Single core broom system

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for constructing a vehicle-mounted single core broom system for use in clearing snow or debris from airport runways. The rotatable broom system utilizes a single piece hollow tubular core which is attached to the front of the vehicle. A low speed/high torque radial piston hydraulic motor is mounted inside one end of the broom core. The motor case rotates as the motor operates. Because the motor case is directly connected to the broom core, this rotation causes the broom core to rotate. A rotatable mounting is attached to the opposite end of the broom core. The broom core is 46 inches in diameter and dynamically balanced. These features enable higher broom tip speed and improved sweeping efficiency. Linear bristle cassettes are slid horizontally into the broom core sections, facilitating easy removal and replacement of the bristles as they become worn.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vehicle mounted, rotatable broom system comprising: 
 a one piece hollow tubular core;    a plurality of bristle cassettes, each of said bristle cassettes constructed and arranged to hold at least one tuft of bristles;    means for removably mounting said plurality of bristle cassettes to said one piece hollow tubular core;    means for turning said one piece hollow tubular core and said plurality of bristle cassettes, said means for turning being contained within one end of said hollow tubular core;    wherein said rotatable broom provides a gapless swept path.    
     
     
         2 . The vehicle mounted rotatable broom assembly as defined in    claim 1    wherein a rotatable mounting is included in the end of said one piece hollow tubular core opposite from the end in which said means for turning is mounted.  
     
     
         3 . The vehicle mounted rotatable broom assembly as defined in    claim 1    wherein said means for turning is a radial piston hydraulic motor in which the motor housing rotates as the motor operates.  
     
     
         4 . A method for constructing a vehicle mounted, rotatable broom system, said method comprising: 
 mounting at least one tuft of bristles in a cassette;    mounting a plurality of said cassettes on a one piece tubular core;    inserting a drive motor in one end of said tubular core;    inserting a rotatable mounting in the opposite end of said tubular core from said drive motor;    mounting the combination of said tubular core, said bristles, said drive motor and said rotatable mounting to a vehicle and providing power to said drive motor.    
     
     
         5 . A system for removing snow or debris from runways or roads, said system comprising: 
 a vehicle;    a rotatable broom assembly attached to said vehicle, said rotatable broom assembly including:    a one piece hollow tubular core;    a plurality of bristle cassettes, each of said bristle cassettes being constructed and arranged to hold at least one tuft of bristles;    a plurality of channels affixed to said one piece hollow tubular core for removably mounting said bristle cassettes to said one piece hollow tubular core;    a source of rotating power constructed and arranged to transform energy from said vehicle into rotational motion of said one piece hollow tubular core and said bristle cassettes.    
     
     
         6 . The system as defined in    claim 5    wherein said source of rotating power is a radial piston hydraulic motor.  
     
     
         7 . The system as defined in    claim 5    wherein said one piece hollow tubular core and said plurality of bristle cassettes are dynamically balanced.  
     
     
         8 . The system as defined in    claim 5    further including means for positioning said one piece hollow tubular core and said plurality of bristle cassettes in an angular relationship with respect to the travel path of said vehicle.