CA2744677A1 - Snow blower with multiple discharge ports - Google Patents
Snow blower with multiple discharge ports Download PDFInfo
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- CA2744677A1 CA2744677A1 CA2744677A CA2744677A CA2744677A1 CA 2744677 A1 CA2744677 A1 CA 2744677A1 CA 2744677 A CA2744677 A CA 2744677A CA 2744677 A CA2744677 A CA 2744677A CA 2744677 A1 CA2744677 A1 CA 2744677A1
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- Prior art keywords
- drum
- impeller
- snow
- chute
- wall
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H5/00—Removing snow or ice from roads or like surfaces; Grading or roughening snow or ice
- E01H5/04—Apparatus propelled by animal or engine power; Apparatus propelled by hand with driven dislodging or conveying levelling elements, conveying pneumatically for the dislodged material
- E01H5/045—Means per se for conveying or discharging the dislodged material, e.g. rotary impellers, discharge chutes
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A snow blower includes a collector housing with an upright rear housing wall defining a circular drum opening. A cylindrical impeller drum has an open front end rotatably aligned with the drum opening and attached to the rear of the rear housing wall, a discharge port in the side wall, and a drive shaft port in the rear drum wall.
A central drum bearing supports a rear end of the impeller drum such that the drum rotates about a drum axis oriented horizontally and parallel to an operating travel direction.
An impeller is rotatably mounted in the impeller drum on a drive shaft extending through the drive shaft port to a rotating power source. A hydraulic cylinder is attached to the snow blower frame and to the drum, and rotates the drum from a right drum position, where snow discharges toward the right, to a left drum position.
A central drum bearing supports a rear end of the impeller drum such that the drum rotates about a drum axis oriented horizontally and parallel to an operating travel direction.
An impeller is rotatably mounted in the impeller drum on a drive shaft extending through the drive shaft port to a rotating power source. A hydraulic cylinder is attached to the snow blower frame and to the drum, and rotates the drum from a right drum position, where snow discharges toward the right, to a left drum position.
Description
SNOW BLOWER WITH MULTIPLE DISCHARGE PORTS
This invention is in the field of snow removal equipment and in particular a snow throwing apparatus with multiple discharge ports.
Snow blowers are well known for removing snow from roads, parking lots, and like surfaces. Snow blowers generally have a collector housing which includes side walls extending forward from a rear wall and is configured to collect or gather snow and direct same into an impeller as the snow blower moves forward into the snow. The impeller is mounted on a drive shaft that is rotated by a tractor power takeoff (pto) or like power source. The impeller is mounted generally in the center of the collector housing, and a discharge opening or port is defined in the collector housing above the impeller and the snow is thrown out through the discharge port by centrifugal force generated by the rotating impeller. The collector housing is typically mounted on a frame which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, typically a tractor. The necessary gearboxes, drive shafts, and the like are also mounted to the frame.
As the snow blower moves into the snow, the collector housing directs the snow into the impeller and the impeller blows the snow out through the discharge port.
Typically an upright curved chute is mounted above the discharge port such that discharged snow moves out through the discharge port and up the chute and around the curved portion of the chute to be discharged laterally. The chute can typically be rotated about a vertical axis to direct the discharged snow to the right or left sides of the snow blower, or in a direction between right and left limits of the range of chute movement.
United States Patent Number 6,154,985 to Champagne et al. discloses in Fig. I
thereof a snow blower with a horizontal. cross auger mounted across the collector housing and rotating about a horizontal axis oriented perpendicular to the operating travel direction.
The impeller is provided by a pair of impeller blades mounted on the middle of the cross auger shaft. Snow is moved toward the center of the collector housing by right and left handed auger flighting on corresponding ends of the auger shaft. Radially extending impeller blades are mounted on the center of the auger shaft and snow contacting the impeller blades is thrown upward and out of the collector housing through the discharge port and into a chute.
Fig. 7 of the Champagne et al. patent shows a different style of impeller located in the center of the rear wall of the collector housing where a number of impeller blades extend radially from a drive shaft oriented horizontal and parallel to the operating travel direction. The impeller is mounted inside a cylindrical impeller shroud or drum configured such that ends of the impeller blades are close to the inner surface of the drum, and the discharge port is defined in the cylindrical wall of the drum.
Again a cross auger moves snow to the middle where same then moves rearward as the snow blower moves forward such that the snow contacts the impeller blades and is thrown out through the discharge port.
It is also known to provide a rotatable impeller drum on snow blowers. The chute is typically located above the impeller, and the drum can be rotated to align the discharge port with the chute to discharge upward through the chute, but also can be rotated to align the discharge port to the right or left of the chute, such that snow is discharged directly from the drum without moving through the chute. The framework of the snow blower is configured to allow the discharged snow to pass out of the discharge port without contacting frame parts.
Discharging the snow directly from the impeller drum to the right or left locations requires reduced power. Although the snow is generally not thrown as far as it is when passing up through the chute, and also the direction of the thrown snow cannot be controlled as it can be with the chute, the option to discharge directly from the discharge
This invention is in the field of snow removal equipment and in particular a snow throwing apparatus with multiple discharge ports.
Snow blowers are well known for removing snow from roads, parking lots, and like surfaces. Snow blowers generally have a collector housing which includes side walls extending forward from a rear wall and is configured to collect or gather snow and direct same into an impeller as the snow blower moves forward into the snow. The impeller is mounted on a drive shaft that is rotated by a tractor power takeoff (pto) or like power source. The impeller is mounted generally in the center of the collector housing, and a discharge opening or port is defined in the collector housing above the impeller and the snow is thrown out through the discharge port by centrifugal force generated by the rotating impeller. The collector housing is typically mounted on a frame which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, typically a tractor. The necessary gearboxes, drive shafts, and the like are also mounted to the frame.
As the snow blower moves into the snow, the collector housing directs the snow into the impeller and the impeller blows the snow out through the discharge port.
Typically an upright curved chute is mounted above the discharge port such that discharged snow moves out through the discharge port and up the chute and around the curved portion of the chute to be discharged laterally. The chute can typically be rotated about a vertical axis to direct the discharged snow to the right or left sides of the snow blower, or in a direction between right and left limits of the range of chute movement.
United States Patent Number 6,154,985 to Champagne et al. discloses in Fig. I
thereof a snow blower with a horizontal. cross auger mounted across the collector housing and rotating about a horizontal axis oriented perpendicular to the operating travel direction.
The impeller is provided by a pair of impeller blades mounted on the middle of the cross auger shaft. Snow is moved toward the center of the collector housing by right and left handed auger flighting on corresponding ends of the auger shaft. Radially extending impeller blades are mounted on the center of the auger shaft and snow contacting the impeller blades is thrown upward and out of the collector housing through the discharge port and into a chute.
Fig. 7 of the Champagne et al. patent shows a different style of impeller located in the center of the rear wall of the collector housing where a number of impeller blades extend radially from a drive shaft oriented horizontal and parallel to the operating travel direction. The impeller is mounted inside a cylindrical impeller shroud or drum configured such that ends of the impeller blades are close to the inner surface of the drum, and the discharge port is defined in the cylindrical wall of the drum.
Again a cross auger moves snow to the middle where same then moves rearward as the snow blower moves forward such that the snow contacts the impeller blades and is thrown out through the discharge port.
It is also known to provide a rotatable impeller drum on snow blowers. The chute is typically located above the impeller, and the drum can be rotated to align the discharge port with the chute to discharge upward through the chute, but also can be rotated to align the discharge port to the right or left of the chute, such that snow is discharged directly from the drum without moving through the chute. The framework of the snow blower is configured to allow the discharged snow to pass out of the discharge port without contacting frame parts.
Discharging the snow directly from the impeller drum to the right or left locations requires reduced power. Although the snow is generally not thrown as far as it is when passing up through the chute, and also the direction of the thrown snow cannot be controlled as it can be with the chute, the option to discharge directly from the discharge
2 port in the drum allows the operator to reduce power requirements if desired.
Especially when the snow is wet and heavy, the power reduction can be beneficial.
The front of the impeller drum is typically supported on a circular lip that extends rearward from the back wall of the collector housing into the front of the drum. A wear strip of plastic or like material is mounted between the inner surface of the front edge of the drum and the lip. The rear end of the drum is supported on rollers, wear pads, or the like and the drum is rotated by a hydraulic motor that engages a gear on the drum.
As the impeller moves snow rapidly against the inner surface of the drum, friction exerts a rotating force on the drum, and the drum commonly creeps out of position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a snow blower apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The present invention provides a snow blower apparatus comprising a snow blower frame, and a collector housing mounted to the snow blower frame. The collector housing comprises an upright rear housing wall defining a substantially circular drum opening.
An impeller drum has a substantially cylindrical side wall, a rear drum wall, and an open front end. A discharge port is defined in the side wall of the impeller drum, and a drive shaft port is defined substantially in a center of the rear drum wall. The open front end of the impeller drum is rotatably supported on a rear side of the rear housing wall such that the open front end of the impeller drum coincides with the drum opening in the rear housing wall, and a drum bearing located substantially at a center of a rear side of the rear drum wall rotatably supports a rear end of the impeller drum on the snow blower frame.
such that the impeller drum is rotatable about a drum axis oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to an operating travel direction. An impeller is rotatably
Especially when the snow is wet and heavy, the power reduction can be beneficial.
The front of the impeller drum is typically supported on a circular lip that extends rearward from the back wall of the collector housing into the front of the drum. A wear strip of plastic or like material is mounted between the inner surface of the front edge of the drum and the lip. The rear end of the drum is supported on rollers, wear pads, or the like and the drum is rotated by a hydraulic motor that engages a gear on the drum.
As the impeller moves snow rapidly against the inner surface of the drum, friction exerts a rotating force on the drum, and the drum commonly creeps out of position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a snow blower apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The present invention provides a snow blower apparatus comprising a snow blower frame, and a collector housing mounted to the snow blower frame. The collector housing comprises an upright rear housing wall defining a substantially circular drum opening.
An impeller drum has a substantially cylindrical side wall, a rear drum wall, and an open front end. A discharge port is defined in the side wall of the impeller drum, and a drive shaft port is defined substantially in a center of the rear drum wall. The open front end of the impeller drum is rotatably supported on a rear side of the rear housing wall such that the open front end of the impeller drum coincides with the drum opening in the rear housing wall, and a drum bearing located substantially at a center of a rear side of the rear drum wall rotatably supports a rear end of the impeller drum on the snow blower frame.
such that the impeller drum is rotatable about a drum axis oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to an operating travel direction. An impeller is rotatably
3 mounted in the impeller drum on a drive shaft oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction, the drive shaft extending through the drive shaft port to a rotating power source. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the snow blower frame and pivotally attached at an opposite second end thereof to the rear drum wall of the impeller drum. The hydraulic cylinder is operative to rotate the impeller drum about the drum axis from a right drum position, where the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a right side of the collector housing, to a left drum position where the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a left side of the collector housing.
The claimed apparatus provides a stronger more stable assembly, with reduced random movement of the impeller drum due to frictional forces exerted by snow moved rapidly inside the drum by the impeller.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a snow blower apparatus of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the impeller drum in the right drum position;
Fig. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the impeller drum in the intermediate chute drum position;
The claimed apparatus provides a stronger more stable assembly, with reduced random movement of the impeller drum due to frictional forces exerted by snow moved rapidly inside the drum by the impeller.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a snow blower apparatus of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the impeller drum in the right drum position;
Fig. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the impeller drum in the intermediate chute drum position;
4 Fig. 4 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. I with the impeller drum in the left drum position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 - 4 illustrate an embodiment of a snow blower apparatus I of the present invention. The snow blower apparatus I comprises a snow blower frame 3, and a collector housing 5 mounted to the snow blower frame 3. The collector housing
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 - 4 illustrate an embodiment of a snow blower apparatus I of the present invention. The snow blower apparatus I comprises a snow blower frame 3, and a collector housing 5 mounted to the snow blower frame 3. The collector housing
5 comprises an upright rear housing wall 7 defining a substantially circular drum opening 9. Housing side walls 11 extend forward from ends of the rear housing wall 7.
The frame 3 is configured to be mounted to tractor and moved in a forward operating travel direction F so that snow is collected between the housing side walls 11. A
cross auger (not shown) as is known in the art is mounted across the front of the collector housing 5 and moves the collected snow toward the middle of the collector housing S.
An impeller drum 13 includes a substantially cylindrical side wall 15, a rear drum wall 17, and an open front end 19. A discharge port 21 is defined in the side wall 15 of the impeller drum 13. A drive shaft port 22 is defined substantially in a center of the rear drum wall 17.
The open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 is rotatably supported on a rear side of the rear housing wall 7 such that the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 coincides with the drum opening 9 in the rear housing wall 7. In the illustrated apparatus 1, a lip 25 extends rearward from a periphery of the drum opening 9 in the rear housing wall 7 and into the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 to rotatably support the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 on the rear side of the rear housing wall 7. A
strip of UHMW
(ultra high molecular weight) polyethylene 27 is placed between the lip 25 and the inner surface of the impeller drum 13 to reduce friction and wear.
A drum bearing 29 is located substantially at a center of a rear side of the rear drum wall 17 and rotatably supports the rear end of the impeller drum 13 on a rear member 3A of the snow blower frame 3. In the illustrated apparatus I the drum bearing 29 is provided by a cylindrical bearing surface 31 of the rear member 3A of the snow blower frame 3 extends forward into a cylindrical recess 33 at the center of a rear side of the rear drum wall 17. A bushing 35 between the inner surface of the recess 33 and the bearing surface 31 reduces friction and wear.
Thus the impeller drum 13 is rotatable about a drum axis DA oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction F.
An impeller 37 is rotatably mounted in the impeller drum 13 on a drive shaft 39 oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction F.
The drive shaft 39 extends through the drive shaft port 23 to a rotating power source. In the illustrated apparatus 1, the drive shaft 39 extends through the cylindrical recess 33 and cylindrical bearing surface 31 and is connected to a gear box 41 mounted on the rear member 3A of the snow blower frame 3 rearward of the impeller drum 13. A power shaft 43 also connected to the gear box 41 is adapted for connection to a tractor power take off by a power take off shaft with universal joints as is known in the art. A cross auger shaft 45 is also shown extending from the gear box 41 and is connected to a drive train to rotate the cross auger (not shown).
Snow moved to the middle of the collector housing 5 by the cross auger thus moves rearward through the drum opening 9 into the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 and into the impeller 37 as the collector housing 5 moves forward into the snow. The rotating impeller moves the snow rapidly along the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall 15 of the impeller drum 13 until the snow reaches the discharge port 21 where the snow is blown out of the impeller drum 13.
The frame 3 is configured to be mounted to tractor and moved in a forward operating travel direction F so that snow is collected between the housing side walls 11. A
cross auger (not shown) as is known in the art is mounted across the front of the collector housing 5 and moves the collected snow toward the middle of the collector housing S.
An impeller drum 13 includes a substantially cylindrical side wall 15, a rear drum wall 17, and an open front end 19. A discharge port 21 is defined in the side wall 15 of the impeller drum 13. A drive shaft port 22 is defined substantially in a center of the rear drum wall 17.
The open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 is rotatably supported on a rear side of the rear housing wall 7 such that the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 coincides with the drum opening 9 in the rear housing wall 7. In the illustrated apparatus 1, a lip 25 extends rearward from a periphery of the drum opening 9 in the rear housing wall 7 and into the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 to rotatably support the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 on the rear side of the rear housing wall 7. A
strip of UHMW
(ultra high molecular weight) polyethylene 27 is placed between the lip 25 and the inner surface of the impeller drum 13 to reduce friction and wear.
A drum bearing 29 is located substantially at a center of a rear side of the rear drum wall 17 and rotatably supports the rear end of the impeller drum 13 on a rear member 3A of the snow blower frame 3. In the illustrated apparatus I the drum bearing 29 is provided by a cylindrical bearing surface 31 of the rear member 3A of the snow blower frame 3 extends forward into a cylindrical recess 33 at the center of a rear side of the rear drum wall 17. A bushing 35 between the inner surface of the recess 33 and the bearing surface 31 reduces friction and wear.
Thus the impeller drum 13 is rotatable about a drum axis DA oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction F.
An impeller 37 is rotatably mounted in the impeller drum 13 on a drive shaft 39 oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction F.
The drive shaft 39 extends through the drive shaft port 23 to a rotating power source. In the illustrated apparatus 1, the drive shaft 39 extends through the cylindrical recess 33 and cylindrical bearing surface 31 and is connected to a gear box 41 mounted on the rear member 3A of the snow blower frame 3 rearward of the impeller drum 13. A power shaft 43 also connected to the gear box 41 is adapted for connection to a tractor power take off by a power take off shaft with universal joints as is known in the art. A cross auger shaft 45 is also shown extending from the gear box 41 and is connected to a drive train to rotate the cross auger (not shown).
Snow moved to the middle of the collector housing 5 by the cross auger thus moves rearward through the drum opening 9 into the open front end 19 of the impeller drum 13 and into the impeller 37 as the collector housing 5 moves forward into the snow. The rotating impeller moves the snow rapidly along the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall 15 of the impeller drum 13 until the snow reaches the discharge port 21 where the snow is blown out of the impeller drum 13.
6 In the illustrated apparatus 1 of the present invention the orientation of the impeller drum is changed by a hydraulic cylinder 47 pivotally attached at a first end 47A
thereof to the snow blower frame 3 and pivotally attached at an opposite second end 47B
thereof to the rear drum wall 17 of the impeller drum 13. As best seen in Fig. 1, the discharge port 21 on the impeller drum 13 opens into a snow guide 49 with walls oriented to guide or control the direction of travel of the snow that is thrown centrifugally out of the impeller drum 13.
The hydraulic cylinder 47 is operative to rotate the impeller drum 13 about the drum axis DA from a right drum position illustrated in Fig. 2, where the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are oriented to discharge snow toward a right side of the collector housing 5, to a left drum position illustrated in Fig. 4 where the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are oriented to discharge snow toward a left side of the collector housing 5.
In the illustrated apparatus 1, the first end 47A of the hydraulic cylinder 47 is pivotally connected to the snow blower frame 3 at a bracket 51 located lateral to a lower portion of the impeller drum 13 below the drum bearing 29, and the second end 47B of the hydraulic cylinder 47 is pivotally connected to the impeller drum 13 by a pin connection 53 rearward of the rear drum wall 17 below the drum bearing 29. Thus when the hydraulic cylinder 47 is retracted as illustrated in Fig. 2, the impeller drum 13 is in the right drum position, and the hydraulic cylinder 47 extends across a lower portion of the rear drum wall 17 under the drum bearing 29. The snow guide 49 is aligned with a snow sleeve 55 fixed to the snow blower frame 3 and configured such that when the impeller drum 13 is in the right drum position, snow 57 discharges through the discharge port 21 in the impeller drum 13, through the snow guide 49 and into an open lower end of the snow sleeve 55 and out an open end of the snow sleeve 55.
thereof to the snow blower frame 3 and pivotally attached at an opposite second end 47B
thereof to the rear drum wall 17 of the impeller drum 13. As best seen in Fig. 1, the discharge port 21 on the impeller drum 13 opens into a snow guide 49 with walls oriented to guide or control the direction of travel of the snow that is thrown centrifugally out of the impeller drum 13.
The hydraulic cylinder 47 is operative to rotate the impeller drum 13 about the drum axis DA from a right drum position illustrated in Fig. 2, where the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are oriented to discharge snow toward a right side of the collector housing 5, to a left drum position illustrated in Fig. 4 where the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are oriented to discharge snow toward a left side of the collector housing 5.
In the illustrated apparatus 1, the first end 47A of the hydraulic cylinder 47 is pivotally connected to the snow blower frame 3 at a bracket 51 located lateral to a lower portion of the impeller drum 13 below the drum bearing 29, and the second end 47B of the hydraulic cylinder 47 is pivotally connected to the impeller drum 13 by a pin connection 53 rearward of the rear drum wall 17 below the drum bearing 29. Thus when the hydraulic cylinder 47 is retracted as illustrated in Fig. 2, the impeller drum 13 is in the right drum position, and the hydraulic cylinder 47 extends across a lower portion of the rear drum wall 17 under the drum bearing 29. The snow guide 49 is aligned with a snow sleeve 55 fixed to the snow blower frame 3 and configured such that when the impeller drum 13 is in the right drum position, snow 57 discharges through the discharge port 21 in the impeller drum 13, through the snow guide 49 and into an open lower end of the snow sleeve 55 and out an open end of the snow sleeve 55.
7 When the hydraulic cylinder 47 is extended as illustrated in Fig. 4, the impeller drum 13 is in the left drum position, and the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are aligned with an opening 59 in the snow blower frame 3, and snow 57 discharges through the discharge port 21 in the impeller drum 13, through the snow guide 49 and the opening 59 in the snow blower frame 3.
The illustrated apparatus 1 includes a chute 61 mounted to the snow blower frame 31 and extending upward from an open bottom end thereof located above the impeller drum 13.
When the impeller drum 13 is in a chute drum position, illustrated in Fig. 3, that is between the right and left drum positions, the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are aligned with the open bottom end of the chute 61 and snow 57 discharges through the discharge port 21 in the impeller drum 13, through the snow guide 49 and upward into the open bottom end of the chute 61 and out the output end 63 of the chute 61.
The chute 61 is curved such that snow entering the open bottom end of the chute 57 is discharged laterally through the output end 63 of the chute 61. The chute 61 is rotatable about an upright chute axis CA, and an actuator, illustrated as hydraulic motor 65, is operative to rotate the chute 61 about the chute axis CA to discharge snow in right and left directions as desired.
Supporting the rear end of the impeller drum 13 on a central drum bearing 29 rather than on rollers increases the stability of the assembly. While the friction forces exerted by snow moving rapidly against the inner surface of the impeller drum 13 cause the prior art rotating mechanisms using hydraulic motors to creep out of position, these forces are resisted by the hydraulic cylinder 47, and the impeller drum 13 stays in the desired position until the hydraulic cylinder 47 is activated by an operator moving a control.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in
The illustrated apparatus 1 includes a chute 61 mounted to the snow blower frame 31 and extending upward from an open bottom end thereof located above the impeller drum 13.
When the impeller drum 13 is in a chute drum position, illustrated in Fig. 3, that is between the right and left drum positions, the discharge port 21 and snow guide 49 are aligned with the open bottom end of the chute 61 and snow 57 discharges through the discharge port 21 in the impeller drum 13, through the snow guide 49 and upward into the open bottom end of the chute 61 and out the output end 63 of the chute 61.
The chute 61 is curved such that snow entering the open bottom end of the chute 57 is discharged laterally through the output end 63 of the chute 61. The chute 61 is rotatable about an upright chute axis CA, and an actuator, illustrated as hydraulic motor 65, is operative to rotate the chute 61 about the chute axis CA to discharge snow in right and left directions as desired.
Supporting the rear end of the impeller drum 13 on a central drum bearing 29 rather than on rollers increases the stability of the assembly. While the friction forces exerted by snow moving rapidly against the inner surface of the impeller drum 13 cause the prior art rotating mechanisms using hydraulic motors to creep out of position, these forces are resisted by the hydraulic cylinder 47, and the impeller drum 13 stays in the desired position until the hydraulic cylinder 47 is activated by an operator moving a control.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in
8 the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
9
Claims (9)
1. A snow blower apparatus comprising:
a snow blower frame;
a collector housing mounted to the snow blower frame, the collector housing comprising an upright rear housing wall defining a substantially circular drum opening;
an impeller drum with a substantially cylindrical side wall, a rear drum wall, and an open front end;
a discharge port defined in the side wall of the impeller drum;
a drive shaft port defined substantially in a center of the rear drum wall;
wherein the open front end of the impeller drum is rotatably supported on a rear side of the rear housing wall such that the open front end of the impeller drum coincides with the drum opening in the rear housing wall, and wherein a drum bearing located substantially at a center of a rear side of the rear drum wall rotatably supports a rear end of the impeller drum on the snow blower frame, such that the impeller drum is rotatable about a drum axis oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to an operating travel direction;
an impeller rotatably mounted in the impeller drum on a drive shaft oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction, the drive shaft extending through the drive shaft port to a rotating power source; and a hydraulic cylinder pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the snow blower frame and pivotally attached at an opposite second end thereof to the rear drum wall of the impeller drum, the hydraulic cylinder operative to rotate the impeller drum about the drum axis from a right drum position, where the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a right side of the collector housing, to a left drum position where the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a left side of the collector housing.
a snow blower frame;
a collector housing mounted to the snow blower frame, the collector housing comprising an upright rear housing wall defining a substantially circular drum opening;
an impeller drum with a substantially cylindrical side wall, a rear drum wall, and an open front end;
a discharge port defined in the side wall of the impeller drum;
a drive shaft port defined substantially in a center of the rear drum wall;
wherein the open front end of the impeller drum is rotatably supported on a rear side of the rear housing wall such that the open front end of the impeller drum coincides with the drum opening in the rear housing wall, and wherein a drum bearing located substantially at a center of a rear side of the rear drum wall rotatably supports a rear end of the impeller drum on the snow blower frame, such that the impeller drum is rotatable about a drum axis oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to an operating travel direction;
an impeller rotatably mounted in the impeller drum on a drive shaft oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the operating travel direction, the drive shaft extending through the drive shaft port to a rotating power source; and a hydraulic cylinder pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the snow blower frame and pivotally attached at an opposite second end thereof to the rear drum wall of the impeller drum, the hydraulic cylinder operative to rotate the impeller drum about the drum axis from a right drum position, where the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a right side of the collector housing, to a left drum position where the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a left side of the collector housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drum bearing is provided by a cylindrical bearing surface of the snow blower frame extending forward into a cylindrical recess at the center of a rear side of the rear drum wall, and wherein the drive shaft extends through the cylindrical recess and cylindrical bearing surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drive shaft is connected to a gear box mounted on the snow blower frame rearward of the impeller drum, and wherein a power shaft connected to the gear box is adapted for connection to a tractor power take off.
4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 3 comprising a lip extending rearward from a periphery of the drum opening in the rear housing wall into the open front end of the impeller drum to rotatably support the open front end of the impeller drum on the rear side of the rear housing wall.
5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 4 comprising a chute mounted to the snow blower frame and extending upward from an open bottom end thereof located above the impeller drum, and wherein the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward the right side of the chute when the impeller drum is in the right drum position, and wherein the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow toward a left side of the chute when the impeller drum is in the left drum position, and wherein the discharge port is oriented to discharge snow upward into the open bottom end of the chute when the impeller drum is in a chute drum position between the right and left drum positions.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the chute is curved such that snow entering the open bottom end of the chute is discharged laterally through the output end of the chute.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the chute is rotatable about an upright chute axis, and comprising an actuator operative to rotate the chute about the chute axis to discharge snow in right and left directions.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 7 comprising a snow sleeve fixed to the snow blower frame and configured such that when the impeller drum is in one of the right and left drum positions, snow discharges through the discharge port in the impeller drum into an open lower end of the snow sleeve and out an open end of the snow sleeve.
9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 8 wherein the first end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to the snow blower frame at a location lateral to a lower portion of the impeller drum below the drum bearing, and the second end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to the impeller drum by a pin connection extending rearward from the rear drum wall below the drum bearing, and wherein when the hydraulic cylinder is extended, the impeller drum is in one of the right and left drum positions and the hydraulic cylinder extends across a lower portion of the rear drum wall under the drum bearing,, and when the hydraulic cylinder is retracted, the impeller drum is in the other of the right and left drum positions.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2744677A CA2744677A1 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2011-06-28 | Snow blower with multiple discharge ports |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2744677A CA2744677A1 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2011-06-28 | Snow blower with multiple discharge ports |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2744677A1 true CA2744677A1 (en) | 2012-12-28 |
Family
ID=47392177
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2744677A Abandoned CA2744677A1 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2011-06-28 | Snow blower with multiple discharge ports |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2744677A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020186451A1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2020-09-24 | 天嘉智能装备制造江苏股份有限公司 | Snow blowing vector air port structure for multifunctional snow sweeper |
-
2011
- 2011-06-28 CA CA2744677A patent/CA2744677A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020186451A1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2020-09-24 | 天嘉智能装备制造江苏股份有限公司 | Snow blowing vector air port structure for multifunctional snow sweeper |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20160531 |
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| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20180628 |