System and method for removing pollutants from a roadway

Abstract

Systems and methods for capturing pollutants from braking mechanisms are provided. The systems can include a pollution trap attached to a brake assembly, where the pollution trap can comprise an absorbent pad, filter, or membrane. The pollution trap can be positioned near a braking mechanism, for example, between a portion of the braking mechanism and a portion of a wheel, to collect pollutants including brake dust. The pollution trap can also be positioned on the wheel in various embodiments. The material used in the pollution trap can also be used to form gloves, cloths, sponges or wipes for cleaning brake dust.

1 . A system for a capturing a pollutant from a brake assembly that includes a moving braking surface and a brake pad positioned near the movable braking surface, the brake assembly configured to place said brake pad in contact with the braking surface, comprising a pollution trap positioned near the brake assembly such that said pollutant trap is exposed to pollutants generated from contacting said brake pad and said brake surface, said pollution trap comprising a pollutant trap pad that binds a pollutant contacting said pad so that the pollutant is captured by the pollution trap.  
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the pollution trap pad is positioned at a distance of less than 5 millimeters to about 1000 millimeters from the point where the brake pad contacts the movable braking surface.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the pollution trap pad is positioned at a distance of between 5 millimeters and about 200 millimeters from the point where the brake pad contacts the movable braking surface.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pollution trap comprises a housing that holds said pollutant trap pad.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pollutant deflector positioned between a wheel connected to said braking surface and said braking surface, wherein said pollution trap is disposed on the side of said deflector shield facing said braking surface.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pollutant trap comprises a plurality of pollution trap pads.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said pollution trap is configured such that the removal of a first pollutant trap pad exposes a second pollutant trap pad to pollutants.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pollutant trap comprises an indicator to signal when said pollutant trap should be changed.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pollution trap comprises a filter material.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pollution trap comprises a membrane.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pollution trap comprises a porous material.  
   
   
       12 . A system for capturing a pollutant generated by placing a brake pad in contact with a moving braking surface, comprising: 
 a pollution trap comprising a material for binding a pollutant so as to capture the pollutant in the pollution trap, said pollution trap being positioned relative to a brake pad and a braking surface such that said material is exposed to the pollutant generated when the brake pad contacts the braking surface when there is relative motion between the braking surface and the brake pad.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the pollution trap pad is positioned at a distance of less than 5 millimeters to about 1000 millimeters from the point where the brake pad contacts the movable braking surface.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the pollution trap pad is positioned at a distance of between 5 millimeters and about 200 millimeters from the point where the brake pad contacts the movable braking surface.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising an automobile, wherein the pollution trap, the brake pad and the braking surface are disposed on said automobile.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a brake assembly comprising said brake pad and said braking surface, and wherein the pollution trap is connected to said brake assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the pollution trap is connected to said brake assembly by a bolt.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said pollution device is positioned between an inner portion of a wheel rim and at least a portion of the braking surface, the wheel rim having the inner portion facing towards the braking surface and an outer portion facing away from the braking surface, the wheel rim being connected to the braking surface such that slowing the movement of the braking surface also slows the movement of the wheel rim.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said pollution trap is connected to the wheel rim.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said pollution trap is configured to snap onto the wheel rim.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a member with a first portion connected to the pollution trap for holding the pollution trap in a position to capture pollutants generated from the contact between the brake pad and the braking surface without interfering with the movement of the braking surface or the wheel rim.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a vehicle, wherein said member comprises a second portion connected to said vehicle.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a magnet positioned in a location relative to a point where the brake pad contacts the braking surface during braking such that said magnet is exposed to a pollutant resulting from contacting the braking surface with the brake pad.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said material is a magnetic material.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said member holds the pollution trap within at least a portion of the wheel rim.  
   
   
       26 . A method for capturing a pollutant generated by the contact of a brake pad with a moving surface used for braking, comprising: 
 positioning a pollution trap between a wheel of a vehicle and at least a portion of a moving surface connected to the wheel and used for braking;    exposing a pollutant trap pad held by the pollution trap to a pollutant generated by contacting a brake pad with the moving surface used for braking; and    capturing the pollutant on the pollution trap pad.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein at least a portion of the pollution trap pad is positioned at a distance of less than 5 millimeters to about 1000 millimeters from the point where the brake pad contacts the movable braking surface.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein at least a portion of the pollution trap pad is positioned at a distance of between 5 millimeters and about 200 millimeters from the point where the brake pad contacts the movable braking surface.  
   
   
       29 . A device for collecting brake dust off of brake parts or wheels, comprising a wiper material comprising a pollution trap material.  
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said wiper material is configured in the shape of a glove configured to fit over at least a portion of a hand.  
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of said wiper material is oleophilic.  
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said wiper material is a cloth.  
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said wiper material is a wipe.  
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said pollution trap material comprises a sponge.