Patent Publication Number: US-2016230360-A1

Title: Snow Removal System

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/112,842 filed on Feb. 6, 2015 entitled “SAP &amp; ZAP Snow Removal System”. This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Snow must be removed from driving surfaces to ensure they remain open and safe for drivers. These driving surfaces may include a variety of different types, including but not limited to roads, driveways, and parking lots. Maintaining these driving surfaces usually includes moving the snow with a snow plow. The plow may be used to move the snow to the sides of the driving surfaces such as the sides of a road, or piling the snow in one area or more areas of the driving surface such as in one area of a parking lot. Each of these causes potential issues. 
     Moving the snow to the sides of the driving surfaces is the most common way of clearing a driving surface. For example, a plow may drive along a road and move the snow off the road and onto the adjacent shoulder of the road. A potential issue with this is that the snow along the sides of the driving surface accumulates over time. This is particularly problematic after a large snowfall or after an extended period of snowy weather. Moving the snow from the driving surfaces may become more difficult as the snow accumulates and there is not adequate room for moving additional snow. Further, if the snow is piled into an area of the driving surface, such as a portion of a large parking lot, the snow limits the functional area of the surface. For example, accumulated snow limits the usable area of a parking lot. 
     Moving the snow to the sides of the driving surfaces may also lead to icy conditions. The piled snow may slowly melt, such as during warm and/or sunny weather. However, the air temperatures may fall to below freezing during the night with the melted snow refreezing resulting in icy conditions around the accumulated snow. This may be dangerous to drivers and pedestrians who use these areas. Further, the accumulated snow may become an eyesore over time, particularly during the later winter months when people are tired of the cold winter weather. 
     In many locations, such as in cities, there is not adequate room for the snow along the sides of the driving surfaces. These areas include sidewalks that extend along the roads and are used by pedestrians. Further, many roads include medians and do not include any areas for accumulating snow. Therefore, moving the snow off the driving surface to a nearby area is not an option. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application is directed to a snow removal system for removing snow from a driving surface. The system includes a blade for gathering the snow from the driving surface. The snow is directed into an opening that extends through the blade and through a duct. The snow moves through the duct and into a melting unit. The snow is melted into water and/or steam during the removal process. The melted snow is discharged from the system. 
     One embodiment is directed to a snow removal system designed to be mounted to a vehicle to remove snow from a driving surface. The snow removal system includes an elongated blade with an outer perimeter formed by opposing upper and lower sides and opposing lateral sides. The blade includes an opening that extends through the blade and is positioned within the outer perimeter. The system also includes a melting unit with a heated interior space to melt the snow and an outlet through which the melted snow can exit from the melting unit. The melting unit is positioned vertically above the blade. The system also includes an enclosed duct that extends between the opening in the blade and the melting unit. The duct includes a first section with a horizontal orientation that extends away from the opening and a second section with a vertical orientation that extends into the melting unit. 
     The blade may include a concave shape with the opening positioned at a center of the blade and being recessed inward from the outer perimeter. 
     The first section of the duct may include a straight shape and extends directly away from the opening in the blade. 
     The snow removal system may also include a conveyor in the interior of the duct to move the snow along the duct. The conveyor may include rollers that are spaced apart and a rotating belt that extends around the rollers. The conveyor may be positioned at the second section of the duct. 
     The snow removal system may include a vacuum operatively connected to the interior of the duct to create a force to move the snow along the duct. 
     The snow removal system may include a fan operatively connected to the interior of the duct to create a force to move the snow along the duct. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a snow removal system designed to be mounted to a vehicle to remove snow from a driving surface. The snow removal system includes an elongated blade with an opening that extends through the blade and is contained within an interior section of the blade. The blade is configured to be mounted to a front of the vehicle. The snow removal system also includes a melting unit positioned within a bed of the vehicle and that is elevated above the blade. The melting unit includes a heated interior space to melt the snow and at least one discharge port through which the melted snow can exit from the interior space. A duct includes an inlet that is mounted to the opening in the blade and an outlet at the interior space of the melting unit. The duct includes a first section that extends away from the blade and is positioned under a cab of the vehicle and a second section that extends from the first section to the melting unit. The duct includes a conveyor with a moving belt that rotates to move the snow along the duct towards the melting unit. 
     The conveyor may extend along an entire length of the duct from the inlet to the outlet. 
     The conveyor may extend along a limited section of the duct. 
     The second section of the duct may include a vertical orientation and the conveyor may be positioned at the second section of the duct. 
     The first section of the duct may include a straight shape and extend directly away from the opening in the blade. 
     The blade may include a concave shape with the opening positioned at a center of the blade and being recessed inward from an outer perimeter of the blade. 
     The snow removal system may include a vacuum operatively connected to the interior of the duct to create a force to move the snow along the duct. 
     The snow removal system may include a fan operatively connected to the interior of the duct to create a force to move the snow along the duct. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a snow removal system designed to be mounted to a vehicle to remove snow from a driving surface. The snow removal system includes an elongated blade with an outer perimeter formed by opposing upper and lower sides and opposing lateral sides. The blade includes a central opening positioned within the outer perimeter. The snow removal system includes a melting unit with a heated interior space to melt the snow and at least one discharge port through which the melted snow can exit from the melting unit. The melting unit is positioned vertically above the blade. The snow removal system also includes an enclosed duct that extends between the opening in the blade and the melting unit. The duct includes a first section at the opening with a horizontal orientation that extends away from the opening and a second section downstream from the first section with a vertical orientation that extends into the melting unit. The duct also includes a conveyor with a moving belt that rotates to move the snow along the duct towards the melting unit. 
     The conveyor may be positioned along the second section of the duct. 
     The blade may include a concave shape with the opening is recessed inward from the outer perimeter of the blade. 
     The snow removal may also include a vacuum operatively connected to the interior of the duct to create a force to move the snow along the duct. 
     The snow removal may also include a fan operatively connected to the interior of the duct to create a force to move the snow along the duct. 
     The various aspects of the various embodiments may be used alone or in any combination, as is desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a snow removal system with a cover of a melting unit shown in an exploded orientation. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a snow removal system mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of blade. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a blade. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a duct that directs the snow between the blade and the melting unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a duct that includes a vacuum and a fan to move the snow. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a duct that includes a conveyor to move the snow. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a melting unit mounted within a bed of a vehicle. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a melting unit. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a melting unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application is directed to a snow removal system for clearing driving surfaces such as but not limited to roads, driveways, and parking lots. The system is configured to be fitted to a vehicle, such as a truck and may be removed when not in use. The snow removal system is designed to remove the snow from the various surfaces, melt the snow, and discharge the remnants in the form of water and/or steam. The system eliminates redirecting the snow to areas adjacent to the driving surfaces or sections of the driving surface where it accumulates and remains a potential safety issue. 
     The system is configured to be attached to a vehicle. The system includes a blade that gathers the snow from the driving surface, a duct that moves the snow away from the blade, and a melting unit that melts the snow. The blade is configured to be attached to the front of the vehicle in a traditional, well-known manner. The melting unit is configured to be placed in the bed of the vehicle. The duct extends from the blade to the melting unit. In one embodiment, a portion of the duct extends underneath the cab of the vehicle. Other embodiments position the duct at other locations, including along the lateral side of the cab or over the cab. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a snow removal system  10  that includes a blade  20 , duct  40 , and a melting unit  60 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the snow removal system  10  attached to a vehicle  100 . The system  10  includes the blade  20  that gathers the snow from the surface that is being plowed. The gathered snow is directed towards an opening  21  in the blade  20  and into the duct  40 . The snow moves through the duct  40  and into the melting unit  60 . The majority of the melting of the snow occurs in the melting unit  60 , although the blade  20  and/or the duct  40  may also be equipped to melt the snow. The melting unit  60  further includes one or more discharge ports  63  to discharge the water. 
     The blade  20  is sized to gather the snow from the plowed driving surface. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the blade  20  includes an outer perimeter with a substantially rectangular shape with a lower edge  22 , and upper edge  23 , and opposing lateral edges  24 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the blade  20  may include a concave shape with the lateral edges  24  positioned outward from the opening  21 . The lower edge  22  and the upper edge  23  may also be positioned outward from the opening  21 . This concave shape assists in directing the snow into the opening  21  when the blade  20  is being moved in a forward direction by the vehicle  100 . In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lateral edges  24  of the blade are formed by end flaps  29  that are connected to the blade  20  by one or more mechanical fasteners. The flaps  29  extend outward from the face of the blade  20  to capture the snow and prevent escaping. 
     The opening  21  is sized to receive the gathered snow. The opening  21  is positioned at a central portion of the blade and within the outer edges  22 ,  23 ,  24 . The opening  21  may be centered between the lateral edges  24 . The opening  21  may also be centered between the lower edge  22  and the upper edge  23 . The opening  21  may also be offset along the blade  20  in closer proximity to one of the lateral edges  24  and/or upper and lower edges  22 ,  23 . The opening  21  may include a variety of different shapes, including but not limited to a circular shape and an oval shape. 
     The blade  20  may also be configured to facilitate movement towards the opening  21 . The shape of the blade  20  is one manner in which the snow is directed to the opening  21 . The blade  20  may also be coated with a material that facilitates snow movement and prevents sticking to the blade  20 . In one embodiment, the blade  20  includes a coating constructed from one or more silicone, graphite, and TEFLON material. 
     The blade  20  may also include one or more heating elements  25  that extend along the blade  20 . The heating elements  25  include a high resistance electrical heating circuit. Each of the heating elements  25  includes a lead that is connected to a power source, such as a vehicle battery or a separate battery. When the heating elements  25  are powered, the elements become heated and elevate the heat of the blade  20 . These heat sources prevent the snow from sticking on the blade  20  and also start the melting process of transitioning the snow from a solid. 
     The heating elements  25  may be positioned in conduits that extend within the interior of the blade  20 . The heating elements  25  may also be attached to the exterior of the blade  20 , along the front surface (i.e., the surface that contacts the snow), the back surface, or both. 
     The duct  40  is connected to the blade  20  at the opening  21  to move the snow to the melting unit  60 . The duct  40  includes an inlet  41  positioned at the opening  21  that receives the snow, and an outlet  42  at the end of the duct  40  positioned at the melting unit  60 . The duct  40  includes an enclosed interior to prevent the snow from escaping as it moves along the length. The duct  40  may include various cross-sectional shapes and sizes. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a sleeve  31  may extend around the duct  40  at the inlet  41  and the neck of the opening  21 . The sleeve  31  connects the duct  40  to the blade  20  and prevents snow from escaping at the junction. 
     The shape and size of the duct  40  may vary along the length to conform to the vehicle  100  and the position of the duct  40  relative to the vehicle  100 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the duct  40  includes a convoluted shape. A first section  43  extends inward from the inlet  41  and is sized and shaped to extend underneath the cab of the vehicle  100 . The first section  43  includes a straight shape to prevent and/or reduce becoming blocked from the snow entering through the blade opening  21 . The first section  43  may also include one or more declines  44  in which the elevation of the interior space drops downward to facilitate movement of the snow and prevent blocking. 
     A second section  45  of the duct  40  extends from the first section  43  and includes a lateral turn. The second section  45  moves the snow from a center of the underneath of the vehicle  100  to a lateral side of the vehicle  100 . A third section  46  is vertically oriented to move the snow upward into the melting unit  60  that is positioned in the bed of the vehicle  100 . The outlet  42  is positioned to direct the snow into the melting unit  60 . The outlet  42  may be attached to the melting unit, or may be positioned above or in an opening in the melting unit  60 . 
     One or more sections of the duct  40  may be equipped to prevent and/or reduce the snow from becoming blocked while moving along the length. The interior of the duct  40  may be coated with a material that facilitates movement of the snow. This may include but is not limited to TEFLON, graphite, and silicone. Heating elements  48  may be positioned to heat the duct  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the heating elements  48  may be positioned at one or more locations along the length between the inlet  41  and the outlet  42 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , heating elements  48  are positioned along the entire length. The heating elements  48  may be powered through a power source from the vehicle  100 , such as the vehicle battery, or may include their own separate power source. 
     The duct  40  may also be heated by one or more heated gases to melt the snow and also to preventing blocking. These gases are heated to an elevated temperature and facilitate the process. In one embodiment, exhaust gases from the vehicle  100  are directed into the duct  40 . The gases may be piped from various locations along the exhaust system of the vehicle  100 , such as at the muffler, at the exhaust outlet, and various other locations. Heated gases may also be piped into the duct  40  from the melting unit  60 . 
     The duct  40  may include a vacuum  55  to provide suction to propel the snow along the duct  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the vacuum  55  is positioned along the duct  40 , with one embodiment positioning the vacuum  55  at the outlet  42 . The vacuum  55  may create a pressure gradient with the ambient pressure to propel the snow along the duct. The duct  40  may include a single vacuum  55  or multiple vacuums  55  as necessary. 
     A fan  56  may be positioned along the duct  40  that creates airflow to propel the snow along the duct  40 . The fan  56  may include a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades to create the airflow that is introduced into the duct  40 . The fan  56  may be positioned at various points along the duct.  40 .  FIG. 6  includes a single fan  56  located along the duct  40 , although other embodiments may include two or more fans  56 . The fan  56  may also be used to introduce heated gases into the duct  40  to melt the snow. 
     A conveyor  50  may be positioned along the duct  40  to assist in moving the snow. The conveyor  50  may extend the entire length of the duct  40 , or may be positioned at one or more discrete sections. The different conveyor sections may be the same or may be different. In one embodiment, the conveyor  50  extends along the vertical section of the duct  40  (e.g., section  46  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a conveyor  50  positioned along the bottom of a section of the duct  40 . The conveyor includes a belt  52  that extends around a pair of spaced-apart rollers  51 . One or more of the rollers  51  are powered to rotate thereby causing the belt  52  to rotate around the rollers  51 . The conveyor  50  is positioned along a bottom of the duct  40 . This provides for the snow to be positioned on the belt  52 . 
     The duct  40  may include one or more of the various concepts to move the snow along the length. In one embodiment, the duct  40  includes a single concept to move the snow (e.g., vacuum  55 ). Other embodiments include two or more different concepts that work in combination to move the snow (e.g., conveyor  50  and fan). 
     The vertical section of the duct  40  may include a component to assist in moving the snow. This may include one or more of the conveyor  50 , vacuum  55 , and fan  56 . As with the blade  20 , the duct  40  may be configured to melt the snow into water and/or steam. The duct  40  may be attached to the vehicle  100  through one or more mechanical fasteners  130 . 
     The melting unit  60  receives the snow from the outlet  42  of the duct  40  and converts the snow to water and/or steam. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the melting unit  60  is positioned within the vehicle bed  120 . The melting unit  60  may be elevated relative to the blade  20 . 
     The melting unit  60  includes a container  66  configured to receive snow from the duct  40 , either through an opening  64  in the top or along a side wall as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The container  66  includes side walls forming an interior space that is heated to melt the snow. One or more outlets  68  are positioned in the container  66  to discharge the melted snow. The outlets  68  may be positioned along a lower section of the container  66  to discharge water and along an upper section of the container  66  to discharge steam. 
     The interior space of the container  66  is heated to melt the snow. In one embodiment, the melting unit includes a heater  62  that delivers heated gases into the interior space. The heater  62  may be positioned within the interior space, or may be external and include one or more ducts for introducing the heated gases. The heater  62  may be an electric unit that operates from its own power source, or may receive power through the vehicle  100 . Heater  62  may also include a gas-powered motor. The interior space may also be heated by one or more heating elements  66 . The heating elements  66  may be attached to the inner wall of the container  66 , or may be positioned within the walls of the container  66 . 
     The interior space of the container  66  may be heated to a variety of different temperatures. In one embodiment, the temperatures may be adjusted from between 210° F.-2400° F. The driver of the vehicle  100  may be able to adjust the heat of the interior space depending upon the conditions and the needs for the specific context of use. 
     The melting unit  60  may also include a housing  67  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  that houses the container  66 . The housing  67  is sized to fit within the bed  120  of the vehicle  100 . Water that is discharged from container  66  through the outlets  68  moves into the housing  67 . The housing  67  includes one or more discharge ports  63  where the water is discharged from the melting unit  60 . The discharge ports  63  may be positioned at the bottom of the melting unit  60  to drain the water. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a cover  69  may extend over the housing  67 . The cover  69  may include an opening  71  to discharge steam. An exhaust fan (not illustrated) may be positioned at the opening  71  to further expel the steam. The cover  69  may extend across an entirety of the housing  67 , or just a limited portion. 
     In use, the snow removal system  10  is initially mounted to the vehicle  100 . This includes the blade  20  being mounted to the front of the vehicle  100  such that it extends outward in front of the vehicle cab  110 . This may include a traditional mounting technique used for attaching a blade  20  to a vehicle  100 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a mount  140  that attaches the blade  20  to the front of the vehicle  100 . The mount  140  may include a hydraulic lift to adjust the relative position of the plow between a lowered position to plow the driving surface and a raised position when not in use. 
     The blade  20  may be mounted to be movable between a first position in which the blade  20  is lowered to gather the snow from a driving surface and a second position in which the blade  20  is raised upward away from the driving surface. The inlet  41  of the duct  40  may be mounted to the blade  20  to provide for this movement. In one embodiment, the inlet  41  is pivotally mounted through first and second pivot members positioned on opposing sides of the blade opening  21 . The blade  20  pivots about an axis that extends through the two pivot members when moving between the first and second positions. 
     The melting unit  60  is positioned within the vehicle bed  120 . The melting unit  60  may be positioned towards a front of the bed (i.e., towards the cab  120 ) or may be positioned within a rearward section. The melting unit  60  may occupy a limited section of the bed  120 , or may be sized to fill the entire bed  120 . The heater  62  may be attached to the melting unit  60 , or may be a separate component that is separately mounted in the bed  120 . If a separate component, one or more ducts extend from the heater  62  to deliver the heated gases to the interior space of the melting unit. 
     The duct  40  is further mounted to the vehicle  100  to move the snow from the blade  20  to the melting unit  60 . The duct  40  is located with a portion positioned under the vehicle cab  110 . The duct  40  is attached to the vehicle  100  to be above the driving surface. One or more mechanical fasteners  130  may be used to connect the duct  40  to the underside of the vehicle  100 . Further, one or more supports  140  (see  FIG. 2 ) may maintain the duct  40  upward away from the driving surface. 
     The portion of the duct  40  underneath the vehicle  100  may extend directly away from the opening  21 . This facilitates movement of the snow along the duct  40  and prevents blocking. This portion of the duct  40  may also extend at an angle towards the lateral side of the truck. 
     Another section of the duct  40  extends along the lateral side of the vehicle  100  up into the bed  120 . This may be positioned behind the cab  110  such that it does not interfere with the driver. This section of the duct  40  may also be attached to the vehicle using a variety of different mechanical fasteners  130 . 
     In use, the blade  20  is positioned downward to gather the snow from the driving surface. The shape of the blade  20  and forward motion of the vehicle direct the snow into the opening  21  in the blade  20 . The snow moves through the opening  21  and into the interior of the duct  40 . The duct  40  includes an enclosed interior space to allow the snow to move along its length without escaping. The duct  40  is configured to move the snow along its length. This may include that the initial length of the duct  40  at the opening  21  is substantially straight to facilitate the snow movement. One or more components in the duct  40  may also be powered to facilitate the movement. These components include but are not limited to a conveyor  50 , fan  56 , heating elements  48 , and vacuum  55 . Further, the snow itself assists in moving the snow in the duct  40  through its length. That is, the snow entering into the opening  21  causes a force on the snow already in the interior of the duct  40  and moves that snow further along the length. 
     The snow moves through the length of the duct  40  and is expelled into the interior of the container  66  of the melting unit  60 . The container  66  is heated to melt the snow into water and/or steam. The melted snow is discharged from the melting unit and the vehicle as steam and/or water. 
     The system gathers the snow from the driving surface. Thus there is no snow that is accumulated along the side of the driving surface or on a pile on the driving surface. Further, the melted snow can be discharged from the vehicle  100  as it moves along the driving surface. 
     The vehicle  100  may be equipped with a control panel to operate one or more aspects of the system  10 . This may include controls to activate one or more of the conveyor  50 , vacuum  55 , fan  56 , and heating elements  25 ,  48 . Controls may also include the ability to activate the melting unit  60  to control the heat of the interior space of the container  66 . 
     In one embodiment as disclosed above, the melting unit  60  includes a housing  67 . Other embodiments of the melting unit  60  may not include a housing  67 . 
     Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description. 
     As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.