Patent Abstract:
A fluid flow channel includes a scavenging system to eject debris from the channel. The channel includes a back wall, channel floor, and upward ramp extending forward to an outer lip. The scavenging system includes a pivoted actuator with a face plate on a framework adapted for reciprocating rolling contact between retracted and forward positions relative to the back wall. The scavenging system rolls on tracks as it traverses the channel. The channel profile and scavenging system are configured to maximize the angle between face plate and ramp surface thereby minimizing the potential for jamming of the scavenging system during operation while economizing on channel width. The outer lip includes a flat top surface for transient support of the face plate framework at the end of its forward movement. The scavenging system further includes flexible wiper blades for sequential wiping contact with debris as it traverses the channel, and a forward-extending slider blade spring-biased toward the channel.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0001]    Mechanically Actuated Self Cleaning Fluid Drainage System needs to be both commercially viable and robust in environments that contain heavy debris and grit accumulation associated with decaying roof drainage systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721 issued Nov. 3, 2009 shows a device although suitable for roof drainage systems where the debris is light but it falls short of commercially viable solution where debris is heavier in nature. There is therefore a need for an improved Mechanically Actuated Self Cleaning Fluid Drainage System. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In summary, this invention is a combination fluid flow channel and scavenging system to eject debris from the channel. This combination is configured to minimize the potential for jamming and economize on overall width. The channel includes a back wall, channel floor, and upward ramp extending forward to an outer lip. The scavenging system includes a pivoted actuator with a face plate on a framework adapted for reciprocating rolling contact between retracted and forward positions relative to the back wall. The scavenging system rolls on tracks as it traverses the channel. The channel profile and scavenging system are configured to maximize the angle between face plate and ramp surface thereby minimizing the potential for jamming of the scavenging system during operation while economizing on channel width. The outer lip includes a flat top surface for transient support of the face plate framework at the end of its forward movement. The scavenging system further includes flexible wiper blades for sequential wiping contact with debris as it traverses the channel, and a forward-extending slider blade spring-biased toward the channel. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1   a  is a left front perspective view of my fluid flow channel and scavenging system  100  in the park position while attached to a structure. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1   b  is a left front perspective view of the fluid flow channel and scavenging system  100  in the open position while attached to a structure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2   a  is a left front perspective view of the fluid flow channel and scavenging system  100  in the park position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2   b  is an exploded view of with left front perspective of the channel and scavenging system  100 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 2   c  is an end view of fluid flow channel  200   
           [0008]      FIG. 3   a  is left rear perspective view of scavenging assembly  300 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   b  is an exploded left rear perspective view of scavenging assembly  300 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   c  is an exploded view of caster assembly  330 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4   a  is a rear perspective view of scavenging system  440 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4   b  is a rear partial view of actuator  150  mounted to scavenger assembly  300  with actuator expanded. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are end views of fluid flow channel  200  and scavenging system  100  depicting angular relationships. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6   a  through  6   c  are successive end views of fluid flow channel  200  and scavenging system  100  depicting interaction between scavenger system  440  and fluid flow channel  200 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7   a  through  7   e  are successive end views showing interaction between flexible wiper  315  and fluid flow channel  200 . 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8   a  through  8   e  are successive end views showing the spatial relationship between scavenger system  440  and structure  7 . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9   a  through  9   c  show prior art successive end views of the Gutter Drainage and Debris Removal System  10  (prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721). 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a prior art block diagram showing remote control of the Gutter Drainage and Debris Removal System  10  (prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721). 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing centralized remote control for geographically separate installations of system  100 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    With reference now to the drawing figures:  FIG. 1  show a combination fluid flow channel and scavenging system  100  (hereinafter referred to as system  100 ) mounted to structure  7  under the edge of a sloped roof surface with scavenger assembly  300  in the retracted or park position. System  100  allows fluid to flow along its length with the capability to expel accumulated solids in a direction roughly perpendicular to its length. Fluid flow systems tend to collect debris in the fluid flow channel; reliable function requires debris removal to promote drainage.  FIG. 1   b  shows system  100  mounted to structure  7  with scavenger assembly  300  in the forward position after debris expulsion resting on fluid flow channel  200 . It also shows actuator  150  (prior art defined in U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721) attached to hinge clip  218  with a shaft (not shown). 
         [0021]      FIG. 2   a  shows system  100  separate from supporting structure.  FIG. 2   b  is an exploded view of system  100  that shows actuator  150  (prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721) pivotally connected to hinge clip  218  through pivot tab  154  using a shaft (not shown). Scavenger assembly  300  is fixed to actuator  150  to with fasteners. Spring loaded piano hinge  320  is fixed to the face of scavenger assembly  300  as shown in  FIG. 2   a  by suitable fasteners. The piano hinge  320  is optional for heavy debris. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2   b  shows wear plates  220  attached to fluid flow channel  200 . Wear plates  220  are stainless steel 0.035″ thick, 4″ wide with a profile to match the interior surface of fluid flow channel  200 . Wear plates  220  provide a running surface for scavenger assembly  300  as it traverses the profile of fluid flow channel  200 . Wear plates  220  are located approximately 28.5″ from center, and suitably fixed to fluid flow channel  200 . Fluid flow channel  200  is aluminum 0.05″ thick, 120″ in length, 3.8″ in height, and 6.8″ in width. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2   c  shows features of fluid flow channel  200  as follows: registration edge  201  and registration surface  202 , which together determine the vertical and horizontal location of hinge clip  218  and the pivot axis for actuator  150  as shown in  FIG. 2   b . Registration surface  202  is approximately 3″ tall. Material occlusion ramp  204  is angled to reduce debris buildup behind scavenger assembly  300 . Channel floor  206  is 1.8″ across and supports scavenger assembly  300 . Curved surface  208  is a transitional surface from channel floor  206  to ramp surface  210 . Curved Surface  208  has a radius of 3.3″ and a sweep of 45°. Ramp surface  208  supports scavenger assembly  300  as debris is pushed out of fluid flow channel  200 . Ramp surface  208  is approximately 2″ long. Ramp angle  212  is 45°. Top surface  210  is a resting surface for scavenger assembly  300 . Stop surface  216  limits over travel of spring loaded piano hinge  320 . Fluid flow channel  200  is secured to structure  7  (shown in  FIG. 1   a ) by regularly spaced fasteners. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3   a  shows scavenger assembly  300 .  FIG. 3   b  is an exploded view of scavenger assembly  300 . It shows face plate framework  302  which consists of face plate  304 , rear plates  306  and end caps  310 . The overall length of face plate framework  302  is 118.5″. Face plate framework  302  provides the necessary rigidity to clear 10′ long sections of fluid flow channel  200  without buckling or twisting. Face plate framework  302  is approximately 4.4″ tall by 2.9″ wide. Rear plate  306  slopes at approximately a 30° angle. Face plate  304 , rear plate  306 , and end caps  310  are all constructed of 0.032″ thick aluminum and suitably joined to each other. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3   b  also shows a spring loaded piano hinge  320  and caster assembly  330 . Spring loaded piano hinge  320  includes mounting plate  322  and wiper plate  324 . Mounting plate  322  is 0.05″ thick aluminum, and 118.5″ long by 1.5″ wide. Wiper plate  324  is 0.05″ thick aluminum, and 118.5″ in length and 1.5″ wide. Wiper plate  324  is joined to mounting plate  322  by stainless steel pins 0.125″ in diameter. Stainless steel torsion springs (not shown) provide approximately 2-3 inch-pound of torque total and bias wiper plate  324  against fluid flow channel  200 . Spring loaded piano hinge  320  aids in evacuating debris that accumulates in fluid flow channel  200 . Caster assembly  330  is suitably fixed to face plate framework  302  at a distance of approximately 28.5″ from center with fasteners. Castor assembly  330  aids in supporting scavenger assembly and reducing friction as it traverses fluid flow channel  200 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3   b  also shows flexible wiper  315 , which normally spans the entire length of scavenger assembly  300 , except at caster assembly  330  locations. Flexible wiper  315  is fixed to face plate framework  302  using adhesive or fasteners. Flexible wiper  315  is fabricated in a continuous extrusion process and is made of EPDM Rubber with an approximate Shore A Durometer of 50.  FIG. 7   a  shows wiper body  316 , frontal blade  317 , mid blade  318 , and trailing blade  319 . Flexible wiper  315  is approximately 0.86″ tall overall. Measured from wiper body  316 , mid blade  318  is 0.35″ tall. Trailing blade  319  and frontal blade  317  are 0.31″ tall. Trailing blade  319  and frontal blade  317  are angularly separated from mid blade  318  by 35°. Mid blade  318 , trailing blade  319 , and frontal blade  317  are 0.07″ thick. Wiper body  316  is 0.28″ thick. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3   c  is an exploded view of caster assembly  330 . Caster assembly  330  is comprised of caster bracket  332 , roller  334 , shoulder screw  336 , and lock Nut  338 . Caster bracket  332  is 0.075″ thick stainless steel with a height and width of 1.4″. Roller  334  is nylon with a diameter of 0.75″ and a width of 0.48″. Shoulder screw  336  is McMaster-Carr part number 94035A532. Lock nut  338  is McMaster-Carr part number 90101A225. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4   a  shows scavenging system  440  consisting of actuator  150  mounted to scavenger assembly  300  while viewing the rear side of scavenger assembly  300 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4   b  is a partial view of actuator  150  mounted to scavenger assembly  300  with actuator  150  expanded. In  FIG. 4   b  orbital shaft (prior art not shown) defined in U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721, is replaced by lock nut  338 , shoulder screw (not shown), and roller (not shown) in an arrangement similar to caster assembly  330  shown in  FIG. 3   c.    
         [0030]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show resistance angle  510  as the angle created by a line originating at the hinge axis of hinge clip  218  and ending at the intersection of roller  334  and wear plate  220  and the tangent of roller  334  and wear plate  220 . The cosine of angle  510  yields the fraction of actuator force available to overcome rolling resistance at the interface of roller  334  and wear plate  220 . As angle  510  increases, the system requires more air pressure to operate.  FIG. 5   a  shows a resistance angle  510  which is approximately 67°. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5   a  shows parking angle  520  as the angle between face plate  304  of scavenger assembly  300  and wear plate  220 . When parking angle  520  is less than approximately 78°, system  100  will remain in its retracted or park position without air pressure. As parking angle  520  decreases, resistance angle  510  increases. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5   b  shows pinch angle  500  which is defined as the angle between face plate  304  and ramped surface  210  ( FIG. 2   c ). 
         [0033]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c  sequentially show the interaction between spring loaded piano hinge  320 , ramped surface  210 , top surface  214 , and striker surface  216 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   e  sequentially show the rotational interaction between flexible wiper  315  and the profile of fluid flow channel  200  as scavenger system  440  traverses during scavenging. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   e  sequentially show the spatial interaction between scavenger system  440  and structure  7 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 9   a  is prior art that shows gutter section  14  mounted on support structure  7 , drip edge  19 , scavenger blade  16 , and wiper  13 , in the park position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9   b  is prior art that shows drip edge  19 , scavenger blade  16 , gutter section  14 , and pinch angle  500 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 9   c  is prior art that shows drip edge  19 , scavenger blade  16 , gutter section  14 , wiper  13  and gap  517  in the forward position. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a prior art block diagram that shows co-located electrically actuated valves. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram which shows scavenger systems  440  connected in parallel with air line open  820  (line  820 ) and air line close  822  (line  822 ). Pneumatic solenoid valve  810  controls lines  820  and  822 . Pressurization of line  820  causes scavenger system  440  to move to the forward position as shown in  FIG. 1   b . Pressurization of line  822  causes scavenger system  440  to retract to park position as shown in  FIG. 1   a . As either line  822  or  820  are pressurized, air in the other line is exhausted through a port in pneumatic solenoid valve  810 . Compressed air line  808  conveys pressurized air from air compressor  806  to pneumatic solenoid valve  810 . 24V line  818  transmits control power from programmable logic controller and power supply (PLC)  826  to pneumatic solenoid valve  810 . Programmable logic controller and power supply  826  controls air compressor  806  through control line  824  and receives air compressor  806  feedback through logical signal and telemetry line  812 . Control panel  800  contains circuitry necessary to signal PLC  826  to initiate scavenging routines, and control panel  800  can communicate through a logical signal and telemetry line  812  or by wireless receiver and transmitter  816  with PLC  826 . 
       Operational Description of the Invention 
       [0041]    Wear plates  220  ( FIG. 2   b ) provide lower contact friction for spring loaded piano hinge  320  ( FIG. 3   b ) because the coefficient of friction between aluminum and stainless steel is less than aluminum against aluminum. Wear plates  220  are also rolling interface for roller  334  ( FIG. 3   c ) and eliminate wear on fluid flow channel  200 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3   b  shows face plate framework  302 , by comparison (prior art)  FIG. 9   b  shows scavenging blade  16  (U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721) in profile. Face plate framework  302  is fashioned with enclosed box structures that have higher strength to weight ratios compared to an open channel construction of scavenging blade  16 . The increased rigidity and strength of face plate framework  302  is needed to remove heavier debris from fluid flow channel  200 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5   b  shows pinch angle  500  at approximately 44°. Pinch angle  500  implies the likelihood of scavenging difficulty. As the pinch angle becomes smaller, it is harder to expel solids during scavenging.  FIG. 9   b  (prior art) shows a smaller pinch angle  500  of 22° for a similar position in the scavenging cycle. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c  show how spring loaded piano hinge  320  enhances the debris ejection process. As wiper plate  324  pivots about top surface  214 , torque supplied by torsion springs in spring loaded piano hinge  320  accelerates the debris ejection process. Stop surface  216  limits rotational over travel of spring loaded piano hinge  320 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c ,  7   d , and  7   e  illustrate how flexible wiper  315  interacts with fluid flow channel  200  during scavenging to remove small debris from fluid conveyance channel  200 . As flexible wiper  315  advances during scavenging it experiences counter clockwise rotation relative to fluid flow channel. By consecutively exposing debris to additional wipers, this aids in removal of small debris. By comparison, prior art  FIGS. 9   a - 9   c  show a wiper  13  with a continuous surface. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c ,  8   d , and  8   e  illustrate how the gap between drip edge  19  and upper lip  312  is minimized throughout the scavenging cycle; this minimizes the opportunity for debris to fall behind the scavenging blade assembly  300  during a scavenging cycle.  FIG. 9   c  (prior art) shows a larger gap  527 . This improvement results from the choice of fluid flow channel  200  profile and scavenger system  440  pivot axis location. 
         [0047]    Prior art shown  FIG. 10  box diagram shows a co-location of all electrically actuated (pneumatic solenoid) valves. This prior art diagram and description (see column 4 line 26 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,721) describe a bank of centrally located electrically actuated valves with pneumatic (air) lines  32  and  34  running to systems  10 . Because lines  32  and  34  must be alternately pressurized and vented during operation, the need for compressed air increases as lines  32  and  34  grow in length and internal diameter. This approach is sufficient for smaller buildings and houses. 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  shows a relocated pneumatic solenoid valve  810  from a central bank to a branch location near each dependant series of scavenging systems  440 . By lengthening compressed air line  808  and shortening air lines  820  and  822 , the performance of scavenging system  440  is improved and the amount of compressed air needed per cycle is reduced. This improvement allows system  100  to be more easily employed on large homes and buildings. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  also shows a remote control panel which by virtue of wires  812  or wireless  816  communications permits central control  800  over separate system  100  installations on geographically separate buildings. Prior art  FIG. 10  describes remote control of individual or groups of actuators within a single structure. By contrast  FIG. 11  describes a means to remotely control entire installations of systems  100  located on separate structures in different geographical locations. 
         [0050]    The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, including dimensions, is illustrative. The concept and scope of the invention are not limited by details of the description but only by the following claims. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number 
                 Name 
                 FIG. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 7 
                 Structure 
                 1a, 1b, 5a, 6a 
               
               
                 10 
                 Gutter Drainage and Debris Removal 
                 9a 
               
               
                   
                 System (prior art) 
               
               
                 13 
                 Wiper (prior art) 
                 9c 
               
               
                 14 
                 Gutter Section (prior art) 
                 9a-9c 
               
               
                 16 
                 Scavenging Blade (prior art) 
                 9a-9c 
               
               
                 19 
                 Drip Edge 
                 8a-8e, 9a-9c 
               
               
                 32 
                 Pneumatic Line (prior art) 
                 10 
               
               
                 34 
                 Pneumatic Air Line (prior art) 
                 10 
               
               
                 100 
                 Combination Fluid Flow Channel and 
                 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b 
               
               
                   
                 Scavenging System 
               
               
                 150 
                 Actuator defined in U.S. Pat. No. 
                 1b, 2b, 4a, 4b 
               
               
                   
                 7,610,721 
               
               
                 154 
                 Pivot Tab 
                 2b 
               
               
                 200 
                 Fluid Flow Channel 
                 1a, 1b, 2b 
               
               
                 201 
                 Registration Edge 
                 2c 
               
               
                 202 
                 Registration Surface 
                 2c 
               
               
                 204 
                 Material Occlusion Ramp 
                 2c 
               
               
                 206 
                 Channel Floor 
                 2c 
               
               
                 208 
                 Curved Surface 
                 2c 
               
               
                 210 
                 Ramp Surface 
                 2c 
               
               
                 212 
                 Ramp Angle 
                 2c 
               
               
                 214 
                 Top Surface 
                 2c 
               
               
                 216 
                 Stop Surface 
                 2c 
               
               
                 218 
                 Hinge Clip 
                 2b, 5a, 5b 
               
               
                 220 
                 Wear Plate 
                 2b, 5a, 5b 
               
               
                 300 
                 Scavenger Assembly 
                 1a, 1b, 2b, 3a, 3b, 5a, 8a 
               
               
                 302 
                 Face Plate Framework 
                 3b 
               
               
                 304 
                 Face Plate 
                 3b 
               
               
                 306 
                 Rear Plate 
                 3b 
               
               
                 310 
                 End Cap 
                 3b 
               
               
                 312 
                 Upper Lip 
                 8a-8d 
               
               
                 315 
                 Flexible Wiper 
                 3b, 7a-7e 
               
               
                 316 
                 Wiper Body 
                 7a 
               
               
                 317 
                 Frontal Blade 
                 7a-7e 
               
               
                 318 
                 Mid Blade 
                 7a-7e 
               
               
                 319 
                 Trailing Blade 
                 7a, 7e 
               
               
                 320 
                 Spring Loaded Piano Hinge 
                 2b, 3b, 6a 
               
               
                 322 
                 Mounting Plate 
                 3b 
               
               
                 324 
                 Wiper Plate 
                 3b, 6a-6c 
               
               
                 330 
                 Caster Assembly 
                 3b, 3c 
               
               
                 332 
                 Caster Bracket 
                 3c 
               
               
                 334 
                 Roller 
                 3c, 5a 
               
               
                 336 
                 Shoulder Screw 
                 3c 
               
               
                 338 
                 Lock Nut 
                 3c, 4b 
               
               
                 440 
                 Scavenger System 
                 4a 
               
               
                 500 
                 Pinch Angle 
                 5b, 9b 
               
               
                 510 
                 Resistance Angle 
                 5a, 5b 
               
               
                 520 
                 Parking Angle 
                 5a 
               
               
                 527 
                 Gap 
                 9c 
               
               
                 800 
                 Control Panel 
                 11 
               
               
                 806 
                 Air Compressor 
                 11 
               
               
                 808 
                 Compressed Air Line 
                 11 
               
               
                 810 
                 Pneumatic Solenoid Valve 
                 11 
               
               
                 812 
                 Logical Signal and Telemetry Line 
                 11 
               
               
                 816 
                 Wireless Receiver and Transmitter 
                 11 
               
               
                 818 
                 24 Volt Line 
                 11 
               
               
                 820 
                 Air Line Open 
                 11 
               
               
                 822 
                 Air Line Close 
                 11 
               
               
                 824 
                 Compressor Power Control Line 
                 11 
               
               
                 826 
                 Programmable Logic Controller and 
                 11 
               
               
                   
                 Power Supply

Technology Classification (CPC): 4