister comprises a fan for drawing air into the fan propelled mister, a discharge tube for creating a high velocity airflow exiting from a distal end of the discharge tube, and a plurality of nozzles operatively connected to a fluid intake and located proximate the distal end of the discharge tube for creating a mist when placed in communication with a fluid source. The combination further comprises an attachment plate having a first surface with a coupling portion adapted to secure the attachment to the base and a second surface with a coupling portion adapted to secure the attachment plate to a standardized mount of a lift arm of a heavy industry, rigid frame, mobile, engine-powered machine wherein the lift arm is selectively vertically positionable between raised and lowered positions and the lift arm standardized mount is configured to receive a variety of work implements and enable securing the attachment plate to the lift arm.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the disclosed embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:
Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements,
The blower unit may have a base drive 28 to provide oscillatory movement of the fan propelled mister (left and right movement in
The fan propelled mister 18 comprises a fan 32 disposed in a discharge tube 34 located at a proximate end 36 of the discharge tube. With the fan rotating in the forward direction, outside air may be drawn in at the proximate end of the discharge tube by blades of the fan and passed through the discharge tube, where it may be mixed with water injected from nozzles 38 prior to discharge from a distal end 40 of a discharge tube. The fan may also operate in reverse. A debris filter 42, such as a screen or similar structure, is preferably employed to cover the proximate end of the discharge tube. Various motor and fan combinations may also be utilized to assist in regulating the air flow output of the fan propelled mister, and it should be realized that the fan may utilize a hydraulic motor or a motor powered by electricity, gasoline, diesel, propane, or numerous other fuels or other power supplies.
As described in applicant's application Ser. No. 11/383,293, currently pending, the fan propelled mister may have a misting ring 44 with a plurality of nozzles adjacent the distal end 40 of the discharge tube to create a mist of small fluid particles. The nozzles may be sized to create small fluid particles that control and or suppress dust and/or suppressing odor, and to vary water flow rates. Different sized nozzles may be provided in the misting ring for each purpose. For instance, the differently sized nozzles may be alternated or otherwise located in a single ring or on concentric rings—one size to control dust and a different size to control odors. The different sized nozzles may be removable from the rings to allow replacement or to provide the operator with the ability to configure the fan propelled mister as required by a specific dust suppression operation or odor suppression operation. Nozzles may also be installed that allow the fan propelled mister to spray water without the operation of the fan.
A fluid such as water is preferably supplied to the misting ring through a fluid intake 46 that is connected to a fluid source such as a water tank or outlet (not shown). Agents may be added to the water to assist in odor or dust suppression. A hose (not shown) may be used to supply water from the fluid source to the fluid intake. The fluid intake may have simple on/off valves 48 to control the supply of water and to select which set, or sets of nozzles are activated. Water flow to the fluid intake and nozzle sets may also be controlled through solenoid valves, or similar other devices.
With the blower unit attached to the skid steer, or other similar type of rigid frame, engine driven machine, one may use the blower unit for a variety of operations as shown in
A blower unit as described above may also be modified for dewatering operations, as shown in
In other operations and applications, the blower unit need not be connected to a fluid source. The fan 32 of the blower unit 10 may be operated as a high velocity blower for operations such as leaf, debris, and snow removal. For instance, hose attachments 112 may be provided on the distal end 40 of the discharge tube 34 of the blower to direct the high velocity flow as required for leaf, debris and/or snow removal as shown in
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
