Abstract:
A snow removal apparatus is presented having a snow collection system that includes a housing having an auger and an impeller. The snow collection system feeds collected snow to a main duct which feeds the collected snow to the hollow interior of a tank. The tank includes at least one baffle therein and a heating system which rapidly converts the frozen snow into liquid and steam. The steam generated within the tank is vented through an exhaust opening into the atmosphere. By converting snow to steam the snow removal apparatus presented increases the speed and ease of snow removal and elevates many of the disadvantages of conventional snow removal such as snow transportation and storage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/987,749 filed May 2, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention relates to a snow removal apparatus. Snow removal is a time consuming, labor intensive, and equipment intensive process. Accordingly, snow removal is a very expensive endeavor for communities of all sizes and populations, especially in areas where space to pile and store the snow off the roadway is limited, such as in downtown areas, roadways with adjacent barricades, and airport settings where there is not much space to pile up the snow. 
         [0003]    Traditional methods of snow removal from areas where space is limited including plowing newly fallen snow into rows. The rows of snow are then either plowed to the side of the road or delivered to a dump site via graders, front-end loaders and dump trucks. This process is very time consuming, inefficient, and costly. Additionally, the snow removal vehicles may have to maneuver in relatively confined areas, which in turn requires a smaller sized and less efficient snow removal equipment. Further, in the case of on-site snow storage, the collected snow often consumes needed space, such as parking spots or storage areas. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there exists a need for a snow removal system that is maneuverable, eliminates the need for on-site snow storage, efficiently heats and melts the collected snow, and meets or exceeds the performance requirements of the end user. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A snow removal apparatus is presented having a snow collection system that includes a housing having an auger and an impeller. The snow collection system feeds collected snow to a main duct which feeds the collected snow to the hollow interior of a tank. The tank includes at least one baffle therein and a heating system which rapidly converts the frozen snow into liquid and steam. The steam generated within the tank is vented through an exhaust opening into the atmosphere. By converting snow to steam the snow removal apparatus presented increases the speed and ease of snow removal and elevates many of the disadvantages of conventional snow removal such as snow transportation and storage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Other advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a front thrower of the snow removal apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is schematic cross-sectional view of a tank of the snow removal apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a snow removal apparatus  10  is generally shown in  FIG. 1 . The snow removal apparatus  10  is designed to collect snow disposed upon a ground surface, such as a road or parking lot. Once the snow is collected, it can be melted into water and/or heated into steam for subsequent removal from the snow removal apparatus  10 . 
         [0014]    Once melted, the collected snow occupies only a fraction of the volume of the collected snow. Additionally, the discharge of the water and/or steam can be a continuous process thereby limiting the amount of collected snow and/or water that must be stored within the snow removal apparatus  10 . For example, the water may be disposed of by discharge it into a catch basin, tanker, reclamation system, or the ground surface outside the limits of the roadway. Additionally, the collected snow can quickly be sublimated into steam and released from the snow removal apparatus  10 . 
         [0015]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the snow removal apparatus  10  includes a snow collection system  12 , a heating system  14 , and a tank  16 . Generally, the tank  16  houses a portion of the heating system  14 . Further, the tank  16  stores the collected snow as it is melted. The snow collection system  12  collects the snow from the ground surface and deposits the collected snow into the tank  16 . The heating system  14  heats and maintains the temperature within the tank  16  for quickly converting the collected snow into water and/or steam. 
         [0016]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the tank  16  is in communication with the snow collection system  12  such that the snow collection system  12  delivers the snow to the tank  16 . The snow collection system  12  will be described in detail below. As illustrated in the Figures, the tank  16  is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle, such as a truck. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the tank  16  may be adapted to be a stationary object, wherein the collected snow is deposited into the tank  16  by a separate device, such as a front end loader or a dump truck (not shown). Further still, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the snow collection system  12  may be separated from the tank  16  such that the tank  16  is disposed upon a first vehicle or trailer and the snow collection system  12  is disposed upon a second vehicle that either tows the first vehicle or trailer or operates in proximity to the first vehicle or trailer, discharging collected snow into the tank  16 . 
         [0017]    The tank  16  may be formed from any rigid material, such as steel. The tank  16  is typically bolted onto a base that consists of multiple metal beams that are contoured to the proper shape to support the tank  16 . For extra stability, bracers may be placed between each beam as well. 
         [0018]    The tank  16  may be a rectangular hollow block structure having four side walls, a bottom surface, and a top surface. Although the tank  16  is depicted and described as being a hollow block structure, it should be apparent that the tank  16  may be formed in any suitable manner, such as to have a rounded cross-section. 
         [0019]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the tank  16  defines a storage chamber  18  configured to store the collected snow, water, and/or steam. The tank  16  includes at least one baffle assembly  20  extending outward toward the side walls of the tank  16 . The baffle assembly  20  reduces a free surface effect of the water and/or collected snow contained in the storage chamber  18 , especially during braking and accelerating operations by the vehicle. It should be appreciated that the tank  16  can include any suitable number of baffle assembles  20 . 
         [0020]    The baffle assembly  20  includes at least one vent hole  22  near a top of the baffle assembly  20  for allowing passage of steam from one portion of the storage chamber  18  to another portion of the storage chamber  18  separated by the baffle assembly  20 . Likewise, the baffle assembly  20  includes at least one fluid hole  24  near a bottom of the baffle assembly  20  for allowing a specific passage rate of water from one portion of the storage chamber  18  to another portion of the storage chamber  18  separated by the baffle assembly  20 . 
         [0021]    As alluded to above, the snow collection system  12  is in communication with the tank  16  for transporting snow from the ground surface into the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the snow collection system  12  includes a front thrower assembly  26 , which comprises a housing  28  surrounding at least one auger  30 . More typically, the front thrower  26  includes three augers  30 . Typically, when the snow removal apparatus  10  is attached to the vehicle, the augers  30  are 16-inches in diameter and 120-inches wide. However, it is to be appreciated that the augers  30  can be of any suitable size required based on the size and application of the snow removal system. Additionally, the augers  30  may be heated to minimize a buildup of snow and ice on the augers  30 , which could slow or stop the collection of snow. 
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, the front thrower  26  includes a first auger  30 A and a second auger  30 B arranged adjacent to each other. Additionally, as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a fan or impeller  32  is located downstream from the augers  30  to assist with the transportation of the collected snow into the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . As the snow travels through the augers  30  and the impeller  32 , it is chopped into fine particles that can be heated and sublimated fairly quickly once inside the storage chamber  18 . 
         [0023]    The snow collection system  12  may include a main duct  34  disposed between the augers  30  and the tank  16  for directing the collected snow from the augers  30  to the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . The main duct  34  has a first end coupled to the housing  28  of the front thrower  26  and a second end directed to discharge into the storage chamber  18 . The impeller  32  is located at the first end of the main duct  34  opposite the tank  16 . The impeller  32  imparts a selected velocity to the snow chopped by the augers  30  and directs the snow through the main duct  34 . It is to be appreciated that the main duct  34  may be heated for preventing the buildup of snow and ice within the main duct  34  as well as assisting with the conversion of the collected snow into water and/or steam. 
         [0024]    The augers  30  and impeller  32  of the snow collection system  12  can be powered by any suitable means. For example, the snow collection system  12  may be powered by a well-known Power Take-Off (PTO) device which would couple an engine of the vehicle to the snow collection system  12  to power the snow collection system  12 . 
         [0025]    Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the main duct  34  for directing the collected snow from the housing  28  of the front thrower  26  to the storage chamber  18 , it should be appreciated that alternate snow conveyance means may be employed, such as a conveyor belt. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the heating system  14  is at least partially disposed within the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . The heating system  14  includes cables and/or tubing  36  for conducting an electrical current to generate heat within the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . The tubing  36  is coil wound to an interior of the tank  16  such that the tubing  36  lines the interior of the tank  16 . 
         [0027]    The tubing  36  may contain a wire disposed therein for conducting the electrical current. The wire may be a nichrome 80/20 wire, which has relatively high resistance and forms a layer of chromium oxide when heated for the first time. However, any suitable wire and/or tubing  36  may be used to quickly obtain and maintain the proper temperature within the storage chamber  18 . Additionally, the oxidation prevents the wire from breaking and/or burning out. The tubing  36  may include a layer of ceramic electrical insulation coving the wire with a metal sheath covering both the insulation and the wire. The metal sheath may comprise copper, which has a melting point of about 1,984 degrees Fahrenheit (1,085 degrees Celsius). 
         [0028]    The heating system  14  may include a layer of insulation within the tank  16  between the tubing  36  and the interior of the tank  16 . The insulation between the tubing  36  and the inside of the tank  16  prevents outside cold air from leaking in the storage chamber  18  thereby cooling the temperature of the storage chamber  18 . Additionally, the insulation prevents the outside of the tank from become too hot. 
         [0029]    In addition to the tubing  36 , the heating system  14  may utilize the exhaust of the vehicle to heat and or maintain the temperature within the storage chamber  18  at the proper temperature. As such, the tank defines an engine exhaust inlet  38  for allowing the exhaust from the engine to enter the storage chamber  18 . 
         [0030]    The electrical current is provided to the tubing  36  by a battery system. The battery system can be recharged in any suitable manner. For example, the battery system can be coupled to the engine of the vehicle such that the engine of the vehicle recharges the battery system. Additionally, the battery system may include an independent engine specifically dedicated to the recharging of the battery system. Furthermore, the battery system may be recharged by regenerative systems which convert output energy into stored energy within the battery system. For example, the vehicle may include a regenerative braking system for converting braking energy into stored energy within the battery system. Additionally, rotation of a secondary free axle on the vehicle may also be utilized to recharge the battery system. 
         [0031]    The heating system  14  is controlled by a heating control device with easily accessible emergency shutoff will be located in the cab for the operator. 
         [0032]    When the tank  16  reaches proper temperature, which can be observed by the operator from the cab, the snow removal apparatus  10  will then be capable of converting snow into steam. Once the proper temperature is reached, any snow or water within the storage chamber  18  will be converted to steam and will travel to an exhaust opening  40  defined by the tank  16  where the steam is discharged from the tank  16 . It is to be appreciated that the exhaust opening may include a pressure valve  42  for selectively allowing passage of the steam from the storage chamber  18  into the atmosphere once a predetermined pressure is reached within the storage chamber  18 . The pressure valve  42  also minimizes heat loss during operation of the heating system  14 . 
         [0033]    It is to be appreciated that the steam may be used to power the engine of the vehicle any/or to recharge the battery system of the vehicle in an effort to increase an overall efficiency of the vehicle. 
         [0034]    It is to be appreciated that the process of converting the collected snow into water and/or steam may include spraying the collected snow with water. The water sprayed onto the collected snow may be heated to further assist with the conversion of the collected snow into water and/or steam. Additionally, the process of converting the collected snow into water and/or steam may include the application of heated air directed at the collected snow rather than just maintaining the temperature within the tank  16 . 
         [0035]    In operation, as the snow removal apparatus  10  moves forward, the front thrower  26  scoops up snow from the ground surface and directs the snow into the augers  30 . The augers  30  pulverize the snow and direct the pulverized snow into the impeller  32 . The impeller  32  imparts a high velocity to the collected snow for forcing the snow through the main duct  34  and into the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . 
         [0036]    As the snow is discharged into the tank  16 , the snow is rapidly heated to convert the snow from a solid to a liquid and eventually to a gas. The steam is then discharged from the tank  16  through the exhaust opening  40 . The tank  16  may include a drain port for removing any water collected within the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16 . It is to be appreciated that during normal operation of the snow removal apparatus  10 , the drain port is not utilized because the water within the storage chamber  18  is converted to steam. However, the drain port allows for maintenance and the release of any condensation that may build within the storage chamber  18  during transportation of the snow removal apparatus  10 . 
         [0037]    In addition to surrounding the augers  30 , the housing  28  may also be designed to ride along the ground surface for clearing the ground surface of snow. However, it is understood that due to the often uneven surface of the ground surface, the housing  28  may not be capable of collecting and removing all of the snow from the ground surface. As such, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the snow removal apparatus  10  may include at least one brush  41  for sweeping the ground surface clear. Additionally, the snow removal apparatus  10  may include a ground heater  43  configured to directed heated air toward the ground surface. The heated air may be obtained from the storage chamber  18  of the tank  16  and/or from the exhaust of the motor driving the vehicle and/or the augers  30 . 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0039]    Alternative Arrangement: While the snow removal apparatus  10  is shown and described herein primarily as a self-powered and full-sized vehicle, such as a conventional truck, it is hereby contemplated that the snow removal apparatus  10  can take on any shape or form. That is, it is hereby contemplated that he snow removal apparatus  10  is small enough to be operated by hand, such as being sized and shaped similar to conventional snow blowers.