Debris deflecting system

Abstract

A debris deflecting system for a milling machine includes at least one deflecting element disposed proximate to a component of the milling machine. The deflecting element is configured to deflect debris away from a front end of the component. The component includes at least one side plate of the milling machine and/or at least one sensor of the milling machine. The debris deflecting system also includes at least one actuating element coupled to the deflecting element. The actuating element is configured to actuate the deflecting element to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A debris deflecting system for a milling machine, the debris deflecting system comprising:
 at least one deflecting element disposed proximate to a component of the milling machine, wherein the deflecting element is configured to deflect debris away from a front end of the component; and wherein the component includes at least one side plate of the milling machine and/or at least one sensor of the milling machine; and   at least one actuating element coupled to the deflecting element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the deflecting element to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component.   
     
     
         2 . The debris deflecting system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflecting element includes a scraping device. 
     
     
         3 . The debris deflecting system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflecting element includes a fluid nozzle, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to eject a fluid flow to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component. 
     
     
         4 . The debris deflecting system of  claim 3 , wherein the actuating element is configured to adjust a position of the fluid nozzle for altering a direction of the fluid ejected by the fluid nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The debris deflecting system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflecting element includes a rotary brush. 
     
     
         6 . The debris deflecting system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating element includes a lever, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a swivel assembly, and/or a motor. 
     
     
         7 . The debris deflecting system of  claim 1  further comprising a controller configured to control the actuating element to actuate the deflecting element. 
     
     
         8 . A milling machine comprising:
 a frame;   a milling enclosure supported by the frame, the milling enclosure including at least one side plate;   at least one sensor; and   a debris deflecting system including:
 at least one deflecting element disposed proximate to a component of the milling machine, wherein the deflecting element is configured to deflect debris away from a front end of the component; and wherein the component includes the side plate and/or the sensor; and 
 at least one actuating element coupled to the deflecting element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the deflecting element to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component. 
   
     
     
         9 . The milling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the deflecting element includes a scraping device. 
     
     
         10 . The milling machine  claim 8 , wherein the deflecting element includes a fluid nozzle, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to eject a fluid flow to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component. 
     
     
         11 . The milling machine of  claim 10 , wherein the actuating element is configured to adjust a position of the fluid nozzle for altering a direction of the fluid ejected by the fluid nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The milling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the deflecting element includes a rotary brush. 
     
     
         13 . The milling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the actuating element includes a lever, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and/or a motor. 
     
     
         14 . The milling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the debris deflecting system further includes a controller configured to control the actuating element to actuate the deflecting element. 
     
     
         15 . A method of deflecting debris away from a front end of a component of a milling machine, wherein the component includes at least one side plate of the milling machine and/or at least one sensor of the milling machine, the method comprising:
 disposing at least one deflecting element proximate to the component of the milling machine;   actuating the deflecting element; and   deflecting debris away from the front end of the component based on an actuation of the deflecting element.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deflecting element includes a scraping device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deflecting element includes a fluid nozzle, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to eject a fluid flow to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising adjusting a position of the fluid nozzle for altering a direction of the fluid ejected by the fluid nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deflecting element includes a rotary brush. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising controlling, by a controller, at least one actuating element coupled to the deflecting element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the deflecting element to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component.