Method and system for moving and removing winter contaminants from airfield and roadway pavements using a system of attachments

Abstract

A system for removing contaminants from a surface, attached to a vehicle movable in a first direction. The system includes a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface. A first conveyor system includes a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction that is not aligned with the first direction. A second scraper removes contaminants from the surface and is positioned between the first conveyor and the vehicle. A second conveyor system is positioned between the vehicle and the second scraper and includes a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a third direction that is not aligned with the first direction. An ice and compact breaker is positioned between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system. The ice and compact breaker includes a plurality of teeth for breaking the contaminants on the surface.

What is claims is: 
     
         1 . A system for removing contaminants from a surface, the system attached to a vehicle that is movable in a first direction, the system comprising:
 a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface;   a first conveyor system including a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction;   a second scraper for removing contaminants from the surface, the second scraper positioned between the first conveyor system and the vehicle;   a second conveyor system positioned between the vehicle and the second scraper, the second conveyor system including a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a third direction wherein the third direction is not aligned with the first direction; and   an ice and compact breaker positioned between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system, the ice and compact breaker including a plurality of teeth for breaking the contaminants on the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ice and compact breaker is vertically adjustable relative to the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sweeper brush positioned between the ice and compact breaker and the second conveyor system, the sweeper brush including a plurality of brushes for brushing the contaminants on the surface.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of brushes are stationary or rotatable about a vertical axis of the sweeper brush. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the sweeper brush is vertically adjustable relative to the surface for cutting into and disaggregating the contaminants on the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a blower mechanism positioned between the second conveyor system and the vehicle, the blower mechanism generating a stream of high velocity air and having an outlet for directing the stream of high velocity air toward the surface.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the blower mechanism is vertically adjustable relative to the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor system is disposed at an angle relative to the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the angle is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is variable by a user and/or a controller. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a speed of at least one of the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system varies based on a desired speed of the contaminants ejected from a distal end of the at least one of the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a blower mechanism disposed at a distal end of the first conveyor system or the second conveyor system, the blower mechanism configured for ejecting the contaminants leaving the distal end of the first conveyor system or the second conveyor system in a predetermined direction to a desired distance.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover disposed between the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system to define an enclosed area.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a controller for controlling an operation of the system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the controller is connected to one or more sensors that each provides a signal to the controller indicative of a condition of the surface at a predetermined location relative to the system. 
     
     
         17 . A method for removing contaminants from a surface, the method including steps of:
 moving a removal system in a first direction;   placing a scraper of the removal system in contact with a surface for scraping contaminants from the surface;   energizing a first conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the removal system in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction;   breaking contaminants on the surface; and   energizing a second conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the removal system in a third direction wherein the third direction is not aligned with the first direction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including a step of:
 after said step of energizing a first conveyor system of the removal system, ejecting said contaminants in a predetermined direction and distance.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of:
 after said step of breaking contaminants, sweeping the contaminants along the surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of:
 after said step of energizing a second conveyor system, blowing the contaminants in a fourth predetermined direction.