WO1981001024A1

WO1981001024A1 - Device for removing snow

Info

Publication number: WO1981001024A1
Application number: PCT/FR1979/000087
Authority: WO
Inventors: A Pasquier
Original assignee: Tech & Realisations Cdf Ing
Priority date: 1979-10-02
Filing date: 1979-10-02
Publication date: 1981-04-16
Also published as: JPS56501286A; JPS6160924B2

Abstract

The device for removing snow comprises an apparatus with rotary snow removing members translatingly moved with a reciprocating motion on a structure-arm (2) of which one end is pivotingly mounted about a horizontal axis (14) which itself pivots about a vertical axis (16), at the front or rear of a carrier vehicule. This apparatus operates in both opposite displacement directions and comprises snow removing members mounted in opposition on a common carriage (3), particularly snow grinders (4) of which the rotors are driven in opposite direction and of which the stators are assembled according to a generating line and have a common ejection conduit (39) extended by an orientable portion (40) and an inclinable cap (42). The snow jet may be directed towards a pickup member of a carrier belt or a pneumatic carrier, a servo system adjusting the inclination of the cap (42) in relation to the position of the carriage (3). The snow removing assembly may, with respect to the carriage (3), tilt about the axis perpendicular to the structure-arm (2), pivot about the axis of the conduit (39) and rock about an axis parallel to that of the structure-arm (2).

Description

SNOW COLLECTION DEVICE

The technical sector is that of handling snow for snow removal or snowmaking.

The existing snow removal systems are made up of strawberry, bow or scoop grab machines.

The snow removal members as well as the clearing members are fixed to a self-propelled vehicle and they act by movement of the vehicle. Therefore, the surface on which the snow is taken must be at least equal to the surface on the ground occupied by the vehicle. It follows that the snow cannot be removed in places of dimensions smaller than those of the vehicle.

In addition, the snow removal members constituted by a cutter or turbo-cutter do not have sufficient relative movement relative to the vehicle. Most machines collect snow from the running surface. Vehicles fitted with a cutter cannot deliver a snow depth much higher than that of the cutter drum. This is why, on a road where the snow depth exceeds five meters, it is necessary to use a tracked vehicle capable of moving on snow and which pro dera by delivering snow in successive horizontal slices from top to bottom until it reaches the ground.

On large surfaces such as car fleets, snow removal is generally carried out in two stages. First the machines provided with bow or front bucket cleared by pushing the snow which is accumulated in heaps whose height is often important. Then these heaps of snow are taken up and evacuated by public works vehicles with a front bucket mounted on articulated arms which take the snow to transport it either directly to a landfill, or by loading it onto a truck.

On public works vehicles there is the possibility of adapting strawberries or turbo-strawberries on their articulated arms intended to carry the front bucket. Thus, the cutter can have a relative movement relative to the vehicle but which is limited to a simple movement from bottom to top and vice versa. To enter the layer or pile of snow, the vehicle must move.

There is also a cutter mounted on an arm articulated around a horizontal axis secured to a part rotating around a vertical axis. The cutter then moves in an up and down motion or vice versa and in a circular motion. The cutter picks up the snow by moving not at the same time as the vehicle but relative to it following a circular trajectory centered on the vertical pivot axis of the support arm; this axis is located on the platform at the rear of the carrier vehicle. When the cutter picks up the snow, the vehicle is stopped but the surface taken off is limited by the width of the cutter and the portion of an arc described by it. In addition, the working height is limited to around two meters; when a strip of snow is taken from a limited thickness, the vehicle must move. The very small relative displacement of the organ of picking up from the vehicle means that existing machines pick up a very small or even zero snow surface next to the vehicle, which requires continuous or intermittent but frequent movement of the latter. Under these conditions, the snow surface to be collected must be at least equal to that of the vehicle.

In addition, the movement of the vehicle prevents the snow removal system from being associated with a snow removal system such as a conveyor belt. Existing cutters and turbo-cutters are equipped with a single sampling member with a helical blade which allows them to work in only one direction of movement.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to avoid these drawbacks. It includes a sampling device that can be associated with any transport system. It is possible with this device to collect and evacuate the accumulated snow in a layer or heap of significant height while allowing the vehicle to remain in contact with the ground. It is also possible to take snow from corners and other places inaccessible to vehicles, such as recesses where fire hydrants are often found. The device which is the subject of the invention also makes it possible to take snow accumulated below a carriageway, to take snow forming a ledge, to take snow on or outside ski slopes, on slope, on the departure and arrival areas of the ski lifts and to take the snow stored in any pile. The sampling device which is the subject of the invention consists either of an existing cutter or turbo-cutter, or of a double-drum cutter constituted by two cutters mounted in opposition or by two stators assembled according to the invention. tion, which is fixed to a translation carriage, of an arm on which the carriage can move back and forth, of a frame receiving a part rotating around a vertical axis on which rotates, around a horizontal axis, one end of the arm; thus the arm can receive two angular displacements, one in a vertical plane, the other by describing a conical surface whose axis of symmetry is vertical; the frame is fixed to the wheeled or tracked vehicle, self-propelled or towed, by means of a specific coupling piece for each type of vehicle; the mounting frame of this sampling device can be adapted either at the front or at the rear of the vehicle; snow guiding means are provided for directing the snow throw into the possible snow removal member belonging to a transport system; the apparatus of the present invention also comprises the fixing means, the support means on the ground of the frame, the drive means of the cutter and its or its drums, the drive means of the arm, in rotation and in lifting, the drive means and the remote control of the orientable part of the chimney of the cutter, the possible servo means in particular of the orientable part of the chimney, the mechanical, hydraulic and electrical transmission means, the motor means and energy generators and possibly the power take-off means on the carrier vehicle. A variant provides for two rotary movements of the cutter relative to its translation carriage, one in tilting around a horizontal axis, the other in pivoting on itself around a vertical axis. The double drum cutter object of the invention consists of two open stators in the form of two portions of cylinders assembled in opposition according to a generator; a sheet forming a sole connects their lower edge to make them integral. In the middle of each stator and on their ge a common opening is provided, the common partition wall of which is arranged tangentially to the stators and directed upwards; the two openings through which the snow is ejected are extended by a common ejection chimney. This chimney ends with a movable part ending in a cap which receives a pivoting movement around a vertical axis and a tilting movement around a horizontal axis; the two movements are used to direct the snow throw at the desired location. Each rotor, consisting of a cylinder around which several blades are wound in a helix, is centered on the same axis as its respective stator; the two rotors rotate in opposite directions, being driven by transmission means such as chains, belts or shaft and universal joints and by common or separate motor means, such as hydraulic motors or electric motors. In the middle of the rotors the blades are arranged in the form of buckets which eject the snow through the openings thanks to centrifugal force. The snow is brought into these buckets by the helically wound blades which cut the snow during the movement of the cutter. The snow thus removed is thrown into the vicinity of the device at a chosen location.

Thus the cutter can take the snow from any place while being able to move relative to the vehicle which remains stationary, thanks to different movements allowing it both to turn around the vehicle horizontally and vertically and to move away from it. These main movements can be associated with two complementary movements of the cutter with respect to the tilting and pivoting carriage. The cutter object of the invention can therefore remove snow by working in both directions of movement. Whatever strawberry is used, it will cut the snow by cutting radia slices in successive layers parallel to the arm converging them on the vertical axis of rotation or concentric sections centered on the latter. It can move by having the axis of or the rotors directed perpendicular to the direction of movement but also directed obliquely to the latter.

A snow transport system can be associated independently or dependent on the sampling device object of the invention. The snow throw will then be directed to this transport system which can be a truck tipper, a conveyor belt, pneumatic means of transport or any other means of transport.

With the device which is the subject of the invention, it is possible to take the snow from any location, in particular where the existing machines cannot intervene, which consequently makes it possible to improve the efficiency and the extent of the removal. mechanical by eliminating manual shoveling operations at the same time; furthermore, this device does not require a specialized vehicle; it can be adapted to any vehicle, which gives great flexibility and great operating convenience. It is also possible with this snow removal device to convey snow thanks to the possible use of different means of transport.

The description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it possible to understand clearly how the invention is put into practice.

Figure 1 shows in perspective such a snow removal device;

Figure 2 shows in perspective a variant comprising improvements relating to the movements of the cutter and lateral stabilization means;

Figure 3 shows the double drum cutter in cross section along its median plane; Figure 4 shows the double drum cutter viewed from the front;

Figure 5 shows the double drum cutter seen from above; Figure 6 shows the double drum cutter in cross section;

FIG. 7 shows in perspective a pneumatic transport system associated with the device of the invention;

FIG. 8 partially shows in perspective the device in association with a conveyor belt transport system; and

Figure 9 shows in perspective and on a large scale the detail of Figure 7 concerning the mechanical control of the swivel cap of the chimney. As seen in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, the arm 1 consists of two tubes 2 on which moves the carriage 3 to which is fixed the cutter 4. The carriage 3 is driven by a chain or a cable 5 which is actuated by a hydraulic motor 6 with two directions of rotation.

As seen in Figure 2 an alternative embodiment provides that two relative movements of the cutter relative to its carriage are possible; one is a tilting movement around the horizontal axis 7 secured to the carriage 3; this tilting is obtained thanks to the double-acting cylinder 8; the other movement is a pivoting of the cutter on itself around the vertical axis 9 integral with the carriage and coincident with the axis of the snow ejection opening; this movement can also be obtained by a double-acting cylinder not shown. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a variant of the carriage drive system 3 consisting of at least one rack 10 fixed to a tube 2 of the arm on which a pinion 11 actuated by the motor 12 meshes. As seen in Figure 1, one end 13 of the arm 1 is articulated about a horizontal axis 1 14 secured to the rotating part 15 which rotates around the vertical axis 16 integral with the frame 17 and which is entrai? e by two cylinders 18.

As seen in Figure 2, an alternative embodiment provides for the rotary part 15 to be driven in rotation by a rotary actuator 19 centered on the vertical axis and integral with the frame 17. The lifting movement of the arm 1 articulated around , axis 14 is obtained by a cable 20 arranged in a single strand or in two strands which can be muffles as seen in Figures 1 and 2, which is actuated by a winch 21 driven by the motor 22. A variant of embodiment provides for the drive of the lifting arm by jack, not shown which connects the rotating part 15 to the arm 1.

The lifting cable 20 is either moored or returned by a pulley 23, at the end of an upright 24 ending in a bracket. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the attachment of the pulley is articulated around a vertical axis coincident with the axis of rotation 16 and integral with the upright 24 which is integral with the frame 17.

The device is fixed to the vehicle by means of the coupling piece 25 specific to each type of vehicle and by means of two tubes 26 connecting the end of the upright 24 to the rear of the chassis of the vehicle, which makes it possible to distribute the stresses on the whole chassis of the vehicle as seen in Figure 1.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, provision is made to distribute a portion of the stresses on the ground directly by means of two support legs 27 as seen in FIG. 2. These two legs consist of two adjustable telescopic tubes in height by pin or by hydraulic cylinder. They can be vertical as in FIG. 2 but can be arranged obliquely, for example in the extension of the lateral stabilization tubes 28 of the upright 24. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the double drum cutter object of the invention is consisting of two open stators 29 assembled at their ends to flanges 30 as seen in Figure 5 showing the cutter in top view. These flanges receive the bearings 31 of the axes of rotation of the rotors 32; one of the flanges receives the cover 33 inside which the transmission system is located. The assembly of the two open stators 29 is carried out along their generatrix 34 by rivets, for example as seen in FIG. 6. This assembly is also obtained by the sole 35; it is reinforced by the upper plate 36 to which the translation carriage is fixed 3. In the middle of each open stator is disposed an opening with rectangular section 37 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5; the two openings 37 are separated by a wall 38 disposed vertically tangentially to the stators in the plane of symmetry of the cutter. This wall 38 rises approximately up to the level of the plate 36. The two openings 37 from which the snow is ejected are extended by the common chimney 39. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the chimney 39 is extended by a cylindrical part 40 capable of pivoting on itself around the axis of the chimney by being actuated by a motor 41 on the shaft of which is mounted a pinion which meshes on a toothed ring integral with the movable part 40, thus the snow throw can be directed transversely; the movable part 40 receives a cap 42 which oscillates around a horizontal axis 43 making it possible to direct the snow jet in elevation by means of a double-acting cylinder 44; the drive members 41 and 44 can be electric or mechanical; their operation can be remote controlled. The movable part 40 and the steering cap 42 are capable of receiving a position defined manually and maintained by pin or clamping screw.

As seen in Figures 7 and 9, if the snow throw is to be directed towards a recovery member placed on the frame 17, the movable part 40 of the chimney can be removed or kept in a fixed position. The inclination of the cap 42 will vary as a function of the distance of the cutter from the frame 17 thanks to a mechanical servo system comprising a linear cam 45 fixed to the tube 2 on which a finger 46 fixed to a shaft 47 rubs. on which is fixed a tab 48 which actuates a telescopic link 49 adjustable in length by the clamping screw 50. The shape of the cam 45 will be determined experimentally after a series of tests.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 the two rotors are driven by the hydraulic motor 51 which drives a pinion 52 which meshes with a pinion 53 making it possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the second rotor 32. On the the shafts of the pinions 52 and 53 are mounted the pulleys 54 and 55 which respectively drive the pulleys 56 and 57 by means of the belts 58 and 59. The two rotors consist of two cylinders on which helical blades 60 are wound and in the form of a bucket 61 as seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power source of the device is a heat engine located inside the cowling 62 in which there are also the hydraulic pumps driven by said heat engine and σui actuate the motors 6, 22 , 51, 41, 19, 12 and veri ns 18, 8, 27.

According to alternative embodiments of the invention, it is provided for driving the various organs, electrical transmissions from an electric generator and mechanical transmissions. Several types of transmission can be used together.

A variant of the invention provides that the power source is the vehicle engine connected to the device by a power take-off system. If the vehicle has a hydraulic pump designed to operate working accessories, it will be possible to connect part of the motors and cylinders of the device, in particular the motor members which control the movement of the cutter. If the snow transport system which is associated with the device is a pneumatic transport device, the snow injector 70 in the pipe will be placed on the frame 17 so that the axis of its introduction opening is centered on the vertical axis of rotation of the device as seen in Figure 7. If the injector 17 is a rotary valve, it is connected to the air generator placed at the rear of the vehicle by a flexible conduit 63 and to the transport pipe by a flexible pipe 64. The snow is guided into the introduction opening of the injector by a channel 65 of suitable shape which pivots with the arm 1 while remaining centered above the opening of introduction. Similarly, if the means of transport is a conveyor belt 66, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the snow will be guided under the same conditions in the opening of a hopper 67. According to various alternative embodiments of the invention , the guide channel can take various forms, ensuring a discontinuous or continuous connection with the ejection stack of the cutter. If the means of transport is a carried or towed skip, the snow throw will be directed there permanently by the pivoting of the mobile part 40 and the tilting of the cap 42 as seen in FIG. 1, these two movements being remotely controlled from the cockpit.

The hoses and conduits ensuring the flow of the hydraulic fluid or the electrical conductors are suitably fixed to the fixed parts or to the cable 20 of FIG. 1 by means of rings or rollers 68. Due to the displacement of the cutter in translation, the hoses and conductors can be stored either by winding on drums 69 placed at the rear of the vehicle or at any other place; they can also be stored by hauling or by any other means. The device that is the subject of the invention can be used in all operations where snow transfer proves necessary, which is the case with snow removal from large areas in collaboration with bow machines, roadworks, pedestrian walkways, courses and places on the ski slopes and the end areas of the ski lifts where the superabundant snowfall is annoying. Snow transfer is also necessary for partial or total snow cover on ski slopes when natural snow cover is insufficient, using different means of transport.

It goes without saying that without departing from the scope of the invention, modifications can be made to the embodiments which have just been described.

Claims

1 - Snow removal device comprising a carrying structure, intended to be mounted at the front or at the rear of a tracked or wheeled vehicle, self-propelled or towed, and a snow plow apparatus supported by this structure carrier, and whose power source is autonomous or from the vehicle engine by a suitable power take-off, characterized in that the snowplow cutter apparatus is mounted so as to be driven in translation according to a movement of va- back and forth on a support arm of the support structure by remotely controlled motor means so that said cutter apparatus moves away from or approaches said vehicle, said support arm having one end connected to a frame by articulation means so that said arm is driven, by remotely controlled motor means, following an angular movement from bottom to top and vice-versa, and following an angular movement transversely, so that said milling cutter turns around said frame which is fixed to said vehicle by fixing means.

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the snowplow cutter apparatus belongs to a group which includes strawberries, turbo cutters, turbines and double drum cutters. 3 - Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the double drum cutter working in the two opposite directions of movement belongs to a group which comprises cutters assembled in opposition on a common carriage, turbo-cutters assembled in opposition on a common carriage and a cutter made up of two open stators, part of the wall of which is cylindrical, which are assembled in opposition along a generator, the two stators each having an ejection opening adjacent to each other and separated by a common wall contained in the plane of symmetry, said openings are extended by a chimney ending in an articulated orientable part capable of being controlled by motor means controlled remotely and by servo means for directing the snow throw, each of the two stators receives a rotor for cutting and ejecting the snow, the two rotors being driven by motor and transmission means which make them rotate in opposite directions. 4 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motor drive means of the snowplow cutter apparatus on said carrying arm belong to a group which includes cable traction systems without end of which at least one end pulley is motorized, the cable traction systems actuated by a motorized winch, the chain traction systems of which at least one end pulley is motorized, the rack systems arranged on said carrying arm and on which meshes a pinion actuated by a motor integral with said milling cutter apparatus, the systems with telescopic jack, the roller systems with strong drive adhesion of which at least one is actuated by a motor, and the electrical systems with linear motor.

5 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the milling cutter moves on said support arm by means of a carriage relative to which said milling cutter is capable of pivoting in tilting about an axis which is perpendicular to said arm, to pivot on itself about an axis parallel to the axis of the exhaust chimney and to oscillate about an axis parallel to the axis of said arm.

6 - Device according to claim 1, character ized in that the means for fixing to the vehicle are consisting of a coupling piece specific to each type of vehicle and of two arms which are fixed to the chassis of said vehicle at a location relatively distant from the fixing of said frame, and which hold the upper end of a vertical upright secured of said frame in order to distribute the stresses resulting from said snow removal device over the largest possible area of the chassis of said vehicle.

7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the motor drive means of said support arm in lifting according to an angular displacement from bottom to top and vice versa is a cable capable of being used with a hoist whose mooring is provided at the end of said vertical upright integral with said frame and one end of which is fixed to a winch on which is wound said cable and which is actuated by a motor.

8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the motor means for driving said carrying arm in rotation according to an angular displacement transversely belongs to a group which comprises lever arm systems actuated by two reverse action cylinders, lever arm systems actuated by a double-acting cylinder, systems with rotary actuator and systems with toothed crown driven by pinion action born by motor.

9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said frame comprises at least two support legs on the ground retractable and arranged laterally. 10 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is capable of being associated with a transport system belonging to a group which comprises the carried buckets, the tow trailers quées, slides, conveyor belts and pneumatic transport systems, the last two transport systems being capable of having a recovery member fixed to said frame and in which the snow throw is directed by a servo control means the inclination of the orientable end of the chimney and by a guide means bringing said snow jet into said recovery member.

11 - Device according to claim 9, character ized in that the means for guiding the snow jet is a curved channel which does not hinder the movement of said strawberry apparatus, one end of which is kept centered, by suitable fixing means, above said recovery member when said carrying arm pivots, said channel being capable of being extended by another guide means belonging to a group which comprises an independent channel fixed to said carrying arm or to the lifting cable of the latter, a channel connected to the end of the first around which it pivots vertically by a hinged joint and which is held by said carrying arm or by the lifting cable of the latter, a channel fixed to the milling cutter by a joint, moving with it and sliding on the other channel, and two flanges held by said carrying arm or by the lifting cable of the latter.