EP1776170A2 - Systeme et procede pour l'elimination de poussiere de frein e d'autre polluants - Google Patents

Systeme et procede pour l'elimination de poussiere de frein e d'autre polluants

Info

Publication number
EP1776170A2
EP1776170A2 EP05723203A EP05723203A EP1776170A2 EP 1776170 A2 EP1776170 A2 EP 1776170A2 EP 05723203 A EP05723203 A EP 05723203A EP 05723203 A EP05723203 A EP 05723203A EP 1776170 A2 EP1776170 A2 EP 1776170A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
brake
pollutants
pollutant
trap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05723203A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1776170A4 (fr
Inventor
Jeffrey Krantz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3K Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
3K Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/797,985 external-priority patent/US7094268B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/936,873 external-priority patent/US20050034946A1/en
Application filed by 3K Technologies Inc filed Critical 3K Technologies Inc
Publication of EP1776170A2 publication Critical patent/EP1776170A2/fr
Publication of EP1776170A4 publication Critical patent/EP1776170A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D65/00—Parts or details
    • F16D65/0031—Devices for retaining friction material debris, e.g. dust collectors or filters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
    • B62D25/16—Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels
    • B62D25/18—Parts or details thereof, e.g. mudguard flaps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices that remove pollutants from roadway surfaces. More specifically, the embodiments described herein include pollutant traps, such as porous filters, pads, or membranes, that attach to the under carriage of moving vehicles and collect roadway pollutants that are liberated from the road surface. Methods of using these devices to remove pollutants from the environment are also provided.
  • pollutant traps such as porous filters, pads, or membranes
  • NPS nonpoint source pollution
  • tailpipe exhaust As tailpipe exhaust is emitted, for example, the many "fine" particles in the exhaust are either inhaled or they are filtered back down back down on to the street, waiting for rain to wash them into a storm sewer or for rolling tires to throw them back into the air (also referred to as "re-entiainment") Fine particles, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, toxic organic compounds (e.g., toluene), and other heavy metals are all found in tail pipe exhaust.
  • the system includes a vehicle that comprises a pollutant trap that is mounted on the underside of the vehicle such that an exposed surface of the pollutant trap collects pollutants that are distributed onto the trap when a vehicle is driven over the roadway (e.g., pollutants liberated from the roadway surface by the tires of the vehicle, by the suction created under or through the vehicle during driving (e.g., passive airflow) or when suction is induced by a fan, blower, or vacuum, and pollutants liberated from the brake system as the brakes are applied), hi some embodiments, the pollutant trap comprises a frame and/or a pad.
  • the pollutant trap comprising a pad or filter is part of the vehicle (e.g., built into the wheel well f the vehicle).
  • the pollutant trap comprises an ionic cleaning system that adds charged ions to the air and traps pollutant particles with electrostatically-charged collection plates
  • the pollutant trap comprises a pad or filter (e.g., made of paper, cationic, anionic, a hydrophobic material, or mixtures thereof) that is affixed to the vehicle
  • the system includes a fan, blower or vacuum that induces or focuses air and pollutants to the pollutant trap and, in still more embodiments, passive airflow generated by the rotation of the tires of the vehicle is focused to one or more filters placed on or in the vehicle.
  • the pollutant trap can be mounted on the interior of the wheel well of the vehicle at a position that collects the spray that is emitted from the tires of the vehicle as the vehicle travels over the roadway or at a position that allows for the pollutants that are sucked under the vehicle to contact the pollutant trap.
  • the pollutant trap is mounted on the mud flaps of the vehicle.
  • the pollutant trap can be attached by several types of fasteners including, but not limited to, screws, glue, nails, clamps, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO® brand hook and loop fasteners), and/or sleeves that hold the pollutant trap in place.
  • the wheel housing on the vehicle is modified or redesigned such that it is or incorporates the pollution trap.
  • the wheel housing is optimized to focus the pollutants, which are sucked under the vehicle or into the wheel housing, to the pollutant trap.
  • the pollutant trap can be an oleophilic pad, a hydrophobic pad, a hydrophobic and hydrophilic pad, a charged pad, an uncharged pad, a magnetic pad, or a pad that traps hydrocarbons or toxic metals, and combinations thereof.
  • the pollutant trap can comprise a positively charged plastic material that can attract negatively charged biological matter or a negatively charged material that attracts positively charged matter.
  • Other embodiments of the invention concern methods to remove pollutants from roadway surfaces.
  • pollutants that are present on a roadway surface are dispersed under the vehicle (e.g., liberated by the tires, sucked under the vehicle by the vacuum created while driving, or by airflow created by a fan, blower, or vacuum or passive air flow generated by the rotation of the tires) and are captured by a pollutant trap that is mounted on the undercarriage of a vehicle or elsewhere on the vehicle so long as the flow of pollutants is focused onto the pollutant trap (e.g., a filter).
  • Some embodiments include trapping the pollutants from the roadway surface in a pollution trap which is mounted inside the wheel well of a vehicle.
  • Other embodiments include trapping the pollutants from the roadway surface in a pollutant trap mounted on the mud flaps of the vehicle.
  • Another embodiment includes removing pollutants from a wet or dry roadway surface by liberating or disturbing the pollutants with a vehicle and collecting or trapping the pollutants in an exposed portion of a pollution trap mounted on the underside of the vehicle.
  • roadway pollutants e.g., hydrocarbons, volatile chemicals, and toxic metals
  • Other embodiments of the invention include systems and for capturing a pollutant, comprising a brake assembly that comprises a movable braking surface, a brake pad positioned near the movable braking surface, the brake assembly configured to place the brake pad in contact with the braking surface, and a pollution trap positioned near the brake assembly such that the pollutant trap is exposed to pollutants generated from contacting the brake pad and the brake surface.
  • the pollution trap can comprise a pollutant trap pad (e.g., a filter or pollutant collector) that binds a pollutant contacting said pad so that the pollutant is captured by the pollution trap.
  • the system can further comprise a pollutant deflector positioned between a wheel connected to the braking surface and the braking surface, where the pollution trap is disposed on the side of the deflector shield facing the braking surface.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a system for capturing a pollutant generated by placing a brake pad in contact with a moving braking surface, comprising a pollution trap comprising a material for binding a pollutant so as to capture the pollutant in the pollution trap, the pollution trap being positioned relative to a brake pad and a braking surface such that the material is exposed to the pollutant generated when the brake pad contacts the braking surface when the braking surface is moving.
  • the system can further comprise an automobile, wherein the pollution trap, the brake pad and the braking surface are disposed on the automobile.
  • the system comprises a brake assembly comprising the brake pad and the braking surface, and wherein the pollution trap is connected to the brake assembly.
  • the pollution device is positioned between an inner portion of a wheel rim and at least a portion of the braking surface, the wheel rim having the inner portion facing towards the braking surface and an outer portion facing away from the braking surface, the wheel rim being connected to the braking surface such that slowing the movement of the braking surface also slows the movement of the wheel rim.
  • the pollution trap is connected to the wheel rim.
  • the system further comprises a magnet positioned in a location relative to a point where the brake pad contacts the braking surface during braking such that said magnet is exposed to a pollutant resulting from contacting the braking surface with the brake pad.
  • a method for capturing a pollutant generated by the contact of a brake pad with a moving surface used for braking comprises positioning a pollution trap between a wheel of a vehicle and at least a portion of a moving surface comiected to the wheel and used for braking, exposing a pollutant trap pad held by the pollution trap to a pollutant generated by contacting a brake pad with the moving surface used for braking, and capturing the pollutant on the pollution trap pad.
  • the invention includes a system for a capturing a pollutant from a vehicle brake assembly, including a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly, and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing.
  • the collector comprises a filter.
  • the brake dust collector is disposed inside the housing.
  • the housing can include a cover including a plurality of openings, h some embodiments, the collector is disposed between said cover and the brake assembly. The cover can be removable for access to said filter.
  • the cover and the filter are formed as an integrated piece, h some embodiments, the filter is renewable by cleaning.
  • the brake dust collector can be disposed external to said housing, and the system can include conduit connected to the collector and the housing for moving brake dust from said housing to said collector, hi some embodiments, the conduit comprises a flexible hose.
  • the collector can include an air exhaust, that can be disposed relative to a first air flow created by the vehicle moving forward so that a second air flow is created to move the brake dust from the housing through the conduit and into the collector by the venturi effect.
  • the system for a capturing a pollutant from a vehicle brake assembly includes a rotor shroud covering at least a portion of a brake rotor and disposed to receive brake dust generated during braking, and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said rotor shroud, i some embodiments, the collector comprises a filter.
  • the invention comprises a method for capturing brake dust on a moving vehicle, the method including providing a system for collecting brake dust as described herein, creating a first air flow using the forward motion of the vehicle to move the pollutants from said housing to said collector, and capturing the brake dust in said collector, hi some embodiments, the first air flow is created by creating a suction by exhausting air passing through the collector into a second air flow created by the forward motion of the vehicle, hi some embodiments, the collector comprises a filter.
  • the invention includes a system for capturing pollutants from a wheel well opening of a vehicle, including a wheel well comprising a surface having a plurality of openings, wherein the surface openings are exposed to pollutants in the wheel well opening partially surrounded by said wheel well, an air channel disposed along at least a portion of said wheel well surface so that the surface is between said air channel and said plurality of openings, said air channel comprising an air intake port and an air outlet port, and said air channel generating a first air flow in the air channel and a resulting second air flow to move pollutants in the wheel well opening through said plurality of openings and towards the air channel when the vehicle is moving forward, a filter positioned between said air channel and said plurality of openings, wherein said filter comprises a first surface disposed along said air channel and exposed to said air channel, and a second surface disposed proximate to the plurality of openings so that at least a portion of pollutants moving through said plurality of openings towards said air channel are captured by said filter.
  • the system includes a de-icer positioned on wheel well for melting snow or ice accumulated on the wheel well, and a power source connected to said de-icer, said de-icer configured to produce heat when energized by said power source.
  • the invention includes a method for capturing pollutants on a moving vehicle, the method including providing a system as described above, creating the first air flow by the forward motion of the vehicle, the first air flow creating a suction along said filter, creating the second air flow from the suction to move the pollutants from a wheel well opening to said filter, wherein the second air flow is created by exhausting air passing through the filter into the first air flow, moving pollutants existing in the wheel well opening through the plurality of openings in the surface of the wheel well and through the filter using the second air flow, and capturing the pollutants in said filter.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pollutant trap in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of a pollutant trap.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of a pollutant trap.
  • FIG. 4 is schematic view of a vehicle on a roadway.
  • FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the wheel well of a vehicle.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the pollutant trap of FIG. 3 used on the wheel well of a vehicle.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the pollutant trap of FIG. 3 used on the wheel well of a vehicle.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the pollutant trap of FIG. 3 used on the wheel well of a vehicle.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the pollutant trap of FIG. 3 used on the mud flap of a vehicle.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the pollutant trap of FIG. 3 used with a vehicle.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the pollutant trap of FIG. 3 exposed to a UV-light source.
  • FIG. 12 is a side view of a pollutant trap disposed on brake shield.
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pollutant trap disposed on a brake shield.
  • FIG. 14 is a front view of a pollutant trap disposed between a portion of a rim and a portion of a braking surface.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pollutant trap disposed on a brake assembly.
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a dust collector housing disposed on a brake assembly.
  • FIG. 17 is top view of a dust collector housing that includes a hose to carry brake dust to a filter located externally to the housing.
  • FIG. 18 is schematic view of a brake dust collector.
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic of a rotor shroud for collecting brake dust.
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic of a brake dust collection system for drum brakes.
  • FIG. 21 is a top view of a vented housing that includes a brake dust filter.
  • FIG. 22 is a front view of the vented housing of FIG. 21.
  • FIG. 23 is a side view of the vented housing of FIG. 21.
  • FIG. 24 is a schematic of a vented wheel well that includes a filter element.
  • FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of a de-icing system for a wheel well.
  • FIG. 26 illustrates an embodiment of a flow-through wheel well.
  • the device comprises a pollutant trap that is affixed to the undercarriage of a vehicle at a position that allows the trap to collect and/or bind roadway pollutants as they are liberated from the roadway surface (e.g., pollutants that are liberated by the tires of the vehicle while driving, pollutants sucked under the vehicle by the vacuum created while driving (e.g., pollutants contained in the airflow generated passively while driving the vehicle), or pollutants forced under the vehicle or focused on to a filter by the airflow created by a fan, blower, or vacuum).
  • pollutants that are liberated by the tires of the vehicle while driving pollutants sucked under the vehicle by the vacuum created while driving
  • pollutants forced under the vehicle or focused on to a filter by the airflow created by a fan, blower, or vacuum pollutants forced under the vehicle or focused on to a filter by the airflow created by a fan, blower, or vacuum.
  • Forced induction or suction of air using, for example, blowers, motors, or fans, can be used to increase the air flow and the flow of roadway pollutants to the pollutant trap.
  • forced induction or suction of air can be used to increase the flow of roadway pollutants to the pollutant trap when the vehicle is not moving fast enough to create a sufficient air flow to the pollutant trap.
  • Embodiments of the invention include a pollutant trap (e.g., a pad, filter or membrane) that is affixed to the wheel wells, splash guards, or mud flaps of a vehicle at a position that collects roadway spray (e.g., rainwater or roadway dust) generated by the wheels of the vehicle or at a position that allows for contact with roadway pollutants that are sucked under the vehicle by the vacuum created while driving or by forced air induction (e.g., fan, blower, or vacuum).
  • a pollutant trap e.g., a pad, filter or membrane
  • the pollutant trap can be composed of many different materials and is, preferably, composed of a material that binds hydrocarbons, toxic metals, oils, tars, fuels, lubricants, organic chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, asbestos, salt from de-icing and the like.
  • a vehicle equipped with a pollutant trap e.g., a hydrocarbon filter affixed to the roadway splash zone of the wheel wells
  • a vehicle equipped with a pollutant trap e.g., a hydrocarbon filter affixed to the wheel wells
  • a pollutant liberator e.g., a fan, blower, a vacuum that is affixed to the vehicle in a manner that generates airflow, preferable a vacuum, so as to bring pollutants in contact with the filter pad
  • a pollutant trap e.g., a hydrocarbon filter affixed to the wheel wells
  • a pollutant liberator e.g., a fan, blower, a vacuum that is affixed to the vehicle in a manner that generates airflow, preferable a vacuum, so as to bring pollutants in contact with the filter pad
  • FIG 1 shows a pollutant trap 120 in accordance with a one embodiment.
  • the pollutant trap 120 not only prevents damage to the vehicle but, more importantly, removes pollutants from the roadway surface, by collecting the environmental pollutants as they are disturbed from the roadway surface.
  • the pollutant trap 120 separates the environmental pollutants from water, or other non-polluting roadway fluids.
  • the pollutant trap 120 may also solidify the pollutants. i the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pollutant trap 120 includes a housing 124 and a pollutant trap pad 126.
  • the housing 124 can be any type of structure that holds the pollutant trap pad, for example, a frame that "holds" the pollutant trap pad 126 and exposes both sides of the pad 126 for collecting pollutants.
  • the housing can be a structure that holds the pollutant trap pad 126 and exposes one side pad 126 for collecting pollutants, hi certain embodiments, the pad 126 can be arranged such that at least one surface is exposed to the roadway, wheel, or wheel well.
  • the pollutant trap 120 comprises a pollutant trap pad 126, without a housing 124.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 When referring herein to a structure or a frame that "holds" the pollutant trap pad 126, numerous types of embodiments are contemplated including where the pollutant trap pad is attached, in any way (e.g., via clips, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, adhesive, screws, fasteners with interlocking male and female parts, mechanical pressure, etc.) to the structure, the attachment being either permanently or removably.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be attached to any part of a vehicle that exposes the pollutant trap pad 126 to roadway pollutants (directly or indirectly), including the underside of a vehicle, or the wheel housing.
  • the wheel housing (or wheel well) of a vehicle can be designed such that it improves the vacuum under the vehicle or into the wheel well and thereby focuses airflow containing the pollutants onto the pollutant trap pad 126.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 can comprise a pollutant trap material 130 which may comprise, for example, a membrane, sponge or a filter, that collects hydrocarbons and/or toxic metals.
  • the pollutant trap material 130 can bind, collect, catch and/or retain pollutants.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 can comprise material that can repel water or other non-polluting roadway fluids.
  • the pollutant trap material 130 comprises a quilted absorbent pad for placement on the vehicle, hi another embodiment, pollutant trap material 130 comprises a plurality of pores 132 that help the pollutant trap material 130 bind, collect, catch and/or retain pollutants. hi one embodiment, the pollutant trap material 130 comprises an absorbent sponge, which can be from an animal or synthetic source. Sponges that can be used in certain embodiments of the invention include the pollutant trap 120 described in U.S. Patent No.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 comprises organisms or chemicals that degrade and/or convert the pollutant into a non-polluting material (e.g., oil degrading bacteria, spore or bactericidal compounds).
  • Figure 3 shows an edge view of a pollutant trap 126.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 has a top portion 136 and a bottom portion 138.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 can also include a plurality of layers 140. In some embodiments, all of the layers can have the same properties. In other embodiments, each of the layers 140 of the pollutant trap pad 126 can have different properties.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 may include a coating, for example, a coating comprising a chemical or an organism, which provides the pollutant trap pad 126 with additional desirable properties.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 may be oleophilic, hydrophobic, or both oleophilic and hydrophobic. i other embodiments, the pollutant trap pad 126 may be cationic anionic or mixtures of hydrophobic, cationic, and anionic materials.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 can comprise of materials that use absorption, adsorption, encapsulation, microencapsulation, volatilization, sedimentation, re-suspension, de- sorption, oxidation/reduction, complexation/chelation, precipitation, or biological uptake, or combinations thereof to remove the pollutants from the roadway.
  • the pollution trap pad 126 comprises sorbent material (referred to herein as "sorbents") that may be absorbent, adsorbent, or both.
  • Absorbent materials are those that pick up and retain liquid distributed throughout its molecular structure.
  • Adsorbent materials are insoluble materials that are coated by a liquid on its surface, including pores and capillaries. Sorbents can be natural organic, natural inorganic, or synthetic.
  • Natural organic sorbents may include peat moss, straw, hay sawdust, ground corncobs, feathers, paper and other carbon-based materials.
  • peat available under the trade name "OCLANSORB", manufactured by Hi Point Industries, Newfoundland, Canada.
  • Natural inorganic sorbents may include clay, perlite, vermiculite, glass wool, sand, volcanic ash, and the like.
  • Synthetic sorbents may include plastics, such as polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene, cross-linked polymers, rubber materials, gels, colloids, and the like.
  • combinations of absorbent materials are employed, which can be intermixed or provided in separate layers.
  • absorbent material many different types are known in the art, any of which can be incorporated into an embodiment of the pollutant trap 120 described herein.
  • some embodiments of the pollutant trap 120 include materials designed to collect salts that accumulate on roadways as a result of salting the roadways during the winter months.
  • a suitable absorbent material for a pollutant trap pad 126 that collects roadway salt is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,741, herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • Alkali metals such as sodium and potassium salts can be readily absorbed to the absorbent material found in the Aqua SepTM filter available from the Pall Process Filtration Company, Hydrocarbon, Chemical, Polymer Group. Use of this absorbent material in the pollution trap 120 described herein is contemplated.
  • Embodiments of the pollutant trap 120 can include many additional types of suitable membranes or filters that can be used alone or in combination with other membranes and filters described herein.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can include one or more of the filtering materials produced by ESFIL TECHNO (a company located in company is located in North-East Estonia, within the territory of a free economic zone in an industrial part of Sillamae city), and the choice of filtering material can depend on the roadway pollutant(s) targeted for removal, hi some example embodiments, the pollutant trap 120 can include a filtering polymer material ("FPM"), which is available from ESFIL TECHNO, and which is chemically stable to diluted acids, alkalis, alcohols, saturated hydrocarbon, glycerin, oils, petroleum and fresh water, and have a temperature range of maintenance from -30°C up to +70°C.
  • FPM filtering polymer material
  • the pollutant trap 120 can include a perchloro vinyl filtering material ("FPP"), which is available from ESFIL TECHNO, and which is chemically stable to strong acids and alkalis, alcohols, and saturated hydrocarbon, and has a working temperature range from -200° to 60°C.
  • FPP perchloro vinyl filtering material
  • filtering materials that can be used in the pollutant trap 120 from ESFIL TECHNO includes, but is not limited to, FPP-D (generally used for thin air and gas filtering), FPP-D-4 (generally used for thin purification of liquids, fuels, oils including aviation oil, particles, air and gasses), FPP-G (generally used for purification of alcohols, acids and alkalis), POROFIL-G-5/206 (generally used for deleting of particles of more than five microns, and POROFIL-G- 1/207 (intended for purification of perfumery liquids, alcohols, saturated hydrocarbons, oils, acids, technical and de-ionized water and aqueous solutions from mechanical impurities), FPAR-15-1.5 (generally used for filtering thin gases and air), and FPSF-15-1.5 (generally used for thin clearing of air from aero disperse mixtures, including microorganisms, bacteria and viruses).
  • FPP-D generally used for thin air and gas filtering
  • FPP-D-4 generally
  • the pollutant trap 120 can comprise various materials that can be used as filters in other applications, or referred to herein as "filters” or “filter material,” the use of these such materials does not necessarily require an air-flow passing through the material when it is used in a pollutant trap, although in some cases the air-flow can pass through the material. Rather, an air-flow carrying roadway pollutants need only place the pollutants in proximity to the filter material so that the roadway pollutants are collected on, in or are bound to the filter material.
  • the airflow carrying the pollutants is directly applied to the filter material (e.g., passive airflow or vacuum generated by the rotation of the wheels of the vehicle is focused by louvers present in the wheel well onto filters present in the wheel well of the vehicle), hi other embodiments, the airflow carrying the pollutants is transferred onto the filter indirectly (e.g., the passive airflow or vacuum generated by the rotation of the wheels is collected and transferred through a hose to a filter material housed at any position in or on the vehicle (e.g., in the trunk).
  • the filter material e.g., passive airflow or vacuum generated by the rotation of the wheels of the vehicle is focused by louvers present in the wheel well onto filters present in the wheel well of the vehicle
  • the airflow carrying the pollutants is transferred onto the filter indirectly (e.g., the passive airflow or vacuum generated by the rotation of the wheels is collected and transferred through a hose to a filter material housed at any position in or on the vehicle (e.g., in the trunk).
  • the pollutant trap 120 may comprise materials that have a high tolerance for heat, e.g., materials that have pollutant collection properties that are not affected by high temperatures, and/or materials that have a high combustion point, allowing the pollutant trap 120 to be disposed in locations on a vehicle subject to high temperatures, e.g., in proximity to the engine or the exhaust system.
  • ether-based contaminants such as tertiary butyl ethers of the type utilized as gasoline oxygenates, for example, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether, and methyl tert-amyl ether, and also ether solvents, for example, tetrahydrofuran.
  • MTBE methyl tert-butyl ether
  • ether solvents for example, tetrahydrofuran.
  • 6,475,393, or a similar material may be preferred for the pollutant absorbent pad 126 because it efficiently collects oils, greases and the like, but also traps pernicious slightly soluble organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethoxylated glycols, etc. These noxious contaminants are among the more difficult compounds to remove from water and are carcinogenic.
  • This absorbent material can also remove metal ions such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, arsenic, silver, and mercury. Example 1 below describes one way to manufacture this absorbent material.
  • an infusion solution is prepared from a suitable solvent and the absorbent composition.
  • a solution is prepared from 90 w/w 99.9% acetone and 10 w/w absorbent composition, which is the reaction product of 31% isobutyl methacrylate, 31% ELVACITE 2045, and 66% linseed oil.
  • the absorbent composition is added to a closed explosion-proof mixer with the acetone and mixed for 12 hours or until the solution becomes homogeneous.
  • the substrate in this Example is a nonwoven polypropylene, viz. the VERASPUN material of Yarorough & Co., Inc. of High Point N.C.
  • This material has a weight of 1 oz./square ft.
  • the substrate material is immersed in the infusion solution until saturated, then removed and excess liquid allowed to drip off.
  • the material is then placed in a convection oven at 110 to 120°F until acetone free.
  • the material is then cured at room temperature for one week.
  • the resulting material is then sliredded and subsequently formed in various filter configurations (e.g., to fit in the wheel well of a vehicle).
  • a vehicle 200 is shown on a roadway 202.
  • the roadway 202 is shown with a layer of pollutants 204 disposed on the roadway 202, as is generally known to occur.
  • the vehicle 200 includes a vehicle body 205 and wheels 206, which are shown to be at least partially surrounded by a wheel well 208.
  • the vehicle body 205 includes an underside 209 which is exposed to the roadway 202.
  • the pollutants 204 are disturbed by the rotating wheels 206.
  • the pollutants 204 are carried off the roadway 202 due to their contact with the wheels 206 and/or due to the vacuum created under and around the moving vehicle 200.
  • the rotation of the wheels 206 can result in a spray of pollutants that can damage the vehicle and the environment. This situation is exacerbated when it rains.
  • the rain causes the pollutants to rise to the surface of the roadway, creating unsafe driving conditions and increased damage to the environment.
  • the pollutant concentration is greatest near the wheels 206 and, in particular, at the wheel well 208 of the vehicle.
  • the spray of pollutants results from a wind-tunnel effect created by the rotation of the wheels 206.
  • Studies have confirmed that the rotating wheels of a vehicle create low pressure at the wheel, causing objects to be drawn toward the wheel. See, for example, "The Causal Factor of Bus Wheel Injuries and a Remedial Method for Prevention of These Accidents" by James M. Green in Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, Vol. XVm, No. 1, dated June 2001.
  • the wheel well 208 includes an inner surface 210, a transition surface 212, and an opening 214.
  • the transition surface 212 connects the inner surface 210 to the body 205 of the vehicle 200, such that a partially open housing is formed.
  • the wheel well 208 partially houses the wheel 206 and wheel assembly 216.
  • the pollutant trap(s) 120 is shown attached to the wheel well 208 of a vehicle 200.
  • Figure 6 shows a pollutant trap 120 attached to the inner surface 210 of the wheel well 208.
  • Figure 7 shows multiple pollutant traps 120 attached to the inner surface 210 of the wheel well 208.
  • Figure 8 shows a pollutant trap 120 attached to the transition surface 212 of the wheel well 208.
  • the wheel well is configured to essentially be the pollutant trap.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be made to any suitable configuration, for example, triangular, elliptical, L-shape, square, rectangular, circular, round, spherical, or any other shape that is designed to fit onto any part of a motorized or non-motorized vehicle.
  • the dimensions of the pollutant trap 120 can vary depending on the particular arrangement and location of the pollutant trap 120, as will be described hereinafter.
  • the pollutant trap 120 is constructed such that it snuggly fits into the wheel well, fender or on a mud flap of a vehicle 200 and has a shape that is commensurate to the wheel well splash pattern of a particular vehicle 100 and or has a shape and/or position under the vehicle that is optimal for the collection of pollutants driven into and underneath the vehicle 100 by the vacuum created while driving and/or by to the airflow or vacuum created by a pollutant liberator such as a fan, blower, or vacuum apparatus.
  • the pollutant trap 120 may also include a fastener for attaching the pollutant trap 120 to the vehicle 100.
  • any method of attachment may be used to attach the pollutant trap 120 to the vehicle 100, such as Velcro, clips, screws, adhesives, fasteners, brackets, and the like.
  • the pollutant trap 120 is attached to the underside 209 of a vehicle 200.
  • the pollutant trap 120 collects the pollutants that are disturbed or liberated when the vehicle 200 is driven on the roadway 202.
  • the wheel housing 124 of a vehicle 100 is designed such that it improves the vacuum under the vehicle 100 or into the wheel well and/or focuses the dispersed pollutants onto the pollutant traps pad 126.
  • the pollutant trap 120 may also be provided on a mud flap 244 of a vehicle 200. Generally, however, as shown in Figure 10, the pollutant trap 120 may be provided anywhere on the underside 209 of the vehicle 200, such that the exposed portion of the pollutant trap 120 is facing toward the roadway 202 at a position that collects roadway pollutants as they are liberated from the roadway surface. In some embodiments, the pollutant trap 120 may be provided at the front of the vehicle. In more embodiments, the pollutant trap 120 may be provided at the fender wheel well.
  • a pollutant stimulator or liberator may be used to increase the air flow near the pollutant trap and/or roadway, thereby increasing the pollutants removed from the roadway and attached to the pollutant trap.
  • the pollutant stimulator may use forced induction or suction to increase the air flow. Examples of pollutant stimulator include, but are not limited to, blowers, motors, fans and the like.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be configured to kill bacteria, viruses, and/or other micro-organisms.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can include a material that is coated with a liquid which forms a series of microscopic spikes as it dries.
  • FIG 11 illustrates another embodiment of a pollutant trap 120 that may be used to neutralize microorganisms.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be exposed to an ultra-violet light source 250 to kill and/or neutralize bacteria, viruses, and other organisms present in the pollutant trap 120.
  • the pollutant trap 120 includes a disinfectant or an anti-biotic substance or material, for example, an antibiotic substance which is coated on the pollutant trap pad 126.
  • the pollutant trap includes a disinfectant or ozonator that kills microorganisms.
  • the pollution trap 120 contemplated herein may be configured to be disposed on any suitable vehicle surface.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be permanently fixed to the vehicle 200.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be detachably fixed to the vehicle 200.
  • the housing 224 can be permanently attached to the vehicle 200.
  • the pollutant trap pad 126 is detachable and/or replaceable, hi still more embodiments, the pollutant trap 120 is exposed, while in other embodiments, the pollutant trap 120 is concealed.
  • the pollutant trap 310 can be disposed near or on a brake shield 305 to collect pollutants released from a disk brake pad of a vehicle when the disk brake pad engages the disk brake rotor to stop the vehicle.
  • Brake shields are well known in the art, and one such example of a brake shield is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,484,667, entitled “Shield Plate in Wheel and Disc Brake Assembly” filed September 27, 1982, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • the brake shield 305 can be configured in a variety of ways to suitably fit the numerous types or styles of wheels that are available for automobiles.
  • the example of the brake shield 305 shown in Figures 12-13 can be disposed on the inner-side of a wheel of an automobile between a portion of the wheel and a rotor of a disk brake for that wheel.
  • the brake shield 305 can be configured to have a thin annular plate 360 and include an inner conical portion 350.
  • a flat annular surface 345 containing openings 330 for passing the wheel studs can be connected to the inner conical portion 350 of the brake shield 305.
  • Figures 12-13 also illustrate an embodiment of a pollutant trap 310 that can be affixed near the brake shield 305 to capture brake dust generated from the disk brake pad.
  • the pollutant trap 310 can be disposed on or next to an inner- facing surface of the brake shield 305, e.g., the surface that faces the rotor of a disk brake.
  • the pollutant trap 310 can have an annular donut shape with an inner annular portion 340 that fits around the inner conical portion 350 of the brake shield 305 and an outer annular portion 355 that fits inside of the annular plate 360. hi some embodiments the pollutant trap 310 can extend to the edge of the annular plate 360.
  • the pollutant trap 310 includes a pollutant trap pad 315 to collect the brake dust and other pollutants.
  • the pollutant trap pad 315 can be removable from the pollutant trap 310 for disposal and replacement, h some embodiments, the pollutant trap 310 shown in Figures 12-13 and described above can be integrated with the brake shield 305 such that they are a single unit (e.g., the pollutant trap 310 performs the function of the brake shield and the pollutant trap) to block brake dust from the wheel and capture the brake dust and other pollutants on the pollutant trap pad 315.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be disposed near a brake assembly 335.
  • the brake assembly 335 can include a movable braking surface 340, for example, as typically found on a brake rotor 310, and one or more brake pads 330.
  • the brake assembly 335 includes a brake rotor 310 with two braking surfaces 340, 341 and two disc brake pads 330, 331.
  • the pollution trap 120 can also be used to capture pollutants from other embodiments of brake assemblies, for example, a typical drum brake assembly (not shown) that includes drum brake shoes and a brake drum with a braking surface.
  • the brake assembly can have one braking surface or two or more braking surfaces, and can also have one brake pad or two or more brake pads.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be positioned such that it is exposed to a pollutant so that it can capture at least a portion of the pollutant for example, brake dust, generated from placing the brake pad 330 in contact with the braking surface 340 while the braking surface 340 is in motion.
  • the pollutant generated can include, for example, particles from the brake pad 330 or from the braking surface 340 that are freed as a result of friction between brake pad 330 and the braking surface 340 during braking.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be connected to the brake assembly 335 using a fastener, such as a bolt, to hold the pollution trap 120 in a suitable position to collect pollutants, hi other embodiments, the pollution trap 120 can be connected to the vehicle, connected to a member that is connected to the vehicle, connected to the wheel, or connected to a structure on the underside of the vehicle or the underside of the vehicle itself.
  • Determining the optimal place for connecting the pollution trap 120 to the vehicle can be at least partially dependent on the configuration of the vehicle itself.
  • the pollutants present in the airflow generated by the rotation of the tires can be indirectly transferred to a filter material placed anywhere on the vehicle, hi some embodiments, for example, a hose is positioned to collect brake dust that is liberated from the brake assembly (e.g., a hose comiected to the brake assembly itself or a cover that houses the brake assembly) and the airflow containing the brake dust is transferred to a filter material that is housed at a position distal to the brake assembly.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein are examples of places to connect the pollution trap to the vehicle, but these examples are not meant to limit the invention to only those places specifically disclosed.
  • the pollutant trap 120 is positioned proximal to the brake assembly 335, e.g., in close enough relation such that collection of brake dust by the pollution trap 120 is possible.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be positioned at a variety of locations relative to the brake assembly 335.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be positioned proximal to the braking point of contact, for example, the point of contact of the brake pad, e.g., brake pad 330, and a braking surface, e.g., the braking surface 340, and in any direction relative to the braking point of contact, such that the pollution trap pad can collect at least some of the brake dust generated from braking.
  • the brake pad e.g., brake pad 330
  • a braking surface e.g., the braking surface 340
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be positioned at or about the following distances from the braking point of contact, e.g., less than 5 millimeters, equal to or between (in millimeters) 5 - 10, 10 - 15, 15 - 20, 20 - 25, 25 - 30, 30 - 35, 35 - 40, 40 - 45, 45 - 50, 50 - 55, 55 - 60, 60 - 65, 70 - 75, 75 - 80, 80 - 85, 85 - 90, 90 - 95, 95 - 100, 100 - 105, 105 - 110, 110 - 115, 115 - 120, 120 - 125, 125 - 130, 130 - 135, 135 - 140, 140 - 145, 145 - 150, 150 - 155, 155 - 160, 160 - 165, 165 - 170, 170 - 175, 175 - 180 180 - 185, 185 190, 190 - 195, 195
  • a rim or wheel 385 is connected to the brake surface 340, via a member 345 and held in place using wheel studs 350, and the rim 385 rotates when the brake surface 340 rotates and slows when the brake pad 330 is placed in contact with the braking surface 340.
  • This embodiment can be suitable for use on a vehicle with any number of wheels that use brakes that generate pollutants while braking the vehicle.
  • the rim 385 can have an inner portion 320 generally facing towards at least a portion of the braking surface 340 and an outer portion 315 generally facing away from the braking surface 340.
  • the pollutant trap 120 can be positioned between the inner potion 320 of the rim 385 and at least a portion of the braking surface 340 such that the pollution trap is exposed to pollutants (e.g., brake dust) and also shield the rim 385 from pollutants.
  • pollutants e.g., brake dust
  • the pollution trap 120 is not connected to the rim 385.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be connected to the rim 385.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be configured to snap onto the rim (not shown).
  • the pollution trap 120 can be connected to portion of a member 325 which holds the pollutant tiap 120 near the brake assembly 335 such that the pollution trap 120 is exposed to pollutants but neither the member 325 or the pollution trap 120 interfere with the movement of the rim 385, the braking surface 340, or the operation of the brake assembly.
  • the pollution trap 120 can remain generally stationary, for example, it does not rotate with the rotation of the brake surface 340 or the rim 385.
  • a portion of the member 325 can also be connected to an object near the rim 385, for example, a surface or structure of a vehicle, for example, the surface of vehicle wheel well 355.
  • the pollution trap 120 can be configured to contain multiple pollution trap pads such that the removal of a first pollution tiap pad exposes a second pollution trap pad to a pollutant generated from braking.
  • Embodiments of a pollution trap and the methods of reducing pollutants on the roadway surface, as generally described herein, are not limited to four-wheeled vehicles, and are not limited to motorized vehicles.
  • Pollution traps can be suitably designed for use on numerous types of vehicles, including two wheeled vehicles (e.g., motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, mopeds, Human Segway Transporters), three wheeled vehicles (e.g., motorized tricycles and ATV's, and non-motorized tricycles), four wheeled vehicles (e.g., ATV's, tractors, cars, trucks, vans, etc.), and other larger vehicles with more than four wheels (e.g., multi-wheeled tracks, etc.).
  • a vehicle can be configured to include one or more pollution traps.
  • the pollution traps can be disposed anywhere on the vehicles where the pollutant trap pad 126 can be exposed to roadway pollutants.
  • the pollution trap can be positioned in numerous places on a vehicle including, but is not limited to, fenders, front spoilers, rear spoilers, splash guards, mud flaps, wheel wells, the underside of the vehicle, or any other suitable location on the vehicle where the pollutant trap can be exposed to roadway pollutants.
  • pollutant traps can be placed in on any type of vehicle in locations where the pollutant trap pad 126 is not normally exposed to roadway pollutants but becomes exposed to the roadway pollutants through the use of a fan or a blower, a vacuum, or any air flow through and around the vehicle, designed or naturally occurring, or any type of device that carries the roadway pollutants to the pollutant trap pad 126.
  • a pollutant trap can be designed in numerous ways, hi one embodiment, the pollutant trap 120 can include a single pollutant trap pad 126. In another other embodiment (not shown), the pollutant trap 120 can include multiple pollutant trap pads disposed on a roll, where one pollutant trap pad is exposed to the roadway and, after a period of time, the exposed pollutant trap pad is removed from the roll thereby exposing another pollutant trap pad which can be used to collect roadway pollutants.
  • the pollution trap 120 can include multiple pollutant trap pads generally configured in a stack, similar to, for example, a tissue box or a napkin dispenser, with one pollutant trap pad 126 exposed to the roadway pollutants.
  • the exposed pollutant trap pad 126 is removed from the pollutant trap 120 thereby exposing to the environment another pollutant trap pad 126, which is then used to collect roadway pollutants.
  • the pollution trap 120 can include an indicator that shows when the pollutant trap 120 or the pollutant trap pad 126 should be serviced, for example, when the pollution trap 120 should be changed or when the pollutant trap pad 126 should be changed.
  • the pollutant tiap 120 can include an indicator that shows when to remove the exposed pollutant trap pad 126 so that another pollutant trap pad 126 can be exposed to the environment.
  • the aforementioned indicator can be incorporated in various ways.
  • the indicator is disposed on the pollutant trap frame
  • the indicator is a chemical on the pollutant trap pad that visibly changes color to indicate when the pollutant trap pad 126 should be changed
  • the indicator is a sensor or a sensing system that can be separate from the pollutant tiap 126 or the pollutant trap and provides a signal that indicates when the pollutant trap 120 or the pollutant trap pad 126 should be serviced or changed. While the numerous materials disclosed herein are examples of suitable materials that can be used in a pollutant trap, the invention is not limited to said disclosed materials.
  • the same material used to fonn a pollution trap pad can also be used in the manufacture of gloves, wipes, sponges and cloths that are used for collecting brake dust.
  • the material can have brake dust adherence properties.
  • the material can have hydrocarbon binding properties.
  • the material can be formed into a glove which covers at least a portion of the hand.
  • the gloves, wipes, cloths and sponges can be used by, for example, detailers, dealers and consumers, to remove accumulated brake dust and then be disposed of properly.
  • the brake dust adherence properties of the gloves, wipes, cloths and sponges made from the material that is used to form a pollution trap pad allows the dust to be collected and disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
  • the wipes, cloths and sponges may be configured as sheets, e.g., substantially flat and thin with generally parallel sides.
  • the wipes and sponges may also comprise a cleaning solution that helps to separate the brake dust from the wheel or brake part it has collected on.
  • the wipes are fonned into a stack and dispensed to a user one at a time, where removing one wipe allows access to the underlying wipe.
  • the pollutant trap collects pollutants that are exposed to the pollution trap pad by, for example, the air flow in and around a wheel well, or the disbursal of the pollutants from a polluting device, e.g., brake dust from the brake assembly, hi some circumstances, roadway pollutants can be liberated from the road by the impact of a vehicles tires on the pollutant, and the tires can lift and throw the pollutant into a wheel well, and onto a pollution trap if disposed in the wheel well.
  • Vehicles and devices on vehicles may not be currently designed to focus air flow to a pollution trap positioned on a vehicle, for example, in the wheel well.
  • Certain design considerations of a vehicle and devices included on the vehicle can enhance the ability of the pollutant trap to collect pollutants by enhancing or focusing the flow of air to the pollutant trap or by directing the flow of pollutants to the pollutant trap.
  • the wheel wells, wheels, brake assemblies, brake shields, and/or mud flaps can all be designed to enhance the effectiveness of the collection of pollutants on the pollution trap.
  • one design of a pollution tiap may work better than another pollution trap design.
  • a pollution trap may work better with either a flow-through filter or a solid filter or membrane.
  • the effectiveness of the pollutant trap can be increased by including include louvers, fans or other systems or devices that increase the amount of pollutants exposed to the pollution trap pad.
  • One or more of the components that may affect the flow of air or the disbursement of pollutants can be designed to increase the amount of the pollutants the pollution trap collects through testing each various device design and measuring the amount of pollutants that are collected with each design.
  • the coordinated design of several components e.g., wheel wells and brake assemblies
  • a first design of a pollutant trap comprising a pollution tiap pad is mounted in the wheel well of an automobile and the automobile is placed on a testing apparatus that allows for the wheel of the vehicle to be suspended (e.g., a auto-lift, as commonly used in the automotive industry).
  • a testing apparatus that allows for the wheel of the vehicle to be suspended
  • the automobile is turned on, the transmission is engaged, the wheels are induced to revolve at a specific speed or revolution/minute, and the airflow to the pad is monitored by a conventional airflow detector (e.g., colored smoke or a chemical aerosol is blown into the wheel and amount of smoke or chemical directed to the pad is monitored by video, time-lapse photography, or a smoke or chemical detector placed on the pad itself).
  • a conventional airflow detector e.g., colored smoke or a chemical aerosol is blown into the wheel and amount of smoke or chemical directed to the pad is monitored by video, time-lapse photography, or a smoke or chemical detector placed on the pad itself).
  • the airflow to the pad is monitored at several speeds or revolutions/minute of the wheels and optionally, the brakes can be applied so as to generate brake dust and the spray pattern of brake dust given the speed or revolutions/minute of the wheel and particular design is monitored.
  • the first design of wheel well comprising a first design of pollutant trap such as airflow to the pad
  • amount of aerosol pollutant or brake dust collected on the pad has been obtained and, preferably, recorded
  • a second design of pollutant trap and/or a second design of wheel well is tested in the same manner.
  • the second design wheel well can differ from the first by having louvers or air flow modulators or air flow directors that enhance or direct the airflow generated by the revolution of the wheel (e.g., natural airflow generated by movement of the tire) or enhance or direct the airflow generated by a fan or blower (e.g., artificially-induced airflow) to the pad, for example.
  • the second design of a pollutant trap comprising the pollution trap pad can differ from the first by having a shape or attribute that enhances or directs the airflow or pollutants to the pad, such as louvers or air flow modulators or air flow directors.
  • the data is collected, preferably recorded, and is compared to the data for the first design.
  • design features that facilitate airflow and/or pollutant collection at the pad are identified and a basis for a third design of wheel well and/or pollutant trap is determined.
  • the process steps of designing a wheel well feature that facilitates airflow or pollutant capture at the pad, separately or in conjunction with the design of a pollutant trap and/or pad feature, analyzing the airflow behavior at or near the wheel well, brake assembly, or pollutant trap pad and selecting a new design of wheel well or feature thereof or pollutant trap, pollutant trap pad, or feature thereof is also an embodiment of the invention.
  • some embodiments encompass methods of identifying a design of a wheel well and/or a pollutant trap assembly comprising a pollution trap pad, whereby a first design of wheel well is selected, a first design of pollutant trap is selected, and the direction, amount, or force of airflow to the pollution trap pad or the amount of pollution collected on the pad is monitored or is compared to the direction, amount, or force of airflow to the pollution trap pad or the amount of pollution collected on the pad of a second design of a wheel well and/or a pollutant trap assembly comprising a pollution tiap pad such that a difference in the direction, amount, or force of airflow to the pollution trap pad or the amount of pollution collected on the pads of the two wheel well and/or pollution trap pad designs are observed.
  • Figure 16 illustrates one embodiment of a system for collecting brake dust from a brake assembly of a vehicle.
  • a housing 402 is disposed on a disc-brake assembly 404 of a vehicle so that at least a portion of the brake assembly 404 is covered by the housing 402.
  • the brake assembly 404 can include brake calibers (e.g., brake calibers 478 in Figure 22). and a rotatable brake rotor 406.
  • the housing 402 collects dust that is generated during braking, e.g., from the contact of a brake pad (not shown) of the brake assembly 404 and the moving brake rotor 406 while the brake assembly 404 is engaged to brake the vehicle.
  • the housing 404 can be made from a variety of materials that are able to withstand the high temperatures generated during braking, for example, metal, fiberglass, or a suitable high- temperature resistant plastic.
  • Fasteners 408 e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, connection pins
  • the housing 402 is connected to another suitable part of the vehicle, e.g., a dust shield, or a supporting member coupled to the vehicle body, so that the housing 402 is located close proximity to the brake assembly 404.
  • the rotation of the brake rotor 406 while the vehicle is in motion generates an air flow that moves the brake dust generated at the point of contact between the brake pad and the rotor 406 to the housing 402, where the brake dust is collected by a filter (not shown in Figure 16), according to one embodiment.
  • the air flow generated by the rotation of the rotors, and especially by rotors that include fins, can be significant.
  • FIG 17 is top view of a housing 402 that includes a conduit structure to carry brake dust away from the housing 402.
  • the conduit is a flexible conduit e.g., a hose 412.
  • the hose 412 is coupled to the housing 402 with a fitting member (e.g., shown in Figure 18) that carries brake dust to a filter or a dust collector 450 (shown in Figure 18) located external to the housing 402.
  • a flexible hose can be used which can allow for some movement of the housing 402 / brake assembly 404 during normal operation of the vehicle.
  • a non-flexible conduit can be used, for example, in configurations where there is no relative movement between the housing 402 and the external dust collector, hi some embodiments, the housing 402 can be configured with channels (not shown) that guide the dust collected within the housing 402 to the fitting member and out to the hose 412.
  • a brake rotor 406 has fins 410 disposed between the inside and outside braking surfaces of the rotor.
  • the fins 410 generate an air flow, during rotation of the rotor 406, which carries at least a portion of the brake dust to the housing 402.
  • Figure 18 is a schematic view of a brake dust collector 450 that is external to the housing 406.
  • the collector 450 can be placed anywhere on the vehicle, including on the vehicle underbody, in the trunk, in the engine compartment, in the wheel well, or any other suitable location, hi some embodiments, the collector 450 can be located in an accessible place on the vehicle to facilitate emptying dust that is captured in the collector 450.
  • the dust collector includes a hose fitting 454 attached to a body 452.
  • the hose 412 that carries dust from the housing 406 is coupled to the dust collector 450 at the fitting 454.
  • the dust collector 450 also includes an air exhaust 456.
  • An air flow carrying brake dust enters the dust collector 450 via the hose 412 and the fitting 454.
  • the dust collector 450 separates the dust from the air flowing through the dust collector 450 using, for example, a filter (e.g., a disposable filter or a cleanable filter), and the air flow continues out the air exhaust 456.
  • the brake dust is separated from the air flow and collected in the dust collector body 452, which can be periodically emptied.
  • the air exhaust is configured to use the air flow past, through or under the vehicle to create suction via the venturi effect.
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic of another embodiment of a brake dust collector 500.
  • Figure 19 shows a brake assembly 404 that includes brake pads 466 that contact a movable rotor 406 during braking.
  • a rotor shroud 462 for collecting brake dust is located so that it covers at least a portion of the rotor 406 after the rotor 406 passes through the brake assembly 404 as the rotor 406 rotates during forward motion of the vehicle.
  • brake dust is released from the brake pads 466 and the rotor 406 into the rotor shroud 462.
  • the rotor shroud 462 can be formed from a number of suitable materials, e.g., metal, fiberglass, ceramic, or a heat-resistant plastic.
  • the rotor shroud 462 is attached to a dust shield 460 by fasteners 469, according to this embodiment.
  • the dust shield 460 is positioned closer to the vehicle interior (shown by dashed line 467), and a portion of the rotor shroud can be correspondingly enlarged to attach to the dust shield at this location 467.
  • the rotor shroud 462 can be connected to the brake assembly 404, to the vehicle, or to another part of an axle or wheel assembly on the vehicle so that the rotor shroud 462 maintains its relative position to the brake assembly 404.
  • the rotor shroud 462 includes a brake dust collector (e.g., a filter) positioned below a vented cover so that air carrying brake dust passes through the rotor shroud 462 and out the vented cover, and the brake dust is captured on the filter.
  • a brake dust collector e.g., a filter
  • the brake dust collector 500 also includes a flexible hose 412 connected to a fitting 468. The fitting 468 is connected to the dust shield 460 on the side of the dust shield 460 opposite the rotor shroud 462.
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic of a brake dust collection system 600 for a vehicle equipped with dram brakes.
  • a dust shield 460 located on the open side of the brake drum 470 includes a hose fitting 468 for attaching a flexible hose 412.
  • a hole (not shown) in the dust shield 460 aligned with the fitting 468 allows brake dust to pass from the brake drum 470 through the dust shield 460, through the fitting 468 and out through the hose 412 to a dust collector, e.g., the dust collector 450 shown in Figure 18 or to a filter.
  • Figures 21-23 show another embodiment of a dust collector 700 for a vehicle braking system that includes a housing 470 having a filter 474.
  • Figure 21 is a top view of the brake dust collector 700.
  • a housing 470 is positioned over a disc brake assembly (not shown) and a rotor 406.
  • the housing 470 is positioned to collect brake dust generated by the brake assembly, and can be positioned, to cover at least a portion of the brake assembly, for example, the housing 470 can be placed in a similar position as the previous discussed housing 402 shown in Figure 16.
  • Figure 22 is a front view of the dust collector 700 shown in Figure 21 and shows the positioning of the filter 474 in the housing 470, which is attached to the brake assembly 478, according to one embodiment.
  • the dust shield 460 is positioned closer to the vehicle interior (shown by dashed line 467), and a portion of the housing 470 can be attached to the dust shield at this location.
  • the cover 476 ( Figure 22) of the housing 470 includes a plurality of vents 472.
  • the filter 474 is positioned between the cover 476 and the brake assembly 478 ( Figure 22). Brake dust released from brake pads 466 and the rotor 406 is captured by the filter 474.
  • FIG 23 is a side view the embodiment of the dust collector shown in Figures 21-22.
  • Figure 23 shows a side ghost view of the filter 474, which is positioned in this embodiment under the vented caliber cover 476 so that the filter 474 is between the cover 476 and the brake assembly 478.
  • the filter 474 can be either disposable or reusable, hi some embodiments, the filter 474 is enclosed within the housing 470, and the housing 470 is configured to be removable to replace or clean the filter 474.
  • the cover 476 is partially or completely removable to provide easy access to the filter 474 for changing or cleaning, hi some embodiments, the filter 474 and cover 476 are configured as an integrated part that is either disposable or cleanable.
  • the filter 474 can be made from a variety of suitable material, including such material as described herein, e.g., a membrane, sponge or a filter, that collects asbestos, hydrocarbons and/or metals, or materials such as described hereinabove for the pollution trap pad.
  • the shroud or the housing can be connected to a suitably positioned dust shield to hold the shroud and housing in a position to collect the brake dust
  • the dust shield and the shroud or housing can be formed as one integrated part with the dust shield.
  • the integrated part can be removable to service (e.g., clean or replace) a filter contained therein, or to clean the collection system.
  • FIG 24 is a schematic of an embodiment of a brake dust collector 800 incorporated into the wheel well of a vehicle, where the dust collector is not dependant on the type of brakes (e.g., disc or drum) that are used on the vehicle.
  • the brake dust collector 800 includes a wheel well 512 that includes a plurality of vents 504 in a wheel well structure 518 that is exposed to the wheel well opening 514.
  • the vents 504 cover at least a portion of the wheel well structure 518.
  • the vents 504 are disposed on the front 520 of the wheel well structure 518 (e.g., on the wheel well surface towards the front of the vehicle) and the back 522 of the wheel well structure 518 (e.g., on the wheel well surface towards the back of the vehicle).
  • the vents can be disposed on either the front 520 or the back 522 of the wheel well structure 518.
  • the wheel well 512 also includes a filter element 516 positioned along the wheel well structure 518 so that the wheel well structure 518 is between the filter 516 and the wheel well opening 514.
  • the filter 516 can cover a portion of the wheel well structure 518 or the entire wheel well structure 518.
  • the filter 516 is fabricated to collect brake dust and/or other roadway pollutants, and can be made from a variety of materials, including such material as described herein, e.g., a membrane, sponge or a filter, that collects asbestos, hydrocarbons and/or metals, including those described herein for the pollution trap pad and the previously described brake duct collector, hi some embodiments, the wheel well structure 518 is partially or completely removable to provide easy access to the filter 516 for changing or cleaning, hi some embodiments, the filter 516 and wheel well structure 518 are configured as an integrated part that is either disposable or cleanable.
  • the wheel well 502 also includes an air channel 506 formed so that the surface of the filter 516 distal to the wheel well opening 514 is exposed to the air channel 506.
  • Brake dust and other pollutants that are in the wheel well e.g., resulting from braking or that are liberated from a road as the vehicle moves along the road, can be carried by the above-described air flow to the filter 516 where they are captured.
  • the air flow from the wheel well opening 514 through the vents 504 can be created by an electrical or mechanical pump or fan.
  • the filters, duct collectors and pollution trap pads can include resins to bind charged particles.
  • brake dust can have a positive charge induced on the particles resulting from the liberation of the particles from the brake pads or the rotor by friction. Impregnating or coating the filters, dust collectors and pollution trap pads with suitable resins that can bind charged particles.
  • such resins are available from USFilter and can include cation, e.g., Cation, 8% Gel, Model C-211H, Cation, 8% Gel, Model_C- 211 NA, Cation, 10% Gel, Model_C-361H, Cation, 10% Gel Model_C-361NA, Cation, 20% Macroporous Model_C-381 H, Cation, 20% Macropourous Model_C-381 NA, Cation, 12% Macroporous Model C-391 H, Cation, Acrylic weak acid, Model C-271, Cation, 10% Gel, Model_C-361 MEG, Cation, 10% Gel, Model_C-373 MEG, and Anion, e.g., Anion, Gel Type 11, Model A-244 OH, Anion, Gel Type 11, Model_ A-244, Anion, Gel Type 1, Model A-284 OH, Anion, Gel Type 1, Model A-284 CL, Anion, gel Type 1 Porous, Model A-464 OH, Anion, Gel Type 1 Porous, Model A
  • the filters, duct collectors and pollution trap pads can also include hydrophobic resins e.g., C 4 - C 2 o resins, including carbon based resins.
  • Figure 25 illustrates an embodiment of a de-icing system that can be used in conjunction with the other embodiments described herein to ensure the ice-free operation of a pollutant trap and/or a brake dust collector when a vehicle so equipped is operated in snow or freezing temperatures.
  • Figure 25 shows a wheel well 208 surrounding an opening 214 on a vehicle 200.
  • a typical brake rotor 216 and brake assembly 217 is shown disposed in the wheel well 208.
  • the wheel well 208 and/or the brake assembly 217 can be configured with an embodiment of a pollutant trap and/or a brake dust collector as described hereinabove.
  • a wheel well de-icer 524 having a heating element 526 can be positioned in the wheel well 208 to provide the capability to melt ice or snow that adheres to the wheel well 208, according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 25, the de-icer 524 can be positioned on the back portion of the wheel well 208, as this is typically where ice and snow accumulate. In other embodiments, the de-icer 524 can be located anywhere in the wheel well 208 or along the entire surface of the wheel well 208.
  • the de-icer 524 can be formed by a resistive heating element that is connected to an electrical source on the vehicle, according to one embodiment.
  • a user can activate the de-icer 524, or the de-icer can be activated automatically as a result of a sensor that determines the presence of ice or snow.
  • Figure 26 illustrates another embodiment of a wheel well 208 that reduces the spray of a vehicle when driving in wet or slushy conditions.
  • the wheel well 208 shown here includes openings 528 in the rear wall 530 of the wheel well 208 that provide a exit port for roadway material (e.g., water, snow, or slush) that is picked up by a tire (not shown) so the material does not hit the rear wall 530 of the wheel well 208 and deflect out of the wheel well 208.
  • the openings 528 are configured to direct the roadway material to the back of the vehicle 200.
  • the openings 528 are configured to direct the roadway material to the underside of the vehicle 200.
  • a pollutant trap 120 was affixed to the wheel well of a truck, and the vehicle was driven in Hawaii under wet roadway conditions. After driving about 150 miles, the pollution trap 120 was removed and analyzed for the presence of hydrocarbons. The Food Quality Lab of Honolulu, Hawaii was employed to independently analyze the amount of petroleum hydrocarbons that had accumulated on the pollution trap. The data showed that a significant amount of petroleum hydrocarbons had accumulated on the pollution trap during the brief testing period. These results verified that the pollutant trap 120 significantly reduced the amount of roadway pollutants on a wet roadway surface. The following example describes a test that can be performed to verify that the pollutant trap 120 can remove roadway pollutants under dry road conditions, as well.
  • a pollutant trap 120 is applied to the wheel well of a truck, and driven in Hawaii under dry roadway conditions. After driving about 150 miles, the pollution trap 120 is removed and analyzed for the presence of hydrocarbons.
  • Honolulu, Hawaii can be employed to analyze the accumulation of roadway pollutants on the pollution trap. It will be determined that the pollution trap also significantly reduces the amount of roadway pollutants on dry roadway surfaces. The following example describes another test that verified that the pollutant tiap 120 effectively removes roadway pollutants.
  • a pollutant trap 120 was affixed to the wheel well of a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche and the vehicle was driven around the urban areas of Honolulu, Hawaii under mixed road conditions (i.e., both wet and dry conditions). After driving about 1500 miles, the pollution trap 120 was removed and was analyzed for the presence of hydrocarbons and heavy metals. An independent laboratory, Advanced Analytical Lab, LLC of Honolulu, Hawaii was employed to analyze the accumulation of roadway pollutants on the pollutant trap 120. The results showed that a significant amount of total petroleum hydrocarbons had accumulated on the pollutant trap 120 during the brief testing period.
  • Pollution traps 120 are applied to the wheel wells of several vehicles, and driven in all 50 states under wet and dry conditions and in several foreign countries. After driving about 1000 miles, the pollution traps 120 are removed and analyzed for the presence of roadway pollutants by, for example, The Food Quality Lab of Honolulu, Hawaii. These experiments will show that the amount of roadway pollutants, such as hydrocarbons and toxic metals, can be reduced in all 50 states and in several countries throughout the world by employing the pollution tiap 120 described herein.
  • EXAMPLE 7 A pollution trap 120 was applied to the wheel wells of a vehicle and driven in all Nevada under wet and dry conditions. After driving about 3000 miles, the pollution trap 120 was removed and analyzed for the presence of roadway pollutants by, EMSL Analytical, Inc ("EMSL") of Westmont, New Jersey. EMSL used a combination of polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction to analyze the particles deposited on the pollutant trap.
  • EMSL Analytical, Inc EMSL Analytical, Inc
  • EMSL used a combination of polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction to analyze the particles deposited on the pollutant trap.
  • EMSL identified the following concentration (percentages) of particles: quartz 23%, calcite 20%, dolomite 17%, other minerals 2%, calcium silicate 25%, steel fragments 2% and unidentified organics 11%. EMSL also identified the following information related to particle size distribution on the exposed pollutant trap pad:

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
  • Braking Arrangements (AREA)
  • Filtering Materials (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à des systèmes et des procédés pour le piégeage de polluants à partir de mécanismes de freinage. Les systèmes comportent un boîtier partiellement entouré d'au moins une portion d'un ensemble de frein de véhicule et agencé pour la réception de poussière de frein provenant de l'ensemble de frein et un collecteur agencé pour le piégeage de la poussière de frein dans ledit boîtier. Le procédé comprend la mise à disposition d'un boîtier entourant partiellement au moins une portion d'un ensemble de frein de véhicule et agencé pour la réception de poussière de frein provenant de l'ensemble de frein et un collecteur agencé pour le piégeage de la poussière de frein reçue dans ledit boîtier, la création d'un premier flux d'air grâce au déplacement vers l'avant du véhicule pour déplacer les polluants depuis ledit boîtier vers ledit collecteur, et le piégeage de la poussière de frein dans ledit collecteur.
EP05723203A 2004-03-09 2005-02-16 Systeme et procede pour l'elimination de poussiere de frein e d'autre polluants Withdrawn EP1776170A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/797,985 US7094268B2 (en) 2003-03-12 2004-03-09 System and method for removing pollutants from a roadway
PCT/US2004/007368 WO2004080740A1 (fr) 2003-03-12 2004-03-09 Systeme et procede de depollution d'une chaussee
US10/936,873 US20050034946A1 (en) 2003-03-12 2004-09-09 System and method for removing pollutants from a roadway
PCT/US2005/005048 WO2005091838A2 (fr) 2004-03-09 2005-02-16 Systeme et procede pour l'elimination de poussiere de frein e d'autre polluants

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1776170A2 true EP1776170A2 (fr) 2007-04-25
EP1776170A4 EP1776170A4 (fr) 2008-06-18

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EP05723203A Withdrawn EP1776170A4 (fr) 2004-03-09 2005-02-16 Systeme et procede pour l'elimination de poussiere de frein e d'autre polluants

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EP (1) EP1776170A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU2005227137A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2575271A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005091838A2 (fr)

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ITTV20060048A1 (it) * 2006-03-22 2007-09-23 Terzo Saviane Dispositivo per l'abbattimento delle polveri sottili, particolarmente per un veicolo
US9677627B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-06-13 Linda Haight Braking device, system and method
DE102018207295A1 (de) * 2018-05-09 2019-11-14 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Filtervorrichtung zur Reduzierung von Bremsstaub
WO2019224034A1 (fr) * 2018-05-22 2019-11-28 Mann+Hummel Gmbh Filtre à particules de poussière de frein, pièce de boîte à lumière pour un filtre à particules de poussière de frein et véhicule comprenant le filtre à particules de poussière de frein
CN112219040B (zh) * 2018-05-22 2022-09-27 曼·胡默尔有限公司 制动器粉尘颗粒过滤器以及具有制动器粉尘颗粒过滤器的盘式制动器组件
US20220275841A1 (en) * 2019-07-16 2022-09-01 Volvo Truck Corporation Brake dust trap for a drum brake
FR3101385B1 (fr) * 2019-09-30 2021-12-17 Psa Automobiles Sa Dispositif de freinage à tambour et piège(s) passif(s) aimanté(s) collecteur(s) de particules, pour un véhicule
FR3107656B1 (fr) * 2020-02-28 2022-03-18 Tallano Tech Identification de filtre dans un système de captation de particules de freinage
CN113200143B (zh) * 2021-05-31 2023-04-07 中国商用飞机有限责任公司 一种刹车作动器及飞行器刹车***
DE102022104215A1 (de) 2022-02-23 2023-08-24 Mann+Hummel Gmbh Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Partikelfilteranordnung in einem Fahrzeug
DE102022104239A1 (de) 2022-02-23 2023-08-24 Mann+Hummel Gmbh Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Bremsstaubpartikelfilters für eine Bremsscheibenanordnung in einem Fahrzeug
CN114659806B (zh) * 2022-03-29 2023-11-10 重庆长安汽车股份有限公司 用于整车道路试验的粉尘路及测试方法

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DE4240873A1 (de) * 1992-12-04 1994-06-09 Teves Gmbh Alfred Bremsstaubrückhaltevorrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2005227137A1 (en) 2005-10-06
WO2005091838A2 (fr) 2005-10-06
WO2005091838A3 (fr) 2007-07-05
EP1776170A4 (fr) 2008-06-18
CA2575271A1 (fr) 2005-10-06
AU2005227137A2 (en) 2005-10-06

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