This invention relates to the field of high pressure water cleaning devices for highways, runways, parking decks, factory floors and other marked surfaces. More specifically the invention is a high pressure water blasting head that includes a through feeding hydraulic motor for supplying the spray bar of the blast head with ultra high pressure water.
The use of paint stripes on road surfaces is the accepted method to indicate vehicle lanes, crossing lanes, parking areas and numerous other indicators. Various pavement marking techniques are well known in the art, including the use of traffic paint, thermoplastics, epoxy paints and preformed tapes. Most pavement marking systems are intended to be as durable and permanent as possible, and resistant to weathering and wear from traffic. Common road surfaces are asphalt and concrete. The removal of such striping is typically required when the road is to be resurfaced or if the indication is to be changed.
When polymers such as paint or plastic are used for roadway marking, the surface of the pavement is penetrated from ⅛-⅜ inch, so that mere surface removal of the marking material is not sufficient to remove the marking. Therefore, current pavement marking removal machines often employ various forms of cutting devices to remove the marking material, as well as a portion of the underlying layer of pavement material in order to effectively remove painted lines.
Commonly known methods for removal of such markings typically include the use of abrasive grinding wheels, material removing cutters, or blasting of abrasive particles against the material to be removed. However, the use of these devices often results in undesirable grooves in the pavement surface.
It is also known in the art of marking removal to utilize high pressure water to remove road markings and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,161 to Raghaven et al. discloses a method of cleaning an airport runway utilizing ultra high pressure water. The device disclosed by Raghaven includes a rotatably mounted spray bar. A hollow conduit extends to the spray bar through which the high pressure water is supplied to the spray bar. A hydraulic motor and belt are utilized to rotate the hollow conduit and the spray bar simultaneously. A drawback to this configuration is component failure and wasted energy. Belts or chains are prone to breakage and require additional maintenance. The use of a gear train between the motor and the conduit requires precision mounting points for alignment significantly increasing the cost of the assembly.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a high pressure water blasting head having a hydraulic motor with a tubular output shaft. The tubular output shaft should be constructed and arranged to directly rotate at least one device, preferably a spray bar, with a first pressurized fluid while allowing the passage of a second fluid through the pump via the output shaft to supply the second fluid to the rotated device.
Briefly, disclosed is an ultra high pressure blasting head for a mobile marking removal system. The blasting head includes a hydraulic motor that is constructed and arranged for direct connection to a spray bar for controlled rotation thereof. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor is constructed to be hollow or tubular so that the ultra high pressure water can be supplied to the spray bar through the output shaft. The spray head assembly is particularly suited for mobile systems utilized to remove markings and/or coatings from surfaces with high or ultra high pressure liquid. The mobile system generally employs a liquid reservoir connected to a high or ultra high pressure pump for directing ultra high pressure water through the output shaft of the motor to the blast head mounted on a front portion of a vehicle. A vacuum reservoir and vacuum pump are preferably utilized to recover the water and debris from the surface. The arm permits an operator to easily maintain alignment of the blast heads to the surface markings being removed. After marking removal, the arm permits the blast head(s) to be raised to a position suitable for vehicle transport.
Therefore, it is an objective of this invention to provide a blast head assembly for a mark removal system.
It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a blast head assembly wherein a rotating spray bar connects directly to the output shaft of a hydraulic motor.
It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a hydraulic motor for a blast head assembly wherein the hydraulic motor is provided with a hollow or tubular output shaft for supplying high pressure fluid to the spray bar.
It is yet a further objective of the instant invention to provide a hydraulic motor with a hollow or tubular output shaft for supplying a secondary fluid to the device or assembly being rotated by the motor.
It is still another objective of the instant invention to provide a blast head assembly having a spray bar rotatable by a hydraulic motor with a tubular output shaft so that high pressure water can be supplied to the spray bar through the output shaft of the hydraulic motor.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, the invention, both as to organization and content, will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Referring generally to
In general the blast head 100 includes a mobile support structure in the form of a caster plate 14. The caster plate is preferably constructed of a lightweight metal such as aluminum and includes a plurality of caster wheels for supporting the blast head at a predetermined distance from the surface being cleaned. A hydraulic motor assembly 200 is secured to an upper or lower surface of the caster plate for imparting selective rotation to a spray bar 24. The hydraulic motor is provided with a hollow output shaft 8 for transfer of ultra high pressure water (e.g. 25,000-40,000 psi) through the pump to the spray bar 24. In the preferred embodiment, the spray bar 24 is directly connected to the output shaft and includes an internal flow path 104 for the ultra high pressure water, a plurality of nozzle apertures 107 and a plurality of nozzles 106. (
Referring to
The flange adapter portion 4 is constructed and arranged to provide horizontal and vertical thrust support while also providing a mounting surface for securing the motor to the shroud 15 and/or caster plate 14. The flange adapter includes at least bearing 26 secured in place with press fit and/or a retaining ring 27. The bearing is sized to accept and support the outer diameter of the output shaft 8. An upper flange 122 is provided for securing the flange adapter 4 to the motor assembly 200 while a lower flange 124 is provided to secure the motor assembly to the shroud and/or caster plate 14. The flange adapter may also include weep holes 126 and the like well known in the art for allowing water to escape from the flange prior to entering the motor assembly.
Referring to
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/032,286, filed Feb. 28, 2008, entitled “WATER BLASTING HEAD WITH THROUGH FEEDING HYDRAULIC MOTOR”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,116, entitled “STRIPE REMOVAL SYSTEM”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/340,738, filed Jan. 26, 2006, and entitled “TRANSPORTAL HOLDING TANK FOR STRIPE REMOVAL SYSTEM”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/340,104, filed Jan. 26, 2006, entitled “MOBILE MARK REMOVAL SYSTEM”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/368,020, filed Mar. 3, 2006, entitled “ARTICUABLE ARM FOR A MOBILE MARK REMOVAL SYSTEM”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/368,035, filed Mar. 3, 2006, entitled “COMBINED GRINDER AND WATER BLASTER FOR STRIPE REMOVAL”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/835,642, filed Aug. 8, 2007, entitled “STRIPE REMOVAL SYSTEM”.
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