Snow Compression Device With Perforated Tubular Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow removal technologies for airports are inefficient and costly, requiring improved methods to clear snow effectively while maintaining surface integrity and safety.
Innovation Solution
A snow compression and removal device featuring a concave snow plow with a horizontal auger, pump, and conveyor screw that compacts and transports snow, combined with flexible flaps and a gutter system for comprehensive snow clearance and loading onto vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional snow plows are used, then snow can be removed from the surface, but the removal efficiency is low and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the conveyor screw serves both as a snow collection mechanism and a compaction device, while the pump system handles both snow transport and water injection for surface cleaning. This merging of functions increases productivity by eliminating the need for separate plowing and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state and properties of snow through controlled compaction. By adjusting the conveyor screw rotation speed, water injection rate, and compaction pressure, the system transforms loose snow into compacted snow that can be efficiently loaded onto vehicles, significantly improving removal efficiency.
2Reliability
If snow is removed using traditional methods, then snow clearance is achieved, but surface integrity and cleanliness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical plowing with a pump-based system that uses water injection and controlled compaction. This substitution allows for more precise control over the snow removal process, maintaining surface integrity while achieving thorough clearance without the harsh mechanical forces of conventional plows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-cleaning through the pump mechanism that injects water to flush the surface during operation. This self-service cleaning function ensures that residual snow and debris are removed while maintaining surface integrity, eliminating the need for separate cleaning passes.
3Productivity
If snow is compacted and transported, then removal efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor screw performs multiple functions: it collects snow from the surface, compacts the snow through rotational pressure, and transports the compacted snow to loading positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal auger is nested within the concave snow plow structure, and the conveyor screw operates within the pump housing. This nested arrangement optimizes space utilization and reduces the overall footprint of the device, managing structural complexity while enabling efficient snow compaction and transport.
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 device efficiently compacts and removes snow, minimizing residual snow and debris, and allows for effective loading onto vehicles, enhancing airport snow removal efficiency and safety while maintaining surface integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the conveyor screw is powered to move snow from the snow inlet to the snow outlet and compacts the snow to a compressed state at the snow outlet
Implementation Method 2
a pump, where an input of the pump is disposed at a first end of the horizontal auger
Implementation Method 3
where the tubular casing is perforated with air holes, and air from the snow is exhausted through the air holes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A snow compression and removal device is provided that includes a horizontal auger supported within a concave snow plow, a pump having an input disposed at a first end of the auger and an opening at a second end, a compression module first end disposed at an output of the pump, where the compression module includes a tubular casing having a snow inlet and a snow outlet, where the snow outlet has a converging or straight cross-section tubular shape that is perforated with air holes, and a conveyor screw, where the conveyor screw rotates on an axis that is disposed concentric to the tubular casing and spans from the snow inlet to the outlet and is powered to move and compact snow from the inlet to the outlet, where air from the snow is exhausted through the air holes, where the compressed snow is output.