Vertically oriented debris blower assembly mounted to outdoor power equipment unit

Abstract

A blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit comprises a turbine blower having a rotatable outlet duct that is carried on a blower frame in a vertically upright orientation with the fan section of the turbine blower being above the outlet duct. The turbine blower is laterally offset from a longitudinal centerline of the unit such that the height of the turbine blower is not positioned directly in front of the operator to leave the operator with a substantially unobstructed line of sight in a directly forward direction. The outlet duct has an open mouth through which the air flow is directed for clearing or blowing debris from a ground surface. An air egress opening is provided in a lower surface of the outlet duct adjacent the open mouth to allow a portion of the air flow exiting the open mouth to be directed more downwardly towards the ground than a remaining portion of the air flow.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to the field of outdoor power equipment units used for ground grooming, working, or maintenance operations, such as mowers for cutting grass or utility vehicles for carrying personnel and equipment, and more particularly to a blower assembly that may be used on or as part of such a unit for clearing or blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Turbine debris blower assemblies are known for clearing or blowing debris, such as leaves, grass clippings, aeration cores, trash, etc., off of various ground surfaces, such as roadways and other maintained paved areas, the cart paths, fairways and greens of golf courses, and the like. For example, The Toro Company, the assignee of this invention, manufactures and sells a turbine debris blower assembly known as the Pro Force™ Debris Blower (Model 44538). The Pro Force™ debris blower comprises an engine driven turbine blower that is mounted horizontally on a t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a blower assembly for an outdoor power equipment unit that has a self-propelled traction frame carrying ground engaging wheels. The blower assembly includes a fan section with a rotatable vane array that pulls air in through one end, generates an axial air flow, and discharges it through the other end. An outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the fan section, which is positioned above the operator's station on the traction frame. The blower frame and mount are configured to position the fan section in a laterally offset orientation to one side of the outdoor power equipment unit's operator's station, allowing the operator to have a directly forward line of sight. The blower assembly is carried on the traction frame in a vertical orientation with the fan section located above the outlet duct. The at least one ground engaging member on the blower frame is adjustable in height to vary the distance of the outlet duct to the ground. The technical effects of this invention include improved visibility for the operator, improved blowing efficiency, and improved control over the direction of the blower.

Problems solved by technology

This is inconvenient for the operator.

The fact that the debris blower is powered by its own separate engine increases the expense of the debris blower due to the cost of the engine, particularly since the debris blower may only be infrequently used or used only at certain times of the year in certain climates.

Finally, the horizontal orientation of the blower yields an outlet duct that is less effective in blowing debris than might be desired.

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