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1 SNOW BLOWER
2
3
4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
6 [01] This invention generally relates to an apparatus for blowing
snow. The
7 present invention more specifically relates to a member of a snowblower
that is
8 adapted to propel the snow. The present invention also relates to other
features
9 adapted to improve the efficiency of a snow blower.
11 2. Description of the Related Art
12 [02] Apparatuses for removing snow come in various configurations.
They
13 come in small size for personal snowblowers and they reach significant
sizes in
14 industrial applications. Generally, snowblowers are designed to remove
snow,
ice, and sometimes other debris, from the ground and propel the snow and ice
at
16 a distance to clear the ground.
17 [03] Snowblowers can use different mechanical configurations to
perform
18 the required task. Some snowblowers are using an endless screw in front
of the
19 apparatus to break the snow and the ice in smaller portions, in a first
stage, and
then use a rotatable impeller to propel the snow and the ice at a distance
from
21 the snowblower, in a second stage. The distance and the direction are
managed
22 with a directional nozzle. The snowblower can be powered in different
ways,
23 generally with an engine via a drive member. The engine can be part of
the
24 snowblower in some configurations. A vehicle carrying the snowblower can
alternatively provide power to the snowblower in other configurations.
26 [04] The rotatable impeller generally includes a series of vanes
or blades
27 sized and designed to receive thereon snow and ice. Rotation of the
blades is
28 propelling the snow and the ice. The blades are generally equipped with
a knife
29 portion to cut through snow and ice. The blades are generally disposed
on the
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1 snow contacting edge of the impeller to propel the snow. The snow is
generally
2 pushed toward the exterior diameter of the impeller when propelled by the
3 rotating impeller, subjected to centrifugal forces.
4 [05] To some extent, the impeller can be compared to a turbine
that is
pumping air and snow. The blades of the impeller are thus designed to ingest
6 snow, a solid material, and are also pumping air, a fluid with lesser
density. The
7 vanes that are generally flat to prevent solid material to squeeze
between the
8 vanes and the impeller housing. The design of the impeller could be
improved to
9 increase the efficiency of the snowblower and reduce the required amount
of
power to perform the same work.
11 [06] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved snowblower
over the
12 existing art that is requiring less power to propel a same amount of
snow and ice.
13 [07] It is also desirable to provide an improved impeller over the
existing art
14 that is adapted to ingest and propel more snow.
[08] It is equally desirable to provide an improved vanes design over the
16 existing art.
17 [09] Other deficiencies will become apparent to one skilled in the
art to
18 which the invention pertains in view of the following summary and
detailed
19 description with its appended figures.
21 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
22 [10] One aspect of the present invention is to alleviate one or
more of the
23 shortcomings of the background art by addressing one or more of the
existing
24 needs in the art.
[11] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order
to
26 provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This
summary is
27 not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to
identify key/critical
28 elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention.
Its sole
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1 purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form
as a
2 prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
3 [12]
The invention is generally described as an improved impeller for a
4 snowblower having improved snow-blowing capability and other improvements
thereof as described below.
6 [13]
The invention is generally described as a self-powered snowblower
7 having improved snow-blowing capability and other improvements thereof
8 caused, at least in part, by an improved design of the impeller as
described
9 below.
[14] The invention is generally described as a vehicle including a
11 snowblower having improved snow-blowing capability and other
improvements
12 thereof caused, at least in part, by an improved design of the impeller
as
13 described below.
14 [15]
The invention is generally described as a method of propelling snow
and other materials by a snow blower having improved snow blowing capability
16 and other improvements thereof caused, at least in part, by an improved
design
17 of the impeller as described below.
18 [16]
The invention is generally described as a method of propelling snow
19 and other materials carried on by a vehicle including a snowblower
having
improved snow blowing capability and other improvements thereof caused, at
21 least in part, by an improved design of the impeller as described
therein.
22 [17]
The invention is generally described as a replacement impeller for
23 existing snowblowers, the replacement impeller having improved snow-
blowing
24 capability and other improvements thereof caused, at least in part, by
an
improved design of the impeller as described below.
26 [18]
Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of
27 the invention, provide an improved snowblower impeller performance over
the
28 existing art.
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1 [19] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
2 the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially
elongated vanes
3 adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes
including a
4 portion thereof that are substantially extending toward the rotation axis
of the
impeller in a fashion adapted to generate augmented vacuum via the area in
6 proximity of the rotation axis of the impeller to move additional air and
snow with
7 the impeller.
8 [20] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
9 the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially
elongated vanes
adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes including
a
11 snow-engaging portion that is substantially extending toward the
rotation axis of
12 the impeller in a fashion adapted to ingest more material with the
center portion
13 of the impeller in proximity of the rotation axis of the impeller.
14 [21] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated
vanes
16 adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes
including
17 portion substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller in a
fashion
18 adapted to move air inside the snow blower.
19 [22] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated
vanes
21 adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes
including
22 portion substantially extending over the rotation axis of the impeller.
23 [23] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
24 the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially
elongated vanes
sized and designed to prevent a loss of pressure via an area at the center of
the
26 impeller, on the front side of the vanes.
27 [24] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
28 the invention, provide an impeller including improved attack edges on
the vanes.
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1 [25] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
2 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one
attack edge
3 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the
amount
4 of injected snow in the impeller.
[26] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of
6 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one
attack edge
7 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the
vacuum
8 created by the rotating impeller.
9 [27] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion of
the
11 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least
one attack
12 edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to
increase the
13 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
14 [28] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion of
the
16 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least
one attack
17 edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to
increase the
18 vacuum created by the rotating impeller.
19 [29] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide an impeller including improved blades on the vanes.
21 [30] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
22 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one
blade
23 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase
the amount
24 of injected snow in the impeller.
[31] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of
26 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one
blade
27 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase
the vacuum
28 created by the rotating impeller.
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1 [32] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
2 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion
of the
3 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least
one blade
4 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the
amount
of injected snow in the impeller.
6 [33] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
7 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion
of the
8 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least
one blade
9 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the
vacuum
created by the rotating impeller.
11 [34] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
12 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one angled
blade
13 substantially extending over the entire diameter of the impeller to
increase the
14 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
[35] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of
16 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one angled
attack
17 edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to
increase the
18 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
19 [36] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one multi-angled
21 blade substantially extending over the entire diameter of the impeller
to increase
22 the amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
23 [37] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
24 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one multi-
angled
attack edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to
increase
26 the amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
27 [38] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
28 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one tooted
blade
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1 substantially extending over the entire diameter of the impeller to
increase the
2 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
3 [39] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
4 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one tooted
attack
edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the
6 amount of injected snow propelled by the impeller.
7 [40] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
8 the invention, provide a kit comprising an impeller having the advantages
9 described therein and a snowblower housing adapted to operatively receive
therein the impeller.
11 [41] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
12 the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to extend in more than
two
13 quadrant of the opening housing the impeller.
14 [42] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to cover a larger area of Q2
of
16 the opening housing the impeller.
17 [43] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
18 the invention, provide a restrictor plate including a progressive attack
edge and a
19 progressive release edge.
[44] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of
21 the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to cover a larger area
of Q2 of
22 the opening housing the impeller.
23 [45] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
24 the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to cover about half of
the opening
housing the impeller.
26 [46] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
27 the invention, provide an impeller for a snowblowing apparatus, the
impeller
28 being designed to rotate about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising
a front
29 axial region thereof, the front axial region being configured to receive
snow
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1 therein; a rear axial region thereof; a periphery thereof; a hub,
generally located
2 between the front axial region and the rear axial region, adapted to
rotate about
3 the rotation axis; a plurality of vanes generally radially extending from
the
4 periphery toward the rotation axis, the plurality of vanes including a
portion
configured to propel snow between the front axial region and the rear axial
6 region, a snow-engaging portion generally located toward the front axial
region,
7 wherein the snow engaging portion of at least one of the plurality of
vanes is
8 radially extending from the periphery further toward the rotation axis to
reduce
9 the radial area not covered by the snow-engaging portions of the other vanes
when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.
11 [47] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of
12 the invention, provide a snowblower comprising an impeller configured to
rotate
13 about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising a front axial region
thereof, the front
14 axial region being configured to receive snow therein; a rear axial
region thereof;
a periphery thereof; a hub, generally located between the front axial region
and
16 the rear axial region, adapted to rotate about the rotation axis; a
plurality of vanes
17 generally radially extending from the periphery toward the rotation
axis, the
18 plurality of vanes including a portion configured to propel snow between
the front
19 axial region and the rear axial region, a snow-engaging portion
generally located
toward the front axial region, wherein the snow engaging portion of at least
one
21 of the plurality of vanes ris radially extending from the periphery
further toward
22 the rotation axis to reduce the radial area not covered by the snow-
engaging
23 portions of the other vanes when the impeller is rotating about the
rotation axis.
24 [48] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and
advantages of
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following
26 description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
27
28 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
29 [49] Figure 1 is an illustration of an exemplary snowblower
operatively
attached at the back of a vehicle;
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1 [50] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a manually operated
snowblower,
2 in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof r;
3 [51] Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the front-right
side of an
4 exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[52] Figure 4 is a of the an exemplary snowblower wherein the impeller is
6 displayed;
7 [53] Figure 5 is a left side elevational view of an exemplary
snowblower, in
8 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
9 [54] Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of an exemplary
snowblower, in
accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
11 [55] Figure 7 is a left elevational view of an exemplary
snowblower, in
12 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
13 [56] Figure 8 is a rear-right perspective view of an exemplary
snowblower
14 with two screw-like tooth member, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof;
16 [57] Figure 9 is a right side elevational view of an exemplary
snowblower, in
17 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
18 [58] Figure 10 is a front side elevational view of an exemplary
snowblower,
19 in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[59] Figure 11 is a perspective illustration of a screw-like tooth member
21 adapted to be assembled in a snowblower, in accordance with at least one
22 embodiment thereof;
23 [60] Figure 12 is a perspective illustration of a screw-like tooth
member
24 adapted to be assembled in a snowblower, in accordance with at least one
embodiment thereof;
26 [61] Figure 13 is a perspective illustration of a semi-exploded
view of an
27 exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment
thereof;
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1 [62] Figure 14 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary
snowblower, in
2 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
3 [63] Figure 15 is an illustration of the front elevational view of
the impeller
4 when assembled in the exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least
one
embodiment thereof;
6 [64] Figure 16 is a semi-exploded perspective view of an exemplary
7 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
8 [65] Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
9 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[66] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
11 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
12 [67] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
13 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
14 [68] Figure 20 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work in
the prior art to create a vacuum in a snowblower;
16 [69] Figure 21 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work in
17 the prior art to create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein the air-flow
and the
18 suction of snow within the snowblower are illustrated;
19 [70] Figure 22 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
create a vacuum in a snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment
21 thereof;
22 [71] Figure 23 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
23 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein the air-flow and the suction of
snow
24 within the snowblower are illustrated, in accordance with at least one
of the
embodiment thereof;
26 [72] Figure 24 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
27 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate is added, in
28 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
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1 [73] Figure 25 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
2 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate is added, in
3 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
4 [74] Figure 26 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending beyond
the
6 length of the snow-engaging portions is added, in accordance with at
least one of
7 the embodiment thereof;
8 [75] Figure 27 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
9 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending
beyond the
length of the snow-engaging portions is added and wherein the air-flow and the
11 suction of snow within the snowblower are illustrated, in accordance
with at least
12 one of the embodiment thereof;
13 [76] Figure 28 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
14 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending to
the axis
of rotation is added, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
thereof;
16 [77] Figure 29 is a schematic profile illustration of the
principles at work to
17 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending to
the axis
18 of rotation is added and wherein the air-flow and the suction of snow
within the
19 snowblower are illustrated, in accordance with at least one of the
embodiment
thereof;
21 [78] Figure 30 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
22 the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
an
23 illustration of the perspective view of a possible embodiment of the
impeller in the
24 exemplary snowblower;
[79] Figure 31 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of
the
26 impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof; is
an
27 illustration of the elevation view of a possible embodiment of the
impeller in the
28 exemplary snowblower;
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1 [80] Figure 32 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
2 embodiment of the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the
embodiment
3 thereof; is an illustration of the perspective view of a possible
embodiment of the
4 impeller in the exemplary snowblower;
[81] Figure 33 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment
of
6 the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
7 [82] Figure 34 is an elevational illustration of a possible
embodiment of the
8 impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
9 [83] Figure 35 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
embodiment of the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
11 thereof;
12 [84] Figure 36 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
13 the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are
toothless, in
14 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
[85] Figure 37 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of
the
16 impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless,
in
17 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof; is an
illustration of the
18 elevation view of a possible embodiment of the impeller in the exemplary
19 snowblower wherein the extensions snow-engaging portions have no teeth;
[86] Figure 38 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible
21 embodiment of the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging
portions
22 are toothless, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
thereof;
23 [87] Figure 39 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
24 the impeller wherein the extensions have a plurality of sequential
toothed attack
angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
26 [88] Figure 40 is an elevational illustration of a possible
embodiment of the
27 impeller wherein the extensions have a plurality of sequential toothed
attack
28 angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
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1 [89] Figure 41 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
2 embodiment of the impeller wherein the extensions have a plurality of
sequential
3 toothed attack angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
thereof;
4 [90] Figure 42 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless
and
6 the extensions have a plurality of sequential attack angles, in
accordance with at
7 least one of the embodiment thereof;
8 [91] Figure 43 is an elevational illustration of a possible
embodiment of the
9 impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless
and the
extensions have a plurality of sequential attack angles, in accordance with at
11 least one of the embodiment thereof;
12 [92] Figure 44 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
13 embodiment of the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging
portions
14 are toothless and the extensions have a plurality of sequential attack
angles, in
accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
16 [93] Figure 45 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
17 the impeller wherein four extended snow-engaging portions are
interconnected in
18 the center of the axis of rotation, in accordance with at least one of
the
19 embodiment thereof;
[94] Figure 46 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of
the
21 impeller wherein four extended snow-engaging portions are interconnected
in the
22 center of the axis of rotation, in accordance with at least one of the
embodiment
23 thereof;
24 [95] Figure 47 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
embodiment of the impeller wherein four extended snow-engaging portions are
26 interconnected in the center of the axis of rotation, in accordance with
at least
27 one of the embodiment thereof;
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1 [96] Figure 48 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
2 the impeller wherein the impeller's eye has different volume and front
facing area,
3 in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
4 [97] Figure 49 is an elevational illustration of a possible
embodiment of the
impeller wherein the impeller's eye has different volume and front facing
area, in
6 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
7 [98] Figure 50 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
8 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impeller's eye has different
volume and
9 front facing area, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
thereof;
[99] Figure 51 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment
of
11 the impeller wherein the extensions have a progressive radial change in
the
12 angle of attack, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
thereof;
13 [100] Figure 52 is a side illustration of a possible embodiment of
the impeller
14 wherein the extensions have a progressive radial change in the angle of
attack,
in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
16 [101] Figure 53 is an elevational illustration of a possible
embodiment of the
17 impeller wherein the extension have a progressive radial change in the
angle of
18 attack, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
19 [102] Figure 54 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
embodiment of the impeller wherein the extensions have a progressive radial
21 change in the angle of attack, in accordance with at least one of the
embodiment
22 thereof;
23 [103] Figure 55 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
24 the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-
engaging
portions and wherein the extensions are supported by a retaining member, in
26 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
27 [104] Figure 56 is an elevational illustration of a possible
embodiment of the
28 impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-
engaging
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1 portions and wherein the extension are contained in a retaining member,
in
2 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
3 [105] Figure 57 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
4 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and
five
snow-engaging portions and wherein the extensions are contained in a retaining
6 member, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
7 [106] Figure 58 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
8 the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-
engaging
9 portions, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
[107] Figure 59 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of
the
11 impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-
engaging
12 portions, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
13 [108] Figure 60 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a
possible
14 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions
and five
snow-engaging portions, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment
16 thereof;
17 [109] Figure 61 is a top perspective illustration of a possible
embodiment of
18 the impeller wherein the impeller is combined with an endless screw
assembled
19 on the axis or rotation, in accordance with at least one embodiment
thereof;
[110] Figure 62 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible
21 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impeller is combined with an
endless
22 screw assembled on the axis or rotation, in accordance with at least one
23 embodiment thereof; an illustration of the perspective view of a
possible
24 embodiment of the impeller in the exemplary snowblower wherein the
rotation
axis of the impeller is an endless screw; and
26 [111] Figure 63 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
27 embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon;
28 [112] Figure 64 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
29 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
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1 [113] Figure 65 is a magnified front elevational view of a portion
of a
2 snowblower with an embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
3 [114] Figure 67 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
4 embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon;
[115] Figure 68 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
6 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
7 [116] Figure 69 is a magnified front elevational view of a portion
of a
8 snowblower with an embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
9 [117] Figure 70 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon;
11 [118] Figure 71 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
12 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
13 [119] Figure 72 is a magnified front elevational view of a portion
of a
14 snowblower with an embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon
[120] Figure 73 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
16 embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon; and
17 [121] Figure 74 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an
18 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon.
19
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
21 [122] Our work is now described with reference to the figures. In
the
22 following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific
details are
23 set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention by
24 way of embodiment(s). It may be evident, however, that the present
invention
may be practiced without these specific details.
26 [123] A snowblower 10 driven and powered by a vehicle 14 is
illustrated in
27 Figure 1. In the present situation, the vehicle 14 is a schematically
illustrated
28 tractor 18 that is powering the snowblower 10 with its power take off
(PTO) 22.
16
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1 The tractor 18 has a front side 26 and is driven in reverse to remove
snow from
2 the ground with the snowblower 10. The snowblower 10 thus has a front
side 30
3 that is opposed to the tractor's front side 26 in the illustrated
configuration. The
4 snowblower 10 could alternatively be secured to the tractor 18 in the
opposite
direction causing the snowblower's front side 30 to be in the same direction
as
6 the tractor's front side 26 without departing from the scope of the
present
7 invention. The snowblower 10 could also alternatively be located in front
of the
8 tractor 18 without further departing from the scope of the invention.
9 [124] A snowblower 10 of a different configuration is illustrated
in Figure 2.
The self-powered snowblower 34 illustrated in Figure 2 generally refers to
11 personal snowblowers 10. The snowblower 34 generally includes a pair of
12 handles 38 for a user to grasp to operate the snowblower 10, a pair of
wheels 42,
13 an engine 46 driving the wheels 42, an impeller 50 and a screw 54
located in
14 front of the snowblower 34 to manage the snow introduced in the impeller
50. A
snow-directing mechanism 58 operatively associated with the impeller 50 is
16 located above the impeller 50.
17 [125] The text that follows is going to describe a snowblower in
the
18 configuration illustrated in Figure 1 to facilitate the reading of the
text. The focus
19 put on the snowblower in the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 is
not intended
to disclaim any rights associated with snowblowers 10, 34 of different
21 configurations even if not expressly described therein.
22 [126] Moving now to Figure 3 throughout Figure 7, illustrating a
snowblower
23 10 with a snow-directing mechanism 58 capable of directing the snow
propelled
24 by the snowblower 10. The snow-directing mechanism 58 is configured to
manage the direction and the height of the flow of snow when blown by the
26 snowblower 10. The snowblower 10 includes a body 62 to which the snow-
27 directing mechanism 58 is attached. The body 62 includes a snow-
collecting
28 portion 66 generally made of steel and generally having a rectangular
section
29 that is equipped with a pair of ground-contacting members 70 adapted to
set the
height of the snowblower 10 and facilitate the movement of the snowblower 10
17
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1 on the ground. The body 62 also a snow-blowing mechanism 74 taking the
snow
2 from the snow collecting portion 66 to the snow-directing mechanism 68 and
3 propel the snow at a distance from the snowblower 10.
4 [127] The snow-collecting portion 66 is used to collect the snow
on the
ground and for other purposes. One of the other purposes is to make sure to
limit
6 the size of the pieces of snow to prevent blocking the snowblower 10 with
blocks
7 of snow and ice and therefore ensures proper functioning of the snow
blowing
8 mechanism 74. An exemplary embodiment of a mechanism adapted to do so is
9 illustrated in Figures 3-8. A front horizontal rotating axle 78 is
equipped with a
screw-like tooth member 82 to grind the snow in front of the snowblower 10.
The
11 axle 78 is rotated by a drive taking power from the engine's PTO (not
shown) of
12 the tractor 18. The screw-like tooth member 82 is designed in such a way
that the
13 snow is going to be moved 86 toward the center of the snowblower 10. In
so
14 doing, the direction of rotation of the screw-like tooth member 82 is
opposed on
each of the right side and the left side of the snowblower 10. A snowblower 10
16 with a pair of superposed rotating axles 78 is illustrated in Figure 8
throughout
17 Figure 10.
18 [128] The rotating axle 78 illustrated in Figures 3-10 include a
screw-like
19 tooth member 82 with an additional snow shovel member 98 disposed in the
middle of the screw-like tooth member 82. The snow shovel members 98 rotate
21 with the rotating axle 78 and push the snow facing the middle portion of
the
22 screw-like tooth member 82 in the snowblower 10. An alternative
mechanism is
23 illustrated in Figure 11 and Figure 12. A pivotable pair of snow shovels
members
24 102 are illustrated. The snow shovel members 102 are mounted about a
pivot
axis 106 that is allowing the snow shovel members 102 to pivot 106 instead of
26 being fixedly connected to the rotating axle 78. The pivotable snow
shovel
27 members 102 are adapted to pivot when there is a significant amount of
snow in
28 front of the snowblower 10 thus preventing the snow shovel members 102
to
29 push back snow toward the front of the snowblower 10 because they are
pivoting
under the load of the snow. When there is little snow in front of the
snowblower
31 10, the pivotable snow shovel members 102 are adapted to extend under
the
18
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1 -- centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating axle 78 and
shovel the
2 -- snow in the snowblower 10.
3 [129] Still in Figures 1-10, one can appreciate the typical three-
point
4 -- fastening mechanism 114 adapted to connect the snowblower 10 to the
tractor
-- 18. Other systems like the hydraulic system 118 for managing the direction
of the
6 -- snow can be appreciated.
7 [130] The snowblower 10 has a snow-blowing mechanism 74 between
the
8 -- snow-collecting portion 66 and the snow-directing mechanism 58. The snow-
9 -- blowing mechanism 74 is generally housed within the body 62 in a shape of
an
-- impeller 50 rotating about a rotational axis 90 as it is illustrated in
Figures 2-7.
11 -- One can appreciate that the opening 92 of the snow-blowing mechanism 74
is
12 -- managed with a restrictor 94. The restrictor 94 is embodied as a plate
in the
13 -- Figures and could be embodied differently to serve a comparable
function. The
14 -- restrictor 94 is covering the upper portion of the impeller's housing
opening 92 in
-- the body 62. The restrictor 94 restricts the opening 92 that is
accelerating the
16 -- flow of air and snow inside the snow-blowing mechanism 74 given the
smaller
17 -- opening 92. The restrictor 94 can be adjustable and covers a desired
portion of
18 -- the opening 92. The restrictor 94 is preferably applied on the upper
portion of the
19 -- opening 92 and can cover a small portion of the opening 92 to about half
of the
-- opening 92. The restrictor 94 also interacts with the impeller 50 to
optimize the
21 -- vacuum created by the rotative impeller 50. More precise interaction
between the
22 -- restrictor 94 and a snow-engaging portion 122 of the impeller 50 that is
going to
23 -- be discussed in more details below.
24 [131] Figure 13 illustrate a semi-exploded view of the snowblower
10 where
-- the rotating axle 78 and the impeller 50 are disassembled from the body 62.
26 -- Figure 14 and Figure 15 illustrate the snowblower without the rotating
axis 78 and
27 -- the restrictor 94 to appreciate the impeller 50 operatively assembled in
the
28 -- opening 92 of the body 62.
29 [132] Figure 16 throughout Figure 19 are illustrating various
exploded views
-- of the snowblower 10 for further understanding of the assembly. A gearbox
126 is
19
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1 secured to the body 62 to receive rotative motive power from the engine
(tractor's
2 PTO), protected with guard 130, and transmit power to the impeller 50 and
the
3 rotative axle 78 assembly. One can also appreciate the lower portion of
the body
4 62 includes a blade 134 and optional supporting legs 138. A drive system
142 is
used to transmit power to the rotating axle 78 via a drive axle 146. A
hydraulic
6 actuator 150 is also depicted in Figure 18. The hydraulic actuator 150 is
used to
7 rotate a nozzle 154 of the snow-directing mechanism 58. An opening 158 in
the
8 body 62 is also illustrated in Figure 18 to allow passage of the snow
from the
9 impeller 50 to the snow-directing mechanism 58.
[133] A side elevational schematic illustration of the vacuum generated by
a
11 prior art impeller 50 in a snowblower 10 is depicted in Figure 20 and
Figure 21 for
12 the benefit of the reader. The impeller 50 configuration includes a
plurality of
13 vanes 162 extending between a rear axial region 166 and a front axial
region
14 170. Each vane includes a snow-engaging portion 122 toward the front
axial
region 170. The vanes 162 further include respective portions configured to
16 propel snow 174 between the front axial region 166 and the rear axial
region 170
17 that are rotating with a limited gap against the opening 92 of the body
62 to
18 create a vacuum (negative pressure channeling air in the snowblower 10).
19 Generally, the gap against the opening 92 of the body 62 is less than 24
mm.
The portions of the impeller 50 that are configured to propel snow 174 are
21 defining an impeller's eye 178 located in the center of the impeller 50
about the
22 rotation axis 90 of the impeller 50. The impeller's eye 178 is void of
portions of
23 the vanes 162 that are configured to propel snow 174 and thus offer
little
24 pumping effect while having no means for preventing a loss of vacuum
generated
by the portions of the impeller configured to propel snow 174 and snow-
engaging
26 portions 122 thereof. The resulting effect in the flow through the
snowblower 10 is
27 exemplified with arrows, in Figure 21, where peripheral portion 182 of
the
28 impeller 50 are creating vacuum in the snowblower 50 while the central
portion
29 186 of the impeller's eye 178 is not producing enough restriction or
vacuum to
prevent a loss of pressure.
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1 [134] In contrast, Figure 22 and Figure 23 are improving the
vacuum created
2 by the rotation of the impeller 50 by restricting the impeller's eye 178
with snow-
3 engaging portions 122 that are elongated 190 toward the axis of rotation
90. The
4 snow-engaging portions 122 can be extended and formed in the vane 162,
the
snow-engaging portions 122 can alternatively be extended and formed of an
6 additional part distinct and assembled to the vane 162 with fasteners,
welding or
7 other means, the snow-engaging portions 122 can also be extended and the
8 extended portion of the snow-engaging portion 122 can be made of a
distinct part
9 than the snow-engaging portion 122 abutted to the vane 162. These parts
can be
secured together with fasteners or welded or secured in a different fashion.
The
11 impeller 50 and its constituting parts are made of strong materials
capable of
12 withstanding significant mechanical stresses. Steel, aluminum, casting
materials,
13 powder materials and reinforced plastics are contemplated by the present
14 invention and are not intended to limit materials applicable to the
present
invention that could become obvious for a skilled reader. The assembly of the
16 snowblower 10 and the parts therein is using fasteners, rivets and
welding where
17 needed.
18 [135] A single snow-engaging portion 122 can be elongated.
Preferably, at
19 least a pair of snow-engaging portions 122 is elongated for balancing
the rotating
impeller 50 and for added strength. When a plurality of snow-engaging portions
21 122 is sufficiently elongated to reach each other, they are
interconnected to
22 ensure a strong mechanical assembly. The impeller's eye 178 is a region
of the
23 impeller that is void of vanes 162 and that offers little pumping effect
but, in the
24 configuration depicted in Figures 22-23, the extended snow-engaging
portions
122 offer additional pumping effect and create restriction to prevent a loss
of
26 vacuum generated by the portions of the impeller with portions
configured to
27 propel snow 174 and snow-engaging portions 122. The resulting effect in
the flow
28 of air is exemplified with arrows in Figure 23 where the entire section
190 of the
29 impeller 50 is vacuuming in the snowblower 50. Additional embodiments
are
presented in Figures 24-29 with the addition of the restrictor plate 94 to the
31 assembly.
21
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1 [136] In the embodiments illustrated in Figure 24-29, the
restrictor plate 94 is
2 restricting the opening 92 of the snow-blowing mechanism 74 to reduce
portions
3 of the opening 92 that are less efficient in creating vacuum and
collecting snow.
4 Figures 24-25 illustrate an embodiment where the restrictor plate 94
extends to a
length substantially equal to the length of the snow-engaging portion 122 in
front
6 of the portion to propel snow 174 of the vanes 162. Figures 26-27
illustrate an
7 embodiment where the restrictor plate 94 extends further to a length
extending
8 beyond the length of snow-engaging portions 122, extending over the
impeller's
9 eye 178 in front of the hub 194. Lastly, Figures 28-29 illustrate an
embodiment
where the restrictor plate 94 extends to a length extending to the axis of
rotation
11 90, thus extending over about half of the impeller's eye 178, in front
of the hub
12 194. One can appreciate form these Figures that the loss of vacuum is
reduced
13 with the reduction of the opening 92 and that the interaction between
the snow-
14 engaging portions 122 with the restrictor plate 94 are adding to the
vacuum
power of the snow-blowing mechanism 74.
16 [137] The axial distance between the snow-engaging portions 122,
the
17 extended snow-engaging portions 206 and the vanes 162
18 [138] A plurality of embodiments is used below to show different
19 configurations and arrangements thereof. These embodiments are not
intended
to be limited to the elements and configurations distinctly illustrated
therein. The
21 present application is encompassing combinations of features, elements,
angles
22 and functions thereof, and are contemplating possible combinations of
features,
23 elements, angles and functions from the point of view of a skilled
reader in the
24 are of snowblower design.
[139] An embodiment of a possible configuration of the impeller 50, with
26 extended snow-engaging portions 122, is exemplified in Figures 30-32.
The
27 impeller 50 includes a hub 194 from which a plurality of vanes 162 is
radially
28 extending. Each vane 162 of this embodiment includes a portion to propel
snow
29 174 preferably facing the direction of rotation of the impeller 50 to
propel snow.
The portion to propel snow is reinforced with a reinforcement member 198. The
22
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1 portion to propel snow is secured on the rear axial region 166 to a back
plate 202
2 substantially normal to the axis of rotation 90. The extensions 206 of
the snow-
3 engaging portions 122 are illustrated as distinct parts assembled to the
snow-
4 engaging portions 122 secured to the vanes 162. It can be appreciated
that the
snow-engaging portions 122 and extensions 206 thereof are angled forward with,
6 for instance, an angle a. The angle a is about between 20 and 60 to
efficiently
7 attack the snow and also to increase the vacuum effect of the impeller
50. Each
8 snow-engaging portion 122 is provided with a series of teeth 210 and
9 reinforcement 214. The extensions 206 are also provided with teeth 210
thereon
and are reaching each other near the axis of rotation 90. The opposed angled
11 extensions 206 are secured at their meeting point to increase the
strength of the
12 assembly.
13 [140] Figures 33-35 illustrate another embodiment where the
extensions 206
14 have an increased width 218 constantly increasing with an angle of about
p. The
width 218 of the extension 206 can encompass the snow-engaging portion 122
16 and be linear or use a progressive shape. The enlarged width 218 of the
snow-
17 engaging portion 122 toward the middle of the impeller's eye 178
provides
18 additional vacuum effect in locations of the snow-engaging portion 122
where the
19 linear speed of the snow-engaging portion 122 is lesser than at the
distal portion
thereof.
21 [141] Figures 36-38 illustrate another embodiment where the snow-
engaging
22 portions 112 and the extensions 206 have no teeth thereon.
23 [142] Figures 39-41 illustrate an embodiment where the extensions
206 of
24 the snow-engaging portions 112 are wider than the snow-engaging portions
112
and have a plurality of sequential attack angles a. A primary angle 222, with
26 angle a, and a secondary angle 226, with angle a', are illustrated. The
plurality of
27 sequential attack angles could be replaced with a progressive attack
angle (not
28 illustrated). The plurality of attack angles a is offering increased
vacuum and
29 snow blowing capability to the impeller 50.
23
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1 [143] Figures 42-44 illustrate another embodiment where the
extensions 206
2 of the snow-engaging portions 112 have a plurality of sequential toothed
attack
3 angles. A primary angle 222, with angle a, and a secondary angle 226,
with
4 angle a', are illustrated. The plurality of sequential attack angles
could be
replaced with a progressive attack angle (not illustrated). The plurality of
attack
6 angles a is offering increased vacuum and snow blowing capability to the
7 impeller 50.
8 [144] Figures 45-47 illustrate another embodiment where all the
vanes 162
9 have a respective extension 206 of their snow-engaging portion 112. In
the
present embodiment, four extended snow-engaging portion 112 are illustrated
11 and interconnected, preferably welded or secured with fasteners, in the
center of
12 the impeller's rotation axis 90. Further, the four snow-engaging portion
112 have
13 toothed 210 and angled snow-engaging portions 112. An angle a is
illustrated.
14 The proximal sides of the extensions 206 can optionally be secured to an
extension of the center portion of the impeller 50. Thick connection to the
center
16 portion of the impeller 50 can be applied to other embodiments described
in the
17 specification despite the connection is not illustrated with each
embodiment.
18 [145] An impeller's eye 178 is the center of the impeller 50 where
the vanes
19 162 are leaving a void to secure the hub 162 to the drive of the
impeller 50.
Figures 48-50 illustrate another embodiment where all the vanes 162 are
21 designed to define an impeller's eye 178 of a different volume and front
facing
22 area. The proximal and axial shape 230 of the portions to propel snow
174 is
23 profiled differently to adjust the vacuum of the impeller 50. The vanes
162 are
24 designed with a straight edge 238.
[146] Figures 51-54 illustrate another embodiment where the extensions 206
26 of the snow-engaging portions 112 have a progressive radial change in
the angle
27 of attack a, extending to angle a' toward the axis of rotation of the
impeller 50. A
28 digressive angle where a>a' is illustrated. A progressive angle where
a<as is
29 encompassed by the present application despite this embodiment is not
illustrated and believed to be obvious in view of the Figures 51-53. The
24
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1 progressive angle of the snow-engaging portions 112 and extensions 206
thereof
2 are, inter alia, adapted to adjust the vacuum of the snow-engaging
portions 112
3 and extensions 206 in respect with the linear speed of the and extensions
206
4 and extensions 206 and/or the amount of snow to be efficiently engaged by a
specific region of the vane 162.
6 [147] Moving now to Figures 55-57 illustrating an impeller 50 with
snow-
7 engaging portions 112 and extensions 206 thereof that are not necessarily
8 aligned with a respective vane 162. A retaining member 242 supports the
9 extensions 206. The retaining member 242 is embodied as a ring and is
located
between the snow-engaging portions 112 and the extensions 206. The retaining
11 member 242 is used to reinforce the impeller 50, to allow using a number
of
12 extensions 206 that is different than the number of vanes 162, that are
not
13 aligned with a respective vane 162 and also to allow more adjustment of
the
14 extensions 206 in respect with the snow-engaging portions 122. The angle
a of
the extensions 206 can be different than the angle of the snow-engaging
portions
16 122, among other advantages like easy securing and replacement of the
17 extensions 206. The extensions 206 assembled with the retaining member
242
18 can come as a bundle for easy replacement or as a kit to retrofit
existing impeller
19 50.
[148] Figures 58-60 are illustrating a six-vanes 162 impeller 50
21 configurations with alternated vanes 162 with an extension 206 thereof.
Each
22 extension 206 is secured to a vane 162 preferably via respective snow-
engaging
23 portions 122. This symmetrical layout allows for easy balancing and
lightens the
24 impeller 50.
[149] Finally, Figure 61 and Figure 62 are illustrating en embodiment where
26 an endless screw 246 used with or without extensions 206. The endless
screw
27 246 is adapted to increase the amount of snow the impeller 50 can propel
and
28 ensures limited snow blocks sizes with get in touch with the impeller
50. The
29 endless screw 246 is optionally connected to the extensions 206 and is
axially
connected to the hub 194 or an extension thereof. Alternatively, the endless
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1 screw 246 could be secure otherwise or used with a different combination
of
2 parts.
3 [150] Turning now to Figures 63-65 illustrating an embodiment of
the
4 restrictor plate 94 in cooperation with the body 62 and the impeller 50.
The
restrictor plate 94 is secured to the body 62 of the snowblower 10 and is
6 configured to restrict the opening 92 of the snow-blowing mechanism 74.
7 Generally, a blowing apparatus using a rotating impeller to generate a
vacuum
8 has an impeller's eye 178 about the center of rotation of the impeller
50. This
9 implies covering the radial and distal portion of the opening 92, about
the rotation
axis 90. Covering the radial and distal portion of the opening 92 ensures to
create
11 a vacuum through the impeller's eye 178 given the centrifugal force
created by
12 the rotating turbine 50.
13 [151] In the present situation, the impeller 50 creates a vacuum
when
14 rotating and is required to propel ice and snow as well (solid
materials). The
complete distal portion of the impeller's eye 178 is preferably not covered
16 because the snow and the ice are more prone to engage with the impeller
50 at
17 the lower portion of the opening 92.
18 [152] The restrictor plate 94 is thus designed to cover a
significant portion of
19 the opening 92 but the lowermost portion thereof to allow ice and snow
to enter
the opening 92 more easily without having to pile up to reach the impeller's
eye
21 178 should the periphery of the lower portion of the opening 92 be
restricted. The
22 impeller's eye 178 of at least one embodiment is thus extending to a
portion of
23 the periphery of the opening 92 of the impeller 50 housing. The
restrictor plate 94
24 can, in embodiments thereof, be used to selectively restrict the opening
92 to
improve vacuum and allow passage of snow and ice in the snow-blowing
26 mechanism 74.
27 [153] The opening 92 can be separated in quadrants as depicted in
Figure
28 66. The four quadrants are disposed in their correct mathematical
positions
29 locating quadrant #1 (01) 250 in the top-right corner, Q2 254 in the top-
left
corner, Q3 258 in the bottom-left corner and Q4 262 in the bottom-right
corner. A
26
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1 schematic impeller 50 is illustrated with one snow-engaging portion 122
and
2 extension 206 thereof. A circle identifies an exemplary impeller's eye
178
3 boundary 266 that can also represent the radial pattern of the junction
between
4 the snow-engaging portion 122 and the extension 206 thereof. The boundary
266
might be used as a reference in the description of the restrictor plate 94
designs.
6 [154] Figure 67 illustrates different portions of the restrictor
plate 94. A right
7 portion 270, an intake portion 274, a covering portion 278, an outtake
portion 282
8 and a left portion 286. The intake portion 274 is the portion of the
restrictor 94
9 configured to begin covering the vanes 162 when the vanes are rotating
and is
generally found in 02 254 and/or 03 258. The intake portion 274 includes an
11 attack edge 290 that can be straight or curved that generally goes from
the edge
12 of the opening 92 to a location toward the center of the impeller 50.
The covering
13 portion 278 is configured to restrict the opening 92 over a determined
angular
14 rotation of the impeller 50, the covering portion 278 is located between
the intake
portion 274 and the outtake portion 282 and is generally found in Q1 250 and
Q2
16 254. The outtake portion 282 is generally found in 01 250 and/or 04 262
and is
17 reopening the opening 92 from the covering portion 278 to the edge of
the
18 opening 92. The outtake portion 282 includes a release edge 294 that can
be
19 straight or curved that generally goes from an edge of the covering
portion 278
and the edge of the opening 92.
21 [155] The identification of the sections and portions are
dependent of the
22 side of rotation of the impeller 50 and the location of the opening 158
in the body
23 62. The level of vacuum is going to be improved if 02 254 of the opening
92,
24 aligned with the opening 158, is restricted. The level of vacuum of the
snowblower 10 also benefits of covering 01 250. 04 262 preferably remains
26 substantially open to allow snow and ice to engage the impeller 50 and
be
27 blowed through the opening 158. In embodiments thereof, the restrictor
plate 94
28 substantially covers the opening 92 when the vane 162 reaches the
opening 158
29 when rotating to prevent loss of pressure from the opening 92 in favor
of flowing
the snow inside the opening 158 toward the snow-directing system 58.
27
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1 [156] Figure 68 illustrates a preferred embodiment where the
attack edge
2 290 provides a progressive engagement of the rotating vanes 162 and
remains
3 above the lower 45 degree of Q3. The covering portion 278 is extended
toward
4 the axis of rotation 90 to cover more radial area in Q3 to ensure
increased
pressure in the opening 158. The release edge 298 progressively disengages the
6 vane 162 and remains above the lower 45 degree of Q4.
7 [157] Moving now to Figure 69 showing possible locations of the
intake
8 portion 274 attack edge 290 from above the axis of rotation 90 to below
the axis
9 of rotation 90 and the same for the release edge 294. Figure 79
illustrates
possible location variations of angled intake portion 274 attack edge 290 from
11 above the axis of rotation 90 to below the axis of rotation 90 and the
same for the
12 release edge 294. Figure 71 illustrates a more crafted trapezoidal
design of the
13 restrictor plate 94 with possible variations of position for the edges
290, 294
14 thereof. Figures 72-74 illustrate other possible embodiments. All the
variations of
the restrictor plates 94 depicted in the various embodiments therein can be
16 combined without departing from the scope of the present invention.
17 [158] The description and the drawings that are presented above
are meant
18 to be illustrative of the present invention. They are not meant to be
limiting of the
19 scope of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments
described may
be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is
21 defined by the following claims:
22
28
