Debris Blower Chassis and Nozzle Control for Easier Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional debris blowers face challenges such as complex alignment requirements, difficulty in presetting and maintaining the nozzle angle, reliance on a remote handheld control, and inefficient engine speed management during turns, leading to increased operator involvement and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A chassis design with a rectangular frame and integrated components for easy assembly, automatic nozzle angle adjustment using trip devices and sensors, a fixed auxiliary control for remote loss scenarios, and a resume switch for seamless engine speed transitions between idle and operating speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If shimming is used to align the turbine housing relative to the chassis, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate due to extra components and skilled technician requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shimming system with an integrated chassis design where the turbine housing is directly mounted to the chassis frame with built-in alignment features. The chassis includes a mounting surface with alignment holes and positioning elements that ensure proper alignment without requiring separate shims or manual adjustment by technicians.
2Reliability
If screen guards are used to enclose engine and turbine components, then safety is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in removal and replacement requiring at least two persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the screen guard into multiple separable sections or panels that can be independently removed. This segmentation allows a single technician to access and service engine or turbine components by removing only the relevant section of the screen guard, rather than requiring complete disassembly and two-person operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle angle is manually adjusted during operation, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time spent adjusting angles on the fly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preset angle mechanisms or pre-configured nozzle positions that allow the operator to quickly switch between predetermined optimal angles without manual adjustment. The nozzle may include presetable angle stops, memory features, or quick-release mechanisms that maintain the last used angle setting, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-the-fly adjustments.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is throttled down during turns to reduce noise and gas consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required operator involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an automatic throttle control system that monitors the operational state of the debris blower and automatically adjusts engine speed accordingly. During turning maneuvers or idle periods, the system automatically reduces throttle to minimize gas consumption and noise, while during active blowing operations, it automatically increases power output. This eliminates the need for manual throttle management by the operator.
Data Source
AI summary
A debris blower includes an engine mounted to an engine mount and connected to a turbine. The engine mount and housing of the turbine are respectively mounted between a second side of a frame and first and second longitudinal supports connected to and between first and second sides of the frame. A screen guard is secured utilizing bolts extending in a non-rotatable manner from a top plate connected between the second longitudinal support and the second side. Due to the frame and engine mount having a parallelism and flatness tolerance, the engine and turbine can be aligned without shimming. A sensor senses first and second trip devices positioned at circumferential locations on the exit nozzle to rotate the exit nozzle to preset angles. Remote and hard wire controls each include direction and speed switches. A resume switch throttles the engine between idle and operating speeds.