SNOW REMOVAL SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 11/142,599, filed June 1, 2005, entitled Snow Removal System, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Snow fall and snow accumulation are major hindrances for metropolitan areas, highways, airports and the like. Thus, there have been an abundance of snow removal systems proposed. For example, a plow or sled has been typically fitted to the front of a motorized vehicle such as truck or tractor. Although useful for pushing snow off of the surface of a paved surface, a problem lies in the fact that highly populated areas often lack unused space to shift snow to. In a city or suburban area, street side parking is typically the first casualty of a large snow storm. Other snow removal systems have been developed which both clear a street or the like of snow and transport the snow to another area. For example, vehicles are known that capture snow and thereafter liquefy it. These vehicles typically have a storage tank for housing the liquid and, upon reaching their capacity, are emptied into a storm sewer or similar disposal or drainage system.

[0003] Clearly, the aforementioned removal and disposal systems are useful in clearing the remnants of a snow storm from a street or similar vehicle operating surface. However, they have their drawbacks . Such systems often capture snow disposed on a surface through the use of shovel or sled mounted to the front portion of a vehicle. As the vehicle moves forward, snow is scooped into the shovel, and into a storage portion of the vehicle. The width of the shovel or snow capturing portion dictates the amount of snow picked up on a single pass. As these capturing portions typically

cannot exceed the width of the vehicle itself, this width is limited. Thus, the clearing of a single street may require multiple passes by a single vehicle. For particularly large streets, or airport runways, the only suitable method of clearing the entire thoroughfare in a timely fashion is to employ several snow removal vehicles at once.

[0004] Thus, there exists a need for a single snow removal system and vehicle that can clear and dispose of snow covering a wide portion of a street, runway or other surface, without requiring a multitude of passes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to snow removal systems, and more particularly, to snow removal vehicles that allow for snow to be removed directly in front of and adjacent the vehicle.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a motorized vehicle for removing snow from a surface. The vehicle in accordance with one embodiment includes a shovel mounted to the vehicle for removing snow located on a portion of the surface aligned with the vehicle while the vehicle traverses the surface, a heating assembly for melting the snow removed by the shovel and producing a resulting heated liquid, and one or more lances mounted to at least one side of the vehicle for spraying the heated liquid therefrom to melt snow located on a side portion of the surface located to the side of the vehicle while the vehicle traverses the surface.

[0007] Another aspect of the invention is a method of removing snow from a surface. The method in accordance with this aspect includes the steps of providing a snow removal vehicle having a shovel, moving the vehicle along a first path, capturing snow located on the surface in alignment with the vehicle with the shovel while moving said vehicle in the first path, melting and heating the captured snow to provide a

heated liquid and spraying the heated liquid to melt snow located to the side of the first path.

[0008] Another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is another method of removing snow from a surface. The method in accordance with this embodiment includes the steps of moving a snow removal vehicle in a first direction, capturing snow to define a first swath having a first width on the surface, melting and heating the captured snow to produce a heated liquid and spraying the heated liquid to melt snow to the side of the first path to increase the first width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the present invention and the various advantages thereof can be realized by reference to the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snow removal vehicle in accordance with the present invention. [0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tractor portion of the snow removal vehicle shown in Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 3 is a cross sectional plan view of a snow capturing portion of the snow removal vehicle shown in Figure 1.

[0013] Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the heating assembly of the snow removal vehicle shown in Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a converter for use with the heating assembly of Figure 4.

[0015] Figure 6 is a cross sectional plan view of the converter shown in Figure 5.

[0016] Figure 7 is a plan view of a flush tank for use with the heating assembly of Figure 4.

[0017] Figure 8 is a plan view of a converter heater drain tank for use with the heating assembly of Figure 4.

[0018] Figure 9 is a plan view of a boiler blow down tank for use with the heating assembly of Figure 4.

[0019] Figure 10 is a plan view of a condensate storage tank for use with the heating assembly of Figure 4. [0020] Figure 11 is a plan view of a feedwater heater for use with the heating assembly of Figure 4.

[0021] Figure 12 is a plan view of the snow removal vehicle shown in Figure 1 depicting the orientation of lances. [0022] Figure 13 is a plan view of the snow removal capability of the snow removal vehicle shown in Figure 1. [0023] Figure 14 is a plan view of a lance for use in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] Figure 15 is a plan view of a nozzle for use in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a snow removal vehicle designated generally by reference numeral 10. Snow removal vehicle 10 includes a motorized vehicle or tractor portion 20, a snow capturing portion 30, a heating assembly 40 and a discharge portion 80. While the embodiment shown in the figures is indeed one particular embodiment suitable for removing snow in accordance with the present invention, it is noted that other embodiments may vary significantly from that shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, the embodiment depicted in the figures relates to a vehicle having a tractor trailer type design and configuration. However, it is contemplated to provide a more compact design by manipulating the various components accordingly. Particular designs are envisioned that employ smaller components and more compact lay-outs. Further, it is noted that certain components are depicted in the drawings in a generic form, but may possess various configurations that

are well known in the art. In other words, although a specific component embodiment may be described herein, it is contemplated to utilize other embodiments of said components, suitable for providing the same or similar function.

[0026] Tractor portion 20 may be any type of motorized vehicle or automobile suitable for housing certain components of the invention and for providing the necessary power and motion to the overall system. As best shown in Figure 1, tractor portion 20 is similar to a tractor design often employed in a tractor trailer vehicle. Such designs are well known in the art. Essentially, tractor portion 20 preferably includes a motor (not shown) for powering the system, cabs 22 and 24 (best shown in Figure 2) for housing a driver, operator and certain instruments, control room module 26 and wheels or tracks 28 that are powered by the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the motor is a standard combustion engine fueled by gasoline or diesel. However, it is contemplated that certain embodiments may employ other types of motors, such as natural gas powered engines or the like. While not specifically shown, the motor may be utilized to power certain other components contained in vehicle 10. For example, the motor may power electrical systems or the like. Finally, as shown in the drawings, wheels 28 are preferably set aft of cabs 22 and 24. This is a well known design often employed in larger vehicles to aid in turning and/or cornering.

[0027] As more particularly shown in Figure 2, cabs 22 and 24 are situated so that the aforementioned snow capturing portion 30 extends between them. The two cabs are connected together by a control room module 26 thereby forming the command center of vehicle 10, the entire construction of which forms the portion of tractor 20 in which the majority of instruments are housed. Module 26 is useful for arranging and storing certain aspects of the control system of tractor portion 20. Preferably, module 26 includes an access port or

door allowing for the internal components of tractor 20 to be accessed. The complexity of the system may require two persons to properly operate vehicle 10. For example, certain embodiments require an operator to sit in cab 22 and operate certain aspects of the system, while a driver sits in a cab 24 and is responsible for the driving aspects of the vehicle. This separate configuration of cabs 22 and 24 (best shown in Figure 2) is one preferred construction of vehicle 10 that allows multiple persons to operate the vehicle. In this embodiment, both persons are provided with complete visibility in at least a straight forward direction and certain peripheral directions. Nevertheless, tractor portions 20 are envisioned which may allow for control of the system by a single person. In such a design, a cab may be offset from a snow capturing portion 30, or vision aiding devices may be employed. This will be discussed more below.

[0028] As best shown in Figure 3, snow capturing portion 30 preferably includes a shovel 31 in communication with a conveyor 32. It is noted that the term shovel is throughout to refer to any structure capable of capturing snow. In the preferred embodiment, shovel 31 is height adjustable allowing for varying heights of snow to be captured therein. For example, as shown in the drawings, shovel 31 is capable of pivoting about point 33. Clearly, rotation of shovel 31 in a clock wise direction would decrease the amount of snow captured, while rotation in the opposition direction would increase the amount of snow captured. This is often necessary in the clearing operation of a rather deep snow. For example, depending upon the depth of the snowfall, vehicle 10 may not be capable of capturing the entirety of the depth of the snow in one pass. Thus, shovel 31 may be adjusted to only capture a portion of the depth. In order to properly monitor the depth of shovel 31 in snow, a snow depth probe 34 may be provided on the shovel. This probe may be linked to a

suitable monitoring and control system in the aforementioned cabs or control module for monitoring by an operator or driver.

[0029] Conveyor 32 is preferably a drag conveyor that rotates in synchronization with the forward movement of vehicle 10, (at approximately the same linear speed as that of vehicle 10) . Thus, snow captured with shovel 31 is thereafter pushed towards conveyor 32 by the constant forward motion of vehicle 10. Once the snow reaches conveyor 32, it is transported on a conveyor belt or the like 35, until it reaches the end 36 of conveyor 32. At this point, the snow is preferably dropped into heating assembly 40. As shown in Figure 3, a portion of heating assembly 40 includes an opening situated below end 36 of conveyor 32. Thus, snow merely falls into this opening. However, other embodiments are envisioned in which snow is delivered to heating assembly 40 in different fashions. For example, in other embodiments, a portion of conveyor 32 may extend into heating assembly 40, thereby delivering snow directly therein. Such a design would aid in removing residual snow from adhering to the conveyor 32. In the preferred embodiment depicted in the figures, conveyor 32 may be housed in a conveyor enclosure 37. Such a housing should be properly sized and configured to allow the amount of snow captured by shovel 31 to move therethrough. It is contemplated that the combination shovel 31 and conveyor 32 assembly is but one fashion in which snow may be captured by vehicle 10. For example, in one embodiment, it is contemplated to utilize a screw type assembly (not shown) to grasp the snow and transfer such to an interior portion of vehicle 10. Further, it is contemplated to provide a different type of conveyor assembly, such as a belt conveyor, auger or the like.

[0030] Figure 4 is a flow diagram of a heating assembly 40 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Heating assembly 40 is preferably suitable for melting and heating captured snow so as to produce a heated liquid. While there are indeed many different embodiments for achieving such an operation, one preferred embodiment will be discussed herein. Heating assembly 40 includes several components, among them a converter 42 (shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6), a flush tank 60 (shown in more detail in Figure 7), a converter heater drain tank 62 (shown in more detail in Figure 8), a boiler blow down tank 64 (shown in more detail in Figure 9), a boiler or steam generator 66, a condensate storage tank 68 (shown in more detail in Figure 10) , and a feedwater heater 70 (shown in more detail in Figure 11) . The following sets forth the operation of heating assembly 40, with reference to the flow diagram of Figure 4 and the more detailed depictions of certain components shown in Figures 5-11. It is noted that certain components of heating assembly 40 are not discussed in great detail. However, it is noted that those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize the operation of certain components without specific discussion of each. Further, the specific interaction between certain components is also not discussed in great detail (e.g. - modes of attachment, intermediate components, etc..) , nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize the proper interaction thereof.

[0031] In operation, the aforementioned conveyor 32 transports captured snow to end 36, whereupon said snow is dumped in converter 42 through a snow inlet 44. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, converter 42 includes a housing 43 having a snow inlet 44, a debris screen 45, two primary heaters 46a and 46b each mounted to a different sidewall of housing 43 and separated by an opening 47, a baffle plate 48, two secondary heaters 50a and 50b each mounted to a different sidewall of housing 43 and separated by an opening 51, an agitator 52, and a steam sparger 54. In converter 42, heaters 46a, 46b, 50a and

50b supply thermal energy to commence the melting of the snow in a snow-water bath. It is noted that, in operation, steam first enters primary heaters 4βa and 46b, and then passes to secondary heaters 50a and 50b respectively. Converter sprayers are initiated in order to spray conveyor 32 with heated liquid to remove any residual snow thereon. Agitator 52 is operated to mix the snow-water bath in the upper section of converter 42, while the steam sparger 54 is initiated to add heat and circulate water in the lower part of converter 42, thereby increasing the overall water temperature. Essentially, the operation of converter 42 causes snow dropped into snow inlet 44 to become liquefied and heated to a higher temperature .

[0032] The water resulting from the melting of snow in converter 42 is then pumped to a flush tank 60 (best shown in Figure 7), prior to ultimately being ejected from vehicle 10. This water may be removed through outlet 56 in converter 42, and introduced into flush tank 60 through inlet 61. Flow from converter 42 to tank 60 may be induced by gravity or by a pump

(not shown) . This water is heated in flush tank 60 through the transfer of heat from several sources. For example, flashing steam from a converter heater drain tank 62 (best shown in Figure 8) and a boiler blow down tank 64 (best shown in Figure 9) is added into flush tank 60 in order to heat the water therein. In addition, bottom drains from boiler blow down tank 64 may also be pumped into flush tank 60, in order to add more heat. Similarly, supplemental heating may also be accomplished by directly circulating flush tank water through a boiler 66 and stack 67 gas heat recovery system (shown in Figure 4) and returning it to flush tank 60 through an eductor 69 and heater drains from feed water heater 70 (also shown in Figure 4 ) .

[0033] Boiler 66 is a component, as is well known in the art, for providing steam from a water source. Essentially,

boiler 66 boils system water captured in a condensate storage tank 68. System water is water that substantially remains within the system and may at least be partially produced from captured snow. This water may remain in heating assembly 40 or may be changed with each use. A feed water heater 70 may be provided between tank 68 and boiler 66, for raising the temperature of the system water prior to entering boiler 66, such that the system water is up to an acceptable boiler inlet temperature. Steam produced from boiler 66 is utilized to heat heaters 46a, 46b, 50a and 50b. Ultimately, after the heat transfer from the steam to the captured snow, water and other elements of the system, the steam provided to the heaters moves into converter heater down tank 62, where a portion is utilized to further heat the water produced from captured snow in flush tank 60 and a portion is condensed to water and stored in condensate storage tank 68. The steam provided from boiler blow down tank 64 is in turn provided to flush tank 60 to further heat the water produced from captured snow. A certain amount of water is also taken from flush tank 60 to make-up for water lost, and provided to condensate storage tank 68 and ultimately boiler 66. Thus, there exists a somewhat closed system of system water for providing heat to heaters 46a, 46b, 50a and 50b, as well as for providing additional heat to the water produced from captured snow in flush tank 60.

[0034] The heated water produced from flush tank 60 is supplied to the aforementioned discharge portion 80. In a preferred embodiment, discharge portion 80 includes plurality of lances 82 fitted with high impact spray nozzles 84. One lance 82 for use in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 14, while one spray nozzle 84 for use in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 15. In operation, water produced from captured snow is heated in flush tank 60 and thereafter provided to lances 82, as

depicted in the flow diagram of Figure 4. Subsequent to leaving flush tank 60, the heated water may pass through a flush tank side sprayer pump 86, an additional pipeline heater (s) 88, and a booster pump 90, prior to exiting each lance 82 at spray nozzle 84. It is noted that each lance 82 may include such components, or the components may aid in providing the heated water to multiple lances 82. Further, it is contemplated that certain components may not be required in certain embodiments. For example, depending upon the pressure of water in a given lance 82, a booster pump 90 may not be needed.

[0035] As shown in Figure 12, lances 82 are arranged such that they extend from both sides and the rear of vehicle 10. This allows for heated water to be sprayed in a substantially straight direction from nozzles 84. The water being ejected from nozzles 84 of the plurality of lances 82 is heated such that it is useful in melting snow it comes into contact with. Depending upon the pressure at which the water is ejected from nozzles 84, the distance said water is projected may vary. Nevertheless, it is envisioned that snow, upon which the heated water lands, will be at least partially melted. Thus, as shown in Figure 13, snow may be melted to the left and right of vehicle 10, thereby increasing the overall snow removal width of the system. For example, where a shovel only captures snow in a swath defined having width x (as shown in Figure 13), the apparatus of the figures may additionally melt snow in a distance y to the left and right of the vehicle, through the spraying of heated water from lances 82. Further, in situations where shovel 31 is adjusted to only capture a portion of the overall height of the snow cover, rear located lances 82 may be utilized to melt the remaining snow from the surface. In this operation, vehicle 10 would capture a portion of the height of the snow and then pass over the remaining height. Rear mounted lances 82 may be directed such

that water ejected therefrom comes into contact and melts the snow that was just passed over. Water resulting from melted snow, as well as the water sprayed by vehicle 10 is likely to run off into standard drainage apparatus such as storm sewers or the like. Nevertheless, the operation of vehicle 10 typically occurs in generally cold temperatures. Thus, it is envisioned in certain embodiments to spray water from lances 82 with a certain amount of an environmentally safe non-toxic deicing chemical agent or deicing concentration, so as to prevent the freezing of the sprayed water and/or the melted snow. For example, vehicle 10 may include a storage of such environmentally safe non-toxic deicing chemical agent or other deicing concentration which is injected into the water prior to same being sprayed from lances 82.

[0036] While the primary use for vehicle 10 in accordance with the present invention is to increase the overall area capable of being cleared of snow, other uses are envisioned. For example, in addition to clearing a street, parking lot or runway at an airport, vehicle 10 could be utilized to capture snow and spray heated water onto a plane. Similarly, vehicle 10 could be utilized to fire steam onto a fire or other overheating object. In uses such as this, it is contemplated to attach a spraying device or the like to certain lances, and thereafter operate the device to direct the heated water to a specific location. It is also contemplated that vehicle 10 can be used in such situations by making multiple passes or by providing a vehicle that may capture and store water for use thereafter. In the latter construction, depending upon the overall capacity of the system, enough snow may be initially captured to allow for procedures such as deicing or fire fighting to be conducted. Thus, in such a procedure, vehicle 10 may be designed so as to capture, melt and heat snow, and thereafter store the heated water to be utilized in the procedure. It is contemplated that vehicle 10 may also

receive water from other sources when snow is not available due to seasonal or environmental conditions. This water can be processed for de-icing and fire extinguishing.

[0037] A vehicle 10, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, may further be outfitted with a hydraulically controlled manipulating arm for use in de-icing of aircraft or the like. A water cannon or other suitable spraying apparatus may be mounted to this arm and connected to the water, power and controls of the overall system. In a standard de-icing operation, the truck may be strategically positioned in the vicinity of an aircraft or the like. The aforementioned manipulating arm may be manipulated to target specific areas of the aircraft, such as the wings and fuselage. Water flow may be directed from the water cannon or other spraying apparatus to the aircraft to de-ice the desired areas .

[0038] During fire fighting operations, it is possible to utilize a similar water cannon and manipulating arm to spray a fire or the like. However, it is also contemplated to utilize the steam making capabilities of the present invention to blanket a fire and prevent oxygen from feeding same. For example, in structures that would prevent water from being immediately effective, it is contemplated to couple a vehicle in accordance with the present invention to an existing piping system in the structure. Thereafter, steam may be injected into the piping system, so as to blanket the structure with steam and prevent oxygen from further feeding the fire. Similar steam fighting techniques may also be utilized to extinguish a fire from a downed plane or the like. In this case, steam can be directed to the flames by a cannon similar to the one mentioned above. Although steam would be venting to the atmosphere, the combustible area would be blanketed with steam and thereby cooled and prevented from utilizing nearby oxygen.

[0039] It is also contemplated to outfit vehicle 10 with one or more cameras or the like for aiding in the operation of the snow removal device. For example, it is contemplated to provide vehicle 10 with standard video cameras or infrared cameras that could be used in conjunction with a video screen. Such a screen would be housed in either of the aforementioned cabs, and could allow an operator or driver to view certain aspects of the vehicle or aid in the navigation of such. Furthermore, it is contemplated to provide an operating system for controlling the various components of vehicle 10. Such a system is preferably computerized and may include several automated aspects. For example, it is envisioned to provide a system that would allow for vehicle 10 to maintain certain operating temperatures, as well as monitor the amount of snow captured and processed. Similarly, the navigation of vehicle 10 may also be aided through certain control systems, such as system that utilize GPS technology, as can the operation of shovel 31.

[0040] Finally, while the aforementioned vehicle 10 has been described as being a motorized automobile-like vehicle, it is envisioned to provide a smaller manually operated vehicle, not unlike well known snow blowers. Such a device would be similarly outfitted with lances or the like extending from either side and/or the rear of the device. A person would manually push or pull the apparatus and thereby capture snow. A heating assembly, which may be a smaller and more compact version of heating assembly 40, may be utilized to melt and heat the captured snow into a heated liquid. In accordance with the above, this heated water would thereafter be ejected from the lances and aid in the removal of snow either to the left or right of the device, or snow that was not originally captured, but rather passed over. It is envisioned that such a device could allow a user to clear an

entire driveway or the like in much fewer passes than typically required by a snow blower.

[0041] Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0042] The present invention enjoys wide industrial applicability including, but not limited to, providing a snow removal system capable of removing a vast amount of snow during a single pass on a surface.