Snow Removal Vehicle Water Recycling System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow removal methods are inefficient in melting and disposing of snow, as they lack a systematic approach to collect, convey, and recycle snowmelt water effectively, leading to excess water management issues.
Innovation Solution
A snow removal vehicle equipped with a collecting mechanism, a conveying system, a water tank, a water heater, high-pressure pumps, and nozzles that collect snow, melt it using hot water, and recycle the water back into the system, with excess water managed through storage or environmental release based on temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If snow is collected and melted using hot water, then snow removal efficiency is improved, but water management complexity increases due to excess water disposal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and recycles melted snow water back into the water tank for continuous reuse in melting operations. This closed-loop approach maximizes water utilization and minimizes waste disposal requirements, directly addressing the water management complexity issue while maintaining high snow removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the melted snow water itself as the resource for continued snow melting operations. The water that results from melting snow is automatically pumped back into the water tank to be reused, creating a self-sustaining system that reduces external water supply needs and simplifies overall water management
2Speed
If hot water is used to melt snow, then melting speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water recycling system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining a steady supply of water for melting operations. Melted water is continuously pumped back into the water tank and reheated, eliminating idle time and ensuring the melting process operates at maximum efficiency throughout, thereby justifying the energy consumption through sustained high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of water continuously through the heating process. Water is heated to high temperatures for rapid melting, then after use is reheated again, maintaining optimal temperature parameters for continuous high-speed snow melting operation
3Quantity of substance
If water is recycled from melted snow, then water efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional pumps and filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank serves multiple functions: it stores fresh water for melting operations, collects and stores melted snow water, and acts as a recycling reservoir. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving high water efficiency
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 vehicle efficiently melts and disposes of snow, recycles water for continuous operation, and manages excess water effectively, enhancing snow removal efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one water heater will heat the water to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
the at least one high pressure nozzle will spray the hot water into the conveying means, and wherein the hot water from the at least one high pressure nozzle will melt the collected snow into water
Implementation Method 3
the at least one high pressure pump will pump the hot water from the at least one water heater to the at least one high pressure nozzle
Implementation Method 4
the water pump will pump the water stored in the water tank to the at least one water heater
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle for collecting, melting, and transporting in order to facilitate snow removal operations during winter months. The vehicle is able to remove and dispose of snow from a plurality of environments. The vehicle accomplishes this through the user of a snow collection means mounted to the front section of an existing vehicle. The snow collection means channels removed snow through a snow conveyance means which transports the collected snow to a water tank positioned within an insulated enclosure. A high pressure nozzle sprays the collected snow while in the snow conveyance means to melt it before it reaches the water tank. The water tank contains the collected snow as water, but additional serves as reservoir for the high pressure nozzle.