WO1998042919A1 - Apparatus for removing snow and aircraft de-icing liquids from runway surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for removing snow and aircraft de-icing liquids from runway surfaces includes a trailer on which is mounted equipment for removing snow and de-icing fluid from runway surfaces. The trailer can use a fifth-wheel configuration. Advantages of the trailer include the ability to use a driving unit for other purposes when the trailer is not needed, and the equipment can be placed relatively close to the ground so that the vacuum does not need to be as strong as with other similar devices.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

"APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW AND AIRCRAFT DE-ICING LIQUIDS FROM RUNWAY SURFACES "

INVENTOR: David O. Trahan, a U.S. Citizen residing in Lafayette, Louisiana,

Doug Vanderlinden, a Canadian Citizen residing in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and

Glenn M. Vanderlinden, a Canadian Citizen residing in Vinemount, Ontario, Canada.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/041, 352, filed March 21, 1997, hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

09/ , filed 20 March 1998 and claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application

Serial No. 60/041,352, is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. PatentNos.5,460,657,5,496,739,and 5,561,921, and Canadian Patent ApplicationNos. 2,176,925, filed November 21, 1994 and 2,143,730, filed March 1, 1995, are incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 08/155,132,fιledNovember 22, 1993, 08/207,013, filed March 4, 1994, 08/331,923, filed October 31, 1994, 08/366,749, filed December 30, 1994, 08/541,435,filed October 10, 1995, 08/727, 193, filed October 8, 1996, 08/727,193, (a continuation of Serial No. 08/155, 132) filed January 10, 1997, and PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/CA94/00642, filed November 21, 1994, are incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX" Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to units for removing solids and liquids from runway surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to recovery units for removing snow and de-icing liquids from runway surfaces.

2. General Background of the Invention

The applications and patents incorporated herein by reference contain information about the background of this invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a recovery unit for removing snow and de-icing liquids from runway surfaces which preferably comprises a trailer which can be easily connected to a drive unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a side schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the tow unit (trailer) of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The removal and recovery components on the trailer can be the same as those in the applications and patents incorporated herein by reference, or they can be those described in the RAMPRANGER™ specifications dated January 10, 1997 and March 1 , 1997 which are attached to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/041,352, filed March 21, 1997, or they can be those described in the T1800 RAMPRANGER™ specifications attached hereto.

Preferably, the apparatus of the present invention reduces the amount of surface glycol on airport runways to less than lOOmg/literin a single pass at speeds up to 2 miles per hour. The trailer unit of the present invention can preferably be towed to sites at speeds up to and including 50 miles per hour. Preferably, fluids can be pumped into and out of the apparatus of the present invention at

200 gallons per minute, or greater.

Preferably, the trailer unit has a control box which can be placed in the cab of a drive unit to which the trailer unit is attached. The control box can be connected to the trailer unit with, for example, a cable having a length of at least 30 feet. The engine horsepower of the tow unit is preferably at least 152. The hydraulic system of the tow unit is simplified and the tow unit has increased capacities and power. Preferably, a heat exchanger heats the high pressure water stream after the pump to prevent hot water damage to the pump. A hydraulic submersible pump was developed and modified for mounting in the rear tank of the tow unit to pump off fluid. The recovery tanks of the tow unit are preferably at least 1800 U.S. gallons and the clean water spray tank of the tow unit is preferably at least 800 U.S. gallons. The tow unit preferably has a full set of remote controls and automatic shutoffs to provide complete fail safe operation. Should any engine, hydraulic, or high pressure water component fail, the operator will be alerted and the system will shut down. The tow unit has an increased ability to vacuum water over previous units, as the unit is preferably lowered 17" closer to the ground, reducing water lift drag. There are preferably flip-up inner squeegees to provide high static pressure on light deicing days, which can flip up for use in storms and snow conditions.

Preferably, there are one or two pumps in the head for pumping fluid up from the ground. The pumps are preferably hydraulically driven submersible run-dry pumps (such as those made by Greenlee Fairmont (part of theTextron Group) - H4665 ( 180 gallons per minute, 75 feet of head) and H4660 (400 gallons per minute, 20 feet of head (preferably with inlet housing trimmed to bring the impeller closer to the surface to allow it remove water more efficiently)). These pumps in the head allow less vacuum power to be required to pull fluids off of the surfaces on which the present invention works.

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. "CFM" refers to cubic feet per minute.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted for removing fluids including de-icing or anti-icing liquids from a surface as said apparatus traverses said surface, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first container for receiving a first portion of said fluids removed from a zone of said surface;

(b) means for collecting and means for transferring the first portion of said fluids from the zone to said first container;

(c) a second container capable of being maintained at less than atmospheric pressure for collecting residual fluids remaining on said zone of said surface after said first portion is removed;

(d) nozzles positioned for impinging water at a high pressure on said surface to loosen said residual fluids;

(e) a pump in communication with said nozzles for pumping said water at a high pressure to said nozzles; and (f) an air sweep means connected in fluid communication with said second container for drawing said loosened residual fluids and water into said second container concurrently with said impinging high pressure water on said surface.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first container has a heating means for melting frozen material deposited therein.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first container contains filter means for separating solids from liquid in the first container.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for transferring fluid in liquid form from said first container to said second container.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for collecting said first portion of said fluids comprises sweeper means.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein means for transferring said first portion of said fluids comprises an elevator means.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including a cylindrical brush positioned adjacent said elevator means for loading snow and de-icing and anti-icing liquid onto said elevator means.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air sweep means is used for maintaining said second container at less than atmospheric pressure and to create an air sweep for drawing loosened residual fluids and water into said second container.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air sweep means provided for carrying loosened residual fluids and water into said second container is capable of flowing air into said second container in the range of 8,000 to 20,000 CFM.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a head device is provided in fluid communication with said second container, the head device being open to said surface and having a forward wall positioned above said surface to permit entry of said residual fluids into said head device, the head device:

(a) comprises nozzles for impinging water at a high pressure on said surface; and (b) further comprises a rear wall provided with a wiper blade in contact with said surface for maintaining residual fluids and water in a region defined by said head device for removal to said second container.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nozzles for impinging water are capable of impinging the water at a pressure in the range of 250 to 10,000 psi.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising means for heating said water impinged on said surface to a temperature in the range of 60 to 190oF.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air sweep means is capable of maintaining said second container at a pressure in the range of 0.005 to 0.5 atmosphere and creating an air sweep having an air flow in the range of 8,000 to 20,000 CFM for drawing loosened residual fluids and water into said second container.

14. Apparatus adapted for removing fluids including de-icing or anti-icing liquids from a surface as said apparatus traverses said surface, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first container for receiving a first portion of said fluids removed from a zone of said surface; (b) means for collecting and means for transferring the first portion of said fluids from said zone to said first container;

(c) heating means positioned in thermal communication with said first container for melting frozen material contained therein;

(d) filter means located in said first container to separate solids from liquids in the first container;

(e) a second container capable of being maintained at less than atmospheric pressure for receiving residual fluids remaining on said zone of said surface after said first portion is removed;

(f) means for transferring liquid from said first container to said second container;

(g) nozzles for impinging water at high pressure on said surface to loosen said residual fluids;

(h) a pump in communication with said nozzles for pumping said water at a high pressure to said nozzles; and (i) air sweep means in fluid communication with said second container for drawing said loosened residual fluids and water into said second container concurrently with the impingement of high pressure water on said surface.

15. Apparatus adapted for removing fluids including de-icing liquids from a surface as said apparatus traverses said surface, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first container for receiving a first portion of said fluids removed from a zone of said surface;

(b) means for collecting and means for transferring the first portion of said fluids from said zone to said first container; (c) a second container capable of being maintained at less than atmospheric pressure for receiving residual fluids remaining on said zone of said surface after said first portion of fluids is removed; (d) a head device in fluid communication with said second container, the head device being open to said surface and having a forward wall located above said surface to permit entry of said residual fluids into said head device, the head device: (i) comprises nozzles for impinging water at a high pressure on said surface to loosen said residual fluids; and

(ii) further comprises a rear wall providing a wiper blade in contact with said surface for maintaining residual fluids and water in a region defined by said head device for removal to said second container; (e) a pump in communication with said nozzles for pumping said water at a high pressure to said nozzles; and

(f) air sweep means in fluid communication with said second container for drawing said loosened residual fluids and water in said head device into said second container.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said means for impinging water is capable of impinging water at a pressure in the range of 250 to 10,000 psi and said air sweep means is capable of flowing air into said second container at a rate of 8,000 to 20,000 CFM.

17. A method suitable for removal of fluids including de-icing liquids from a surface using an apparatus having first and second containers, the removal accomplished as said apparatus traverses said surface, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting and transferring a first portion of said fluids from a zone of said surface to said first container;

(b) impinging water at a high pressure through nozzles in a head device on said zone after the collecting and transferring step to loosen residual fluids adhering to the surface of said zone after said first portion is removed, the impinged water being substantially contained with said head device, the water being pumped for said impinging step by a pump in communication with said nozzles for pumping said water at a high pressure to said nozzles; and (c) concurrently with said impinging, drawing said loosened residual fluids and impinged water from the zone using an air sweep through said head device into a second container maintained at less than atmospheric pressure; and (d) contacting said surface with a wiper blade positioned on a rear wall of said head device to contain said impinged water in said head device and to leave said surface traversed by said apparatus substantially free of liquids.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said step of impinging further comprises impinging water on said zone at a pressure in the range of 250 to 10,000 psi.

19. The method in accordance with claim 17 which further comprises the step of heating said water impinged on said zone to a temperature in the range of 60 to 190┬░F.

20. The method in accordance with claim 17 which further comprises the step of melting frozen material deposited in said first container.

21. The method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising the step of separating liquid from solids in said first container.

22. The method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising the step of transferring liquid in the first container to the second container.

23. A method suitable for removal of fluids including de-icing liquids from a surface using apparatus having first and second containers, the removal accomplished as said apparatus traverses said surface, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting and transferring a first portion of said fluids from a zone of said surface to said first container;

(b) melting frozen material collected in said first container;

(c) impinging water at a pressure in the range of 250 to 10,000 psi through nozzles onto said zone after the collecting and transferring step to loosen residual fluids adhering to the surface of said zone after said first portion is removed, the water being impinged contained in a head device, the water being impinged heated to a temperature in the range of 60 to 190┬░F, the water being pumped for said impinging step by a pump in communication with said nozzles for pumping said water at a high pressure to said nozzles;

(d) maintaining said second container at less than atmospheric pressure;

(e) concurrently with said impinging, drawing said loosened residual fluids and impinged water from the zone using an air sweep through said head device into said second container, the air sweep flowing air through said head at a rate in the range of 8,000 to 20,000 CFM; and

(f) contacting said surface with a wiper blade positioned on a rear wall of said head device to contain said impinged water in said head device and to leave said surface traversed by said apparatus substantially free of liquids.

24. The method in accordance with claim 23 which further comprises applying high pressure water at a pressure in the range of 2,000 to 6,000 psi.

25. The method in accordance with claim 23 which further comprises applying high pressure water to said zone at an angle from the perpendicular to the surface in the range of 20 to 70 degrees.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-16, further comprising connection means for attaching the apparatus to a drive unit for moving the apparatus.

27. The invention of any one of claims 1-25, wherein the pump is a diaphram pump.

28. The method of any one of claims 17-25, wherein the apparatus includes a drive unit and a separable trailer unit.

29. The invention of any one of claims 1-25, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pump in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

30. The invention of claim 26, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pump in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

31. The invention of claim 27, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pump in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

32. The invention of claim 28, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pump in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

33. The invention of any one of claims 1-25, wherein the apparatus further comprises two pumps in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

34. The invention of claim 26, wherein the apparatus further comprises two pumps in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

35. The invention of claim 27, wherein the apparatus further comprises two pumps in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.

36. The invention of claim 28, wherein the apparatus further comprises two pumps in fluid communication with the zone of the surface.