Snow removal device and method

Abstract

A snow-melting attachment for snow removal equipment that can take up snow from surfaces and melt it using heat generated from the snow removal equipment's engine is provided. In an aspect, the attachment has at least one radiator-heated section coupled to at least one radiator and a channel having an input end, at least one section wrapped by at least one exhaust jacket operative to receive engine exhaust gas from an engine of the snow removal equipment, a section abutting the engine of the snow removal equipment, and a discharge end. A snow removal apparatus comprising the attachment and a snow-collecting portion and a method of using the attachment are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snow-melting attachment for snow removal equipment comprising:
 a channel comprising:
 an input end; 
 at least one exhaust-heated section wrapped by at least one exhaust jacket, the at least one exhaust jacket operative to receive engine exhaust gas from an engine of the snow removal equipment; 
 an engine-warmed section abutting the engine of the snow removal equipment; and a discharge end; and 
   at least one radiator-heated section coupled to at least one radiator.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1  further comprising a drying section adjacent the discharge end coupled to a heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the at least one exhaust jacket comprises a coil wound around the at least one exhaust-heated section of the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one radiator-heated section forms part of the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one radiator-heated section comprises a pre-heating area heated by at least one radiator adjacent and in fluid communication with the input end of the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the attachment is removably connectable to the snow removal equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein each of the at least one exhaust-heated section, engine-warmed section, and the at least one radiator-heated section are coupled to separate thermometers for monitoring temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment of  claim 2  wherein the at least one radiator-heated section and drying section are controlled independently of the at least one exhaust-heated section, engine-warmed section, and each other. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the discharge end is curved upward for venting of water vapour. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the at least one radiator-heated section and the drying section comprises an interior reflective surface. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the at least one radiator-heated section and drying section is insulated. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the power supplied to the snow-melting attachment is the same power source used to operate the snow removal equipment. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the at least one radiator is heated via circulated water from the engine. 
     
     
         14 . A snow removal apparatus comprising:
 a snow-collecting portion comprising:
 an engine; and 
 a discharge chute; 
   a snow-melting portion comprising a channel having:
 an input end in fluid communication with the discharge chute; 
 at least one exhaust-heated section wrapped by at least one exhaust jacket, the at least one exhaust jacket operative to receive engine exhaust gas from the engine; 
 an engine-warmed section abutting the engine; and 
 a discharge end; and 
   at least one radiator-heated section coupled to at least one radiator.   
     
     
         15 . The snow removal apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the snow-collecting portion is a snow blower. 
     
     
         16 . The snow removal apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the snow-collecting portion further comprises an auger. 
     
     
         17 . The snow removal apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the snow-melting portion further comprising a drying section adjacent the discharge end coupled to a heating element. 
     
     
         18 . The snow removal apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the at least one exhaust jacket comprises a coil wound around the at least one exhaust-heated section of the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The snow removal apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the snow-melting portion is removably connected to the snow-collecting portion. 
     
     
         20 . The snow removal apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the power supplied to the snow-melting portion is the same power source used to operate the snow-collecting portion. 
     
     
         21 . A method of disposing of snow removed from a surface comprising the steps of:
 directing at least one of snow and water removed from the surface to a channel, the channel having at least one of: an engine-warmed section warmed by the body heat of a snow removal apparatus and at least one exhaust-heated section warmed by at least one engine exhaust jacket, whereby at least a portion of the snow is melted into water by the at least one of the engine-warmed section and the at least one exhaust-heated section; and   directing the at least one of snow and water removed from the surface to at least one radiator-heated section coupled to at least one radiator,   whereby at least a portion of the snow and water is vapourized to water vapour; and   expelling the water vapour from the channel into the atmosphere.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of directing the at least one of snow and water removed from the surface to at least one radiator-heated section occurs before the step of directing at least one of snow and water removed from the surface to the channel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of directing the snow, water, and water vapour to a drying section of the channel heated by a heating element prior to expelling the water vapour from the channel, whereby snow and water can be further heated so as to melt or vapourize.