Air-Flow Control Member for Sweeper Debris Pickup and Blasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road or pavement sweeping machines are limited in their ability to selectively direct air flow for either debris pickup or blowing debris off the surface, particularly in scenarios like cleaning airport runways or waterfront piers where blowing snow onto adjacent surfaces or into water is more convenient.
Innovation Solution
A debris-intake hood with an air-flow control member that allows for selective direction of air flow through fixed or variable-position air-flow vanes, enabling the sweeper to either aspirate debris or create an air blast to blow debris off the surface, with optional controllable vanes for precise direction control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air flow is directed through the debris-intake hood for debris pickup, then debris aspiration is effective, but the ability to blow debris off the surface is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air flow path dynamic and reconfigurable. The air flow control member can change position to redirect the high-velocity air flow between two functional modes: through the debris-intake hood for pickup, or through an opening in the air-inlet structure for blowing. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single system to adapt to different operational requirements without adding significant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the air flow control system to perform multiple functions through a single unified structure. The same high-velocity air flow generated by the fan serves both debris pickup and debris blowing functions, depending on the position of the air flow control member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pickup and blowing systems, maintaining simplicity while enhancing versatility.
2Ease of operation
If fixed-position air-flow vanes are used to direct the air blast, then the structure is simple, but directional control flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by providing both fixed and variable air-flow vanes. The fixed vanes provide stable, pre-determined directional control with minimal complexity, while the variable vanes can be adjusted to change the air blast direction as needed. This combination allows operators to use fixed vanes for routine operations and adjust variable vanes when directional flexibility is required, balancing ease of operation with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the air-flow direction control into multiple independent vane elements. Rather than a single complex control mechanism, the system uses multiple vanes that can be independently positioned or adjusted. This segmentation allows for granular control of air flow direction, enabling precise steering of the air blast while keeping each individual vane relatively simple in design.
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
Enables efficient debris removal or blowing of debris off the surface, enhancing operational flexibility and convenience in various cleaning scenarios by allowing the operator to choose between pickup and air blast modes.
Implementation Method 1
a motor-driven fan develops a high-volume, high-velocity air-flow through a debris-intake hood that is mounted closely adjacent the pavement surface. As the high-velocity air flow moves from an air-inflow portion of the debris-intake hood to an air-outflow portion, debris is aspirated by or entrained into the air flow.
Implementation Method 2
The air-inlet structure of the debris-intake hood is provided with an air-flow control member that selectively directs the air flow through the debris-intake hood or through an opening in the air-inlet structure to create an air blast useful to blow debris from the pavement or roadway surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A road/pavement sweeper is provided with a pickup head or debris-intake hood that operates in a conventional manner to entrain or aspirate particles and/or debris from the pavement surface. The air-inlet structure of the debris-intake hood is provided with an air-flow control member that selectively directs the air flow through the debris-intake hood in order to conventionally entrain debris or particles from the surface being swept or through an opening in the side of the air-inlet structure to create an air blast useful to blow debris from the pavement or roadway surface. One or more fixed-position or controlled-position air flow vanes can be provided to selectively direct the air blast.