US1813729A - Snow melting flusher - Google Patents

Description

- July 7, 1 931.

c. D. CHASE snow MELTING FLUSHER Filed Oct. 19, 1927 Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CURTIS D. CHASE, OF ALSION, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CHASE HOLDING COR- PORATION, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SNOW MELTIN'G FLUSHER Application filed October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,341.

This invention relates to flushing apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus designed for flushing snow, ice and sleet from streets and thoroughfares.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a highly eflicient apparatus of the above general character for easily and rapidly melting and flushing snow from streets and sidewalks.

A further object is to provide a compact, portable and self-contained apparatus which may be conveniently connected to a hydrant or other source of water supply, preferably under pressure, for melting and flushing snow.

A further object is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus of the above general character which will be safe to handle and operate.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part hereinafter indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of this invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relation of the members and in the relative proportioning and dispositioning thereof, all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred form of the invention have been annexed as part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views, in which-- Fig. 1 is a general side elevation of the complete apparatus showing the manner in which it may be used;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section; and

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view showing one of the connections.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 5 indicates a supporting frame or truck preferably mounted upon wheels 6, whereby the apparatus may be most conveniently moved from one point to another. This form of support is merely diagrammatically shown and while adapted to be pulled by a tractor by means of tongue connection 7 therewith, it is to be understood that without departure from the scope of the invention, the entire mechanism hereinafter described may be mounted directly upon a motor truck. This supporting frame 5 carries a main heating apparatus which consists preferably of a cylindrical tank 8 provided at one end with a source of heat 10 herein illustrated as comprising a conventional fuel oil burner 11. Above the main tank or heating chamber 8 is mounted a fuel oil tank 12 and a compressed air tank 13, if the burner is of that type using a mixture of fuel oil and air, as is general practice, these tanks being connected to the burner by means of suitable piping 14 provided with control valves as and where necessary. The axes of the tanks 12 and 13 eX- tend parallel to the axis of the tank or heating chamber 8 whereby a compact arrange ment results.

The interior of the heating chamber 8 is preferably provided with continuously ascending coils 15, each in substantially semicylindrical form to follow the periphery of the chamber 8, and each having its lower end connected with a Y-shaped coupling 16 adapted to be connected in any desired manner with hose 17 leading to a hydrant or other suitable source of water supply 18. The water passing rapidly thru the coils 15 and gradually ascending to the top of the chamber 8 joins a similar Y-shaped coupling leading to anoutlet 20 at the front end of the chamber, whereby the heated water from the coils 15 is united in a commonstream. This outlet 20 may be provided with a plurality of individually controlled outlet taps 21 adapted to be connected to one or more hose 22, each provided with a nozzle 23. From the above, it will be seen that burner 11 projects its flame well into the interior of the chamber 8 and heats the coil 15 to a relatively high degree. The water passing in at the bottom and out thru the top is progressively heated, and as it becomes heated naturally rises so there is no counter or back pressure, and when tapped off is nearly at the boiling point whereby when the stream from the nozzle 23 is directed against snow or ice, the same is quickly melted and passes off into a sewer. A stack 24 is provided for the exhaust product-s of combustion.

The use and operation of the device may be briefly stated as follows. The heating plant or unit is moved either under its own power or by a suitable tractor to the hydrant 1S and coupled thereto. l/Vater is admitted to the coil 15, and the burner 11 is lighted, the blast flame quickly heating the tubes and the water contained therein. As soon as the coil is thoroughly heated, the discharge control valves 21 are opened and the streams from the nozzles 23 directed where they will accomplish the best results.

It is thus seen that the present invention is of a simple and practical nature having relatively few parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and installed, and by which the snow and ice will be most rapidly and eiiiciently melted and flushed clear from the streets.

lVithout further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claim.

I claim:

In an apparatus of the character described,

a portable support, a horizontally disposed cylindrical heating chamber mounted thereon having a centrally and axially disposed oil burner for heating the same, fuel and compressed air reservoirs carried by said frame with their axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber, coil sections each of substantially semi-cylindrical formation and mounted in said chamber about the interior periphery thereof and comprising tubes connected by reverse bends thru which water under pressure is adapted to be passed, inlets to and outlets from said coil sections, a coupling common to said inlets, a flexible line from an unlimited source of water under pressure to said coupling, and a coupling common to said outlets and connected to an outlet nozzle whereby the water heated in said coil sections may be discharged.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 9th day of September, 1927.

CURTIS D. CHASE.

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