Abrader and High-Pressure Water Nozzle for Pavement Marking Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pavement marking removal systems damage the underlying surface, generate excessive debris and dust, and operate at slow speeds, leading to costly repairs and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A combination of an abrading device and high-pressure liquid system that removes markings above and below the surface separately, with the abrading device removing the top layer quickly and the high-pressure liquid handling the subsurface markings, allowing for efficient and rapid removal without surface damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cutting devices or abrasive grinding wheels are used to remove pavement markings, then the markings are effectively removed, but grooves are created in the pavement surface requiring repair
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the marking removal process into two distinct stages: first removing the bulk of the marking material above the pavement surface using abrasive grinding wheels, then removing the remaining marking material at the surface level using high-pressure water jets. This segmentation allows each method to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the surface grooving that would occur if cutting devices were used for the entire removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical cutting action of saw blades or cutters with a high-pressure fluid system for the final stage of marking removal. The high-pressure water jets effectively remove the remaining marking material without the mechanical contact that causes groove formation, thus substituting a mechanical system with a fluid-based system to eliminate surface damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high pressure water jets alone are used to remove markings, then the pavement surface is not damaged, but the removal rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the marking removal process into two distinct stages: first removing the bulk of the marking material above the pavement surface using abrasive grinding wheels, then removing the remaining marking material at the surface level using high-pressure water jets. This segmentation allows each method to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the surface grooving that would occur if cutting devices were used for the entire removal process.
3Productivity
If abrasive particles are blasted against the material to be removed, then markings are removed, but excessive debris and dust are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful abrasive blasting operation from the overall marking removal process by replacing it with high-pressure water jets for the final surface-level removal. This eliminates the generation of excessive airborne dust and particulate matter that would result from continued abrasive blasting, while still achieving complete marking removal through the two-stage process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables faster operation than prior art devices, reduces surface damage, captures debris and dust, and minimizes environmental contamination, facilitating efficient and cost-effective marking removal.
Implementation Method 1
employing a combination abrader and high pressure fluid nozzle to remove the markings without penetration of the surface of the roadway
Implementation Method 2
high pressure liquid to remove the markings below the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled mobile marking removal system which comprises a mobile vehicle assembly including a chassis, a high pressure liquid pump in fluid connection with a liquid reservoir contained within said chassis, said high pressure liquid pump is further in fluid connection with a blast head, said blast head having at least one high pressure nozzle for delivering liquid at high pressure to a marked surface, a waste removal hose fluidly coupled with said blast head and a sump for collection of liquid and debris, said blast head positionable along a left or a right side of said chassis, a mechanical abrasion means, said mechanical abrasion means positionable along a left or a right side of said chassis in front of said blast head, said mechanical abrasion means is constructed and arranged to substantially remove marking material protruding above said marked surface and said blast head constructed and arranged to substantially remove any marking material extending below said marked surface. As a result of this arrangement the self-propelled vehicle can travel at speeds up to approximately 25 MPH.