Turf Sweeper Paddle Rotor Air Recirculation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turf sweepers require high horsepower engines due to power-intensive air recirculating systems, leading to increased costs and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A turf sweeper design featuring a paddle rotor that kinetically and pneumatically transfers debris into a hopper using pressurized air, with return air ducts recirculating air back into the debris loading duct and hopper, reducing power requirements by utilizing a 25 horsepower engine or less.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a high horsepower engine is used to power the air recirculating system, then the debris transfer and air recirculation effectiveness is improved, but the cost and power consumption of the sweeper increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris transfer effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pneumatic system where a blower generates pressurized air that is directed through ducts to assist in transferring debris into the hopper. The air stream is recirculated through return air ducts back into the debris loading duct, creating a continuous pneumatic flow that reduces the mechanical power required for debris transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the pressurized air generated during operation to recirculate through return air ducts and back into the debris loading duct, where it assists in transferring debris. This self-recirculating air stream reduces the need for additional high-power engines by utilizing the air flow already present in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If a high horsepower engine is used to power the air recirculating system, then the air recirculation effectiveness is improved, but the cost of the sweeper increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair recirculation effectivenessVSAvoidsweeper cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pneumatic system where a blower generates pressurized air that is directed through ducts to assist in transferring debris into the hopper. The air stream is recirculated through return air ducts back into the debris loading duct, creating a continuous pneumatic flow that reduces the mechanical power required for debris transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of air flow by creating pressurized air streams and recirculating them through the debris loading duct. This parameter change in air flow dynamics allows for more effective debris transfer with lower power requirements, reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a high horsepower engine is used to power the air recirculating system, then the debris collection efficiency is improved, but the operational inefficiencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection efficiencyVSAvoidoperational inefficiencies

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a continuous recirculation system where pressurized air is directed through return air ducts back into the debris loading duct, creating an ongoing air stream that continuously assists in debris transfer. This continuous action maintains collection efficiency without requiring high-power engines for each cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a pneumatic system where a blower generates pressurized air that is directed through ducts to assist in transferring debris into the hopper. The air stream is recirculated through return air ducts back into the debris loading duct, creating a continuous pneumatic flow that reduces the mechanical power required for debris transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 design effectively collects debris while reducing power consumption, making the sweeper more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly by utilizing a lower horsepower engine without compromising collection efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a paddle rotor which kinetically and pneumatically transfers debris from a rotary broom, through a debris loading duct and into an attached hopper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy transfer:

Implementation Method 2

The pressurized air which assists in transferring debris into the hopper is discharged out of the hopper through return air outlets on the sides of the hopper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic transfer:

Implementation Method 3

The return air ducts open into the debris loading duct adjacent axial ends of the paddle rotor, the rotation of which draws the return air back into the debris loading duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir recirculation:

Implementation Method 4

the rotation of which draws the return air back into the debris loading duct with paddles on the paddle rotor then moving and recirculating the air back through the debris loading duct and into the hopper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational suction:

Data Source

PatentUS11246272B2Turf sweeper with mechanical loading and recirculating air stream

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 HARPER IND INC

AI summary

A turf sweeper includes a hopper mounted on a frame. A debris loading duct mounted on the frame includes an intake opening supported in closely spaced relation above the ground and a discharge opening at a discharge end communicating with a hopper inlet. A broom is rotatably mounted within an intake section of the debris loading duct proximate and across the intake opening. A paddle rotor, having a plurality of paddles outwardly projecting paddles is rotatably mounted within and across a transfer section of the debris loading duct with a path of rotation of tips of the paddles extending in closely spaced relation to a path of rotation of tips of the pick-up members of the pick-up head. A return air duct flow connects a return air outlet to the hopper with a return air opening through the transfer section of the debris loading duct.