GB2602874A

GB2602874A - Filter drain cleaning systems

Info

Publication number: GB2602874A
Application number: GB2116252.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Conner Paul; Price Gary
Original assignee: Crown Plus Ltd
Current assignee: Crown Plus Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2021-11-11
Publication date: 2022-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-11
Also published as: GB202018324D0; GB2601169A; GB202116252D0; GB2602874B

Abstract

The system comprises a frame 30 for mounting on a support vehicle, a rotary cylindrical brush 50 mounted on frame such that the axis of rotation of the brush is horizontal when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle, a drive system 60 mounted on frame and connected to rotate the brush such that when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle and a brush housing 70 that surrounds at least the upper part of the brush and is open at bottom. The brush housing includes an extractor outlet 74 for removal of filter bed material thrown into housing by the rotation of brush when the drive system is operated. The frame comprises a fixed part for detachable connection to the front or rear of the support vehicle; an arm 34 that can pivot relative to the fixed part; and a moveable sub frame mounted on the arm, wherein the rotary cylindrical brush is mounted on the moveable sub frame. The position of brush can be adjusted relative to support vehicle so that the vehicle does not travel over the path of the brush in use.

Description

TITLE

FILTER DRAIN CLEANING SYSTEMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems for cleaning filter drains. The invention includes apparatus for attachment to a support vehicle, the apparatus when attached to the support vehicle, and the method of use of the system.

BACKGROUND

A filter drain is a trench or gully adjacent a roadway that is filled with unconsolidated particulate material such as small stones or gravel that allows water runoff from the roadway to be drained away so that the road surface can dry and standing water does not remain on the roadway as a hazard to safe driving.

One problem that can occur is that silt and other fine material carried by the runoff can accumulate in the surface layer of the filter drain next to the edge of the road surface. This silt accumulation itself can prevent effective drainage at the road edge and can provide a seed bed in which plant can grow, further limiting the ability of the filter bed to drain properly.

While spraying of herbicides can limit plant growth, this does nothing to remove the silt bed. In addition, plant matter killed during spraying can break down and add to the silt bed, exacerbating the problem.

Once the silt bed builds up to a level that leads to standing water on the road surface, the only way to restore proper drainage is to dig out the silted material and replace it with clean material. This is slow and expensive and can lead to the need to close the road near to the edge for an extended period of time while the work is being done.

This invention aims to provide a solution to cleaning filter drains that is quicker and easier to implement and avoids some of the problems of the previous cleaning solutions. For example, the use of dedicated sweeping vehicles, such as those described in US 7051402 or US 6195836, means that the vehicles will be idle when not sweeping and cannot be used for either purpose. In addition, such vehicles provide sweeping mechanisms in the middle of the vehicle to one side or the other, meaning that either the direction of travel of the vehicle has to be reversed to clean both sides of a road, or duplicate sweeping heads are needed, one on either side.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a filter drain cleaning system, comprising: a frame for mounting on a support vehicle; a rotary cylindrical brush mounted on frame such that the axis of rotation of the brush is horizontal when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle; a drive system mounted on frame and connected to rotate the brush such that when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle, the drive system is operable to rotate the brush to engage the filter bed; and a brush housing that surrounds at least the upper part of the brush and is open at bottom so that brush projects below the housing when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle, wherein the brush housing includes an extractor outlet for removal of filter bed material thrown into housing by the rotation of brush when the drive system is operated; wherein the frame comprises: a fixed part for detachable connection to the front or rear of the support vehicle; an arm that can pivot relative to the fixed part; and a moveable sub frame mounted on the arm, wherein the rotary cylindrical brush is mounted on the moveable sub frame; and wherein the position of brush can be adjusted relative to support vehicle when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle buy pivoting the arm to position the brush to either side of the support vehicle so that the vehicle does not travel over the path of the brush in use.

The detachable frame means that the support vehicle, such as a tractor, can be used for other purposes when not needed for drain cleaning.

The fixed part of the frame can comprise a series of mounting brackets configured to correspond to a standard three-point mounting linkage on a tractor.

A bracket can be mounted on the fixed part of the frame over the moveable arm for positioning the support arm.

The rotary brush can strip out the filter drain material and silt so that it can be cleaned and reused. The stripped material can be replaced by clean material.

When mounted on the support vehicle, the frame positions the brush to one side of the support vehicle so that the vehicle does not travel over the path of the brush in use. In this way, the support vehicle can travel along on the road surface and the brush can be used to clean a filter drain to the side of the road surface.

The frame can be configurable to support the brush on either side of vehicle. This allows filter drains in the middle of a divided carriageway to be cleaned as well as to the outer side of the carriageway without the need to change the direction of travel of the support vehicle.

The frame can comprise a ground engaging wheel to maintain a minimum spacing between the brush and the filter bed when mounted on the support vehicle, and optionally a stabilising wheel to prevent the frame from accidentally contacting the ground in use. The ground engaging wheel and the stabilising when can be positioned on opposite sides of the brush.

The brush can comprise a drum mounted on a spindle, and an array of brush elements projecting radially form the drum. The brush elements comprise braided metal cables.

The drive system can comprise a hydraulic motor mounted on the frame.

The brush housing can comprise an extractor hood connected to the extractor outlet. The extractor hood can include a connection for a vacuum extractor.

Another aspect of the invention comprises the filter drain cleaning system in which the frame is mounted on the support vehicle.

The frame can be mounted at the front of the support vehicle in the normal direction of travel. Also, the frame can be mounted on the support vehicle so as to

be height adjustable

A power supply can be provided on the support vehicle, and a connection to the power supply for drive system on the frame.

The system can further comprise a second vehicle to collect filter bed material thrown into housing by the rotation of brush. The second vehicle can include a vacuum extractor connected to the extractor outlet.

Another aspect of the invention provides method of cleaning filter drains using this system, comprising: positioning the support vehicle on a road surface next to a filter drain positioning the frame at height over an upper surface of filter drain so that the outer part of the brush reaches below the upper surface of the filter drain to a predetermined depth moving the vehicle along the road so that the brush passes over the filter drain; operating the drive system to rotate the brush to pick up material from the filter drain to the predetermined depth; and removing material thrown into the housing by the rotation of the brush through the extractor outlet.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent form the description below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a section through a roadway and a filter drain.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a filter drain cleaning system.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the support frame of the system of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a detailed side section of the support from and housing of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the system of Figure 2.

Figure 6 shows a schematic layout of an operational configuration of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a typical filter drain and the problems that can arise from silt build-up. The upper two layers of the roadway comprise the surface course 10 (wearing course) which is the upper surface along which traffic travels and is typically made of stone mastic asphalt or the like. The surface course 10 sits on a binder course (base course) 12 typically made of asphalt or the like. The surface course 10 does not extend all the way to the edge of the binder course 12, leaving a small step 14 at the edge of the roadway. The camber on the surface course means that water will tend to drain away to the side towards the filter drain 15.

The filter drain 15 comprises a trench or gully 16 along the edge of the roadway that is filled with filter materials 18, 20, and drainage pipes 22. The filter materials 18, 20 are unconsolidated particles. The upper layer 20 it typically made of larger particles that leave wider spaces for water to drain down to the lower layer 18 where it can be led away to a flood drain or other channel.

Water runoff from the roadway will tend to carry fine materials which will tend to accumulate in the filter material 20 lying over the step 14 and adjacent to the edge of the roadway. After time, a silt layer 24 will build up which can support plant growth 26. The root mass of the plant growth will also bind the silt 24 and filter material 20 together. This prevents efficient draining from the part of the filter bed closest to the roadway leading to the problem of standing water along the edge of the roadway during heavy rain. Spraying herbicides to kill off plant growth can provide some assistance but can also lead to the problem where the dead plant material composts and further binds the silt layer.

Figures 2 to 5 show various views of a system for cleaning the filter drain.

The system comprises a frame structure that can be mounted on a support vehicle, for example at the front of a tractor or the like. The frame structure comprises a mounting fame 30 that can be connected to the support vehicle by mounting brackets 32. The layout of the mounting brackets 32 can be made to correspond to a standard mounting layout for the support vehicles, such as a three-point linkage on a tractor, so as to be able to connect to height adjustable mountings as are often provided on general use vehicles.

A support arm 34 is connected at a hinge 36 in the centre of the mounting frame 30. A curved adjuster bracket 38 is mounted on the mounting frame 30 over the support arm 34 and can be used to assist in positioning the support arm.

A sub-frame in the form of a support frame 40 is mounted at the other end of the support arm 34 by means of brackets 42. A brush 50 is mounted in the support frame 40. The brush 50 comprises a spindle 52 mounted in bearings 54 on the support frame 40. A brush drum 56 is mounted on the spindle and an array of brush elements 58 project outwardly from the surface of the drum 56. The brush elements are formed from sections of braided steel cable. The length of the brush elements will depend on the depth of cleaning required. For example, the brush elements can be 200 mm long. The length, thickness, and material of the brush elements can be selected to optimise removal of materials from the filter drain while minimising damage to the road surface, should the brush come into contact with it during operation.

A drive system 60 is mounted to one side of the support frame 40. In this example, the drive system 60 comprises a hydraulic motor and chain drive (shown in Figure 5) to connect to the spindle 52. The hydraulic motor has connections 61 to a supply of hydraulic power, for example from a hydraulic pump mounted on the support vehicle. Other power sources are also possible, such as an electric or mechanical.

A jockey wheel bracket 62 carrying a jockey wheel 63 (shown in Figure 5) is located at the rear of the support frame 40. The jockey when 63 engages the ground in use an maintains a minimum height of the support from above the ground surface. A support wheel bracket 64 carrying a support wheel 65 (shown in Figure 5) is located on the opposite side of the brush at the front of the support from 40. The support wheel can act to prevent to support frame 40 from digging into the ground due to an uneven surface or pitching of the support vehicle in motion.

A brush housing 70 is mounted on the support frame 40 so as to cover the upper part of the brush 50. The brush housing 70 is open at the bottom so that the brush elements 58 can project out to engage the ground. An extractor outlet 72 is located in the lower front pad of the housing 70 and an extractor hood 74 is connected to the outlet 72 to guide any material passing through the outlet away from the brush 50.

Figure 6 shows a schematic layout of the system in use. The cleaning system 80 is mounted at the front of the support vehicle 90. The support arm 34 is positioned to one side A (Figure 5) so that the support frame is to the side of the path of the support vehicle 90. When positioned in this way, the axis of rotation is horizontal (substantially parallel to the ground surface) and transverse to the driving direction of the support vehicle 90. In this way, the support vehicle 90 can drive along the surface course 10 while the brush 50 is positioned over the upper surface of the filter drain 15 adjacent the roadway where it overlies the step 14 (region B of Figure 1). The height of the frame 40 is set such that the brush elements 58 will reach down below the depth of the silt layer 24 when pointing directly down.

A hydraulic pump 92 on the support vehicle supplies power to the motor 60. When the motor 60 is actuated, the brush 50 is rotated and the brush elements dig into the surface of the filter drain and pick up the silt layer and the drain material 20 to the depth of the brush elements 58 (region C of Figure 1). The action of the brush throws this material up into the brush housing 70. A second vehicle 100 is positioned in front of the support vehicle 90. The second vehicle 100 includes a vacuum extractor and storage tank 102 connected to the extractor hood 74 by a flexible pipe 104. When the vacuum extractor is actuated, the material thrown into the brush housing is sucked though the outlet 72 and extractor hood 74 into the storage tank. The support vehicle 90 and second vehicle 100 can drive slowly along the roadway as the rotating brush strips the material 20 and silt layer 24 from the filter drain 15. Once the tank on the second vehicle 100 is full, the operation can be paused and the second vehicle drive away and the extracted material can be cleaned for re-use. A replacement second vehicle can be positioned in front of the support vehicle and connected to the system 80 and the operation resumed. The channel left by the system can be filled with clean filter material 20 so as to restore the filter drain function.

The order of the support vehicle 90 and second vehicle 100 can be reversed if necessary, the second vehicle following the support vehicle 90. It may also be possible to provide the vacuum extractor and storage tank on the support vehicle if relatively small lengths of filter drain need to be cleared.

The support frame can be positioned on either side of the support vehicle. In this way, filter drain in the centre of a divided roadway can be cleaned, and the system can be used in countries that drive on the right or left of the roadway.

Because the support vehicle can remain on the roadway, it will not cause the channel to collapse or otherwise damage the filter drain. The vehicle will be easier to control and allow the hight of the cleaning system over the filter drain to be controlled more accurately. In addition, the cleaning system can be positioned away form the surface course so as to avoid damage to the surface course by the brush 50.

With the cleaning system 80 at the front of the support vehicle 90, the operator can monitor the position of the system 80 more easily while safely controlling the support vehicle.

Further changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A filter drain cleaning system, comprising: a frame for mounting on a support vehicle; a rotary cylindrical brush mounted on frame such that the axis of rotation of the brush is horizontal when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle; a drive system mounted on frame and connected to rotate the brush such that when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle, the drive system is operable to rotate the brush to engage the filter bed; and a brush housing that surrounds at least the upper part of the brush and is open at bottom so that brush projects below the housing when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle, wherein the brush housing includes an extractor outlet for removal of filter bed material thrown into housing by the rotation of brush when the drive system is operated; wherein the frame comprises: a fixed part for detachable connection to the front or rear of the support vehicle; an arm that can pivot relative to the fixed part; and a moveable sub frame mounted on the arm, wherein the rotary cylindrical brush is mounted on the moveable sub frame; and wherein the position of brush can be adjusted relative to support vehicle when the frame is mounted on the support vehicle buy pivoting the arm to position the brush to either side of the support vehicle so that the vehicle does not travel over the path of the brush in use.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed part of the frame comprises a series of mounting brackets configured to correspond to a standard three-point mounting linkage on a tractor.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bracket mounted on the fixed part of the frame over the moveable arm for positioning the support arm.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the frame comprises a ground engaging wheel to maintain a minimum spacing between the brush and the filter bed when mounted on the support vehicle.
5. A system as claimed in claims 4, wherein the frame further comprises a stabilising wheel to prevent the frame from accidentally contacting the ground in use.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ground engaging wheel and the stabilising wheel are positioned on opposite sides of the brush.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the brush comprises a drum mounted on a spindle, and an array of brush elements projecting radially form the drum.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the brush elements comprise braided metal cables.
9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the drive system comprises a hydraulic motor mounted on the frame.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the brush housing comprises an extractor hood connected to the extractor outlet.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the extractor hood comprises a connection for a vacuum extractor.
12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a support vehicle, wherein the frame is mounted at the front of the support vehicle in the normal direction of travel.
13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the frame is mounted on the support vehicle so as to be height adjustable.
14. A system as claimed in claim 12 01 13, further comprising a power supply on the support vehicle, and a connection to the power supply for drive system on the frame.
15. A system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a second vehicle to collect filter bed material thrown into housing by the rotation of brush.
16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second vehicle comprises a vacuum extractor connected to the extractor outlet
17. A method of cleaning filter drains using a system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16, comprising: positioning the support vehicle on a road surface next to a filter drain positioning the frame at height over an upper surface of filter drain so that the outer part of the brush reaches below the upper surface of the filter drain to predetermined depth moving the vehicle along the road so that the brush passes over the filter drain; operating the drive system to rotate the brush to pick up material from the filter drain to the predetermined depth; and removing material thrown into housing by the rotation of brush through the extractor outlet.