WO2019222844A1

WO2019222844A1 - Method and system for moving and removing winter contaminants from airfield and roadway pavements using a system of attachments

Info

Publication number: WO2019222844A1
Application number: PCT/CA2019/050695
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Lyle Mckeown; Samuel MCKEOWN; Paul Edward Cudmore; Ty SHATTUCK
Original assignee: Eagle Aerospace Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-05-23
Filing date: 2019-05-22
Publication date: 2019-11-28
Also published as: CN112513374B; EP3797194A4; JP7223036B2; CA3101029A1; EP3797194C0; CN112513374A; US20210198859A1; EP3797194A1; EP3797194B1; JP2021525323A

Abstract

A system for removing contaminants from a surface, attached to a vehicle movable in a first direction. The system includes a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface. A first conveyor system includes a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction. A second scraper removes contaminants from the surface and is positioned between the first conveyor and the vehicle. A second conveyor system is positioned between the vehicle and the second scraper and includes a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a third direction that is not aligned with the first direction. An ice and compact breaker is positioned between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system. The ice and compact breaker includes a plurality of teeth for breaking the contaminants on the surface.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOVING AND REMOVING WINTER CONTAMINANTS FROM AIRFIELD AND ROADWAY PAVEMENTS USING A

SYSTEM OF ATTACHMENTS

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating a surface, in particular, to a method for moving, removing, displacing, plowing, sweeping, air-blowing and conveying winter contaminants on a pavement in a lateral direction.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional systems for removing winter contaminants (i.e., snow, ice, slush, etc.) from a surface utilize one of a snow plow, sweeper bristles and air blowers and rotary plow snowblowers. However, the efficiency of these conventional winter contaminant removal systems is limited in that much, if not most, of the energy required to displace the winter contaminant to the sides of roadways and airfield pavements is wasted. In particular, for displacement snowplows a large amount of energy is expended to move the winter contaminants longitudinally in the vehicle’s direction of travel even though the purpose of the displacement snowplow is to move the winter contaminant laterally. For systems that utilize sweeper bristles, a large amount of energy is expended bending the bristles rotating on a horizontal axis that contact with the pavement on areas like airfield runways and taxiways. For systems that utilize air blowers, large amounts of energy are expended blowing air horizontally across the surface of areas like airfield runways.

[0003] The present invention provides a system and/or method that may improve the efficiency of contaminant removal. The present invention may provide more aggressive cleaning and clearing of a pavement. The present invention may also improve aircraft braking performance and directional stability while leaving less winter contaminants on the pavements. Accordingly, the present invention may reduce the need for the application of chemical or friction enhancing abrasives.

SUMMARY

[0004] There is provided a system for removing contaminants from a surface. The system is attached to a vehicle that is movable in a first direction. The system includes a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface. A first conveyor system includes a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction. A second scraper removes contaminants from the surface. The second scraper is positioned between the first conveyor and the vehicle. A second conveyor system is positioned between the vehicle and the second scraper. The second conveyor system includes a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a third direction wherein the third direction is not aligned with the first direction. An ice and compact breaker is positioned between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system. The ice and compact breaker includes a plurality of teeth for breaking the contaminants on the surface.

[0005] The system may also be configured such that the ice and compact breaker is vertically adjustable relative to the surface.

[0006] The system may further include a sweeper brush positioned between the ice and compact breaker and the second conveyor system. The sweeper brush may include a plurality of brushes for brushing the contaminants on the surface.

[0007] The foregoing system may be configured such that the plurality of brushes is fixed or rotatable about a vertical axis of the sweeper brush.

[0008] The foregoing system may be configured such that the sweeper brush is vertically adjustable relative to the surface for cutting into and disaggregating the contaminants on the surface.

[0009] It is contemplated that the system may include a blower mechanism positioned between or behind the second conveyor system and the vehicle. The blower mechanism may generate a stream of high velocity air and include an outlet for directing the stream of high velocity air toward the surface.

[0010] The foregoing air blower mechanism may be vertically adjustable relative to a surface.

[0011] It is contemplated that the first conveyor system may be disposed at an angle relative to the surface.

[0012] It is contemplated that the foregoing angle may be 0-90 degrees.

[0013] It is contemplated that the second direction in the system may be orthogonal to the first direction.

[0014] It is contemplated that the second direction may be variable by a user and/or a controller. [0015] It is contemplated that the speed of at least one of the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system may vary based on a desired speed of the contaminants ejected from a distal end of at least one of the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system.

[0016] It is contemplated that the system may also include a blower mechanism disposed at a distal end of the first conveyor system or the second conveyor system. The blower mechanism may be configured for ejecting the contaminants leaving the distal end of the first conveyor system or the second conveyor system in a predetermined direction to a desired distance.

[0017] It is further contemplated that a cover may be disposed between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system to define an enclosed area.

[0018] It is contemplated that the vehicle may include a controller for controlling an operation of the system.

[0019] It is also contemplated that the controller may be connected to one or more sensors that each provides a signal to the controller indicative of a condition of the surface at a predetermined location relative to the system.

[0020] There may also be provided a method for removing contaminants from a surface. The method may include steps of: moving a removal system in a first direction; placing a scraper of the removal system in contact with a surface for scraping contaminants from the surface; energizing a first conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the system in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction; breaking the contaminants on the surface; and energizing a second conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the system in a third direction wherein the third direction is not aligned with the first direction.

[0021] The method may further include a step of: after the step of energizing a first conveyor system of the removal system, ejecting said contaminants in a predetermined direction and distance.

[0022] It is further contemplated that the method may include a step of: after the step of breaking contaminants, sweeping the contaminants along the surface. [0023] It is also contemplated that the method may include a step of: after the step of energizing a second conveyor system of the removal system, blowing the contaminants in a fourth predetermined direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional fixed face moldboard snowplow;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention showing a system for removing contaminants that includes a first conveyor system, an ice and compact breaker, a sweeper brush, a second conveyor system and a blower mechanism;

[0026] FIG. 3A is a side view of an embodiment of the first and second conveyor systems of the present invention showing a conveyor for moving winter contaminants in a lateral direction;

[0027] FIG. 3B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 A, showing two systems of FIG. 3 A placed end to end for delivering winter contaminants simultaneously in different lateral directions;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the first and second conveyor systems of the present invention showing a plurality of conveyors for moving winter contaminants in a longitudinal direction and then in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle; and

[0029] FIG. 5 is a front view of a third embodiment of the first and second conveyor system of the present invention showing a conveyor system for delivering winter contaminants to a rotary plow snow blower or deflector system wherein the blower and or deflector system redirects or deflects the winter contaminants in a user selected direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional curved moldboard snowplow 10 is shown. The snowplow 10 is attachable to a vehicle (not shown) and includes a cutting edge 12 that is configured to scrap along a surface 14, e.g., a runway of an airport. During use of the snowplow 10, winter contaminants 16 , e.g., snow, ice, slush, etc. and/or debris may collect in front of the snowplow 10 as the vehicle moves in a longitudinal direction“A.” However, as the winter contaminants 16 are removed from the surface 14 they collect on the snowplow 10, thereby requiring that the vehicle exert more energy to remove the winter contaminants 16 from the surface 14. In some instances, the snowplow 10 is angled relative to the direction of travel“A” to reduce that amount of energy required by the vehicle. However, even when angling the snowplow 10 still requires an appreciable amount of energy from the vehicle.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, a system 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system 70 is configured for removing disaggregated winter contaminants 16 and combinations of winter contaminants 16 from the surface 14. The system 70 may include one or more of the following: a first conveyor system 72A, a second conveyor system 72B, an ice and compact breaker 82, an aggressive‘gutter brush style’ sweeper brush 92 and an air conveyance system 96.

[0032] The first conveyor system 72A and/or the second conveyor system 72B may be identical to a conveyor system 20, described in detail in International Application No. PCT/CA2019/050002, hereby incorporated herein by reference. The system 20 is briefly described herein. Referring to FIG. 3A, the system 20 replaces the conventional moldboard snowplow 10 (FIG. 1) and, in general, includes a scraper 22 and a conveyor 24. The scraper 22 may be made of a material that is rigid enough to remove winter contaminants 16 from the surface 14 while not damaging the surface 14. A leading edge 22a of the scraper 22 may be angled or sharpened to allow the scraper 22 to aid in the removal of winter contaminants 16 from the surface 14. A rear edge 22b of the scraper 22 may be positioned above a front edge 24a of the conveyor 24.

[0033] The conveyor 24 may be one or a plurality of distinct conveyor elements

26 that are configured to transport the winter contaminants 16 thereon in a lateral direction “B” (shown as into the page in FIG. 3A). It is contemplated that the conveyor 24 may be a variable speed and/or reversible conveyor. It is contemplated that the conveyor 24 may allow an operator to vary the speed and direction that the winter contaminants 16 are discharged in the lateral direction“B” from an end of the conveyor 24.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the conveyor 24 is disposed at an angle relative to the surface 14 such that a rear edge 24b of the conveyor 24 is vertically higher than the front edge 24a of the conveyor 24. It is contemplated that the conveyor 24 may be disposed at a 90 degrees angle relative to the surface 14, for example, see FIG. 2.

[0035] It is contemplated that an overall width of the system 20 may be less than the width of the conventional snowplow 10. This is because it is not necessary to position the system 20 at an angle to convey the winter contaminants 16 in the lateral direction. In other words, unlike conventional snowplows 10, the system 20 does not rely on the cosine angled width of the snowplow 10 to discharge the winter contaminants 16 to a trailing edge of the snowplow 10. Instead, the system 20 provides a lateral conveyor 24 that discharges the winter contaminants 16 to a left or right side of the system 20. The lateral conveyor 24 also allows for the use of wider systems 20 as the amount of winter contaminants that the vehicle must push in the longitudinal direction is greatly reduced, as compared to conventional snowplows 10.

[0036] It is also contemplated that because the system 20 is reversible, the operator need only select a conveying direction of the lateral conveyor 24 to discharge the winter contaminants 16 to the desired side of the vehicle.

[0037] It is also contemplated that the system 20 may also reduce the compression of the winter contaminants 16 into a texture of the surface 14 that tends to be caused by an excessive mass of the winter contaminants 16 being pushed and piled in the longitudinal direction before exiting a trailing edge of a conventional moldboard snowplow 10. The system 20 may reduce the amount of winter contaminants 16 that is pushed into and onto the texture of the surface 14, thereby reducing the amount of chemicals or abrasives required to obtain or maintain traction on a surface being cleared.

[0038] It is contemplated that the lateral conveyor 24 may be 2.5 to 300 feet in length for clearing surfaces 14 ranging from sidewalks to commercial runways at airports.

[0039] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, two systems 20, 30 are attached to a vehicle 18 and placed end to end. A first system 20 moves the winter contaminants 16 laterally in a first direction 21 that is at an angle Qi relative to a line perpendicular to the direction of travel (i.e., direction“A”) of the vehicle 18. A second system 30 moves the winter contaminant 16 laterally in a second direction 31 that is at an angle q₂ relative to the line perpendicular to the direction“A.” In the embodiment shown, angle Qi is about 20° and q₂ is about 20 °. The first direction 21 and the second direction 31 are shown as being less than 180 ⁰ relative to each other. It is contemplated that as the angles Qi _and 0i vary the angle between the first direction 21 and the second direction 31 may be greater than or less than 180 °.

[0040] It is also contemplated that a controller 100 may be connected to the two systems 20, 30 for allowing a user to manually adjust the angles Qi and q₂. It is also contemplated that the controller 100 may be programmed to automatically adjust the angles Qi and q₂ based on the speed of the vehicle 18 and/or based on the conditions of the surface 14 and the amount of winter contaminants 16 to be removed from the surface 14.

[0041] It is also contemplated that the first conveyor system 72A and/or the second conveyor system 72B may be identical to a conveyor system 40, described in detail in International Application No. PCT/CA2019/050002, hereby incorporated herein by reference. Refening to FIG. 4, the conveyor system 40, in general, includes a scraper 42, a vertical lift conveyor 44 and one or more lateral conveyors 46. The scraper 42 is similar to the scraper 22 discussed above and will not be described in detail below. A leading edge 42a of the scraper 42 engages the surface 14 and a rear edge 42b of the scraper 42 is positioned above a leading edge 44a of the vertical lift conveyor 44. The vertical lift conveyor 44 may be configured to transport the winter contaminant 16 leaving the rear edge 42b of the scraper 42 in a direction“C” that is opposite the direction of travel“A” of the vehicle (not shown). A rear edge 44b of the vertical lift conveyor 44 may be positioned above a leading edge 46a of the lateral conveyor 46. The one or more lateral conveyors 46 may then discharge the winter contaminant 16 in the desired lateral direction. It is also contemplated that the vertical lift conveyor 44 may allow the operator to increase the longitudinal speed of the vehicle, thereby clearing the surface 14 faster as compared to a vehicle utilizing the conventional snowplow 10.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the lateral conveyor 46 is disposed parallel to the surface 14. It is contemplated that the lateral conveyor 46 may be at any angle relative to the surface 14, e.g., perpendicular, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, etc. so long as the lateral conveyor 46 moves the winter contaminants 16 in a lateral direction.

[0043] In the embodiments shown, the lateral conveyor 46 and the vertical lift conveyor 44 are shown as conventional belt conveyors. It is contemplated that the lateral conveyor 46 and the vertical lift conveyor 44 may also be segmented track conveyors and/or include cups or scoops to increase the efficiency in conveying the winter contaminant 16 in the desired direction.

[0044] It is further contemplated that the first conveyor system 72 A and/or the second conveyor system 72B may include a system 60, described in detail in International Application No. PCT/CA2019/050002, hereby incorporated herein by reference. Referring to FIG. 5, the system 60 is similar to the system 20, described in detail above. The system 60 includes a lateral conveyor 62 and a redirecting mechanism 64 that may be disposed at either or both ends of the lateral conveyor 62. The redirecting mechanism 64 may be deployed such that the winter contaminant 16 being discharged from either end of the lateral conveyor 62 is redirected selectively from upward, downward, forward and rearward relative to the respective end of the lateral conveyor 62. This redirecting of the winter contaminant 16 may avoid discharging the winter contaminant 16 into or onto an object like a driveway, roadway guardrail, airport runway edge light, runway or roadway intersection, sign or other object. It is contemplated that the redirecting mechanism 64 may be a conveying apparatus with a plurality of vanes or blades (not shown) for discharging the winter contaminant 16 in a desired direction.

[0045] As described in detail above, in general, each system 72A, 72B includes a scraper 74a, 74b and a lateral conveyor 76a, 76b. The lateral conveyors 76a, 76b are configured for transporting the winter contaminants 16 thereon in a lateral direction“B,” as selected by the operator or controller 100. As described above, the systems 72A, 72B may include one or more of the systems 20, 40, 60 described in detail above.

[0046] Referring back to FIG. 2, the ice and compact breaker 82 is positioned between the first and second conveyor systems 72A, 72B. The ice and compact breaker 82 includes a cylindrical body 84 with a plurality of teeth 86 protruding from the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical body 84. The cylindrical body 84 is rotatable about a central axis that aligns with the lateral direction“B.” The ice and compact breaker 82 is positioned between caster wheels 87 that help in positioning the plurality of teeth 86 at the correct position relative to the surface 14. The ice and compact breaker 82 may be moveable in a vertical direction for crushing hard winter contaminants 16 on the surface 14 that have passed under a cutting edge of the first conveyor system 72A or a conventional moldboard plow (not shown).

[0047] The sweeper brush 92 is positioned between the ice and compact breakers

82 and the second conveyor system 72B. The sweeper brush 92 includes a plurality of individual brush elements 94 that are stationary and/or configured to rotate about a vertical axis 94a. The sweeper brush 92 may be moveable in a vertical direction for cutting into and disaggregating the hard winter contaminants 16 that may have passed under the first conveyor system 72A or conventional moldboard plow (not shown) and was subsequently broken by the ice and compact breaker 82. [0048] The air conveyance system 96 may be positioned behind the second conveyor system 72B for blowing and conveying disaggregated winter contaminants 16 under and to a front of the second conveyor system 72B. The air conveyance system 96 may be a high-pressure blower that is configured to blow a stream of high-pressure air under the second conveyor system 72B. A cover 99 may cover the ice and compact breakers 82 and sweeper brushes 92 to contain the loose winter contaminants 16 in a controlled area 101.

[0049] During operation of the system 70, a vehicle 110 (to which the system 70 is attached) moves in a direction“A” to remove winter contaminants 16 from the surface 14. The controller 100 is connected remotely by radio, or locally on-vehicle to the vehicle and various components of the system 70 for controlling the operation thereof. The controller 100 may be a conventional computer unit that includes a central processing unit (CPU) that processes commands and input and generates output commands, an input unit for receiving commands from the user and signals from various components of the system 70, an output unit for conveying commands from the CPU to the various components of the system 70 and a storage unit for storing data received and/or generated by the CPU. Various control lines (not shown) may extend from the controller 100 to the components of the system 70. It is contemplated that the control lines (not shown) may be configured to send power and/or signals between the respective component and the controller 100. It is also contemplated that the control lines (not shown) may represent other commonly known types of wired and/or wireless communication between the controller 100 and the various components of the system 70, including but not limited to, hard wire, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc. and combinations thereof.

[0050] The controller 100 may be connected to sensors 120A, 120B, 120C

(schematically shown in FIG. 2) for ascertaining the efficiency of the system 70 at various stages or locations in the system 70. It is contemplated that the sensor 120A may ascertain the condition of the untreated surface 14, the sensor 120B may ascertain the condition of the surface 14 after treatment by the ice and compact breaker 82 and/or the sweeper brush 92 and the sensor 120C may ascertain the condition of the surface 14 after treatment by the air conveyance system 96.

[0051] During operation, the winter contaminants 16 are scraped from the surface

14 by the first conveyor system 72A and transported in the lateral direction“B” to one or both sides of the vehicle 110. The winter contaminants 16 on the surface 14 that may have passed under the first conveyor system 72A are broken by the ice and compact breaker 82. As noted above, the position of the ice and compact breaker 82 relative to the surface 14 is selected such that the plurality of teeth 86 on the ice and compact breaker 82 breaks apart the winter contaminants 16 in a manner that minimizes damage to the surface 14.

[0052] The winter contaminants 16 that are loosened by the ice and compact breaker 82 are then further broken apart by the sweeper brush 92. The broken winter contaminants 16 are scraped from the surface 14 by the second conveyor system 72B and transported to one or both sides of the vehicle 110. Any winter contaminants 16 that may have passed under the second conveyor system 72B are blown back in front of the second conveyor system 72B by the air conveyance system 96. The system 70 thus leaves a cleaner surface than conventional horizontal axis sweepers and horizontally, laterally directed air blowers.

[0053] It is contemplated that the controller 100 may use the signals from sensors

120A, 120B, 120C to adjust the operation/position of the first conveyor system 72A, the ice and compact breakers 82, the sweeper brush 92, the second conveyor system 72B and the air conveyance system 96 to improve the removal of contaminants 16 from the surface 14. For example, the vertical position of the foregoing components can be raised and/or lowered as needed to remove more contaminants 16 from the surface 14. The controller 100 may be programmed to constantly monitor the signals from the sensor 120 A, 120B, 120C to separately or collectively adjust the operation of the foregoing components of the system 70. It is contemplated that the controller 100 may be programmed to adjust the operation of the system 70 based on the speed of the vehicle 110.

[0054] The invention has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Examples embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claims is:

1. A system for removing contaminants from a surface, the system attached to a vehicle that is movable in a first direction, the system comprising:

a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface; a first conveyor system including a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction;

a second scraper for removing contaminants from the surface, the second scraper positioned between the first conveyor system and the vehicle;

a second conveyor system positioned between the vehicle and the second scraper, the second conveyor system including a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a third direction wherein the third direction is not aligned with the first direction; and

an ice and compact breaker positioned between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system, the ice and compact breaker including a plurality of teeth for breaking the contaminants on the surface.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ice and compact breaker is vertically adj ustable relative to the surface.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sweeper brush positioned between the ice and compact breaker and the second conveyor system, the sweeper brush including a plurality of brushes for brushing the contaminants on the surface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of brushes are stationary or rotatable about a vertical axis of the sweeper brush.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the sweeper brush is vertically adjustable relative to the surface for cutting into and disaggregating the contaminants on the surface.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a blower mechanism positioned between the second conveyor system and the vehicle, the blower mechanism generating a stream of high velocity air and having an outlet for directing the stream of high velocity air toward the surface.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the blower mechanism is vertically adjustable relative to the surface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conveyor system is disposed at an angle relative to the surface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the angle is 90 degrees.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second direction is variable by a user and/or a controller.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein a speed of at least one of the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system varies based on a desired speed of the contaminants ejected from a distal end of the at least one of the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a blower mechanism disposed at a distal end of the first conveyor system or the second conveyor system, the blower mechanism configured for ejecting the contaminants leaving the distal end of the first conveyor system or the second conveyor system in a predetermined direction to a desired distance.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover disposed between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system to define an enclosed area.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a controller for controlling an operation of the system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is connected to one or more

sensors that each provides a signal to the controller indicative of a condition of the surface at a predetermined location relative to the system.

17. A method for removing contaminants from a surface, the method including steps of:

moving a removal system in a first direction;

placing a scraper of the removal system in contact with a surface for scraping contaminants from the surface;

energizing a first conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the removal system in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction; breaking contaminants on the surface; and

energizing a second conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the removal system in a third direction wherein the third direction is not aligned with the first direction.

18. The method of claim 17, further including a step of:

after said step of energizing a first conveyor system of the removal system, ejecting said contaminants in a predetermined direction and distance.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of:

after said step of breaking contaminants, sweeping the contaminants along the surface.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of:

after said step of energizing a second conveyor system, blowing the contaminants in a fourth predetermined direction.