Rotating Blade Assembly for Bridge Deck Membrane Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of polymeric membranes from bridge decks during road resurfacing projects is challenging due to their strong, elastomeric nature and adherence to uneven surfaces, requiring substantial sheering forces and being inefficient with conventional skid steer equipment.
Innovation Solution
A blade assembly comprising a frame with rotating blade holders and adjustable blades that can tilt relative to a work vehicle, allowing for independent rotation and angled engagement to scrape and slice the membrane, facilitating its removal and rolling into strips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional skid steer equipment is used to remove the membrane, then the existing equipment can be utilized, but the removal process becomes extremely time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is divided into multiple independent rotating blades that can be individually adjusted and positioned. Each blade can independently engage and scrape the membrane from different locations on the bridge deck, allowing parallel processing and significantly increasing removal efficiency compared to a single-point tool like a skid steer bucket
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly incorporates rotating blades that can dynamically adjust their position and angle relative to the bridge deck. This dynamic capability allows the blades to adapt to the uneven surface and maintain optimal scraping angles throughout the removal process, enabling continuous efficient operation without frequent stops for repositioning
2Area of stationary object
If the membrane is removed from an uneven bridge deck surface, then complete coverage is achieved, but the irregular surface requires substantial sheering forces that are difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly introduces a new dimension of movement by allowing blades to rotate about their mounting axes. This rotational freedom enables the blades to self-adjust to the uneven bridge deck surface, distributing the sheering force across multiple contact points and reducing the peak force required at any single location while maintaining complete surface coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple blades are combined into a single integrated assembly that works in unison on the bridge deck. The blades collectively distribute and share the total sheering force required to remove the membrane from the entire coverage area, rather than concentrating all force through a single tool, thereby reducing the force burden on any individual blade or actuator
3Productivity
If the membrane is cut through its entire width, then complete removal is achieved, but the strong elastomeric material resists cutting and requires substantial force
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane removal process is segmented into multiple parallel cutting actions by using several blades simultaneously. Each blade cuts a portion of the membrane width, dividing the total cutting force requirement into smaller manageable segments. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the strong elastomeric material by distributing the cutting load across multiple blades rather than requiring one blade to cut the entire width
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating blades provide dynamic cutting action that adapts to the membrane's resistance. As each blade rotates, it maintains continuous contact with the membrane, applying sheering force through a rolling motion rather than a static push. This dynamic cutting mechanism is more effective at severing the strong elastomeric bonds holding the membrane to the deck compared to static cutting tools
Data Source
AI summary
A blade assembly for removing a membrane from a bridge deck during a road resurfacing project includes a plurality of independently mounted blades that are able to conform to the contours of a bridge deck, separate the membrane from the bridge deck, and form the separated portions of the membrane into narrow strips or rolls.